JP2003033471A - Slot machine and game media lending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate parallel processing of setting value of bet and lending game media. SOLUTION: This slot machine can execute processing for lending game media after receiving demand for lending game media from the game media lending machine within the value of the rent media and also can internally store a part of or all the game media that the player owns. the slot machine includes a first measure of setting, which sets value of bet after collecting part of the game media that the player owns, and a second measure of setting, which disables renting of game media for a specified period of time while setting of value of bet and updating the number of the internally stored game media are being executed simultaneously.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a slot machine and a game medium lending machine for lending a game medium by a lending medium such as a prepaid card (a magnetic card, an IC card or the like) having a valuable value to play a game.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Unlike a pachinko machine, a slot machine currently installed in a hall is generally of a so-called cash type in which a medal lending machine installed horizontally is used to rent medals. Similar to the machine, various so-called CR compatible slot machines have been proposed, in which a prepaid card (hereinafter referred to as a card) is used to lend medals in the slot machine. In this slot machine, a medal lending machine that accepts cards is installed next to the slot machine so that the player can freely use it.

The slot machine and the medal lending machine are electrically connected, and the medal lending machine accepts a card issued by its own machine, another machine, or a ticket issuing machine installed at an appropriate place in the hall, and the player In response to the lending operation on the slot machine by, the control signal for instructing the medal lending process is transmitted to the slot machine, while the slot machine executes the medal lending process according to the control signal. As a result, a predetermined number of medals were withdrawn from the card by one lending operation, and a predetermined number of medals were added to the in-flight credit data as accumulated medals, or if the accumulated medals exceeded the upper limit, this was exceeded. Minute medals are discharged to the tray.

By the way, in the slot machine, the bet number is set by the push button operation of the BET button or the insertion of medals, and then the start lever is operated to start the rotation of the three reels, and then the stop button corresponding to each reel. In general, the game contents such as pressing the button to stop the reels are repeated. Then, if a specific combination symbol is arranged on the stop line activated according to the bet number of medals, a prize relating to the combination symbol is established, and a predetermined number of medals determined according to the type of the prize. Is added to the in-machine credit data as a stored medal, or when the number of stored medals exceeds the upper limit, the medals for this amount are discharged to the tray.

Normally, the maximum number of bets is set to three, and accordingly, the BET button is also used for betting one (1B.
ET), 2 bets (2 BET), 3 bets (MAX)
-BET) are prepared. At the start of the game, if you press the 1BET button, only the central stop line of the five upper, middle, lower, and diagonal stop lines is activated, and if you press the 2BET button, the upper, middle, and lower three stop lines are activated. When the stop line is activated and you press the MAX-BET button,
All five stop lines are activated, and as compensation for the execution of the game, medals corresponding to the number of bets are subtracted from the in-flight credit data (BET processing).

[0006]

However, if the medal BET process and the medal lending process can be executed at the same time, the credit data updating process based on the BET process and the credit data updating process based on the lending process are performed. In addition to parallel processing, the load on the control unit is increased, which not only leads to processing delay, but also an error in updating credit data and an error in paying out medals may occur.

In addition, when the slot machine is provided with an indicator for displaying credit data, when the credit data updating process based on the BET process and the credit data updating process based on the lending process are simultaneously executed. However, it is difficult to determine which process is used to update the credit data on the display device, and as a result, it is difficult to determine whether or not the player has received the correct number of medals. .

[0008]

The slot machine according to the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and as described in claim 1, lending a game medium within the range of the valuable value of the lending medium. A slot machine which receives a request from a game medium lending machine, performs a game medium lending process, and is capable of internally storing a part or all of the game medium owned by the player, including the leased game medium. In the case where the first setting means for collecting a part from the game medium owned by the player and setting the bet number for one game execution, and the bet number setting process involving updating the internally stored amount of the game medium are executed. And a second setting means for setting the lending process of the game medium to a state in which the lending process is not possible for a predetermined period.

According to the slot machine having the above structure, when the bet number setting process involving the update of the internally stored amount of the game medium is executed, the game medium lending process is disabled for a predetermined period, and the game medium is The lending process of is never executed. However, after the lapse of a predetermined period, the lending process is restored. In the "game medium lending process impossible state", the lending request can be accepted from the game medium lending machine, but the lending request is not processed for a predetermined period, or is suspended for a predetermined period, thereby There are cases where the lending process is disabled for a predetermined period, and cases where the gaming medium lending process is disabled for a predetermined period by restricting execution of the lending request by the gaming medium lending machine. As expected, the slot machine according to claim 2 corresponds to the latter.

The "predetermined period" includes, as the start period, after the internal storage quantity update process is started, the bet number setting process is started, or after a predetermined time has passed from the start process, and the like. As a result, until the update process of the internal storage amount is completed, the bet number setting process is completed, or a predetermined time elapses from these, or the game in which the bet number is set is completed (the winning must be established. If
Stopping the symbol fluctuation, if the winning is established, up to the payout of the game medium). The point is that the game media lending process is disabled at least during the update process of the internal storage quantity.

Further, the "gaming medium owned by the player" is, of course, a gaming medium lent out according to an instruction from the gaming medium lending machine, and is paid out when a predetermined prize is established in the game. It does not matter whether it is in a state of being internally stored or discharged out of the machine, including a game medium and a game medium for a privilege given under a predetermined condition.

Generally, in the slot machine, the bet number for the game execution is fixed by the operation of the starting lever (game execution starting means), but until then, the bet number can be changed many times. Therefore, in the slot machine according to the present invention, as described in claim 3, the first setting means includes a bet number changing means for changing the bet number for one game execution, and the bet number setting process, When increasing the number of bets, the increase is collected from the internally stored game media, while when reducing the bet, a configuration including a process of adding the decrease to the internally stored game media is adopted. .

According to the slot machine having the above structure, the first setting means, when increasing (increasing) the number of bets currently set, increases the amount of bets internally stored in the game medium. If you want to reduce (decrease) the bet number currently set while additionally collecting from and setting a larger bet number, return the amount of decrease of the bet number to the internally stored game medium and add it. Although a small number of bets is set, in any case, since the process of updating the internally stored amount of game media is performed, at least during this period, the process of lending game media is set to an impossible state. Since the bet number setting process (including the bet number changing process) may be performed twice or more, as the end of the “predetermined period”, the internal storage amount is updated after the updating process of the internal storage amount or the bet number setting process is completed. It may be until the predetermined time elapses without the quantity updating process or the bet number setting process being executed again. In such a case, while the bet number setting operation is continuously performed, the game medium lending process is maintained in an impossible state.

As a means for embodying a change in the bet number, a plurality of bet number information input means for inputting bet number information of different sizes are provided, and the bet number changing means comprises: A configuration in which the bet number information is input and the bet number is changed can be adopted.

According to the slot machine having such a configuration, the first setting means sets the difference when the bet number information input means to which a bet number larger than the currently set bet number is operated. While additionally collecting from the internally stored game media and setting the bet number according to the bet number information, the bet number information input means to which a bet number smaller than the currently set bet number is operated. Then, the difference is returned to the internally stored game medium and added to set the bet amount according to the bet amount information. The "number of bets currently set" is owned by the player regardless of whether it is a game medium stored internally or a game medium inserted from outside to execute a game. It refers to the number of bets corresponding to the current number of game media deducted from the game media for executing the game.

Further, as described in claim 5, the slot machine according to the present invention receives a request for lending a game medium from the game medium lending machine within the range of the valuable value of the lending medium, and performs the game medium lending process. A slot machine capable of internally storing some or all of the game media owned by the player, including the rented game media, and a display means for displaying whether or not the game media can be rented out. , A bet number setting means for collecting a part from a game medium owned by a player and setting a bet number for one game execution, and executes a bet number setting process involving updating the internally stored amount of the game medium. In this case, the display mode of the display means is changed for a predetermined period because the lending is impossible.

According to the slot machine having the above structure, the display mode of the display means changes when the bet number setting process is executed. The player who sees this understands that the rental process of the game medium has become impossible. Then, after the lapse of a predetermined time, the display mode is returned to the original state, and the player who sees the display mode recognizes that the game medium has been returned to a state where the game medium lending process is possible. Therefore, there is an effect that the player's careless lending operation during the bet number setting process is suppressed based on the visual action of the display means.

On the other hand, in the gaming medium lending machine according to the present invention, as described in claim 6, the gaming machine lending request is made to the slot machine within the range of the valuable value of the lending medium, and the gaming machine lending request is made. From a game medium owned by a player, which is a game medium lending machine for performing a lending process, in which a part or all of the game medium owned by the player, including the rented game medium, can be internally stored. The slot machine having a bet number setting means for collecting a part and setting a bet number for one game execution, and a determining means for determining whether or not the bet number setting process is in progress, and the determining means It is characterized by comprising a restriction means for restricting the execution of the lending request for a predetermined period according to the result of the judgment.

According to the gaming medium lending machine having the above structure, it is judged whether or not the slot machine is in the process of setting the number of bets, and if not, the lending request is not executed. Therefore, the gaming machine is lent out in the slot machine. No processing is done. The gaming medium lending machine checks the slot machine whether or not the slot machine is in the process of setting the bet number, and displays the status information indicating that the slot machine is in the process of setting the bet number. It was made assuming the case of receiving from. The game medium lending machine according to claim 7 corresponds to the latter. The game medium lending machine according to the present invention makes the game medium lending process impossible even when the bet number setting process is executed based on the insertion of the game medium from the outside. The execution of the lending request may be restricted for a predetermined period only when the bet number setting process that involves updating the internally stored amount of the game medium is executed.

In addition, the game medium lending machine automatically receives the lending medium and then automatically receives the lending process, the type of the lending process, and the currency and lending medium. There is a type that does not require the lending operation by the lending operation means for performing the lending process in the above. However, the game medium lending machine according to claim 8 corresponds to the former. However, even in the former game medium lending machine, the operation acceptance by the lending operation means is not prohibited, but it is possible not to process it or to perform a hold process.

In the above, "rental medium" means a storage medium such as a magnetic card (prepaid card or membership card) capable of storing (writing) valuable value information, an IC card, a coin having an IC chip embedded therein, or the like. Not only those that store only the identification information in these storage media and the valuable value information corresponding to this identification information is stored in the game medium lending machine or the management device, but also a predetermined shape such as a token (coin-shaped) It is a concept that also includes things that are recognized as having valuable value when put into a game media lending machine. In addition, "valuable value" means something that can be converted into a game medium or equivalent to a game medium. Not only the value of money, but also the frequency converted based on this value of money, or converted based on this value of money. It is a concept that includes the rentable amount of game media. Further, the "gaming medium" is a concept including not only medals but also all the other media capable of playing the game of the slot machine.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A slot machine and a medal lending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the external configurations of the slot machine 1 and the medal lending machine 2. The slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment implements a game control system (medal insertion system) in which medals are inserted (BET) from the medal insertion slot 12 each time a game is started to execute a game, and the housing 8 is preliminarily provided. A part of the plurality of medals stored (in software) is withdrawn by the BET buttons 14, 15 and 16 (B
It is possible to implement a game control system (credit system) of performing ET) and executing a game.

Inside the box-shaped casing 8, there are provided three reels 10, ... On the peripheral surface of which a plurality of symbols are respectively displayed, and on the front face of the casing 8 in correspondence with each reel 10. Is formed with three symbol display windows 11 and five stop lines L, ... Which are crossing each symbol display window 11, ...

At the lower position of the symbol display windows 11, ..., The medal insertion slot 12 and the BET buttons 14, 15, 1 are inserted.
6, starter lever 17, three stop buttons 18, ...
A medal lending button 19, a card return button 20, a lendable display lamp 21, a card balance display 22, and a stored medal number display 23 are provided.

As described above, the BET buttons 14, 15 and 16 are for withdrawing the medals to be bet on the execution of the game from the accumulated medals up to the maximum of three.
In addition to the MAX-BET button 14 for betting three cards, three types of 1 BET button 15 for betting one and 2 BET button 16 for betting two are prepared.

The MAX-BET button 14 is for activating all the five stop lines L, ...
When the MAX-BET button 14 is pushed, three coins are collected (inserted) from the stored medals, but in the state where one or two coins have already been bet by the push button operation of the BET buttons 15 and 16. , If the MAX-BET button 14 is pushed, the difference is collected from the stored medals.

The 1BET button 15 is for activating only the central stop line L. When the 1BET button 15 is pressed, one BET button 16 or 14 is collected from the stored medals. When two or three cards have already been bet by the push button operation of
When the 1-BET button 15 is pushed, the difference is returned to the stored medals.

The 2BET button 16 is for activating the three horizontal stop lines L, ... If the 2BET button 16 is pushed, two BET buttons are collected from the stored medals. When one BET has already been bet by the push button operation of 15, if the 2BET button 16 is pushed, the difference is collected from the stored medals, while the push button of the BET button 14 has already bet three pieces. 2BE
When the T button 16 is pressed, the difference is returned to the stored medals.

The stored medal number display 23 is a digital display consisting of seven light emitting segments, and the stored medal number display 23 displays the current total number of stored medals. Therefore, every time the BET button 14, 15, 16 is pushed, the updated number of stored medals is displayed on the stored medal number display 23.

Further, the BET processing (betting number setting processing) based on the medal insertion method and the BET processing based on the credit method are mutually complementary, and, for example, one coin is bet by inserting one medal. After that, if the BET buttons 14 and 16 with a larger bet number are pushed, the difference is collected from the stored medals and the stop lines L, ... Corresponding to the BET buttons 14 and 16 that are pushed. Is enabled. At that time, the updated number of stored medals is displayed on the stored medal number display 23. However, for example, even if the BET buttons 15 and 16 with a smaller bet number are pushed after the betting of three by placing three medals, the push button operation is invalid and therefore The difference is never returned to the medal.

Whether or not the stop line L is activated by these BET processes is determined by the line activation indicators 2 vertically arranged at the lateral positions of the symbol display windows 11 ,.
It can be confirmed by 4, ... That is, one is B
When it is ET, the display 24 at the center lights up and the two B
When the ET is placed, the central and upper and lower display units 24, ... Are lit, and when three BETs are placed, all the display units 24,
… Lights up.

The medal lending button 19 is used for the medal lending machine 2
It is for withdrawing a predetermined frequency from the card inserted in, and a control signal for instructing the medal lending is transmitted from the medal lending machine 2 to the slot machine 1 side by the push button operation,
The number of stored medals in the casing 8 is added by the number corresponding to the withdrawal frequency from the card.

Here, at the start of the game, when the start lever 17 is operated after the BET processing, each reel 10, ...
When the stop buttons 18, ... Are pressed in any order, the corresponding reels 10 are sequentially stopped. When all the reels 10, ... Are stopped and a specific combination of symbols is lined up on the activated stop line L, a win is established and a corresponding number of medals are paid out. If the prize is not established, no medals will be paid out.
The paid-out medals, along with the lent medals and the medals that have been additionally inserted from the medal insertion slot 12, are stored internally until the number of stored medals reaches a predetermined number (for example, 250), and the amount exceeding this is exceeded. The coins are ejected from the medal ejection port 25 to the receiving tray 26 by the operation of the medal ejection device arranged in the housing 8.

In contrast to the slot machine 1 having the above structure, the medal lending machine 2 according to the present embodiment has a card issuing function. When a bill is inserted, the magnetic card housed in the machine body 40 is carried out. Information such as a card number and a valuable value is recorded on this card, and the card is carried out to the card insertion / ejection slot 49. Further, the medal lending machine 2 can accept a card issued by itself or another medal lending machine or a ticket issuing machine, and displays the frequency recorded on the card from the card inserted from the card insertion / ejection slot 49. The recorded information including can be read.

On the front of the box-shaped body 40, a display lamp 44 for notifying the operating state of the medal lending machine 2,
A banknote slot 45 that accepts banknotes of a specified denomination (thousand-yen, 5,000-yen, 10,000-yen, etc.), a banknote return slot 46 that discharges banknotes (thousand-yen bill) of the minimum denomination as fishing, , A card insertion button 48, and a card insertion / ejection port 49 are provided respectively.

The card insertion / ejection port 49 issues a card in response to the insertion of a bill into the bill insertion port 45 and the push button of the one amount selection button 47, and the issued card,
This is the part where cards issued by other medal lending machines or ticket issuing machines are inserted. The card insertion button 48 is used when the card issued to the card insertion / ejection port 49 is inserted into the machine body 40, and the issued card is taken in from the card insertion / ejection port 49 by the push button operation. It is like this.

FIG. 2 schematically shows the electrical configurations of the slot machine 1 and the medal lending machine 2. Slot machine 1
Is provided with a control unit 55 having a CPU which is a main body of control and calculation, a ROM which stores a game control program, a RAM which is used for reading and writing data, and a random number generator.

Various input / output units are connected to the CPU of the control unit 55 via a bus. As the input unit, a medal insertion sensor 13 for detecting medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 12, a MAX-BET button 14, a 1BET button 15, a 2BET button 16, a starting lever 17, a stop button 18, ... Are connected. These signals are C
It is designed to be input to the PU. As the output part,
A reel drive unit 57 for starting / stopping / retracting the rotation of the reels 10, ..., A medal lending device (medal lending unit) 5
8, a stored medal number display 23, a display lamp 59 used in a special game mode or for illumination of a machine, and a line validation display 24 are connected, and various output units are controlled based on an input signal. .

As the input / output unit, the interface circuit 6 connected to the control unit 65 (of the medal lending machine 2
A relay board 59 for exchanging various control signals relating to the lending process with 6) is connected. Relay board 5
The control signal between the 9 and the interface circuit 66 is composed of a lending available signal, a lending status signal, a lending request signal, a lending approval signal, and the like, and each signal line is collected as one cable.

The lending enable signal is a signal for informing the medal lending machine 2 from the slot machine 1 whether or not it is in a state in which it is ready to accept a medal lending instruction. When the game process is executed, or when the BET process is based on the push button operation of the BET buttons 14, 15, 16 and the like, the lending enable signal becomes H level, and the lending process becomes impossible. The signal is inverted to the L level and the lending process becomes possible.

The lending status signal is a signal output from the medal lending machine 2 to the slot machine 1, and indicates whether or not the medal lending machine 2 is in a state of instructing a lending process. This signal is also normally at H level, and the slot machine 1
L by pressing the medal lending button 19 of
The level is reversed, and after a predetermined time after a considerable number of pieces to be rented out by one operation of the medal lending button 19, the level is reversed to the H level.

The lending request signal is a signal output from the medal lending machine 2 to the slot machine 1, and instructs the control unit 55 of the slot machine 1 to execute the lending process. This signal is normally at the H level, and the reversal to the L level instructs the lending process of the medals (for example, 5 coins) for one time. When the lending process for a plurality of times is performed by operating the medal lending button 19 once, pulse signals corresponding to the number of times are sequentially generated and output.

The lending approval signal is a control signal indicating that the medal lending instruction from the medal lending machine 2 is received.
Normally, it is at the H level, and after the lending request signal goes to the L level, it is inverted to the L level after a predetermined time, and then returns to the H level after a predetermined time.

A medal lending button 19, a card return button 20, a lendable indicator lamp 21, a card balance indicator 22
Are connected to the control unit 65 of the medal lending machine 2 via a separate relay board 61, and are placed under the control of the medal lending machine 2. The control signals exchanged between the relay board 61 and the control unit 65 of the medal lending machine 2 include a lamp lighting signal, a display control signal, and the like, and each signal line is collected as one cable.

The lamp lighting signal is a signal output to the relay board 61 of the slot machine 1, and this signal is
When the lending possible signal is at the L level and the lending state signal is at the H level, the lending level becomes L level and the lending possible display lamp 21 is turned on. Therefore, when the medal lending button 19 is pushed, the lending status signal is inverted to the L level, and the BET
The buttons 14, 15, 16 are pushed to operate so that the lending available signal is inverted to the H level, and the start lever 17 is operated to invert the lending available signal to the H level. H) until the instruction for lending processing, BET processing, and game processing is completed.
Maintained at the level.

The display control signal is a signal output to the relay board 61 of the slot machine 1 and is a signal for displaying the remaining number data. This signal corresponds to the lending request signal, and the remaining number data is transmitted as the lending request signal is inverted from the L level to the H level.

The control unit 55 controls the BET buttons 14 and 1.
The BET acceptance signal corresponding to the input signal from 5, 16 is internally processed. As for the BET acceptance signal, the lending available signal is L
When the level and the lending status signal are at the H level, the H level is set, and the BET buttons 14, 15, 16 can be accepted. Therefore, when the medal lending button 19 is pushed, the lending status signal is inverted to the L level,
When the lending enable signal is inverted to the H level by operating the T buttons 14, 15 and 16 and the lending enable signal is inverted to the H level by operating the start lever 17,
It is reversed to the level (invalidation of the push button operation of the BET buttons 14, 15, 16), and is kept at the L level until the instruction of the lending process, the BET process, and the game process is completed.

The control unit 65 of the medal lending machine 2 has a CPU which is a main body of control and calculation, and an RO which stores a program.
M and a RAM used for reading and writing data,
Various input / output units are connected to the CPU via a bus.

As the input section, the amount selection button 47,
..., the card insertion button 48 and the like are connected, the output section is connected to the display lamp 44, the card transport section 69 for loading / unloading the card is connected, and the input / output section is another medal lending machine, a ticket issuing machine, and the like. Interface circuit 71 for communicating with the control device, taking-in of inserted bills,
A bill transport unit 72 for discharging, a card reader / writer 73 for reading and writing card information with respect to a card taken in by a built-in magnetic head, etc. are connected.

Further, the control section 65 internally processes the lending acceptance signal and the return acceptance signal corresponding to the input signals from the medal lending button 19 and the card return button 20 inputted via the relay board 61.

The lending acceptance signal is at the H level when the lending enable signal is at the L level and the lending state signal is at the H level, and the medal lending button 19 can be accepted. Therefore, when the medal lending button 19 is pushed, the lending state signal is inverted to the L level, the BET button 14,
By pushing buttons 15 and 16 and the lending possible signal is inverted to the H level, and when the start lever 17 is operated and the lending possible signal is inverted to the H level, the L level (the push button operation of the medal lending button 17 is invalidated. ) And L until the instruction for lending processing, BET processing and game processing is completed.
Maintained at the level.

The return acceptance signal also becomes H level when the lending enable signal is at L level and the lending status signal is at H level, and the medal return button 20 can be accepted. Therefore, when the medal lending button 19 is pushed, the lending state signal is inverted to the L level, the BET button 14,
By pushing buttons 15 and 16 to invert the lending possible signal to the H level, and by operating the starter lever 17 to invert the lending possible signal to the H level, the L level (the push button operation of the card return button 20 is invalidated). ) And L until the instruction for lending processing, BET processing and game processing is completed.
Maintained at the level.

FIG. 3 shows the exchange of signals between the slot machine 1 and the medal lending machine 2 in the lending process. In the slot machine 1, TS is set for a predetermined time after the power is turned on.
Until the time elapses, during the BET process, or during the game process (until all reels 10, ... Are stopped after the start lever 17 is operated (when the winning is achieved, until the payout of the winning medal is completed)) During the period, the lending enable signal is maintained at the H level. When the medal lending button 19 is pressed when the lending enable signal is inverted to the L level, the medal lending machine 2 receives the input signal, reverses the lending state signal to the L level, and then reverses the lending state signal. The lending request signal is inverted to the L level after a predetermined time interval T0 from the processing.

The control unit 55 of the slot machine 1 confirms that the level inversion of the lending request signal continues for a predetermined time T1, and then reverses the lending approval signal to the L level, thereby causing the medal lending machine 2 to operate. Send that the medal lending instruction has been accepted. After this, when the time T2 further elapses, the control unit 65 of the medal lending machine 2 returns the lending request signal to the H level and decrements the frequency data of the card being accepted by one. Further, at this time, the control unit 55 of the slot machine 1 adds the medal (5 coins) for one time to the current accumulated medal, and when the time of T3 further elapses, returns the lending approval signal to the H level.

The control unit 65 of the medal lending machine 2 recognizes that the lending process for one time has ended when a predetermined time T4 has passed after checking the return of the lending approval signal to the H level. Hereafter, the lending process for a predetermined number of times (10 times in the illustrated example) is performed by the same communication operation, and the control unit 50 of the medal lending machine 2 waits for a predetermined time TE from the completion of the last lending process. After a lapse of time, the lending status signal is returned to the H level. As a result, the stored medals are obtained by adding the number of medals (50 in this example) obtained by multiplying the number of medals for one time by the number of withdrawals.

By the operation of the medal lending button 17,
It is possible to arbitrarily set how many times the frequency data is subtracted from the card, and the number of medals for lending corresponding to one frequency can be appropriately changed.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the BET processing. In playing a game, first, it is determined whether or not an automatic BET process, that is, a BET process (described later) automatically executed by the slot machine regardless of the player's intention has been performed (S10), If not, it is determined whether or not the BET button is pushed (S20). If any BET button is pushed by the player,
The lending available signal (hereinafter referred to as PRDY) is at the L level and the lending status signal (hereinafter referred to as BRDY) is at the H level (the lamp lighting signal (hereinafter referred to as TDL0) is at the L level (the lending possible display lamp is lit). )), That is, whether the lending process is not executed (S3).
0).

Therefore, if the lending process is being executed, B
The push button operation of the ET button is invalidated, and the process returns to S20, but if it is determined that the ET button has not been executed, PRDY is set to H.
The level is inverted and TDL0 is inverted to the H level (the lending possible display lamp is turned off) (S40), and the lending processing prohibited state is set.

If the number of bets is three according to the type of the BET button operated by the push button (S50), the BE for three bets is placed.
T processing is executed (S60), and if the bet number is two (S7)
0), the BET processing for two bets is executed (S80), and if the number of bets is one (S90), the BET processing for one bet is executed (S100). Is
An error is displayed (S110).

When any BET processing is completed, PRDY is returned to L level and TDL0 is returned to L level (the loanable display lamp is turned on again) (S12).
0), the prohibition state of lending processing is released. Since the BET process is determined by operating the start lever, the BET process can be executed any number of times before the start lever is operated (S130). On the other hand, after the start lever is operated (S130), it is determined whether the bet number is set (S1).
After 40), the game process is started (S150).

Then, in the game processing, as a result of pressing the three stop buttons, as a result of re-play symbols (so-called "replay symbols") being aligned with the activated line (S160),
Returning to S40, the lending prohibited state is set (S40), the automatic bet processing based on the bet number in the game is executed (S50 to S100), and then the lending prohibited state is canceled (S120), and the starting lever Whether or not the operation is performed is determined (S130). If the start lever is operated, the process proceeds to S140 to execute the next game process (S150),
If there is no operation, the process proceeds from S10 to S170 and waits for acceptance of the operation of the starting lever.

As described above, the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment employs a configuration in which the lending enable signal becomes H level and the lending process is disabled when the BET process is started. At this time, the lamp lighting signal becomes H level,
Since the lending acceptance display lamp 20 is turned off, the lending acceptance signal becomes L level, and the medal lending button 17 is invalidated, the lending operation cannot be accepted. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the load on the control unit based on the parallel processing, prevent the processing delay, and prevent the credit data update error and the medal payout error.
Since the credit data update processing based on the ET processing and the credit data update processing based on the lending processing are executed at different timings, it becomes easy to determine whether or not an accurate number of medals have been lent.

Although the slot machine 1 and the medal lending machine 2 according to the present embodiment are configured as described above, the slot machine and the medal lending machine according to the present invention are not limited to this embodiment. Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the medal lending machine according to the above-described embodiment, the lending process is started by pressing the medal lending button 19, but the medal lending button is not provided and money or lending medium is It may be a medal lending machine that automatically starts the lending process within the range of the valuable value of the issued lending medium or the lending medium that has been inserted. In this case, the timing of starting the lending process (that is, the timing of outputting the lending request signal) is as follows: when the money or the lending medium is input, when the inserted money or the lending medium is judged to be authentic, It may be when the medium is issued, when the issued lending medium is taken in, when the information of the lending medium is read, or during this period. Therefore, when money or a lending medium is input during the BET process, it may be returned without accepting it, or, although it is accepted, the lending process may be suspended until a predetermined period ends.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the medal lending button 19 is pushed, the input signal is always transmitted to the control unit 65 of the medal lending machine 2. 61 is provided with a logic circuit, and B
During a predetermined period from the start of the ET processing, the input of the medal lending button (lending operation means) 19 may be invalidated on the relay board 61, or the signal processing may not be performed or the holding processing may be performed.

Further, in the above embodiment, BET
When the processing is completed, the lending prohibited state is temporarily canceled regardless of whether or not the next BET processing is scheduled, and if the re-BET processing is executed, the lending prohibited state is set again. However, for example, the lending prohibited state may be maintained until the predetermined time elapses after completion of the first BET processing, until the start lever 17 is operated, and until the game processing is completed.

In the above embodiment, the BET process is started by pressing the BET button (bet number information input means) 14, 15, 16 to start the BET process. When the processing is completed, the BET processing for the next game execution may be automatically started. In this case, as a general rule, it is assumed that an automatic BET process for three bets (the maximum number of bets) is performed, and when the number of bets is reduced, the 1 BET button 15 or the 2 BET button 16 may be manually pushed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the BET process involving the update of the internally stored quantity of medals is executed, it is determined that the lending is impossible, and the lendable display lamp 21
The display mode is changed for a predetermined period (lighting to extinguishing), but the change of the display mode is not limited to lighting and extinguishing. For example, as the display means, for example, for red, green and A multicolor light emitting element including a blue LED chip is used, and by controlling the lighting of these, for example, red, green, blue, light blue, yellow, purple, and white 7
A change in the light emission mode such as switching of the emission color of the color or switching of the emission intensity may be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the inserted medals are involved in the BET processing, it is impossible to change the large bet number to the small bet number (the small bet number is changed to the large bet number. However, regardless of whether or not the inserted medals are involved in the BET process, the BET process involving increase / decrease of credit data may be enabled.
According to this, for example, three medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 1
If the player pushes the 1-BET button 15 in the state where the player has thrown in 2 and betting three coins, the difference of two coins will be credited.

Further, in the above embodiment, BET
There are three types of buttons, but MAX-BE
Only the T button may be prepared, and the type and quantity of the button does not matter. Therefore, for example, a bet number increase button and a bet number decrease button are provided, and the bet number is incremented by one each time the bet number increase button is pressed, while the bet number is decreased each time the bet number decrease button is pressed. May be decremented by one.

Further, the gaming medium lending machine according to the present invention accepts currency and issues a lending medium to which a valuable value is added, regardless of whether or not the lending medium can be extracted. Is not limited to a so-called self-issued game medium lending machine, which does not include a lending medium issuing means,
It also includes a game medium lending machine that can accept only the lending medium issued by the ticket issuing machine. Further, even if it is a self-issuing type, the amount selection button may be a game medium lending machine that issues a lending medium equivalent to the accepted currency, instead of an indispensable component.

In addition, if money is put into the lending medium that has been put into the market and valuable value still remains, the value of the lending medium is overwritten within the range of the valuable value of money. It is the subject of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, the lending possible signal is set to the H level to set the lending unavailable state during the BET processing, but the lending available signal remains at the L level even during the BET processing. Instead of this, a BET state signal indicating that BET processing is in progress may be transmitted to the game medium lending machine, and the game medium lending machine that receives this may regulate the transmission of the lending request signal. Also, during BET processing,
The lending acceptance signal is set to the L level to prohibit the operation acceptance of the medal lending button 19, but even during the BET processing,
The lending acceptance signal may remain at the H level, and instead, the slot machine may not process the lending request signal transmitted from the game medium lending machine.

Further, in the above embodiment, the game medium lending machine and the slot machine are constituted by separate casings, respectively, and both are electrically connected to each other to be separable, but the present invention is Although they are separate housings, they include those housings that are inseparably combined, and those housings of conventionally provided slot machines that are provided with a configuration relating to a game media lending machine. Therefore, these are conceptually both a “slot machine” and a “game medium lending machine”. In such a case, "receive a request for lending a game medium from a game medium lending machine" described in claims 1 and 5 is the same as "receive a request for lending a game medium", and the claim 2 A certain "perform restriction on execution of lending request to game media lending machine" is the same as "perform restriction on execution of lending request".

Further, the medal lending button 19, the card return button 20, the lendable display lamp 21, the card balance display 22, and the stored medal number display 23 are the slot machine 1
It is not essential to provide it on the side, and it may be provided on the game medium lending machine 2 side.

[0077]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the slot machine, when the bet number setting process is executed, setting means for setting the lending process of the game medium to the impossible state is provided, and the game medium lending machine is provided. In the above, when the slot machine starts the bet number setting process, the lending process is performed at least during the bet number setting process involving the update of the internal storage amount of the game medium, because the regulation means for regulating the execution of the lending request is provided There is no. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the load on the control unit due to the parallel processing of the internally stored quantity update processing and the lending processing in the bet number setting processing, and prevent the processing speed from decreasing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a slot machine and a medal lending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine and the medal lending machine of the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart of a communication operation relating to a lending process between the slot machine and the medal lending machine of the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a BET process of the same embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Slot machine, 2 ... Medal lending machine, 8 ... Housing, 1
0 ... reel, 11 ... symbol display window, 12 ... medal slot,
13 ... Medal insertion sensor, 14 ... MAX-BET button, 15 ... 1BET button, 16 ... 2BET button, 1
7 ... Starting lever, 18 ... Stop button, 19 ... Medal lending button, 20 ... Card return button, 21 ... Lending available display lamp, 22 ... Card balance display, 23 ... Stored medal number display, 24 ... Line activation display Bowl, 25 ... medal discharge port, 26 ... saucer, 40 ... machine, 44 ... indicator lamp, 45 ... bill insertion slot, 46 ... bill return slot, 47 ... amount selection button, 48 ... card insertion button, 49 ... card insertion / ejection Mouth, 55 ... Control unit, 57 ... Reel drive unit, 58 ... Medal lending unit, 59 ... Indicator lamp, etc. 65 ... Control unit, 66 ...
Interface circuit, 59 ... Relay board, 61 ... Relay board, 69 ... Card transfer section, 71 ... Interface circuit, 72 ... Banknote transfer section, 73 ... Card reader / writer

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A lending request for a game medium within the range of the valuable value of the lending medium is received from a game medium lending machine, a game medium lending process is performed, and the lending game medium is included.
A slot machine capable of internally storing a part or all of a game medium owned by a player, wherein a part is collected from the game medium owned by the player and a bet number for one game execution is set. And a second setting means for setting the game medium lending process in a disabled state for a predetermined period when the bet number setting process involving the update of the internally stored amount of the game medium is executed. A slot machine characterized by that. 2. The slot according to claim 1, wherein the second setting means sets a game medium lending process in a disabled state for a predetermined period by restricting execution of a lending request to a game medium lending machine. Machine. 3. The first setting means includes bet number changing means for changing the bet number for one game execution, and in the bet number setting process, when the bet number is increased, the increased amount is internally stored. If you want to reduce the number of bets while collecting from the game media
3. The slot machine according to claim 1, further comprising a process of adding the decrement to the game medium stored internally. 4. A plurality of bet number information input means for inputting bet number information of different sizes, and the bet number changing means changes the bet number by receiving the bet number information. Slot machine. 5. A rental request for a game medium within the range of the valuable value of the loan medium is received from the game medium lending machine, the game medium is rented out, and the rented game medium is included.
A slot machine capable of internally storing a part or all of a game medium owned by a player, and a display means for displaying whether or not the game medium can be rented, and a game medium owned by the player. A bet number setting means for collecting a set and setting a bet number for one game execution, and a bet number setting process involving updating the internally stored amount of game media is executed,
A slot machine characterized in that the display mode of the display means is changed for a predetermined period of time as being rentable. 6. A game medium lending machine for requesting a slot machine to lend a game medium within the range of the valuable value of the lending medium and causing the slot machine to perform a game medium lending process. A storage means capable of internally storing a part or all of the game medium owned by the player, including the medium, and a part of the game medium owned by the player are set to set the number of bets for one game execution. A slot machine including a bet number setting means determines a determination whether or not a bet number setting process is in progress, and a restricting means for restricting execution of a lending request for a predetermined period according to a result of the determination by the determination means. A game medium lending machine, comprising: 7. The determination means receives the status information relating to the bet number setting process of the slot machine from the slot machine, and determines that the slot machine is in the bet number setting process with the update of the internal storage amount. Item 6. A game medium lending machine according to item 6. 8. The game medium lending machine according to claim 6, wherein the regulation unit regulates execution of the lending request by prohibiting operation acceptance by the lending operation unit.