JP2005066174A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To substantially improve the convenience of a player by smoothly executing put-out when putting out stored virtual game media as actual game media. <P>SOLUTION: In a memory of a reception and put-out control board 136, game media are stored as the virtual game media. When a settlement button 111 is operated, the game media stored as the virtual game media are put out to a storage part. The reception and put-out control board 136 automatically receives the game media at least for a number required for the next game by the drive of a receiver 23. Also, a main board 131 and the reception and put-out control board 136 do not execute the automatic reception of the game media corresponding to the operation of the settlement button 111. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  A slot having an annular belt called a reel as a type of gaming machine, and variable display means for displaying a symbol pattern attached to the belt surface and displaying a stop symbol after the variable display The machine is known. In this slot machine, when a game (that is, reel rotation) is started on condition that a predetermined number of medals are received, and the stop symbol displayed on a predetermined active line is a specific symbol, for example, as in a big bonus game A predetermined game (special game state) advantageous to a player is generated. Here, in the slot machine, the player inserts a medal, but the inserted medal is supplied to the hopper only when it is normally received by the receiving device. The medals in the hopper are paid out from the hopper to the medal tray by driving the motor.

  In recent years, a ball-type belt-type game machine that can play games similar to slot machines using game balls instead of medals has been considered. In such a gaming machine, the endless belt is circulated by operating a lever after a predetermined number of game balls are received. A plurality of symbols are attached to the belt surface in the circumferential direction, and game balls are paid out according to combinations of the symbols. If such a gaming machine is used in place of the slot machine, the gaming ball can be handled as a common gaming medium with the pachinko machine in the gaming hall and the gaming characteristics of the slot machine can be maintained. In addition, in this case, problems such as the burden on equipment due to the separate handling of medals and game balls and restrictions on the location of game machines, which are often seen in current game halls where pachinko machines and slot machines are mixed, are solved. In addition, there is an advantage that flexibility such as installing the game machine on the island of the pachinko machine is generated.

  As described above, in a gaming machine or the like that starts a game on condition that a predetermined number of game balls are received, it is necessary to quickly and surely count and receive the game balls required for each game. (Patent Document 1). For example, the receiving device is provided with a counting / discharging device in the middle of a game ball passage extending in the vertical direction, and accepting or blocking of the gaming ball is allowed through the counting / discharging device, and counting of the gaming ball is performed. It has become.

  Here, since there is a time limit in the accepting operation in the gaming machine, a function for storing a virtual game ball in the gaming machine, that is, a so-called credit function is added to improve the convenience of game progress. Can be considered. If the credit function is provided, the accepting operation can be processed electrically, so that there is an advantage that the game ball does not have to be received by the accepting device every time the game is played. If a credit function is provided, the virtual game ball can be paid out as a real game ball to a player who wants to end the game with the credited virtual game ball remaining. Thus, it is preferable to provide a checkout button.

In such a case, when the player operates the checkout button, it is desirable that the virtual game ball is quickly paid out in accordance with the player's intention, but if any factor that prevents the virtual game ball from being paid out occurs, It may take a long time or the payout may not be completed normally. For example, in order to speed up the game, when an automatic acceptance function for automatically accepting a number of game balls necessary for the next game round is added, the player intends to pay out the virtual game balls. Nevertheless, there is a problem that the virtual game ball cannot be properly paid out by the automatic take-in function.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-177457 (FIG. 1)

  The present invention makes it possible to smoothly pay out a stored virtual game medium as an actual game medium, thereby greatly improving the convenience of the player. The purpose is to provide a machine.

  Hereinafter, effective means for solving the above-described problems will be described while showing effects and the like as necessary. In the following, for easy understanding, the corresponding configuration in the embodiment of the invention is appropriately shown in parentheses, but is not limited to the specific configuration shown in parentheses.

Means 1. A storage unit (upper plate 18) for storing game media such as game balls and game medals, a payout device (payout device 28) for paying out game media to the storage unit, and a receiving device for receiving game media from the storage unit ( A gaming machine comprising a receiving device 23), wherein a game is played using a game medium received by the receiving device;
Virtual game medium storage means (accepting / dispensing control board 136) for storing the game medium as a virtual game medium;
Operation means (payment button 111) operated to pay out the virtual game medium stored in the virtual game medium storage means to the storage unit;
Game medium automatic receiving means (accepting / dispensing control board 136) for automatically receiving at least the number of game media required for the next game round by driving the receiving device;
Automatic acceptance switching means (main board 131, acceptance / dispensing control board 136) that disables automatic acceptance of gaming media by gaming media automatic acceptance means in response to an operation of the manipulation means;
A gaming machine characterized by comprising:

  According to the means 1, the game medium automatic receiving means automatically accepts at least the number of game media required for the next game round by driving the receiving device. The automatic acceptance of the game medium makes the game start preparations quickly, and as a result, the game can proceed quickly. In particular, the automatic reception of game media by the game media automatic reception means is not performed in accordance with the operation of the operation means. Since the player operates the operation means with the intention of paying out the virtual game medium to the storage unit, if the game medium continues to be automatically received thereafter, it becomes a factor that hinders payout when paying out the virtual game medium. Inconvenience arises. In this case, the virtual game medium can be paid out appropriately by not performing (ending) the automatic reception of the game medium in accordance with the operation of the operation means. Therefore, the payout of the virtual game medium can be performed smoothly, and the convenience of the player can be greatly improved.

  Mean 2. In means 1, if the game medium is automatically received by the game medium automatic receiving means when the operation means is operated, the automatically received game medium is invalidated and the game medium for the automatic reception is displayed. A gaming machine which is paid out or stored as a virtual game medium.

  According to the means 2, if the game medium has already been automatically received when the operation means is operated, the automatically received game medium is invalidated and the game medium for the automatic reception is paid out or virtual. Stored and stored as a game medium. Thereby, when operating the operation means, the payout of the game media that has been automatically received or the storage and storage of the virtual game media is performed in preference to the payout of the game media stored as the virtual game media. Therefore, the inconvenience of failing to discharge the automatically received game medium can be suppressed.

  Means 3. In the means 1 or 2, the virtual game medium stored in the virtual game medium storage means is stored on condition that there is no game medium automatically received by the game medium automatic reception means when the operation means is operated. A gaming machine characterized by paying out to a storage unit.

  According to the means 3, when the operation means is operated, the virtual game medium stored in the virtual game medium storage means is paid out to the storage section on the condition that there is no automatically received game medium. Thereby, a virtual game medium can be paid out as an actual game medium without any problem.

  In the case of the configuration in which the means 2 and the means 3 are combined, if the operation means is operated in a state where the game medium has already been automatically received, the game medium for the automatic reception or the virtual game is first operated by the operation of the first operation means. After the storage and storage of the medium is performed and there is no game medium for automatic acceptance, the virtual game medium is paid out by the operation of the operation means again. Thereby, all of the game media possessed by the player at that time can be surely paid out as actual game media.

  Means 4. In any one of the means 1 to 3, the game medium automatic receiving means stores at least the number of game media necessary for the next game round as virtual game media in the virtual game medium storage means, and thereafter A gaming machine characterized in that an acceptance process is performed electrically by a betting number setting operation by a number setting means (bet switches 107 to 109).

  According to the means 4, at the time of automatic acceptance of game media, at least as many game media as necessary for the next game round are stored and stored as virtual game media, and electrically accepted by a subsequent betting number setting operation.

  Means 5. In any one of the means 1 to 4, the storage medium number display means (credit display unit 149) for displaying the number of virtual game media stored in the virtual game medium storage means, and the number of storage media when the game medium automatic acceptance is performed. A gaming machine, further comprising display switching means (accepting / dispensing control board 136) that sets the display means to a display state and sets the storage medium number display means to a non-display state when the automatic reception of game media is not performed.

  According to the means 5, the storage medium number display means is set in the display state when the game medium automatic acceptance is performed, and the virtual game medium number (credit number) is displayed. When the game medium automatic acceptance is not performed, the storage medium number display is displayed. The means is hidden, and the display of the number of virtual game media (number of credits) is erased. Thereby, the player can confirm the state of automatic reception of game media each time by looking at the display state of the storage medium number display means.

Means 6. In any one of the means 1 to 5, the operation means (the bet switches 107 to 109) different from the operation means operated as one of the start conditions of each game,
Automatic receiving start means (main board 131, receiving / dispensing control board 136) for starting automatic reception of game media by the game medium automatic receiving means in response to operation of the other operation means;
A gaming machine, further comprising:

  According to the means 6, when the player starts the game, the other operation means is operated. Then, automatic reception of game media is started in response to the operation of the other operation means. In this case, automatic reception of game media can be started in accordance with the intention of the player who starts the game. Therefore, as described above, the automatic acceptance can be suitably terminated, and the automatic acceptance can be favorably started. Convenience is further improved in realizing the automatic acceptance function.

  Mean 7 In the means 6, the other operation means comprises operation means for setting a bet number (the number of bets) using a required number of virtual game media stored in the virtual game medium storage means. Gaming machine.

  In this type of gaming machine, setting the bet number is a necessary condition at the start of the game, and automatic acceptance of game media can be started due to the setting of the bet number.

  Means 8. In any one of the means 1 to 5, the operation means causes the virtual game medium to be paid out only during a period in which the operation is actually performed, and the payout of the virtual game medium is canceled at the end of the operation. The game further comprises automatic acceptance start means (main board 131, acceptance / dispensing control board 136) for starting automatic acceptance of game media by the game media automatic acceptance means at the end of operation of the operation means. Machine.

  According to the means 8, the virtual game medium is paid out only during the period in which the operation means is actually operated, and the virtual game medium is canceled at the end of the operation of the operation means. In addition, at the end of the operation of the operation means, automatic reception of game media is started. Therefore, as described above, the automatic acceptance can be suitably terminated, and the automatic acceptance can be favorably started.

  Means 9. In any one of the means 1 to 8, the gaming machine circulates an endless belt (belt 76) having a plurality of patterns (symbols) on its surface, and a display window (display windows 61 to 61) provided on the front of the gaming machine. 63) The picture is variably displayed through 63), and a game ball is paid out or a special game state is generated according to the confirmed picture after the stop.

  According to the means 9, the effect of any one of the means 1 to 8 can be enjoyed in the belt-type ball receiving / dispensing game machine.

  Means 10. In the means 9, the rotation of the belt is started due to the operation of the start operation means (start lever 101) and the pattern is variably displayed, and also due to the operation of the stop operation means (stop buttons 102 to 104) or A gaming machine configured to stop the rotation of the belt due to the elapse of a predetermined time without operating the stop operation means and stop the variable display of the picture.

  According to the means 10, the player can actively participate in the game by operating the start operation means or the stop operation means.

  Means 11. In means 9 or means 10, the gaming machine has a game start condition for accepting a plurality of game balls for each game.

  In the belt-type ball accepting / dispensing game machine, instead of a game medal in the slot machine, a game ball is used and a plurality of game balls are received at one time. Therefore, an automatic game ball accepting function can be added. This is considered particularly desirable in order to speed up the game progress. Even in the belt-type ball receiving / dispensing game machine, the virtual game ball can be paid out smoothly as described above.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment relating to a gaming machine in which a game is started after receiving a game ball will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The gaming machine according to the present embodiment requires a game ball receiving process as a predetermined number of game media in the game, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a plurality of game balls, and in some cases, a large number of game ball payout processes. Is a ball receiving and dispensing game machine configured to be executed. The game ball is not limited to a pachinko ball that is a game ball used in a pachinko machine, and may be a steel ball.

  First, the outline of the external configuration and internal structure of the gaming machine 1 will be described. Here, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire gaming machine 1, FIG. 2 is a front view of the gaming machine 1, FIG. 3 is a front view showing the gaming machine main body and the front door 4 in an expanded state, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the gaming machine 1. 2 and 4 also show a card sand A provided with the gaming machine 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the gaming machine 1 includes an outer frame 2 as a main body frame, and a front frame that is provided at a front portion of the outer frame 2 and is openable and closable at one side of the outer frame 2. 3 is provided. In this case, the outer frame 2 and the front frame 3 are connected to each other by hinges 31 and 32 at the upper and lower portions of the left end so as to be opened and closed. The outer frame 2 is configured by connecting wooden plates to four sides, and has a rectangular frame shape as a whole. Further, the front frame 3 is made of a rectangular frame-like plate material whose outer dimensions are slightly smaller than those of the outer frame 2, and is provided so as to contact the front surface of the outer frame 2. A back set board 16 extending from the back side to the back side along the inner peripheral surface of the outer frame 2 is attached and fixed to the front frame 3, and a belt unit or a game ball described later is attached to the back set board 16. A device for receiving or paying out, various control boards, and the like are mounted. In the present embodiment, the gaming machine main body is basically composed of the outer frame 2, the front frame 3, the back set board 16 provided on the front frame 3, and the like.

  A front door 4 is provided on the front side of the front frame 3 so as to be openable and closable with respect to the front frame 3, and a lower dish forming member 5 is provided below the front door 4. That is, the front side of the front frame 3 is covered with the front door 4 and the lower plate forming member 5, and the front frame that is above the lower plate forming member 5 is opened by opening the front door 4. 3 and various mechanisms (such as a belt unit) mounted thereon are exposed forward. The front frame 3 and the front door 4 are connected in an openable and closable manner by upper and lower hinges 33 and 34 at the left end. Therefore, the right side of the front door 4 is rotated around the left side of the front frame 3.

  The front surfaces of the front door 4 and the lower plate forming member 5 are formed in a continuous three-dimensional shape so as to form an integrated appearance as the entire gaming machine, and the gaming machine 1 has an annular shape on the entire outer periphery and is a gaming machine. It has the annular parts 6 and 7 which protrude in the front. The annular portions 6 and 7 have a substantially symmetrical shape when viewed from the front of the gaming machine. A large number of light emitters 8 and 9 made of light emitting diodes or the like are embedded in these annular portions 6 and 7 (see the partially broken portion in the lower right of FIG. 2), and the light emitters 8 and 9 emit light during the game. Thus, for example, the annular portions 6 and 7 illuminate all at once or around the outer periphery of the gaming machine.

  Of the annular portion 6, the top portion 6 a located at the uppermost portion protrudes further forward than other portions, and exhibits a symbolic appearance as the gaming machine 1. The top portion 6a is provided with a pair of left and right lamp display portions 10 and a pair of left and right speakers 11 in the same manner. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the speaker 11 is disposed in a direction inclined downward in the top portion 6 a of the annular portion 6. Thereby, directivity is given to the speaker 11, and for the player located in front of each gaming machine 1, the sound from the speaker 11 can be heard directly, and the effect at the time of the game is more effective. It will be a thing.

  In the annular portion 6, a constricted portion 6 b that is constricted on the inside is provided near the center in the height direction, and the lamp display portions 12 and 13 are also provided on the constricted portion 6 b. When the front door 4 is in a closed state, the front door 4 is locked so as not to be opened by a lock mechanism (not shown), and the locked state is a predetermined key for the key cylinder 14 provided on the front frame 3. It is configured to be released by an operation. In the gaming machine 1, the installation position of the key cylinder 14 is secured by the constricted portion 6b of the front door 4 (annular portion 6).

  The annular portions 6 and 7 (light emitters 8 and 9) and the lamp display portions 10, 12, 13 and the like are for performing an auxiliary effect during the game while intending to diversify the display contents and make the display effect heavy. It is provided and performs various display effects as the game progresses. For example, when a big bonus game is obtained, the annular portions 6 and 7 (light emitters 8 and 9) are caused to emit light all at once or circulate, all the lamp display portions 10, 12, and 13 are turned on or blinked, etc. By making it happen, the player is notified.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a CR unit A is provided on the left side of the gaming machine 1. A card insertion slot B is provided on the front side of the CR unit A, and a number of game balls corresponding to the amount recorded on the card can be used for the game by inserting the card into the card insertion slot B. . The specific contents will be described later.

  In the game hall, a cash sand may be installed on the left side of the CR unit A from the viewpoint of improving the convenience of the player. In this case, the nozzle N for supplying a game ball from the cash sand to the upper plate 18 described later extends to the gaming machine 1 side. In such a case, there is a possibility that the nozzle N and the annular portion 6 on the front surface of the front door 4 described above interfere with each other, but a notch-shaped recess 15 is formed in a part of the constricted portion 6b of the annular portion 6, An intermediate portion of the nozzle N is arranged in the recess 15. Specifically, the concave portion 15 is provided at a height position directly above the upper plate 18 so as to form a continuous surface with the upper surface of the operation unit 100 (the bulging portion on the front side of the gaming machine) described later. Therefore, replenishment of game balls through the nozzle N can be suitably performed by the recess 15 regardless of the three-dimensional modeling of the front surface of the gaming machine 1. In addition, the light emitter 8 is embedded in the recess 15 like the other annular portions 6. Therefore, even if the concave portion 15 is provided in a notch shape, the annular portions 6 and 7 emit light so as to include the concave portion 15, and the overall impression is not impaired.

  The gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment is configured such that a game is performed on the condition that a game ball (including a virtual game ball) is received, and a predetermined number of game balls are paid out when the predetermined condition is satisfied. ing.

  A configuration for using a game ball as a game medium will be described below. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, an upper plate forming member 17 as a ball tray unit is detachably attached to the back set board 16 attached and fixed to the front frame 3 below the front side. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the upper plate forming member 17. The upper plate forming member 17 is formed with an upper plate 18 as a storage unit or a ball receiving plate, and the upper plate 18 further includes a main upper plate portion 18a and a sub upper plate portion 18b. The main upper plate 18a stores game balls paid out from a payout device 28, which will be described later, while the sub upper plate 18b is supplied from a ball rental nozzle N (see FIG. 2). The ball is received and led to the main upper plate 18a. The game balls in the main upper plate 18a flow to the ball outlet through the ball guide passage 19, and are fed from the ball outlet to the receiving device 23 (see FIG. 3). The ball guide passage 19 is configured so that game balls can be arranged in a line and supplied to the ball outlet, and a stainless steel cover (protective cover) 20 is attached to the passage 19. Here, in FIG. 5, the sub-upper plate portion 18 b is inclined somewhat downward toward the left side of the drawing, and the main upper plate portion 18 a is inclined slightly downward toward the right side of the drawing. Therefore, the game balls in the main upper plate 18 a and the sub upper plate 18 flow in the downstream side in order and are guided toward the receiving device 23.

  In addition, mounting fixing portions 21 are provided at both left and right ends of the upper plate forming member 17, and the upper plate forming member 17 is attached to the back setting plate 16 by fastening the mounting fixing portion 21 to the back setting plate 16 side. (The mounting state is shown in FIG. 3). By releasing the fastening of the mounting fixing portion 21, the upper plate forming member 17 is detached from the back set board 16. As long as the mounting fixing portion 21 can be attached to and detached from the back set board 16, the fastening method may be arbitrary, and a fastener (for example, Nylatch (registered trademark)) is pushed into a fastened hole provided on the back set board 16 side. A one-push type fastening method, a method of screwing a male screw into a screw hole provided on the back set board 16 side, or the like can be applied.

  When the front door 4 is closed while the upper plate forming member 17 is attached to the back set board 16, the upper plate forming member 17 is fixed between the back set board 16 and the front door 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the upper plate forming member 17 is provided with a flange 22 extending in the longitudinal direction, and the flange 22 is sandwiched between the back surface of the front door 4. That is, since the holding recess is formed at the corresponding position on the back surface of the front door 4 so as to sandwich the flange 22, the upper plate forming member 17 is prevented from falling off when the front door 4 is closed. The weight of a large amount of game balls stored in the upper plate 18 can also be supported. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the portion (the operation unit 100) corresponding to the upper plate forming member 17 of the front door 4 bulges to the front side, and the upper surface of the bulged portion opens. Yes. For this reason, when the front door 4 is in the closed state, the upper plate 18 of the upper plate forming member 17 is opened above the bulging portion (operation unit 100). With the above configuration, the upper plate forming member 17 can be easily removed from the gaming machine main body or the front door 4, and the upper plate 18 (particularly, the ball guide passage 19) is cleaned after the upper plate forming member 17 is removed. Work becomes easier. In addition, inspection, repair, and the like of the operation unit 100 described later can be easily performed from the back side of the front door 4. In other words, maintenance is improved. The bulging portion of the front door 4 is an operation unit 100, and an information display operation unit 120 is provided in the front door 4 immediately above the operation unit 100. The configurations of the operation unit 100 and the information display operation unit 120 will be described later.

  The accepting device 23 is provided on the back set board 16, and a predetermined number of game balls are accepted via the accepting device 23 based on a game ball accepting operation or a credit operation by a player. Each time a predetermined number of game balls are accepted, a game (game) start condition is established each time, and preparations for game start are made. At this time, a predetermined number of game balls are received and then discharged to the outside of the gaming machine through a discharge passage (not shown).

  On the back side of the back set board 16, a payout mechanism for paying out game balls when a predetermined condition is established during the game is provided. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, a tank 25 is provided at the uppermost part on the back side of the back set board 16, and game balls supplied from the island facilities of the game hall are sequentially supplied to the tank 25.

  A tank rail 26 is connected to the lower side of the tank 25, and a case rail 27 is connected to the downstream side of the tank rail 26. The payout device 28 is provided on the downstream side of the case rail 27, and a required number of game balls are paid out by a predetermined electrical configuration. Then, the game balls paid out from the payout device 28 are supplied to the upper plate 18 through the payout passage 29. A ball removal button 30 is provided on the case rail 27, and the game balls remaining on the tank 25 and the tank rail 26 are mechanically discharged to the outside by the operation of the ball removal button 30. Note that, in the mechanical ball removal process by the ball removal button 30, the game ball remains on the downstream side, but the downstream residual ball can be completely removed by an electrical process based on a reset switch 138 described later. it can.

  Here, the payout mechanisms such as the tank rail 26, the case rail 27, and the payout device 28 are arranged so as to bypass a belt unit 70 (actually, a cover 135 that accommodates the belt unit 70) described later. . Further, in FIG. 4 (rear view of the gaming machine 1), the front frame 3 is pivotally supported in the upper and lower portions at the right end so as to be openable and closable, and the above-described payout mechanism is disposed on the shaft side. In this case, a large number of game balls are stored in the payout mechanism, and the weight of the game ball naturally increases. However, since the payout mechanism is provided on the shaft side, the front frame 3 can be opened and closed without hindrance. Moreover, since the weight burden concerning a shaft member (hinges 31 and 32) is reduced at this time, the effect which protects a shaft member (hinges 31 and 32) is also acquired collectively. Since the receiving device 23 is also provided on the shaft side in the same manner as the payout mechanism, all the mechanisms relating to the handling of the game balls are integrated on the shaft side, and it becomes easy to deal with problems related to the flow of the game balls.

  When the accepting operation or the like is performed, the accepting device 23 is activated, whereby a predetermined number of game balls on the upper plate 18 are accepted. In addition, when a predetermined condition is established during the game, the payout device 28 is operated, whereby the game balls stored in the tank 25 are basically paid out to the upper plate 18 through the payout passage 29 and the like. It is.

  On the other hand, as described above, the lower dish forming member 5 is disposed below the front surface of the front door 4, and the lower dish 41 is formed on the lower dish forming member 5. In addition, the lower plate forming member 5 has a discharge port 42 formed on the inner side surface. When the game balls are fully stored in the upper plate 18 and further game balls are paid out, the game balls are also paid out to the lower plate 41 through the discharge port 42. Yes. That is, although not shown, the payout passage 29 provided in the back set board 16 is branched into two passages, one of which communicates with the upper plate 18 and the other communicates with the lower plate 41. A speaker 43 is provided above the discharge port 42. An ashtray 44 is formed adjacent to the lower plate 41.

  Here, the operation unit 100 composed of the bulging portion on the front surface of the front door 4 has a lower surface cut out in a trapezoidal shape (convex shape) (in reality, a lower portion of a stop button operation surface 113 described later is cut). The speaker 43 is installed in an area formed by the notch. The speaker 43 has a horizontally long shape in order to ensure a sufficient sound volume in a space limited in the vertical direction. A space below the operation unit 100 (a space formed by the cutout) is also a space in which a hand is inserted in order to scrape out the game balls stored in the lower plate 41. In this case, in the lower space of the operation unit 100, the speaker 43 is surrounded by the operation unit 100 on the upper side and the left and right sides, and the lower plate 41 (the lower plate forming member 5) on the lower side.

  Further, as is clear from FIG. 2, the speaker 43 is arranged in a region that does not overlap with the lower plate forming member 5 when viewed from the front of the gaming machine, and the sound of the speaker 43 is generated by the lower plate forming member 5 or the same member 5 (lower The game balls stored in the tray 41) are not obstructed. In short, the speaker 43 is generally surrounded on all four sides, and is opened only forward, that is, only to the player side. Therefore, a player of each gaming machine 1 can hear the sound of the speaker 43 well, and other players of the adjacent gaming machine 1 cannot hear the sound of the speaker 43 so much. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the inconvenience that the sound from the next side becomes annoying for each player.

  A ball punching hole 45 is formed in the lower dish forming member 5, and a ball punching mechanism (not shown) is interlocked by pressing the ball punching button 46, and the game balls stored in the lower dish 41 are moved downward from the ball punching hole 45. It is supposed to be discharged.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, when the front door 4 is closed, the front door 4 is provided with a front panel 60 immediately in front of the belt unit 70. Two display windows 61, 62, 63 are provided. The display windows 61 to 63 are provided side by side, and the inside can be visually recognized through the display windows 61 to 63.

  Further, a front light member 64 having a panel shape is similarly attached to the back surface of the front panel 60 so as to overlap. The front light member 64 constitutes a light emitting means, and is a transparent light guide that introduces light from the light source (light) and the light from the light source along the panel surface, reflects the light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the panel surface, and emits the light outside the panel. And an optical panel. That is, according to the front light member 64, surface light emission is performed substantially vertically toward the rear thereof, and a belt surface (symbol) of the belt unit 70 described later is illuminated brightly. In this case, surface light emission is performed with respect to the visible range of the symbols by the display windows 61 to 63. In the present embodiment, a light source is individually provided for each of the display windows 61 to 63. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, light sources 65, 66, and 67 and inverters 65a, 66a, and 67a corresponding to them are individually provided.

  Further, in the front door 4, a central portion surrounded by the annular portion 6 and the information display operation portion 120 is a central panel portion, and upper and lower protective panels 35 and 36 are disposed on the central panel portion. Yes. These protective panels 35 and 36 are transparent panels made of resin or glass, and constitute an upper panel and a lower panel. Between these upper and lower protective panels 35 and 36, a rod-shaped partition member 37 for partitioning both panels is disposed. As shown in FIG. 6, the lower protection panel 36 is provided to be inclined slightly upward so as to overlap the front panel 60 and the front light member 64 described above. On the other hand, the upper protection panel 35 is provided to be inclined somewhat downward. As a result, the upper and lower protective panels 35 and 36 are both provided so as to face the player, and the visibility to the panels 35 and 36 is improved.

  Next, the configuration of the belt unit 70 as a symbol display device will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 6, and 7. FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the belt unit 70 is installed on the back set board 16 from the front on the back side of the front door 4. That is, the belt unit 70 includes a metal support frame 80 having a rectangular frame shape, and fixing portions 81 are provided at two upper portions of the support frame 80. A mounting bracket 82 is attached to the fixing portion 81, and the support frame 80 is attached and fixed to the back set panel 16 via the mounting bracket 82. Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 7, locking holes 83, 84, and 85 are provided in the lower portion of the support frame 80, and locking portions (not shown) on the back set panel 16 side are provided in the locking holes 83 to 85. The belt unit 70 is positioned in the front-rear direction by being locked. In other words, a plurality (for example, two) of the respective locking holes 83 to 85 are provided in the front and rear, and the inclination angle of the belt unit 70 is determined depending on which of the front and rear locking holes 83 to 85 is used. Yes.

  The support frame 80 houses a left rotating body 71, a middle rotating body 72, and a right rotating body 73 that constitute variable display means. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 is spanned between a driving roller 74 and a driven roller 75 that are rotatably supported by the support frame 80, and both the rollers 74 and 75. A belt (endless belt) 76. The drive roller 74 is provided with a plurality of external teeth 74a at equal intervals on the left and right edges along the rotation direction, and the driven roller 75 is similarly provided with a plurality of teeth on the left and right edges along the rotation direction. The external teeth 75a are provided at equal intervals. On the other hand, the belt 76 is provided with engaging holes 76a at the same intervals as the external teeth 74a and 75a on both the left and right edges. The belt 76 is stretched around the rollers 74 and 75 so that the engagement hole 76a of the belt 76 is engaged with the external teeth 74a and 75a of the rollers 74 and 75. In the present embodiment, the driven roller 75 has a smaller diameter than the drive roller 74, but they may have the same diameter or the driven roller 75 may have a larger diameter. Moreover, although the driving roller 74 is arranged on the upper side and the driven roller 75 is arranged on the lower side, they may be arranged upside down. Under such a configuration, the belt 76 (rotating bodies 71 to 73) is formed in a flat shape as a whole, unlike the case where the rotating body is configured by a circular reel.

  The driving roller 74 of each of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 is connected to motors 77, 78, and 79 each formed of a stepping motor or the like. The rotating bodies 71 to 73 are driven to rotate individually, that is, independently, by driving the motors 77 to 79. When the rotating bodies 71 to 73 are rotated, the rotating bodies 71 to 73 (each belt 76) are visually recognized through the display windows 61 to 63 as if moving from top to bottom. Note that the roller mechanism described above can be changed to another mechanism using a pulley, a gear, or the like.

  A large number of symbols (symbols) as identification information are attached to the outer surface of each belt 76. Among these symbols, the number of symbols visible through the display windows 61 to 63 is limited to a predetermined number mainly determined by the vertical length of the display windows 61 to 63. In the present embodiment, the vertical lengths of the display windows 61 to 63 are set so that three symbols can be visually recognized for each of the rotating bodies 71 to 73. The outer surface of the belt 76 is matted, and the entire belt surface is a non-glossy surface. Therefore, as described above, even when surface light is emitted by the front light member 64 and the belt surface is irradiated with light from the front, it is possible to suppress excessive reflection of the belt surface. It is also possible to make only the portion other than the design attached to the belt 76 a non-glossy surface.

  In front of each of the rotating bodies 71 to 73, a plate member 86 is provided as a blinding means for concealing the engagement hole 76a of each belt 76. The plate member 86 is provided in common with each rotating body so as to extend in the arrangement direction of the rotating bodies 71 to 73, and the vertically long through holes 87, 88, 89 corresponding to the respective rotating bodies 71 to 73. Is formed. The through holes 87 to 89 have substantially the same size as the display windows 61 to 63, and the engagement holes 76a of the belts 76 are hidden from the front by the plate portions on both sides of the through holes 87 to 89. It has become. In this case, the plate member 86 is disposed in the belt circumferential region between the driving roller 74 and the driven roller 75, and is disposed in close proximity to the belt 76 so as not to contact the belt 76. .

  Further, a light collecting plate 90 in which a part of the plate member 86 is bent at a predetermined angle is provided above and below each of the through holes 87 to 89, and light emitted from the front light member 64 is emitted by the light collecting plate 90. It can be collected in the central direction. The plate member 86 is attached and fixed to both side surfaces of the support frame 80 by left and right attachment portions 91. In FIG. 3, the plate member 86 is actually attached to the front surface of the belt unit 70, but in FIG. 3, the plate member 86 is illustrated for the sake of convenience.

  Further, the belt unit 70 is provided with a backlight 92 (rear light emitting means) for illuminating a symbol visible through the display windows 61 to 63 from the rear. The backlight 92 is composed of a fluorescent lamp or the like, and is disposed between the driving roller 74 and the driven roller 75.

  Next, the symbols attached to the belts 76 of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 will be described. FIG. 8 shows a symbol arrangement for the belt 76 of each of the rotating bodies 71 to 73. This figure can be viewed as a developed view of the surface of the belt 76. As shown in the figure, each belt 76 is provided with 20 symbols in a row. In the figure, a serial number of 1 to 20 is attached to the left side of each symbol, and the number will be appropriately used in the following description. The belts 76 of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 are different in the number of the same symbols and the arrangement order, but only one of them is illustrated and described here for convenience.

  As a symbol, “7” symbol (for example, symbol (19) in FIG. 8) as a big bonus symbol for shifting to the big bonus game, “BAR” symbol as a regular bonus symbol for shifting to the regular bonus game. (For example, (20) symbol in FIG. 8), “replay symbol” (for example, (17) symbol in FIG. 8) for shifting to a replay game, and “watermelon” as a small character symbol for which a small character is paid out. "Design (for example, (18) design in FIG. 8)," bell "design (for example, (16) design in FIG. 8), and" cherry "design (for example, (15) design in FIG. 8).

  In the present embodiment, when the “7” symbol, which is a combination of the big bonus symbols, is aligned with the left, middle, and right on the effective line described later, 75 game balls are paid out and the big bonus game is played. When the “BAR” symbol, which is a combination of regular bonus symbols, is aligned with the left, middle, and right on the active line, 75 game balls are paid out and the regular bonus game is entered. A rush is made. Further, when the “replay” symbols are aligned with the left, middle, and right on the active line, the game balls are not paid out and the player enters the replay game.

  Furthermore, regarding the small role design, when the “Watermelon” design is aligned with the left, middle, and right on the active line, 75 game balls are paid out, and the “Bell” design is on the left, middle, and right on the active line. In the event that they are aligned, 40 gaming balls are paid out. Further, when the “cherry” symbol of the left rotating body 71 is stopped on the active line, 10 game balls are paid out. In other words, the “cherry” symbols of the middle rotator 72 and the right rotator 73 are irrelevant to the payout of the game ball, and are meaningless in other words. In addition, for the “cherry” symbol, the game ball is paid out regardless of the combination with other symbols, and therefore the position where the plurality of effective lines of the left rotating body 71 overlap (specifically, the upper or lower level). ), When the “cherry” symbol is stopped, game balls are paid out by multiplying the number of the overlapping active lines. As a result, in this embodiment, 20 game balls are A payout is made.

  In addition, in this gaming machine 1, three display windows 61 to 63 are connected to each other, three in parallel to the horizontal direction, and two in a diagonal direction, a total of five effective lines. Is set. That is, as the effective lines, upper, middle, and lower horizontal lines (upper line, center line, and lower line) and a pair of diagonal lines (upward and rightward lines) are set. Of course, the maximum number of effective lines may be 6 or more, or less than 5, and the maximum number of effective lines may be changed according to a predetermined condition.

  In addition, various notification units (not shown) such as a big notification unit, a replay notification unit, and a small role notification unit may be appropriately provided on the upper part of the gaming machine 1 (front door 4). These various notification units may be provided in places other than the upper part of the gaming machine 1, or different types of notification may be performed by a common notification unit. Moreover, you may utilize the annular parts 6 and 7 as this alerting | reporting part. For example, when the “7” symbols are aligned on the active line when the rotating bodies 71 to 73 are stopped, the big notification unit displays and notifies that the big bonus game has been acquired by lighting, flashing, or the like. When the “replay” symbols are aligned on the active line when the rotation of each of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 is stopped, the replay notification unit notifies the player that the replay game has been acquired by lighting, flashing, or the like. When the “watermelon” symbol as the small role symbol is aligned on the effective line when the rotation of each of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 is stopped, the small symbol notification unit lights up, flashes, etc. that a predetermined number of game balls have been acquired. Display notification. Note that these notifications may be made by voice through the speakers 11 and 43 provided in the gaming machine 1 instead of or by display.

  In the present embodiment, only one line consisting of the center line is validated by receiving five game balls (one bet). In addition, with the reception of 10 game balls (2 bets), only 3 lines consisting of the upper and lower lines and the center line are activated. Furthermore, 5 lines consisting of all active lines (upper, middle and lower lines, and right-up and right-down lines) are activated by receiving 15 game balls (3 bets and max bets).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, on the left side of the operation unit 100 provided in the bulging portion of the front door 4, the rotating bodies 71 to 73 are started simultaneously (not necessarily simultaneously). For this purpose, a start lever 101 is provided. The start lever 101 constitutes start operation means that is operated to start variable display.

  A stop button operation surface 113 is provided on the right side of the start lever 101, and stop buttons 102, 103, and 104 are provided on the stop button operation surface 113 for individually stopping the rotating rotators 71 to 73. It has been. The stop buttons 102 to 104 are provided for the display windows 61 to 63 corresponding to the rotating bodies 71 to 73 to be stopped, respectively. The stop buttons 102 to 104 constitute stop means for stopping the variable display and stop operation means operated to stop the variable display. In the present embodiment, when the predetermined time has elapsed without pressing the stop buttons 102 to 104, the rotating bodies 71 to 73 are controlled to stop.

  A flat operation assisting surface 105 is formed on the upper surface of the operation unit 100 (the bulging portion of the front door 4). The operation assisting surface 105 is provided in an arch shape so as to surround the upper tray 18 behind it, and an opening 106 having substantially the same shape as the upper tray 18 is formed between the operation assisting surface 105 and the front surface of the gaming machine. When the front door 4 is closed, the upper plate 18 opens upward through the opening 106. Further, the operation assisting surface 105 is provided with a slight inclination so as to descend toward the front (front side). However, there may be no inclination, and conversely, it may be an inclination that descends backward.

  Here, the portion directly above the stop buttons 102 to 104 (stop button operation surface 113) on the operation assisting surface 105 has a substantially uniform width in the front-rear direction, and the rear edge of the operation assisting surface 105 (L portion in FIG. 1). ) Is configured in a straight line. In this case, generally, assuming that the player presses each of the stop buttons 102 to 104 with the thumb, another finger such as an index finger or a middle finger may be put on the rear edge portion (L portion) of the operation assisting surface 105. . By moving the hand to the left and right in this state, the stop buttons 102 to 104 can be continuously pressed along the operation assisting surface 105. In other words, the above pressing operation can be performed by placing a finger on the upper plate portion. In short, since the operation assisting surface 105 is flat and the rear edge thereof is a straight line, if the operation assisting surface 105 is used, continuous pressing operations of the stop buttons 102 to 104 are performed quickly and smoothly. be able to.

  Further, the upper plate 18 (in this embodiment, in particular, the sub-upper plate portion 18 shown in FIG. 5) may be provided with a step or an inclination so that the operation assisting surface 105 side is slightly raised. . That is, a height difference is provided so that the front of the upper plate 18 is high and the rear is low. According to this, even if game balls are stored in the upper plate 18, many of them are stored in a lower part of the upper plate 18 (that is, a part away from the operation assisting surface 105). Therefore, in the case where the upper plate 18 is used as a finger rest, the inconvenience that the finger and the game ball interfere can be avoided.

  Above the start lever 101 (that is, on the left hand side for the player), the operation assisting surface 105 of the operation unit 100 is provided with a button-like bet switch that constitutes input means for receiving a game ball. In the present embodiment, a 1-bet switch 107, a 2-bet switch 108, and a max-bet switch 109 are provided as bet switches. Each of the bet switches 107 to 109 is operated so as to accept a required number of game balls as game media (or storage game media). Since the maximum bet switch 109 is usually operated in many cases, the maximum bet switch 109 is formed to be larger than the other bet switches 107 and 108 from the viewpoint of ease of operation.

  The 1-bet switch 107 is set to accept 5 game balls each time it is pressed. In addition, the 2-bet switch 108 is set so that ten game balls can be received each time it is pressed. Further, the maximum bet switch 109 is provided so that a plurality of (three times) pressing operations such as the 1 betting switch 107 can be omitted. The game balls are set to be accepted (for 3 bets). The actual game ball can be received in the present embodiment by the receiving device 23 as described above.

  In the present embodiment, the maximum bet (3 bets) is reached when the 5 lines are activated (15 game balls are accepted). That is, for example, when three pressing operations of the 1 bet switch 107 or one pressing operation of the max bet switch 109 is performed, no further reception is performed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the maximum bet (3 bets) is set and the bet switches 107 to 109 are further pressed, the operation is invalidated. However, when the bet switches 107 to 109 are further pressed after entering the maximum bet (3 bets) state, game balls corresponding to the extra operations are stored and stored as credits (virtual game balls). It is also possible to make it.

  A settlement button 111 as an operation means is provided on the right side of the operation assisting surface 105 of the operation unit 100. The settlement button 111 is operated to change the handling format of game balls that have already been received and stored, and game balls that are paid out to the player as a result of establishment of a predetermined condition. That is, for example, when power is turned on, excess game balls up to a predetermined maximum value (for example, 250 game balls: maximum memory number) are stored and stored as credits (virtual game balls: stored game media) and paid out. “Credit mode” is set so that the played game balls are stored and stored as credits (virtual game balls), and when the settlement button 111 is pressed, if there is a credit, that amount is used as an actual game ball. The surplus game balls and acquired game balls are also switched to the “direct mode” set so as to be paid out directly as actual game balls. If the “credit mode” and the “direct mode” are alternately switched each time the settlement button 111 is operated, the player can execute the game in a format according to his / her preference. The settlement button 111 constitutes a switching operation means for switching the game ball handling format. Details of functions based on the operation of the settlement button 111 will be described later.

  Next, details of the information display operation unit 120 will be described with reference to FIG.

  On the left side of the information display operation unit 120, a 1-bet LED 141, a 1-bet LED 142, and a 3-bet LED 143 are provided. These lights up according to the number of bets. When one betting game ball is accepted, the 1 bet LED 141 is lit. When two betting game balls are accepted, the 2 bet LED 142 is lit and 3 bets. The three-bet LED 143 is turned on when the game balls for the minute are accepted.

  A replay LED 144, an acceptance permission LED 145, and a start permission LED 146 are provided at the upper center of the information display operation unit 120. The replay LED 144 is turned on when a replay game is established, and is turned off in other cases. The acceptance permission LED 145 is turned on when a game ball accepting operation is possible, and is turned off when the game ball accepting operation is prohibited. The start permission LED 146 is turned on when a game can be started by operating the start lever 101, that is, when at least one bet is accepted, and there is no bet or the rotating bodies 71 to 73 are driven. It is turned off during game operation.

  A game number display unit 147, an acquired number display unit 148, and a credit display unit 149 as a storage ball number display unit are provided at the lower center of the information display operation unit 120. Each of these display units 147 to 149 is constituted by a 7-segment LED, the game number display unit 147 is a 3-digit display, the acquired number display unit 148 is a 2-digit display, and the credit display unit 149 is a 4-digit display. The game number display unit 147 displays the number of remaining games in the big bonus game, the number of remaining games in the jack-in game, and the number of remaining games in the regular bonus game. The number-of-acquisition display section 148 displays the number of acquired game balls (number of prize balls) each time. The credit display unit 149 displays the number of game balls (the number of virtual game balls) that is validated and stored in the credit mode.

  A ball lending switch 152 and a return switch 153 are provided on the right side of the information display operation unit 120 with a ball lending permission LED 151 interposed therebetween, and a card balance display unit 154 is provided below them. The ball lending permission LED 151 is lit when the CR unit A is operating normally and a card with a balance is inserted into the card insertion slot B. In other cases, for example, the CR unit A is not operating normally. When no card is inserted or there is no card balance, the light is turned off. The ball lending switch 152 is operated when a player borrows a game ball based on a card, and the game ball is lent in a form that can be used for a game based on the operation. The return switch 153 is operated when requesting the return of the card inserted into the card insertion slot B, and the CR unit A ejects the card from the card insertion slot B based on the operation. Yes. The card balance display unit 154 is configured by a 3-digit 7-segment LED. The card balance display unit 154 displays the balance of the card inserted into the card insertion slot B in units of 100 yen.

  Here, the 1-bet LED 141, the 1-bet LED 142, the 3-bet LED 143, the replay LED 144, the acceptance permission LED 145, the start permission LED 146, the game number display unit 147, the earned number display unit 148 and the credit display unit 149 are included in the first information board 161. It is mounted on. The ball lending permission LED 151, the ball lending switch 152, the return switch 153 and the card balance display unit 154 are mounted on the second information board 162. In this way, by attaching various components and the like to the first information board 161 and the second information board 162, the attachment work to the gaming machine 1 becomes easy. In addition, by dividing the first information board 161 and the second information board 162, it is only necessary to omit the second information board 162 for the gaming machine 1 that does not use the CR unit A. High flexibility when making things.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a main board 131 is installed on the back set board 16 on the back of the gaming machine 1 as a main controller for performing various controls relating to the game. The main board 131 includes a CPU that controls the main control, a ROM that stores a game program, a RAM that stores necessary data according to the progress of the game, an IO port that communicates with various devices, an input / output driver that functions as a buffer, The control circuit board includes a random number circuit used in various lotteries, a reset circuit that outputs a reset signal, and the like.

  Similarly, a sub-control board 132 as a sub-control device is installed on the back set board 16 so as to be included in the belt unit 70. Similarly, the sub-control board 132 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and is connected to the main board 131 via a connector cable as a communication means and receives a control signal from the main board 131, but the main board 131. A one-way communication configuration in which no signal is transmitted is adopted on the side. The back set board 16 is provided with an acceptance / payout control board 136 constituting an acceptance / payout control device, a payout control means, and a virtual game ball storage means so as to be aligned with the main board 131. The accepting / dispensing control board 136 also includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like, and is connected to the main board 131 via an input / output buffer via a connector cable as a communication means to adopt a bidirectional communication configuration. The main board 131, the sub control board 132, and the receiving / dispensing control board 136 are all housed in a transparent or non-transparent control board box, and are fixed to the back set board 16 in a state where the control board box is sealed. ing. The belt unit 70 is housed and integrated in a colorless and transparent cover 135 as a case member.

  A power supply device 133 is installed on the back set panel 16 so as to be in contact with the side surface of the cover 135 (belt unit 70). The cover 135 is formed with a vent hole 135a for heat dissipation. The power supply device 133 accommodates the power supply board for supplying necessary power to the control device such as the main board 131, the sub control board 132, the receiving / dispensing control board 136, and the other paying apparatus 28, and the power supply board. A colorless and transparent substrate box and a metal plate for noise countermeasures for eliminating noise generated inside and outside the power supply substrate are provided, and these are integrally assembled. The back set board 16 is provided with a vertically long concave portion 134 immediately next to the belt unit 70, and the side portion of the power supply device 133 is accommodated in the concave portion 134. Thereby, the power supply device 133 is attached in a state in which the power supply device 133 is arranged vertically in a direction extending in the depth direction of the gaming machine 1.

  The arrangement of the main board 131, the sub control board 132, the power supply device 133, the receiving / dispensing control board 136, and the like is not limited to the arrangement described above.

  The power supply device 133 is provided with a reset switch 138. When the reset switch 138 is pushed down for a predetermined time in a normal state after power-on (other than an error state), the payout device 28 is driven, and the game balls remaining on the tank 25, the tank rail 26, and the case rail 27 are discharged. It has come to be. Therefore, the remaining game balls can be completely discharged even by mechanical ball discharge by operating the ball removal button 30.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a connector terminal block C is provided on the rear surface of the CR unit A. Corresponding to this, the connector terminal block 137 is also provided on the receiving / dispensing control board 136. And the connector formed in each edge part of the cable connector D is connected to both connector terminal blocks C and 137. FIG. Thereby, bidirectional communication is possible between the CR unit A and the acceptance / dispensing control board 136.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the electrical configuration of the main board 131 and the like. As shown in the figure, the power from the power supply device 133 (power supply board) is supplied to the main board 131. Further, power is directly or indirectly supplied to the sub-control board 132, the acceptance / payout control board 136, and the like. Although not shown, various signals based on the operation of the reset switch 138 provided in the power supply device 133 are transmitted to the main board 131 and the receiving / dispensing control board 136, thereby executing the above-described ball removal processing and the like.

  On the input side of the main board 131, a settlement button 111, a 1 bet switch 107, a 2 bet switch 108, a max bet switch 109, a start lever 101, and stop buttons 102 to 104 are connected. Therefore, the main board 131 can receive the ON signal from each switch, button, and lever, and can grasp the operation state of the gaming machine 1.

  A sub control board 132 is connected to the output side of the main board 131. The light emitters 8 and 9, the lamp display units 10, 12 and 13, the speakers 11 and 43, the front light member 64, and the backlight 92 are connected to the output side of the sub control board 132. From the main board 131, game information at that time is transmitted as a signal to the sub-control board 132. The sub-control board 132 to which signals relating to each game information are input executes various effects based on various control signals based on its own control program. In the present embodiment, the sub-control board 132 constitutes “light emitter control means”, “front light control means”, “backlight control means”, “sound control means”, and the like. Incidentally, the light emitter control refers to control in which the light emitters 8 and 9 in the annular portions 6 and 7 are circulated in one direction or both directions, and the light emitters 8 and 9 are turned on all at once. Further, the front light control means that each of the front light members 64 corresponding to each of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 is matched to the stop order in order to teach the player the order of stopping the belt 76 of each of the rotating bodies 71 to 73. Control that causes the light sources 65 to 67 to emit light in order. The backlight control refers to control for turning on or blinking the backlight 92 in accordance with the game situation. Voice control refers to control for causing the speakers 11 and 43 to generate predetermined voice.

  A first information board 161 is connected to the output side of the main board 131. Accordingly, the main board 131 includes a 1-bet LED 141, a 1-bet LED 142, a 3-bet LED 143, a replay LED 144, an acceptance permission LED 145, a start permission LED 146, a game number display part 147, an acquisition number display part 148 and the first information board 161. The credit display unit 149 can be controlled.

  A belt unit 70 is connected to the main board 131. Therefore, the main board 131 drives and controls the motors 77 to 79 mounted on the belt unit 70, and individually sets the rotational positions (origin positions) of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 (belt 76) mounted on the belt unit 70. It is possible to receive a detection signal from the rotational position detection sensor to be detected at a time.

  The main board 131 and the receiving / dispensing control board 136 are connected so as to be able to perform two-way communication. Accordingly, the acceptance / payout control board 136 can receive a command from the main board 131 and the main board 131 can receive a signal from the acceptance / payout control board 136.

  The accepting / dispensing control board 136 is connected to the accepting device 23, the dispensing apparatus 28, the second information board 162, and the CR unit A, and the accepting / dispensing control board 136 is also connected to the first information board 161. That is, the first information board 161 is connected to both the main board 131 and the receiving / dispensing control board 136, and is controlled by the boards 131 and 136.

  Next, means for realizing a normal game in the gaming machine 1 will be described. In this description, the description will be given as an aggregate of function realizing means provided in the main board 131 and the like. That is, the various functions described below are functions realized under the control of the CPU of the main board 131, and the control program is based on the stored contents of the ROM (or RAM in some cases). The necessary data is temporarily stored in the RAM. However, those requirements on the program can be achieved by those skilled in the art by adopting an appropriate table configuration. I do not explain. However, a specific description will be given as appropriate in cases where it is necessary to grasp the game content of the present embodiment.

  The main board 131 includes “small role lottery means”. The small role lottery means performs a lottery to determine whether or not the small role payout condition is satisfied at the timing when the detection signal from the start lever 101 is input, and thereby determines whether or not the small role flag is satisfied. The lottery of the small role is configured to change according to the number of game balls received (the number of bets) together with other lotteries. Generally, the larger the number of received balls, the more advantageous the lottery result can be obtained for the player. It has become.

  The main board 131 includes “small role control means”. When the small combination flag is established during the normal game, the small combination control means applies a certain pull-in stop control while referring to the contents of the small combination establishment table described later when each of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 is stopped. Semi-forcefully stop the small role symbol on the active line.

  The main board 131 includes “replay game lottery means”. The replay game lottery means draws whether or not the replay game transition condition is satisfied at the timing when the detection signal from the start lever 101 is input, thereby determining whether or not the replay flag is satisfied.

  The main board 131 includes “replay game control means”. When the replay flag is established during the normal game, the replay game control means applies a certain pull-in stop control while referring to the contents of a replay establishment table described later when each of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 is stopped. Force the replay symbol to stop on the active line. Then, on the condition that the replay symbol stops on the active line, the next game can be performed free of charge. Of course, various lotteries are also executed when this replay game is performed.

  The main board 131 includes “big bonus lottery means”. The big bonus lottery means draws whether or not the big bonus transition condition is satisfied at the timing when the detection signal from the start lever 101 is input, thereby determining the presence or absence of the big bonus establishment flag.

  The main board 131 includes “big bonus control means”. When the big bonus flag is established during the normal game, the big bonus control means applies a certain pull-in stop control while referring to the contents of a big bonus establishment table described later when each of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 is stopped. Semi-forcefully stop the big bonus symbol on the active line. Then, on the condition that the big bonus symbol stops on the active line, the big bonus game which is changed from the normal game which is the current game state to the special game state, with a predetermined number of games (here, 30 times) as an upper limit. After that, in principle, the original normal gaming state is restored.

  The main board 131 includes “big bonus medium lottery means”. The lottery means during the big bonus is activated only during the big bonus, and performs the lottery symbol lottery and jack-in lottery according to the timing when the detection signal from the start lever 101 is input, and the small bonus flag and jack-in flag Whether or not is established is determined. The big bonus control means refers to each of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 while referring to the small role formation table so that a predetermined small role symbol (for example, “watermelon” symbol) is aligned on the effective line when the small role flag is established. Semi-forced pull-in stop control is performed.

  Further, the big bonus control means semi-forcibly pulls in and stops the rotation of each of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 while referring to the contents of the replay establishment table in order to jack in when the jack-in flag is established. The jack-in is a state in which a predetermined bonus game is executed during the big bonus game, and specifically occurs when “replay” symbols are arranged. Therefore, for the jack-in execution, the big bonus control means semi-forcibly pulls in and stops the rotations 71 to 73 so that the jack-in symbols (replay symbols) are aligned on the effective line. When it is jacked in, a jack-in game is executed.

  The jack-in game will be described. When the jack-in symbol stops at the active line, the game proceeds to the jack-in game, which is a special game in the big bonus game that is currently in a gaming state, with a predetermined number of games (here 12 times) as an upper limit. Then return to the original big bonus game. During the jack-in game, the effective line is only one line (center line). During the jack-in game, a predetermined symbol (in this case, a replay symbol) is drawn by the timing at which the detection signal from the start lever 101 is input. Unlike the normal lottery, the symbol lottery is set so that a predetermined number (for example, 75) of game balls are paid out when the replay symbols are aligned with the active line (only the center line). With the symbol as a game ball payout symbol, a lottery is performed to determine whether or not a condition for matching the game ball payout symbols is met. As a result of the lottery, when the replay flag (here, the replay flag is newly set for the jack-in game is different from the normal game), the game ball payout is established. The rotating bodies 71 to 73 are controlled so that symbols other than symbols are not aligned on the effective line, and when the game ball payout symbols are aligned a predetermined number of times (for example, 8 times), the predetermined number of games ( The predetermined bonus game ends even if it has not reached 12 times.

  Here, the big bonus game can be jacked in up to a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times) within the predetermined number of games (30 times), and the number of games during the jack-in during the big bonus game is It is not added to 30 times. Then, the big bonus control means is configured to end the predetermined bonus game by the third jack-in when the predetermined bonus game is completed the predetermined number of times (three times) even within the predetermined number of games (30 times). Forcibly end the big bonus game.

  The main board 131 includes “rotor control means” and “storage means”. The rotator control means controls the rotators 71 to 73 via the sub-control board 132 according to the storage contents of the storage means, and in particular according to the storage contents of various tables stored in the storage means. The stop position of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 (drive roller 74 and belt 76) is controlled.

  The various tables stored in the storage means (here, ROM but may be RAM) are individually set according to various established flags. Specifically, for example, when no flag is established, a “out-of-table” that prevents any symbol from being aligned on the active line, a predetermined small role symbol corresponding to the small role flag is valid “Position formation table” to align on the line, “Replay establishment table” to align the replay symbol on the effective line corresponding to the replay flag, and “7” symbol on the effective line corresponding to the big bonus flag In addition to a “big formation table” for aligning, the “line table” for determining on which effective line the above formation symbols are aligned. The storage means also stores the number of virtual game balls in the credit mode (virtual game ball storage means).

  Next, the game progress method achieved by the function realizing means will be described, including the control of the other main board 131, the receiving / dispensing control board 136 and the like.

  When the CR unit A is turned on and the cable connector D is properly connected to the acceptance / dispensing control board 136, the acceptance / dispensing control board 136 lights the lending permission LED 151. When a card with a balance is inserted into the card insertion slot B of the CR unit A, the record information of the card is directly transmitted to the acceptance / dispensing control board 136 without passing through the main board 131. The acceptance / dispensing control board 136 reads the record information of the card and displays the balance on the card balance display unit 154. Note that the ball rental permission LED 151 may be turned on only when there is a card balance. When the player operates the return switch 153, the acceptance / dispensing control board 136 issues a card return command to the CR unit A, and the CR unit A causes the card insertion slot B to eject the card.

  When the player operates the ball lending switch 152 when there is a card balance, game balls corresponding to the set lending amount are paid out to the player. Here, the set rent amount refers to, for example, an amount set in advance in a player or a game hall having a minimum unit of 100 yen or a specific amount set in advance in the CR unit A, for example, 500 yen. Minutes or 1000 yen. In the payout, the payout control board 136 drives and controls the payout device 28 in the direct mode, and pays out the game ball directly to the upper plate 18. In the credit mode, the acceptance / payout control board 136 displays a value added by the number corresponding to the number of rented balls on the credit display unit 149. Such an operation is performed without going through the main board 131, which is directly connected to the acceptance / payout control board 136 without going through the main board 131, the CR unit A, the payout device 28, and the second information board 162. In addition, the credit display unit 149 is connected so that it can also be controlled from the acceptance / dispensing control board 136. Since the acceptance / payout control board 136 performs the credit operation as described above, the number of credits (the number of virtual game balls) is stored in the RAM of the acceptance / payout control board 136. Therefore, the RAM of the acceptance / withdrawal control board 136 corresponds to the virtual game ball storage means.

  At the start of the game, the player presses the bet switches 107 to 109 on the condition that there are a predetermined number of credits or a predetermined number of game balls on the upper plate 18, and the virtual game ball based on the stored memory Or accept an actual game ball. In the credit mode, the main board 131 illuminates the acceptance permission LED 145 until the maximum number of credits is reached in the credit mode and the maximum bet number (3 bets) in the direct mode. The main board 131 turns off the acceptance permission LED 145 to notify that the game ball cannot be accepted when the maximum credit amount or the maximum bet is reached. An operation of the bet switches 107 to 109 is detected by a sensor or the like, and upon receiving the detection signal, the main board 131 determines that a game ball (including a virtual game ball) has been received. At this time, in the credit mode, the stored virtual game ball is accepted. For example, in the credit mode, when the maximum bet switch 109 is pressed when there are 15 or more storage numbers (credits), the credit display number on the credit display unit 149 is reduced by “15” and displayed. The storage means stores the number reduced by “15” as the stored storage number. On the other hand, when the maximum bet switch 109 is pressed when the number of stored charges (number of credits) is less than 15, the number of bets that can be made valid is valid and the rest is invalid. That is, for example, if the number of credits is 12, two bets are validated and two fractions are left as credits. Further, when the bet switches 107 to 109 are pressed when the number of stored (number of credits) is less than 5, the pressing operation is invalidated.

  In the direct mode, an actual game ball on the upper plate 18 is accepted. For example, in the direct mode, when the max bet switch 109 is pressed when 15 or more game balls are on the upper plate 18, 15 game balls on the upper plate 18 are placed on the receiving / dispensing control board 136. When the 1-bet switch 107 is pressed when five or more game balls are received on the upper plate 18 and are received by the receiving device 23 under control, the five game balls on the upper plate 18 are Accepted by receiving device 23. On the other hand, when the max bet switch 109 is pressed when there are less than 15 game balls, or when the 1 bet switch 107 is pressed when there are only 5 gaming balls, the pressing operation is invalidated. Is done.

  The main board 131 lights one of the bet LEDs 141 to 143 according to the number of game balls received (= the number of bets × 5). Here, if the 1-bet switch 107 is pressed once (accepting 5 game balls), the 1-bet LED 141 is turned on, and the 1-bet switch 107 is pressed twice or the 2-bet switch 108 is pressed once. In the case of the pressing operation (accepting 10 game balls), the 2-bet LED 142 is lit, and in the case of a pressing operation of the max bet switch 109 (accepting 15 game balls), the 3-bet LED 143 is lit. In the present embodiment, the bet number 141, ie, the bet number, that is, the effective line is displayed on each of the bet LEDs 141 to 143, but instead of or in addition to this, an effective line display unit corresponding to the effective line is displayed. It is good also as providing in the vicinity of the windows 61-63 and displaying more clearly which line is validated.

  In the case of virtual game ball acceptance by operating the bet switches 107 to 109 under the credit mode, the main board 131 subtracts the stored memory number of credited game balls by that amount, and according to the subtraction value. Display control is performed so that the credit display unit 149 performs display. When the game balls are received by operating the bet switches 107 to 109 in the direct mode, the main board 131 receives the corresponding game balls from the receiving device 23 with respect to the receiving / dispensing control board 136 by the upper plate 18. A command for instructing to accept is transmitted, and the receiving device 23 is driven and controlled by the receiving / dispensing control board 136.

  When at least one line is activated, the main board 131 illuminates the start permission LED 146 to prompt the start of the game. On the other hand, when the line is not activated or during the game (during driving of the rotating bodies 71 to 73). Turns off the start permission LED 146. Then, when the player operates the start lever 101 under the condition that the start permission LED is lit and the line is activated, the operation is detected by a sensor or the like, and the main board 131 receives the detection signal and the main board 131 receives the detection signal. Determine that there was an operation. At the same time, information to that effect is transmitted to the sub-control board 132. Then, the main board 131 rotates the belt unit 70 (motors 77 to 79) so as to rotate all the rotating bodies 71 to 73 (belt 76) all at once (may be simultaneous or provided with a predetermined time difference). Drive control. As a result, each belt 76 rotates in one direction at a speed that makes it difficult for the player to visually recognize the symbols on the surface, and the symbols are displayed from the top to the bottom through the display windows 61-63. It is projected as if it is variably displayed.

  Further, at the timing when the detection signal based on the operation of the start lever 101 is inputted to the main board 131, each lottery is performed by the small role lottery means, the replay game lottery means, and the big bonus lottery means during the normal game. These lotteries are performed based on the random number values extracted by the random number circuit.

  When the lottery result by the small role lottery means that the small role flag is established, the right to stop an appropriate small role symbol on the active line is given only in the game. Further, when the lottery result by the replay game lottery means that the replay flag is established, the right to shift to the replay game is given only in that game. That is, the small role flag and the replay flag are not carried over after the next game. If the lottery result by the big bonus lottery means that the big bonus flag is established, the right to shift to the big bonus game is given, and the flag is held until the shift to the big bonus game. Furthermore, when the lottery result of each lottery means does not mean that any condition is satisfied, no flag is set.

  When the player operates the stop buttons 102 to 104 in an arbitrary order after the lottery by the lottery means is completed, the operation is individually detected by a sensor or the like, and the main board 131 receives each detection signal and It is determined that each of the stop buttons 102 to 104 has been operated. Then, the main board 131 performs stop control of the motors 77 to 79 so that the rotating bodies 71 to 73 corresponding to the operated stop buttons 102 to 104 are individually stopped.

  The stop positions of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 (belt 76) are determined with reference to the tables stored in the storage means of the main board 131 based on the establishment flags that are the lottery results of the lottery means. Is done. At this time, if there is a symbol corresponding to the establishment flag from the effective line to the four symbols before the rotating body rotation direction, in principle, control is performed so that the symbol is actively drawn on the effective line. Thus, if the rotating body stop timing is an error up to 4 symbols, the error can be absorbed (retraction stop control). As a result, even if the player is not skilled, the main board 131 can stop the symbol corresponding to the establishment flag on the effective line as much as possible.

  Note that at a predetermined timing (for example, when the first stop button 102, 103, or 104 is pressed), the sub-control board 132 includes the light emitters 8, 9, the lamp display units 10, 12, 13, and the front light member. 64, the backlight 92, and the speakers 11 and 43 are used to perform various auxiliary displays, and reach effect displays and the like.

  When each of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 is stopped, the combination of the stop symbols on the active line is a predetermined symbol combination that is determined in advance, that is, a combination of a small role symbol, a combination of replay symbols, a big bonus symbol In the case of a combination, the main board 131 displays the number of game balls to be paid out according to the combination of each stop symbol on the acquisition number display unit 148.

  In parallel with the display on the acquired number display unit 148, the main board 131 performs payout control for paying out the number of game balls corresponding to the combination of each stop symbol as a game value. In such a case, in principle, the main board 131 transmits a command, and the acceptance / dispensing control board 136 controls the driving of the dispensing device 28, whereby the gaming balls are paid out directly to the upper plate 18 as actual gaming balls. However, when the operation of the settlement button 111 is detected by a sensor or the like and it is determined that the main board 131 is in the credit mode, if the maximum value (250 pieces) that can be stored is not reached, that amount is paid directly. The device 28 is not paid out and is stored and stored as a credit game ball (virtual game ball). In this case, the main board 131 adds the number of game balls acquired this time to the stored storage number of credited game balls, and performs display control so that the credit display unit 149 displays according to the added value. . Of course, even in this case, the amount exceeding 250 which is the maximum value that can be stored and stored is controlled by the receiving / dispensing control board 136 based on the command from the main board 131, and the payout device 28 is driven and controlled directly by the payout device 28. Will be paid out.

  When the symbols arranged on the active line are a combination of small symbols or symbols that are not paid out, the normal game is continued. On the other hand, when the combination of symbols arranged on the active line is a combination of replay symbols, a replay game that allows the next game to be performed free of charge is executed by the replay game control means. When the replay game is established, the main board 131 lights the replay LED 144. Further, when the combination of symbols arranged on the active line is a combination of big bonus symbols, the big bonus game is executed by the big bonus control means. Here, in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, as an end condition of the big bonus game, in addition to a predetermined number of games (30 games end or 3 jack-in games end), the number of payout game balls is an upper limit value. A condition of whether or not (specifically, 2250) has been reached is also included. Therefore, when the number of payout game balls reaches the upper limit of 2250 without waiting for the end of 30 games or 3 jack-in games, the big bonus game is ended there, and the gambling performance is more than necessary. I ’m not going to scramble.

  When the small role symbol, the replay symbol, the big bonus symbol, etc. are aligned on the effective line, the sub control board 132 has the light emitters 8 and 9, the lamp display units 10, 12 and 13, the front light member 64, Display control of the backlight 92 is performed to notify that a small role has been established, a transition to a replay game, or a bonus game has been established, and the speakers 11 and 43 are appropriately driven to provide voice notification. It should be noted that the sound notification by the speakers 11 and 43 is more serious as the profit from the return of the game value to the player is larger (such as increasing the volume, increasing the tone, or changing the rhythm). Is preferred. The same applies to the display mode of each notification unit. For example, by changing the display mode such as blinking rapidly in a big bonus game, it is possible to make the player estimate the amount of profit to be obtained.

  Next, the operation of the gaming machine 1 having the above-described configuration, particularly the characteristic processing operations of the main board 131 and the receiving / dispensing control board 136 will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS. In addition, the part which overlaps with a part of description regarding the progression method of the above-mentioned game is again demonstrated for convenience.

  First, the processing operation of the CPU of the main board 131 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The CPU of the main board 131 executes an initialization process or the like when the power is turned off from the power off state (step S100). As initialization processing or the like, it is determined whether the power is turned on while the reset switch 138 of the power supply device 133 is pressed. If so, the contents of the RAM are cleared and the power recovery flag is reset. The power recovery flag is a flag that is set when the power is turned off. When this flag is set, the power-off state is stored in the RAM as power failure occurrence information, and the power failure occurrence information is retained by the backup power source. It has come to be. Here, in this embodiment, the sub-control board 132 and the acceptance / payout control board 136 as well as the main board 131 are backed up as the power failure occurrence information in the respective RAMs based on the same power recovery flag. Is done. Now, after resetting the power recovery flag, or when the power is turned on without pressing the reset switch 138, a setting key is inserted into a setting key insertion hole (not shown) of the power supply device 133 and the setting key switch (FIG. It is determined whether or not (not shown) is turned on. When the setting key switch is turned on, any one of a plurality of setting states (for example, six setting states (settings 1 to 6)) can be selected. Therefore, after determining which setting state is selected, the selected setting state is obtained. Performs the corresponding internal processing. In addition, the setting of multiple stages is prepared by preparing multiple stages with different probability of establishment of the game value to be given to the player, such as a big bonus acquisition probability, and which of these is used for the current game It is. Thereafter, the contents stored in the RAM of the main board 131 are cleared, and the power recovery flag is reset. Therefore, after resetting the power recovery flag or when the setting key switch is not turned on, it is determined whether or not the power recovery flag is set. When the power recovery flag is set, the RAM of the main board 131 is set. Based on the power failure occurrence information stored in, power recovery processing for returning to the state before the power is turned off is performed, and initialization processing and the like are terminated. With this power recovery process, for example, even if the power is turned off due to a power failure, it is possible to return to the state before the power is turned off when the power is restored.

  When the CPU of the main board 131 finishes the initialization process or the like (step S100), the CPU executes a settlement process (step S110). As shown in FIG. 12, in the settlement processing routine, the CPU of the main board 131 first determines whether or not the settlement button 111 has been operated (step S111). If the settlement button 111 has not been operated, this routine ends. On the other hand, when the settlement button 111 is operated, it is determined whether or not a credit settlement process is being performed (step S112). If the credit settlement process is in progress, a credit settlement cancellation command is issued (step S113), the credit settlement process is terminated (step S114), and this routine is terminated. Therefore, when the settlement button 111 is operated again during the credit settlement process, the credit settlement process can be stopped halfway, and the game balls can be paid out as much as the player needs.

  If it is determined in step S112 that the credit checkout process is not in progress, it is determined whether or not there is an accepted number, that is, whether or not a bet has been placed (step S115). If there is an accepted number, a payout command is issued for the accepted number (step S116), and the accepted number is set to 0, that is, the bet already made is invalidated (step S117), and this routine is terminated. To do. Thus, even if the bet switches 107 to 109 are once operated to place a bet, the bet can be released by operating the settlement button 111.

  If it is determined in step S115 that there is no accepted number, a credit settlement start command is issued (step S118), a credit settlement process is started (step S119), and this routine is terminated. As a result, when the credit settlement process is not being performed and there is no accepted number, the payout process of the credited virtual game ball can be performed by operating the settlement button 111.

  When the CPU of the main board 131 finishes the payment process (step S110), it executes a state acquisition process of the acceptance / dispensing control board 136 (step S120). In this step, the CPU of the main board 131 sends a status acquisition command to the acceptance / payout control board 136, receives the return of the latest state of the board from the acceptance / payout control board 136, and receives the latest of the acceptance / payout control board 136. Get state.

  When the CPU of the main board 131 finishes the status acquisition process (step S120) of the acceptance / payout control board 136, the CPU executes a status process that is a process corresponding to the status (step S130). As shown in FIG. 13, in the state processing routine, the CPU of the main board 131 first determines whether or not the number of acceptance is the maximum, that is, whether or not it is in the max bet state (step S131). If the received number is not the maximum, it is determined whether or not the bet switches 107 to 109 have been operated (step S132). If it is determined in step S131 that the number of acceptance is the maximum, or if it is determined in step S132 that the bet switches 107 to 109 are not operated, the process proceeds to step S139. Here, when the number of acceptance is the maximum, it is determined in step S139 that there is an acceptance number, and this routine is finished. On the other hand, if there is no operation of the bet switches 107 to 109, the routine ends if it is determined in step S139 that there is an accepted number, and the process returns to step S110 if it is determined that there is no accepted number.

  If it is determined in step S132 that the bet switches 107 to 109 have been operated, it is determined whether or not a credit settlement process is being performed (step S133). If it is determined that the credit settlement process is in progress, a credit settlement process stop command is issued (step S134), and the credit settlement process is stopped (step S135). As a result, when the bet switches 107 to 109 are effectively operated during the credit checkout process, the credit checkout process is canceled, so there is an advantage that the game can be started even during the credit checkout process. It is possible to save the trouble of performing the betting operation after re-operating the settlement button 111 to cancel the credit settlement process.

  If it is determined in step S133 that the credit settlement process is not in progress, and after the credit settlement process is stopped in step S135, the CPU of the main board 131 issues a required number acceptance command and transmits it to the CPU of the acceptance / payout control board 136. (Step S136). As a result, the acceptance / dispensing control board 136 executes a process of accepting a necessary number of game balls according to the betting operation executed in step S132. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a normal notification command is returned from the acceptance / dispensing control board 136 (step S137). If not returned, the process proceeds to step S139, and if returned, the acceptance process is executed in step S138. Then, it is processed that the game ball has been received according to the bet, and the process proceeds to step S139.

  The CPU of the main board 131 determines whether or not the start lever 101 has been operated (step S140) when the state process (step S130) is finished assuming that the bet has been made effective. If there is no operation of the start lever 101, the process returns to step S110. On the other hand, if it is determined that the start lever 101 has been operated, normal game processing is executed (step S150). The normal game process means a game of one game that can be performed based on receiving a predetermined number of game balls (1 to 3 bets). That is, after rotating the rotating bodies 71 to 73 by operating the start lever 101, the rotating bodies 71 to 73 are stopped based on the operation of the stop buttons 102 to 104 or the passage of a predetermined time. One game that creates the various game situations described above, such as a big bonus game, is performed according to the combination of symbols on the line.

  The CPU of the main board 131 determines whether or not there is a prize ball as a result of the normal game process in step S150 (step S160). As described above, the prize ball refers to, for example, 75 game balls to be paid out when the “watermelon” symbols are aligned on the active line. If it is determined that there is no prize ball, the process returns to step S110. If it is determined that there is a prize ball, a payout command for the prize ball is issued, and the command is transmitted to the acceptance / dispensing control board 136 (step S110). S170). Then, it returns to step S110 and repeats the above process.

  Next, the processing operation of the CPU of the acceptance / dispensing control board 136 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the CPU of the acceptance / payout control board 136 first determines whether or not the ball lending switch 152 has been operated (step S180). When it is determined that the ball lending switch 152 has been operated, it is determined whether or not there is a remaining number, that is, a remaining amount in the card inserted into the card insertion slot B of the CR unit A (step S181). If there is a card remaining number, a ball lending process is executed (step S190). That is, when there is a remaining card number, the ball lending process is performed when the ball lending switch 152 is operated. On the other hand, when there is no operation of the ball lending switch 152, there is no need for ball lending processing, and when there is no card remaining even if the ball lending switch 152 is operated, lending is impossible. The process proceeds to the next payout process (step S200) without performing (step S190).

  The ball lending process will be described. As shown in FIG. 15, in the ball lending process routine, the CPU of the acceptance / payout control board 136 first determines whether or not the current credit number is equal to or greater than the set credit number (step S191). The number of set credits means that when a ball is lent from a card inserted into the card insertion slot B of the CR unit A, the ball lending process is credited as a virtual game ball without directly paying out the game ball by the payout device 28. The maximum number of game balls that can be played. In this embodiment, the set credit number is 30. This numerical value is set so that at least two game times can be taken into the credit as virtual game balls when it is assumed that the game proceeds in a maximum bet state using 15 game balls.

  The reason why the number of set credits is set to 30 (2 game times) is as follows. In other words, one game round usually takes a minimum of 4.1 s, but if a game ball is paid out by the payout device 28, a bet operation for one game round is repeated before the payout is completed. It may be necessary. Therefore, in some cases, the acceptance process by the acceptance device 23 is executed before the ball lending process by the payout device 28 is completed, and the processing of the game ball on the upper plate 18 may not be performed smoothly. However, if a total of 30 game balls up to the next game are credited as virtual game balls as described above, there is an advantage that the progress of the game after the renting operation is not hindered. However, the number of set credits is not limited to 30 as described above, for example, and may be changed and set by an operation on the player side or an operation on the game hall side.

  Further, step S191 may be a step of determining whether or not the current credit number is the maximum credit number. If it does in this way, payout of the game ball according to the renting operation can be transferred to credit as a virtual memory ball up to the maximum number that can be credited. By doing so, since the receiving device 23 can be electronically performed within the credit range without being driven at the time of betting operations in a large number of game times thereafter, the burden on the driving system of the receiving device 23 is reduced. The life of the receiving device 23 can be extended. In particular, in this gaming machine 1, if there is no credited virtual game ball, the accepting device 23 is driven for each game, so that the number of times the accepting device 23 is driven can be greatly reduced as described above. Very advantageous. Note that it is more preferable that the maximum number of credits can be set as an option in the case where the number of set credits as described above can be changed.

  If it is determined in step S191 that the current number of credits is equal to or greater than the set number of credits, the payout device 28 is driven and the amount of money based on a single operation of the ball lending operation (100 yen x set value). ) Is performed (step S192). For example, if the requested amount for lending is 500 yen, 125 game balls are paid out. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the payout operation for the amount of the ball loan has been completed (step S193). If the payout operation has not ended, the process returns to step S191. End the routine. If it is determined in step S191 that the current number of credits is not equal to or greater than the set number of credits, a process of adding credits is performed (step S194), and the process returns to step S191. As a result, the credit addition is executed until the current number of credits reaches the set number of credits (30 in this embodiment), and when the set number of credits is reached, surplus game balls are paid out by the payout device 28. Result. The RAM of the acceptance / payout control board 136 stores the number of virtual storage media added with credits, and the CPU of the acceptance / payout control board 136 controls the credit display unit 149 to display the number of credits after the addition. .

  Upon completion of the ball lending process (step S190), the CPU of the acceptance / dispensing control device 136 executes the payout process (step S200). As shown in FIG. 16, in the payout processing routine, the CPU of the acceptance payout control board 136 first pays out by the payout device 28 based on whether or not there is a payout number based on a prize ball or the like, that is, based on a payout command from the main board 131. It is determined whether or not there is a game ball to be taken out (step S201). If there is a payout number, a game ball payout process is executed to drive and control the payout device 28 to perform a payout process (step S202). On the other hand, when it is determined in step S201 that there is no payout number, and after the game ball payout process is executed in step S202, this routine is terminated.

  Upon completion of the payout process (step S200), the CPU of the acceptance / payout control board 136 executes a credit settlement process (step S210). As shown in FIG. 17, in the credit settlement process routine, the CPU of the acceptance / payout control board 136 first determines whether or not the credit is being paid out (settlement) (step S211). If the credit is not being paid out (settlement), this routine is terminated. On the other hand, if the credit is being paid out (settlement), the game ball payout process, that is, the payout device 28 is driven and controlled to pay out the credited virtual game ball as an actual game ball (step S212). A number subtraction process is performed (step S213). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the number of credits has become 0 (step S214). If the number of credits is not 0, this routine is terminated. If the number of credits is 0, credits are being paid out (settlement). Stop and end this routine.

  CPU of acceptance payment control board 136 will perform command response processing, if credit settlement processing (Step S210) is completed (Step S220). The command response process is a process in response to a command transmitted from the CPU of the main board 131. As shown in FIG. 18, first, the acceptance / dispensing control board 136 determines whether or not a command is received from the main board 131 (step S221). If no command is received, this routine is terminated. On the other hand, if a command is received, the process proceeds to step S222.

  When it is determined that the CPU of the receipt / payout control board 136 has received the state acquisition command from the main board 131 (step S222), the CPU returns the latest state of the acceptance / payout control board 136 to the main board 131 (step S223). Thereby, the main board | substrate 131 can grasp | ascertain the newest state of the acceptance / payout control board | substrate 136 in an above described state acquisition process (step S120).

  When the CPU of the acceptance / payout control board 136 determines that the credit settlement start command has been received from the main board 131 (step S224), it sets the credit withdrawal (under settlement) (step S225) and sets the automatic acceptance mode. It is prohibited (step S226). Thereby, the credit settlement process based on the operation of the settlement button 111 can be executed.

  When it is determined that the credit settlement stop command has been received from the main board 131 (step S227), the CPU of the acceptance / payout control board 136 performs a process of stopping the credit payout (under settlement) (step S228). Thereby, even if the credit settlement process is being performed, the credit settlement process can be stopped.

  If the CPU of the acceptance / dispensing control board 136 determines that it has received a payout command for the number of receipts from the main board 131 (step S229), it sets the number of payouts for the number of acceptances as the number of winning balls (step S230). The automatic acceptance mode is prohibited (step S231). Thereby, it is possible to pay out the number corresponding to the number of acceptances when the bet is released as a prize ball.

  When it is determined that the payout control board 136 has received a payout command for the number of prize balls from the main board 131 (step S232), the CPU sets the payout quantity for the number of prize balls as the number of prize balls ( In step S233), a PAYOUT display process for lighting a payout display unit (not shown) is performed (step S234). As a result, it is possible to pay out the number of prize balls for the number of stored prize balls, and to display the payout state so that the player can understand.

  When it is determined that the required number acceptance command has been received from the main board 131 (step S235), the CPU of the acceptance / dispensing control board 136 executes processing for starting the automatic acceptance mode (step S236). The automatic acceptance mode is a mode for automatically accepting a game ball on condition that there is a betting operation. The CPU of the acceptance / payout control board 136 turns on the display of the number of credits in the credit display unit 149 at the start of the automatic acceptance mode (step S236), and turns off the display of the number of credits in the credit display unit 149 at the end of the automatic acceptance mode. (Erase) is performed (step S226). However, when the automatic acceptance mode is prohibited in step S231, not all credits are paid out, so the credit display is not turned OFF at this point.

  In the automatic acceptance mode, it is determined whether or not there are as many credits as required according to the number of bets or the number necessary for the game (step S237). If there is a necessary number, credit subtraction processing is performed (step S238). Then, a normal notification command is returned to the main board 131 (step S239). Thereby, the main substrate 131 side can grasp that the automatic acceptance is normally performed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S237 that the required number is not reached, it is determined whether there is a remaining number in the card inserted into the card insertion slot B of the CR unit A (step S240). If it is determined that there is no remaining card number, a command indicating no number received is returned to the main board 131 (step S241). As a result, the number of game balls necessary for automatic acceptance is not credited, and there is no remaining card in the card insertion slot B of the CR unit A, so automatic acceptance according to the bet operation is impossible. It can be grasped by the main board 131 side.

  If it is determined in step S240 that there is a card remaining number, a ball lending process (step S242) is executed. This ball lending process is the same as the process in step S190, and as shown in FIG. 15, it is determined whether or not the current credit number is equal to or larger than the set credit number (step S190). Here, the determination result in step S237 is determined. Since NO is NO, the number of set credits has not been reached, and the process proceeds to step S194. By executing the ball lending process shown in FIG. 15 in this way, credits are added up to the set number of credits, and the payout device 28 is driven and game balls are paid out for the amount exceeding that. Thereafter, as described above, the process proceeds to step S238, and credit subtraction processing corresponding to the current bet operation is executed. As a result, even if the number of virtual game balls stored as credits in the RAM of the acceptance / payout control board 136 is less than the number required for one game round requested by the betting operation, if there is a remaining card number, the virtual game ball can be directly virtualized from there. Credited as a game ball, the bet becomes valid based on it. Therefore, even when the number of credits is insufficient at the start of a game by betting operation, the bet is activated after increasing the number of credits directly based on the record information on the card, so that the payout is once The time-consuming operation of receiving the game ball by the receiving device 23 after receiving the payout of the game ball by the device 28 is eliminated. Therefore, the acceptance / dispensing control board 136 manages the CR unit A and credits in a unified manner, so that the game balls can be processed quickly and smoothly.

  Note that the CPU of the acceptance / dispensing control board 136 determines that it has received any command from the main board 131 in step S221, but does not have a status acquisition command, a credit settlement start command, a credit settlement stop command, the number of receipts. If it does not match any one of the payout command, the payout command for the number of winning balls, and the required number acceptance command, a command error is returned to the main board 131 (step S243). Thereby, the main board 131 can perform an operation such as transmitting a necessary command again or stopping the operation of the gaming machine 1 as an error. Thus, the command response processing routine ends.

  Upon completion of the command response process (step S220), the CPU of the acceptance / payout control board 136 executes a prize ball processing routine (step S250). As shown in FIG. 19, first, the acceptance / dispensing control board 136 determines whether or not there is a prize ball number (step S251), and if it is judged that there is no prize ball number, this routine is ended. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a prize ball number, it is determined whether or not the value obtained by adding the prize ball number and the credit number exceeds the upper limit value of credit (step S252). If the value obtained by adding the number of winning balls and the number of credits exceeds the upper limit value of credits, the credit number is rewritten to the upper limit value (step S253), and the remaining amount is set as the number of payouts (step S254). Then, the number of prize balls is rewritten to 0 (step S255). As a result, up to the upper limit value of credit is credited as a virtual game ball, and the surplus is paid out by the payout device 28. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S252 that the value obtained by adding the number of prize balls and the number of credits does not exceed the upper limit of credits, the value obtained by adding the number of prize balls to the current number of credits is rewritten as the number of credits (step After that, the number of prize balls is rewritten to 0 (step S255). As a result, when the credit upper limit value is not reached, all prize balls are stored as credited virtual game balls.

  Upon completion of the prize ball processing (step S250), the CPU of the acceptance / payout control board 136 executes an automatic acceptance processing routine (step S260). As shown in FIG. 20, the acceptance / payout control board 136 determines whether the automatic acceptance mode is valid (step S261), whether the number of credits is smaller than the number necessary for the game (step S262), and the game ball It is determined whether or not there is any (step S263). If any one of the conditions is not satisfied, this routine is terminated. In other words, if the automatic acceptance mode is not valid, there is no need to execute the processing for that, and even if the automatic acceptance mode is valid, if the number of credits reaches the number required for the game, a new game There is no need to accept a ball, and even if the number of credits does not reach the number required for the game, it cannot be processed unless there is a game ball to be accepted. Processing is not performed. On the other hand, when all the above three conditions are satisfied, the acceptance / dispensing control board 136 controls the acceptance device 23 to execute the acceptance processing of the required number of game balls (step S264), and accepts the acceptance. A credit number adding process corresponding to the number is executed (step S265), and then this routine is terminated.

  Upon completion of the automatic acceptance process (step S260), the CPU of the acceptance / dispensing control board 136 executes the CR process (step S270). In the CR process, a process other than the process related to the ball lending described above, for example, a card return process based on the operation of the return switch 153 is performed with the CR unit A connected to the receipt / payout control board 136. When communication with the CR unit A is impossible, that is, when the CR unit A is not turned on, the cable connector D is not connected, or the cable connector D is disconnected. The CPU of the acceptance / payout control board 136 displays an error on the credit display unit 149 or the card balance display unit 154 using characters or symbols other than numerical values, and transmits the error command to the main board 131 to operate the gaming machine 1. Can also be stopped. Then, it returns to step S180 and repeats the above process.

  Now, according to the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the main board 131 that manages and controls the gaming machine 1 and the acceptance / payout control board 136 that controls both the receiving apparatus 23 and the dispensing apparatus 28 are provided separately. The noise from the accepting device 23 and the payout device 28 only reaches the accepting / dispensing control board 136, and the noise does not directly reach the main board 131 that manages and controls the gaming machine 1. That is, the receiving / dispensing control board 136 can serve as a cushion to protect the main board 131, which can be called the heart of the gaming machine 1, from noise. As a result, it is possible to reduce inconvenience that control related to the provision of game value such as a big bonus game becomes unstable due to noise.

  In addition, since the receiving device 23 and the payout device 28 are collectively controlled by the receiving / dispensing control board 136, the processing of the game balls is not directly involved with the main board 131, and the burden on the main board 131 is reduced. In addition, it is possible to perform processing related to game progress and game ball accepting / dispensing processing in parallel.

  Further, in addition to the control of the receiving device 23 and the paying device 28, the receiving / dispensing control board 136 is directly connected to the CR unit A and the second information board 162 without passing through the main board 131, and the CR unit A and its operation / display. Since the system members 151 to 154 are also controlled and the display control of the credit display unit 149 is also performed, in addition to the actual game ball accepting / dispensing process, the credit accepting / dispensing process which is a process of the virtual game ball is performed. Processing can also be performed independently from the main substrate 131. Therefore, any game balls can be processed by the receiving / dispensing control board 136 regardless of whether they are real or virtual. This makes it possible to realize a new ball processing mode such as adding credit information as it is to the virtual game ball as it is recorded on the card inserted into the card insertion slot B of the CR unit A without giving a processing burden to the main board 131.

  In addition, when there is a ball lending request, the acceptance / payout control board 136 does not pay out all the game balls to be rented to the upper plate 18 by the payout device 28, but at least a part (30 game balls corresponding to two game times). ) Are secured as credits, and the payout device 28 is driven to pay out only the remaining amount. Therefore, when the player operates the ball lending switch 152 based on the remaining number of cards and requests a ball lending, the game ball necessary for the subsequent game is immediately deducted by the bet operation and the game is played. Can do. Therefore, the time from the operation of the ball lending switch 152 to the start of the game can be shortened. In addition, by adding credits to two or more game balls, the game can be smoothly executed after the current game time. In particular, if all the credits up to the maximum number of credits are accepted as credits, the number of times that the receiving device 23 is driven can be greatly reduced, and the life of the receiving device 23 can be extended.

  Further, the automatic acceptance mode is terminated (prohibited) in accordance with the operation of the settlement button 111. Since the player operates the checkout button 111 with the intention of paying out the virtual game ball (credit checkout), if the automatic acceptance mode is continued thereafter, inconvenience arises in paying out the virtual game ball. . On the other hand, in the present embodiment, virtual game ball payout (credit settlement) can be appropriately implemented by terminating the automatic acceptance mode with the operation of the settlement button 111. Accordingly, the virtual game ball can be paid out (credit settlement) smoothly, and the convenience of the player can be greatly improved.

  Since the automatic acceptance mode is started in response to the operation of the bet switches 107 to 109, the automatic acceptance mode can be started in accordance with the intention of the game start by the player. Therefore, as described above, the automatic acceptance mode can be suitably terminated, and the automatic acceptance mode can be favorably started.

  In addition to the embodiment described above, for example, the following may be implemented.

  (A) The credit display on the credit display unit 149 is turned off (erased) when the automatic acceptance mode ends. Instead, the credit display is set to “0” when the automatic acceptance mode ends when the automatic acceptance mode ends. It is also good.

  (B) The checkout button 111 is configured to cause the virtual game ball to be paid out (credit checkout) only during a period in which the check button is actually pressed, and to stop paying out the virtual game ball (credit checkout) at the end of the operation. . In such a case, the automatic acceptance mode may be ended when the operation of the settlement button 111 is started, and the automatic reception mode may be started when the operation is ended. It should be noted that a slide-type operation member may be used instead of the push-type checkout button 111 on the condition that it can automatically return to the initial position.

  (C) In the above embodiment, the automatic acceptance mode is started (validated) by operating the bet switch. However, if the operating means is operated as one of the conditions for starting each game, Operation means different from that may be used. In addition, an automatic acceptance start switch for starting (validating) the automatic acceptance mode may be provided.

  (D) The acceptance / withdrawal control board 136 may control not only the credit display part 149 but also the acquisition number display part 148 in the first information board 161. Thereby, all the ball processing including the game ball acquired by the player can be processed only on the acceptance / dispensing control board 136 side. Further, in this case, when a winning ball is acquired due to the establishment of a small role or the like, the number of balls is displayed on the acquisition number display unit 148, but the main board 131 and the receiving / dispensing control board 136 are displayed. If the signal is not properly transmitted from the main board 131 to the receiving / dispensing control board 136 such as a connection failure with the main board 131, the display is not performed. A connection status notification means for notifying whether the connection status is normal or abnormal is configured.

  (E) When the receiving process by the receiving device 23 and the paying process by the paying device 28 occur simultaneously (for example, when a player issues an acceptance command, a predetermined number of payouts are made due to the establishment of a small role, etc.) The accepting / dispensing control board 136 performs an arithmetic process that takes the difference, and if the number of accepted game balls exceeds the result of the arithmetic process, the accepting device 23 accepts the surplus game balls by the number of game balls that have been surpassed. It may be controlled not to drive, and when the number of payouts exceeds, the payout device 28 pays out game balls as many as the number of game balls that exceed, so that the receiving device 23 is not driven. Such a pattern in which a plurality of game ball-related operations are executed at the same time can be considered in relation to various ball processes described above, such as a ball lending process, a credit process, and a payment process, as well as receiving and paying out a prize ball. Also in these cases, the accepting / dispensing control board 136 can appropriately add / subtract the game balls to be received and the game balls to be paid out. This can be realized by placing all of the ball processing relations under the control of the acceptance / dispensing control board 136, and is effective in adjusting the traffic of the game balls that are congested.

  (F) In the above embodiment, when the settlement button 111 is operated again or the bet switches 107 to 109 are operated during the credit settlement process, the credit settlement process is stopped. When 104 is operated, when the start lever 101 is operated, etc., the credit checkout process may be stopped halfway.

  (G) In the above embodiment, once the settlement button 111 is operated, control is performed so that all credited virtual game balls are paid out, and the credit settlement is performed by operating the settlement button 111 again. Although the processing is stopped, a similar effect can be realized in another form. For example, when the settlement button 111 is operated once, a predetermined number (for example, 125) of game balls are credited, and when the settlement button 111 is pressed for a long time, all the virtual game balls in the credit are settled. Also good. In addition, a modification example is also possible in which, for example, when the settlement button 111 is continuously operated, all settlement is performed. Further, the settlement button 111 may function as a switch for normal credit settlement processing, and a separate settlement button for a predetermined number of settlements may be provided. These predetermined numbers may be set by the player or may be set at the game hall.

  (H) The maximum value of the number of credits can be set to an arbitrary number even if it is not 250. For example, the maximum number of credits may be 4000. This corresponds to 800 sheets in the slot machine. The reason why 4000 is exemplified as the maximum value of credits is that the maximum number obtained in one big bonus game of this gaming machine 1 or a similar gaming machine is considered to be 3780, so it is equivalent to one big bonus game This is in order to be able to credit game balls with a certain margin. Thus, if the maximum value of the number of credits is increased, the game can proceed smoothly and quickly. In addition, setting the maximum value of the number of credits as the maximum number of game balls that can be exchanged for one prize (currently 2500) makes it easy to recognize whether the player has reached the number of game balls that the player wants to exchange. It is useful in that it can. In addition, if a credit of about four digits such as 2500 pieces and 4000 pieces is possible, the opportunity of driving the receiving device 23 can be extremely reduced. Therefore, in the gaming machine 1 including the receiving device 23, Is extremely advantageous in terms of durability and speed of ball processing. In this case, it is preferable that credit of about 4 to 5 digits is possible. The case of 6 digits (that is, hundreds of thousands) or less is hardly assumed, and 3 digits (that is, hundreds) is insufficient to cover most of the credit range.

  (I) In the above embodiment, the credit mode in which the game progresses based on the credit that is the virtual game ball and the direct mode in which the game progresses based on the actual game ball are set to be switchable. It is good also as mode and without direct mode. The reason for omitting the direct mode is that the progress of the game is slower than that in the credit mode, and the credit mode is more preferable in a gaming machine that accepts a game ball. And in this way, the player can proceed with the game in the credit mode that can be processed quickly without being conscious of which mode the current mode is, and the advantage that the unskilled player is not confused There is also a reduction in the burden of designing game machine programs.

  (J) It is good also as a structure which installs the information provision means for auxiliary | assistant effects in the gaming machine 1. For example, the information providing means is installed in the vicinity of the display windows 61 to 63 (any one of the left, right, top, and bottom) in the center panel portion, installed in the back of the upper protection panel 35 (see FIG. 2), or the annular portion 6. Of these, it may be installed on the top portion 6a. As the information providing means, a liquid crystal display device, which is a kind of electrical display device, can be used, and other electrical display devices such as CRT, dot matrix, LED, electroluminescence (EL), fluorescent display tube. Etc. may be used. In addition to the electrical display device, a sound generating device such as a speaker may be used, thereby enabling dynamic sound effects for the player. Furthermore, you may comprise an information provision means as a combination of the speakers 11 and 43 which are audio | voice generators, and a display apparatus.

  (K) The types, arrangements, and the like of the symbols in the above embodiment are merely examples, and any configuration can be adopted, for example, including other small role symbols. Moreover, not only a picture, a number, a character, etc. but a geometric line, a figure, etc. may be sufficient. In addition, a symbol can be configured using light, color, or the like, a symbol can be configured by a three-dimensional shape or the like, and a symbol can be configured even by combining these. That is, the symbol may have any function as information having identification (identification information).

  (L) The arrangement of the operation means represented by the start lever 101 and the like and the display means represented by the credit display unit 149 and the like in the above embodiment is merely an example. For example, the start lever 101 is arranged on the right side, It can be changed as appropriate, such as changing to a button instead of a lever.

  (M) The sub control board 132 may be omitted as a configuration in which all control of the gaming machine 1 is governed by the main board 131 except at least the acceptance / dispensing control board 136. Further, the sub-control board 132 can be constituted by a plurality of boards by further subdividing the control sharing such as a voice control board and a lamp control board.

  (N) Although the gaming machine 1 having the big bonus game has been described in the above embodiment, the gaming machine 1 may be applied to a gaming machine capable of performing a regular bonus game including a single jack-in game. Conversely, the big bonus game may be omitted. Furthermore, after the big bonus game, a game in which the consumption of the game medium (game ball) is suppressed until the predetermined condition is established (end of the predetermined number of games, the predetermined flag is established, etc.) or the chance of acquiring the game medium (game ball) is increased. It is good also as what provided various added values, such as a chance game function which can advance.

  (O) The number of games balls received per bet (predetermined number), the maximum number of games received, the number of payouts, etc. of the game balls in the above embodiment are merely examples, and are not particularly limited to the illustrated numbers.

  (P) In addition to the belt-type ball accepting / dispensing type gaming machine 1 described in the above embodiment, a ball accepting / dispensing type ball machine such as a pachinko machine or an arrange ball machine, or a slot machine or the like The present invention may be applied to a torso gaming machine or may be applied to other gaming machines. Here, in a spinning-type game machine such as a slot machine, there is no receiving device 23 as described above, but when a player accepts a game medal as a game medium, the accepted game medal is accepted. It is supplied to the hopper only if it is successfully received by the device. In order to exclude non-standard game medals and game medals inserted while acceptance is prohibited, the accepting device drives a driving means such as a solenoid to return the medal to the medal tray. That is, the receiving device is provided in place of the receiving device 23 of the gaming machine 1. The medal in the hopper is paid out from the hopper to the medal tray by driving the motor, and a payout device is attached to the hopper. Accordingly, even in a spinning-type game machine such as a slot machine, the receiving device and the payout device are controlled by an incoming / outgoing control board (corresponding to the incoming / outgoing control board 136 in the above embodiment) different from the main board. If configured, the same effect as the above embodiment can be expected.

It is a perspective view of the gaming machine in one embodiment. It is a front view of a gaming machine. It is a front view which expands and shows a game machine main part and a front door side by side. It is a rear view of a gaming machine. It is a perspective view of an upper plate forming member. It is a sectional side view which shows a belt unit etc. typically. It is a perspective view of a belt unit. It is explanatory drawing which shows the symbol arrangement | sequence of the belt of each rotary body. It is a partial front view which shows the detail of an information display operation part. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the electrical structure of a game machine. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of a main board | substrate. It is a flowchart which shows the adjustment process routine of a main board | substrate. It is a flowchart which shows the state process routine of a main board | substrate. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of an acceptance / payout control board. It is a flowchart which shows the ball lending process routine of an acceptance / payout control board. It is a flowchart which shows the payment processing routine of an acceptance / payout control board. It is a flowchart which shows the credit adjustment process routine of an acceptance / payout control board. It is a flowchart which shows the command response process routine of an acceptance / payout control board. It is a flowchart which shows the prize ball processing routine of an acceptance / payout control board. It is a flowchart which shows the automatic acceptance processing routine of an acceptance / payout control board.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Game machine, 18 ... Upper plate, 23 ... Receiving device, 28 ... Dispensing device, 61-63 ... Display window, 70 ... Belt unit, 71-73 ... Rotating body, 100 ... Operation part, 101 ... Start lever, 102 104 ... Stop button, 107 ... 1 bet switch, 108 ... 2 bet switch, 109 ... Max bet switch, 111 ... Settlement button, 120 ... Information display operation unit, 131 ... Main board, 136 ... Acceptance / payout control board, 149 ... Credit display part.

Claims (1)

A game received by the receiving device, comprising: a storage unit for storing game media such as game balls and game medals; a payout device for paying out game media to the storage unit; and a receiving device for receiving game media from the storage unit. In a gaming machine that uses a medium to play a game,
Virtual game medium storage means for storing the game medium as a virtual game medium;
Operation means operated to pay out the virtual game medium stored in the virtual game medium storage means to the storage unit;
Game medium automatic receiving means for automatically receiving at least the number of game media required for the next game round by driving the receiving device;
Automatic acceptance switching means for disabling automatic acceptance of game media by the game media automatic acceptance means in response to an operation of the operation means;
A gaming machine characterized by comprising:

Images