JP2006043171A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine where a game ball is never spilt onto a floor etc. when operating each apparatus concerned with a game which is turned into a stopped state due to an error in a state where the front surface side of the game machine is closed. <P>SOLUTION: In the game machine 1, each apparatus associated with a game is turned into a stopped state in occurrence of an error. When a reset switch provided on the rear side of the game machine 1 is operated after eliminating a cause of the error, each apparatus are turned from the stopped state to a standby state. When a max bet switch 109 is operated in a state where opened front surface frame 3 and front surface door 4 are closed, operation of each apparatus in the standby state is started again. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as a type of gaming machine, there has been considered a ball-carrying revolving game machine that can play a game similar to a slot machine (revolving game machine) using a game ball used in a pachinko machine. If such a gaming machine is used in place of a slot machine, the game ball can be handled as a common game medium with the pachinko machine in a gaming hall such as a pachinko 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 gaming machine on an island of a pachinko machine is generated (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  An error that occurs during a game in the slot machine or the ball-cylinder-type game machine includes, for example, a game medium payout error, and often occurs inside the game machine. When such an error occurs, even if the game is in progress, for example, each device related to the game, such as a device that pays out game media, is brought into a stopped state. In the case of the slot machine, the hall manager or the like turns it to the right, for example, using a dedicated key to open the front side of the slot machine. Hall managers, etc. work to eliminate the cause of the error, close the open front side and turn the key to the opposite side (in this case, left) to resume the operation of each device that was in a stopped state . In the ball-cylinder type game machine as well, the cause of the error is eliminated by opening the front side of the game machine using a dedicated key.

  Unlike a slot machine, a ball-cylinder game machine requires opening at least two types of members in order to completely open the front side of the gaming machine. As a result, when opening the front side of the gaming machine, the hall manager or the like turns the member with the dedicated key to the right, for example, to open one member (for example, the front door), and further turns the key to the left to turn the other member. (For example, the front frame) is opened. For this reason, it is impossible to resume the operation of each device that is in a stopped state with a key as in the slot machine. Therefore, in the gaming machine, it is preferable to provide a device (hereinafter referred to as a reset switch) that resumes the operation of each device related to the game that has been stopped due to an error. Since the reset switch is also a device that resets various states of the gaming machine, it is desirable that the reset switch be provided on the back side of the gaming machine to prevent fraud.

However, when a reset switch provided on the back side of the gaming machine is operated, the operation of each device that has been in a stopped state is resumed with the front surface of the gaming machine being opened. In the state where the front surface of the gaming machine is opened, for example, the passage through which the game ball to be paid out is separated from the storage portion where the paid game ball is stored. There is a situation in which it is spilled on the floor or the like without being guided to the reservoir. Also, in the pachinko gaming machine, it is necessary to open at least two kinds of members in order to completely open the front side as in the case of a ball-cylinder revolving game machine. Occurs.
JP 2003-236049 A

  In the present invention, the operation of each device related to a game that has been stopped due to an error can be resumed with the front side of the gaming machine closed. An object is to provide a gaming machine that does not spill.

  Hereinafter, effective means for solving the above-described problems will be described while showing effects as necessary. In the following, for ease of 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 front door (front door 4) supported to be freely opened and closed with respect to the gaming machine main body (front frame 3),
Covering the front side of the gaming machine main body when the front door is closed, and configuring the front side of the gaming machine main body to be exposed when the front door is opened,
In the gaming machine provided with a payout means for paying out a game ball when a predetermined payout condition is established in the gaming machine body,
Control means (main board 131, etc.) for controlling the payout means;
Error monitoring means (main board 131) for monitoring a predetermined error;
An error release operation means (reset switch 195) provided on the gaming machine main body and operated based on elimination of the error;
Operation start operation means (max bet switch 109) operable from the front side of the gaming machine when the front door is closed,
When the error is confirmed by the error monitoring means, the control means puts the payout means in a stopped state, and when the error is solved and the error canceling operation means is operated in the stopped state, an error occurs. A gaming machine that is in a standby state in which it is released and the payout means is maintained in a stopped state, and the operation of the payout means is resumed when the operation start operation means is operated in the standby state.

  According to the means 1, when an error is confirmed by the error monitoring means, the control means stops the payout means even if the game balls are being paid out by the payout means. When the error is resolved in the stop state and the error canceling operation means is operated, the control means cancels the error and puts the payout means in a standby state in which it is stopped. Since the operation start operation means operated to resume the operation of the payout means in the standby state can be operated from the front side of the gaming machine when the front door is closed, the front door is closed with respect to the gaming machine main body. The operation of the payout means can be resumed in the state. As a result, it is possible to prevent the game balls that have been paid out from spilling on the floor of the hall. Note that the predetermined error refers to a malfunction occurring in the gaming machine, and it is not always necessary that the entire gaming machine is stopped.

Mean 2. A front door (front door 4) supported to be freely opened and closed with respect to the gaming machine main body (front frame 3),
Covering the front side of the gaming machine main body when the front door is closed, and configuring the front side of the gaming machine main body to be exposed when the front door is opened,
The front door is provided with a storage part (upper plate 18) for storing game balls taken into the gaming machine main body during the game,
The gaming machine main body is provided with a payout means (payout device 28) for paying out game balls to a payout passage (game ball passage unit 29) when a predetermined payout condition is established,
In the gaming machine configured such that when the front door is closed with respect to the gaming machine main body, the outlet of the payout passage (payout outlet 53) and the inlet of the storage unit (inlet 51) communicate with each other. ,
Control means (main board 131, etc.) for controlling the payout means;
Error monitoring means (main board 131) for monitoring a predetermined error;
An error releasing operation means (reset switch 195) provided in the gaming machine body and operated based on the error elimination;
Operation start operation means (max bet switch 109) operable from the front side of the gaming machine when the front door is closed,
When the error is confirmed by the error monitoring means, the control means puts the payout means in a stopped state, and when the error is solved and the error canceling operation means is operated in the stopped state, an error occurs. A gaming machine that is in a standby state in which it is released and the payout means is maintained in a stopped state, and the operation of the payout means is resumed when the operation start operation means is operated in the standby state.

  According to the means 2, when an error is confirmed by the error monitoring means, the control means stops the payout means even if the game ball is being paid out by the payout means. When the error is resolved in the stop state and the error canceling operation means is operated, the control means cancels the error and puts the payout means in a standby state in which the stop means is maintained. Since the operation start operation means operated to resume the operation of the payout means in the standby state can be operated from the front side of the gaming machine when the front door is closed, the front door is closed with respect to the gaming machine main body. The operation of the payout means can be resumed in the state. As a result, even if the payout means continues to pay out the game ball, the outlet of the payout passage and the inlet of the storage portion are in communication with each other. The situation can be prevented. Note that the predetermined error refers to a malfunction that has occurred in the gaming machine, and it is not always necessary for the entire gaming machine to be stopped.

  Means 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the control means does not resume the operation of the payout means even if the operation start operation means is operated when the payout means is not in a standby state.

  According to the means 3, even when the operation starting operation means is operated when the payout means is not in the standby state, that is, when the error is not released, the control means does not resume the operation of the payout means. As a result, it is possible to provide a gaming machine in which the error is reliably released to the player.

Means 4. In the means 2 or 3, the front door is provided with game operation means operated to advance the game,
The game operation means has the function of the operation start operation means,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means restarts the operation of the payout means in a standby state by the operation of the game operation means.

  According to the means 4, the game operation means operated to advance the game provided on the front door also has the function of the operation start operation means. When the game operation means is operated, the control means is in the standby state. The operation of the payout means is resumed. As a result, it is not necessary to provide new operation start operation means in the gaming machine.

Means 5. The means 4 comprises a notifying means for prompting an operation of the game operation means,
In the notification mode by the notification means, the notification mode for prompting an operation for gaming is different from the notification mode for prompting an operation for resuming operation.

  According to the means 5, since the notification mode for prompting the operation for the game and the notification mode for prompting the operation for resuming the operation are different, the hall manager or the like can determine the content of the operation of the game operation unit. It is possible to avoid a situation where the game is inadvertently advanced.

  Means 6. In the means 4 or 5, the control means executes only resumption of operation of the payout means when the game operation means is operated when the payout means is in a standby state.

  According to the means 6, when the game operation means is operated when the payout means is in the standby state, the control means only executes the operation of the payout means, so that the game does not proceed. As a result, it is possible to provide the player with the game immediately after the error is resolved.

Mean 7 In the means 2, the gaming machine main body is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to an attachment target (outer frame 2, island facility) to which the gaming machine main body is attached,
The game machine main body is provided with a take-in means (receiving device 23) for taking game balls from the storage portion to the game machine main body side, and a discharge passage for guiding the taken game balls to the outside of the game machine main body,
The game ball taken into the gaming machine main body by the take-in means is discharged from a discharge port which is an outlet of the discharge passage through the discharge passage,
The control means controls the capture means;
The error release operation means is disposed on the back side of the gaming machine body,
When the error is confirmed by the error monitoring unit, the control unit sets the capturing unit in a stopped state, and when the error is solved and the error release operation unit is operated in the stopped state, A gaming machine characterized in that an error is released and the take-in means is kept in a stand-by state, and the operation of the take-in means is resumed when the operation start operation means is operated in the stand-by state. .

  According to the means 7, when an error is confirmed by the error monitoring means, the control means stops the take-in means even if the game balls are being taken in by the take-in means. When the error is resolved in the stopped state, the game machine main body is opened with respect to the attachment target, and the error release operation means arranged on the back side of the game machine main body is operated. As a result, the control unit sets the error cancel and sets the capture unit in the standby state in the stopped state. Generally, when the gaming machine is installed in an island facility of a gaming hall, the gaming machine body is installed to be openable and closable with respect to the island facility to which the gaming machine body is attached. The island facility is provided with a game ball collection member (ball receiving portion) for collecting game balls taken into the game machine main body for each game machine. When the gaming machine main body is closed with respect to the island facility, the gaming ball collecting member is positioned below the discharge port that is the outlet of the gaming ball discharge passage. The taken game ball is received by the game ball collecting member from the discharge port via the game ball discharge passage. Since the operation start operation means operated to resume the operation of the taking-in means in the standby state can be operated from the front side of the gaming machine when the front door is closed, the gaming machine main body is closed with respect to the attachment target. In this state, the operation of the taking-in means can be resumed. Thus, even if the take-in means continues to take in the game ball, the game ball collecting member is located below the discharge port that is the exit of the game ball discharge passage. It can be received by the recovery member and can be prevented from spilling on the floor.

  Means 8. In the means 7, even if the operation start operation means is operated when the payout means is not in the standby state and when the take-in means is not in the standby state, the control means operates the operation of the payout means and the operation of the take-in means. A gaming machine characterized by not restarting.

  According to the means 8, even when the operation starting operation means is operated when the payout means is not in the standby state and when the take-in means is not in the standby state, that is, when the error is not released, the control means The operation of the capturing means is not resumed. As a result, it is possible to provide a gaming machine in which the error is reliably canceled to the player.

Means 9. In means 7 or 8, the front door is provided with game operation means operated to advance the game,
The game operation means has the function of the operation start operation means,
According to an operation of the game operation means, the control means restarts the operation of the payout means in the standby state and the operation of the take-in means in the standby state.

  According to the means 9, the game operation means operated to advance the game provided on the front door also has the function of the operation start operation means, and the control means is in a standby state by the operation of the game operation means. The operation of the paying-out means and the operation of the taking-in means in the standby state are resumed. As a result, it is not necessary to provide new operation start operation means in the gaming machine. Further, for example, when there is provided an input operation means (max bet switch 109) that is operated to take a game ball into the main body of the game machine by the take-in means as the game operation means, the standby state is established by the operation of the input operation means. The operation of the paying-out means and the operation of the taking-in means in the standby state may be resumed. Alternatively, when a start operation means (start lever 101) that is operated to start a game is provided, the operation of the payout means that is set to the standby state by the operation of the start operation means and the operation of the take-in means that is set to the standby state are performed. It may be resumed. The input operation means and the start operation means are operation means that are operated for each game and are easy to operate. Therefore, the operation as the operation start operation means is also easy.

Means 10. Means 9 comprises a notification means for prompting operation of the game operation means,
In the notification mode by the notification means, the notification mode for prompting an operation for gaming is different from the notification mode for prompting an operation for resuming operation.

  According to the means 10, since the notification mode for prompting the operation for the game and the notification mode for prompting the operation for resuming the operation are different, the hall manager or the like can determine the content of the operation of the game operation unit. It is possible to avoid a situation where the game is inadvertently advanced.

  Means 11. In the means 9 or 10, the gaming machine is characterized in that when the game operation means is operated when the payout means and the take-in means are in a standby state, the control means only executes the operation resumption.

  According to the means 11, when the game operating means is operated when the payout means and the taking-in means are in the standby state, the control means executes only the operation resumption, so that the game does not proceed. As a result, it is possible to provide the player with the game immediately after the error is resolved.

Means 12. A front door (front door 4) supported to be freely opened and closed with respect to the gaming machine main body (front frame 3),
Covering the front side of the gaming machine main body when the front door is closed, and configuring the front side of the gaming machine main body to be exposed when the front door is opened,
The front door is provided with a storage part (upper plate 18) for storing game balls taken into the gaming machine main body during the game,
The gaming machine main body is provided with a payout means (payout device 28) for paying out game balls to a payout passage (game ball passage unit 29) when a predetermined payout condition is established,
In the gaming machine configured such that when the front door is closed with respect to the gaming machine main body, the outlet of the payout passage (payout outlet 53) and the inlet of the storage unit (inlet 51) communicate with each other. ,
Control means (main board 131, etc.) for controlling the payout means;
Error monitoring means (main board 131) for monitoring a predetermined error;
An error releasing operation means (reset switch 195) provided in the gaming machine body and operated based on the error elimination;
Front door detection means (door sensor) for detecting that the front door is closed with respect to the gaming machine body,
When the error is confirmed by the error monitoring means, the control means puts the payout means in a stopped state, and when the error is solved and the error canceling operation means is operated in the stopped state, an error occurs. When it is detected that the front door is closed with respect to the gaming machine main body by the front door detection means in the standby state with the release and maintaining the payout means in the stopped state, A gaming machine characterized by resuming the operation of the payout means.

  According to the means 12, when an error is confirmed by the error monitoring means, the control means stops the payout means even if the game balls are being paid out by the payout means. When the error is resolved in the stop state and the error canceling operation means is operated, the control means cancels the error and puts the payout means in a standby state in which it is stopped. When the front door detecting means detects that the front door is closed with respect to the gaming machine main body, the operation of the payout means in the standby state is resumed. In other words, when the operation of the payout means is resumed, the payout passage outlet and the inlet of the storage section are always in communication with each other, so that the paid-out game balls are reliably guided to the storage section and fall down on the floor or the like. There is no situation. Note that the predetermined error refers to a malfunction occurring in the gaming machine, and it is not always necessary that the entire gaming machine is stopped.

Means 13. In the means 12, the gaming machine body is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to an attachment target (outer frame 2, island facility) to which the gaming machine body is attached.
The game machine main body is provided with a take-in means (receiving device 23) for taking game balls from the storage portion to the game machine main body side, and a discharge passage for guiding the taken game balls to the outside of the game machine main body,
The game ball taken into the gaming machine main body by the take-in means is discharged from a discharge port which is an outlet of the discharge passage through the discharge passage,
The control means controls the capture means;
A gaming machine main body detecting means for detecting that the gaming machine main body is closed with respect to the attachment target;
The error release operation means is disposed on the back side of the gaming machine body,
When the error is confirmed by the error monitoring unit, the control unit sets the capturing unit in a stopped state, and when the error is solved and the error release operation unit is operated in the stopped state, When the error is released and the take-in means is kept in a standby state, and the gaming machine main body detection means detects that the gaming machine main body is closed with respect to the attachment target in the standby state. And resuming the operation of the take-in means.

  According to the means 13, when an error is confirmed by the error monitoring means, the control means stops the take-in means even when the game balls are being taken in by the take-in means. When the error is resolved in the stopped state, the game machine main body is opened with respect to the attachment target, and the error release operation means arranged on the back side of the game machine main body is operated. As a result, the control unit sets the error cancel and sets the capture unit in the standby state in the stopped state. Generally, when the gaming machine is installed in an island facility of a gaming hall, the gaming machine body is installed to be openable and closable with respect to the island facility to which the gaming machine body is attached. The island facility is provided with a game ball collection member (ball receiving portion) for collecting game balls taken into the game machine main body for each game machine. When the gaming machine main body is closed with respect to the island facility, the gaming ball collecting member is positioned below the discharge port that is the outlet of the gaming ball discharge passage. The taken game ball is received by the game ball collecting member from the discharge port through the discharge passage. The operation of the taking-in means in the standby state is resumed when the gaming machine main body detecting means detects that the gaming machine main body is closed with respect to the attachment target. As a result, even if the take-in means continues to take in the game ball, the game ball collecting member is located below the discharge port that is the outlet of the discharge passage, so that the game ball to be discharged is collected by the game ball. It can be received by the department and prevent it from spilling on the floor.

  Means 14. In the means 13, when the paying-out means and the taking-in means are not in a standby state, the gaming machine body detecting means is closed with respect to the outer frame by the gaming machine body detecting means, and the front door detecting means is used to A gaming machine, wherein even if it is detected that the front door is closed with respect to the gaming machine main body, the operation of the payout means and the operation of the take-in means are not resumed.

  According to the means 14, when the paying-out means and the taking-in means are not in the standby state, that is, when the error is not released, the gaming machine main body is closed with respect to the outer frame by the gaming machine main body detecting means, and the front surface. Even if it is detected by the door detection means that the front door is closed with respect to the gaming machine main body, the control means does not resume the operation of the payout means and the operation of the take-in means. As a result, it is possible to provide a gaming machine in which the error is reliably released to the player.

Means 15. A front door (front door 4) supported to be freely opened and closed with respect to the gaming machine main body (front frame 3),
Covering the front side of the gaming machine main body when the front door is closed, and configuring the front side of the gaming machine main body to be exposed when the front door is opened,
In the gaming machine provided with a payout means for paying out a game ball when a predetermined payout condition is established in the gaming machine body,
Control means (main board 131, etc.) for controlling the payout means;
Error monitoring means (main board 131) for monitoring a predetermined error;
An error release operating means (reset switch 195) provided on the gaming machine main body and operated based on elimination of the error;
When the error is confirmed by the error monitoring means, the control means puts the payout means in a stopped state, and when the error is solved and the error canceling operation means is operated in the stopped state, an error occurs. A gaming machine, wherein the game machine is released and is placed in a standby state in which the payout means is maintained in a stopped state, and the operation of the payout means is resumed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the standby state.

  According to the means 15, when an error is confirmed by the error monitoring means, the control means stops the payout means even if the game balls are being paid out by the payout means. When the error is resolved in the stop state and the error canceling operation means is operated, the control means cancels the error and puts the payout means in a standby state in which the stop means is maintained. Then, the control means restarts the operation of the payout means after a predetermined time has elapsed since the payout means is set in the standby state. Therefore, the front door can be closed with respect to the gaming machine main body within the predetermined time. As a result, even when the payout means continues to pay out the game ball, it is possible to prevent the game ball from falling onto the floor of the hall. Note that the predetermined error refers to a malfunction that has occurred in the gaming machine, and it is not always necessary for the entire gaming machine to be stopped.

Means 16. A front door (front door 4) supported to be freely opened and closed with respect to the gaming machine main body (front frame 3),
Covering the front side of the gaming machine main body when the front door is closed, and configuring the front side of the gaming machine main body to be exposed when the front door is opened,
The front door is provided with a storage part (upper plate 18) for storing game balls taken into the gaming machine main body during the game,
The gaming machine main body is provided with a payout means (payout device 28) for paying out game balls to a payout passage (game ball passage unit 29) when a predetermined payout condition is established,
In the gaming machine configured such that when the front door is closed with respect to the gaming machine main body, the outlet of the payout passage (payout outlet 53) and the inlet of the storage unit (inlet 51) communicate with each other. ,
Control means (main board 131, etc.) for controlling the payout means;
Error monitoring means (main board 131) for monitoring a predetermined error;
An error release operation means (reset switch 195) provided on the gaming machine main body and operated based on the error elimination;
When the error is confirmed by the error monitoring means, the control means puts the payout means in a stopped state, and when the error is solved and the error canceling operation means is operated in the stopped state, an error occurs. A gaming machine, wherein the game machine is released and is placed in a standby state in which the payout means is maintained in a stopped state, and the operation of the payout means is resumed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the standby state.

  According to the means 16, when an error is confirmed by the error monitoring means, the control means stops the payout means even if the game balls are being paid out by the payout means. When the error is resolved in the stop state and the error canceling operation means is operated, the control means cancels the error and puts the payout means in a standby state in which the stop means is maintained. Then, the control means restarts the operation of the payout means after a predetermined time has elapsed since the payout means is set in the standby state. Therefore, the front door can be closed with respect to the gaming machine main body within the predetermined time. As a result, when the payout means continues to pay out the game ball, since the outlet of the payout passage and the inlet of the storage portion are in communication, the game ball is guided to the storage portion and falls down on the floor or the like The situation can be prevented. Note that the predetermined error refers to a malfunction that has occurred in the gaming machine, and it is not always necessary for the entire gaming machine to be stopped.

Means 17. In the means 16, the gaming machine main body is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to an attachment target (outer frame 2, island facility) to which the gaming machine main body is attached,
The game machine main body is provided with a take-in means (receiving device 23) for taking game balls from the storage portion to the game machine main body side, and a discharge passage for guiding the taken game balls to the outside of the game machine main body,
The game ball taken into the gaming machine main body by the take-in means is discharged from a discharge port which is an outlet of the discharge passage through the discharge passage,
The control means controls the capture means;
The error release operation means is disposed on the back side of the gaming machine body,
When the error is confirmed by the error monitoring unit, the control unit sets the capturing unit in a stopped state, and when the error is solved and the error release operation unit is operated in the stopped state, A gaming machine characterized in that an error is canceled and the take-in means is kept in a stand-by state, and the operation of the take-in means is resumed after a predetermined time elapses from the stand-by state.

  According to the means 17, when an error is confirmed by the error monitoring means, the control means stops the take-in means even when the game balls are being taken in by the take-in means. When the error is resolved in the stopped state, the game machine main body is opened with respect to the attachment target, and the error release operation means arranged on the back side of the game machine main body is operated. As a result, the control unit sets the error cancel and sets the capture unit in the standby state in the stopped state. Generally, when the gaming machine is installed in an island facility of a gaming hall, the gaming machine body is installed to be openable and closable with respect to the island facility to which the gaming machine body is attached. The island facility is provided with a game ball collection member (ball receiving portion) for collecting game balls taken into the game machine main body for each game machine. When the gaming machine main body is closed with respect to the island facility, the gaming ball collecting member is positioned below the discharge port that is the outlet of the gaming ball discharge passage. The taken game ball is received by the game ball collecting member from the discharge port through the discharge passage. Since the operation of the take-in means in the standby state is resumed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the standby state, the gaming machine main body opened within the predetermined time can be closed. As a result, even if the take-in means continues to take in the game ball, the game ball collecting member is located below the discharge port that is the outlet of the discharge passage, so that the game ball to be discharged is the game ball collecting member Can be prevented and spilled on the floor.

  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 in the present embodiment requires a game ball (for example, a game ball similar to a pachinko machine: a pachinko ball) as a predetermined number of game media (game value) in the game, and a plurality of game balls when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Game balls, and in some cases, a large amount of game balls are paid out. The game balls are not limited to pachinko balls, and may be steel balls in a broad sense.

  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 perspective view showing a state in which the front door 4 is opened with respect to the gaming machine body, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine 1. FIG. Note that FIG. 2 also illustrates a ball lending apparatus A provided with the gaming machine 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, 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 supported to be opened and closed 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 by hinges 31 and 32 so that they can be opened and closed at the upper and lower portions of the left end. The outer frame 2 is configured by connecting wooden plate members to four sides, and has a rectangular shape as a whole. Further, the front frame 3 is made of a square frame-like plate material whose outer dimension is slightly smaller than that 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. An apparatus for receiving or paying out (so-called back set), various control boards, and the like are mounted. In the present embodiment, the gaming machine main body is basically constituted by the outer frame 2, the front frame 3, and the back set board 16 provided on the front frame 3.

  A front door 4 as an openable / closable door that can be opened and closed with respect to the front frame 3 is provided on the front side of the front frame 3, and a lower dish unit 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 unit 5, and the front frame 3 and the upper plate 3 above the lower plate unit 5 are opened by opening the front door 4. 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. Accordingly, the right side of the front door 4 is rotated around the left side of the front frame 3.

  The front surface of the front door 4 and the lower tray unit 5 is formed in a continuous three-dimensional shape so as to form an integrated appearance as a whole gaming machine, and is formed in a ring shape on the entire outer periphery of the gaming machine 1 and the front surface of the gaming machine. Have annular portions 6 and 7 projecting from the bottom. The annular portions 6 and 7 are substantially symmetric 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 at 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 part 6, the top part 6a located at the uppermost part protrudes further forward than the other parts, and the top part 6a is provided with a pair of left and right lamp display parts 10 as well as a pair of left and right speakers. 11 is provided. Further, in the annular portion 6, a constricted portion 6 b that is constricted on the inside is provided near the central portion in the height direction, and lamp display portions 12 and 13 are also provided on the constricted portion 6 b.

  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 executes various display effects as the game progresses. For example, when it becomes possible to acquire a big bonus game, the annular portions 6 and 7 (light emitters 8 and 9) are caused to emit light all at once or around, or all the lamp display portions 10, 12, and 13 are lit. The player is notified by turning on or blinking.

  An insertion hole 38 for inserting a pair of upper and lower metal fittings 36 and 37 (see FIG. 3) provided on the open end side on the back side of the front door 4 on the right end side (opposite to the opening / closing axis) of the front frame 3. , 39 are provided. In this gaming machine, a locking device for locking the front frame 3 and the front door 4 is hidden behind the front frame 3. Therefore, the front door 4 is locked to the front frame 3 so that it cannot be opened by locking the metal fittings 36 and 37 to the locking device via the insertion holes 38 and 39.

  As shown in FIG. 3, on the right end side of the front frame 3, as a key member for locking and unlocking the front frame 3 with respect to the outer frame 2 and locking and unlocking the front door 4 with respect to the front frame 3. A cylinder lock 14 is set. The cylinder lock 14 is integrated with the locking device, and only the cylinder lock 14 of the locking device is provided in a state protruding from the front frame 3. The cylinder lock 14 has a function to cover both the locking and unlocking of the front frame 3 and the locking and unlocking of the front door 4. When the key inserted in the keyhole is turned counterclockwise (counterclockwise direction), the front frame 3 is locked. On the contrary, when the key is turned to the right (clockwise direction), the front door 4 is unlocked. Further, a hole 24 is formed in the front door 4, and the cylinder lock 14 is inserted into the hole 24 when the front frame 3 and the front door 4 are closed.

  On the other hand, in an actual game hall, as shown in FIG. 2, a ball lending device A is provided on the left side of the gaming machine 1, and through the nozzle B by inserting bills or coins into the ball lending device A. A game ball is supplied to the gaming machine 1 (in reality, an upper plate 18 described later). The nozzle B is configured to be rotatable about the base C toward the front side and to be able to be flipped upward. In such a case, if the nozzle B is in the sphere supply position as shown in the drawing, there is a risk that the nozzle B and the annular portion 6 on the front surface of the front door 4 will interfere with each other. A notch-like recess 15 is formed in a part of the constricted portion 6 b, and an intermediate portion of the nozzle B 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. Further, the recess 15 has a dimension in the height direction that does not hinder the nozzle B from being rotated and disposed at the ball supply position.

  With the recess 15, the refilling of the game ball can be suitably performed through the nozzle B regardless of the three-dimensional modeling of the front surface of the gaming machine 1. The light emitter 8 is embedded in the recess 15 in the same manner as 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 upper surface wall of the recess 15 may be an inclined surface with the front side being the upper side. Thus, when the nozzle B disposed in the recess 15 is flipped upward, the nozzle B can be easily lifted along the inclined surface of the recess 15.

  The gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment is configured such that a game is performed on the condition that acceptance of an actual game ball is a necessary condition, and a predetermined number of game balls are paid out when the predetermined condition is satisfied. A game ball used as a game medium is stored in an upper plate 18 formed in an operation unit 100 described later. As shown in FIG. 1, a lead-out port 50 and an introduction port 51 are formed on a side surface formed by the operation unit 100 and the upper plate 18 and on the side surface M at the back of the operation unit 100. The upper plate 18 has a gentle downward slope from the inlet 51 to the outlet 50. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the front frame 3 is formed with a take-out port 52 and a discharge port 53 so as to correspond to the lead-in port 50 and the introduction port 51. That is, in a state where the front door 4 is closed with respect to the front frame 3, the game balls stored in the upper plate 18 are taken into the game machine from the outlet 50 through the inlet 52. The game balls to be paid out are basically paid out from the introduction port 51 to the upper plate 18 through the payout port 53. A valve (not shown) is provided so that the game ball does not spill from the outlet 50 even when the front door 4 is opened with respect to the front frame 3 in a state where the game ball is stored in the upper plate 18. The valve closes the outlet 50 when the front door 4 is opened with respect to the front frame 3 with a predetermined mechanical configuration, and prevents the game ball from spilling down.

  The receiving device 23 (see FIG. 4) is provided on the back set board 16, and the receiving device 23 is operated based on an operation by the player. As a result, a predetermined number (for example, 15) of game balls stored in the upper plate 18 are guided from the outlet 50 to the inside of the gaming machine through the inlet 52. Then, by accepting a predetermined number of game balls, a game (game) start condition is established, and preparations for game start are made. Further, the back set board 16 is provided with a game ball discharge passage (not shown), and the received game ball passes through the game ball discharge passage. The island facility to which the gaming machine is attached is provided with a ball receiving portion for collecting the received gaming balls. When the front frame 3 is closed with respect to the outer frame 2, the ball receiving portion is located below the discharge port that is the exit of the game ball discharge passage. Can be received. On the other hand, when the front frame 3 is opened with respect to the outer frame 2, the game ball discharge passage is drawn toward the front of the outer frame 2, so that the game balls discharged from the discharge port are received by the ball receiving portion. Unable to spill on the floor.

  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. 5, 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 such as a payout motor. The back set board 16 is provided with a game ball passage unit 29, and is connected to a payout opening 53 formed in the front frame 3. Thereby, when the front door 4 is closed with respect to the front frame 3, the game ball passage unit 29 and the upper plate 18 are communicated. As a result, the game ball paid out by the payout device 28 passes through the game ball passage unit 29 and is guided to the upper plate 18 through the payout port 53 and the introduction port 51. In a state where the front door 4 is opened with respect to the front frame 3, there is a space between the payout outlet 53 and the introduction port 51, so that the game balls paid out by the payout device 28 can pass through the game ball passage unit 29. The spills from the outlet 53 to the floor without being led to the upper plate 18.

  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 protective cover 135 surrounding the belt unit 70) described later. Further, in FIG. 5 (rear view of the gaming machine 1), the front frame 3 is pivotally supported by 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 its weight 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 coaxial 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 is easy to deal with a problem related to the flow of the game balls.

  When the receiving device 23 is activated, a predetermined number of game balls on the upper plate 18 are received from the outlet 50 through the inlet 52. In addition, when a predetermined condition is established during the game, the payout device 28 is activated, whereby the game ball stored in the tank 25 passes through the game ball passage unit 29 and basically passes through the payout outlet 53. It is paid out from the introduction port 51 to the upper plate 18 through.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1 and the like, a lower plate 41 is formed in the lower plate unit 5 provided below the front surface of the front door 4, and a lower plate discharge port 42 is formed on the back side of the lower plate unit 5. ing. When the game balls are fully stored in the upper plate 18 and are further paid out from the payout device 28, the game balls are paid out to the lower plate 41 through the lower plate discharge port 42. . A speaker 43 is provided above the lower dish outlet 42. An ashtray 44 is formed adjacent to the lower plate 41.

  The lower surface of the operation unit 100 including the bulging portion on the front surface of the front door 4 is cut out in a trapezoidal shape (convex shape) (in fact, a lower part of a stop button operation surface 113 described later is cut out). 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. The space below the operation unit 100 (the 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 space below the operation unit 100, the speaker 43 is surrounded by the operation unit 100 on the upper and left and right sides, and the lower plate 41 (lower plate unit 5) on the lower side.

  A ball punching hole 45 is formed in the lower tray unit 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 tray 41 are discharged downward from the ball punching hole 45. It has come to be.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, when the front door 4 is closed, the front door 4 is provided with a front panel 60 at a position 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. 4, light sources 65, 66, and 67 and inverters 65a, 66a, and 67a corresponding to them are individually provided.

  Next, the configuration of the belt unit 70 as a display device will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6 to 8. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the belt unit 70 taken out from the gaming machine main body. In FIG. 7, the front surface of the belt unit 70, that is, the symbol display surface is shown on the left front side. FIG. 8 is a front view of the belt unit 70 as seen from the back side.

  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 case 80 (case member) having a square box shape. The case 80 includes a back surface portion 80a on the back surface side of the belt unit 70 and left and right and upper and lower side wall portions 80b. Further, the case 80 is provided with support fixing portions 81 as fixed portions at two upper portions by forming a part thereof by bending. A mounting bracket 82 is attached to the support fixing portion 81, and the case 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 case 80, and locking portions (not shown) on the back set panel 16 side are provided in the locking holes 83 to 85. By being locked, the lower end of the belt unit is positioned in the front-rear direction. That is, 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.

  Further, the case 80 accommodates a left rotator 71, a middle rotator 72, and a right rotator 73 that constitute a pattern changing unit. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 includes a driving roller 74 and a driven roller 75 that are rotatably supported by the case 80, and a belt that is stretched between the rollers 74 and 75. (Endless belt) 76. The drive roller 74 is provided with a plurality of external teeth 74a at equal intervals along the rotation direction, and the driven roller 75 is similarly provided with a plurality of teeth at both 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 engagement holes 76a at the same interval as the external teeth 74a and 75a on both the left and right edges. The belt 76 is stretched between 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 configured to be flat 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. And each rotary body 71-73 is rotationally driven individually, ie, each independently, by the drive of each motor 77-79. 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. In addition, the driving roller 74, the driven roller 75, and the belt 76 can be configured as one member.

  On the outer surface of each belt 76, a large number of symbols (symbols) which are pictures as identification information are attached. 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.

  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 fixedly attached to both side surfaces of the case 80 by left and right attachment portions 91.

  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.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the back surface (back surface portion 80 a) of the case 80 has a main board (main control device) 131 that comprehensively manages various controls relating to games, and is subordinate to the main board 131. The sub-boards (sub-control devices) 132 that operate in a line are arranged side by side. That is, in the present embodiment, the main board 131 and the sub board 132 are integrated with the belt unit 70. As a fixing method of the main board 131 and the sub board 132, fixing by screws, fixing by locking of a locking tool such as a hook, and the like can be considered.

  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, a port for communicating with various devices, and a random number generator used for various lotteries. And a control circuit board including a clock pulse generating circuit and the like used for time counting and synchronization. Similarly, the sub-board 132 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The main board 131 and the sub board 132 are both housed in a transparent or non-transparent control board box, and are fixed to the case back surface of the belt unit 70 in a state of being housed in the control board box.

  When the rotating bodies 71 to 73 of the belt unit 70 are rotationally driven, if the rotation and the stop are repeated, the influence of vibration may reach the main board 131 and the sub board 132. Therefore, a vibration absorbing mount member (shock absorbing member) may be interposed between the case 80 and the main substrate 131 and the sub substrate 132 (however, illustration is omitted). As the mounting member, a sheet made of rubber or resin can be considered. 6 and 7, reference numeral 93 is a relay board for relaying drive output from the main board 131 to the motors 77 to 79.

  Here, the belt unit 70 is tilted somewhat according to the player's line-of-sight direction and is attached to the gaming machine main body, and therefore the back portion 80a of the case 80 is also tilted. In this case, the main board 131 and the sub board 132 are arranged in an empty space formed by the inclination of the belt unit 70 (the back surface portion 80a of the case 80). Therefore, the free space can be used effectively.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in a state where the belt unit 70 having the above configuration is attached to the gaming machine main body, the belt unit 70 is surrounded by a colorless and transparent (or translucent) protective cover 135 as a cover member. The protective cover 135 is fixed to the back set board 16 so as to be open at least on the front side of the gaming machine, and has a sufficient size to surround the entire belt unit 70. In this case, since the main board 131 and the sub board 132 are integrated with the belt unit 70, the main board 131 and the sub board 132 are similarly surrounded by the protective cover 135. Therefore, even if a game ball falls from the supply path of game balls, island facilities, or the like, the fall ball can be prevented from hitting the belt unit 70 or each of the substrates 131 and 132. Reference numeral 135a in the figure is a vent hole.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the back set panel 16 is provided with a power supply unit 133 as a power supply device below the belt unit 70. The power supply unit 133 includes a power supply board for supplying necessary power to the control device such as the main board 131 and the sub-board 132 described above, and the other payout device 28, a colorless and transparent board box that accommodates the power supply board, A noise-preventing metal plate for eliminating noise generated inside and outside the power supply board is provided, and these are integrally assembled.

  The power supply unit 133 is provided with a power switch 194, a reset switch 195, a setting key insertion hole 196, and the like. The power switch 194 is a start switch for supplying power to each unit including the main board 131. The reset switch 195 is a switch for resetting various states of the gaming machine 1. This game machine 1 has a backup function for various data, and even if a power failure occurs, it retains the state at the time of the power failure and returns to the state at the time of the power failure at the time of recovery from the power failure (power recovery). It can be done. Therefore, for example, when the power supply is turned off in the normal procedure, such as when the game hall is closed, the state before the turn-off is stored, but when the power switch is turned on while pressing the reset switch 195, the backup data is reset. It is like that. When each device related to the game such as the payout device 28 is in a stopped state due to an error, the cause of the error is eliminated and the reset switch 195 is pressed, so that each device in the stopped state enters a standby state. The setting key insertion hole 196 is used by a hall manager or the like to adjust the ball appearance. In other words, the setting state (winning probability setting process) of the gaming machine 1 can be changed from, for example, “setting 1” to “setting 6” by operating the hole manager or the like by inserting the setting key into the setting key insertion hole 196. It is like that.

  Next, the symbols attached to the belts 76 of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 will be described. FIG. 9 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 the symbols, (1) “7” symbol (for example, the 19th symbol in FIG. 9) and “BAR” symbol (for example, the 20th symbol in FIG. 9) as a big bonus symbol for shifting to the big bonus game. ), (2) “Replay symbol” (for example, the 17th symbol in FIG. 9) for shifting to the replay game, (3) “Watermelon” symbol (for example, a small role symbol for which a small role is paid out) The 18th symbol in FIG. 9), the “bell” symbol (for example, the 16th symbol in FIG. 9), and the “cherry” symbol (for example, the 15th symbol in FIG. 9).

  In this embodiment, when the “7” symbol or “BAR” symbol, which is a combination of big bonus symbols, is aligned with the left, middle, and right on the effective line described later, 75 game balls are paid out. As a result, it is now possible to enter the big bonus game. Further, when the “replay” symbols are aligned with the left, middle, and right on the active line, the game ball is 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 game balls will be paid out. In addition, when the “cherry” symbol of the left rotating body 71 stops 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” symbols, the game balls are paid out regardless of the combination with other symbols, so that the positions 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 overlapping active lines. As a result, in this embodiment, 20 game balls are A payout is made.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the gaming machine 1 has three display windows 61 to 63 connected to each other, three in parallel in the horizontal direction, and two in the diagonal direction. Five active lines are 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. As shown in FIG. 2, a bet number display unit 95 is provided on the left side when viewed from the front of the display windows 61 to 63, and the bet number display unit 95 responds to the activated line activated each time. The number of bets is displayed in segments. In order to make it easier for the player to understand the effective line, a line display unit that explicitly displays the line activated according to the number of bets may be provided.

  In the bet number display section 95, “1” is displayed as a segment when only one line consisting of the center line is activated. In the present embodiment, this one line is validated when reception of five game balls (one bet) is completed. Also, in the bet number display section 95, “2” is displayed as a segment when only three lines including the upper and lower lines and the center line are activated. In the present embodiment, these three lines are validated when the acceptance (two bets) of ten game balls is completed. Further, in the bet number display section 95, “3” is displayed as a segment when 5 lines including all active lines (upper, middle and lower lines, ascending and descending right lines) are activated. In the present embodiment, these five lines are activated when the acceptance of 15 game balls (3 bets) is completed. In the present embodiment, the number (predetermined number) of game balls necessary for one game is set to “15”. Therefore, the number of game balls that have been accepted may be displayed on the bet number display unit 95.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, on the left side of the operation unit 100 provided at the bulging portion of the front door 4, the rotating bodies 71 to 73 start rotating 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. The start lever 101 is provided with a light-emitting body (light-emitting member) that notifies that the operation is in a state of being effectively received. The light emitter is built in a sphere provided at the tip of the start lever 101, and the start lever 101 (sphere) itself emits light as the light emitter emits light. The light emitter is turned on (or flashes) when the operation of the start lever 101 is effectively accepted, and is turned off after the operation of the start lever 101 is accepted effectively or when the operation is not accepted. . Alternatively, the illuminant emits red light when the operation of the start lever 101 is effectively accepted, and blue when the operation of the start lever 101 is effectively accepted or not accepted. It may emit light.

  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, the rotating bodies 71 to 73 are configured to stop when a predetermined time elapses without the stop buttons 102 to 104 being pressed.

  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 gaming machine front surface. When the front door 4 is closed, the upper plate 18 opens upward through the opening 106. The operation assisting surface 105 is provided with a slight inclination so as to descend toward the front (front side). However, the inclination may not be present, and conversely, the inclination may be lowered downward.

  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 portion (L portion in FIG. 1) of the operation assisting surface 105. ) Is configured in a straight line. In this case, 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, the operation assisting surface 105 is used to perform the continuous pressing operation of the stop buttons 102 to 104 quickly and smoothly. Can do.

  Further, the upper plate 18 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 has an input operation means for receiving a game ball and the operation of each device stopped due to an error. A button-like max bet switch 109 that constitutes an operation start operation means for resuming the operation is provided. The max bet switch 109 is for accepting the required number of game balls as game media (15 in the present embodiment). Further, the operation of each device that has been stopped due to an error is resumed.

  The max bet switch 109 is provided with a light-emitting body (light-emitting member) for notifying that an operation is effectively accepted. The light emitter is built in the button pressing portion of the max bed switch 109, and the button pressing portion emits light when the light emitter emits light. The illuminant is turned on when the operation of the max bet switch 109 is effectively accepted as an input operation means for accepting a game ball, and an operation for resuming the operation of each device stopped due to an error. Blinks when the operation of the max bet switch 109 is effectively accepted as a start operation means, and turns off after the operation of the max bet switch 109 is effectively accepted or not accepted. Alternatively, the light emitter emits red light when the operation of the max bet switch 109 is effectively accepted as an input operation means for receiving the game ball, and restarts the operation of each device that has been stopped due to an error. When the operation of the max bet switch 109 is effectively accepted as an operation start operation means for causing the light to emit light in blue, the operation of the max bet switch 109 is effectively accepted or is not accepted. In some cases, it may be turned off.

  Each time the max bet switch 109 is pressed, “15” game balls on the upper plate 18 are received by the receiving device 23. However, in a jack-in game in a big bonus game that is in a special gaming state, five (one bet) game balls can be accepted by one press operation of the max bet switch 109. .

  In this embodiment, except for the jack-in game in the big bonus game, when the 5 lines are activated (15 game balls are accepted), the maximum bet (3 bets) is entered, and the big bet In the jack-in game in the bonus game, the maximum bet (1 bet) is set when the one line is activated (five game balls are accepted). In other words, when the maximum bet switch 109 is pressed once, no more game balls are received. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the maximum bet state is reached and the maximum bet switch 109 is further pressed, the operation is invalidated.

  In the operation of the max bet switch 109, an operation as an input operation means for accepting a game ball and an operation as an operation start operation means for resuming the operation of each device stopped due to an error are not simultaneously established. It has become. Accordingly, the game ball is not received by the operation of the max bet switch 109 as the operation start operation means.

  A settlement switch 111 is provided on the operation assisting surface 105 in the right part of the operation unit 100. The settlement switch 111 is for discharging the game balls stored in the upper tray 18 to the lower tray 41. That is, when the player finishes the game and tries to take out the game ball stored in the upper plate 18, the game ball in the upper plate 18 is moved to the lower plate 41 by pressing the settlement switch 111. Discharged. At this time, in order to prevent a malfunction, a condition for making the operation valid only when the settlement switch 111 is pressed for a predetermined time or more may be added.

  In addition to this, the settlement switch 111 may have a function of paying out a game ball once accepted by the pressing operation of the max bet switch 109. More specifically, in the case of (a) a game ball accepted by the pressing operation of the max bet switch 109 and (b) a game ball stored in the upper plate 18 in the game, Each time the switch 111 is pressed once, the game balls are settled in the order of (A) → (B). In other words, at this time, when the settlement switch 111 is pressed twice in total, the gaming balls (A) and (B) are all discharged (settled) to the lower plate 41. If there is at least one applicable game ball among (i) and (b) above, the corresponding game ball is settled with the pressing operation of the settlement switch 111 each time (priority is (I) → (B)). Incidentally, instead of the settlement switch 111, a configuration in which the game ball of the upper plate 18 is discharged to the lower plate 41 by a lever slide operation may be employed. It is also possible to individually provide switches for adjusting the game balls of (A) and (B).

  Further, the display unit 120 of the front door 4 includes an acquisition number display unit 122 for displaying the number of acquired game balls, and an information display unit 123 for displaying information during the big bonus game (for example, the number of games). Each is provided. In this embodiment, each of the display units 122 and 123 is configured by a 7-digit display of 3 digits or 2 digits, but the number of digits is not particularly limited, and may be replaced by a liquid crystal display or the like. Of course it is also possible.

  Note that 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 portion 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” symbol or “BAR” symbol is aligned on the active line when each of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 is stopped, the big notifying 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. In addition, although each of these alerting | reporting parts decided to alert | report by display, you may alert | report by the audio | voice with the speaker 11 with which it replaces with this or in addition to this, the gaming machine 1 (upper part of the front door 4).

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration in the gaming machine 1. In the figure, double arrows indicate the connection and direction of the power source, and normal arrows indicate the connection and direction of the signal. Power from the power supply unit 133 (power supply board) is supplied to the main board 131 and the dispensing device 28. In addition, power is supplied to the sub-board 132 via the main board 131. The power unit 133 also detects a power switch detection sensor 147 that detects an operation of the power switch 194, a reset detection sensor 148 that detects an operation of the reset switch 195, and a setting key inserted into the setting key insertion hole 196. A sensor such as a setting key detection sensor 149 is connected.

  On the input side of the main board 131, a start detection sensor 141 that detects the operation of the start lever 101, stop detection sensors 142, 143, and 144 that individually detect the operation of each of the stop buttons 102 to 104, and a press of the max bet switch 109 are detected. Max bet detection sensor 145 for detecting the operation, rotational position detection sensors 151, 152, 153 for individually detecting the rotational position (origin position) of each of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 (belt 76), and a game ball paid out by the payout device 28 The payout detection sensor 154 for detecting the game, the count sensor 155 for detecting the game ball received from the receiving device 23, and the receiving device 23 can receive one (5) or max bet (15) game balls at a time. Various sensors such as a storage ball detection sensor 156 for detecting whether or not To have.

  The payout device 28 is connected to the output side of the main board 131 through a power supply unit 133. In addition, on the output side of the main board 131, the motors 77, 78, 79, the bet number display unit 95, the acquired number display unit 122, the information display unit 123, and the gate opening solenoid in the receiving device 23 are also provided. 125 etc. are connected.

  Further, a sub-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 like are connected to the output side of the sub-substrate 132. From the main board 131, game information at that time is transmitted as a signal to the sub board 132. The sub-board 132 to which signals relating to each game information are input executes various effects based on various signals and based on its own control program. In the present embodiment, the sub-substrate 132 constitutes “light emitter control means”, “front light 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.

  As described above, the main board 131 and the sub board 132 include the CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like. However, in the following description, the main board 131 and the sub board 132 are realized without being restricted by their actual configurations. This will be explained as a collection of means. That is, the various functions described below are functions realized under the control of the CPU, and the control program is based on the storage contents of the ROM (or RAM in some cases), and the necessary data at that time is stored in the RAM. Although temporarily stored and held, those program requirements and the like can be achieved by those skilled in the art by adopting an appropriate table configuration or the like, and will not be described individually. However, a specific description will be given as appropriate for cases where it is necessary to grasp the game contents of the present embodiment.

  The main board 131 includes “small role lottery means”. The small role lottery means draws whether or not the small role payout condition is satisfied based on the timing at which the detection signal from the start detection sensor 141 is input, thereby determining whether or not the small role flag is satisfied.

  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 performs a certain pull-in stop control (slave) while referring to the contents of the small combination establishment table described later when each of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 is stopped. (Also called control) and semi-forcibly 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 based on the timing when the detection signal from the start detection sensor 141 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 adds a certain pull-in stop control while referring to the contents of the 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 established based on the timing when the detection signal from the start detection sensor 141 is input, and thereby determines 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 game, and the lottery symbol lottery and the jack-in lottery are performed at the timing when the detection signal from the start detection sensor 141 is input, and the small bonus flag and the jack Whether or not the in flag 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 rotation of the rotating bodies 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.

  Here, the jack-in game will be described. When the jack-in symbol stops on the active line, the jack-in game, which is a special game among the big bonus games in the current gaming state, is limited to a preset predetermined number of games (here 12 times). After that, the game returns 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 detection sensor 141 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 on the active line (only the center line). A replay symbol is used as a game ball payout symbol, and a lottery is performed as to 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 (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 according to the storage contents of the storage means, and in particular, the rotators 71 to 73 (drives) according to the storage contents of various tables stored in the storage means. The stop position of the roller 74 and the 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 “Small part formation table” for aligning on the line, “Replay establishment table” for aligning the replay symbols on the active line corresponding to the replay flag, “7” symbol or “BAR” corresponding to the big bonus flag In addition to a “big formation table” for aligning symbols on the effective line, a “line table” for determining on which effective line the above-described symbols are aligned.

  Next, the operation of the gaming machine 1 having the above configuration will be described based on the gaming method.

  At the start of the game, if the switch 109 is pressed in a state where the effective operation of the max bet switch 109 is possible (specifically, a light emitter provided on the max bet switch 109 is lit), The detection signal is detected by the detection sensor 145 and the detection signal is input to the main board 131. Then, when the main board 131 effectively receives the detection signal of the bet detection sensor 145, the main board 131 instructs the receiving device 23 to receive 15 game balls. Thereby, the receiving device 23 is driven and a game ball is received from the upper plate 18.

  The main board 131 displays the bet number display section 95 as a segment according to the number of received game balls (= the number of bets × 5). That is, when the reception of five game balls is completed, “1” is displayed on the bet number display portion 95 and only one line consisting of the central line is validated. When the acceptance of ten game balls is completed, “2” is displayed on the bet number display section 95, and three lines including the upper and lower lines and the center line are activated. Further, when the acceptance of 15 game balls is completed, “3” is displayed on the bet number display portion 95 and five lines including the upper and lower lines, the center line, and the left and right diagonal lines are activated. In this embodiment, the bet number display section 95 displays the bet number, that is, the effective line. Instead of this, in addition to this, an effective line display lamp corresponding to the effective line is provided. It is also possible to display more explicitly which line is activated.

  When the player operates the start lever 101 after the reception of the game ball is started as described above, the operation is detected by the start detection sensor 141 and the detection signal is input to the main board 131. At this time, if the start lever 101 can be effectively operated (specifically, the light-emitting body provided on the start lever 101 is turned on), the main board 131 makes the detection signal of the start detection sensor 141 effective. It is received and it is determined that the start lever 101 has been operated. At the same time, information to that effect is transmitted to the sub-board 132. Then, the main board 131 drives and controls the 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). 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 viewed from above 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 input 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.

  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. In addition, 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 the 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. Further, if 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 each of the lottery means is completed and the reception of the game ball by the receiving device 23 is completed, the operations are performed by the stop detection sensors 142 to 144, respectively. In response to each detection signal, the main board 131 determines 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 as much as possible on the effective line.

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

  When each of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 is stopped, when the combination of the stop symbols on the active line is a predetermined combination of symbols, that is, a combination of a small role symbol and a combination of big bonus symbols, The main board 131 causes the acquisition number display unit 122 to display the number of game balls to be paid out according to the combination of each stop symbol. Alternatively, when the combination of stop symbols on the active line is a combination of replay symbols, the main board 131 displays a segment display (depending on the case) of the bet number display section 95 provided on the left side of the display windows 61 to 63 group on the front of the gaming machine. The display of the effective line display lamp attached to each effective line is executed.

  In parallel with the display on the acquired number display unit 122, the main board 131 performs payout control for paying out as many game balls as the game value according to the combination of each stop symbol. In such a case, the main board 131 drives and controls the payout device 28 via the power supply unit 133, so that the game balls are paid out to the upper plate 18 and the like.

  Then, when the symbols arranged on the active line are a combination of small symbols or symbols without any payout, 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 by the replay game control means is executed. 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-board 132 includes the light emitters 8, 9, the lamp display units 10, 12, 13, the front light member 64, etc. Display control 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. In addition, the voice notification by the speakers 11 and 43 should be more serious (the volume is increased, the tone is increased, the rhythm is changed, etc.) as the profit from the return of the game value to the player is larger. 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.

  As described above, when each of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 is stopped, when the combination of the stop symbols on the active line is, for example, the combination of the small role symbols, in order to pay out the number of game balls corresponding to the combination of the stop symbols The payout control is performed, and the game ball is paid out to the upper plate 18 and the like by driving the payout device 28. In this case, in the conventional gaming machine, the operation of the max bet switch 109 and the start lever 101 for the next game is not accepted during the waiting time until the payout of the game ball is completed. Even if a person operates the max bet switch 109 or the start lever 101, the operation is invalidated. Therefore, many players repeatedly operate the max bet switch 109 and the start lever 101 more than necessary so that the operation is completed earlier. This may cause damage to the max bet switch 109 and the start lever 101. In addition, even if the max bet switch 109 and the start lever 101 are repeatedly operated, it is not accepted, and the player is frustrated, and the force to operate the max bet switch 109 and the start lever 101 further increases from the irritation. Conceivable.

  Further, when the combination of stop symbols on the active line is a combination of replay symbols, a replay display process (segment display process of the bet number display section 95) for enabling the same bet as the previous game in the next game, etc. In the waiting time until the processing is completed, the start lever 101 is again operated more than necessary. This causes a similar situation.

  Therefore, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, even when the game ball is being paid out with the establishment of the small role symbol or the like, or while the display process is being performed with the establishment of the replay, The operation of the max bet switch 109 and the start lever 101 can be received effectively. The specific operation will be described with reference to the time chart of FIG. (A) of FIG. 12 shows the case where the combination of the stop symbols on the effective line becomes the combination of the small role symbols when the rotating bodies 71 to 73 are stopped, and (b) is the combination of the stop symbols on the effective line. Is a combination of replay symbols.

  In FIG. 12A, at timings a and b, the rotating bodies 71 to 73 rotate, and the rotation of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 stops in accordance with a pressing operation of stop buttons 102 to 104 (not shown). At this time, a payout process for paying out a game ball is performed at timings b to c because the stop symbol is a combination of small role symbols. After that, if the max bet switch 109 or the start lever 101 is operated for the next game, a predetermined time (a to d time, for example, 4.1 seconds) defined as a wait time between games has elapsed. The rotation of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 is started again at the timing d.

  In such a case, if it is after the timing b at which the rotation of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 is stopped, the operations of the max bet switch 109 and the start lever 101 are effectively accepted immediately after that. Specifically, after timing b, the light emitter provided in the max bet switch 109 is turned on to notify that the switch 109 can be effectively operated. Even within the payout period (timing b to c), for example, when the max bet switch 109 is operated at the timing e, the detection signal of the bet detection sensor 145 accompanying the operation is effectively input to the main board 131. The As the input of the bet detection sensor 145 is validated on the main board 131, the receiving device 23 is driven and game balls are sequentially received from the upper plate 18 (timing ef).

  In addition, after the max bet switch 109 is operated, the light emitter provided on the start lever 101 is turned on to notify that the lever 101 can be operated effectively. When the start lever 101 is operated at the timing g, it is detected by the start detection sensor 141 and the detection signal is effectively input to the main board 131. Thus, the preparation for the next game is completed at the timing g.

  As described above, in this embodiment, even if the game ball reception of the receiving device 23 after the operation of the max bet switch 109 is not completed, the operation of the start lever 101 (the detection signal of the start detection sensor 141) is validated. It is the composition which becomes. However, in this case, although the operation of the start lever 101 is validated, it is conceivable that the reception of the game ball may not be completed due to a lack of game balls in the upper plate 18 or the like. Therefore, after the operation of the max bet switch 109 is validated, if the game ball reception is not completed normally even after a predetermined time has passed, the operation of the validated max bet switch 109 and the operation of the start lever 101 Is invalidated. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a problem that the game is ended by operating the stop buttons 102 to 104 even though the reception of the game ball is not completed.

  Even when the game ball is being paid out as described above, the operations of the max bet switch 109 and the start lever 101 are made effective, so that the max bet switch 109 and the start lever 101 are repeatedly operated unnecessarily by the player. Is suppressed.

  On the other hand, in (b) of FIG. 12, at timings h to i, the rotating bodies 71 to 73 rotate, and the rotations of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 are stopped in accordance with the pressing operation of the stop buttons 102 to 104 (not shown). At this time, a replay display process etc. are performed in timing i-j because a stop symbol becomes a combination of a replay symbol. After that, if the start lever 101 is operated for the next game, the rotation of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 is started again at the timing k when a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) has elapsed.

  In such a case, the operation of the start lever 101 is effectively accepted immediately after the timing i after the rotation of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 is stopped. Specifically, after timing i, the light emitter provided on the start lever 101 is turned on to notify that the lever 101 can be operated effectively. When the start lever 101 is operated at the timing l, it is detected by the start detection sensor 141, and the detection signal is effectively input to the main board 131. Thus, the preparation for the next game is completed at the timing l. Therefore, even when the replay is established, the situation where the player repeatedly operates the start lever 101 unnecessarily is suppressed.

  Next, each control process executed by the CPU in the main board 131 will be described. The processing of the main board 131 is roughly divided into a main processing that is started when the power is turned on, a timer interrupt processing that is started periodically (in a cycle of 1.49 msec in the present embodiment), and an NMI terminal (non-maskable terminal). ) And NMI interrupt processing activated by the input of a power failure signal to. Here, first, the NMI interrupt process and the timer interrupt process will be briefly described, and then the main process will be described in detail.

  When the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, a power failure signal is output from the power supply unit 133 to the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) provided in the CPU of the main board 131. Accordingly, the main board 131 starts NMI interrupt processing. In the NMI interrupt process, the main board 131 executes a save process for saving the data in the used register in the RAM backup area, a flag set process for setting the power failure flag in the power failure flag storage area of the RAM, and the like.

  For example, a timer interrupt occurs every 1.49 msec. In this timer interruption, the main board 131 first determines whether or not a power failure flag is set, and if it is set, executes a power failure process. As the power failure process, the main board 131 stores the CPU stack pointer value and RAM determination value in the RAM backup area. The RAM determination value is specifically a two's complement of the checksum value at the RAM work area address. By storing the RAM determination value in the backup area, the checksum of the RAM becomes zero. By setting the RAM checksum to 0, subsequent RAM access is prohibited.

  Similarly, in the timer interrupt process, the main board 131 sequentially executes the following processes. That is, the watchdog timer clearing process for initializing the value of the watchdog timer for monitoring the occurrence of malfunction, the motor control process for rotating the rotating bodies 71 to 73, and the state of various sensors (see FIG. 11) Sensor monitoring processing for monitoring, timer calculation processing for subtracting the values of various counters and timers, counter processing for counting the number of bets and payouts, command output processing for sending commands to the sub-board 132, the acquisition number display unit 122, Segment data setting process for setting segment data to be displayed on the information display unit 123, segment data display for displaying the corresponding numbers, symbols, etc. by supplying the segment data set in the segment data setting process to each display unit Processes are executed sequentially.

  Next, the main process performed on the main board 131 after the power is turned on will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The main processing is executed when power is turned on by recovery from a power failure or by turning on a power switch.

  First, in step S101, as initialization processing, the value of the stack pointer is set in the CPU, and an interrupt mode that permits interrupt processing is set. Thereafter, various settings for register groups, I / O devices, etc. in the CPU are set. And so on.

  When these initialization processes are completed, it is next determined in step S102 whether or not the reset switch is turned on. If the reset switch has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S103, and all data stored in the RAM is cleared as a RAM clear process.

  Thereafter, in step S104, it is determined whether or not the setting key is inserted into the setting key insertion hole. If the setting key has been inserted, the process advances to step S105 to perform setting change processing. As the setting change process, first, all data stored in the RAM is cleared. Then, after determining which setting state is selected from a plurality of preset setting states (for example, “setting 1” to “setting 6”), internal processing corresponding to the selected setting state is executed. To do.

  In step S106, it is confirmed whether or not a power failure flag is set. When the power failure flag is not set, that is, when the data in the RAM is cleared in the previous step S103 or step S105, the process proceeds to a normal process to be described later, and this process ends.

  When the power failure flag is set in step S106, the process proceeds to power recovery processing shown in step S108 and subsequent steps. The fact that the power failure flag is set means that subroutine processing such as RAM clear processing in step S103 and setting change processing in step S105 is not executed at all. Therefore, the data in the RAM is not rewritten at all, and the power recovery process requires confirmation processing such as whether or not the data in the RAM is normal. For this purpose, first, in step S108, it is confirmed whether or not the RAM determination value is normal. Specifically, the checksum value of the RAM is checked to check whether the value is normal, that is, whether the checksum value including the RAM determination value is 0 or not. If the checksum value including the RAM determination value is 0, it is determined that the data in the RAM is normal.

  If the RAM determination value is abnormal in step S108, that is, if the checksum value is not zero, there is a high possibility that the data in the RAM has been destroyed. Therefore, in such a case, error display processing is performed in step S109. As error display processing, first, interrupt processing is prohibited, and all output ports in the input / output port are cleared to control all actuators connected to the input / output port to an off state. Thereafter, an error display for notifying the occurrence of an error to the hall manager or the like is performed, and this state is maintained until the reset switch is turned on.

  If it is determined in step S108 that the RAM determination value is normal, the process proceeds to step S110, the stack pointer value stored in the backup area is written to the CPU stack pointer, and the stack state before the power is shut off is written. Return to the state. Next, in step S <b> 111, a power recovery command for transmitting the power recovery process is transmitted to the sub-board 132. Thereafter, in step S112, the game state is stopped and automatic settlement setting storage processing is performed. In step S113, various sensors such as the start detection sensor 141 are initialized. After the above processing is completed, the power failure flag is reset in step S114, and the processing returns to the address before turning off the power. Specifically, the process returns to the timer interrupt process described above, and the watch interrupt timer clear process for the timer interrupt is executed.

  Next, normal processing for performing main control related to the game will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S201, it is determined whether or not the max bet switch 109 has been operated. When the max bet switch 109 is operated, it is subsequently determined in step S202 whether or not the start lever 101 has been operated. If both S201 and S202 are YES, the lottery process in step S203, the rotating body control process in step S204, the game ball payout process in step S205, the special game state process in step S206, and the error process in step S207 are executed in order. Then, the process returns to step S201. On the other hand, if the max bet switch 109 is not operated in step S201, or if the start lever 101 is not operated in step S202, the process returns to step S201.

  Hereinafter, the lottery process in step S203, the rotating body control process in step S204, the game ball payout process in step S205, and the error process in step S207 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the special game state process of step S206, a big bonus game is executed with the establishment of the big bonus flag. Since the game content is almost as described above, the description is omitted here.

  First, the lottery process in step S203 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S301, a random number table for determination of success / failure is selected based on the current setting state of the gaming machine 1 and the level of the small role probability. Here, the setting state of the gaming machine 1 is any one of “setting 1” to “setting 6”. When “setting 1”, the random number table having the lowest winning probability of the combination is selected, and “setting 6” is selected. Sometimes the random number table with the highest winning probability is selected. In addition, there are two types of small role probabilities: a random number table with a high small role winning probability is selected when the current payout rate is lower than the predetermined expected value, and small when the current winning rate is higher than the predetermined expected value. A random number table with a low winning probability is selected.

  In step S302, the lottery of the winning combination is performed by comparing the random number table selected in this way with the random number latched by the random number counter when the start lever 101 is operated. In step S303, it is determined whether or not any of the winning combinations has been won. If any of the winning combinations has not been won, the process is terminated. If any of the winning combinations is won, the process proceeds to step S304, where a winning flag corresponding to the winning combination is set and an effective line to be aligned is determined. In step S305, a sliding table for rotating body stop control is determined and stored in the sliding table storage area of the RAM. Here, when the symbols on the predetermined effective line at the timing when the stop buttons 102 to 104 are pressed are different from the symbols to be stopped on the effective line, the slip table is a predetermined symbol to be stopped. It is the table which determined how much the rotary bodies 71-73 were slid so that it may stop on the active line of.

  Next, the rotating body control processing in step S204 will be described based on the flowchart in FIG.

  In the rotating body control process, a weight process is first performed in step S401. This wait process is a process of waiting without starting the rotation of the rotating body in the current game until a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) elapses from the start of the rotation of the rotating body in the previous game. For this reason, even if the start lever 101 is operated after the effective operation of the max bet switch 109, the rotating bodies 71 to 73 may not immediately rotate.

  Subsequent to the weight process, in step S402, a rotating body starting process for rotating the rotating bodies 71 to 73 is performed. Such a rotating body starting process will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S501, first, the rotation of all the rotating bodies 71 to 73 is started. In a succeeding step S502, it is confirmed whether or not a predetermined number (15) of game balls have been received. If completed, this process is terminated and the process returns to the rotating body control process. On the other hand, if the predetermined number of game balls have not been received, the process proceeds to step S503, and the elapsed time since the max bet switch 109 is effectively operated is confirmed. If the elapsed time has not passed the preset reception time for receiving game balls, the process returns to step S502 to check whether or not the reception of game balls has been completed. This reception time is set to a time sufficient for the time required to receive a predetermined number of game balls. For this reason, when the acceptance time has elapsed, it is considered that the acceptance of the game ball is not completed due to a lack of game balls in the upper plate 18 or the like. In step S504, forcible stop processing is performed to forcibly stop all rotating bodies. In this case, even if a winning combination is set and a winning flag is set in the lottery process described above, the rotating bodies 71 to 73 are stopped so that a winning combination corresponding to the winning flag is not established. In the subsequent step S505, after the start operation is validated, the main rotating body start process is terminated. In the validation process, the start lever 101 and the max bet switch 109 can be effectively operated after the rotating bodies 71 to 73 are stopped. As a result, the light emitters provided on the start lever 101 and the max bet switch 109 are turned on. If the validation process is performed in step S505, the process returns to the normal process (more specifically, the game ball payout process in step S205) instead of returning to the rotating body control process. Then, the accepted game balls are paid out to the upper plate 18 through the game ball passage unit 29.

  Returning to the description of the rotating body control process in FIG. 16, in step S403, it is determined whether or not a stop command for the rotating body is generated by pressing one of the stop buttons 102 to 104. If no stop command has been issued, the process proceeds to step S404, where it is determined whether or not a predetermined maximum rotation time (for example, 40 seconds) of each of the rotating bodies 71 to 73 has elapsed. If the maximum rotation time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S403, and if the maximum rotation time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S405 to perform a forced stop process for forcibly stopping all rotating bodies.

  On the other hand, if any of the stop buttons 102 to 104 is pressed in step S403 and a stop command is generated, the process proceeds to step S406 to perform a rotating body stop process. In this rotating body stop process, the rotating body corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped, but when the winning combination is won and the winning flag is set, it is stored in the sliding table storage area of the RAM. With reference to the sliding table, the winning combination is controlled as much as possible on a predetermined effective line. For example, if the “watermelon” symbol is lined up on the lower line and the stop button is pressed at the timing when the “watermelon” symbol stops on the upper line, the symbol 2 will stop on the lower line. Slide the rotating body as much as possible. However, since the range that can be slid is predetermined (for example, up to four symbols), the “watermelon” symbol may not stop on the lower line depending on the timing of pressing the stop button. Even in the forced stop processing in step S405, if the winning flag is set, the same processing is performed.

  Subsequently, in step S407, it is determined whether or not the current stop command is the first stop command, that is, whether or not the stop button has been pressed when all three rotating bodies are rotating. In the case of the first stop command, the process proceeds to step S408, and the slip table changing process is performed. In this slide table change process, for example, it is determined whether or not a combination of combinations occurs when trying to align a combination on the selected active line, and when a combination of combinations does not occur, the process proceeds to the next step as it is. When a combination of combinations occurs, the selected effective line is changed to another effective line, and after changing to a sliding table suitable for the changed effective line, the process proceeds to the next step. Here, the combination of roles is a plurality of combinations, for example, when the “Cherry” symbol appears on the middle line when the “Bell” symbol is arranged on the upper line (see FIG. 9). This is the case where the roles occur simultaneously. The slip table changing process may be performed other than when avoiding the combination of the combinations.

  On the other hand, when the current stop command is not the first stop command in step S407, the process proceeds to step S409, whether or not it is the second stop command, that is, one of the three rotating bodies stops and two rotating bodies rotate. It is determined whether or not the stop button has been pressed while If it is the second stop command, the process proceeds to step S410 and a stop eye determination process is performed. In this stop eye determination process, when two rotating bodies are stopped, it is determined whether or not the two are aligned with a bonus symbol such as “7” symbol. If they are not aligned, the process proceeds to the next step as it is. If a sound effect or the like is generated from the speaker 11, the process proceeds to the next step.

  Then, after the forced stop process in step S405, after the slip table change process in step S408, when the current stop command is not the second stop command in step S409, or the stop eye determination process in step S410 is performed. After that, it is determined in step S411 whether or not the rotation of all the rotating bodies 71 to 73 has been stopped. If NO in step S411, the process returns to step S403. If YES, the payout determination process is performed in subsequent step S412. In the payout determination process, it is determined whether or not the winning combination is arranged on the effective line. When the winning combination is not aligned on the effective line, 0 is set in the payout number storage area of the RAM, and the winning combination is aligned on the effective line. When it is, it is determined whether or not the winning combination matches the winning combination, and if not, an error is displayed by the lamp display unit 10 or the like and 0 is set in the scheduled payout number storage area. If they match, the planned payout number is stored in the payout number storage area with the upper limit of 75.

  In step S413, after the start operation is validated, the rotor control process is terminated. In the validation process, the start lever 101 and the max bet switch 109 can be effectively operated after the rotating bodies 71 to 73 are stopped. As a result, the light emitters provided on the start lever 101 and the max bet switch 109 are turned on.

  Next, the game ball payout process in step S205 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In the game ball payout process, first, it is determined whether or not the payout number counted by the payout number counter in step S601 matches the payout number stored in the payout planned number storage area. If the number of payouts does not match the planned payout number, the payout device 28 is driven in step S602 to pay out the game balls to the upper plate 18. At this time, in step S602, the number of payouts is incremented by 1 according to the detection signal of the payout detection sensor 154. As a result, the number displayed on the acquisition number display section 122 is incremented by one. Then, the process returns to step S601. When the number of payouts and the planned number of payouts match in step S601, the payout device 28 is stopped in step S604, and this process ends. In addition, the display of the number of payouts and the number-of-acquisition display unit 122 is reset when the number of game balls to be paid out is paid out.

  Next, the error processing in step S207 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In the error process, first, in step S701, for example, it is determined whether or not an error such as a game ball receiving error due to a ball jam of the receiving device 23 or a game ball payout error due to a ball jam of the payout device 28 has occurred. If no error has occurred, the process returns to normal processing. If an error has occurred, the driving of each device related to the game, specifically, the receiving device 23 and the payout device 28 is stopped in step S702. Further, the operations of the start lever 101, the stop buttons 102 to 104, the max bet switch 109, and the like are disabled. After that, in step S703, in order to notify the hall manager or the like of the occurrence of an error, for example, the annular portions 6 and 7 are turned on (or blinked), and error notification such as generating sound from the speaker 11 is performed. As a result, the hall manager or the like performs work to eliminate the cause of the error. First, the hole manager or the like inserts the key into the cylinder lock 14 and turns it to the left (counterclockwise) to unlock the front frame 3, and turns it to the right (clockwise) to lock the front door 4. Solve. In the case of a ball clogging error in the receiving device 23 or the payout device 28, the cause of each error such as a ball removing operation is eliminated. When the error cause elimination work is completed, a reset switch 195 provided in the power supply device 133 is pressed by the hall manager or the like. In step S704, it is determined whether or not the reset switch 195 has been pressed. If not, the error notification state is maintained. If it is detected that the reset switch 195 has been pressed, it is determined in the subsequent step S705 whether or not the cause of the error has been eliminated. If not solved, the error notification state is maintained. If the cause of the error has been resolved, the annular parts 6, 7 etc. that have been informing the error in the subsequent step S706 are turned off, and the error notification by voice by the speaker 11 etc. is stopped. In step S707, standby notification is performed to notify the hall manager or the like that each device that has been stopped due to an error is in a standby state. Specifically, the max bet switch 109 is blinked in order to notify the hole manager or the like that the operation of the max bet switch 109 for resuming the operation of each apparatus in the stopped state is effective. As a result of the standby notification, the hall manager or the like recognizes that the gaming machine is in the standby state, closes the opened front door 4 or front frame 3 and presses the blinking max bet switch 109. In step S708, it is determined whether or not the max bet switch 109 has been pressed. If the max bet switch 109 is not pressed, the standby notification state is maintained. When it is detected that the max bet switch 109 is pressed, the standby notification is stopped in step S709, that is, the max bet switch 109 is turned off. In step S710, the operation of each device that has been stopped is resumed, and the process returns to the normal process.

  According to the embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects are obtained.

  The operation of each device stopped due to an error is not resumed by the operation of the reset switch 195 provided in the gaming machine, the front frame 3 is closed with respect to the outer frame 2 and the front door with respect to the front frame 3 Since the operation of each device is resumed by operating the max bet switch 195 that can be operated in the closed state 4, the front frame 3 is closed with respect to the outer frame 2 and the front surface with respect to the front frame 3. The operation of each device can be resumed when the door 4 is closed. For example, the game ball passage unit 29 may be divided during maintenance of the game ball passage unit 29 or a ball removal operation due to ball clogging. After the work is completed, the operation of each device may be resumed in a state where a part of the game ball passage unit 29 is divided due to an operator's error or the like. However, even if the payout of the game ball is resumed in a state where a part of the game ball passage unit 29 is divided, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the game ball spills into the island facility and falls onto the floor of the game hall.

  The reset switch 195 is not provided on the front side of the gaming machine, but is provided on the back side of the gaming machine, and is configured as a max bet switch 109 as an operation start operation means for restarting the operation of each device that has been stopped due to an error. Injustice by 195 can be prevented. That is, if the reset switch 195 is provided on the front side of the gaming machine, the reset switch 195 can be operated after the front frame 3 and the front door 4 are closed, and no operation start operation means is required. However, since the reset switch 195 is a switch for resetting various states of the gaming machine, there is a possibility that fraud is performed. Therefore, fraud can be prevented by providing the reset switch 195 on the back side of the gaming machine.

  Each device related to a game that has been stopped due to an error is configured to remain in a stopped state after the reset switch 195 is operated until the max bet switch 109 is further operated, so that the operation of each device in the stopped state is resumed. The timing to do so is left to the hall manager. That is, unlike the conventional gaming machine in which the operation of each device is started immediately after the operation of the reset button 195, the operation of each device is resumed after the opened front frame 3 and front door 4 are closed. be able to. As a result, for example, if an error occurs during the game ball payout and the payout device 28 is stopped, the front frame 3 and the front door 4 are closed when the operation of the payout device 28 is resumed. Since the game ball passage unit 29 is connected to the upper plate 18 via the payout port 53 and the introduction port 51, the game ball to be paid out is guided to the upper plate 18 without spilling on the floor or the like. Further, when an error occurs in the middle of receiving a game ball and the receiving device 23 is stopped, the front frame 3 is closed with respect to the outer frame 2 when the operation of the receiving device 23 is resumed. It can be in the state. As a result, since the ball receiving portion is positioned below the discharge port of the game ball discharge passage provided in the back set board 16, the received game ball is received by the ball receiving portion without falling down on the floor or the like.

  A game machine in which the operation start operation means resumes the operation of each device related to a game stopped due to an error, and the operation start operation means is configured using a max bet switch 109 provided in the game machine. The operation of each device can be resumed without providing new operation start operation means in the gaming machine.

  As an error notification for notifying the occurrence of an error to the hall manager or the like, the annular portions 6 and 7 are turned on, and the reset switch 195 is received to notify the hall manager or the like that each device is in a standby state. As the standby notification, the ring sections 6 and 7 are turned off and the max bet switch 109, which is the operation start operation means, is blinked, so that the hall manager can easily change the state of the gaming machine in a series of error processing. I can know.

  In the max bet switch 109, the error is canceled by configuring the mode indicating that the game ball can be taken in and the mode indicating that each device in the stopped state is in the standby state. Later, it is possible to prevent the hall manager or the like from starting the game by mistake.

  When the max bet switch 109 is operated in order to resume the operation of each device related to the game that has been stopped due to an error, the player does not accept the game ball in the operation, so that the player after the error is released Games can be provided.

  In the gaming machine 1, the front door 4 can be opened and closed with respect to the front frame 3, so that maintenance of, for example, the belt unit 70 provided on the front frame 3 can be easily performed. In addition, since the front frame 3 can be opened and closed with respect to the outer frame 2, maintenance of an apparatus or the like provided on the back side of the front frame 3 can be easily performed.

  By providing the Max Bet switch 109 for resuming the operation of each device on the front side of the front door 4, anyone can operate it and there is a risk of fraud. Since the operation of the reset switch 195 provided in is a condition, the fraud using the max bet switch 109 for resuming the operation is impossible.

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

  (A) In the above embodiment, the operation of each device related to the game, such as the payout device 28 that has been put into a standby state by the operation of the reset switch 195, is resumed by the operation of the max bet switch 109. You may newly provide the apparatus which restarts operation | movement of each apparatus which concerns on games, such as the payout apparatus 28 which became the standby state on the front side.

  (B) In the above embodiment, the operation of each device related to the game, such as the payout device 28 that has been put into a standby state by the operation of the reset switch 195, is resumed by the operation of the max bet switch 109. Change as follows. It is good also as a structure which restarts operation | movement of each apparatus which concerns on games, such as the payout apparatus 28 which was in the standby state by operation of the reset switch 195, for example by operation of the start lever 101. Or you may restart operation | movement of each apparatus by operation of each stop button 102-104. In essence, by using a member that is operated to resume the operation of each device in the standby state as an existing member in the gaming machine, there is no need to newly provide a member in the gaming machine, thereby reducing costs. it can.

  (C) In the above embodiment, each device related to the game stops due to an error, and after the reset switch 195 is operated, the operation of each device is resumed by operating the max bet switch 109. Change this. For example, a gaming machine is provided with a door sensor that detects a state in which the front frame 3 is closed with respect to the outer frame 2 and a state in which the front door 4 is closed with respect to the front frame 3. The error processing performed with this configuration will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In the error processing, first, in step S801, for example, it is determined whether or not an error such as a game ball receiving error due to a ball jam in the receiving device 23 or a game ball payout error due to a ball jam in the payout device 28 has occurred. If no error has occurred, the process returns to normal processing. If an error has occurred, the driving of each device related to the game, specifically, the receiving device 23 and the payout device 28 is stopped in step S802. Further, the operations of the start lever 101, the stop buttons 102 to 104, the max bet switch 109, and the like are disabled. Then, in step S803, in order to notify the hole manager or the like of the occurrence of an error, error notification such as turning on (or flashing) the annular portions 6 and 7 and generating sound from the speaker 11 is performed. As a result, the hall manager or the like performs work to eliminate the cause of the error. In the canceling operation, the hall manager or the like first unlocks the front frame 3 or the front door 4 by inserting the key into the cylinder lock 14 and turning it to the left (counterclockwise direction) or right (clockwise direction). And the cause of each error, such as performing a ball removal operation in the case of a ball clogging error in the receiving device 23 or the payout device 28, is eliminated. When the error cause elimination work is completed, a reset switch 195 provided in the power supply device 133 is pressed by the hall manager or the like. In step S804, it is determined whether or not the reset switch 195 has been pressed. If not, the error notification state is maintained. If it is detected that the reset switch 195 has been pressed, it is determined in the subsequent step S805 whether or not the cause of the error has been eliminated. If not solved, the error notification state is maintained. If the cause of the error has been eliminated, the annular parts 6, 7 and the like that have been informing the error in the subsequent step S806 are turned off, and the error notification by voice by the speaker 11 and the like is stopped. In step S807, standby notification is performed to notify the hall manager or the like that each device that has been stopped due to an error is in a standby state. The standby notification is optional as long as it is different from the error notification. In step S808, whether or not the door sensor provided in the gaming machine detects a state in which the front frame 3 is closed with respect to the outer frame 2 and a state in which the front door 4 is closed with respect to the front frame 3. Determine whether. If not detected, the standby state is maintained. If detected, the standby state is stopped in step S809, the operation of each apparatus in the stopped state is restarted in step S810, and the normal processing is returned.

  By providing the door sensor in the gaming machine as described above, the operation of each device after the error is such that the front frame 3 is closed with respect to the outer frame 2 and the front door 4 is closed with respect to the front frame 3. It resumes in the state. Thereby, since the operation of each device is not resumed in a state where the front frame 3 and the front door 4 are opened as in a conventional gaming machine, it is possible to reliably avoid a situation where a game ball spills on the floor or the like.

  (D) In the above embodiment, each device relating to the game is stopped due to an error, and the operation of each device in the stopped state is resumed by operating the max bet switch 109 after the reset switch 195 is operated. However, this is changed as follows. For example, the operation of each apparatus in a stopped state may not be resumed until a preset time of 30 seconds elapses after the reset switch 195 is operated. Error processing with this configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the error processing, first, in step S901, it is determined whether or not an error such as a game ball receiving error due to a ball jam in the receiving device 23 or a game ball payout error due to a ball jam in the payout device 28 has occurred. If no error has occurred, the process returns to normal processing. If an error has occurred, the driving of each device related to the game, specifically, the receiving device 23 and the payout device 28 is stopped in step S902. Further, the operations of the start lever 101, the stop buttons 102 to 104, the max bet switch 109, and the like are disabled. After that, in step S903, in order to notify the hall manager or the like of the occurrence of an error, error notification such as turning on (or blinking) the annular portions 6 and 7 and generating sound from the speaker 11 is performed. As a result, the hall manager or the like performs work to eliminate the cause of the error. In the canceling operation, the hall manager or the like first unlocks the front frame 3 or the front door 4 by inserting the key into the cylinder lock 14 and turning it to the left (counterclockwise direction) or right (clockwise direction). And the cause of each error, such as performing a ball removal operation in the case of a ball clogging error in the receiving device 23 or the payout device 28, is eliminated. When the error cause elimination work is completed, a reset switch 195 provided in the power supply device 133 is pressed by the hall manager or the like. In step S904, it is determined whether or not the reset switch 195 has been pressed. If not, the error notification state is maintained. If it is detected that the reset switch 195 has been pressed, it is determined in the subsequent step S905 whether or not the cause of the error has been eliminated. If not solved, the error notification state is maintained. If the cause of the error has been eliminated, the annular parts 6 and 7 etc. that have been informing the error are turned off in the subsequent step S906, and the error notification by voice by the speaker 11 or the like is stopped. In step S907, a standby notification is made to notify the hall manager or the like that each device that has been stopped due to an error is in a standby state, and at the same time, counting of a preset time T is started. The preset time T is a time sufficient for closing the opened front frame 3 and front door 4 (for example, 30 seconds). In step S908, it is determined whether a preset time T has elapsed. If the time T has not elapsed, the standby notification is maintained. When the time T has elapsed, the standby notification is stopped in step S909, and in the subsequent step S910, the operation of each device in the stopped state is restarted, and the normal processing is returned to.

  As described above, the operation of each device is not resumed immediately after the operation of the reset switch 195. The operation of each device is not resumed unless a preset time has elapsed. As a result, the hall manager or the like can close the opened front frame 3 and front door 4 after operating the reset switch 195, and the operation of each device is resumed because the front frame 3 and front door 4 are closed. In this state, it is possible to avoid a situation where a game ball spills on the floor.

  (E) In the above embodiment, each device related to the game is stopped due to an error, and the operation of each device in the stopped state is resumed by operating the max bet switch 109 after the reset switch 195 is operated. However, it is good also as a structure which combined the above-mentioned another example (c) and (d) with this structure, respectively. Here, an example in which the present embodiment and another example (d) are combined will be described. Each device that has been stopped due to an error enters a standby state when the cause of the error is resolved and the reset switch 195 is operated. When the max bet switch 195 is operated, each device in the standby state resumes its operation. Further, when the max bet switch 195 is not operated and, for example, a preset time of 30 seconds elapses, each device in the standby state resumes its operation. With this configuration, even if the max bet switch 195 is forgotten to be pressed, the operation of each device in the standby state can be resumed. Further, in an example in which the present embodiment is combined with another example (c), when the max bed switch 195 is operated, or the front frame 3 is closed with respect to the outer frame 2 by the door sensor and the front frame. 3, when the front door 4 is detected to be closed, the operation of each device in the standby state is resumed. With this configuration, even if the door sensor is broken, the operation of each apparatus in the standby state can be resumed by operating the max bed switch 195. Furthermore, another example (c) and (d) may be combined. Here, one example will be described. For example, when a preset time of 30 seconds elapses after each device is set in a standby state, or the front frame 3 is closed with respect to the outer frame 2 and the front door 4 is moved with respect to the front frame 3. When it is detected that the device is in the closed state, the operation of each device in the standby state is resumed. With this configuration, even if the door sensor is broken, the operation of each device in the standby state can be resumed when a preset time has elapsed.

  (F) In the above embodiment, the maximum bet switch 109 operated to start the operation of each device that has been stopped due to an error is configured not to accept a game ball. It is good also as a structure which accepts a game ball while starting. In this case, after the hole manager or the like operates the reset switch 195, the opened front frame 3 or the front door 4 is closed, and the player operates the max bet switch 109 so that the player can release the error. Games can be provided.

  (G) In the above-described embodiment, the reset switch 195 is provided in the power supply unit 133 and the power supply unit 133 is disposed on the back side of the front frame 3, but the reset switch 195 is, for example, the front surface of the front frame 3 covered by the front door 4. May be provided. In short, it is optional as long as the reset switch 195 is not operated in a normal gaming machine 1 state in which the front frame 3 is closed with respect to the outer frame 2 and the front door 4 is closed with respect to the front frame 3. .

  (H) Although the gaming machine 1 of the above embodiment is configured not to have a credit function (virtual game medium storage function), it may be configured to have this credit function.

  (I) Information providing means for auxiliary effects may be installed in the gaming machine 1. For example, the information providing means is installed integrally with the belt unit 70 on the front side of the belt unit 70, or is installed in the vicinity of the display windows 61 to 63 (any one of left, right, up and down) in the central panel portion. It may be installed above the front panel 60 (see FIG. 6) or installed on the top portion 6a of the annular portion 6. 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.

  (J) The types, arrangements, and the like of symbols in the above embodiment are merely examples, and an arbitrary configuration such as incorporating other small role symbols can be adopted. 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).

  (K) The arrangement of the operation means represented by the start lever 101 and the like and the display means represented by the acquired number display unit 122 and the like in the above embodiment is merely an example. For example, the start lever 101 is arranged on the right side. It is possible to make any appropriate changes, such as changing to a button instead of a lever.

  (L) The sub-board 132 may be omitted as a configuration in which all control of the gaming machine 1 is governed by the main board 131. Further, the sub-board 132 can be constituted by a plurality of boards by dividing the control sharing such as a sound control board and a lamp control board.

  (M) In the above embodiment, the gaming machine 1 having the big bonus game as the special gaming state has been described. However, 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.

  (N) 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 above numerical values.

  (O) In the above-described embodiment, the rotary type game machine using the game ball that includes the outer frame 2, the front frame 3, and the front door 4 has been described. However, the pachinko game machine is similarly configured. Also good.

  (P) Although the gaming machine constituted by the outer frame 2, the front frame 3, and the front door 4 has been described in the above embodiment, a gaming machine in which the outer frame 2 is excluded from the constituent elements may be used. In this case, the front frame 3 is directly attached to the island equipment of the game hall, but the front frame 3 only needs to be openable and closable with respect to the attachment object to which the front frame 3 is attached.

It is a perspective view which shows the game machine in one embodiment. It is a front view of a gaming machine. It is a perspective view which shows the state which open | released the front door with respect to the game machine main body. 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 sectional side view showing composition of a belt unit etc. It is a perspective view of a belt unit. It is a rear 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 figure for demonstrating the arrangement | sequence of an effective line. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the electrical structure of a game machine. It is a time chart for demonstrating the operation timing of a bet switch and a start lever. It is a flowchart which shows a main process. It is a flowchart which shows a normal process. It is a flowchart which shows a lottery process. It is a flowchart which shows a rotary body control process. It is a flowchart which shows a rotary body starting process. It is a flowchart which shows a game ball payout process. It is a flowchart which shows the error process which starts operation | movement by a Max bet switch. It is a flowchart which shows another example of an error process. It is a flowchart which shows the further another example of an error process.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Front frame as a gaming machine main body, 4 ... Front door, 18 ... Top plate as a storage part, 23 ... Accepting device as taking-in means, 28 ... Dispensing device as paying-out means, 29 ... Game as paying-out passage Ball passage unit 51... Inlet that is the inlet of the storage section 53. Discharge outlet that is the outlet of the discharge passage 101. Start lever that forms the start operation means 109 109 Operation start operation means and input operation means are formed Max bet switch 131... Main board including control means and error monitoring means 195... Reset switch forming error canceling operation means.

Claims (1)

Means 1. It has a front door that can be opened and closed with respect to the gaming machine body,
Covering the front side of the gaming machine main body when the front door is closed, and configuring the front side of the gaming machine main body to be exposed when the front door is opened,
In the gaming machine provided with a payout means for paying out a game ball when a predetermined payout condition is established in the gaming machine body,
Control means for controlling the payout means;
An error monitoring means for monitoring a predetermined error;
An error releasing operation means provided in the gaming machine body and operated based on the cancellation of the error;
Operation start operation means operable from the front side of the gaming machine when the front door is closed,
When the error is confirmed by the error monitoring means, the control means puts the payout means in a stopped state, and when the error is solved and the error canceling operation means is operated in the stopped state, an error occurs. A gaming machine that is in a standby state in which it is released and the payout means is maintained in a stopped state, and the operation of the payout means is resumed when the operation start operation means is operated in the standby state.

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