JP2006230475A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the fraudulence committed by operating a set alteration button to alter a lottery table. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU 40 inputs a report start signal into an error code display device 15, a lamp controller 55 and a voice controller 56 in response to the first detection signal from a key sensor 52. The error code display device 15, the lamp controller 55 and the voice controller 56 start reporting for indicating the ongoing setting operation in response to the report start signal. The CPU 40 inputs a counting start signal into a frequency of game counter 46 in response to the second detection signal from the key sensor 51. The frequency of game counter 46 starts its operation responding to the counting start signal inputted from the CPU 40. When the counts with the frequency of game counter 46 reaches the specified value, the CPU 40 inputs a report ending signal to the error code display device 15, the lamp controller 55 and the voice controller 56. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine installed and used in a game hall such as a pachinko parlor.

  In this specification, description will be made using medals as game media, but the game media includes other media such as coins. “Medal (game medium) insertion” includes betting a stored (credit) medal with a bet button or the like in addition to actually inserting a medal into the medal insertion slot.

    Slot machines that are installed and used in amusement halls such as pachinko parlors are called pachislot machines, and medals that are used as gaming media are given a certain value, and medals earned by playing games are various prizes. Can be replaced. For this reason, it is common for a player to try to play a game by simply selecting a table that easily obtains the right to shift to the bonus game mode only for the purpose of acquiring a large number of medals. The bonus game mode includes, for example, a big bonus (hereinafter referred to as BB) mode and a regular bonus (RB) mode. In particular, the BB mode is shifted to the RB mode a predetermined number of times and before being switched to the RB mode, a certain amount of Since the mode is shifted to the RB introduction mode in which the winning probability of the small role where the medal is paid out is increased, a large amount of medals can be obtained in a short period of time.

  In the slot machine, it is possible to select and set one of a plurality (for example, six types) of lottery tables having different winning lottery probabilities. Depending on the setting of the lottery table, the above BB mode and RB can be selected. Most models change the probability of transition to the mode (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). To set the lottery table, for example, open the front door of the slot machine, turn off the power, insert the dedicated setting key into the keyhole to enter the lottery table setting mode, then turn on the power, then operate the setting change button Is done by doing. When the setting key is pulled out from the key hole, the game can be executed. When the lottery table used in the game is set, a signal is transmitted to the circuit board for processing the game, and the game is executed based on the set lottery table.

The lottery table is often set after the game hall is closed on a daily basis. For example, a lottery with a low lottery probability per day is assigned to a slot machine in which a lottery table with a high lottery probability is set. Slots with a high probability of lottery per player, such as a table set or a lottery table with a high probability of lottery per day for slot machines with a low lottery probability per lot The device is devised so that the machine cannot be predicted. Since the fact that the lottery table has been changed cannot be detected from the appearance of the slot machine, the game is played fairly for any player.
JP 05-2933242 A JP 2004-135844 A

  However, in the slot machine as described above, foreign matter such as a wire or a plate is allowed to enter the storage box through a gap formed between the front door and the storage box or a hole intentionally opened in the front door. An illegal act such as operating the setting change button to change the lottery table may be performed. As a method for preventing such an illegal act, a method of validating a setting operation using the setting change button only in a preset time zone can be considered. However, if, for example, the business hours of the amusement store are set as the time zone in which the setting operation by the setting change button is invalidated and the non-business hours are set as the time zone in which the setting operation by the setting change button is validated, the amusement store There is a problem that it becomes impossible to perform a regular setting operation by.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of preventing an illegal act of changing a lottery table by operating a setting change button. .

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention enables a setting operation for selecting one of a plurality of lottery tables having different winning probabilities by inserting a predetermined key into a keyhole and then operating the key. In the gaming machine to be realized, a notification means for notifying that the setting operation is being performed, an identification means for identifying whether or not the key has been inserted into the keyhole, and controlling the start and end of notification by the notification means Notification control means, and a game number counting means that starts counting the number of games triggered by the identification means identifying that the key has been pulled out of the keyhole, the notification control means, wherein the key is the key When the identification means identifies that it is inserted into the keyhole, the notification means starts the notification, and the game number counting means counts a predetermined number of games. It is characterized in that to terminate the notification by the notification means in response to ever.

  Further, one stop switch is provided for each of a plurality of reels that rotate in response to an operation for starting a game, and an operation for starting a game. In response to the timing, the timing means for starting timing, the reel drive control means for stopping the rotating reel when the timing means counts a predetermined time, and the game count counter counts the number of games. In the meantime, it is preferable to provide an operation control means for invalidating the operation of the stop switch.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, even if the setting operation is performed illegally, a notification that starts when the key is inserted into the keyhole is triggered, and a predetermined number of games are digested even after the key is pulled out. Since the operation is continued until the game is completed, it is possible to reliably notify the game store employee and surrounding players of the setting operation. In other words, when the setting operation is performed, attention is paid to the employees of the game shop and surrounding players, and if an illegal setting operation is performed, it can be surely detected. Thereby, an illegal setting operation can be prevented.

  In addition, since the operation of the stop switch is invalidated until a predetermined number of games have been consumed, it is possible to reliably notify the game store employees and surrounding players.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of a slot machine (game machine) 2 to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. In the slot machine 2, a game mode, a lottery table setting mode (input waiting state), and a lottery table confirmation mode are set. In the game mode, a game in the slot machine 2 can be executed. In the lottery table setting mode, it is possible to select one of a plurality of lottery tables having different winning lottery probabilities from each other and use the winning combination determining unit 44 for winning determination. In the lottery table confirmation mode, it is possible to confirm the lottery table set to be used in the winning determination of the winning combination determining unit 44.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the casing 5 of the slot machine 2 is roughly divided into a storage box 6 having an opening 6a on the front surface and a front door 7 that closes the opening 6a so as to be opened and closed. Three symbol display windows 8 to 10 are provided in the upper part of the front door 7, and a first reel 11a, a second reel 11b, and a third reel 11c are rotatably incorporated in the back of each display window. As is well known, various symbols are arranged at a constant pitch on the outer periphery of the first to third reels 11a to 11c, and when the reels are stopped, three symbols are observed per reel through the corresponding display window. . As a result, a total of five straight pay lines, each of which has a single symbol on each reel, are set, with three horizontal lines and two diagonal lines.

  A credit number display window 12 is provided above the front door 7 and below the symbol display windows 8-10. Behind the credit number display window 12, a credit number display device 13 (see FIG. 3) is provided. The slot machine 2 can store appropriate medals up to 50, and the credit number display device 13 displays the number of stored medals through the credit number display window 12. An error display window 14 is provided on the side of the credit number display window 12. An error code display device (notification means) 15 (see FIG. 3) for displaying an error code through the error display window 14 is provided behind the error display window 14. When there is an abnormality in the machine operation or the game operation, an error code corresponding to the abnormality is displayed through the error display window 14.

  An operation panel 16 is provided on the front door 7. The operation panel 16 is provided with operation buttons such as a single bet button 17, a MAX bet button 18, a settlement button 19, a start lever 21, and first to third stop buttons (stop switches) 22 to 24. The operation panel 16 is provided with a medal slot 25. Since the functions of these operation buttons and the medal slot 25 are well known, details are omitted.

  Further, the front door 7 has a lamp (notification means) 27 that emits light when notifying a game or notifying an error, and a speaker (notification means) 28 that generates sound when notifying a game effect or notifying an error. And are provided.

  When the front door 7 is opened, a hopper unit 30 and a power supply device 31 are provided inside the storage box 6 in addition to the first to third reels 11a to 11c. The hopper unit 30 includes a medal storage box 30a for storing medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 25 by execution of a game, and a hopper device 30b. The medals paid out from the hopper device 30 b are paid out to the medal tray 33 through the medal payout port 32.

  On the front side of the power supply 31, a power switch 31a for turning on the main power of the slot machine 2, a key hole 31b, and a setting change button 31c are provided. When the power switch 31a is turned on, the main power is turned on to supply power to various control devices. The slot machine 2 is equipped with a battery (not shown), and the error code display device 15, the CPU 40, the key sensor 52, the lamp control device 55, and the voice control device 56 are powered on by the slot machine 2. The error code display device 15, the CPU 40, the key sensor 52, the lamp control device 55, and the voice control device 56 are configured to operate in a predetermined manner in the key hole 31 b. Operates when a key is inserted. Specifically, a micro switch (not shown) is provided inside the key hole 31b, and the micro switch is turned on when a predetermined key (not shown) is inserted into the key hole 31b. Each device is activated. The battery is charged by an external power source when the main power of the slot machine 2 is turned on.

  The key hole 31b is configured to be rotated between an off position and an on position by inserting a predetermined key (not shown) and rotating the key. When the power switch 31a is off, a predetermined key is inserted into the keyhole 31b and rotated from the off position to the on position, and then the lottery table setting mode is entered by turning on the power switch 31a. Is activated. In the lottery table setting mode, by pressing the setting change button 31c, one of a plurality of types of lottery tables having different winning probabilities used in the winning determination of the winning combination determining unit 44 is selected. After the lottery table is selected, the lottery table selected by operating the start lever 21 is set to be used in the winning determination of the winning combination determining unit 44. After the lottery table is set, the game mode is entered when the key inserted in the keyhole 31b is rotated from the on position to the off position.

  The lottery table check mode is set by turning on the power switch 31a and turning on the main power supply of the slot machine 2 and then inserting a predetermined key into the keyhole 31b and rotating it from the off position to the on position. Further, the game mode is set by turning on the power switch 31a in a state where no key is inserted into the key hole 31b or in a state where the key inserted into the key hole 31b is not in the ON position. The key hole 31a has a structure that allows the key to be pulled out only when the key is in the off position, and is pulled out when the key is in the on position or between the off position and the on position. Can not be.

  A lottery table code display window 34 is provided in front of the front door 7. Behind the lottery table code display window 34, the type of the lottery table selected by operating the setting change button 31c through the lottery table code display window 34 and the game by operating the start lever 21 are used. A lottery table code display device 35 (see FIG. 3) for displaying the type of the set lottery table is provided. When a lottery table is selected by depressing the setting change button 31c during the lottery table setting mode, a code indicating the type of the selected lottery table is lit up and selected through the lottery table code display window 34. When the lottery table is set so that it can be used in the winning determination of the winning combination determining unit 44 by operating the start lever 21, a code indicating the type of the set lottery table is fixedly displayed.

  Specifically, the lighting display indicates that the lottery table code display window 34 is displayed in the form of “-(code)-”, and the confirmation display indicates “(code) in the lottery table code display window 34. "(In the form in which"-"is not displayed). The code displayed in the lottery table code display window 34 uses a set value assigned based on the level of the lottery probability per lottery table. For example, if there are six types of lottery tables, numbers from 1 to 6 are sequentially assigned to each lottery table from a lottery table having a low winning probability to a lottery table having a high probability.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the operation of the slot machine 2 is basically controlled by a control unit 42 including a CPU (notification control means) 40 and a memory 41. In addition to the CPU 40 and the memory 41, the control unit 42 is provided with an electronic lottery unit 43, a winning combination determining unit 44, a timer (timer means) 45, and a game number counter (game number count means) 46.

  The medal sensor 47 detects an appropriate medal inserted from the medal slot 25 and inputs a detection signal to the CPU 40. A selector is incorporated in the back of the medal insertion slot 25, and inappropriate medals are discharged from the medal payout slot 32 to the medal tray 33. In addition, when a medal is inserted at an improper timing, for example, a medal sensor is used for a medal that is inserted into the medal insertion slot 25 in the middle of the game or with various operation buttons pressed. It is discharged to the medal tray 33 without going through 42.

  Sensors are provided in the single bet button 17 and the MAX bet button 18, and a signal is input to the CPU 40 when each button is pressed. The CPU 40 determines the number of 1 to 3 medals inserted prior to the start of the game based on a detection signal from the medal sensor 47 or an input signal from either the 1 bet button 17 or the MAX bet button 18. And determine the number of activated winning lines. Further, the bet number of medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 25 when the game is started is counted by a credit medal counter (not shown) provided in the CPU 40, and the one bet button 17 or the MAX bet button 18 is operated. Each time a medal insertion operation is performed, the bet number of medals is successively subtracted from the credit number.

  A sensor is provided inside the settlement button 19, and a signal is input to the CPU 40 when the settlement button 19 is pressed. When the settlement button 19 is pressed while medals are stored in the credit medal counter, all the medals stored in the credit medal counter are subtracted, and medals for the number of medals stored in the credit medal counter. Are all paid out to the medal tray 33 by the hopper device 30b.

  The start switch sensor 48 is turned on when the start lever 21 is operated. When the start lever 21 is operated during the game mode, a game start signal is input to the CPU 40, and when the start lever 21 is operated during the lottery table setting mode, the start switch sensor 48 is set. A signal is input to the CPU 40. In response to the game start signal, the CPU 40 rotates the first to third reels 11a to 11c based on the game execution program stored in the ROM area of the memory 41 and starts the game process. The RAM area of the memory 41 is a working area, and is used for temporary storage and rewriting of flags and data used for setting the mode of the slot machine 2 and flags and data used for each game. It is done.

  The reel drive controller 49 controls the drive and stop of each reel. Each of the first to third reels 11a to 11c is fixed to a drive shaft of an individual stepping motor 50a to 50c, and each reel is controlled by controlling the driving of each stepping motor 50a to 50c.

  Since the stepping motors 50a to 50c rotate at a rotation angle corresponding to the number of supplied drive pulses, the CPU 40 controls the rotation angle of the first to third reels 11a to 11c by controlling the number of supplied drive pulses. The stop position of the reel can be determined by stopping the supply of the drive pulse. Each reel is integrally formed with reflection signal portions 51a to 51c at its reference position, and the photosensors 52a to 52c photoelectrically detect the passage of each reflection signal portion for each rotation. Detection signals from the photosensors 52a to 52c are input to the CPU 40 as a reset signal for each reel.

  The CPU 40 is provided with a pulse counter for each of the stepping motors 50a to 50c, and counts the number of drive pulses supplied to each of the stepping motors 50a to 50c. When the reset signal is input from the photosensors 52a to 52c, the count value of the corresponding pulse counter is cleared. Therefore, the number of drive pulses corresponding to the rotation angle within one rotation of each reel is stored in each pulse counter while being sequentially updated.

  A symbol table is stored in the ROM area of the memory 41. In the symbol table, the number of drive pulses corresponding to the rotation angle from the reference position of each reel and the symbol representing each symbol arranged on the reel at a constant pitch are stored. A code is associated. Therefore, by monitoring the count value of the pulse counter for each reel, for example, it is possible to identify which symbol has moved on the central pay line, and to what extent the reel is further rotated. It can be predicted whether the symbol of will move on the winning line.

  Sensors are provided inside the first to third stop buttons 22 to 24, and a stop signal for each reel is input to the CPU 40 when the first to third stop buttons 22 to 24 are operated. The start lever 21 is operated to start the rotation of all reels. When these rotations reach a steady speed, the operation of the first to third stop buttons 22 to 24 is validated. Thereafter, by operating these, stop control of the corresponding first to third reels 11a to 11c is started.

  The CPU 40 receives the game start signal input from the start switch sensor 48 and operates the electronic lottery unit 43. The electronic lottery unit 43 includes a random number generator and a random number sampling circuit, and determines one random value by lottery every time a game is started. The random number value determined here is input to the winning combination determination unit 44. The winning combination determination unit 44 determines what type of winning combination is awarded in the currently executed game according to the input random value.

  The winning combination determining unit 44 is provided with a plurality of (for example, six types) lottery tables having different winning lottery probabilities. In the lottery table, the random value sampled in the game in the normal mode is BB that gives the right to shift to the BB mode, the RB that gives the right to shift to the RB mode, and the small role winning pattern that only pays out a predetermined number of medals. Is used to determine which symbol belongs to, such as a small role corresponding to, a replay that gives the right to play the next game with the same number of bets without inserting medals, or a winning that does not cause any wins, that is, a winning determination. There are a plurality of types of small role winning symbols, and a payout medal is assigned to each. The type and symbol of the winning are determined depending on which winning symbol the sampled random number value belongs to. In this way, the winning combination determining unit 44 determines whether or not to win using any one of the input random number value and a plurality of types of lottery tables. When the winning combination is determined by the winning combination determination unit 44, a winning combination determination signal indicating the type of the determined winning combination or winning combination is input to the CPU 40.

  The hopper device 30b pays out a prescribed number of payout medals to the medal tray 33 according to the type of winning combination. A payout table in which the number of payout medals is determined for each type of winning combination is stored in the ROM 41, and the CPU 40 reads this to drive the hopper device 30b.

  A key sensor 52 and a mode selection switch 53 are provided inside the key hole 31b. The key sensor (identification means) 52 is turned on when a predetermined key is inserted into the key hole 31b, and a first detection signal indicating that the predetermined key has been inserted into the key hole 31b is input to the CPU 40, and the key is received from the key hole 31b. When the key is pulled out, it is turned off, and a second detection signal indicating that the key has been pulled out from the keyhole 31b is input to the CPU 40. Thus, the key sensor 52 functions as an identification unit that identifies whether or not a key has been inserted into the keyhole 31b.

  In response to the first detection signal input from the key sensor 52, the CPU 40 inputs a notification start signal to the error code display device 15, the lamp control device 55, and the voice control device 56. Further, the CPU 40 inputs a count start signal to the game number counter 46 in response to the second detection signal input from the key sensor 52.

  The game number counter 46 counts the number of games. The game number counter 46 starts to operate in response to the count start signal input from the CPU 40 and sets the count value to “0”. The count value is incremented by “1” every time the game is played once. Note that the one-time game in the present embodiment refers to the time from when the start lever 20 is operated until all the rotating reels are stopped by operating the first to third stop buttons 16 to 18. As described above, the game number counter 46 functions as a game number counting unit that starts counting the number of games triggered by the fact that the key has been identified as being pulled out from the keyhole 31b.

  The CPU 40 constantly monitors the count value of the game number counter 46, and when the game number counter 46 counts a predetermined count value (for example, “5”), the error code display device 15, the lamp control device 55, and the voice A notification end signal is input to the control device 56. It should be noted that the predetermined count value (predetermined number of games) is sufficiently recognized by surrounding players and game shop employees by the error code display device 15, the lamp control device 55, and the voice control device 56 described later. It is sufficient that the count value is sufficient to be changed, and it can be changed as appropriate.

  The CPU 40 receives a game start signal input from the start switch sensor 48 and inputs a timing start signal to the timer 45. The timer 45 starts timing in response to the timing start signal input from the CPU 40. The CPU 40 inputs a timing stop signal to the timer 45 when all the rotating first to third reels 11 a to 11 c are stopped. The timer 45 stops timing in response to the timing stop signal input from the CPU 40.

  The CPU 40 sends the reel drive control signal to the reel drive controller when the timer 45 counts a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) in a state where at least one of the first to third reels 11a to 11c is rotating. 49. The reel drive controller 49 performs stop control of the first to third reels 11a to 11c in response to the reel drive control signal input from the CPU 40. As described above, the timer 45 functions as a timing unit that starts timing in response to an operation for starting a game, and the CPU 40 and the reel drive controller 49 rotate in response to the timer 45 measuring a predetermined time. Functions as reel drive control means for stopping the first to third reels.

  The CPU 40 invalidates the stop signals from the first to third stop buttons 22 to 24 until the game number counter 46 counts a predetermined count value. That is, until the game number counter 46 counts a predetermined count value, the stop control of the first to third reels 11a to 11c is performed only when the timer 45 counts the predetermined time, and the first to first reels are counted. It is not performed by operating the 3 stop buttons 22-24. As described above, the CPU 40 functions as an operation control unit that invalidates the operation of the first to third stop buttons 22 to 24 until the game number counter 46 counts a predetermined count value.

  In response to the notification start signal input from the CPU 40, the error code display device 15 performs a setting operation such as selecting and setting a code indicating that a key has been inserted into the keyhole 31b through the error display window 14, that is, a lottery table. A code indicating that it has been disconnected (setting operation is in progress) is displayed. Further, the error code display device 15 responds to the notification end signal input from the CPU 40 and hides the code. The “setting operation” means that a lottery table setting mode is selected by inserting a key into the keyhole 31b and performing a predetermined operation, and then pressing the setting change button 31c to select a lottery table and operating the start lever 21. Thus, the selected lottery table is set to be used in the winning determination of the winning combination determination unit 44, and a series of operations until the key is pulled out from the keyhole 31b is shown.

  The lamp control device 55 reads a lighting pattern program indicating a lighting pattern to be lit by the lamp 27 at the time of performance during a game or when an error is notified, thereby reading a driver (not shown). The lighting control of the lamp 27 is performed via In response to the notification start signal input from the CPU 40, the lamp control device 55 performs a setting operation such as selecting and setting a lighting pattern program indicating that the key has been inserted into the keyhole 31b, that is, a lottery table. A lighting pattern program indicating (setting operation is in progress) is read out, and lighting of the lamp 27 by the lighting pattern based on the lighting pattern program, that is, the notification lighting pattern is started. In addition, the lamp control device 55 ends the lighting of the lamp 27 by the notification lighting pattern in response to the notification end signal input from the CPU 40.

  Note that a special lighting pattern that is not used during the game, that is, a lighting pattern that is differentiated from other lighting patterns, is used as the notification lighting pattern, indicating that the setting operation is being performed, and that the game shop employees and surrounding games To make it clear to the person.

  The sound control device 56 performs output control of the sound output from the speaker 28 by reading out a sound program corresponding to the situation from a sound memory (not shown) at the time of performance during a game or reporting an error. Specifically, an audio signal based on a sound program is input to an electronic volume (not shown) via a buffer (not shown). The electronic volume is composed of a variable resistor, and the volume of the sound output from the speaker 28 is adjusted in the electronic volume. After adjusting the volume with the electronic volume, the audio signal is input to an amplifier (not shown). The amplifier amplifies the audio signal, and the amplified audio signal is output from the speaker 28 via a driver (not shown).

  In response to the notification start signal input from the CPU 40, the sound control device 56 performs a setting operation such as selecting and setting a sound program indicating that a key has been inserted from the sound memory into the keyhole 31b, that is, a lottery table. A sound program indicating that the sound is present (setting operation is being performed) is read out, and sound based on the sound program, that is, notification sound is generated from the speaker 28. In addition, the voice control device 56 stops the notification voice in response to the notification end signal input from the CPU 40.

  Note that the notification voice is, for example, a voice expressing that a setting operation such as “the key has been inserted into the keyhole” or “the setting operation is in progress” is being performed. In addition, the volume is set so as to be larger than the volume at the time of directing the game, and the player and the person in the vicinity of the player (for example, the person in the seat next to the player or the game The person who passes behind the person) is set so that the difference can be clearly distinguished. As a result, the notification indicating that the setting operation is being performed can be highlighted.

  In this way, the lamp 27, the speaker 28, the error code display device 15, the lamp control device 55, and the voice control device 56 function as notification means for notifying that the setting operation is being performed. In addition, the CPU 40 starts notification that the setting operation is being performed when the key is identified as being inserted into the keyhole 31b, and the game number counter 46 counts a predetermined count value. It functions as notification control means for terminating the notification when triggered.

  The mode selection switch 53 is turned on when the main power is turned on after a predetermined key is inserted into the keyhole 31 b and rotated from the off position to the on position, and an on signal is input to the CPU 40. Thereafter, when the key is rotated from the on position to the off position, the mode selection switch 52 is turned off and an off signal is input to the CPU 40.

  A sensor is provided inside the setting change button 31c, and a selection signal is input to the CPU 40 in response to the pressing operation of the setting change button 31c.

  When the ON signal from the mode selection switch 53 is input to the CPU 40, the lottery table setting mode is set. In response to the selection signal from the setting change button 31c, the CPU 40 outputs a selection execution signal corresponding to the selection signal to the winning combination determining unit 44. To enter. The winning combination determining unit 44 selects a lottery table corresponding to the selection execution signal from the plurality of lottery tables in response to the selection execution signal input from the CPU 40.

  In the lottery table setting mode, after the lottery table is selected as described above, the CPU 40 inputs a setting execution signal to the winning combination determining unit 44 in response to the setting signal from the start switch sensor 48. In response to the setting execution signal input from the CPU 40, the winning combination determination unit 44 sets the lottery table selected by the selection execution signal to be used in the winning determination. After the lottery table is set in this manner, when the off signal from the mode selection switch 53 is input to the CPU 40, the game mode is shifted from the lottery table setting mode.

  In the lottery table setting mode, the CPU 40 ignores the off signal before the setting signal from the start switch sensor 46 is input, and responds only to the off signal after the setting signal is input. That is, the lottery table setting mode cannot be shifted to the game mode unless the lottery table is set by operating the start lever 21.

  When the mode switch 53 is turned on after the power switch 31 a of the slot machine 2 is turned on, a lottery table confirmation signal is input to the CPU 40. When the lottery table confirmation signal is input to the CPU 40, the lottery table confirmation mode is set, and the lottery table set to be used by the lottery table code display device 35 through the lottery table code display window 34 for the winning determination of the winning combination determining unit 44. A code indicating the type of the message is displayed. When the mode selection switch 53 is turned off, a lottery table confirmation cancellation signal is input to the CPU 40. When the lottery table confirmation release signal is input to the CPU 40, the display by the lottery table code display device 35 is terminated, and the game mode is entered.

  Next, the operation of the slot machine 2 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When a predetermined key is inserted into the key hole 31b, the key sensor 52 detects this and inputs a first detection signal to the CPU 40. The CPU 40 activates the error code display device 15, the lamp control device 55, and the sound control device 56 in response to the first detection signal, and notifies them that the setting operation is being performed.

  When a predetermined key is inserted into the keyhole 31b and the main power is turned on after the key is rotated from the on position to the off position, the lottery table setting mode is entered, and the lottery table can be selected and set. When the lottery table is set by the setting change button 31c and the start lever 21, and the key is rotated from the off position to the on position and then the key is pulled out from the key hole 31b, the key sensor 52 detects this, and the second detection signal is generated. Input to the CPU 40. The CPU 40 inputs a count start signal to the game number counter 46 in response to the second detection signal input from the key sensor 52.

  The game number counter 46 starts operating in response to the count start signal input from the CPU 40. The CPU 40 inputs a notification end signal to the error code display device 15, the lamp control device 55, and the voice control device 56 when the game number counter 46 counts a predetermined count value (predetermined number of games). In response to the notification end signal, the error code display device 15, the lamp control device 55, and the voice control device 56 end the notification indicating that the setting operation is being performed.

  Here, the lottery table setting mode has been described as an example, but the lottery table confirmation mode is also executed as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  As described above, when the key is identified as being inserted into the keyhole 31b, a notification indicating that the setting operation is in progress is started, and a predetermined number of games is performed even after the key is pulled out from the keyhole 31b. Since the notification is continued until the game is digested, it is possible to make sure that the game shop employees and nearby players are aware that the lottery table setting operation is being performed. Even if an unauthorized setting operation is performed quickly, the notification continues even after the setting operation is completed, so that it is difficult to perform an illegal act. Thereby, an illegal setting operation can be prevented. Furthermore, when the above-mentioned predetermined count value is set to “5” and the predetermined time is set to 30 seconds, a notification that is started when the key is inserted into the keyhole 31a is pulled out from the keyhole 31a. Since it is continued for 150 seconds thereafter, the notification can be surely noticed to the employees of the game shop and the surrounding players.

  In the above embodiment, the notification is started when the key is inserted into the keyhole 31c, and the notification is terminated when a predetermined number of games have been digested after the key is pulled out from the keyhole 31c. The notification may be started from the time when the table setting mode is entered, and the notification may be ended when a predetermined number of games have been consumed since the end of the lottery table setting mode. In this case, for example, the CPU 40 identifies the lottery table setting mode and the game mode, starts notification when the lottery table setting mode is entered, and triggers the transition from the lottery table setting mode to the game mode. The count of the game number counter 46 is started, and the notification is ended when the game number counter 46 counts a predetermined count value. In this way, the CPU 40 monitors the time when the lottery table setting mode is entered and the time when the lottery table setting mode ends and controls the start and end of the notification, thereby short-circuiting the harness without using a key. Unauthorized actions such as setting a lottery table can be prevented.

  In the above embodiment, notification is performed using the error code display device 15, the lamp control device 55, and the voice control device 56, but notification is performed using a hall computer that exchanges game information with the slot machine 2. May be performed.

  In the above embodiment, the lottery table selected by the setting change button 31b is set to be used in the game by operating the start lever 21, but an operation button other than the start lever 21 (for example, the single bet button 17). Or the checkout button 19 or the like) may be set to set the lottery table. In addition, a dedicated operation button for setting the selected lottery table may be provided, and the lottery table may be set by operating this button.

  In the above embodiment, the slot machine 2 has been described as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to various gaming machines such as a pachinko machine.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of a slot machine. It is a slot machine of the state where the front door was removed, and is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the slot machine. It is a functional block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in the slot machine of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

2 Slot machines (game machines)
15 Error code display device (notification means)
22-24 First to third stop buttons (stop switch)
27 Lamp (notification means)
28 Speaker (notification means)
31b Keyhole 40 CPU (notification control means) (reel drive control means) (operation control means)
45 Timer (time measuring means)
46 Game Count Counter (Game Count Counter)
49 Reel drive controller (reel drive control means)
55 Lamp control device (notification means)
56 Voice control device (notification means)
52 Key sensor (identification means)

Claims (2)

In a gaming machine in which a setting operation for selecting one of a plurality of lottery tables having different winning lottery probabilities by operating a key after inserting a predetermined key into a keyhole is enabled,
An informing means for informing that the setting operation is being performed;
Identifying means for identifying whether the key is inserted into the keyhole;
Notification control means for controlling the start and end of notification by the notification means;
Game number counting means for starting counting the number of games triggered by the identification means having identified that the key has been pulled out from the keyhole,
The notification control means starts the notification by the notification means when the identification means identifies that the key is inserted into the keyhole, and the game number counting means has counted a predetermined number of games. The game machine is characterized in that the notification by the notification means is terminated at the opportunity. One stop switch is provided for each of a plurality of reels that rotate in response to an operation to start a game, and is operated when stopping the rotating reels;
Timing means for starting timing in response to an operation for starting a game;
Reel drive control means for stopping the reel that rotates with the timing means measuring a predetermined time; and
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising operation control means for invalidating the operation of the stop switch until the game number counting means counts the number of games.

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