JP2008246120A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine in which only a parlor manager can detect an unfair act alarm to easily catch the spot of an unfair act by notice of an unfair act alarm camouflaging so as not to be sensed by the unfair act performer when an error suspicious of unfair act happens. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine includes an unfair act detecting means 452 to detect a predefined unfair act on the game machine, and an unfair act alarm controlling means 525 to execute control processing to inform of an unfair act alarm using at least one of an image displayed on an image display device 70, sound outputted from a speaker 64, and light of an illumination component 124. As an unfair act alarm by the unfair act alarm controlling means 525, dedicated direction using at least one of image, sound, and light, direction changing a part of the constituting elements during direction to other constituting elements different from ordinary constituting elements, and a silent alarm using image, sound, and light camouflaged so as not to be recognized as an alarm are provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine equipped with an image display device, and in particular, when an error that may cause a fraud occurs, a fraud alarm impersonated so as not to be detected by a fraudster It is related with the game machine which can do.

  Generally, gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines are equipped with image display devices such as CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), speakers, and notification means such as electric parts such as lamps and 7-segment LEDs. The image, sound, and light of the notification means are used to produce an effect according to the gaming state.

  Further, these notification means play not only an effect during the game but also a role of notifying by an image, sound and light when an error occurs in the gaming machine. For example, when an error such as a payout medal empty error, a payout medal jam error, a thrown medal clogged error, or a RAM error occurs in a gaming machine, a notification sound is output from the speaker and the lamp lights in a predetermined lighting pattern. In addition, an error notification is performed such that an alphabet indicating the type of error is displayed on the 7-segment LED.

  Furthermore, these notification means may not only notify the normal error due to the malfunction of the gaming machine as described above, but also may cause an illegal act such as unauthorized power off, door opening, change in the payout rate, excessive payout of game media. When an error is detected, an alarm sound is output from the speaker, and an electrical component is flashed flashly to notify the occurrence of an illegal act.

  For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-178941 (Patent Document 1), when an error due to fraud is reported by an alarm sound and illumination, a gaming machine that maximizes the brightness of the illumination sound and maximizes the brightness of the illumination is disclosed. Proposed. In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-29543 (Patent Document 2), an alarm is issued from the speaker during the period from when the door is illegally opened until the door is closed and when the predetermined time elapses after the door is closed. There has been proposed a gaming machine that outputs a sound and notifies by turning on a lamp.

JP 2001-178941 A JP 2001-29543 A

  However, in the conventional gaming machine described above, at the same time when the cheating is performed, a loud alarm sound is output from the speaker and the lamp is turned on to notify the occurrence of cheating. Not only the person but also the fraudster will be aware of the fraud. For this reason, before the store manager who heard the warning sound arrives at the scene of fraudulent activity, the fraudster escapes from the scene and cannot capture the fraudulent act. There was a problem that could not.

  In addition, alarm sounds and lamp lighting to inform the occurrence of fraudulent behavior are generally unpleasant to the surrounding players who are enjoying the game because they use harsh sounds and flashy lighting patterns to encourage urgency and alerts. There was also a problem that made me think.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in the event of an error that may be fraudulent, only a store manager is notified by notifying a fraudulent alarm that is camouflaged so as not to be detected by the fraudster. The purpose is to provide a gaming machine that can detect fraud alerts and easily control the fraudulent site.

  In order to achieve the above object, the gaming machine of the present invention performs an effect during a game using at least one of an image displayed on an image display device, a sound output from a speaker, or light of an electrical component. A gaming machine that detects fraud against the predefined gaming machine, and an image that is displayed on the image display device when the cheating detection means detects fraud; It includes a fraud alarm control means for performing a control process of notifying a fraud alarm using at least one of the sound output from the speaker or the light of the electrical decoration component, and the image, A special effect using at least one of the sound and the light, or an effect in which a part of the component during the effect is changed to another component other than normal, or other alarms are not recognized. Uni impersonated images are to include a silent alarm using sounds or light.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention having such a configuration, the occurrence of fraudulent behavior is notified by a silent alarm using an image, sound or light that is disguised in a manner that is not recognized as an alarm for social wisdom. Therefore, only the store manager who knows that the image, sound, or light of such an aspect is a fraud alarm can be detected, and a fraud alarm that is not perceived by a fraudster is realized. As a result, only the store manager can detect the fraud alarm and easily suppress the fraudulent site.

  In addition, the silent alarm in the present invention is an image, sound, or light that is disguised in a manner that is not recognized as an alarm because of social wisdom, so that surrounding players who are enjoying the game feel uncomfortable. In addition, only the store manager can be notified of the occurrence of fraud.

  Here, the “silent alarm” according to the present invention will be described. The silent alarm is composed of any one or a combination of two or more of images, sounds, and lights that are disguised so as not to be recognized as an alarm. For example, the silent alarm can be a “dedicated effect” composed of any one or a combination of two or more of image, sound, and light. This “dedicated effect” is not executed during a normal game (meaning a gaming state when no fraud is performed), and is executed only when the fraud detection means detects fraud. . Further, for example, a silent alarm can be executed during a normal game “an effect in which some of the components being produced are changed to other components different from the usual”. In this case, it is possible to detect that this effect is a silent alarm based on a part of changes in the image, sound, or light that constitute the normal effect. Further, the silent alarm is not limited to the case of disguising the effect used during the game, and widely includes images, sounds, or lights that are disguised so as not to be recognized as an alarm. For example, the silent alarm includes pseudo-noise that is absorbed into the environment in the store, low-frequency or ultrasonic waves outside the human audible range or near the audible range limit.

  Here, the “game machine error” in this specification includes an error that is considered to have occurred due to an “injustice” and a “normal error” that occurs for other reasons. In addition, the “fraud” includes general fraud on a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine, fraudulent operations, and some actions and preliminary actions for performing these. For example, to steal a ball in a pachinko or a medal in a slot machine, turn off the power, open the door, change the setting of the payout rate, and overpay game media such as a ball or medal. The act is applicable. Of the illegal acts on gaming machines known so far, it is arbitrary which fraud is detected and notified. On the other hand, “normal error” refers to a mechanical, electrical, or software failure that may occur in a gaming machine under normal use. For example, an empty error of game media such as a ball or a medal, a jam error at the time of payout, a clogging error at the time of insertion, a RAM error, or the like is applicable.

  Preferably, in the gaming machine of the present invention described above, the silent alarm by the fraud alarm control means is an effect in which all or part of the effect image displayed on the image display device is changed during the game, and the speaker during the game. It is set as the effect which changed all or a part of the lighting pattern of the said electrical decoration components lighted during the game, and the effect which changed all or a part of BGM or sound effect output from.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention having such a configuration, an effect image, BGM or sound effect that constitutes an effect during the game, and an effect that changes all or part of the lighting pattern of the electrical component can be displayed with a silent alarm. Only the store manager who knows that there is an alarm can recognize that it is an alarm, and it will be recognized as an effect during the game only by a fraudster who does not know that the alarm is a silent alarm and surrounding players. This makes it possible to easily suppress the fraudulent act site without making the surrounding players feel uncomfortable.

  Preferably, in the gaming machine of the present invention described above, the silent alarm by the fraud alarm control means is composed of a sound having a frequency outside the human audible range or near the audible range limit output from the speaker, and the silent alarm is converted into an ultrasonic wave. Or it is set as the structure which can be recognized through the low frequency audible means.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention having such a configuration, when the cheating detection means detects cheating, an ultrasonic or low-frequency sound that cannot be heard by humans is output from the speaker as a silent alarm. . This silent alarm can be detected only by a store manager equipped with an ultrasonic or low-frequency audible means, and cannot be recognized by the auditors of fraudsters and surrounding players. This makes it possible to easily suppress the fraudulent act site without making the surrounding players feel uncomfortable.

  Preferably, the silent alarm includes an ultrasonic generator for outputting an ultrasonic wave from the speaker, and the fraud alarm control unit detects ultrasonic waves from the speaker when the fraud detection unit detects the fraud. And the silent alarm can be received and recognized by an intercom device incorporating ultrasonic audible means.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention having such a configuration, only the store manager can detect a silent alarm consisting of ultrasonic waves by causing the store manager to equip the store manager with an intercom apparatus incorporating ultrasonic audible means. Can not be recognized by the hearing of fraudsters and surrounding players. This makes it possible to easily suppress the fraudulent act site without making the surrounding players feel uncomfortable.

  Preferably, in the gaming machine of the present invention described above, the game machine further comprises a role lottery means for lottering at least one role for giving a gaming state advantageous to the player, and the silent alarm by the fraud alarm control means A dedicated chance effect that expects the winning of a predetermined role by lottery means.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention having such a configuration, when the cheating detection means detects cheating, a silent alarm is used during normal gaming (meaning a gaming state when no cheating is performed). A special chance effect that is never executed is executed, and the occurrence of an illegal act is notified by a flashy effect using images, sounds, and light. Such silent alerts allow store managers to recognize the occurrence of fraud at a glance, and are recognized as an effect during the game by fraudsters and surrounding players who do not know that they are silent alerts. Will be. This makes it possible to easily suppress the fraudulent act site without making the surrounding players feel uncomfortable.

  Here, the “dedicated chance effect” as a silent alarm means that when a cheating detection means detects cheating, for example, a winning role in a pachinko, a special role such as a BB role in a slot machine, etc. An effect that displays an effect image that gives a sense of expectation that a predetermined role for giving an advantageous game state may be won over a plurality of unit games. This “dedicated chance effect” is performed regardless of the result of the role lottery in the role lottery means, and is different from a general chance effect that enthuses the player's expectation when winning a winning combination or special role.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, the occurrence of fraud is reported by a silent alarm using an image, sound or light disguised in a manner that is not recognized as an alarm because of social wisdom. Only a store manager who knows that the image, sound, or light of the aspect is a fraud alarm can be detected, and a fraud alarm that is not perceived by a fraudster is realized. As a result, only the store manager can detect the fraud alarm and easily suppress the fraudulent site.

  In addition, the silent alarm in the present invention is an image, sound, or light that is disguised in a manner that is not recognized as an alarm because of social wisdom, so that surrounding players who are enjoying the game feel uncomfortable. In addition, only the store manager can be notified of the occurrence of fraud.

  Hereinafter, a slot machine which is a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Configuration of slot machine>
<< Description of overall structure >>
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a slot machine (game machine) according to the present embodiment. In the figure, a front panel 20 is provided on the front surface of the housing of the slot machine 10. A horizontally-long rectangular transparent display window 22 is formed in the approximate center of the front panel 20.

  Five winning lines are defined in front of the display window 22. These five winning lines include three horizontal winning lines (center L1, upper and lower L2A, L2B) and two diagonal winning lines (diagonally downward L3A, obliquely upward L3B). A winning line (hereinafter referred to as an effective line) that is activated by the number of game media (medals in the present embodiment) is displayed.

  A substantially horizontal operation panel unit 30 is provided below the display window 22. A 1-bet switch 35 and a 3-bet switch 36 are disposed on the left side of the operation panel unit 30, and a game medium insertion port 38 into which a game medium can be inserted on the right side of the operation panel unit 30. Is provided.

  When a predetermined number or more of game media are input from the game medium insertion port 38, the predetermined number or more is stored as a credit number in a RAM 110 (see FIG. 3) described later.

  The 1-bet switch 35 is a switch for setting a medal to bet on the game one by one out of the number of credits. The 3-bet switch 36 is a switch for making three medals out of the number of credits a game bet. The slot machine 10 of this embodiment is a three-sheet betting-dedicated machine, and when a player inserts three gaming media, or operates the 1-bet switch 35 three times, or sets the 3-bet switch 36 to 1. When the turn operation is performed, all of the five pay lines, that is, L1, L2A, L2B, L3A, and L3B are activated, and a game is possible.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the number of game media based on the input of game media from the game media input port 38 and the operation of the 1-bet switch 35 or the 3-bet switch 36 is referred to as “the number of bets”. The number of bets stored and set in is referred to as “set bet number”. In the following description, the case where the maximum bet number = 3 of the slot machine 10 is set as the set bet number is simply referred to as “3 bets”.

  Further, an image display device 70 composed of a liquid crystal display panel is provided above the casing of the slot machine 10. The image display device 70 is not limited to the liquid crystal display panel described above, and any other display device such as a CRT can be used as long as the player can visually recognize image information and character information during the game. It is.

  Inside the casing of the slot machine 10, three reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are rotatably provided. Each of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R has a ring shape, and a reel tape on which a pattern is printed is attached to the outer peripheral surface thereof. On this reel tape, for example, 21 symbols are drawn at equal intervals. The arrangement of these symbols differs for each of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R. The reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are visible through the display window 22 described above. When the reels are stopped, three consecutive symbols for each of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R can be visually recognized through the display window 22. For this reason, a total of nine symbols can be visually recognized from the display window 22.

  As will be described later, each of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown), and the symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R through the display window 22 from top to bottom. Move towards.

  A start switch (start lever) 50 is tiltably provided on the left side of the front surface of the operation panel unit 30, and three stop switches 52 </ b> L, 52 </ b> C, and 52 </ b> R are provided at the center of the front surface of the operation panel unit 30. It is provided. The stop switch 52L corresponds to the left reel 40L, the stop switch 52C corresponds to the middle reel 40C, and the stop switch 52R corresponds to the right reel 40R.

  When the player tilts the start switch 50, the three reels 40L, 40C, and 40R described above start to rotate all at once. When the rotational speeds of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R reach a constant speed, the operation of the stop switches 52L, 52C, and 52R by the player becomes effective.

  When the player pushes the stop switch 52L, the left reel 40L stops. When the stop switch 52C is pushed, the middle reel 40C stops. When the stop switch 52R is pushed, the right reel 40R stops.

  When the reels 40L, 40C, or 40R are stopped, the stop control is performed so that the symbols drawn on the respective outer peripheral surfaces are positioned on the five winning lines L1, L2A, L2B, L3A, and L3B described above.

  On the right side below the casing of the slot machine 10, a sound emitted from a speaker (not shown) housed in the casing (corresponding to a speaker 64 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 described later) is output to the outside of the casing. A sound transmission hole 60 is provided. A game medium payout port 62 is provided at a central portion below the casing of the slot machine 10. When the reels 40L, 40C, or 40R are stopped and the symbols that are stopped and displayed on the active line become a predetermined combination, that is, a symbol that constitutes a winning combination. A predetermined number of game media are paid out from the game media payout port 62.

  The game in the slot machine 10 is such that a game result is determined by a combination of symbols of the plurality of reels 40L, 40C, and 40R stopped. This game is performed every time the player tilts the start switch 50, and the process from the start of rotation to the stop of rotation of the plurality of reels 40L, 40C and 40R can be repeated as one unit of game. .

  Examples of combinations of symbols of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R include types such as a special combination, a general combination, and a replay combination. A special combination is a combination that allows a special game to be performed in an advantageous manner for the player when a special combination is won by lottery and a winning combination is awarded according to the winning combination. Further, the general combination is a combination of paying out a predetermined number of game media when a general combination is won by lottery and a symbol corresponding to the general combination is won. In addition, when a re-gamer wins a re-gamer in a lottery and wins all the symbols according to the re-gamer, he / she will replay (also referred to as replay) without newly inserting a game medium. It is a role that can.

  The special combination includes a BB (big bonus) combination and an RB (regular bonus) combination. The RB combination is a combination that shifts to the RB game that is the first special game. In this RB game, a game in which a predetermined combination is won with a high probability is performed a predetermined number of times under a certain condition. On the other hand, the BB combination is a combination that shifts to the BB game that is the second special game. In this BB game, a general game is performed and a transition to an RB game can be made under a certain condition during the general game. Until a predetermined number of game media is paid out, the general game and the RB game are played. Can be repeated.

  Furthermore, electrical parts 124A, 124B, 124C, 124D and 124E are provided on the upper end, upper left, upper right, lower left and lower right of the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, respectively. As these electrical decoration parts 124A to 124E, for example, LEDs capable of emitting multicolor light are used, and winning or winning of a role, effect image displayed on the image display device 70, sound output from a speaker 64 described later, and the like. Depending on the progress of the game and the player's operation, one of the lighting parts 124A to 124E is turned on, the lighting color, lighting time, brightness, etc. are changed, or a predetermined lighting pattern programmed in advance. Lights according to

  In addition to the above-described effect lighting parts 124A to 124E, there are a credit indicator using a 7-segment LED (not shown), a WIN (acquired number) indicator, and the like as the lighting parts of the slot machine 10. FIG. In FIG. 3 and the following description, all the electric decoration parts are collectively referred to by reference numeral 124.

<< Explanation of functional block diagram >>
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram related to the control of the slot machine 10. In the figure, a main control circuit 100 and a sub control circuit 200 are electrically connected as a control circuit. Further, the operating means 300 is electrically connected to the main control circuit 100, and motors 80L, 80C and 80R provided on the reels 40L, 40C and 40R, respectively, are electrically connected. The sub-control circuit 200 is electrically connected to an image display device 70 as a notification means, a speaker 64, and an electrical component 124 such as a lamp. Further, in the present embodiment, the error detection means 450 is electrically connected to the main control circuit 100.

  The operation means 300 includes three stop switches 52L, 52C and 52R, a start switch 50, a 1-bet switch 35, and a 3-bet switch 36. These operation means 300 are not limited to switches and buttons, and any means can be applied as long as it generates an operation signal based on an operation using the player's limbs.

  The error detection means 450 includes a normal error detection means 451 and an illegal act detection means 452. The normal error detecting means 451 detects a normal error caused by an error other than an error considered to be caused by an illegal action such as a payout medal empty error, a payout medal jam error, a inserted medal clogged error, or a RAM error.

  On the other hand, the fraud detection means 452 detects fraud mainly for the purpose of fraudulent gaming media, and includes a power monitoring sensor 452A, a door opening monitoring sensor 452B, a setting monitoring sensor 452C, and a payout monitoring sensor 452D. And are included. The power monitoring sensor 452A is, for example, a current sensor, and detects whether the power supply device 91 shown in FIG. 3 is ON or OFF and outputs a signal to the main control circuit 100. The door opening monitoring sensor 452B is an optical or mechanical switch sensor, for example, and outputs a signal to the main control circuit 100 when the slot machine 10 is opened. The setting monitoring sensor 452C is an optical sensor such as a photo interrupter, and detects the rotation of a setting key switch (not shown) and outputs a signal to the main control circuit 100. The payout monitoring sensor 452D is, for example, a current sensor, and detects a current of a hopper (not shown) that stores the game medium and outputs a signal to the main control circuit 100.

  The cheating detection means 452 is not limited to these sensors 452A to 452D. For example, a photosensor provided in a medal selector (not shown) for monitoring the passage of game media inserted into the game media slot 38. May be included in the fraud detection means 452. As described above, the sensors serving as the cheating detection means 452 widely include various mechanical, electrical, or optical sensors that can monitor the occurrence of cheating on the slot machine 10.

  Further, a control unit such as a CPU may be provided on the error detection unit 450 side, and an error determination process corresponding to an error determination unit 440 of the main control circuit 100 described later may be executed. Furthermore, the sub-control circuit 200 may include the error determination unit 440 and the error detection unit 450.

<< Description of main control circuit >>
The main control circuit 100 executes control processing related to the game of the slot machine 10 and includes a role lottery means 410, a reel control means 420, a game control means 430, and an error determination means 440. The functions of these means 410, 420, 430 and 440 are realized by the main CPU 106 shown in FIG.

  The role lottery means 410 performs lottery of a role (for example, an RB role and a BB role which are special roles, a general role, a replaying role) by a role lottery process. The role lottery means 410 includes, for example, a random number generator 412 (hard random number or the like) for a role lottery, a random number extraction means 414 for extracting a random number generated by the random number generator 412, and a random value extracted by the random number extraction means 414 And random number determination means 416 for determining the presence / absence of a winning combination and a winning combination based on the winning combination.

  The reel control means 420 receives the reel rotation start signal transmitted from the start switch 50, thereby controlling the motors 80L, 80C, 80R, and rotates the reels 40L, 40C, 40R. And the control regarding the reel operation | movement which stops reel 40L, 40C, 40R is performed by reception of the reel stop signal transmitted from stop switch 52L, 52C, 52R. In the stop control, the symbol combination control is performed so that the stop symbols are aligned corresponding to the winning combination.

  The game control means 430 wins the special combination, the general combination, and the re-playing combination in the combination lottery process, and when it is determined that the symbol corresponding to each combination is complete by the winning symbol determination regarding the stopped symbol, the winning combination Proceed with the process corresponding to. The game control means 430 includes special game control means 432 in addition to paying out a predetermined number of game media. The special game control means 432 performs control during a special game such as a special game in which the game proceeds in an advantageous manner for the player or a payout of a predetermined number of game media in the special game.

  Based on the signals transmitted from the error detection means 450, that is, the detection results of the sensors 452A to 452D of the normal error detection means 451 and the fraud detection means 452, the error determination means 440 Determine whether fraud has occurred.

  The detection of normal errors by such an error determination unit 440 includes the following. For example, if there is no medal (game medium) in the hopper (not shown) and the payout count sensor (not shown) does not turn on even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the error discriminating means 440 discriminates a payout medal empty error, and the sub-control circuit A signal is output to 200. If the medal does not pass through the payout count sensor within a predetermined time due to a jammed hopper, the error discriminating means 440 discriminates a payout medal jam error and outputs a signal to the sub-control circuit 200. To do.

  Further, for example, if a medal inserted from the game medium insertion slot 38 does not pass a medal insertion sensor (not shown) within a predetermined time, the error determination unit 440 determines that it is an inserted medal clogging error and sends a signal to the sub-control circuit 200. Is output. If normal data cannot be written into the RAM 110 of the main control circuit 100 when the power is turned on, the error determination unit 440 determines that the RAM error has occurred and outputs a signal to the sub-control circuit 200. In addition, the error determination unit 440 determines whether or not a normal error has occurred in the slot machine 10 and outputs a signal to the sub-control circuit 200.

  When the error determination unit 440 determines a normal error, the main control circuit 100 stops the control process relating to the game medium payout, prohibits the insertion of the game medium into the game medium insertion port 38, and You may make it perform the process which does not perform a game, such as invalidating operation of the operation means 300, such as the 3-bet switch 36 and the start switch 50.

  On the other hand, the detection of fraud by the error determination means 440 includes the following. For example, the error determination unit 440 determines that the power supply device 91 shown in FIG. 3 is turned off without permission based on the detection result of the power supply monitoring sensor 452A, and then determines that the power supply device 91 is turned on. A signal is output to the sub-control circuit 200. Further, the error determination means 440 determines that the slot machine 10 is opened abnormally without permission based on the detection result of the door opening monitoring sensor 452B, and outputs a signal to the sub-control circuit 200.

  Further, for example, based on the detection result of the setting monitoring sensor 452C, the error determination unit 440 determines that the setting key switch (not shown) has been rotated without permission, and outputs a signal to the sub-control circuit 200. Further, the error determination means 440 determines that an abnormal state is detected when there is an excessive payout of a game medium by a hopper (not shown) based on the detection result of the payout monitoring sensor 452D (for example, when 50 payouts per time are over). Then, a signal is output to the sub-control circuit 200.

  If the power supply device 91 is turned off without permission, the slot machine 10 is opened, the setting key switch is rotated, or the hopper overpays game media, there is a possibility that an illegal act has been performed. . The error discriminating means 440 discriminates such an error that may cause an illegal act and informs the sub control circuit 200 of the occurrence of the illegal act.

  Note that “without permission”, which means an illegal act in the above description, means, for example, that the door of the slot machine 10 is opened without using the door opening key, and the power switch 91 is turned off or the setting key switch is rotated. In this case, a predetermined operation or operation is performed without passing through a normal process even if it is partially.

  Here, in this embodiment, when the error determination unit 440 determines an error that may cause an illegal act, two notification modes can be selected by setting error notification in the sub-control circuit 200 as described later. (See FIG. 17A). As one notification mode, the occurrence of fraud is reported in the same manner as a normal error. For example, an image so that the power supply device 91 is turned off without permission, the door is opened, the setting key switch is rotated, the game medium is excessively paid out, etc. Notification by sound or light.

  Further, when the occurrence of an illegal act is notified in the same manner as a normal error, it becomes impossible to play a game when the error discriminating means 440 discriminates an error that may cause an illegal act. That is, the main control circuit 100 that has received the signal from the error discriminating means 440 prohibits the insertion of the game medium into the game medium insertion slot 38, and also includes the 1-bet switch 35, the 3-bet switch 36, the start switch 50, etc. Processing that does not play a game, such as invalidating the operation of the operating means 300, is executed.

  On the other hand, as another notification mode, the occurrence of an illegal act is notified by an alarm (referred to as a “silent alarm”) camouflaged so as not to be detected by an unauthorized person. When the silent alarm notification mode is selected, the process of causing the main control circuit 100 to perform a game is executed as usual even after the error determination means 440 has determined an error that may be fraudulent. A silent alarm disguised as an image, sound (including BGM, sound effects and also ultrasonic waves that cannot be heard by human ears), or light used in the above will be notified.

<< Description of Sub-Control Circuit >>
The sub-control circuit 200 executes control processing related to effects during the game of the slot machine 10 described above, and includes effect control means 510, error notification control means 520, and data storage means 530.

<<< Direction control means >>>
The production control means 510 performs production control processing using an image, sound, and electrical decoration (light) based on a signal from the main control circuit 100. The image control unit 510 includes an image control unit 511, a sound control unit 512, and an electrical decoration control unit 513. Among these means 511 to 513, the functions of the image control means 511 and the sound control means 512 are mainly realized by the image control unit 220 shown in FIG. 3, and the image control unit 220 has a VDP (Video Display Processor) 221. And an image reproduction CPU 222. Further, a sound source circuit 231 shown in FIG. 3 is used for the sound control means 512 to output a predetermined sound. Furthermore, the function of the electric decoration control means 513 is mainly realized by the sub CPU 206 shown in FIG. 3, and an electric decoration board 235 for driving the electric decoration component 124 is used.

  The image control means 511 reads the effect image data stored in the image data storage means 533 based on the signal received from the main control circuit 100, and displays a predetermined effect image corresponding to the gaming state of the slot machine 10. Control processing to be displayed on the device 70 is performed.

  As an effect image to be controlled by the image control means 511, for example, a demonstration image in a game standby state until a game medium is inserted, a normal effect image repeatedly displayed during a game, and a winning of a predetermined role during a game are selected. A notification effect image to be notified, a special effect image displayed when a predetermined condition such as winning of a special role or winning is satisfied, and the like are included.

  In addition, the image control unit 511 does not display only the effect image during the game, and when the error determination unit 440 determines that a normal error or an illegal act has occurred, an error using a character image, an error message image, or the like. Notification is performed. The mode of error notification by the image control unit 511 can be set in detail by a notification mode setting unit 523 of an error notification control unit 520 described later.

  The voice control means 512 mainly performs control processing of sounds such as BGM and sound effects during the game. The sound control unit 512 reads out the sound data stored in the sound system data storage unit 534 based on the signal received from the main control circuit 100 and outputs a production sound such as a predetermined BGM or sound effect from the speaker 64. Perform control processing.

  Here, the sound control means 512 does not output only the effect sound during the game, and when the error determination means 440 determines the occurrence of the normal error or the fraudulent action, the sound control means 512 uses the electronic sound, BGM, synthesized sound or the like. The error notification that has been made is performed. Similarly to the above, the mode of error notification by the voice control unit 512 can be set in detail by the notification mode setting unit 523 of the error notification control unit 520 described later.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the voice control means 512 includes an ultrasonic generator 512a. The ultrasonic generator 512a, as one aspect of the silent alarm described above, is an alarm composed of an ultrasonic wave exceeding the human audible range (in addition, an audible sound near the limit of the audible range is also possible) (hereinafter referred to as an ultrasonic alarm). ) Is output from the speaker 64. As the ultrasonic generator 512a, for example, a structure that resonates a piezoelectric vibrator such as crystal or ceramic or a magnetostrictive vibrator using ferrite and emits ultrasonic waves can be used. The ultrasonic alarm generated by the ultrasonic generator 512a cannot be heard unless the ultrasonic audible means 701 built in the income apparatus 700 of FIG. 2 is interposed, and fraudsters and other customers in the store. Form an inaudible alarm. A dedicated speaker for outputting the above-described ultrasonic alarm may be provided separately from the speaker 64.

  Here, an intercom apparatus 700 for making the above-described ultrasonic alarm audible will be described. The income device 700 is a wireless communication device used for communication between store managers in a store. For example, the income device 700 has a configuration in which a headset is connected to a wireless communication device main body (not shown). In this embodiment, ultrasonic audible means 701 is added to the wireless communication device main body of the income device 700. The ultrasonic audible means 701 detects an ultrasonic alarm output from the speaker 64, converts it into an audible sound, and outputs it from the headset.

  Such an ultrasonic audible means 701 has a configuration including, for example, a microphone that detects an ultrasonic alarm and a conversion circuit that converts the ultrasonic alarm detected by the microphone into an audible sound. As the principle of the conversion circuit, for example, either a heterodyne method or a frequency division method can be adopted. In the heterodyne method, an ultrasonic alarm signal detected by the microphone is mixed with a local oscillator signal to convert the frequency to an audible sound. In the frequency division method, the ultrasonic alarm detected by the microphone is amplified and binarized, and then the frequency is divided by a frequency dividing circuit to make an audible sound. Note that the conversion circuit for converting the ultrasonic alarm into audible sound is not limited to those of these types, and it is also possible to adopt another type of circuit configuration capable of converting the ultrasonic alarm into audible sound. .

  In this embodiment, the ultrasonic alarm is adopted as one aspect of the silent alarm. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration using a low-frequency sound outside the human audible range or near the audible range as the silent alarm is used. It is good. In this case, a low frequency microphone may be used as the ultrasonic audible means 701, and the low frequency sound detected by the low frequency microphone may be converted into an audible sound.

  In addition, the ultrasonic alarm is not limited to being directly received by the income device 700. For example, an ultrasonic receiver is installed in a predetermined place in a store, and an ultrasonic alarm received by the ultrasonic receiver is converted into a radio signal such as radio waves or light to each store manager's income device. Any other communication form such as output is conceivable.

  The illumination control means 513 performs a control process for blinking the illumination components 124 </ b> A to 124 </ b> E provided in various places of the slot machine 10 according to the control process of the main control circuit 100. The illumination control means 513 reads the lighting pattern data stored in the illumination data storage means 535 based on the signal transmitted from the main control circuit 100 according to the gaming state, and the illumination board 235 (see FIG. 3). ) To turn on predetermined electric decoration parts 124A to 124E.

<<< Error notification control means >>>
The error notification control unit 520 includes a condition setting unit 521, a condition determination unit 522, a notification mode setting unit 523, a normal error notification control unit 524, and a fraud alarm control unit 525. Among these means 521 to 525, the functions of the condition setting means 521, the condition determination means 522 and the notification mode setting means 523 are mainly realized by the sub CPU 206 shown in FIG. 3, and the normal error notification control means 524 and the fraud alarm control means. The functions relating to the image and sound 525 are realized by the image control unit 220 shown in FIG. Moreover, the function regarding the electrical decoration of the normal error notification control means 524 and the fraud warning control means 525 is realized by the sub CPU 206 shown in FIG.

  The condition setting means 521 determines conditions for enabling the setting change of the error notification mode using images, sounds, or electrical decorations. As described above, in the slot machine 10 of this embodiment, two types of notification modes can be selected as error notification modes, and the details of error notification in each notification mode can be set in detail. It has become. However, the matters such as the error notification mode, notification mode, and notification content are important factors for notifying the store manager of the occurrence of an error, and in particular, if the setting of the fraud alarm is easily changed, the slot machine 10 It becomes a security problem. Therefore, in the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the condition setting unit 521 sets a predetermined condition that must be satisfied in order to enable not only the error notification mode to be set but also the error notification mode to be changed. It is set up. Only when the predetermined condition set by the condition setting unit 521 is satisfied, the setting of the error notification mode by the notification mode setting unit 523 described later can be changed.

  The predetermined condition set in the condition setting means 521 is not particularly limited as long as it can determine whether or not the condition is satisfied in the control processing of the slot machine 10. The predetermined condition determined by the condition setting unit 521 is stored in the condition setting data storage unit 531 of the data storage unit 530 described later. The conditions for enabling the setting change of the error notification mode are exemplified in the setting change condition table of FIG.

  For example, as condition A, it is conceivable to turn on a setting change key (not shown) that sets the payout rate of the slot machine 10 in the range of “1” to “6”. Normally, the setting change key is owned only by the store manager, and there is a security significance in that only those who can change the setting of the error notification mode are limited to the store manager.

  As the condition B, it can be considered that the door opening monitoring sensor 452B is turned ON. In general, a dedicated door opening key is required to open the door of the slot machine 10. Normally, the door opening key is owned only by the store manager, and there is a security significance in that only those who can change the setting of the error notification mode are limited to the store manager.

  As condition C, it is conceivable to provide a condition release switch 540 for enabling the setting change of the error notification mode as shown in FIG. 2 and to turn on the condition release switch 540. If only the store manager knows the installation position of the condition cancel switch 540, it becomes difficult for a person other than the store manager to operate the condition cancel switch 540. As a result, there is a security significance in that the person who can change the setting of the error notification mode is limited to the store manager. Such a condition release switch 540 may be installed in advance at a position where the slot machine 10 is difficult to find, or may be installed at an arbitrary position by the store manager after the slot machine 10 is shipped. .

  As the condition D, the main control circuit 100 may receive a predetermined invalid operation signal. The invalid operation signal is an operation signal transmitted when the operation means 300 shown in FIG. 2 is operated, and the main control circuit 100 that has received this operation signal cannot execute a control process related to a predetermined game. .

  FIG. 10 is a set condition combination table illustrating the combinations of the above conditions A to D. As the predetermined condition defined in the condition setting means 521, any one of the conditions A to D can be set in a single manner (see Example 3 in FIG. 10). However, from the viewpoint of security of the slot machine 10, the conditions A to D It is preferable to set any two or more of D in combination (see Example 1, 2, or 4 in FIG. 10). In order to further improve the security of the slot machine 10, it is preferable to combine any three or more of the conditions A to D.

  Further, FIG. 11 is a stepwise setting change table exemplifying a case where the error notification setting change range that is enabled by the combination of the above conditions A to D changes stepwise. As shown in the first and second embodiments, when both the setting change key (not shown) and the door opening monitoring sensor 452B are turned on (condition A + B), it is possible to change the setting of the error notification for the image system and the illumination system. After that, when a predetermined invalid operation signal is received (condition A + B + D), the sound error notification setting may be changed. Accordingly, it is possible to give a highly difficult condition to the setting change of the sound system error notification that is considered to be the most important in the error notification mode.

  On the other hand, as shown in the third and fourth embodiments, when the condition release switch 540 is turned on (condition C), the normal error notification setting can be changed, and then a predetermined invalid operation signal is received. In (Condition C + D), it is possible to change the setting of the fraud alarm. This can make it difficult for a fraudster to make a setting change related to a fraud alarm.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the operation means 300 such as the 1-bet switch 35, the 3-bet switch 36, the start switch 50, or the stop switches 52L, 52C, and 52R is disabled during the normal game. In order to prevent an error notification mode setting change from being started by an operation, a predetermined invalid operation signal is received when the setting change key that cannot be used for normal gaming is ON or the condition release switch is ON. Only in some cases, the setting of the error notification mode can be changed. As specific examples of the invalid operation, the start switch 50 is turned on after the 3-bet switch 36 is turned on (Example 1), and the start switch 50 is turned on twice or more (Example 2). When the first and second stop switches 52L and 52C are simultaneously turned on (Example 3), when the 1-bet switch 35 or the 3-bet switch 36 and the start switch 50 are simultaneously turned on (Example) The invalid operation of various operation means 300 such as 4) can be set as a condition for changing the setting.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the condition determination unit 522 determines whether or not the condition set in the condition setting unit 521 described above is satisfied. If it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the error notification by the notification mode setting unit 523 is performed. It is possible to change the setting of the mode. Such control processing by the condition determining means 522 will be described in detail later with reference to the setting change condition determining subroutine of FIG.

  In the notification mode setting means 523, the setting items of the notification mode related to the normal error notification and the fraud alarm are defined in detail, and image data for changing the setting of the notification mode as shown in FIGS. Then, it is read from a notification mode setting data storage means 532 described later, and is sequentially displayed on the liquid crystal display device 70 to execute a setting change operation. The control process by the notification mode setting means 523 will be described in detail later with reference to the normal error notification setting change subroutine of FIG. 6 and the fraud alarm setting change subroutine of FIG.

  The normal error notification control unit 524 is configured to notify the normal error set in the notification mode setting unit 523 when the error determination unit 440 that has received the signal from the normal error detection unit 451 determines that some normal error has occurred. Accordingly, the normal error notification is executed by controlling the image displayed on the image display device 70, the sound output from the speaker 64, and the lighting of the electrical decoration components 124A to 124E. The mode of error notification by the normal error notification control means 524 is such that any person can easily recognize that some error has occurred in the slot machine 10. The normal error notification mode will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS.

  The fraud alarm control means 525 is a normal error notification or silent alarm set in the notification mode setting means 523 when the error determination means 440 that has received the signal from the fraud detection means 452 determines that some kind of fraud has occurred. In any one of the notification modes, control processing for notifying that an illegal act has occurred is executed.

  Here, when the normal error notification is selected as the fraud warning notification mode shown in FIG. 17A, the setting items as shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 are performed in the same manner as the normal error notification control means 524 described above. The error notification is performed in such a manner that any person can easily recognize that some sort of fraud has occurred.

  On the other hand, when silent alarm is selected as the fraud alarm notification mode shown in FIG. 17 (a), the game can be played as usual even after the error determination means 440 determines an error that may be fraudulent. A silent alarm disguised as an image, sound (including BGM, sound effects, and ultrasonic waves that cannot be heard with human ears) or electrical decorations used for effects during the game will be notified.

  As a silent alarm using an image, for example, an effect in which all or part of an effect image displayed on the image display device 70 during a normal game can be changed. A dedicated effect image that is not normally displayed may be displayed as an alarm according to the type of fraud. In addition, an effect image in which some characters, items, or backgrounds of a normal effect image that is normally displayed are partially changed may be displayed as an alarm. Further, after the error determination means 440 determines the fraudulent act, even if a false chance effect is displayed over a plurality of unit games as if a special role (bonus) is won in the role lottery means 410 or a winning is expected. Good.

  As a silent alarm using sound, for example, a dedicated BGM or sound effect that is not normally used according to the type of fraud may be output as an alarm. In addition, pseudo noise (for example, intentionally created mechanical noise that does not occur in the slot machine 10, howling, exhaust sound of a car driving on the street, general mobile phone ring tone, etc.) is added to the same BGM or sound effect as usual. You may output it repeatedly. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the audio control means 512 includes an ultrasonic generator 512a, and an ultrasonic alarm that cannot be heard without the intervention of the ultrasonic audible means 701 built in the income apparatus 700 can be output.

  As a silent alarm using electrical decoration, for example, the lighting pattern of the electrical components 124A to 124E is not different from usual, but the lighting time is longer or shorter than usual, the lighting brightness is dark or bright, blinking It is good also as lighting patterns, such as slow or fast. Alternatively, only the lighting component 124A at the upper end, only the lighting components 124B and 124D on the upper left and upper left, and only the lighting components 124C and 124E on the upper and lower right may be turned on.

<<< Data storage means >>>
The data storage unit 530 stores image data, sound data, and illumination data used for the control processing of the effect control unit 510 and the error notification control unit 520 described above. The data storage unit 530 includes the condition setting data storage unit 531, the notification mode setting data storage unit 532, the image system data storage unit 533, the sound system data storage unit 534, and the illumination system data storage unit 535. And are included.

  The condition setting data storage unit 531 stores condition setting data for enabling the setting of the error notification mode set in the condition setting unit 521 described above. The condition setting data storage means 531 is realized by a partial storage area of the volatile backup RAM 210 shown in FIG.

  The notification mode setting data storage unit 532 stores the normal error notification and the fraud alarm notification mode setting data set in the above-described notification mode setting unit 523. This notification mode setting data storage means 532 is realized by a partial storage area of the volatile backup RAM 210 shown in FIG.

  The image data storage unit 533 stores data necessary for displaying an image on the image display device 70, for example, model data, texture data, motion data, and the like that constitute an effect image displayed during the game. Yes. In addition, image data (see FIGS. 13 to 18) displayed when the notification mode setting unit 523 described above changes the setting of the normal error notification and the fraud alarm notification mode is also stored. Further, image data used for normal error notification displayed by the above-described normal error notification control unit 524 and image data used for a fraud alarm displayed by the fraud alarm control unit 525 are also stored. The image data storage unit 533 corresponds to the nonvolatile image data ROM 223 shown in FIG. The image system data stored in the image data ROM 223 is read out to the main RAM 224 and the video RAM 225 after the sub-control circuit 200 is activated after the power is turned on, and used for effects during the game.

  The sound data storage means 534 stores sound data such as BGM and sound effects used for effects during the game, BGM used as normal error notification and fraud alarm, sound effects, synthesized sound, and pseudo noise. The nonvolatile sound ROM 232 shown in FIG.

  The illumination data data storage means 535 stores lighting pattern data of the illumination components 124A to 124E used for the effects during the game. In addition, lighting pattern data of the electrical components 124A to 124E used as normal error notification and fraud alarm are also stored. Such an electrical data storage unit 535 is realized by a partial storage area of the nonvolatile control ROM 208 shown in FIG.

<Explanation of control means of slot machine>
The control means for controlling the slot machine 10 is constituted by the main control circuit 100 and the sub control circuit 200 as described above. Here, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main control circuit 100 and the sub control circuit 200. In the following description, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 or FIG.

<< Description of main control circuit >>
In FIG. 3, the start switch 50 included in the operation means 300 described above is connected to the interface circuit 102 of the main control circuit 100, and the interface circuit 102 is connected to the input / output bus 104. The reel rotation start signal transmitted from the start switch 50 is converted into a desired signal by the interface circuit 102 and then supplied to the input / output bus 104. A data signal or an address signal is input / output to / from the main CPU 106 via the input / output bus 104.

  Further, stop switches 52L, 52C, and 52R, a 1-bet switch 35, and a 3-bet switch 36, which are other operation means 300, are also connected to the interface circuit 102. Signals transmitted from these buttons and switches are also supplied to the interface circuit 102, converted into desired signals, and then supplied to the main CPU 106 via the input / output bus 104.

  A ROM 108 and a RAM 110 are also connected to the input / output bus 104. The ROM 108 stores a control program for controlling the entire flow of the slot machine 10 and initial data for executing the control program. For example, the game progress main routine shown in FIG. 4 described later and initial data for use in these programs are stored. The RAM 110 can temporarily store flags and variable values used in the control program described above.

  A random number generator 412 for generating random numbers is also connected to the input / output bus 104. The random number generator 412 generates a random number included in a certain range of numerical values, for example, 0 to 65535 (2 to the 16th power). Note that the main CPU 106 may be configured to generate a random number by the arithmetic processing.

  A motor drive circuit 114 is connected to the input / output bus 104. The motor driving circuit 114 is connected to stepping motors 80L, 80C, and 80R that rotationally drive each of the three reels 40L, 40C, and 40R. The stepping motors 80L, 80C, and 80R are provided inside the three reels 40L, 40C, and 40R, respectively, and are attached so that the rotation shafts of the stepping motors 80L, 80C, and 80R are the rotation centers of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R. It is.

  The drive control command issued from the main CPU 106 is converted into a drive signal by the motor drive circuit 114, and the drive signal is supplied to the stepping motors 80L, 80C and 80R. The drive control command includes a rotation speed command, and performs rotation control and stop control of the stepping motors 80L, 80C, and 80R, and also performs rotation speed control. The main CPU 106 controls the rotation and stop of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R and controls the rotation speed by controlling the stepping motors 80L, 80C, and 80R.

  Each of the reels 40L, 40C and 40R is provided with a rotation angle position sensor (not shown) for detecting the rotation angle position, and each rotation angle position sensor is connected to the reel rotation angle position detection circuit 116. is there. Signals indicating the rotation angle positions of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R emitted from the rotation angle position sensors are supplied to the reel rotation angle position detection circuit 116, converted into predetermined signals, and then supplied to the input / output bus 104. Is done. The main CPU 106 calculates a symbol number from the supplied rotation angle position, and identifies the symbol displayed in the display window 22.

  The interface circuit 102 is also connected with a power monitoring sensor 452A, a door opening monitoring sensor 452B, a setting monitoring sensor 452C, and a payout monitoring sensor 452D as fraud detection means 452. Signals transmitted from the sensors 452A to 452D are supplied to the interface circuit 102, converted into desired signals, and then supplied to the main CPU 106 via the input / output bus 104.

  Further, a power supply device 91 is connected to the interface circuit 102 via a power receiving substrate 92, and drive power is supplied from the power supply device 91 to the main control circuit 100. Further, the main control circuit 100 is connected to the sub control circuit 200 through a connection line 118 connected to the interface circuit 102.

<< Description of Sub-Control Circuit >>
In FIG. 3, the connection line 118 described above is connected to the interface circuit 202 of the sub-control circuit 200, and the interface circuit 202 is connected to the input / output bus 204. A signal transmitted from the main control circuit 100 to the sub control circuit 200 is converted into a desired signal by the interface circuit 202 and then supplied to the input / output bus 204. A data signal or an address signal is input / output to / from the sub CPU 206 via the input / output bus 204.

  A control ROM 208 and a backup RAM 210 are also connected to the input / output bus 204. The control ROM 208 stores a program for controlling the image display device 70, the speaker 64, and the electrical component 124, and initial data for executing this control program. For example, a setting change condition determination subroutine shown in FIG. 5 described later, a normal error notification setting change subroutine shown in FIG. 6, an unauthorized alarm setting change subroutine shown in FIG. 7, a silent alarm control processing subroutine shown in FIG. 8, and these programs are used. The initial data for storing is stored.

  Further, the backup RAM 210 temporarily stores information on the gaming state and the result of the lottery transmitted from the main control circuit 100, and information on the control state of effects in the sub control circuit 200. In addition to this, the present embodiment relates to a predetermined condition for enabling the setting change of the error notification mode set by the condition setting unit 521, the error notification mode changed by the notification mode setting unit 523, and the like. Information is also stored in the storage area of the backup RAM 210. The setting change condition regarding the error notification mode stored in the backup RAM 210 and the content after the error notification mode is changed are maintained without being updated until another condition or a new setting change is performed. Even if the power of the slot machine 10 is turned off, the sub-control circuit 200 may be provided with a backup power supply (not shown) so that the contents stored in the backup RAM 210 are maintained.

  An electrical circuit board 235 is connected to the interface circuit 202, and the sub CPU 206 transmits a command to the electrical circuit board 235 via the interface circuit 202, and lamps provided in various places of the slot machine 10, 7 segment display The electrical component 124 such as a vessel is blinked.

  An image control unit 220 that displays effect images is connected to the input / output bus 204, and the image control unit 220 includes a VDP 221 and an image reproduction CPU 222. A video RAM 225 and an image display device 70 are connected to the VDP 221, and an image data ROM 223 and a main RAM 224 are connected to the image reproduction CPU 222.

  The image reproduction CPU 222 once transfers the image data stored in the image data ROM 223 to the main RAM 224 and transfers this image data to the VDP 221. The VDP 221 uses the image data stored in the video RAM 225 to cause the image display device 70 to display a predetermined effect image and an error notification mode setting change screen as shown in FIGS. 13 to 18.

  A sound source circuit 231 is connected to the image reproduction CPU 222, and the image reproduction CPU 222 performs control such as synchronizing the display timing of the effect image and the output timing of the effect sound. The sound source circuit 231 reads various sound data such as BGM, sound effect, electronic sound, and synthesized sound stored in the sound ROM 232 according to a command from the image reproduction CPU 222, and performs a predetermined effect from the speaker 64 via the amplifier 234. Output sound.

  Furthermore, the sound source circuit 231 of the present embodiment includes an ultrasonic generator 512a for outputting an ultrasonic alarm that is one aspect of the silent alarm described above. In the case where the ultrasonic generator 512a may interfere with the sound source circuit 231, the ultrasonic generator 512a may be provided separately from the sound source circuit 231.

  The interface circuit 202 is also connected to the condition cancel switch 540 described above. As described above, it is preferable in terms of security that the condition release switch 540 is installed at a position that is difficult to find in the housing of the slot machine 10.

  Similarly to the main control circuit 100 described above, a power supply device 91 is connected to the interface circuit 202 via a power receiving board 92, and drive power is supplied from the power supply device 91 to the sub control circuit 200. Furthermore, the power supply circuit 91 is also connected to the above-described electrical decoration board 235.

<Description of slot machine control processing>
Hereinafter, various controls performed by the control unit of the slot machine 10 described above will be described in detail with reference to flowcharts.

<< Control processing of main control circuit >>
First, control processing executed by the main control circuit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a game progress main routine executed by the main control circuit 100 of the slot machine 10. The game progress main routine of FIG. 4 mainly shows a control process when a unit game is performed once until a process based on the result of rotating and stopping a plurality of reels displaying a plurality of symbols.

  First, in step S10, the slot machine 10 is powered on. For example, the doors of the slot machines 10 are individually opened and the power switch 90 (see FIG. 3) is turned on to turn on the power one by one, or the switcher breaker switch (not shown) is turned on to be installed on the island facility. The power of the plurality of slot machines 10, 10, 10...

  In the slot machine 10 that has been turned on, a predetermined activation process is executed (step S11). In the activation process in step S11, for example, provisional stack pointer setting, interrupt mode setting, ROM 108 (see FIG. 3) check, setting value error check, RAM 110 (see FIG. 3) check and initialization, interrupt activation Etc. are performed.

  When the activation process in step S11 is completed, the main control circuit 100 enters a game standby state (a state in which a game is possible due to insertion of a game medium but no game is being performed). At this time, the main control circuit 100 transmits a signal to the sub-control circuit 200, and the sub-control circuit 200 that has received this signal confirms the completion of activation of the main control circuit 100.

  Here, when performing the setting change process of the payout rate of the slot machine 10, the power switch 90 is temporarily turned OFF, then a setting key switch (not shown) is turned ON, and the power switch 90 is turned ON again. As a result, it is possible to change the setting value of the slot machine 10 to, for example, “1” to “6”. Thereafter, the setting key switch (not shown) is turned off to complete the setting change of the payout rate, and the main control circuit 100 enters the game standby state with the changed setting value.

  Next, in step S12, it is determined whether or not the slot machine 10 is set to a state where replaying is performed. The process of setting the re-gaming state is performed in a winning determination / flag process (step S18) described later.

  When it is determined that the re-gaming state is not set (NO), the set bet number is determined on the basis of an operation signal generated by the player operating the 1-bet switch 35 or the 3-bet switch 36. (Step S13). This set bet number indicates the number of game media that are to bet for one game (only three in this embodiment).

  Furthermore, the set bet number is not limited to the number of game media that are betted after being temporarily accumulated as the credit amount described above, and the game that is inserted from the game media slot 38 and directly targeted for bet. Includes the number of media.

  When a game medium is inserted, the inserted number counted by the game medium counter installed below the game medium insertion port 38 is detected as the bet number. However, when the number of game media exceeding the specified number (three in this embodiment) is inserted, the game media exceeding the specified number is stored in the RAM 110 as the number of credits.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S12 that the re-gaming state is set (YES), the process proceeds to step S14, the setting of the re-gaming state is canceled, and a game medium is newly inserted or credited. The game can be played again without consuming game media.

  Next, in step S15, it is determined whether or not the start switch 50 is turned on by the player. If it is determined that the start switch 50 is not turned on (NO), the process of step S15 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the start switch 50 has been turned on (YES), the process proceeds to step S16, and a combination lottery process is executed.

  In the combination lottery processing subroutine in step S16, combination lottery processing is performed by the combination lottery means 410 (see FIG. 3), and the RB flag, BB flag, replay flag, and corresponding general combination flag are turned on according to the winning combination. A flag on process is performed.

  Subsequent to the winning lottery process (step S16), based on the winning lottery result, a reel variation / stop process is performed in which a control process related to the movement of the reels to be stopped after rotating the reels 40L, 40C, 40R is performed (step S17). ). This reel variation / stop process is performed by the reel control means 420 (see FIG. 3). The reel control means 420 determines whether or not there is a winning combination. If it is determined that there is a winning combination, if there is a symbol corresponding to the winning combination within the reel stop possible range, the symbol is displayed as an effective line. Stop at L1, L2A, L2B, L3A, L3B (see FIG. 1).

  Next, the process proceeds to step S18, where a winning symbol determination process is performed, and a flag process is performed based on the determination result. First, it is determined whether or not the gaming state is RB gaming or BB gaming. If it is determined that the gaming state is RB gaming or BB gaming, RB or BB gaming processing advantageous to the player is executed.

  In step S18, if it is determined that the player is neither in the RB game nor in the BB game, it is determined whether or not the general player or the re-player is won, and the necessary flag processing or re-play state is entered. Set up. By setting the re-game state, the next game is determined to be a re-game (see step S12).

  Next, the process proceeds to step S19, where a process of paying out the number of game media corresponding to the winning combination is executed, and this main routine is terminated. Thereby, the control process for performing a game in which one process from when the symbol fluctuates until it stops is completed.

<< Sub-control circuit control processing >>
Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8 regarding setting change condition determination regarding error notification, setting change regarding error notification, and special silent alarm control processing performed in the sub-control circuit 200, FIGS. 9 to 18 are necessary. The explanation will be made with reference to.

<<< Setting Change Condition Determination Subroutine >>>
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a setting change condition determination subroutine executed by the condition determination means 522 of the sub control circuit 200. FIGS. 13A and 13B are explanatory diagrams showing an error notification setting change screen displayed on the image display device 70 during execution of the setting change condition determination subroutine. Hereinafter, the setting change condition determination subroutine will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 13A and 13B.

  As described above, in the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, the setting of the error notification mode can be changed unless one of the predetermined conditions shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 preset by the condition setting unit 521 is satisfied. Can not. Whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied is determined by the condition determining means 522. In the following description, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the condition A + B + D shown in Example 2 in FIG. 10 is set in the condition setting unit 521, and as an invalid operation of the condition D, Example 1 shown in FIG. Is set.

  In step S20 of FIG. 5, the condition determining means 522 determines whether or not the door opening monitoring sensor 452B is turned on. If it is determined that the door opening monitoring sensor 452B is not ON (NO), the determination in step S20 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the door opening monitoring sensor 452B is turned on (YES), the process proceeds to step S21 to determine whether or not the setting change key is turned on.

  If it is determined in step S21 that the setting change key is not ON (NO), the determination in step S21 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the setting change key has been turned on (YES), the process proceeds to step S22 to determine whether or not the 3-bet switch 36 has been turned on. If the setting change key is ON, the setting bet number determination process shown in step S13 of FIG. 4 cannot be performed, and the ON operation of the 3-bet switch 36 in this case is invalid that does not affect the game. It becomes operation. The condition determination means 522 performs an invalid operation of the 3-bet switch 36 that matches the conditions of the present embodiment based on the setting change key being ON and the operation signal transmitted from the 3-bet switch 36. It is judged whether there was.

  If it is determined in step S22 that the 3-bet switch 36 is not ON (NO), the determination in step S22 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the 3-bet switch 36 is turned on (YES), the process proceeds to step S23 to determine whether the start switch 50 is turned on. When the setting change key is ON, no game can be performed, and the ON operation of the start switch 50 in this case is an invalid operation that does not affect the game. Based on the fact that the setting change key is ON and the operation signal transmitted from the start switch 50, the condition determination unit 522 determines whether or not there has been an invalid operation of the start switch 50 that meets the conditions of the present embodiment. Judging.

  If it is determined in step S23 that the start switch 50 is not ON (NO), the determination in step S23 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the start switch 50 has been turned on (YES), the process proceeds to step S24, and a setting change screen for confirming whether or not to change the setting related to error notification as shown in FIG. Is displayed on the image display device 70. The setting change screen shown in FIG. 13A includes characters “Do you want to change the setting for error notification?” And selection display of “YES” and “NO”. By selecting either “YES” or “NO”, it is determined whether or not to change the error notification setting.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the selection switch on the setting change screen displayed on the image display device 70 is moved by the start switch 50 formed of a joystick that can be operated in the up, down, left, and right diagonal directions, and the 1-bet Selection or cancellation of the selection is performed by pushing any one of the operation means 300 such as the switch 35, the 3-bet switch 36 or the stop switches 52L, 52C, 52R. It is also possible to employ a configuration in which a dedicated joystick and a switch for performing a selection operation on the setting change screen are provided in the casing of the slot machine 10, preferably in the casing.

  In step S25, it is determined whether or not to change the error notification setting. The condition determining means 522 makes the determination in step S25 based on which of the selection items “YES” or “NO” on the setting change screen shown in FIG. If “NO” on the setting change screen shown in FIG. 13A is selected, it is determined that the error notification setting is not changed (NO), and the control of this subroutine is performed without performing the subsequent processing. The process ends.

  On the other hand, if “YES” in the setting change screen shown in FIG. 13A is selected in step S25, it is determined that the error notification setting is changed (YES), and the process proceeds to step S26, and FIG. A setting change screen for selecting an error notification for changing the setting shown in FIG. In the setting change screen shown in FIG. 13B, the characters “Please select the error notification to change the settings”, the selection items of “normal error notification” and “illegal alarm”, and these selections Each item has a corresponding check box.

  Proceeding to step S27, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the setting change screen of step S26 was displayed. This predetermined time is a time limit for selecting whether or not to change each of the normal error notification in step S28 and the fraud alarm in step S30, which will be described later. ) Can be corrected any number of times by checking the check boxes corresponding to the selection items of “normal error notification” and “illegal alarm”.

  It should be noted that, without providing such a selection time limit, for example, by operating the operation means 300 such as the 1-bet switch 35, the 3-bet switch 36, or any one of the stop switches 52L, 52C, 52R, FIG. It is also possible to check or cancel the check box 13 (b) and to confirm or cancel the check.

  If it is determined in step S27 that the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO), the determination in step S27 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (YES), it is determined whether or not the selection items of “normal error notification” and “illegal alarm” in FIG. Proceed to

  In step S28, it is determined whether or not to change the normal error notification setting. The condition determining means 522 makes the determination in step S28 based on whether or not the “normal error notification” selection item on the setting change screen shown in FIG. If “normal error notification” in FIG. 13B is selected, it is determined that the setting of the normal error notification is to be changed (YES), the process proceeds to step S29, and the normal error notification setting change subroutine of FIG. Decide to execute the control process. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S30.

  On the other hand, if “normal error notification” in FIG. 13B is not selected in step S28, it is determined that normal error notification setting is not changed (NO), step S29 is omitted, and step S30 is omitted. Proceed to

  In step S30, it is determined whether or not to change the fraud alarm setting. The condition determining means 522 makes the determination in step S30 based on whether or not the “Unauthorized alarm” selection item on the setting change screen shown in FIG. When “Unauthorized alarm” in FIG. 13B is selected, it is determined that the unauthorized alarm setting is changed (YES), the process proceeds to Step S31, and the control process of the unauthorized alarm setting changing subroutine shown in FIG. Decide what to do. Thereafter, the control processing of this subroutine is terminated.

  On the other hand, if “Unauthorized alarm” in FIG. 13B is not selected in step S30, it is determined that the unauthorized alarm setting is not changed (NO), and the control processing of this subroutine is terminated as it is.

<<< Normal error notification setting change subroutine >>>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a normal error notification setting change subroutine executed by the notification mode setting means 523 of the sub control circuit 200. 14 (a) to 14 (c), 15 (a), 15 (b), and 16 show the normal error notification setting change displayed on the image display device 70 during the execution of the normal error notification setting change subroutine. It is explanatory drawing which shows a screen. Hereinafter, the normal error notification setting change subroutine will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 14 (a) to 14 (c), FIGS. 15 (a), (b), and FIG. 16.

  In the normal error notification setting change subroutine shown in FIG. 6, a control process for changing the setting of the notification mode for all errors occurring in the slot machine 10 is executed. In other words, in this subroutine, in addition to normal errors that occur due to causes other than fraudulent activity, fraud warnings for errors that may be fraudulent, such as power off, door opening, change in the play rate, and excessive payout of game media. The notification mode is also subject to setting change.

  However, if the notification mode of the fraud alarm is changed in this subroutine, the fraud alarm is reported in the same manner as a normal error. In addition, when the silent alarm notification mode is selected in the fraud alarm setting change subroutine shown in FIG. 7, the settings for the fraud alarm changed in this subroutine are invalid (see steps S50 and S52 in FIG. 7). ).

  In step S40, the notification mode setting unit 523 first causes the image display device 70 to display a setting change screen for selecting the type of error notification as shown in FIG. On the setting change screen of FIG. 14A, the characters “Please select the type of error notification.” And the selection items of “notification by image”, “notification by sound” and “notification by electrical decoration” , “ON / OFF” selection display corresponding to these selection items is included.

  In the present embodiment, the notification mode of the selection item set to “ON” in the setting change screen of FIG. 14A is enabled, and the notification mode of the selection item set to “OFF” is disabled. As a result, any one or a combination of two or more of image, sound, and electrical decoration can be arbitrarily selected as an error notification mode. When an error occurs, the arbitrarily selected image, sound, and electrical Error notification is performed by any one or a combination of two or more decorations.

  For example, when only “notification by sound” is set to “ON”, error notification is performed only by sound output from the speaker 64. Further, when both “notification by sound” and “notification by image” are set to “ON”, an error notification is generated by a combination of the sound output from the speaker 64 and the image effect displayed on the image display device 70. Done. Furthermore, when all of “notification by sound”, “notification by image”, and “notification by electrical decoration” are set to “ON”, the sound output from the speaker 64 and the image effect displayed on the image display device 70 are displayed. The error notification is performed in combination with the lighting of the electric decoration parts 124A to 124E.

  However, as will be described later in step S49, it is not possible to set all of “notification by image”, “notification by sound”, and “notification by electrical decoration” to “OFF” on the setting change screen of FIG. It has become. This is because a setting in which an error has occurred but no notification is made has a problem in the management of the slot machine 10 and it is not necessary to make such a setting possible.

  Note that the operation related to the selection of the setting change screen in this subroutine is, for example, the 1-bet switch 35, the 3-bet switch 36, or any stop switch, as in the case of the setting change condition determination subroutine (FIG. 5) described above. This is performed using the operation means 300 such as 52L, 52C, 52R. In step S40, “ON” or “OFF” on the setting change screen of FIG. 14A is selected, and if this selection is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S41.

  In step S41, it is determined whether or not “notification by image” on the setting change screen in FIG. 14A is set to “ON”. When it is determined that “ON” is set (YES), the process proceeds to step S42, and a setting change screen for changing the setting of the image notification mode as shown in FIG. 14B is displayed. In the setting change screen of FIG. 14B, for example, setting items such as “type of image”, “display time for one time”, and “display count” are provided, and a plurality of selection items are provided in each setting item. It is.

  As the “type of image” used for error notification, for example, either “character image” or “error message” can be selected. When “Character Image” is selected, an error is notified by an effect using a predetermined character image when an error occurs. On the other hand, when “error message” is selected, an error notification is displayed in which information about the error that has occurred, a countermeasure, and the like are displayed using characters, a diagram, and the like.

  For example, “10 seconds”, “20 seconds”, or “30 seconds” can be selected as the “one display time” of the image used for error notification. The display time of “character image” and “error message” is changed according to the selected time. For example, the shorter the “one display time”, the simpler the “character image” effect and the “error message” information, and the longer the “one display time”, the “character image” effect and “error”. The information of “message” may be complicated.

  For example, “10 times”, “20 times”, or “∞” can be selected as the “display count” of the image used for error notification. For example, when “10 seconds” is selected as the “one display time” described above, error notification by “character image” or “error message” with one display time of 10 seconds is 10 times or 20 times. Or it will be repeated endlessly.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S43, and a setting change screen for changing the setting of the error notification image pattern as shown in FIG. 14C is displayed. This setting change screen shows various normal errors such as “payout medal empty”, “payout medal jam”, “inserted medal jam”, “RAM error”, etc., although not shown, the power is turned off, the door is opened, the play rate is changed, Various fraudulent acts such as excessive payout of medium, etc. are listed as selection items, and a plurality of “image patterns” used for error notification or fraud alarm corresponding to each of these selection items are “A” and “B”. “C” can be selected by a selection display.

  For example, as the “image pattern” for error notification in FIG. 14C, a plurality of image patterns A, B, C... For which different character images perform error notification are prepared for each type of error. When “character effect” is selected in the “image type” setting item on the setting change screen in FIG. 14B described above, each error type is displayed on the setting change screen in FIG. 14C. An arbitrary “image pattern” is selected from the selection display of “A”, “B”, “C”.

  Also, for example, as error notification “image patterns” in FIG. 14C, error message image patterns A, B, C,... With different message layouts, fonts, color schemes for each part, etc. are prepared for each type of error. To do. When “error message” is selected in the “image type” setting item on the setting change screen in FIG. 14B described above, each error type is displayed on the setting change screen in FIG. 14C. An arbitrary “image pattern” is selected from the selection display of “A”, “B”, “C”.

  When the error notification image pattern setting change in step S43 is completed, and in step S41 described above, “notification by image” on the setting change screen in FIG. 14A is not set to “ON”. Are both determined (NO), both proceed to step S44.

  In step S44, it is determined whether or not “notification by sound” on the setting change screen in FIG. 14A is set to “ON”. When it is determined that “ON” is set (YES), the process proceeds to step S45, and a setting change screen for changing the setting of the sound notification mode as shown in FIG. 15A is displayed. In the setting change screen of FIG. 15A, for example, setting items such as “sound type”, “volume”, “single output time”, and “number of outputs” are provided, and a plurality of selection items are selected in each setting item. Items are provided.

  As the “sound type” used for error notification, for example, “electronic sound”, “BGM”, or “synthesized speech” can be selected. When “electronic sound” is selected, error notification is performed by a predetermined electronic sound corresponding to the type of error that has occurred. When “BGM” is selected, error notification is performed by BGM of a predetermined song corresponding to the type of error that has occurred. Further, when “synthetic speech” is selected, information such as the type of error that has occurred and a coping method is notified by synthetic speech.

  As the “volume” of the sound used for error notification, for example, one of three levels “high”, “medium”, and “small” can be selected. However, the selection item is not limited to such a three-stage selection item. For example, any of the numbers “1” to “10” may be input, or the setting change screen illustrated in FIG. It is also possible to display the volume adjusting means (for example, a knob or a dial) and set it steplessly.

  For example, “30 seconds”, “1 minute”, or “∞” can be selected as the “single output time” of the sound used for error notification. The continuous or repeated output time of “electronic sound”, “BGM”, or “synthesized speech” is changed by the selected length of time. For example, when “one output time” is set to “30 seconds” and “electronic sound” is selected, a monotone electronic sound is output continuously for 30 seconds, or an electronic sound shorter than 30 seconds. Sound will be output repeatedly for 30 seconds. If “BGM” is selected, a BGM with the length of one song adjusted to 30 seconds is output continuously for 30 seconds, or a BGM with a song length shorter than 30 seconds is repeated for 30 seconds. Will be output. Furthermore, if “synthesized speech” is selected, sentence information whose contents are adjusted to be within 30 seconds is output continuously for 30 seconds, or short word information such as an error type is output repeatedly for 30 seconds. Will be.

  For example, “10 times”, “20 times”, or “∞” can be selected as the “output count” of the sound used for error notification. For example, when “10 seconds” is selected as the “single output time” described above, error notification by “electronic sound”, “BGM”, or “synthesized speech” with a display time of 10 seconds is performed 10 times. , Will be repeated 20 times or endlessly.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S46, and a setting change screen for changing the setting of the error notification sound pattern as shown in FIG. 15B is displayed. Similarly to FIG. 14 (c) described above, various normal errors and various illegal acts (not shown) are listed as selection items, and a plurality of error notifications or fraud alarms are used corresponding to these selection items. “Sound pattern” can be selected by selecting and displaying “A”, “B”, “C”.

  For example, different electronic sound patterns A, B, C,... Are prepared for each type of error as the error notification “sound pattern” in FIG. Then, when “electronic sound” is selected in the “sound type” setting item on the setting change screen in FIG. 15A described above, on the setting change screen in FIG. An arbitrary “sound pattern” is selected from among the selection displays “A”, “B”, “C”.

  Further, for example, BGM sound patterns A, B, C,... Of different songs are prepared for each type of error as the “sound pattern” of error notification in FIG. When “BGM” is selected in the “Sound type” setting item on the setting change screen of FIG. 15A described above, any error type is arbitrarily set on the setting change screen of FIG. 15B. The “sound pattern” of “A”, “B”, “C”...

  Further, when outputting information such as error type and coping method by “synthesized speech”, as “sound pattern” of error notification in FIG. 15B, for example, A = male voice, B = female voice, Variations such as C = robot voices can be provided. Alternatively, variations such as A = standard language, B = Kansai dialect, C = Tohoku dialect, etc. may be provided. When “synthetic speech” is selected in the “sound type” setting item in the setting change screen of FIG. 15A described above, each error type is displayed on the setting change screen of FIG. 15B. An arbitrary “sound pattern” is selected from among the selection displays “A”, “B”, “C”.

  When the error notification sound pattern setting change in step S46 is completed, and in step S44 described above, “notification by sound” in the setting change screen of FIG. 15A is not set to “ON”. Are both determined (NO), both proceed to step S47.

  In step S47, it is determined whether or not “notification by electrical decoration” on the setting change screen in FIG. 14A is set to “ON”. When it is determined that “ON” is set (YES), the process proceeds to step S48, and a setting change screen for changing the setting of the notification mode by electrical decoration as shown in FIG. 16 is displayed. The setting change screen of FIG. 16 is used to change the setting for the error notification lighting pattern, and corresponds to the setting change screens of FIGS. 14C and 15B described above.

  The setting change screen of FIG. 16 also lists various normal errors and various illegal acts (not shown) as selection items, similar to the above-described FIG. 14C and FIG. 15B. Correspondingly, a plurality of “lighting patterns” used for error notification or fraud alarm can be selected by selecting and displaying “A”, “B”, “C”.

  For example, as the “lighting pattern” of the error notification in FIG. 16, lighting patterns A, B, C,... Of different electrical components 124A to 124D are prepared for each type of error. For example, A = only lighting parts 124A are lit, B = lighting parts 124B and 124C are simultaneously lit, C = lighting parts 124D and 124E are lit simultaneously, E = lighting parts 124B and 124D are lit simultaneously, F = lighting parts 124C And 124E simultaneous lighting, G = lighting components 124A, 124C, 124E, 124D, 124B in the order of lighting in a clockwise direction, and so on. Then, any “sound pattern” is selected for each error type from the selection display of “A”, “B”, “C”.

  When the setting change of the error notification lighting pattern in step S47 is completed, the control processing of this subroutine ends. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S47 that “notification by electrical decoration” on the setting change screen in FIG. 14A is not set to “ON” (NO), the process proceeds to step S49, and FIG. It is determined whether either “notification by image” or “notification by sound” on the setting change screen is set to “ON”. When it is determined that any of the notifications is set to “ON” (YES), the control processing of this subroutine is finished as it is.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S49 that neither “notification by image” nor “notification by sound” on the setting change screen in FIG. The control process of S47 is repeated. That is, “notification by image”, “notification by sound”, and “notification by electrical decoration” cannot all be set to “OFF”. This is because there is a problem in the management of the slot machine 10 in such a setting that no error is reported even though an error has occurred.

  The control process of steps S41 to S47 is repeated, and if “notification by electrical decoration” is set to “ON”, it is determined in step S47 (YES), and then the control process of this subroutine is terminated through step S48. . On the other hand, if either “notification by image” or “notification by sound” is set to “ON”, it is determined in step S49 (YES), and the control processing of this subroutine is ended as it is.

<<< Incorrect alarm setting change subroutine >>>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a fraud alarm setting change subroutine executed by the notification mode setting means 523 of the sub control circuit 200. FIGS. 17A to 17C and FIGS. 18A to 18C are explanatory diagrams showing fraud alarm setting change screens displayed on the image display device 70 during execution of the fraud alarm setting change subroutine. It is. Hereinafter, the fraud alarm setting change subroutine will be described with reference to FIGS. 7, 17A to 18C, and FIGS. 18A to 18C.

  In the fraud alarm setting change subroutine shown in FIG. 7, a fraud alarm notification mode is set for an error that may cause an illegal act such as power-off to the slot machine 10, door opening, change in the payout rate, and excessive payout of game media. Control processing for changing is executed. In particular, the main content of this subroutine is control processing for setting and changing the notification mode of the silent alarm disguised so as not to be detected by an unauthorized person.

  In step S50, the notification mode setting unit 523 first causes the image display device 70 to display a setting change screen for selecting a fraud alarm notification mode as shown in FIG. On the setting change screen of FIG. 17A, the characters “Please select the alarm mode for fraud alarm”, the selection items “Same as normal error notification”, “Silent alarm”, and these selection items Each has a corresponding checkbox. By checking any of these check boxes, the alarm mode of the fraud alarm can be set to either “normal error notification same” or “silent alarm”.

  Note that the operations related to selection of the setting change screen in this subroutine are the same as those in the setting change condition determination subroutine (FIG. 5) and the normal error notification setting change subroutine (FIG. 6) described above, for example, the 1-bet switch 35, The operation is performed using the operation means 300 such as the 3-bet switch 36 or any one of the stop switches 52L, 52C, 52R. In step S50, if any check box on the setting change screen in FIG. 17A is checked and the check is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S51.

  In step S51, it is determined whether or not the silent alarm is selected as the fraud alarm notification mode. The notification mode setting means 523 makes the determination in step S51 based on whether or not the check box corresponding to the “silent alarm” on the setting change screen shown in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S51 that the check box corresponding to the “silent alarm” on the setting change screen shown in FIG. 17A is not selected (NO), the control processing of this subroutine is terminated as it is. In this case, the setting of the notification mode of the fraud alarm changed in the normal error notification setting change subroutine shown in FIG. 6 is valid, and the fraud alarm is reported in the same manner as the normal error (step S41 in FIG. 6). To S48).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S51 that the check box corresponding to the “silent alarm” on the setting change screen shown in FIG. 17A is selected (YES), the process proceeds to step S52, and the normal error notification shown in FIG. The setting of the notification mode of the fraud alarm whose setting has been changed in the setting change subroutine is invalidated. As a result, if an error that may result in fraudulent actions such as power OFF, door opening, change in the payout rate, or excessive payout of game media occurs, the image, sound, And a silent warning of a predetermined form using at least any one of electric decoration is notified.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S53, and a setting change screen for selecting the type of silent alarm as shown in FIG. In the setting change screen of FIG. 17B, the characters “Please select the type of silent alarm.” And the selection items of “alarm by image”, “alarm by sound”, “alarm by illumination” , “ON / OFF” selection display corresponding to these selection items is included.

  As in the case of the normal error notification shown in FIG. 14A described above, the notification mode of the selection item set to “ON” in the setting change screen in FIG. 17B becomes valid and the selection set to “OFF”. The alarm mode of the item is made invalid. As a result, any one or a combination of two or more of image, sound, and illumination can be selected as the mode of silent alarm, and it is arbitrarily selected when an error that may cause fraud occurs. A silent alarm is notified by any one or a combination of two or more of the image, sound, and illumination. In addition, the specific alarm aspect of the image, sound, and electrical decoration as a silent alarm will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S54, and a setting change screen for selecting a related process of silent alarm as shown in FIG. In the setting change screen of FIG. 17C, the characters “Please select the relevant processing for silent alarm.” And the selection items of “External output of occurrence of fraud” and “Normal notification after alarm end” And a selection display of “Yes / No” corresponding to these selection items.

  When “External output of occurrence of fraud” on the setting change screen of FIG. 17C is set to “Yes”, an error that may cause fraud is detected by the error determination unit 440 shown in FIG. The fraud alarm control means 525 transmits a signal to a hall computer installed on the store side via a control board that can output a signal to the outside (not shown) to notify that an error that may be fraudulent has been detected. In other words, the slot machine 10 where the fraudulent act has been performed is notified of a silent alarm disguised so as not to be perceived by the fraudster, while the hall computer has the serial number of the slot machine 10 where the fraudulent act has been performed. , Information such as the types of errors that could be fraudulently communicated clearly. On the other hand, when “External output of occurrence of fraud” is set to “No”, signal transmission to the hall computer as described above is not performed.

  In this embodiment, the fraud alarm control means 525 of the sub control circuit 200 notifies the hall computer of error detection via a control board (not shown). It is also possible for the means 440 to notify error detection directly to the hall computer via a control board (not shown).

  On the other hand, when “normal notification after alarm end” on the setting change screen in FIG. 17C is set to “Yes”, normal error notification is performed after the silent alarm notification by the unauthorized alarm control means 525 shown in FIG. Normal error notification is executed by the control means 524. In other words, although a silent alarm is notified for the predetermined time set in this subroutine, after the predetermined time has elapsed, the occurrence of an illegal act is clearly notified in the same notification manner as a normal error. On the other hand, when “normal notification after the end of alarm” is set to “not”, the notification in the same notification mode as the normal error is not performed after the notification by the silent alarm as described above.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S55, and it is determined whether or not “alarm by image” on the setting change screen of FIG. 17B is set to “ON”. When it is determined that “ON” is set (YES), the process proceeds to step S56, and a setting change screen for changing the setting of the alarm mode by the image as shown in FIG. 18A is displayed. In the setting change screen of FIG. 18A, for example, setting items such as “alarm timing”, “image change location”, “false chance effect”, and “alarm time” are provided, and a plurality of selection items are selected in each setting item. Items are provided.

  As the “alarm timing” at which the silent alarm is notified, for example, any one of “during normal game”, “during special game”, and “always” can be selected. When “During normal game” is selected, a special effect image as a silent alarm is displayed on a part or all of the effect image in the normal game state where the special role such as the BB role is not won. Become.

  In addition, when “special game” is selected, a special effect image as a silent alarm is added to a part or all of the effect image in a special game state that is advantageous to the player by winning the special role such as the BB role. Will be displayed. Unauthorized acts such as changing the setting of the unapproved ball rate or exchanging ROMs result in a large amount of scammed medals by winning special roles, so a silent alarm is notified during “special game”.

  Furthermore, when “always” is selected, a special effect image as a silent alarm is always displayed on a part or all of the effect image during the game regardless of the normal or special game state. Become. Since the effect image during the game always includes a dedicated effect image as a silent alarm, it can be said that the notification timing is most easily found by the store manager.

  As the “image change location” of the silent alarm, for example, a component of the effect image such as “character”, “item”, and “background” can be selected. Further, for example, a plurality of selection items of “character”, “item”, and “background” may be selected and combined.

  When “character” is selected, the character image in the effect image displayed at the timing selected in the “alarm timing” described above is changed to a character image different from the normal effect image. In addition, when “item” is selected, the item image in the effect image displayed at the timing selected in the above “alarm timing”, for example, the winning of the possession or clothes of the character image, or the small role is notified. Therefore, the product image or the like is changed to an item image different from the normal effect image. Furthermore, when “background” is selected, the background image in the effect image displayed at the timing selected in the “alarm timing” described above, for example, an image of the daytime sky, the evening sky or the nighttime sky, etc. However, it is changed to a background image different from the normal effect image.

  For fraudsters, production images with such changes in “character”, “item”, and “background” are extremely likely to be displayed as fraudsters who do not know that such production images are warnings. While it is recognized that the image is a low rare image (so-called rare image), the store manager recognizes it as a warning for a predefined fraud.

  “Fake chance effect” as a silent alarm is a way to give a sense of expectation that a special role such as a BB role may have been won when the error discriminating means 440 detects an error that may be fraudulent. An effect in which an effect image is displayed over a plurality of unit games. This “fake chance effect” is performed regardless of the result of the role lottery in the role lottery means 410 shown in FIG. 2, and is a general chance to raise the player's expectation when winning a special role such as the BB role. It is different from directing.

  Therefore, when the “false chance effect” is set to “execute”, the “false chance effect” is executed after the error determination unit 440 detects an error that may cause an illegal act, and the occurrence of the illegal act is gorgeous. It is notified by production. On the other hand, a fraudster who does not know that such a “false chance effect” is an alarm recognizes that the “false chance effect” is a notification effect that expects a special role such as a BB role to be won.

  For example, “10 minutes”, “30 minutes”, or “∞” can be selected as the “alarm time” of the silent alarm. An effect using a dedicated effect image as a silent alarm is executed for the selected time. In addition, in step S54 described above, when “normal notification after alarm end” in FIG. 17C is set to “Yes”, “alarm time” “10 minutes” or “30 minutes” has elapsed. Thereafter, the occurrence of the illegal act is clearly notified by the normal error notification by the normal error notification control means 524 shown in FIG.

  As in the case of the normal error notification in FIG. 15A described above, the “alarm time” is not limited to the three-stage selection items of “10 minutes”, “30 minutes”, and “∞”. Enter any number from “1” to “∞” or display a virtual time adjustment means (for example, a knob or dial) on the setting change screen of FIG. It is also possible.

  When the setting change for the alarm mode by the image in step S56 is completed, and in step S55 described above, the “alarm by image” on the setting change screen in FIG. 17B is not set to “ON”. Are both determined (NO), both proceed to step S57.

  In step S57, it is determined whether or not “warning by sound” on the setting change screen of FIG. 17B is set to “ON”. When it is determined that “ON” is set (YES), the process proceeds to step S58, and a setting change screen for changing the setting of the alarm mode by sound as shown in FIG. 18B is displayed. In the setting change screen of FIG. 18B, for example, setting items such as “alarm timing”, “sound type”, “volume”, and “alarm time” are provided, and a plurality of selection items are set in each setting item. It is provided.

  As the “alarm timing” at which the silent alarm is notified, for example, one of “normal game”, “special game”, and “always” is selected as in the case of the alarm by the image in FIG. Can be done. If a selection item is selected such that the “alarm timing” of the sound and image overlap each other (eg, one is “normally playing” or “special game” and the other is “always”), A silent alarm is notified at the same timing. In addition, when a selection item is selected so that the “alarm timing” of the sound and the image does not overlap each other (for example, when one of them is “normally playing” and the other is “special gaming”), the gaming state In response to this, the image and sound silent alarm is notified at the timing before and after.

  As the “sound type” of the silent alarm, for example, any one of “dedicated BGM”, “pseudo noise”, and “ultrasound” can be selected. When “dedicated BGM” is selected, at the timing selected in the “alarm timing” described above, the occurrence of an illegal act is notified by a dedicated BGM that is not set for normal production and normal error notification. An unauthorized person who does not know that such “dedicated BGM” is an alarm is recognized as a rare BGM with a very low probability of being output (so-called rare BGM), and only the store manager detects the alarm. Can do.

  Further, when “pseudo noise” is selected, for example, mechanical noise that is intentionally generated that does not occur in the slot machine 10 at the timing selected in the “alarm timing”, howling, and exhaust sound of a car running on the street. The occurrence of fraudulent activity is notified by sound that is embedded in the store environment, such as a ringtone of a general mobile phone. A fraudster who does not know that such “pseudo noise” is an alarm can be recognized only as ambient noise, and only the store manager can detect the alarm.

  Furthermore, when “ultrasonic waves” is selected, an ultrasonic alarm exceeding the human audible range is output from the ultrasonic generator 512a of the audio control means 512 shown in FIG. 2 at the timing selected in the above “alarm timing”. The sound is output from the speaker 64 together with BGM and sound effects used for normal performance. Such an ultrasonic alarm cannot be recognized by an auditor of a fraudulent person, and can be detected only by a store manager wearing the income apparatus 700 having the ultrasonic audible means 701.

  As the “volume” of the sound used for the silent alarm, for example, one of three levels “high”, “medium”, and “small” can be selected. In particular, when “ultrasound” is selected as the “sound type” of the silent alarm described above, the higher the “volume”, the easier the ultrasonic audible means 701 detects the ultrasonic alarm, and the store manager is silent. It becomes easier to hear the alarm. If the silent alarm is an ultrasonic alarm, increasing the “sound volume” does not cause inconvenience to surrounding players. As in the case of the normal error notification in FIG. 15A described above, the selection item is not limited to such a three-stage selection item. For example, any of the numbers “1” to “10” is input. Alternatively, virtual volume adjusting means (for example, a knob or a dial) may be displayed on the setting change screen of FIG.

  As the “alarm time” of the silent alarm, for example, any one of “10 minutes”, “30 minutes”, and “∞” can be selected as in the case of the alarm by the image of FIG. A sound as a silent alarm is output for the selected time. In addition, in step S54 described above, when “normal notification after alarm end” in FIG. 17C is set to “Yes”, “alarm time” “10 minutes” or “30 minutes” has elapsed. Thereafter, the occurrence of the illegal act is clearly notified by the normal error notification by the normal error notification control means 524 shown in FIG. Note that “alarm time” is not limited to the three-stage selection items of “10 minutes”, “30 minutes”, and “∞”, as in the case of the alarm by the image in FIG.

  When the alarm mode setting change in step S58 is completed, and in step S57 described above, it is determined that the “sound alarm” in the setting change screen of FIG. 17B is not set to “ON”. In the case (NO), the process proceeds to step S59.

  In step S59, it is determined whether or not “alarm by electric decoration” on the setting change screen of FIG. 17B is set to “ON”. When it is determined that “ON” is set (YES), the process proceeds to step S60, and a setting change screen for changing the setting of the alarm mode by electrical decoration as shown in FIG. 18C is displayed. In the setting change screen of FIG. 18C, for example, setting items such as “alarm timing”, “flashing speed”, “brightness at lighting”, “lighting color”, and “alarm time” are provided. A plurality of selection items are provided therein.

  As the “alarm timing” at which the silent alarm is notified, for example, “in normal game”, “during special game”, “always”, as in the case of the alarm by the image and sound in FIGS. 18A and 18B described above. Can be selected. Here, the electric decoration parts 124A to 124E are turned on in a predetermined lighting pattern at any timing of “in normal game”, “in special game”, and “always” to perform an effect during the game. The silent alarm by the lighting of the present embodiment is the “flashing speed”, “brightness at lighting”, “lighting” of the lighting components 124A to 124E that are turned on in a normal lighting pattern at any timing selected from these. Differentiating the “lighting color” from normal is used as an alarm mode. Therefore, the store manager can detect an alarm about fraud based on the difference between the “flashing speed”, “brightness when lit”, and “lighting color” of the electrical components 124A to 124E.

  As described above, when a selection item is selected such that “alarm timing” between the lighting and the image or sound overlaps each other (for example, one is “in normal game” or “in special game” "And the other is" always "), the silent warning of the lighting and one or both of the image and the sound is notified at the same timing. In addition, when a selection item is selected such that the “alarm timing” between the lighting and the image or sound does not overlap each other (for example, one is “normally playing” and the other is “special playing”. In the case of selection), notification is made at a timing when a silent alarm of image, sound, and illumination is changed according to the gaming state.

  As the “flashing speed” of the illumination that is a silent alarm, for example, one of two stages of “slow” and “fast” can be selected. For example, when “slow” is selected, the blinking speed of the lighting parts 124 </ b> A to 124 </ b> E is slower than that in the normal performance. For example, in the case of a normal performance, the lighting component 124A repeats blinking with a cycle of 1 [S], and in the silent alarm, the lighting component 124A repeats blinking with a cycle of 2 [S]. On the other hand, when “fast” is selected, 2 [S], which is the blinking speed at the time of normal performance, is shortened to 1 [S]. The store manager can feel a sense of incongruity in such a change in the blinking speed of the electrical decoration component 124A and can detect that it is a silent alarm by electrical illumination.

  It should be noted that the selection item of “flashing speed” of lighting is not limited to two stages of “slow” and “fast”, but in order to make a difference from the flashing speed of lighting during normal performance, It is sufficient to clearly set the “slow” or “fast” blinking speed in comparison with the blinking speed of the illumination at the time of the production, and the selection when changing the setting regarding the aspect of the illumination is simple.

  As the “lighting brightness” of the illumination that is a silent alarm, for example, one of two stages of “dark” and “bright” can be selected. For example, when “dark” is selected, the lighting parts 124A to 124E are lit darker than when performing a normal performance, and conversely, when “bright” is selected, they are compared with those during a normal performance. Thus, the illumination parts 124A to 124E are lit brighter. The store manager can feel a sense of incongruity in such a change in the brightness of the electrical decoration component 124A, and can detect that it is a silent alarm by electrical decoration. Note that the selection item of “brightness” of the illumination is not limited to two stages of “dark” and “bright” as described above.

  For example, “change” or “do not change” can be selected as the “lighting color” of the illumination that is a silent alarm. When “change” is selected, the electrical components 124A to 124E are lit in a color different from that during normal performance. For example, when the lighting component 124A is lit in red during normal performance, the lighting component 124A is green in the silent alarm. The store manager can feel a sense of incongruity in the lighting color of such an electrical decoration component 124A, and can detect that it is a silent alarm by electrical decoration. Moreover, what is necessary is just to select "it does not change" when not making the "lighting color" of electrical decoration into one aspect | mode of a silent alarm. In addition, the selection item of “lighting color” of the lighting is not limited to two types of “change” and “do not change”. For example, a plurality of colors such as red, green, blue, yellow, etc. It is good also as a selection item which selects any one.

  As the “alarm time” of the silent alarm, for example, any one of “10 minutes”, “30 minutes”, and “∞” is selected in the same manner as in the case of the alarms with the images and sounds in FIGS. 18A and 18B described above. can do. For the selected time, a silent alarm in which the “flashing speed”, “brightness at lighting”, and “lighting color” modes of the electrical components 124A to 124E are changed is notified. In addition, in step S54 described above, when “normal notification after alarm end” in FIG. 17C is set to “Yes”, “alarm time” “10 minutes” or “30 minutes” has elapsed. Thereafter, the occurrence of the illegal act is clearly notified by the normal error notification by the normal error notification control means 524 shown in FIG. Note that “alarm time” is not limited to the three-stage selection items of “10 minutes”, “30 minutes”, and “∞”, as in the case of the alarm by the image in FIG.

  When the setting change of the alarm mode by the illumination in step S60 is completed, the control process of this subroutine is completed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S59 that “warning by lighting” on the setting change screen of FIG. 17B is not set to “ON” (NO), the process proceeds to step S61, and FIG. It is determined whether either “notification by image” or “notification by sound” on the setting change screen is set to “ON”. When it is determined that any of the notifications is set to “ON” (YES), the control processing of this subroutine is finished as it is.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S61 that neither “alarm by image” nor “alarm by sound” is set to “ON” on the setting change screen of FIG. The control process of S59 is repeated. If “notification by electrical decoration” is set to “ON”, the determination is made in step S59 (YES), and then the control processing of this subroutine is finished through step S60. On the other hand, if either “notification by image” or “notification by sound” is set to “ON”, it is determined in step S61 (YES), and the control processing of this subroutine is ended as it is.

<<< Silent alarm control processing subroutine >>>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a silent alarm control processing subroutine executed by the fraud alarm control means 525 of the sub control circuit 200. Hereinafter, the silent alarm control processing subroutine will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S70, the fraud alarm control means 525 detects an error in any of the power monitoring sensor 452A, the door opening monitoring sensor 452B, the setting monitoring sensor 452C, or the payout monitoring sensor 452D included in the fraud detection means 452 shown in FIG. Judge whether or not. The fraud alarm control unit 525 performs the determination in step S70 based on the signal transmitted from the error determination unit 440 of the main control circuit 100.

  If it is determined in step S70 that any of the monitoring sensors 452A to 452D has not detected an error (NO), this determination is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that any one of the monitoring sensors 452A to 452D has detected an error (YES), the process proceeds to step S71, and it is determined whether or not a silent alarm is selected as an unauthorized alarm notification mode (FIG. 17 ( a)).

  In step S71, when it is determined that the silent alarm is not selected as the fraud alarm notification mode (NO), the process proceeds to step S72, where it is determined to notify the occurrence of the fraud by normal error notification. The control process by the subroutine is terminated. The control process related to the normal error notification is executed by the normal error notification control means 524 shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S71 that the silent alarm is selected as the fraud alarm notification mode (YES), the process proceeds to step S73, and it is determined whether or not the occurrence of the fraud is to be output to the outside. The fraud alarm control means 525 performs the determination in step S73 based on the setting of “external output of occurrence of fraud” shown in FIG. If it is determined that the occurrence of fraud is to be output externally (YES), the process proceeds to step S74, and a signal is transmitted to a hall computer installed on the store side via a control board capable of outputting signals to the outside, not shown. Outputs the occurrence of an action externally. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S75. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S73 that the occurrence of fraud is not output to the outside (NO), step S74 is omitted and the process proceeds to step S75.

  In step S75, it is determined whether or not an alarm based on an image is selected as the type of silent alarm. The fraud alarm control means 525 performs the determination in step S75 based on the setting of “alarm by image” shown in FIG. If it is determined that the alarm by the image is selected (YES), the process proceeds to step S76, and the silent alarm by the image is notified according to the setting shown in FIG. For example, an effect image in which components such as “character”, “item”, and “background” are changed is displayed on the image display device 70 at any timing of “normally playing”, “special playing”, and “always”, and illegal Inform the occurrence of fraudulent activity so that it is not perceived by the actor.

  If “false chance effect” is selected in the setting shown in FIG. 18A in step S76, it is as if the BB role or the like is based on the signal transmitted from the error determination means 440 of the main control circuit 100. Perform a false chance production as if you were elected to the special role.

  After such control processing in step S76 is completed, the process proceeds to step S77. If it is determined in step S75 described above that the alarm by image is not selected (NO), step S76 is omitted and the process proceeds to step S77.

  In step S77, it is determined whether or not a sound alarm has been selected. The fraud alarm control means 525 makes the determination in step S77 based on the setting of “alarm by sound” shown in FIG. If it is determined that a sound alarm is selected (YES), the process proceeds to step S78, and a sound silent alarm is notified according to the setting shown in FIG. For example, at any timing of “normally playing”, “special playing”, and “always”, any one of “dedicated BGM”, “pseudo noise”, and “ultrasound” is set from the speaker 64 at “volume” according to the setting. It is output, and the occurrence of fraud is reported so that it is not perceived by the fraudster.

  After the control process in step S78 is completed, the process proceeds to step S79. Even when it is determined in step S77 described above that the sound alarm is not selected (NO), step S78 is omitted and the process proceeds to step S79.

  In step S <b> 79, it is determined whether or not an electric warning is selected. The fraud alarm control means 525 performs the determination in step S79 based on the setting of “alarm by electric decoration” shown in FIG. If it is determined that an alarm by illumination is selected (YES), the process proceeds to step S80, and a silent alarm by illumination is notified according to the setting shown in FIG. For example, at any timing of “in normal game”, “in special game”, and “always”, the “flashing speed”, “brightness at lighting”, and “lighting color” of the electrical components 124A to 124E are changed according to the setting, Inform the occurrence of fraud so that it is not perceived by fraudsters.

  After such control processing in step S80 ends, the process proceeds to step S81. Even when it is determined in step S79 described above that the sound alarm is not selected (NO), step S80 is omitted and the process proceeds to step S81.

  In step S81, the fraud alarm control unit 525 starts recording an error log for the error detected in step S70. Since the silent alarm executed in this subroutine does not provide a clear notification such as a normal error notification except for the external output in step S73, it is important to record the error log. Even if the store manager cannot detect the silent alarm, it is possible to discover whether or not an illegal act has been performed on the slot machine 10 by checking the error log.

  In step S82, it is determined whether a predetermined alarm time has elapsed. The fraud alarm control means 525 performs the determination in step S82 based on the “alarm time” setting for each of the notifications by images, sounds, and illuminations shown in FIGS. 18 (a) to 18 (c). If it is determined that any “alarm time” of notification by image, sound, or illumination has not elapsed (NO), the determination in step S82 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that all “alarm times” for notification by image, sound, and illumination have elapsed (YES), the process proceeds to step S83.

  In step S83, it is determined whether or not to perform normal error notification after the end of the silent alarm. The fraud alarm control means 525 performs the determination in step S83 based on the setting of “normal notification after the end of alarm” shown in FIG. If it is determined that the normal error notification is to be executed (YES), the process proceeds to step S72, where it is determined to notify the occurrence of an illegal act by the normal error notification, and then the control processing by this subroutine is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the normal error notification is not to be executed (YES), the control processing by this subroutine is terminated as it is.

  Here, as a method of releasing the normal error notification by the normal error notification control unit 524 and the fraud alarm by the fraud alarm control unit 525 shown in FIG. 2, for example, a reset switch (not shown) provided in the casing of the slot machine 10 is used. It is possible to release the normal error notification and the fraud alarm by operating an operation means such as a dedicated switch for error cancellation or by performing a predetermined operation for clearing the RAM.

<Effect of slot machine>
As described above, according to the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, the setting can be changed to various error notification modes according to the needs on the store side, and only when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Since the error notification setting can be changed, it is possible to reliably prevent the setting change function from being misused for performing an illegal act, and to improve the security of the slot machine 10.

  On the store side or on the manufacturing side of the slot machine 10, the operation, operation, state, or combination of the components of the slot machine 10 can be set as a predetermined condition, and based on signals received from the components of the slot machine 10 It becomes possible to determine whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied in the control processing of the slot machine 10. As a result, it is possible to set a wide variety of predetermined conditions that cannot be easily satisfied by persons other than the store manager, and the security of the slot machine 10 can be further improved.

  When the stepwise setting change as shown in FIG. 11 is adopted in the slot machine 10, among the setting items of the error notification mode (see “Available setting changes” in FIG. 11), from the viewpoint of security. Setting items that are relatively insignificant can be changed by satisfying simple predetermined conditions, and those that are relatively important cannot be changed unless predetermined conditions with high difficulty are satisfied. It is possible to achieve both convenience and security of the setting change work related to notification.

  The condition release switch 540 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 can be installed at a position where it is difficult to find the slot machine 10, so that security can be improved. The mode can be easily changed. Further, by combining the ON state of the condition release switch 540 ("condition C" in FIG. 9) and other predetermined conditions ("condition A", "condition B", and "condition D" in FIG. 9), the slot machine 10 Security can be further improved.

  Moreover, according to the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, images, sounds, or electrical decorations (see FIGS. 18A to 18C) that are camouflaged in a manner that is not recognized as an alarm due to social wisdom are used. Since the occurrence of fraudulent activity is reported by silent alert, only store managers who know that the image, sound, or illumination of such an aspect is a fraud alert can be perceived, and fraud that is not perceived by the fraudster An alarm is realized. As a result, only the store manager can detect the fraud alarm and easily suppress the fraudulent site.

  The silent alarm in the present embodiment is an image, sound, or electrical decoration that is disguised in a manner that is not recognized as an alarm because of social wisdom, so that surrounding players who are enjoying the game feel uncomfortable. In addition, only the store manager can be notified of the occurrence of fraud.

  An effect (see FIGS. 18A to 18C) in which all or part of the effect image, BGM or sound effect, and the lighting pattern of the electrical parts that make up the effect during the game are changed is known to be a silent alarm. Only the store manager can perceive that it is an alarm, and an unauthorized person who does not know that the alarm is a silent alarm and surrounding players will be recognized as a mere effect during the game. This makes it possible to easily suppress the fraudulent act site without making the surrounding players feel uncomfortable.

  When the error determination unit 440 detects an illegal act, an ultrasonic alarm that cannot be heard by humans is output from the speaker 64 as a silent alarm. This ultrasonic alarm can be perceived only by the store manager who wears the income device 700 incorporating the ultrasonic audible means 701, and cannot be recognized by the auditors of fraudsters and surrounding players. This makes it possible to easily suppress the fraudulent act site without making the surrounding players feel uncomfortable.

  When the error discriminating means 440 detects an illegal act, a false chance effect that is not executed during a normal game is executed as a silent alarm, and the occurrence of the illegal act is flashy using images, sounds and electrical decorations. It is notified by production. Such silent alerts allow store managers to recognize the occurrence of fraud at a glance, and are recognized as an effect during the game by fraudsters and surrounding players who do not know that they are silent alerts. Will be. This makes it possible to easily suppress the fraudulent act site without making the surrounding players feel uncomfortable.

  Note that the gaming machine of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the gaming machine of the present invention is not limited to the slot machine 10 described above, but is a digital pachinko machine equipped with an image display device, a ball game machine such as a sparrow ball game machine, an arrange ball, and a revolving game machine other than a slot machine. It can also be applied.

It is a front view showing an appearance of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function of control of the said slot machine. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main control circuit and a sub control circuit that control the slot machine. It is a flowchart which shows the game progress main routine performed in the said main control circuit. It is a flowchart which shows the setting change condition determination subroutine performed by the condition determination means of a sub control circuit. It is a flowchart which shows the normal error alerting | reporting setting change subroutine performed by the alerting | reporting mode setting means of a sub-control circuit. It is a flowchart which shows the fraud alarm setting change subroutine performed by the alerting | reporting mode setting means of a sub control circuit. It is a flowchart which shows the silent alarm control processing subroutine performed by the fraud alarm control means of a sub-control circuit. It is the setting change condition table which illustrated the conditions for enabling the setting change of the mode of error notification. It is the setting condition combination table which illustrated the combination of the said conditions. It is the stepwise setting change table which illustrated the case where the range of the setting change which becomes possible by the combination of the said conditions changes in steps. It is an invalid operation table which illustrated invalid operation as said conditions. FIGS. 7A and 7B are explanatory diagrams showing an error notification setting change screen displayed on the image display device during execution of the setting change condition determination subroutine. FIGS. 9A to 9C are explanatory views showing a normal error notification setting change screen displayed on the image display device during execution of the normal error notification setting change subroutine. Similarly, FIGS. 7A and 7B are explanatory diagrams showing a normal error notification setting change screen displayed on the image display device during execution of the normal error notification setting change subroutine. Similarly, it is an explanatory view showing a setting change screen for normal error notification displayed on the image display device during execution of a normal error notification setting change subroutine. FIG. FIGS. 9A to 9C are explanatory diagrams showing fraud alarm setting change screens displayed on the image display device during execution of the fraud alarm setting change subroutine. Similarly, FIGS. 9A to 9C are explanatory diagrams showing fraud alarm setting change screens displayed on the image display device during execution of the fraud alarm setting change subroutine.

Explanation of symbols

10 Slot machines (gaming machines)
35 1-Bet Switch 36 3-Bet Switch 40L, 40C, 40R Reel 50 Start Switch 52L, 52C, 52R Stop Switch 64 Speaker 70 Image Display Device 100 Main Control Circuit 200 Sub Control Circuit 440 Error Determination Unit 450 Error Detection Unit 451 Normal Error detection means 452 Fraud detection means 452A Power supply monitoring sensor 452B Door open monitoring sensor 452C Setting monitoring sensor 452D Discharge monitoring sensor 510 Production control means 511 Image control means 512 Audio control means 512a Ultrasonic generator 513 Electric decoration control means 520 Error notification Control means 521 Condition setting means 522 Condition determination means 523 Notification mode setting means 524 Normal error notification control means 525 Unauthorized alarm control means 530 Data storage means 531 Condition setting Data storage means 532 notification manner setting data storage unit 533 image-based data storage means 534 the sound system data storage means 535 illuminations system data storage means 700 Income device 701 ultrasound audible means

Claims (5)

A gaming machine that performs an effect during a game using at least one of an image displayed on an image display device, a sound output from a speaker, or light of an electrical decoration component,
Cheating detection means for detecting cheating on the gaming machine defined in advance;
When the cheating detection means detects cheating, a cheating alarm using at least one of an image displayed on the image display device, a sound output from the speaker, or light of the electrical decoration component is notified. Provided with a fraud alarm control means for performing control processing,
As a fraud alarm by the fraud alarm control means, a dedicated effect using at least one of the image, the sound, or the light, or a part of the component during the effect is changed to another component different from normal A game machine characterized by including a silent alarm using an image, sound or light that is camouflaged so that it is not recognized as an effect or other alarm.   The silent alarm by the fraud alarm control means is an effect in which all or part of the effect image displayed on the image display device is changed during the game, and all or one of the BGM or sound effect output from the speaker during the game. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game machine is an effect in which all or a part of the lighting pattern of the electric parts to be lit during the game is changed.   Silent alarm by the fraud alarm control means consists of sounds with a frequency outside the human audible range or near the audible limit output from the speaker, and the silent alarm can be recognized via ultrasonic or low frequency audible means The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein An ultrasonic generator for outputting ultrasonic waves from the speaker;
When the cheating detection means detects cheating, the cheating alarm control means outputs the silent alarm that is an ultrasonic wave from the speaker,
4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the silent alarm can be received and recognized by an intercom device incorporating an ultrasonic audible means. A role lottery means for lottering at least one role for giving a gaming state advantageous to the player;
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the silent alarm by the fraud alarm control means is a dedicated chance effect that expects a winning of a predetermined combination by lottery by the combination lottery means.

Images