JP2012055775A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To constrain a motor harness without increasing the number of part items, in a reel unit having a cylindrical reel, a motor for rotating the reel, and an LED for illuminating the reel from the inside.SOLUTION: The game machine includes the motor 61L which rotates the reel, a motor plate 64 mounted with the motor, the LED 106 which illuminates the reel from the inside, and an LED base board 104 mounted with the LED. An accommodation recess 66 is formed at the motor plate 64, and the motor harness H is constrained between the accommodation recess 66 of the motor pal 64 and the LED base board 104.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine including a reel having a plurality of symbols drawn on the outer periphery.

  As a gaming machine including a reel having a plurality of symbols drawn on the outer periphery, there is a slot machine, for example. The slot machine rotates a plurality of reels each having a plurality of symbols drawn on the outer periphery of a cylinder. In this slot machine, when a player inserts a medal and operates a start lever, each reel rotates, and then each reel stops in sequence, according to the combination of symbols of each reel at that time, A predetermined number of medals are paid out.

  In such a slot machine, main control related to the result of the game, such as internal lottery to determine the winning or non-winning in each game, is performed by the main control device, and effects (sound and Lighting, video display) and the like are controlled by an auxiliary control device different from the main control device for the purpose of reducing the processing load on the main control device. Each electronic component whose operation is controlled by each control device is electrically connected to each control device by separate wiring for reasons such as maintenance and inspection, replacement at the time of failure, ease of design change, etc. It is connected.

  Patent Document 1 below discloses a reel unit of this slot machine. The reel unit disclosed in this document includes a cylindrical reel, a reel drive motor that rotates the reel, a motor plate on which the reel drive motor is mounted, and a back that illuminates a pattern drawn on the outer periphery of the reel. A light and a backlight substrate on which the backlight is mounted. In such a reel unit, the reel drive motor that is a drive source of the reel is electrically connected to the main control device as described above, and is driven and controlled by the main control device. Further, the backlight, which is a light source for reel illumination, is electrically connected to the auxiliary control device as described above, and is controlled by this auxiliary control device.

  By the way, since the plurality of reels are arranged in a substantially adjacent state, the wiring extending from the drive motor of one of the adjacent reels does not contact the one reel and the other reel. Furthermore, it is necessary to consider not to contact the wiring from the backlight. Therefore, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the wiring extending from the reel drive motor is covered with a harness cover, and the harness cover is fixed to the motor plate.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-170246

  However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires a harness cover and increases the number of components, and also requires man-hours for attaching the harness cover to the substrate, resulting in increased manufacturing costs.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of suppressing an increase in the number of parts by paying attention to such problems of the prior art.

  Hereinafter, various means for achieving the above object will be described.

"Means 1"
A reel having a plurality of symbols drawn on the outer periphery, a reel drive motor that rotates the reel, a motor plate on which the reel drive motor is mounted, and wiring of light emitting elements that illuminate the symbols from inside the reel are formed. A light emitting element substrate, a main controller electrically connected to the reel drive motor and controlling the driving of the reel drive motor, and the light emitting element electrically connected to the light emitting element substrate via the wiring formed on the light emitting element substrate. A game machine having an auxiliary control device connected to and controlled to drive the light emitting element,
The light emitting element substrate is attached to the motor plate,
Between the motor plate and the light emitting element substrate, a wiring for connecting the main controller and the reel drive motor is sandwiched, and the wiring is constrained.
A gaming machine characterized by that.

  According to the means 1, since the wiring of the reel drive motor is sandwiched and restrained between the motor plate and the light emitting element substrate, it is possible to avoid an increase in the number of parts when restraining the wiring. .

"Means 2"
In the above means 1,
The motor plate is recessed to the side opposite to the side where the light emitting element substrate is disposed, and a storage recess is formed in which the portion of the wiring sandwiched between the light emitting element substrate is accommodated.
A gaming machine characterized by that.

  According to the means 2, it is possible to secure a space through which the motor wiring is passed between the motor plate and the light emitting element substrate by a method that does not increase the manufacturing cost. The reason that the manufacturing cost does not increase with the means 2 is that the housing recess is formed on the motor plate formed of a metal plate or the like rather than the housing recess on the light emitting element substrate on which the wiring of the light emitting element is formed. This is because processing costs can be reduced.

"Means 3"
In the above means 1 or 2,
The reel is attached to a drive shaft of the reel drive motor,
The reel drive motor is fixed to the motor plate on the side opposite to the side on which the reel is attached,
The light emitting element substrate is attached to the surface on which the reel drive motor is mounted, of both surfaces of the motor plate,
The motor plate has an extension extending to a position outside the outer periphery of the reel,
The light emitting element substrate has an extension portion facing the extension portion of the motor plate,
The wiring is also sandwiched between the extension of the motor plate and the extension of the light emitting element substrate,
A connector for connecting a wiring to the light emitting element is provided at a position opposite to the side where the motor plate is disposed in the extension portion of the light emitting element substrate.
A gaming machine characterized by that.

  According to this means 3, there is no restriction on the mutual interval between adjacent reels by the connector. That is, the interval between adjacent reels can be reduced. Furthermore, by providing a connector at a position opposite to the side where the motor plate of the extension is disposed, the reel is configured to have a reel drive motor, a motor plate, a light emitting element, a light emitting element substrate, a connector, and the like. In the reel assembly, parts other than the motor plate are arranged on one side of the motor plate. For this reason, the width of the reel assembly can be prevented from expanding by the width of the connector.

"Means 4"
In any one of the above means 1 to 3,
The light emitting element is mounted on the light emitting element substrate,
A light guide member that guides the light emitted from the light emitting element so that the design can be illuminated from inside the reel with the light emitted from the light emitting element;
A gaming machine characterized by that.
As a method of illuminating the design of the reel, by adopting a light guide method using a light guide member as in this means 4, a light emitting element is arranged in the reel, and the design of the reel is viewed from the back side with this light emitting device. The reel radius can be made smaller because it is less subject to restrictions on the arrangement of the issuing elements than the direct illumination method.

It is a front view of a slot machine. It is a perspective view of the slot machine showing a state where the front door is closed. It is a perspective view of the slot machine showing a state where the front door is opened. It is a rear view of a front door. It is a front view of a housing | casing. It is a disassembled perspective view of a reel assembly. It is an assembly perspective view of a reel assembly. It is an expanded view of the belt-shaped belt which comprises each reel. It is a perspective view of a reel unit. It is a block circuit diagram of the slot machine. It is a flowchart which shows a NMI interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of a power failure. It is a flowchart which shows a main process. It is a flowchart which shows a normal process. It is a flowchart which shows a lottery process. It is a flowchart which shows a reel control process. It is a flowchart which shows medal payout processing. It is a flowchart which shows a special game state process. It is a flowchart which shows a bonus symbol determination process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the counter setting at the time of RB game initial setting process. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the counter setting at the time of BB game initial setting processing, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the counter setting at the time of JAC game initial setting processing during BB game. It is an assembly perspective view of a stepping motor, an LED board, and a motor plate. It is a disassembled perspective view of a stepping motor, an LED board, and a motor plate. It is A arrow line view of FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of FIG. It is a perspective view of a direct-type backlight device.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a slot machine which is a kind of gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. 1 is a front view of the slot machine 10, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the slot machine 10 with the front door 12 closed, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the slot machine 10 with the front door 12 open. Is a rear view of the front door 12, and FIG. 5 is a front view of the housing 11.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the slot machine 10 includes a housing 11 that forms an outer shell thereof. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the housing 11 includes a top plate 11a, a bottom plate 11b, a back plate 11c, a left side plate 11d, and a right side plate 11e formed in a wooden plate shape, and adjacent plates 11a to 11e. Is fixed by fixing means such as adhesion, so that it is formed in a box shape with the front surface opened as a whole. In addition, each board 11a-11e may be comprised with a synthetic resin panel or a metal panel other than being comprised with a wooden panel, or it is comprised by forming in the box shape integral with a synthetic resin material or a metal material. May be. The casing 11 configured as described above is attached by, for example, driving nails against a so-called island facility at the time of installation in the game hall.

  A front door 12 as a front open / close door is attached to the front side of the housing 11 so as to be openable and closable. That is, the left side plate 11d of the housing 11 is provided with a pair of upper and lower support shafts 25a and 25b as shown in FIG. Each of the support shafts 25a and 25b includes a tapered shaft portion that protrudes upward. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the front door 12 is provided with support brackets 26a and 26b having insertion holes into which the shaft portions of the support shafts 25a and 25b are inserted corresponding to the support shafts 25a and 25b. It has been. Then, the support brackets 26a and 26b are arranged above the support shafts 25a and 25b, and the front door 12 is lowered, whereby the shaft portions of the support shafts 25a and 25b are inserted into the insertion holes of the support brackets 26a and 26b. It is assumed that it was done. Thereby, the front door 12 is supported so as to be rotatable about an opening / closing axis extending in the vertical direction connecting the both support shafts 25a and 25b with respect to the housing 11, and the front opening side of the housing 11 is opened by the rotation. It can be closed or closed.

  The front door 12 is brought into a locked state that cannot be opened by a locking device provided on the rear surface. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the key cylinder 20 which is an unlocking operation part is provided in the upper right side upper part of the front door 12. As shown in FIG. The key cylinder 20 is integrated with a locking device, and is configured such that the locked state is released by a predetermined key operation on the key cylinder 20. Therefore, an outline of the lock mechanism including the locking device will be described.

  On the right end side of the front door 12, that is, on the opposite side of the opening / closing axis of the front door 12, a locking device is provided on the back surface. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the locking device includes a base frame that extends in the vertical direction and is fixed to the front door 12, and a key that is provided so as to extend from the top of the base frame to the front of the front door 12. A cylinder 20 and a long interlocking rod 21 assembled so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the base frame are provided. And only the key cylinder 20 is provided in the state which protruded ahead of the front door 12 among the locking devices. The position where the key cylinder 20 is provided is the thin upper portion of the front door 12, and as a result, a versatile key cylinder 20 having a short overall length can be employed. In the present embodiment, Omlock (trade name) having a high function of preventing unauthorized unlocking is used as the key cylinder 20. The interlocking rod 21 is moved downward by operating the key inserted into the key cylinder 20 clockwise. The interlocking saddle 21 is provided with a pair of upper and lower saddle fittings 22 having a bowl shape. When the front door 12 is closed with respect to the casing 11, the saddle fitting 22 is supported on the casing 11 side. Is locked. In addition, the urging member 22 is provided with an urging member such as a coil spring for urging to the side maintaining the locked state. When the key is operated clockwise with respect to the key cylinder 20, the interlocking rod 21 moves downward, and the saddle fitting 22 is moved against the biasing force of the biasing member. The locked state with the support fitting 23 is released, and the locked state of the front door 12 with respect to the housing 11 is released.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a game panel 30 for notifying the player of the game state is provided on the upper side of the central portion of the front door 12. In the game panel 30, three vertically long display windows 31L, 31M, 31R are formed side by side. The display windows 31L, 31M, 31R are made of a transparent or translucent material, and the inside of the slot machine 10 is visible through the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R. The display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R may be combined into a single display window.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the inside of the housing 11 is vertically divided into two by a partition plate 40, and a reel unit 41 constituting variable display means is attached to the upper portion of the partition plate 40. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, the reel unit 41 includes a left reel 42L, a middle reel 42M, a right reel 42R each formed in a cylindrical shape (annular shape), and a reel case 42C for storing them. . The reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are arranged such that the rotation axes of the reels are aligned on the same straight line, almost half of each reel is accommodated in the reel case 42C, and the remaining part is exposed from the reel case 42C. Yes. The reels 42L, 42M, and 42R may be configured as at least an endless belt, and are not limited to a cylindrical shape (annular shape). Each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R is rotatably supported so that the central axis thereof is the rotation axis of the reel. The rotation axes of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are arranged on the same axis extending in the substantially horizontal direction, and the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R correspond to the display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R on a one-to-one basis. . Accordingly, a part of the surface of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R is visible through the corresponding display windows 31L, 31M, 31R. Further, when the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are rotated forward, the surfaces of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are projected as if moving from top to bottom through the display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are connected to stepping motors (reel drive motors) 61L, 61M, and 61R, and are driven by the stepping motors 61L, 61M, and 61R. 42L, 42M, and 42R are configured to be able to rotate individually, that is, independently of each other. Since these reels 42L, 42M, and 42R have the same configuration, the left reel 42L is depicted as a representative of each reel in FIG.

  The left reel 42L includes a cylindrical skeleton member 50 that forms a cylindrical cage, and a belt-like belt wound endlessly on the outer peripheral surface thereof. And it is affixed on the cylindrical skeleton member 50 through a pair of seal parts formed along the both sides of the long side of the belt so as to maintain the wound state. A large number of symbols as identification information are printed at equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the belt.

  As shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 9, the left reel stepping motor 61L is fixed to the side surface of the motor plate 63 arranged in an upright state in the reel unit 41 (FIGS. 3 and 9) with screws. Yes. A backlight device 100 that illuminates the belt of the reel 42L from the inside is fixed to the motor plate 63. The backlight device 100 is provided with a reel index sensor (rotational position detection sensor) 109 in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are held at a predetermined interval. On the other hand, a sensor cut van 49 is fixed to the reel 42L. The front end portion of the sensor cut van 49 is aligned so that it can pass between both elements of the reel index sensor 109. Each time the reel 42L makes one rotation, the reel index sensor 109 detects the passage of the tip of the sensor cut van 49, and a detection signal is output to the main controller 131 described later each time the reel 42L is detected. Therefore, the main controller 131 can check and correct the angular position of the reel 42L every rotation based on the detection signal.

  The stepping motor 61L is set to rotate once by giving, for example, a drive signal of 504 pulses (also referred to as an excitation signal or an excitation pulse; the same applies hereinafter), and the rotation position of the stepping motor 61L, that is, The rotational position of the left reel 42L is controlled.

  On each belt of each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R, a plurality of, specifically, 21 symbols are drawn in the long side direction (circumferential direction). Therefore, 24 pulses (= 504 pulses ÷ 21 symbols) are required to switch from one symbol to the next symbol at a predetermined position. Based on the number of pulses from when the detection signal of the reel index sensor 109 is output, it is possible to recognize which symbol is visible from the display window 31L, or to visually recognize an arbitrary symbol from the exposure window 31L. It is possible to perform control to achieve a proper state.

  Of the symbols attached to the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R, the number of symbols that can be visually recognized through the display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R is mainly determined by the vertical lengths of the display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R. Is limited to a predetermined number. In this embodiment, three reels are provided. For this reason, when all the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are stopped, 3 × 3 = 9 symbols are visible to the player.

  Here, the symbols attached to the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R will be described. FIG. 8 shows a symbol array drawn on the belt wound around each of the left reel 42L, the middle reel 42M, and the right reel 42R. As shown in the figure, each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R is provided with 21 symbols in a row. Although numbers 1 to 21 are assigned to the respective reels 42L, 42M, and 42R, these are given for convenience of explanation, and are not actually attached to the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R. . However, in the following description, the number is used for explanation.

  As the symbols, there are a “7” symbol (for example, the left belt 20th) and a “youth” symbol (for example, the left belt 19th) as the first special symbol for shifting to the big bonus game. In addition, there is a “BAR” symbol (for example, the 14th left belt) as the second special symbol for shifting to the regular bonus game. Further, there is a “replay” symbol (for example, the eleventh left belt) as a third special symbol for shifting to the replay game. In addition, a “watermelon” symbol (for example, the left belt ninth), a “bell” symbol (for example, the left belt eighth), and a “cherry” symbol (for example, left) as the small character symbols from which the small character is paid out. Belt 4th). In the belts wound around the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R, the number and arrangement order of various symbols are completely different.

  Each reel 42L, 42M, 42R of the reel unit 41 is an example of variable display means for variably displaying identification information, and constitutes a main display unit. However, the variable display means may have other configurations. For example, other mechanical reel configurations such as a type in which the belt is rotated instead of rotating may be used, and instead of or in addition to the mechanical reel configuration, a liquid crystal display or a dot matrix display It is also possible to provide a display that variably displays the identification information by electrical display such as, and in this case, it is possible to provide a variety of display forms.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the backlight devices 100, 100, 100 that illuminate the belts of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R from the inside are provided in the reels 42L, 42M, 42R as shown in FIGS. It is arranged on the side. As shown in FIG. 6, the backlight device 100 includes an LED substrate (light emitting device substrate) 105 on which a plurality of LEDs (light emitting devices) 106a, 106b, and 106c are mounted, and light from the LEDs 106a, 106b, and 106c. Light guide plates 103a, 103b, 103c for guiding the light guide to the inner surface of the belt, and a light guide plate frame 102 for holding the light guide plates 103a, 103b, 103c.

  In the backlight device 100 of the left reel 42L, the light guide plates 103a, 103b, and 103c are arranged side by side so as to face the display window 31L (FIG. 1). Similarly, in the backlight device 100 of the middle reel 42M, the light guide plates 103a, 103b, and 103c are arranged side by side so as to face the display window 31M (FIG. 1). The light guide plates 103a, 103b, and 103c are arranged side by side so as to face the display window 31R (FIG. 1). Specifically, in a state where the front door 12 is closed, the light guide plates 103a, 103b, and 103c are positioned behind positions corresponding to the upper, middle, and lower stages of the display window 31L, respectively. That is, the first light guide plate 103a is located behind the upper stage of the display window 31L, the second light guide plate 103b is located behind the middle stage of the display window 31L, and the third light guide plate 103c is near the lower stage of the display window 31L. Located behind. In addition, the normal line of the light output surface of the first light guide plate 103a is slightly upward, the normal line of the light output surface of the second light guide plate 103b is in the horizontal direction, and the light output of the third light guide plate 103c. The normal of the surface is slightly downward. Therefore, the light guide plate frame 102 that holds the light guide plates 103a, 103b, and 103c has an arc shape that swells toward the game panel 30 side. The light guide plate frame 102 is fixed to the LED substrate 104 with screws or the like.

  Two LEDs 106a, 106b, and 106c are mounted on the LED substrate 104 at positions facing the side surfaces of the light guide plates 103a, 103b, and 103c, respectively. Specifically, two first LEDs 106a are mounted at positions facing the side surfaces of the first light guide plate 103a, and two second LEDs 106b are mounted at positions facing the side surfaces of the second light guide plate 103b. Two third LEDs 106c are mounted at positions facing the side surface of the light plate 103c. Accordingly, one backlight device 100L includes a total of six LEDs.

  The first LED 106a, the second LED 106b, and the third LED 106c are individually lit. For this reason, each part of the belt which exists in front of each light-guide plate 103a, 103b, 103c is each illuminated uniquely by lighting of corresponding LED. That is, for example, when only the first LED 106a is lit, the light from the first LED 106a passes through the first light guide plate 103a, and only the belt portion existing in front of it, in other words, the belt near the position corresponding to the upper stage of the display window 31L. Only the portion is illuminated, and the belt portion in the vicinity of the position corresponding to the middle and lower stages of the display window 31L is not illuminated.

  The belt is made of a material that can transmit the irradiated light to some extent. For this reason, when this belt is illuminated from behind by the LED, the light transmitted through the belt is visually recognized by the player through the display window 31L. It is possible to emphasize the symbols attached to the portion of the belt that is irradiated with light, rather than the symbols attached to the other portions.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the game panel 30 is connected to each display window 31L, 31M, 31R, three in parallel in the horizontal direction, and two in the diagonal direction. Is attached. Of course, the maximum number of combination lines may be 6 or more, and may be less than 5. In extreme cases, it may be one horizontal line, or the maximum combination line number may be changed according to a predetermined condition. Corresponding to these combination lines, effective line display sections 32, 33, and 34 are provided on the left side when viewed from the front of the display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R. The first effective line display unit 32 is notified by lighting or the like when the central horizontal line (center line) of the combination lines is activated. When the upper and lower horizontal lines (upper line and lower line) of the combination lines are activated, the second effective line display unit 33 is displayed and notified by lighting or the like. The third effective line display unit 34 is notified by lighting or the like when a pair of diagonal lines (downward right line and upward right line) of the combination lines is activated. A winning is awarded when the symbols are stopped in a predetermined combination on the activated combination line, that is, on the activated line, and a predetermined medal payout process, a transition process to a specific game, and the like are executed.

  Here, the payout number regarding each symbol when winning is explained. Regarding the small role design, when the “Watermelon” design is aligned with the left, middle and right on the active line, 15 medals are paid out. When the “Bell” design is aligned with the left, middle and right on the effective line Pays out 8 medals, and when the “cherry” symbol on the left reel 42L stops on the active line, 2 medals are paid out. That is, the “cherry” symbols of the middle reel 42M and the right reel 42R are irrelevant to the medal payout. In addition, for the “cherry” symbol, the medal payout is performed regardless of the combination with other symbols, and therefore, a plurality of effective lines of the left reel 42L overlap (specifically, the upper or lower row) with “ When the “cherry” symbol is stopped, medals are paid out by multiplying the number of overlapping active lines. As a result, in this embodiment, four medals are paid out.

  As for other symbols, when the “7” symbol or “youth” symbol, which is a combination of the first special symbol (big bonus symbol), is aligned with the left, middle and right on the active line in the same symbol The 15 medals are also paid out when the “BAR” symbol which is a combination of 15 medal payouts and the second special symbol (regular bonus symbol) is aligned with the left, middle and right on the active line. In the present embodiment, for example, a case where the “7” symbol and the “cherry” symbol are established simultaneously may occur, but in this case, 15 medals are paid out. This is because the upper limit number for one medal payout is set to 15.

  Further, when the “replay” symbol, which is the combination of the third special symbol, is aligned with the left, middle, and right on the active line, the medal payout is not performed. In other cases, that is, when the “cherry” symbol of the left reel 42L does not stop on the active line and the same symbols as the left, middle, and right are not aligned on the active line, no medal payout is performed.

  On the lower left side of the game panel 30, as shown in FIG. 1, a start lever 71 is provided that is operated to start rotation of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R all at once (not necessarily simultaneously). . The start lever 71 constitutes start operation means or start operation means operated to start rotation of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R, that is, to start variable display. The start lever 71 is a lever that is pushed by the hand when the player starts the game, and automatically returns to the original position after the hand is released. When the start lever 52 is operated while a medal is inserted, the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R start to rotate all at once.

  On the right side of the start lever 71, button-like stop switches 72, 73, 74 that are operated to individually stop the rotating reels 42L, 42M, 42R are provided. Each of the stop switches 72, 73, 74 is arranged directly below the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R corresponding to the reels 42L, 42M, 42R to be stopped. The stop switches 72, 73, 74 constitute stop operation means operated to stop variable display based on the rotation of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R. Each of the stop switches 72, 73, 74 can be stopped when each of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R is rotated at a constant speed, and a stop operation is performed by lighting a lamp (not shown) during such a state. It is notified that this is possible, and is turned off when the rotation stops.

  On the lower right side of the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R, there is provided a medal slot 75 for inserting a medal as an investment value. The medal slot 75 constitutes an input means for inputting the investment value. Further, if attention is paid to the point that the medal insertion slot 75 is accompanied by the operation of directly inserting the medal by the player, it can be said that the medal insertion slot 75 constitutes a direct input means for directly inputting the investment value.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the medal inserted from the medal slot 75 is guided to either the storage passage 81 or the discharge passage 82 by the selector 84 provided on the back surface of the front door 12. The selector 84 is provided with a medal passage switching member 83, and the medal passage direction is switched between the discharge passage 82 side and the storage passage 81 side according to the state of the medal passage switching member 83. Yes. The medal guided to the storage passage 81 is guided to the hopper device 91 housed in the housing 11. On the other hand, the medal guided to the discharge passage 82 is guided to the medal tray 18 from the medal discharge port 17 provided in the lower front portion of the front door 12 and returned to the player.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the hopper device 91 serving as a payout means for giving a medal to a player includes a storage tank 92 for storing the medal and a payout device 93 for paying out the medal to the player. Yes. The payout device 93 rotates a medal payout rotating plate (not shown) to discharge the medal to the opening 94 provided in the central right part of the discharge passage 82 and to the medal tray 18 through the discharge passage 82. To come out. Further, a reserve tank 95 is provided on the right side of the hopper device 91 in order to avoid storing a predetermined amount or more of medals in the storage tank 92. A guide plate 96 for discharging medals from the storage tank 92 to the reserve tank 95 is provided inside the storage tank 92 of the hopper device 91. Therefore, when medals are stored more than the height at which the guide plate 96 is provided, the medals are stored in the reserve tank 95.

  A button-like return switch 76 (FIG. 1) is provided below the medal slot 75. The return switch 76 is a switch that is pressed when a medal inserted into the medal slot 75 is jammed in the selector 84. When this switch is pressed, the selector 84 is mechanically operated to operate the selector 84. The medals packed in 84 are returned from the medal discharge port 17.

  On the lower left side of the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R, as shown in FIG. 1, a button-shaped first credit insertion switch 77 is provided for inserting three credited virtual medals as investment values at a time. ing. Further, on the left side of the first credit insertion switch 77, a second credit insertion switch 78 and a third credit insertion switch 79 are provided as button switches smaller than the switch 77. The second credit insertion switch 78 is for inserting two credited virtual medals at a time, and the third credit insertion switch 79 is for inserting one virtual medal. Each of the credit insertion switches 77 to 79, together with the medal insertion slot 75, constitutes an input means for inputting an investment value. Further, if the medal insertion slot 75 is accompanied by an operation of directly inserting a medal by the player, each credit insertion switch 77 to 79 is only accompanied by an operation of inserting a virtual medal based on the storage memory. It can also be said that it constitutes an indirect input means for indirectly inputting the investment value.

  The first credit insertion switch 77 has a built-in lamp as a light emitting member (not shown) to urge that the maximum number of medals that can be inserted per game (three) has not been reached. The lamp is turned on when the switch operation of the first credit insertion switch 77 is valid and prompts the operation of the switch 77. However, when there is no credited virtual medal or three medals have already been inserted. It is turned off under the circumstances. Here, instead of the above-described lighting, the player may make it easier to understand the prompt for medal insertion by blinking.

  A button-like changeover switch 80 is provided on the left side of the start lever 71. The change-over switch 80 is configured to be a toggle type that is turned on when pressed once, turned off when pressed again, and turned on / off every time the pressing operation is performed. The changeover switch 80 is operated to change the handling format of inserted medals inserted into the medal slot 75 more than necessary, or acquired medals returned to the player as a result of a predetermined game.

  When the change-over switch 80 is in the ON state, the “credit mode” is set so that surplus inserted medals up to a predetermined maximum value (for example, 50 medals) and winning medals are stored and stored as credit medals. " When the changeover switch 80 is in the OFF state, the “direct mode” is set so that surplus inserted medals and winning medals are paid out as actual medals. If there is a credit medal when the credit mode is switched to the direct mode, the corresponding credit medal is paid out as an actual medal. Thus, the player can execute the game in a format according to his / her preference by switching between the credit mode and the direct mode. The changeover switch 80 constitutes a changeover operation means for changing over the input value and game value handling formats. Further, if paying attention to the function of paying out a credited virtual medal as an actual medal, it can be said that the changeover switch 80 constitutes a settlement operation means for actually paying out the stored game value. In addition to being configured to switch between the “credit mode” and the “direct mode” by operating the changeover switch 80, the virtual medal stored and stored is paid out when the changeover switch 80 is operated by always setting the “credit mode”. It may be made to function as only a settlement switch.

  Below the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R of the gaming panel 30, there are a remaining number display section 35 for displaying the number of medals activated and stored in the credit mode, and in a special gaming state such as a big bonus or a regular bonus. For example, a game number display unit 36 for displaying the number of remaining games and an acquired number display unit 37 for displaying the number of acquired medals are provided. Although these display parts 35-37 are comprised by the 7 segment display, it is naturally possible to substitute by a liquid crystal display etc. FIG.

  Here, a procedure for betting medals will be described. In both the direct mode and the credit mode, a bet is placed when a medal is inserted from the medal slot 75 at the start of the game.

  That is, when the first medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 75, the first effective line display section 32 is turned on, and the corresponding center line becomes the effective line, and the second medal is the medal insertion slot. When the number 75 is inserted, the second effective line display section 33 is turned on, and a total of three combination lines including an upper line and a lower line corresponding to the second effective line display section 33 become effective lines, respectively, and the third medal is a medal. When it is inserted into the insertion port 75, the third effective line display unit 34 is further turned on, and a total of five combination lines including a pair of diagonal lines corresponding thereto become effective lines.

  When four or more medals are inserted into the medal slot 75, the surplus medals exceeding three are switched to the discharge passage 82 by the selector 84 if the current mode is the direct mode. It is returned from the outlet 17 to the medal tray 18. On the other hand, in the credit mode, it is stored inside the slot machine, and the number of stored sheets is displayed on the remaining number display unit 35. An upper limit number is determined for the number of stored sheets (for example, 50), and when a medal exceeding the number is inserted, it is returned from the medal discharge port 17 to the medal tray 18.

  In addition, when a game is played in the credit mode and the number of stored items is displayed on the remaining number display unit 35, the virtual number is displayed even when any of the first to third credit insertion switches 77 to 79 is pressed. A medal is inserted and a bet is placed.

  When the third credit insertion switch 79 is pressed, the numerical value displayed on the remaining number display section 35 is decremented by one as a virtual medal is inserted, and the first effective line display section 32 is displayed. Illuminates and the center line becomes the active line. When the second credit insertion switch 78 is pressed, two numerical values displayed on the remaining number display unit 35 are decremented as two virtual medals are inserted, and the first valid line display unit 32 and The second effective line display section 33 is lit and a total of three combination lines become effective lines. When the first credit insertion switch 77 is pressed, three numerical values displayed on the remaining number display unit 35 are decremented as three virtual medals are inserted, and all the effective line display units 32 to 32 are decremented. 34 lights up and a total of five combination lines become effective lines.

  In addition, when the virtual medal to be inserted when any of the first to third credit insertion switches 77 to 79 is pressed is not stored, for example, when the display of the remaining number display unit 35 is 2, the first For example, when the credit insertion switch 77 is pressed, all the values in the remaining number display section 35 are decremented to 0, and a bet is made for the amount of virtual medals that can be inserted.

  On the upper part of the front door 12, there are an upper lamp 13 that lights up or flashes as the game progresses, and a pair of left and right sounds that make various sound effects as the game progresses and inform the player of the game state Speaker 14 and an auxiliary display unit 15 for giving various information to the player. In the present embodiment, the auxiliary display unit 15 is configured by a liquid crystal display for the purpose of diversifying display contents and increasing the display effect. However, other displays such as a dot matrix display may be used. Good. The auxiliary display unit 15 is for executing various display effects as the game progresses, and it can be considered that the game by the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R is caused by the main display unit. This is called the auxiliary display unit 15. An auxiliary control device 111 for driving the upper lamp 13, the speaker 14, and the auxiliary display unit 15 is provided on the back surface of the auxiliary display unit 15. The positions and numbers of the upper lamp 13 and the speakers 14 are not limited to those described above.

  A lower plate 16 on which a model name, a character related to a game, and the like are displayed is mounted above the medal tray 18. In addition, an ashtray 19 that can be reversed to the lower side on the front side is provided on the left side of the medal tray 18.

  A power supply box 121 is provided on the left side of the hopper device 91 inside the housing 11. The power supply box 121 includes a power switch 122, a reset switch 123, a setting key insertion hole 124, and the like. The power switch 122 is a start switch for supplying power to each unit including the main controller 131.

  The reset switch 123 is a switch for resetting various states of the slot machine 10. This slot machine 10 has a backup function for various data, and even if a power failure occurs, it retains the state at the time of the power failure and returns to the state at the time of the power failure at the time of recovery from power failure (power recovery). It can be done. Therefore, for example, when the power supply is shut down by a normal procedure, such as when the game hall is closed, the state before the power shut-off is stored, but if the power switch 122 is turned on while pressing the reset switch 123, the backup data is reset. It has become so. If the reset switch 123 is pressed while the power switch 122 is on, the error state is reset.

  The setting key insertion hole 124 is used by a hole manager or the like to adjust the appearance of medals. That is, the setting state (winning probability setting process) of the slot machine 10 can be changed from “setting 1” to “setting 6” by operating the hole manager or the like by inserting the setting key into the setting key insertion hole 124. It has become.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a main control device 131 is attached to the back plate 11 c of the housing 11 above the reel unit 41. The main control device 131 includes a CPU that controls the main control, a ROM that stores a game program, a RAM that temporarily stores necessary data according to the progress of the game, a port that communicates with various devices, time counting and synchronization. A main board including a clock circuit and the like used in the case of planning is provided, and the main board is accommodated in a board box as an encapsulating means made of a transparent resin material or the like.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the slot machine 10 will be described based on the block diagram of FIG.

  The main control device 131 is equipped with a microcomputer centering on a CPU 151 as arithmetic processing means. In addition to the power supply device 161 provided in the power supply box 121, the CPU 151 is connected to a clock circuit 154 that outputs a rectangular wave having a predetermined frequency, an input / output port 155, and the like via an internal bus. The main control device 131 functions as a main base incorporated in the slot machine 10.

  On the input side of the main controller 131, there are a start detection sensor 71a for detecting the operation of the start lever 71, stop detection sensors 72a, 73a, 74a for individually detecting the operations of the stop switches 72, 73, 74, and a medal slot. The inserted medal detection sensor 75a for detecting a medal inserted from 75, the credit insertion detection sensors 77a, 78a, 79a for individually detecting the operations of the respective credit insertion switches 77, 78, 79, and the switching for detecting the operation of the changeover switch 80. Detection sensor 80a, reel index sensor 109 that individually detects the rotational position (origin position) of each reel 42, payout detection sensor 91a that detects medals paid out from the hopper device 91, and reset detection sensor that detects the operation of the reset switch 123 123a, set in the setting key insertion hole 124 Key is connected to various sensors such as setting the key detection sensor 124a for detecting that it has been inserted, the signals from these various sensors are outputted to the CPU151 through the input and output ports 155. The inserted medal detection sensor 75a is actually composed of a plurality of sensors.

  The main control device 131 monitors the order in which the first sensor and the second sensor are turned on / off, the first and second sensors are both off, only the first sensor is on, the first and second sensors are both on, It is determined that the medal has been normally taken in only when the sensor is turned on and both the first and second sensors are turned off and when the time for switching to each on / off switch is within a predetermined time. Otherwise, it is an error. The reason for this is to prevent fraud in which a medal is reciprocated near the inserted medal detection sensor 75a and misidentified as a medal inserted.

  Further, a power failure monitoring circuit 161 b provided in the power supply device 161 is connected to the input side of the main control device 131 via the input / output port 155. On the power supply board 161, a power supply unit 161 a that supplies driving power to each electronic device of the slot machine 10 including the main control device 131, the power failure monitoring circuit 161 b described above, and the like are mounted.

  The power failure monitoring circuit 161b is for monitoring the power-off state and generating a power failure signal not only at the time of power failure but also at the time of power-off by the power switch 122. For this reason, the power failure monitoring circuit 161b monitors the stabilized drive voltage of 12 VDC in this example output from the power supply unit 161a, and determines that the power supply is shut off when the drive voltage drops below, for example, 10 volts. Power outage signal is output. The power failure signal is supplied to each of the CPU 151 and the input / output port 155, and the CPU 151 recognizes this power failure signal and executes a power failure process described later.

  Even when the output voltage drops below 22 volts, the power supply unit 161a is configured to output a stabilized voltage of 5 volts that is used as a drive voltage in a control system such as the main controller 131. As the time during which the stabilization voltage is output, sufficient time is secured to execute the power failure process by the main controller 131.

  On the output side of the main control device 131, each active line display section 32, 33, 34, remaining number display section 35, game number display section 36, acquired number display section 37, and each reel 42L, 42M, 42R are rotated. Stepping motors 61 (61L, 61M, 61R), a medal passage switching solenoid 83 provided in the selector 84, a hopper device 91, an auxiliary control device 111, an external concentration terminal plate 171 capable of transmitting information to a hall management device (not shown), etc. Are connected via the input / output port 155.

  The auxiliary control device 111 is a control device for driving the upper lamp 13, the speaker 14, the auxiliary display unit 15, and the LED 106, and includes a substrate in which a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like for driving these are integrated. Yes. Then, after receiving a signal from the main control device 131, the auxiliary control device 111 independently drives and controls the upper lamp 13, the speaker 14, the auxiliary display unit 15, and the LED 106. Therefore, the auxiliary control device 111 is a sub-base that executes auxiliary control in relation to the main control device 131 that is a main base that manages and manages the game. In other words, the sub-base is provided for voice, lamp, and display related to indirect games, thereby reducing the burden on the main base. In addition, it is good also as a structure which the auxiliary control apparatus 111 controls the various display parts 32-37.

  The CPU 151 described above stores various control programs executed by the CPU 151 and a ROM 152 storing fixed value data, and temporarily stores various data when the control program stored in the ROM 152 is executed. In addition to the RAM 153 for securing the area, although not shown, various processing circuits necessary for the slot machine 10 such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data transmission / reception circuit, etc., as well known, and a credit counter for counting the number of credits Various counters such as are built-in. The ROM 152 and the RAM 153 constitute a main memory as storage means, and a program for executing the processes shown in the various flowcharts shown in FIGS. 11 to 20 is stored in the ROM 152 described above as a part of the control program. Yes.

  The RAM 153 has a configuration in which a backup voltage is supplied from the power supply device 161 provided in the power supply box 121 and data can be retained (backed up) even after the power of the slot machine 10 is shut off. In addition to a memory and an area for temporarily storing various data and the like, a backup area is provided.

  In the backup area, when the power is shut down due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the values of the stack pointer, each register, I / O, etc. when the power is shut down (including power shut down by operating the power switch 122; the same applies hereinafter) When the power failure is resolved (including power-on by operating the power switch 122. The same applies hereinafter), the slot machine 10 is in the state before power-off based on the backup area information. It is possible to return to the state. Writing to the backup area is executed when the power is shut off by the power failure process (see FIG. 17), and the restoration of each value written in the backup area is executed in the main process (see FIG. 18) when the power is turned on. Note that a power failure signal from the power failure monitoring circuit 161b is input to the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the CPU 151 when the power is interrupted due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. NMI interrupt processing as flag generation processing is immediately executed.

  Next, each control process executed by the CPU 151 in the main control device 131 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The processing of the CPU 151 is roughly divided into a main processing that is started when the power is turned on, a timer interrupt processing that is started periodically (in a cycle of 1.49 msec in the present embodiment), and an NMI terminal (non-maskable terminal). For convenience of explanation, the NMI interrupt process and the timer interrupt process will be described first, and then the main process will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the NMI interrupt process. When the power is shut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the power failure monitoring circuit 161b of the power supply device 161 generates a power failure signal and outputs it to the main controller 131. In the main controller 131 that has received the power failure signal via the NMI terminal, NMI interrupt processing is executed.

  In the NMI interrupt processing, first, in step S 101, the data of the used register provided in the CPU 151 is saved in the backup area provided in the RAM 153. Subsequently, in step S102, the power failure flag is set in a power failure flag storage area provided in the RAM 153. Thereafter, the data saved in the backup area of the RAM 153 in step S103 is restored to the use register of the CPU 151 again. With this return processing, the NMI interrupt processing ends. If the power failure flag can be set without destroying the data in the register used by the CPU 151, the saving and restoring processing to the backup area can be omitted.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a timer interrupt process periodically executed by the main control device 131. A timer interrupt is generated by the CPU 151 of the main control device 131 every 1.49 msec, for example.

  First, in the register saving process shown in step S201, the values of all the registers in the CPU 151 used in the normal process described later are saved in the backup area of the RAM 153. In step S202, it is confirmed whether or not a power failure flag is set. If the power failure flag is set, the process proceeds to step S203, and a power failure process is executed.

  Here, the power failure process will be described with reference to FIG. Since the power failure process is performed immediately after the register saving process in the timer interrupt process, other interrupt processes can be executed without interruption. Therefore, for example, during the process of transmitting various commands, during the process of reading the switch state (on / off), the process at the time of power failure is not executed by interrupting each process. It is no longer necessary to create a power failure processing program that also takes into account This simplifies the processing program for power failure processing and reduces the program capacity. This also applies to a processing program for power recovery processing described later.

  In step S301, it is determined whether command transmission has been completed. If the transmission has not ended, the process returns to the original process of FIG. In this way, it is determined whether or not the command transmission is completed at the initial stage of the power failure process, the transmission process is prioritized when the transmission is incomplete, and the power failure process is executed after the unit command transmission process is completed. By doing so, it is no longer necessary to construct a power failure processing program that takes into account that power failure processing is executed during command transmission. As a result, the power failure processing program can be simplified and the ROM 152 can be reduced in capacity.

  If step S301 is YES, that is, if the command transmission is completed, the process proceeds to step S302, and the value of the stack pointer of the CPU 151 is stored in the backup area in the RAM 153. Thereafter, in step S303, a RAM determination value, which will be described later, is cleared as a stop process and the output state of the output port in the input / output port 155 is cleared, and all actuators (not shown) are turned off. In step S304, a RAM determination value is calculated and stored in the backup area. The RAM determination value is specifically a 2's complement of the checksum value at the work area address of the RAM 153. By storing the RAM determination value in the backup area, the checksum of the RAM 153 becomes zero. By setting the checksum of the RAM 153 to 0, subsequent RAM access is prohibited in step S305. After that, an infinite loop is entered in preparation for the case where the power supply is completely shut down and processing cannot be executed.

  The power supply unit 161a of the power supply device 161 holds the output of the stabilization voltage (5 volts) used as the drive voltage for the control system for a time sufficient to execute the above-described NMI interrupt processing and power failure processing. It is comprised so that. In the present embodiment, the drive voltage is continuously output for 30 msec.

  Returning to the description of the timer interrupt process, if the power failure flag is not set in step S202, various processes after step S204 are performed.

  That is, in step S204, a watchdog timer clearing process for initializing the value of the watchdog timer for monitoring the occurrence of malfunction is performed. In step S205, an interrupt end declaration process for giving an interrupt permission to the CPU 151 itself is performed. In step S206, in order to rotate the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R, a stepping motor control process for driving the stepping motors 61L to 61R, which are the respective rotary drive motors, is performed. In step S207, a sensor monitoring process for monitoring the state of various sensors (see FIG. 10) connected to the input / output port 155 is performed. In step S208, timer calculation processing for subtracting the value of each counter or timer is performed. In step S209, counter processing for counting the number of medals bet and the number of payouts is performed.

  In step S210, command output processing for transmitting a command or the like to the auxiliary control device 111 is performed. In step S211, a segment data setting process for setting segment data displayed on the remaining number display unit 35, the game number display unit 36, and the acquired number display unit 37 is performed. In step S212, segment data set processing in the segment data setting processing is supplied to the display units 35 to 37, and segment data display processing for displaying corresponding numbers, symbols, and the like is performed. In step S213, port output processing for outputting data corresponding to the I / O device from the input / output port 155 is performed. In step S214, the value of each register saved in the backup area in the previous step S201 is restored to the corresponding register in the CPU 151. Thereafter, in step S215, an interrupt permission process for permitting the next timer interrupt is performed, and this series of timer interrupt processes is terminated.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a main process in main controller 131 executed after power-on. The main processing is executed when power is turned on by recovery from a power failure or by turning on the power switch 122.

  First, in step S401, as initialization processing, the value of the stack pointer is set in the CPU 151, and an interrupt mode that permits interrupt processing is set. Thereafter, various settings for the register group in the CPU 151, the I / O device, and the like are set. And so on.

  When these initialization processes are completed, it is next determined in step S402 whether or not the reset switch 123 has been turned on. If the reset switch 123 has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S403, and all data stored in the RAM 153 is cleared as a RAM clear process.

  After confirming that the reset switch has not been operated in step S402 or performing a RAM clear process in step S403, it is determined in step S404 whether or not a setting key has been inserted into the setting key insertion hole 124. To do. If the setting key has been inserted, the process proceeds to step S405 to perform setting change processing. As the setting change process, first, all data stored in the RAM 153 is cleared. Then, after determining which setting state is selected from the six preset setting states (“Setting 1” to “Setting 6”), internal processing corresponding to the selected setting state is executed. .

  In step S406, it is confirmed whether or not a power failure flag is set. When the power failure flag is not set, that is, when the data in the RAM 153 is cleared in the previous step S403 or step S405, the process proceeds to a normal process in step S407 to be described later, and this process ends.

  When the power failure flag is set in step S406, the process proceeds to the power recovery process shown in step S408 and thereafter. The fact that the power failure flag is set means that subroutine processing such as RAM clear processing in step S403 and setting change processing in step S405 is not executed at all. Therefore, the data in the RAM 153 is not rewritten at all, and the power recovery process requires confirmation processing such as whether or not the data in the RAM 153 is normal.

  For this purpose, first, in step S408, it is confirmed whether or not the RAM determination value is normal. More specifically, the checksum of the RAM 153 is checked to check whether the value is normal, that is, whether the checksum taking into account the RAM determination value is 0. If the checksum value including the RAM determination value is 0, it is determined that the data in the RAM 153 is normal.

  If the RAM determination value is abnormal in step S408, that is, if the checksum value is not 0, there is a high possibility that the data in the RAM 153 has been destroyed. Therefore, in such a case, an error display process is performed in step S409. As error display processing, interrupt processing is first prohibited and all output ports in the input / output port 155 are cleared to control all actuators connected to the input / output port 155 to an off state. Thereafter, an error display for notifying the occurrence of an error to the hall manager or the like is performed, and this state is maintained until the reset switch 123 is turned on.

  If it is determined in step S408 that the RAM determination value is normal, the process proceeds to step S410, the stack pointer value stored in the backup area is written to the stack pointer of the CPU 151, and the stack state before the power is shut off is written. Return to the state. Next, in step S411, a power recovery command for transmitting the power recovery process is transmitted to the auxiliary control device 111. Thereafter, in step S412, the game state is stopped and automatic settlement setting storage processing is performed. In step S413, various sensors such as the start detection sensor 71a are initialized. After the above processing is completed, the power failure flag is reset in step S414, and the processing returns to the address before the power is shut off. Specifically, the process returns to the timer interrupt process described above, and the watchdog timer clear process (step S204) is executed.

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

  First, in step S501, it is determined whether or not a medal is bet. If a medal is bet, it is subsequently determined in step S502 whether the start lever 71 has been operated. If both step S501 and step S502 are YES, the lottery process in step S503, the reel control process in step S504, the medal payout process in step S505, and the special game state process in step S506 are executed in order, and the process returns to step S501. On the other hand, if no medal is bet in step S501 or the start lever 71 is not operated in step S502, the process returns to step S501.

  Next, the lottery process in step S503 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S601, the random number table for determination of success / failure is selected based on the current setting state of the slot machine 10, the number of medals bet, and the small / probable combination probability. Here, the setting state of the slot machine 10 is any one of “setting 1” to “setting 6” set using a setting key (not shown), and the random number having the lowest winning probability of the combination when “setting 1” is set. A table is selected, and when “setting 6” is selected, the random number table having the highest winning probability of the combination is selected. The number of medals bet is any one of 1 to 3, and a random number table is selected such that as the number of bets increases, the winning probability of winning combination increases. For example, the winning probability of a winning combination when three bets are higher than the winning probability of winning when a single bet is three times. In addition, there are two types of small role probabilities: a random number table with a high small role winning probability is selected when the current payout rate is lower than the predetermined expected value, and small when the current winning rate is higher than the predetermined expected value. A random number table with a low winning probability is selected.

  In step S602, a random number table selected in this way is used for lottery in light of the random numbers latched by the random number counter when the start lever 71 is operated. In step S603, it is determined whether or not any of the winning combinations has been won. If any of the winning combinations has not been won, the process is terminated. If any of the winning combinations is won, the process proceeds to step S604, where a winning flag corresponding to the winning combination is set and an effective line to be aligned is determined. In step S605, a slip table for reel stop control is determined and stored in the slip table storage area of the RAM 153. Here, when the symbols on the predetermined effective line at the timing when the stop switches 72 to 74 are pressed are different from the symbols to be stopped on the effective line, the slip table is a predetermined symbol to be stopped. It is a table that defines how much the reel slides so as to stop on the active line.

  Next, the reel control processing in step S504 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In the reel control process, first, a wait process is performed in step S701. This wait process is a process of waiting without starting the reel rotation in the current game until a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) elapses from the time when the reel rotation is started in the previous game. Therefore, even if the player bets a medal and operates the start lever 71, the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R may not immediately rotate. Following the wait process, the reel rotation process in step S702 is performed to rotate the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S703, and it is determined whether or not any of the stop switches 72 to 74 is pressed to generate a reel stop command. If no stop command has been issued, the process advances to step S704 to determine whether or not a predetermined maximum rotation time (for example, 40 seconds) of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R has elapsed. If the maximum rotation time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S703. If the maximum rotation time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S705 to perform a forced stop process for forcibly stopping all the rotating reels.

  On the other hand, if any one of the stop switches 72 to 74 is pressed in step S703 and a stop command is generated, the process proceeds to step S706 to perform reel stop processing. In this reel stop process, the reel corresponding to the pressed stop switch is stopped. If a winning combination is won in the winning lottery and the winning flag is set, the reel is stored in the sliding table storage area of the RAM 153. With reference to the sliding table, control is performed so that the winning combinations are arranged on a predetermined effective line as much as possible. For example, when the “watermelon” symbol is lined up on the lower line and the stop switch is pressed at the timing when the “watermelon” symbol stops on the upper line, the symbol 2 is set so that it stops on the lower line. Slide the reel as much as you can. However, since the range that can be slid is determined in advance (for example, up to four symbols), the “watermelon” symbol may not stop on the lower line depending on the timing of pressing the stop switch. Even in the forced stop process in step S705, if the winning flag is set, the same process is performed.

  Subsequently, in step S707, it is determined whether or not the current stop command is the first stop command, that is, whether or not the stop switch has been pressed when all three reels are rotating. In the case of the first stop command, the process proceeds to step S708, and the slip table changing process is performed. In this slide table change process, for example, it is determined whether or not a combination of combinations occurs when trying to align a combination on the selected active line, and when a combination of combinations does not occur, the process proceeds to the next step as it is. When a combination of combinations occurs, the selected effective line is changed to another effective line, and after changing to a sliding table suitable for the changed effective line, the process proceeds to the next step. Here, “combination of a combination” means that, for example, when a “watermelon” symbol is arranged on the upper line, a “cherry” symbol appears on the lower line when the “cherry” symbol appears on the lower line. Refers to cases. The slip table changing process may be performed other than when avoiding the combination of the combinations.

  On the other hand, if the current stop command is not the first stop command in step S707, the process proceeds to step S709 to determine whether the second stop command is present, that is, one of the three reels is stopped and the two reels are rotating. It is determined whether or not the stop switch has been pressed. If it is the second stop command, the process proceeds to step S710 and a stop eye determination process is performed. In this stop eye determination process, when two reels are stopped, it is determined whether or not the two are aligned with a bonus symbol such as “7” symbol. If they are not aligned, the process proceeds to the next step as it is. When sound effects are generated from the speaker 14, the process proceeds to the next step. In the stop eye determination process, it may be determined whether another condition other than two bonus symbols is satisfied, or an effect using the auxiliary display unit 15 may be performed in addition to the sound effect.

  Then, after the forced stop process in step S705, after the slip table change process in step S708, when the current stop command is not the second stop command in step S709, or the stop eye determination process in step S710 is performed. Thereafter, in step S711, it is determined whether or not all rotations of the left, middle, and right reels 42L, 42M, and 42R have stopped. If step S711 is NO, the process returns to step S703. If YES, the payout determination process is performed in the subsequent step S712, and then the process ends. In the payout determination process, it is determined whether or not the winning combination is arranged on the effective line. When the winning combination is not aligned on the effective line, 0 is set in the payout number storage area of the RAM 153, and the winning combination is aligned on the effective line. When it is, it is determined whether or not the winning combination matches the winning combination, and if not, an error is displayed by the upper lamp 13 or the like and 0 is set in the scheduled payout number storage area. If they match, the number of payouts corresponding to the combinations arranged in the payout amount storage area is set.

  Next, the medal payout process in step S505 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In the medal payout process, first, it is determined whether or not the payout number counted by the payout number counter in step S801 matches the planned payout number stored in the payout planned number storage area. If the number of payouts does not match the planned payout number, it is determined in step S802 whether or not the game is being performed in the credit mode. If it is in the credit mode, it is determined in step S803 whether or not the count value of the credit counter has reached the upper limit (the number of stored medals is 50). If the upper limit is not reached, the count value of the credit counter and the number of payouts are each incremented by 1 in step S804. Accordingly, the remaining number display unit 35 and the acquired number display unit 37 are each incremented by one.

  On the other hand, when the game is performed in the direct mode, or when the count value of the credit counter reaches the upper limit, the medal payout rotary plate is driven in step S805 and the medal is discharged from the hopper device 91 to the medal discharge port. 17 through the medal tray 18. At this time, in step S806, the number of payouts is incremented by 1 according to the medal detection signal of the payout detection sensor 91a attached to the hopper device 91. As a result, the number of acquired number display section 37 is incremented by one. Then, after the payout number is incremented by 1 in step S804 or step S806, the process returns to step S801 again. When the number of payouts and the planned number of payouts match in step S801, the medal payout rotating plate of the hopper device 91 is stopped in step S807, and this process is terminated. The payout number / acquired number display section 37 is reset when the start lever 71 is operated next time.

  Next, the special game state process of step S506 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  Prior to the description of the special game state process, the bonus game will be described. The regular bonus (hereinafter referred to as “RB”) game is composed of 12 JAC games. The JAC game is a game in which only one bet is allowed, and is a game with a very high probability that the JAC symbols (replay symbols in this case) are aligned on the active line, that is, the probability of establishment of the JAC symbols. When a JAC symbol is established in a JAC game, the maximum number (15 in this case) of medals is paid out. When the JAC symbol is established 8 times, the RB game is ended even before the JAC game reaches 12 times. On the other hand, the big bonus (hereinafter referred to as “BB”) game is composed of 30 small role games and 3 JAC ins. A small role game is a game in which a small role is won with a high probability (“Bell” symbols etc. are on the active line), and JAC in means entering the JAC game 12 times. When JAC symbols are aligned on the active line, JAC in is established. The JAC game is the same as that of the RB game. Also, when the JAC game by the third JAC in is finished, the BB game is finished even before the small role game reaches 30 times, and before the JAC in reaches 3 times after the 30 small role games are finished. Even if there is, the BB game ends.

  In the special game state process, first, in step S901, it is determined whether or not the game state is a bonus game. If it is not during the bonus game, the process proceeds to step S902, and bonus symbol determination processing is performed.

  In this bonus symbol determination process, as shown in FIG. 20, it is first determined in step S1001 whether or not the RB winning flag is set, and if it is set, the process proceeds to step S1002, and the RB symbol is placed on the current effective line. It is determined whether or not (for example, “BAR” symbol) has been prepared. On the other hand, when the RB symbols are aligned on the active line this time, in step S1003, the RB winning flag is reset and the RB setting flag is set to set the RB game as one type of bonus game, and the RB game initial setting process shown in FIG. To finish this processing. If the RB winning flag is not set in step S1001, it is determined whether or not the BB winning flag is set in step S1004. If it is not set, the process is terminated. When the BB winning flag is set, the process proceeds to step S1005, where it is determined whether or not the BB symbol (for example, symbol “7”) is aligned on the current effective line. . On the other hand, when the BB symbols are aligned on the active line this time, in step S1006, the BB winning flag is reset and the BB setting flag is set to obtain a BB game which is a kind of bonus game, and the BB game shown in FIG. The initial setting process is executed and this process is terminated.

  21 and 22, the remaining small role game counter represents the remaining number of small role games (also referred to as the remaining small role game number), and the remaining JAC in counter represents the remaining number of remaining JAC in (remaining JAC in number). The remaining JAC establishment counter represents the remaining number of times that the JAC symbol can be established (also referred to as the number of remaining JAC formations), and the remaining JAC game counter represents the number of remaining JAC games (also referred to as the number of remaining JAC games). To express. The number of remaining small role games, the number of remaining JAC ins, the number of remaining JACs established, and the number of remaining JAC games are displayed on the game number display unit 36 as appropriate. By the way, if a small role winning flag or replay winning flag is set by winning a small role or replay in the role lottery, those winning flags will not be aligned on the active line in the game. Will be reset, but if the RB winning flag or the BB winning flag is set by winning the RB or BB in the winning lottery, even if the RB symbol or BB symbol cannot be aligned on the active line in the game The winning flag will be carried over to the next time. In the lottery process in the next game that carries over the BB or RB winning flag, a lottery regarding whether or not a small role or replay is won is performed, but a lottery regarding BB or RB is not performed. In addition, when a small combination or replay is won in a state where the BB or RB winning flag is carried over, a slide table is stored so that the small combination or replay is preferentially aligned.

  Now, returning to FIG. 19, when the gaming state is a bonus game in step S901, it is determined in step S903 whether the bonus game is a JAC game. If it is not a JAC game, it means that the BB game is in the small role game, so the process proceeds to step S904, and it is determined whether or not the JAC symbols are aligned on the active line. When the JAC symbols are aligned on the active line, the JAC game is started in step S905 and the JAC game initial setting process during the BB game shown in FIG. 22B is performed, and this process ends. On the other hand, when the JAC symbols are not aligned on the active line in step S904, the small role game has been consumed, so in step S906 the remaining small role game number is decremented by 1, and in step S907. It is determined whether or not the number of remaining small role games has become zero. When the remaining small role game number is not 0, the present process is terminated. When the remaining small role game number is 0, the process proceeds to step S908, and a special game state end process for appropriately resetting various setting flags, BB setting flags, various counters, etc. To end this process.

  When the gaming state is a JAC game in step S903, the process proceeds to step S909 to determine whether or not the JAC symbols are aligned on the active line. When the JAC symbols are aligned on the active line, the number of remaining JACs established is determined in step S910. Decrement by one. After that, or when the JAC symbols are not aligned on the active line in step S909, one JAC game has been consumed, so the number of remaining JAC games is decremented by 1 in step S911. Subsequently, in step S912, it is determined whether or not any of the remaining number of JACs or the number of remaining JAC games has become 0. If neither is 0, that is, the JAC symbol has not yet been established 8 times. If the JAC game has not been digested 12 times, the process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if any of them is 0, that is, if the JAC symbol is established 8 times or the JAC game is digested 12 times, the JAC in is digested once, so in step S913 the remaining JAC in The number of times is decremented by 1, and in the subsequent step S914, it is determined whether or not the number of remaining JAC in is zero. When it is 0, the special gaming state termination process of step S908 described above is performed, and this process is terminated. Incidentally, if the bonus game is an RB bonus, the initial remaining JAC in number is 1 (see FIG. 21), so it becomes 0 in step S913, and an affirmative determination is always made in step S914, and the special game in step S908. The RB setting flag is reset in the state end process.

  On the other hand, when the number of remaining JAC ins is not zero in step S914, that is, when the JAC in has not been digested three times in the BB game, after performing the JAC game end processing for resetting the JAC game setting flag in step S915, When the player enters the game, one of the small role games is digested, so the number of remaining small role games is decremented by 1 in step S906, and then whether or not the remaining small role game number has become 0 in step S907. If it is determined that the number of remaining small role games is 0, the special game state ending process in step S908 described above is performed, and this process is ended. On the other hand, when the remaining small-combination game number is not 0, the small-combination game in the BB bonus has not reached 30 times and the JAC in has not reached 3 times.

  Next, the configuration of the reel unit described above will be described again in detail.

  As shown in FIGS. 6, 23 and 24, the stepping motor (reel drive motor) 61L is provided with a connector 62 for electrical connection with the main controller 131 (FIG. 10) that outputs a drive signal. ing. A harness H for electrical connection with the main controller 131 is connected to the connector 62.

  The motor plate 63 on which the stepping motor 61L is mounted extends in a direction away from the center of the main body portion 64 from the main body portion 64 including the arc portion 64a corresponding to the outer peripheral edge shape of the reel 42L and the end portion of the arc portion 64a. A first extension portion 65, a second extension portion 65b provided on the opposite side of the first extension portion 65a with respect to the arc portion 64a and extending in the opposite direction, and a central portion of the main body portion 64 And a third extension portion 65c provided on the opposite side of the arc portion 64a, and two flange portions 67a and 67b provided at the end of the main body portion 64. A motor mounting portion 64m to which the stepping motor 61L is attached is formed in the central portion of the main body portion 64. From the motor mounting portion 64m to the first extension portion 65, a harness housing recess 66 that is recessed in a direction opposite to the side on which the LED substrate 104 is provided is formed. The second and third extension portions 65b and 65c are each a reel assembly having a reel 42L, a stepping motor 61L, a motor plate 63, an LED board 104, a connector 107 described later, and the like, and a reel case 42C (see FIG. 9). It plays a role of positioning when entering. The two flange portions 67a and 67b serve as flanges for fixing the motor plate 63 with screws after putting the reel assembly in the reel case 42C, in other words, for fixing the reel assembly with screws. Yes.

  The LED substrate (light emitting element substrate) 104 has an arc portion 104a corresponding to the arc portion 64a of the motor plate 63, and an extension portion 105 extending from the arc portion 104a. The plurality of LEDs (light emitting elements) 106a, 106b, and 106c described above are mounted on the arc portion 104a. In addition, a connector 107 for electrically connecting to the auxiliary control device 111 is provided on the end of the extension portion 105 and on the side where the plurality of LEDs 106a, 106b, and 106c are provided. On the LED substrate 104, wirings 108 (FIG. 24) for electrically connecting the LEDs 106a, 106b, 106c and the connector 107 are formed. In this LED substrate 104, the arc portion 104a of the LED substrate 104 and the arc portion 64a of the motor plate 63 are opposed, and the extension portion 105 of the LED substrate 104 and the first extension portion 65a of the motor plate 63 are opposed. It is attached to the motor plate 63.

  A connector Hc provided at one end of the harness H is connected to the connector 62 of the stepping motor 63L. The other end of the harness H is connected to the main controller 131 described above. The harness H connected to the stepping motor 63L and pulled out from the inside of the reel assembly passes between the harness housing recess 66 of the motor plate 63 and the LED board 104, as shown in FIGS. That is, the harness H is sandwiched between the motor plate 63 and the LED substrate 104 and the position thereof is restrained. It should be noted that between the harness housing recess 66 of the motor plate 63 and the LED substrate 104, as with the harness H of the stepping motor 63L, an electronic component or the like controlled by the main controller 131 and the main controller 131 are connected. For example, a wiring that electrically connects the reel index sensor 109 and the main controller 131 shown in FIG.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the wiring board, that is, the LED board 104 is used as the wiring between the LEDs 106a, 106b, 106c and the auxiliary control device 111, and the harness H of the stepping motors 63L, 63M, 63R is used as the motor plate. 63 and the LED substrate 104 are sandwiched and the position of the harness H is constrained. Therefore, the harness H can be connected to the harness H without using a harness cover or the like, that is, without increasing the number of parts. It is possible to avoid contact with the reel driven by the stepping motor and its adjacent reels, and further contact with the wiring of the LEDs 106a, 106b, 106c, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, the LED 107 connector 107 is provided in the extended portion 105 on the outer peripheral side of the outer periphery of the reel 42 in the portion of the LED board 104. Not subject to mutual spacing constraints. That is, the interval between the adjacent reels 42 and 42 can be reduced. Moreover, it is the edge part of the extension part 105 of LED board 104, and the surface of the side in which several LED106a, 106b, 106c is provided, in other words, the surface on the opposite side to the side where the motor plate 63 is arranged. Since the connector 107 is provided, it is possible to prevent the width of one reel assembly from being increased by the width of the connector 107. Further, in the present embodiment, the light guide plates 103a, 103b, and 103c are used as the backlight device 100 of the reel 42L, and light from the LEDs 106a, 106b, and 106c is incident from the side end sides of the light guide plates 103a, 103b, and 103c. Since the light guide method is employed, the backlight device itself can be made smaller than the backlight device employing a direct method described later. As described above, from the three viewpoints of 1) the distance between the reels 42 and 42 can be reduced, 2) the width of the reel assembly can be reduced, and 3) the backlight device 100 can be reduced in size. Significant downsizing can be achieved.

  In the above embodiment, the storage recess 66 for storing the harness H is provided in the motor plate 63 out of the motor plate 63 and the LED substrate 104, but the storage recess may be provided on the LED substrate 104 side. However, if the storage recess is provided in the LED board 104, the manufacturing process of the LED board 104 becomes complicated due to the formation of the wiring 108 and the like, and the manufacturing cost of the LED board 104 increases. Absent. In addition, as shown in FIG. 26, a spacer that allows the harness H to pass therethrough may be provided between the motor plate 63a and the LED substrate 104 without providing a storage recess. As the spacer, a screw boss 69a passed through a screw 69 used for connecting the motor plate 63a and the LED substrate 104 can be considered.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, a light guide type is adopted as the backlight device 100, but a direct type may be adopted. As shown in FIGS. 27 (a) and 27 (b), the direct system is a system in which a light emitting element is disposed on the belt back side of the reel, and the back side of the belt is directly illuminated by the light emitting element. Specifically, for example, an element mounting plate 102Ap is attached to an opening at one end of a box-shaped case 102A open at both ends, and a light emitting element such as an LED is attached to the opening side of the other end of the element mounting plate 102Ap. Provide. The case 102A is arranged in the reel 42L so that the opening at the other end of the case 102A faces the back surface of the belt of the reel 42L. When such a direct system is employed, connectors are provided on both the surface of the element mounting plate 102Ap where the light emitting element is not provided and the arc portion 104a of the substrate 104A corresponding to the LED substrate 104 in the above embodiment. 109a and 109b may be provided and the connectors 109a and 109b may be connected by a harness Ha. The connector 109b provided on the arc 104a of the board 104A and the connector 107 provided on the extension 105 of the board 104A are electrically connected by wiring formed on the board 104A. . The case 104A is fixed to, for example, a motor base. Note that the size of the backlight device in the direct type is larger than that in the light guide type. In the direct type, a light emitting element is arranged in the reel, and a predetermined distance is provided between the light emitting element and the reel belt. This is because a reel radius of a certain level or more is necessary to ensure. Therefore, in the light guide method, the reel radius can be made smaller than that in the direct method without being restricted by the direct method.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Slot machine as a gaming machine, 11 ... Housing, 11c ... Back plate, 12 ... Front door, 41 ... Reel unit, 42L, 42M, 42R ... Reel, 61L, 61M, 61R ... Stepping motor (reel drive motor) , 62 ... connector, 63 ... motor plate, 65a ... first extension part, 66 ... storage recess, 100 ... backlight device, 104 ... LED substrate (light emitting element substrate), 102 ... light guide plate frame, 103, 103a, 103b , 103c ... light guide plate, 105 ... extension, 106, 106a, 106b, 106c ... LED (light emitting element), 107 ... connector, 108 ... LED wiring, H ... stepping motor harness (wiring)

Claims (1)

A reel having a plurality of symbols drawn on the outer periphery, a reel drive motor that rotates the reel, a motor plate on which the reel drive motor is mounted, and wiring of light emitting elements that illuminate the symbols from inside the reel are formed. A light emitting element substrate, a main controller electrically connected to the reel drive motor and controlling the driving of the reel drive motor, and the light emitting element electrically connected to the light emitting element substrate via the wiring formed on the light emitting element substrate. A game machine having an auxiliary control device connected to and controlled to drive the light emitting element,
The light emitting element substrate is attached to the motor plate,
Between the motor plate and the light emitting element substrate, a wiring for connecting the main controller and the reel drive motor is sandwiched, and the wiring is constrained.
A gaming machine characterized by that.

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