JP2014221190A - Game machine management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of suppressing the amount of medals acquired fraudulently.SOLUTION: A game machine management system includes: a slot machine in which medals (game media) stored in a storage tank are dispensed according to a winning combination, when a winning combination is won and a symbol or a symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is stop-displayed; and a hall computer 2 for monitoring a state of the slot machine. The slot machine is configured in such a manner that: when a predetermined condition is established corresponding to a winning combination which starts a special game state in which the game proceeds while a player is in a more advantageous state than in a normal game state, the slot machine executes the necessity determination of medal replenishment; when the amount of the medals stored in a storage part is below a prescribed amount, it determines that the medal replenishment is necessary, and outputs a replenishment requesting signal for requesting the medal replenishment to the hall computer 2; and when the predetermined condition is not established, the necessity determination of medal replenishment is not performed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine and other gaming machines, and a gaming system including a plurality of gaming machines.

Game machines such as slot machines and pachinko machines are arranged side by side and in two rows with the backs facing each other in the game hall to form a game island.
The game hall usually has a plurality of game islands, and supply of game media such as medals and game balls to each game machine, collection of game media surplus in each game machine, and each game machine State monitoring is performed for each game island by a hall computer on the game hall side.
Patent Document 1 discloses a management system when the gaming machine is a slot machine.

JP-A-3-155844

A hopper provided with a storage unit for storing medals (game media) and a payout device for paying out medals in the storage unit to the player side in a housing of the slot machine constituting the management system of Patent Document 1. A device is provided.
In the storage section, medals inserted into the slot machine by the player and medals supplied from the game hall side are stored, and medals that cannot be stored in the storage section are discharged out of the slot machine from the discharge opening at the bottom of the housing. It has come to be.
Then, medals discharged from the slot machine are collected by a collecting device on the game hall side by a conveying device such as a conveyor, and the medals collected by the collecting device need to be supplied through another conveying device. The game machine is appropriately supplied.

In the slot machine, the player inserts medals and operates the start lever to rotate the reels, and then a predetermined number of medals are paid out according to the combination of symbols when all reels stop rotating. It is.
In addition, when the requirement for occurrence of a special gaming state such as a big bonus is satisfied, the game proceeds in a state more advantageous to the player than the normal gaming state, and the number of medals according to the special gaming state is paid back to the player side. It is like that.

  The storage unit is provided with a sensor for detecting the height of the stored medal in order to prevent the medal in the storage unit from being lost and being unable to pay out the medal. When the height is less than the height, medals are supplied to the gaming machine from the game hall side.

By the way, for example, there is an illegal act of causing a payout device to malfunction by an illegal means to pay out a medal from a gaming machine.
In the case of the management system of Patent Document 1, since the medals are replenished every time the medal in the storage unit becomes less than the specified height, even when the number of medals decreases due to fraud, every time the medal is less than the specified height. There is a possibility that medals are repeatedly supplied to the gaming machine and many medals are illegally acquired.

  Therefore, even if medals (game media) are paid out by fraudulent acts, it is required to suppress the amount of medals that are illegally acquired.

  The present invention provides a gaming machine management system comprising at least one gaming machine and a management device that monitors the state of the gaming machine, wherein the gaming machine stores a storage medium for storing gaming media, and the storage section. A sensor for detecting whether or not the amount of stored game media is less than a prescribed amount; a determination means for determining whether or not the storage medium needs to be replenished based on a detection result of the sensor; When the winning combination is executed by controlling the progression and winning the winning combination, and when the symbol or symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is stopped and displayed, the storage portion of the game medium corresponding to the winning combination is displayed. Control means for executing payout from the game machine, and in the gaming machine, the maximum amount of game media that can be paid out is determined as a special game state in which the game proceeds in a state advantageous to the player over the normal game state. First There are another game state and a second special game state in which the maximum amount of game media that can be paid out varies depending on the result of the game, and the determination means has a predetermined condition corresponding to the first special game state. And when a predetermined condition corresponding to the second special gaming state is satisfied, a determination is made as to whether or not the game medium needs to be replenished, and a predetermined condition corresponding to the second special gaming state If the predetermined condition corresponding to the second special gaming state is satisfied, and whenever the number of games in the second special gaming state reaches the predetermined number, the replenishment of the game medium is required. The determination means that executes the determination of whether or not the game medium needs to be supplied is determined so that the game medium is supplied when the amount of the game medium stored in the storage unit is less than a predetermined amount. Requiring game media to be supplied as deemed necessary A supply request signal is output to the management device, and the management device includes supply control means for controlling a supply device for supplying game media to the gaming machine, and the supply control means receives the supply request signal. In this case, the replenishing device is driven to replenish gaming media to the gaming machine that has output the replenishment request signal, and the amount of game media replenished to the replenishing device by the replenishment control means is The configuration is changed according to the number of games in the second special game state.

With this configuration, even if the amount of game media stored in the storage unit becomes less than the specified amount, the game unit is not replenished until the predetermined condition corresponding to the special game state is satisfied. Even if the game medium is paid out by cheating without performing the game, the game medium is not replenished indefinitely to the storage unit.
Therefore, even if the game medium is paid out without playing the game and the game medium is paid out, it is possible to suppress the amount of the game medium that is illegally acquired.

  In addition, in a gaming machine management system comprising at least one gaming machine and a management device that monitors the state of the gaming machine, the gaming machine controls the progress of the game and wins a prize while controlling the storage of gaming media. Executes a lottery for a winning combination, wins the winning combination, and when a symbol or symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is stopped and displayed, the amount of game media corresponding to the winning combination is paid out from the storage unit Control means, and when the winning combination is won, a signal indicating the winning combination is output to the management device, and notification means for notifying the winning combination is provided. A sensor for detecting whether or not the amount of the stored game medium is less than a prescribed amount, and a determination means for determining whether or not it is necessary to replenish the game medium to the storage unit. More favorable to the player As the special game state in which the game proceeds, the first special game state in which the maximum amount of game media that can be paid out is determined, and the maximum amount of game media that can be paid out varies depending on the game result. There are two special gaming states, and the judging means is configured to determine whether the predetermined condition corresponding to the first special gaming state is satisfied and when the predetermined condition corresponding to the second special gaming state is satisfied. When it is determined whether or not the game medium needs to be replenished, and a predetermined condition corresponding to the second special gaming state is satisfied, a predetermined point corresponding to the second special gaming state is satisfied; The determination means for determining whether or not the game medium needs to be supplied every time the number of games in the second special game state reaches a predetermined number of times, and determining whether or not the game medium needs to be supplied, Of game media stored in the storage section There If it is less than the specified amount, and configured to perform the replenishment of game media.

With this configuration, even if the amount of game media stored in the storage unit becomes less than the specified amount, the game unit is not replenished until the predetermined condition corresponding to the special game state is satisfied. Even if the game medium is paid out by cheating without performing the game, the game medium is not replenished indefinitely to the storage unit. Furthermore, until the predetermined condition corresponding to the special game state is satisfied, the game medium is not replenished to the storage unit, so that the game unit is excessively supplied to the storage unit and a large amount of game media is stored in the storage unit Never.
Therefore, even if the game medium is paid out without playing the game and the game medium is paid out, it is possible to suppress the amount of the game medium that is illegally acquired.

  Furthermore, the judgment of the necessity of replenishment of the game medium during the special game state is made when the amount of the game medium paid out from the storage unit exceeds the upper limit amount determined in accordance with the special game state. Preferably it is not done.

  With this configuration, even if the game medium is paid out by cheating after entering the special gaming state, the game medium is not replenished indefinitely to the storage unit. The amount of medium can be reduced.

  Even if game media is paid out due to cheating, the amount of game media that can be illegally acquired can be reduced.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a game system according to an embodiment. It is a whole perspective view of a slot machine. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the selector of a slot machine. It is a front view inside the slot machine shown with the front door removed. It is a figure explaining the hopper apparatus inside a slot machine. It is a block diagram of a main control board of the slot machine. It is a block diagram of a sub-control board of the slot machine. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a hall computer. It is a flowchart of the NMI interruption process which a main control board performs. It is a flowchart of the timer interruption control process which a main control board performs. It is a flowchart of the power-on process which a main control board performs. It is a flowchart of the normal game process which a main control board performs. It is a flowchart of the timer interruption process which a main control board performs. It is a flowchart of the command interruption process which a sub control board performs. It is a flowchart of the power failure process which a sub control board performs. It is a flowchart of the main process which a sub control board performs. It is a flowchart of 1 ms timer processing which a sub control board performs. It is a flowchart of the replenishment request | requirement process in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the supply counter process in 1st Embodiment. It is a time chart of the signal during BB and the replenishment request signal output from an external concentration terminal board. It is a flowchart of the output information reception process which a hall computer performs. It is a flowchart of signal processing during BB in output information reception processing. It is a flowchart of signal processing during RB in output information reception processing. It is a flowchart of signal processing during RT in output information reception processing. It is a flowchart of signal processing during AT in output information reception processing. It is a flowchart of ART judgment processing in output information reception processing. It is a flowchart of the supply request signal process in an output information reception process. It is a flowchart of the medal supply processing which a hall computer performs. It is a flowchart of the replenishment request | requirement process in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the supply counter process in 2nd Embodiment. It is a time chart of the signal during BB and the replenishment request signal output from an external concentration terminal board. It is a flowchart of the supply request signal process in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the medal supply processing in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the replenishment request | requirement process in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the replenishment request | requirement process in 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the replenishment request | requirement process in 5th Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the replenishment request | requirement process in 6th Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the main control board of the slot machine in 7th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the hall computer in 7th Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the output information reception process in 7th Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the supply counter process in 7th Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the medal supply process in 7th Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the supply counter process in 8th Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the supply counter process in 9th Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the supply counter process in 10th Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the supply counter process in 11th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to a plurality of slot machines installed in a game arcade and the status of each slot machine, and a medal replenishing device is operated for a slot machine that requires replenishment of medals. An example of a gaming system that includes a hall computer that replenishes the game will be described.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a gaming system 1 according to the first embodiment.
The gaming system 1 includes a hall computer 2, a game island 5 including a plurality of slot machines (game machines) 3 and a medal lending machine 4, and a medal collecting device that collects surplus medals in the gaming machine in a medal replenishing device 7. 6 and a medal supply device 7 for supplying medals to the slot machine 3 and the medal lending machine 4.

  On the game island 5, the slot machines 3 are arranged side by side or in one row or two rows facing the back, and a medal lending machine 4 is provided between adjacent slot machines 3. The state of the slot machine 3 and the medal lending machine 4 is centrally monitored by the hall computer 2.

  In addition, the hall computer 2 monitors the gaming state of each slot machine 3 and determines that the slot machine 3 or the medal lending machine 4 is required to supply medals or the result of monitoring indicates that medals need to be supplied. Then, the medal supply device 7 is controlled to supply medals to the slot machine 3 and the medal lending machine 4 that are required to supply medals.

  The recovery conveyor 6a of the medal recovery device 6 is provided along the longitudinal direction of the game island 5 inside the gaming table on which the slot machine 3 and the medal lending machine 4 are placed. The medals overflowing from the hopper device (not shown) of the slot machine 3 are guided to the recovery conveyor 6a by the recovery chute 6b and then recovered to the medal replenishing device 7 located at the end of the game island 5.

The medal supply device 7 includes a medal cleaning device (not shown), a medal supply hopper device 7a, and a medal transport rail 7b.
The medal transport rail 7b extending from the hopper device 7a is provided above the slot machine 3 and the medal lending machine 4 along the longitudinal direction of the game island 5. The medal transport rail 7b includes a medal transport rail 7b. A plurality of medal chute tubes 7c that branch and extend downward are provided.

  The medal chute tube 7c is prepared for each slot machine 3 and medal lending machine 4, and a shutter (not shown) that is driven to open and close by a motor 7d is provided at a connection portion between the medal chute tube 7c and the medal transport rail 7b. ing.

  Based on a command (command) from the hall computer 2, the medal replenishment device 7 drives the medal supply hopper device 7a to send the medal to the medal transport rail 7b, and the slot machine 3 or medal that needs replenishment. By opening the opening of the medal chute tube 7c of the lending machine 4 by driving the motor 7d, the medal is supplied to the slot machine 3 or the medal lending machine 4 that needs to be replenished with medals.

In the embodiment, the medal chute tube 7c is provided with a sensor (medal sensor 7e (see FIG. 8)) that detects a medal that has dropped in the medal chute tube 7c. The number of medals supplied to the slot machine 3 or the medal lending machine 4 through the medal shoot tube 7c is specified, and a predetermined number of medals are supplied to the slot machine 3 or the medal lending machine 4 based on the specified result. The motor 7d is driven to open and close the shutter.
The details of the medal supply device are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-192608 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-155844.

Next, the structure of the slot machine 3 of the present embodiment provided on the game island 5 will be described.
FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the slot machine 3. FIG. 3 shows the internal structure of the selector 31 that is attached to the back side of the front door 11 of the slot machine 3 and switches the supply destination of medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 24. 4 is a plan view of the inside of the housing body 10 of the slot machine 3 as viewed from the front side with the front door 11 of the slot machine 3 removed. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the slot machine 3 as viewed obliquely from above, and illustrates the periphery of the hopper device 43 on the lower side of the housing body 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the casing of the slot machine 3 includes a box-shaped casing main body 10 that opens on the front side, and a front door 11 that closes the opening.
The front door 11 is attached to the housing main body 10 by hinges at upper and lower portions on the left end side, swings horizontally around the hinge, and can open and close the opening of the housing main body 10.
A locking mechanism 28 is provided at the right end of the front door 11 to close the front door 11 in a locked state in cooperation with the housing body 10 side.

On the front side of the front door 11, a game panel 12 having a display window 15, a medal slot 24, an operation unit 13 having various operation levers and buttons, switches, a storage unit 14 for storing medals, and the like are provided. It has become a game side.
These details are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-61739.

  On the upper side of the display window 15 in the game panel 12, an upper lamp 16 that is lit and blinks as the game progresses is provided along the upper side of the front door 11. Are provided with a pair of speakers 17 for outputting various notification sounds (sound effects). Between the pair of speakers 17, a liquid crystal display 18 for displaying various information such as images and videos is provided.

  Below the display window 15 of the game panel 12, a bet lamp 19 that is turned on in accordance with the number of bets (the number of bets) of medals M in order from the left side to the right side, a credit number display unit 20, and a discharged number display unit. 21 etc. are provided.

The operation unit 13 includes a flat surface portion 13a extending from the lower end of the game panel 12 to the near side, and a vertical wall portion 13b extending in the vertical direction from the front end portion of the flat surface portion 13a.
A bet button 22 and three bet buttons 23 are provided side by side on the left side of the flat surface portion 13a, and a medal slot 24 is provided on the right side of the flat surface portion 13a.

  In order from the left side to the right side, the vertical wall portion 13b is in order from the left side to the right side for instructing the slot machine 3 to pay out medals credited, and for instructing the start of rotation of each reel 41 of the reel unit 40. The start lever 26 and a stop button 27 for instructing to stop the rotation of the reel 41 are provided.

The start lever 26 protrudes from the vertical wall portion 13b toward the front side, and is operated by pushing down or pushing up.
The stop button 27 is disposed at a position corresponding to each reel 41 and is operated by a pushing operation. In addition, a display plate 29 on which a model name, a character related to a game, and the like are displayed is provided below the vertical wall portion 13b.

  The storage unit 14 is arranged and formed so as to extend in the left-right direction at a position below the operation unit 13, and receives the medal M paid out from the medal payout outlet 302 and stores the medal tray 30 and the ashtray 301. Etc. are provided.

  On the back side of the front door 11, a selector 31 (not shown) is provided for switching the supply destination of the medal M inserted from the medal insertion slot 24 to a hopper device 43 to be described later and the medal tray 30. .

  As shown in FIG. 3, the selector body 32 of the selector 31 is provided with a medal guide path 33 for guiding the medal M sent from the medal slot 24 to the hopper device 43.

  As shown by an arrow A in FIG. 3, the medal guide path 33 hangs down from the left side of the upper surface of the selector body 32 and curves toward the right side of the body at a substantially central height position of the selector body 32. As shown, it extends to the lower part of the right side surface at a predetermined inclination angle, and is formed so that medals M can pass in a row. In the present embodiment, it is constituted by a protrusion 33a protruding from the selector body 32 toward the front side in the figure, and the medal M flows in the downstream direction while rolling on the protrusion 33a.

  A branch passage 36 that branches from the medal guide path 33 and communicates with the medal tray 30 is formed in the middle position of the medal guide path 33 as indicated by an arrow C in the figure. The medal M is configured to be switched between passing through the medal guide path 33 and supplying the medal M to the hopper device 43 or guiding the medal M to the branch passage 36 and supplying it to the medal tray 30.

  The medal guide path switching means 37 includes a switching piece 37a that can move in and out of the medal guide path 33, and a solenoid (not shown) for operating the switching piece 37a. When the solenoid is not excited, the switching piece 37a protrudes into the medal guide path 33, and the flow of the medal M toward the hopper device 43 is obstructed. Thereby, the medal M moves from the top of the protrusion 33a to the front side in the figure, and is then guided to the branch passage 36 and discharged to the medal tray 30. Further, when the solenoid is excited, the switching piece 37 a is immersed outside the medal guide path 33, and the medal M is moved along the medal guide path 33 and supplied to the hopper device 43.

  A medal passage detection unit 38 that detects the passage of the medal M is provided at a position downstream of the medal guide path 33. The medal passage detection unit 38 is configured by a photocoupler having a pair of light projecting units and a light receiving unit (each not shown) on both sides via the passing medal M. In the present embodiment, the medal passage detection unit 38 is passed. A detection sensor 38a and a second inserted medal passage detection sensor 38b are provided. The first inserted medal passage detection sensor 38a and the second inserted medal passage detection sensor 38b are juxtaposed on the upstream side and the downstream side in a state close enough to detect at least one passing medal M at the same time. The inserted medal passage detection sensors 38a and 38b are set to output a “Lo” signal when receiving light and a “Hi” signal when blocking light.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the housing body 10 is composed of a top plate 10a, a bottom plate 10b, a back plate 10c, a left side plate 10d, and a right side plate 10e. The inside of the housing body 10 is vertically divided by a partition plate 10f. It is divided.

  Reel 41 (41L, 41M, 41R) arranged side by side in a one-to-one correspondence with each display window 15 (15L, 15M, 15R: see FIG. 2) of front door 11 is located above the partition plate 10f. Are mounted so as to be rotatable on the same axis.

  Further, a control board housing box 42 for housing a main control board 50 for controlling the slot machine 3 is attached above the reel unit 40 of the back plate 10c when viewed from the front.

A hopper device 43, a power supply box 46, and a medal storage box 47 are disposed below the partition plate 10f.
The hopper device 43 includes a storage unit 44 that stores medals and a payout device unit 45 that pays out medals to the medal tray 30 of the front door 11. The storage unit 44 includes medals stored in the storage unit 44. A medal remaining amount sensor 48 for detecting the amount (height) of the medals is attached.

As shown in FIG. 5, the medal remaining amount sensor 48 is disposed in a state where a pair of conductive rods 48 a and 48 a parallel to each other are suspended in the storage unit 44, and the height of the medal in the storage unit 44 is determined. When the height exceeds a predetermined height, the conductive rods 48a and 48a become conductive through the medal, and when the height becomes less than the predetermined height, they become non-conductive.
In the embodiment, the height position at which the conductive rods 48a, 48a are changed from the conductive state to the non-conductive state is determined based on the number of medals (for example, 400) for determining the necessity of supplying medals. When the conductive rods 48a, 48a change from the conductive state to the non-conductive state and the output signal of the medal remaining amount sensor 48 turns from on to off, a replenishment request signal for requesting replenishment of medals is generated under a certain condition. The data is output from the machine 3 to the hall computer 2 side.

The storage unit 44 is provided so as to surround the medal intake 45b on the upper surface of the payout device unit 45 on the partition plate 10f side, and is formed in a shape in which the opening diameter increases toward the upper side of the partition plate 10f side. Yes.
An opening 44a is provided in the side wall on the right side plate 10e side of the storage unit 44, and medals that can no longer be stored in the storage unit 44 are discharged through the opening 44a into the medal storage box 47 (see FIG. 4). It is like that.

As shown in FIG. 4, the medal storage box 47 is disposed between the hopper device 43 and the right side plate 10 e and stores medals overflowing from the opening 44 a (see FIG. 5) of the storage unit 44.
In the embodiment, an opening 10b1 is provided in the bottom plate 10b of the housing body 10, and an opening (not shown) that can be opened and closed is provided in the medal receiving box 47 at a position corresponding to the opening 10b1. . Therefore, in the case of the slot machine 3 on the game island 5 provided with the medal recovery device 6, the medal discharged from the hopper device 43 to the medal storage box 47 is discharged to the outside of the slot machine 3 through the opening 52a. The tokens are collected by the medal replenishing device 7 by the collecting chute 6b and the collecting conveyor 6a of the medal collecting device 6.

  An opening 10 c 1 is provided in the back plate 10 c of the housing body 10 at a height position that is substantially aligned with the upper end of the storage portion 44. The opening 10c1 is inserted with the tip side of the medal chute tube 7c of the medal replenishing device 7 so that the medal dropped from the medal chute tube 7c of the medal replenishing device 7 is directly replenished to the storage unit 44.

The payout unit 45 is provided with a payout medal detection sensor 45a (not shown) that detects medals paid out to the medal tray 30 of the front door 11.
The payout medal detection sensor 45a is configured by a photocoupler having a pair of light projecting units and light receiving units, and is set to output, for example, a “Lo” signal when receiving light and a “Hi” signal when blocking light. .
In the embodiment, based on the output of the payout medal detection sensor 45a, the payout number counter 64a of the sub-control board 60 stores the number of medals paid out from the slot machine 3, and defines the payout number of medals. A medal discharge signal is output from the external concentration terminal board 80 to the hall computer.

  Next, the main control board 50 and the like of the slot machine 3 arranged in the control board storage box 42 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the main control board 50 of the slot machine 3.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the main control board 50 performs the main control processing of the game, and is connected to the MPU 51 as a one-chip microcomputer that is an arithmetic unit, and sensors, switches, etc. An input / output port 52 connected to the various input / output means is mounted.

  The MPU 51 includes a ROM 53 that stores a control program executed by the MPU 51 and fixed value data, and a RAM 54 that is a memory for temporarily storing various data when executing the control program stored in the ROM 53. Various circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit are incorporated.

  The ROM 53 stores the programs of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, 18, 19, 29, 30, and 34 to 37 as a part of the control program.

  The medal count storage area 54a of the RAM 54 is a detection signal output from the first inserted medal passage detection sensor 38a and the second inserted medal passage detection sensor 38b of the selector 31 when the storage mode is set by operating the credit settlement button 25. The number of medals recognized on the basis of the number of medals and the number of medals obtained by winning are electronically stored up to a preset number (for example, 50).

  The external output buffer 54b is a buffer that temporarily stores output information to be output to the hall computer 2 via the external concentration terminal board 80. The external output buffer 54b is composed of a plurality of data bits, and each data bit is in a state to be managed during the game (for example, whether or not it is in a big bonus (BB) or a regular bonus (RB). Whether the medal has been inserted, whether the medal has been discharged, whether the assist time (AT) is in progress, whether the replay time (RT) is in progress, or whether replenishment is required A value of 0 (off) or 1 (on) is set depending on whether or not the front door 11 is open.

  The output information (value of each data bit) stored in the external output buffer 54b is updated at an interval of 1.490 ms which is an execution interval of a timer interrupt control process (see FIG. 10) described later. By the port output process (step 215), it is transmitted to the hall computer 2 via the external concentrated terminal board 80.

The replenishment counter timer 54c is a timer that defines the execution timing of the replenishment counter process (step 211) in the timer interrupt control process.
The value of the replenishment counter timer 54c is reset to an initial value, for example, “38” when the power is turned on or restarted, and is subtracted by “1” in the timer subtraction process (step 209) of the timer interrupt control process. When the value of the replenishment counter timer 54c becomes “0”, the replenishment counter process (step 211) is executed, and is reset again to the initial value in this process.

The replenishment counter 54d is a counter that defines the number of times the ON signal and the OFF signal are output in the replenishment request signal.
For example, when it is determined that medals need to be replenished, an ON signal is output only once to notify the hall computer 2 that replenishment is necessary, or the medals requiring replenishment In order to notify the number of sheets, different numerical values are set depending on whether the number of ON signals corresponding to the number of medals that need to be replenished is output.

  The replenishment determination end flag 54e is a flag that indicates whether or not the determination of the necessity of replenishment of medals has been executed. In the process (step 415), it is shown that the determination on whether or not to supply medals has been executed, and when it is 0 (off), this means that the determination on whether or not to supply medals has not been executed.

The in-RB flag 54f is a flag indicating that the gaming state of the slot machine 3 is an RB (regular bonus) state in a special gaming state in which the game proceeds in a state more advantageous to the player than in the normal gaming state. The flag indicating whether or not the RB signal indicating the RB state is to be output to the hall computer 2.
The RB flag 54f is initialized to OFF when the power is turned on, and is set to 1 (ON) in order to output an RB signal to the hall computer 2 when winning as a result of the game is confirmed. The When RB ends, it is set to 0 (off).
In the embodiment, when the combination of symbols arranged on the active line when all the reels 41 are stopped is a combination of symbols of the winning combination of RB, winning in the RB is determined.

The BB in-progress flag 54g is a BB (big game) in which the game progresses in a state that is advantageous over RB among the special game states in which the game progresses in a state where the game state of the slot machine 3 is more advantageous to the player than the normal game state. Bonus) state, and a flag indicating whether or not the BB signal indicating the BB state should be output to the hall computer 2.
The BB flag 54g is set to 1 (ON) to output a BB signal to the hall computer 2 when the winning of the BB is confirmed as a result of the game after being initialized to OFF when the power is turned on. The When BB ends, it is set to 0 (off).
In the embodiment, when the combination of symbols arranged on the active line when all the reels 41 are stopped is a combination of symbols of the BB winning combination, winning in the BB is determined.

The in-RT flag 54h is a flag indicating that the gaming state of the slot machine 3 is an RT (replay time) state in which the game proceeds with a higher probability of winning a re-game than in the normal gaming state. It is a flag indicating whether or not the signal during RT indicating the state is to be output to the hall computer 2.
The RT flag 54h is set to 1 (ON) in order to output an RT signal to the hall computer 2 when the RT winning is determined as a result of the game after being initialized to OFF when the power is turned on. The When RT ends, it is set to 0 (off).
In the embodiment, when all the reels 41 are stopped, the combination of symbols arranged on the active line is a combination of symbols of the RT winning combination (for example, replay / replay / bell), or BB ends. If this happens, the RT state is entered.

The AT flag 54i informs the player that the small state winning flag that the gaming state of the slot machine 3 cannot aim at the same time is established, and the kind of small role that the flag is established, so that the player It is a flag indicating that the AT (assist time) state can be played while not missing the winning prize, and whether or not the AT signal indicating the AT state should be output to the hall computer 2 It is a flag indicating that.
The AT flag 54i is initialized to OFF when the power is turned on, and is set to 1 (ON) in order to output an AT signal to the hall computer 2 when the game results in winning the AT. The Then, when AT ends, it is set to 0 (off).
In the embodiment, when all the reels 41 are stopped, the combination of symbols arranged on the active line is a combination of symbols of the AT winning combination, or when the BB is finished, the AT state is entered. .

The ART flag 54j is a flag indicating that the gaming state of the slot machine 3 is an ART (assist replay time) state having features of both AT (assist time) and RT (replay time).
The ART flag 54j is initialized to OFF when the power is turned on. Then, for example, when winning a game is confirmed as a result of the game, the ART flag 54j is 1 (ON) to output an ART signal to the hall computer 2. To be. When BB ends, it is set to 0 (off).
In the embodiment, when the combination of symbols arranged on the effective line when all the reels 41 are stopped is a combination of symbols of the ART winning combination, the ART state is set. Furthermore, when BB is completed, RT and AT occur simultaneously, and the ART state is entered.

The acquired number counter 54k is a counter that calculates the cumulative number of medals acquired during the special gaming state.
The off signal flag 54m is a flag that defines whether an on signal or an off signal of the replenishment request signal is output when the number of medals to be replenished is designated by the replenishment request signal.
The replenishment determination execution timer 54n is a timer that regulates the timing at which the replenishment necessity determination is executed when there are multiple opportunities for determining the necessity of replenishment in the special gaming state.
The payout number counter 54p is a counter that counts the number of medals paid out from the hopper device 43.

Here, ART (assist replay time) will be described.
In the slot machine of the embodiment, RT and AT are started at the same time after the end of BB, and the ART state is entered. In this ART, every time the number of games (the number of games) reaches 100 games, a lottery (continuous lottery) is performed to determine whether or not to continue AT, and AT continues (ART continues with a lottery probability of 1/2). ). Thereafter, the continuous lottery is executed every time the number of games reaches 100 games, and ART continues up to 1000 games at the maximum.

  In addition to the case where the AT is out of the continuous lottery every 100 games, the AT has an end condition, for example, when winning a BB or RB, or displayed on the liquid crystal display 18 or the like to the player. The process is also terminated when the reported missing role (eg, “7, bell, bell”) is missed.

In the slot machine 3 of the embodiment, the winning flags of the small roles of “7 (red), bell, bell”, “7 (blue), bell, bell”, “7 (white), bell, bell” are about Since it is set to be established with a lottery probability of 1/12, the winning flag of the small part of “7, Bell, Bell” is established with a lottery probability of 1/4 when the color of 7 is not questioned. To do.
When a winning flag for any of the small combinations “7, Bell, Bell” is established, the established small combination is notified corresponding to the type of the establishment flag “7”.
Here, on the outer periphery of the reel 41 (see FIG. 4), 21 symbols are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction, and the left reel 41L has 7 (red), 7 (blue), and 7 (white). Each symbol is arranged with an interval of six frames (with six symbols in between). Further, in the middle reel 41M and the right reel 41R, bell symbols are arranged at intervals of a maximum of four frames (with four symbols in between).

  Here, in the slot machine 3, since the reels are allowed to slide up to a maximum of 4 frames after the stop button 27 is pressed, the player can make 7 symbols of the notified color only on the left reel 41L. By simply pressing the stop button within the range that can be pulled in, the middle reel 41M and the right reel 41R do not need to be pushed, and a small part of “7, bell, bell” can be obtained.

  In addition, the winning probability of replaying in the normal gaming state is about 1 / 7.3, whereas the winning probability of replaying in RT (ART) is 1 / 2.5. The RT ends when a stop mode that stops when the small part of “7, Bell, Bell” is missed is displayed, or when BB or RB is won.

  Therefore, when the AT is ended in the AT continuous lottery, the notification of the color of 7 symbols of “7, bell, bell” is lost, and the player is expected to predict the color of 7 symbols. Become. In this case, since it is missed with a probability of 2/3, RT is also ended in a game in which “7, bell, bell” is missed.

  In the slot machine according to the embodiment, the relationship between the type of combination, the lottery probability, and the number of payouts is BB (design combination “7, 7, 7”). The lottery probability is 1/400 and the number of payouts is 180 ( BB (symbol combination “BRA, BAR, BAR”) has a lottery probability of 1/400 and the number of coins to be paid out. 60 (a total of 60 RB symbols are combined and then paid out in a regular bonus game that is played multiple times) and watermelon (design combination “watermelon, watermelon, watermelon”) has a 1/50 lottery probability. The number of payouts is 8 and the bell (design combination “Bell, Bell, Bell”) has a lottery probability of 1/100, 10 payouts, and 7 bells ( The pattern combination “7 (red), bell, bell”) has a lottery probability of 1/12 and the payout number is 10, and 7 bells (design combination “7 (blue), bell, bell”) have a lottery probability. Is 1/12 and the number of payouts is 10, 7 bells (design combination “7 (white), bell, bell”) has a lottery probability of 1/12 and 10 payouts, and cherry (design combination) “Cherry, ANY, ANY (ANY means any symbol is acceptable)”) has a lottery probability of 1/50 and two payouts.

Replay (symbol combination “replay, replay, replay”) has a lottery probability in the normal gaming state of 1 / 7.3 and a lottery probability in the RT state of 1 / 2.5. Then, although a medal is not paid out, a re-game game is given in which the next game can be performed only once without inserting a medal.
In addition, special replays that grant RT, AT, and ART by winning are set. For example, RT special replay (symbol combination “bell, replay, replay”) has a lottery probability of 1/2000. Game bonus and RT bonus are granted, AT grant special replay (symbol combination “Bell, Bell, Replay”) has a lottery probability of 1/2000, replay bonus and AT bonus, and ART grant The special replay (design combination “bell, replay, bell”) has a lottery probability of 1/2000, and is given a special privilege of replay and a privilege of ART.

  In ART, since it is possible to obtain “7, bell, bell” without missing, one can expect to pay out 4 medals per game for the insertion (bet) of 3 medals. The net increase in medals per game is about one. Therefore, when 100 ART games are continued, a maximum of about 100 medals can be obtained.

In addition to the counters and flags described above, the RAM 54 stores a stack area for storing the contents of the internal registers of the MPU 51 and the return address of a control program executed by the MPU 51, various flags and counters, I / O, etc. Is provided with a work area (work area) in which the value is stored.
In the embodiment, the RAM 54 is configured to hold (backup) data by supplying a backup voltage from the power supply board 70 even after the power of the slot machine 3 is shut off, and all the data stored in the RAM 54 is stored in the RAM 54. Backed up.

When the power is shut down due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the stack pointer and the value of each register when the power is shut off (including when the power failure occurs, the same applies hereinafter) are stored in the RAM 54. On the other hand, at the time of power-on (including power-on due to power failure cancellation, the same applies hereinafter), the state of the slot machine 3 is restored to the state before power-off based on information stored in the RAM 54.
Writing to the RAM 54 is executed when the power is shut off by the timer interrupt control process (FIG. 10), and restoration of each value written to the RAM 54 is executed in the startup process (see FIG. 11) when the power is turned on. Note that the power failure signal from the power failure monitoring circuit 72 is input to the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the MPU 51 when the power is interrupted due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, and the power failure signal is input to the MPU 51. Then, the NMI interruption process (FIG. 9) as the process at the time of power failure is immediately executed, and the information on the occurrence of power interruption is stored in the RAM 54.

  The input / output port 52 includes the bet buttons 22, 23, the credit check button 25, the start lever 26, the stop button 27, the payout medal detection sensor 45a, the first inserted medal passage detection sensor 38a, and the second inserted medal passage detection sensor. In addition to 38b, the bet lamp 19, the credit number display unit 20, the discharge number display unit 21, and the like, an external concentration terminal board 80, a sub control board 60, and the like are connected.

  The external concentrated terminal board 80 has a plurality of terminals (not shown), and the main control board 50 (external output buffer 54b), the sub control board 60, and the hall computer 2 are connected to each of the external concentrated terminal boards 80. It is configured to be connected via a terminal.

  Output information is stored in the external output buffer 54b, and the setting data bits of each information item in the output information and the terminals of the external concentrated terminal board 80 are connected one-to-one. Therefore, each signal (for example, BB signal, RB signal, AT signal, replenishment request signal, etc.) output from the main control board 50 is transmitted (relayed) to the hall computer 2 through one output path. .

  A terminal (not shown) in the external concentration terminal plate 80 is constituted by a photocoupler, a light emitting diode which is the primary side of the photocoupler is connected to the main control board 50 of the slot machine 3, and a light receiving element which is the secondary side. (Phototransistor) is connected to the hall computer 2.

  Therefore, the communication between the slot machine 3 and the hall computer 2 performed via the external concentrated terminal board 80 is performed from the slot machine 3 connected to the primary side of the photocoupler constituting the terminal from the secondary of the photocoupler. One-way communication is performed to the hall computer 2 connected to the slot computer 2 so that an unauthorized electrical signal (such as a pulse signal) is prevented from being transmitted from the hall computer 2 to the slot machine 3 side.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the sub control board 60 of the slot machine 3.
The sub control board 60 receives a command transmitted from the main control board 50 and performs auxiliary control processing, and is provided separately from the main control board 50.
The sub-control board 60 controls the lighting / flashing of the upper lamp 16, the output control of the notification sound from the speaker 17, etc., controls the display control board 68 to display effects on the liquid crystal display 18, and displays the medal from the hopper device 43. It is configured to calculate the payout and the number of payouts.

  The sub-control board 60 is connected to the MPU 61 as a one-chip microcomputer that is an arithmetic unit, and various input / output means such as sensors and switches, and is transmitted from the main control board 50. An input / output port 62 for receiving commands is mounted.

The MPU 61 temporarily stores a control program executed by the MPU 61, a ROM 63 storing fixed value data such as an upper lamp light emission table and a notification sound table, and various data when executing the control program stored in the ROM 63. A RAM 64, which is a memory for storing data, and various circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit are incorporated.
Further, a payout for counting the number of medals discharged based on a medal discharge command transmitted from the main control board 50 between the start of the discharge of medals based on the operation of the credit check button 25 and the end of the discharge of medals. Various counters such as a number counter 64a are incorporated. The programs of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 13 to 17 are stored in the ROM 63 as a part of the control program.

The input / output port 62 is connected to a light emission control controller 66, a notification sound output controller 67, a display control board 68, an external concentration terminal board 80, and the like. It is configured to be able to send and receive.
The light emission controller 66 is configured to control the light emission of the LED of the upper lamp 16 based on the light emission data for the upper lamp read from the light emission table for the upper lamp of the ROM 63 by the MPU 61.
The notification sound output controller 67 is configured to output a notification sound from the speaker 17 based on the notification sound data read from the notification sound table of the ROM 63 by the MPU 61.

  The power supply board 70 is provided in the power supply box 46, and in addition to the main control board 50, a power supply unit 71 that supplies driving power to each electronic device of the slot machine 3 and a power failure monitoring for monitoring the occurrence of power interruption. Various circuits such as a circuit 72 are provided. After the slot machine 3 is powered off, a backup voltage is supplied from the power supply unit 71 of the power supply board 70 to the RAM 54.

The power failure monitoring circuit 72 is connected to the NMI terminal and the input / output port 52 of the main control board 50 and the NMI terminal of the sub control board 60 when the power is shut down due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like (including the power cut by turning off the power switch) It is a circuit for outputting a power failure signal.
The power failure monitoring circuit 72 monitors the voltage of 24 VDC, which is the largest voltage output from the power supply board 70, and determines that a power failure (power failure) has occurred when this voltage is less than 22 volts. It is configured to output a power failure signal. Based on the output of the power failure signal, the main control board 50 is configured to recognize the occurrence of the power failure and to execute the process at the time of the power failure. Note that the power failure signal of the power failure monitoring circuit 72 may be input to the INT terminal instead of the NMI terminals of the main control board 50 and the sub control board 60.

  Further, the power supply board 70 maintains the output of 5 volts, which is the drive voltage of the control system, to a normal value for a time sufficient for executing the processing at the time of power failure even after the DC stable voltage of 24 volts becomes less than 22 volts. Configured to maintain. For example, in this embodiment, the drive power supply is output for 30 msec. Therefore, the main control board 50 can normally execute the power failure process. Further, the power failure monitoring circuit 72 may be provided not on the power supply board 70 but on the main control board 50, for example.

  Next, the configuration of the hall computer 2 that manages the slot machine 3 installed in the game hall will be described. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the hall computer 2 according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the hall computer 2 is an external device for centrally managing the slot machines 3 in the game hall (hall).
The hall computer 2 is a CPU 201 that is an arithmetic device, a ROM 202 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the CPU 201, and temporarily stores various data when executing the control program in the ROM 202. A RAM 203, an audio memory 204 storing various audio data, and an input / output port 205 connected to the external concentration terminal board 80 of the slot machine 3 are provided.

The CPU 201, the ROM 202, and the RAM 203 are connected to the input / output port 205 of the hall computer 2 via the bus line 206, and the audio memory 204 is also connected.
Furthermore, the hall computer 2 is connected to the slot machine 3, the medal lending machine 4, the medal collection device 6, the medal replenishing device 7, the input / output device 207 such as a mouse and a keyboard, and various types of abnormality notifications via the input / output port 205. A display 208 for visually displaying information and a speaker 209 for aurally outputting various information such as abnormality notification are connected.

  The output information reception buffer 203a of the RAM 203 is a storage area for temporarily storing output information transmitted from the external concentration terminal board 80 of each slot machine 3, and is dedicated to each slot machine 3 connected to the hall computer 2. A storage area is reserved.

  The BB counter 203b is a counter that counts the number of occurrences of BB in each slot machine 3 connected to the hall computer 2, and how many times it has occurred from the start of the slot machine 3 to the present when the game hall is opened. This is data indicating whether BB has occurred.

  The RB count counter 203c is a counter that counts the number of occurrences of RBs in each slot machine 3 connected to the hall computer 2. It is data indicating whether RB has occurred.

  The ART number counter 203d is a counter for counting the number of occurrences of ART in each slot machine 3 connected to the hall computer 2. This data indicates whether an ART has occurred.

  The replenishment frequency counter 203e is a counter that counts the number of times that each slot machine 3 connected to the hall computer 2 has replenished medals. It is data indicating whether or not there have been replenishment times.

Here, the BB number counter 203b, the RB number counter 203c, and the replenishment number counter 203e are reset every day.
The value of the BB number counter 203b is set whenever the ON signal of the BB signal is input from the slot machine 3, and the value of the RB number counter 203c is set every time the ON signal of the RB signal is input from the slot machine 3. Each one is added.
The replenishment frequency counter 203e is incremented by 1 when it is confirmed in the replenishment request signal processing described later that the slot machine 3 has requested replenishment of medals.
The ART number counter 203d is incremented by one each time an ART flag 203n described later is turned on.

  The BB acquired number counter 203f and the RB acquired number counter 203g are counters for counting the number of medals acquired as a result of the game during the BB and RB, respectively. The acquired number counter 203h during the ART is a result of the game during the ART. This is a counter for calculating the number of acquired medals.

The BB flag 203i is a flag indicating that the ON signal of the BB signal is being received.
The RB in-progress flag 203j is a flag indicating that the ON signal of the RB in-progress signal is being received.
The RT flag 203k is a flag indicating that the on signal of the RT signal is being received.
The AT flag 203m is a flag indicating that the ON signal of the AT signal is being received.
The ART flag 203n is a flag indicating that the slot machine 3 is in the ART state.

These flags 203i to 203n are initialized to off when the power is turned on, and then turned on or off in output information reception processing (FIG. 21) to be described later of output information input from the slot machine 3 to the hall computer 2.
For example, in the case of the BB flag 203i, it is turned on when it is confirmed that the value of the setting data bit corresponding to the BB signal is 1, and is turned off when it is confirmed that it is 0. . The same applies to the other signals 203j to 203m.

The replenishment request flag 203p is a flag that is turned on when an on signal of the replenishment request signal is received, and is a flag that indicates that there has been a replenishment request from the slot machine 3.
The replenishment request flag 203p is set to correspond to the replenishment request signal in the output information reception process (FIG. 21) described later after the output information input from the slot machine 3 to the hall computer 2 after being initialized to OFF when the power is turned on. Turned on when it is confirmed that the value of the data bit is 1. When the value of the setting data bit corresponding to the replenishment request signal is confirmed to be 0, it is turned off.

The reception history memory 203q stores reception histories such as a BB signal, an RB signal, an RT signal, an AT signal, and a replenishment request signal received from the slot machine 3.
For example, in the case of the reception history of the RB signal, in the output information reception process (FIG. 21) described later, when the RB flag 203j is switched from OFF to ON, the reception history of the RB signal is not shown in the timing means (for example, , RTC circuit, etc.) and the received time.

The supply execution flag 203r is a flag that is turned on when a medal is supplied to the slot machine 3.
The supply counter 203t is a counter indicating the number of medals supplied to the slot machine 3.
The replenishment request end flag 203s is a flag used to distinguish whether the off signal of the replenishment request information transmitted from the slot machine 3 is an off signal accompanying the end of the on signal.

  In the embodiment, since the output information output from each of the plurality of slot machines 3 installed in the game hall is input to the hall computer 2, the counters 203b to 203h and 203t of the RAM 203 and the flags 203i are input. 203n, 203r, 206s and the reception history memory 203q store the output information of each slot machine 3 so that the output information of which slot machine is distinguishable.

  In the embodiment, the hall computer 2 outputs a drive command for driving the recovery conveyor 6a of the medal recovery device 6 to the medal recovery device 6, and also outputs a drive command for driving the hopper device 7a and the motor 7d of the medal replenishment device 7. Output to the replenishing device 7. The medal sensor 7e of the medal supply device 7 sends a signal indicating the number of medals supplied to the slot machine 3 or the medal lending machine 4 through the medal chute tube 7c to which the medal sensor 7e is attached to the hall computer 2. Output.

Next, each process performed on the main control board 50 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
In the present embodiment, the main control board 50 performs a main process (power-on process) that is activated when the power is turned on and periodically (a 1.49 ms period in the present embodiment). A timer interrupt control process and an NMI interrupt process activated by the input of a power failure signal to the NMI terminal are set.
In the following description, for convenience, the NMI interrupt process and the timer interrupt control process will be described, and then the main process will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the NMI interrupt process. When the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, a power failure signal is input from the power failure monitoring circuit 72 to the MPU 51 of the main control board 50. When the power failure signal is input via the NMI terminal, the MPU 51 immediately executes the NMI interrupt process. As described above, when the main control board 50 is configured to provide the INT terminal instead of the NMI terminal, the power failure signal of the power failure monitoring circuit 72 is input via the INT terminal.

In the NMI interrupt process, in step 101, a process (register save process) is executed to save the data of the used register provided in the MPU 51 to the stack area provided in the RAM.
Next, in step 102, the power failure flag is turned on, and the power failure occurrence information is set in a predetermined work area provided in the RAM 54. Thereafter, in step 103, a process of restoring the data saved in the stack area to a use register mounted on the MPU 51 (register return process) is executed, and the process of this routine is terminated.
If the power failure flag can be set without destroying the data in the register used, the register saving process and the register restoring process can be omitted.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a timer interrupt control process that is periodically executed by the main control board 50 (in this embodiment, every 1.490 ms).
In this timer interruption control process, for example, an operation state reading process of the credit settlement button 25, a monitoring process of various sensors such as a payout medal detection sensor 45a of the hopper device 43, an inserted medal passage detection sensor 38a, 38b of the selector 31, and a prize Command transmission processing such as a lottery result command is performed.

  First, in the register saving process shown in step 201, the values of all the registers used in the normal game process (see FIG. 11) are saved in the stack area. In Step 202, it is confirmed whether or not the power failure flag is turned on. If the power failure flag is turned on (Yes in Step 202), a power failure has occurred as described in the NMI interrupt processing in FIG. Proceeding to step 203, a power failure process is executed.

  In the present embodiment, the power failure process in step 203 is performed immediately after the register save process (step 201) in the timer interrupt process, and therefore can be executed without interrupting other interrupt processes. . Therefore, the power failure process is not executed by interrupting each process, such as during the transmission process of various commands or the reading process of the switch state (ON or OFF). Therefore, it is not necessary to create a power failure processing program that takes into account that power failure processing is executed. This simplifies the power failure processing program and reduces the program capacity.

  On the other hand, if the power failure flag is not turned on (No in step 202), a power failure has not occurred, and the processing from step 204 is performed.

  In step 204, a watchdog timer clear process for initializing the value of the watchdog timer for monitoring the occurrence of malfunction is performed. In step 205, an interrupt end declaration process for issuing an interrupt permission to the MPU 51 itself is performed. In step 206, a spinning motor control process for rotating the spinning motor (stepping motor) of each reel 41 (41L, 41M, 41R) 11 housed in the housing body 10 is performed. In step 207, a switch state reading process for reading on / off states of various switches is performed.

In step 208, sensor monitoring processing is performed to read the state of various sensors and monitor whether the reading result is normal. In step 209, timer subtraction processing for subtracting the value of each counter or timer is performed.
In step 210, IN / OUT counter processing is performed. In step 211, replenishment counter processing is performed. In step 212, command output processing for transmitting a command to the sub-control board 60 is performed.

  For example, when the gaming state of the slot machine is the AT or ART state, for example, the liquid crystal display 18 is notified to notify the player of the type of the winning small role for which the winning flag has been established by the output processing of step 212. A command for displaying information is output.

  In step 213, segment data setting processing for setting the segment data to be displayed on the credit number display unit 20 and the discharged number display unit 21 is performed. Then, in step 214, the segment data is supplied to the display units 20 and 21, respectively. Then, segment data display processing for displaying numbers and symbols is performed. In step 215, port output processing for outputting output data (output information) from the input / output port 52 is performed.

  After execution of these processes, in step 216, the value of each register saved in the stack area is returned to the corresponding register, and in step 217, the next timer interrupt is permitted. The permission process is performed and the timer interrupt process is terminated.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a startup process executed by the main control board 50 when the power is turned on. When the power switch is turned on and the slot machine 3 is turned on (including power-on by recovery from a power failure), this process is executed. First, as initialization processing, a stack pointer value is set (step 301), an interrupt mode is set (step 302), and CTC / built-in register setting processing is performed (step 303).

  When the initialization process is completed, in step 304, it is determined whether a setting key is inserted into a setting key switch (not shown) and turned on. When the setting key switch is turned on (Yes in step 304), the process proceeds to step 305 to execute a forced RAM clear process to clear all contents of the RAM 54 to zero. Thereafter, in step 306, a six-stage probability setting process is executed. In the 6-stage probability setting process, the winning probability of the game is switched to 6 stages, and the process proceeds to a normal game process (FIG. 12) in which main control related to the game described later is performed.

  On the other hand, if the setting key switch is not turned on in step 304 (No in step 304), the process proceeds to step 307, and it is determined whether or not the setting value of the six-stage probability setting value is normal. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the set value is any normal numerical value in the range of 1 to 6, and is not 0 or an abnormal numerical value of 7 or more. When the set value is normal (Yes in Step 307), the process proceeds to Step 308, and it is confirmed whether or not the power recovery flag is turned on. When it is confirmed that the power recovery flag is turned on (Yes in step 308), the process proceeds to step 309, and it is confirmed whether or not the RAM determination value is normal. Specifically, the checksum value of the RAM 54 is checked to check whether the checksum value including the RAM determination value is normal 0 or not. If the checksum value including the RAM determination value is 0 (Yes in step 309), it is determined that the data in the RAM 54 is normal.

  If it is determined in step 309 that the RAM determination value is normal, the process proceeds to step 310 where the stack pointer value stored in the backup area is written to the stack pointer of the MPU 51, and the stack state is restored to the state before the power-off. Let Next, in step 311, a power recovery command that tells execution of power recovery processing is set. Thereafter, the game state is stopped at step 312 and automatic settlement setting processing is performed, and then, at step 313, the switch state of the credit settlement button 25 and the like is initialized. After the above processing is completed, the power failure flag is reset at step 314, and the address before power-off is returned. Specifically, the process returns to the timer interrupt process, and the watchdog timer clear process (step 204) is executed.

  On the other hand, if the answer is No in any of steps 307 to 309, an abnormality such as destruction of data in the RAM 54 has occurred, so the process proceeds to step 315 and the subsequent steps to perform an operation prohibition process. . Specifically, in step 315, the next timer interrupt process is prohibited, and then in step 316, all output ports in the input / output port 52 are cleared and all the input ports connected to the input / output port 52 are cleared. Control the actuator to the off state. In step 317, an error is displayed to notify the occurrence of a backup error, and an infinite loop is entered.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the normal game process performed by the MPU 51 of the main control board 50 after the main process after power-on (power-on process) is performed based on the flowchart shown in FIG.
This routine is a main control process of the slot machine 3 that is repeatedly performed by the MPU 51 of the main control board 50. When the setting key switch is turned off after power-on (No in step 304), the address at the time of the previous power-off is set. Return. On the other hand, when the setting key switch is turned on after the power is turned on (Yes in step 304), the forced RAM clear process (step 305) and the six-stage probability setting process (step 306) shown in FIG. 10 are performed. The routine proceeds to step 401 of this routine.

  First, in step 401, an interrupt permission setting for permitting an interrupt is performed in this routine as an initialization process. In step 402, a game state is stopped and an automatic settlement setting process is performed. After the states of the stop / stop switch and the automatic settlement switch (not shown) are stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 54, the routine proceeds to a repetitive routine described below.

  In step 403, RAM initialization processing is performed, and processing for clearing an area used for one game in the RAM 54 (one game area in the RAM 54) is performed. In this step, for example, information relating to the error that has occurred, winning symbols (including loss), winning line, information relating to winnings such as the number of winning medals, random numbers used in the game, information relating to rotation of the reel 41, etc. are cleared. The

  When the initialization process of the RAM 54 is performed, the process proceeds to step 404, where a starter ON waiting process for determining whether the start lever 26 is operated is performed. In this step, if the start lever 26 is not operated, the MPU 51 stands by without performing control processing. In the process of step 404, since the routine waits until the start lever 26 is operated, various processes are performed.

  For example, if the game is not performed for a predetermined time because the start lever 26 is not operated as described above, a timer setting process for shifting to a demonstration performed on the liquid crystal display 18 is performed. Further, when the game is a re-game, an automatic medal insertion process is performed (the numerical value displayed on the credit number display unit 20 does not change).

  After such processing, sensor monitoring processing is performed in the timer interrupt control processing (FIG. 10) described above (step 208). In such processing, the payout medal detection sensor 45a of the hopper device 43, the medal remaining Since the amount sensor 48, the first inserted medal passage detection sensor 38a of the selector 31, the second inserted medal passage detection sensor 38b, and the like are monitored, an error is notified when an abnormality occurs in these sensors. The sensor error notification process is performed.

  After a sensor error has occurred or a predetermined sensor error notification process has been performed, it is determined whether or not the credit settlement button 25 has been operated. When it is determined that the credit settlement button 25 has been operated, a settlement discharge start command for starting the medal discharge is generated, and the process proceeds to a stored medal discharge process in order to discharge the stored medal.

  In the stored medal discharge process performed by the MPU 51, for example, the number of medals stored electronically in the medal number storage area 54a of the RAM 54 is read, and the read numerical value is based on the detection signal of the payout medal detection sensor 45a of the hopper device 43. Subtract one by one. Each time the number of medals in the medal number storage area 54a is decremented by one, a medal discharge command is stored in the ring buffer of the RAM 54 so that it can be transmitted to the sub control board 60. When the read medal number storage area 54a becomes zero, it is recognized that the discharge from the hopper device 43 is completed. At this time, a payment discharge end command for completion of the medal payment is generated and stored in the RAM 54.

  When a medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 24, a determination process for the number of inserted coins is performed. For example, an appropriate detection signal is recognized as one medal based on detection signals from the first inserted medal passage detection sensor 38a and the second inserted medal passage detection sensor 38b of the selector 31. At this stage, if a predetermined effect such as medal discharge notification is performed, a command (for example, a medal discharge notification forced end command) for forcibly ending the predetermined effect upon recognition of the medal by the MPU 51 is generated. .

  Then, for example, after one to three medals are inserted from the medal insertion slot 24 or one of the bet buttons 22 and 23 is operated and the number of inserted medals reaches a specified number, If it is determined that the start lever 26 has been operated, processing for prohibiting the acceptance of medals is performed. For example, the switching piece 37a of the selector 31 is projected into the medal guide path 33, and the medal inserted while the medal acceptance is prohibited is guided to the branch passage 36 and discharged from the medal payout opening 302 of the front door 11 to the medal tray 30. Processing is performed. Alternatively, even if one of the bet buttons 22 and 23 is operated, a process is performed in which it is not determined that the bet button is operated. Then, the medal acceptance prohibition process is performed and the process of this step is terminated. Alternatively, if the start lever 26 is not yet operated even at this stage, the process is repeated from the sensor error process described above.

  In this way, when an error occurs, the settlement of the medals is started, the changeover process of the switching piece 37a of the selector 31 is performed, or when the medals are inserted, etc., the sub-control board 60 The command generated in each process for transmitting the command is stored in the ring buffer of the RAM 54.

  When the start lever 26 is operated in step 404, the process proceeds to step 405, where random number generation processing is performed. Specifically, when the operation of the start lever 26 is recognized by the MPU 51 in step 404, the count number of a free running counter (not shown) that counts based on a predetermined period of the oscillator mounted on the main control board 50 is hard. It is created by latching in terms of wear and reading out as a random value by the MPU 51 at a predetermined timing. The random number value read out by the MPU 51 in this way is stored in the RAM 54.

  When the random number is generated, the process proceeds to step 406, and an internal lottery process is performed based on the winning probability determined according to the set value set in the six-stage probability setting process (step 306). The internal lottery process is a process of determining whether or not a winning is made based on the random number value stored in the RAM 54 in step 405 by comparison with a numerical range of a winning table preset in the ROM 53.

  In the winning table used in the internal lottery process, a winning combination such as a big bonus (BB) or a regular bonus (RB) with a relatively large amount of medals is paid out. Winners with few cherries, etc. (usually referred to as “small roles” with multiple types of winning combinations), losing medals that do not fall under such winning combinations, and paying out medals A plurality of types of winning combinations such as a re-gamer that can play the next game only once without inserting medals are set.

  Furthermore, in the embodiment, a replay time (RT) in which the game progresses with a higher probability of winning a replay than the normal gaming state, a flag for winning a small role that cannot be aimed at the same time, and a flag Assist time (AT) that assists the player in playing the game while not informing the player of the small role winning, informing the player of the type of small role that is established, and features of both assist time and replay time A winning combination of assist replay time (ART) to be provided is set.

  For each of these winning combinations, the ratio of winning the winning combination is set to a predetermined range of random numbers generated by a free running counter within a predetermined numerical range. Each winning combination is set by changing the numerical range based on the winning probabilities (“Setting 1” to “Setting 6”) set in the six-stage probability setting process (Step 306). For example, the smaller the numerical value of the winning probability setting value, the narrower the numerical value range of winning combinations other than the loss is set. Then, the currently set value and the result obtained by the internal lottery are stored in a predetermined work area of the RAM 54.

  When the internal lottery process is performed in the MPU 51, the routine proceeds to step 407, where the rotation rotation initialization process is performed. In the rotation rotation initialization process, the table number is determined from the control table used for the rotation control of the reel 41 based on the internal lottery result in step 406.

  Then, in step 408, a 4.1 second elapse waiting process is performed to determine whether 4.1 seconds have elapsed since the start of the previous rotation of the reel 41. Specifically, the set 4.1 second timer value is A check is made to see if it is zero. If 4.1 seconds have not elapsed in this step, a state command indicating the current gaming state (hereinafter simply referred to as “state command”) is stored in the RAM 54, and the weight process ( That is, 4.1 seconds) is notified.

  On the other hand, if 4.1 seconds have elapsed, a 4.1 second timer is set for the next 4.1 second waiting process, a status command is stored in the RAM 54, and timer interrupt control processing is performed. A predetermined setting is performed so that the number of inserted medals can be output (step 210).

  Thereafter, a motor control initialization process of the reel 41 is performed, and a process of setting a predetermined area of the RAM relating to the rotation of the reel 41 for starting rotation is performed. When such a setting is performed, the acceleration process of the rotating motor (stepping motor) is actually started based on the rotating motor control process of Step 206, and the rotation of the reel 41 is started.

  When the reel 41 actually starts to rotate, the process proceeds to step 409, where the rotating process is performed. In this step, a predetermined area of the RAM used in the rotation process is initialized (step 408 above), the rotation information command and status command are stored, and the reel 41 is operated based on the above-described acceleration process of the rotation motor. Wait for normal rotation. The determination of whether or not the rotation of the reel 41 is normal is performed by index detection at the time when the acceleration process is completed based on the rotating motor control process (step 206). When it is determined that the rotation of the reel 41 has become a normal rotation based on the index detection, it is determined that the setting state of the slot machine 3 is a state in which the rotation of the reel 41 can be stopped by a predetermined stop operation described later. Then, it notifies that the rotation can be stopped.

  The notification that the rotation of the reel 41 is in a stoppable state is performed by changing the light emission form of the lamp built in the stop button 27. For example, the notification is performed by changing the color of light emitted from the lamp of the stop button 27 or by turning on the lamp that has been turned off. Note that such notification is performed only on the stop button for which the operation of the stop button 27 is enabled.

  When the activated stop button 27 is actually operated, the reel 41 is stopped based on the table number set in step 407 for the combination of stop symbols determined in the internal lottery process in step 406. In this step, it is not always necessary to stop the reel 41 as set by the table number. For example, the table number is changed according to the stop order or stop position of the stop button 27, or the reel 41 is forcibly stopped. The drive control of the stepping motor of the reel 41 is performed so as to perform the pull-in process. When the reel 41 stops, the operation permission of the stop button 27 corresponding to the stopped reel 41 becomes invalid.

  Such a stop process of the reels 41 is performed until all the reels 41 (41L, 41M, 41R) are stopped. Every time the rotation of the reels 41 is stopped, the operation permission of the corresponding stop button 27 is invalidated. This step is finished when the operation permission of the stop button 27 becomes invalid. In step 409, every time one of the reels 41 (41L, 41M, 41R) is stopped, the rotation rotation information command and the stop symbol command are stored in the RAM 54.

  When all the reels 41 are stopped, the process proceeds to step 410 where a winning symbol determination process is performed to determine in what combination the symbols of the reels 41 that can be recognized through the display window 15 are stopped.

  In this step, first, an active line is determined according to the gaming state. Specifically, which of the five active lines is effective is determined based on the gaming state. For example, when the gaming state is a normal game, the effective lines are 1 to 5 lines according to the number of bets. For example, when the number of bets is 3, all 5 lines are effective lines. When the gaming state is an accessory game, the number of bets is one and only one line is valid.

  When the number of valid lines is recognized, it is determined for each valid line in what combination the symbols (9 squares) that can be recognized through the display window 15 are stopped on the valid line. The design in the display window 15 is recognized based on the design number assigned to each design of each reel 41 (41L, 41M, 41R).

  When a combination of symbols for each active line is recognized and the symbols are arranged in a predetermined winning symbol, it is set as a winning symbol and the payout number corresponding to the winning symbol can be paid out from the hopper device 43. Predetermined settings are made so that they can At this time, if there are a plurality of winning symbols on the active line, a process of sequentially adding out the number of payouts corresponding to each winning symbol is performed. Since only a prescribed number (usually 15) medals are paid out, when the prescribed number is exceeded by adding the paid-out number, a process of changing the paid-out number to the prescribed number is performed. Further, when a symbol other than the winning symbol determined by the internal lottery process in step 406 stops on the active line, it is recognized as an error.

  In step 410, when the recognized winning symbol, the activated line having the winning symbol, and an error occur, the error is stored in the RAM 54 as a winning symbol command, a winning line command, and an error command, respectively.

  Next, the process proceeds to step 411, where the medals acquired based on the payout number set in step 410 are paid out. When the payout number is 0 in step 410, step 411 is skipped to the next step without being performed.

  When the storage mode is set by operating the credit check button 25, the credit function of the slot machine 3 is used to electronically store up to 50 medals in the medal count storage area 54a of the RAM 54 (credit count display section). 20 is displayed by adding 1 to the numerical value displayed at 20), and when the number exceeds 50, the medal is paid out from the hopper device 43. On the other hand, in the payment mode, medals for the number of payouts recognized in this step are paid out from the hopper device 43.

  In this step, a payout start command related to payout of acquired medals and a payout end command related to completion of payout of all acquired medals are respectively stored in the RAM 54 as payout type commands.

  Then, the process proceeds to step 412, and it is determined whether or not the winning symbol set in the winning symbol determining process in step 410 is a winning symbol related to replay. If the winning symbol is not a replay, this step is skipped without being performed. On the other hand, when re-game is set as the winning symbol, necessary settings such as setting the internal state to re-game are performed, and a state command in which the game state is re-game is stored in the RAM 54.

If the current internal state is BB or RB, the process proceeds to step 413 to perform a process during operation of the accessory. When the BB is in progress, the upper limit number of medals that can be acquired during the BB is checked. When the RB is in progress, the number of RBs is checked.
When these checks are performed, the internal state, output information output from the external concentrated terminal board 80 stored in the external output buffer 54b, and the like are changed.

If this step is in BB and it is determined that the BB has ended, the special game control end command is stored in the RAM 54, then the end delay processing, the output information clear processing of the external concentration terminal board 80, and the stop The automatic settlement process is performed to clear the area of the RAM 54 used for the BB, and the BB in-progress flag 54g and the replenishment determination end flag 54e are turned off to complete this step.
Also, this step is during RB, RT, AT, and ART, and when it is determined that these have ended, in the case of RB, the RB flag 54f and the supply determination end flag 54e are turned off, and RT, AT In the case of ART, the same processing as in the case of BB is performed, and the RT flag 54h, AT flag 54i, and ART flag 54j are turned off.

  If the winning symbol set in the winning determination process in step 410 is BB or RB, the process proceeds to step 414 to perform the accessory action determination process. In this step, if the winning symbol is BB, wait processing at the start of BB, initialization processing of RAM 54, setting processing of the number of medals that can be acquired during BB, output information change processing of external concentration terminal board 80, BB Processing necessary for starting BB such as start processing is performed. On the other hand, in the case of RB, the RB maximum game number command and the RB game number command are stored in the RAM 54.

  If the internal state is BB or RB, replenishment request processing described later is executed in step 415. In step 416 following step 415, game number display setting processing is performed. Specifically, a predetermined process for displaying the number of games checked in step 413 or 414 on the liquid crystal display 18 is performed. When the internal state is other than BB or RB, the display on the liquid crystal display 18 is cleared. If the internal state has changed after the game is finished (change in BB or RB, etc.), the state command is stored in the RAM 54.

  When the routine described above is completed, the routine returns to step 403 and this routine is repeated.

  Next, each process performed by the sub control board 60 will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. As processing performed in the sub control board 60, timer interrupt processing performed at predetermined intervals, command interrupt processing performed when command data is transmitted from the main control board 50, power failure processing, and sub control A main process mainly performed on the substrate 60 is set. In the following description, for convenience, the timer interrupt process, the command interrupt process, and the power failure process will be described, and then the main process will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a timer interrupt process performed periodically (every 1.0 ms in the present embodiment) by the MPU 61 of the sub control board 60. The timer interrupt process is periodically executed in the sub-control board 60 to accumulate the number of interrupts in the RAM 64 and used for the timer process (1 ms timer process) in the main process executed by the MPU 61 (FIG. 16).

  When the timer interrupt process is started, first, in step 501, the interrupt flag is read. This process is performed to clear the interrupt flag read at the end of this routine. When the interrupt flag is read in step 501, the process proceeds to step 502 where it is confirmed whether or not the read interrupt flag is a valid flag. If the interrupt flag is not valid (No in step 502), the routine ends without performing the processing described below.

  On the other hand, if the interrupt flag is valid (Yes in step 502), the process proceeds to step 503, where “1” is added to the interrupt timer counter, and the value of the counter is updated. When the value of the interrupt timer counter is updated, the process proceeds to step 504, the interrupt flag is cleared so that the next interrupt can be performed, and the timer interrupt process is terminated. In this routine, if there is an interrupt every 1.0 ms, the count value of the interrupt timer counter is simply incremented by “1”, and the updated value of the interrupt timer counter is not cleared unless it is subtracted. ing.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a command interrupt process performed when a command is transmitted from the main control board 50. As described above, the sub control board 60 is configured to control the upper lamp 16, the speaker 17, and the like based on a command transmitted from the main control board 50, and transmits a predetermined command to the main control board 50. Therefore, it is necessary to reliably receive a command from the main control board 50. For this reason, this routine is a control process provided in the sub-control board 60 in order to reliably receive a command transmitted from the main control board 50, and is a control process performed in the sub-control board 60. Above all, the priority is set high.

  First, in step 601, it is checked whether the received strobe is normal. In this embodiment, since one command transmitted from the main control board 50 is composed of two bytes, it is confirmed whether the first byte ahead of the one command has been transmitted. Thereby, for example, it is possible to prevent the processing by this routine from being performed based on noise such as chattering that occurs when the credit settlement button 25 or the like is operated.

  If the received strobe is normal (Yes in step 601), in step 602, the first byte of the transmitted command is acquired. In step 603, it is determined whether the acquired command data is normal.

  When the acquired command data is normal (Yes in step 603), the process proceeds to step 604, and command reception processing for actually receiving a command for the acquired command data is performed. Specifically, since the first byte of the command data is received, the next 1 byte is received and stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 64. As described above, the command data transmitted from the main control board 50 needs to be reliably received. Therefore, when it is determined that the command data is normal, it is surely captured and held, and the main data performed by the MPU 61 is performed. The command data can be analyzed in the process (see FIG. 16).

  For example, in the present embodiment, a command relating to the operation of the credit settlement button 25 transmitted from the main control board 50 side, a settlement discharge start command based on the operation of the credit settlement button 25, and a settlement discharge relating to the end of discharging the stored medal. This routine receives an end command, a medal discharge command, and the like. In this routine, the command transmitted from the main control board 50 is only stored in a predetermined work area of the RAM 64.

  When the command reception process ends in step 604, the process proceeds to step 605, where the maximum number of retries is set in the retry counter. In step 604, since the command data of the main control board 50, which is the object of this routine, is received and stored in the RAM 64 of the sub control board 60, the maximum number of retries is set in the retry counter.

  On the other hand, if the strobe is not normal (No in step 601), there is a high possibility that the signal is caused by noise or the like as described above, so the process proceeds to step 606 without performing command data acquisition processing, and is the same as step 605. Set the maximum number of retries to the retry counter.

  If it is determined that the command data is abnormal when the command data is acquired (No in Step 603), the process proceeds to Step 607, and the retry counter is updated by adding “1”.

  When the retry counter process is performed in each of steps 605 to 607, it is determined in step 608 whether the value of the retry counter is the maximum value. As described above, in step 605 and step 606, since the maximum number of retries is set in the retry counter, the process proceeds to the process described below. On the other hand, if the process has shifted to step 607, the maximum number of retries (maximum value) may not be set in the retry counter, so whether the maximum value has been reached by reading the value of the retry counter. Determine if.

  When the value of the retry counter is the maximum value (Yes in step 608), the process proceeds to step 609, where an interrupt flag reading process is performed to clear the interrupt, and then the process proceeds to step 610, where the retry counter value is set. Finally, in step 611, the interrupt flag is cleared.

  On the other hand, when the value of the retry counter has not reached the maximum value (No in step 608), this routine is terminated without performing the processing from step 609 to step 611. Since the value of the retry counter is not the maximum value, command data is continuously acquired from the main control board 50 by repeating this routine until it reaches the maximum value.

  When the command interruption process is performed based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 14, the command data is checked twice in the process of step 601 and the process of step 603 prior to the reception process of the command data in step 604. Thus, noise can be eliminated, so that command data transmitted from the main control board 50 can be received reliably. Even if command data cannot be received at one time in step 604, this routine is repeated until the value of the retry counter reaches the maximum value, thereby enabling reliable reception of command data.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a power failure process performed in the sub-control board 60 in synchronization with the start of the power failure process by the NMI interrupt process illustrated in FIG. 9.

  First, in step 701, when the external RAM writing process is performed, the process proceeds to step 702 to determine whether or not the voltage is restored. As described above, the power failure monitoring circuit monitors the voltage of the power supply board. When the power failure monitoring circuit becomes less than a predetermined voltage (22 volts), the power failure monitoring circuit supplies power failure to the NMI terminals of the main control board 50 and the sub control board 60. Since a signal is transmitted, it is monitored whether or not the voltage has returned to a predetermined voltage or higher. If the voltage does not return (No in step 702), the process waits until the voltage returns. The power failure signal may be transmitted to the INT terminal instead of the NMI terminal.

  On the other hand, when the voltage is restored (Yes in step 702), the process proceeds to step 703, waits for 30 ms, and further proceeds to step 704 to determine whether the voltage is restored. Note that the standby time of this step is not limited to 30 ms, and various times can be set.

  In step 704, it is determined whether the voltage has returned to a predetermined voltage as in the processing in step 702. If the voltage has not returned to the predetermined voltage (No in step 704), the process waits until the voltage returns, as in step 702.

  On the other hand, when the voltage returns to the predetermined voltage (Yes in Step 704), the process proceeds to Step 705, performs the startup process, and shifts to the main process described below.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of main processing performed by the MPU 61 of the sub-control board 60. This routine is a main control process repeatedly performed by the MPU 61 of the sub-control board 60. The command transmitted from the main control board 50 is analyzed, and the upper lamp 16, the speaker 17 and the like are controlled based on the analysis result. Make the necessary settings.

  First, in step 801, the MPU 61 performs initialization processing. For example, a signal related to lighting of the upper lamp 16 is output from the MPU 61 via the input / output port 62, or a signal for displaying the liquid crystal display 18 on the display control board 68 is output. In step 802, prior to the main processing of this routine, it is determined whether the system state of the slot machine 3 is in a voltage drop state.

  If the system state is a voltage drop state (Yes in step 802), for example, it is determined that the process is proceeding as much as possible to turn off the power of the slot machine 3 based on a power switch OFF operation, and the routine described below is not performed. Then, the process proceeds to the power failure process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  On the other hand, if the system state is not a voltage drop state (No in step 802), the process proceeds to step 803 to determine whether or not the count number is added to the interrupt timer counter. As described in the timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 13, in the timer interrupt process, the count is gradually added to the interrupt timer counter by starting at a cycle of every 1.0 ms. It is determined whether or not the interrupt timer counter is updated by reading the count number of the counter.

  When the count number of the interrupt timer counter has been updated (Yes in Step 803), the process proceeds to Step 804, and the count number is updated by subtracting “1” from the count number of the interrupt timer counter. In step 805, 1 ms of processing subtracted from the interrupt timer counter is executed as 1 ms timer processing.

  Here, the 1 ms timer process will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of a 1 ms timer process performed in the course of the main process.

  First, in step 901, startup command check processing is performed. For example, when an error is displayed because the data in the RAM 54 is destroyed after the slot machine 3 is started by turning on the power switch (step 317 in FIG. 11), the MPU 51 of the main control board 50 is in an error state. Cannot be transmitted to the sub control board 60, and even on the sub control board 60 side, a command indicating that no command data is transmitted from the main control board 50 cannot be output to the main control board 50. Therefore, in step 901, when a command from the main control board 50 is not received within a predetermined time, for example, 2 seconds, the MPU 61 of the sub control board 60 displays an error on the liquid crystal display 18 through the display control board 68, For example, a signal related to the occurrence of an error is transmitted to the hall computer 2 of the amusement hall through the external concentration terminal board 80, and control for notifying the occurrence of the error to the surroundings is performed.

  In step 901, when the command reception process is recognized normally by the startup command check process, the process proceeds to step 902 where the device control process is performed. Specifically, in the previous 1 ms timer process, when the change process of the effect data such as the upper lamp light emission data and the notification sound data is performed (step 907 described later), the upper part is set so that the notification can be performed based on the change data. Change data is set in the lamp 16, the left and right speakers 17, and the like. For example, the MPU 61 reads out the notification sound data whose volume is increased by one step from the notification sound table in the ROM 63 and sets it in the notification sound output controller 67 of the speaker 17.

  When the device control process in step 902 is performed, the process proceeds to step 903, where the system state change process is performed. The system state includes, for example, a voltage drop state, an initialization state (including an initialization waiting state of the liquid crystal display 18), etc., and necessary setting processing is performed on the sub-control board 60 due to the change of the system state. Done.

  Next, the process proceeds to step 904, and a stored medal settlement process is performed. Although details will be described later, in the case of discharging the stored medal, the MPU 61 of the sub control board 60 determines whether the number of discharged medals has reached the reference number of discharged medals based on a command from the main control board 50. Judge about.

  Then, the process proceeds to step 905, and when the voltage state of the slot machine 3 is checked by the voltage drop check process, the process proceeds to step 906, and a 10 ms timer process is performed. In the 10 ms timer process, for example, when the upper lamp emission table of the LED of the upper lamp 16 is updated or the changed notification sound data is set as illustrated in the above-described device control process (step 902), the notification sound A process of actually changing the volume of the speaker 17 is performed by the output controller 67. Here, the timer process is performed every 10 ms. However, even if the process is performed every longer cycle, it does not affect the medal discharge notification control that is actually performed. You may do it.

  When the 10 ms timer process in step 906 ends, the process proceeds to step 907, where the effect data change process is performed. Here, in the next 1 ms timer process, when the notification sound of the speaker 17 is changed, for example, when the notification sound from the speaker 17 is increased by one step, the notification sound output based on the notification sound data is one. The alarm sound data relating to the alarm sound having a large level is taken out from the alarm sound table of the ROM 63 and prepared so that it can be set in the alarm sound output controller 67 in the next 1 ms timer process.

  When a series of processing from step 901 to step 907 is performed in this way, this routine ends.

  Returning to the description of the main process in FIG. 16, when the 1 ms timer process in step 805 is completed, the process proceeds to step 806, where it is determined whether the system state is a voltage drop state. When the system state is a voltage drop state (Yes in Step 806), the process proceeds to a power failure process as in the case where it is determined in Step 802 that the system state is a voltage drop state.

  On the other hand, when the count number is not added to the interrupt timer counter (No in Step 803) and when the system state is not a voltage drop state (No in Step 806), the process proceeds to Step 807 to determine whether there is a received command. . If there is no received command (No in Step 807), the process proceeds to Step 809, where it is updated by adding the random number base value, and the process returns to Step 802.

  On the other hand, if there is a received command (Yes in Step 807), the process proceeds to Step 808, where the received command check process is performed, and the command transmitted from the main control board 50 is analyzed.

  In command analysis by the received command check processing of this routine, processing for each received command is first performed to recognize the type of the received command. As described above, the command transmitted from the main control board 50 is stored in a predetermined work area of the RAM 64 by the command interrupt process by the MPU 61 of the sub control board 60 (see FIG. 14). Read the first byte of the command from the work area and recognize the command type. In the present embodiment, for example, payout type information that allows the MPU 61 of the sub-control board 60 to recognize which command is used to pay medals from the hopper device 43 is set.

  Next, the second byte of the command is read, and it is recognized whether or not a command is further set in the payout type information. For example, there are four types of payout type commands: a stored medal discharge command, an inserted medal discharge command, an acquired medal payout command, and an automatic payment command, and it is analyzed which command has been transmitted. . In the present embodiment, for example, the MPU 61 analyzes that it is a stored medal discharge command (a command transmitted from the main control board 50 by operating the credit check button 25).

  When the received command analysis is completed by the received command check process in step 808, the random number base value is updated in step 809, and the process returns to step 802.

  Next, the replenishment request process (step 415) in the normal game process (FIG. 12) will be described in detail. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing details of the supply request process.

  The replenishment request process is performed when BB or RB is won by the internal lottery process (step 406) of the normal game process of FIG. 12, and when winning to BB or RB is confirmed by the winning symbol determination process (step 410). Subsequent to the object operation determination process (step 414), the MPU 51 of the main control board 50 performs the operation.

First, in step 1001, when the winning to the winning combination (BB or RB) in the special gaming state in which the game proceeds in a state advantageous to the player over the normal gaming state is confirmed, in step 1002, the supply determination end flag 54e. Whether or not is off.
If the replenishment determination end flag 54e is off in step 1002, the value of the replenishment counter 54d is cleared to 0 in step 1003.

  In step 1004, based on the output of the medal remaining amount sensor 48 attached to the hopper device 43, whether or not medals having a prescribed height or more are stored in the storage unit 44 of the hopper device 43, that is, the medal storage amount is insufficient. It is confirmed whether or not.

  As described above, when the height of the medal in the storage unit 44 exceeds the specified height, the medal remaining amount sensor 48 becomes conductive through the medal and outputs an ON signal. When it becomes less than the predetermined height, it becomes non-conductive and does not output an ON signal. Therefore, when the ON signal is not output, it is determined that medals of a specified height or more are not stored (the amount of stored medals is insufficient).

Here, the prescribed height detected by the medal remaining amount sensor 48 is set based on the maximum number of medals that can be paid out from the slot machine during BB or RB. For example, if the maximum number that can be paid out at the time of BB is 300 and the maximum number that can be paid out at the time of RB is 100, 400 (300 + 100) medals are stored in the storage unit 44. Is set as the specified height detected by the remaining token medal sensor 48.
Therefore, the medal remaining amount sensor 48 becomes conductive when approximately 400 medals are stored in the storage unit 44, and the conductive rods 48a and 48a become conductive, and the number of medals decreases from there. In step 1004, it is determined that the medal storage amount is insufficient.

  If the amount of medals stored is insufficient in step 1004, supply information is set in the supply counter 54d of the RAM 54 in step 1005. Specifically, “1” is set as the value of the supply counter 54d.

  As a result, in order to request the hall computer 2 to replenish medals by the replenishment counter process (step 211) and the port output process (step 215) of the timer interrupt control process (FIG. 10), the on signal of the replenishment request signal is Will be output.

Subsequently, in step 1006, the value of the supply determination end flag 54e is set to “1”, and the supply determination end flag 54e is turned on.
Here, the replenishment determination end flag 54e is a flag indicating whether or not the necessity of replenishment has been determined, and when it is 1 (on), it has been determined that the necessity of replenishment has already been performed. , 0 (off) indicates that the necessity of replenishment has not been determined.

  In the embodiment, when the winning of the BB or RB is confirmed, the determination as to whether or not to supply medals is performed once before the start of the first game in the BB or RB. Here, since the processing from step 403 to step 416 in FIG. 12 is repeatedly executed for each game, whether or not replenishment is already required in the subsequent replenishment request processing executed during BB or RB. It is necessary to be able to confirm that the judgment has been made. Therefore, if the replenishment determination end flag 54e is turned on in step 1006 and the replenishment determination end flag 54e is on in step 1002, the processing after step 1003 is not executed and the replenishment request processing is terminated. It has become.

  Note that the replenishment determination end flag 54e is determined when the BB or RB is determined to be ended (the BB flag 54g or the RB flag) in the process (step 413) of the normal game process (FIG. 12) during the operation of the accessory. 54f is turned off), and the next determination of whether or not replenishment is necessary can be made at the next BB or RB winning.

  In step 1004, when medals are stored in the storage unit 44 at a specified height or more and the amount of stored medals is not insufficient, the storage unit 44 does not need to be replenished, so the processing ends. The value of the replenishment counter is kept “0”.

  Next, the replenishment counter process (step 211) performed in the timer interrupt control process (FIG. 10) will be described in detail. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing details of the supply counter process.

  The replenishment counter process is a process executed by the MPU 51 of the main control board 50 following the IN / OUT counter process (step 210) of the timer interrupt control process (FIG. 10).

First, in step 1101, it is confirmed whether or not the value of the supply counter timer 54c that defines the execution timing of the supply counter process is 0 (zero).
If the value of the replenishment counter timer 54c is 0 (zero), in step 1102, the value of the replenishment counter timer 54c is reset to the initial value. This is for determining the execution timing of the next supply counter process.

Here, in the embodiment, the timer interrupt control process (see FIG. 10) repeated every 1.49 ms is executed once every 38 times, that is, once every 56.62 ms (1.49 ms × 38). The replenishment counter process is executed. Therefore, in step 1102, “38” is set as the initial value of the supply counter timer 54c.
The value of the supply counter timer 54c is set to an initial value when the slot machine 3 is turned on, and thereafter, every time the timer subtraction process (step 209) of the timer interrupt control process (FIG. 10) is executed, “1” is set. "Is subtracted.

  On the other hand, when the value of the supply counter timer 54c is not zero in step 1101, the supply counter process is terminated.

  In step 1103, information related to the replenishment of medals out of the output information output from the external concentration terminal board 80 to the hall computer 2 is reset to “no replenishment request”. Specifically, among the output information held in the external output buffer 54b of the RAM 54, the value of the setting data bit corresponding to the supply request signal is cleared to zero.

  In step 1104, it is confirmed whether or not supply information is set in the supply counter 54d. If replenishment information is set in step 1104, in step 1105, information relating to the replenishment of medals in the output information is changed to “replenishment requested”. Specifically, in the output information held in the external output buffer 54b of the RAM 54, the value of the setting data bit corresponding to the supply request signal is changed to “1”.

  On the other hand, if replenishment information is not set in step 1104, the process ends. As a result, the information relating to the replenishment of medals in the output information is held as “no replenishment request”. Specifically, among the output information held in the external output buffer 54b of the RAM 54, the value of the setting data bit corresponding to the replenishment request signal is held as “0”.

  Thus, in the port output process (step 215) executed after the replenishment counter process in the timer interrupt control process (FIG. 10), a replenishment request signal (ON) determined according to “no replenishment request” or “replenishment request present” Signal or off signal) is transmitted to the hall computer 2 via the external concentration terminal board 80.

  FIG. 20 is a time chart showing an example of signals (BB medium signal and replenishment request signal) output from the external concentration terminal board 80.

The ON signal of the BB in-progress signal is a timer interrupt control process (when a BB winning is confirmed and a BB in-progress flag is turned on by a winning symbol determination process (step 410) of the normal game process (FIG. 12). It is output during the port output process (step 215) of FIG.
For this reason, the ON signal of the BB signal is continuously output from the external concentrated terminal board 80 while the slot machine 3 is in the BB state (from time t1 to t2 in the case of FIG. 20). In the embodiment, the RB signal, the RT signal, and the AT signal also have similar output waveforms.

On the other hand, when the replenishment information is set in the replenishment counter 54d by the replenishment request process (step 415) of the normal game process (FIG. 12), the ON signal of the replenishment request signal is a port of the timer interrupt control process (FIG. 10). It is output during the output process (step 215).
The supply request signal OFF signal is output during the port output process (step 215) when supply information is not set in the supply counter.

Here, as described above, the replenishment counter process of FIG. 19 is executed once every time the timer interrupt control process (see FIG. 10) is executed 38 times. For this reason, when the information regarding the replenishment of medals in the output information is changed to “replenishment requested”, the ON signal of the replenishment request signal is 56.62 ms (1.49 ms × until the next replenishment counter process is performed). 38) is continuously output.
For this reason, if it is determined that the medals need to be replenished after the winning of the BB is confirmed, the ON signal of the replenishment request signal is 56. It will be input for 62 ms.

  In the embodiment, the hall computer 2 outputs the ON signal of the supply request signal when the ON signal of the supply request signal is input once while the ON signal of the BB signal or the RB signal is input. The medal replenishment process described later is executed for the slot machine 3 that has been processed.

Next, processing executed by the hall computer 2 will be described.
As described above, the hall computer 2 manages each of the plurality of slot machines 3 installed in the game hall (hall). However, in the following description, for the purpose of facilitating understanding, A case where management is performed for one slot machine 3 will be described as an example.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing output information reception processing executed by the hall computer 2. This output information reception process is a timer interruption process executed at predetermined time intervals (every 1.49 ms in the present embodiment), and the hall computer 2 uses this output information reception process to replenish medals, notify abnormality, etc. Execute the process.

When the hall computer 2 receives the output information output from the external concentration terminal board 80 of the slot machine 3, the hall computer 2 stores the received output information in the output information reception buffer 203a.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 21, in the output information reception process, in step 1201, it is confirmed whether or not the output information output from the slot machine 3 is stored in the output information reception buffer 203a.
If the output information is not stored, the process is terminated. If the output information is stored, the signal processing during BB is executed in step 1202.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing details of the BB signal processing.
In the BB signal processing, in step 1301, it is confirmed whether or not the output information includes the ON signal of the BB signal. Specifically, it is determined whether the value of the setting data bit corresponding to the BB signal in the output information is “1”. If it is “1”, it is determined that the ON signal is included, If it is “0”, it is determined that it is not included.

If the ON signal is included in step 1301, it is confirmed in step 1302 whether or not the BB flag 203i is OFF. If the BB flag 203i is OFF, in step 1303, the BB flag After the value of 203i is set to "1" and the BB flag 203i is turned on, in step 1304, "1" is added to the value of the BB number counter 203b.
By the processing in step 1302, it can be identified that the OFF signal of the BB signal has changed to the ON signal between the processing of the previous output information and the processing of the current output information, and thereby the slot machine 3 is brought into the BB state. It is because it turns out that it became.

On the other hand, if the ON signal is not included in step 1301, it is checked in step 1305 whether or not the BB flag 203i is ON. If the BB flag 203i is ON, in step 1306, BB The middle flag 203i is turned off.
By the processing in step 1305, it can be determined that the ON signal of the BB signal has changed to the OFF signal between the processing of the previous output information and the processing of the current output information, whereby the BB state in the slot machine 3 is determined. Because we know that it has finished.

In step 1302, if the BB flag 203i is not OFF (ON), the ON signal of the BB signal continues to be input between the previous output information processing and the current output information processing. (The BB state of the slot machine 3 is continuing), the process is terminated without changing the values of the BB flag 203i and the BB number counter 203b.
In step 1305, when the BB flag 203i is not ON (OFF), the input of the OFF signal of the BB signal continues from the previous output information processing to the current output information processing. In other words, it means that the slot machine 3 is not in the BB state (for example, the normal gaming state), and in this case, the values of the BB flag 203i and the BB number counter 203b are not changed. The process ends.

  As shown in FIG. 21, when the signal processing in BB in step 1202 is completed, signal processing in RB is performed in step 1203. This RB signal processing is omitted when the BB flag 203i is turned on as a result of the BB signal processing in step 1202.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing details of the RB signal processing.
In the RB signal processing, in step 1401, it is confirmed whether or not the output information includes an ON signal of the RB signal. Specifically, it is checked whether the value of the setting data bit corresponding to the RB signal in the output information is “1”. If it is “1”, it is determined that the RB signal is included. , “0”, it is determined that they are not included.

  If the on signal is included in step 1401, it is confirmed in step 1402 whether or not the RB flag 203j is off. If the RB flag 203j is off, in step 1403, the RB flag After the value of 203j is set to “1” and the RB flag 203j is turned on, in step 1404, “1” is added to the value of the RB count counter 203c.

  On the other hand, if the RB signal is not included in step 1401, it is confirmed in step 1405 whether or not the RB flag 203j is on. If the RB flag 203j is on, in step 1406, The RB flag 203j is turned off.

  As shown in FIG. 21, when the in-RB signal processing in step 1203 is completed, in-step RT signal processing (see FIG. 24) is performed in step 1204. After the RT flag 203k is turned on or off, step 1205 is performed. At AT, signal processing during AT (see FIG. 25) is performed, and the AT flag 203m is turned on or off. Note that the RT signal processing and AT signal processing are performed in substantially the same processing flow as the above-described BB signal processing and RB signal processing, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

Subsequently, in step 1206, an ART determination process is executed.
FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing details of the ART determination process.
In the ART determination process, in step 1701, it is confirmed whether or not both the RT flag 203k and the AT flag 203m are on. This is because ART is a case where RT and AT occur simultaneously.

If both the RT flag 203k and the AT flag 203m are on in step 1701, it is confirmed in step 1702 whether the ART flag 203n is off. If the ART flag 203n is off, In step 1703, the value of the ART flag 203n is set to "1" and the ART flag 203n is turned on. In step 1704, "1" is added to the value of the ART number counter 203d.
On the other hand, if both the RT flag 203k and the AT flag 203m are not turned on in step 1701, it is confirmed in step 1705 whether or not the ART flag 203n is turned on, and if the ART flag 203n is turned on. In step 1706, the ART flag 203n is turned off.

As shown in FIG. 21, when the ART determination process in step 1204 is completed, other signal processes are executed in step 1207.
Specifically, processing according to the value of other setting data bits (for example, medal insertion signal, medal payout signal, door opening signal, etc.) in the output information is executed.

  When the other signal processing in step 1207 ends, replenishment request signal processing is performed in step 1208.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing details of the supply request signal processing.
In the replenishment request signal processing, in step 1801, it is confirmed whether any one of the BB flag 203i and the RB flag 203j is on.
If both the BB flag 203i and the RB flag 203j are off, the process ends. This is because in the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to replenish medals when winning a prize for BB or RB is confirmed.

  If either the BB flag 203i or the RB flag 203j is on, it is checked in step 1802 whether or not the information regarding the replenishment of medals in the received output information is “replenishment requested”. Specifically, in the output information held in the output information reception buffer 203a of the RAM 203, it is confirmed whether the value of the setting data bit corresponding to the replenishment request signal is “1”. Is determined to be “replenishment request”, and “0” is determined to be “no replenishment request”.

If “replenishment request is present” in step 1802, after the replenishment execution flag 203r is turned on in step 1803, “1” is added to the value of the replenishment number counter 203e in step 1804.
Thereby, in the medal replenishment process described later, replenishment of medals is performed for the slot machine 3 that has output the output information that the information regarding the replenishment of medals is “replenishment requested”.

  As shown in FIG. 21, when the replenishment request signal processing in step 1208 ends, in step 1209, the output information reception buffer 203a is cleared to 0, and the output information reception processing ends.

  Next, the medal supply processing to the slot machine 3 executed by the hall computer 2 will be described. FIG. 28 is a flowchart of a medal supply process executed by the hall computer 2. This medal replenishment process is executed when the replenishment execution flag 203r is turned on as a result of the replenishment request signal process (step 1208) of the output information reception process (FIG. 21).

First, when the replenishment execution flag 203r is turned on in step 1901, in step 1902, the slot machine 3 in which the replenishment execution flag 203r is turned on, that is, the slot machine 3 that replenishes medals is identified.
In step 1903, a predetermined value, for example, 500 is set as the value of the supply counter 203t indicating the number of medals supplied.
In step 1904, the medal replenishing device 7 is driven to replenish the slot machine 3 with medals.
Specifically, the hopper device 7a is driven to supply medals to the medal transport rail 7b, the motor 7d is driven to supply medals to the slot machine 3, and the shutter (not shown) of the medal chute tube 7c is opened. To do.
Here, in the above-described supply request signal processing, since the number of medals supplied is set as the value of the supply counter 203t, the hall computer 2 detects the value of the supply counter 203t by the medal sensor 7e of the medal chute tube 7c. Subtract one by one based on the signal.

In step 1905, it is confirmed whether or not the replenishment of the medal is completed based on whether or not the value of the replenishment counter 203t has become zero, and the value of the replenishment counter 203t has become zero and the replenishment of the medal has been completed. When it is determined, the motor 7d is driven to close the shutter (not shown), thereby completing the medal to the slot machine 3.
When the medal replenishment is completed, in step 1906, the replenishment execution flag 203r is turned off and the process is terminated.

  Here, the reservoir 44 of the hopper device 43 in the embodiment corresponds to the reservoir in the invention, the medal remaining amount sensor 48 in the embodiment corresponds to the sensor in the invention, and the hall computer 2 in the embodiment. The medal supply device 7 in the embodiment corresponds to the management device in the invention, and corresponds to the supply device in the invention.

As described above, in the first embodiment, in the slot machine 3, when a predetermined condition corresponding to the special game state (BB, RB) in which the game progresses in a state more advantageous to the player than the normal game state is satisfied. Then, it is determined whether or not the hopper device 43 needs to be replenished with medals (game media), and the height of the medals stored in the storage unit 44 of the hopper device 43 stores a prescribed amount (400) of medals. If it is confirmed from the output signal of the medal remaining amount sensor 48 that the height is less than the height of the medals, it is determined that medals need to be replenished, and a replenishment request signal for requesting replenishment of medals is sent to the hall computer When the hall computer 2 receives the replenishment request signal, the medal supply device 7 is driven to replenish the slot machine 3 that has requested the medal replenishment.
With this configuration, if the predetermined condition corresponding to the special gaming state is not satisfied, there is no opportunity to determine whether replenishment is necessary. Therefore, the amount of game media stored in the storage unit is not satisfied while the predetermined condition is not satisfied. Is less than the prescribed amount, the game medium is not replenished to the storage portion 44 of the hopper device 43. Therefore, even if medals are paid out from the payout device unit 45 of the hopper device 43 without performing a game, the medals are not replenished indefinitely to the storage unit 44. Never get to. Therefore, the amount of medals acquired illegally can be suppressed.

  In addition, the determination of the necessity of replenishment of medals is 1 when the symbol or symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination that enters the special gaming state is stopped and the winning to the special gaming state (BB, RB) is confirmed. Since it is configured to be executed once, even if a medal is paid out by cheating after the winning in the special gaming state (BB, RB) is confirmed, there is only one opportunity for replenishment, and the storage unit 44 Since game media are not replenished indefinitely, a large amount of game media is not illegally acquired.

  Further, the determination of the necessity of replenishment of medals is made after the symbol or symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination to be in the special gaming state is stopped and the special game state (BB, RB) is confirmed and the special winning state is confirmed. Since it is configured to be executed before the first game in the gaming state is performed, it is determined whether or not medals need to be replenished before the game in the special gaming state where a large amount of medals are expected to be paid out is started. And medals are replenished as needed. Thereby, the amount of medals stored in the storage unit 44 after the end of the special game state can be suppressed as compared with the case where the determination of the necessity of replenishment is performed in the middle or near the end of the special game state. Therefore, even if medals are later paid out by fraudulent acts, the amount of medals acquired illegally can be suppressed. In addition, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the game is interrupted due to a shortage of payout medals immediately after the game in the special game state is started.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the second embodiment, the number of medals to be supplied is specified in the supply request signal for requesting the supply of medals. In this supply request signal, one medal is set as a set of ON signals. It is represented by an off signal.
In the following description, parts different from the configuration and processing of the first embodiment will be described, and description of common parts will be omitted.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating details of the supply request process in the second embodiment.
In the replenishment request process in the second embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment, BB or RB is won by the internal lottery process (step 406) of the normal game process (FIG. 12), and a winning symbol determination process is performed. When winning in BB or RB is confirmed in (Step 410), the MPU 51 of the main control board 50 carries out the accessory operation determination process (Step 414).

First, in step 2001, when the winning to the winning combination (BB or RB) in the special gaming state in which the game proceeds in a state advantageous to the player over the normal gaming state is confirmed, in step 2002, the supply determination end flag 54e. Whether or not is off.
If the supply determination end flag 54e is off in step 2002, the value of the supply counter 54d is cleared to 0 in step 2003.

In step 2004, based on the output of the medal remaining amount sensor 48 attached to the hopper device 43, whether or not medals having a prescribed height or more are stored in the storage unit 44 of the hopper device 43, that is, the amount of medals stored is determined. It is confirmed whether there is a shortage.
Here, in the case of the second embodiment, the height when 400 medals are stored in the storage unit 44 is set as the specified height detected by the medal remaining amount sensor 48.

If the amount of medals stored is insufficient in step 2004, in step 2005, the replenishment information indicating the number of replenishment for each winning combination is obtained by referring to the replenishment table 53a in the ROM 53. In step 2006, the replenishment counter in the RAM 54 is obtained. The value obtained by doubling the number of sheets to be supplied is set to the value of 54d.
In the embodiment, in the replenishment information stored in the replenishment table 53a, the replenishment number for each winning combination is such that the replenishment number is 300 when the winning combination is BB and the replenishment number is 100 when the winning combination is RB. It is prescribed. Therefore, for example, when the winning combination is BB, “600” is set as the value of the supply counter 54d.

  Subsequently, in step 2007, the value of the supply determination end flag 54e is set to “1”, and the supply determination end flag 54e is turned on.

  In step 2004, when medals are stored in the storage unit 44 at a specified height or more and the amount of stored medals is not short, it is not necessary to supply medals to the storage unit 44, so the supply request process is terminated. . As a result, the value of the supply counter 54d is held as “0”.

Next, the replenishment counter process in the second embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing details of the replenishment counter process in the second embodiment.
In the replenishment counter process in the second embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment, following the IN / OUT counter process (step 210) of the timer interrupt control process (FIG. 10), the main control board 50 Executed by the MPU 51.

First, in step 2101, it is confirmed whether or not the value of the supply counter timer 54 c that defines the execution timing of the supply counter process is 0 (zero).
If the value of the replenishment counter timer 54c is 0 (zero), in step 2102, the value of the replenishment counter timer 54c is reset to an initial value (for example, 38). This is for determining the execution timing of the next supply counter process.
On the other hand, if the value of the replenishment counter timer 54c is not zero in step 2101, the replenishment counter process is terminated.

In step 2103, information relating to the replenishment of medals out of the output information output from the external concentration terminal board 80 to the hall computer 2 is reset to “no replenishment request (off signal output)”. Specifically, among the output information held in the external output buffer 54b of the RAM 54, the value of the setting data bit corresponding to the supply request signal is cleared to zero.
In step 2104, it is confirmed whether or not a numerical value other than “0” is set in the supply counter 54d, that is, whether or not supply information is set.

If a numerical value other than “0” is set in step 2104, it is confirmed in step 2105 whether or not the off signal flag 54m is on.
Here, the off signal flag 54m is a flag for distinguishing whether the replenishment request signal output from the external concentration terminal board 80 is the on signal or the off signal as a result of the previous replenishment counter process. is there. When the off signal flag 54m is on, the value of the setting data bit corresponding to the replenishment request signal is set to “0” in the previous replenishment request process, and the replenishment request signal is turned off from the external concentration terminal board 80. When the signal is output and is OFF, the value of the setting data bit is set to “1”, indicating that the ON signal of the replenishment request signal is output from the external concentration terminal board 80 Yes.

If the off signal flag 54m is on in step 2105, in step 2106, information relating to the replenishment of medals in the output information is changed to “on signal output”. Specifically, in the output information held in the external output buffer 54b of the RAM 54, the value of the setting data bit corresponding to the supply request signal is changed to “1”.
In step 2107, the off signal flag 54m is turned off.

On the other hand, if the off signal flag 54m is off, in step 2108, information relating to the replenishment of medals in the output information is held as “off signal output”.
Specifically, among the output information held in the external output buffer 54b of the RAM 54, the value of the setting data bit corresponding to the replenishment request signal is held as “0”.
In step 2109, the off signal flag 54m is turned on.

  When the off signal flag 54m is turned on or off (step 2107 or step 2109), the value of the replenishment counter 54d is decremented by “1” in step 2110, and then the process ends.

  Thus, in the timer interrupt control process (FIG. 10), in the port output process (step 215) executed after the replenishment counter process (step 211), either of the on signal or the off signal is supplied. Then, it is transmitted to the hall computer 2 through the external concentration terminal board 80.

If the value of the replenishment counter 54d is “0” in step 2104, it is not necessary to request the hall computer 2 to replenish medals, and the replenishment counter process is terminated.
In this case, in the processing of step 2103 described above, information relating to the replenishment of medals out of the output information output from the external concentrated terminal board 80 to the hall computer 2 is reset to “no replenishment request (off signal output)”. Therefore, in the port output process (step 215) of the timer interrupt control process (FIG. 10), the OFF signal of the replenishment request signal is transmitted to the hall computer 2 via the external concentration terminal board 80.

  FIG. 31 is a time chart showing an example of signals (BB medium signal and replenishment request signal) output from the external concentration terminal board 80 in the second embodiment.

As in the case of the first embodiment, the ON signal of the BB medium signal is output while the slot machine 3 is in the BB state (between times t1 and t2 in the case of FIG. 31). 80 is output continuously.
On the other hand, in the replenishment request signal of the second embodiment, in order to be able to specify the number of medals replenished on the hall computer 2 side, one medal is composed of a set of an on signal and an off signal continuous on the time axis. Is set to mean. Therefore, for example, when requesting the replenishment of 500 medals, the timer interrupt control process (FIG. 5) is performed until the value of the replenishment counter 54d is set to 1000 and the value of the replenishment counter 54d becomes “0”. 10), every time the port output process (step 215) after the replenishment counter process (step 211) is executed, the ON signal and the OFF signal are alternately output.
Here, also in the second embodiment, the timer interrupt control process is repeatedly executed every 1.49 ms, and the replenishment counter process is executed every 56.62 ms (1.49 ms × 38). Therefore, 500 sets of ON and OFF signals that are continuous on the time axis and switch every 56.62 ms are input to the hall computer 2.

  FIG. 32 is a flowchart of supply request signal processing executed by the hall computer 2 in the output information reception processing (FIG. 21) in the case of the second embodiment.

First, in step 2201, it is confirmed whether any one of the BB flag 203i and the RB flag 203j is on.
If both the BB flag 203i and the RB flag 203j are off, the process ends. This is because in the embodiment, it is determined whether or not medals need to be replenished once when the winning of BB or RB is confirmed.

  If any one of the BB flag 203i and the RB flag 203j is on, it is determined in step 2202 whether or not the information regarding the replenishment of medals in the received output information is “replenishment requested (ON signal input)”. Confirm. Specifically, it is confirmed whether the value of the setting data bit corresponding to the replenishment request signal in the output information is “1”. If it is “1”, it is determined that “supplement is requested” and “0 ", It is determined that there is no replenishment request (off signal input)".

  If it is determined in step 2202 that “replenishment request is present”, it is checked in step 2203 whether or not the replenishment request flag 203p is off. Specifically, it is confirmed whether or not the value of the replenishment request flag 203p stored in the RAM 203 is “0”. If the value of the replenishment request flag 203p is “0”, the replenishment request flag 203p is Determined to be off.

If the replenishment request flag 203p is off, in step 2204, the value of the replenishment request flag 203p is set to “1” and the replenishment request flag 203p is turned on. Add 1 ”.
During the process of step 2203, the supply request signal OFF signal changes to the ON signal between the previous supply request signal process and the current supply request signal process, and the slot machine 3 requests supply. It is because it understands.

If it is determined in step 2202 that “no replenishment request”, it is checked in step 2206 whether or not the replenishment request flag 203p is on. If the replenishment request flag 203p is on, replenishment is performed in step 2207. It is confirmed whether or not the request end flag 203s is off.
If the replenishment request end flag 203s is off, “1” is added to the value of the replenishment counter 203t in step 2208, and the replenishment request end flag 203s is turned on in step 2209.

As described above, in the second embodiment, when replenishment of medals is requested, the number of replenishments is specified by the number of sets of a set of ON signals and OFF signals that are continuous on the time axis. ing.
Therefore, the replenishment request end flag 203s is set in order to distinguish between the off signal after the on signal and the off signal due to the end of the replenishment request.
When the off signal is input in the next process following the input of the on signal, the replenishment request end flag 203s is turned on, and when the off signal is input again in the next process, the time is reached. Thus, it is determined that the input of the ON signal of the replenishment request signal has been completed.
In order to prevent it from being determined that the supply request has been completed when the next OFF signal is input when the ON signal is input again after the OFF signal is input, in the process of step 2210, the supply request The value of the end flag 203s is set to “0”, and the flag is temporarily turned off.

  When the OFF signal is continuously input, the value of the supply request flag 203p indicating that the ON signal of the supply request signal is input is set to “0” in the process of step 2211, and the supply request After turning off the flag 203p, the value of the replenishment execution flag 203r is set to “1” and the replenishment execution flag 203r is turned on in step 2212.

  Thereby, for example, when a replenishment request signal composed of 500 sets of on and off signals is input to the hall computer 2, the value of the replenishment counter 203t that defines the number of medals to be replenished becomes “500”. Therefore, the hall computer 2 executes the medal replenishment process based on the value of the replenishment counter 203t.

  FIG. 33 is a flowchart of a medal replenishment process executed by the hall computer 2 in the case of the second embodiment.

First, when the replenishment execution flag 203r is turned on in step 2301, in step 2302, the slot machine 3 in which the replenishment execution flag 203r is turned on, that is, the slot machine 3 that replenishes medals is identified.
In step 2303, it is confirmed whether or not supply information indicating the number of sheets to be supplied is set in the supply counter 203t. Specifically, it is checked whether or not the value of the supply counter 203t is a value other than “0”. If the value is other than “0”, it is determined that the supply information is set.

If replenishment information is set in step 2303, the medal replenishment device 7 is driven in step 2304 to replenish the slot machine 3 with medals.
Specifically, the hopper device 7a is driven to supply medals to the medal transport rail 7b, the motor 7d is driven to supply medals to the slot machine 3, and the shutter (not shown) of the medal chute tube 7c is opened. To do.
Here, in step 2303 described above, since the number of medals supplied is set as the value of the supply counter 203t, the hall computer 2 uses the value of the supply counter 203t as the detection signal of the medal sensor 7e of the medal chute tube 7c. Subtract one by one based on this.

In step 2305, whether or not the replenishment of the medal is completed is confirmed based on whether or not the value of the replenishment counter 203t has become zero, and the value of the replenishment counter 203t has become zero and the replenishment of the medal has been completed. When it is determined, the motor 7d is driven to close the shutter (not shown), thereby completing the medal to the slot machine 3.
When the medal replenishment is completed, in step 2306, the replenishment execution flag 203r is turned off and the process is terminated.

As described above, in the second embodiment, there are a plurality of different winning combinations having different payout numbers, such as BB and RB, as the winning combinations, and the slot machine 3 has a predetermined number determined for each winning winning combination. The replenishment request signal for requesting replenishment of the medal is output to the hall computer 2.
With this configuration, when a winning combination is won and medals are paid out from the hopper device 43 (storage unit 44), a predetermined number of medals determined for each winning combination are replenished. Therefore, for example, the amount of medals paid out from the hopper device 43 and the amount of medals supplied to the hopper device 43 (storage unit 44) are set by setting the payout number and the replenishment number in the winning combination to be substantially the same. It is possible to balance and prevent the medal from being excessively stored in the storage unit 44.
Therefore, even if medals are paid out due to fraudulent acts, the amount of medals acquired illegally can be further suppressed.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the third embodiment, the opportunity for determining the necessity of replenishment is provided a plurality of times during the special game state in which the game progresses in a state more advantageous to the player than the normal game state.
FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing details of the supply request processing in the third embodiment.

  First, in step 3001, when a winning to a winning combination (BB or RB) in a special gaming state in which the game progresses in a state that is more advantageous to the player than in the normal gaming state is confirmed, in step 3002, the supply determination end flag 54e. Whether or not is off.

If the supply determination end flag 54e is off, it is checked in step 3003 whether the value of the supply determination execution timer 54n is 0 (zero).
If the value of the supply determination execution timer 54n is 0 (zero), in step 3004, the value of the supply determination execution timer 54n is reset to a specified value. This is to determine the execution timing of the next replenishment necessity determination.

  Here, in the third embodiment, the necessity of replenishment is determined when the BB or RB state is reached and every time the payout number in the BB or RB state reaches 100. Therefore, the value of the replenishment determination execution timer 54n is set to 0 (zero) while the BB or RB is not won, and it is always determined whether or not it is necessary to replenish once when the BB or RB winning is confirmed. It has come to be. After the winning of BB or RB is confirmed, the value of the replenishment determination execution timer 54n is reset to the specified value “100”, and then the timer value is set to 0 (zero) while in the BB or RB state. Each time the specified value is reset, the necessity determination of replenishment is repeatedly executed. The value of the replenishment determination execution timer 54n is decremented by “1” every time one medal is paid out from the hopper device 43 based on the output signal of the payout medal detection sensor 45a of the hopper device 43. ing.

When the value of the supply determination execution timer 54n is reset, in step 3005, the value of the supply counter 54d is cleared to 0, and “0” is set as the value of the supply counter 54d.
Subsequently, in step 3006, based on the output of the medal remaining amount sensor 48 attached to the hopper device 43, whether or not medals having a prescribed height or more are stored in the storage unit 44 of the hopper device 43, that is, medal storage. It is confirmed whether the amount is insufficient.

Here, in the third embodiment, the specified height detected by the medal remaining amount sensor 48 is set to a height when 200 medals are stored in the storage unit 44.
Whether or not replenishment is necessary is executed several times during BB or RB, and even if the amount of medals in the storage unit 44 is reduced, the amount of medals is insufficient during BB or RB. Since there is no fear, the amount of medals stored in the storage unit 44 is reduced.

  Therefore, the medal remaining amount sensor 48 becomes conductive when approximately 200 medals are stored in the storage unit 44, and the conductive rods 48a and 48a become conductive, and when the number of medals decreases from there, the medal remaining amount sensor 48 becomes nonconductive. In step 3006, it is determined that the amount of medals stored is insufficient.

If the amount of medals stored is insufficient in step 3006, in step 3007, the supply table 53a in the ROM 53 is referred to obtain supply information indicating the number of supply for each winning combination. In step 3007, the supply counter in the RAM 54 is acquired. For example, replenishment request information for requesting replenishment of 100 medals is set to the value 54d.
Here, the replenishment number of medals is set to a number smaller than the maximum number of medals that can be obtained in BB or RB.
The value of the replenishment counter 54d is a value determined according to the number of replenished sheets. In the embodiment, a value that is twice the number of replenished sheets is set. Therefore, when 100 medals are replenished, “200” is set as the value of the replenishment counter 54d.

  Thus, every time the timer interrupt control process (FIG. 10) is repeated, the port output process (step 215) after the supply counter process (step 211) until the value of the supply counter 54d becomes “0”. Each time is executed, an ON signal and an OFF signal are alternately output, and a replenishment request signal (FIG. 31) consisting of an ON signal and an OFF signal continuous on the time axis is input to the hall computer 2. Will be. Note that the content of the supply counter process is the same as the supply counter process (see FIG. 30) of the second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Subsequently, in step 3009, it is confirmed whether or not the number of medals paid out from the slot machine 3 exceeds the payout upper limit number in the BB or RB state.
Here, the payout upper limit number is determined according to the type of winning combination, for example, 300 for BB and 100 for RB. The maximum number that can be paid out as a result of a game in the BB or RB state is set as the payout upper limit number.
Therefore, if the value of the payout number counter 54p exceeds the payout upper limit number, the replenishment determination end flag 54e is turned on in step 3010. As a result, in subsequent BBs or RBs, it is not determined whether or not medals need to be replenished (see step 3002).

As described above, in the third embodiment, whether or not to supply medals is determined based on the amount of medals paid out from the hopper device 43 (storage unit 44) in the special game state (BB, RB). A predetermined number smaller than the upper limit number (for example, in the case of BB) until the upper limit number (maximum number of medals that can be paid out, for example, 300 in case of BB, 100 in case of RB) is exceeded. Is configured every time 100 medals are paid out.
With this configuration, since there are a plurality of occasions for determining whether or not replenishment is necessary, the height of the medals detected by the medal remaining amount sensor 48 is set to, for example, 200 from the height at which 400 ordinary medals are stored. The height of the medal can be lowered.
Then, since the amount of medals stored in the storage unit 44 of the hopper device 43 is reduced, even if medals are paid out by cheating, it is possible to suppress the amount of medals acquired illegally.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the fourth embodiment, an opportunity for determining whether or not replenishment is necessary is provided in ART (assist replay time) in the special gaming state.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing details of the replenishment request processing in the fourth embodiment.
The replenishment request process in the fourth embodiment is performed in the replenishment request process (step 415) when the end of the BB is confirmed in the accessory action determination process (step 414) of the normal game process (FIG. 12). This is performed by the MPU 51 of the control board 50.

First, in step 4001, when it is confirmed that the ART flag 54j is turned on and the state of the slot machine 3 is in the ART state, in step 4002, whether or not the replenishment determination end flag 54e is off. Is confirmed.
If the replenishment determination end flag 54e is off in step 4002, it is confirmed in step 4003 whether or not the value of the replenishment determination execution timer 54n that defines the execution timing of replenishment determination is 0 (zero). If the value of the supply determination execution timer 54n is 0 (zero), in step 4004, the value of the supply determination execution timer 54n is reset to a specified value. This is to determine the execution timing of the next supply determination execution process.

  Here, in the fourth embodiment, the replenishment request process is executed to determine whether or not replenishment is necessary when the ART state is reached and every time the number of games in the ART state reaches a predetermined number. It has become. Therefore, the value of the replenishment determination execution timer 54n is set to 0 (zero) while it is not in the ART state, and the necessity determination of replenishment is always executed once the ART state is reached. It has become. After the ART state is entered, the value of the replenishment determination execution timer 54n is reset to the specified value, and during the ART state, the timer value is reset to the specified value every time it becomes 0 (zero). The necessity determination of replenishment is repeatedly executed.

  Here, in the embodiment, the value of the specified value is set to “100”, and for example, every time the number of games in the ART state reaches 100 games, the necessity determination of replenishment is executed. . Therefore, the value of the supply determination execution timer 54n is decremented by "1" every time the winning symbol determination process (step 410) of the normal game process (FIG. 12) is executed.

When the value of the supply determination execution timer 54n is reset, in step 4005, the value of the supply counter 54d is cleared to 0, and “0” is set as the value of the supply counter 54d.
Subsequently, in step 4006, based on the output of the medal remaining amount sensor 48 attached to the hopper device 43, whether or not medals having a prescribed height or more are stored in the storage unit 44 of the hopper device 43, that is, medal storage. It is confirmed whether the amount is insufficient.

  Here, the specified height detected by the medal remaining amount sensor 48 is set based on the average number of medals that can be paid out from the slot machine 3 when 100 games are played in the ART state. Here, in the fourth embodiment, since the average number is 100, the height when 200 medals are stored in the storage unit 44 is the specified height detected by the remaining token sensor 48. Is set as

  Therefore, the medal remaining amount sensor 48 becomes conductive when approximately 200 medals are stored in the storage unit 44, and the conductive rods 48a and 48a become conductive, and when the number of medals decreases from there, the medal remaining amount sensor 48 becomes nonconductive. In step 4006, it is determined that the amount of medals stored is insufficient.

When the amount of medals stored is insufficient in step 4006, in step 4007, the supply table 53a in the ROM 53 is referred to obtain supply information indicating the number of supply for each winning combination, and in step 4008, the supply counter in the RAM 54 is acquired. Supply information is set in 54d.
Specifically, a value obtained by doubling the number of medals supplied by the supply information is set as the value of the supply counter 54d in the RAM 54.
In the embodiment, in the replenishment information stored in the replenishment table 53a, the replenishment number in the case of ART is 100, and “200” is set as the value of the replenishment counter 54d.

  Thus, every time the timer interrupt control process (FIG. 10) is repeated, the port output process (step 215) after the supply counter process (step 211) is performed until the value of the supply counter becomes “0”. Each time it is executed, an ON signal and an OFF signal are alternately output, and a replenishment request signal (see FIG. 29) consisting of an ON signal and an OFF signal continuous on the time axis is input to the hall computer 2. Will be. The contents of the replenishment counter process are the same as the replenishment counter process (see FIG. 30) of the second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  On the other hand, when medals are stored in the storage unit 44 at a specified height or more and the amount of stored medals is not short, the value of the supply counter 54d is held at “0”.

Subsequently, in step 4009, whether or not the number of medals paid out from the slot machine 3 in the ART state exceeds the payout upper limit number is checked based on the value of the payout number counter 54p.
Here, the upper limit number of payouts is determined according to the type of winning combination, and is set to 1000 in the case of ART, for example.
Therefore, when the value of the payout number counter 54p exceeds the payout upper limit number, the supply determination end flag 54e is turned on in step 4010. As a result, in subsequent ARTs, the determination as to whether or not to supply medals is not executed (see step 4002).

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the determination as to whether or not it is necessary to supply medals to the storage unit 44 is performed every time the number of games in the ART state of the slot machine 3 reaches a predetermined number. In the case of ART in which the maximum amount of medals that can be paid out varies depending on the game result, it is not necessary to supply the maximum amount of medals to the storage unit 44 from the beginning. Therefore, since the amount of medals stored in the storage unit 44 can be reduced, even if medals are paid out by cheating, the amount of medals acquired illegally can be suppressed.

  Further, the necessity determination of the replenishment of medals during the ART is carried out until the amount of medals paid out from the storage unit 44 exceeds the upper limit number of medals paid out according to the ART state, Since it is configured not to be performed when the upper limit number is exceeded, even if medals are paid out by cheating after entering the ART state, the medals are not replenished indefinitely to the storage unit 44. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of medals that are illegally acquired.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the fifth embodiment, when it is confirmed that the amount of medals stored in the storage unit 44 of the hopper device 43 is insufficient, the winning condition for the special gaming state (BB, RB) is confirmed. Then, an ON signal of the replenishment request signal is output.
FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing details of the replenishment request processing according to the fifth embodiment.

  First, in step 5001, based on the output of the medal remaining amount sensor 48 attached to the hopper device 43, whether or not medals having a prescribed height or more are stored in the storage unit 44 of the hopper device 43, that is, the medal It is confirmed whether or not the storage amount is insufficient.

In the fifth embodiment, the height when 200 medals are stored in the storage unit 44 is set as the specified height detected by the medal remaining amount sensor 48.
Therefore, the medal remaining amount sensor 48 becomes conductive when approximately 200 medals are stored in the storage unit 44, and the conductive rods 48a and 48a become conductive, and when the number of medals decreases from there, the medal remaining amount sensor 48 becomes nonconductive. In step 5001, it is determined that the amount of stored medal is insufficient.

If the amount of stored medal is insufficient in step 5001, it is confirmed in step 5002 whether or not the replenishment determination end flag 54e is off.
If the supply determination end flag 54e is off, the value of the supply counter 54d is cleared to 0 in step 5003, and “0” is set as the value of the supply counter 54d.

  In step 5004, it is confirmed whether or not a winning combination (BB or RB) in a special gaming state in which the game progresses in a state more advantageous to the player than in the normal gaming state is confirmed.

When winning in the special game state is confirmed in step 5004, in step 5005, the replenishment information indicating the number of replenishment for each winning combination is obtained by referring to the replenishment table 53a in the ROM 53, and in step 5006, the RAM 54 A value obtained by doubling the number of sheets to be supplied is set to the value of the supply counter 54d.
In the embodiment, in the replenishment information stored in the replenishment table 53a, the replenishment number is defined for each winning combination such that the replenishment number is 300 when the winning combination is BB, and the replenishment number is 100 when the winning combination is RB. Has been. Therefore, for example, when the winning combination is BB, “600” is set as the value of the supply counter 54d.

  Subsequently, in step 5007, the value of the supply determination end flag 54e is set to “1”, and the supply determination end flag 54e is turned on.

  Thus, every time the timer interrupt control process (FIG. 10) is repeated, the port output process (step 215) after the supply counter process (step 211) until the value of the supply counter 54d becomes “0”. Each time is executed, an ON signal and an OFF signal are alternately output, and a replenishment request signal (see FIG. 31) consisting of an ON signal and an OFF signal continuous on the time axis is input to the hall computer 2. Will be. The contents of the replenishment counter process are the same as the replenishment counter process (see FIG. 30) of the second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, in the fifth embodiment, in the slot machine 3, when it is confirmed that the amount of medals (game media) stored in the storage unit 44 is less than the specified amount, the player is more than in the normal gaming state. When a prize is awarded to a winning combination (BB, RB) in a special gaming state in which the game proceeds in an advantageous state, it is determined that a medal needs to be replenished and a replenishment request signal for requesting a medal replenishment is provided in the hole. When the hall computer 2 outputs the signal to the computer 2 and receives the replenishment request signal, the hall computer 2 drives the medal supply device 7 to replenish the slot machine 3 that has requested the medal replenishment.
With this configuration, even if the amount of medals stored in the storage unit 44 of the hopper device 43 is insufficient, if the winning in the special winning combination (BB, RB) is not confirmed, medals are displayed on the hopper device 43. Therefore, even if a medal is paid out by an illegal act without playing a game, the hopper device 43 is not replenished indefinitely.
Further, since medals are not supplied unless the winning combination (BB, RB) in the special gaming state is confirmed, the medals are simply replenished when it is confirmed that the amount of medals stored in the hopper device 43 is insufficient. Compared to the case of the example, medals are not excessively supplied to the hopper device 43, and a large amount of medals are not stored in the hopper device 43. Therefore, even if the hopper device 43 (payout device unit 45) is erroneously operated by an illegal act without playing a game, and the medals are paid out, the amount of medals acquired illegally can be suppressed.

  Here, there are a plurality of winning combinations having different payout numbers such as BB and RB, and when a medal is supplied to the hopper device 43, a predetermined number of medals determined for each winning winning combination are supplied. Since the amount of medals supplied to the hopper device 43 is balanced with the amount of medals paid out from the slot machine 3 (hopper device 43), excess medals are stored in the hopper device 43. Can be prevented. Therefore, even if, for example, the hopper device 43 (payout device unit 45) is erroneously operated due to an illegal act and medals are paid out, the amount of medals acquired illegally can be suppressed.

  In addition, the determination of whether or not medals need to be replenished is performed once when a winning combination in a special gaming state is confirmed. Therefore, after the winning in a special gaming state winning combination is confirmed. Even if medals are paid out due to cheating, there is only one opportunity for replenishment, and game media is never replenished to the storage unit 44, so a large amount of game media may be obtained illegally. Absent.

  In addition, the determination of the necessity of replenishment of medals is performed before the first game in the special gaming state is performed after the winning of the special gaming state winning combination is confirmed. Before the game in the special gaming state that is expected to be paid out is started, it is determined whether or not medals need to be replenished, and medals are replenished as necessary. Thereby, the amount of medals stored in the storage unit 44 after the end of the special gaming state can be suppressed as compared with the case where the determination of the necessity of replenishment is performed in the middle or near the end of the special gaming state. Therefore, even if medals are later paid out by fraudulent acts, the amount of medals acquired illegally can be suppressed. In addition, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the game is interrupted due to a shortage of medals for payout immediately after starting the game in the special game state.

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the sixth embodiment, when it is confirmed that the amount of medals stored in the hopper device 43 is insufficient, the opportunity for determining the necessity of replenishment is provided a plurality of times.
FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing details of the supply request processing in the sixth embodiment.

  First, in step 6001, based on the output of the medal remaining amount sensor 48 attached to the hopper device 43, whether or not medals having a prescribed height or more are stored in the storage unit 44 of the hopper device 43, that is, the medal It is confirmed whether or not the storage amount is insufficient.

  In the sixth embodiment, the height when 200 medals are stored in the storage unit 44 is set as the prescribed height detected by the medal remaining amount sensor 48 and stored in the storage unit 44. When the number (quantity) of medals that are displayed is less than about 200, the conductive rods 48a and 48a change from the conductive state to the non-conductive state, and in step 6001, the amount of stored medal is insufficient. To be judged.

If the amount of stored medal is insufficient in step 6001, it is confirmed in step 6002 whether or not the replenishment determination end flag 54e is off.
If the replenishment determination end flag 54e is off in step 6002, it is confirmed in step 6003 whether or not the value of the replenishment determination execution timer 54n that defines the execution timing of replenishment determination is 0 (zero). If the value of the supply determination execution timer is 0 (zero), in step 6004, the value of the supply determination execution timer 54n is reset to a specified value. This is to determine the execution timing of the next supply determination execution process.

  Here, in the sixth embodiment, as in the case of the third embodiment, the replenishment request process is executed when the ART state is reached and every time the number of games in the ART state reaches a predetermined number. The necessity of replenishment is determined. Therefore, the value of the replenishment determination execution timer is set to 0 (zero) while the ART is not won, so that it is always determined whether or not replenishment is required once at the start of ART. After the start of ART, after the value of the replenishment determination execution timer is reset to the specified value, while in the ART state, it is reset to the specified value every time the timer value becomes 0 (zero), and replenishment is required. The negative judgment is repeatedly executed.

  Here, in the embodiment, when the prescribed value is set to “100” and the amount of stored medal is insufficient, for example, every time the number of games in the ART state reaches 100 games, replenishment Judgment of whether or not is necessary is made. Therefore, the value of the supply determination execution timer is decremented by “1” every time the winning symbol determination process (step 410) of the normal game process (FIG. 12) is executed.

When the value of the supply determination execution timer 54n is reset, in step 6005, the value of the supply counter 54d is cleared to 0, and “0” is set as the value of the supply counter 54d.
Subsequently, in step 6005, it is confirmed whether or not the state of the slot machine 3 that is determined that the amount of stored medal is insufficient is the ART state.
Here, when the ART flag 54j is on, it is determined that the ART state is set.

If the slot machine is in the ART state, in step 6006, the replenishment information indicating the number of replenishment sheets in the case of ART is obtained by referring to the replenishment table 53a in the ROM 53. In step 6008, the replenishment counter 54d of the RAM 54 is obtained. Set the value to double the number of sheets to be supplied.
In the embodiment, in the replenishment information stored in the replenishment table 53a, the replenishment number in the case of ART is 100, and “200” is set as the value of the replenishment counter 54d.

  Thus, every time the timer interrupt control process (FIG. 10) is repeated, the port output process (step 215) after the supply counter process (step 210) until the value of the supply counter 54d becomes “0”. Each time is executed, an ON signal and an OFF signal are alternately output, and a replenishment request signal (see FIG. 29) consisting of an ON signal and an OFF signal continuous on the time axis is input to the hall computer 2. Will be. The contents of the replenishment counter process are the same as the replenishment counter process (see FIG. 31) of the second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  On the other hand, when the state of the slot machine 3 is not the ART state in step 6006, the value of the supply counter 54d is held at “0”.

Subsequently, in step 6009, whether or not the number of medals paid out from the slot machine 3 in the ART state exceeds the payout upper limit number is checked based on the value of the payout number counter 54p.
Here, the upper limit number of payouts is determined according to the type of winning combination, and is set to 1000 in the case of ART, for example.
Therefore, when the value of the payout number counter 54p exceeds the payout upper limit number, the replenishment determination end flag 54e is turned on in step 6010. As a result, in subsequent ARTs, it is not determined whether or not medals need to be replenished (see step 6002).

  As described above, in the sixth embodiment, the determination as to whether or not it is necessary to supply medals to the storage unit 44 is performed when the storage amount of medals stored in the storage unit 44 is confirmed to be insufficient. Since the maximum amount of game media that can be paid out varies depending on the result of the game, the maximum amount of medals that can be paid out is determined from the beginning. There is no need to replenish the reservoir 44. Therefore, since the amount of medals stored in the storage unit 44 can be reduced, even if medals are paid out by cheating, the amount of medals acquired illegally can be suppressed.

In the sixth embodiment, when it is determined whether or not the storage unit 44 needs to be replenished with medals, it is confirmed that the number of games in the ART state is insufficient when the storage amount of medals stored in the storage unit 44 is confirmed to be insufficient. The configuration is performed every time the predetermined number of times is reached, but may be performed every time the number of medals paid out in the ART state reaches a predetermined number.
For example, when the necessity determination of replenishment is performed every time 100 medals are paid out, the value of the replenishment determination execution timer 54n is set to “100”, and the value of the replenishment determination execution timer 54n is set to Based on the output signal of the payout medal detection sensor 45a of the hopper device 43, each time one medal is paid out from the hopper device 43, it can be realized by subtracting "1".
Even in such a configuration, in the case of a winning combination (ART) in a special gaming state where the maximum amount of game media that can be paid out varies depending on the result of the game, the maximum amount of medals that can be paid out, Since it is not necessary to replenish the storage unit 44 from the beginning, the amount of medals stored in the storage tank 44 can be reduced. Therefore, even if medals are paid out due to an illegal act, the amount of medals acquired illegally can be suppressed.

Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the seventh embodiment, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to replenish medals by a hall computer, not by a slot machine.

  FIG. 38 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the main control board 50A of the slot machine 3 according to the seventh embodiment, and FIG. 39 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the hall computer 2A according to the seventh embodiment. is there.

In the main control board 50A, a remaining medal sensor 48 (see FIG. 6) related to the determination of whether or not to supply medals, a supply counter timer 54c, a supply counter 54d, a supply determination end flag 54e, an ART flag 54j, and supply The determination execution timer 54n and the like are omitted.
Therefore, among the processes performed on the main control board 50, the supply counter process (step 211) in the timer interrupt control process (FIG. 10), the supply request process (step 415) in the normal game process (FIG. 12), However, the slot machine 3 according to the seventh embodiment is not executed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 39, in the hall computer 2A according to the seventh embodiment, the medal remaining amount sensor 48 attached to the hopper device 43 of the slot machine 3 is connected to the input / output port 205, and the medal The output signal (ON signal, OFF signal) of the remaining amount sensor 48 is input to the hall computer 2A.

  In addition to the control program and fixed value data, the ROM 202 of the hall computer 2A is provided with a supply table 202a indicating the number of medals supplied for each winning combination in the special game state.

  The RAM 203 of the hall computer 2A further includes a supply counter 203t, a supply determination end flag 203u, a supply determination execution timer 203v, a payout number counter 203w, and the like.

Hereinafter, processing executed in the hall computer 2A will be described.
FIG. 40 is a flowchart for explaining output information reception processing executed by the hall computer 2A that has received the output information of the slot machine 3.
This output information reception process is a timer interruption process executed at predetermined time intervals (every 1.49 ms in this embodiment), and the hall computer 2A receives the result of this output information reception process and replenishes medals. Etc. are executed.

When the hall computer 2 receives the output information output from the external concentration terminal board 80 of the slot machine 3, the hall computer 2 stores the received output information in the output information reception buffer 203a.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 40, in the output information reception process, in step 7001, it is confirmed whether the output information input from the slot machine 3 is stored in the output information reception buffer 203a.
If the output information is not stored, the processing is terminated. If the output information is stored, signal processing during BB (step 7002), signal processing during BR (step 7003), and signal processing during RT (step 7004). ), AT signal processing (step 7005), ART determination processing (step 7006), and other signal processing (step 7007) are executed in order.
Note that the processing from step 7002 to step 7007 is the same as the processing from FIG. 21 to FIG. 26 of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

When the processing in step 7007 is finished, in step 7008, replenishment counter processing is executed.
FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing details of the supply counter process.

In the replenishment counter process, in step 7101, whether or not the slot machine 3 has confirmed winning in a special game state winning combination (BB or RB) in which the game proceeds in a state more advantageous to the player than in the normal gaming state. Confirm.
Here, the determination of whether or not the winning has been confirmed is made based on whether or not the BB flag 203i or the RB flag 203j is turned on. Note that the ON / OFF setting of the BB flag 203i and the RB flag 203j is performed in the BB signal processing (step 7002) and the BR signal processing (step 7003) in the output information reception processing of FIG.

  In step 7102, it is confirmed whether or not the supply determination end flag 203u is off. This is because, in the embodiment, the determination as to whether or not to supply medals is executed once when a winning combination (BB, RB) that enters a special gaming state is won.

  If the replenishment determination end flag 203u is off in step 7102, the value of the replenishment counter 203t is cleared to 0 in step 7103, and “0” is set as the value of the replenishment counter 203t.

  When the value of the supply counter 203t is cleared to 0, in step 7104, medals of a specified height or more are stored in the storage unit 44 of the hopper device 43 based on the output of the remaining medal sensor 48 attached to the hopper device 43. Whether or not the amount of medals stored is insufficient. Here, the height when 400 medals are stored in the storage unit 44 is set as the specified height detected by the medal remaining amount sensor 48.

If the amount of medals stored is insufficient in step 7104, the supply information indicating the number of supply for each winning combination is acquired in step 7105 with reference to the supply table 202a of the ROM 202. In step 7106, the supply counter 203t is stored. Set replenishment information. Specifically, the number of medals supplied by the supply information is set to the value of the supply counter 203 t in the RAM 54.
In the embodiment, in the replenishment table 53a, the replenishment number for each winning combination is such that the replenishment number is 300 when the winning combination in the special gaming state is BB, and the replenishing number is 100 when the winning combination is RB. For example, if the winning combination is BB, “3000” is set as the value of the supply counter 54d.

  In step 7107, “1” is added to the value of the replenishment number counter 203e, and then in step 7108, the replenishment execution flag 203r is turned on. As a result, the medal replenishment process (see FIG. 42) is executed, and the number of medals set in the replenishment counter 203t are supplied to the slot machine 3.

  When the replenishment execution flag 203r is turned on, or when it is determined in step 7104 that the amount of stored medal is not insufficient, in step 7107, the replenishment determination ends to indicate that the replenishment necessity determination has been completed. The flag 203u is turned on, and the process ends.

  As shown in FIG. 40, when the replenishment counter process (step 7008) ends, the output information reception buffer 203a is cleared to 0 in step 7009, the timer subtraction process is executed in step 7010, and the process ends.

  FIG. 42 is a flowchart of a medal replenishment process executed by the hall computer 2 in the case of the seventh embodiment.

  First, when the replenishment execution flag 203r in the RAM 203 is turned on (step 7201), the slot machine 3 in which the replenishment execution flag 203r is turned on is specified in step 7202. In step 7203, it is confirmed whether or not supply information is set in the supply counter 203t. Specifically, it is checked whether or not the value of the supply counter 203t is a value other than “0”. If the value is other than “0”, it is determined that the supply information is set.

If replenishment information is set in step 7203, in step 7204, the medal replenishing device 7 is driven to replenish the specified slot machine 3 with medals.
Specifically, the shutter of the medal chute tube 7c that drives the hopper device 7a (see FIG. 1) to supply medals to the medal transport rail 7b and drives the motor 7d to supply medals to the specified slot machine 3. (Not shown) is opened.
Here, in step 7106 described above, since the number of medals supplied is set as the value of the supply counter 203t, the hall computer 2 uses the value of the supply counter 203t as the detection signal of the medal sensor 7e of the medal chute tube 7c. Subtract one by one based on this.

In step 7205, it is confirmed whether or not the replenishment of the medal has been completed based on whether or not the value of the replenishment counter 203t has become zero, and the value of the replenishment counter 203t has become zero and the replenishment of the medal has been completed. When it is determined, the motor 7d is driven to close the shutter (not shown), thereby completing the medal to the slot machine 3.
Note that the fact that the output signal of the medal remaining amount sensor 48 is an on signal may be added to the requirement for determining whether or not the replenishment of medals has been completed.

  When the replenishment of medals is completed, in step 7206, the replenishment execution flag 203r is turned off and the process is terminated.

As described above, in the seventh embodiment, in the slot machine 3, winning to the winning combination (BB, RB) in which the game progresses in a state advantageous to the player over the normal gaming state is confirmed. In this case, the hall computer 2 determines whether or not it is necessary to supply medals (game media) to the hopper device 43, and the height of the medals stored in the storage unit 44 of the hopper device 43 is equal to the prescribed amount. When it is confirmed from the output signal of the medal remaining amount sensor 48 that the height is less than the height when storing the medal, it is determined that the medal needs to be replenished, and the predetermined number determined according to the winning combination The medal supply device 7 is driven to supply the medals to the slot machine 3.
If configured in this way, there will be no opportunity to determine whether or not replenishment is necessary unless the winning combination for the special gaming state is confirmed, so the winning combination after winning or after winning is not confirmed. In the meantime, even if the amount of medals stored in the storage unit 44 is less than the prescribed amount, the storage unit 44 is not replenished with medals. Therefore, even if a medal is paid out from the paying-out device unit 45 of the hopper device 43 without playing a game, for example, by a fraudulent act, the medal is not replenished to the storage unit 44 indefinitely. It is not obtained illegally. Therefore, the amount of medals acquired illegally can be suppressed.

Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the eighth embodiment, the opportunity for determining whether or not replenishment is necessary is provided a plurality of times during the special game state in which the game proceeds in a state more advantageous to the player than the normal game state.
FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing details of the supply request process in the eighth embodiment.

  First, in step 8001, when the winning to the winning combination (BB or RB) in the special gaming state in which the game proceeds in a state advantageous to the player over the normal gaming state is confirmed, in step 8002, the supply determination end flag 203u. Whether or not is off.

If the supply determination end flag 203u is off, it is checked in step 8003 whether the value of the supply determination execution timer 203v is 0 (zero).
If the OFF value of the supply determination execution timer 203v is 0 (zero), in step 8004, the value of the supply determination execution timer 203v is reset to a specified value. This is to determine the execution timing of the next replenishment necessity determination.

  Here, in the eighth embodiment, whether or not replenishment is necessary is determined when the BB or RB state is reached and whenever the number of payouts in the BB or RB state reaches 100. . Therefore, the value of the replenishment determination execution timer 203v is set to 0 (zero) while the BB or RB is not won, so that it is always determined whether or not it is necessary to replenish once when the BB or RB wins. ing. After the BB or RB winning, the value of the replenishment determination execution timer 203v is reset to the specified value “100”, and then the specified value every time the timer value becomes 0 (zero) while in the BB or RB state. After resetting, the necessity determination of replenishment is repeatedly executed. The value of the replenishment determination execution timer 203v is decremented by “1” every time one medal is paid out from the hopper device 43 based on the output signal of the payout medal detection sensor 45a of the hopper device 43. ing.

When the value of the supply determination execution timer 203v is reset, in step 8005, the value of the supply counter 203t is cleared to 0, and “0” is set as the value of the supply counter 203t.
Subsequently, in step 8006, based on the output of the medal remaining amount sensor 48 attached to the hopper device 43, whether or not medals having a prescribed height or more are stored in the storage unit 44 of the hopper device 43, that is, medal storage. It is confirmed whether the amount is insufficient.

Here, in the eighth embodiment, the specified height detected by the medal remaining amount sensor 48 is set to a height when 200 medals are stored in the storage unit 44.
Whether or not replenishment is necessary is executed several times during BB or RB, and even if the amount of medals in the storage unit 44 is reduced, the amount of medals is insufficient during BB or RB. Since there is no fear, the amount of medals in the storage unit 44 is reduced.

If the amount of medals stored in step 8006 is insufficient, the supply information indicating the number of supply for each winning combination is acquired in step 8007 by referring to the supply table 202a in the ROM 202, and the supply counter in the RAM 203 is acquired in step 8008. For example, replenishment request information for requesting replenishment of 100 medals is set to a value of 203t.
Here, the replenishment number of medals is set to a number smaller than the maximum number of medals that can be obtained in BB or RB.
The value of the replenishment counter 203t is a value determined according to the number of replenishment sheets. For example, when 100 medals are replenished, “100” is set as the value of the replenishment counter 203t.

  Subsequently, in step 8009, “1” is added to the replenishment number counter 203e, and then in step 8010, the replenishment execution flag 203r is turned on.

In step 8011, it is confirmed whether or not the number of medals paid out from the slot machine 3 exceeds the payout upper limit number in the BB or RB state.
Here, the payout upper limit number is set different for each winning combination in the special game state. For example, in the case of BB or RB, the maximum number that can be paid out as a result of the game in the BB or RB state is set. The upper limit number of payouts is set.

If the value of the payout number counter 203w exceeds the payout upper limit number, the supply determination end flag 203u is turned on in step 8011. As a result, in the replenishment request process to be executed thereafter, the process ends at step 8002, and the necessity determination of medal replenishment is not executed.
If there are multiple opportunities for determining whether or not supply is required during the special game state, and if the end condition for the determination opportunity is not set, an illegal act will be performed during the special game state and medals will be paid out. In addition, the hopper device 43 may be replenished without limit.

  The medal replenishment process in the eighth embodiment is the same as the medal replenishment process in the seventh embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, in the eighth embodiment, the determination as to whether or not to supply medals is made for each winning combination with the amount of medals paid out from the storage unit 44 in the special gaming state (BB, RB). This is performed each time a predetermined number of medals less than the maximum number are paid out until the upper limit number (the maximum number of medals that can be paid out, for example, 300 for BB, 100 for RB) is exceeded. The configuration is as follows.
With this configuration, since there are a plurality of opportunities for determining whether or not replenishment is necessary, the height of the medals detected by the medal remaining amount sensor 48 is set to, for example, 200 from the height at which 500 ordinary medals are stored. The height of the medal can be lowered.
Then, since the amount of medals stored in the storage unit 44 of the hopper device 43 is reduced, even if medals are paid out by cheating, it is possible to suppress the amount of medals acquired illegally.

Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the ninth embodiment, when the state of the slot machine 3 becomes the ART state, the hall computer 2A determines whether or not medals need to be replenished according to the amount of medals stored in the hopper device 43. .
FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing details of the supply counter processing in the ninth embodiment.

First, in step 9001, when it is confirmed that the ART flag 203n is turned on and the state of the slot machine 3 is in the ART state, in step 9002, whether or not the replenishment determination end flag 203u is off. Is confirmed.
If the supply determination end flag 203u is OFF in step 9002, it is checked in step 9003 whether the value of the supply determination execution timer 203v that defines the execution timing of supply determination is 0 (zero). If the value of the replenishment determination execution timer 203v is 0 (zero), in step 9004, the value of the replenishment determination execution timer 203v is reset to a specified value. This is to determine the execution timing of the next supply determination execution process.

  Here, in the ninth embodiment, a replenishment counter process is executed to determine whether or not replenishment is necessary when the ART state is reached and whenever the number of games in the ART state reaches a predetermined number. It has become. Therefore, the value of the replenishment determination execution timer is set to 0 (zero) while the ART is not won, so that the determination of whether or not one replenishment is necessary is always executed when the ART state is entered. It has become. After the ART state is entered, the value of the replenishment determination execution timer 203v is reset to the specified value, and during the ART state, the value is reset to the specified value every time the timer value becomes 0 (zero). The necessity determination of replenishment is repeatedly executed.

  Here, in the embodiment, the value of the specified value is set to “100”, and for example, every time the number of games in the ART state reaches 100 games, the necessity determination of replenishment is executed. . Therefore, the value of the supply determination execution timer 203v is decremented by “1” every time the winning symbol determination process (step 410) of the normal game process (see FIG. 12) is executed.

When the value of the supply determination execution timer 203v is reset, in step 9005, the value of the supply counter 203t is cleared to 0, and “0” is set as the value of the supply counter 203t.
Subsequently, in step 9006, based on the output of the medal remaining amount sensor 48 attached to the hopper device 43, whether or not medals having a prescribed height or more are stored in the storage unit 44 of the hopper device 43, that is, medal storage. It is confirmed whether the amount is insufficient.

  Here, in the ninth embodiment, the specified height detected by the medal remaining amount sensor 48 is set based on the average number of medals that can be paid out from the slot machine when 100 games are played in the ART state. Yes. In the ninth embodiment, since the average number is 100, the height when 200 medals are stored in the storage unit 44 is set as the specified height detected by the medal remaining amount sensor 48. The

  Therefore, the medal remaining amount sensor 48 becomes conductive when approximately 200 medals are stored in the storage unit 44, and the conductive rods 48a and 48a become conductive, and when the number of medals decreases from there, the medal remaining amount sensor 48 becomes nonconductive. In step 9006, it is determined that the amount of medals stored is insufficient.

If the amount of medals stored is insufficient in step 9006, replenishment information indicating the number of replenishment for each winning combination is acquired in step 9007 by referring to the replenishment table 202 a in the ROM 202. In step 9008, the replenishment counter in the RAM 203 is acquired. Supply information is set at 203t. Specifically, the number of medals supplied by the supply information is set to the value of the supply counter 203 t in the RAM 203.
In the embodiment, in the replenishment table 202a, the replenishment number is set to 100 when the winning combination in the special gaming state is ART, so “100” is set as the value of the replenishment counter 203t.

  In step 9009, “1” is added to the value of the replenishment number counter 203e, and in step 9010, the replenishment execution flag 203r is turned on. As a result, the above-described medal supply process (FIG. 42) is executed, and the number of medals set in the supply counter 203t are supplied to the slot machine 3.

In step 9011, it is confirmed whether or not the number of medals paid out from the slot machine 3 exceeds the payout upper limit number in the ART state.
If the value of the payout number counter 203w exceeds the payout upper limit number, the supply determination end flag 203u is turned on in step 9012. As a result, in the replenishment request process to be executed thereafter, the process ends in step 9002, and the necessity determination of the medal replenishment is not executed.

  Since the medal supply process in the ninth embodiment is the same as the medal supply process in the seventh embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, in the ninth embodiment, the determination as to whether or not the storage unit 44 needs to be replenished with medals is performed every time the slot machine 3 reaches the predetermined number of games in the ART state. In the case of ART in which the maximum amount of game media that can be paid out varies depending on the result of the game, it is not necessary to supply the maximum amount of medals that can be paid out to the storage unit 44 from the beginning. Therefore, since the amount of medals stored in the storage unit 44 can be reduced, even if medals are paid out by cheating, the amount of medals acquired illegally can be suppressed.

Next, a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the tenth embodiment, when it is confirmed that the amount of medals stored in the hopper device 43 is insufficient, the hall computer is based on the condition that a winning combination is won in the slot machine 3. 2A performs replenishment of medals. This process is executed by the CPU 201 of the hall computer 2A.
FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing details of a supply counter process according to the seventh embodiment.

  First, in step 9501, based on the output of the medal remaining amount sensor 48 attached to the hopper device 43, whether or not medals having a prescribed height or more are stored in the storage unit 44 of the hopper device 43, that is, the medal It is confirmed whether or not the storage amount is insufficient.

In the tenth embodiment, the height when 200 medals are stored in the storage unit 44 is set as the specified height detected by the medal remaining amount sensor 48.
Therefore, the medal remaining amount sensor 48 becomes conductive when approximately 200 medals are stored in the storage unit 44, and the conductive rods 48a and 48a become conductive, and when the number of medals decreases from there, the medal remaining amount sensor 48 becomes nonconductive. In step 9501, it is determined that the amount of medals stored is insufficient.

If the amount of medals stored in step 9501 is insufficient, it is confirmed in step 9502 whether the replenishment determination end flag 203u is off.
If the supply determination end flag 203u is off, the value of the supply counter 203t is cleared to 0 in step 9503, and “0” is set as the value of the supply counter 203t.

In step 9504, it is confirmed whether or not a winning combination (BB or RB) in a special gaming state in which the game proceeds in a state more advantageous to the player than in the normal gaming state is confirmed.
When winning in the special game state winning combination is confirmed in step 9504, in step 9505, the replenishment information indicating the number of replenishment for each winning combination is obtained by referring to the replenishment table 202a of the ROM 202, and in step 9506. The acquired supply information is set in the supply counter 203t of the RAM 203.

Specifically, the number of medals supplied by the supply information is set by setting the value of the supply counter 203t in the RAM 203.
In the embodiment, in the replenishment information, the replenishment number is defined for each winning combination such that the replenishment number is 300 when the winning combination is BB and the replenishment number is 100 when the winning combination is RB. Thus, for example, when the winning combination is BB, “300” is set as the value of the supply counter 203t.

  In step 9507, “1” is added to the value of the replenishment number counter 203e, and then in step 9508, the replenishment execution flag 203r is turned on. As a result, the above-described medal supply process (FIG. 42) is executed, and the number of medals set in the supply counter 203t are supplied to the slot machine 3.

  If the replenishment execution flag 203r is turned on, or if it is determined in step 9504 that a winning combination (BB or RB) in the special gaming state has not been confirmed, in step 9509, the necessity determination of replenishment is completed. In order to indicate that this has been done, the supply determination end flag 203u is turned on, and the processing is ended.

As described above, in the tenth embodiment, in the slot machine 3, when it is confirmed that the amount of medals (game media) stored in the storage unit 44 is less than the specified amount, the game is more than the normal game state. When the winning combination (BB, RB) in which the game progresses in a state advantageous to the player is confirmed, it is determined that medals need to be replenished, and a predetermined number determined according to the winning combination The medal supply device 7 is driven to supply the medals to the slot machine 3.
With such a configuration, even if the amount of medals stored in the storage unit 44 of the hopper device 43 is insufficient, the hopper device 43 is not replenished with medals if the winning combination for winning is not confirmed. Even if the medals are paid out without cheating, the hopper device 43 will not be replenished indefinitely.
Furthermore, since the medals are not replenished unless the winning combination is confirmed, the hopper device is simply compared with the conventional example in which medals are simply replenished when it is confirmed that the amount of medals stored in the hopper device 43 is insufficient. The medals are not excessively supplied to 43 and a large amount of medals are not stored in the hopper device 43. Therefore, even if the hopper device 43 (payout device unit 45) is erroneously operated by an illegal act without playing a game, and the medals are paid out, the amount of medals acquired illegally can be suppressed.

Next, an eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the eleventh embodiment, when it is confirmed that the amount of medals stored in the hopper device 43 is insufficient, the opportunity for determining the necessity of replenishment is provided a plurality of times.
FIG. 46 is a flowchart of the supply counter process in the eleventh embodiment.

  First, in step 9601, based on the output of the medal remaining amount sensor 48 attached to the hopper device 43, whether or not medals having a prescribed height or more are stored in the storage unit 44 of the hopper device 43, that is, the medal It is confirmed whether or not the storage amount is insufficient.

  In the eleventh embodiment, the height when 200 medals are stored in the storage unit 44 is set as the specified height detected by the medal remaining amount sensor 48 and stored in the storage unit 44. When the number (quantity) of medals is less than about 200, the conductive rods 48a and 48a are changed from the conductive state to the non-conductive state, and in step 9601 the amount of stored medal is insufficient. To be judged.

If the amount of medals stored is insufficient in step 9601, it is checked in step 9602 if the replenishment determination end flag 203u is off.
If the replenishment determination end flag 203u is off in step 9602, it is confirmed in step 9603 whether or not the value of the replenishment determination execution timer 203v that defines the execution timing of replenishment determination is 0 (zero). If the value of the supply determination execution timer 203v is 0 (zero), in step 9604, the value of the supply determination execution timer 203v is reset to a specified value. This is to determine the execution timing of the next supply determination execution process.

  Here, in the eleventh embodiment, as in the case of the fourth and sixth embodiments, the replenishment counter process is performed when the ART state is reached and every time the number of games in the ART state reaches a predetermined number. It is executed to determine whether or not replenishment is necessary. For this reason, the value of the replenishment determination execution timer is set to 0 (zero) while the ART is not won, so that it is always determined whether or not it is necessary to replenish once when the ART is won. Then, after the ART prize is won, the value of the replenishment determination execution timer 203v is reset to the specified value, and while it is in the ART state, it is reset to the specified value every time the timer value becomes 0 (zero). The necessity determination is repeatedly executed.

  Here, in the embodiment, when the prescribed value is set to “100” and the amount of stored medals is insufficient, for example, every time the number of games in the ART state reaches 100 games, replenishment is performed. Necessity judgment is made. Therefore, the value of the replenishment determination execution timer 203v is decremented by “1” each time the timer subtraction process (step 7010) of the output information reception process (see FIG. 40) is executed.

When the value of the supply determination execution timer 203v is reset, the value of the supply counter 203t is cleared to 0 in step 9605, and “0” is set as the value of the supply counter 203t.
Subsequently, in step 9606, it is confirmed whether or not the state of the slot machine 3 that is determined that the amount of stored medal is insufficient is the ART state.
Here, when the ART flag 203n is on, it is determined that the ART state is set.

If the slot machine 3 is in the ART state, in step 9607, the replenishment information indicating the number of replenishment sheets in the case of ART is obtained by referring to the replenishment table 202a in the ROM 202, and in step 9608, the replenishment counter 203t is replenished. Set information.
Specifically, the number of medals supplied by the supply information is set to the value of the supply counter 203t in the RAM 203.
In the embodiment, in the replenishment table 202a, the replenishment number is set to 200 when the winning combination that is in the special gaming state is ART, so “200” is set as the value of the replenishment counter 54d.

  In step 9609, “1” is added to the value of the replenishment number counter 203e, and in step 9610, the replenishment execution flag 203r is turned on. As a result, the above-described medal replenishment process (see FIG. 42) is executed, and the number of medals set in the replenishment counter 203t are supplied to the slot machine 3.

In step 9611, in the ART state, it is confirmed whether or not the number of medals paid out from the slot machine 3 exceeds the payout upper limit number.
If the value of the payout number counter 203w exceeds the payout upper limit number, the supply determination end flag 203u is turned on in step 9612. As a result, in the replenishment request process to be executed thereafter, the process ends in step 9602, and the necessity determination of medal replenishment is not executed.

  As described above, in the eleventh embodiment, whether or not the storage unit 44 needs to be replenished with medals is determined based on the number of games in the ART state when it is confirmed that the amount of medals stored in the storage unit 44 is insufficient. Since the configuration is implemented every time the predetermined number of times is reached, the maximum amount of medals that can be paid out is stored from the beginning in the case of an ART in which the maximum amount of game media that can be paid out varies depending on the game result. There is no need to replenish part 44. Therefore, since the amount of medals stored in the storage unit 44 can be reduced, even if medals are paid out by cheating, the amount of medals acquired illegally can be suppressed.

As described above, in the above embodiment, since the external concentration terminal board 80 and the hall computers 2 and 2A are connected via the signal line for outputting the on / off signal, the command line is used for information. Compared with the case where it replaces, it can comprise more cheaply.
Further, when the supply request signal is output from the slot machine 3, it is only necessary to add the terminal of the external concentrated terminal board 80 and the signal line. Therefore, even if the information output from the slot machine 3 increases, it is flexible and quick. It can correspond to.

  Hereinafter, modified examples applicable to the above-described embodiment will be described together with effects as necessary.

In the third embodiment, the determination as to whether or not to supply medals is performed every time a predetermined number of medals are paid out from the hopper device 43 (storage unit 44) in the special gaming state (BB, RB). However, every time the number of games in the special game state (BB, RB) reaches 10, for example, it may be determined whether or not it is necessary to replenish medals. Furthermore, after making the determination when the BB or RB state is reached, it may be determined whether or not replenishment is necessary every time a predetermined time elapses.
Also in this case, since there are a plurality of occasions for determining whether or not replenishment is necessary, the medal height detected by the medal remaining amount sensor 48 is stored, and 400 medals that are general in the case of a conventional gaming machine are stored. From the height, it can be lowered, for example, the height at which 200 medals are stored.
Then, since the amount of medals stored in the storage unit 44 of the hopper device 43 is reduced, even if medals are paid out by cheating, it is possible to suppress the amount of medals acquired illegally.

In the fourth embodiment, every time the number of games in the ART state reaches a predetermined number (for example, 100 times), it is determined whether or not replenishment is necessary. However, the determination was made when the ART state was reached. After that, every time a predetermined time elapses, it may be determined whether or not replenishment is necessary, and medals may be replenished as necessary.
In such a case, the value of the replenishment determination execution timer 54n is subtracted in the timer subtraction process (step 209) of the timer interrupt control process (FIG. 10) executed at intervals of 1.490 ms. Each time it elapses, it is determined whether or not replenishment is necessary, and medals can be replenished as necessary.

Further, after the determination is made when the ART state is reached, as a result of the game in the ART state, every time the number of medals acquired by the player reaches a predetermined number (for example, 100), a determination is made as to whether or not replenishment is necessary. May be executed and medals may be replenished as necessary.
In such a case, by determining whether or not replenishment is necessary in the replenishment request process after the value of the obtained number counter 54k, which is a coefficient of the number of medals obtained as a result of the game, reaches 100, as necessary. Medals can be replenished.
These are also applicable to the eighth and eleventh embodiments.

In the first embodiment to the third embodiment, and from the seventh embodiment to the eighth embodiment, to the winning combination (BB, RB) in the special gaming state in the winning symbol determination process (step 410 in FIG. 12). The determination is made whether or not supply needs to be performed when the winning of the game is confirmed. However, when the winning combination in the special game state is won in the internal lottery process (step 406 in FIG. 12), the necessity determination of supply is performed. You may make it do. In the normal game state, when the winning combination is won, the player is not notified of the special game state, so when the medals are replenished at this stage, the medals are replenished to the storage unit 44. The player can recognize that the winning combination in the special gaming state is won (the winning flag in the special gaming state is established). Then, when the player presses the stop button 27 to stop the spinning reel and tries to align the symbols on the active line, the player will press the stop button 27 with more attention. It will be possible to contribute to the finalization of winning prizes.
When the slot machine 3 is in the AT state for notifying the player of the winning combination that has been won, it is determined whether or not replenishment is necessary or not before informing the player of the winning combination that has been won. If it is performed, the same effect will be produced.

In the embodiment in which the necessity of replenishment is determined only once (the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the fifth embodiment, the seventh embodiment, and the tenth embodiment), the medal is replenished. When it is determined that it is necessary, a predetermined number of medals that are smaller than the maximum number that can be paid out in the winning combination (BB, RB) are set. However, the maximum number of medals may be replenished.
In this way, even if medals are paid out by cheating while avoiding a shortage of medals during the special gaming state, medals are not illegally acquired exceeding the maximum number. .

Further, the embodiment in which the necessity of replenishment is determined a plurality of times (third embodiment, fourth embodiment, sixth embodiment, eighth embodiment, ninth embodiment, eleventh embodiment) Then, when it is determined that replenishment is necessary, the number of medals replenished to the slot machine 3 is always the same.
However, it may be changed according to the number of payouts, the number of games, etc. in the special game state at the time when the necessity for replenishment is executed.
For example, when changing according to the number of payouts in the special gaming state, the number obtained by subtracting the number of medals already paid out up to that point from the maximum number that can be paid out in the winning combination may be replenished. good.
Moreover, when changing according to the number of games, the number of replenishment may decrease as the number of games increases.
By doing so, it is possible to prevent excessive medals from being stored in the storage unit 44, and even if medals are paid out by cheating, the number of medals acquired illegally can be reduced.

Furthermore, the embodiment in which the necessity of replenishment is determined a plurality of times (third embodiment, fourth embodiment, sixth embodiment, eighth embodiment, ninth embodiment, eleventh embodiment) Then, when the total number of replenished medals exceeds the maximum number that can be paid out in the winning combination, it is configured so that the necessity determination of replenishment is not executed until a new special gaming state is started. In this case, error notification may be performed.
For example, display of an error message on the liquid crystal display 18, blinking of the upper lamp 16, output of an alarm sound from the speaker 17, and notification of occurrence of an abnormality to the hall computer 2 may be performed.
When medals are paid out in excess of the maximum number that can be paid out in a winning combination, it is suspected that a failure of the payout unit 45 or illegal acquisition of medals is suspected. it can.

In the second to sixth embodiments, since one of medals is defined by a set of on and off signals in the replenishment request signal, the replenishment request is made by the number of medals that require replenishment. For example, in the case of BB, the ON signal is set once, and in the case of RB, the ON signal is set twice. According to the number of ON signals input on the hall computer 2 side, for example. Alternatively, a predetermined number of medals determined may be replenished. In such a case, the time required to output the ON signal of the replenishment request signal can be shortened, so that it is possible to replenish medals more quickly. In particular, when the winning flag is established, the necessity determination of replenishment is executed, and the player This is effective when the winning flag can be recognized.
Further, the winning combination (BB, RB) may be specified not according to the number of ON signals but according to the time during which the ON signal is input.

Further, the determination as to whether or not a predetermined number of medals has been supplied to the slot machine 3 is specified based on the output signal of the medal sensor 7e. However, when the number of medals sent out from the hopper device 7a of the medal supply device 7 to the medal transport rail 7b is accurately proportional to the driving time of the hopper device 7a, medals sent out from the hopper device 7a per unit time. Based on the number of sheets, a driving time required to send out a predetermined number of medals is calculated, and a command signal for driving the hopper device 7a is output from the hall computer 2 only during the calculated driving time, and the hopper device 7a. May be driven.
With this configuration, for example, when driving the hopper device 7a that sends out 10 medals per second and supplying 300 medals to the slot machine 3, by outputting a command signal for 30 seconds, The planned 300 medals can be supplied to the slot machine 3.

As described above, in the embodiment, the main control board 50 outputs the BB signal, the RB signal, the RT signal, the AT signal, and the ART signal. All of these signals are output from the sub control board 60. It may be configured to output.
Further, for example, the AT lottery is configured to be performed by the sub-control board 60, and an AT signal or ART signal is output from the sub-control board 60. It is good also as a structure output from the control board 60. FIG.

In the embodiment, the case where the gaming machine is a slot machine has been described as an example.
The present invention may be applied to a game machine of a type different from the slot machine, specifically, a ball-type game machine using a game ball as a game medium, a so-called pachinko machine or the like. For example, a pachinko machine that unlocks a predetermined number of times when a game ball enters a specific area of a special device, a pachinko machine that generates a right when a game ball enters a specific area of a special device, and other objects You may make it implement as game machines, such as a pachinko machine provided with, an arrangement ball machine, and a sparrow ball.

  In addition, a non-ballistic game machine, for example, a game machine main body that is supported so as to be openable and closable by an outer frame, is provided with a storage and take-in device, and after a predetermined number of game balls stored in the storage unit are taken in by the take-in device It may be implemented as a so-called parrot game machine in which a pachinko machine and a slot machine are fused, which starts rotating a reel by operating a start lever.

  Hereinafter, the features of the invention extracted from the above embodiments and modifications will be described together with effects and the like as necessary.

  The present invention includes (1) a storage unit that stores game media, a sensor that detects whether or not the amount of game media stored in the storage unit is less than a specified amount, and based on a detection result of the sensor, A judging means for judging whether or not it is necessary to replenish the game medium to the storage section; and a control means for controlling the progress of the game while performing lottery of the winning combination, winning the winning combination, In a gaming machine in which an amount of game media corresponding to the winning combination is paid out from the storage unit when the corresponding symbol or symbol combination is stopped and displayed, the determination means is more advantageous to the player than the normal gaming state. When a predetermined condition corresponding to a special game state in which a game progresses in a state is satisfied, a determination is made as to whether or not the game medium needs to be replenished, and the amount of the game medium stored in the storage unit is less than a prescribed amount If you are Gaming machine, characterized in that to determine the required replenishment of the medium.

  With this configuration, even if the amount of game media stored in the storage unit is less than the prescribed amount, there is no opportunity to determine whether or not replenishment is necessary until a predetermined condition corresponding to the special game state is satisfied. The game medium is not replenished to the storage unit. Therefore, even if the game medium is paid out by an illegal act, the game medium is not replenished indefinitely to the storage unit, so that a large amount of game media is not illegally acquired. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the amount of game media that can be illegally acquired without playing a game.

  (2) When determining whether or not it is necessary to replenish the game medium, when a winning combination that is in the special gaming state is won, or when a symbol or symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination that is in the special gaming state is stopped and displayed The game machine according to (1), wherein the game machine is executed once.

  With this configuration, the determination as to whether or not replenishment is required can be made only once, so the symbol or symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination that enters the special gaming state or the winning combination that enters the special gaming state is stopped. Even if the game media is paid out after being displayed, it is only possible to replenish it once and there is no limit to the amount of game media that can be replenished to the storage unit. It is never acquired.

  (3) The determination as to whether or not the game medium needs to be replenished is made by winning the winning combination that is in the special gaming state, or after the symbol or symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is stopped and displayed, The gaming machine according to (1) or (2), which is executed before a game is played.

With this configuration, it is determined whether or not the game medium needs to be replenished before the game is started in the special game state where a large amount of game medium is expected to be paid out, and the game medium is replenished as necessary. The
Thereby, compared with the case where determination of the necessity of replenishment is performed in the middle of the special game state or near the end, the amount of game media stored in the storage unit after the special game state ends can be suppressed. Therefore, even if the game medium is later paid out by an illegal act, the amount of the game medium that is illegally acquired can be suppressed.
In addition, it is possible to prevent a situation where the game is interrupted due to a shortage of payout game media immediately after the game in the special game state is started.

  (4) The determination as to whether or not the game medium needs to be replenished is performed each time the game medium is paid out during the special game state, and the predetermined quantity can be paid out in the special game state. The gaming machine according to (1), wherein the gaming machine is set to an amount smaller than a maximum amount of the medium.

With this configuration, since the necessity of replenishment is determined every time a predetermined number of game media are paid out, a special game state in which the maximum amount of game media that can be paid out varies depending on the game result. However, it is not necessary to store the maximum amount of game media that can be paid out in the storage unit from the beginning. Moreover, the amount of game media stored in the storage unit can be reduced by reducing the prescribed amount, which is a reference when determining that the game medium needs to be replenished.
Therefore, even if game media is paid out due to fraud, the amount of game media that can be illegally acquired can be reduced.

  (5) The gaming machine according to (1), wherein whether or not the game medium needs to be supplied is determined each time the lottery is performed a predetermined number of times while in the special gaming state.

  With this configuration, even in a special gaming state where the maximum amount of game media that can be paid out varies depending on the game result, the maximum amount of game media that can be paid out is stored in the storage unit from the beginning. Therefore, the amount of game media stored in the storage unit can be reduced, and even if the game media is paid out by fraud, the amount of game media that can be illegally acquired can be reduced. .

  (6) The determination as to whether or not the game medium needs to be replenished during the special game state is based on an upper limit amount determined by the amount of the game medium paid out from the storage unit corresponding to the special game state. The gaming machine according to (4) or (5), characterized in that it is not performed when the number exceeds.

  With this configuration, even if the game medium is paid out by cheating after entering the special gaming state, the game medium is not replenished indefinitely to the storage unit. The amount of medium can be reduced.

The present invention also provides:
(7) a storage unit for storing game media;
A sensor for detecting the amount of game media stored in the storage unit;
A determination means for determining whether or not it is necessary to replenish the game medium to the storage unit based on a detection result of the sensor;
And a control means for controlling the progress of the game as well as performing the lottery of the winning combination,
In the gaming machine in which an amount of game media corresponding to the winning combination is paid out from the storage unit when the winning combination is won and the symbol or symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is stopped and displayed.
The determination means includes
A predetermined condition corresponding to a special game state in which a game proceeds in a state advantageous to the player over the normal game state when it is detected that the amount of the game medium stored in the storage unit is less than a prescribed amount When the game is established, it is determined that the game medium needs to be replenished.

  With this configuration, even if the amount of game media stored in the storage unit is less than the prescribed amount, there is no opportunity to determine whether or not replenishment is necessary until a predetermined condition corresponding to the special game state is satisfied. The game medium is not replenished to the storage unit. Therefore, even if the game medium is paid out by an illegal act, the game medium is not replenished indefinitely to the storage unit, so that a large amount of game media is not illegally acquired. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the amount of game media that can be illegally acquired without playing a game.

(8) The winning combination is composed of a plurality of winning combinations with different payout amounts of the game media,
(8) The gaming machine according to (7), wherein the determining means determines that a predetermined amount of gaming media determined according to a winning winning combination needs to be replenished.

With this configuration, when a winning combination is won and the game medium is paid out from the storage unit, a predetermined number of gaming media determined according to the winning combination is supplied. Therefore, it is possible to balance the amount of game media paid out from the storage unit and the amount of game media supplied to the game media, thereby preventing excessive storage of game media in the storage unit.
Therefore, even if game media is paid out due to fraud, the amount of game media that can be illegally acquired can be further reduced.

  (9) Judgment of necessity of replenishment of the game medium is executed once when the special game state is won or when a symbol or a combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination to be in the special game state is stopped and displayed. The gaming machine according to (7) or (8), wherein

  With this configuration, since the determination as to whether or not replenishment is necessary is made only once per lottery, the symbol corresponding to the winning combination that enters the special gaming state or after winning the winning combination that enters the special gaming state or Even if the game medium is paid out by fraud after the symbol combination is stopped and displayed, the game medium is not replenished indefinitely to the storage unit. Therefore, a large amount of game media is not obtained illegally.

  (10) The determination as to whether or not the game medium needs to be replenished is made by winning the winning combination that enters the special gaming state, or after the symbol or symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination that enters the special gaming state is stopped and displayed. The gaming machine according to any one of (7) to (9), which is executed before the first game in the gaming state is performed.

With this configuration, it is determined whether or not the game medium needs to be replenished before the game is started in the special game state where a large amount of game medium is expected to be paid out, and the game medium is replenished as necessary. The
Thereby, compared with the case where determination of the necessity of replenishment is performed in the middle of the special game state or near the end, the amount of game media stored in the storage unit after the special game state ends can be suppressed. Therefore, even if the game medium is later paid out by an illegal act, the amount of the game medium that is illegally acquired can be suppressed.
Immediately after starting the game in the special game state, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the game is interrupted due to a lack of game media.

(11) The determination as to whether or not the game medium needs to be replenished is performed each time the game medium is paid out during the special game state.
The gaming machine according to (7), wherein the predetermined amount is set to an amount smaller than a maximum amount of gaming media that can be paid out in the special gaming state.

With this configuration, since the necessity of replenishment is determined every time a predetermined number of game media are paid out, a special game state in which the maximum amount of game media that can be paid out varies depending on the game result. However, it is not necessary to store the maximum amount of game media that can be paid out in the storage unit from the beginning. Moreover, the amount of game media stored in the storage unit can be reduced by reducing the prescribed amount, which is a reference when determining that the game medium needs to be replenished.
Therefore, even if game media is paid out due to fraud, the amount of game media that can be illegally acquired can be reduced.

The present invention also provides:
(12) In a gaming machine management system comprising at least one gaming machine and a management device that monitors the state of the gaming machine,
The gaming machine is
A storage unit for storing game media;
A sensor for detecting whether the amount of game media stored in the storage unit is less than a prescribed amount;
A determination means for determining whether or not it is necessary to replenish the game medium to the storage unit based on a detection result of the sensor;
Control the progress of the game and execute the lottery of the winning combination, win the winning combination, and when the symbol or symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is stopped and displayed, the amount of game media corresponding to the winning combination Control means for executing payout from the storage unit,
The determination means includes
When a predetermined condition corresponding to a special gaming state in which the game proceeds in a state advantageous to the player over the normal gaming state is satisfied, a determination is made as to whether or not the gaming medium needs to be replenished;
When the amount of the game medium stored in the storage unit is less than a specified amount, it is determined that the game medium needs to be supplied, and a supply request signal for requesting the supply of the game medium is output to the management device,
The management device
Comprising replenishment control means for controlling a replenishment device for replenishing the gaming machine with game media;
When the replenishment request signal is input, the replenishment control means drives the replenishment device to replenish game media to the gaming machine that has output the replenishment request signal. Management system.

With this configuration, even if the amount of game media stored in the storage unit becomes less than the specified amount, the game unit is not replenished until the predetermined condition corresponding to the special game state is satisfied. Even if the game medium is paid out by cheating without performing the game, the game medium is not replenished indefinitely to the storage unit.
Therefore, even if the game medium is paid out without playing the game and the game medium is paid out, it is possible to suppress the amount of the game medium that is illegally acquired.

(13) In a gaming machine management system comprising at least one gaming machine and a management device that monitors the state of the gaming machine,
The gaming machine is
A storage unit for storing game media;
Control the progress of the game and execute the lottery of the winning combination, win the winning combination, and when the symbol or symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is stopped and displayed, the amount of game media corresponding to the winning combination Control means for executing payout from the storage unit;
In the case where the winning combination is won, a signal indicating the winning combination is output to the management device, and notification means for notifying the winning combination is provided.
The management device
A sensor for detecting whether the amount of game media stored in the storage unit is less than a prescribed amount;
Determining means for determining whether or not the storage unit needs to be replenished with game media,
The determination means includes
In the gaming machine, when a predetermined condition corresponding to a special gaming state in which the game proceeds in a state advantageous to the player over the normal gaming state is satisfied, a determination is made as to whether or not the gaming medium needs to be replenished,
A gaming machine management system, wherein replenishment of gaming media is executed when the amount of gaming media stored in the storage section is less than a prescribed amount.

With this configuration, even if the amount of game media stored in the storage unit becomes less than the specified amount, the game unit is not replenished until the predetermined condition corresponding to the special game state is satisfied. Even if the game medium is paid out by cheating without performing the game, the game medium is not replenished indefinitely to the storage unit. Furthermore, until the predetermined condition corresponding to the special game state is satisfied, the game medium is not replenished to the storage unit, so that the game unit is excessively supplied to the storage unit and a large amount of game media is stored in the storage unit Never.
Therefore, even if the game medium is paid out without playing the game and the game medium is paid out, it is possible to suppress the amount of the game medium that is illegally acquired.

  (14) The determination as to whether or not the game medium needs to be supplied is made when the winning combination that enters the special gaming state is won, or when the symbol or symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination that enters the special gaming state is stopped and displayed. The gaming machine management system according to (12) or (13), wherein the gaming machine management system is executed once.

  With this configuration, after winning a winning combination that is in a special gaming state or after a symbol or combination of symbols corresponding to a winning combination that is in a special gaming state is stopped and displayed, game media has been paid out by cheating. Even so, there is only one opportunity for replenishment, and game media is not replenished indefinitely to the storage unit, so that a large amount of game media is not illegally acquired.

  (15) The determination as to whether or not the game medium needs to be replenished is made by winning the winning combination that enters the special gaming state, or after the symbol or symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination that enters the special gaming state is stopped and displayed. The gaming machine management system according to any one of (12) to (14), which is executed before the first lottery in the gaming state.

With this configuration, it is determined whether or not the game medium needs to be replenished before the game is started in the special game state where a large amount of game medium is expected to be paid out, and the game medium is replenished as necessary. The
Thereby, compared with the case where determination of the necessity of replenishment is performed in the middle of the special game state or near the end, the amount of game media stored in the storage unit after the special game state ends can be suppressed. Therefore, even if the game medium is later paid out by an illegal act, the amount of the game medium that is illegally acquired can be suppressed.
In addition, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the game is interrupted due to a lack of payout game media immediately after the game in the special game state is started.

(16) The determination as to whether or not the game medium needs to be replenished is performed each time the game medium is paid out during the special game state,
The gaming machine management system according to (12) or (13), wherein the predetermined amount is set to an amount smaller than a maximum amount of gaming media that can be paid out in the special gaming state.

With this configuration, even in a special gaming state where the maximum amount of game media that can be paid out varies depending on the game result, the maximum amount of game media that can be paid out is stored in the storage unit from the beginning. There is no need to keep it. Moreover, the amount of game media stored in the storage unit can be reduced by reducing the prescribed amount, which is a reference when determining that the game medium needs to be replenished.
Therefore, even if game media is paid out due to fraud, the amount of game media that can be illegally acquired can be reduced.

  (17) The determination according to (12) or (13), wherein the determination as to whether or not the game medium needs to be supplied is performed every time the lottery is performed a predetermined number of times while in the special gaming state. A gaming machine management system.

  With this configuration, even in a special gaming state where the maximum amount of game media that can be paid out varies depending on the game result, the maximum amount of game media that can be paid out is stored in the storage unit from the beginning. Therefore, the amount of game media stored in the storage unit can be reduced, and even if the game media is paid out by fraud, the amount of game media that can be illegally acquired can be reduced. .

  (18) The determination as to whether or not the game medium needs to be replenished during the special game state is based on an upper limit amount determined by the amount of the game medium paid out from the storage unit corresponding to the special game state. The gaming machine management system according to (16) or (17), wherein the gaming machine management system is not performed when the number exceeds.

  With this configuration, even if the game medium is paid out by cheating after entering the special gaming state, the game medium is not replenished indefinitely to the storage unit. The amount of medium can be reduced.

The present invention also provides:
(19) In a gaming machine management system comprising at least one gaming machine and a management device that monitors the state of the gaming machine,
The gaming machine includes a storage unit that stores game media,
A sensor for detecting whether the amount of game media stored in the storage unit is less than a prescribed amount;
A determination means for determining whether or not it is necessary to replenish the game medium to the storage unit based on a detection result of the sensor;
Control the progress of the game and execute the lottery of the winning combination, win the winning combination, and when the symbol or symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is stopped and displayed, the amount of game media corresponding to the winning combination Control means for executing payout from the storage unit,
The determination means includes
A predetermined condition corresponding to a special game state in which a game proceeds in a state advantageous to the player over the normal game state when it is detected that the amount of the game medium stored in the storage unit is less than a prescribed amount If established, it is determined that the game medium needs to be replenished, and a replenishment request signal requesting replenishment of the game medium is output to the management device,
The management device
Comprising replenishment control means for controlling a replenishment device for replenishing the gaming machine with game media;
When the replenishment request signal is input, the replenishment control means drives the replenishment device to replenish game media to the gaming machine that has output the replenishment request signal. Management system.

With this configuration, even if the amount of game media stored in the storage unit becomes less than the specified amount, the game unit is not replenished until the predetermined condition corresponding to the special game state is satisfied. Even if the game medium is paid out by cheating without performing the game, the game medium is not replenished indefinitely to the storage unit. Furthermore, until the predetermined condition corresponding to the special game state is satisfied, the game medium is not replenished to the storage unit, so that the game unit is excessively supplied to the storage unit and a large amount of game media is stored in the storage unit Never.
Therefore, even if a game medium is paid out by an illegal act without playing a game, the amount of game medium that is illegally acquired can be suppressed.

(20) In a gaming machine management system comprising at least one gaming machine and a management device that monitors the state of the gaming machine,
The gaming machine is
A storage unit for storing game media;
Control the progress of the game and execute the lottery of the winning combination, win the winning combination, and when the symbol or symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is stopped and displayed, the amount of game media corresponding to the winning combination Control means for executing payout from the storage unit;
In the case where the winning combination is won, a signal indicating the winning combination is output to the management device, and notification means for notifying the winning combination is provided.
The management device
A sensor for detecting whether the amount of game media stored in the storage unit is less than a prescribed amount;
A judging means for judging whether or not it is necessary to replenish game media to the storage unit;
Replenishment control means for controlling a replenishment device for replenishing game machines to the gaming machine,
The determination means includes
A predetermined condition corresponding to a special game state in which a game proceeds in a state advantageous to the player over the normal game state when it is detected that the amount of the game medium stored in the storage unit is less than a prescribed amount When is established, it is determined that the game medium needs to be replenished,
When it is determined that the game medium needs to be replenished, the replenishment control means drives the replenishment device to replenish the gaming machine determined to require replenishment. A gaming machine management system characterized by that.

With this configuration, even if the amount of game media stored in the storage unit becomes less than the specified amount, the game unit is not replenished until the predetermined condition corresponding to the special game state is satisfied. Even if the game medium is paid out by cheating without performing the game, the game medium is not replenished indefinitely to the storage unit. Furthermore, until the predetermined condition corresponding to the special game state is satisfied, the game medium is not replenished to the storage unit, so that the game unit is excessively supplied to the storage unit and a large amount of game media is stored in the storage unit Never.
Therefore, even if a game medium is paid out by an illegal act without playing a game, the amount of game medium that is illegally acquired can be suppressed.

(21) The winning combination is composed of a plurality of winning combinations with different payout amounts of the game media,
The gaming machine management system according to (19) or (20), wherein the determining means determines that a predetermined amount of gaming media determined according to the winning winning combination needs to be replenished.

With this configuration, when a winning combination is won and the game medium is paid out from the storage unit, a predetermined number of gaming media determined according to the winning combination is supplied. Therefore, it is possible to balance the amount of game media paid out from the storage unit and the amount of game media supplied to the game media, thereby preventing excessive storage of game media in the storage unit.
Therefore, even if game media is paid out due to fraud, the amount of game media that can be illegally acquired can be further reduced.

  (22) The determination as to whether or not it is necessary to replenish the game medium is made when a winning combination that enters the special gaming state is won or when a symbol or a combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination that enters the special gaming state is stopped and displayed. The gaming machine management system according to any one of (19) to (21), wherein the gaming machine management system is executed once.

  With this configuration, after winning a winning combination that is in a special gaming state or after a symbol or combination of symbols corresponding to a winning combination that is in a special gaming state is stopped and displayed, game media has been paid out by cheating. Even so, there is only one opportunity for replenishment, and game media is not replenished indefinitely to the storage unit, so that a large amount of game media is not illegally acquired.

  (23) The determination as to whether or not the game medium needs to be replenished is made by winning the winning combination that enters the special gaming state, or after the symbol or symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination that enters the special gaming state is stopped and displayed. (19) The gaming machine management system according to any one of (19) to (22), which is executed before the first game in the special gaming state is performed.

With this configuration, it is determined whether or not the game medium needs to be replenished before the game is started in the special game state where a large amount of game medium is expected to be paid out, and the game medium is replenished as necessary. The
Thereby, compared with the case where determination of the necessity of replenishment is performed in the middle of the special game state or near the end, the amount of game media stored in the storage unit after the special game state ends can be suppressed. Therefore, even if the game medium is later paid out by an illegal act, the amount of the game medium that is illegally acquired can be suppressed.
Immediately after starting the game in the special game state, it is possible to prevent a situation where the game is interrupted due to a lack of payout game media.

(24) The determination as to whether or not the game medium needs to be replenished is performed each time the game medium is paid out during the special game state.
The gaming machine management system according to (19) or (20), wherein the predetermined amount is set to an amount smaller than a maximum amount of gaming media that can be paid out in the special gaming state.

With this configuration, even in a special gaming state where the maximum amount of game media that can be paid out varies depending on the game result, the maximum amount of game media that can be paid out is stored in the storage unit from the beginning. There is no need to keep it. Moreover, the amount of game media stored in the storage unit can be reduced by reducing the prescribed amount, which is a reference when determining that game media needs to be supplied.
Therefore, even if game media is paid out due to fraud, the amount of game media that can be illegally acquired can be reduced.

(25) The gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the gaming machine is a pachinko gaming machine.
Among other things, the basic configuration of a pachinko gaming machine is provided with an operation handle, and in response to the operation of the operation handle, a ball is launched into a predetermined game area, and the ball is disposed at a predetermined position in the game area. As a necessary condition for winning the operating port (or passing through the operating port), the identification information dynamically displayed on the display device can be confirmed and stopped by the governor nursing. In addition, when a special gaming state occurs, a variable winning device (specific winning opening) disposed at a predetermined position in the gaming area is opened in a predetermined manner so that a ball can be won, and a value corresponding to the number of winnings is obtained. There are those to which value (including data written on a magnetic card as well as premium spheres) is given.

(26) The gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the gaming machine is a slot machine.
In particular, as a basic configuration of the slot machine, “variable display means for confirming and displaying the identification information after dynamically displaying an identification information string composed of a plurality of identification information is provided, and a starting operation means (for example, an operation lever) is provided. The dynamic display of the identification information is started due to the operation, the dynamic display of the identification information is stopped due to the operation of the operation means for stop (for example, the stop button) or after a predetermined time, The game machine is provided with special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player on the condition that the confirmed identification information at the time of stoppage is the specific identification information. In this case, a typical example of the game medium is a medal.

(27) The gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the gaming machine is a fusion of a pachinko gaming machine and a slot machine.
In particular, the basic configuration of the merged gaming machine includes “a variable display means for confirming and displaying the identification information after dynamically displaying an identification information string composed of a plurality of identification information, and a starting operation means (for example, an operation The dynamic display of the identification information is started due to the operation of the lever), and the dynamic display of the identification information is caused by the operation of the operation means for stop (for example, the stop button) or when a predetermined time elapses. Special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player, on condition that the confirmed identification information at the time of the stop is specific identification information, and is used as a game medium In addition, the game machine is configured such that a predetermined number of balls are required at the start of dynamic display of the identification information, and a large number of balls are paid out when a special gaming state occurs.

1 gaming system 2, 2A hall computer 3 slot machine 4 medal lending machine 5 game island 6 medal recovery device 6a recovery conveyor 6b recovery chute 7 medal replenishment device 7a hopper device 7b medal transport rail 7c medal shooting tube 7d motor 7e medal sensor 10 housing Body body 11 Front door 12 Game panel 13 Operation part 14 Storage part 15 Display window 16 Upper lamp 17 Speaker 18 Liquid crystal display 19 Bet lamp 20 Credit number display part 21 Ejection number display part 22, 23 Bet button 24 Medal slot 25 Credit settlement Button 26 Start lever 27 Stop button 28 Locking mechanism 29 Display plate 30 Plate 31 Selector 32 Selector body 33 Medal guide path 33a Projection 36 Branch path 37 Medal guide path switching Means 37a switching piece 38 medal passage detection unit 38a first insertion medal passage detection sensor 38b second insertion medal passage detection sensor 40 reel unit 41 reel 41L left reel 41M middle reel 41R right reel 42 control board accommodation box 43 hopper device 44 storage portion 45 payout unit 45a payout medal detection sensor 45b medal intake 46 power supply box 47 medal storage box 48 medal remaining amount sensor 48a conductive rod 50, 50A main control board 51 MPU
52 I / O port 52a Open 53 ROM
53a Supply table 54 RAM
54a Medal number storage area 54b External output buffer 54c Replenishment counter timer 54d Replenishment counter 54e Replenishment determination end flag 54f RB flag 54g BB flag 54h RT flag 54i AT flag 54j ART flag 54k Acquired number counter 54m Off signal flag 54n Replenishment judgment execution timer 54p Payout number counter 60 Sub control board 61 MPU
62 I / O port 63 ROM
64 RAM
64a Discharged number counter 66 Light emission control controller 67 Notification sound output controller 68 Control board for display 70 Power supply board 71 Power supply unit 72 Power failure monitoring circuit 80 External concentration terminal board 201 CPU
202 ROM
202a Supply table 203 RAM
203a Output information reception buffer 203b BB count counter 203c RB count counter 203d ART count counter 203e Replenishment count counter 203f BB acquired number counter 203g RB acquired number counter 203h RB acquired number counter 203i BB flag 203j RB flag 203k RT in progress Flag 203m AT flag 203n ART flag 203p Replenishment request flag 203q Reception history memory 203r Replenishment execution flag 203s Replenishment request end flag 203t Replenishment counter 203u Replenishment determination end flag 203v Replenishment determination execution timer 203w Discharged number counter 204 Audio memory 205 Input / output port 206 Bus line 207 Input / output device 208 Display 209 Speaker 301 Ashtray 302 Medal Exit M medal

Claims (1)

In a gaming machine management system comprising at least one gaming machine and a management device that monitors the state of the gaming machine,
The gaming machine is
A storage unit for storing game media;
A sensor for detecting whether the amount of game media stored in the storage unit is less than a prescribed amount;
A determination means for determining whether or not it is necessary to replenish the game medium to the storage unit based on a detection result of the sensor;
Control the progress of the game and execute the lottery of the winning combination, win the winning combination, and when the symbol or symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is stopped and displayed, the amount of game media corresponding to the winning combination Control means for executing payout from the storage unit,
In the gaming machine, as a special gaming state in which the game proceeds in a state more advantageous to the player than in the normal gaming state, the first special gaming state in which the maximum amount of gaming media that can be paid out is determined and paid out There is a second special gaming state in which the maximum amount of gaming media to be obtained varies according to the outcome of the game,
The determination means includes
When a predetermined condition corresponding to the first special gaming state is satisfied and when a predetermined condition corresponding to the second special gaming state is satisfied, a determination is made as to whether or not the gaming medium needs to be replenished;
When the predetermined condition corresponding to the second special gaming state is satisfied, the time when the predetermined condition corresponding to the second special gaming state is satisfied and the number of games in the second special gaming state are the predetermined number of times. Each time the game medium is reached, it is determined whether or not the game medium needs to be replenished,
The determination means that has determined whether or not the game medium needs to be supplied determines that the game medium needs to be supplied when the amount of the game medium stored in the storage unit is less than a specified amount. A replenishment request signal for requesting replenishment to the management device,
The management device
Comprising replenishment control means for controlling a replenishment device for replenishing the gaming machine with game media;
When the replenishment request signal is input, the replenishment control means drives the replenishment device and replenishes the gaming machine that has output the replenishment request signal,
The gaming machine management system, wherein the amount of game media replenished to the replenishing device by the replenishment control means is changed according to the number of games in the second special gaming state.

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