JP2016105931A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of preventing a fraudulent act while suppressing an increase in surveillance processing load.SOLUTION: A slot machine 10 comprises a body 11 and a front door 12 provided in the front part of the body 11 and supported openably and closably at one side part of the body 11. A token is input from a token slot 75 provided at the substantially central right part of the front door 12. Then, a start lever 71 provided at the substantially central left part of the front door 12 is operated, and reels 42L, 42M, 42R visible through display windows 31L, 31M, 31R start to rotate. When stop switch 72-74 are operated, the reels 42L, 42M, 42R corresponding to the respective switches 72-74 stop. The token input from the token slot 75 is detected by a plurality of medal slot sensors provided on the back face of the front door 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine.

  As a gaming machine that stops after rotating a plurality of reels, for example, there is a slot machine. In the slot machine, a plurality of symbols are given to the outer peripheral portion of each reel, and a part of the symbols given to each reel is visible through the display window. Each reel starts rotating when a player inserts a medal and operates the start lever. After each reel starts rotating, each reel is operated by operating a stop switch or elapse of a predetermined time. Stop sequentially. Inside the slot machine, a lottery is performed on condition that the medal is inserted and the start lever is operated, and the result of the lottery is winning and the symbol that the player has won on the preset active line is stopped. As a condition, a predetermined number of medals are paid out or a special game (special game state) advantageous to the player is given.

  In such a gaming machine, the insertion of a medal by the player is confirmed by detection of a medal passing by a detection sensor arranged along a guide path for guiding the medal into the gaming machine. However, in recent years, there has been a case in which an illegal act of playing a game without inserting a medal is performed by misrecognizing the passage of the medal by an action such as reciprocating the medal near the detection sensor. Therefore, in order to prevent such an illegal act, a configuration has been proposed in which a plurality of detection sensors are connected and the detection order of these detection sensors detects the medals to prevent the illegal act (for example, patent document). 1).

  However, in order to confirm the detection order in which the plurality of detection sensors detect medals, it is necessary to continuously confirm the detection results of the respective detection sensors. For this reason, when it is set as the structure which continues confirming these detection results in order to prevent an unauthorized act, the problem that the monitoring processing load for preventing an unauthorized act becomes great has arisen.

  Note that the above problems are not limited to slot machines, but also apply to other gaming machines in which one of the game start conditions is to accept a game medium such as a game ball.

JP 2002-282413 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of preventing fraud while suppressing an increase in the monitoring processing load.

The invention according to claim 1 includes a plurality of endless belts each having a plurality of kinds of patterns attached in the circumferential direction;
A display window that allows some of the patterns to be visually recognized for each endless belt;
An entrance capable of receiving game media for playing games;
A guide passage for guiding the game medium received from the receiving port;
A plurality of detection means arranged in the flow direction of the game medium to detect the game medium passing through the guide passage;
Start operation means operated to start rotation of each endless belt;
A driving means provided for each of the endless belts, for rotating the endless belts;
Stop operation means operated to stop the rotation of each endless belt;
After the plurality of detection means detect the passage of the game medium, the rotation of each endless belt is started based on the operation of the start operation means, and the rotation of each endless belt is determined based on the operation of the stop operation means. Drive control means for driving and controlling each of the drive means so as to stop rotation;
When each of the endless belts stops, a payout of paying out a predetermined number of game media to the player on condition that a combination of specific pictures formed by the pictures is established at an effective position visible from the display window A gaming machine comprising means,
An acceptance decision means for deciding whether or not to accept the game medium;
A detection order confirmation means for confirming a detection order in which the plurality of detection means detect the game medium when the acceptance determination means determines acceptance of the game medium;
A first abnormality processing execution means for performing abnormality processing by regarding the result as an abnormality when the confirmation result of the detection order confirmation means is different from a predetermined detection order;
A detection result confirming means for confirming at least one detection result among the plurality of detecting means when the acceptance determining means determines acceptance of the game medium;
When the detection means to be confirmed by the detection result confirmation means detects the passage of the game medium, the detection means confirms the result as an abnormality and includes a second abnormality process execution means for performing an abnormality process.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent fraud while suppressing an increase in the monitoring processing load.

The front view of the slot machine in one embodiment. The perspective view of the slot machine which shows the state which closed the front door. The perspective view of the slot machine which shows the state which opened the front door. The rear view of a front door. The figure which shows the internal structure of the selector 83. The front view of a housing | casing. The assembly perspective view of a left reel. FIG. 3 is a development view of a belt-like belt constituting each reel. The block circuit diagram of a slot machine. The flowchart which shows a NMI interruption process. The flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. The flowchart which shows the process at the time of a power failure. The flowchart which shows a main process. The flowchart which shows a normal process. The timing chart which shows the detection of each insertion medal detection sensor when a medal is inserted. The flowchart which shows a lottery process. The flowchart which shows a reel control process. The flowchart which shows medal payout processing. The flowchart which shows special game state processing. The flowchart which shows a bonus symbol determination process. Explanatory drawing which shows the counter setting at the time of RB game initial setting process. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the counter setting at the time of a BB game initial setting process, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the counter setting at the time of a JAC game initial setting process in BB game.

  First, invention groups that can be extracted from the present embodiment are shown as means n (n = 1, 2, 3,...), And will be described while showing effects and the like as necessary. In the following, for ease of understanding, the corresponding configuration in the present embodiment is appropriately shown in parentheses, but is not limited to the specific configuration shown in parentheses.

Means 1. A plurality of endless belts (reels 42L, 42M, 42R) having a plurality of kinds of patterns attached in the circumferential direction;
Display windows (display windows 31L, 31M, 31R) that allow some of the patterns to be visually recognized with respect to the endless belts;
An entrance (medal slot 75) capable of receiving game media for playing games,
A guide passage (storage passage 81) for guiding the game medium received from the reception port;
A plurality of detection means (first inserted medal detection sensor 86, second inserted medal detection sensor 87) arranged in the flow direction of the game medium in order to detect the game medium passing through the guide passage;
Start operation means (start lever 71) operated to start rotation of each endless belt;
A driving means (stepping motor 61) provided for each of the endless belts for rotating the endless belts;
Stop operation means (stop switches 72 to 74) operated to stop the rotation of each endless belt;
After the plurality of detection means detect the passage of the game medium, the rotation of each endless belt is started based on the operation of the start operation means, and the rotation of each endless belt is determined based on the operation of the stop operation means. Drive control means (main control device 131) for driving and controlling the drive means so as to stop the rotation;
When each of the endless belts stops, a payout of paying out a predetermined number of game media to the player on condition that a combination of specific pictures formed by the pictures is established at an effective position visible from the display window In a gaming machine provided with means (main control device 131, hopper device 91),
An acceptance decision means (main control device 131) for deciding whether or not to accept the game medium;
A detection order confirmation means (main control device 131) for confirming a detection order in which the plurality of detection means detect the game medium when the acceptance determination means determines acceptance permission of the game medium;
A first abnormality processing execution unit (main control device 131) for performing abnormality processing by regarding the result as abnormality when the confirmation result of the detection order confirmation unit is different from a predetermined detection order;
A detection result confirmation means (main control device 131) for confirming at least one detection result among the plurality of detection means when the acceptance decision means decides not to accept the game medium;
A second abnormality process executing means (main control device 131) for performing abnormality processing by regarding the detection result as an abnormality when the detection means to be confirmed by the detection result confirmation means detects passage of the game medium; A featured gaming machine.

  According to the means 1, when the game medium is in the acceptance-permitted state, the detection order in which the plurality of detection means detect the game medium is confirmed. By arranging a plurality of detection means in the flow direction of the game media passing through the guide passage and confirming the detection order of these detection means, the game media are reciprocated in the vicinity of the arrangement of each detection means, It is possible to prevent fraudulent behavior that misidentifies passage. Further, when the game medium is in an acceptance non-permission state, at least one detection result among the plurality of detection means is confirmed. Since it is difficult to assume that the passage of the game medium is detected by the detection means in a situation where the acceptance of the game medium is not permitted, the monitoring processing load is increased by checking only at least one detection result. It is possible to prevent fraud while suppressing the conversion.

  Mean 2. In the above-mentioned means 1, the acceptance determining means disallows the acceptance of the game medium while the drive control means drives and controls the drive means.

  According to the means 2, while the drive control means is driving and controlling the drive means, that is, while the endless belt is rotating, the acceptance of the game medium is not permitted. Since a player generally plays a game to operate the stop operation means while the endless belt is rotating, there is a possibility that a general player will suffer a disadvantage even if the acceptance of the game medium is not permitted. Absent. Therefore, it is possible to suitably prevent fraud.

  Means 3. In the above means 1 or 2, the accepting determination means disallows the acceptance of the game medium while the payout means pays out the predetermined number of game media.

  According to the means 3, while the payout means pays out a predetermined number of game media, the acceptance of the game media is not permitted. When the game medium is allowed to be accepted during the process, it may be necessary to perform the process of paying out the game medium and the process of starting the next game in parallel. This leads to an increase in the processing load related to the game, so that it is possible to appropriately prevent fraud while suppressing an increase in the processing load related to the game.

  Means 4. In any one of the above means 1 to 3, a virtual game medium storing means (mainly storing the number of stored game media to store virtually the game media received from the receiving port or to be paid out from the payout means. A credit function of the control device 131) and a return operation means (switch 80) operated to return the virtual game media of the number stored based on the storage of the virtual game medium storage means as an actual game medium, The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the acceptance determining means rejects the acceptance of the game medium while the payout means is performing a game medium payout process based on the operation of the return operation means.

  According to the means 4, the game medium is not allowed to be accepted while the payout means pays out the game medium. When it is configured to permit the reception of game media during such processing, it may be necessary to perform processing for paying out game media and processing for receiving game media in parallel. This leads to an increase in the processing load related to the game, so that it is possible to appropriately prevent fraud while suppressing an increase in the processing load related to the game.

  Means 5. In any one of the above means 1 to 4, if the determination result of the branch passage (discharge passage 82) branched from the guide passage on the upstream side of the plurality of detection means and the acceptance determination means is acceptance permission Switching means (medal path switching member 84) that guides the game medium to the guide path and switches each path to guide the game medium to the branch path if the determination result of the reception determination means is not permitted. A gaming machine characterized by comprising:

  According to the means 5, the path for guiding the game medium is switched according to the determination result of the acceptance determining means. The branch passage is configured to branch from the guide passage upstream of the plurality of detection means. By adopting such a configuration, when the acceptance of the game medium is not permitted, the game medium is guided to the branch passage without being detected by any of the plurality of detection means. Therefore, it is possible to unambiguously associate fraudulent acts with the fact that the detection means detects the passage of the game media when the acceptance of the game media is not permitted, and it is possible to suitably prevent cheating It becomes possible.

  Means 6. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the branch passage is configured to guide a game medium to a game medium tray provided in a front portion of the game machine.

  According to the means 6, the game medium guided to the branch passage is guided to the game medium tray provided on the front part of the gaming machine. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the player from being disadvantaged when, for example, the game medium is mistakenly accepted from the reception port when the acceptance of the game medium is not permitted.

  Mean 7 In any one of the above means 1 to 6, the detection result confirmation means confirms all detection results of the plurality of detection means, and the second abnormality processing execution means is any of the plurality of detection means. A gaming machine characterized in that it performs an abnormal process even when it detects the passage of the game medium.

  According to the means 7, the second abnormality process execution means performs the abnormality process even when any of the plurality of detection means detects the passage of the game medium. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent illegal acts more reliably.

  Means 8. The gaming machine according to claim 7, wherein all outputs of the plurality of detecting means are input to a logical sum means, and the detection result confirming means confirms the output from the logical sum means.

  According to the means 8, all the outputs of the plurality of detecting means are inputted to the logical sum means, and the output from the logical sum means is confirmed by the detection result confirming means. With such a configuration, it is possible to check the result of whether or not the game medium has passed through all the detection means by a simple method. It is also possible to reduce the chance of confirming the detection result.

Means 9. A gaming device (reels 42L, 42M, 42R, stepping motor 61) that allows the player to execute the game in a state that is visible to the player;
An entrance (medal slot 75) capable of receiving game media for playing games,
A guide passage (storage passage 81) for guiding the game medium received from the reception port;
A plurality of detection means (first inserted medal detection sensor 86, second inserted medal detection sensor 87) arranged in the flow direction of the game medium in order to detect game media passing through the guide passage;
After the plurality of detection means detect the passage of the game medium, the game is performed until a game end condition is satisfied (operation of the stop switches 72 to 74) based on satisfaction of a predetermined game start condition (operation of the start lever 71). Control means (main control device 131) for driving and controlling the device;
In a gaming machine comprising payout means (main control device 131, hopper device 91) for paying out a predetermined number of game media to a player based on establishment of a predetermined payout condition as a result of a game by the gaming machine,
Acceptance decision for deciding whether or not to accept a game medium so as to disallow the acceptance of the game medium during the period from the start to the end of the game by the gaming machine and during execution of the payout process by the payout means after the end of the game Means (main controller 131);
A detection order confirmation means (main control device 131) for confirming a detection order in which the plurality of detection means detect the game medium when the acceptance determination means determines acceptance permission of the game medium;
A first abnormality processing execution unit (main control device 131) for performing abnormality processing by regarding the result as abnormality when the confirmation result of the detection order confirmation unit is different from a predetermined detection order;
A detection result confirmation means (main control device 131) for confirming at least one detection result among the plurality of detection means when the acceptance decision means decides not to accept the game medium;
A second abnormality process executing means (main control device 131) for performing abnormality processing by regarding the detection result as an abnormality when the detection means to be confirmed by the detection result confirmation means detects passage of the game medium; A featured gaming machine.

  According to the means 9, when the game medium is in the acceptance-permitted state, the detection order in which the plurality of detection means detect the game medium is confirmed. By arranging a plurality of detection means in the flow direction of the game media passing through the guide passage and confirming the detection order of these detection means, the game media are reciprocated in the vicinity of the arrangement of each detection means, It is possible to prevent fraudulent behavior that misidentifies passage. Further, when the game medium is in an acceptance non-permission state, at least one detection result among the plurality of detection means is confirmed. Since it is difficult to assume that the passage of the game medium is detected by the detection means in a situation where the acceptance of the game medium is not permitted, the monitoring processing load is increased by checking only at least one detection result. It is possible to prevent fraud while suppressing the conversion. Furthermore, it is possible to suitably prevent fraudulent acts by disallowing the acceptance of game media during the period from the start to the end of the game by the gaming machine and during the execution of the payout process by the payout means after the end of the game. Become. This is because a general player does not perform an act of accepting a game medium for playing a game from the receiving port while playing a game.

Means 10. A plurality of endless belts (reels 42L, 42M, 42R) having a plurality of kinds of patterns attached in the circumferential direction;
Display windows (display windows 31L, 31M, 31R) that allow some of the patterns to be visually recognized with respect to the endless belts;
An entrance (medal slot 75) capable of receiving game media for playing games,
A guide passage (storage passage 81) for guiding the game medium received from the reception port;
A plurality of detection means (first inserted medal detection sensor 86, second inserted medal detection sensor 87) arranged in the flow direction of the game medium in order to detect the game medium passing through the guide passage;
Start operation means (start lever 71) operated to start rotation of each endless belt;
A driving means (stepping motor 61) provided for each of the endless belts for rotating the endless belts;
Stop operation means (stop switches 72 to 74) operated to stop the rotation of each endless belt;
After each detecting means detects the passage of the game medium, the rotation of each endless belt is started based on the operation of the start operation means, and the rotation of each endless belt is determined based on the operation of the stop operation means. Drive control means (reel control processing function of the main control device 131) for driving and controlling each of the drive means so as to stop
When each endless belt is stopped, when a combination of specific patterns formed by the patterns is established at an effective position visible from the display window, a predetermined number of game media are paid out to the player, etc. In a gaming machine provided with payout means (medal payout processing function S805 and credit up processing function S804 of the main control device 131, hopper device 91) for performing payout processing.
Acceptance determination means (a medal of the main control device 131) for determining whether or not to accept a game medium so as to disallow the reception of the game medium at least while the drive control means is driving and controlling each of the drive means. Insertion permission processing S508 and medal insertion non-permission processing S503),
A detection order confirmation means (medal insertion confirmation function of the main control device 131) for confirming a detection order in which each of the detection means detects a game medium when the acceptance determination means determines acceptance permission of the game medium;
When the confirmation result of the detection order confirmation means is different from the predetermined detection order, the first abnormality processing execution means (game progress stop processing function in S501 of the main control device 131) which regards the result as abnormal and performs abnormality processing When,
Detection result confirmation means (S714, S808 of the main control device 131) for confirming at least one detection result among the respective detection means when the acceptance decision means decides not to accept the game medium;
When the detection means to be confirmed by the detection result confirmation means detects the passage of the game medium, the result is regarded as abnormal, and the drive control means drives and controls each drive means to stop the rotation of each endless belt. A gaming machine comprising second abnormality processing execution means (game progress stop processing function in S714 and S808 of the main control device 131) for performing abnormality processing thereafter.

  According to the means 10, when the game medium is permitted to be received, the detection order in which the plurality of detection means detect the game medium is confirmed. By arranging a plurality of detection means in the flow direction of the game media through the guide passage and confirming the detection order of these detection means, the game medium is reciprocated in the vicinity of the arrangement of each detection means or the like. It is possible to prevent an illegal act that misidentifies the passage of the game medium using an illegal jig. Further, when the game medium is not accepted, at least one detection result among the plurality of detection means is confirmed. Since it is difficult to assume that the passage of the game medium is detected by the detection means in a situation where the reception of the game medium is not permitted, such as when each endless belt is rotating, the detection of each detection means By confirming at least one detection result instead of confirming the order, it is possible to prevent fraud while suppressing an increase in the monitoring processing load. In addition, the game medium is not allowed to be accepted at least while the drive control means is driving and controlling the drive means, that is, while the endless belt is rotating. Since the player plays the game to operate the stop operation means while the endless belt is rotating, there is no possibility that the general player suffers a disadvantage even if the acceptance of the game medium is not permitted. Therefore, it is possible to suitably prevent fraud. Furthermore, when the detection means confirmed in the acceptance non-permitted state detects the passage of the game medium, the processing load relating to the game is reduced by adopting a configuration in which the abnormal process is performed after the rotation of the endless belt is completely stopped. It becomes possible to make it. When the passage of a game medium is detected in an acceptance non-permitted state, if an abnormal process is performed at that time, it is necessary to perform the abnormal process and a process of rotating and stopping each endless belt in parallel. This is because of the increase. The “endless belt” herein includes not only a belt wound endlessly on the outer peripheral surface of the skeleton member but also the outer peripheral surface in a configuration in which a pattern is directly attached to the outer peripheral surface of the skeleton member. The same applies to the following.

Means 11. A plurality of endless belts (reels 42L, 42M, 42R) having a plurality of kinds of patterns attached in the circumferential direction;
Display windows (display windows 31L, 31M, 31R) that allow some of the patterns to be visually recognized with respect to the endless belts;
An entrance (medal slot 75) capable of receiving game media for playing games,
A guide passage (storage passage 81) for guiding the game medium received from the reception port;
A plurality of detection means (first inserted medal detection sensor 86, second inserted medal detection sensor 87) arranged in the flow direction of the game medium in order to detect the game medium passing through the guide passage;
Start operation means (start lever 71) operated to start rotation of each endless belt;
A driving means (stepping motor 61) provided for each of the endless belts for rotating the endless belts;
Stop operation means (stop switches 72 to 74) operated to stop the rotation of each endless belt;
After each detecting means detects the passage of the game medium, the rotation of each endless belt is started based on the operation of the start operation means, and the rotation of each endless belt is determined based on the operation of the stop operation means. Drive control means (reel control processing function of the main control device 131) for driving and controlling each of the drive means so as to stop
When each of the endless belts stops, a payout such as paying out a predetermined number of game media to the player when a combination of specific pictures formed by the pictures is established at an effective position visible from the display window In a gaming machine provided with payout means (medal payout processing function S805 and credit up processing function S804 of the main control device 131, hopper device 91) for performing processing,
Acceptance determining means for determining whether or not to accept a game medium so as not to permit the acceptance of a game medium at least while the payout means performs a payout process (the medal insertion permission process S508 of the main control device 131 and the medal insertion) Non-permission processing S503),
A detection order confirmation means (medal insertion confirmation function of the main control device 131) for confirming a detection order in which each of the detection means detects a game medium when the acceptance determination means determines acceptance permission of the game medium;
When the confirmation result of the detection order confirmation means is different from the predetermined detection order, the first abnormality processing execution means (game progress stop processing function in S501 of the main control device 131) which regards the result as abnormal and performs abnormality processing When,
Detection result confirmation means (S714, S808 of the main control device 131) for confirming at least one detection result among the respective detection means when the acceptance decision means decides not to accept the game medium;
When the detection means to be confirmed by the detection result confirmation means detects passage of the game medium, the result is regarded as abnormal, and second abnormality processing execution means (main control) for performing abnormality processing after the payout processing by the payout means is completed. A game progress stop processing function in S808 of the device 131).

  According to the means 11, when the game medium is permitted to be received, the detection order in which the plurality of detection means detect the game medium is confirmed. By arranging a plurality of detection means in the flow direction of the game media through the guide passage and confirming the detection order of these detection means, the game medium is reciprocated in the vicinity of the arrangement of each detection means or the like. It is possible to prevent an illegal act that misidentifies the passage of the game medium using an illegal jig. Further, when the game medium is not accepted, at least one detection result among the plurality of detection means is confirmed. Since it is difficult to assume that the passage of the game medium is detected by the detection means in a situation where the acceptance of the game medium is not permitted, at least one detection is performed instead of confirming the detection order of each detection means. By confirming only the result, it is possible to prevent fraud while suppressing an increase in the monitoring processing load. In addition, at least while the payout means performs the payout process, the acceptance of game media is not permitted. When it is configured to permit the acceptance of game media during such processing, for example, it may be necessary to perform processing for paying out game media and processing for starting the next game in parallel. This leads to an increase in the processing load related to the game, so that it is possible to appropriately prevent fraud while suppressing an increase in the processing load related to the game. Furthermore, when the detecting means confirmed in the acceptance non-permitted state detects the passage of the game medium, the processing load related to the game is reduced by adopting a configuration in which abnormal processing is performed after the payout processing by the payout means is completed. Is possible. When the passage of a game medium is detected in an acceptance non-permitted state, if an abnormal process is performed at that time, the abnormal process and the process of paying out the game medium, for example, must be performed in parallel, increasing the processing load. Because it will do.

  The characteristic configurations of the above means 2 to 8 can be applied to the above means 10 or 11, and in that case, a synergistic effect can be expected.

Means 12. A gaming device (reels 42L, 42M, 42R, stepping motor 61) that allows the player to execute the game in a state that is visible to the player;
An entrance (medal slot 75) capable of receiving game media for playing games,
A guide passage (storage passage 81) for guiding the game medium received from the reception port;
A plurality of detection means (first inserted medal detection sensor 86, second inserted medal detection sensor 87) arranged in the flow direction of the game medium in order to detect game media passing through the guide passage;
After each of the detecting means detects the passage of the game medium, the gaming machine is operated until a game end condition is established (operation of the stop switches 72 to 74) based on establishment of a predetermined game start condition (operation of the start lever 71). Control means for driving and controlling (reel control processing function of the main control device 131);
As a result of the game by the gaming machine, payout means for performing payout processing such as paying out a predetermined number of game media to the player based on establishment of a predetermined payout condition (the medal payout processing function S805 of the main control device 131 and credit up processing) In a gaming machine provided with function S804, hopper device 91),
Acceptance decision for deciding whether or not to accept a game medium so as to disallow the acceptance of the game medium during the period from the start to the end of the game by the gaming machine and during execution of the payout process by the payout means after the end of the game Means (medal insertion permission processing S508 and medal insertion non-permission processing S503 of the main control device 131),
A detection order confirmation means (medal insertion confirmation function of the main control device 131) for confirming a detection order in which each of the detection means detects a game medium when the acceptance determination means determines acceptance permission of the game medium;
When the confirmation result of the detection order confirmation means is different from the predetermined detection order, the first abnormality processing execution means (game progress stop processing function in S501 of the main control device 131) which regards the result as abnormal and performs abnormality processing When,
Detection result confirmation means (S714, S808 of the main control device 131) for confirming at least one detection result among the respective detection means when the acceptance decision means decides not to accept the game medium;
When the detection means to be confirmed by the detection result confirmation means detects the passage of the game medium, the result is regarded as abnormal, and the second abnormality process is performed after the control means finishes the drive control of the gaming machine. A gaming machine comprising execution means (game progress stop processing function in S714 and S808 of the main controller 131).

  According to the means 12, when the game medium is permitted to be received, the detection order in which the plurality of detection means detect the game medium is confirmed. By arranging a plurality of detection means in the flow direction of the game media through the guide passage and confirming the detection order of these detection means, the game medium is reciprocated in the vicinity of the arrangement of each detection means or the like. It is possible to prevent an illegal act that misidentifies the passage of the game medium using an illegal jig. Further, when the game medium is not accepted, at least one detection result among the plurality of detection means is confirmed. Since it is difficult to assume that the passage of the game medium is detected by the detection means in a situation where the acceptance of the game medium is not permitted, at least one detection is performed instead of confirming the detection order of each detection means. By confirming only the result, it is possible to prevent fraud while suppressing an increase in the monitoring processing load. In addition, fraudulent acts can be suitably prevented by disallowing the acceptance of gaming media during the period from the start to the end of the game by the gaming device and during the execution of the payout process by the payout means after the end of the game. It becomes. This is because a general player does not perform an act of accepting a game medium for playing a game from the receiving port while playing a game. Furthermore, when the detection means confirmed in the acceptance non-permission state detects the passage of the game medium, the processing load relating to the game is reduced by adopting a configuration in which the abnormal process is performed after the drive control of the gaming machine is completed. It becomes possible. When the passage of a game medium is detected in an acceptance non-permitted state, if an abnormal process is performed at that time, it is necessary to perform the abnormal process and a process for controlling the driving of the gaming machine in parallel, increasing the processing load. Because it will do.

Means 13. A gaming device (reels 42L, 42M, 42R, stepping motor 61) that allows the player to execute the game in a state that is visible to the player;
An entrance (medal slot 75) capable of receiving game media for playing games,
A guide passage (storage passage 81) for guiding the game medium received from the reception port;
A plurality of detection means (first inserted medal detection sensor 86, second inserted medal detection sensor 87) arranged in the flow direction of the game medium in order to detect game media passing through the guide passage;
After each of the detecting means detects the passage of the game medium, the gaming machine is operated until a game end condition is established (operation of the stop switches 72 to 74) based on establishment of a predetermined game start condition (operation of the start lever 71). Control means for driving and controlling (reel control processing function of the main control device 131);
As a result of the game by the gaming machine, payout means for performing payout processing such as paying out a predetermined number of game media to the player based on establishment of a predetermined payout condition (the medal payout processing function S805 of the main control device 131 and credit up processing) In a gaming machine provided with function S804, hopper device 91),
Acceptance decision for deciding whether or not to accept a game medium so as to disallow the acceptance of the game medium during the period from the start to the end of the game by the gaming machine and during execution of the payout process by the payout means after the end of the game Means (medal insertion permission processing S508 and medal insertion non-permission processing S503 of the main control device 131),
A detection order confirmation means (medal insertion confirmation function of the main control device 131) for confirming a detection order in which each of the detection means detects a game medium when the acceptance determination means determines acceptance permission of the game medium;
When the confirmation result of the detection order confirmation means is different from the predetermined detection order, the first abnormality processing execution means (game progress stop processing function in S501 of the main control device 131) which regards the result as abnormal and performs abnormality processing When,
Detection result confirmation means (S714, S808 of the main control device 131) for confirming at least one detection result among the respective detection means when the acceptance decision means decides not to accept the game medium;
When the detection means to be confirmed by the detection result confirmation means detects passage of the game medium, the result is regarded as abnormal, and second abnormality processing execution means (main control) for performing abnormality processing after the payout processing by the payout means is completed. A game progress stop processing function in S808 of the device 131).

  According to the means 13, when the game medium is permitted to be received, the detection order in which the plurality of detection means detect the game medium is confirmed. By arranging a plurality of detection means in the flow direction of the game media through the guide passage and confirming the detection order of these detection means, the game medium is reciprocated in the vicinity of the arrangement of each detection means or the like. It is possible to prevent an illegal act that misidentifies the passage of the game medium using an illegal jig. Further, when the game medium is not accepted, at least one detection result among the plurality of detection means is confirmed. Since it is difficult to assume that the passage of the game medium is detected by the detection means in a situation where the acceptance of the game medium is not permitted, at least one detection is performed instead of confirming the detection order of each detection means. By confirming only the result, it is possible to prevent fraud while suppressing an increase in the monitoring processing load. In addition, fraudulent acts can be suitably prevented by disallowing the acceptance of gaming media during the period from the start to the end of the game by the gaming device and during the execution of the payout process by the payout means after the end of the game. It becomes. This is because a general player does not perform an act of accepting a game medium for playing a game from the receiving port while playing a game. Furthermore, when the detecting means confirmed in the acceptance non-permitted state detects the passage of the game medium, the processing load related to the game is reduced by adopting a configuration in which abnormal processing is performed after the payout processing by the payout means is completed. Is possible. When the passage of a game medium is detected in an acceptance non-permitted state, if an abnormal process is performed at that time, the abnormal process and the process of paying out the game medium, for example, must be performed in parallel, increasing the processing load. Because it will do.

  It should be noted that the characteristic configurations of the means 4 to 8 can be applied to the means 12 or 13, and a synergistic effect can be expected in that case.

  In addition, as a gaming machine to which each of the above means can be applied, “a picture row made up of a plurality of pictures (specifically, a reel to which a picture is attached) is variably displayed (specifically, the reel is rotated). Variable display means (specifically a reel unit) for confirming and stopping display of the columns is provided, and the variation of the picture is started due to the operation of the start operation means (specifically the start lever), and the stop operation means ( Specifically, a special game that is advantageous to the player on the condition that the change of the picture is stopped due to the operation of the stop button) or after the elapse of a predetermined time, and the confirmed picture at the time of the stop is a specific picture A privilege such as occurrence of a state (bonus game, etc.) is given, a ball receiving tray (top plate, etc.) is provided, a charging device for performing a loading process for taking in a game ball from the ball receiving plate, and a game on the ball receiving plate Paying out a ball A game machine in which a slot machine and a pachinko machine are fused, such as a game machine configured such that the operation of the starting operation means is made effective when a game ball is thrown in by a throw-in device. Also mentioned.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in the case of application to a spinning cylinder type gaming machine which is a kind of gaming machine, specifically, a slot machine will be described in detail based on the drawings. 1 is a front view of the slot machine 10, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the slot machine 10 with the front door 12 closed, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the slot machine 10 with the front door 12 opened, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a rear view of the door 12, and FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6, the slot machine 10 includes a housing 11 that forms an outer shell thereof. The casing 11 includes a top plate 11a, a bottom plate 11b, a back plate 11c, a left plate 11d, and a right plate 11e formed in a wooden plate shape, and the adjacent plates 11a to 11e are fixed by a fixing means such as adhesion. Thus, it is formed in a box shape with the front surface opened as a whole. In addition, each board 11a-11e may be comprised with a synthetic resin panel or a metal panel other than being comprised with a wooden panel, or it is comprised by forming in the box shape integral with a synthetic resin material or a metal material. May be. The casing 11 configured as described above is attached by, for example, driving nails against a so-called island facility at the time of installation in the game hall.

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

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

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

  A game panel 30 for notifying the player of the game state is provided above the center of the front door 12. In the game panel 30, three vertically long display windows 31L, 31M, 31R are formed side by side. The display windows 31L, 31M, 31R are made of a transparent or translucent material, and the inside of the slot machine 10 is visible through the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R. The display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R may be combined into a single display window.

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

  Each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R is coupled to the stepping motors 61L, 61M, and 61R, and each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R is individually, that is, independently, driven by the stepping motors 61L, 61M, and 61R. Thus, it can be rotationally driven. Since these reels 42L, 42M, and 42R have the same configuration, the left reel 42L will be described as an example here with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is an assembly perspective view of the left reel 42L.

  The left reel 42L includes a cylindrical skeleton member 50 that forms a cylindrical cage, and a belt-like belt wound endlessly on the outer peripheral surface thereof. And it is affixed on the cylindrical skeleton member 50 through a pair of seal parts formed along the both sides of the long side of the belt so as to maintain the wound state. A large number of symbols as identification information are printed at equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the belt. A boss 51 is formed at the center of the cylindrical skeleton member 50, and is attached to the drive shaft of the left reel stepping motor 61L via a disc-shaped boss reinforcing plate 52. Accordingly, when the drive shaft of the left reel stepping motor 61L is rotated, the cylindrical skeleton member 50 is rotated around the drive shaft so that the left reel 42L circulates along the annular reel surface. It has become.

  The left reel stepping motor 61L is fixed to the side surface of the motor plate 53 arranged in an upright state in the reel unit 41 (FIG. 3) with screws 54. The motor plate 53 is provided with a reel index sensor (rotational position detection sensor) 55 in which a light emitting element 55a and a light receiving element 55b are held at a predetermined interval. On the other hand, the base end portion 56b of the sensor cut bun 56 extending in the radial direction is fixed to the boss reinforcing plate 52 integrated with the left reel 42L with a screw 57. The front end portion 56a of the sensor cut bun 56 is bent at a substantially right angle and is positioned so as to pass between both elements 55a and 55b of the reel index sensor 55. Each time the left reel 42L makes one rotation, the reel index sensor 55 detects the passage of the front end portion 56a of the sensor cut bun 56, and a detection signal is output to the main controller 131 described later each time the detection is made. Therefore, main controller 131 can confirm and correct the angular position of left reel 42L for each rotation based on this detection signal.

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

  On each belt of each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R, a plurality of, specifically, 21 symbols are drawn in the long side direction (circumferential direction). Therefore, 24 pulses (= 504 pulses ÷ 21 symbols) are required to switch from one symbol to the next symbol at a predetermined position. Based on the number of pulses from the time when the detection signal of the reel index sensor 55 is output, it is possible to recognize which symbol is visible from the display window 31L, or to visually recognize an arbitrary symbol from the exposure window 31L. It is possible to perform control to achieve a proper state.

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

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

  As the symbols, there are a “7” symbol (for example, the left belt 20th) and a “youth” symbol (for example, the left belt 19th) as the first special symbol for shifting to the big bonus game. In addition, there is a “BAR” symbol (for example, the 14th left belt) as the second special symbol for shifting to the regular bonus game. Further, there is a “replay” symbol (for example, the eleventh left belt) as a third special symbol for shifting to the replay game. In addition, a “watermelon” symbol (for example, the left belt ninth), a “bell” symbol (for example, the left belt eighth), and a “cherry” symbol (for example, left) as the small character symbols from which the small character is paid out. Belt 4th). As shown in FIG. 8, the number of various symbols and the arrangement order of the belts wound around the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are completely different.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  The medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 75 are guided to either the storage passage 81 or the discharge passage 82 by a selector 83 as an acceptance determining means provided on the back surface of the front door 12. That is, the selector 83 is provided with a medal passage switching member 84 described later, and the medal passage direction is switched between the discharge passage 82 side and the storage passage 81 side according to the state of the medal passage switching member 84. It is like that. The medal guided to the storage passage 81 is guided to the hopper device 91 housed in the housing 11. On the other hand, the medal guided to the discharge passage 82 is guided to the medal tray 18 from the medal discharge port 17 provided in the lower front portion of the front door 12 and returned to the player.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the selector 83. The two-dot chain line in the figure indicates the medal passage route for easy understanding. The selector 83 is formed with a guide passage 85 for guiding medals inserted from the medal insertion port 75 to the storage passage 81. The guide passage 85 is formed in a curved line that draws an arc from the upper end to the lower right in the drawing so that medals can pass in one row. More specifically, the selector body constituting the selector 83 is provided with a ridge 85a protruding toward the front side of the figure, and a guide passage 85 is formed along the ridge 85a. Thereby, the medal that has reached the guide passage 85 flows in the downstream direction so as to roll on the ridge 85a.

  The medal passage switching member 84 includes a passage switching piece 84a that is provided upstream of the guide passage 85 and can be moved in and out of the guide passage 85, and a solenoid (not shown) for operating the passage switching piece 84a. doing. When the solenoid is not excited, the passage switching piece 84a protrudes into the guide passage 85, and the flow of medals to the storage passage 81 is obstructed. As a result, the medal falls downward so as to get over the protrusion 85 a and is guided to the discharge passage 82. Further, the passage switching piece 84a is sunk outside the guide passage 85 when the solenoid is excited. Thereby, the medal flows along the guide passage 85 and is guided to the storage passage 81.

  A first inserted medal detection sensor 86 for detecting the passage of medals and a second inserted medal detection sensor 87 are arranged close to each other on the downstream side of the passage switching piece 84a so as to be arranged upstream and downstream of the guide passage 85. (At least one time is set to a close state where the same medal is detected at the same time). When the solenoid of the medal path switching member 84 is not energized, the medal falls downward from the middle of the guide path 84, and therefore the inserted medal detection sensors 86 and 87 do not detect the passage of the medal. On the other hand, at the time of solenoid excitation of the medal path switching member 84, the passage of medals is sequentially detected by the inserted medal detection sensors 86 and 87.

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

  A button-like return switch 76 is provided below the medal slot 75. The return switch 76 is a switch that is pressed when a medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 75 is jammed in the selector 83. When this switch is pressed, the selector 83 is mechanically operated to operate the selector 83. The medals packed in 83 are returned from the medal discharge port 17.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  When four or more medals are inserted into the medal slot 75, the surplus medals exceeding three are switched to the discharge passage 82 by the selector 83 if the current mode is the direct mode. It is returned from the outlet 17 to the medal tray 18. On the other hand, in the credit mode, it is stored inside the slot machine, and the number of stored sheets is displayed on the remaining number display unit 35. An upper limit number is determined for the number of stored sheets (for example, 50), and when a medal exceeding the number is inserted, it is returned from the medal discharge port 17 to the medal tray 18.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  A main controller 131 is attached to the back plate 11 c of the housing 11 above the reel unit 41. The main control device 131 includes a CPU that controls the main control, a ROM that stores a game program, a RAM that temporarily stores necessary data according to the progress of the game, a port that communicates with various devices, time counting and synchronization. A main board including a clock circuit and the like used in the case of planning is provided, and the main board is accommodated in a board box as an encapsulating means made of a transparent resin material or the like. The board box includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box base and a box cover that covers an opening of the box base. The box base and the box cover are connected to each other so as not to be opened by a sealing unit as a sealing means, whereby the substrate box is sealed. In addition, it is good also as a structure which connects a box base and a box cover so that opening is impossible using a key member.

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

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

  On the input side of the main controller 131, there are a start detection sensor 71a for detecting the operation of the start lever 71, stop detection sensors 72a, 73a, 74a for individually detecting the operations of the stop switches 72, 73, 74, and a medal slot. A first inserted medal detection sensor 86 and a second inserted medal detection sensor 87 for detecting medals inserted from 75 (hereinafter, these sensors are collectively referred to as inserted medal detection sensors 86 and 87), and each credit insertion switch. Credit insertion detection sensors 77a, 78a, 79a for individually detecting the operations of 77, 78, 79, a switch detection sensor 80a for detecting the operation of the selector switch 80, and the rotational position (origin position) of each reel 42 are individually detected. Payout for detecting medals paid out from reel index sensor 55 and hopper device 91 Various sensors such as a detection sensor 91a, a reset detection sensor 123a that detects the operation of the reset switch 123, and a setting key detection sensor 124a that detects that a setting key has been inserted into the setting key insertion hole 124 are connected. A signal from the sensor is output to the CPU 151 via the input / output port 155.

  The detection signals from the inserted medal detection sensors 86 and 87 are also input to the detection signal latch circuit 88. The detection signal latch circuit 88 receives a detection signal from the first inserted medal detection sensor 86 and a detection signal from the second inserted medal detection sensor 87, and outputs an output signal of the signal detection circuit unit. And a latch circuit portion for latching. The signal detection circuit unit is mainly composed of an OR circuit, and when a detection signal from the first insertion medal detection sensor 86 and a detection signal from the second insertion medal detection sensor 87 are input, A corresponding signal is output to the latch circuit unit, and a latch signal is output from the latch circuit unit to the main controller 131. The latch signal output state of the detection signal latch circuit 88 is held until a signal release command is input from the main controller 131. Details will be described later.

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

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

  The power supply unit 161a is configured to output a stabilized voltage of 5 volts used as a drive voltage in a control system such as the main controller 131 even when the output voltage is reduced to less than 10 volts. As the time during which the stabilization voltage is output, sufficient time is secured to execute the power failure process by the main controller 131.

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

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

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

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

  In the backup area, when the power is shut down due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the values of the stack pointer, each register, I / O, etc. when the power is shut down (including power shut down by operating the power switch 122; the same applies hereinafter) When the power failure is resolved (including power-on by operating the power switch 122. The same applies hereinafter), the slot machine 10 is in the state before power-off based on the backup area information. It is possible to return to the state. Writing to the backup area is executed when the power is shut off by the power failure process (see FIG. 12), and the restoration of each value written in the backup area is executed in the main process (see FIG. 13) when the power is turned on. Note that a power failure signal from the power failure monitoring circuit 161b is input to the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the CPU 151 when the power is interrupted due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. NMI interrupt processing as flag generation processing is immediately executed.

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

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the NMI interrupt process. When the power is shut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the power failure monitoring circuit 161b of the power supply device 161 generates a power failure signal and outputs it to the main controller 131. In the main controller 131 that has received the power failure signal via the NMI terminal, NMI interrupt processing is executed.

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

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of timer interrupt processing periodically executed by the main control device 131, and a timer interrupt is generated by the CPU 151 of the main control device 131 every 1.49 msec, for example.

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

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

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

  If step S301 is YES, that is, if the command transmission is completed, the process proceeds to step S302, and the value of the stack pointer of the CPU 151 is stored in the backup area in the RAM 153. Thereafter, in step S303, a RAM determination value, which will be described later, is cleared as a stop process and the output state of the output port in the input / output port 155 is cleared, and all actuators (not shown) are turned off. In step S304, a RAM determination value is calculated and stored in the backup area. The RAM determination value is specifically a 2's complement of the checksum at the work area address of the RAM 153. By storing the RAM determination value in the backup area, the checksum of the RAM 153 becomes zero. By setting the checksum of the RAM 153 to 0, subsequent RAM access is prohibited in step S305. After that, an infinite loop is entered in preparation for the case where the power supply is completely shut down and processing cannot be executed. In consideration of, for example, the case where the power failure flag is set erroneously due to noise or the like, it is confirmed whether or not a power failure signal is output until the infinite loop is entered. If the power failure signal is not output, the power failure state is restored, so that writing to the RAM 153 is permitted, the power failure flag is reset, and the process returns to the timer interrupt process. If the power outage signal is continuously output, the infinite loop is entered.

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

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

  That is, in step S204, a watchdog timer clearing process for initializing the value of the watchdog timer for monitoring the occurrence of malfunction is performed. In step S205, an interrupt end declaration process for giving an interrupt permission to the CPU 151 itself is performed. In step S206, in order to rotate the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R, a stepping motor control process for driving the stepping motors 61L to 61R, which are the respective rotary drive motors, is performed. In step S207, a sensor monitoring process for monitoring the state of various sensors (see FIG. 9) connected to the input / output port 155 is performed. In step S208, timer calculation processing for subtracting the value of each counter or timer is performed. In step S209, a counter process for outputting the bet number of medals and the result of counting the number of payouts to the external concentration terminal board 171 is performed.

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

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a main process in the main controller 131 that is executed after the power is turned on. The main process is executed when the power is turned on by recovery from a power failure or by turning on the power switch 122.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  First, in step S501, it is determined whether or not a medal is bet. That is, it is determined whether or not a virtual medal is bet by operating the credit insertion switches 77 to 79 or a medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 75.

  Here, a method for confirming whether or not a medal has been inserted will be described in detail based on the timing chart of FIG. For easy understanding, the guide passage 85 is described in a straight line and the medal passage switching member 84 is omitted. T1 to t4 in the figure indicate the passage timing of medals.

  The medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 75 are guided through the guide passage 85 so as to be guided to the storage passage 81 when betting. When a medal is inserted, since the medal has not passed the detection units of the first inserted medal detection sensor 86 and the second inserted medal detection sensor 87, these sensors 86 and 87 are in the OFF state. At a timing t1 when a predetermined time has elapsed since the medal is inserted from the medal slot 75, the medal starts to pass the detection unit of the first inserted medal detection sensor 86, and at this timing, the first inserted medal detection sensor 86 Turns on. Thereafter, the medal that has traveled through the guide passage 85 starts to pass through the detection unit of the second inserted medal detection sensor 87 at timing t2, and at this timing, the second inserted medal detection sensor 87 is turned on. Further, since the medal has passed through the detection unit of the first inserted medal detection sensor 86 at timing t3, the first inserted medal detection sensor 86 is turned off at this timing and passes through the detection unit of the second inserted medal detection sensor 87. The second inserted medal detection sensor 87 is turned off at the timing t4 when it is finished.

  The main control device 131 monitors the order in which these sensors 86 and 87 are turned on and off, the first and second inserted medal detection sensors 86 and 87 are both off, only the first inserted medal detection sensor 86 is on, The second inserted medal detection sensors 86 and 87 are both turned on, only the second inserted medal detection sensor 87 is turned on, and both the first and second inserted medal detection sensors 86 and 87 are turned off. It is determined that the medal has been normally taken into the storage passage 81 only when the switching time is within a predetermined time, otherwise an error is determined. If it is determined that an error has occurred, interrupt processing is first prohibited as error display processing, and all output ports in the input / output port 155 are cleared to turn off all actuators connected to the input / output port 155. To control. Thereafter, an error display for notifying the occurrence of an error to the hall manager or the like is performed, and this state is maintained until the reset switch 123 is turned on. The reason for this is to prevent an illegal act in which a medal is reciprocated in the vicinity of the inserted medal detection sensors 86 and 87 and misidentified as a medal inserted.

  Returning to the description of the normal process, when a medal is bet, it is subsequently determined in step S502 whether or not the start lever 71 has been operated. If both step S501 and step S502 are YES, a medal insertion non-permission process is performed in step S503. Specifically, the solenoid of the medal path switching member 84 is de-energized so that even if a medal is inserted from the medal slot 75, the medal for the player is returned through the discharge path 82. Further, a process of clearing the latch signal of the detection signal latch circuit 88 is also performed. Thereafter, a lottery process in step S504, a reel control process in step S505, a medal payout process in step S506, and a special game state process in step S507 are sequentially executed. In step S508, a medal insertion permission process is performed. In this process, the solenoid of the medal passage switching member 84 is excited so that it is guided to the storage passage 81 when a medal is inserted from the medal insertion port 75. After performing the above process, it returns to step S501. On the other hand, if no medal is bet in step S501 or the start lever 71 is not operated in step S502, the process returns to step S501.

  Next, the lottery process in step S504 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

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

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

  Next, the reel control processing in step S505 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In the reel control process, first, a wait process is performed in step S701. This wait process is a process of waiting without starting the reel rotation in the current game until a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) elapses from the time when the reel rotation is started in the previous game. Therefore, even if the player bets a medal and operates the start lever 71, the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R may not immediately rotate. Following the wait process, the reel rotation process in step S702 is performed to rotate the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S703, where it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 8 seconds) has elapsed since the left reel 42L started to rotate. If not, the process waits until the predetermined time elapses. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S704, where one of the stop switches 72 to 74 is pressed to generate a reel stop command, more specifically, from the stop detection sensors 72a to 74a. It is determined whether an ON signal is received. That is, in the present embodiment, a period from when the left reel 42L starts to rotate until a predetermined time elapses is set as an invalid period, and even if the stop switches 72 to 74 are pressed down during this invalid period. The ON signals from the stop detection sensors 72a to 74a are invalidated. If no stop command has been issued, the process proceeds to step S705, and it is determined whether or not a predetermined maximum rotation time (for example, 40 seconds) of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R has elapsed. If the maximum rotation time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S704, and if the maximum rotation time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S706 to perform a forced stop process for forcibly stopping all the rotating reels sequentially.

  On the other hand, if any of the stop switches 72 to 74 is pressed in step S704 and a stop command is generated, the process proceeds to step S707 to perform reel stop processing. In this reel stop process, the reel corresponding to the pressed stop switch is stopped. If a winning combination is won in the winning lottery and the winning flag is set, the reel is stored in the sliding table storage area of the RAM 153. With reference to the sliding table, control is performed so that the winning combinations are arranged on a predetermined effective line as much as possible. For example, when the “watermelon” symbol is lined up on the lower line and the stop switch is pressed at the timing when the “watermelon” symbol stops on the upper line, the symbol 2 is set so that it stops on the lower line. Slide the reel as much as you can. However, since the range that can be slid is determined in advance (for example, up to four symbols), the “watermelon” symbol may not stop on the lower line depending on the timing of pressing the stop switch. Even in the forced stop process in step S706, if the winning flag is set, the same process is performed.

  Subsequently, in step S708, it is determined whether or not the current stop command is the first stop command, that is, whether or not the stop switch has been pressed when all three reels are rotating. In the case of the first stop command, the process proceeds to step S709, and the slip table changing process is performed. In this slide table change process, for example, it is determined whether or not a combination of combinations occurs when trying to align a combination on the selected active line, and when a combination of combinations does not occur, the process proceeds to the next step as it is. When a combination of combinations occurs, the selected effective line is changed to another effective line, and after changing to a sliding table suitable for the changed effective line, the process proceeds to the next step. Here, “combination of a combination” means that, for example, when a “watermelon” symbol is arranged on the upper line, a “cherry” symbol appears on the lower line when the “cherry” symbol appears on the lower line. Refers to cases. The slip table changing process may be performed other than when avoiding the combination of the combinations.

  On the other hand, when the current stop command is not the first stop command in step S708, the process proceeds to step S710, and whether or not it is the second stop command, that is, one of the three reels is stopped and the two reels are rotating. It is determined whether or not the stop switch has been pressed. If it is the second stop command, the process proceeds to step S711 to perform stop eye determination processing. In this stop eye determination process, when two reels are stopped, it is determined whether or not the two are aligned with a bonus symbol such as “7” symbol. If they are not aligned, the process proceeds to the next step as it is. When sound effects are generated from the speaker 14, the process proceeds to the next step. In the stop eye determination process, it may be determined whether another condition other than two bonus symbols is satisfied, or an effect using the auxiliary display unit 15 may be performed in addition to the sound effect.

  Then, after the forced stop process in step S706, after the slip table change process in step S709, when the current stop command is not the second stop command in step S710, or the stop eye determination process in step S711 is performed. Thereafter, in step S712, it is determined whether or not all rotations of the left, middle, and right reels 42L, 42M, and 42R have stopped. If NO in step S712, the process returns to step S704. If YES, the payout determination process is performed in subsequent step S713. In the payout determination process, it is determined whether or not the winning combination is arranged on the effective line. When the winning combination is not aligned on the effective line, 0 is set in the payout number storage area of the RAM 153, and the winning combination is aligned on the effective line. When it is, it is determined whether or not the winning combination matches the winning combination, and if not, an error is displayed by the upper lamp 13 or the like and 0 is set in the scheduled payout number storage area. If they match, the number of payouts corresponding to the combinations arranged in the payout amount storage area is set. In step S714, it is confirmed whether or not a latch signal is output from the detection signal latch circuit 88. If the latch signal is not output, this processing is terminated as it is, and if it is output, error display processing is performed. The error display process is the same as the error display process performed when confirming the bet in the normal process described above.

  Next, the medal payout process in step S506 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

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

  On the other hand, when the game is performed in the direct mode, or when the count value of the credit counter reaches the upper limit, the medal payout rotary plate is driven in step S805 and the medal is discharged from the hopper device 91 to the medal discharge port. 17 through the medal tray 18. At this time, in step S806, the number of payouts is incremented by 1 according to the medal detection signal of the payout detection sensor 91a attached to the hopper device 91. As a result, the number of acquired number display section 37 is incremented by one. Then, after the payout number is incremented by 1 in step S804 or step S806, the process returns to step S801 again. When the number of payouts matches the planned number of payouts in step S801, the medal payout rotating plate of the hopper device 91 is stopped in step S807. In a succeeding step S808, it is confirmed whether or not a latch signal is outputted from the detection signal latch circuit 88. If the latch signal is not output, this processing is terminated as it is, and if it is output, error display processing is performed. The error display process is the same as the error display process performed at the time of bet confirmation or reel control process in the normal process described above. The payout number / acquired number display section 37 is reset when the start lever 71 is operated next time.

  Next, the special game state process of step S507 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  At the time of betting, the main controller 131 is configured to confirm the detection order in which the first inserted medal detection sensor 86 and the second inserted medal detection sensor 87 detect the passage of medals, so that each of the detection sensors 86, It is possible to favorably prevent an illegal act of playing a game without inserting a medal by misrecognizing the passage of the medal by an action such as reciprocating the medal near 87.

  Further, it is possible to prevent fraud by checking the latch signal from the detection signal latch circuit 88 during the reel control process and the medal payout process. In this case, if the detection order is confirmed in the same manner as when betting, it is possible to more appropriately prevent fraud. However, with this configuration, the main controller 131 needs to check the detection order of the detection sensors 86 and 87 in parallel with the reel control process and the medal payout process. The control load becomes great. In view of this, by controlling the latch signal from the detection signal latch circuit 88 when controlling the game, it is possible to prevent an illegal act while suppressing an increase in the control load of the main controller 131. Can do. More specifically, the medal is reciprocated near the detection sensors 86 and 87 by checking the latch signal from the detection signal latch circuit 88 during the medal payout process. It is possible to prevent the act of misrecognizing the passing of the player and paying out medals by playing a game without inserting medals. In addition, in the configuration having the credit function, it is possible to prevent an illegal act of operating the changeover switch 80 and returning a medal after increasing the number of credits without playing a game. This is because if the latch signal is not confirmed during the medal payout process, there is a risk that the damage caused by the fraudulent act of the game hall where the slot machine 10 is installed may increase.

  In addition, it is not limited to the description content of embodiment mentioned above, For example, you may implement as follows.

  (A) In the above embodiment, the main control device 131 is configured to confirm the latch signal during the reel control process or the medal payout process. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. It is good also as composition to do.

  (B) In the above embodiment, the detection signals from the inserted medal detection sensors 86 and 87 are also output to the detection signal latch circuit 88, and the main controller 131 outputs the latch signal during the reel control process and the medal payout process. Although it is configured to confirm, it may be configured to confirm the detection signal of one of the inserted medal detection sensors 86 and 87, or to confirm both detection signals. Even in this case, since it is not necessary to confirm the detection order of the inserted medal detection sensors 86 and 87, it is possible to prevent fraud while suppressing an increase in the control load of the main control device 131.

  (C) In the above embodiment, the medal path switching member 84 is switched between energized and non-excited so that the medal is guided to the storage path 81 or the discharge path 82. However, it is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a motor may be used instead of the solenoid, or a rotary solenoid may be used.

  (D) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration for preventing an illegal act in the slot machine 10 provided with the auxiliary display unit 15 has been described. However, as the configuration for preventing an illegal act in the slot machine 10 not provided with the auxiliary display unit 15. Also good.

  (E) In the above embodiment, a slot machine having three reels arranged in parallel and having five lines as effective lines has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, five reels arranged in parallel It may be a slot machine provided or a slot machine having seven effective lines. Further, the present invention is not limited to the so-called A type slot machine, but can be applied to any slot machine such as B type, C type, A type and C type composite type, and B type and C type composite type. In any case, it is obvious that the same effects as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  (F) The symbols of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are not limited to pictures, numbers, characters, and the like, but may be geometric lines or figures. In addition, the design can be configured by light, color, or the like, the design can be configured by a three-dimensional shape or the like, and the design can be configured by combining these. That is, it is sufficient that the symbol has a function as identification information (identification information).

  (G) In the above embodiment, an example in which the slot machine 10 is embodied has been described. However, the present invention may be applied to a gaming machine of a type in which a slot machine and a pachinko machine are fused. That is, in the slot machine, instead of the medal insertion and medal payout functions, a gaming machine having a ball insertion and ball payout function such as a pachinko machine may be used. If such a gaming machine is used in place of a slot machine, only a ball can be handled as a gaming value in the gaming hall. Therefore, the gaming value seen in the current gaming hall in which pachinko machines and slot machines are mixed is used. Problems such as the burden on equipment due to the separate handling of medals and balls and restrictions on the location of the gaming machine can be solved.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Slot machine as a gaming machine, 11 ... Housing which comprises a part of gaming machine body, 12 ... Front door which constitutes a part of gaming machine body or opening / closing member of gaming machine body, 15 ... Auxiliary display part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 42 ... Reel which comprises a rotating drum or an endless belt, 61 ... Stepping motor as drive means, 71 ... Start lever as start operation means, 72-74 ... Stop switch as stop operation means, 83 ... Selector, 84 ... Medal passage switching member, 85 ... guide passage, 86 ... first inserted medal detection sensor, 87 ... second inserted medal detection sensor, 88 ... detection signal latch circuit, 131 ... main control constituting various control means such as main control means Device, 151... CPU constituting various control means such as main control means, 152, 153... ROM, RAM as storage means, 161.

Claims (1)

A plurality of endless belts having a plurality of kinds of patterns attached in the circumferential direction;
A display window that allows some of the patterns to be visually recognized for each endless belt;
An entrance capable of receiving game media for playing games;
A guide passage for guiding the game medium received from the receiving port;
A plurality of detection means arranged in the flow direction of the game medium to detect the game medium passing through the guide passage;
Start operation means operated to start rotation of each endless belt;
A driving means provided for each of the endless belts, for rotating the endless belts;
Stop operation means operated to stop the rotation of each endless belt;
After the plurality of detection means detect the passage of the game medium, the rotation of each endless belt is started based on the operation of the start operation means, and the rotation of each endless belt is determined based on the operation of the stop operation means. Drive control means for driving and controlling each of the drive means so as to stop rotation;
When each of the endless belts stops, a payout of paying out a predetermined number of game media to the player on condition that a combination of specific pictures formed by the pictures is established at an effective position visible from the display window A gaming machine comprising means,
An acceptance decision means for deciding whether or not to accept the game medium;
A detection order confirmation means for confirming a detection order in which the plurality of detection means detect the game medium when the acceptance determination means determines acceptance of the game medium;
A first abnormality processing execution means for performing abnormality processing by regarding the result as an abnormality when the confirmation result of the detection order confirmation means is different from a predetermined detection order;
A detection result confirming means for confirming at least one detection result among the plurality of detecting means when the acceptance determining means determines acceptance of the game medium;
A gaming machine, comprising: a second abnormality process executing means for performing abnormality processing by regarding the result as an abnormality when the detection means to be confirmed by the detection result confirmation means detects the passage of the game medium.