JP2019111113A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game machine causing an external device to correctly acquire the number of putouts in a prescribed game state, and making a player unconscious of a waiting time without delaying the putout or a game progress.SOLUTION: A frequency of a second signal is set higher than that of a first signal, and a maximum number of times of state transition of the second signal in one-round game is set more than that of the first signal. When there is putout of game media, out of the putout and supply, the second signal can immediately execute state transition, when it is determined to transfer the game state, during a period from a start of a next game of the game in which state transition of the first signal is determined, to prescribed timing, or during a period from the start of the game in which the state transition of the first signal is determined, to the prescribed timing, the state transition of the first signal is executed, and, triggered by the start of the game in which the state transition is executed, a prescribed performance is started.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine, and more particularly to one that outputs a predetermined signal to an external device such as a hall computer.

Generally, gaming machines such as slot machines are played as follows.
The player first performs a medal insertion operation. There are a method of inserting medals from the medal insertion slot and a method of inserting internally stored credit medals by the operation of the bet switch, and either can be selected arbitrarily.

  That is, the game can be started under the condition that a predetermined number, that is, a bet number as a predetermined number is set by the direct insertion of medals or the internal insertion of medals from credit medals by the operation of a bet switch.

  Then, the player next performs a game start operation. This operation is performed by pressing the start switch, and when the game is started according to this pressing operation, all the reels start to rotate, and the symbols on the reels change. In addition, at the timing of pressing the start switch, a combination lottery is performed to determine which combination of a plurality of combinations is to be won.

Next, the player performs a stop operation of the reels. This operation is performed by operating the stop switches provided corresponding to the respective reels in an arbitrary order.
As a result of the part lottery, a predetermined combination is won, and a combination of symbols determined in advance according to the selected combination is aligned on a predetermined line, a so-called effective line, resulting in winning or the like, or a combination of symbols By not aligning on the effective line, it becomes a loss and one game ends. Note that medals are paid out and the like according to the content of the winning.

The above operation is an operation procedure of the player, and usually, since the game is played over a plurality of games, these operations are repeated many times.
Here, a large number of game machines installed in a game arcade such as a game hall are connected to external devices such as a hall computer for monitoring the payout and insertion of medals and the predetermined gaming state, etc. . Each gaming machine is provided with an external concentrated terminal board for transmitting a predetermined signal for paying out and inserting medals and for notifying that it is a predetermined gaming state to an external device. The external concentration terminal board outputs a predetermined signal received from the control device of each gaming machine to an external device such as a hall computer.
Specifically, each gaming machine, via an external concentrated terminal board, for example, a payout signal according to the payout number of medals at the time of winning, an insertion signal according to the medal insertion number, or so-called AT as a gaming state It outputs an AT signal etc. that conveys the transition to the state and the end.

The above-described payout signal and input signal have a plurality of pulse signals corresponding to the number of payouts and the number of input.
One pulse signal corresponds to the payout and insertion of one medal, and it takes a predetermined time to transmit this one pulse signal (see FIGS. 3 and 4 described later).
A pulse signal generally refers to a signal including one or more pulses, and in the case of including a plurality of pulses, can also be called a pulse train, and one pulse can transmit one bit of information. It is a thing.

In addition, the AT signal and the like for notifying that it is the predetermined gaming state mentioned above is basically ON when the gaming state shifts to the AT state, and the ON state is maintained during the AT state, and the AT state is In the case of ending, the ON state ends and is set to be in the OFF state.
Further, the start switch signal is such that when the player operates the start switch, a pulse signal having a predetermined pulse width is output from the external concentrated terminal plate to the external device.

  FIGS. 7A to 7D are timing charts related to an AT signal, a payout signal, a closing signal and a start switch signal output from an external concentrated terminal board of a conventional gaming machine to an external device such as a hall computer.

FIG. 7A is an ideal timing chart of the conventional gaming machine.
In this conventional gaming machine, after the AT state ends and the AT signal is turned off, the payout signal acquired in the last game in the AT state is output to the external device. Further, after that, after the AT signal is turned on, the payout signal of the medal payout obtained in the game before shifting to the AT state is output. Even in such a conventional game, no problem occurs when the ideal timing chart as shown in (A) is shown, and an external device such as a hall computer correctly grasps the payout number of AT states, etc. Can.

  However, in practice, the AT signal is affected by the payout signal, and it takes time for the AT signal to fall as shown in the transition from the ON state to the OFF state of the AT signal in FIG. 7B. A phenomenon may occur. In this case, the first half period x of the generation period of the payout signal equivalent to eight medal payouts is due to the AT state game, and the second half period y of the payout signal equivalent period of eight medal payouts Is divided by the next game state game in the AT state, and an external device such as a hall computer can not correctly grasp the payout number in the AT state.

  Also, for example, as shown in the transition portion from the OFF state to the ON state of the AT signal in FIG. 7B, after the transition of the AT signal to the ON state, falling and rising as noise under the influence of the payout signal. Phenomenon occurs. As a specification of the external device that is the receiving side of this AT signal, after the state transition of AT signal, if the state is kept for a certain period of time or more, that state is recognized and reflected. If the state transition occurs again in the period z before the elapse of a fixed time due to the influence, the reflection of the AT state shifts later, and even in such a case, the external device such as the hall computer accurately grasps the number of payouts of the AT state. It will not be possible.

  In the phenomenon as shown in FIG. 7B, the frequency of the payout signal is higher than that of the AT signal, and the number of state transitions of the payout signal in one game is greater than that of the AT signal, for example, eight times. By being set, it is thought that it is generated under the influence.

  In order to avoid the occurrence of the phenomenon as shown in FIG. 7 (B), the payout signal and the closing signal are not influenced by the payout signal and the closing signal in a predetermined period before and after the state transition of the AT signal is generated. It is conceivable to provide a state transition inhibition period which does not generate Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7C, after the last game in the AT state is finished and the AT signal changes from the ON state to the OFF state, the state transition prohibition period h of the payout signal and the closing signal Specifically, for example, a method may be considered in which a state transition inhibition period h of 500 ms is provided. Although not shown in FIG. 7C, a state transition inhibition period (specifically, 500 ms) is provided in which no dispensing signal or closing signal is generated before the state transition of the AT signal from the ON state to the OFF state. It is done. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 7C, before the AT signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state, a state transition prohibition period i of the payout signal or the closing signal is provided, and the AT signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. It is conceivable to provide a state transition prohibition period j of the payout signal and the closing signal after the state transition. Thus, the occurrence of the phenomenon as shown in FIG. 7B can be suppressed. However, for example, when the state transition prohibition period h is set to 500 ms, the state transition is performed by temporarily stopping the payout for 0.5 seconds. As compared with the case where the prohibition period h is not provided, the timing of medal payout will be delayed, and there is a possibility that some players can not advance the game with good tempo.

  Here, as a conventional technique, when the bonus is over, a flag indicating whether or not the payout signal is being sent is checked, and when the flag is set, the output of the bonus signal is maintained and the flag is set. There is proposed a gaming machine which terminates the output of a bonus signal when it is not on (eg, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2010-201098, A

  In the technique disclosed in this patent document 1, the output of the bonus signal is maintained during the output of the payout signal, and the termination of the output of the bonus signal is eliminated, so that both the payout signal and the bonus signal are not simultaneously output, and the processing is dispersed. Although the processing load is reduced, there is no guarantee that the same phenomenon as shown in FIG. 7B will not occur if the timings of the two are close.

Therefore, if a countermeasure as shown in FIG. 7C is applied to this prior art, a timing chart as shown in FIG. 7D is obtained. In the case shown in FIG. 7D, the state transition of the AT signal is performed after a predetermined period after the end of the payout signal, and the closing signal and the payout signal are not generated before and after the state transition of the AT signal. For example, a state transition prohibition period k of 500 ms and a state transition prohibition period m are set. In this way, the occurrence of the phenomenon as shown in FIG. 7 (B) can be suppressed.
Here, as a control method of the gaming machine, program control is used, which is a method of automatically controlling the gaming machine according to a program in which processes such as work processing order are stored in advance in order to ensure the progression of gaming. There is a case. In the case of a specification in which the program control is incorporated into a program that substantially accepts the ON state of the start switch signal after the end of the two state transition prohibition periods k and the state transition prohibition period m. During the state transition prohibition period k and the state transition prohibition period m, even if the start switch is operated, it is impossible to advance to the next game. It should be noted that if the actual game progression and the signal output are independently controlled without being incorporated into the program without using program control, both will not be linked, and the certainty of the game progression is inferior It becomes.

  The present invention allows an external device such as a hall computer to accurately grasp the number of payouts in a predetermined gaming state, and to prevent the player from being aware of the waiting time without delaying the progress of payouts and games. The aim is to provide a possible gaming machine.

The gaming machine 10 according to the present invention is characterized by the following points. That is, the gaming machine 10 is provided with the external concentration terminal board 18 connected to the external device and outputting plural kinds of signals to the external device, and provided with plural gaming states having different degrees of advantage for the player, A first signal (specifically, for example, an AT signal) notifying that the gaming state has shifted, and a second signal (specifically, for example, a payout signal) notifying that gaming media have been paid out or inserted. And the frequency of the second signal is higher than that of the first signal, and the maximum number of state transitions of the second signal in one game is set to be larger than that of the first signal. In addition, the second signal enables state transition immediately when there is at least a payout among payouts or insertions of the game medium, and when transition of the gaming state is determined, the state transition of the first signal is Of the determined game The state transition of the first signal is executed between the start of the next game and the predetermined timing, or between the start of the game where the state transition of the first signal is determined and the predetermined timing. A predetermined effect is started on the occasion of the start of the game in which the state transition is executed.
According to the present invention, an external device such as a hall computer can be made to accurately grasp the number of payouts in a predetermined gaming state, and the player is not made to notice the waiting time without delaying the progress of the payout and the game. be able to.

In the gaming machine 10 according to the present invention, a state transition prohibition period for prohibiting the state transition of the second signal is further provided before and after the state transition of the first signal, and the state transition prohibition period is: It is characterized in that it is set to be shorter than the shortest time until a specific operation (specifically, for example, a first stop operation to be described later) for advancing the game becomes possible from the start of the game.
According to the present invention, it is possible to digest the state transition prohibition period using the time from the start of the game until the specific operation for advancing the game becomes possible.

Further, in the gaming machine 10 according to the present invention, the external output terminal for outputting the first signal and the external output terminal for outputting the second signal in the external concentrated terminal plate 18 are not adjacent to each other. Another external output terminal is disposed between the external output terminal for outputting the first signal and the external output terminal for outputting the second signal, and the signal of the other external output terminal is simultaneously with the second signal. It is characterized in that it is set so as not to make a state transition.
According to the present invention, the second signal affects the first signal by physically separating the external output terminal outputting the first signal and the external output terminal outputting the second signal so as not to be adjacent to each other. Can be reduced.

1 is an appearance front view showing a gaming machine, which is an embodiment of the present invention. It is an embodiment of the present invention, and is an explanatory view showing the contents of the external output terminal of the external concentrated terminal board. It is an embodiment of the present invention, and (A) is an explanatory view showing a time chart of an insertion signal other than replaying and (B) a time chart of an replaying signal of replaying. It is an embodiment of the present invention, and (A) is an explanatory view showing a time chart of a payout signal other than replaying, and (B) shows a time chart of a replaying payout signal. It is an embodiment of the present invention, and is a timing chart about an AT signal, a payout signal, a closing signal, and a start switch signal output from an external concentrated terminal board to an external device such as a hall computer. It is an embodiment of the present invention, and (A) is a time chart of an AT signal and an input signal when the additional wait time is not provided before the steady rotational speed wait time, (B) is before the steady rotational speed wait time. Are timing charts of the AT signal and the closing signal when the additional wait time is provided. (A) to (D) are prior art, and are timing charts related to an AT signal, a payout signal, a closing signal and a start switch signal output from an external concentrated terminal plate to an external device such as a hall computer. Is the ideal timing chart of the prior art, (B) is the timing chart when the payout signal affects the AT signal, (C) is one of the measures of the prior art, and the state before the payout signal The timing chart which provided the transition prohibition period, (D) is the timing chart which provided the state transition prohibition period after the payout signal.

  In the present specification, when the definition of the direction or the like is not shown in each explanation portion, the player positioned toward the front of the gaming machine 10, that is, installed in front of the gaming machine 10 When viewed from the player sitting on a chair, the direction from the gaming machine 10 toward the near side of the player is the "front" direction, and the opposite direction is the "rear" direction. Similarly, the left and right directions as viewed from the player sitting in front of the gaming machine 10 in the left and right directions such as “left” and “right” and the up and down directions such as “up” and “down” It means direction, or upward or downward direction. Similarly, in the description of each member, when the definition of the direction or the like is not shown, it means the direction viewed from the player when each member is fixed at a predetermined position of the gaming machine 10.

  The slot machine as the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. The slot machine as the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment includes a square box-shaped case 12 having a front opening that opens in the front direction, and a front door 14 that covers the front opening of the case 12 so as to be openable and closable. And have.

  An upper panel 20 made of a thin plate resin is provided on the upper portion of the front door 14. In the approximate center of the upper panel 20, a graphic 61 on the circumference of three reels 62 (left reel 64 on the left, center middle reel 66, right reel 68 on the right as viewed from the front) can be seen. A transparent symbol display window 16 is formed. The symbol display window portion 16 is formed so as to show the player a total of nine symbols 61 arranged in three vertical rows and three horizontal rows when the rotation of all three reels 62 is stopped. The symbol display window portion 16 is provided on the front side of the reel 62 and is for visually recognizing the plurality of symbols 61 stopped on the effective line 86 when the rotation of the reel 62 is stopped. The reel 62 can variably display a plurality of symbols 61 via the symbol display window portion 16.

  In the back direction (back direction) of the symbol display window portion 16, three stepping motors (not shown), a total of three reels 62 which are respectively rotated by the respective stepping motors, the stepping motor and A reel unit 60 having a unit holder (not shown) for holding the reel 62 is disposed. Further, the reel unit 60 is provided with a reel position sensor (not shown) for detecting that the rotational position of the reel 62 is a reference position (reference position). The stepping motor is driven based on a drive signal for driving the stepping motor output from the main control means (not shown).

  Below the symbol display window 16, a credit indicator 87 for displaying the number of credit medals, which is the number of stored credit medals, and a medal disposed on the left side of the credit indicator 87 and paid out from the gaming machine 10 And a payout amount display 88 for displaying the total number of These displays are composed of two 7-segment LED displays. The 7-segment LED display is composed of seven segments (LEDs) that can be individually turned on / off to represent one character such as decimal Arabic numerals. By having two 7-segment LED displays, the credit display 87 can display the 2-digit storage number, and the payout-number display 88 can display the 2-digit payout number.

A lower panel 22 is provided below the front door 14. The front door 14 is provided with an operation portion 30 which is located above the lower panel 22 and protrudes in the front direction of the front door 14.
The gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment has a credit function capable of storing a maximum of 50 pieces of credit medals internally by inserting medals to be inserted as conditions for starting the game from the medal insertion slot 38 described later in advance. It has a function of electronically storing and managing the number of inserted sheets as electronic data. The maximum number of credit medals that can be stored is 50, which is the maximum number of credit medals.
On the top right side of the operation unit 30, a medal insertion slot 38 for inserting a medal as a game medium is provided.

  Inside the case 12 and in the vicinity of the medal insertion slot 38, whether or not the medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 38 is legitimate is selected, and only the regular medals are hopper units (not shown). A medal selector (not shown) leading to the The medal selector is provided with an insertion sensor (not shown) for detecting the medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 38 one by one.

A medal passage (not shown) is provided inside the housing 12, and medals eliminated as non-regular medals by the medal selector and medals paid out from the hopper unit pass through the medal passage and will be described later. Are paid out from the medal payout opening 28.
Specifically, although not particularly shown, the medal selector has a passage for storing the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 38 in the hopper unit by the operation of the cancel coil using the electromagnet, and the medal payout opening 28 And a passage for advancing to the medal receiver 26 described later. As a result, it is possible to switch whether the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 38 is stored as a credit medal or paid out to the medal receiver 26.

  Below the medal insertion slot 38, a settlement switch 36 for paying out all the medals credited by the credit function is provided.

  At the center of the operation unit 30, three stop switches 50 corresponding to the three reels 62 are provided in order to stop the rotation of the corresponding reels 62 by operation. The stop switch 50 has a left stop switch 51 for stopping the left reel 64, a middle stop switch 52 for stopping the middle reel 66, and a right stop switch 53 for stopping the right reel 68. ing. That is, these stop switches 50 are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of reels 62, and after the start of the variation display of the symbols 61 of the plurality of reels 62, the variation display of the symbols 61 of the reel 62 is individually operated by the player's operation. To stop it.

  On the left side of the stop switch 50, a start switch 40 is provided for starting the rotation of the reel 62 on condition of the insertion of the medal or the operation of the bet switch 32 described later. That is, the start switch 40 is for starting variable display of the symbol 61 of the reel 62 by the operation of the player.

Above the start switch 40, a bet switch 32 capable of betting the medals stored in advance is provided in order to set the bet number of medals for starting the game.
Above the start switch 40, as the bet switch 32, a credit medal storing the number of medals from the stored number of medals (credited medals) to the maximum number of inserted medals (specifically, three) is stored. Max bet switch 34 which reduces the number of medals and substitutes the maximum number of inserted medals, and reduces the number of medals from the number of credit medals to the number of inserted medals from the stored number of credit medals and substitutes one medal 1 A bet switch 35 is provided.

The bet number is determined by operating the start switch 40 while the bet number set by the operation of the bet switch 32 has reached the specified number, and the bet number is determined and one of a plurality of winning combinations is made by lottery. A lottery for winning or losing is carried out. Further, almost simultaneously with the role lottery, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (a so-called wait time of 4.1 seconds) has elapsed from the start of rotation of the reel 62 in the previous game, and the predetermined time has elapsed The reels 62 do not start to rotate until this time, and all three reels 62 can start to rotate when the predetermined time has elapsed.
On the right side of the max bet switch 34, a chance button 42 which can be operated by the player in a predetermined effect is provided.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the display device 84 as the effect device 70, the speaker 72, and the effect lamp 78 are provided.

  Although not shown in particular, the setting change switch is for changing the setting together with the setting key switch of the power supply unit. Although the setting change switch is provided on the back of the front door 14 (not shown), it is also used as a reset switch.

  Further, although not shown in particular, the setting display displays the setting value when setting a setting value to be described later of the winning probability by means of a small LED of 7 segments. Although the setting value of the gaming machine 10 is displayed on the setting indicator, the setting indicator is provided in the inside of the housing 12, specifically, on the back of the front door 14 so as not to be visible from the outside. The display is canceled after setting.

A medal unit can be stored inside the housing 12 corresponding to the lower portion of the front door 14, and a hopper unit (not shown) capable of paying out the medal and power to each component Power supply units (not shown) are arranged.
Although not shown, the power supply unit is provided with a power switch that can be operated to turn on or off the power and a setting key switch for setting change processing.

  At a lower portion of the front door 14, a medal payout opening 28 is formed, through which medals are paid out from the hopper unit in a predetermined case. Below the medal payout opening 28, in order to store the medals paid out from the medal payout opening 28, a dish-like medal receiving tray 26 which opens upward is formed. If the number of credited medals is less than 50, which is the maximum number of credit medals, the acquired medals are added to the number of credit medals without being paid out from the medal payout opening 28 until the number 50 is reached.

  The gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment makes it possible to start a game by inserting a predetermined number (specifically, three) of medals by the operation of the bet switch 32 or the medal insertion. Then, when the start switch 40 is depressed, the rotation of the reels 62 is started to start the game, and a winning lottery for winning or losing any of a plurality of winning combinations is performed. Then, based on the operation timing of the stop switch 50 corresponding to each reel 62 and the result of the lottery, the gaming machine 10 stops the rotation of the reel 62 so as to conform to the result of the lottery. The gaming machine 10 becomes a prize when the combination of the symbols 61 constituting the winning combination is stopped on the effective line 86 by the combination of the symbols 61 at the time of stopping, and a predetermined number of medals are paid out, etc. Give the player a benefit of Thus, one game is over.

  Specifically, the effective line 86 is formed of a plurality of symbols 61 displayed on each of the three reels 62. The symbols 61 visible from the symbol display window 16 can be connected one by one to each of the plurality of reels 62. Among the lines penetrating all the reels 62, this line is a line that defines the arrangement of combinations of symbols 61 that are effective for winning or the like. This line becomes an effective line 86 by betting a medal of a prescribed bet number (a predetermined number, which is 3 in the present embodiment).

  In the front door 14, a section notification lamp 79 is provided between the credit display 87 and the number-of-payouts display 88 for notifying that the current rendering state is the “permitted section” described later.

The section notification lamp 79 is turned on upon transition to the “permitted section”.
The section notification lamp 79 is constantly turned on while the push order notification state is the "permitted section", and is turned off by the main control means in response to the shift to the "non-permitted section".

  The section notification lamp 79 is not limited to the above-described one, and, for example, one dot or light in an area in which seven segments of two digits of the payout number display 88 or the credit display 87 are displayed. You may implement with a lamp | ramp etc.

  The front door 14 is provided with a rendering device 70 for notifying the player of various information such as winning of a winning lottery by means of sound, light, video or the like. The effect device 70 performs effects based on sub control means described later, and includes a speaker 72, an effect lamp 78, and a display device 84.

  The speaker 72 includes an upper speaker 74 disposed on the upper left and right of the front door 14 and a lower speaker 76 disposed on the lower left and right of the front door 14.

  The effect lamp 78 includes an upper lamp 80 disposed at the upper part of the front door 14 and lower lamps 82 disposed at the left and right of the lower part of the front door 14.

  The display device 84 is a liquid crystal display device 84 for displaying various images on the screen.

In the present embodiment, inside the gaming machine 10, a control device as control means for controlling the overall operation of the gaming machine 10 is formed. The control device is a main control means (also referred to as a main control board or main control device) for advancing the game and controlling the gaming state (progress of the game), and information (command) transmitted from the main control means Sub control means (also referred to as a sub control board or sub control device) that performs control for receiving effects to control the effects according to the progress of the game and mainly notifying the player of information related to the game content Is equipped.
In addition, as a control method of the control device according to the present embodiment, it is a method of automatically controlling the gaming machine according to a program in which processes such as work processing order are stored in advance in order to secure the game progress. Program control is used.

  In the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to play an "AT state" game in which an effect of notifying the pushing order of the stop switch 50 can be performed.

  The AT state is also referred to as a so-called "assist time", and when transitioning to the AT state, a game in which the pushing order of the winning combination is won is started, and the stop switch 50 is operated in accordance with the informed pushing order, The combination of the symbol 61 of the winning combination of small winnings can be stopped and displayed. As a result, a predetermined number of medals corresponding to the established small winning combination are paid out.

Further, in the AT state, in the present embodiment, one set of thirty games can be set as the initial number of games. When the AT state of one set 30 times is finished and several (for example, 1 to 3) continuation determination games are played at the end and the continuation lottery is won during these several continuation determination games, one more set 30 times The AT state game is executable. Furthermore, several continuation determination games are executed in the same manner at the end of the AT state, and a continuation lottery is similarly performed, and when the continuation lottery is won, one set of 30 AT states is executed. It is set to be able to. The repetition of the AT state of one set of 30 times is set so as to end when the continuous lottery in the continuous determination game is missed or a predetermined number of games have elapsed.
That is, in the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the start and the end to the AT state are frequently repeated.
In addition, although the continuation determination game is classified into the AT state as described above, it is not particularly limited to this, for example, the continuation determination game may be classified as a gaming state different from the AT state Alternatively, the continuation determination game may be executed as another game state after the AT state ends.
Also, in the present embodiment, there is a so-called bonus game (bonus 1, bonus 2), which is a game state that is more advantageous to the player than the game normally played.

In addition, an external concentrated terminal plate 18 is provided on the right side as viewed from the front of the inside of the housing 12.
The external concentrated terminal board 18 is for outputting game data to the outside of the gaming machine 10, and connection terminals (connectors) wired with the main control means and external output terminals A ~ wired with external devices (not shown) It is a terminal board provided with H (connector). Further, although not shown, the external concentrated terminal board 18 is connected to a game computer (for example, a data device) or a hall computer managed by a hall manager of the game hall.
As shown in FIG. 2, eight external concentrated terminal boards 18 are provided in total for the external output terminals A to H.
The external output terminals A to H of the external concentrated terminal plate 18 output signals relating to the following information.
External output terminal A: Output signal when front door 14 is opened External output terminal B: Error signal External output terminal C: AT signal External output terminal D: Bonus 1 signal External output terminal E: Bonus 2 signal External output terminal F: of medal Payout signal External output terminal G: medal insertion signal External output terminal H: replay display signal

Although not illustrated in particular, the above-mentioned external output terminals A to H are arranged in order in the vertical direction on the external concentrated terminal plate 18.
The external output terminal C for outputting the AT signal, the external output terminal F for outputting the payout signal, and the external output terminal G for outputting the closing signal of the external concentrated terminal plate 18 output the AT signal so as not to be adjacent to each other. An external output terminal D and an external output terminal E, which are other external output terminals, are disposed between the external output terminal C, the external output terminal F that outputs a dispensing signal, and the external output terminal G that outputs a closing signal. .

The bonus 1 signal of the external output terminal D and the bonus 2 signal of the external output terminal E are signals for notifying the outside of transition to the bonus 1 game or the bonus 2 game, and have a frequency such as an insertion signal or a payout signal. The maximum number of state transitions in one game is also one at maximum. Therefore, there is little possibility that the bonus 1 signal or the bonus 2 signal may affect the state transition of the AT signal of the external output terminal C adjacent to the external output terminal D.
Further, between the external output terminal C of the AT signal and the external output terminal F of the payout signal and the external output terminal G of the closing signal, the external output terminal D of the bonus 1 signal and the external output terminal E of the bonus 2 signal are The arrangement prevents the influence of the payout signal and the closing signal from reaching the AT signal.
Further, the bonus 1 signal of the external output terminal D and the bonus 2 signal of the external output terminal E are also signals representing a state transition as in the case of the AT signal. By taking measures against the state transition prohibition period as shown in FIG. 7C of the prior art in consideration of the influence, the bonus 1 signal and the bonus 2 signal are set not to make state transition simultaneously with the payout signal and the closing signal. There is. Thus, the bonus 1 signal and the bonus 2 signal are not affected by the closing signal and the releasing signal. Furthermore, in the case of winning in the bonus game role, special effects such as fanfare are carried out at the time of winning, and the progress of the game is stopped during that time. Since the above-mentioned signal output is performed while the game progress is stopped by this effect, the game can be progressed without making the player conscious of the waiting time by the state transition prohibition period.
Also, normally, there is no payout even when winning a bonus winning combination. As a result, the payout signal has no influence at the time of state transition of the bonus 1 signal or the bonus 2 signal.

  The AT signal, the payout signal, the closing signal, and the start switch signal output from the external concentrated terminal plate 18 of the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment to an external device such as a hall computer will be briefly described.

The AT signal is a signal for transmitting information related to the AT state to an external device such as a hall computer. In principle, the AT signal is in the ON state when the AT signal is in the ON state, and the non-AT when the AT signal is in the OFF state. In the state, when the AT state is started and when the AT state is ended, processing different from the above principle is performed. The detailed contents will be described later with reference to FIG. 5 described later.
Note that the AT signal is generated at most once per game number, and such as an insertion signal or payout signal as described later, such as state transition many times during one game number is not.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the insertion signal is a signal that outputs a pulse signal according to the number of medals inserted. As shown in FIG. 3 (A), the insertion signal other than replay is a pulse signal of 60 ms in pulse width, 60 ms in pulse interval, and 120 ms in one cycle corresponding to one insertion of the medals. The signal is output from the plate 18 to an external device such as a hall computer. As shown in FIG. 3A, when three medals, which is the maximum number of medals inserted, are inserted, three pulse signals are output from the external concentrated terminal plate 18 to an external device such as a hall computer.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3 (B), the replay signal is one pulse signal having a pulse width of 120 ms, a pulse interval of 60 ms, and a cycle of 180 ms, corresponding to one inserted medal. Is output from the external concentrated terminal board 18 to an external device such as a hall computer. As shown in FIG. 3B, when three sheets are inserted, three pulse signals are output from the external concentrated terminal plate 18 to an external device such as a hall computer.

The number of inserted medals in the insertion signal includes both the direct insertion of medals from the medal insertion slot 38 and the bet insertion from the number of credit medals by the operation of the bet switch 32. In addition, when the player has won a replay in the previous game, a predetermined number of medals will be automatically inserted without the player inserting a medal.
Further, in the present embodiment, the insertion signal output from the external concentrated terminal plate 18 to the external device such as the host computer is not when the medal is directly inserted from the medal insertion slot 38 or when the bet switch 32 is operated. . Since the number of inserted sheets is determined by the operation of the start switch 40, pulse signals of the number corresponding to the determined number of inserted sheets are output to an external device such as a host computer after the operation of the start switch 40.
In the present embodiment, the output timing of the input signal is set as described above, but it is also possible to output immediately when the medal is inserted.
As described above, the frequency of the insertion signal is set to be higher than that of the AT signal, and the maximum number of state transitions of the insertion signal in one game is set to be larger than that of the AT signal.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the payout signal is a signal that outputs a pulse signal according to the number of medals paid out. As shown in FIG. 4 (A), the payout signals other than replays have a pulse width of 60 ms, a pulse interval of 60 ms, and a pulse signal with a cycle of 120 ms for one cycle corresponding to one payout number of medals. The signal is output from the plate 18 to an external device such as a hall computer. As shown in FIG. 4A, when the number of medals paid out is n, n pulse signals are output from the external concentrated terminal plate 18 to an external device such as a hall computer. Here, n is an integer of 1 or more, and when the maximum payout number is, for example, 9 sheets (n = 9), the numerical value of 1 to 9 is set, and the maximum payout number is, for example, 15 sheets (n In the case of = 15), numerical values of 1 to 15 are set.

Also, as shown in FIG. 4B, the payout signal for replay is a single pulse signal with a pulse width of 120 ms, a pulse interval of 60 ms, and a cycle of 180 ms, corresponding to the number of medals paid out. Is output from the external concentrated terminal board 18 to an external device such as a hall computer. As shown in FIG. 4B, in the case where the maximum payout number of three for re-game is obtained, three pulse signals are output from the external concentrated terminal plate 18 to an external device such as a hall computer.
As the start switch signal, when the player operates the start switch 40, a pulse signal having a predetermined pulse width is output from the external concentrated terminal plate 18 to an external device such as a hall computer (see FIG. 5).
As described above, the frequency of the payout signal is set to be higher than that of the AT signal, and the maximum number of state transitions of the payout signal in one game is set to be larger than that of the AT signal. The payout signal is output immediately when there is a medal payout.

  FIG. 5 is a timing chart of the AT signal, the payout signal, the closing signal and the start switch signal output from the external concentrated terminal plate 18 of the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment to the hall computer.

  In the present embodiment, when the transition of the gaming state in the AT state is determined, the state of the AT signal from the start of the next game of the game for which the state transition of the AT signal is determined to the predetermined timing. The state transition of the AT signal is executed between the start of the game in which the transition is determined and the predetermined timing, and the state transition is formed so as to start a predetermined effect triggered by the start of the game in which the state transition is performed. There is.

Specifically, the game at the operation timing w1 of the start switch 40 shown in FIG. 5 is the final game of the AT state and the final game of the continuation determination game. The game one before the game at the operation timing w1 of the start switch 40 has entered the continuation determination game, the transition from the AT state to the non-AT state is determined in the game at the operation timing w1, and the state transition of the AT signal is determined It is done. Here, the non-AT state is a gaming state in which the push order notification and the like are not performed and the AT state has a different degree of advantage.
When it is determined that the AT state is to be continued in the game at the operation timing w1, the state transition from the OFF state to the ON state of the AT state is set to be executed. And since it is a case where it is decided to continue AT state in Drawing 5, the presentation of continuation determination of AT state is carried out at any timing of the game in operation timing w1 of start switch 40.
That is, in the game based on the operation timing w1 of the start switch 40 which is a game in which the state transition of the AT signal is determined, the state transition from the ON state to the OFF state of the AT signal between the start of the game and the predetermined timing. Is executed. In addition, the game of the operation timing w1 in which the state transition of AT signal is determined is the final game of AT state and the final game of the continuation determination game, and is performed based on the number of games, but is not limited thereto. Instead of the number of games, a predetermined lottery result such as a result of a part lottery or another lottery result may be used.
Further, at the start of the game by the operation timing w1 of the start switch 40, the effect on the continuation determination in the continuation determination game is started.
Before the state transition of the AT signal from the ON state to the OFF state, a state transition inhibition period t for inhibiting the state transition of the closing signal or the dispensing signal is provided, and the state transition of the AT signal from the ON state to the OFF state A state transition inhibition period p for prohibiting the state transition of the closing signal and the dispensing signal is provided later. The state transition inhibition period t, p is specifically set to 500 ms, but is of course not limited to the numerical value, and can be set to another numerical value.

In addition, in the game by the operation timing w1 of the start switch 40 which is a game in which the state transition of the AT signal is determined, the state transition of the AT signal is determined when the transition of the gaming state from the state of continuation determination to the AT state is determined. The state transition from the OFF state to the ON state of the AT signal is executed from the start of the game by the operation timing w2 of the start switch 40 which is the next game of the game for which the is determined to the predetermined timing. Further, at the start of the game by the operation timing w2 of the start switch 40, the effect in the AT state is started.
Before the state transition from the OFF state to the ON state of the AT signal, a state transition inhibition period q for inhibiting the state transition of the closing signal or the dispensing signal is provided, and the state transition of the AT signal from the OFF state to the ON state Later, a state transition inhibition period s is provided in which the state transition of the closing signal and the dispensing signal is prohibited. The state transition prohibition period q, s is also specifically set to 500 ms, but is of course not limited to the numerical value, and can be set to another numerical value.
In the present embodiment, the state transition from the ON state to the OFF state of the AT signal is performed in the game of the operation timing w1 of the start switch 40, and the AT in the operation timing w2 of the start switch 40 which is the next game is performed. Although the state transition from the OFF state to the ON state of the signal is performed, the present invention is not particularly limited thereto, and the AT signal is OFF between the game of the operation timing w1 and the game of the operation timing w2. A non-AT state game, which is a state, may be executed at least once.
Further, in the present embodiment, the game at the operation timing w1 of the start switch 40 is the last game of the AT state of one set of 30 times, and the game at the operation timing w2 of the start switch 40 is the next one set of the AT state Although the game is classified into 30 games, it is not particularly limited to this, and the game of the operation timing w2 is in the non-AT state because the AT state is in the OFF state at the time of the operation timing w2. It may be classified as AT state from the next game of the game of the said operation timing w2.
Moreover, the content shown in FIG. 5 described above is an explanation when it is determined whether or not to continue the AT state when one set of 30 AT states is ended, but for example, a plurality of sets of 30 times are implemented first In the case of the first game of the set of so-called first hit, the state transition of the AT signal from the OFF state to the ON state is determined based on the result of the winning lot. Then, the state transition of the AT signal is executed between the start of the game in which the state transition of the AT signal is determined and the predetermined timing, and the effect in the AT state is triggered by the start of the game in which the state transition is performed. It is configured to start.

Next, the “predetermined timing” described above will be described with reference to FIG.
In the present embodiment, the “predetermined timing” is set to the operation timing of the stop switch 50 of the so-called first stop operation for the first stop operation.

  In this embodiment, the state transition of the AT signal is determined from the start of the next game of the game for which the state transition of the AT signal is determined to the predetermined timing (the timing of the first stop operation) The state transition of the AT signal is enabled between the start of and the predetermined timing. As a result, although the wait time of 4.1 seconds which has already been described remains or is not used in this embodiment, the game progress is temporarily made to show an effect after the start switch 40 is operated. The effect of having the effect wait time to be stopped is generated, and when the time remains, the player is not made aware of the state transition prohibition period v due to the presence of such wait time. .

  However, when there is no such a wait time of 4.1 seconds or wait time for effect, as shown in FIG. If rotation of the reel 62 is immediately started, the steady state rotational speed waiting time for the rotational speed of the reel 62 to reach the steady state rotational speed elapses, and the state transition occurs even if the steady state rotational speed capable of operating the stop switch 50 is reached. Insufficient time may occur before the end of the prohibition period v.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, in such a case, as shown in FIG. 6 (B), an additional wait time such that the steady rotational speed waiting time ends after 500 ms of the state transition prohibition period v ends. The time from the ON state by the operation of the start switch 40 to the start of rotation of the reel 62 is set.
This ensures that the state transition of the AT signal is executed between the start of the game and the first stop operation.
In this additional weight time, it is possible to make it difficult for the player to have a sense of incongruity because the effect by the effect device 70 (effect by so-called sub control means) is being performed. As a player, even if the rotation start of the reel 62 is delayed, it is mistaken for the weight until reaching the steady rotation speed (steady rotation speed waiting time) or the weight of 4.1 seconds.
In addition, as a method of eliminating the above-mentioned insufficient time, it is not limited to the content which provides the additional weight time mentioned above, Another method may be used. Specifically, for example, even if the stop switch 50 is operated, the stop switch 50 does not become effective only for a short time even if the rotation speed of the reel 62 reaches the steady rotation speed by delaying the time until the stop switch becomes effective. Therefore, the player may be given an illusion as if the steady rotation speed has not yet been reached, and the rotation acceleration of the reel 62 may be reduced to prolong the time to the steady rotation speed. It is possible to let it go.

In the present embodiment, by having the above-described configuration, the following actions and effects are achieved.
According to the present embodiment, from the start of the next game of the game for which the state transition of the AT signal is determined to the predetermined timing (specifically, the first stop operation), or the state transition of the AT signal The state transition of the AT signal is executed from the start of the game in which is determined to the predetermined timing. The payout signal is not output between the start of the game and the first stop operation, and the payout signal is not overlapped by the timing of the state transition of the AT signal and the output timing of the pulse signal of the payout signal. Can suppress the state transition of the AT signal, and the payout signal of the number of payouts for one game is divided between the previous gaming state and the later gaming state, etc. The occurrence of the phenomenon that occurs in FIG. 17B can be suppressed.
Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, state transition inhibition periods t, p, q, s are provided before and after the state transition of the AT signal for prohibiting the state transition of the payout signal and the closing signal. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent the payout signal and the closing signal from adversely affecting the state transition of the AT signal.
As a result, it is possible to make the external apparatus such as the hall computer accurately grasp the number of dispensed sheets and the number of inserted sheets in the AT state.

According to the present embodiment, the payout signal can execute state transition immediately when there is a payout. As a result, as compared with the prior art of FIG. 7 (C) in which the state transition prohibition period h is provided before medal payout, the timing of medal payout is not delayed, and the game is advanced with tempo Can do it.
In the present embodiment, for example, the effect of the continuation determination in the continuation determination game can be started triggered by the start of the game by the operation timing w1 of the start switch 40, so that the player does not notice the waiting time and gives discomfort. It can be hard.
Further, in the present embodiment, for example, the player can be made to feel discomfort without making the player aware of the waiting time by being able to start the effects in the AT state triggered by the start of the game by the operation timing w2 of the start switch 40. Can.

In the present embodiment, the state transition prohibition periods t and q are set to be shorter than the shortest time from the start of the game to the first stop operation for advancing the game.
In this way, the state transition prohibition period t, q can be digested using the period from the game start until the first stop operation for advancing the game becomes possible, and the state transition to the player can be made. It is possible not to be aware of the prohibited periods t and q.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the state transition of the AT signal is performed between the start of the game for which the state transition of the AT signal is determined and the first stop operation, and before and after this state transition State transition prohibition periods t and p are provided. Further, in this embodiment, the state transition of the AT signal is performed between the start of the next game of the game for which the state transition of the AT signal is determined and the first stop operation, and this state is also performed. Before and after the transition, state transition inhibition periods q and s are provided. As in the prior art (A) to (D), the state transition of the AT signal and the state transition prohibition period t, p, q, s are provided on the start side of the game instead of the end side of the game. It is possible to prevent the player from being aware of the state transition prohibition period t, p, q, s by using the wait time of 1 second.

  According to the present embodiment, the external output terminal C for outputting the AT signal is physically separated from the external output terminal F for outputting the dispensing signal and the external output terminal G for outputting the closing signal so as not to be adjacent to each other. It is possible to suppress that the payout signal and the closing signal affect the AT signal.

  In the present embodiment, the AT signal is used as a signal indicating the gaming state, but it is not particularly limited to the AT signal, and may be another signal indicating the gaming state, for example, a signal indicating the RT state, It may indicate a bonus status.

  Although the slot machine has been described as the gaming machine 10 in the present embodiment, the present invention is not particularly limited to the slot machine, and another gaming machine such as a pachinko machine etc. as long as it outputs a predetermined signal to an external device. It is applicable to ten.

10 gaming machines 12 chassis
14 front door 16 symbol display window
18 External concentrated terminal board 20 Upper panel
22 lower panel 26 medal receiver
28 Medal Dispensers 30 Operation Unit
32 bet switch 34 max bet switch
35 1 bet switch 36 settlement switch
38 medal insertion slot 40 start switch
42 chance button 50 stop switch
51 Left stop switch 52 Medium stop switch
53 Right stop switch 60 Reel unit
61 symbols 62 reel
64 left reel 66 middle reel
68 Right Reel 70 Production Equipment
72 speaker 74 upper speaker
76 Lower speaker 78 Performance lamp
79 zone notification lamp 80 upper lamp
82 Lower lamp 84 Display
86 Valid lines 87 Credit indicator
88 Dispensed Number Display h, i, j, k, m, t, p, q, s, v State transition prohibited period
w1, w2 operation timing x, y, z period

Claims (3)

A gaming machine comprising an external concentrated terminal board connected to an external device and outputting plural types of signals to the external device,
Equipped with a plurality of gaming states having different degrees of advantage for the player,
The signals include a first signal notifying that the gaming state has shifted, and a second signal notifying that game media have been paid out or inserted.
The frequency of the second signal is higher than the first signal, and the maximum number of state transitions of the second signal in one game is set larger than that of the first signal, and the second signal is the game State transition can be made immediately when there is at least a payout or a withdrawal of media.
When the transition of the gaming state is determined, the state transition of the first signal is determined from the start of the next game of the game for which the state transition of the first signal is determined to the predetermined timing, or A gaming machine characterized in that the state transition of the first signal is executed between the start of the game and the predetermined timing, and a predetermined effect is started triggered by the start of the game in which the state transition is performed. . Before and after the state transition of the first signal, there is provided a state transition inhibition period for prohibiting the state transition of the second signal,
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the state transition prohibition period is set to be shorter than the shortest time from the start of the game to the specific operation for advancing the game. An external output terminal for outputting the first signal such that the external output terminal for outputting the first signal and the external output terminal for outputting the second signal among the external concentrated terminal boards are not adjacent to each other, and Another external output terminal is disposed between the external output terminals that output two signals,
3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a signal of the other external output terminal is set so as not to make a state transition simultaneously with the second signal.