JP2019166047A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent execution of addition processing of game media even if power interruption occurs nearly simultaneously when the game media are supplied from a game media supply port.SOLUTION: A game machine includes a token supply port 47, a blocker 45, and supply sensors 44a and 44b. Time from occurrence of an event for shutting out supply of power until control of the blocker 45 to a state for prohibiting permission of passage of a token M after detecting the event for shutting out the supply of power is set to T1. In the meantime, when time taken for the token M to reach a position of M4 (a position in which the supply sensor 44b does not detect the token M) from a position of M2 is set to T2, "T1<T2" results.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  Conventionally, a slot machine is known as one of gaming machines (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-173832

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to improve the performance as a gaming machine.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by the following solution means (the configuration of the corresponding embodiment is shown in parentheses). The invention according to the initial claim of the present application corresponds to the initial invention 1 among the initial inventions 1 to 4 described later.
The present invention
Game media slot (medal slot 47),
A state that is provided in the passage (medal passage) of the game medium (medal) inserted from the game medium insertion port, and that allows passage of the game medium (ON state) or does not permit passage of the game medium (OFF state) ) A controllable blocker (45),
Detection means A (injection sensor 44a) and B (injection sensor 44b) (detection means B downstream of detection means A are provided in the path of the game medium input from the game medium input port. Located in the
When an event occurs in which the supply of power is cut off in a situation where the blocker is controlled to allow the passage of game media, the event that the supply of power is cut off is detected, and Let T1 (T1 in FIGS. 2 and 3) the time to control the blocker in a state where passage is not permitted,
In the situation where the blocker is controlled to allow passage of gaming media, when the gaming media is released from the gaming media slot into the gaming machine, the gaming media is not visible from the front of the gaming machine. From when it becomes possible (position M2 in FIG. 2) until the detection means B detects the game medium and until the detection means B no longer detects the game medium (position M4 in FIG. 2). When the time is T2 (T2 in FIGS. 2 and 3),
T1 <T2
It is characterized by becoming.

  According to the present invention, the performance as a gaming machine can be improved.

In this embodiment, it is a block diagram which shows the outline of control of the slot machine which is an example of a game machine. In this embodiment, it is a front view explaining a mode until the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot passes the insertion sensor. In 1st Embodiment (A), it is a figure explaining the voltage fall when a power failure generate | occur | produces with a time chart. In 1st Embodiment (B), it is a figure explaining the relationship between an insertion sensor and passage of a medal. In 1st Embodiment (B), it is a figure explaining ON / OFF of a making sensor with a time chart. In 1st Embodiment (C), it is a schematic diagram when a medal is discharged | emitted from a medal payout apparatus. In 1st Embodiment (C), it is a schematic diagram which shows the mode of ON (detection) / OFF (non-detection) of the payout sensor when a medal is sent out from a medal payout device. In 1st Embodiment (C), it is a figure which shows ON / OFF of a payout sensor with a time chart. In 2nd Embodiment, it is a disassembled perspective view which shows the outline of a main control board and a substrate case. In 2nd Embodiment, (a) is a top view which shows the board | substrate case which accommodated the main control board. (B) is AA arrow sectional drawing which shows the example 1 of a gate trace. (C) is AA arrow sectional drawing which shows the example 2 of a gate trace. In 3rd Embodiment, it is a figure explaining the flow of a process when a disconnection generate | occur | produces between the main control board and the sub control board. In 4th Embodiment, it is sectional drawing (schematic diagram) explaining the movement of the stop button of a stop switch, (a) shows a no-load state, (b) is when a detection sensor is turned on from off. (C) shows a state where the stop button is pushed to the deepest part, and (d) shows a state when the push of the stop button is released and the detection sensor is turned off. In 4th Embodiment, it is a figure which shows the relationship between a motion of a stop button, and the excitation state of a motor with a time chart, (a) shows Example 1, (b) shows Example 2. FIG. In 5th Embodiment, it is a figure which shows the relationship between ON / OFF of a power supply, and a voltage level with a time chart, (a) shows the power-off after starting a main program, (b) is before a main program start. Indicates power failure.

In the present specification, the meanings of terms are as follows.
“Bet” refers to betting a medal (game medium) to play a game. In order to bet a medal, an actual medal is maintained and inserted from the medal slot 47, or the bet switch 40 is operated to bet a stored medal.
On the other hand, “credit” refers to storing medals in the slot machine 10, unlike the “bet”. In this specification, “credit” is used in a meaning that does not include “bet”.
Furthermore, “insertion” means betting or crediting a medal.

“Care” means that a player inserts a medal from a medal slot 47 (described later).
The “care bet” means that the player bets medals by cleaning the medals from the medal slot 47.
“Maintenance credit” means that a player credits a medal (adds credit) by cleaning the medal from the medal insertion slot 47.
“Bet medal” means a bet medal.
“Stored medal” means a medal that is credited (stored).

A “reserved bet” means that a player operates a bet switch 40 (described later) to bet a part or all of the credited medals within a range in which the player can bet. To do.
“Automatic betting” refers to automatically betting the number of medals bet in the previous game by the control process of the slot machine 10 when the replay wins.
“Checkout” refers to paying out a bet medal and / or a stored medal to a player. In the present embodiment, a settlement process is executed when a settlement switch 43 (described later) is operated.

  “Payout” means that a medal is paid out to a player based on a winning combination, or a medal is paid out by the above-described payment. When paying out a medal to the player based on the winning of the winning combination, storing it as a credit (adding the stored medal, in other words, updating electronic data stored in the RWM 53 (described later)), and paying out This includes both paying out actual medals from the mouth (not shown). The medals are paid out by crediting, for example, “50” as the limit number, and medals for which the credit number exceeds “50” are actually paid out to the player.

  The “game medium” is a medal in the present embodiment, but electronic information (electronic medal, electronic data) is used as a game medium in the case of an encapsulated (ECO) game machine, for example. “Electronic information” means, for example, when money (banknotes) is inserted into a lending machine, it is converted into electronic information corresponding to the money, and part or all of the electronic information is played on a gaming machine. The game machine can be credited as a game medium for performing the game.

  Further, when the game medium is electronic information, “medal payout” means to credit (add) to the game medium credit device provided in the gaming machine. Therefore, “medal payout” does not mean that the medals are actually paid out from the hopper 35 (described later), but the game medium credit device is credited with electronic information for the payout corresponding to the winning combination ( (Adding) is also included.

  In the case where the game progresses as “N−1” game, “N” game, “N + 1” game,... (“N” is an integer of 2 or more), the current game is “N” game. When it is an eye, the game of the “N” game is referred to as “current game”. Further, the game of the “N-1” game is referred to as “previous game”. Furthermore, the game of the “N + 1” game is referred to as “next game”.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of control of a slot machine 10 which is an example of a gaming machine in the present embodiment. This embodiment consists of 1st Embodiment-5th Embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram common to the first to fifth embodiments.
A main control board 50 and a sub control board 80 are provided as typical control boards provided in the slot machine 10.
The main control board 50 includes an input port 51 and an output port 52, and includes an RWM 53, a ROM 54, a main CPU 55, and the like (not necessarily including only those illustrated in FIG. 1). The appearance of the main control board 50 and the fact that the main control board 50 is housed in the board case 56 will be described in the second embodiment (FIGS. 9 and 10).

In FIG. 1, a main control board 50 and peripheral devices for game progress including operation switches such as a bet switch 40 are electrically connected via an input port 51 or an output port 52. The input port 51 is a connection unit to which signals such as operation switches are input, and the output port 52 is a connection unit that transmits signals to peripheral devices such as the motor 32.
In FIG. 1, the peripheral device for input is indicated by an arrow from the peripheral device to the main control board 50, and the peripheral device for output is indicated by an arrow from the main control board 50 to the peripheral device. It is shown (the same applies to the sub-control board 80).

The RWM 53 is a storage medium that can store (update) various data (variables) based on the progress of the game.
The ROM 54 is a storage medium that stores programs necessary for the progress of the game, various data (for example, a data table), and the like.
The main CPU 55 indicates a CPU (IC having a calculation function) provided on the main control board 50, and executes a program necessary for the progress of the game, performs calculations, and the like. Drive control and payout at the time of winning a prize.

An MPU including an RWM 53, a ROM 54, a main CPU 55, and a register is mounted on the main control board 50. Note that the RWM 53 and the ROM 54 may be provided outside the MPU inside the MPU.
Note that an MPU including an RWM 83, a ROM 84, and a sub CPU 85 is also mounted on a sub control board 80 described later. Note that the RWM 83 and the ROM 84 may be provided outside the one installed in the MPU.

In FIG. 1, medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 47 are sent into the medal selector.
The movement of medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 47 in the medal selector will be described with reference to FIG.
In the medal selector, as shown in FIG. 1, a passage sensor 46, a blocker 45, and a closing sensor 44 (a pair of closing sensors 44a and 44b) are provided (but not limited to these). These are electrically connected to the main control board 50.
The medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 47 is first configured to be detected by the passage sensor 46.

  Further, a blocker 45 is provided on the downstream side of the passage sensor 46. The blocker 45 is for permitting / disallowing the insertion of medals, and forms a medal passage for returning the medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 47 from the payout slot when the insertion of medals is not permitted. To do. On the other hand, when the insertion of medals is permitted, a medal passage for guiding medals inserted from the medal insertion port 47 to the hopper 35 is formed. The blocker 45 is, for example, a switching member that closes an opening formed in a part of the medal passage in the medal selector (opening that leads to the medal return opening) and forms a medal passage for guiding the medal to the hopper 35 side. And an actuator for driving the switching member.

  Here, the blocker 45 is in a state where the insertion of medals is not permitted during the game (from the start of the rotation of the reels 31 until all the reels 31 are stopped and the payout corresponding to the winning combination is completed at the time of winning the winning combination). To do. That is, the blocker 45 permits the insertion of medals at least when a game is not being performed.

  In the medal selector, an insertion sensor (optical sensor) 44 is provided further downstream of the blocker 45. The insertion sensor 44 includes a pair of insertion sensors 44a and 44b arranged at a predetermined distance in this embodiment, and the other insertion sensor 44b after a predetermined time has elapsed since a medal was detected by one insertion sensor 44a. It is comprised so that it may be detected by. Then, based on the timing when the pair of insertion sensors 44 are turned on / off, it is determined whether or not a correct medal has been inserted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the main control board 50 includes a bet switch 40 (40a or 40b), a start switch 41, a (left, middle, right) stop switch 42, and operation switches operated by the player. The settlement switch 43 is electrically connected.
Here, the “operation switch (or simply“ switch ”)” switches on / off of an electric signal based on the operation of the operation body by the player (operator) (in response to external force). It refers to a device (including an electric circuit and / or an electric component), and does not limit the shape of an operating body operated by a player.

  When the operation switch is in the OFF state, for example, light from the light emitting element continues to enter the light receiving element (when the light receiving element continues to detect light, the operation switch is in the OFF state). When the operation switch (operating body thereof) is operated by a player or the like, the light from the light emitting element does not enter the light receiving element. When this state is detected, an electric signal indicating that the operation switch is turned on is transmitted to the main control board 50. Contrary to the above, when the operation switch is in the OFF state, the light from the light emitting element does not enter the light receiving element, and is turned on when the light from the light emitting element enters the light receiving element. May be.

  In the present embodiment, the operating body of the start switch 41 has a lever (bar) shape (which is also referred to as “start lever (switch) 41”), the bet switch 40, the stop switch 42, and the checkout switch. The operation body 43 has a push button shape (for this reason, it is also referred to as a “bet button (switch) 40”, a “stop (stop) button (switch) 42”, and a “settlement button (switch) 43”). In the fourth embodiment, which will be described later, the operating body of the stop switch 42 (the part that the player pushes in) is referred to as a “stop button 42a”.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, LEDs (light emitting means) are provided on the operation body of the operation switch and / or around or near the operation body. When the operation acceptance of the operation switch is in the permitted state, for example, the LED corresponding to the operation switch emits blue light, and when the operation acceptance of the operation switch is in the unauthorized state, for example, the operation switch The LED or the like emits red light to indicate to the player whether the operation switch is permitted or not.

  Specifically, for example, when all the reels 31 are rotating and the operation of the stop switch 42 is acceptable, all the LEDs of the stop switches 42 emit blue light, and the player can be operated. Shown in When one stop switch 42 is operated, the reel 31 corresponding to the operated stop switch 42 is controlled to stop. Thereafter, the remaining stop switch 42 can be operated because the excitation state of the motor 32 corresponding to the reel 31 that has been controlled to stop is finished, and the detection sensor 42e (fourth described later) of the operated stop switch 42 is reached. After the embodiment is turned off. Therefore, during that period, all the LEDs of the stop switch 42 emit red light. When the excitation state of the motor 32 corresponding to the operated stop switch 42 is finished and the detection sensor 42e corresponding to the stop switch 42 is turned off, the LED of the already operated stop switch 42 is The LEDs of the stop switch 42 that remain in red light emission but have not been operated yet are made to emit blue light.

The bet switch 40 is an operation switch operated by the player when betting the stored medals for the current game. In the present embodiment, a 1-bet switch 40a for inserting one medal and a 3-bet switch 40b for inserting three (maximum number, prescribed number) medals are provided.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a bet switch for two bets may be provided.

  The prescribed number is determined in advance according to, for example, when the accessory is not in operation / at the time of operation. Specifically, the number is set to 3 when the accessory is not operating, when the SB is operating, when the 1BB is operating, and when the 2BB is operating. When the 1-bet switch 40a is operated twice, two medals can be inserted, and when operated three times, three medals can be inserted. Further, when the specified number is 3, three medals can be inserted at a time by operating the 3-bet switch 40b, and when the specified number is 2, the 3-bet switch 40b can be operated. Two medals can be inserted at a time. If the 3-bet switch 40b is operated in a state where less than the prescribed number has already been bet, bet processing is performed so that the number of bets is three.

The start switch 41 is an operation switch operated by the player when starting the reels 31 (all of left, middle, and right).
Furthermore, three stop switches 42 are provided corresponding to three (left, middle, right) reels 31 and are operation switches operated by the player when the corresponding reels 31 are stopped.
Further, the settlement switch 43 is an operation switch operated by the player when paying out (pays out) a medal that has been bet and / or stored (credited) in the slot machine 10.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a display substrate 75 is electrically connected to the main control substrate 50. In practice, a relay board is provided between the main control board 50 and the display board 75, and the main control board 50 and the relay board, and the relay board and the display board 75 are connected. In FIG. 1, the illustration of the relay board is omitted. Thus, the main control board 50 and the display board 75 may be directly connected by a harness or the like, but another board may be interposed therebetween.
Furthermore, the control boards are not limited to being directly connected by a harness or the like, but may be connected via another separate board (such as a relay board). For example, one or more other boards (such as relay boards) may be interposed between the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80.

The display board 75 is equipped with a credit number display LED 76 and an acquired number display LED 78.
The credit number display LED 76 is an LED for displaying the number of medals stored (credited) in the slot machine 10 and is composed of two digits, an upper digit and a lower digit.

The acquisition number display LED 78 is an LED for displaying the number of payouts (player acquisition number) at the time of winning a winning combination. Like the credit number display LED 76, the acquisition number display LED 78 is composed of two upper and lower digits. .
The acquired number display LED 78 may be controlled to be turned off when there are no medals to be paid out. Alternatively, the upper digit may be turned off and only the lower digit may be displayed as “0”.

The acquisition number display LED 78 normally displays the acquisition number, but functions as an LED that displays the content (type) of the error when an error occurs.
Furthermore, the acquired number display LED 78 functions as an LED that displays push order instruction information (notifies an advantageous push order) in a game that informs the push order during AT. Therefore, the acquisition number display LED 78 in the present embodiment is an LED that also serves to display the acquisition number, error contents, and push order instruction information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is needless to say that a dedicated LED or the like for displaying push order instruction information may be provided.
Note that during the AT, an advantageous notification of the pressing order is also executed by the image display device 23 connected to the sub-control board 80.

In FIG. 1, a main control board 50 is electrically connected to a motor (stepping motor in this embodiment) 32 of a symbol display device.
The symbol display device includes reels 31 (three in this embodiment) for displaying symbols, motors 32 for driving the reels 31, and a reel sensor 33 for detecting the position of the reels 31.

  The motor 32 serves as a driving unit for rotating the reels 31, is connected to the rotation center of each reel 31, and is controlled by a reel control unit 65 described later. Here, the reel 31 includes a left reel 31, a middle reel 31, and a right reel 31, and a stop switch 42 that is operated when the left reel 31 is stopped is the left stop switch 42, and when the middle reel 31 is stopped. The stop switch 42 to be operated is the middle stop switch 42, and the stop switch 42 to be operated when stopping the right reel 31 is the right stop switch 42.

The reel 31 has a ring shape, and a reel tape on which a plurality of types of symbols (designs that constitute symbol combinations corresponding to roles) are attached is attached to the outer peripheral surface thereof.
Each reel 31 is provided with one (or two or more) index. The index is provided in a convex shape on, for example, the peripheral side surface of the reel 31 and is used when detecting whether the reel 31 has passed a predetermined position, whether it has rotated one time, or the like. Each index is detected by the reel sensor 33. The signal of the reel sensor 33 is electrically connected to the main control board 50. When the index detects (cuts) the reel sensor 33, the input signal is input to the main control board 50, and it is detected that the reel 31 has passed a predetermined position.

  Further, a symbol on the reference position at the moment when the reel sensor 33 detects the index of the reel 31 is stored in the ROM 54 in advance. Thereby, the symbol on the reference position at the moment when the index is detected can be detected. Further, from the moment the reel sensor 33 detects the index of the reel 31, how many pulses of the (stepping) motor 32 are driven, and how many symbols ahead of the symbol on the reference position are stopped on the effective line. Can be identified.

  In addition, a medal payout device is electrically connected to the main control board 50. The medal payout device includes a hopper 35 for storing medals, a hopper motor 36 that is driven when paying out medals of the hopper 35 from a payout port, and a payout for detecting medals paid out from the hopper motor 36. A sensor 37 is provided.

A medal that has been cleaned and received from the medal slot 47 (determined to be normal) is formed so as to be accommodated in the hopper 35.
In the present embodiment, the payout sensor (optical sensor) 37 includes a pair of payout sensors 37a and 37b arranged at a predetermined distance. When the medal is paid out, a predetermined moving member (a movable piece 39a in FIG. 7 described later) moves by the medal. The payout sensors 37a and 37b are turned on / off by the movement of a predetermined moving member. Based on whether or not the payout sensors 37a and 37b are turned on / off within a predetermined time range, it is determined whether or not the medal has been paid out correctly.

For example, when the pair of payout sensors 37 are not detected to be turned on even though the hopper motor 36 is driven, it is determined that no medal has been paid out, and a hopper error (no medal) is detected.
On the other hand, when at least one of the payout sensors 37 continues to output the ON signal, it is detected that a medal jam has occurred.
Details of these operations will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When starting the game, the player inserts a medal that has been credited in advance by operating the bet switch 40 (storage bet), or cleans and inserts a medal from the medal insertion port 47 (manual bet). When the start switch 41 is operated in a state where a prescribed number of medals for the game are bet, a signal generated at that time is input to the main control board 50. When receiving this signal, the main control board 50 (specifically, the reel control means 65 described later) performs lottery by the hand lottery means 61 and drives all the motors 32 to control all the reels 31. Control to rotate. As the reel 31 is rotated by the motor 32 in this way, the symbols on the reel 31 are moved and displayed in the vertical direction in the display window at a predetermined speed.

  Then, the player presses the stop switch 42 to stop the rotation of the reel 31 corresponding to the stop switch 42 (for example, the left reel 31 corresponding to the left stop switch 42). When the stop switch 42 is operated, a signal generated at that time is input to the main control board 50. When the main control board 50 (specifically, the reel control means 65 described later) receives this signal, it drives and controls the motor 32 corresponding to the stop switch 42, and the lottery result (internal lottery) of the winning lottery means 61 is controlled. The reel 31 related to the motor 32 is stopped so as to correspond to the result determined by the means.

  The game result of the current game is displayed based on the symbol combination when all the reels 31 are stopped. Further, when the symbol combination corresponding to any of the winning combinations stops on the active line (when the winning combination of the winning combination), a medal corresponding to the winning combination is paid out.

Next, a specific configuration of the main control board 50 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the main CPU 55 of the main control board 50 includes the following role lottery means 61 and the like. The following means in the present embodiment are exemplifications and are not limited to the means shown in the present embodiment.

The role lottery means 61 performs lottery (decision, selection) of winning numbers. Here, “the lottery of the winning number by the role lottery means 61” is the same as the “internal lottery” in the rules of the wind management law (rules relating to the recognition of the gaming machine and the examination of the type, etc .; hereinafter simply referred to as “rules”), The lottery result by the role lottery means 61 is the same as the “result determined by the internal lottery” in the rules. Therefore, the role lottery means 61 is also referred to as “internal lottery means 61” in an expression according to the rules.
When the winning number is determined by the winning lottery means 61, based on the winning number, the winning and replay condition device number and the accessory condition device number are determined, and the winning and replaying condition device that is operable in the game, In addition, the accessory condition device is determined. Therefore, the role lottery means 61 is also referred to as a condition device number determination (lottery or selection) means, a winning combination determination (lottery or selection) means, and the like.

  The role lottery means 61 includes, for example, a lottery random number generation means (hardware random number, etc.), a random number extraction means for extracting a random number generated by the random number generation means, and a random value extracted by the random number extraction means. A winning number determining means for determining a winning number;

  The random number generation means generates random numbers in a predetermined area (for example, “0” to “65535” in decimal numbers). The random number is, for example, a random number for which a counter that performs 1 count at 200 n (nano) sec continues to count as a cycle in a range of “0” to “65535”. While the slot machine 10 is powered on, the random number Keep counting.

  The random number extraction means extracts the random number generated by the random number generation means at a predetermined time, in the present embodiment, when the start switch 41 is operated (turned on) by the player. The judging means collates the random number value extracted by the random number extracting means with a lottery table to be described later, thereby determining a winning number corresponding to the area to which the random value belongs.

  The winning flag control means 62 controls on / off of winning flags corresponding to each combination based on the lottery result by the combination lottery means 61. In this embodiment, a winning flag is provided for each combination for all combinations. When any of the winning combinations is won in the lottery performed by the winning lottery means 61, the winning flag for the winning combination is turned on (the winning flag is set). In addition, the winning of a combination includes a case where there is one winning combination (single winning) and a case where there are a plurality of winning combinations (double winning).

The push order instruction number selection means 63 selects a push order instruction number (a number corresponding to the correct answer push order) based on the lottery result of the winning number by the combination lottery means 61 (at the time of push order bell or push order replay win). Decision).
The “push order” of the push order instruction numbers selected here means a push order that is advantageous to the player (correct answer push order). For example, when a push order bell is selected, it indicates a push order (correct answer push order) for winning a high-order bell. In addition, when replay overlap is won, it refers to a push order that promotes to an advantageous RT or a push order that does not fall to an unfavorable RT.

In this embodiment, each winning number is provided with a unique push order instruction number.
During the AT, when winning the push order bell or push order replay, the main control board 50 displays the push order instruction information corresponding to the push order instruction number, specifically “ = * ”(“ * ”= 1, 2,...) Is displayed. As described above, the function of displaying the pressing order instruction information when the condition device having an advantageous pressing order is operated is also referred to as an instruction function.
In addition, during the AT, when the push order bell or push order replay is won, the main control board 50 is the sub control board at the start of the game (after the start switch 41 is operated and the winning number is determined). A command corresponding to the pressing order instruction number is transmitted to 80.
When receiving the command, the sub control board 80 displays the correct pressing order in the image display device 23.

  Note that the push order instruction number selected by the main control board 50 can be transmitted to the sub-control board 80 only during the advantageous section (AT). Therefore, even if the push order designation number is selected by the push order designation number selection means 63 in the normal section, the push order designation number is not transmitted to the sub-control board 80. In the normal section, it is not necessary to select the push order instruction number.

The effect group number selection means 64 is an effect group number corresponding to the winning number and selects a number to be transmitted to the sub control board 80.
Here, the production group number corresponding to the winning number is predetermined. Then, when the winning number is determined by operating the start switch 41, the effect group number selecting means 64 selects an effect group number corresponding to the winning number of the game, and the main control board 50 selects the selected effect group. The number is transmitted to the sub control board 80. The sub control board 80 outputs an effect related to the winning combination based on the received effect group number. The production group number is selected for each game and transmitted from the main control board 50 to the sub-control board 80, unlike the above-mentioned push order instruction number.

  Further, the main control board 50 does not transmit the winning number of the game to the sub control board 80. For this reason, the sub-control board 80 cannot know the winning number of the game. However, since the sub-control board 80 receives each game and effect group number, the effect can be output based on the received effect group number. However, even when the push order bell or push order replay is won, the correct push order cannot be determined from the production group number, so the sub control board 80 does not notify the correct push order based on the production group number. . On the other hand, during AT, when the push order bell or push order replay is selected, a push order instruction number is transmitted from the main control board 50 to the sub-control board 80. As a result, the sub-control board 80 can notify the correct pressing order based on the received pressing order instruction number.

The reel control means 65 controls to start the rotation of all (three) reels 31 when receiving the rotation start command of the reels 31, particularly when detecting the operation of the start switch 41 in this embodiment. .
Further, after the winning number is determined by the winning lottery means 61, the reel control means 65 refers to the ON / OFF of the winning flag in the current game, and the stop position determining table corresponding to ON / OFF of the winning flag. When the stop switch 42 is operated, the stop position of the reel 31 corresponding to the stop switch 42 is determined based on the timing when the operation of the stop switch 42 is detected. Drive control is performed to stop the reel 31 at the determined position.

  For example, in a game in which at least one winning flag is turned on, the reel control means 65 validates the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination (the combination with the winning flag turned on) within the range of the stop control of the reel 31. The reel 31 is controlled so as to be able to stop on the line, and the reel 31 is controlled so as not to stop the symbol combination corresponding to the combination other than the winning combination (the combination for which the winning flag is off) on the effective line.

Here, “within the range of stop control of the reel 31” means the time from the moment when the stop switch 42 is operated until the reel 31 actually stops or the amount of rotation of the reel 31 (the number of moving symbols (frames)). Means within range.
In this embodiment, the reel 31 is rotated at a speed of about 80 rotations per minute at a constant speed.
When the stop switch 42 is operated, the time from when the stop switch 42 is operated to when the reel 31 is stopped is within 190 ms except for a predetermined reel 31 (for example, the middle reel 31) in which MB is operating. Is set to Thus, in this embodiment, the maximum number of symbols to be moved from the symbol at the moment when the stop switch 42 is operated until the reel 31 stops is set to four symbols, except for the predetermined reel 31 during MB operation.

  On the other hand, for a predetermined reel 31 that is operating in MB, the time from when the stop switch 42 is operated until the reel 31 is stopped is set within 75 ms. Thereby, for the predetermined reel 31 in the MB operation, the maximum number of symbols to be moved from the symbol at the moment when the stop switch 42 is operated until the reel 31 stops is set to one symbol.

At the moment when the operation of the stop switch 42 is detected, when any of the symbols within the range of the stop control of the reel 31 is a symbol to be stopped at a predetermined effective line, when the stop switch 42 is operated In addition, the design is controlled to stop at a predetermined effective line.
That is, if the reel 31 is immediately stopped at the moment when the stop switch 42 is operated, if the symbol corresponding to the winning number does not stop at a predetermined effective line, the reel 31 is stopped before the reel 31 is stopped. By controlling the rotational movement of the reel 31 within the range of the stop control, the symbol corresponding to the winning number is controlled to stop as much as possible on the predetermined effective line (retraction stop control).

Conversely, if the reel 31 is stopped immediately at the moment when the stop switch 42 is operated, if the symbol combination that does not correspond to the winning number stops on the effective line, By controlling the rotational movement of the reel 31 within the range of stop control, control is performed so that the combination of symbols not corresponding to the winning number is not stopped on the effective line (kicking stop control).
Furthermore, in a game in which a plurality of winning combinations are won (for example, when a pressing order bell is won), the priority order of winning combinations is determined in advance according to the pressing order of the stop switch 42 and the operation timing of the stop switch 42. In accordance with a predetermined priority order, the drawing-in stop control for the symbol with the highest priority is performed.

The winning determination unit 66 determines whether or not the symbol combination of the reel 31 stopped on the active line is a symbol combination corresponding to any combination when the reel 31 is stopped.
Here, the winning determination means 66 does not actually detect whether or not the symbol combination corresponding to the combination has stopped on the active line. Specifically, based on the condition device operated in the game, the pressing order of the stop switch 42, and / or the operation timing of the stop switch 42, a symbol combination that stops on the active line before the reel 31 actually stops is previously determined. Judgment is made in advance, or a combination of symbols stopped on the effective line after the reel 31 is stopped is judged in advance.

The control command transmission means 71 transmits information (control command) necessary for the effect output from the sub control board 80 to the sub control board 80.
As control commands, for example, information when the bet switch 40 is operated, information when the start switch 41 is operated, and a pressing order instruction number (only when a winning number that is in AT and has a correct pressing order is won) , Production group number, RT (game state) information, information when the stop switch 42 is operated, information on a winning combination, and the like.

In FIG. 1, the sub-control board 80 controls the selection and output of effects (information) during the game and during the game standby.
Here, the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 are electrically connected, and the main control board 50 (control command transmission means 71) is directed to the sub control board 80 in one direction by parallel communication. Sends information (control command) necessary for output.
The main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 are not limited to being electrically connected, and may be connected using optical communication means. Furthermore, both the electrical connection and the optical communication connection are not limited to parallel communication, but may be serial communication, and serial communication and parallel communication may be used in combination.

Similar to the main control board 50, the sub control board 80 includes an input port 81, an output port 82, an RWM 83, a ROM 84, a sub CPU 85, and the like.
An effect peripheral device such as the following effect lamp 21 as shown in FIG. 1 is electrically connected to the sub-control board 80 via an input port 81 or an output port 82. However, the peripheral device for production is not limited to these.
The RWM 83 is a storage medium capable of temporarily storing data and the like captured when the sub CPU 85 controls the production.
The ROM 84 is a storage medium that stores programs such as a lottery for production, various data, and the like as production data.

  The effect lamp 21 is made of an LED, for example, and lights up in a predetermined pattern when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The effect lamp 21 is arranged on the inner peripheral side of each reel 31, and a back lamp for illuminating from behind the symbols displayed on the reel 31 (three symbols that are continuously visible from the display window). Fluorescent lamps that illuminate the symbols on the reel 31 from the top, a frame lamp that is arranged on the front face of the front door of the slot machine 10 and blinks when winning a winning combination, etc.

The speaker 22 outputs a predetermined sound when a predetermined condition is satisfied in order to perform various effects during the game.
Furthermore, the image display device 23 is composed of a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, a dot display, and the like. In addition, game information (such as the number of games and the number of games acquired during the operation of an accessory or an advantageous section (AT)) is displayed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state until the medal M inserted from the medal insertion port 47 passes through the insertion sensors 44a and 44b, and is a schematic view seen from the front. FIG. 2 shows the inside of the medal selector so that it can be seen. The medal M indicates M1 to M4 according to the position. The position of M1 indicates a state where the medal M is placed on the medal placement portion 47b of the medal insertion slot 47 (a state before being released). That is, at the position of M1, the lowest point of the outer peripheral edge of the medal M and the upper surface of the medal placement portion 47b are in contact with each other when viewed from the front.
In FIG. 2 (and FIG. 4 described later), it is assumed that the substantially square portions displayed as the input sensors 44a and 44b are the light receiving and emitting ranges (sensor eyes) of the input sensors 44a and 44b, respectively (respectively). It is not the case of the input sensors 44a and 44b.)

Further, the position of M2 indicates the position at the moment when the medal M is not visible when viewed from the front. In other words, at the position of M2, the uppermost point of the outer periphery of the medal M and the upper surface of the medal placement portion 47b overlap. For example, assuming that the player releases his hand from the medal M when the medal M is at the position M1, the medal M falls from the position M1. Therefore, at the position of M2, it is in a state of being released from the player's hand and falling (moving) downstream.
“Upstream side” indicates the medal insertion port 47 side, and “downstream side” indicates the insertion sensor 44b side (hopper 35 side). Speaking of the position of the medal M, M1 → M2 → M3 → M4 from the upstream side toward the downstream side.

In the example of FIG. 2, the passage sensor 46 is arranged so that the medal M is detected by the passage sensor 46 when the medal M is positioned at M <b> 2.
Further, the position of M3 indicates the position (ON) at the moment when the medal M is detected by the insertion sensor 44a. Further, the position of M4 indicates the position (off) when the medal M is no longer detected by the insertion sensor 44b.

  The medal insertion slot 47 is a portion for inserting the medal M into the slot machine 10 (medal selector) when the player bets or credits the medal M as a game medium. The medal slot 47 includes a medal guard part 47a and a medal holder 47b. The medal holder 47b has a substantially curved surface (curvature slightly larger than the periphery of the medal M) extending in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of the drawing so that a plurality of (up to about ten) medals M can be placed simultaneously. Curved surface).

The substantially curved surface of the medal placement portion 47b and the surface (the surface visible in FIG. 2) where the medal M of the medal guard portion 47a contacts are formed so as to intersect substantially vertically.
Further, although not shown in FIG. 2, the portion where the medal placing portion 47 b and the medal guard portion 47 a intersect has an opening through which one medal M can flow down. In the state where two medals M are stacked, the medal M does not fall from the opening, but when the thickness of one medal M is, the medal M flows from the opening. For this reason, for example, the player places a plurality of stacked medals M on the medal placement part 47b and increases the pressing force while pressing the plurality of medals M in the direction of the medal guard part 47a. By weakening, the medals M placed on the medal placement portion 47b can be dropped into the medal selector from the opening one by one.

  When the medal M is inserted from the medal insertion port 47 (released downward), the medal M flows down the passage in the medal selector. In the medal selector, a passage sensor 46, an insertion sensor 44a, and an insertion sensor 44b are provided from the upstream side. Further, the blocker 45 described above is provided between the passage sensor 46 and the closing sensor 44a (in FIG. 2, below the closing sensor 44a).

  When the medal M enters the medal selector, it is first detected by the passage sensor 46. The passage sensor 46 is a sensor provided for determining the presence or absence of a medal clogging or a goto action. The passage sensor 46 detects the medal M for a predetermined time (predetermined) from when the passage sensor 46 detects the medal M. Further, when the medal M is no longer detected after a predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined that it is normal. On the other hand, if the medal M continues to be detected after a predetermined time has elapsed after the passage sensor 46 detects the medal, it is determined that a medal retention error has occurred. Further, when the medal M is not detected after the passage sensor 46 detects the medal M and before a predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined that the medal M has been illegally passed.

  When the medal M flows down in the medal passage, the position of the blocker 45 is reached. The blocker 45 is disposed on the lower surface side in the medal passage. When the blocker 45 is in the ON state (the output port related to the blocker 45 among the output ports 52 is ON), the medal flow path is formed so that the medal M can be detected by the insertion sensors 44a and 44b. In other words, it serves to send the medal M that has moved from the upstream side to the insertion sensors 44a and 44b without sending it out of the medal path.

  On the other hand, when the output port 52 is in the off state (the output port related to the blocker 45 among the output ports 52 is off), the blocker 45 moves so as to be shifted in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of the drawing in FIG. Thus, an opening (pit) is formed in the medal passage. Thereby, when the blocker 45 is in the OFF state, the medal M is dropped from this opening immediately before reaching the M3 and is sent out of the medal passage (M5 in FIG. 2). The medal M dropped from the opening is returned to the medal return port (not shown) without being detected by the insertion sensor 44a.

For example, when the specified number of the game has already been betted and the number of credits has reached the upper limit, no more medals can bet or credit, so the blocker 45 is controlled to be in the off state. Thereby, even if the medal M is inserted from the medal insertion port 47 in this state, it falls from the opening and is returned to the medal return port.
On the other hand, when the blocker 45 is in the on state, the opening is blocked by the blocker 45, so that the medal M flowing down in the medal passage passes over the blocker 45 and enters the insertion sensors 44a and 44b. It can move to the side.

  In this embodiment, the blocker 45 is arranged as shown in FIG. 2, but the arrangement is not limited to this. Regardless of the on / off state of the blocker 45, the medal M can be detected by the passage sensor 46. When the blocker 45 is in the on state, the medal M can be guided to the insertion sensors 44a and 44b, and When the blocker 45 is in the off state, the medal M may be sent to the medal return port without being detected by the insertion sensors 44a and 44b. In other words, the blocker 45 may be positioned between the passage sensor 46 and the closing sensor 44a.

  Further, the passage sensor 46 only needs to be positioned upstream of the blocker 45 and is disposed at a position where the medal M inserted from the medal insertion port 47 can be detected even when the blocker 45 is in the OFF state. Just do it. In FIG. 2, the passage sensor 46 is arranged so that the medal M can be detected when the medal M is positioned at M2, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the medal M is further downstream than the position of M2. It is also possible to arrange the passage sensor 46 so as to detect the medal M when it is moved to.

  The insertion sensors 44a and 44b are sensors for detecting the medal M that has passed through the blocker 45, and these two sensors are installed with a predetermined distance therebetween. First, when the medal M reaches the position of M3, the upstream insertion sensor 44a can detect the medal M (from OFF to ON). When the medal M further flows down, the insertion sensor 44b detects the medal M (turns from off to on). By determining the on / off timing of these two insertion sensors 44a and 44b, it is determined whether or not the inserted medal M is normal. When the medal M reaches the position of M4, the insertion sensors 44a and 44b are not detected. The medals M that have passed through the insertion sensors 44 a and 44 b are sent to the hopper 35.

In FIG. 2, the medal selector is designed as follows.
First, the position of the medal M is M2, that is, the position where the medal M is not detected by the insertion sensor 44b from the moment when the medal M becomes invisible when the medal selector is viewed from the front. The time until reaching (the movement locus is indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 2) is set to time T2. It is a value when the hand is released from the medal M (at the initial speed “0”) and released downward when the medal M is positioned at M1. Therefore, the speed when the medal M is positioned at M2 exceeds “0”.

Further, the acceleration of the medal M increases as it moves further downward from the position of M2. On the other hand, an impact member (not shown in FIG. 2) is provided at a portion where the medal passage is bent from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction in FIG. When the medal M comes into contact with the impact member, the speed of the medal M is decelerated and is directed toward the insertion sensors 44a and 44b.
The time from the moment when the medal M is positioned at M3 (the moment when it is detected by the insertion sensor 44a) to the moment when it is positioned at M4 (the moment when it is no longer detected by the insertion sensor 44b) is set as time T3. .

<First Embodiment (A)>
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a time chart for explaining the first embodiment (A) of the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 shows a voltage level when the power of the slot machine 10 is turned off (for example, when the power switch 11 is turned off or when a power failure occurs).
In FIG. 3, the voltage when the power supply is normally turned on is assumed to be the supply level V0. In the state of the supply level V0, the slot machine 10 operates normally.

FIG. 3 shows an example in which a power interruption has occurred at time S11 (an event in which the supply of power has been interrupted has occurred). In the present embodiment, when a power interruption occurs, the voltage drops to the power interruption detection level V1 at time T0.
The time T0 from when the power interruption occurs (time S11; supply level V0) until the power interruption is detected (time S12; power interruption detection level V1) is at least 20 interrupts (one interruption time 2.235 ms × 20 (Interrupt = 44.7 ms) or more.
On the main control board 50, a voltage monitoring device (power-off detection circuit) (not shown) is provided. When the power supply voltage falls below a predetermined value of power-off detection level V1, a power-off detection signal is input to a predetermined bit in the input port 51, and the power supply is detected by detecting whether or not the signal has been input. Detect disconnection.

When the voltage further decreases from the power-off detection level V1 and falls below the drive voltage limit V2 of the main CPU 55, the main CPU 55 cannot be driven (the operation of the main CPU 55 cannot be guaranteed).
In the example of FIG. 3, at time S13, the voltage level reaches the drive voltage limit V2 of the main CPU 55 and then decreases to Low. Since the main control board 50 cannot execute the power-off process when the voltage becomes lower than the drive voltage limit V2, when the power-off occurs at time S11, the power-off process can be completed at least by time S13. Is set.

Further, detection of power interruption is executed in interrupt processing executed every 2.235 ms. However, when power interruption is detected continuously for two interrupts, power interruption processing is executed in the next interruption processing. Therefore, in FIG. 3, time S12 is a timing at which it is determined that the voltage is lower than the power-off detection level V1 in the interruption process twice in succession and the power-off is detected. Then, power-off processing is executed in the next interrupt processing.
In the interrupt process, the following process is executed. First, it is determined whether or not a power-off is detected. When a power-off is detected, the process proceeds to a power-off process (without moving to a normal interrupt process). In the power-off process, first, the output port 52 is turned off. By the process of turning off the output port 52, the blocker 45 is turned off. Furthermore, stack pointer saving processing, power-off processing completion flag (flag for determining whether or not normal power-off has been performed) setting processing, RWM53 checksum execution processing, RWM53 write-protection processing, etc. After the sequential execution, a reset waiting state (loop processing state) is entered. This reset waiting state is a state in which no processing is performed by design.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the power-off process is executed in the interrupt process following the interrupt process (time S12) in which the power-off is detected, and the blocker 45 is turned off.
Note that the power-off process is not limited to the interrupt process that is performed after the interrupt process in which the power-off is detected. In this case, “T1 = S12−S11”.

  On the other hand, FIG. 3 also illustrates the medal positions (M2, M4) after the medal is inserted. In FIG. 2, it is assumed that the player releases his hand from the medal M in a state where the medal M is at the position M1. In this case, the medal M falls at the initial speed “0”. Thereby, the medal M is released into the medal selector. In FIG. 3, the time S11 at which the power cut occurs and the time at which the medal M reaches the position of M2 are matched.

As shown in FIG. 2, the time from the moment when the medal M is located at M2 to the moment when the medal M is located at M4 is T2, but in FIG. Later, it is assumed that the medal M is positioned at M4.
In this case, the present embodiment is designed to satisfy the relationship of “T2> T1”.

  Therefore, if the power interruption occurs at the moment when the medal M is positioned at M2, the power interruption process is executed before the medal M reaches M4, and the insertion sensor 44b does not detect the medal M. Therefore, when the power interruption occurs at the moment when the medal M is positioned at M2, the medal M is sent to the medal return port (lower plate) without being detected by the insertion sensor 44b. For this reason, the medal M does not normally pass through the insertion sensors 44a and 44b. Therefore, the medal M is swallowed, but after the power is cut off (after time S11), the medal M is added with “1” (adding “1” to the bet or credit). Not. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the bet or credit process will be executed after the power interruption.

For example, in a case where the power interruption occurs at the moment when the medal M is positioned at M2, when the time T1 has elapsed (during power-off processing), the medal M is positioned immediately before M4 in FIG. Is after the passage of the position M3), the medal M is detected by the insertion sensor 44a, but is not detected by the insertion sensor 44b, and the power is turned off.
Further, in the case where the power is cut off at the moment when the medal M is positioned at M2, when the time T1 has elapsed (during power-off processing), the medal M is positioned upstream of the position of M3 in FIG. At that time, the medal M is not detected by either the insertion sensor 44a or the insertion sensor 44b, and the power is turned off.

In FIG. 2, the time from the moment when the medal M is located at M2 to the moment when the medal is located at M3 is defined as time T2 ′.
In this case, it is preferable to design so as to satisfy the relationship of “T2 ′> T1”.
In the case of designing in the above relationship, if the power interruption occurs at the moment when the medal M is positioned at M2, the blocker 45 is turned off by executing the power interruption process when the medal M reaches M3. ing. Therefore, the medal M is sent out of the medal passage without being detected by the insertion sensor 44a and is sent to the medal return port.

Here, the difference between the prior art and the first embodiment (A) will be described.
Conventionally, when a power interruption occurs at the moment when the medal M is positioned at M2, the medal M has already passed the position of the insertion sensor 44b when the power interruption is detected and the blocker 45 is turned off. Therefore, the medal “1” addition process (bet process or credit process) is executed after the power failure occurs. However, it is not preferable to execute the medal addition process after the power interruption occurs. This is because after the power is cut off, all processing related to the progress of the game should be stopped immediately.
Therefore, if configured as in the first embodiment (A), even if the player inserts the medal M from the medal insertion slot 47 and the power is cut off at the moment when the medal M is positioned at M2 (immediately after the insertion). Since the medal “1” addition process is not executed, the function of the slot machine 10 can be enhanced.

<First Embodiment (B)>
The first embodiment (B) defines the relationship between the input sensors 44a and 44b and the power interruption.
FIG. 4 is a front view showing a process from when the medal M is detected by the insertion sensor 44a until it is no longer detected by the insertion sensor 44b. In FIG. 4, the arrow direction indicates the traveling (downward) direction of the medal M.
FIG. 4A shows a diagram at the moment when the medal M is detected by the insertion sensor 44a. At this time, the closing sensor 44a is the moment when it is turned on from off, and the closing sensor 44b remains off. This position corresponds to M3 in FIG.

Next, when the medal M advances to the left in FIG. 4 and enters the state shown in FIG. 4B, the insertion sensor 44a remains in the state where the medal M is detected, and the insertion sensor 44b detects the medal M. It becomes like this. Therefore, in FIG. 4B, the closing sensor 44a is on, and the closing sensor 44b is the moment when it is turned on from off.
In FIG. 4, even when the insertion sensors 44a and 44b and the medal M overlap, both the insertion sensors 44a and 44b and the medal M are indicated by solid lines, but the medal M and the insertion sensor 44a and It does not represent the positional relationship of 44b. The insertion sensors 44a and 44b may be disposed on the near side in the direction perpendicular to the sheet of FIG. 4 with respect to the medal M, or may be disposed on the back side.

When the medal M further advances and enters the state of FIG. 4C, the medal M is detected by both the insertion sensors 44a and 44b. Accordingly, the making sensor 44a in this case is on, and the making sensor 44b is also on.
Here, the diameter of the medal M is, for example, 25 millimeters (so-called 25 pie (φ)) in the general specification, and 30 millimeters (so-called 30 pie (φ)) in the special specification. Therefore, it is necessary to set the distance between the making sensors 44a and 44b so that the state shown in FIG. Here, as will be described later, whether or not the state shown in FIG. 4C, that is, the time during which both the insertion sensors 44a and 44b are on (the medal M is detected) is within a predetermined range. Determines whether or not to determine a medal insertion error. Therefore, the distance between the making sensors 44a and 44b varies depending on how the time during which both the making sensors 44a and 44b are on is set.

  When the medal M further advances from the state of FIG. 4C, the insertion sensor 44a does not detect the medal M as shown in FIG. In this case, the closing sensor 44a is the moment when it is turned off from on, and the closing sensor 44b remains on. When the medal M further advances, the insertion sensor 44b does not detect the medal M as shown in FIG. Therefore, in this case, the closing sensor 44a remains off, and the closing sensor 44b is the moment when it turns from on to off. Note that the position of the medal M in FIG. 4E corresponds to M4 in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a time chart showing on / off of the closing sensors 44a and 44b. In FIG. 5, time S21 is the moment when the making sensor 44a is turned on from off (the making sensor 44b remains off), and corresponds to the timing of FIG.
Next, let S22 be the time at which the insertion sensor 44b detects the medal M (from OFF to ON) (FIG. 4B). Furthermore, the time when the insertion sensor 44a no longer detects the medal M (from on to off) (FIG. 4D) is set to S23. Furthermore, let S24 be the time when the insertion sensor 44b no longer detects the medal M (from on to off) (FIG. 4E).

  Here, if the time Ta during which the insertion sensor 44a detects the medal M (between time S21 and S23) is in the range of 6.705 ms (3 interrupts) or more and less than 185.505 ms (83 interrupts). (Condition 1) The main control board 50 determines that the normal medal M has passed, and if it is out of this range, determines that it is a medal passing error.

  Further, the time Tb (between time S22 and S23) in which both the insertion sensors 44a and 44b detect the medal M is within the range of 4.47 ms (2 interrupts) or more and less than 118.455 ms (53 interrupts). If so (condition 2), the main control board 50 determines that the normal medal M has passed, and if it is out of this range, it determines that a medal passing error has occurred.

Furthermore, if the time Tc during which the insertion sensor 44b detects the medal M (between time S22 and S24) is in the range of 6.705 ms (3 interrupts) or more and less than 185.505 ms (83 interrupts). (Condition 3) The main control board 50 determines that a normal medal M has passed, and if it is out of this range, a medal passing error is assumed.
When all of the above conditions 1 to 3 are satisfied, it is determined that the medal M has passed normally, and when at least one of the conditions is not satisfied, a medal passing error is determined.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, when both the input sensors 44a and 44b are turned off (time S24), the input monitoring counter is decremented by “1”.
Here, the insertion monitoring counter becomes “+1” when the above-described passage sensor 46 detects the medal M, and when the medal normally passes the insertion sensors 44a and 44b (both the insertion sensors 44a and 44b are turned off). → On → Off, so at time S24). That is, “1” and “0” are repeated in the normal state.
On the other hand, when the passage sensor 46 does not detect the medal M and only the insertion sensors 44a and 44b detect the passage of the medal, the insertion monitoring counter becomes “−1” and the main control board 50 determines that the medal passage error has occurred. To do.

When the passage sensor 46 detects the medal M (insertion monitoring counter = “+ 1”) and the insertion sensors 44a and 44b do not detect the passage of the medal M, the passage sensor 46 further detects the medal M. When the insertion monitoring counter reaches a predetermined value equal to or greater than “2”, the main control board 50 determines that a medal clogging error has occurred. For example, when the normal value of the insertion monitoring counter is set to “0” to “2”, the main control board 50 determines that a medal clogging error occurs when the insertion monitoring counter becomes “3” or more. It is done.
The input monitoring counter is cleared when the blocker 45 changes from the off state to the on state.

  In FIG. 5, when the insertion sensor 44b is turned from on to off at time S24, the insertion monitoring counter is decremented by "1", and it is determined that the medal M has passed normally, the main control board 50 determines that the medal insertion Processing (bet processing or credit processing) is executed. For example, if the bet number is less than the prescribed number at that time, a bet number “1” addition process is executed. Specifically, when the specified number in the game is “3” and the bet number at that time is “0”, the bet number is changed from “0” by the “1” addition process of the bet number. Update to “1”.

At that time, if the bet number has already reached the prescribed number and the credit number has not reached the maximum number “50”, the credit number “1” addition process is executed. For example, when the number of credits at that time is “10”, the number of credits is updated to “11”.
When the bet number reaches the specified number and the maximum number of credits reaches “50”, the main control board 50 turns off the blocker 45. Thereby, even if the medal M is inserted from the medal insertion slot 47, the medal M is returned. In other words, in that case, even if the medal M is inserted, the insertion sensors 44a and 44b do not detect it.

In FIG. 5, in addition to turning on / off the closing sensors 44a and 44b, the timing at the time of occurrence of power interruption and the detection of power interruption is displayed. FIG. 5 shows Example 1 and Example 2, and both cases are exemplified by the case where the power interruption occurs at the timing (time S21) when the closing sensor 44a is turned on.
In Example 1, the power-off is detected after the time T1 has elapsed since the time S21 when the power-off occurred. Here, in Example 1, “T1> T3” is set. Therefore, when the insertion sensor 44a detects the medal M at the moment when the power interruption occurs, the power-off process is started after the “1” addition process for the medal M has already been executed.

Here, the time T3 from the time S21 to S24 can be represented by “Ta + Tc−Tb”. Therefore, the minimum time of the time T3 corresponds to 4 interrupts and is “8.94 ms”.
The maximum time T3 corresponds to 113 interrupts and is “252.555 ms”.
And in Example 1, it sets so that a power-off process must be performed after progress of time S24. For this reason, for example, the time T1 from the occurrence of power interruption (time S21) to the execution of the power interruption processing is set to be 114 interrupts or more.

  If the setting is made as described above, even if the power-off occurs at the moment (time S21) when the insertion sensor 44a detects the medal M, the power-off process is executed after the “1” addition process for the medal M is performed. The medal M is normally bet or credited. Therefore, swallowing of the medal M can be prevented.

Also, in the example 2, contrary to the example 1, the power-off process is executed before the “1” addition process for the medal M is executed. That is, in Example 2, it sets so that it may become the relationship of "T1 <T3".
As described above, the time T3 from the time S21 to S24 corresponds to 4 interrupts in the minimum time. Therefore, in order to satisfy the relationship of “T1 <T3”, it is necessary to execute the power-off process within three interrupts from the occurrence of the power-off. However, since it is difficult to set the power-off process to be executed within 3 interrupts from the occurrence of the power-off, the minimum time Tc is set to be longer than 4 interrupts. For example, the minimum time of the time Tc can be set to 15 interrupts. If the time T1 from the occurrence of power interruption (time S21) to the power interruption process is set to about 10 interrupts, the power interruption process is executed before time S24 when the power interruption occurs at time S21. It becomes possible.

  When the power-off process is executed, the medal M “1” addition (bet or credit) process is not executed thereafter. Therefore, in Example 2, even if the insertion sensor 44a detects the medal M at the time S21 (when the power is cut off), the medal M1 “1” addition process is not executed. As a result, there is a demerit that the medal M is swallowed. However, as described in the first embodiment (A), after the power interruption occurs, the “1” addition process of the medal M is not executed. The power-off process can be executed as quickly as possible.

<First Embodiment (C)>
In the first embodiment (C), the relationship between the payout sensors 37a and 37b and the power interruption is defined.
When adding the medals to be paid out to the credits, the storage area for the number of credits provided in the RWM 53 of the main control board 50 is updated without driving the hopper motor 36. Further, the value indicated by the credit number display LED 76 is updated so that the number corresponds to the credit number stored in the storage area.

  Then, when paying out medals after the number of credits reaches the upper limit “50”, the hopper motor 36 is driven to pay out medals from the hopper 35 (discharge from the payout port). In this case, each time a medal is paid out, the payout sensors 37a and 37b are configured to detect on / off. When the on / off detection results by the payout sensors 37a and 37b are within the normal range, it is determined that one medal M has been correctly paid out, and when the detection result is not within the normal range, the medal M Are not paid out correctly, and the main control board 50 determines that a medal payout error has occurred.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view for explaining the operation when the medal M is paid out from the medal payout device. Although not shown in FIG. 6, a hopper disk (substantially disk-shaped rotating disk) is attached to the bottom surface of the hopper 35, and this hopper disk is rotated by driving of the hopper motor 36. In this hopper disc, a plurality of openings capable of holding the medal M are formed along the outer periphery of the hopper disc. The medal M in the hopper 35 is configured to enter the opening of the hopper disk. When the hopper motor 36 is driven in this state, the hopper disk rotates and the medals M held in the opening of the hopper disk are discharged one by one. A new medal M in the hopper 35 enters the opening where the medal M is discharged and emptied.

In FIG. 6, the medal M located at M <b> 1 indicates the one immediately after being ejected from the opening of the hopper disk. Both the fixed shaft 38a and the movable shaft 38b are parts that constitute a medal payout device. The fixed shaft 38a is a shaft that does not move when the medal M is paid out. On the other hand, the movable shaft 38b is a shaft that reciprocates each time one medal M is paid out. The movable shaft 38b is disposed at a position indicated by a solid line in the drawing in a no-load state, and is fixed by a spring (not shown in FIG. 6 and corresponding to a spring 39b in FIG. 7 described later). 38a is biased. The medal M (M1) immediately after being discharged from the opening of the hopper disk comes into contact with both the fixed shaft 38a and the movable shaft 38b.
In the state where the medal M is disposed at the position (M1) indicated by the solid line in FIG. 6 and is in contact with both the fixed shaft 38a and the movable shaft 38b, the medal M is between the fixed shaft 38a and the movable shaft 38b. Narrower than diameter. Therefore, at this time, the medal M cannot pass between the fixed shaft 38a and the movable shaft 38b.

  The pushing force in the direction F1 in FIG. 6 acts on the medal M discharged from the opening of the hopper disk. When the pushing force in the F1 direction acts on the medal M, the medal M can move in the F1 direction, and the pushing shaft pushes the movable shaft 38b in the F2 direction. The fixed shaft 38a does not move. As a result, the movable shaft 38b moves in the direction F2 in the figure while maintaining the state in contact with the medal M. Further, the movable shaft 38b moves to a position where the medal M can pass between the fixed shaft 38a and the movable shaft 38b. In other words, the gap between the fixed shaft 38a and the movable shaft 38b is wider than the diameter of the medal M. The position of the movable shaft 38b at this time is indicated by a two-dot chain line in the figure.

  Thereby, the medal M passes between the fixed shaft 38a and the movable shaft 38b and is discharged in the direction F1 (medal payout port side) in the drawing. The medal M at this time is indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 6 (M2). When the medal M is discharged, the force that pushes the movable shaft 38b in the F2 direction is released. As a result, the movable shaft 38b is returned again to the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 6 by the force of the spring.

  FIG. 7 is a plan view for explaining an on (detected) / off (non-detected) state of the payout sensors 37a and 37b when the medal M is paid as described above in the medal payout device. FIG. 7 shows a state where the movable piece 39a moves in the order of (a) → (b) → (c) → (d) → (a) every time one medal M is paid out.

FIG. 7A shows the state of the movable piece 39a when the movable shaft 38b is disposed at the position (initial position) indicated by the solid line in FIG. The movable piece 39a is attached so as to be rotatable around the central axis in the drawing, and is urged clockwise by a spring 39b.
When the movable piece 39a is urged clockwise in the drawing, the movable shaft 38b in FIG. 6 is urged toward the fixed shaft 38a in the drawing.
In a state where the movable piece 39a is urged clockwise in FIG. 7 by the spring 39b and no force other than the tensile force of the spring 39b acts on the movable piece 39a, the movable piece 39a has a predetermined stopper (not shown). To stop at the position of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7A, on the left side of the movable piece 39a, a payout sensor 37a (upper side in the figure) and 37b (lower side in the figure) are arranged. The movable piece 39a is formed so as to extend toward the payout sensors 37a and 37b. When the movable piece 39a is stopped at the position shown in FIG. 7 (a), the leading end is detected by the payout sensor 37a. ing.
In FIG. 7, each of the payout sensors 37a and 37b shows the sensor housing, and the illustration of the light emitting / receiving section (sensor eye) is omitted. This is different from the making sensors 44a and 44b of FIGS. 2 and 4 in which only the light emitting / receiving section (sensor eye) is shown.

Here, the state where the payout sensor 37a is detecting the movable piece 39a is in the on state (for example, FIG. 7A), and when the movable piece 39a is not detected, it is in the off state (for example, FIG. 7B). It is set to be.
Similarly, the state where the movable piece 39a is not detected is the off state (for example, FIG. 7A), and the payout sensor 37b is turned on when the movable piece 39a is detected (for example, FIG. 7C). Is set to
In the state of FIG. 7A, the payout sensor 37a detects the movable piece 39a and is in an on state, and the payout sensor 37b does not detect the movable piece 39a and is in an off state.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the pushing force in the F1 direction in FIG. 6 acts on the medal M, the movable shaft 38b starts to move in the F2 direction in FIG. 6, but the movable shaft 38b is thus When moved, in FIG. 7A, the movable piece 39a starts to rotate counterclockwise against the biasing force of the spring 39b. Then, when the movable piece 39a moves to the position shown in FIG. 7B, the tip of the movable piece 39a goes out of the dispensing sensor 37a. As a result, the payout sensor 37a does not detect the movable piece 39a, and is turned off. Even if the movable piece 39a rotates to the position shown in FIG. 7B, the tip of the movable piece 39a does not reach the dispensing sensor 37b. Accordingly, in the state of FIG. 7B, the payout sensor 37a is in an off state, and the payout sensor 37b is in an off state.

  In FIG. 6, when the movable shaft 38b further moves in the F2 direction and reaches the position of the two-dot chain line portion in FIG. 6 (the position where the medal M can pass through the gap between the fixed shaft 38a and the movable shaft 38b). 7, the movable piece 39 a further rotates counterclockwise and reaches the position of FIG. Thereby, the tip of the movable piece 39a enters the dispensing sensor 37b, and the dispensing piece 37a detects the movable piece 39a. Therefore, in the state of FIG. 7C, the payout sensor 37a is in an off state, and the payout sensor 37b is in an on state.

  In FIG. 6, when the medal M is further ejected from the position of M2, the force for urging the movable shaft 38b in the direction F2 in FIG. 6 disappears, so the movable shaft 38b is at the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. Return. The return force at this time is due to the force of the spring 39b in FIG. Thereby, in FIG. 7, the movable piece 39a rotates clockwise, the tip of the movable piece 39a goes out of the dispensing sensor 37b, and the dispensing sensor 37b does not detect the movable piece 39b. FIG. 7D shows the state at this time. In the state of FIG. 7D, the payout sensor 37a is in an off state, and the payout sensor 37b is in an off state.

  When the movable piece 39a further rotates clockwise, the tip of the movable piece 39a enters the dispensing sensor 37a, and the dispensing sensor 37a detects the movable piece 39a. Thereby, it returns to the state (initial state) of Fig.7 (a). In the state of FIG. 7A, as described above, the payout sensor 37a is in the on state, and the payout sensor 37b is in the off state. Moreover, when it returns to this position, the movable shaft 38b returns to the position of a continuous line in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing on / off of the payout sensors 37a and 37b in a time chart.
In FIG. 8, it is assumed that the medal payout process is started and the hopper motor drive signal is in the ON state.
In FIG. 8, the state before time S31 is the state shown in FIG. When time S31 is reached, the state shown in FIG. 7B is entered, and the payout sensor 37a is turned off (the payout sensor 37b is in the off state). Next, when time S32 is reached, the payout sensor 37b is turned on. This state is the state shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, the time from time S31 to S32 is Td.

  The payout sensor 37a is off and the payout sensor 37b is on until time S33. At time S33, the payout sensor 37b is off. This state is the state shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, the time from time S32 to S33 is assumed to be Te. Then, when time S34 is reached, the state returns to the state (initial position) of FIG. 7A and the payout sensor 37a is turned on. In FIG. 8, the time from time S32 to S34 is Tf.

In the payout process, the main control board 50 monitors the time during which the payout sensors 37a and 37b are in an on / off state, and determines that it is a medal payout error if it is not within a predetermined time range.
For example, in FIG. 8, the time Td is set to less than 29.055 ms (13 interrupts). Accordingly, when the payout sensor 37b is turned on by the 12th interrupt after the payout sensor 37a is turned off, it is determined to be normal, but if the payout sensor 37b is turned on by the 12th interrupt. If not, a medal payout error is assumed.

  The time Te during which the payout sensor 37a is in the off state and the payout sensor 37b is in the on state is set to 11.175 ms (5 interrupts) or more and less than 62.58 ms (28 interrupts). Therefore, when the time S32 is reached (when the payout sensor 37b is turned on), the time Te until the payout sensor 37b is turned off is monitored, and when the time Te is not within the predetermined time range. The main control board 50 determines a medal payout error.

  Further, after the payout sensor 37b is turned on (time S32), the time Tf until the payout sensor 37b is turned off and the payout sensor 37a is turned on (time S34) is 11.175 ms (5 interrupts). ) And less than 62.58 ms (28 interrupts). Therefore, when time S32 is reached (when the payout sensor 37b is turned on), the time Tf until the payout sensor 37b is turned off and the payout sensor 37a is turned on is monitored. When it is not within the predetermined time range, the main control board 50 determines that a medal payout error has occurred.

Further, in FIG. 8, as in FIGS. 3 and 5, the time from the occurrence of power interruption to the power interruption processing is also displayed.
First, it is assumed that the power is cut off at the time S31, that is, at the timing when the payout sensor 37a is turned off. In this case, in the example of FIG. 3, the example in which the power interruption is detected by 20 interrupts has been described. However, in the example of FIG. 8 (first embodiment (C)), at least after time S34 has elapsed (from time S31 to time It is set so that the power-off is detected and the power-off process is executed at the time T1 elapses).

  Here, since the maximum time (Td + Tf) of time “Td + Tf” is “12 + 27 = 39” interrupt, the time T1 from the power-off to the execution of the power-off processing is set to 40 interrupts (89.4 ms), for example. Set. By setting in this way, even if the power cut occurs at the moment when the payout sensor 37a is turned off, the power cut-off process can be started after the payout process for one medal is normally completed. That is, “(Td + Tf) <T1” can be set.

Conventionally, there has been a case where a power interruption (such as a power failure) occurs during the medal payout process. In this case, depending on the occurrence timing of the medal payout process and the power interruption, it is determined that the medal has been paid out even though the medal has not been paid out, and there is a possibility that the player may be lost.
On the other hand, in the first embodiment (C), even if the power is cut off during the medal payout process, the medal can be paid out correctly.

  In particular, when the medal payout process is started, that is, even when the power is cut off at the timing of time S31 in FIG. 8, the power-off is detected after the completion of one medal payout process, and the process proceeds to the power-off process. Therefore, for example, the power-off process is not executed when the payout sensor 37a is in an off state or when the payout sensor 37b is in an on state. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the power-off process from being performed in the middle of the medal payout process and the medal payout process from being interrupted before the (single) medal payout process ends normally.

  If the time T1 is set longer than necessary, the next medal payout process may be executed. Therefore, the power-off process is executed at least before the next medal payout process is executed. In FIG. 8, for example, assuming that the period of the single medal payout process is time T4 and the payout sensor 37a is changed from the on state to the off state at the timing of time S35, the setting is made such that “T1 <T4”.

Second Embodiment
The second embodiment relates to a gate mark formed on the substrate case of the main control substrate 50.
In the prior art, the shape, size, position, and the like of the gate trace of the substrate case have been determined exclusively by the mold designer at the time of mold manufacture for the convenience of mold manufacture.
However, since the gate trace is an uneven surface, even if a hole is made aiming at the gate trace, for example, there are cases where it cannot be visually recognized (not noticed).

If the main CPU 55 of the main control board 50 is arranged directly under the gate mark, a hole is made in the gate mark and the wire is passed through the hole, and the main CPU 55 is accessed (a goto action is performed). There was a risk of being done. In particular, when the gate mark has a shape that is thinner than the other part, it becomes easier to make a hole than the other part.
Therefore, in the second embodiment, it is possible to prevent the goto action from being performed using the gate trace of the substrate case.

FIG. 9 is an external perspective view showing the main control board 50 and the board case 56 (the upper cover 57 and the lower cover 58) in an exploded manner.
The substrate case 56 includes an upper cover 57 and a lower cover 58, both of which are (injection) molded products made of a transparent resin. Therefore, when the main control board 50 is housed inside, the state of the main control board 50 can be clearly and visually confirmed from the outside of the board case 56.

On the main control board 50, electronic components such as the main CPU 55, the management information display LED 74 (four-digit LED, also referred to as “role monitor”), and the set value display LED 73 are mounted. Although many electronic components such as the RWM 53 and the ROM 54 described above are mounted on the main control board 50, illustration is omitted in FIG. Further, although not shown in FIG. 9, the main control board 50 is mounted with bet switches 40a and 40b, a start switch 41, a stop switch 42, a passage sensor 46 in the medal selector, and failure check LEDs for the insertion sensors 44a and 44b. Has been. Note that the failure confirmation LED is not limited to this.
For example, the failure confirmation LED of the start switch 41 is extinguished when the start switch 41 is off, and when the start switch 41 is operated (when the start switch 41 is operated and the sensor detects on). ) Are turned on (lighted).

  Note that the failure confirmation LED of the start switch 41 and other operation switches and failure detection LEDs of sensors described later are turned off when the operation switch is operated (when the sensor detects that the sensor is turned on), and are turned off when the operation switch is turned off. You may comprise so that it may light.

Moreover, two failure confirmation LEDs for the bet switches 40a and 40b are provided for the bet switch 40a and for the bet switch 40b, and are turned off when the bet switch 40 is not operated, and the bet switch 40 is operated, When the electric signal at that time is received, the LED is turned on.
Furthermore, a total of three failure confirmation LEDs for the passage sensor 46 and the insertion sensors 44a and 44b are provided for each sensor. When the medal is not detected, the LED is turned off. When the medal is detected, the LED is turned on. LED.
Then, for example, the administrator operates the start switch 41 and confirms whether or not the failure confirmation LED of the start switch 41 mounted on the main control board 50 is turned on / off. Can be confirmed. The same applies to other switches or sensors.

  The failure confirmation LED may be turned on / off by operating the start switch 41 or the like when the front door is opened during normal operation (setting is not being changed and setting is not being confirmed). . Alternatively, the failure confirmation may be executed by opening a front door and executing a predetermined operation after a door open error occurs. Further, it may be turned on / off by operation of the start switch 41 or the like at all times (even during setting change or setting confirmation).

On the main control board 50, the model number of the board is displayed (printed or the like). Although not shown in FIG. 9, the model number and the like are also displayed on the upper surfaces of the RWM 53 and the ROM 54.
Furthermore, screw holes 50a for passing screws are formed in the four corners of the main control board 50.
On the other hand, bosses 58c for screwing are formed at the four corners inside the lower surface of the lower cover 58. When the main control board 50 is placed on the lower cover 58, the screw hole 50a and the boss 58c overlap, and the main control board 50 is fixed to the lower case 58 by screwing the screw hole 50a through the screw to the boss 58c. can do.

  When the upper cover 57 is overlaid on the lower cover 58 in this state, the upper cover 57 and the lower cover 58 are formed to fit with each other (in FIG. 9, the specific shape of the fitting portion is not shown). Further, caulking portions 57a are provided on the left and right sides of the upper cover 57 in the drawing. Similarly, caulking portions 58a are provided on the left and right rows of the lower cover 58 in the drawing. In addition, in FIG. 9, illustration is abbreviate | omitted about the specific shape and detailed shape of the crimping parts 57a and 58b.

When the upper cover 57 and the lower cover 58 are fitted together and caulking is performed using the caulking portions 57a and 58a, after that, the caulking portions 57a and 58a must be destroyed at least partly (unless they are plastically deformed). The cover 57 and the lower cover 58 cannot be opened.
Thereby, the security of the main control board 50 can be ensured.

As shown in FIG. 9, gate traces 57 b are provided at two locations outside the upper surface of the upper cover 57. In the substrate case 56 (in a state where the upper cover 57 and the lower cover 58 are fitted), the side in which the main control board 50 is accommodated is referred to as “inside”, and the side exposed to the outside is referred to as “outside”. .
In FIG. 9, the gate traces 57b are provided at two places, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be provided at some places.

Here, the “gate” is a gate for pouring resin (hot water) into the mold during resin molding, and the gate trace is a trace that remains at the boundary between the gate and the molded product after resin molding. is there.
When the substrate case 56 (the upper cover 57 and the lower cover 58) has a shape as shown in FIG. 9, it is low cost to use a die that is divided in the vertical direction in FIG. Further, when a multi-cavity mold is used, it is preferable to use a pin gate, and from the viewpoint of resin (hot water) fluidity, it is preferable to provide a gate closer to the center of the molded product. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the gate positions of the upper cover 57 and the lower cover 58 are formed not on the side surface but on the upper surface in FIG.

Furthermore, considering the cutting of the gate trace protrusion at the time of molding, the gate trace is preferably provided outside.
From the above, the gate mark 57b of the upper cover 57 is provided outside the upper surface.
For the same reason as described above, the gate mark 58b of the lower cover 58 is also provided on the outer side of the lower surface (the surface opposite to the visible surface in FIG. 9). In FIG. 9, the gate mark 58b of the lower cover 58 is provided at two places like the gate mark 57b of the upper cover 57. However, it may be provided at one place or at three or more places. Also good.

  Further, when resin (hot water) flows from the gate into the mold, the spread of the resin (hot water) in the mold is not uniform, and if there is a difference in cooling time, the molded product may be warped and deformed. Therefore, the gate position of the molded product is preferably arranged at a position where the spread of the resin (hot water) in the mold is uniform. Furthermore, when providing gates at a plurality of locations, it is preferable to make the distance from the end of the molded product to the gate and the distance between the gates as uniform as possible.

  10A is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the gate trace 57b of the upper cover 57 and the gate trace 58b of the lower cover 58 and the main control board 50. FIG. 10A shows a state in which the main control board 50 is accommodated in the board case 56 (a state in which the main control board 50 is fixed to the lower cover 58 and the upper cover 57 and the lower cover 58 are fitted together). It is a plan view seen from above. Further, the main control board 50 is seen through from the upper surface side of the upper cover 57.

Furthermore, (b) shows Example 1 of the arrow sectional view of AA in FIG. (A), and (c) shows Example 2 of the arrow sectional view of AA in FIG. Indicates. In these sectional views, hatching is omitted from the viewpoint of easy viewing of the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 10A, in a state where the main control board 50 is accommodated in the board case 56, the vertical direction of the upper cover 57 from the two gate marks 57b (on the main control board 50 side) (below directly) The model number display, management information display LED 74, set value display LED 73, and main CPU 55 (socket) are set so as not to be located. As described above, the RWM 53, the ROM 54, and the failure confirmation LED are also mounted on the main control board 50, but it is preferable that the gate mark 57b is not positioned directly above them.

The reason why the gate trace 57 is arranged as described above is as follows.
The main control board 50 needs to visually confirm whether or not unauthorized modification or the like has been performed after the slot machine 10 is installed in the market. In particular, it is necessary to confirm whether or not the main CPU 55 and the like (including the RWM 53 and the ROM 54; the same applies hereinafter) are compatible and whether or not they have been altered by the goto action. Further, since the main control board 50 is accommodated in the board case 56 and the board case 56 is sealed as described above, it is necessary to visually confirm the main control board 50 from the outside of the board case 56. is there.
The board case 56 that houses the main control board 50 is attached to the inside of the housing of the slot machine 10, for example, inside the back surface. This is because the numerical values displayed by the set value display LED 73 and the management information display LED 74 are attached at positions where they can be easily seen.

  Therefore, it is considered that the administrator of the slot machine 10 looks at the board case 56 (main control board 50) from the direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the upper cover 57. That is, it is considered that the substrate case 56 (main control substrate 50) is visually observed as shown in FIG. For this reason, if the main CPU 55 or the like is arranged in the vertical direction (directly below) the gate mark 57b, the gate mark 57 may hinder the visibility thereof. In particular, information displayed (printed or the like) on the upper surface of the main CPU 55 or the like is also made visible without hindering visibility.

  Since the entire upper cover 57 is molded from a transparent resin, even if it is directly under the gate mark 57b, the visibility is not completely hindered. However, as shown in FIG. 10B and FIG. 10C, the cross section of the gate trace 57b becomes an uneven surface, so that the visibility just below the gate trace 57b is lowered (becomes worse than the plane). That is true. In the cross-sectional view of FIG. 10B, since the upper end surface of the protrusion 57d is a cut surface, whitening may occur due to the stress at the time of cutting the resin. Therefore, also in this case, the visibility just below the gate mark 57b is hindered.

Further, since the upper surface of the upper cover 57 is a smooth surface with no irregularities except for the gate trace 57b, even if a hole is made by a goto action, it can be easily noticed visually.
On the other hand, the gate trace 57b is an uneven surface obtained by cutting the resin. For this reason, if a hole is formed in the gate hole 57b and then the hole is sealed with, for example, a resin material, it may be difficult to visually determine whether or not the hole is formed in the gate mark 57b. For this reason, there is a possibility that a goto action using the gate mark 57b is performed.

  On the other hand, when the hole is made in the gate mark 57b, the goto action is easily performed if the main CPU 55 or the like is positioned in the vertical direction (below the gate mark 57b). Therefore, if the main CPU 55 or the like is not arranged in the vertical direction (directly below) the gate mark 57b, it becomes difficult to access the main CPU 55 and the like, and it is possible to make the goto action difficult.

  In addition, the model number displayed (printed, etc.) on the surface of the main control board 50 is also important information for checking the presence or absence of fraud, so that the model number is displayed for easy confirmation (easy to read). The gate trace 57b is not arranged immediately above the region. Furthermore, when the gate mark 57b exists directly above the model number display, a hole is made in the gate mark 57b to access the inside of the substrate case 56, and to prevent the model number display from being tampered with, The gate mark 57b is not arranged directly above the model number display.

  Further, for the set value display LED 73, it is necessary to see the displayed numerical value when the setting is changed or when the setting is confirmed. Further, regarding the management information display LED 74, it is necessary to look at the displayed numerical value in order to confirm whether the advantageous section ratio, the accessory ratio, etc. are within an appropriate range. Therefore, the gate trace 57b is not arranged directly above these LEDs. Further, in the same manner as described above, the gate trace 57b is used to make a hole in the gate trace 57b, from which the LED in the substrate case 56 is accessed, and it is difficult to perform the goto action. The gate mark 57b is not arranged on the upper side.

  In addition, with respect to the failure confirmation LED described above, the administrator of the slot machine 10 operates the operation switch to confirm whether or not the failure confirmation LED corresponding to the operation switch is lit. Therefore, it is preferable that the gate mark 57b is not located directly above the failure confirmation LED. As described above, the failure confirmation LED is not arranged in the vertical direction (directly below) the gate mark 57b to make it difficult for the goto action to be performed.

In FIG. 10, the cross-sectional views of Example 1 shown in (b) and Example 2 shown in (c) have the same outer shape of the gate trace 57 b. In Example 1 of (b), the inner surface of the upper surface of the gate mark 57b remains a flat surface. On the other hand, in Example 2 of (c), the inner surface of the upper surface of the gate mark 57b is formed in a protruding shape (thick).
The outside of the gate mark 57b has a protrusion 57d at the center thereof, and a recess 57c formed so as to sink into a cylindrical shape on the outer periphery thereof. The boundary between the gate and the molded product is connected at the time of molding, and when the molded product is separated from the mold, this boundary is cut with a cutter. Therefore, the upper end surface of the protrusion 57d is a cut surface by a cutter. There are two methods for cutting the boundary between the gate and the molded product: a method of automatically cutting at the time of injection by a molding machine and a method of cutting in a subsequent process.

  Here, at the time of cutting the boundary between the gate and the molded product, it is costly to process the cut surface into a completely smooth surface, in other words, to make the smooth surface with the height of the protrusion 57d substantially “0”. It becomes high and difficult. Therefore, the recessed portion 57c is formed so as not to protrude above the outer surface of the upper cover 57 even if the height of the protrusion 57d remains. Thereby, for example, when the worker who assembles touches the upper cover 57, it is possible to prevent the projection 57d from being injured.

As shown in FIG. 10B, when the recessed portion 57c is provided in the gate mark 57, the thickness of the upper cover 57 is reduced accordingly. As described above, if there is a portion with a small thickness, there is a risk that a go-to action of opening a hole in the recessed portion 57c and accessing the inside of the substrate case 56 may be facilitated.
Therefore, in Example 2 of FIG. 10C, a protrusion 57e is provided on the opposite side (inside) of the upper surface outside where the gate mark 57b is provided to prevent the thickness of only the recessed portion 57c from being reduced. Yes. Unless the protrusion 57e is provided and the portion where the thickness is reduced is not provided, it is possible to make it difficult to perform the gore action of making a hole in the recessed portion 57c.

  Further, the protrusion 57e not only contributes to fraud countermeasures by preventing a part of the thickness of the gate mark 57b from being thinned, but also functions as a dimple (hot water pool) during molding. In FIG. 10B, when resin (hot water) is injected from the mold gate (position corresponding to the protrusion 57d) and the resin (hot water) collides with the inside of the upper surface, the resin (hot water) There is a risk that the flow will change suddenly and will not be able to flow stably. Therefore, by providing a dimple (hot water reservoir) at a position facing the tip of the gate, the flow of the resin (hot water) is less likely to change suddenly when the resin (hot water) is injected from the gate. (Hot water) can flow stably. The protrusion 57e may have various shapes such as a square cross section, a triangular cross section, a trapezoidal cross section (in the case of FIG. 10C), a dome shape, and the like, and the protrusion 57e becomes thin by providing the recess 57c. Any shape may be used as long as the shape can be prevented.

  In addition, regarding the visibility in the vertical direction (directly below) of the gate trace 57b, the smoother the lower side of the gate trace 57 is superior to the uneven shape. Therefore, regarding the visibility directly under the gate mark 57b, the shape of FIG. 10B is superior to the shape of FIG. 10C. In addition, the shape of FIG. 10B simplifies the shape of the mold because it is not necessary to form a portion corresponding to the protrusion 57e in the mold as compared with the shape of FIG. 10C. Cost).

Further, the gate mark 58b of the lower cover 58 is also provided on the outer side (lower side in FIG. 9). Furthermore, a protrusion 57d and a recess 57c shown in FIG. 10B are formed on the outside. This is because, as described above, it is more convenient in terms of molding process to provide the protrusions 57d and the recessed portions 57c outside the molded product.
Then, when the main control board 50 is fixed to the lower cover 58, setting is made so that the pin positions of the main CPU 55 and the like of the main control board 50 are not positioned in the vertical direction of the gate mark 58b of the lower cover 58. This is because a hole is made in the gate mark 58b of the lower cover 58 so that the pins such as the main CPU 55 cannot be accessed.
When the gate mark 58b of the lower cover 58 has the shape shown in FIG. 10C, the protrusion 57e in FIG. 10C faces the pin side of the main control board 50. It goes without saying that the pins protruding from the lower surface side of the control board 50 and the protrusions 57e are formed so as not to interfere (contact).

Further, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the upper cover 57 and the lower cover 58 are fitted, the gate trace 57b of the upper cover 57 and the gate trace 58b of the lower cover 58 are overlapped in the vertical direction. It is preferable to arrange (shift) so as not to become. In particular, in the case of the gate traces 57b and 58b shown in FIG. 10B, the thickness of a part of the gate traces 57b and 58b (recessed portion 57c) is reduced, but the portion where the thickness is reduced is the upper cover. By disposing at a position where 57 and the lower cover 58 do not overlap, it is possible to prevent portions that are easily targeted from overlapping.
Further, when the gate mark 57b of the upper cover 57 and the gate mark 58b of the lower cover 58 are overlapped in the vertical direction, the position of the gate mark of the other cover can be known only by looking at one cover. turn into. In order to prevent this, the gate mark 57b of the upper cover 57 and the gate mark 58b of the lower cover 58 do not overlap in the vertical direction.

<Third Embodiment>
In the third embodiment, when a command is transmitted from the main control board 50 to the sub control board 80, communication between the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 is temporarily disabled (disconnection). Later, when communication is restored or communication fails due to the influence of noise, etc.).
As described above, the control command transmission means 71 of the main control board 50 transmits a command such as a push order instruction number and information on the operated stop switch 42 to the sub control board 80. Then, the sub control board 80 outputs an effect based on the command received from the main control board 50, and updates the effect in accordance with the operation of the operation switch during the game.

Here, there is a possibility that the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 are disconnected, and communication becomes impossible. The cause includes poor contact and radio wave goto. When the sub control board 80 stops receiving a command from the main control board 50, the production stops in the current state. In addition, neither the main control board 50 nor the sub control board 80 determines whether or not there is a disconnection in communication between them. For this reason, even if the main control board 50 is a case where a disconnection occurs between the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80, the progress of the game (the operation of the bet switch 40, the start switch 41, and the stop switch 42 is performed). Etc.), the command transmission process is continued to the sub-control board 80. On the other hand, when the sub control board 80 does not receive a command from the main control board 50, the sub control board 80 maintains the effect state at that time.
Even when the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 are disconnected, for example, during AT, the main control board 50 pushes the acquired number display LED 78 in the order of pushing by the operation of the instruction function. Display instruction information. Thereby, even if the sub-control board 80 is not functioning normally, the player can operate the stop switch 42 in the correct pressing order by looking at the pressing order instruction information.
Furthermore, since the player can compare the push order instruction information displayed on the acquisition number display LED 78 with the effect contents (correct answer push order) displayed on the image display device 23, the information on both is contradictory. When this is done, it is possible to know that a problem has occurred in the image display by the sub control board 80.

For example, when the disconnection occurs in the middle of the “N” game and the communication is restored in the middle of the “N + 1” game, the sub control board 80 can receive the command transmitted from the main control board 50. Sometimes, the production cannot be suddenly switched to the “N + 1” game. Even when the communication is restored, the sub-control board 80 does not receive a command related to the operation of the start switch 41 (a command for informing a game start), so that the “N + 1” game is started. This is because it cannot be determined. For this reason, when communication between the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 is disconnected and then returned, depending on the contents of the production, there is a risk of misunderstanding the player.
Therefore, in the third embodiment, when the communication between the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 is disconnected and then restored, the production is given a sense of incongruity while avoiding misunderstandings to the player as much as possible. A production that does not exist is output.

FIG. 11 shows the operation of the main control board 50 in the third embodiment (described as “main operation” in FIG. 11) and the effect display by the sub control board 80 (described as “sub display” in FIG. 11). .), And illustrates five examples including pattern 1 (example 1) to pattern 5 (example 5).
Patterns 1 to 5 show examples in which communication is disabled (disconnection occurs) in the middle of the “N” game and communication is restored in the middle of the “N + 1” game.
In the main operation of FIG. 11, “bet” means that the bet switch 40 is operated and a specified number is bet effectively. “Start” means that the game is started by operating the start switch 41 after a specified number of bets have been placed. Furthermore, for example, “right stop” means that the right stop switch 42 is operated (the right reel 31 stops).

Further, in the sub-display, the “push order effect” means an effect of displaying an image of the correct push order in a game won for the push order bell or the push order replay, for example. Specifically, for example, “middle right display” means an effect that informs that the correct answer pressing order is “middle right”. For example, “middle left display” is an effect after the left stop switch 42 is operated, and the stop switch 42 to be operated second is left, and the stop switch 42 to be operated third is in the middle. This means an effect to be notified.
Furthermore, for example, “right stop effect” is an effect that the right stop switch 42 is operated (the right reel 31 is stopped) when a command indicating that the right stop switch 42 is operated is received. means.

In the pattern 1, when the start switch 41 is operated in the “N” game, as described above, the main control board 50 performs lottery drawing. In the game, “middle right” is an example of winning the push order bell in the correct push order. In this case, the main control board 50 transmits a push order instruction number (command) corresponding to the correct push order “middle right / left” to the sub-control board 80 during AT. When receiving this command, the sub-control board 80 outputs a push order effect that displays the right and left middle correct answer push order to the image display device 23.
Although not shown, the main control board 50 displays the push order instruction information corresponding to the correct push order “middle right” on the acquired number display LED 78 (operation of the instruction function).

Next, it is assumed that the player operates the right stop switch 42 as the first stop in the correct pressing order (right stop). As a result, the right reel 31 stops and a command to that effect is transmitted to the sub-control board 80. When the sub-control board 80 receives the command, it outputs an effect (right stop effect) in which the right stop switch 42 is operated (the right reel 31 is stopped), and displays a right / left middle display, a left middle display (others, etc. Display of “−left middle”, “× left middle”, etc.).
Pattern 1 shows an example in which a disconnection occurs after the right reel 31 stops, and communication between the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 becomes impossible (sub disconnection). That is, this is an example in which communication is disabled during the game.

  Even if communication between the main control board 50 and the sub-control board 80 becomes impossible (even if the sub-control board 80 is not functioning), the main control board 50 can proceed with the game. The example of pattern 1 shows an example in which the left and middle stop switches 42 are respectively operated (the left and middle reels 31 are stopped) after the occurrence of disconnection in the “N” game (the left middle stop). ).

  Next, it is assumed that a bet operation for the “N + 1” game is performed and the start switch 41 is operated. In the “N + 1” game, as in the case of the “N” game, an example is shown in which “right / middle left” wins the push order bell (or push order replay), which is the correct push order. In the “N + 1” game, as in the “N” game, an example is shown in which the stop switch 42 is operated in the middle order of right and left. Any combination lottery result may be used.

  When the “N + 1” game is won with the push order bell (or push order replay) having the correct push order, the main control board 50 displays the push order instruction information on the acquired number display LED 78. Therefore, the player can operate the stop switch 42 in the correct pressing order by the pressing order instruction information displayed on the acquired number display LED 78 even when the correct pressing order is not displayed on the image display device 23. Become.

In the “N + 1” game, an example is shown in which the player first operates the right stop switch 42. Thereafter, it is assumed that the communication between the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 is restored before the second left stop switch 42 is operated.
Thereby, when the player operates the left stop switch 42 which is the second stop switch 42, the command is transmitted to the sub-control board 80. When receiving this command, the sub control board 80 updates the image display so as to correspond to the received command. That is, an image indicating that the left stop has been performed is displayed (left stop effect). Here, the sub-control board 80 updates the continuation of the previously displayed effect, that is, the effect of the “N” game.

  Accordingly, the second stop switch 42 (left) of the “N + 1” game is actually operated, but the second stop switch 42 (left) of the “N” game is operated on the sub control board 80. Outputs the effect when operated. Since the second correct push order in the “N” game is on the left, in this example, it is operated in the correct push order. Therefore, the sub-control board 80 outputs the left stop effect (push order correct answer effect) and outputs the last medium display effect.

Then, in the “N + 1” game, when the last middle stop switch 42 is operated, a command to that effect is transmitted to the sub-control board 80. Upon receiving this command, the sub control board 80 outputs an effect corresponding to the third stop of the “N” game, that is, an intermediate stop effect.
In the case of “N + 1” game, even if the winning combination with the correct pressing order is won and the correct pressing order is other than the right / left middle, the effect is output as described above under the pattern 1 situation. Is done. That is, in the “N + 1” game, when the pressing order operated by the player is in the middle of the right and left, even if the pressing order corresponds to the incorrect pressing order, the pressing order failed as in pattern 2 described later. Production is not output.

  Furthermore, in the case of the “N + 1” game, even if the winning combination that does not have the correct pressing order is won, or even if the winning combination is not won, if the pressing order operated by the player is right / left middle, The same production is output. That is, even if the “N + 1” game does not have the correct answer pressing order, the sub-control board 80 indicates that the left stop switch 42 has been operated after the communication is restored (in the example of pattern 1). When a command is received, a left stop effect (push order correct answer effect) is output, and a medium display is output.

  Next, when the bet for the “N + 2” game is made and the “N + 2” game is started by operating the start switch 41, the main control board 50 makes a “ A command corresponding to the start of the “N + 2” game is transmitted. Thereby, the sub-control board 80 outputs the effect at the start of the “N + 2” game. Specifically, when the start switch 41 is operated, the command of the effect group number and the push order instruction number is transmitted to the sub control board 80. Upon receipt of these commands, the sub control board 80 displays the push order effect and the correct answer push order as at the start of the “N” game.

As described above, in the pattern 1, the sub-control board 80 is based on the command received from the main control board 50 ("N + 1" game) until the third stop of the "N + 1" game. When the “N + 2” game is started, it is updated to the “N + 2” game.
Further, at the end of the game, the main control board 50 transmits a command for the acquired number to the sub-control board 80, and the sub-control board 80 may display an image of the acquired number in AT together. In such a case, the sub-control board 80 cannot receive the acquired number of commands at the end of the “N” game, that is, during the disconnection, so at the end of the “N” game, “N−1” “The number of games acquired at the end of the game remains displayed. Then, when the communication is restored and the command for the number acquired at the end of the “N + 1” game is received, the sub-control board 80 updates the image display so that the number acquired at the end of the “N + 1” game is reached. .

In pattern 2, the main operation is the same as pattern 1. Further, the disconnection timing is the same as that in pattern 1, but the timing at which communication is restored is different from that in pattern 2. Pattern 2 is an example in which communication is restored after the left stop, which is the second stop, in the “N + 1” game.
In pattern 2, the main operation and sub-display in the “N” game are the same as in pattern 1, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
Next, in the “N + 1” game, the stop switch 42 is operated in the order of the middle left and right, but communication returns after the second left stop.

  Immediately before the communication is restored, the sub-control board 80 is outputting the right stop effect and the middle left display for the “N” game. In this state, when communication is restored and the player operates the stop switch 42 (third stop) in the “N + 1” game, the command is transmitted to the sub-control board 80. When the sub control board 80 receives the middle stop command while displaying the left middle, it determines that the order is incorrect and the push order failure effect is output. In the third embodiment, after the push order failure effect is output, the subsequent push order effect is not output.

In the “N + 1” game, when it is assumed that the stop switch 42 is operated in the middle / left / right push order, the communication is restored after the middle / left stop, and the right stop command is executed after the right stop is performed. Also when it is transmitted to the board 80, a push order failure effect is output in the same manner as described above. Since the sub-control board 80 is outputting the right stop effect and the middle left display, if the right stop command is received at this time, the same stop command is received twice in one game. . Even in such a case, it is processed as a push order failure without performing an error notification and the effect is output.
When the “N + 2” game is started as in the case of the pattern 1, the command at the start of the “N + 2” game is transmitted to the sub-control board 80. As a result, the sub-control board 80 starts to produce the “N + 2” game.

In pattern 3, the main operation and sub-display of the “N” game are the same as in pattern 1.
Pattern 3 shows an example in which communication is restored after the first stop right and the second stop in the “N + 1” game. Therefore, in the “N + 1” game, after the communication is restored, a left stop command as a third stop is transmitted to the sub-control board 80. Since the sub-control board 80 outputs the “N left display” of the “N” game, when it receives a left stop command in this state, it is determined that the correct answer is pressed. Therefore, the sub-control board 80 outputs a left stop effect (push order correct answer effect), and then outputs an intermediate display.

  However, on the main control board 50 side, the “N + 1” game ends the game with the third left stop. Next, the game proceeds to the “N + 2” game, and when the command at the start of the “N + 2” game is transmitted to the sub-control board 80, the sub-control board 80 receives the command and receives the “N + 2” game. Switch to the start effect. Therefore, the left stop effect and middle display that have been output are canceled. Also, even if a command at the start of the “N + 2” game is received while the middle display is being output, an error notification is not performed, and an effect at the start of the “N + 2” game is output according to the received command. .

Pattern 4 is an example of displaying the number of remaining games during AT in the sub display. In pattern 4, the main operation, disconnection timing, and communication return timing are the same as in pattern 3.
The main control board 50 transmits a command of the remaining number of games of the AT to the sub control board 80 at every game and game start. When the sub control board 80 receives a command of the remaining number of games of AT from the main control board 50, the display of the remaining number of games of AT is updated. In addition, during AT, the display of the number of remaining games is not performed independently, but is output together with the push order effect of the pattern 3.

In Pattern 4, when the start switch 41 is operated (at the start of the game), the main control board 50 transmits a command of the remaining number of games during AT to the sub control board 80. Here, in the “N” game, the remaining number of games of the AT is 10 games.
The sub-control board 80 displays the remaining number of games during the AT (remaining 10 games) based on the command received from the main control board 50 at the start of the “N” game.
When the “N” game is disconnected and the disconnection state continues at the start of the “N + 1” game, the main control board 50 performs the sub-control at the start (start) of the “N + 1” game. Although a process for transmitting a command of the remaining number of games (9 games) in the AT is executed to the control board 80, the sub-control board 80 cannot receive the command (due to disconnection). For this reason, in the “N + 1” game, “the remaining 10 games” of the “N” game remain displayed.

  When the communication returns to the middle of the “N + 1” game (after the middle left stop) and shifts to the “N + 2” game, the main control board 50 transfers to the sub-control board 80 at the start of the “N + 2” game. In contrast, a command of the remaining number of games (8 games) in the AT is transmitted. When receiving this command, the sub control board 80 updates the display of the remaining 10 games to the display of the remaining 8 games.

Pattern 5 is an example in which the main operation, disconnection timing, and communication return timing are the same as pattern 4, but the “N” game is the remaining one game of AT.
When the “N” game starts (when the start switch 41 is operated), the main control board 50 transmits a command of the remaining number of games during AT (1 game remaining) to the sub control board 80. When receiving this command, the sub control board 80 updates the display of the remaining one game (from the display of the remaining two games so far).
When a disconnection occurs after the right stop of the “N” game, the main control board 50 sets the remaining number of games during the AT to 0 at the start of the “N + 1” game (when the start switch 41 is operated). A command indicating that the game is a game is transmitted to the sub-control board 80, but the sub-control board 80 cannot receive the command (same as pattern 4). Therefore, at the start of the “N + 1” game, the display indicating that the remaining AT game is one is continued.

Further, the sub control board 80 outputs an AT end effect when the AT ends. The AT end effect is executed at the end of the game based on the reception of the command indicating that the remaining number of games in the AT is 0 game (at the start of the game).
However, in the example of pattern 5, since the sub-control board 80 has not received a command indicating that the number of remaining games in the AT is 0, no AT end effect is output. Therefore, even when the “N + 1” game ends, an effect indicating that the game is the remaining one of the AT is output.

When the “N + 1” game ends and the “N + 2” game is started, the main control board 50 sends a command indicating a normal game (non-AT) to the sub-control board 80 at the start of the “N + 2” game. Send. Based on the reception of this command, the sub-control board 80 erases the display of “1 remaining game” and outputs a normal (non-AT) effect.
At the end of the AT, an image display such as “Pachinko / pachislot is a game machine that can be enjoyed moderately” is performed to prevent sinking. However, in the case of the pattern 5, since the sub display is not normally restored at the end of the “N + 1” game, the image display cannot be performed. Therefore, as a countermeasure, the game history is managed on the sub-control board 80 side, and when the next game (“N + 2” game in the example of FIG. 11) is entered across the end of AT, the game The image display may be performed at the start of the operation.

  In the above patterns 1 to 5, when the disconnection occurs in the “N” game, the sub-control board 80 continues to output the effect immediately before the occurrence of the disconnection of the “N” game until the communication is restored. When the communication returns in the middle of the game, the continuation of the effect output as the “N” game is output based on the command received in the “N + 1” game. Thus, for example, in pattern 1, when the “N + 1” game receives a left stop command after communication has been restored, the correct answer is issued regardless of whether or not the stop switch 42 is actually operated in the correct answer pressing order. A push order effect will be output.

  On the other hand, in pattern 1, for example, when an “N + 1” game is received and after a communication return, if an intermediate stop command is received, the push order of the effects being output at that time, that is, “N” game Since the middle left display is in the incorrect answer pressing order, a pressing order failure effect is output regardless of whether or not the stop switch 42 is actually operated in the correct answer pressing order. However, even if the push order failure effect is output in the “N + 1” game, if the player operates the stop switch 42 in the correct push order of the “N + 1” game, it is advantageous for the player. Since the combination is stopped and displayed, there is no disadvantage to the player.

  As described above, when the communication returns in the “N + 1” game, the “N + 1” game outputs the effect that takes over the effect before the disconnection (“N” game), and the “N + 2” game. Reset the production at the start (return to the correct production). Thereby, it is possible to minimize the output of an unnatural effect in both the game in which the disconnection has occurred and the game in which the communication has been restored, and to prevent the player from being misunderstood as much as possible.

Further, in the example of FIG. 11, an example is shown in which the communication is restored to the “N + 1” game after the disconnection occurs in the “N” game. Even so, it is the same as FIG.
For example, when a break occurs in the “N” game and communication returns to the “N + a” game (a = “2” or more), the “N + a-1” game will be interrupted until the “N + a-1” game. The last previous production continues to be output. Then, in the “N + a” game in which the communication is restored, the continuation of the performance of the “N” game that has been continuously output is executed based on the command received after the communication is restored. Next, at the start of the “N + a + 1” game, the effect at the start of the “N + a + 1” game (correct effect) is updated.

<Fourth embodiment>
The motor 32 performs acceleration, constant speed, deceleration, and stop processing when rotating and stopping the reel 31, and these are all in an excited state. Then, when the rotation of the motor 32 is stopped, a predetermined time (time T11 described later) is set to a state in which excitation is performed simultaneously for four phases (hereinafter referred to as “four-phase excitation state”).
The fourth embodiment relates to the time relationship between the operation of the stop button 42a of the stop switch 42 and the four-phase excitation state when the motor 32 is stopped.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the operation of the stop button 42a and the detection sensor 42e in the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 12, hatching is omitted from the viewpoint of easy viewing of the drawing. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram for explaining the fourth embodiment, and does not mean that an actual product has a structure as shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, the process from when the stop button 42a is pushed in until it returns to the original state is illustrated in the order of (a) → (b) → (c) → (d). In the figure, the upper side is the player side, and the lower side is the inside of the slot machine 10. In the figure, the upper side from the front door 12 is the side visible to the player.
Furthermore, a line where the detection sensor 42e detects the moving piece 42d is indicated by a dotted line. It is assumed that the moment when the tip of the moving piece 42d contacts the dotted line is the moment when the detection sensor 42e detects the moving piece 42d.

In FIG. 12A, a stop button 42a is an operating body of the stop switch 42, and is operated when the player turns on the stop switch 42 (pushes into the slot machine 10). The player side of the stop button 42a is disposed so as to protrude from the front door 12 provided on the front surface of the housing of the slot machine 10 by about several millimeters. When this portion is viewed from the front side on the player side, it is substantially cylindrical. In the no-load state, the stop button 42a is urged in the direction F3 (outward direction, player direction) in the drawing (a) by the spring force of the (compression) coil spring 42c. An end of the player side of 42 a protrudes from the front door 12. In this state, in the drawing of the stop button 42a, the lower surface portion (hereinafter referred to as “flange-shaped portion”) and the front door 12 are in contact with each other.
On the other hand, the stopper 42b is provided on the inner side of the front door 12 (inside the housing), and abuts the stop button 42a when the stop button 42a is pushed in, and prohibits further movement of the stop button 42a. It is.

  A moving piece 42d that can move integrally with the stop button 42a is provided on the lower surface side of the stop button 42a. Further, a detection sensor 42e for detecting the movement of the moving piece 42d is disposed directly below the moving piece 42d. In the figure, in the unloaded state shown in (a), when the stop button 42a is urged toward the front door 12 by the urging force of the coil spring 42c, the tip (lower end in the figure) of the moving piece 42d is It arrange | positions in the position away from the detection sensor 42e. Therefore, in the state of (a) in the figure, the detection sensor 42e does not detect the moving piece 42d and is in the off state.

  Next, as shown in (b) in the figure, when the player stops the rotation of the reel 31, the player pushes the stop button 42a in the F4 direction. Thereby, the stop button 42a moves downward in the figure against the urging force of the coil spring 42c. When the stop button 42a moves downward in the drawing, the moving piece 42d integrated with the stop button 42a also moves downward in the drawing. Thereby, the tip of the moving piece 42d enters the detection sensor 42e. And if the front-end | tip of the moving piece 42d contacts the dotted line of the detection sensor 42e, the detection sensor 42e will be in an ON state from an OFF state. FIG. 12B shows the position of each member at the moment when the detection sensor 42e is turned on from the off state. At the moment when the detection sensor 42e is turned on, the flange-shaped portion of the stop button 42a is not yet in contact with the stopper 42b, and there is a gap between the stop button 42a and the stopper 42b.

  When the stop button 42a is further pushed in from the state of FIG. 12B, the flange-shaped portion of the stop button 42a comes into contact with the stopper 42c as shown in FIG. 12C. This position is the deepest part when the stop button 42a is pushed. Further, in the state of FIG. 12C, since the state in which the tip of the moving piece 42d is detected by the detection sensor 42e is maintained, the detection sensor 42e is in the on state.

  When the player releases the push of the stop button 42a from the state of FIG. 12C (excluding the force in the direction F4 in FIG. 12C), the stop button 42a is moved by the biasing force F3 of the coil spring 42c. A force to return to the initial position is applied. As a result, the stop button 42a and the moving piece 42d integral with the stop button 42a move upward in the figure. As a result, the tip of the moving piece 42d does not contact the dotted line of the detection sensor 42e, and the detection sensor 42e changes from the on state to the off state (FIG. 12 (d)).

FIG. 12D shows the arrangement of each member at the moment when the detection sensor 42e changes from the on state to the off state. In the state of FIG. 12D, the stop button 42a has not returned to the final position. When the stop button 42a is further returned from the state shown in FIG. 12D, the stop button 42a comes into contact with the flange-shaped front door 12 of the stop button 42a, and the stop button 42a stops at this position. This state is the state shown in FIG. 12A, which is a no-load state of the stop button 42a.
The state of FIG. 12B showing the timing when the detection sensor 42e is turned on from the off state and the state of FIG. 12d showing the timing when the detection sensor 42e is turned off from the on state are generally Although it is the same, there is no particular problem even if a slight deviation occurs.

FIG. 13 is a time chart showing the relationship between the operation of the stop button 42a and the excitation state of the motor 32 in the fourth embodiment, where (a) shows Example 1 and (b) shows Example 2. Show.
In FIG. 13A, the time when the stop button 42a is in the initial position (FIG. 12A) in the no-load state and the stop button 42a is started to be pushed is S41. The time when the stop button 42a is pushed and the detection sensor 42e is turned on from off, that is, when the state becomes the state of FIG. Furthermore, the time when the stop button 42a is pushed in from the position and the stop button 42a reaches the deepest part (when the state shown in FIG. 12C is reached) is set to S43. The above times S41, S42 and S43 depend on the player's pushing speed and are not constant. If the stop button 42a is pushed slowly, the time from the time S41 to S43 becomes longer, and if the stop button 42a is pushed earlier, the time from the time S41 to S43 becomes shorter.

Next, it is assumed that pressing of the stop button 42a is released at time S44. It is assumed that the stop button 42a is located at the deepest part at the time S44.
When the pushing of the stop button 42a is released, as described above, a force is applied to the stop button 42a to return to the initial position by the spring force of the coil spring 42c. It is assumed that the operator of the stop button 42a does not touch the stop button 42a from the moment when the push of the stop button 42a is released.
Then, the time when the detection sensor 42e is turned off from on, that is, when the detection sensor 42e is in the state of FIG. Here, the time from time S44 to S45 is T11.

  The time T11 is a variable determined by the spring force (spring constant) of the coil spring 42c and the stroke (movement distance) of the stop button 42a from the deepest position to the position where the detection sensor 42e is turned off. In Example 1 of (a), the spring force (spring constant) of the coil spring 42c and the stroke of the stop button 42a are designed so that the time T11 is 100 ms.

  On the other hand, when the stop switch 42 is turned on (specifically, when the detection sensor 42e is turned on) (when the state becomes the state shown in FIG. 12B), the reel control means 65 makes the reel corresponding to the stop switch 42. 31 stop control is performed, and the reel 31 is stopped at a position corresponding to a winning lottery result (result determined by the internal lottery means) by the winning lottery means. As described above, the time from when the reel 31 stop control is started (after detection of the detection sensor 42e is detected) to the reel 31 is stopped (except for the predetermined reel 31 during the MB game). Within 190 ms (the number of moving frames is 5 frames or less when the number of symbols on the reel 31 is 21 symbols, and the number of moving frames is 4 frames or less when the symbols are 20 symbols). Therefore, since the winning lottery result and the position of the reel 31 at the moment when the stop switch 42 is operated, the time from the start of deceleration of the reel 31 to the stop of the reel 31 is not constant.

Further, after moving the reel 31 to a predetermined position, the reel control means 65 is in a state where the motor 32 is energized (brake is applied) simultaneously for a predetermined period of time for four phases (the above-described four-phase excitation state). ).
Here, the motor 32 in the present embodiment is a four-phase stepping motor. For example, the motor 32 (reel 31) is rotated during the first / two-phase excitation (not limited to the first / two-phase excitation). Absent). Therefore, even during rotation of the motor 32, one excitation state is maintained. And when stopping the rotation drive of the motor 32, it is set as a four-phase excitation state.
In addition, when a bound stop is performed after moving the reel 31 to a predetermined position (when the reel 31 is made to vibrate at the stop position), for example, a three-phase excitation state is used instead of a four-phase excitation state. Is also possible.

  The moment when the rotational drive of the motor 32 is stopped may exceed the position at which the motor 32 or the reel 31 is to be stopped due to the inertia at the time of rotation of the motor 32 or the reel 31. A four-phase excitation state is set, and a static torque is generated so as not to move by inertia from the stop position. When the motor 32 is in the four-phase excitation state, the next operation acceptance of the stop switch 42 is not permitted. The operation acceptance of the next stop switch 42 is permitted during the first or second stop because the detection sensor 42e of the operated stop switch 42 changes from the on state to the off state (returns to the state of FIG. 12 (d)). ) And when the four-phase excitation state of the motor 32 that has stopped rotating is completed.

The reason for this control is as follows.
In order to hold the stop position of the reel 31, the motor 32 is controlled to a four-phase excitation state. When controlled in such a manner, more load is applied than usual, so the load of the entire slot machine 10 is reduced. It gets bigger. Therefore, in order to reduce this load, the operation of the next stop button 42a can be accepted after the four-phase excitation state of one motor 32 is completed.

  In Example 1 of FIG. 13A, when the result lottery result by the role lottery means (result determined by the internal lottery means) is a predetermined result (for example, at the time of pushing order bell winning), the four-phase excitation state is set. The excitation time T12 from the start to the end is set to 90 interrupts (2.235 × 90 = 201.15 ms). Here, when the combination lottery result is a predetermined result, the excitation time T12 in the four-phase excitation state is set to “90 interrupt”. The excitation time T12 is always constant regardless of the combination lottery result. It does not necessarily mean.

Therefore, in Example 1 of the fourth embodiment, the setting is such that “T11 <T12”.
Here, when the stop control of the reel 31 is started from the time S42, the reel 31 stops within 190 ms. As described above, the number of moving frames during stop control when the number of symbols on the reel 31 is “21” is within 5 frames (minimum 1 frame), or the number of symbols on the reel 31 is “20”. Since the number of moving frames at the time of stop control is within 4 frames (minimum 1 frame), the reel 31 stops within about “40” to “190” ms from time S42.
On the other hand, the time from when the detection sensor 42e changes from the off state to the on state until the stop button 42e reaches the deepest portion and the pushing force of the stop button 42e is released (time from time S42 to S44) is , “40” to “180” ms. For this reason, the time when the four-phase excitation state of the motor 32 is started and the time S44 when the push of the stop button 42a is released are close (substantially the same time).

Therefore, in Example 1, it is assumed that the four-phase excitation state is started at the timing when release of the stop button 42a is released (time S44), and after the detection sensor 42e is turned off from the on state (time S45), The motor 32 is designed so that the four-phase excitation state ends (time T12 elapses). For this reason, when the four-phase excitation state of the motor 32 is finished, it can be set so that the operation of the next stop button 42a can be accepted.
In this way, if the detection sensor 42e is designed to be turned off before the end of the four-phase excitation state, the next stop button 42a can be accepted for operation when the four-phase excitation state ends. . Thereby, it becomes possible to advance a game at high speed.

  On the other hand, in Example 2 of FIG. 13B, from the moment (time S44) when the pressing of the stop button 42a reaching the deepest part is released until the detection sensor 42e is turned off (from time S45). This is an example in which the time T11 (until it reaches) is set to 300 ms. Therefore, the return time of the stop button 42a is three times that of Example 1. As described above, the return time of the stop button 42a can be set (adjusted) by the spring force (spring constant) of the coil spring 42c and the stroke of the stop button 42a.

On the other hand, in Example 2, the time T12 from the start to the end of the four-phase excitation state is set to 45 interrupts (100.575 ms).
Then, in Example 2, as in Example 1, the four-phase excitation state is started from the moment (time S44) when the pressing of the stop button 42a reaching the deepest portion is released, and the four-phase of the motor 32 is started. The sensor 42e is designed to be turned off after the excitation state is finished. For this reason, when the detection sensor 42e is turned off, it can be set so that the operation of the next stop button 42a can be accepted.

As described above, when the detection sensor 42e is turned off, the design is such that the four-phase excitation state is completed, so that the operation of the next stop button 42a is permitted when the detection sensor 42e is turned off. can do. Thereby, it becomes possible to advance a game at high speed.
As described above, both Example 1 and Example 2 have control advantages.
In Example 1 and Example 2 in FIG. 13, an example is shown in which the time T12 from the start to the end of the four-phase excitation state is different. However, for example, when the four-phase excitation time T12 is a constant value, if “T11 <T12”, the next stop button 42a can be received when the four-phase excitation state is completed. Therefore, when the four-phase excitation time T12 is a constant value, the game in Example 1 can be digested at a higher speed.

<Fifth Embodiment>
The fifth embodiment relates to the relationship between power on / off and program activation.
FIG. 14 is a time chart illustrating an outline of control in the fifth embodiment.
In FIG. 14, (a) is a diagram showing a state when a power interruption occurs after the main program (the program of the main control board 50) is started. The power supply is turned on at time S51 and then turned off at time S55.
When power is turned on at time S51 (when the power switch 11 is turned on in FIG. 1), supply of power to both the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 is started, and the main control board 50 and The voltage level of the sub control plate 80 gradually increases and reaches the supply level V0 (level when the power is on). In FIG. 14, the voltage supply level V0, the power-off detection level V1, and the drive voltage limit V2 are the same as those in FIG. 3 (first embodiment (A)).

  After the power is turned on at time S51, the time when the voltage levels of the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 reach the supply level V0 is S52. Thereafter, the sub-program by the sub-control board 80 starts from time S53 when time T22 has elapsed from time S52. Thereafter, the main program by the main control board 50 is started from time S54 when time T23 (T23> T22) has elapsed from time S52. In this way, the subprogram is started first, and then the main program is started when the first command after power-on is transmitted from the main control board 50 to the sub control board 80. This is because the command can be received on the sub-control board 80 side.

Next, when the power is cut off (the power switch 11 is turned off or a power failure occurs) at time S55, the voltage levels of the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 are gradually lowered. Even if the voltage level decreases, the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 can execute the power-off process if the voltage is equal to or higher than the drive voltage limit V2.
Further, when the power interruption occurs at time S55, the voltage becomes the power interruption detection level V1 at time T0 (20 interrupt) as in FIG. 3, and the power interruption is detected (time S56). Further, after detecting the power-off, the power-off processing is executed after, for example, one interruption, as in FIG. The power-off process is assumed to end at time S57.
Thereafter, when time S58 is reached, the voltage falls below the drive voltage limit V2, and the program (processing) cannot be executed. For this reason, control is performed so that the power-off process is completed before the time S58 is reached.

When the main program is started at time S54, the main CPU 55 is set, the RWM 53 is checked, whether the previous power-off is normal, the setting key switch is checked, etc., and then interrupt processing is started. . When the setting key switch is off, power-off recovery processing (initialization of a predetermined range of the RWM 53, etc.) is executed after starting the interrupt processing. On the other hand, when the setting key switch is on, the process proceeds to the setting change process after the interruption process is started.
Then, as shown in FIG. 14A, when the power cut occurs after starting the main program, if the setting key switch is OFF, the power cut-off process is executed after completing the power cut-off recovery process. To do. As a result, the program can be terminated normally.
On the other hand, when the power cut occurs after starting the main program, if the setting key switch is on, the power cut process is executed without starting the setting change process. This is because if the setting change process is executed after the power interruption, a problem may occur.

In order to execute the main program normally, the setting of the main CPU 55 and the check of the RWM 53 are always executed even when the power supply is detected simultaneously with the activation of the main program.
Furthermore, after the main program is started, even if a power interruption occurs after that, it is always executed until the interrupt is started. This is to detect a power interruption in the interrupt process. As in the first embodiment (A), for example, at the “N” interrupt, a voltage drop (power-off detection level V1) that is determined to be a power-off is detected, and the next “N + 1” game However, when the voltage drop is detected, the power-off is detected at the “N + 1” interrupt (determined that the power is cut off). Then, the power-off process is executed from the “N + 2” interrupt.

In the example of FIG. 14A, the main program is activated at time S54, and the power is cut off at time S55 thereafter. However, it is set so that the power-off process can be completed before the voltage reaches the drive voltage limit V2 even if the power is cut off at the same time as the time S54 (activation of the main program).
In FIG. 14 (a), the time T21 from when the power is turned on (time S51) until the voltage reaches the supply level V0 (time S52) is the voltage from the occurrence of power interruption (time S55) to the low level. It is set so as to be shorter than the time T24 to become.
The time T23 (the time from when the voltage reaches the supply level V0 until the main program starts) is set to be shorter than the time T24.

FIG. 14B is an example when a power interruption occurs before the main program is started by the main control board 50. In the example of FIG. 14B, the power is turned on at time S51, and the power is turned off at time S59. Here, time S59 is before time S54 in FIG. That is, after the power (supply level V0) necessary for starting the main program is supplied, the power is cut off before the predetermined time (time T23) elapses (before reaching time S54), and the voltage decreases. It is an example. In such a case, the main program is not started. Therefore, after that, the voltage gradually decreases, and finally the power supply becomes a low level.
In the example of FIG. 14B, when the power is turned on again, it can be normally started.
Further, although not shown in FIG. 14, it is considered that a power interruption occurs immediately after the subprogram is started (after time S53) and before time S54 (before the main program is started). It is done.
When the power interruption occurs at the above timing, the sub program executes the power interruption process of the sub program. Then, before the voltage supplied to the sub-control board 80 reaches the drive voltage limit V2, it is possible to finish the power-off process of the sub-program.
Further, since the power interruption at the above timing is a power interruption before the main program is activated, the main program is not activated as described above.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described content, and various modifications such as the following are possible.
(1) In this embodiment, the passage sensor 46 is provided. This is because the passage sensor 46 increases the accuracy of the medal insertion determination and is also effective as a countermeasure against fraud. However, the passage sensor 46 may not be provided, and only the pair of input sensors 44a and 44b may be provided.

(2) In FIG. 2, the insertion sensors 44a and 44b are configured to detect the medal M moving in a substantially horizontal direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the medal M is dropped substantially vertically downward, the medal M may be detected by the insertion sensors 44a and 44b.
(3) In FIG. 2, the blocker 45 is disposed on the lower surface side of the medal passage, but is not limited thereto. Any function may be used as long as the medal M is sent out of the medal path before the medal M is detected by the insertion sensor 44a.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the insertion sensors 44a and 44b are illustrated so as to detect slightly above the center position of the medal M when viewed from the front, but the actual product is like this. Does not mean. The insertion sensors 44a and 44b may be arranged in any way as long as they are arranged so that the passing medal M can be reliably detected.

  (4) In FIG. 3, the time T2 is the time from the moment when the medal M is positioned at M2 to the moment when the medal M is positioned at M4, but is not limited thereto. For example, the time until the medal M is at the position M1 in FIG. 2 and reaches M4 from the moment when the hand is released may be set to T2, and “T2> T1” may be set. Alternatively, the time until the medal M reaches M4 from any predetermined position between M1 and M2 may be set as T2, and “T2> T1” may be set.

(5) In the first embodiment (A), when the power interruption occurs at the moment when the medal M is positioned at M2, the power interruption process is executed until the medal M reaches M4. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when a power interruption occurs at the moment when the medal M is positioned at M2, the power interruption process may be executed before the medal M reaches M3. That is, in this case, the medal M is not detected by the insertion sensor 44a due to the power-off process.
Alternatively, when the power interruption occurs at the moment when the medal M is positioned at M2, the power interruption process may be executed before the medal M reaches the insertion sensor 44b. In this case, the medal M is detected by the insertion sensor 44a, but the power-off process is executed without being detected by the insertion sensor 44b.

(6) Furthermore, in the first embodiment (A), the time T1 from when the power failure occurs at the moment when the medal M is positioned at M2, until the power failure is detected and the power failure process (blocker off) is executed. Is set shorter than the time until the medal M reaches the position where the blocker 45 is installed from the position of M2 (this time is referred to as “T2 ′”). With this setting, when the power interruption occurs at the moment when the medal M is positioned at M2, the blocker 45 is already turned off when the medal M reaches the position of the blocker 45 from the position of M2. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the medal from passing through the insertion sensors 44a and 44b.
In the above description, the position of the medal M2 may be the moment when the hand is released at the position M1 or a predetermined position between M1 and M2.

(7) As shown in FIG. 3, in the first embodiment (A), the power-off process (blocker off) is executed in the interrupt process following the interrupt process in which the power-off is detected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be set such that the power-off process (blocker off) is executed after, for example, “2” to “5” interrupt processes, counting from the interrupt process that detected the power-off. Or you may perform a power-off process (blocker off) by the interruption process which detected the power-off.
(8) In the first embodiment (A) of FIG. 3, when the power interruption occurs, the time T0 until the voltage reaches the sustain level V1 from the supply level V0 is set to 20 interrupts. Without limitation, various settings can be made depending on the performance of the power source.

  (9) In the first embodiment (C) of FIG. 7, when the medal M is paid out by the medal payout device, the payout sensors 37a and 37b detect the movable piece 39a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the payout sensors 37a and 37b may detect the medal M itself to be paid out. For example, the payout sensors 37a and 37 may be arranged like the insertion sensors 44a and 44b shown in FIG. 4 to detect the passage of the medal M (to be paid out).

Further, when the payout sensors 37a and 37b are arranged in this way, when the medal M passes through the payout sensors 37a and 37b,
Dispensing sensor 37a on, dispensing sensor 37b off (time S31 ')
Dispensing sensor 37a on, dispensing sensor 37b on (time S32 ')
Dispensing sensor 37a off, dispensing sensor 37b on (time S33 ')
Dispensing sensor 37a off, dispensing sensor 37b off (time S34 ')
Follow the course of
Then, the time from time S31 ′ to S34 ′ is set to be shorter than time T1 (time from occurrence of power interruption to execution of power interruption processing).

  (10) In the second embodiment, the gate mark 57b is formed so that the protrusion 57d and the recessed portion 57c are on the outside, but conversely, the gate mark 57b is formed so that the protrusion 57d and the recessed portion 57c are on the inside. It is also possible. The same applies to the gate mark 58b of the lower cover 58. In this case, if the gate mark 57b has the shape shown in FIG. 10B, the outer surface of the upper cover 57 or the lower cover 58 becomes a smooth surface. On the other hand, if it is made into the shape of FIG.10 (c), the protrusion 57e will be formed in the outer side of the upper cover 57 or the lower cover 58. FIG.

  (11) In the second embodiment, as an example of the substrate case 56, an example in which the main control substrate 50 is accommodated inside is given. However, the second embodiment can be applied not only to the main control board 50 but also to other control boards that are desired to prevent fraud, for example, the board case of the sub-control board 80. As shown in FIG. 1, the sub-control board 80 also includes the RWM 83, the ROM 54, the sub-CPU 85, etc., but at least the sub-control board 80 in the vertical direction (directly below) on the upper surface of the upper cover in the board case of the sub-control board 80. For example, the CPU 85 is not disposed, and the RWM 83 and the ROM 54 are not disposed. Similarly, it is possible to prevent the model number display area of the sub-control board 80 from overlapping in the vertical direction (directly below) the gate mark.

(12) In the third embodiment, the push order effect during AT and the display of the operated stop switch 42 (stopped reel 31) and the number of remaining games during AT are given as examples. The third embodiment can be applied even when displaying the number of games (BB game, etc.) acquired and the remaining number of games that can be acquired.
For example, the number acquired at the start of the “N” game is “200”, the number acquired at the start of the “N + 1” game is “209”, and the number acquired at the start of the “N + 2” game is “ Assume that there were 218 ". In addition, the main control board 50 transmits a command related to the acquired number to the sub-control board 80 at the start of each game.
Similarly to the example shown in FIG. 11, it is assumed that a disconnection occurs in the middle of the “N” game, and communication is restored in the middle of the “N + 1” game.

  In this case, the sub-control board 80 displays “200” as the acquired number in the “N” game. At the start of the “N + 1” game, since the command related to the acquired number is not received (due to disconnection), the “N + 1” game also maintains the display of the acquired number “200”. Next, when the sub-control board 80 receives a command related to the acquired number at the start of the “N + 2” game, it updates the display of the acquired number “218” based on the command.

  (13) FIG. 11 of the third embodiment shows an example in which the image display is returned to normal at the start of the “N + 2” game. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image display may be returned to normal after all stop of the “N + 1” game or after a betting operation is performed. Alternatively, it is possible to return the image display to normal at a predetermined timing based on a command transmitted to the sub-control board 80 at the time of full stop or after full stop.

  (14) In the third embodiment, for example, in the middle of the disconnected “N + 1” game, there may be a case where an acquirable number of games in AT or an additional (addition) lottery is won. In this case, since the “N + 1” game is disconnected, the sub-control board 80 cannot receive a command based on winning the extra lottery. Therefore, in this case, for example, at the start of the “N + 2” game, the main control board 50 transmits a command indicating the result after the addition (addition) lottery, and at the start of the “N + 2” game, the sub control board 80 Display the game information (the number of obtainable games and the number of games) after the game is added.

  (15) In the third embodiment (FIG. 11), for example, a disconnection occurs after the first right stop of the “N” game, and communication returns before the first stop switch 42 of the “N + 1” game is operated. Can be considered. In the “N + 1” game, it is assumed that the player has made the right first stop. In this case, when the sub control board 80 receives the first stop command for the right first game in the “N + 1” game, it means that it has received the stop command for the stop switch 42 that has already been operated. Output. Then, at the time of a betting operation after all stops of the “N + 1” game, or at the start of the “N + 2” game, the image display is returned to a normal one.

(16) In the third embodiment (FIG. 11), when the acquired number of images is displayed during AT, the following method can be given as an example of the update processing of the acquired number of images before and after disconnection.
When the payout process is performed, the main control board 50 transmits a command indicating the acquired number to the sub control board 80. Here, when a disconnection occurs in the middle of the “N” game, the sub-control board 80 cannot receive the acquired number of “N” games. Immediately before the disconnection of the “N” game, the sub-control board 80 is assumed to have displayed “100” as the acquired number during AT. In addition, it is assumed that the “N” game and the “N + 1” game in the AT both acquire 10 cards.
In this case, the number acquired in the AT at the end of the “N” game should be “110” originally, but remains “100” (because it is disconnected). Then, it is assumed that communication has returned in the middle of the “N + 1” game. As a result, the sub control board 80 can return the acquired number in the AT to a normal value based on the acquired number command received during the payout process of the “N + 1” game. Here, the normal value may be returned at the time of the payout process of the “N + 1” game, or may be returned to the normal value at the start of the “N + 2” game as in the example of FIG. Further, it may be updated to “110” at the time of payout processing of the “N + 1” game, and may be updated to “120” at the start of the “N + 2” game.

  (17) In the present embodiment, the slot machine 10 is illustrated as an example of a gaming machine, but the present invention can also be applied to pachinko gaming machines, for example. In pachinko machines, the starting opening (the winning opening that triggers the changing of symbols by the symbol changing display device and acquiring random numbers for the big win lottery), the electric chew winning opening (when the game ball wins, the next winning is To make it easier, a prize opening with an accessory that opens for a certain period of time and closes.The electric chews are not limited to the tulip shape.) Provided. And it is possible to apply 1st Embodiment (B) in these winning a prize mouths.

Specifically, for example, at the start port, there are a winning sensor (a sensor that first detects a game ball won at the starting port) and a discharge sensor (a sensor that detects a game ball after being detected by the winning sensor). Is provided. Also, the attacker is provided with a V winning sensor (a sensor that first detects a game ball won by the attacker) and a discharge sensor (a sensor that detects a gaming ball after being detected by the V winning sensor). .
For example, in the case of the start port, when a power failure occurs at the moment when the game ball is detected by the winning sensor, the game ball is set to be detected by the discharge sensor before the power-off process is executed. As a result, even if a power failure occurs at the moment when the game ball is detected by the winning sensor, the winning ball can be counted correctly. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a prize ball from being paid out even though a game ball has won a prize opening. The same applies to the attacker's V winning sensor and the discharge sensor.

  (18) In the present embodiment, the slot machine 10 is taken as an example of one of the gaming machines. However, the slot machine 10 is a “rotor-type gaming machine” installed in a fourth sales office that is subject to the wind management law. The present invention is not limited to (so-called “pachislot gaming machines”), and can also be applied to, for example, casino machines and enclosed gaming machines (medalless gaming machines) that do not use medals for gaming as gaming media.

Here, the enclosed game machine (medalless game machine) can eliminate, for example, the medal payout device (unit including the hopper 35, the hopper motor 36, and the payout sensor 37) in FIG. Also, the medal slot 47 and the medal selector can be eliminated. And all the electronic medals (electronic game media) awarded by winning a combination are stored in the credit number display LED 76. In this case, it is conceivable that the credit number display LED 76 is composed of, for example, five digits (a maximum of “99,999” electronic medals can be stored).
The present invention can be applied to such a casino machine or an enclosed game machine (medalless game machine) except for the first embodiment.

<Appendix>
The invention (initial invention) described in the initial specification of the present application can include, for example, the following initial inventions 1 to 4, in order to solve the problem to be solved by the original invention and the problem related to the initial invention, respectively. The means and the effect of the initial invention are as follows. However, the invention described in the present specification is not meant to be limited to the first to fourth inventions.

1. Initial invention 1
(A) Problem to be Solved by Initial Invention 1 The initial invention relates to a gaming machine in which processing relating to game media is not executed after a power failure occurs.
In a conventional gaming machine, by turning off the blocker before executing the backup process as a power-off process, even if a medal is inserted during the execution of the backup process, the medal is returned to the player via the blocker. Therefore, a technique is known in which the medal addition process is not performed (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-173832).
However, for example, when a power interruption occurs at the moment the medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot, the medal passes through the blocker before the power interruption process is executed, and the medal is counted. There was a possibility. Note that it is not preferable in terms of control to execute the medal addition process (medal bet process or medal credit process) after the power interruption occurs.
The problem to be solved by the invention is to prevent the addition processing of the game media from being executed even when the power is cut off at the same time as the game media is inserted from the game media insertion slot. .

(B) Means for solving the problem of the first invention 1 (the corresponding embodiment will be described in parentheses)
The initial invention (first embodiment (A))
Game media slot (medal slot 47),
A state that is provided in the passage (medal passage) of the game medium (medal) inserted from the game medium insertion port, and that allows passage of the game medium (ON state) or does not permit passage of the game medium (OFF state) ) A controllable blocker (45),
Detection means A (injection sensor 44a) and B (injection sensor 44b) (detection means B downstream of detection means A are provided in the path of the game medium input from the game medium input port. Located in the
When an event occurs in which the supply of power is cut off in a situation where the blocker is controlled to allow the passage of game media, the event that the supply of power is cut off is detected, and Let T1 (T1 in FIGS. 2 and 3) the time to control the blocker in a state where passage is not permitted,
In the situation where the blocker is controlled to allow passage of gaming media, when the gaming media is released from the gaming media slot into the gaming machine, the gaming media is not visible from the front of the gaming machine. From when it becomes possible (position M2 in FIG. 2) until the detection means B detects the game medium and until the detection means B no longer detects the game medium (position M4 in FIG. 2). When the time is T2 (T2 in FIGS. 2 and 3),
T1 <T2
It is characterized by becoming.

(C) Effect of Initial Invention 1 According to the initial invention, a power interruption occurs when a game medium is released from the game medium insertion slot toward the inside of the game machine and the game medium becomes invisible from the front of the game machine. In such a case, until the detection means B no longer detects the game medium, the blocker is controlled so that the passage of the game medium is not permitted by detecting the event that the supply of power is cut off. , At least the detection means B does not detect it.
Therefore, since the game medium is not normally detected by the detection means A and B, the game medium addition process (bet process or credit process) is not executed. Therefore, even if the power is cut off when the game medium becomes invisible from the front of the gaming machine, that is, even when the power is cut off immediately after the game medium is released inside the gaming machine, It is possible to prevent media from being accepted. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the game media addition process from being executed after the power interruption.

2. Initial invention 2
(A) Problem to be Solved by Initial Invention 2 The initial invention relates to a gate trace of a substrate case in a gaming machine including a substrate case in which a control board is accommodated.
In a conventional gaming machine, a board case in which a main control board is housed is known. Here, since the substrate case is generally formed by molding, a gate mark remains on the substrate case. And the technique which uses this gate mark as a mark is proposed (for example, Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2017-042270).
However, since the gate trace of the substrate case has a resin cut portion, it is unclear when viewed from the outside. For this reason, there is a problem that the gate trace may be opened and the inside of the main control board may be accessed.
The problem to be solved by the invention at first is to suppress the goto action using the gate trace of the substrate case.

(B) Means for Solving the Problem of the Initial Invention 2 (Note that the corresponding embodiment is described in parentheses)
The initial invention (second embodiment)
A predetermined IC (main CPU 55) having a calculation function;
A control board (main control board 50) on which the predetermined IC is mounted on one surface (the surface facing the upper surface of the upper cover 57);
A plurality of surfaces (upper surface, side surface, etc.), and a substrate case (substrate case 56 comprising an upper cover 57 and a lower cover 58) for accommodating the control substrate;
The substrate case is formed so that the inside is visible,
A gate mark (57b) at the time of molding the substrate case is disposed on a surface that is outside the substrate case and faces the one surface of the control substrate (the upper surface outside the upper cover 57).
The predetermined IC of the control board is not positioned in a direction perpendicular to the facing surface from the gate mark.

(C) Effect of Initial Invention 2 According to the initial invention, since the predetermined IC of the control board is not located in the vertical direction of the gate trace of the substrate case, the gate trace is illegally opened and the predetermined IC is accessed. This can be prevented.
Further, since the gate trace of the substrate case does not exist in the vertical direction of the predetermined IC on the control board, the predetermined IC can be visually confirmed without being blocked by the gate trace. As a result, it is possible to easily confirm visually whether or not the predetermined IC is illegal.

3. Initial invention 3
(A) Problem to be Solved by Initial Invention 3 The initial invention relates to processing when communication is restored from a disconnection after the disconnection occurs in the communication between the main control board and the sub control board.
In a conventional gaming machine, a gaming machine is known in which a command is transmitted from a main control board to a sub control board, and the sub control board controls an image display device or the like based on the received command.
Here, a technique is known in which the sub-control board compares the command received last time with the command received this time, and determines that the command reception is abnormal based on the consistency of these received commands (for example, the special control board). No. 2014-226503).
However, when a command is transmitted from the main control board to the sub control board, a disconnection may occur between the main control board and the sub control board. When the communication is restored, the sub control board may not be able to output a normal effect.
The problem to be solved by the invention at first is to make an effect when communication is restored after a disconnection occurs between the main control board and the sub control board.

(B) Means for Solving the Problem of the Initial Invention 3 (Note that the corresponding embodiment is described in parentheses)
The initial invention (third embodiment)
A main control board (50);
A sub-control board (80) for controlling the production based on the information received from the main control board,
The sub control board can receive information of the operated stop switch (42) from the main control board,
The sub-control board can output an effect corresponding to the operation of the stop switch based on receiving information of the operated stop switch in a predetermined gaming state (AT),
The sub-control board is
In a case where a predetermined stop switch is operated in the “N” game in the predetermined gaming state, when information on the operation of the predetermined stop switch is received, a predetermined corresponding to the operation of the predetermined stop switch Production (production when the reel corresponding to the predetermined stop switch is stopped) is output, and then information from the main control board becomes unreceivable before all remaining stop switches in the “N” game are operated. Thereafter, the information from the main control board can be received in the “N + a” game, and then the information that the specific stop switch different from the predetermined stop switch is operated in the “N + a” game is received. Is an effect corresponding to the operation of the specific stop switch, and an effect related to the predetermined effect (for the predetermined effect) When the predetermined information is received in the “N + a + 1” game after that, the output corresponding to the specific stop switch is output. N + a + 1 ”game output is output.

(C) Effect of Initial Invention 3 According to the initial invention, when communication returns in the middle of the “N + a” game, an effect related to the predetermined effect of the “N” game that has been output is output. Therefore, in the “N + a” game, an effect following the “N” game can be output. Then, since the normal performance is restored when the “N + a + 1” game is entered, it is possible to prevent the production from suddenly changing due to the return of communication in the middle of the “N + a” game. Thereby, before and after the occurrence of the disconnection, it is possible to output an effect without a sense of discomfort.

4). Initial invention 4
(A) Problem to be Solved by Initial Invention 4 The initial invention relates to a gaming machine capable of operating a stop switch at high speed.
In a conventional gaming machine, when a stop switch is operated, a reel corresponding to the stop switch is stopped at a predetermined position corresponding to a lottery result. Further, after the reel is stopped at a predetermined position, the motor is brought into an excited state for a predetermined time. Here, when the operated stop switch is in the ON state or when the motor is in the excited state, the operation of the next stop switch is not accepted.
Here, a technique is known in which the stop operation is not accepted even if the second stop switch is operated after the first stop switch is operated until the reel status becomes the stop state ( For example, refer to JP 2017-093576 A).
However, in the above-described conventional technology, there is a problem that a game cannot be digested at high speed if a long time is required after the stop switch is operated until the next stop switch can be operated.
The problem to be solved by the invention is to make the stop switch operable at high speed.

(B) Means for Solving the Problem of the Initial Invention 4 (Note that the corresponding embodiment is described in parentheses)
The initial invention (fourth embodiment)
Reel (31);
A motor (32) for rotating the reel;
Reel control means (65) for driving the motor to stop rotation of the reel based on detection of an operation of a stop button (stop button 42a);
Internal lottery means (role lottery means 61),
A sensor (detection sensor 42e) for detecting the operation of the stop button is turned on until the stop button is pushed down to the deepest portion (position shown in FIG. 12C), and when the stop button is released, the stop is stopped. The button is configured to be movable to an initial position (position shown in FIG. 12A) by an urging force, and the sensor is turned off until the stop button moves to the initial position.
In a game in which the internal lottery means has determined a predetermined result, the stop button for the predetermined reel is operated at a predetermined timing in a situation where all reels are rotated by the reel control means, After detecting that the sensor of the stop button with respect to the reel is turned on, an excitation state (four-phase excitation state) for stopping the predetermined reel is entered, and a predetermined time (T12 in FIG. 13) has elapsed since the excitation state. Is configured to end the excitation state,
When the time until the sensor is turned off from the moment when the push of the stop button pushed to the deepest part is released is T1 (T11 in FIG. 13), and the predetermined time is T2,
T1 <T2
It is characterized by becoming.

(C) Effect of Initial Invention 4 According to the initial invention, it was assumed that the start of the excitation state of the motor when the reel was stopped and the moment when the push of the stop button pushed to the deepest part was released simultaneously. Sometimes the excitation state ends after the sensor is turned off. Therefore, it is possible to accept the operation of the next stop button at the timing when the excitation state of the motor is completed.

10 Slot machines (gaming machines)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Power switch 21 Effect lamp 22 Speaker 23 Image display apparatus 31 Reel 32 Motor 33 Reel sensor 35 Hopper 36 Hopper motor 37a, 37b Discharge sensor 38a Fixed shaft 38b Movable shaft 39a Movable piece 39b Spring 40a 1 bed switch 40b 3 bed switch 41 Start Switch 42 Stop switch 42a Stop button 42b Stopper 42c Coil spring 42d Moving piece 42e Detection sensor 43 Settling switch 44a, 44b Insertion sensor 45 Blocker 46 Passage sensor 47 Medal insertion slot 47a Medals guard section 47b Medals placement section 50 Main control board (main control board) means)
50a Screw hole 51 Input port 52 Output port 53 RWM
54 ROM
55 Main CPU
56 Substrate case 57 Upper cover 57a Caulking portion 57b Gate trace 57c Recessed portion 57d Protrusion 57e Protrusion 58 Lower cover 58a Caulking portion 58b Gate trace 58c Boss 61 Role selection means 62 Winning flag control means 63 Push order instruction number selection means 64 Production group Number selection means 65 Reel control means 66 Winning judgment means 67 Payout means 71 Control command transmission means 73 Set value display LED
74 Management information display LED
75 Display board 76 Credit number display LED
78 Acquisition number display LED
80 Sub-control board (sub-control means)
81 Input port 82 Output port 83 RWM
84 ROM
85 Sub CPU
91 Production output control means

Claims (1)

A game media slot,
A blocker which is provided in a passage of game media inserted from a game media insertion port and which can be controlled to permit passage of game media or disallow passage of game media;
Provided in the passage of the game medium thrown from the game medium insertion port, the detection means A and B (detection means B is located downstream from the detection means A) capable of detecting the game medium,
When an event occurs in which the supply of power is cut off in a situation where the blocker is controlled to allow the passage of game media, the event that the supply of power is cut off is detected, and Let T1 be the time to control the blocker in a state where passage is not permitted,
In the situation where the blocker is controlled to allow passage of gaming media, when the gaming media is released from the gaming media slot into the gaming machine, the gaming media is not visible from the front of the gaming machine. When the time from when the detection means B detects the game medium until the detection means B no longer detects the game medium from when the game medium becomes possible is T2,
T1 <T2
A gaming machine characterized by that.

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