JP2021090809A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game machine which can further improve an error display.SOLUTION: When a hopper error is generated, a display in which the color of a door key image 63b operated for canceling a hopper error is changed and a display in which the color of a hopper image 63a indicating an occurrence location of a hopper error is changed are repeatedly displayed. In addition, when electricity supply is stopped in a game impossible state and recovering to the game impossible state in a start of the electricity supply, a specific display which is displayed in the game impossible state is restarted, delay processing is then executed, and it is determined after the execution of the delay processing whether an operation for canceling the hopper error is performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine that plays a game.

As a gaming machine, a slot machine in which a predetermined number of bets is set and a plurality of types of identification information are variably displayed based on a start operation, or a gaming medium such as a gaming ball is launched into a gaming area by a launching device. There is a pachinko gaming machine or the like in which a plurality of types of identification information are variably displayed when a game medium wins a prize in a starting area such as a winning opening provided in the game area.

Conventionally, as an example of this type of gaming machine, there has been one that displays an error on a liquid crystal when an error occurs (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-194093

According to the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, it cannot be said that the error display is sufficient, and there is room for further improvement.

The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of further improving the error display.

(A) In a gaming machine capable of playing a game
When an error occurs, it is equipped with an error display means that can execute the error display corresponding to the error.
The error display means
A specific image is displayed when the first type of error occurs, and the first part of the specific image is displayed in a specific mode.
When the second type of error occurs, the specific image is displayed, and the second part of the specific image is displayed in the specific mode.
The gaming machine is further
An in-game state control means that can control the in-game state in which the game cannot proceed, and
A specific display means for performing a specific display in the incapable state of the game, and
A specific operation receiving means capable of accepting a specific operation in the incapable state of the game,
A recovery means for returning to the state before the power supply was stopped when the power supply started, and
A delay means for executing delayed processing that delays the progress of processing is provided.
When the power supply is stopped in the incapable state of the game and the power supply is returned to the inoperable state when the power supply is started, the delay process is performed after the specific display by the specific display means is resumed. It is executed, and it is determined whether or not the specific operation is performed after the execution of the delay processing.
(1) In a gaming machine (for example, slot machine 1) that plays a game
When an error (for example, a hopper error or a selector error) occurs, an error display means (for example, the hopper error image 62a in FIG. 17 and the selector error image 62c in FIG. 18) that can execute an error display corresponding to the error (for example, the selector error image 62c in FIG. , Liquid crystal display 51)
The error display means can execute an error display capable of identifying a part to be operated to clear the error that has occurred by using an image representing at least a part of the game machine (for example, a housing image 63). (For example, as shown in FIG. 17B, the door key image 63b operated to clear the hopper error is displayed in a different color, and the selector error is cleared as shown in FIG. 18B. The reset switch image 63d to be operated for changing the color is displayed).

According to such a configuration, since an image showing at least a part of the gaming machine is used, the error clearing portion can be accurately shown.

(2) In a gaming machine (for example, slot machine 1) that plays a game
When an error (for example, a hopper error or a selector error) occurs, an error display means (for example, the hopper error image 62a in FIG. 17 and the selector error image 62c in FIG. 18) that can execute an error display corresponding to the error (for example, the selector error image 62c in FIG. , Liquid crystal display 51)
The error display means can execute an error display capable of identifying an error occurrence location by using an image representing at least a part of the game machine (for example, a housing image 63) (for example, FIG. 17A). ), The color of the hopper image 63a indicating the location where the hopper error occurs is changed and displayed. As shown in FIG. 18A, the color of the selector image 63c indicating the location where the selector error occurs is changed and displayed. To do).

According to such a configuration, since an image showing at least a part of the gaming machine is used, the error occurrence location can be accurately shown.

(3) In the gaming machine of (1) or (2) above
The image representing at least a part of the gaming machine is a live-action image (for example, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the housing image 63 is a live-action image of the slot machine 1).

According to such a configuration, since the image representing at least a part of the gaming machine is a live-action image, it is easy to understand the error display for the error.

(4) In any of the game machines (1) to (3) above,
When a plurality of errors occur, the error display means can collectively execute error displays corresponding to the plurality of errors (as shown in a modification, a plurality of errors such as a hopper error and a selector error). When occurs, the error display is displayed all at once).

According to such a configuration, error displays corresponding to a plurality of errors can be collectively executed, so that a plurality of errors can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner.

(5) In any of the game machines (1) to (3) above,
When a plurality of errors occur, the error display means can execute error display corresponding to the error in order from the error that occurred first among the plurality of errors (as shown in the modification). When multiple errors such as hopper error and selector error occur, the error display is executed in order from the error that occurred first).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to execute the error display corresponding to the error in order from the error that occurred earlier among the plurality of errors, so that the plurality of errors can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner.

(6) In any of the game machines (1) to (3) above,
When a plurality of errors occur, the error display means can execute error display corresponding to the error in order from the error that occurred after the plurality of errors (as shown in the modification, the hopper). When multiple errors such as an error or a selector error occur, the error display is executed in order from the error that occurred later).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to execute the error display corresponding to the error in order from the error occurring after the plurality of errors, so that the plurality of errors can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner.

(7) In any of the game machines (1) to (3) above,
When a plurality of errors occur, the error display means can execute error display corresponding to the error in order from the error having the highest priority based on a predetermined criterion among the plurality of errors (as a modification). As shown, when a plurality of errors such as a hopper error and a selector error occur, the error display is executed in order from the error having the highest priority based on FIG. 15).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to execute the error display corresponding to the error in order from the error having the highest priority based on the predetermined standard among the plurality of errors, so that the error is displayed in an easy-to-understand manner for the plurality of errors. be able to.

It is a front view of the slot machine of the embodiment to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the symbol arrangement of a reel. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of a slot machine. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a slot machine. It is a figure for demonstrating the type of a small combination, the pattern combination of a small combination, and the technical matter related to a small combination. It is a figure for demonstrating the type of the re-game combination, the symbol combination of the re-game combination, and the technical matters related to the re-game combination. It is a figure for demonstrating the combination of symbols of a transitional roll, and technical matters related to a transitional roll. It is a figure for demonstrating the transition of a game state. It is a figure which shows the outline of the game state. It is a figure for demonstrating the combination of the lottery target combination read out as the lottery target combination for each game state. It is a figure for demonstrating the combination of the lottery target combination read out as the lottery target combination for each game state. It is a figure for demonstrating the combination of the winning combination that the winning combination is allowed by the lottery target combination. It is a figure for demonstrating the reel control at the time of winning a plurality of re-game combination. It is a figure for demonstrating the reel control at the time of winning a plurality of bells. It is a figure which shows the notification mode by error notification. It is a figure for demonstrating an error display screen. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification of the error display screen. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification of the error display screen. It is a figure for demonstrating an explanatory effect screen. It is a figure for demonstrating an explanatory effect screen. It is a figure for demonstrating the promotion display screen. This is a flow chart showing the control contents of the startup process (main) executed by the main control unit at startup. This is a flow chart showing the control contents of the game processing executed by the main control unit after the setting change processing. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the error notification processing executed by the main control part. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of a timer interrupt process (main) which a main control part executes at regular intervals. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of a timer interrupt process (main) which a main control part executes at regular intervals. This is a flow chart showing the control contents of the power interruption process executed by the main control unit after the setting change process. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the timer interrupt process (sub) which a sub-control unit executes at regular intervals. This is a timing chart showing the status of each display and each operation when a power failure occurs during an error state and the power is restored. It is a figure for demonstrating the slot machine of the modification, and the promotion display screen.

A mode for carrying out the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described below based on examples. In the following embodiments, an example will be described when the present invention is applied to a slot machine. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the overall structure of the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment. The slot machine 1 includes a housing 1a having an open front surface and a front door 1b rotatably and pivotally supported at a side end of the housing 1a. A liquid crystal display 51 is provided at the upper center of the front door 1b. The liquid crystal display 51 has a display area 51a, and the transmission area 51b corresponding to the perspective window 3 can be transmitted. As a result, a predetermined effect can be executed in the display area 51a, and the reels 2L and 2C arranged side by side inside the housing 1a via the see-through window 3 by transmitting the transmission area 51b out of the display area 51a. , 2R (hereinafter, also referred to as left reel, middle reel, right reel) becomes visible. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a symbol arrangement of each reel. A plurality of types of symbols, each of which can be identified, are arranged in a predetermined order on the reels 2L to 2R. The number of reels is not limited to three, and may be one or two or more. Further, although the variable display unit shows an example of being configured by a physical reel, it may be configured by an image display device such as a liquid crystal display.

A medal insertion unit 4 into which medals can be inserted is provided in the lower right of the liquid crystal display 51, and a medal payout outlet 9, speakers 53, and 54 for paying out medals are provided in the lower part of the front door 1b.

Further, as an example of the operation means, the front door 1b is set with a predetermined number of bets determined according to the game state within the range of credits stored as the game value (number of medals) owned by the player. MAXBET switch 6 operated when the game is played, settlement switch 10 operated when the credits and set bets are settled and returned, start switch 7 operated when the game is started, reels 2L to 2R Stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R, which are operated when each rotation is stopped, an effect switch 56 for use in the effect, and the like are provided.

The front door 1b is provided with a game display unit 13 for notifying information about the game as an example of the notification means. The game display unit 13 has a credit display 11 that displays the number of medals stored as credits, a game auxiliary display 12 that displays the number of medals to be paid out and an error code when an error occurs, and a set bet. 1BETLED14 for notifying the number, 2BETLED15, 3BETLED16, an insertion request LED17 for notifying that a medal can be inserted, a start effective LED18 for notifying that the game can be started by operating the start switch 7, and a start switch. After the operation of 7, the LED19 in the weight that notifies that the weight (the state of waiting for the start of rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R because a certain period of time has not passed since the previous game start) is in progress, after the replay prize is won. The replay LED 20 for notifying that the replay game is in progress is provided.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the slot machine 1. Inside the front door 1b, there is a reset switch 23 that detects a reset operation to release an error state and a stop state (a state in which the progress of the game is restricted until the reset operation is performed), and the setting value is being changed. The set value display 24 that displays the set value at that time while checking the set value, the stop switch 36a for selecting the enable / disable of the stop function that controls the stop state, and the credit are stored. The automatic settlement switch 36b for selecting the enable / disable of the automatic settlement function that automatically setstles (returns) medals regardless of the operation of the player, and the flow path of the medals inserted from the medal insertion unit 4 are housed. A flow path switching solenoid 30 for selectively switching to either the hopper tank 34a side or the medal payout outlet 9 side provided inside 1a, and medals inserted from the medal insertion unit 4 and flowing down to the hopper tank 34a side. A medal selector 29 having a inserted medal sensor 31 for detection and a door open detection switch 25 (see FIG. 4) for detecting the open state of the front door 1b are provided.

The inserted medal sensor 31 includes a plurality of sensors (for example, three) capable of detecting medals, and the inserted medals can be detected in a predetermined order (in order from the upstream sensor). It is configured in. The main control unit 41 finds that the detection results of these plurality of sensors are the detection results (also referred to as proper detection results) when the medals inserted from the medal insertion unit 4 are detected in a predetermined order. It is determined that the inserted medal sensor 31 detects the inserted medal or the passage of the inserted medal. On the contrary, the main control unit 41 determines that an error occurs when the medals inserted from the medal insertion unit 4 are not detected in a predetermined order.

Further, inside the housing 1a, a reel unit 2, an external output board 1000 for outputting an external output signal, a hopper tank 34a for storing medals inserted from the medal insertion unit 4, and medals stored in the hopper tank 34a. A hopper motor 34b for paying out medals from the medal payout outlet 9, a hopper unit 34 including a payout sensor 34c for detecting medals paid out by driving the hopper motor 34b, and a power supply box 100 are provided (see FIG. 4). ..

An overflow tank 35 for storing medals overflowing from the hopper tank 34a is provided on the side of the hopper unit 34. Inside the overflow tank 35, a full tank sensor 35a (see FIG. 4) composed of a pair of conductive members separated to the left and right provided at a height at which a predetermined amount of stored medals can be detected is provided. When the conductive member conducts by contacting through the medals stored in the overflow tank 35, the amount of medals stored inside exceeds a predetermined amount, that is, the overflow tank is full. Is detected.

On the front of the power supply box 100, it functions as a setting key switch 37 for switching to a setting change state or a setting confirmation state, and as a reset switch for canceling an error state or a stop state in a normal state, and in a setting change state. A reset / setting switch 38 that functions as a setting switch for changing the set value of the winning probability (ball output rate) of the internal lottery, and a power switch 39 that is operated when the power is turned on / off are provided.

The stop switch 36a, the automatic settlement switch 36b, the setting key switch 37, the reset / setting switch 38, and the power switch 39 inside the housing 1a cannot be operated unless the front door 1b is opened by key operation. Therefore, those switches inside the housing 1a can be operated only by the staff of the game hall, and cannot be operated by the player.

When playing a game on the slot machine 1, first, a predetermined number of bets (for example, 3) is set by inserting medals into the medal insertion unit 4 or operating the MAXBET switch 6. As a result, the winning line LN becomes valid, the operation to the start switch 7 becomes valid, and the game can be started. If a medal is inserted with the number of bets already set, that amount will be added to the credit.

The winning line is a line for determining whether the combination of symbols displayed on the perspective windows 3 of the reels 2L to 2R is a combination of winning symbols. In the present embodiment, an example in which only one winning line LN is provided will be described, but a plurality of winning lines may be provided. In addition, invalid lines LM1 to LM4 are provided so that it is easy to recognize that the combinations of the symbols constituting the prize are aligned on the prize line LN. The invalid lines LM1 to LM4 are not the lines for which the winning is determined, but when the winning line LN has a combination of specific winning symbols (so-called breaks), the invalid lines LM1 to LM4 have a predetermined symbol. By aligning the combinations (for example, bell-bell-bell), it is easy to recognize that the combination of the symbols constituting the specific winning is aligned on the winning line LN.

When the start switch 7 is operated while the game can be started, the reels 2L to 2R are rotated to display the symbol in a variable manner, and when the stop switches 8L to 8R are operated, the rotation of the corresponding reel is stopped. , Three symbols are derived and displayed as display results in the upper, middle, and lower rows of the perspective window 3. When the combination of winning symbols stops on the winning line LN and a winning occurs, a predetermined number of medals are given to the player according to the winning, and credits are added or the credit reaches the upper limit (50). If this is the case, medals will be paid out from the medal payment exit 9.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the slot machine 1. In the example of FIG. 4, a game control board 40 that controls the progress of the game and outputs various commands according to the progress of the game, an effect control board 90 that controls a predetermined effect according to the command, and a drive power source for electrical components. A power supply board 101 for generating the above, an external output board 1000 for outputting a signal according to the progress of the game to the outside, and the like are provided.

The game control board 40 advances the game based on detection signals from switches such as various operation means and detection means (exemplified on the left side of the game control board 40 in FIG. 4), and the game control board 40 advances the game based on the detection signals, and the notification means (game control in FIG. 4). Display devices such as (exemplified on the left side of the substrate 40) are driven and controlled. Further, the game control board 40 drives and controls the reel motors 32L to 32R based on the signals from the reel sensors 33L to 33R.

The game control board 40 is equipped with a circuit configuration (exemplified in the game control board 40 of FIG. 4) such as a main control unit 41. The main control unit 41 performs processing related to the progress of the game, and directly or indirectly controls the configuration mounted or connected to the game control board 40. The main control unit 41 is a one-chip microcomputer, and includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O port, and the like.

The effect control board 90 is connected to an effect switch 56, and drives and controls an effect device such as a liquid crystal display 51 (exemplified on the left side of the effect control board 90 in FIG. 4). The effect control board 90 is equipped with a circuit configuration (exemplified in the effect control board 90 of FIG. 4) such as a sub control unit 91. The sub-control unit 91 receives a command transmitted from the game control board 40, performs a process of performing an effect, and directly or indirectly controls a configuration mounted or connected to the effect control board 90. The sub-control unit 91 is a one-chip microcomputer, and includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O port, and the like. The circuit configuration of the sub-control unit 91 includes, for example, a clock device 97 (hereinafter, also referred to as an RTC) for measuring at least one of a day and a time. The sub-control unit 91 can execute the effect control according to, for example, the value of at least one of the day and time measured by the RTC 97, the detection signal from the effect switch 56, and the like. A hopper motor 34b, various operating means, detection means (exemplified on the right side of the power supply board 101 in FIG. 4), and the like are connected to the power supply board 101.

5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining the types of winning combinations, the symbol combinations of winning combinations, and the technical matters related to the winning combinations. The name column shows the name of the winning combination, and the symbol combination column shows the combination of symbols for which the winning combination is a winning combination. Further, in the combination of symbols aligned with the invalid line, a combination of symbols that stops at the invalid line when the combination of the winning symbols stops at the winning line and is easy for the player to recognize is shown. There is. In the payout number column, the value given at the time of winning (medal payout, replay game grant) is shown. BB1 and BB2 are winning roles with a transition to an advantageous state of bonus. In the payout number column of BB1 and BB2, the end condition of the bonus transferred by winning is shown. Each bonus ends when a predetermined number of medals or more are paid out. For example, a bonus controlled by winning / winning BB1 ends in a game in which the number of medals paid out during the bonus is 351 or more.

Further, the game state column of FIG. 6 shows the game state to be transferred at the time of winning. Further, "/" indicates "or". For example, for the fall replay of FIG. 6, the combination of symbols is "bell-replay-bell", which is controlled by RT1 at the time of winning, and the value given is the replay grant. In addition, when the combination of the fall replay symbols stops on the winning line, "replay / plum-replay-replay / plum" stops on the invalid line. Further, when the combination of the special replay symbols is stopped on the winning line, "black BAR / white BAR-black BAR / white BAR-black BAR / white BAR" is stopped on the invalid line. "Black BAR / White BAR-Black BAR / White BAR-Black BAR / White BAR" can be stopped on the invalid line only when the special replay is won, and eventually when the special replay is not won. It is a combination of symbols that are not stopped on the line of.

In addition, the replay role is a role of granting the replay. Here, the replay means that the next game can be performed without using the game value (for example, credit) owned by the player. In other words, the replay means that the variable display unit can be variablely displayed without using the game value owned by the player. In the present embodiment, when the re-game combination is won, a prize is won regardless of the operation procedure (operation order and operation timing) of the derivation operation means. As a modified example, even if the re-game combination is won, it may be a combination that does not win a prize (that is, a combination that is missed) depending on the operation procedure of the derivation operation means.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the symbol combination of the transition roll and the technical matters related to the transition roll. As for the transition roll, the left bells 1 to 4, the middle bells 1 to 4, and the right bells 1 to 4 shown in FIG. If the winning upper bell is missed, it will be aligned with the winning line LN. When the transition roll stops on the winning line LN during RT0, 2, and 3, the transition to RT1 is performed.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the transition of the gaming state controlled by the main control unit 41, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an outline of the gaming state. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, RT0 to RT4 in which the replay is won with a predetermined winning probability (see the numerical value in the replay combination column in the upper figure of FIG. 9) and RT0 to RT4 in which the winning probability of the small winning combination is RT0 to RT4. It is controlled to one of the corresponding game states from the time when the start condition is satisfied to the time when the end condition is satisfied (indicated along the arrow in FIG. 8) among a plurality of types of game states including a bonus that is improved more than the time. Refer to the winning combination or the outcome, and refer to the start condition / end condition column in the upper figure of FIG. 9).

When either BB1 or BB2 is won, it is controlled by RT4. The winning flag set when either BB1 or BB2 is won is carried over until the winning BB wins. In addition, RT4 is also continuously controlled from BB winning to BB winning. In RT4, it is lower than in RT0 and RT2, and the replay is won with the same probability as in RT1 and RT3 (see the numerical value in the replay combination column in the upper figure of FIG. 9). The replay probability in RT4 is set to the probability that the payout rate does not exceed 1 even if the winning small winning combination can be won without being missed. In other words, the replay probability in RT4 is that the total number of medals paid out when winning a small winning combination during RT4 without failing is the number of medals or medals used to set the bet number during RT4. It is set to a probability that the total number of medals will not be exceeded and the number of medals will not increase. When a BB prize is generated during RT4, it is controlled by a bonus, and when the number of medals or more described in FIG. 5 is paid out, the bonus ends and the bonus is controlled to RT3. The type of replay to be drawn internally is determined for each type of RT (the circle in the lower figure of FIG. 9 indicates the replay to be drawn).

10 and 11 are diagrams showing a combination of lottery target combinations read out as lottery target combinations (hereinafter, also referred to as winning combinations) for each game state. The name is shown in the lottery target combination column, and the game status column indicates that the lottery target combination is a lottery target for each type of RT, and the winning probability is determined by the numerical value below the circle mark. The number of judgment values involved is shown. For example, the bell is a lottery target winning combination of 360/65536 in any of RT0 to RT3 states. During RT4, the bonus lottery is not done, but the winning combination that can be won at the same time as the bonus (hereinafter also referred to as the simultaneous winning combination) has the same probability as during other RTs. For weak watermelons, an internal lottery is performed based on the number of judgment values shown in parentheses.

As shown in FIG. 11, the special replay is set to be a lottery target combination only when controlled by RT2. Further, in the bonus, for example, the middle bell is set as a lottery target combination, and it is set to win with an extremely high probability (64000/65536). In addition, the middle bell is a role that can generate a prize regardless of the operation timing. Therefore, during the bonus, the middle bell prize can be generated with an extremely high probability regardless of the operation timing and the operation procedure, and the number of medals can be efficiently increased. Therefore, the bonus is in an advantageous state for the player.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a combination of winning combinations that are allowed to be won by the winning combination. For example, the weak cherry is the lower cherry. Weak watermelons include downward-sloping watermelons, upper watermelons, and middle watermelons. Therefore, when the weak watermelon is won in the internal lottery, the right-down watermelon, the upper watermelon, and the middle watermelon are won.

Among the lottery target combinations, bonuses 1 to 12 are combinations in which BB1 or BB2 and a predetermined winning combination such as a weak cherry or a bell can be read out at the same time and won. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the bonus 1 to the bonus 12 have different numbers of determination values. For this reason, the percentage of BB1 or BB2 actually winning at the same time (hereinafter, also referred to as reliability), which is an advantage for the player and when the simultaneous winning combination is won, is included in bonuses 6 and 12 and the like. The number of judgment values is determined so that the middle cherry is the highest, followed by the strong cherry, the strong watermelon, the weak cherry, and the weak watermelon, and the bell (hereinafter, also referred to as the middle bell) is the lowest.

13 and 14 are diagrams for explaining reel control when a plurality of winning combinations are simultaneously won. For each winning lottery target combination, when the stop operation is performed in the push order shown in the push order column, reel control is performed to stop the symbol combination of the winning combination shown in the symbol combination to be stopped to the right at the winning line LN. For example, when the replay GR1 is won, the promotion replay 1 is derived when the push order is left, middle, and right, and the normal replay is derived when the push order is other than left, middle, and right. Also, for example, when the left bell is won, if the push order is the left first stop, the right-down bell is derived, and if the push order is other than the left first stop, the upper bell or the transition roll. Is derived.

Further, when the simultaneous winning combination is won, reel control different from that when the simultaneous winning combination is not won may be performed. For example, when a weak watermelon is won, a reel control is performed in which the lower right watermelon or the upper watermelon is given priority over the middle watermelon and pulled into the winning line, whereas when a strong watermelon is won, the lower right watermelon is performed. Reel control is performed to prioritize the middle watermelon over either the watermelon or the upper watermelon and pull it onto the winning line. In addition, when a weak cherry or a strong cherry is won, reel control is performed to pull the lower cherry onto the winning line, and when the middle cherry is won, reel control is performed to pull the middle cherry onto the winning line. .. This makes it possible to estimate whether the reels 2L to 2R are cherry or watermelon, weak or strong, or middle-tier cherry from the combination of symbols when the reels 2L to 2R are stopped. Can be made.

In a narrow sense, the "game" in the slot machine 1 means from the operation of the start switch 7 to the stop of the reels 2L to 2R, but when playing a game, the bet number setting before the operation of the start switch 7 is performed. Since the medals are paid out and the game state is changed after the reels 2L to 2R are stopped, these incidental processes are also included in the "game" in a broad sense.

Further, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the medal payout rate changes according to the set value. Specifically, the medal payout rate changes by determining the winning probability used in the internal lottery described later according to the set value. It is also called that there is a setting difference that the winning probability changes according to the set value, and that there is no setting difference that the winning probability does not change according to the set value. The set value is composed of 6 stages from 1 to 6, with 6 having the highest payout rate, and the smaller the value in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 the lower the payout rate. That is, when 6 is set as the set value, the advantage is highest for the player, and the smaller the value in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 is, the lower the advantage is. However, among a plurality of types of lottery target roles, to a section in which the degree of advantage for the player is high (a high probability state of AT lottery called CZ, a state where the net increase number of sheets increases like AT described later, etc.). There is no difference in the setting of the lottery target combinations that are the targets of the advantageous section operation lottery that determines whether or not to shift. On the other hand, among the plurality of types of lottery target combinations, the lottery target combinations that are not the target of the advantageous section operation lottery may have different settings. In order to change the set value, the administrator may operate an operation unit (not shown) provided inside the slot machine 1 to shift the set value to a changeable setting change state. Further, in order to confirm the set value, the administrator may perform a predetermined operation to shift to the setting confirmation state in which the set value can be confirmed.

In addition, the winning probability of the internal lottery is changed according to the setting of the set value, the winning probability of the advantageous section operation lottery is changed according to the setting of the set value, and the winning of the internal lottery is won according to the setting of the set value. Either the probability may be changed and the winning probability of the advantageous section operation lottery may be changed.

[Game processing]
The main control unit 41 performs a game control process to control one game. In the game control process, first, the bet number setting and the BET process for credit settlement and bet number settlement are performed.

When the start switch 7 is operated after setting the number of bets, a random number value is extracted from a predetermined random number circuit, and it is determined (internal lottery) whether or not to allow the generation of a prize based on the extracted random number value. The internal lottery process (see FIGS. 10 to 12 and the like) is performed. The random number circuit updates the numerical value in the predetermined numerical range (0 to 65535) according to the predetermined update rule. The main control unit 41 extracts a numerical value updated by the random number circuit as a random number value when the start switch 7 is operated. When a lottery target combination is won in the internal lottery, the winning flag of the winning combination included in the lottery target combination is set in a predetermined area of the RAM. For example, when the BB1 is won, the BB1 winning flag is set, and when the strong cherry is won, the winning flag of the lower cherry and the winning flag of the one-card combination are set. The winning flags of BB1 and BB2 are carried over until the winning BB is won, while the winning flags corresponding to the winning combinations other than BB1 and BB2 are when the winning game ends regardless of whether or not a winning is generated. Will be erased.

When the internal lottery process is completed, the reel rotation process is performed. In the reel rotation process, the stop switches 8L to 8R are effective after starting the rotation of the reels 2L to 2R on the condition that a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) has elapsed from the start of the reel rotation of the previous game. Then, the rotation of the reel is stopped according to the stop operation (see FIGS. 13 and 14). In the reel rotation process, when a predetermined freeze condition is satisfied, a freeze effect is executed to delay the progress of the game for a predetermined period (delay the activation of each stop operation of the stop switches 8L to 8R). After executing the freeze effect processing of, the stop switches 8L to 8R are enabled to shift to the normal game.

When the reels 2L to 2R are stopped and the reel rotation process is completed, a winning determination process (see FIGS. 5 to 7 and the like) is performed to determine whether or not a winning or the like has occurred based on the symbol combination on the winning line. .. Further, the state shown in FIG. 8 is controlled according to the combination of symbols on the winning line.

When the winning determination process is completed, the payout process is performed. In the payout process, medals are paid out or credits are added according to the occurrence of winning, various processes not related to winning (for example, processing related to counting the number of medals paid out in the bonus and controlling the end of the bonus, and winning without carry-over). Flags (winning flags for small wins, replays, etc.) are erased). Further, when it is determined that either BB1 or BB2 has been won, the winning flag of the winning BB is deleted. In the game end process, a process of setting the game state (see FIGS. 8 and 9) is executed in preparation for the next game. As a result, the game control process for one game is completed, and the game control process for the next game is started.

[Processing related to AT]
The main control unit 41 can control AT (assist time) in addition to advantageous states such as bonus and RT2. The main control unit 41 executes an AT lottery as to whether or not to control the AT. Further, the main control unit 41 controls the AT when it is determined to be controlled by the AT in the AT lottery, and can specify the operation procedure (pushing order) for stopping the symbol combination advantageous to the player on the winning line LN. Execute the process for executing the navigation effect.

In the main control unit 41, a specific lottery target combination (in this embodiment, a bell, a weak watermelon, a strong watermelon, a weak cherry, a strong cherry, a middle cherry, BB1, BB2) is won during non-AT. If so, the AT lottery process for determining whether or not to control the AT is performed. The AT lottery process may be executed after the internal lottery is performed in the internal lottery process, for example, as long as it is executed at a predetermined timing in the progress of one game. The specific lottery target combination will be described as an example of BB1, BB2, and simultaneous winning combination in the internal lottery, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may include a part of the simultaneous winning combination, or BB1 or It may include a winning combination that cannot be won at the same time as BB2.

In the AT lottery process, it is determined whether or not to control the AT, and when it is determined to be controlled by the AT, the number of AT games is determined from the number of multiple types of games (50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300). .. The number of AT games is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM of the main control unit 41. In addition, the main control unit 41 draws a lottery for the timing to start the AT. The main control unit 41 determines, for example, to start AT (timing to start AT) 0 to 32 games after the AT winning game by drawing a random number.

The reliability determined to be controlled by AT in the AT lottery and the expected value of the number of AT games determined when controlling AT (the average number of games to be acquired), which are advantages for the player, are specific lottery targets. It is set differently according to the type of role, for example, the middle cherry is the highest, followed by the strong cherry, the strong watermelon, the weak cherry, the weak watermelon, and the AT lottery is done so that the bell is the lowest. Will be done. Further, the reliability determined to be controlled by the AT in the AT lottery and the expected value of the number of AT games determined when the AT is controlled are determined even when the same specific lottery target combination is won. , When the specific lottery target combination is not won at the same time as BB1 or BB2 (for example, when the strong cherry is won), but when it is won at the same time as BB1 or BB2 (for example, when BB1 + strong cherry is won) The AT lottery is held so that the value is high.

When the AT lottery is performed by winning the simultaneous winning combination in the internal lottery, the sub-control unit 91 performs a process for executing the BB winning and the winning suggestion effect suggesting whether or not the AT has been won at a predetermined timing. .. As the winning suggestion effect, for example, an effect of displaying a predetermined image on the liquid crystal display 51 is provided. The effect of displaying a predetermined image includes, for example, a character A effect, a character B effect, a button effect, a continuous hit effect, and the like. The effect of displaying such a predetermined image is performed together with the control of outputting a predetermined sound effect from the speakers 53 and 54 and the control of lighting the effect effect LED 52, the reel LED 55, and the like. In addition, either control may be performed independently, or may be executed in a combination of two or more (for example, a predetermined image and sound are executed, and LED lighting is not executed, etc.). ..

The character A effect is an effect of displaying the character A. The character B effect is an effect of displaying the character B. The button effect is an effect of displaying a button image to encourage the operation of the effect switch 56, and displaying a predetermined image suggesting the reliability of BB winning or AT winning according to the operation of the effect switch 56. .. The continuous striking effect is to encourage the continuous striking operation to the effect switch 56, increase a predetermined meter image according to the continuous striking operation to the effect switch 56 within a predetermined operation period, and reach MAX to win the BB. Alternatively, it is a production that suggests that the AT has been won. It should be noted that the button effect and the continuous striking effect may be executed by using other operating means such as the MAXBET switch 6 instead of the effect switch 56.

The sub-control unit 91 has a winning suggestion effect at a different ratio depending on whether the BB winning and the AT winning, only one of the BB winning or the AT winning, or the BB winning and the AT winning are not won. The winning suggestion effect lottery process for determining whether or not to execute and the type of the winning suggestion effect to be executed is executed.

In the winning suggestion effect lottery process, it is determined that the winning suggestion effect is always executed at least when the BB is won or the AT is won, and the winning suggestion effect is executed at a predetermined ratio even when neither the BB nor the AT is won. decide. The predetermined ratio is set to a higher ratio, for example, when the BB winning is a small winning combination with a high reliability. As a result, the winning suggestion effect is executed not only when the BB or AT is won, but also when neither the BB nor the AT is won.

Further, in the winning suggestion effect lottery process, when it is decided to execute the winning suggestion effect, the type of the winning suggestion effect is determined at a different ratio depending on whether or not the winning suggestion effect is at least BB winning or AT winning. Specifically, it is an advantage for the player, and the reliability of winning the BB or AT when executed is in the order of the continuous hitting effect, the button effect, and the character B effect, and the character A effect is the lowest. Therefore, the ratio is set so that the type of winning suggestion effect is determined. The effect to be executed is not limited to one in which one winning suggestion effect is determined, and a plurality of winning suggestion effects may be determined.

The sub-control unit 91 specifies that a specific lottery target combination has been won, that the AT has been won, that the AT has been won or not won, the number of AT games, and the AT start timing by the internal winning command and the AT lottery command, which will be described later. .. The predetermined timing for executing the winning suggestion effect is a game before the AT start timing determined by the lottery for the timing to start the AT (the lottery for starting the AT 0 to 32 games after the AT winning game). For example, if the AT start timing is determined to be after 0 games, the winning suggestion effect is executed in the game (AT winning is notified in the AT winning game). If it is determined that the AT start timing is after 32 games have elapsed, a precursor effect (an effect that incites AT winning) is executed during 31 games, a winning suggestion effect is executed in the 32nd game, and the AT winning is notified.

Here, the sub-control unit 91 also executes a winning suggestion effect (an effect of notifying that the AT is not elected) as an effect of Gase even when it is specified by the AT lottery command that the AT has not been elected. For example, the sub-control unit 91 can win a specific lottery target combination by the internal winning command and specify that the AT is not won by the AT lottery command, but the timing to start the AT is the main control. It has not been decided in Part 41. In such a case, the sub-control unit 91 draws a lottery for the number of games that execute the winning suggestion effect of Gase from 0 to 32 games, and determines the number of games of the winning suggestion effect of Gase.

The main control unit 41 sets the AT flag and controls the AT when the AT start timing comes when the AT is won without winning the BB. On the other hand, when the AT is won together with the BB winning, the main control unit 41 sets the AT flag when the BB winning and the bonus ends, and controls the AT from the next game after the bonus ends. Here, the control to the AT may be controlled at the timing when the AT start timing is determined to be 10 games, for example, when the 10 games become 0 games, or the AT starts at 0 games. It may be controlled at the timing of the next game.

The AT flag is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM of the main control unit 41, and is cleared when the number of AT games reaches 0. The main control unit 41 identifies whether or not AT is in progress based on the AT flag. During AT, as a result of executing the navigation effect as described later, the RT2 can be controlled. The subtraction of the number of AT games after the start of AT starts from the next game in which the special replay is won (the opportunity to start subtraction is established) at RT0, for example. The same applies to the AT started after the end of BB. As a result, the main control unit 41 can control AT + RT2 over the determined number of AT games.

During AT, the main control unit 41 performs an additional lottery to determine whether or not to add the number of AT games when a special lottery target combination (special replay in this embodiment) is won. The additional lottery may be executed after the internal lottery is performed in the internal lottery process, for example, as long as it is executed at a predetermined timing in the progress of one game.

In the additional lottery, it is decided whether or not to add the number of AT games, and when it is decided to add, the number of AT games is added to the number of AT games from a plurality of types of games (50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300). Determine the number of games. The determined number of additional games is added to the number of AT games stored in the predetermined area of the RAM of the main control unit 41. As a result, the main control unit 41 adds the number of games to be controlled to the AT.

When the additional lottery is performed, the sub-control unit 91 performs a process for executing the additional suggestion effect suggesting whether or not the additional lottery has been won at a predetermined timing. The additional suggestion effect may be any effect such as displaying a predetermined image on the liquid crystal display 51.

[About various commands]
The main control unit 41 transmits to the sub control unit 91 a command capable of specifying the progress status and the processing result of the game according to the execution of the processing illustrated above. The sub control unit 91 performs various processes based on the command from the main control unit 41.

In the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 gives the sub control unit 91 an internal winning command, a push order command, a stop switch or start switch operation command, a game state command, an AT lottery command, an AT command, and an AT game. Send multiple types of commands, including several commands, demo commands, error start commands, error clear commands, and more.

The internal winning command is a command that can identify the group to which the winning winning combination belongs according to the result of the internal lottery. The internal winning command is transmitted when the start switch 7 is operated to start the game. By receiving the internal winning command, the sub-control unit 91 can operate the start switch 7 and identify the group to which the winning lottery target combination belongs.

The push order command is a command that can specify an operation procedure (also referred to as a correct answer procedure) for stopping a symbol combination that is advantageous to the player according to the lottery target combination won in the internal lottery. The push order command is transmitted when the start switch 7 is operated to start the game. During AT, a push order command that can specify the correct answer procedure is transmitted, whereas during non-AT, a push order command that can specify the correct answer procedure is not transmitted. Therefore, the sub-control unit 91 can specify the correct answer procedure by receiving the push order command during AT, but cannot specify the correct answer procedure during non-AT.

The operation command of the stop switch or start switch is a command indicating that the stop switch or start switch has been operated, and is transmitted at each operation. The game state command is sent when the game state changes. Specifically, it is transmitted when RT shifts or is controlled by a bonus.

The AT lottery command is transmitted when the AT lottery is performed, whether or not the AT lottery is won, how many AT games are won, and what game the AT start timing is (AT winning). It is a command that can identify the number of games).

The AT command is a command that is transmitted when the game starts and can identify whether or not the game is a game during AT. For example, even if the number of AT games is given, if the AT flag is not set and AT is not started, a command that can identify the non-AT is sent, the number of AT games is given, and the AT flag is set. When it is set and the AT is started, a command that can identify the AT is transmitted.

The AT game number command is a command that can specify the number of AT games managed by the main control unit 41, and is transmitted when the game starts. For example, when the number of AT games is 0, a command capable of specifying 0 is transmitted, and when the number of AT games is 100, a command capable of specifying 100 is transmitted.

The demo command is a command that can identify that the demo state has been controlled. When the sub control unit 91 receives the demo command from the main control unit 41, the sub control unit 91 controls the demo state and executes the demo effect if the bet number is not set.

The error start command is a command that indicates the start of error processing and the type of error, and is sent when error processing is started. The error release command is a command that indicates the end of error processing, and an error is performed after a reset operation is performed. Sent when the state is released.

When the sub-control unit 91 determines to execute the winning suggestion effect and its type by the winning suggestion effect lottery, after executing the winning suggestion effect according to the result of the BB lottery / AT lottery at the start of the next game, Notify the results of the BB lottery and the AT lottery.

As a result of the BB lottery and the AT lottery, when both are not won, a message such as "Sorry!" Is displayed on the liquid crystal display 51, and when the BB is won, a message such as "BB confirmed!" Is executed. Is executed on the liquid crystal display 51, and when the AT is won, a message such as "AT confirmed!" And a message such as "100 games won!" That can specify the number of acquired AT games are displayed on the liquid crystal display. The effect to be displayed on 51 is executed, and when the BB is won and the AT is won, the number of acquired AT games can be specified such as "AT for 100 games after the end of BB!" With a message such as "BB / AT confirmed!" An effect of displaying a message on the liquid crystal display 51 is executed. When a BB prize is won in a game in which the BB is won, the sub-control unit 91 does not execute a winning suggestion effect for notifying the BB winning.

Further, the sub-control unit 91 calculates not only the number of AT games but also the number of differences from the number of AT games at the time of the previous reception based on the number of AT games command, so that the number of AT games acquired by the AT winning or the additional winning is calculated. Identify and execute the additional suggestion effect.

In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the sub-control unit 91 executes an effect using a background image according to a state, a navigation effect, a winning suggestion effect, an additional suggestion effect, and the like by controlling a predetermined notification means. However, instead of or in addition to the control of these sub-control units 91, the notification connected to the main control unit 41 is used for the effect of the background image according to the state, the navigation effect, the winning suggestion effect, the additional suggestion effect, and the like. The means may be executed by being controlled by the main control unit 41. For example, the effect of the background image according to the state may be executed by displaying the information corresponding to the state by using the game auxiliary display 12 shown in FIG. Further, the navigation effect may be executed by using the left / middle / right stop effective LEDs 22L to 22R shown in FIG. 4 and lighting only the LED corresponding to the stop switch to be stopped. The left / middle / right stop effective LEDs 22L to 22R are provided inside the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R, and the reel stop operation by the corresponding stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is effective in the normal state. It is an LED that notifies the effect by lighting. Further, regarding the winning suggestion effect and the additional suggestion effect, the game auxiliary display 12 shown in FIG. 4 is used to display information according to the lottery result, and the AT game acquired when the AT is won or the additional winning is performed. The number may be displayed.

[Game flow]
Here, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 again, the flow of the game will be collectively described. First, the flow of the game in RT0 to RT3 other than RT4 and the bonus will be described. In RTs 0 to 3, the flow of the game is as described below, depending on whether or not AT is in progress. First, the flow of the game during non-AT will be described.

It is controlled by RT3 after the setting change state is completed. Since it becomes non-AT by being controlled to the setting change state, it is not controlled by AT in RT3, and the navigation effect is not executed. In this way, since the navigation effect is not executed in RT3, if any of the bells such as the left bells 1 to 4 is won in RT3, a transition result is obtained depending on the timing of the second stop and the third stop. Is derived (see FIG. 14). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of inconvenience such that the transition result is not derived and the transition to RT1 is not performed forever.

In RT1, by winning the promotion replay, it shifts to RT0. In order to win the promotion replay, as shown in FIG. 13, it is necessary to win the replay GR1 to 6 and stop the operation according to the operation procedure for winning the promotion replay.

Further, even when the control is performed by RT0, it is set so that it is difficult to maintain the control to the RT0. That is, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, in RT0, there is a possibility that the replays GR11 to 13 are won, and at this time, the fall replay wins a prize with a probability of 2/3 and falls to RT1.

Further, when any of the bells such as the left bells 1 to 4 is won at RT0, the first stop is performed except for the predetermined reel (the reel for winning the right-down bell or the middle bell shown in FIG. 14). Occasionally, depending on the timing of the second stop and the third stop, a shift result is derived and the reel falls to RT1. Further, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, in RT0, there is a possibility of winning the replays GR21 to 23, and at this time, a predetermined reel (reel for winning the special replay shown in FIG. 13) is used. When the first stop is made, a special replay may win and be controlled by RT2. However, even when controlled by RT2, when any of the bells such as the left bells 1 to 4 is won, a reel other than the predetermined reel (the reel for winning the right-down bell or the middle bell shown in FIG. 14) is used. When the first stop is made, a shift result is derived depending on the timing of the second stop and the third stop, and the reel falls to RT1. As a result, most of the game during non-AT will be digested at RT1.

Next, the flow of the game during AT will be described. In RT1, when any of the replays GR1 to GR6 is won, a navigation effect for specifying the operation procedure for winning the promotion replay can be executed. Therefore, by performing the stop operation according to the navigation effect, it is possible to shift to RT0 by winning the promotion replay. In RT0, when any of the replays GR11 to 13 is won, a navigation effect for specifying the operation procedure for winning the normal replay can be executed. Therefore, RT0 can be maintained by the normal replay winning by performing the stop operation according to the navigation effect. Further, in RT0, in order to specify the operation procedure for winning the right-down bell or the middle bell when any of the left bells 1 to 4, the middle bells 1 to 4, and the right bells 1 to 4 is won. Navigation production is executed. Therefore, by performing the stop operation according to the navigation effect, it is possible to avoid the derivation of the transition result and maintain RT0. Further, in RT0, when any of the replays GR21 to 23 is won, a navigation effect for specifying the operation procedure for winning the special replay can be executed. Therefore, by performing the stop operation according to the navigation effect, it is possible to shift to RT2 by winning a special replay.

In RT2, when any of the left bells 1 to 4, the middle bells 1 to 4, and the right bells 1 to 4 is won, the navigation for specifying the operation procedure for winning the right-down bell or the middle bell. The production is executed. Therefore, by performing the stop operation according to the navigation effect, it is possible to avoid the derivation of the transition result and maintain RT2.

As described above, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the AT is in progress, the navigation effect is executed so as to be controlled by the RT2 and the RT2 is maintained, so that the slot machine 1 is in the AT. Most of the games will be digested in RT2. The AT ends when the number of AT games reaches 0. The number of AT games can be controlled by RT2 + AT (in the present embodiment, the state in which the AT is controlled by the AT in RT2, which is advantageous to the player, is particularly referred to as an assist replay time (hereinafter referred to as ART)). The count starts from the next game of the game that has become possible, that is, the next game of the game in which one of the replay GR21 to 23 is won at RT0 and the special replay can be won. As a result, the AT ends when the number of AT games is consumed by the ART. Then, the ART ends when the AT ends.

After the ART is finished, the navigation effect is not executed, but the control to the RT2 is maintained until the transition result is derived. However, during RT2 after the end of ART, since it is non-AT, the first stop is performed except for the predetermined reel (the reel for winning the right-down bell or the middle bell shown in FIG. 14) as described above. Reel. As a result, during RT2 after the end of the ART, the shift is stopped at an extremely early stage after the end of the ART, so that the shift to RT1 is performed.

Next, the flow of the game after winning BB1 or BB2 will be described. Regardless of which RT is controlled, when BB1 or BB2 is won, it is controlled to RT4 as shown in FIG. In addition, in the next game after the end of the BB winning game, the winning suggestion effect is executed to notify that the BB has been won, and the player can grasp that the BB1 or the BB2 has been won. When the BB prize is generated, the bonus is transferred to the corresponding bonus, and when the predetermined number of finished cards is paid out, the bonus is transferred to RT3. Here, when the BB is simultaneously elected with another lottery target combination, the reel control is performed so that the lottery target combination other than the BB wins preferentially. Therefore, when the probability of winning a small role or a replay combination in RT4 is high, it is difficult for BB winning to occur and it is difficult to shift to a bonus. Therefore, in RT4, the probability of winning the re-game combination is set to be lower than that of RT0 or RT2 (see FIG. 9). Further, in RT0 to RT4, the probability of winning a small winning combination that is a lottery target combination other than the replaying combination is set so as not to change. Therefore, in RT4, it is easy to win the BB alone, and it is less likely that the bonus cannot be transferred forever.

[About error]
When the main control unit 41 detects an error during the progress of the game, the main control unit 41 assigns a predetermined error code (E1 to E8, see FIG. 15) according to the type of the error to a predetermined area of the RAM of the main control unit 41. When a predetermined error display condition is satisfied (in the present embodiment, when an error is detected during reel rotation control, all reels are stopped, and reel rotation control is in progress. When an error is detected at a time other than the above, the error display data including the error code set in the RAM of the main control unit 41 is input to the output buffer of the game auxiliary display 12. Set to.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a notification mode by error notification. As shown in FIG. 15, when setting the error display data, the main control unit 41 turns on each segment of the game auxiliary display 12 so as to display the letters and numbers of the error code, and the other segments. By setting the error display data that turns off the light in the output buffer, the game auxiliary display 12 is controlled to display an error code that can identify the type of the detected error. Then, when a predetermined error release condition (see FIG. 15) is satisfied, the output buffer is initialized and the display of the error code on the game auxiliary display 12 is terminated. In the error display data, the character "E" is displayed by lighting the segment corresponding to the character "E" on the left side of the game auxiliary display 12, and an error occurs in the segment on the right side of the game auxiliary display 12. While the segment corresponding to the number of the code is turned on, the other segments of the game auxiliary display 12 are turned off. As a result, when displaying the error code on the game auxiliary display 12, the lighting mode is set so that the alphabetic character "E", which is not displayed in the navigation notification or the payout number display, is displayed on the game auxiliary display 12. Since it is controlled, the lighting mode when notifying the error code is different from the lighting mode in the navigation notification and the lighting mode in the notification of the number of payout medals, and the game auxiliary display 12 notifies the error code. It is not misunderstood whether or not the navigation notification and the number of medals to be paid out are notified.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15, eight types of errors may be detected. The eight types of errors are payout error 1, payout error 2, payout error 3, full tank error, fill error 1, fill error 2, fill error 3, and RAM error. The payout error 1 indicates that the medal in the hopper is empty (also referred to as a hopper error). The payout error 2 indicates that the medal is stagnant at the medal payout exit. The payout error 3 indicates that a foreign object has been inserted into the medal payout exit. A full tank error indicates that the overflow tank is full. Insertion error 1 indicates that the medal is in a stagnant state in the medal selector. The insertion error 2 indicates that a foreign substance is in a staying state in the medal selector (also referred to as a selector error). Insertion error 3 indicates that foreign matter is retained between the medal insertion slot and the hopper. The RAM error error indicates that a program error has occurred in the main control unit.

In addition, other errors may be detected. For example, an error may be detected when a medal is paid out (a medal is paid out from the hopper tank 34a to the medal payout outlet 9) at a timing different from the regular timing. Here, the regular timing is the timing at which the payout process is executed. Such an error is an error that can occur when a fraudster attempts to fraudulently remove a medal from a medal payout exit in some way, and occurs when there is a possibility that fraudulent activity has been performed. Further, an error may be detected when a medal in the medal selector 29 is passed at a timing different from the regular timing (when a medal is inserted into the hopper tank 34a from the medal insertion unit 4). Here, the regular timing means that there is a vacancy in the credit (for example, the number of medals credited is less than 50) or the number of bets has not reached the maximum value (for example, the number of bets is 3). The number of sheets is less than one), and the reel is not rotating. Normally, when a medal is inserted from the medal insertion unit 4 at a timing different from the regular timing, the flow path on the medal payout outlet 9 side is selected by the flow path switching solenoid 30 as the flow path of the medal. Therefore, the medals are paid out from the medal payout outlet 9 without entering the hopper tank 34a. That is, when the medal flows down from the medal insertion unit 4 toward the hopper tank 34a at a timing different from the regular timing and an insertion error occurs, there is a possibility that some kind of fraudulent activity has been performed by the fraudster. is there.

Then, for each type of error, the error code ("E1" to "E8") displayed on the game auxiliary display 12 and the error notification release condition ("door key operation", "reset operation", "setting change operation"). , And error priorities (“high”, “medium”, “low”) are defined. The priority of the error depends on the content of the error. For example, an error that causes a medal retention state such as a jammed medal has a low priority, and an error that the game cannot proceed such that the medal in the hopper becomes empty has a medium priority and is in the medal selector. (For example, letting a fraudulent device enter the medal selector so that it is recognized that a coin has been inserted even though the coin has not actually been inserted. The error that is likely to be an act.) Has a high priority. The priority of error notification may be set or changed by the manufacturer of the gaming machine, or by a staff member or manager of the gaming hall. Further, the priority may have only one level or may be set in a plurality of levels.

For example, the payout error 1 is an error having a priority of "medium". When it is detected that the medal in the hopper is empty, the error code "E1" is displayed on the game auxiliary display 12. Further, the information regarding the payout error 1 is transmitted from the main control unit 41 to the sub control unit 91. When the sub-control unit 91 receives the information related to the payout error 1, the sub-control unit 91 controls to display the information related to the payout error 1 in the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51. The error display indicating the information regarding the error displayed in the display area 51a of the game auxiliary display 12 and the liquid crystal display 51 is erased by operating the door key.

Similar processing is performed for other errors. For example, the input error 2 is an error having a high priority. When it is detected that the foreign matter is retained in the medal selector, the error code "E6" is displayed on the game auxiliary display 12. Further, the information regarding the input error 2 is transmitted from the main control unit 41 to the sub control unit 91. When the sub-control unit 91 receives the information related to the closing error 2, the sub-control unit 91 controls to display the information related to the closing error 2 in the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51. The error display indicating the information related to the error displayed in the display area 51a of the game auxiliary display 12 and the liquid crystal display 51 is erased by operating the reset / setting switch 38.

[Error handling]
In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the above-mentioned error occurs, the main control unit 41 detects the occurrence of the error by the timer interrupt processing. When the main control unit 41 detects an error, the main control unit 41 sets an error code in a register in the RAM 41c. When the error code is set, the main control unit 41 executes the error processing waiting for start. In the start waiting error processing, error processing that disables the progress of the game is executed.

Specifically, the main control unit 41 displays an error code on the game auxiliary display 12 in the error processing. Further, the main control unit 41 transmits an error start command to the sub control unit 91 in error processing. When the sub-control unit 91 receives the error start command, the sub-control unit 91 displays an image indicating that an error has occurred on the screen of the liquid crystal display 51, and outputs an error notification sound from the speakers 53 and 54. In this way, when the error processing is executed, the error code is displayed on the game auxiliary display 12, so that the information that can identify the number of payouts and the reel stop order by the navigation notification is not displayed, and the game progresses. Becomes impossible. Further, when the error processing is executed, an image indicating that an error has occurred is displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display 51, and an error notification sound is output from the speakers 53 and 54. It is not displayed and the game cannot proceed. Further, when an error is detected, the flow path switching solenoid is turned off, so that even if a medal is inserted, the medal is guided to the medal payout outlet 9 side, and the game cannot proceed. Further, when an error is detected, even if the start switch 7 or the stop switch is operated, the processing based on the operation is not performed until the error is cleared, so that the reel rotates or the reel stops. The game cannot proceed without any error.

The error release condition is satisfied by operating the reset / setting switch 38 (also referred to as a reset operation) or by operating the reset switch 23. The error may be cleared by twisting the setting key switch 37 to turn it on. When the main control unit 41 receives the reset operation, the main control unit 41 clears the display of the error code of the game auxiliary display 12. Further, the main control unit 41 transmits an error release command indicating that the error processing is terminated to the sub control unit 91. When the sub-control unit 91 receives the error release command, the sub-control unit 91 clears the display of the error image of the liquid crystal display 51 and stops the output of the error notification sound from the speakers 53 and 54. Further, when the error clearing condition is satisfied, the main control unit 41 guides the medal to the hopper tank 34a side by switching the flow path switching solenoid from off to on. Further, when the error cancellation condition is satisfied, the main control unit 41 executes a process based on the operation of the start switch 7 and the stop switch. In this way, when the error is cleared, the game can proceed.

[Error display screen]
FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an error display screen. As shown in FIG. 16, when an error occurs in the slot machine 1, an error is displayed in the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51. FIG. 16 describes a case where the payout error 1 indicating that the medals in the hopper are empty will be described.

As shown in FIG. 16, when the middle bell prize is generated and there are no medals to be paid out during the payout of eight medals (when the payout error is 1), the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51 The call image 61a is displayed above and below with the characters "Please call the staff". Further, a hopper error image 62a indicating that there is a hopper error is displayed on the left and right sides of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51 with the characters "E1 hopper error". An error display is performed using the characters that appear in the production when the game is actually being executed.

When an error occurs, the player must call a staff member of the game store to cancel the error. To call a staff member, press the call button set on the data display that can display data such as the number of bonuses and the number of games installed at the top of the slot machine. When an error occurs, an error display prompting the player to operate the call button is executed using the character appearing in the effect. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, a character image 60 using a character appearing in the effect of the call button installed on the data display image 64 displayed above the housing image 63 showing the slot machine 1. Displays the action of pressing.

In this way, by executing the error display prompting the player to operate the call button using the character image 60 appearing in the production, the action that the player should perform while improving the interest of the player. Can be shown. In particular, by using the character image 60 that appears in the production, it is possible to improve the fun compared to a monotonous error screen such as only characters.

The character image 60 may be a mascot character peculiar to the manufacturer instead of the character used for the production. Further, the player or the game clerk may be able to select the character when an error occurs from a plurality of characters. Further, if a function that allows the player to set a favorite character is provided, an error display may be performed using the set character.

Further, the housing image 63 at the time of displaying an error may be an image showing the housing of the actual slot machine 1 (for example, a live-action image of the housing), or another case imitating a slot machine that can be seen to be a slot machine. It may be an image. In addition, the layout of the data display, slot machine, and the image showing the medal storage area displayed between the two can be changed from multiple images so that they can be arranged in the actual playground. May be good.

[Example of modification of error display screen]
17 and 18 are diagrams for explaining a modified example of the error display screen. FIG. 17 shows a case where the payout error 1 indicates that the medals in the hopper are empty. Further, FIG. 18 shows a case where the insertion error 2 indicates that the foreign matter is in the staying state in the medal selector.

As shown in FIG. 17A, when the payout error 1 occurs, the calling image 61a is displayed above and below the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51 with the characters "Please call a staff member". Further, a hopper error image 62a indicating that a hopper error has occurred is displayed on the left and right sides of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51 with the characters "E1 hopper error". Further, in the center of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51, a housing image 63, which is a live-action image of the housing of the slot machine 1 with the front door open, is displayed. Further, the hopper image 63a showing the hopper unit (hopper tank) where the error occurs is displayed in a conspicuous color (for example, red) different from the color of the other portion.

After a few seconds have passed from the state of FIG. 17 (a) (for example, 3 seconds), the error display becomes the display shown in FIG. 17 (b), and thereafter, until the error is cleared, FIGS. 17 (a) and 17 (a) and 17 (a). The display of (b) is repeated. When the error display is displayed as shown in FIG. 17B, operate the door key with the characters "Please operate the door key to clear the error" above and below the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51. The door key operation image 62b indicating that the error is cleared is displayed. Further, a hopper error image 62a indicating that a hopper error has occurred is continuously displayed on the left and right sides of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51 with the characters "E1 hopper error". Further, in the center of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51, an operation is performed to clear the error occurring in the housing image 63, which is a live-action image of the housing of the slot machine 1 with the front door open. The door key image 63b showing the door key to be used is displayed in a prominent color (for example, red) different from the color of other parts. The door key image 63b is enlarged and displayed so that the position to be released is displayed in an easy-to-understand manner.

As described above, in the housing image 63 which is a live-action image of the housing of the slot machine 1 as an actually used gaming machine, the hopper image 63a showing the location where the hopper error occurs is different from the color of other parts. It is displayed in a prominent color (for example, red). Therefore, it is possible to accurately indicate the location where the hopper error occurs. Further, in the housing image 63 which is a live-action image of the housing of the slot machine 1 as an actually used gaming machine, the door key image 63b operated to clear the hopper error is different from the color of other parts. It is displayed in a prominent color (for example, red). Therefore, it is possible to accurately indicate the place where the hopper error is released.

Next, FIG. 18 will be described. As shown in FIG. 18A, when the input error 2 occurs, the calling image 61a is displayed above and below the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51 with the characters "Please call a staff member". Further, a selector error image 62c indicating that a selector error has occurred is displayed on the left and right sides of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51 with the characters "E6 selector error". Further, in the center of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51, a housing image 63, which is a live-action image of the housing of the slot machine 1 with the front door open, is displayed. Further, the selector image 63c showing the medal selector where the error occurs is displayed in a conspicuous color (for example, red) different from the color of the other portion.

After a few seconds have passed from the state of FIG. 18 (a) (for example, 3 seconds), the error display becomes the display shown in FIG. 18 (b), and thereafter, until the error is cleared, FIGS. 18 (a) and 18 (a) and 18 (a). The display of (b) is repeated. When the error display is displayed as shown in FIG. 18B, operate the reset switch with the words "Operate the reset switch to clear the error" above and below the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51. The reset switch operation image 62d indicating that the error is cleared is displayed. Further, the selector error image 62c indicating that the selector error has occurred is continuously displayed on the left and right of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51 with the characters "E6 selector error". Further, in the center of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51, an operation is performed to clear the error occurring in the housing image 63, which is a live-action image of the housing of the slot machine 1 with the front door open. The reset switch image 63d showing the reset switch (reset / setting switch 38) to be used is displayed in a conspicuous color (for example, red) different from the color of other parts. The reset switch image 63d is enlarged and displayed so that the position to be released is displayed in an easy-to-understand manner. An image showing the reset switch 23 may be displayed.

As described above, in the housing image 63 which is a live-action image of the housing of the slot machine 1 as an actually used gaming machine, the selector image 63c showing the location where the selector error occurs is different from the color of other parts. It is displayed in a prominent color (for example, red). Therefore, it is possible to accurately indicate the location where the selector error occurs. Further, in the housing image 63 which is a live-action image of the housing of the slot machine 1 as an actually used gaming machine, the reset switch image 63d operated to clear the selector error is different from the color of other parts. Displayed in different prominent colors (eg red). Therefore, it is possible to accurately indicate the place where the selector error is cleared.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, since the housing image 63 is a live-action image of the slot machine 1, the error display for an error can be easily understood. As shown in FIGS. 17 (b) and 18 (b), the case where only the error clearing location is enlarged is shown, but the error occurrence location shown in FIGS. 17 (a) and 18 (a) is shown. It may be enlarged and displayed. In addition, both the error clearing location and the error occurrence location may remain unexpanded.

Further, although the housing image 63 is an image showing the entire slot machine 1, it may be an image showing a part of the slot machine 1. Further, the housing image 63 may change from the whole to a part. Further, the housing image 63 may be an image in a state where the front door is closed, or may be an image that changes from a closed state to an open state. By making a part of the housing image 63, which is a live-action image, transparent, it may be possible to make it easier to see the location where the error is cleared and the location where the error occurs.

In addition, the location where the error is cleared and the location where the error occurs may be displayed in a form surrounded by a thick frame as a highlight. The location where the error is cleared and the location where the error occurs may be highlighted and zoomed in over time.

[About multiple error displays]
Next, a case where a plurality of errors occur will be described. When a plurality of errors occur, the error display corresponding to the error is displayed in order from the error having the highest priority based on the predetermined criterion among the plurality of errors. For example, it may occur during a period in which a plurality of errors such as a hopper error and a selector error overlap. In such a case, by executing the error display in order from the error having the highest priority based on FIG. 15, it is possible to display a plurality of errors in an easy-to-understand manner. That is, an error that has a high priority and needs to be notified early is displayed first based on FIG. If errors of the same priority occur at the same time, the errors that occur first may be displayed in order from the plurality of errors. Further, the priority shown in FIG. 15 may be set in detail from 1 step to 8 steps, and the errors may be displayed in order from the highest priority error.

If errors of the same priority occur at the same time, the errors that occur first among the multiple errors may be displayed in order, or the errors that occur later among the multiple errors may be displayed in order. Or you may display multiple errors at once.

[About a modified example of multiple error displays]
Further, when a plurality of errors occur, the error displays corresponding to the plurality of errors may be collectively displayed. For example, it may occur during a period in which a plurality of errors such as a hopper error and a selector error overlap. In such a case, by displaying the error displays collectively, it is possible to display a plurality of errors in an easy-to-understand manner. When displaying a plurality of error displays at once, it is desirable to change the color for each error so that the location where the error is cleared and the location where the error occurs can be distinguished.

Further, when a plurality of errors occur, the error display corresponding to the error may be displayed in order from the error that occurred first among the plurality of errors. For example, it may occur during a period in which a plurality of errors such as a hopper error and a selector error overlap. In such a case, by executing the error display in order from the error that occurred first, it is possible to display a plurality of errors in an easy-to-understand manner. That is, it is possible to notify in order from the oldest error.

Further, when a plurality of errors occur, the error display corresponding to the error may be displayed in order from the error that occurred after the plurality of errors. For example, it may occur during a period in which a plurality of errors such as a hopper error and a selector error overlap. In such a case, it is possible to display a plurality of errors in an easy-to-understand manner by executing the error display in order from the error that occurs later. That is, it is possible to notify in order from the latest error.

[Explanation production screen]
19 and 20 are diagrams for explaining the explanatory effect screen. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when a predetermined time elapses in the non-gaming state, the slot machine 1 shifts to the demonstration state (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a demo state). When controlled to the demo state, the sub-control unit 91 executes a demo effect (demonstration effect). In the demo production, for example, an explanatory production showing the game method of the slot machine 1 in the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51, the contents of the characters and stories appearing in the production of the slot machine 1, and the BB and AT winning executed during the game. A video explaining the high-expectation production of is played. There is a cycle in the demo state, and as the demo production, a production that matches the period of one cycle of the demo state is prepared. The demo state in this embodiment is about 1 minute in one cycle. Therefore, the break of the demonstration production is about 1 minute.

In the present embodiment, when the settlement operation is performed by the player, the demo state is controlled. Further, when the elapsed period in the non-game state from the end of the previous game to the start of the next game reaches a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds), the demo state is controlled. Furthermore, when the effect setting screen ends, it is controlled to the demo state. The demo state is released when any of the operation of the single BET switch 5, the operation of the MAXBET switch 6, and the insertion of medals into the medal insertion unit 4 is performed by the player and the bet number is set again. Further, when the replay prize is won, it is automatically BETed, so that it does not shift to the demo state even if a predetermined period elapses in the non-gaming state.

As shown in FIG. 19A, in the explanatory effect during the demonstration, the housing image 63, which is a live-action image of the housing of the slot machine 1, is displayed in the center of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51. In addition, a demo image 64c indicating that the demonstration is in progress is displayed overlaid on the housing image 63. Further, on the left side of the housing image 63, an explanatory character image 64a using a character used in the production is displayed. Above the explanatory character image 64a, an explanatory image 64b indicating that the explanatory effect is about to be started is displayed.

After FIG. 19A is displayed, a part of the housing image 63 is enlarged and displayed in the center of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51. In addition, a demo image 64c indicating that the demonstration is in progress is displayed overlaid on the housing image 63. Further, on the right side of the housing image 63, an explanatory character image 64a using a character used in the effect is displayed. Above the explanatory character image 64a, an explanatory image 64d indicating that the game is started by inserting three or more medals into the medal insertion unit 4 and operating the start switch 7 is displayed.

In FIG. 20A, on the menu screen displayed when the effect switch 56 is operated during the demonstration, the item of the effect for explaining the game method is determined among a plurality of items (for example, with the MAXBET switch 6). The screen is shown after it has been selected and determined by the effect switch. In addition to the effect switch 56, an operation means such as a cross key for selecting an item may be provided separately. As shown in FIG. 20A, a part of the housing image 63 is enlarged and displayed in the center of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51. An explanatory character image 64a using a character used in the effect is displayed on the upper right of the housing image 63. On the left side of the explanatory character image 64a, an explanatory image 64e indicating which symbol is usually aimed first when playing a game is displayed. In the present embodiment, by aiming the black BAR symbol at the left reel 2L and operating the stop switch 8L, it is possible to stop the symbol at a timing that does not miss the cherry or the like. From the explanatory image 64e, the player can understand that the black BAR symbol is aimed at the left reel 2L and played.

After FIG. 20A is displayed, as shown in FIG. 20B, a part of the housing image 63 is continuously enlarged and displayed in the center of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51. .. An explanatory character image 64a using a character used in the effect is displayed on the upper right of the housing image 63. On the left side of the explanatory character image 64a, an explanatory image 64f indicating that the cherry symbol is stopped and the bonus or the winning of the AT can be expected is displayed. The player can understand that the explanatory image 64f is likely to be advantageous in deriving the cherry pattern.

As shown in FIG. 19, an explanatory effect for explaining the game method is executed during the demonstration using an image of a part of the housing. Further, as shown in FIG. 20, an explanatory effect for explaining the game method is executed by the operation of the player during the non-game using an image of a part of the housing. In this way, since the explanatory effect is executed using the housing image 63, which is a live-action image of the housing of the slot machine 1, the explanation of the game method can be conveyed to the player in an easy-to-understand manner.

Further, the explanatory effect is executed using the housing image 63 showing the entire slot machine 1 as shown in FIG. 19A and the image showing a part of the slot machine 1 as shown in FIG. 19B. Therefore, the explanation of the game method can be conveyed to the player in an easy-to-understand manner. When the explanatory effect is selected by the operation on the menu screen of FIG. 20, the housing image 63 showing the entire slot machine 1 may be displayed. In addition, the same explanation effect may be used during the demonstration and during the operation on the menu screen. Further, as in the present embodiment, during the demonstration, the explanation effect is easy for beginners to understand, and during the operation on the menu screen, the explanation effect is easy for those who have game experience but are playing this slot machine 1 for the first time. Even during the same non-game, if the scenes are different, the content of the explanation effect may be different.

[Promotion display screen]
FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining a promotion display screen. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when a predetermined time elapses from the time when the start switch 7 is operated, a stop promotion display screen prompting the operation of the stop switches 8L to 8R in order to stop the rotating reels 2L to 2R. The stop promotion image 65a is displayed as.

As shown in FIG. 21A, in the stop promotion image 65a, a part of the housing image 63, which is a live-action image of the housing of the slot machine 1, is enlarged in the center of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51. Is displayed. In addition, as a stop promotion display screen, the characters "Please press the stop button to stop the reel" prompting the operation of the stop switches 8L to 8R are displayed, and a part of the housing including the stop switch and its vicinity. The stop promotion image 65a is displayed using the image of.

Further, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when an effect using an operation means such as a button effect is executed, the effect promotion image 65b is displayed as an effect promotion display screen for prompting the operation of the effect switch 56.

As shown in FIG. 21B, when the characters "press!" Are displayed in the center of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51 as a button effect, the explanatory character image 64a is displayed at the lower left as the effect promotion image 65b. Is displayed. Further, a part of the housing image 63, which is a live-action image of the housing of the slot machine 1, is enlarged and displayed on the right side of the explanatory character image 64a. The enlarged image displayed as the effect promotion image 65b is an image of a part of the housing including the effect switch 56 and its vicinity.

As shown in FIG. 21, since the stop promotion image 65a and the effect promotion image 65b are executed using an image representing a part of the slot machine 1, the promotion display can be preferably displayed. Here, the button effect can be executed by the MAXBET switch 6 other than the effect switch 56. However, when the button effect is executed, the operation of the effect switch 56 is urged. Therefore, as the effect promotion image 65b, the enlarged image is an image of a part of the housing including the effect switch and its vicinity. In this way, as shown in FIG. 21B, the effect promotion image 65b that can specify which switch is to be operated is displayed, so that the player can determine which operation means should be operated. Can be communicated in an easy-to-understand manner.

Further, as shown in FIG. 21A, since the stop promotion image 65a in the range including the stop switches 8L to 8R, the start switch 7, the MAXBET switch 6, and the effect switch 56 is displayed, any operating means is operated. It is possible to inform the player of what should be done in an easy-to-understand manner, and it is possible to preferably display a promotion display prompting the operation of the stop switch.

Further, as shown in FIG. 21, the stop promotion image 65a and the effect promotion image 65b do not use an image showing the entire slot machine 1. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the image of the housing image 63 of the slot machine 1 from becoming too large and making it difficult to see the promotion display.

The stop promotion image 65a and the effect promotion image 65b may be displayed on the entire display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51, or may be displayed on a part of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51. It may be. Further, as the operating means, at least a part of the panel provided on the lower side of the housing 1a of the slot machine 1 may be pressed. In such a case, when the button effect is executed, an image indicating that all or a part of the lower panel can be operated may be displayed as the effect promotion image 65b. Further, as the operating means, the player may use the operating means (for example, an accessory) provided not only on the lower panel but also at any position of the housing 1a of the slot machine 1 (for example, the upper part or the left and right of the housing 1a). It may be operable. Then, in such a case, an image including the accessory and the housing 1a may be displayed as the effect promotion image 65b. Further, when a sensor such as a touch sensor is set in the housing as an operation means, an image showing the position of the touch sensor may be displayed.

Next, various control contents executed by the main control unit 41 in the present embodiment will be described.
[Startup process (main)]
When the system reset signal is input from the reset circuit 49, the main control unit 41 performs the activation process (main) shown in the flowchart of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 22, the main control unit 41 first initializes the built-in device, peripheral IC, interrupt mode, stack pointer, etc. (Sa2), and then initializes the values of the I register and the IY register (Sa3). ). By initializing the I register and the IY register, the address of the interrupt table to be referenced when an interrupt occurs is set in the I register, and the reference address for referencing the storage area of the RAM 41c is set in the IY register. .. These values are fixed values and will always be initialized at startup.

Next, access to the RAM 41c is permitted (Sa4), and the RAM parity of all the storage areas (including the unused area and the unused stack area) of the RAM 41c is calculated (Sa5).

In the step of Sa6, it is determined whether or not the RAM parity calculated in the step of Sa5 is 0. If the power interruption interrupt processing (main) is performed normally, the RAM parity should be 0, and if the RAM parity is not 0 in the step of Sa6, the data stored in the RAM 41c is not normal. In this case, whether or not the setting key switch 37 is on after executing initialization 1 that initializes all the storage areas except the in-use stack area and important work among the storage areas of the RAM 41c (Sa19). (Sa20), and if the setting key switch 37 is on, a setting command indicating the start of setting is generated (Sa16), the generated command during setting change is stored in the command buffer (Sa17), and is described with reference to FIG. Allows the interrupt of the timer interrupt process (main) executed by the main control unit 41 at regular intervals (interval of 0.56 ms) (Sa18), and changes the winning probability of the winning combination. That is, it shifts to the setting change state. Then, when the setting change process is completed, the game process proceeds to the game process shown in FIG.

If the setting key switch 37 is off in the step of Sa20, an error code indicating a RAM error is set in the register (Sa21), an error command indicating a RAM error is generated (Sa22), and the generated error command is used in the command buffer. It is stored (Sa23), and the main control unit 41 described with reference to FIG. 25 permits interrupting of the timer interrupting process (main) executed at regular intervals (interval of 0.56 ms) (Sa24), and error processing, that is, It shifts to the RAM error error state. Then, for example, when the reset / setting switch 38 is operated by the game clerk to release the RAM abnormality error state, the game processing proceeds to the game processing shown in FIG. 23.

If the RAM parity is 0 in the step of Sa6, it is further determined whether or not the destruction diagnosis data is normal (Sa7). If the power failure process (main) is performed normally, the data for destruction diagnosis should be set, and if the data for destruction diagnosis is not normal in the step of Sa7 (data for destruction diagnosis is stored at the time of power failure). Since the data in the RAM 41c is not normal even in cases other than 5A (H) to be performed), the process proceeds to the step of Sa19 and initialization 1 is executed, and then the setting key switch 37 is turned on in the step of Sa20. For example, the above-mentioned processes of Sa16 to Sa18 are performed, and the process shifts to the setting change process, that is, the setting change state. If the setting key switch 37 is off in the step of Sa20, the above-mentioned processing of Sa21 to Sa24 is performed, and the process shifts to error processing, that is, a RAM error error state. Then, when the RAM abnormality error state is released, the game process proceeds to the game process shown in FIG.

When it is determined in the step of Sa7 that the destruction diagnosis data is normal, the data in the RAM 41c is normal, so the destruction diagnosis data is cleared (Sa8), and the non-preserved work, unused area, and unused area of the RAM 41c are cleared. After performing initialization 3 to initialize the used stack area (Sa9), it is determined whether or not the setting key switch 37 is on (Sa10), and if the setting key switch 37 is on, initialization 1 is executed. (Sa15), the processes of Sa16 to Sa18 described above are performed, and the process shifts to the setting change process, that is, the setting change state. Then, when the setting change process is completed, the game process proceeds to the game process shown in FIG.

If the setting key switch 37 is off in the step of Sa10, each register is returned to the state before the power failure, that is, the state stored in the stack (Sa11), a return command is generated (Sa12), and the command buffer is used. (Sa13), a power failure recovery flag for identifying that an interrupt occurred during the setting change state and returned to the setting change state was set in the RAM 41c (Sa14a), and the main control unit described with reference to FIG. The 41 permits the interrupt of the timer interrupt process (main) executed at regular intervals (interval of 0.56 ms) (Sa14b), and returns to the last process executed before the power failure. If any of the processing during the game processing shown in FIG. 23 was performed before the power failure, the game processing was performed based on the value of the program counter (PC) restored by Sa11 and the backup data of the backup RAM. Among the processes of Sd1 to Sd7, the process returns to the process performed before the power failure. Further, for example, when any of the processing during the timer interrupt processing shown in FIG. 25 is performed before the power failure, the value of the program counter (PC) restored by Sa11 and the backup data of the backup RAM are displayed. Based on this, among the processes of Sk1 to Sk26 of the timer interrupt process, the process returns to the process performed before the power failure.

If the setting is being changed before the power failure and any of the processing during the setting change processing is being performed and the setting key switch is left on and the power is restored, the setting key switch is set to Sa10. Is on, and in the setting change process, the process is executed from the Sc1 process, which is the first process. However, when the setting key switch is returned to off during the power failure and the power failure is restored, the installation change process is performed based on the value of the program counter (PC) restored in Sa11 of FIG. 22 and the backup data of the backup RAM. Of the processes of Sc1 to Sc28 of the above, the process returns to the process performed before the power failure. Whether or not the setting was changed before the power failure can be identified by determining the presence or absence of the power failure recovery flag set in Sa14a of FIG. Further, when returning to the setting change state by recovering from the power failure, the display state of the game auxiliary display 12 and the set value display 24 also returns to the display state before the power failure based on the backup data of the backup RAM.

Further, if an error state occurs before the power is cut off, the error detection flag set in Sk26 in FIG. 26 is stored in the backup RAM. Therefore, since it is determined that the error detection flag is set when the power is restored, the error notification process is restarted from the beginning (Sb1 in FIG. 24).

[Game processing]
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the game processing executed by the main control unit 41.

As shown in FIG. 23, in the game processing, BET processing (Sd1), internal lottery processing (Sd2), reel rotation processing (Sd3), winning determination processing (Sd4), payout processing (Sd5), and game end processing (Sd6). ), The error notification process (Sd7) is executed in order, and when the process at the end of the game is completed, the process returns to the BET process again.

In the BET process in the step of Sd1, a process of waiting in a state where the bet number can be set, setting a predetermined number of bets according to the game state, and starting the game when the start switch 7 is operated is executed. ..

In the internal lottery process in the step of Sd2, whether to allow the above-mentioned winning of each winning combination based on the random number value for the internal lottery latched at the same time as the game starts by the detection of the start switch 7 in the step of Sd1 (that is, display). Performs the process of deciding whether or not to allow the derivation of the result. In this internal lottery process, a winning flag is set in the RAM 41c based on each lottery result. If a special role (BB) is won by an internal lottery, the special role carry-over flag is set. Then, as described above, the presence or absence of the special role carry-over flag is determined to determine the presence or absence of the special role carry-over, and the winning combination according to the presence or absence of the special role carry-over (the special role is excluded from the internal lottery during the special role carry-over). The determination process is performed.

In the reel rotation process in the step of Sd3, the process of rotating each reel 2L, 2C, 2R in response to the operation of the start switch 7, the result of the internal lottery in the step of Sd2, and the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R by the player. A process of stopping the rotation of the corresponding reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is executed according to the detection of the operation.

In the winning determination process in the step of Sd4, when it is determined that the rotation of all the reels 2L, 2C and 2R has stopped in the step of Sd3, the winning is awarded according to the display result derived to each reel 2L, 2C and 2R. Executes the process of determining whether or not it has occurred. If a special role is won, the special role carry-over flag is cleared in this process.

In the payout process in the step of Sd5, when the occurrence of a prize is determined in the step of Sd4, credits are added and medals are paid out based on the number of payouts according to the prize.

In the game end process in the step of Sd6, a process of setting the game state is executed in preparation for the next game.

In the error notification process in the step of Sd7, a process of notifying the occurrence of an error and the type of error is executed. If an error is detected during the processing of Sd1 to Sd6, the main control unit 41 interrupts each processing and executes the main processing. Then, when the error is cleared, the process returns to the process before the interruption.

Further, in the game processing, a command is generated according to the progress control of the game, set in the command buffer, and transmitted to the sub control unit 91.

[Error notification processing]
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the error notification process executed by the main control unit 41 in Sd7 of FIG. 23. As described above, when an error is detected while executing the processes of Sd1 to Sd6 in FIG. 23, the process being executed at that time is interrupted and this process is executed. The error is detected by the error detection process (Sk26 in FIG. 26) of the timer interrupt process (main) executed by the main control unit 41 shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 at regular intervals.

In the error notification process, first, an error is detected in the error detection process (Sk26 in FIG. 26) of the timer interrupt process (main) shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, and it is determined whether or not the error detection flag is set ( Sb1). If the error detection flag is not set, the process ends.

If the error detection flag is set, the current display state of the game auxiliary display 12 is saved on the stack (Sb2). Then, the error state display indicating that the error state is controlled and the error code display (error type display) indicating the error code stored in the register are displayed on the game auxiliary display 12 (Sb3). Specifically, on the game auxiliary display 12, the first digit indicates "E" which is an error state display, and the second digit indicates a number indicating an error code (for example, "E 1").

Next, a count value is set in the operation delay counter that counts the time until the error release operation by the reset / setting switch 38 or the reset switch 23 is accepted and started (Sb4). As the count value of the operation delay counter, for example, a value corresponding to 3 seconds is set.

Next, it is determined whether or not the error code is a RAM error (Sb5), and if it is an error code indicating a RAM error, the process proceeds to loop processing in which no processing is performed.

If it is determined in the step of Sb5 that the error code does not indicate a RAM error, the count value of the operation delay counter set with the count value in Sb4 is subtracted by "1" each time the clock is input to the CPU 41a. (Sb6). Then, it is determined whether or not the count value of the operation delay counter has become "0" (Sb7). If the count value is not "0", the subtraction of the count value is repeated.

When the count value becomes "0", the reset / setting switch 38 and the reset switch 23 start accepting the error canceling operation. In other words, the reset / setting switch 38 and the reset switch 23 are in a state of waiting for detection of a change from off to on. In this way, when the count value of the operation delay counter becomes "0" after the error status display and the error code are displayed by the game auxiliary display 12 in Sb3, the error release operation is started to be accepted. Therefore, the game auxiliary display 12 The timing of the error status display and the error code display is earlier than the timing at which the error cancellation operation is started.

When the count value of the operation delay counter becomes "0", an error command indicating the occurrence of an error state and its type is generated, stored in the command buffer (Sb8), command storage processing is performed, and the command buffer is stored. Store (Sb9).

Next, it is determined whether or not the change of on is detected from the off of the reset / setting switch 38 (Sb10), and if the change of on is not detected from the off of the reset / setting switch 38, the off of the reset switch 23 is further determined. It is determined whether or not the change of on is detected from (Sb11), and if the change of on is not detected from the off of the reset switch 23, the process returns to the step of Sb10. That is, until a change from off to on of the reset / setting switch 38 or the reset switch 23 is detected, the game waits in a state in which the progress of the game is impossible.

Then, when the change of on from the off of the reset / setting switch 38 is detected in the step of Sb10, or when the change of on is detected from the off of the reset switch 23 in the step of Sb11, the detection state of the switch is changed. Edge data indicating that the command has changed from off to on or from on to off (called a rising edge when changing from off to on, and a falling edge when changing from on to off) It is cleared (Sb12), the error code stored in the register is cleared (Sb13), the display state of the game auxiliary display 12 is returned to the display state saved in the stack in the step of Sb1 (Sb14), and the error state is changed. Generates an error command indicating that the command has been released (Sb15), performs command storage processing, stores the error command in the command buffer (Sb16), clears the error detection flag (Sb17), and returns to the original processing. Return.

In this way, in the error processing, if the error processing is due to something other than a RAM error, the reset / setting switch 38 or the reset switch 23 is operated to return to the original processing even if the error state is released. In the case of error processing due to an abnormality, even if the reset / setting switch 38 or the reset switch 23 is operated, the error state is canceled and the original state is not restored.

The determination of whether or not the reset / setting switch 38 in Sb10 has changed from off to on means that the reset / setting switch 38 has changed from off to on continuously a predetermined number of times due to the timer interrupt process (main). Is determined by determining whether or not is detected. As a result, it is detected that the reset / setting switch 38 has not changed from off to on due to noise or the like, but that the reset / setting switch 38 has changed from off to on due to the operation. The number of detections is counted by using the number of detection counters. Then, when each operation in Sb10 is detected but a power failure occurs when the number of detection times does not reach a predetermined number of times, the count value of the detection number counter is initialized when the power failure is restored. This prevents an unintended operation from being detected. It is also possible to obtain the same effect by detecting that the time when the reset / setting switch 38 changes from off to on reaches a predetermined time. It should be noted that the determination as to whether or not the reset switch 23 in Sb11 has changed from off to on is also performed in the same manner.

Further, when the power is cut off and the power is restored during the error state, the processing of Sb1 is restarted. Therefore, when the power is restored, the error state display and the error code display by the processing of Sb3 are restarted. Then, after the processes of Sb6 and Sb7 are performed again, the acceptance of the error canceling operation is resumed. Therefore, when a power failure occurs during the error state and the error state is restored by recovering from the power failure, the acceptance of the error canceling operation is resumed at the timing when the error state display and the error code display by the game auxiliary display 12 are restarted. It is earlier than the timing when it is done.

It should be noted that when a power failure occurs during the error state, it is possible to configure the process so that the process interrupted by the power failure is restarted when the power is restored. In this case, a process for determining whether or not the power failure recovery flag is set before and after the error cancellation operation is added, and if the power failure recovery flag is set, the initial count value is set in the operation delay counter. The value may be reset to return to the processing of Sb6. The effect of the present invention can also be obtained by this configuration.

[Timer interrupt processing (main)]
25 and 26 are flowcharts showing the control contents of the timer interrupt process (main) executed by the main control unit 41 by interrupting the start process and the game process at regular intervals (interval of 0.56 ms). Note that other interrupts are automatically prohibited during the execution period of the timer interrupt process (main).

As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, in the timer interrupt process (main), first, the register in use is saved in the stack area (Sk1).

Next, a power failure determination process is performed (Sk2). In the power failure determination process, it is determined whether or not a voltage decrease signal has been input from the power failure detection circuit 48, and if the voltage decrease signal has been input, whether or not the voltage decrease signal has been input even in the previous power failure determination process. If a voltage drop signal is input even in the previous power failure determination process, it is determined that there is a power failure, and a power failure flag indicating that is set.

After the power failure determination process in the Sk2 step, it is determined whether or not the power failure flag is set (Sk3), and if the power failure flag is not set, the process proceeds to Sk4 and the power failure flag is set. To shift to the power failure processing (main).

In the Sk4 step, a port input process for inputting detection data of various switches from the input port is performed.

Next, the branch counter for identifying the timer interrupt to be executed in the timer interrupt process (main) is advanced by 1 from the four types of timer interrupts 1 to 4 (Sk5). In this embodiment, the timer interrupt 1 is a branch process during the timer interrupt that controls the motor to control the start of the reel. Specifically, the processes of Sk9 to Sk11 such as the reel start process described later. Is done. The timer interrupt 2 is a branch process during timer interrupt that performs LED display control, time counter update, door open / close status monitoring, output control of control signals, etc., and update of commands and external output signals. Specifically, the processing of Sk12 to Sk17 is performed, such as the LED dynamic display processing described later. Further, the timer interrupt 3 is a branching process during timer interrupt that detects the passing of the origin of the reel, monitors the switch input, and reads out the random number value. Specifically, the passing of the origin, which will be described later. Processing of Sk20 to Sk22 such as time processing is performed. Further, the timer interrupt 4 is a branch process during timer interrupt that detects the input of the stop switch and controls the reel stop. Specifically, the process of Sk23 to Sk25 such as the stop switch process described later. Is done. In the Sk5 step, 1 is added when the branch counter value is 0 to 2, and the value is updated to 0 when the counter value is 3. That is, the branch counter value loops in the order of 0 → 1 → 2 → 3 → 0 ... Each time the timer interrupt process (main) is executed.

Next, it is determined whether it is 2 or 3, that is, timer interrupt 3 or timer interrupt 4 by referring to the branch counter value (Sk6), and if it is not timer interrupt 3 or timer interrupt 4, that is, timer interrupt. In the case of 1 or the timer interrupt 2, it is confirmed whether the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R are starting or rotating at a constant speed, and the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R are starting or rotating at a constant speed. For example, a motor phase signal output process for outputting the phase signal data changed in the motor step process of Sk10 described later and the phase signal data changed in the final stop process of Sk25 described later is executed (Sk7).

Next, it is determined whether or not it is 1 by referring to the branch counter value, that is, whether or not it is timer interrupt 2 (Sk8), and if it is not timer interrupt 2, that is, if it is timer interrupt 1, the reel motor Reel start processing (Sk9) that controls the step time interval at the start of 32L, 32C, 32R, motor step processing (Sk10) that changes the phase signal data of the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R, reel motors 32L, 32C After the 32R is stopped, the motor phase signal standby process (Sk11) for changing the phase signal to one-phase excitation is sequentially executed after a lapse of a certain period of time, and then the process proceeds to the Sk26 step.

Further, in the case of the timer interrupt 2 in the step of Sk8, the LED dynamic display process (Sk12) for dynamically lighting various indicators and the control signal output process for outputting data such as lighting signals of various LEDs to the output port. (Sk13), time counter update process for updating various time counters (Sk14), door monitoring process for monitoring the detection status of the door open detection switch 25, door command transmission request (Sk15), and set in the command buffer. After sequentially executing the command transmission process (Sk16) for transmitting various commands such as the setting changing command, the return command, and the error command to the sub-control unit 91, and the external output signal update process (Sk17) for updating the external output signal, Sk26 Proceed to the step.

Further, if the timer interrupt is 3 or the timer interrupt is 4 in the Sk6 step, it is further determined whether or not it is 3 by referring to the branching counter value, that is, whether or not it is the timer interrupt 4 (Sk18), and the timer. If it is not interrupt 4, that is, if it is timer interrupt 3, it checks the passing of the rotating reels 2L, 2C, and 2R to the origin (passing the reel reference position), detects the occurrence of a reel rotation error, and stops. Check if the preparation is complete (whether the stop preparation completion code is set), and if the stop preparation is complete and the timer is rotating at a constant speed, operate the stop switch corresponding to the rotating reel. Enable origin passage processing (Sk20), determine whether the detection status of switches such as MAXBET switch 6, start switch 7, stop switch 8L, 8C, 8R has changed, request transmission of operation detection command, etc. After sequentially executing the switch input determination process (Sk21) to be performed and the random number value read process (Sk22) in which the numerical data is read from the random number value register R1D and stored in the random number value storage work, the process proceeds to the Sk26 step.

Further, if the timer interrupt is 4 in the step of Sk18, when the stop operation position is stored in the work of the stop reel with the detection of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R, the stop stored in the work of the stop reel is stopped. When it is time to stop, the stop position is determined from the operation position, the stop switch process (Sk23) that calculates how many steps to stop after, and the number of steps until the stop calculated by the stop switch process are counted. After sequentially executing the stop process (Sk24) for starting the brake by the two-phase excitation and the final stop process (Sk25) for starting the brake by the three-phase excitation after a certain time from the start of the brake in the stop process, the process proceeds to the Sk26 step.

In the Sk26 step, an error detection process for detecting the occurrence of an error is executed (Sk26). In the error detection process, when any one of a plurality of types of errors occurs, an error detection flag indicating that the error has occurred and the type of the error that has occurred is set in the RAM 41c. In this embodiment, in addition to the RAM error error, an inserted medal jam error, a medal out error, a payout error, a payout medal jam error, a full tank error, a reel rotation error, an abnormal winning error, and a door opening error are set as errors. However, the type of error can be changed as appropriate.

In the step of Sk27, the register saved in the stack area in Sk1 is restored, and the process returns to the process before the interrupt (Sk27).

[Power cut (main)]
FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the power interruption process (main) executed when the main control unit 41 determines that the power interruption flag is set in the timer interrupt process (main) described above.

In the power failure processing (main), first, all the registers that may be used are saved in the stack area (Sm1). Although the values of the I register and the IY register described above are used, they are not saved here because the same fixed values are always set at the time of initialization at startup.

Next, the destruction diagnosis data (5A (H) in this embodiment) is set (Sm2), and all the output ports are initialized (Sm3). Next, the RAM parity adjustment data is calculated and set so that the exclusive OR of all the storage areas (including the unused area and the unused stack area) of the RAM 41c becomes 0 (Sm4), and the access to the RAM 41c is performed. Prohibit (Sm5).

After that, the voltage drops and the state shifts to the standby state in which the CPU 41a of the main control unit 41 stops. Then, if the voltage drops in this standby state, the operation is stopped internally. Therefore, the operation of the main control unit 41 is surely stopped when the power is cut off.

[Timer interrupt processing (sub)]
Next, a timer interrupt process (sub) executed by the sub control unit 91 (CPU 91a) at intervals of 1.12 seconds based on the count value of the internal clock will be described.

As shown in FIG. 28, in the timer interrupt process (sub), the sub control unit 91 first saves the register in use to the stack area (Sp1). Next, a power failure determination process is performed (Sp2). In the power failure determination process, it is determined whether or not a voltage decrease signal has been input from the power failure detection circuit 48, and if the voltage decrease signal has been input, whether or not the voltage decrease signal has been input even in the previous power failure determination process. If a voltage drop signal is input even in the previous power failure determination process, it is determined that there is a power failure, and a power failure flag indicating that is set.

After the power failure determination process in the step of Sp2, it is determined whether or not the power failure flag is set (Sp3), and if the power failure flag is set, the process proceeds to the power failure process (sub). In the power failure processing (sub), the backup flag used in the judgment of the startup processing (sub) is set after the backup data is created, and the checksum used in the judgment of the startup processing (sub) is calculated as the exclusive OR of the backup data. And execute processing such as calculation.

If the power failure flag is not set, the command analysis process is executed (Sp4). In the command analysis process, it is determined whether or not the command is stored in the command buffer, and if the command is stored in the command buffer, the command is acquired from the command buffer. Then, the process corresponding to the acquired command is executed.

In the step of Sp5, the sub-control unit 91 executes the notification process during the setting change state (Sp5). In the setting change state notification process, the liquid crystal display 51 displays an image indicating that the setting is being changed in response to a setting command indicating the start of setting from the main control unit 41. Then, in response to the setting command indicating the end of the setting, the display indicating that the setting is being changed by the liquid crystal display 51 is terminated. The liquid crystal display 51 is also used to display an effect image when the effect is executed.

In the step of Sp6, the sub-control unit 91 executes the error state notification process (Sp6). In the error state notification process, the liquid crystal display 51 displays an image indicating that an error state is in progress in response to an error command (see Sb8 in FIG. 24) indicating that an error state is in progress from the main control unit 41. To do. Then, in response to the error command (Sb15 in FIG. 24) indicating the cancellation of the error state, the liquid crystal display 51 ends the display indicating that the error state is in progress. The liquid crystal display 51 is also used to display an effect image when the effect is executed.

Further, when a power failure occurs before the process of Sb8 in FIG. 24, the processes of Sb6 and Sb7 are performed after the power failure is restored, and after Sb7 determines Y and the acceptance of the error canceling operation is restarted, Sb8 And the error command will be sent in the processing of Sb9. Then, when the sub-control unit 91 receives the error command, the sub-control unit 91 displays an image indicating that the error state is in progress after a certain period of time has elapsed from the reception. Therefore, the timing at which the acceptance of the error canceling operation is resumed when the power is restored is earlier than the timing at which the image indicating that the error state is being displayed is displayed.

[Specific Examples of the Present Invention]
Next, a specific example of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 29. FIG. 29 is a specific example when a power failure occurs during an error state.

As shown in FIG. 29, when an error occurs and an error is detected (when Y is determined in Sb1 of FIG. 24), an error code is displayed when the state shifts to an error state (“error code display” in the figure. ) And the display indicating that an error state is in progress (“error state display” in the figure) are displayed by the game auxiliary display 12 (see Sb3 in FIG. 24). Then, the acceptance of the error release operation is delayed (see Sb6 in FIG. 24), and the error release operation is accepted when a certain time has elapsed from the start of each display (when Y is determined in Sb7 in FIG. 24). The part that proceeds to Sb10 and Sb11). In addition, after a certain period of time has elapsed from the start of accepting each operation, the liquid crystal display 51 displays that the setting is being changed (“notification during setting change” in the figure) (Sp5 in FIG. 28). reference).

If a power failure occurs during the error state and the power is restored, the error code display and the error state display are first restarted (see Sb3 in FIG. 24). When a certain time has elapsed after each display is restarted, the acceptance of the error canceling operation is restarted (the part that proceeds to Sb10 and Sb11 when the process of Sb6 in FIG. 24 is performed and Y is determined in Sb7). In addition, after a certain period of time has elapsed from the start of accepting each operation, the liquid crystal display 51 notifies the user during the setting change state (see Sp5 in FIG. 28).

As described above, the timing at which the error code display and the error status display are resumed after the power failure is restored is earlier than the timing at which the acceptance of the error canceling operation is resumed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an error cancellation operation from being performed by mistake without checking each display.

[Summary of FIGS. 22 to 29]
An error state control means (for example, a portion that processes Sk26 in FIG. 26) that controls an error state that stops the progress of the game when a predetermined event that is predetermined as an error occurs.
An error canceling operation means (for example, a reset switch 23, a reset / setting switch 38) operated to cancel the error state and restart the progress of the game.
When the error canceling operation means is operated, the error canceling means (for example, the portion that performs the processing of Sb17 in FIG. 24) that cancels the error state and restarts the progress of the game from the state before the occurrence of the error state. )When,
In the error state, an error state-related display means (for example, a game auxiliary display 12) that displays the error state, and
A backup storage means (for example, RAM 41c) that can retain backup data for a predetermined period even when the power supply is stopped.
It is provided with a return means (for example, a portion for performing the process of FIG. 22) for returning to the state before the power supply is stopped based on the backup data held by the backup storage means when the power supply is started.
When the power supply is stopped in the error state and the error state is returned by the recovery means based on the backup data when the power supply is started, the operation of the error canceling operation means is accepted. The display by the error state-related display means is restarted at a timing earlier than the timing at which the error status is possible (for example, when the processing of Sb5 in FIG. 24 is performed and then the processing of Sb6 is performed and Y is determined in Sb7. The part that proceeds to Sb10 and Sb11). According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation from being performed.

The error state control means controls the error state so as to start accepting the operation of the error release operation means after the display by the error state related display means is started (in this example, Sb5 of FIG. 24). A portion that proceeds to Sb10 and Sb11 when the processing of Sb6 is performed after the processing and Y is determined by Sb7). According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation from being performed.

The error state-related display means includes an error state display means (for example, a game auxiliary display 12) that displays an error state indicating that the error state is controlled as a display related to the error state, and the error state. Including an error type display means (for example, a game auxiliary display 12) for displaying an error type indicating the type of error occurring as a display related to.
When the recovery means returns to the error state based on the backup data when the power supply is stopped in the error state and the power supply is started, the operation of the error canceling operation means is accepted. The error state display and the error type display are restarted at a timing earlier than the timing of restarting (for example, when the processing of Sb5 in FIG. 24 is performed and then the processing of Sb6 is performed and Y is determined in Sb7. The part that proceeds to Sb10 and Sb11). According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation from being performed.

It is provided with an effect executing means (for example, a liquid crystal display 51) used to execute the effect.
The effect executing means also executes an error state notification indicating that the error state is controlled.
When the recovery means stops the power supply in the error state and restarts the error state based on the backup data when the power supply starts, the timing for restarting the notification during the error state. The acceptance of the operation of the error canceling operation means is restarted at an earlier timing (see, for example, Sb8 and Sb9 in FIG. 24 and Sp6 in FIG. 28). According to this configuration, the operation of the error canceling means can be enabled when the minimum necessary display is restored.

A detection means for detecting that an operation of the error canceling operation means has been performed when a predetermined operation has been performed for a predetermined period, and a detection means.
If the power supply is stopped when the predetermined operation is being performed and the predetermined operation is not performed for a predetermined period when the power supply is stopped, the operation status of the predetermined operation is when the power supply is started. It has a data initialization means to initialize the data related to
The recovery means returns to the state before the power supply is stopped based on the initialized data (for example, when the power is cut off during the determination of Sb10 or Sb11 in FIG. 24, the power supply of Sb10 or Sb11 is restored when the power is cut off. The part that initializes the counter used for judgment). According to this configuration, unintended operation can be prevented.

FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining a slot machine and a promotion display screen of a modified example. In the slot machine 1, a panel effect button 200 that can be operated by a player is provided on a lower panel provided on the lower side of the housing 1a of the slot machine 1. When the button effect is executed, either the effect switch 56 or the panel effect button 200 can be operated. In such a case, it is desirable to be able to easily recognize which of the two buttons at different positions should be operated when the button effect is executed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 30, when the characters "press!" Are displayed in the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51 as a button effect, the explanatory character image 64a is displayed as the effect promotion image 65b and the panel is displayed. A live-action image of the housing of the slot machine 1 including the effect button 100 and its vicinity is displayed. Both the effect switch 56 and the panel effect button 200 may be operable at the time of executing the button effect. In such a case, the effect promotion image 65b is used by the player who wants to operate the effect switch 56 and the panel effect button 200. The image may be displayed.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible. Hereinafter, modifications of the above-described embodiment applicable to the present invention will be described.

[About a modified example of a slot machine]
As the above embodiment, the slot machine that pays out the game medium to the player's hand when a prize is generated has been described, but the game medium is enclosed and the game medium is paid out to the player's hand when the prize is generated. An enclosed slot machine that adds game points (scores) may be adopted without any problem. The base and the drum can be distributed, and the housing is common, and only the base or the base and the drum are called a gaming machine. Further, it is a slot machine provided with a game area in which a game ball can be fired to play a game, and a bet number can be set according to the game ball passing through a predetermined area provided in the game area. You may.

[About gaming machines]
As the above embodiment, an example in which various technical matters are applied to a slot machine which is an example of a gaming machine has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the pachinko gaming machine which plays a game by driving a so-called gaming ball into the gaming area. May be applied.

[Example of application to pachinko machines]
For example, when an error occurs in the pachinko gaming machine, an error display prompting the player to operate the call button may be executed by using the character image appearing in the production as in the first embodiment. .. Further, as in the second embodiment, when an error occurs in the pachinko gaming machine, the error clearing location and the error occurrence location may be highlighted on the screen. Further, as in the third embodiment, the explanatory effect may be executed during the non-game using an image showing the pachinko gaming machine. Further, as in the fourth embodiment, the promotion display screen may be displayed using an image representing the pachinko gaming machine.

[About non-gaming state]
In the above-described embodiment, the state in which the reel is not rotating is the non-gaming state. However, it may be in other states. For example, the non-gaming state may be a state in which the BET operation is not performed, or the player is playing by detecting that the player is not in the seat (the presence or absence of the player is detected by a sensor or the like). It may be in a non-existent state.

[About winning suggestion production]
In the above-described embodiment, the main control unit 41 may determine the winning suggestion effect instead of the sub control unit 91 determining the winning suggestion effect. For example, when the AT lottery is performed by winning the simultaneous winning combination in the internal lottery, the main control unit 41 executes the BB winning and the winning suggestion effect suggesting whether or not the AT has been won at a predetermined timing. May be done. As the winning suggestion effect, for example, a freeze effect that delays the progress of the game for a predetermined period when the start switch 7 is operated may be provided. During the freeze effect, the reels 2L to 2R are rotated in a predetermined mode to execute a pseudo game in which a specific symbol combination is temporarily stopped. The simulated game can be executed a plurality of times during the freeze effect. The freeze effect is not limited to the one executed when the start switch 7 is operated, but when the first stop operation is performed or the third stop operation is performed, the display result is derived and one game is completed. It may be executed at times.

In addition, the reliability of winning the BB or AT is highest in the freeze effect, followed by the continuous hit effect, the button effect, and the character B effect, and the winning suggestion effect is the lowest so that the character A effect is the lowest. The ratio may be set so that the type is determined. The effect to be executed is not limited to one in which one winning suggestion effect is determined, and a plurality of winning suggestion effects may be determined. Further, the predetermined timing for executing the winning suggestion effect is not limited to this, and is determined by the main control unit 41 from a plurality of timings (more specifically, the main control unit 41 notifies the result by the AT winning suggestion effect). The timing may be the number of games (for example, any of 0 to 32 games) from the games won by the specific lottery target combination, which is determined by a random number lottery or the like). The main control unit 41 outputs a command for specifying the type of the winning suggestion effect to the sub control unit 91 at a predetermined timing for executing the winning suggestion effect, and if the winning suggestion effect is a freeze effect, the main control unit 41 outputs the command to the sub control unit 91. The process for freeze effect may be executed. The winning suggestion effect other than the freeze effect may be determined by the sub-control unit 91 as described in the above-described embodiment.

[About benefits]
In the above-mentioned example, as a privilege, the value that directly affects the payout rate of medals and pachinko balls, such as BB winning, AT winning, and the number of AT games that can be controlled by AT, is illustrated. However, the privilege may be a value that improves the degree of advantage for the player, and may be, for example, a value that does not directly affect the medal payout rate. Specifically, when a high-probability state of winning an AT with a higher probability than usual is provided in the AT lottery, execution of a probability suggestion effect for suggesting whether or not the current state is a high-probability state. , Execution of premier effect along with voice on the liquid crystal display 51 (special character appearance, execution of special bonus effect during the next bonus), execution of set value suggestion effect to suggest the set value, By collecting a certain number, points can be given that can be exchanged for services specified at the game store where the slot machine 1 is installed, and a two-dimensional code that allows you to download privilege videos and privilege information on a predetermined website is displayed on the liquid crystal display. It may be displayed on the vessel 51.

Further, although the number of AT games is illustrated as an example of the privilege, the privilege related to AT is not limited to this, and for example, the right (navistock) that allows the AT to control a predetermined number of games (for example, 50 games) may be a privilege. Good. In addition, when the number of times the navigation effect can be executed is determined and the AT is controlled until the navigation effect is executed for the determined number of times the navigation effect can be executed, the number of times the navigation effect can be executed is also a privilege. Good. Further, for example, when the upper limit grant amount is determined and the AT is controlled until the granted game value (the number of medals paid out) reaches the determined upper limit grant amount, the upper limit grant amount may be a privilege. Further, when the AT is controlled from the time when the predetermined AT start condition is satisfied until the predetermined AT end condition is satisfied and the continuous lottery for whether or not to continue the AT is performed when the AT end condition is satisfied, the continuation is continued. The continuation probability determined to continue in the lottery may be a privilege.

[Advantageous condition]
In the above-mentioned example, as an advantageous state, a big bonus (BB) or AT in which the winning probability of a small winning combination is higher than that in a predetermined state is exemplified for a slot machine, but in a state advantageous for a player. If there is, it is not limited to this, and an example of a slot machine will be described below.

Advantageous states are, for example, regular bonus (RB) and replay time (RT) where the probability of winning a predetermined winning combination is high, the concentration state of small winning combination, and the pull-in range of at least one reel is higher than usual. It does not change the challenge time (CT), which allows the generation of all small wins in each game as it becomes narrower, the winning probability of winning wins, etc., but prescribes the operation procedure for winning the winning small wins. It may be a pseudo-bonus that notifies over a period (for example, until 50 games are exhausted). In addition, there may be a state in which the probability of being controlled by these advantageous states is high, a state in which the probability of being controlled in the freeze state is high, and the number of games such as the number of AT games is high. An advantageous state different from the above-described embodiment may be set, such as a state in which the game is added and a state in which the number of additional games in the AT is likely to be increased. In addition, it is indirectly advantageous for the player, such as a condition for obtaining benefits on the communication network and a state in which the probability of satisfying the condition for executing a premium effect (freeze effect, premium effect, etc.) is high. It may be a special privilege or a state of improving the interest of the game. Further, the permissible determination means for determining whether or not to allow the transition to an advantageous state is not limited to the internal lottery process, and may be a means for determining regardless of the winning combination.

Further, the advantageous state is, for example, in the privilege grant lottery for determining whether or not to grant the privilege, the "probability of the privilege being granted" and the "granted when the privilege is determined to be granted". At least one of the "value of the award (or the expected value of the award amount)" may be higher than the normal state (a state different from the advantageous state). Further, the advantageous state may mean that the number of triggers for executing the privilege granting lottery is larger than that in the normal state. Further, the advantageous state may be a state in which the number of games required for digestion required to be digested in order to grant the privilege is smaller than the normal state.

For example, when the privilege is the number of AT games, the advantageous state is "AT winning probability in AT lottery" and "AT given when AT is won in AT lottery" than in the normal state. At least one of the "value of the number of games" may be higher than the normal state. Further, the advantageous state may be one in which the number of triggers for executing the AT lottery is larger than that in the normal state. For example, when the execution opportunity of the AT lottery in the normal state is the first combination winning and the second combination winning, the execution opportunity of the AT lottery in the advantageous state is the first combination winning and the second combination winning. In addition, the third role may be won.

[About production and notification]
In the above-described example, an example in which the liquid crystal display 51 is used to perform an effect or notification is given. For example, the speakers 53, 54 and the back lamp arranged on the back side (inside) of the reel (reel LED 55 of the above embodiment) ), A transmissive liquid crystal display (a liquid crystal display configured to allow the reel to be seen) arranged on the front side of the reel, lamps and LEDs attached to the front door 1b, vibration of the stop switch, and surroundings of the stop switch. The effect may be executed by a means different from the above-described embodiment, such as blowing air from the reel or changing the temperature of the stop switch.

[About AT]
In the above example of the slot machine, an example in which the main control unit 41 executes the control related to the AT has been described, but the control related to the AT executed by the main control unit 41 includes the execution of the AT lottery. The AT lottery may include a determination of winning or not winning the AT lottery, a determination of whether or not to stock the number of AT games, a determination of the number of AT games, a lottery for adding the number of AT games, and the like. Further, as the control related to AT, the control of the high probability state of the AT lottery can be mentioned. To control the high probability state of the AT lottery, control that the winning probability of the AT lottery becomes high, control that shortens the period until the AT is controlled according to the result of the internal lottery, the winning probability of the additional lottery, and the game. Includes controls that give preferential treatment to numbers. Further, as the control related to the AT, it is possible to control the AT when the specified number of games have been digested. The time when the specified number of games is exhausted includes the time when the number of ceiling games is reached and the time when the number of games determined by lottery is reached. Further, as the control related to AT, there is a control for setting a precursory period. The control for setting the precursor period includes, for example, a control for executing the production of 0 to 32 games in the precursor period before the start of the AT. Further, as a control related to AT, a control for giving a penalty can be mentioned. Controls that grant penalties include determining the content of the penalty, determining or setting the penalty period. Further, as the control related to the AT, the main control unit 41 may control the lighting of the lamp or the LED indicating that the AT is in progress.

Further, as the control related to the AT, the main control unit 41 may control the lighting of the lamps and LEDs for executing the navigation effect. Further, the sub control unit 91 may execute the navigation effect in conjunction with the main control unit 41 executing the navigation effect. Further, when the main control unit 41 improves the lottery probability, for example, when controlling the AT lottery to a high probability state, the main control unit 41 notifies that fact by lighting control of a lamp or an LED (for example, a game auxiliary display 12). You may do so. More specifically, the main control unit 41 may notify that the game auxiliary display 12 controls the AT lottery to a high probability state by executing the navigation effect a predetermined number of times. Alternatively, the main control unit 41 may notify the sub control unit 91 that the navigation effect is executed a predetermined number of times to control the AT lottery to a high probability state.

When the main control unit 41 executes the control related to the AT, it is preferable that the processing of the main control unit 41 is subordinate to the main control unit 41 and executed by a control unit subordinate to the main control unit 41. .. For example, the reel stop control may be executed by a control unit provided on a board other than the game control board, and the main control unit 41 transfers the operation signal of the stop switch to the control unit. In this way, by causing the lower control unit to control the main control unit 41, it is possible to prevent the capacity shortage of the ROM 41b and the RAM 41c and the processing capacity shortage of the main CPU 41a when performing the control related to the AT.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the main control unit 41 executes the control related to the AT described above, but the sub-control unit 91 may execute the control. The sub control unit 91 performs, for example, an AT lottery process or an additional lottery process based on an internal winning command from the main control unit 41, and executes a process for controlling the AT or a navigation effect according to the result. Processing or the like may be performed.

[About setting change status and setting confirmation status]
Regarding the setting change state, the setting may be changed to the setting change state on the condition of "power ON" + "setting key switch ON" + "front door open detection". This makes it possible to prevent unauthorized setting changes when the front door is not open. In addition, once the setting change state is entered, the setting change state is maintained regardless of the open / closed state of the front door until the end condition for ending the setting change state (the setting key switch is turned off after the setting value is confirmed) is satisfied. You may try to do it. As a result, even if the front door is closed during the setting change state, the setting change state is not terminated, so that it is possible to prevent the trouble of shifting to the setting change state again.

Further, the setting confirmation state may be shifted to the setting confirmation state on the condition of "setting key switch ON" + "front door open detection". This makes it possible to prevent unauthorized setting confirmation when the front door is not open. In addition, once the setting confirmation state is entered, the setting confirmation state is maintained regardless of the open / closed state of the front door until the end condition (setting key switch OFF operation) for ending the setting confirmation state is satisfied. May be good. As a result, even if the front door is closed during the setting confirmation state, the setting confirmation state is not terminated, so that it is possible to prevent the trouble of shifting to the setting confirmation state again.

In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of reels capable of variablely displaying a plurality of types of symbols, each of which can be identified, are provided, and after the reels are variablely displayed, the display result is derived by stopping the variable display of the reels, and a plurality of reels are derived. We have described a slot machine that can generate prizes according to the combination of reel display results. That is, a plurality of variable display units capable of variablely displaying a plurality of types of identification information, each of which can be identified, are provided, and after the variable display unit is variablely displayed, the variable display of the variable display unit is stopped to derive a display result. Then, a slot machine capable of generating a prize according to a combination of display results of a plurality of variable display units has been described. However, a variable display unit capable of variablely displaying a plurality of types of identification information that can be identified by each is provided, and after the variable display unit is variable-displayed, the variable display of the variable display unit is stopped to derive a display result. A slot machine capable of generating a prize according to the display result is not limited to a slot machine having three reels, but a slot machine having only one reel or a slot machine having a plurality of reels other than three. May be good.

It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims rather than the above description, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

1 slot machine, 2L, 2C, 2R reel, 8L, 8C, 8R stop switch, 40 game control board, 41 main control unit, 41a main CPU, 41b ROM, 41c RAM, 42 random number circuit, 43 pulse oscillator, 51 liquid crystal display Instrument, 56 effect switch, 90 effect control board, 91 sub control unit, 91a sub CPU, 91b ROM, 91c RAM.

Claims (1)

In a gaming machine that can play games
When an error occurs, it is equipped with an error display means that can execute the error display corresponding to the error.
The error display means
A specific image is displayed when the first type of error occurs, and the first part of the specific image is displayed in a specific mode.
When the second type of error occurs, the specific image is displayed, and the second part of the specific image is displayed in the specific mode.
The gaming machine is further
An in-game state control means that can control the in-game state in which the game cannot proceed, and
A specific display means for performing a specific display in the incapable state of the game, and
A specific operation receiving means capable of accepting a specific operation in the incapable state of the game,
A recovery means for returning to the state before the power supply was stopped when the power supply started, and
A delay means for executing delayed processing that delays the progress of processing is provided.
When the power supply is stopped in the non-gaming state and the non-gaming state is restored when the power supply is started, the delay processing is performed after the specific display by the specific display means is resumed. A gaming machine that executes and determines whether or not the specific operation is performed after executing the delay processing.

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