JP2023160155A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of proceeding with a game appropriately.SOLUTION: A game machine that can be connected to a specific unit for lending game values, includes game value control means for managing the game values and sound control means for controlling the output of sound according to the progress of the game. The sound control means outputs a predetermined sound at a first volume through an audio output unit in an advantageous state advantageous to a player, and may shift a game state to a volume adjustment state in which the volume of a predetermined sound is restricted to a second volume that is lower than the first volume when operation on the progress of the game is not performed for a predetermined period of time in the advantageous state. The game value control means may perform a counting process to transfer the game value to the specific unit in response to the operation of a player while the game can be played. In response to the execution of the counting process, the sound control means outputs counting sound at a third volume through the audio output unit, and outputs the counting sound at the third volume even if a game state is shifted to the volume adjustment state in the advantageous state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 27

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

A smart pachi-slot machine that allows the game to be played without the intervention of real medals while maintaining the gameplay of a slot machine is being considered (for example, Patent Document 1). Furthermore, a smart pachinko machine is being considered in which the pachinko machine is of an enclosed circulation type, allowing the player to play the game without touching the game balls (for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-134014 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-156551

In such smart pachislots and smart pachinko machines, there is no need to provide a route for distributing game media such as game balls and medals outside the gaming machine, and smart pachislots eliminate the need for physical gaming media themselves. Become. In this way, in smart pachislot, the game medium itself is not used, and in smart pachinko, non-magnetic game balls are used to prevent the game play that is based on the use of metal game media. It becomes possible. Further, since there is no need to provide a mechanism for inserting and dispensing game media within the gaming machine, design costs and manufacturing costs can be reduced. Furthermore, by centrally managing the lending of game media to players, the counting of acquired game media, etc., it is possible to prevent fraud and suppress gambling.

On the other hand, for configurations that use electronic game media (gaming value) and non-magnetic game media instead of physical game media, games can be progressed appropriately while managing electronic game media. A new mechanism is needed to do so. For example, the lending process of lending electronic game media to smart pachislots and smart pachinko machines, and the counting process of counting the game media acquired in smart pachislots and smart pachinko machines must also proceed appropriately.

In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide a gaming machine that allows games to be played appropriately.

In order to solve the above problems, the gaming machine of the present invention is a gaming machine that can be connected to a specific unit that lends gaming value, and includes a gaming value control means that manages the gaming value, and a gaming machine that controls the gaming value according to the progress of the game. sound control means for controlling the output of sound, the sound control means outputting a predetermined sound at a first volume through the audio output section when the player is in an advantageous state; If no operation is performed for a predetermined period of time when the game is progressing, the volume of the predetermined sound may be shifted to a volume adjustment state in which the volume is limited to a second volume that is lower than the first volume, which reduces the game value. The control means may perform counting processing to transfer the gaming value to a specific unit according to the player's operation while the game is possible, and the sound control means may perform counting processing to transfer the gaming value to a specific unit according to the player's operation, and the sound control means may perform counting processing through the audio output unit according to the execution of the counting processing. A counting sound is output at a third volume, and even if the volume adjustment state is shifted to when the state is in an advantageous state, the counting sound is output at the third volume.
In order to solve the above problems, the gaming machine of the present invention is a gaming machine that can be connected to a specific unit that lends gaming value, and includes a gaming value control means that manages the gaming value, and a gaming machine that controls the gaming value according to the progress of the game. sound control means for controlling the output of sound, the sound control means outputting a predetermined sound at a first volume through the audio output section when the player is in an advantageous state; If no operation is performed for a predetermined period of time when the game is progressing, the volume of the predetermined sound may be shifted to a volume adjustment state in which the volume is limited to a second volume that is lower than the first volume, which reduces the game value. The control means may perform a lending process in which game value is transferred from a specific unit in response to a player's operation while a game is possible, and the sound control means may perform a lending process in which game value is transferred from a specific unit in response to a player's operation. , the rental sound is output at the third volume, and even if the state shifts to the volume adjustment state in an advantageous state, the rental sound is output at the third volume.

According to the present invention, it is possible to proceed with the game appropriately.

FIG. 2 is an external view for explaining the schematic mechanical configuration of a smart pachi-slot machine. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of a smart pachi-slot machine and a dedicated unit. FIG. 2 is an external view for explaining the schematic mechanical configuration of a smart pachi-slot machine and a dedicated unit. 3 is a flowchart showing main processing of the main control board. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another substrate configuration. It is an explanatory view for explaining the enclosure mode of a case. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a CPU and areas that execute each function of smart pachi-slot. It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the format of gaming machine information notification. It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the format of gaming machine information notification. It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the format of gaming machine information notification. It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the format of gaming machine information notification. It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the format of a count notice. It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the format of a loan receipt result response. It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the format of a lending notice. It is a timing chart showing notification timings of gaming machine information notification, counting notification, lending notification, and lending reception result response. It is an explanatory diagram for explaining transmission timing of gaming machine information notification. It is a flowchart which showed the flow of counting switch monitoring processing in medal CPU. It is a flowchart which showed the flow of the counting process in medal CPU. It is a timing chart for explaining counting processing. It is a timing chart for explaining the display mode of the number of game medals. It is a flowchart which showed the flow of counting switch processing in medal CPU. It is a time chart explaining the setting of the number of counted medals. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of counting switch processing according to a modification example in which all signals of multiple times are effectively processed. It is a time chart explaining the setting of the number of counted medals according to a modified example in which all signals of a plurality of times are effectively processed. It is a figure explaining operation when a game sound and a counting sound overlap. It is a flowchart explaining the counting sound process performed by the production control means. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of volume control processing performed by the production control means. It is a flowchart which showed the flow of command reception processing in medal CPU. It is a flowchart which showed the flow of command reception processing in medal CPU. It is a flowchart which showed the flow of command reception processing in medal CPU. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of command monitoring processing. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of command monitoring processing. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of command monitoring processing. 3 is a flowchart showing communication specifications when power is turned on. It is a flowchart showing communication specifications during operation. It is a flowchart showing the communication specifications at the end of the game. It is a flowchart showing the flow of bet processing in the medal CPU. It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of actual calculation of bet processing. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process for updating a setting change signal. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process for updating a setting confirmation signal. It is an explanatory diagram showing a comparative example of communication processing between a main CPU and a medal CPU. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flowchart showing the concept of sending one byte of a command and a command. It is an explanatory diagram showing communication processing between a main CPU and a medal CPU. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining communication processing between a main CPU and a sub CPU. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining other communication processing between the main CPU and the sub CPU. 3 is a flowchart for explaining communication processing. It is an explanatory diagram for explaining a display mode of electronic medals. It is an explanatory diagram for explaining a display mode of electronic medals. It is an explanatory diagram for explaining gaming machine information display. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining gaming machine information display and addictive prevention display. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a gaming machine information display, an addictive prevention display, and a suggestion display. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a suggestion display. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a smart pachi-slot test shooting test. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the slot machine. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of smart pachi-slot.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in these examples are merely illustrative to facilitate understanding of the invention, and do not limit the invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and the drawings, elements with substantially the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals to omit redundant explanation, and elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted from illustration. do.

(First embodiment: Smart Pachislot 100)
The smart pachi-slot machine 100 allows the game to be played without the intervention of real medals while maintaining the gameplay of a slot machine. Note that the slot machine is a conventionally existing general gaming machine, and differs from the smart pachislot 100 in that the game is played using real medals. In the smart pachislot 100, computerized medals are used as electronic game value provided for the game instead of real medals.

(Mechanical configuration of smart pachislot 100)
As shown in the external view of FIG. 1, the smart pachislot 100 as a gaming machine includes a housing 102, an upper front door 104 and a lower front door that are rotatably arranged vertically and vertically at one end of the front of the housing 102. 106 are provided. A colorless and transparent pattern display window 108 made of a glass plate, a transparent resin plate, or the like is provided at the lower center of the front upper door 104. Three reels 110 (left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, right reel 110c) are provided in the housing 102 at positions corresponding to the symbol display window 108 so as to be rotatable independently. On the outer peripheral surfaces of the left reel 110a, the middle reel 110b, and the right reel 110c, a plurality of types of symbols are arranged in each area divided into, for example, 20 equal parts. Through the symbol display window 108, the player can visually recognize a total of nine consecutive symbols, three consecutive symbols on each of the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c located in the upper, middle, and lower rows.

An operation unit installation stand 111 is formed on the upper part of the lower front door 106, and the operation unit installation stand 111 includes a counting switch 112, a game medal number display device 114, a bet switch 116, a start switch 118, a stop switch 120, and a settlement switch. 121, a production switch 122, etc. are provided.

The counting switch 112 is composed of a press switch, and detects an operation to transfer some or all of the electronic medals that are electronically held in the smart pachislot 100 and can be used for games to a dedicated unit 350, which will be described later. do. To operate the counting switch 112, a short press for less than 500 msec and a long press for more than 500 msec are prepared. When the counting switch 112 is pressed for a short time, one electronic medal is counted for each operation, and when it is pressed for a long time, 50 electronic medals are counted at the timing of notification of counting every 300 msec. The total number of electronic medals that are electronically held in the smart pachislot 100 and can be used for games is referred to as the "number of game medals," and the storage unit that holds the electronic medals is referred to as a "medal holding section." Sometimes referred to as

The game medal number display device 114 displays the total number of electronic medals held in the medal holding section, that is, the number of game medals. However, the number of game medals does not include betted electronic medals. Therefore, the game medal number display device 114 displays the number obtained by subtracting the number of electronic medals bet from the electronic medals won by the player. The number of game medals is displayed as follows using a 5-digit or 6-digit 7-segment display placed in a position visible to the player. That is, the numerical range is expressed from 0 to 16368, taking into account the maximum difference in the number of sheets in one business day, and if the upper digit of a significant numerical value is 0, that numerical value is left blank (unlit). Here, when the number exceeds 15,000, a notification is issued to prompt the player to count, the lending process of electronic medals is restricted, and a test counting signal is output for about 3,500 msec. However, the player can continue playing the game. Then, when the numerical value becomes 16369 or more, the progress of the game is restricted. Specifically, acceptance of the bet switch 116, start switch 118, and settlement switch 121 is prohibited. Note that instead of the case where the numerical value is 16,369 or more, when the numerical value is likely to be 16,369 or more, the payout of electronic medals may be prohibited until the player performs counting. For example, if the number becomes 16357 or more, which is 16369 minus 12 pieces, which is the maximum difference in the number of pieces that can be obtained in one game (maximum payout number (for example, 15 pieces) - specified number (for example, 3 pieces)) The game may be stopped. Further, the game medal number display device 114 reflects and displays the updated number of game medals within approximately 300 msec after the number of game medals held in the smart pachi-slot 100 is updated.

The bet switch 116 inserts (bets) a predetermined number of electronic medals among the electronic medals held in the medal holding section. Note that the bet switch 116 includes a max bet switch for inserting (bet) a specified number of electronic medals required for one game, and a max bet switch for inserting one additional electronic medal within the specified number. Includes 1 bet switch.

The start switch 118 is constituted by a lever capable of detecting a tilting operation, for example, and detects a game start operation by a player. The stop switches 120 (stop switch 120a, stop switch 120b, stop switch 120c) are provided corresponding to the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c, respectively, and detect the player's stop operation. The settlement switch 121 detects an operation that returns all of the electronic medals betted by one operation of the bet switch 116 to the medal holding section. The effect switch 122 is composed of, for example, a press switch and a cross switch arranged vertically and horizontally, and detects a player's press operation or rotation operation.

A liquid crystal display section 124 is provided at the upper center of the front upper door 104 to display various images associated with the performance. Further, on the upper part and on the left and right sides of the upper front door 104, display lamps 126 made of, for example, high-intensity light emitting diodes (LEDs) are provided. Further, speakers 128 are provided on the left and right sides of the lower front door 106 to provide auditory effects such as sound effects and musical sounds.

In the smart pachi-slot 100, when a game can be started and a specified number of electronic medals are bet, the active line is activated and the operation on the start switch 118 is activated. Here, bets are made by inserting electronic medals held in the medal holding section through the operation of the bet switch 116, and automatically inserting electronic medals based on the replay combination being displayed on the active line. Including both cases. Further, the valid line is a line for determining whether or not a winning combination has been won.

Then, when the start switch 118 is operated by the player, the game is started, various processes such as winning type lottery are executed, and the rotation of the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c is controlled. Thereafter, the corresponding left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c are respectively stopped in accordance with the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c. If a winning combination that can receive a payout of computerized medals is won based on the lottery results of the winning type lottery and the combination of symbols displayed on the active line, the number of computerized medals corresponding to the winning combination will be placed in the medal holding section. The game is then paid out (stored) and the game ends. If you are not selected for the winning type that allows you to receive electronic medals, or if you are selected but do not win, the game ends when the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c all stop. .

In the present embodiment, the above-mentioned one game is the insertion of electronic medals held in the medal holding section through the operation of the bet switch 116, or the insertion of electronic medals based on the display of a replay combination on the active line. After one of the automatic inputs is performed, the rotation of the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c is controlled according to the player's operation of the start switch 118, and a winning type lottery is executed. According to the lottery results and the player's operation of the plurality of stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c, the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c corresponding to the operated stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c are stopped, respectively. When a winning combination that can be controlled and receive a payout of electronic medals is won, it refers to the game until the payout of the electronic medals is executed. In addition, if you are not selected for the winning type that allows you to receive electronic medals, or if you are selected but do not win, one game ends when the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c all stop. do. However, the start of one game may be read as the operation of the start switch 118 by the player instead of the above-mentioned insertion of electronic medals or winning of a replay combination. Further, the number of times such one game is repeated is defined as the number of games.

(Electrical configuration of smart pachislot 100)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of smart pachi-slot 100 and dedicated unit 350. As shown in FIG. 2, the smart pachi-slot 100 and the dedicated unit 350 are electrically connected via a game ball rental device connection terminal board 206. The smart pachislot 100 includes a main control board 200 (main control unit) that controls the progress of the game, a sub-control board 202 (sub-control unit) that controls the production according to the progress of the game, and medals held in the medal holding unit. A control board including a medal number control board 204 that controls the number of electronic medals (number of game medals) to be played is provided. Note that transmission of electrical signals between the main control board 200 and the sub-control board 202 is limited to only one direction, from the main control board 200 to the sub-control board 202, from the viewpoint of fraud prevention and the like. Further, the dedicated unit 350 is provided with a dedicated unit control board 360 that transmits and receives electronic medals to and from the smart pachislot 100.

(Main control board 200)
The main control board 200 has a semiconductor integrated circuit including a main CPU 200a as a central processing unit, a main ROM 200b storing programs etc., a main RAM 200c functioning as a work area, etc., and controls the entire smart pachislot 100 in an integrated manner. . Note that even if the power is turned off, the data in the main RAM 200c is retained without being erased unless the settings are changed and the RAM is cleared.

The main control board 200 also includes an initialization means 300, a bet means 302, a winning type lottery means 304, and a reel control means, which function when the main CPU 200a cooperates with the main RAM 200c based on a program stored in the main ROM 200b. 306, determination means 308, payout control means 310, game state control means 312, presentation state control means 314, command transmission means 316, and other functional units.

The main control board 200 receives various detection signals from the bet switch 116, start switch 118, stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c, and settlement switch 121, and the main CPU 200a performs various processing based on the received detection signals. Execute.

The initialization means 300 executes initialization processing in the main control board 200. The betting means 302 bets electronic medals for use in games. Based on the operation of the start switch 118, the winning type lottery means 304 performs a winning type lottery to determine the validity of the winning combination, more specifically, the validity of the winning type including the winning combination, as will be described in detail later.

The reel control means 306 controls the rotation of the left reel 110a, the middle reel 110b, and the right reel 110c in response to the operation of the start switch 118, and controls the rotation of the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c, respectively. In response to the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, the corresponding left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c are controlled to stop.

Further, a reel drive control section 150 is connected to the main control board 200. The reel drive control unit 150 drives the stepping motor 152 based on rotation start signals of the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c transmitted from the reel control means 306 in response to the operation signal of the start switch 118. do. In addition, the reel drive control unit 150 detects stop signals for each of the left reel 110a, the middle reel 110b, and the right reel 110c and the rotational position detection circuit 154, which are transmitted from the reel control means 306 in response to the operation signal of the stop switch 120. Based on the signal, driving of the stepping motor 152 is stopped.

The determining means 308 determines whether the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination has been displayed on the active line. Here, the display of a symbol combination corresponding to a winning combination on the active line may simply be called winning. The payout control means 310, based on the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination being displayed on the active line (winning), sends the number (value amount) of computerized medals corresponding to the winning combination to the medal holding unit. pay out to

The game state control means 312 refers to the result of the winning type lottery and the determination result of the determination means 308, and shifts the game state to one of a plurality of types of game states. Further, the performance state control means 314 refers to the result of the winning type lottery, the determination result of the determination means 308, and the transition information of the game state, and shifts the performance state to one of a plurality of types of performance states. In the gaming state, a non-internal gaming state, an internal mid-gaming state that is entered by winning a bonus combination in the non-internal gaming state, and a symbol combination corresponding to the bonus combination in the internal mid-gaming state are displayed on the active line. This includes the bonus game state that is transferred. In addition, in the production state, when a winning type is won in which a specific role (correct role) and another winning role (incorrect role) overlap, a non-AT ( (assist time) performance state and an AT performance state in which auxiliary performance is executed. In addition, the specific winning combination not only pays out electronic medals when the winning combination wins, but also pays out winning combinations that are more advantageous than other winning combinations, including all gaming profits obtained by winning the winning combination. To tell.

The command transmitting means 316 sends commands related to the game along with the operations of the betting means 302, the winning type lottery means 304, the reel control means 306, the determination means 308, the payout control means 310, the game state control means 312, the performance state control means 314, etc. are sequentially determined, and the determined commands are sequentially transmitted to the sub-control board 202.

Further, the main control board 200 is provided with a random number generator (random number generation means) 200d. The random number generator 200d sequentially increments the count value and resets the count value after counting a predetermined number of times (changes the number sequence to determine the initial value), thereby looping the count value within a predetermined numerical range. The main control board 200 obtains a random value by extracting a count value from the random number generator 200d at a predetermined time. The random number value generated by the random number generator 200d of the main control board 200 (hereinafter referred to as the winning type lottery random number) is used by the winning type lottery means 304 to determine the gaming profit to be given to the player, for example, the winning type. It will be done.

(Sub control board 202)
Further, like the main control board 200, the sub control board 202 has various semiconductor integrated circuits including a sub CPU 202a which is a central processing unit, a sub ROM 202b in which programs etc. are stored, a sub RAM 202c which functions as a work area, etc. , particularly controls the presentation based on commands from the main control board 200. Further, like the main RAM 200c, the sub-RAM 202c is also connected to a backup power source (not shown), so that even if the power is cut off, data is retained without being erased. Note that the sub control board 202 is also provided with a random number generator (random number generation means) 202d, like the main control board 200, and the random number value (hereinafter referred to as the effect lottery random number) generated by the random number generator 202d is It is mainly used to determine the mode of presentation.

In addition, in the sub control board 202, the sub CPU 202a operates an initialization determining means 330, a command receiving means 332, an effect controlling means 334, etc., which function by cooperating with the sub RAM 202c based on the program stored in the sub ROM 202b. It has a functional part.

The initialization determining means 330 executes initialization processing in the sub control board 202. The command receiving means 332 receives commands from other control boards, such as the main control board 200, and processes the commands.

The performance control means 334 receives the detection signal from the performance switch 122, and determines the performance of the game to be performed on each device of the liquid crystal display section 124, the speaker 128, and the performance lamp 126 based on the received command. Specifically, the effect control means 334 determines image data to be displayed on the liquid crystal display section 124 and illumination data for effects through illumination devices such as the effect lamp 126, and also determines the data to be output from the speaker 128. determine the audio data that constitutes the desired audio. Then, the performance control means 334 executes the determined game performance. Note that the production also includes auxiliary production.

(Number of medals control board 204)
The medal number control board 204 is connected to the main control board 200 and includes various semiconductor integrated circuits including a medal CPU 204a that is a central processing unit, a medal ROM 204b that stores programs, etc., and a medal RAM 204c that functions as a work area. and manage the electronic medals used for games. Further, the medal number control board 204 is connected to a dedicated unit 350 through a terminal board 206 for connecting a rental device such as game balls.

Here, the game ball etc. lending device connection terminal board 206 is a connection terminal board for connecting the smart pachislot 100 and the dedicated unit 350, and receives signals related to lending of electronic medals and receives lending of electronic medals. It transmits the results, transmits signals related to the counting of electronic medals, and transmits various information on the smart pachislot 100.

(Dedicated unit 350)
The dedicated unit 350 is installed near the smart pachislot 100, and can lend electronic medals to players and count the electronic medals that the players have acquired. The dedicated unit 350 is provided with a dedicated unit control board 360. A cash input section 362, a card insertion section 364, a lending switch 366, a return switch 368, a game switch 370, a frequency display device 372, and an acquired medal number display device 374 are connected to the dedicated unit control board 360.

The cash input unit 362 functions as an input slot into which cash is input. The card insertion section 364 allows insertion and withdrawal of a card medium capable of storing electronic medals. The lending switch 366 is composed of a press switch, and detects an operation to transfer electronic medals corresponding to the number of cash held in the dedicated unit 350 to the smart pachislot 100. The return switch 368 is constituted by a press switch, and detects an operation of transferring the electronic medal held in the dedicated unit 350 to a card medium and pulling out the card medium from the dedicated unit 350 through the card insertion section 364. The game switch 370 is composed of a press switch, and detects an operation to transfer the electronic medals held by the dedicated unit 350 to the smart pachislot 100. The frequency display device 372 displays the frequency held in the dedicated unit 350, that is, the frequency corresponding to the cash inserted from the cash input section. The number of acquired medals display device 374 displays the number of acquired medals, which is the total number of electronic medals held by the dedicated unit 350.

FIG. 3 is an external view for explaining the schematic mechanical configuration of the smart pachi-slot 100 and the dedicated unit 350. Here, with reference to FIG. 3, the flow of starting a game and the flow of ending a game in the smart pachi-slot 100 will be explained.

When a player attempts to play a game in the smart pachi-slot 100, the player first inserts cash into the cash input section 362 of the dedicated unit 350 shown in FIG. Then, the frequency display device 372 of the dedicated unit 350 displays a frequency corresponding to the inserted cash (for example, "10" for an input of 1,000 yen). When the player operates the lending switch 366, electronic medals (for example, "50") corresponding to the number of points held in the dedicated unit 350 are transferred to the smart pachi-slot 100 at once. Then, the number of electronic medals transferred (for example, "50") is displayed on the game medal number display device 114 of the smart pachislot 100. Specifically, when the smart pachislot 100 receives a lending notification (described later) from the dedicated unit 350, if the lending notification is normal, the smart pachislot 100 receives the computerized medal and notifies it as "normal" in the lending reception result response. . On the other hand, if the message length and command values in the rental notification are normal, but other information is abnormal, the smart pachislot 100 notifies the user of "abnormality" in the rental reception result response described later. Further, if the rental notification is not received normally, or if the message length and command value of the rental notification are abnormal, the smart pachislot 100 discards the received message without displaying an error, and at least The manager and command wait until they can receive a normal lending notification. In addition, if the lending process cannot be performed, that is, if the gaming machine information notification described later is abnormal, or if the number of counted medals (the number of computerized medals transferred to the dedicated unit 350 at one time) in the counting notification described later is "1" or more, The number of game medals displayed on the game medal number display device 114 is 15,000 or more, the checksum of the received lending notification is abnormal, the lending serial numbers of the received lending notifications are not consecutive, the received lending If the number of loaned medals in the notification is "51" or more, or if the gaming machine information notification sent from the medal CPU 204a to the dedicated unit 350, which will be described later, is notifying anything other than hall console/fraud monitoring information, the smart pachislot 100 , an "abnormality" is notified in the loan receipt result response.

Subsequently, when the player operates the bet switch 116, electronic medals are bet. At this time, the game medal number display device 114 displays a value (for example, "47") obtained by subtracting the number of electronic medals bet (for example, "3"). In this way, the player can start playing the game. If, as a result of the game, a small winning combination with a payout number of 11 medals is won, the number of electronic medals paid out (for example, "11") will be displayed on a part of the liquid crystal display section 124 as a payout display. , the game medal number display device 114 displays a value (for example, "58") that is the sum of the number of electronic medals that have been paid out.

Note that if the player operates the settlement switch 121 after the player operates the bet switch 116 to place a bet on electronic medals and before the start switch 118 is operated (starting the game), the bet is not placed. The number of electronic medals (eg, "3") is added to the game medal number display device 114 (eg, "50"), and the bet state is canceled.

When the player finishes the game, the player operates the counting switch 112 to transfer the computerized medals held in the medal holding section to the dedicated unit 350. Then, the number of game medals held in the medal holding section is displayed on the number of acquired medals display device 374 of the dedicated unit 350, and “0” is displayed on the number of game medals display device 114. When the player operates the return switch 368, the electronic medals held in the dedicated unit 350 are transferred to a card, and the card is pulled out from the dedicated unit 350 through the card insertion section 364. In this way, the player can accumulate the acquired electronic medals on the card medium.

When the player attempts to play the game again, the player can insert a card medium on which electronic medals are accumulated into the card insertion section 364 instead of cash, and play the game with the electronic medals accumulated on the card medium. Then, the digitized medals accumulated on the card medium are transferred to the dedicated unit 350, and the total number of digitized medals accumulated on the card medium is displayed on the acquired medal number display device 374. The player can transfer electronic medals held in the dedicated unit 350 to the smart pachislot 100 by operating the game switch 370 instead of the lending switch 366.

Note that when the lending switch 366 or the counting switch 112 is operated, the medal CPU 204a executes the lending process and the counting process of electronic medals, and also sends a command to that effect to the main CPU 200a, and the main CPU 204a that receives the command The CPU 200a sends a command to that effect to the sub CPU 202a. Then, the sub CPU 202a outputs a predetermined sound representing movement of the electronic medals to the speaker 128 as the electronic medals are actually lent or counted in the lending process or the counting process. In addition, in the counting process, the sub CPU 202a may output a predetermined sound to the speaker 128 when the counting switch 112 is pressed for a short time or long pressed, or when the counting switch 112 is pressed for a short time or long pressed. A predetermined sound may be outputted to the speaker 128 only in the following cases. Further, when the operation of the counting switch 112 is completed (for example, pressed and released) in the counting process, the sub CPU 202a outputs a predetermined sound indicating that the counting is completed, and after the counting process is completed, the sub CPU 202a outputs a predetermined sound indicating that the counting is completed, A predetermined sound may be output to prevent forgetting to withdraw the card. In this way, the player can audibly confirm that the lending process and counting process are being executed appropriately. Further, the sub CPU 202a may notify that the lending process and the counting process are being executed not only through the speaker 128 but also through various devices such as the liquid crystal display unit 124 and the performance lamp 126. Note that although the CPU (Central Processing Unit) is used as an example of the main body of control, there are other computing devices such as MPU (Micro Processor Unit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). Various possible arithmetic elements can be applied.

Such smart pachi-slot machine 100 does not require real medals, so it is possible to prevent fraudulent actions such as inserting pseudo medals or using illegally brought medals. Further, since there is no need to provide a mechanism for inserting and dispensing game media within the gaming machine, design costs and manufacturing costs can be reduced. Furthermore, by centrally managing the lending of game media to players, the counting of acquired game media, etc., fraud can be prevented. In addition, by centrally managing data, it becomes possible to suppress gambling tendencies and strengthen measures against addiction.

Hereinafter, specific processing in the main control board 200 will be explained based on a flowchart.

(Main processing of main control board 200)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the main processing of the main control board 200. Here, first, an outline of one game after initialization will be explained along with the main processing of the main control board 200, and then details of each processing will be explained. Further, here, processing related to the features of this embodiment will be explained in detail, and explanations of configurations unrelated to the features of this embodiment will be omitted. Further, although a detailed explanation is omitted, when each process is executed, the switches used in each process (bet switch 116, start switch 118, stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c) are activated at the start of the process. , is invalidated at the end of processing.

(Step S100)
When the smart pachi-slot 100 is powered on via the power switch and becomes energized, the initialization means 300 executes initialization processing in preparation for starting a game. Further, the initialization means 300 can also change settings. Note that the setting change is to change the setting value indicating the degree of advantage in stages (for example, 6 stages). Note that the setting change also includes resetting to the same setting value (processing of changing (overwriting, maintaining) the current setting value to the same setting value as the current setting value). The initialization means 300 generates backup data at any time while the power is on, and causes the main RAM 200c to hold the backup data. Therefore, even if an unexpected power outage occurs, in this initialization process, the retained backup data can be used to restore the state before the power outage. For example, even if an unexpected power cut occurs while the reels 110 are rotating, each reel 110 will start rotating again after the recovery operation. Therefore, in the initialization process, the main RAM 200c is basically not initialized (RAM cleared).

(Step S200)
Subsequently, through the player's operation of the bet switch 116, the betting means 302 bets the electronic medals. Further, the command transmitting means 316 generates an input command indicating that the operation has been performed, and transmits the generated input command to the sub control board 202. Further, the command transmitting means 316 transmits a game medal insertion command including transmission information indicating the requested number of medals to be inserted to the medal number control board 204.

(Step S300)
Next, the winning type lottery means 304 validates the game start operation on the start switch 118 and shifts to a state of waiting for the start switch 118 to be operated. Here, the winning type lottery means 304 calculates the winning type lottery random number updated by the random number generator 200d of the main control board 200 in response to the player's operation of the start switch 118. 1. Obtain the winning type lottery random number. Then, the winning type lottery means 304 determines one winning type lottery table corresponding to the currently set gaming state from the winning type lottery table, and the acquired winning type lottery random number is applied to the determined winning type lottery table. It is determined which winning area corresponds to the winning area, and the winning type or non-winning of the determined winning area is determined as the lottery result. Further, when the winning combination "RBB" is determined in the winning type lottery, the gaming state control means 312 shifts the gaming state from the non-internal gaming state to the RBB internal gaming state. In addition, after the lottery result is determined according to the operation of the start switch 118, the command transmitting means 316 generates a winning type command that includes the lottery result of the winning type lottery (winning type or non-winning), information regarding the gaming state, etc. Then, the generated winning type command is sent to the sub control board 202.

(Step S400)
When the start switch 118 is operated, the reel control means 306 drives the stepping motor 152 to rotate the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c. In this reel rotation process, when a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) has elapsed from the start of rotation of the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c in the previous game (wait), the left reel in the game When the left reel 110a, the middle reel 110b, and the right reel 110c all reach steady rotation, the process moves to step S500.

(Step S500)
Subsequently, the reel control means 306 activates the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, and upon receiving the player's operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, the reel control means 306 activates the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel corresponding to the operation. One of the reels 110c is controlled to stop. Further, when any one of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c is operated, the command transmitting means 316 sends a stop command (a first stop command, a second stop command, A stop command, a third stop command) is generated every time an operation is performed, and the generated stop commands are sequentially transmitted to the sub-control board 202.

(Step S600)
Next, the determining means 308 determines to which predetermined combination the symbol combination displayed on the active line A, which is the line for determining the winning combination, corresponds to the winning combination (winning combination). According to the symbol combination, if it is in an advantageous period and a small winning combination has been won, the net increase number counter is updated. Here, the advantageous section is a game section that is advantageous for the player, including a game section that has performance related to the instruction function, that is, a game section in which auxiliary effects (instruction function) are executed. In addition, in the advantageous section, when the auxiliary effect is activated as a result of a lottery etc. related to the activation of the auxiliary effect on the main control board 200, the content of the instruction is displayed on the notification means on the main control board 200 so that the content of the instruction can be identified. This is a game period in which information indicating the content of the instruction may be transmitted to peripheral boards such as the sub-control board 202 only occasionally. In addition, the gaming state control means 312 changes the gaming state from the RBB internal mid-game state if the symbol combination displayed on the active line A corresponds to the winning combination "RBB" in the RBB internal mid-game state. Shifts to gaming state while RBB is in operation. The command transmitting means 316 also sends a winning command including the symbol combination displayed on the active line A, the number of electronic medals to be paid out when a symbol combination corresponding to a minor winning combination is displayed on the active line A, etc. The winning command is generated and the generated winning command is sent to the sub control board 202.

(Step S700)
Also, based on the symbol combination displayed on the active line A (stopping mode of the reels 110), for example, when a symbol combination corresponding to a small winning combination is displayed on the active line A, the payout control means 310 controls the small winning combination. A payout process for electronic medals corresponding to the winning combination is executed, and when a symbol combination corresponding to the replay winning combination is displayed on the active line A, a process for placing a bet for the next game is automatically executed. Moreover, when the payout process for electronic medals is performed, the command transmitting means 316 generates a payout command indicating that the payout process has been performed, and transmits the generated payout command to the sub-control board 202. Further, the command transmitting means 316 transmits a payout end command including transmission information indicating the number of medals to be paid out to the medal number control board 204.

(Step S800)
When a predetermined number of electronic medals are paid out in the RBB operating gaming state, the gaming state control means 312 shifts the gaming state from the RBB operating gaming state to a non-internal gaming state. Further, the performance state control means 314 changes the performance state and changes between an advantageous section and a non-advantageous section. Furthermore, when the gaming state or performance state is changed, the command transmitting means 316 generates a game transition command including the changed gaming state or performance state, etc., and transmits the generated game transition command to the sub-control board 202. do. In this way, when the game transfer process S800 ends, the one game ends.

One game is executed through a series of processes from step S200 to step S800. Thereafter, steps S200 to S800 will be repeated.

(Relationship between boards)
Further, here, as shown in FIG. 2, in the smart pachislot 100, the medal number control board 204 is provided separately from the main control board 200, and the medal number control board 204 operates independently. The present invention is not limited to this case, and the configurations of the substrate and CPU can be made different.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another board configuration. In the embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 5(a), the main control board 200 is provided with the main CPU 200a (first control unit) that controls the progress of the game, and the medal number control board 204 is provided with the electronic information used for the game. The main control board 200 and the medal number control board 204 are connected via a harness, and the medal number control board 204 and the gaming ball rental device connection terminal board are provided. 206 are connected via a harness. The game ball rental device connection terminal board 206 receives power (VL) from the dedicated unit 350, inputs the power to an insulating element such as a photocoupler, and generates a VL connection signal indicating the connection state with the dedicated unit 350. is generated and output to the medal number control board 204. The medal number control board 204 confirms that power is being supplied from the dedicated unit 350 by turning the VL connection signal ON/OFF, in other words, that the dedicated unit 350 is powered on and is properly connected to the dedicated unit 350. It can be determined that the With such a board configuration, modification of the configuration of the existing main control board 200 and increase in the occupied area can be suppressed to the necessary minimum, so that design costs can be reduced.

Note that the medal number control board 204 does not necessarily need to be separate from the main control board 200, and may be formed integrally with the main control board 200 as long as its function is satisfied. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the main control board 200 is equipped with a main CPU 200a that controls the progress of the game, and a medal CPU 204a that manages the computerized medals used in the game. The board 200 and the connection terminal plate 206 for rental devices such as game balls may be connected via a harness. Here, by arranging the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a together on one main control board 200, the connectors and harnesses used for exchanging information between the two are eliminated, the occupied area is reduced, and the information transmission is reliable. It is possible to improve sexual performance.

In addition, in the example of FIG. 5(c), the main CPU 200a disposed on the main control board 200 manages electronic medals used for games instead of the medal CPU 204a, and connects the main control board 200 to a rental device such as game balls. A terminal board 206 is connected via a harness. Here, in the main control board 200, the main CPU 200a controls the progress of the game and manages the electronic medals, so there is no need for a connection line for exchanging information between the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a, further reducing the occupied area. At the same time, it is possible to improve the reliability of information transmission.

Here, at least the main control board 200 must be enclosed in a main board case to prevent unauthorized use. In addition, if the medal number control board 204, which has the function of managing the electronic medals used in the game, is a separate body, it must be enclosed in the main board case together with the main control board 200.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining how the case is enclosed. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the main control board 200, the medal number control board 204, and the game ball rental device connection terminal board 206 are formed separately, and the main control board 200 and the medal number control board 206 are formed separately. 204 is connected, and when the medal number control board 204 and the gaming ball rental device connection terminal board 206 are connected, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the main control board 200, the medal number control board 204, It is conceivable that all the connection terminal boards 206 for rental devices such as game balls etc. are enclosed in one main board case 200e. Here, as shown in FIG. 6(a), an example is given in which the main control board 200 and the medal count control board 204 are integrally formed by directly and fixedly connecting the connectors to each other without using a harness. However, the two may be connected via a harness.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5(b) and 5(c), the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a are arranged on the main control board 200, or the main CPU 200a is arranged alone, and the main control board 200 and the game ball When the connection terminal board 206 for rental devices such as game balls is connected via a harness, the main control board 200 and the connection terminal board 206 for rental devices such as game balls are connected as shown in FIG. The main control board 200 may be individually enclosed in the main board case 200e, and the connection terminal board 206 for rental devices such as game balls may be enclosed in the connection terminal board case 206e, respectively, or as shown in FIG. 200 and the connection terminal plate 206 for rental devices such as game balls may be all enclosed in one main board case 200e.

In any case, here, the main control board 200, the medal count control board 204, and the connection terminal board 206 for the game ball lending device are all enclosed in the case. Further, in this case, the structure must be such that it is easy to check not only the front surface of the substrate but also the back surface of the substrate.

In the example shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), in the smart pachislot 100, the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a operate independently, and the main CPU 200a controls the progress of the game, while the medal CPU 204a Manage electronic medals used for games.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the CPU and area (the above-mentioned used area or unused area) that executes each function of the smart pachi-slot 100. In FIG. 7, "◎" indicates a general execution unit when functions are shared between two CPUs, the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a, as shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b). "○" indicates an executable execution part, and "x" indicates an unexecutable execution part. For example, when functions are shared between two CPUs, No. 7 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the medal CPU 204a generally has a function of controlling the game medal number display device 114 and a function of controlling communication with the dedicated unit 350 in the usage area of the medal CPU 204a (indicated by "◎" in FIG. 7). , it is also possible to bear part or all of the usage area of the main CPU 200a (indicated by "○" in FIG. 7).

(Communication between smart pachislot and dedicated unit)
With the functional units as described above, the smart pachi-slot 100 and the dedicated unit 350 ensure normal operation of each other by exchanging various information (telegrams) via serial communication. Note that serial communication is an asynchronous communication method with full-duplex communication control, for example, the communication speed is 62,500 bps, and each byte of data consists of 1 start bit, 8 data bits, and 1 stop bit. Represented in bits. At this time, the character transmission time is 0.16 msec to 3.9 msec, and if the next start bit cannot be received within 3.9 msec, that character is regarded as one message. For example, the following gaming machine information notification, count notification, and rental receipt result response are sent from the smart pachi-slot 100 (here, for example, the medal CPU 204a of the medal number control board 204) to the dedicated unit 350 through such serial communication.

8 to 11 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the format of gaming machine information notification. As shown in FIG. 8, the gaming machine information notification is for transmitting one gaming machine information out of three gaming machine information: gaming machine performance information, gaming machine installation information, and hole control/fraud monitoring information to the dedicated unit 350. The message length is variable from 18 to 57 bytes. Specifically, the first byte of the gaming machine information notification message indicates the message length (12h to 39h), and the second byte indicates "01h" indicating the type of command (here, gaming machine information notification). It will be done. The third byte indicates a sequence number from 00h to FFh. This serial number is notified as 00h when the power is turned on, and is incremented by 1 each time it is notified. However, the next notification after FFh is set to 01h instead of 00h.

The fourth byte indicates the gaming machine type. Bit 7 of the game machine type indicates the management medium, and game balls are represented by "0" and game medals are represented by "1". Bits 6 to 4 represent the group classification, with "0" for Nikko-Gumi and "0" for Nichidenkyo. Bits 3 to 0 indicate the type of gaming machine, with pachinko gaming machines being "1", reel-type gaming machines being "2", arrangement ball gaming machines being "3", and junky ball gaming machines being "3". It is represented by "4". The fifth byte indicates the gaming machine information type. For example, if the gaming machine information is gaming machine performance information, it will be "00h", if the gaming machine information is gaming machine installation information, it will be "01h", and if the gaming machine information is hole console/fraud monitoring information, it will be "02h". . From the 6th byte onwards, gaming machine information (gaming machine performance information, gaming machine installation information, hall console/fraud monitoring information) is indicated in a variable length.

For example, if the gaming machine information type is "00h", gaming machine performance information is expressed in 51 bytes as gaming machine information, and as shown in FIG. , the total number of paid out pieces of accessories, the total number of paid out pieces of continuous bonus items, the ratio of bonus items, the ratio of continuous bonus items, the advantageous section ratio, the ratio of bonus items with instructions, the status ratio of bonus items, etc., the number of games, reserve, reservation 1, reservation 2. included. After the gaming machine performance information is transferred to the dedicated unit 350, it is further transmitted to a gaming machine information center (not shown). Here, MY indicates the difference number when the lowest difference number between the inserted number (bet number) and the payout number of electronic medals is set to 0. Further, instead of or in addition to MY, the difference in the number of sheets after the power was reset may be used. In addition, among such information, the byte order of the total number of coins inserted, total number of coins paid out, MY, total number of coins paid out for accessory objects, total number of consecutive coins paid out, and number of games are little endian.

Furthermore, if the gaming machine information type is "01h", gaming machine installation information is expressed in 40 bytes as gaming machine information, and as shown in FIG. It includes a chip product code, a medal number control chip ID number, a medal number control chip maker code, and a medal number control chip product code. Here, for the main control chip ID number (9 bytes) and the medal number control chip ID number (9 bytes), the upper 4 bytes are represented by 0, the following 4 bytes are represented by the chip individual number or chip code, and the lowest The bytes are represented by identification codes (LEM50A="21h", LES50A="22h", LEM7OA="23h", IDNAC8701="41h", IDNAC8702="42h", IDNAC8703="43h"). However, if the medal CPU 204a is not installed, all 9 bytes are represented by 0. The byte order of the main control chip ID number, main control chip maker code, main control chip product code, medal number control chip ID number, medal number control chip maker code, and medal number control chip product code is big endian.

In addition, if the gaming machine information type is "02h", hole con/fraud monitoring information is expressed as gaming machine information in 12 to 16 bytes, and as shown in FIG. number, main control state 1, main control state 2, gaming machine error state, gaming machine fraud 1, gaming machine fraud 2, gaming machine fraud 3, number of gaming information, type information 1, count information 1, type information 2, count information 2 is included. Here, the relationship between the number of game medals, the number of inserted medals, and the number of paid-out medals is "number of game medals" = "number of game medals sent last time" - "number of put-in medals" + "number of paid-out medals" + game medals sent last time The "number of loaned medals" received after the number - the "number of counted medals" sent after the number of game medals sent last time, so if this relationship is not satisfied, it is determined that the hole control/fraud monitoring information is abnormal. be able to. Further, the setting change signal in bit 0 of gaming machine fraud 1 indicates that the settings are being changed and that the settings have been changed, and is continuously output from the time the settings are being changed until the end of one game after the settings have been changed. Further, the setting confirmation signal of bit 1 indicates that the setting is being confirmed, and must be output for at least 3 seconds as a countermeasure against glitches. If a power outage occurs while the settings confirmation signal is being output, you can reset the timer that measures 3 seconds and output the settings confirmation signal again for 3 seconds, or The timer value may be saved, and when the power is turned on (when the power is restored), timing may be restarted from the saved timer value and a setting confirmation signal may be output. In this case, the total time for outputting the setting confirmation signal before the power outage and after the power outage recovery is 3 seconds. Game information consisting of a combination of type information 1 and count information 1 or a combination of type information 2 and count information 2 is determined by type information 1 and 2, such as a specified number (when the start switch 118 is operated) or a payout number ( At the end of the game), the count information 1 and 2 indicate the number of coins. In addition, at the time of replay, the prescribed number of times when replaying is activated will be notified. The number of game information indicates the number of game information, and when the number of game information is 0, four items of type information 1, count information 1, type information 2, and count information 2 are not transmitted.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the format of the count notification. The count notification is for transmitting the cumulative number of counted medals, which will be described later, to the dedicated unit 350, and the message length is a fixed length of 7 bytes. Specifically, the first byte of the message indicates the message length (07h), and the second byte indicates "02h" indicating the type of command (here, count notification). The third byte indicates a sequence number from 00h to FFh as a counting serial number. The counting serial number is notified as 00h when the power is turned on, and is incremented by 1 each time it is notified. However, the next notification after FFh is set to 01h instead of 00h. The fourth byte indicates the number of medals counted. The number of counted medals is the number of electronic medals counted at the timing of the count notification. The fifth byte indicates the cumulative number of medals counted. The cumulative number of counted medals is a value obtained by accumulating the number of counted medals after being cleared to 0000h when the smart pachi-slot 100 is powered on, and the next value of FFFFh is 0000h. The 7th byte indicates the checksum.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the format of the loan receipt result response. The loan reception result response is a response with the reception result when there is a loan notification from the dedicated unit 350, and the length of the message is a fixed length of 5 bytes. Specifically, the first byte of the message indicates the message length (05h), and the second byte indicates "03h" indicating the type of command (here, lending reception result response). The third byte indicates a sequence number from 00h to FFh as a lending serial number. The lending serial number is notified as 00h when the power is turned on, and if the result of receiving the number of lending medals described later is normal, the lending serial number received from the dedicated unit 350 is directly reflected, and if the receiving result of the number of lending medals is abnormal, Before that, the lending serial number when the result of receiving the number of lending medals is normally received from the dedicated unit 350 is reflected. The fourth byte shows the result of receiving the number of loaned medals (normal = 00h, abnormal = 01h). The fifth byte shows the checksum.

Further, the following lending notification is sent from the dedicated unit 350 to the smart pachislot 100 (here, for example, the medal CPU 204a).

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the format of the lending notice. The lending notification is for transmitting the number of loaned medals to the smart pachislot 100 when the dedicated unit 350 receives a count notification from the smart pachislot 100, and the message length is a fixed length of 5 bytes. Specifically, the first byte of the message indicates the message length (05h), and the second byte indicates "13h" indicating the type of command (here, lending notification). The third byte indicates a sequence number from 00h to FFh as a lending serial number. The rental serial number is notified as 00h when the power is turned on, and is incremented by 1 each time it is notified. However, the next notification after FFh is set to 01h instead of 00h. The fourth byte indicates the number of loaned medals. The number of lent medals indicates the number of digitized medals lent out. In addition, if you have not received the gaming machine information notification, if you have been notified with a gaming machine information type other than "02h: Hall con/fraud monitoring information", or if you have been notified if the number of medals counted in the counting notification is "1" or more. is notified that the number of loaned medals is "0". The fifth byte shows the checksum.

Note that the smart pachi-slot machine 100 may not communicate with the dedicated unit 350 if a specific abnormality occurs internally. For example, if a backup abnormality, RAM (RWM) abnormality occurs as a specific abnormality, or if the manufacturer codes do not match, the medal CPU 204a of the smart pachislot 100 will issue an operation stop error without completing its startup process. , restricts the start of communication with the dedicated unit 350.

FIG. 15 is a timing chart showing notification timings of gaming machine information notification, count notification, lending notification, and lending reception result response. As shown in FIG. 15, the smart pachislot 100 (here, for example, the medal CPU 204a) transmits gaming machine information notification to the dedicated unit 350 at a cycle of 300 msec (more than 300 msec and less than 310 msec) from the completion of activation of the smart pachislot 100. . In addition, the smart pachislot 100 transmits a count notification to the dedicated unit 350 at 100 msec (90 msec or more and within 100 msec) from the start of the gaming machine information notification. The dedicated unit 350 transmits the rental notification to the smart pachislot 100 within 170 msec from the start of receiving the count notification. The smart pachi-slot machine 100 notifies the dedicated unit 350 of the rental reception result response within 10 msec after receiving the rental notification. In this way, it is possible to secure a time of 20 msec or more after the smart pachi-slot 100 notifies the rental receipt result response until it notifies the next gaming machine information.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the transmission timing of gaming machine information notification. As described above, the game machine information notification is sent to the dedicated unit 350 at a cycle of 300 msec. The gaming machine information notification includes three types of gaming machine information: gaming machine performance information, gaming machine installation information, and hole control/fraud monitoring information, and as shown in FIG. 16, each has different notification timing and priority order. For example, the gaming machine installation information is notified after 60 seconds have passed after the start-up of the smart pachi-slot 100 is completed, and thereafter, it is notified at a 60-second cycle. Furthermore, the gaming machine performance information is notified after 180 seconds have elapsed since the activation of the smart pachi-slot 100 is completed, and thereafter, it is notified at a cycle of 180 seconds. Hall control/fraud monitoring information is notified at a cycle of 300 msec after the start-up of the smart pachi-slot 100 is completed. However, the transmission timings of the three notifications may overlap. If the transmission timings overlap, gaming machine information notifications are sequentially notified in accordance with the priority order. For example, in 180 seconds, if gaming machine performance information, gaming machine installation information, and hole control/fraud monitoring information overlap, there is no update of the main control status in the hole control/fraud monitoring information, and there is no gaming information. For example, first, gaming machine installation information with a high priority is notified, gaming machine performance information is notified after the next 300 msec, and hall console/fraud monitoring information is notified after the next 300 msec. In addition, in 60 seconds, if the gaming machine installation information and the hole control/fraud monitoring information overlap, if the main control status is not updated in the hole control/fraud monitoring information and there is no gaming information, the priority order is The gaming machine installation information with a high value is notified, and after the next 300 msec, the hall console/fraud monitoring information is notified. However, if there is an update of the main control status in the hole con/fraud monitoring information or if there is gaming information, the high priority hole con/fraud monitoring information will be notified first, and then the gaming machine installation information and the gaming information will be notified. Machine performance information will be notified. With this configuration, the smart pachislot 100 and the dedicated unit 350 can appropriately send gaming machine information notifications (gaming machine performance information, gaming machine installation information, hall console/fraud monitoring information), counting notifications, lending notifications, and lending reception result responses. Confirmation can be made at the right time and with appropriate priority.

(VL connection signal)
As explained using FIG. 5, the game ball rental device connection terminal board 206 receives power from the dedicated unit 350, inputs the power to an insulating element such as a photocoupler, and connects it to the dedicated unit 350. A VL connection signal indicating the status is generated and output to the medal CPU 204a of the medal number control board 204. Note that the medal CPU 204a may or may not send a command to the main CPU 200a indicating that it has received the VL connection signal. When the medal CPU 204a sends a command indicating that the VL connection signal has been received to the main CPU 200a, the main CPU 200a transmits the number of medals only to the main control board 200 depending on whether the command indicates reception of the VL connection signal. The activation of only the control board 204 or the main control board 200 and the number of medals control board 204 can be restricted (prohibited), or the progress of the game can be stopped. Furthermore, if the medal CPU 204a does not send a command indicating that it has received the VL connection signal to the main CPU 200a, the medal CPU 204a individually limits (prohibits) activation of the medal number control board 204 or stops the progress of the game. be able to.

Here, if the VL connection signal is ON, it can be determined that the smart pachislot 100 is properly connected to the dedicated unit 350 and that the power of the dedicated unit 350 is turned on. Each target process can be performed. On the other hand, if the VL connection signal is OFF, the smart pachislot 100 determines that it is not properly connected to the dedicated unit 350 (unconnected) or that the power of the dedicated unit 350 is OFF, and the game progresses. limit. Specifically, the smart pachi-slot machine 100 executes the game stop process if the VL connection signal is OFF. In this game stop processing, the game is restricted as an error state of the main control board 200 (all processes for game progression based on electronic medal bets, operation of the settlement switch 121, operation of the start switch 118, and counting process) (restricted (prohibited)). At this time, if the VL connection signal is OFF, the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a may not be started up.

Here, the counting process refers to a process of transferring some or all of the electronic medals held in the medal holding section to the dedicated unit 350 in response to the player's operation of the counting switch 112. Specifically, when the counting switch 112 is not accepted, when the number of game medals in the medal holding section is 0, when the VL connection signal is OFF, and when counting is not possible, the number of counted medals (counted If a short press of the count switch 112 is accepted, "1" is set as the number of medals counted. When a long press on the counting switch 112 is accepted, if the number of game medals in the medal holding section is less than 50, all electronic medals (game medals) are set as the number of counted medals, and if it is 50 or more, the number of counted medals is set. "50" is set as the number. Then, the counted number of medals is added to the cumulative number of medals counted, and the counted serial number is updated. The smart pachislot 100 regards the data string of the count notification message as a string of integer values, performs a checksum to calculate the sum, and notifies the dedicated unit 350 of the count. In parallel with this, the number of counted medals is subtracted from the number of game medals held in the medal holding section.

Here, if the counting switch 112 is operated while the game is possible, counting processing is always executed. "While the game is possible" means a state in which the smart pachislot 100 and the dedicated unit 350 are connected and both are powered on (the player borrows electronic medals and plays the smart pachislot 100, This indicates a state in which a series of operations for counting the results of the game are possible. Note that if the smart pachislot 100 is powered on but the dedicated unit 350 is not, or if the smart pachislot 100 and the dedicated unit 350 are not connected, the smart pachislot 100 will turn on the counting switch. Even if the operation of the counting switch 112 is accepted, there is a risk that the number of counted medals will be lost, so the operation of the counting switch 112 is invalidated, and that period is not included in the "period during which games can be played." In addition, during initialization processing after power-on, during setting change and setting confirmation, when the smart pachislot 100 does not (cannot) proceed with the game as a standalone unit, and during an error state that requires recovery processing by reset, etc. , are not included in "while games are possible." The counting process may or may not be executed during the initialization process after the power is turned on, during setting changes and setting confirmations, and during error states that require recovery processes such as reset.

In this way, if the VL connection signal is ON, the smart pachi-slot 100 allows the game to proceed and accepts counting processing while the game is possible. On the other hand, if the VL connection signal is OFF, the smart pachislot 100 executes a game stop process, a process for betting electronic medals, operating the settlement switch 121, operating the start switch 118, and proceeding with the game. , all of the above-mentioned counting processes are restricted (prohibited). This is because, as mentioned above, if the VL connection signal is OFF, it can be determined that the smart pachislot 100 is not properly connected to the dedicated unit 350, or that the power of the dedicated unit 350 is turned off. .

As described using FIG. 15, the smart pachislot 100 (for example, the medal CPU 204a) transmits a count notification including information on the number of medals counted to the dedicated unit 350. Here, for example, if the smart pachislot 100 and the dedicated unit 350 are not properly connected (for example, unconnected), or the power of the dedicated unit 350 is turned off, the dedicated unit 350 performs counting. When the smart pachislot 100 accepts an input operation (for example, pressing operation) on the counting switch 112 and sends the counting notification to the dedicated unit 350 when preparations for receiving notifications have not been properly completed, the counting based on the input operation is performed. There is a risk that the number of medals will be lost. When the number of counted medals disappears, the total number of electronic medals decreases, causing inconsistency in the electronic medals. In this embodiment, inconsistency refers to an unintended loss or increase in the amount of electronic medals, which is the sum of the number of game medals and the number of acquired medals, which is the total number of electronic medals held in the dedicated unit 350. This means that the total number is different before and after the input operation of the counting switch 112. For example, when the total number of game medals is counted by the counting switch 112, if the number of game medals held in the smart pachislot 100 before counting differs from the number of acquired medals transferred to the dedicated unit 350 after counting. , an inconsistency has occurred.

Therefore, before sending the count notification to the dedicated unit 350, the smart pachislot 100 (for example, the medal CPU 204a) checks whether the VL connection signal indicating the connection state with the dedicated unit 350 is ON/OFF. Determine whether there is a connection. When the VL connection signal is OFF, indicating that the dedicated unit 350 is not connected, the smart pachi-slot 100 sets the number of medals to be counted to "0" in order to limit the counting process itself.

When the number of counted medals is set to "0", the smart pachislot 100 subtracts the number of counted medals "0" from the number of game medals and updates the number of game medals. In other words, the number of game medals after the update does not substantially change from before the update. The smart pachislot 100 displays the updated number of game medals on the game medal number display device 114. Since the number of game medals does not substantially change, the display on the number of game medal display device 114 also does not change.

Furthermore, the smart pachi-slot machine 100 transmits a count notification including information on the number of counted medals set to "0" to the dedicated unit 350. If the dedicated unit 350 is not connected, the number of acquired medals does not change because the dedicated unit 350 cannot properly receive the count notification. Since the number of acquired medals does not change, the display on the acquired medal number display device 374 also does not change.

In this way, by setting the number of counted medals to "0", both the number of game medals of the smart pachi-slot 100 and the number of acquired medals of the dedicated unit 350 do not change, so the total number of electronic medals also does not change. Therefore, in the smart pachislot 100, the counting process is not executed, and it is possible to avoid the electronic medals from disappearing in response to the input operation of the counting switch 112. That is, in the smart pachislot 100, it is possible to avoid mismatching of electronic medals.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of counting switch monitoring processing in the medal CPU 204a. The counting switch monitoring process is executed when the counting switch 112 is pressed. Here, processing related to this embodiment will be explained, and processing not related to this embodiment will be omitted. The numerical values of step S in this figure will be used only in the explanation of this figure.

As shown in FIG. 17, when the medal CPU 204a detects the pressing of the counting switch 112, specifically, when detecting the ON edge of the counting switch 112 (YES in S1), the medal CPU 204a acquires the VL connection signal, and receives the VL connection signal. It is determined whether or not is ON (S2). When the VL connection signal is ON (YES in S2), the medal CPU 204a starts counting the time of the time counter included in the smart pachi-slot 100 (S3). The time counter starts counting time in response to detection of the ON edge of the counting switch 112, and measures time from the ON edge to the OFF edge. Next, the medal CPU 204a determines whether the OFF edge of the counting switch 112 has been detected (S4). If the OFF edge of the counting switch 112 is not detected (NO in S4), the medal CPU 204a determines whether a predetermined time (for example, 500 msec) has elapsed since the time counter started counting (S5). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in S5), the medal CPU 204a returns to the process in step S4. If the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in S5), the medal CPU 204a sets the long press flag to ON (S6) and returns to the process of step S4. The long press flag is a flag for identifying a long press, and when it is ON, it indicates a long press, and when it is OFF, it indicates that it is not a long press (that is, a short press).

When the OFF edge of the counting switch is detected (YES in S4), the medal CPU 204a determines whether the long press flag is OFF (S7). If the long press flag is OFF (YES in S7), the medal CPU 204a sets the number of counted medals to "1" and proceeds to the process of step S9. The set number of counted medals is stored in a predetermined register or RAM. If the long press flag is ON (NO in S7), the medal CPU 204a proceeds to the process of step S9. In step S9, the medal CPU 204a clears the long press flag (turns it OFF). The medal CPU 204a clears the time counter and ends the counting switch monitoring process.

If the ON edge of the counting switch 112 is not detected (NO in S1), the counting switch monitoring process is ended without executing any process. If the VL connection signal is OFF (NO in S2), the medal CPU 204a sets the number of counted medals to "0" (S11), and ends the counting switch monitoring process. Note that the number of counted medals "0" is stored in a predetermined register or RAM. In other words, even if the counting switch 112 is pressed, if the VL connection signal is OFF, the number of medals to be counted is set to "0" and the player's operation for counting electronic medals is not accepted or is not accepted. Even if it is, disable it.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of counting processing in the medal CPU 204a. The counting process is a process related to updating the count of the number of game medals, and is executed at an interrupt timing that is repeated at a predetermined cycle (for example, 300 ms) regardless of the pressing operation of the counting switch 112. Here, processing related to this embodiment will be explained, and processing not related to this embodiment will be omitted. The numerical values of step S in this figure will be used only in the explanation of this figure.

As shown in FIG. 18, the medal CPU 204a acquires the VL connection signal at the interrupt timing that is repeated at a predetermined period, and determines whether the VL connection signal is ON (S21). If the VL connection signal is ON (YES in S21), the medal CPU 204a proceeds to the process of step S23. If the VL connection signal is OFF (NO in S21), the medal CPU 204a sets the number of counted medals to "0" (S22), and proceeds to the process of step S23. Note that the number of counted medals "0" is stored in a predetermined register or RAM. In step S23, the medal CPU 204a acquires the current number of game medals from the medal holding section (S23).

Next, the medal CPU 204a determines whether the long press flag is ON (S24). When the long press flag is ON (YES in S24), the medal CPU 204a determines whether the number of game medals acquired in step S23 is "50" or more (S25). If the number of game medals is "50" or more (YES in S25), the medal CPU 204a sets the counted number of medals to "50" (S26), and proceeds to the process of step S28. If the number of game medals is less than "50" (NO in S25), the medal CPU 204a sets the number of game medals to the number of counted medals (S27), and proceeds to the process of step S28. The number of counted medals set in step S26 or step S27 is stored in a predetermined register or RAM. Further, if the long press flag is OFF (NO in S24), the process proceeds to step S28.

In step S28, the medal CPU 204a acquires the latest stored number of counted medals from the register or RAM in which the number of counted medals is stored (S28). For example, assume that immediately before the current counting process, the counting switch monitoring process (see FIG. 17) is performed and the number of medals to be counted is set to "1". In this case, in step S28 of the counting process (see FIG. 18), the medal CPU 204a obtains the number of counted medals "1" stored in a predetermined register or RAM. Furthermore, when the number of counted medals is set to "50" in step S26 of the current counting process, the medal CPU 204a acquires the number of counted medals "50" stored in a predetermined register or RAM. Further, if the number of game medals less than "50" is set as the number of counted medals in step S27 of the current counting process, the medal CPU 204a determines the number of game medals less than "50" stored in a predetermined register or RAM. is obtained as the number of counted medals. In addition, when the number of counted medals is set to "0" in step S11 of the counting switch monitoring process (see FIG. 17) or step S22 of the counting process (see FIG. 18), the medal CPU 204a Obtain the number of counted medals stored in the RAM, ``0''.

Next, the medal CPU 204a subtracts the acquired number of counted medals from the acquired number of game medals to update the number of game medals (S29). For example, when the acquired counted medal number is "1", the number of medals obtained by subtracting "1" from the acquired current number of game medals becomes the updated (subtracted) number of game medals. Further, when the acquired counted medal number is "50", the number of medals obtained by subtracting "50" from the acquired current number of game medals becomes the updated number of game medals. In addition, if the number of game medals less than "50" is acquired as the number of counted medals, all the number of game medals less than "50" as the number of counted medals will be subtracted from the current number of game medals acquired, and the number of game medals after the update will be calculated. The number of medals will be "0". Further, when the acquired counted medal number is "0", the number of medals obtained by subtracting "0" from the acquired current number of game medals becomes the updated number of game medals. In other words, when the number of counted medals is "0", the number of game medals does not substantially change.

Next, the medal CPU 204a updates the display of the number of game medals on the game medal number display device 114 to the number of game medals derived in step S29 (S30). Next, the medal CPU 204a generates a count notification including information on the acquired number of counted medals and transmits it to the dedicated unit 350 (S31). Next, the medal CPU 204a clears the counted number of medals in response to the completion of the counting notification (S32), and ends the counting process.

In this way, the medal CPU 204a checks whether the VL connection signal is ON or OFF, and if the VL connection signal is OFF, sets the number of counted medals to "0". Therefore, if the VL connection signal is OFF, even if the counting switch 112 is pressed, the number of game medals after the update does not substantially change from the number of game medals before the update. Further, if the VL connection signal is OFF, the dedicated unit 350 cannot properly receive the count notification, so the number of acquired medals does not change. Therefore, even if a counting notification is sent even though the dedicated unit 350 is not properly prepared to receive counting notifications, the smart pachislot 100 will not lose or increase the number of electronic medals. It is possible to avoid mismatching of electronic medals.

Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the medal CPU 204a sets the counted number of medals to "0" immediately before updating the number of game medals, in other words, immediately before transmitting the counting notification. Therefore, in the smart pachislot 100, the number of counted medals can be set to "0" more reliably, and mismatching of electronic medals can be more reliably avoided.

In addition, the smart pachislot 100 determines whether the VL connection signal is ON or OFF in both the counting switch monitoring process and the counting process, and sets the number of counted medals to "0" if the VL connection signal is OFF. As a result, for example, among the VL connection signal determination processing in the counting switch monitoring process and the VL connection signal determination processing in the counting process, the determination of the VL connection signal that is performed first after the VL connection signal is turned OFF can be performed. Since the number of counted medals is set to "0" at the timing of processing, the number of counted medals can be set to "0" at an early stage. In addition, since the smart pachislot 100 determines whether the VL connection signal is ON or OFF in both the counting switch monitoring process and the counting process, there are two opportunities to determine whether the VL connection signal is ON or OFF. Compared to a mode in which there is only one opportunity to determine ON/OFF, the number of counted medals can be set to "0" more reliably.

Furthermore, in the smart pachi-slot machine 100, the medal CPU 204a performs counting switch monitoring processing and counting processing. Although the storage capacity of the ROM or RAM (storage unit) in the medal number control board 204 is smaller than that of the main ROM 200b or main RAM 200c (storage unit), since the processing load is small, the free capacity is large as a result. Therefore, it is possible to use a program that performs both the counting switch monitoring process and the counting process to determine whether the VL connection signal is ON/OFF and to set the number of medals to "0" when the VL connection signal is OFF. The storage capacity of the number control board 204 is not compressed.

Note that the smart pachislot 100 may determine whether the VL connection signal is ON or OFF in either the counting switch monitoring process or the counting process, and may omit determining whether the VL connection signal is ON or OFF in the other process. . In this case, it is more preferable to omit the ON/OFF determination of the VL connection signal in the counting switch monitoring process and to perform the ON/OFF determination of the VL connection signal in the counting process. In addition, in the smart pachislot 100, before updating the number of game medals or notifying the count, a determination is made as to whether the VL connection signal is ON or OFF, and if the VL connection signal is OFF, the number of counted medals is set to "0". The method is not limited to determining ON/OFF of the VL connection signal within the counting switch monitoring process or counting process.

Further, when the smart pachi-slot machine 100 is powered on, if the dedicated unit 350 starts up later than the smart pachi-slot machine 100 starts up, the VL connection signal is delayed in turning on accordingly, which may result in an error. In this case, the influence of unintended error notification can be reduced by temporarily setting the error notification, particularly the output from the speaker 128, to be low.

Further, when the smart pachi-slot 100 is powered on, the main CPU 200a may wait for a predetermined standby time (for example, 10 seconds) and wait for the sub-CPU 202a and the medal number control board 204 to start up. This waiting time may be a time obtained by adding a reliable time (for example, 5 seconds) to the CPU startup time (for example, 0 to 100 msec).

(Counting process)
As described above, the medal CPU 204a of the smart pachislot 100 performs a counting process to transfer at least a portion of the electronic medals held in the medal holding section to the dedicated unit 350 in response to the player's operation of the counting switch 112. .

FIG. 19 is a timing chart for explaining the counting process. Here, the medal CPU 204a measures the time during which the counting switch 112 is continuously operated in order to ascertain the counting mode (short press or long press) desired by the player. For example, as shown in FIG. 19A, when a short press of the counting switch 112, that is, an operation for less than 500 msec is received (time a), "1" is set as the number of medals to be counted. When the 300 msec period (predetermined transmission period) due to the timer interrupt shown in FIG. 15 arrives (time point b), "1" is subtracted from the number of game medals. Here, it is assumed that the number of game medals becomes "29" by subtracting "1" from "30". Note that the number of counted medals and the number of game medals are variables held in the RAM by the medal CPU 204a. The smart pachislot 100 then transmits a count notification to the dedicated unit 350. Upon receiving the counting notification, the dedicated unit 350 adds the number of counted medals (here, "1") indicated in the counting notification to the number of acquired medals (for example, "0"), and calculates the addition result (for example, "1"). is displayed on the acquired medal number display device 374.

For example, as shown in FIG. 19(b), when the player continues to operate the counting switch 112 and a 300 msec period arrives (time c), the player presses the counting switch 112 for a long time, that is, continues to press the counting switch 112 for 500 msec or more. When this operation is accepted, if the number of game medals in the medal holding section is 50 or more, "50" is set as the counted medal number, and if it is less than 50, the total number is set as the counted medal number. Here, it is assumed that the number of game medals is "30" and the total number "30" is set as the number of counted medals by long pressing. Along with this, the total number of game medals "30" is subtracted, and the number of game medals becomes "0". Then, the smart pachislot 100 transmits a count notification to the dedicated unit 350 and clears the counted medal number (sets it to "0"). When the dedicated unit 350 receives the counting notification, it adds the number of counted medals (here, "30") indicated in the counting notification to the number of acquired medals (for example, "0"), and calculates the addition result (for example, "30"). is displayed on the acquired medal number display device 374.

Note that, as described above, if the counting switch 112 is operated while the game is possible, the counting process is always executed. Therefore, when a player operates the counting switch 112 while the game is in progress, the payout of electronic medals and the counting process may be executed in succession in a short period of time in the progress of the game. For example, as shown in FIG. 19(c), when the number of game medals is "30", a small winning combination is won as the game progresses, and 15 electronic medals are paid out. (time d). The medal CPU 204a receives the payout end command including the number of payout medals, adds the payout number "15" to the number of game medals "30", and updates the number of game medals to "45" at once. At this time, in parallel, the player continues to operate the counting switch 112, and when the 300 msec period arrives (time e), the medal CPU 204a presses the counting switch 112 for a long time, that is, for more than 500 msec. When the operation is accepted, all electronic medals (here, "45") are set as the number of counted medals. Accordingly, the total number of game medals "45" is subtracted, and the number of game medals becomes "0". Then, the smart pachislot 100 transmits a count notification to the dedicated unit 350 and clears the counted number of medals. When the dedicated unit 350 receives the counting notification, it adds the number of counted medals (here, "45") indicated in the counting notification to the number of acquired medals (for example, "0"), and calculates the addition result (for example, "45"). is displayed on the acquired medal number display device 374.

Here, depending on the timing of the winning of the small winning combination and the operation of the counting switch 112, the counting process is executed immediately after the electronic medals are paid out. Therefore, the number of game medals changes from "30" to "45" to "0" each time. However, if the electronic medal payout process and the counting process are executed continuously within the 300 msec period in which the counting notification is sent, only the result will be notified in the counting notification. Therefore, regardless of the change in the number of game medals from "30" to "45" to "0", the dedicated unit 350 displays only the change in the number of acquired medals from "0" to "45" on the number of acquired medals display device 374. I will do it.

As shown in FIG. 19, the medal CPU 204a controls whether the number of game medals changes, regardless of the timing at which the electronic medal payout process or counting process is executed, or when the game medal count changes. Without waiting for the change in the number of medals to be displayed on the game medal number display device 114, when the cycle for transmitting the counting notification has arrived, the counting switch 112 is continuously operated for a predetermined period of time (for example, 500 msec) or more. If so, a part or all of the number of game medals (here, the total "45") is transmitted to the dedicated unit 350 as the number of counted medals. Therefore, even if the electronic medal payout process and the counting process overlap, depending on the timing, the cycle for transmitting the counting notification will arrive, and the number of gaming medals will change from "30" to "0" with a long press. ”, and after transmitting “30” as the number of counted medals to the dedicated unit 350, the number of game medals changes from “0” to “15” due to the electronic medal payout process, and the cycle for sending counting notifications comes again. However, as the button is pressed for a long time, the number of game medals changes from "15" to "0", and "15" may be sent to the dedicated unit 350 as the counted number of medals. Then, the display content of the acquired medal number display device 374 may change from “0” → “30” → “45”, and as shown in FIG. 19(c), the display content of the acquired medal number display device 374 may change from "0" to "45". However, since the player has already started counting the number of game medals by long-pressing the counting switch 112, the displayed content of the acquired medal number display device 374 as "0" may be changed to It is only necessary to confirm that the total number of medals and the number of electronic medals paid out is "45" in the end. Therefore, the difference in the manner in which the number of game medals on the number of acquired medal display device 374 changes does not affect the progress of the game.

Here, regardless of the timing of change in the number of game medals, if the counting switch 112 is continuously operated for a predetermined period of time (for example, 500 msec) or more when the cycle for transmitting the counting notification arrives, the medal CPU 204a receives the game medals. By transmitting part or all of the number (here, "45") to the dedicated unit 350, the player can check the final number of acquired medals without having to wait unnecessarily for the display of the acquired medal number display device 374 to be updated. Since the next operation can be quickly started by understanding the situation at an early stage, it is possible to improve the operability of the smart pachislot 100.

In addition, here, the medal CPU 204a always accepts the operation of the counting switch 112 regardless of the number of game medals (even if the number of game medals is "0"), and the medal CPU 204a always accepts the operation of the counting switch 112. I'm keeping track of time.

For example, if the number of game medals is "0", the counted number of medals will be "0" in the count notification regardless of whether or not the counting process is executed. Therefore, when the number of game medals is "0", it is conceivable that the counting process is not executed or that the time period during which the counting switch 112 is continuously operated is not counted. However, as shown in FIG. 19(c), if a payout process for electronic medals occurs, even if the number of gaming medals before the payout process is "0", Counting processing can be performed for medals (number of game medals). At this time, if the time is counted when the counting switch 112 is continuously operated for the first time after the number of game medals becomes a number other than "0" (after the payout process is completed), the counting process will be delayed accordingly. Delays and poor operability.

Here, due to the configuration in which the medal CPU 204a measures the time during which the counting switch 112 is continuously operated, regardless of the number of game medals, it is possible to reliably determine a long press when the cycle for transmitting the counting notification arrives. This makes it possible for the player to grasp the final number of medals acquired at an early stage and quickly start the next operation, thereby improving the operability of the smart pachi-slot 100. In addition, in the program executed by the medal CPU 204a, there is no need to judge (branch) whether the number of game medals is "0" or not, so it is possible to reduce the processing load and the memory capacity. .

Note that the cycle at which the medal CPU 204a transmits the count notification (for example, 300 msec) and the cycle at which the display on the game medal number display device 114 is updated (a predetermined display cycle by timer interrupt: for example, 1 msec) are managed independently. . Therefore, depending on the time relationship between the timing of the above-mentioned electronic medal payout process and counting process and the display update timing of the game medal number display device 114, the display mode of the number of game medals on the game medal number display device 114 may differ. becomes.

FIG. 20 is a timing chart for explaining the display mode of the number of game medals. Here, as shown in FIG. 19(c), it is assumed that a small winning combination is won as the game progresses, and 15 electronic medals are paid out. In addition, in parallel with this, when the player continues to operate the counting switch 112 and a 300 msec cycle has arrived, the medal CPU 204a accepts a long press on the counting switch 112, that is, an operation that continues for 500 msec or more. All electronic medals (here, "45") are set as the number of counted medals. Here, the number of game medals changes from "30" to "45" by the electronic medal payout process, and from "45" to "0" by the counting process. Further, in the dedicated unit 350, the number of acquired medals changes from "0" to "45" through counting processing.

For example, as shown in FIG. 20(a), assume that the display content of the game medal number display device 114 is updated (changed) between the electronic medal payout process and the counting process. Then, when the cycle for updating the display of the game medal number display device 114 arrives in response to the change in the number of game medals from "30" to "45" due to the electronic medal payout process (time f ), the display of the number of game medals on the game medal number display device 114 is changed from "30" to "45". Similarly, when the cycle for updating the display of the number of game medals display device 114 arrives (time point g) in response to the change in the number of game medals from "45" to "0" due to the counting process, the medal CPU 204a The display of the number of game medals on the medal number display device 114 is changed from "45" to "0".

Here, the display contents of the game medal number display device 114 are updated after the electronic medal payout process and after the counting process are executed, respectively. Therefore, as the number of game medals changes from "30" to "45" to "0", the display on the game medal number display device 114 also changes from "30" to "45" to "0". Become. In this case, the player can understand through the game medal number display device 114 that the number of game medals has changed from "30" to "45" to "0".

Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 20(b), it is assumed that both the payout process and the counting process of electronic medals are executed during the cycle of updating the display of the game medal number display device 114. Then, the medal CPU 204a changes the number of game medals from "30" to "45" through the electronic medal payout process, and from "45" to "0" through the counting process. However, when the cycle for updating the display on the game medal number display device 114 arrives (time h), the number of game medals has already become “0”, so the medal CPU 204a updates the game medal number on the game medal number display device 114. Directly change the number display from "30" to "0".

Here, the display contents of the game medal number display device 114 are updated after both the electronic medal payout process and the counting process are executed. Therefore, while the number of game medals increases from "30" to "45" and then decreases to "0", the display on the game medal number display device 114 immediately decreases from "30". Then, it changes to "0". In this case, the player knows through the game medal number display device 114 that the number of game medals has changed from "30" to "0".

Here, when trying to make the player understand that the number of game medals has changed stepwise from "30" to "45" to "0" through the game medal number display device 114, the medal CPU 204a The counting process must be performed after waiting for the display contents of the game medal number display device 114 to be updated, resulting in a corresponding delay in the counting process. Note that in order for the player to recognize the update of the display on the game medal number display device 114, it is necessary to lengthen the display time to the extent that the player can recognize the update, so that the counting process is delayed and the operability becomes worse.

Here, as shown in FIG. 20, the medal CPU 204a determines whether or not the display content of the game medal number display device 114 has been updated in response to a change in the number of game medals, the cycle for transmitting the count notification has arrived. Then, a part or all of the number of game medals (here, the total number of "45") is transmitted to the dedicated unit 350 as the number of counted medals. Therefore, when the number of game medals changes from "30" to "45" to "0", as shown in FIG. 20(a), the number of game medals on the game medal number display device 114 changes from "30" to "0". In some cases, the number of game medals on the game medal number display device 114 changes from "30" to "0" as shown in FIG. 20(b). However, since the player has already started counting the number of game medals by long-pressing the counting switch 112, the display content of the game medal number display device 114, which was "30", is Basically, it is sufficient if you can confirm that it is "0". In addition, the player can see that the display content of the number of acquired medals display device 374 was "0", but it has finally changed to "45" by combining the number of game medals and the amount paid out of electronic medals. It would be good if you could confirm that. Therefore, the difference in the manner in which the number of game medals on the game medal number display device 114 changes does not affect the progress of the game.

Here, regardless of the timing of change in the number of game medals, if the counting switch 112 is continuously operated for a predetermined period of time (for example, 500 msec) or more when the cycle for transmitting the counting notification arrives, the medal CPU 204a receives the game medals. By transmitting at least a part of the number (here, "45") to the dedicated unit 350, the player can calculate the final number of game medals without having to wait unnecessarily for the display of the game medal number display device 114 to be updated. Since it can be grasped early and the next operation can be started quickly, it is possible to improve the operability of the smart pachislot 100.

Although the explanation has been given here with an example in which the payout process and the counting process of electronic medals are executed continuously through FIGS. 19 and 20, changes in the number of game medals are not limited to such processing, Various processes can be targeted, such as a medal insertion process.

By the way, as explained using FIG. 15, the smart pachislot 100 (eg, medal CPU 204a) transmits gaming machine information notification to the dedicated unit 350 at a predetermined cycle (eg, 300 msec cycle). Furthermore, the smart pachi-slot 100 transmits a count notification to the dedicated unit 350 after 100 msec has passed since the gaming machine information notification was sent to the dedicated unit 350. That is, the smart pachi-slot 100 transmits a count notification including information on the number of medals to the dedicated unit 350 at a predetermined cycle (for example, a 300 msec cycle), similarly to the gaming machine information notification.

Further, the counting switch 112 is an input operation unit that accepts a predetermined input operation (for example, a pressing operation) by a player. The smart pachi-slot 100 (for example, the medal CPU 204a) is capable of receiving a signal indicating the input operation from the counting switch 112 (input operation section). The smart pachislot 100 sets the number of medals to be counted based on the signal received from the counting switch 112, as described later. The smart pachislot 100 updates the number of game medals by subtracting the set number of counted medals from the current number of game medals at the above-mentioned predetermined cycle (for example, 300 msec), and updates the number of game medals at a cycle different from the predetermined cycle (for example, 300 msec). 1 msec), the display on the game medal number display device 114 is updated to the updated number of game medals as needed.

When the update of the number of game medals is completed, the display content of the game medal number display device 114 is updated immediately, for example, in 1 msec, so the display content is updated approximately at a predetermined cycle (for example, 300 msec). Therefore, the smart pachislot 100 changes the display content on the game medal number display device 114 (that is, the number of game medals displayed by the game medal number display device 114) based on the signal received from the counting switch 112. This is substantially performed at a predetermined period (for example, 300 msec).

In addition, the smart pachislot 100 transmits a count notification including information on the set number of counted medals to the dedicated unit 350 at the above-described predetermined period (for example, 300 msec). In other words, the smart pachi-slot machine 100 outputs a count notification to the outside based on the signal received from the count switch 112 at a predetermined period.

Further, the dedicated unit 350 updates the number of acquired medals based on the received counting notification, and changes the display of the acquired medal number display device 374 at a cycle different from the predetermined cycle (for example, 1 msec) to the number of acquired medals after the update. The number of medals will be updated from time to time. In the dedicated unit 350, when the update of the number of acquired medals is completed based on the counting notification, the display content of the acquired medal number display device 374 is updated immediately, for example, in 1 msec, so the display is updated approximately at a predetermined cycle (for example, 300 msec). The contents will be updated. Therefore, the dedicated unit 350 updates the display on the acquired medal number display device 374 substantially at a predetermined period (300 msec) based on the count notification received from the smart pachi-slot 100.

Here, the player may quickly press the counting switch 112 multiple times in succession. In such a case, the smart pachislot 100 may receive (input) a signal indicating a pressing operation multiple times within one period (for example, within 300 msec) of a predetermined period (for example, a 300 msec period). . In the smart pachi-slot machine 100, even if such a pressing operation is performed multiple times in one cycle, the display on the dedicated unit 350 is appropriately performed.

Specifically, when the smart pachi-slot 100 (for example, the medal CPU 204a) receives a signal from the counting switch 112 multiple times during one period, only one of the multiple signals is valid. More specifically, even if the smart pachislot 100 receives a signal from the counting switch 112 multiple times during one cycle, the number of medals counted according to the pressing operation of the counting switch 112 is fixedly set to "1". Then, the smart pachislot 100 updates the display on the gaming medal number display device 114 based on the valid signal for one time (more specifically, based on the counted number of medals "1"), and updates the display on the gaming medal number display device 114 based on the signal (for example, , counting notification) is output to the outside.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the flow of counting switch processing in the medal CPU 204a. The counting switch process is executed when the counting switch 112 is pressed. The counting switch process corresponds to the processes from step S3 to step S10 that are performed when step S1 in FIG. 17 is YES. Here, processing related to this embodiment will be explained, and processing not related to this embodiment will be omitted. The numerical values of step S in this figure will be used only in the explanation of this figure.

As shown in FIG. 21, when the medal CPU 204a detects that the count switch 112 is pressed (specifically, when it detects the ON edge of the count switch 112), it starts counting the time counter of the smart pachislot 100 (S3 ). The medal CPU 204a determines whether the OFF edge of the counting switch 112 has been detected (S4). If the OFF edge of the counting switch 112 is not detected (NO in S4), the medal CPU 204a determines whether a predetermined time (for example, 500 msec) has elapsed since the time counter started counting (S5). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in S5), the medal CPU 204a returns to the process in step S4. If the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in S5), the medal CPU 204a sets the long press flag to ON (S6) and returns to the process of step S4.

When the OFF edge of the counting switch is detected (YES in S4), the medal CPU 204a determines whether the long press flag is OFF (S7). If the long press flag is OFF (YES in S7), the medal CPU 204a sets the number of counted medals to "1" and proceeds to the process of step S9. The set number of counted medals is stored in a predetermined register or RAM. If the long press flag is ON (NO in S7), the medal CPU 204a proceeds to the process of step S9. In step S9, the medal CPU 204a clears the long press flag (turns it OFF). The medal CPU 204a clears the time counter and ends the counting switch process. Here, in step S8, the counted number of medals is not incremented by "+1" but is set to "1".

FIG. 22 is a time chart illustrating setting of the number of medals to be counted. As shown in FIG. 22, for example, at time point a, the number of game medals is "50", a count notification including information that the number of medals counted is "0" is transmitted from the smart pachislot 100 to the dedicated unit 350, and the number of medals acquired is Suppose that is "50". It is assumed that the count switch 112 is pressed three times from time point a until one period of 300 msec has elapsed.

The above-mentioned counting switch process is started at the ON edge of the pressing operation of the counting switch 112, and if it is a short press at the OFF edge of the pressing operation, the number of counted medals is set to "1". Each time the counting switch 112 is pressed briefly, the number of medals to be counted is repeatedly set to "1", so even if it is the third short push in one cycle, for example, the number of medals to be counted is set to "3". First, it is set to "1".

At time b, one period of 300 msec has passed since time a, as described above with reference to FIG. By subtraction, the number of game medals "49" is derived. The smart pachislot 100 updates the display of the number of game medals on the game medal number display device 114 from "50" to "49". In this way, even if the pressing operation is performed three times in one cycle, if the number immediately before the display update of the game medal number display device 114 is "50", for example, the display will be updated to "47". Instead, the display is updated to "49".

Furthermore, at time point b, the smart pachislot 100 transmits a count notification including information on the number of medals counted as "1" to the dedicated unit 350. When the dedicated unit 350 receives the counting notification, it adds the received counted medal number "1" to the obtained medal number "50" to derive the obtained medal number "51". The dedicated unit 350 updates the display of the number of acquired medals on the acquired medal number display device 374 from "50" to "51". In this way, even if the pressing operation is performed three times in one cycle, if the number immediately before the display update of the acquired medal number display device 374 is "50", for example, the display will be updated to "53". Instead, the display is updated to "51".

That is, even if the pressing operation is performed multiple times in one cycle, the medal CPU 204a sets the number of counted medals to "1" to change the display on the acquired medal number display device 374 of the dedicated unit 350 at a predetermined cycle ( For example, it can be updated so that it increases by 1 every 300 msec). For example, the display content of the acquired medal number display device 374 does not jump from "50" to "53", but changes continuously one by one, such as from "50" to "51". Therefore, in the smart pachi-slot machine 100, the number of acquired medals can be appropriately displayed on the acquired medal number display device 374 of the dedicated unit 350, and it is possible to prevent players from feeling distrustful.

In addition, in the smart pachislot 100 described above, when the signal of the counting switch 112 (for example, ON edge) is received (input) multiple times during one cycle, only one of the multiple times is considered valid. there was. However, if the smart pachi-slot 100 receives the signal of the counting switch 112 (for example, ON edge) multiple times during one period, it may effectively process all of the received signals.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the flow of counting switch processing according to a modified example in which all signals of a plurality of times are effectively processed. The flowchart of FIG. 23 differs from the flowchart of FIG. 21 in that step S8 in the flowchart of FIG. 21 is changed to step S18, and the other steps are the same as the flowchart of FIG. 21.

As shown in FIG. 23, when the long press flag is OFF (YES in S7), the smart pachislot 100 increases the number of counted medals by "+1" (increments by 1).

FIG. 24 is a time chart illustrating the setting of the number of counted medals according to a modified example in which all signals of a plurality of times are effectively processed. As shown in FIG. 24, it is assumed that the counting switch 112 is pressed three times from time point c until one cycle of 300 msec has elapsed.

The counting switch process in this modification is started at the ON edge of the pressing operation of the counting switch 112, and if it is a short press at the OFF edge of the pressing operation, the number of medals counted is incremented by "+1". Therefore, each time the counting switch 112 is pressed briefly during one period, the number of medals counted increases by "1". For example, at the second OFF edge in one cycle, the number of counted medals is set to "2", and at the third OFF edge in one cycle, the number of counted medals is set to "3".

At time d, one cycle of 300 msec has elapsed from time c, as explained using FIG. By subtraction, the number of game medals "47" is derived. The smart pachi-slot 100 updates the display of the number of game medals on the game medal number display device 114 so that it decreases by "1" in order such as "50" → "49" → "48" → "47".

Furthermore, at time d, the smart pachislot 100 transmits a count notification including information of the number of medals counted "3" to the dedicated unit 350 due to the pressing operation being performed three times in one cycle. When the dedicated unit 350 receives the count notification, it adds the received number of counted medals "3" to the number of acquired medals "50" to derive the number of acquired medals "53". The dedicated unit 350 updates the display of the number of acquired medals on the acquired medal number display device 374 so that the number of acquired medals is incremented by 1 in the order of ``50'' → ``51'' → ``52'' → ``53''.

In this way, even in the modified example in which all the signals of a plurality of times are effectively processed, the number of acquired medals can be appropriately displayed on the acquired medal number display device 374 of the dedicated unit 350.

(counting sound)
As described above, in the smart pachislot 100, when the counting switch 112 is operated and coefficient processing is executed, a counting sound that notifies that the counting switch 112 has been operated (notifies the movement of electronic medals) is emitted. It is output from the speaker 128. Similarly, in the smart pachislot 100, when the lending switch 366 is operated and the lending process is executed, the lending sound notifying that the lending switch 366 has been operated (notifying the movement of the electronic medal) is emitted from the speaker 128. is output from. The lending process is performed by transmitting information for lending out part or all of the electronic medals from the dedicated unit 350 to the smart pachislot 100 in response to the player's operation of the lending switch 366. The process to be performed. Below, the output of the counting sound and lending sound will be explained using the counting sound as an example.

As explained using FIG. 19 etc., the medal CPU 204a sets "0" as the number of counted medals when the counting switch 112 is not operated, and sets the number of counted medals to "0" when the counting switch 112 is pressed briefly. When "1" is set and the count switch 112 is pressed for a long time, "50" (if the number of game medals is 50 or less, the total number) is set as the number of counted medals. Then, when the timing for transmitting the counting notification, which comes every 300 msec, comes, the medal CPU 204a transmits a counting notification including information on the set number of counted medals to the dedicated unit 350.

The medal CPU 204a sends a counting notification to the dedicated unit 350 including information on the number of medals counted (“1”, “50”, or any number between “1” and “50”) indicating that the counting switch 112 has been operated. When the count notification is sent, a signal indicating that the counting process has been performed (count notification trigger signal) is sent to the main control board 200. When the main CPU 200a of the main control board 200 receives the counting notification trigger signal from the medal number control board 204, it transmits a counting sound notification to the sub control board 202 instructing the output of a counting sound. When the sub CPU 202a of the sub control board 202 receives the counting sound notification through the main control board 200, it outputs a counting sound through the speaker 128. Thereby, in response to the operation of the counting switch 112, the counting sound is continuously output while the counting process is being executed.

Note that the medal CPU 204a is not limited to the mode in which the counting notification trigger signal is transmitted at the timing of transmitting the counting notification including information on the number of medals counted indicating that the counting switch 112 has been operated; After the number of counted medals indicating this is set, the count notification trigger signal may be transmitted at the timing when the number of game medals reflecting the set number of counted medals is displayed on the number of game medal display device 114. .

The smart pachi-slot 100 may be provided with a total of seven speakers as the speakers 128, including two upper speakers, two lower speakers, two tweeters, and one bass speaker. For example, one upper speaker is provided on each side of the symbol display window 108 on the front upper door 104. The upper speaker is installed on the back side of the upper front door 104, and an opening is provided at a position in front of the upper speaker in the upper front door 104. For example, one lower speaker is provided at each of the left and right positions of the front lower door 106. The lower speaker is installed on the back side of the lower front door 106, and an opening is provided in the lower front door 106 at a position in front of the lower speaker. For example, one tweeter is provided near the upper left speaker, and one tweeter is provided near the upper right speaker. The tweeter is installed on the back side of the upper front door 104, and an opening is provided at the front side of the tweeter in the upper front door 104. The bass speaker is provided near the reel 110 within the housing 102, for example. No opening is provided in the housing 102 at a position in front of the bass speaker. The upper speaker and the lower speaker output, for example, midrange sound. For example, the tweeter outputs high-frequency sounds. The bass speaker is, for example, a woofer, and outputs sound in a bass range or deep bass range. The counting sound can be output from any of the upper speaker, lower speaker, tweeter, and bass speaker.

During the game, there are various kinds of effects that effectively enliven the game, such as production sounds (for example, BGM, etc.), characters' lines in production (for example, "The bonus is confirmed", etc.), and SE (sound effects). Sound is output. Hereinafter, various sounds related to such games will be collectively referred to as game sounds. When the counting switch 112 is operated during a game, a counting sound may be output in addition to (superimposed on) the above game sound during the game as the counting switch 112 is operated.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating the operation when the game sound and the counting sound overlap. FIG. 25(a) shows an example of the volume when there is no overlap between the game sound and the counting sound and only the game sound is output out of the game sound and the counting sound. As shown in FIG. 25(a), the game sound can be output from each speaker at the maximum settable volume (100%) for each speaker. Here, the larger the volume of the speaker, the larger the current flowing through the voice coil of the speaker, and the larger the current flowing through the voice coil of the speaker, the higher the temperature of the speaker. If there is no overlap between the game sound and the counting sound, as shown in FIG. 25(b), even if the game sound is output, the temperature of each speaker will be lower than the upper limit of the allowable temperature of each speaker ( (hereinafter referred to as the upper limit of allowable temperature). Note that FIG. 25(b) illustrates the temperature of any one of the speakers.

FIG. 25(c) shows an example of the volume when the game sound and the counting sound overlap. In FIG. 25(c), the game sound is output at the maximum volume (100%) that can be set in each speaker, and the counting sound is output at the maximum volume (100%) that can be set in each speaker. This shows the case where it is output. In this way, when the game sound and the counting sound overlap, if both the game sound and the counting sound are output at the maximum volume (the maximum value of the settable volume), as shown in FIG. 25(d), each There is a possibility that the temperature of the speaker exceeds the allowable upper temperature limit for each speaker. In this case, in some cases, the speaker whose temperature exceeds the allowable upper temperature limit may be damaged. Note that FIG. 25(d) illustrates the temperature of any one of the speakers.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 25(e), when the game sound and the counting sound overlap, the volume of the game sound is made to be lower than the maximum volume, and the volume of the counting sound is set to be lower than the maximum volume. (The maximum settable volume (100%)) is output. For example, in the upper speaker, the volume of the game sound is lowered by 10% of the maximum volume, and the game sound is output at 90% volume. In the lower speaker, tweeter, and bass speaker, the volume of the game sound is lowered by 50% of the maximum volume, and the game sound is output at 50% volume.

Then, as shown in FIG. 25(f), even if the game sound and the counting sound are outputted redundantly, the temperature of each speaker can be prevented from exceeding the allowable upper temperature limit of each speaker. As a result, damage to the speaker can be prevented. Furthermore, although the volume of the game sound is lowered from the maximum volume, since the game sound is still output, it is possible to suppress giving the player a sense of discomfort regarding the progress of the game, and to allow the game to progress appropriately. I can do it.

Furthermore, in the example of FIG. 25(e), the amount of decrease in the volume of the game sound output from the lower speaker, tweeter, and bass speaker is greater than the amount of decrease in the volume of the game sound output from the upper speaker. . Since the upper speaker outputs mid-range sound close to the player's ears, the player is sensitive to the sound of the upper speaker, and if the volume of the game sound output from the upper speaker decreases significantly, The player is likely to feel a decrease in the volume, and the effect of the game sound may be reduced. On the other hand, the lower speaker, tweeter, and bass speaker are relatively far away from the player's ears, so even if the volume of the lower speaker, tweeter, and bass speaker is lowered by a greater amount than the upper speaker, the player's It is difficult to feel the decrease in volume, and the reduction in the effect of game sounds is suppressed. From these, by making the amount of decrease in the volume of the game sound output from the lower speaker, tweeter, and bass speaker greater than the amount of decrease in the volume of the game sound output from the top speaker, the reduction in the effect of the game sound is suppressed. At the same time, damage to the speaker can be prevented.

Furthermore, among the upper speaker, lower speaker, tweeter, and bass speaker, the amount of decrease in the volume of the game sound output from the speakers other than the upper speaker is set to be greater than the amount of decrease in the volume of the game sound output from the upper speaker. Regardless of the mode, for example, the amount of decrease in the volume of game sound output from a speaker other than a specific speaker among a plurality of speakers arranged at a plurality of positions in the smart pachi-slot 100 may be determined. The amount may be greater than the amount of decrease in the volume of the game sound. With this aspect as well, damage to the speaker can be prevented and the game can be played appropriately.

Furthermore, the amount of reduction in volume of the game sound may be made to be the same for all speakers, including the upper speaker, the lower speaker, the tweeter, and the bass speaker. With this aspect as well, damage to the speaker can be prevented and the game can be played appropriately.

In addition, in the smart pachi-slot 100, the current value that is the sum of the currents flowing through each part of the smart pachi-slot 100 (hereinafter referred to as the total current value of the housing 102) is the upper limit of the current allowed by the housing 102 (hereinafter referred to as the allowable current value). (upper limit) must not be exceeded. When the game sound and the counting sound are output in duplicate, in addition to the current for outputting the game sound, the current for outputting the counting sound also flows. Therefore, when the game sound and the counting sound overlap, the temperature of each speaker increases and there is a possibility that the total current value of the housing 102 exceeds the allowable current upper limit value.

As mentioned above, when there is overlap between the game sound and the counting sound, the volume of the game sound is made to be lower than the maximum volume, and the volume of the counting sound is output at the maximum volume. By doing so, it is also possible to prevent the total current value of the housing 102 from exceeding the allowable current upper limit value. As a result, damage to each part of the housing 102 can be prevented. Further, by lowering the volume of the game sound, the total current value of the housing 102 can be suppressed, so it is also possible to downsize the power supply.

In FIG. 25(e), the volume of the upper speaker was set to 90%, and the volume of the lower speaker, tweeter, and bass speaker was set to 50%. However, the numerical value of the volume of the game sound is just an example, and the volume of the game sound may be set to an arbitrary value in consideration of the temperature of each speaker and the total current value of the housing 102.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating the counting sound process executed by the production control means 334. The numerical values of step S in this figure will be used only in the explanation of this figure. The counting sound process is a process of outputting a counting sound from each speaker based on reception of a counting sound notification.

For example, the performance control means 334 determines whether a counting sound notification has been received at a predetermined period (S1). When the counting sound notification is received (YES in S1), the performance control means 334 performs a setting to reduce the volume of the game sound (S2). For example, the production control means 334 may set the volume setting value of game sound tracks such as production sound track, dialogue track, SE track, etc. to be smaller than the volume setting value immediately before receiving the counting sound notification (normal time). Set the volume to the specified volume value. As a result, the volume of the game sound output from each speaker is reduced.

After completing the setting to reduce the volume of the game sound, the effect control means 334 outputs a sound signal indicating a counting sound to each speaker (S3). As a result, a counting sound is output from each speaker. The performance control means 334 outputs a counting sound every time it receives a counting sound notification. For example, when the counting switch 112 is held down, a counting sound is output while the counting switch 112 is held down.

Further, as a result of determining whether a counting sound notification has been received at a predetermined period, if a counting sound notification has not been received (NO in S1), the effect control means 334 determines whether a counting sound is being output (S4 ). If it is determined that the counting sound is being output (YES in S4), the performance control means 334 stops outputting the sound signal indicating the counting sound to each speaker (S5). As a result, the output of the counting sound that was being output from each speaker is stopped. For example, when the long press on the counting switch 112 is released, the output of the counting sound is stopped in response to the release of the long press.

After the counting sound stops, the effect control means 334 sets the volume of the game sound to return to the volume immediately before receiving the counting sound notification (normal time) (S4), and ends the counting sound process. As a result, the volume of the game sound output from each speaker returns to the normal volume.

As described above, the smart pachislot 100, which is an example of a gaming machine that can be connected to a specific unit that lends out gaming value (for example, the dedicated unit 350), has a gaming value control system that manages gaming value (for example, computerized medals). means (for example, the number of medals control board 204), and a performance control means 334 that controls the performance. The performance control means 334 outputs game sounds according to the progress of the game through the audio output section (for example, each speaker). The gaming value control means (for example, the medal number control board 204) may perform counting processing to transfer the gaming value to a specific unit. In the smart pachi-slot 100, which is an example of a gaming machine, while the counting process is being performed, a counting sound is output to notify that the counting process is being performed, and the volume of the game sound is lowered. This allows the game to proceed appropriately, and also prevents damage to the speaker due to the temperature of the speaker and damage to the housing 102 due to the total current value of the housing 102.

In addition, even when the game sound and the rental sound overlap, the volume of the game sound is lowered and the game sound is output from each speaker, and the rental sound is output in the same way as when the game sound and the counting sound overlap. It may be output from each speaker. In this case as well, the amount of decrease in the volume of the game sound output from the speakers other than the specific speaker among the plurality of speakers arranged at a plurality of positions in the smart pachi-slot 100 is determined by The amount of reduction in the volume of the game sound may be made larger than the amount of reduction in the volume of the game sound, or the amount of reduction in the volume of the game sound may be made to be the same for all speakers including the upper speaker, the lower speaker, the tweeter, and the bass speaker. In these aspects as well, it is possible to proceed with the game appropriately, and damage to the speaker due to the temperature of the speaker and damage to the housing 102 due to the total current value of the housing 102 can be prevented. can.

Further, the amount of decrease in the volume of the game sound when the game sound and the counting sound overlap and the amount of decrease in the volume of the game sound when the game sound and the rental sound overlap may be made to be the same level. (The amount of decrease may not be different) or may be different.

For example, the amount of decrease in the volume of the game sound when the game sound and the rental sound overlap (for example, 25% decrease) is compared with the amount of decrease in the volume of the game sound when the game sound and the counting sound overlap (for example, 25% decrease). , 50% reduction). Generally, it is assumed that the lending switch 366 is operated more frequently than the counting switch 112 is operated. Therefore, by making the amount of decrease in the volume of the game sound when it overlaps with the rental sound smaller than the amount of decrease in the volume of the game sound when it overlaps with the counting sound, it gives the player a sense of discomfort regarding the progress of the game. This can be suppressed.

Also, for example, the amount of decrease in the volume of the game sound when the game sound and the counting sound overlap (for example, 25% decrease), the amount of decrease in the volume of the game sound when the game sound and the rental sound overlap, (For example, the amount of decrease is 50%). When the counting switch 112 is operated when the number of game medals is relatively large, the counting switch 112 may be pressed for a relatively long time or short pressed a relatively large number of times, and the counting switch 112 may be It is assumed that the frequency of operations will increase and the operation time will become longer. Therefore, by making the amount of decrease in the volume of the game sound when it overlaps with the counting sound smaller than the amount of decrease in the volume of the game sound when it overlaps with the rental sound, it gives the player a sense of discomfort regarding the progress of the game. This can be suppressed.

Moreover, the counting sound and the lending sound may be the same sound or may be different sounds. Different sounds include, for example, different types of sounds (sounds themselves), different pitches (intervals), and different lengths of sounds. The rhythms of the sounds may be different, or the phrases of the sounds may be different. If the counting sound and lending sound are different sounds, for example, the counting sound may be a rising phrase (ascending phrase) and the lending sound may be a descending phrase (descending phrase), or the counting sound may be a descending phrase (descending phrase). phrase), and the lending sound may be a rising phrase (rising phrase). A rising phrase (rising phrase) is a group of sounds that is composed of a plurality of sounds and whose pitch increases as the sounds are produced. A descending phrase (descending phrase) is a group of sounds that is composed of a plurality of sounds, and whose pitch decreases as the sounds are produced.

Note that when the lending switch 366 is operated, the electronic medals are basically transferred from the dedicated unit 350 to the smart pachi-slot 100 in units of 50 medals. However, when the lending switch 366 is operated, the entire amount of electronic medals held in the dedicated unit 350 may be transferred from the dedicated unit 350 to the smart pachi-slot 100.

Furthermore, if the game sound and the rental sound overlap, or even if the rental switch 366 is operated, the rental sound may not be output from each speaker regardless of whether or not there is overlap with the game sound. Since the rental notification sent from the dedicated unit 350 to the smart pachislot 100 is carried out at a cycle of 300 msec, there may be a time lag between when the rental switch 366 is operated and when the smart pachislot 100 receives the rental notification. If the time lag becomes relatively long, there is a risk that the player may feel uncomfortable regarding lending. By not outputting the lending sound, it is possible to avoid giving the player a sense of discomfort regarding lending. Similarly, if the game sound and the counting sound overlap, or even if the counting switch 112 is operated, the counting sound may not be output from each speaker regardless of whether or not there is overlap with the game sound. . By not outputting the counting sound, it is possible to avoid giving the player a sense of discomfort regarding counting.

Furthermore, in the smart pachi-slot 100, when various errors such as a door opening error occur, an error sound is output in conjunction with the occurrence of the error. When the error sound and the counting sound overlap, both the error sound and the counting sound may be output from each speaker without reducing the volume of the error sound. Similarly, when the error sound and the rental sound overlap, both the error sound and the counting sound may be output from each speaker without reducing the volume of the error sound. Since the error sound has a higher priority than the game sound, by outputting the error sound without reducing the volume of the error sound, it is possible to make it easier for the hall clerk etc. to recognize that an error has occurred. I can do it.

In addition, if the error sound and the counting sound overlap, the error sound is output from each speaker without reducing the volume of the error sound, and the volume of the counting sound is reduced and the counting sound is output from each speaker, or The counting sound may not be output from each speaker. Similarly, if the error sound and the rental sound overlap, the error sound is output from each speaker without reducing the volume of the error sound, and the volume of the rental sound is lowered and the rental sound is output from each speaker, or , the rental sound may not be output from each speaker. According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the temperature of each speaker and the total current value of the casing 102 from exceeding the upper limit value, and to make it easier for a hall clerk or the like to recognize that an error has occurred.

Here, the main CPU 200a manages whether the difference number, which is the difference between the number of medals inserted (bet number) and the number of medals paid out after the power was reset, has reached the first specified difference number (specified value). , a so-called complete function may be activated to limit the progress of the game when the first predetermined differential number of coins is reached. When such a complete function is activated, the production control means 334 may output a complete operation sound from each speaker to notify that the complete function is activated. The main CPU 200a also manages whether the difference number has reached a second specified difference number that is less than the first specified difference number at which the complete function is activated by a predetermined difference number, and determines whether the difference number has reached the second specified difference number. In this case, it may be suggested that the completion function is about to be activated (there is a possibility that the first specified difference number of sheets will be reached). The effect control means 334 may output from each speaker a complete operation suggestion sound that suggests that the complete function is about to be activated. Hereinafter, the complete operation sound and the complete operation suggestion sound will be collectively referred to as the complete function sound.

When the complete function sound and the counting sound overlap, the complete function sound may be output from each speaker and the counting sound may be output from each speaker without reducing the volume of the complete function sound. Similarly, when the complete function sound and the rental sound overlap, the complete function sound may be output from each speaker without reducing the volume of the complete function sound, and the rental sound may be output from each speaker. The complete function sound has a higher priority than the game sound, so by outputting the complete function sound without reducing the complete function sound, you can notify that the complete function is about to be activated or that the complete function has not activated. It is possible to make it easier for players etc. to recognize that the

Additionally, if the complete function sound and the counting sound overlap, the complete function sound is output from each speaker without reducing the volume of the complete function sound, and the volume of the counting sound is reduced and the counting sound is output from each speaker. Alternatively, the counting sound may not be output from each speaker. Similarly, if the complete function sound and the rental sound overlap, the complete function sound is output from each speaker without reducing the volume of the complete function sound, and the volume of the rental sound is lowered and the rental sound is output from each speaker. Alternatively, the rental sound may not be output from each speaker. According to this aspect, while suppressing the temperature of each speaker and the total current value of the housing 102 from exceeding the upper limit value, it is possible to detect that the complete function is about to be activated or that the complete function is activated. , it is possible to make it easier for players and the like to recognize the information.

In addition, if the complete function sound and the counting sound overlap, the volume of the complete function sound is lowered and the complete function sound is output from each speaker, or the complete function sound is not output from each speaker, and the counting sound is The output may be output from each speaker. Similarly, if the complete function sound and the rental sound overlap, the volume of the complete function sound is lowered and the complete function sound is output from each speaker, or the complete function sound is not output from each speaker, and the rental sound is may be output from each speaker. According to this aspect, the counting sound or lending sound can be made easier for players and the like to recognize while suppressing the temperature of each speaker and the total current value of the housing 102 from exceeding the upper limit value.

Furthermore, if the game sound and the complete function sound overlap, the volume of the game sound may be lowered, the game sound may be output from each speaker, and the complete function sound may be output from each speaker. According to this aspect, it is possible to proceed or restrict the game appropriately, and also prevent damage to the speaker due to the temperature of the speaker and damage to the housing 102 due to the total current value of the housing 102. be able to.

Further, when the game sound and the complete function sound overlap, the game sound may be output from each speaker without reducing the volume of the game sound, and the complete function sound may be output from each speaker. According to this aspect, it becomes possible to advance or limit the game appropriately.

Additionally, if the game sound and the complete function sound overlap, the game sound is output from each speaker without reducing the volume of the game sound, and the volume of the complete function sound is decreased and the complete function sound is output from each speaker. Alternatively, the complete function sound may not be output from each speaker. According to this aspect, it is possible to proceed or restrict the game appropriately, and also prevent damage to the speaker due to the temperature of the speaker and damage to the housing 102 due to the total current value of the housing 102. be able to.

The medal CPU 204a manages whether the number of game medals (the number of possessions of game value) has become less than a predetermined number, and when the number of game medals has become less than a predetermined number, it does not notify that the number of game medals has decreased. good. In this case, the performance control means 334 may output from each speaker a possession number warning sound to notify that the number of game medals has decreased.

When the counting sound and the possession number warning sound overlap, the possession number warning sound may be output from each speaker and the counting sound may be output from each speaker without reducing the volume of the possession number warning sound. Similarly, when the rental sound and the possession number warning sound overlap, the possession number warning sound may be output from each speaker and the rental sound may be output from each speaker without reducing the volume of the possession number warning sound. According to this aspect, it is possible to make it easier for the player to recognize the possession number warning sound and the counting sound, or the possession number warning sound and the rental sound.

If the counting sound and the possession quantity warning sound overlap, the volume of the possession quantity warning sound is lowered and the possession quantity warning sound is output from each speaker, or the possession quantity warning sound is not output from each speaker, and the counting sound is output from each speaker. Sound may be output from each speaker. Similarly, if the borrowing sound and the number-of-possessions warning sound overlap, the volume of the number-of-possessions warning sound is lowered and the number of possessions warning sound is output from each speaker, or the number of possessions warning sound is not output from each speaker. The rental sound may be output from each speaker. According to this aspect, it is possible to make it easier for the player to recognize the counting sound or lending sound while suppressing the temperature of each speaker and the total current value of the housing 102 from exceeding the upper limit value.

If the counting sound and possession quantity warning sound overlap, the possession quantity warning sound is output from each speaker, the volume of the counting sound is lowered and the counting sound is output from each speaker, or the counting sound is output from each speaker. You may choose not to do so. Similarly, if the lending sound and the possession number warning sound overlap, the possession number warning sound is output from each speaker, the volume of the lending sound is lowered, and the lending sound is output from each speaker, or the lending sound is output from each speaker. You may also choose not to output it from the speaker. According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the temperature of each speaker and the total current value of the housing 102 from exceeding the upper limit, while making it easier for the player to recognize the possession number warning sound.

If the error sound and the possession quantity warning sound overlap, the error sound is output from each speaker without reducing the volume of the error sound, and the possession quantity warning sound is output from each speaker without reducing the volume of the possession quantity warning sound. You can also output it. According to this aspect, both the error sound and the possessed number warning sound can be easily recognized by the player and the like.

If the error sound and possession quantity warning sound overlap, the error sound is output from each speaker without reducing the volume of the error sound, and the volume of the possession quantity warning sound is decreased and the possession quantity warning sound is output to each speaker. Alternatively, the possession number warning sound may not be output from each speaker. Depending on the content of the error, the error sound may have a higher priority than the possession quantity warning sound, so in such a case, the temperature of each speaker and the total current value of the housing 102 may exceed the upper limit. It is possible to make it easier for players etc. to recognize error sounds with a high priority while suppressing the error sound from exceeding the priority level.

If the error sound and possession quantity warning sound overlap, the possession quantity warning sound is output to each speaker without reducing the volume of the possession quantity warning sound, and the volume of the error sound is decreased and the error sound is output from each speaker. Alternatively, the error sound may not be output from each speaker. Depending on the content of the error, the possession quantity warning sound may have a higher priority than the error sound, so in such a case, the temperature of each speaker and the total current value of the housing 102 may exceed the upper limit. It is possible to make it easier for players etc. to recognize the possession number warning sound with a high priority while suppressing the number of possessions from exceeding the number.

If the complete function sound and the possession quantity warning sound overlap, the complete function sound is output from each speaker without reducing the volume of the complete function sound, and the possession quantity warning sound is output without decreasing the volume of the possession quantity warning sound. It may be output to each speaker. According to this aspect, it is possible to make it easier for the player etc. to recognize both the complete function sound and the possession number warning sound.

If the complete function sound and the possession quantity warning sound overlap, the complete function sound is output from each speaker without reducing the volume of the complete function sound, and the volume of the possession quantity warning sound is decreased and the possession quantity warning sound is output from each speaker. The sound may be output from the speakers, or the possession number warning sound may not be output from each speaker. According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the temperature of each speaker and the total current value of the casing 102 from exceeding the upper limit, while making it easier for the player and the like to recognize the complete function sound.

If the complete function sound and the possession quantity warning sound overlap, the volume of the complete function sound is lowered and the complete function sound is output from each speaker, or the complete function sound is not output from each speaker, and the possession quantity warning sound is output. The possession number warning sound may be output from each speaker without reducing the volume of the sound. According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the temperature of each speaker and the total current value of the housing 102 from exceeding the upper limit value, and to make it easier for the player etc. to recognize the possession number warning sound.

(Volume of counting sound)
As mentioned above, the gaming state includes the bonus gaming state. The bonus gaming state is an advantageous state that is more advantageous to the player than other gaming states. Further, the performance state includes an AT performance state. The AT performance state is an advantageous state that is more advantageous to the player than other performance states. The advantageous states are not limited to the bonus game state and the AT performance state, but also include the RT game state where the winning probability of the replay role is set to be high, the ART game state where the AT performance state and RT game state are progressed simultaneously, and the chance zone ( It may be any state advantageous to the player, such as CZ).

The performance control means 334 outputs various sounds such as game sounds according to the progress of the game. In this way, the effect control means 334 also functions as a sound control means for controlling the output of sound according to the progress of the game.

The effect control means 334 (sound control means) outputs a predetermined sound such as BGM or character's voice at a first volume through an audio output unit such as a speaker when the player is in an advantageous state. Here, the predetermined sounds include system sounds corresponding to operations of the bet switch 116, start switch 118, stop switch 120, and the like. The first volume indicates a normal volume without any restrictions. Further, the first volume can be adjusted through the menu screen of the smart pachi-slot 100.

Here, when the game is in an advantageous state, if no operation is performed for a predetermined period of time (if no operation is performed for a predetermined period of time), the smart pachislot 100 as a gaming machine may be in the volume adjustment state. The volume adjustment state indicates a state in which the volume of a predetermined sound is limited to a second volume that is smaller than the first volume. The second volume may include zero volume, ie, mute. In the case of muting, the predetermined sound is not output from the audio output section.

As described above, the medal number control board 204 is a gaming value control means that manages gaming values (for example, electronic medals). The medal number control board 204 may perform counting processing to transfer gaming value to a specific unit (for example, the dedicated unit 350). Further, the medal number control board 204 may perform a lending process in which gaming value is transferred from a specific unit (for example, the dedicated unit 350). As mentioned above, the counting process and lending process can be performed at any timing, so for example, they may be performed during an advantageous state, and furthermore, during the above-mentioned volume adjustment state during an advantageous state. is also sometimes performed.

When the performance control means 334 is in an advantageous state, in response to the execution of the counting process, the performance control means 334 outputs a counting sound at a third volume through the audio output section to notify that the counting process is being performed. The third volume is unrelated to the first volume and second volume of the predetermined sound. However, the third volume may be higher than the first volume, the same volume as the first volume, or lower than the first volume but higher than the second volume. Note that the counting sound, lending sound, and settlement sound are included in the transfer sound for transferring electronic medals, and are distinguished from the game sound.

As described above, if the volume adjustment state is entered in an advantageous state, the effect control means 334 limits the volume of the predetermined sound from the first volume to the second volume. However, the effect control means 334 outputs the counting sound at the third volume even if it shifts to the volume adjustment state when it is in an advantageous state. In other words, the volume of the counting sound is not limited.

The medal CPU 204a transmits a count notification according to the player's operation of the count switch 112, and also transmits a signal (count notification trigger signal) to the main control board 200 indicating that the count process has been performed. Upon receiving the counting notification trigger signal, the main CPU 200a transmits a counting sound notification to the sub control board 202 instructing the output of a counting sound. The sub CPU 202a can receive the counting sound notification through the main control board 200. When receiving the counting sound notification, the production control means 334 outputs the counting sound at a third volume through the audio output unit.

Further, as described above, different tracks are assigned to each type of game sound, such as a production sound track, a character voice track, and an SE (sound effect) track. Furthermore, a transfer sound track is assigned to the counting sound and the rental sound, separately from the game sound track. Note that the counting sound and the lending sound may be assigned the same track or different tracks. Furthermore, a different track from the game sound may be assigned to the settlement sound that informs that the settlement process is being performed in accordance with the operation of the settlement switch 121.

When transitioning to the volume adjustment state, the effect control means 334 limits the volume of the predetermined sound track (tracks other than the counting sound track) from the first volume to the second volume. At this time, the volume of the counting sound track is maintained at the third volume. Since the volume of the counting sound track is maintained at the third volume, even if the counting process is performed during the volume adjustment state, the production control means 334 cannot output the counting sound at the third volume. can.

As a result, in the smart pachi-slot 100, which is an example of a gaming machine, players, hall clerks, etc. can easily recognize that counting processing is being performed, and can proceed with the game appropriately.

In addition, when the performance control means 334 is in an advantageous state, in response to execution of the lending process, the performance control means 334 outputs a lending sound that notifies that the lending process is being performed at a third volume through the audio output unit. The performance control means 334 outputs the rental sound at the third volume even if it shifts to the volume adjustment state when it is in an advantageous state. In other words, the volume of the rented sounds is not limited.

In response to receiving the lending notification transmitted from the dedicated unit 350, the medal CPU 204a transmits a signal (lending notification trigger signal) to the main control board 200 indicating that lending processing has been performed. When the main CPU 200a receives the lending notification trigger signal from the medal number control board 204, the main CPU 200a transmits a lending sound notification to the sub control board 202 instructing the output of the lending sound. The sub CPU 202a can receive the rental sound notification through the main control board 200. When receiving the rental sound notification, the production control means 334 outputs the rental sound at a third volume through the audio output unit.

When transitioning to the volume adjustment state, the effect control means 334 limits the volume of the predetermined sound track (tracks other than the counting sound track) from the first volume to the second volume. At this time, the volume of the rental sound track is maintained at the third volume. Since the volume of the loaned sound track is maintained at the third volume, even if the lending process is performed in the volume adjustment state, the production control means 334 cannot output the rented sound at the third volume. can.

As a result, in the smart pachi-slot 100, which is an example of a gaming machine, players, hall clerks, etc. can easily recognize that lending processing is being performed, and can proceed with the game appropriately.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the volume control process executed by the production control means 334. The numerical values of step S in this figure will be used only in the explanation of this figure. The volume control process is a process for controlling the volume of sound output from the audio output section. In FIG. 27, for convenience of explanation, the counting sound will be explained, and the explanation of the rental sound will be omitted since it is the same as the explanation of the counting sound.

The performance control means 334 determines whether the game is in an advantageous state at a predetermined period (S1). If the situation is not advantageous (NO in S1), the effect control means 334 ends the volume control process.

If the game is in an advantageous state (YES in S1), the effect control means 334 determines whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed during which no operations are performed in the game (S2). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in S2), the performance control means 334 sets the volume of the predetermined sound to the first volume (S3). Then, the effect control means 334 outputs a sound signal indicating a predetermined sound to the audio output section (S4). Thereby, the predetermined sound is output from the audio output section at the first volume.

If the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in S2), the effect control means 334 limits the volume of the predetermined sound to the second volume (S5), and enters the volume adjustment state. Then, the effect control means 334 outputs a sound signal indicating a predetermined sound to the audio output section (S4). As a result, the predetermined sound is output from the audio output section at the second volume.

After outputting the sound signal of the predetermined sound, the production control means 334 determines whether a counting sound notification has been received (S10). When the counting sound notification is received (YES in S10), the effect control means 334 outputs the sound signal of the counting sound to the audio output section for a predetermined period of time (S11), and ends the volume control process. As a result, the counting sound is output from the audio output section at the third volume regardless of whether the volume is being adjusted or not.

If the counting sound notification has not been received (NO in S10), the performance control means 334 determines whether a counting sound is being output (S13). If it is determined that the counting sound is not being output (NO in S12), the performance control means 334 ends the volume control process.

If it is determined that the counting sound is being output (YES in S12), the effect control means 334 stops outputting the sound signal indicating the counting sound from the audio output section (S13), and ends the volume control process. . As a result, the output of the counting sound that was being output from the audio output section is stopped. For example, when the long press on the counting switch 112 is released, the output of the counting sound is stopped in response to the release of the long press.

In this way, with the configuration that maintains the third volume without limiting the volume for counting processing and lending processing, it becomes easier for players, hall staff, etc. to recognize that counting processing and lending processing are being performed. , the game can proceed appropriately.

(Communication between main CPU and medal CPU)
The communication between the smart pachislot 100 and the dedicated unit 350 has been described above. However, specifically, in parallel with the serial communication between the medal CPU 204a and the dedicated unit 350 described above, the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a are communicating serially inside the smart pachislot 100, and the medal CPU 204a is communicating with the main CPU 200a. Information is acquired by sending and receiving commands, and based on the information, the information is notified to the dedicated unit 350 described above. Note that in serial communication, the communication speed is, for example, 125,000 bps, and each byte of data is represented by a 1-bit start bit, 8-bit data bits, and 1-bit stop bit. Here, the relationship between the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a, which is the first stage of notification between the medal CPU 204a and the dedicated unit 350, will be explained, and the communication between them will be explained in detail.

(Contents held in RAM)
Here, using FIG. 5(a) and FIG. 5(b), a main CPU 200a and a medal CPU 204a are provided separately, each CPU has an independent ROM and a RAM, and is based on an independent program. The explanation was given using an example in which the process is performed using the following methods. However, for example, information such as the total number of coins inserted, the total number of coins paid out, MY (maximum MY), the total number of coins paid out for accessory objects, the total number of consecutive coins paid out for accessory objects, and the number of games are commonly accumulated when the power is turned on. This information is stored until it is reset when the power is restored after a power outage. Here, if the main CPU 200a manages some information and the medal CPU 204a manages other information independently, the following problem occurs. That is, if either the main CPU 200a or the medal CPU 204a is powered off and the other remains on, for example, the total number of coins inserted and the total number of coins paid out will be counted from the reset state. However, there is a possibility that an event may occur in which the total number of paid out tokens of accessory objects and the total number of consecutive paid out tokens of accessory objects are counted in an accumulated state without being reset. Therefore, information that involves accumulation, such as the total number of coins inserted, the total number of coins paid out, MY (maximum MY), the total number of coins paid out for accessories, the total number of consecutive coins paid out, and the number of games, is managed by one CPU. For example, here, the main CPU 200a manages all such information. With this configuration, inconsistencies in information can be avoided, and the game can be played appropriately.

(Error priority)
The main CPU 200a refers to the number of electronic medals inserted, the number of paid out, the total number of inserted, the total number of paid out, etc., and makes sure that there is no inconsistency in the relationship when betting electronic medals, payout processing, settlement processing, and counting processing. If there is a discrepancy, an error may be reported. In addition, the main CPU 200a confirms that the number of inserted coins is between 1 and 3 when betting electronic medals, and that the number of coins paid out during the payout process of electronic medals is between 0 and 15. If not, an error may be reported. Such processing may be performed in the used area or in the unused area. In addition to the above, the main CPU 200a may check the prescribed number corresponding to the gaming state.

Here, suppose that in addition to errors in the main CPU 200a, the medal CPU 204a is also set to perform its own error determination process. In such a setting, if an error occurs in the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a at the same timing, the error occurring in the main CPU 200a may be prioritized and notified by a device such as the speaker 128. Note that specific errors that may occur at the same time in the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a (for example, errors that are determined to have a serious problem, such as backup errors or errors indicating abnormal reading and writing of RAM) are set. However, if an error occurs at the same timing in the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a, the specific error may be notified by the device. Further, when a plurality of errors occur at the same timing in the medal CPU 204a, the most recently occurring error may be prioritized and notified by a device such as the game medal number display device 114. Furthermore, not only in this case, but also if priorities are set in advance for multiple errors, and if multiple errors occur at the same timing in the medal CPU 204a, errors are notified based on the set priorities. good. By predetermining the priority order for reporting errors in this way, it becomes possible to take prompt and effective responses according to the urgency and priority of the error. For example, when multiple errors occur, one error with a higher priority is notified. Here, when the cause of the error is removed and an error cancellation operation is performed, the first error notification at that time is erased, and the errors with the next highest priority are sequentially notified. That is, one error notification will be erased in response to one cancellation operation. In addition, in addition to controlling such that error notification 1 is deleted in response to the cancellation operation 1, it is also possible to control multiple error notifications whose causes of errors have been removed at the same time in response to the cancellation operation 1. It can also be controlled to be erased. In this case, when the error cancellation operation is performed, a plurality of error notifications for which the cause of the error has been removed will be deleted, and the error with the highest priority among the errors for which the cause of the error has not been removed will be notified. Note that an individual device such as 7 segments is separately installed in the medal number control board 204, and when an error occurs in the medal CPU 204a, the individual device is used instead of or in addition to the game medal number display device 114. You may notify.

(RAM abnormality)
It is also assumed that processing for RAM abnormalities among errors is performed in an unused area in the main CPU 200a, and in a used area in the medal CPU 204a. This is because the main CPU 200a does not have sufficient capacity in the usable area, whereas the medal CPU 204a has sufficient capacity in the usable area. With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately proceed with the game while suppressing an increase in memory capacity in the main ROM 200b.

(Command sending and receiving)
The main CPU 200a transmits a predetermined command to the medal CPU 204a. For example, when the bet switch 116 is operated, the main CPU 200a may transmit a game medal insertion command including identification information, transmission information indicating the requested number of coins to be inserted, and a checksum to the medal CPU 204a. Furthermore, when operating the start switch, the main CPU 200a may transmit a start lever press command including identification information, transmission information indicating the requested number of coins to be inserted, and a checksum to the medal CPU 204a. Further, the main CPU 200a may transmit a payout end command including identification information, transmission information indicating the number of payout coins, and a checksum to the medal CPU 204a when the payout ends. Further, the main CPU 200a may transmit a 1-game end command including identification information, hand ratio-related transmission information, and a checksum to the medal CPU 204a when one game ends. Moreover, the main CPU 200a may transmit, to the medal CPU 204a, a startup command including identification information, transmission information necessary at startup, transmission information related to winning ratio, and a checksum at the time of startup. Further, the main CPU 200a may transmit a state transition command including identification information and a checksum to the medal CPU 204a when the internal state is changed, when an error occurs, or when an error is cleared. The length of the above command can be set arbitrarily. The main CPU 200a transmits the transmission information related to the role ratio (information related to the use of electronic medals (gaming value) and information related to the acquisition of electronic medals (gaming value)), that is, the total number of inserted coins shown in FIG. , total number of coins to be paid, MY (maximum difference number), total number of coins to be paid out, total number of consecutive tokens to be paid, bonus ratio, continuous bonus rate, advantageous section ratio, designated bonus rate, status ratio of bonus items, etc. The number of games played is calculated and transmitted to the medal CPU 204a. The medal CPU 204a extracts a part of the transmission information related to the winning ratio from the command received from the main CPU 200a and stores it in the RAM of the medal number control board 204. The main CPU 200a may calculate the hand ratio related transmission information in the used area or in the unused area. Further, the medal CPU 204a may hold the transmission information related to winning ratios in the used area of the RAM, or may hold it in the unused area. Further, the medal CPU 204a may transfer the hand ratio related transmission information to the RAM in the used area or in the non-used area.

In addition, among the above game medal insertion command, start lever press command, payout end command, 1 game end command, startup command, and state transition command, game medal insertion command, start lever press command, payout end command, 1 game The main CPU 200a transmits the termination command and the startup command to the medal CPU 204a within the main loop, and the main CPU 200a transmits the state transition command to the medal CPU 204a within a timer interrupt (for example, at a 1.49 msec cycle).

Furthermore, the medal CPU 204a can determine an error based on the command received from the main CPU 200a. For example, the medal CPU 204a extracts the number of inserted and paid out electronic medals in the game medal insertion command, payout end command, and one game end command, and compares the relationship with the total number of electronic medals inserted and the total number of paid out medals. Make sure there are no inconsistencies. Further, the medal CPU 204a confirms that the number of electronic medals inserted is not 0 when receiving the start lever press command. Further, the medal CPU 204a may confirm, in the game medal input command, that there is no inconsistency in the prescribed number of electronic medals corresponding to the gaming state. In addition, the main CPU 200a controls a 1-bit confirmation signal indicating that a payout end command is to be sent in I/O other than serial communication, and the medal CPU 204a controls a 1-bit confirmation signal indicating that the payout end command is to be sent. If not, the received command may be discarded regardless of whether it is a payout end command or not.

Here, it is assumed that the command sent from the main CPU 200a to the medal CPU 204a has a variable length. In this case, since the length of the command is unknown when the medal CPU 204a starts receiving the command, it is not clear how long the command reception state should be maintained or at what timing the command should be analyzed. When a command is made to have a variable length in this way, the medal CPU 204a can easily understand the command by indicating what kind of command it is and how many bytes it is in the identification information. can be made possible.

Further, for example, if there is a bit to which no information is assigned in the identification information, it is also possible to assign to that bit the "replay state", which is information required by the medal CPU 204a. In this way, it is possible to effectively utilize the free space of the transmitted data, and there is no need to generate a separate program for generating and transmitting a 1-byte command indicating the replay status.

Further, the medal CPU 204a transmits a predetermined command to the main CPU 200a. For example, when the medal CPU 204a receives the above commands (gaming medal insertion command, start lever press command, payout end command, start-up command) from the main CPU 200a, the medal CPU 204a receives transmission information indicating identification information, the number of coins that can be inserted, and the number of game medals, A reply command composed of a checksum may be sent to the main CPU 200a. The main CPU 200a can determine an error by checking the checksum of the reply command received from the medal CPU 204a. Note that the medal CPU 204a does not send a reply command to the one game end command and the state transition command.

Here, it is assumed that "ACK" indicating that the medal CPU 204a has successfully received the command transmitted from the main CPU 200a is associated with a predetermined bit of the identification information of the reply command. Such "ACK" is processed independently of other bits. For example, if a predetermined bit of the identification information is 1, the main CPU 200a can move on to the next process of the game, regardless of the contents of the other bits. Further, if a bit other than the predetermined bit is established, the main CPU 200a performs processing corresponding to the established bit while proceeding with the game. With this configuration, it is possible to effectively utilize the identification information area and improve the information transfer efficiency.

Further, such communication between the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a may be executed all the time, or a predetermined restriction may be set. For example, bidirectional communication between the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a may be started upon completion of the winning type lottery or AT lottery by operating the start switch 118, and may be restricted upon completion of one game. In this embodiment, when the start switch 118 is operated, a random number is acquired (latched) from the random number generator 200d, and is used as a random number for a winning type lottery or for an AT lottery. Here, communication between the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a is not performed until the winning type lottery or AT lottery is completed by operating the start switch 118, and the communication is triggered by the completion of the winning type lottery or AT lottery by operating the start switch 118. By starting the process, there is no possibility that the communication between the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a will affect the latch timing of the random number, and it becomes possible to appropriately acquire the random number.

Note that when the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a are provided separately as shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), information is transmitted between them using commands through the above-mentioned serial communication. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5(c), when the main CPU 200a manages the electronic medals used in the game instead of the medal CPU 204a, information is held as an internal variable common to the main RAM 200c.

(command management)
As described above, multiple types of commands (gaming medal insertion command, start lever press command, payout end command, one game end command, startup command, state transition command) are sent as information from the main CPU 200a to the medal CPU 204a. Ru. Further, a reply command is transmitted from the medal CPU 204a to the main CPU 200a. If the main CPU 200a normally receives the reply command and the content indicates "ACK", it is possible to move on to the next process, assuming that the communication between the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a has been completed normally.

However, communication between the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a is not necessarily completed normally. For example, although the main CPU 200a has transmitted a command normally, the medal CPU 204a may not be able to properly receive the command for some reason. Further, although the medal CPU 204a normally receives a command from the main CPU 200a and successfully sends a reply command to the command, the main CPU 200a may not be able to normally receive the reply command for some reason. However, in either case, the main CPU 200a cannot determine whether the medal CPU 204a has received the command normally. Therefore, in order to proceed with the process, the main CPU 200a will resend the command sent immediately before to the medal CPU 204a.

Here, a case will be exemplified in which the transmission of the payout end command is not completed normally. In the former case, that is, when the main CPU 200a sends the command normally but the medal CPU 204a cannot receive the command normally, the medal CPU 204a does not effectively process the payout end command itself, so the main CPU 200a does not process the payout end command. Even if the medal is retransmitted, no problem will occur if the medal CPU 204a can normally receive the retransmitted payout end command.

However, if the latter, that is, the medal CPU 204a normally receives a command from the main CPU 200a and normally sends a reply command to the command, but the main CPU 200a cannot normally receive the reply command, the medal CPU 204a It is highly likely that the termination command is being processed effectively. For example, assume that the medal CPU 204a normally receives the payout end command and adds the payout number included in the payout end command to the number of game medals. Although the medal CPU 204a normally transmits the reply command, it cannot know whether the main CPU 200a has received the reply command normally. Then, when the main CPU 200a cannot normally receive the reply command and resends the payout end command, and the medal CPU 204a receives the payout end command normally, the number of payout pieces included in the payout end command is added to the number of game medals. There is a risk that it will add to the amount. In this case, the number of paid out medals will be added to the number of game medals multiple times for each payout opportunity for electronic medals, and the player will unfairly gain gaming profits. In addition, if the harness between the main control board 200 and the medal number control board 204 is manipulated and the payout end command is sent illegally multiple times, the number of payout medals will repeatedly change to the number of game medals in the same way as above. Additive events may occur.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the command sent from the main CPU 200a to the medal CPU 204a is appropriately valid only once. Specifically, when the medal CPU 204a receives commands of the same type continuously from the main CPU 200a (external), it invalidates the commands of the same type received from the second time onward and does not process the commands. Here, the commands refer to the above-mentioned game medal insertion command, start lever press command, payout end command, 1 game end command, startup command, and state transition command. For example, after the payout end command, another command is used. If the payout end command is received without receiving it, it means that the same type of command has been received continuously. Note that if the same type of command is received from the main CPU 200a two or more times in succession, the second and subsequent commands of the same type are not necessarily invalidated. For example, if a predetermined command of the same type is received two or more times in a row under a predetermined situation that allows continuous reception of commands, such as when a 1 bet switch is operated two or more times in a row, The medal CPU 204a may also effectively process the second and subsequent commands of the same type.

Further, when the medal CPU 204a receives a predetermined command from the main CPU 200a, the medal CPU 204a invalidates the predetermined commands received after the first received predetermined command until a specific command different from the predetermined command is received. good. For example, once the medal CPU 204a receives a payout end command from the main CPU 200a, it invalidates later received payout end commands until it receives a specific command, for example, a start lever press command. At this time, the predetermined command received after the first predetermined command is valid only when a specific command is received, and the predetermined command is received first and then received again. Even if a command or information other than the specific command is received by then, the payout end command received later is invalidated. For example, once a payout end command is received as a predetermined command from the main CPU 200a, until a start lever press command is received as a specific command, other game medal insertion commands, one game end command, startup command, state transition command, etc. Even if the time command is received, the payout end command received later is invalidated.

Here, when the medal CPU 204a receives a predetermined command from the main CPU 200a, an example is given in which, on the condition that a specific command is received, the medal CPU 204a effectively processes the predetermined command received after the first received predetermined command. However, on the condition that the medal CPU 204a receives not only a specific command but also any command or arbitrary information other than the predetermined command, the medal CPU 204a receives the predetermined command received after the first received predetermined command. The command may be processed effectively.

28 to 30 are flowcharts showing the flow of command reception processing in the medal CPU 204a. Here, processing related to this embodiment will be explained, and processes not related to this embodiment, such as specific command generation processing, will be omitted. The numerical values of step S in this figure will be used only in the explanation of this figure. Further, here, 1-byte buffers (input request buffer, IN signal confirmation buffer, payout confirmation buffer, main reception command error buffer) are used as flags, and are switched between two values of "0h" and "FFh". The reason why byte values are used as flags instead of bit values is because in the case of bit values, after reading the byte value, further processing must be performed to determine the bit itself, and the This is because the total command size becomes rather long. Note that each of the above buffers used as flags is backed up and is not initialized even when the power is turned off.

As shown in FIG. 28, upon successfully receiving a command from the main CPU 200a, the medal CPU 204a determines whether the received command (received command) is a startup command (S1). As a result, if the received command is a startup command (YES in S1), the medal CPU 204a performs gaming machine installation information reception processing to receive gaming machine installation information (S2), and checks the main control chip manufacturer code. A code confirmation process is performed (S3), and the command reception process ends. Further, if the received command is not a startup command (NO in S1), the medal CPU 204a determines whether the received command is a payout end command (S4). As a result, if the received command is a payout end command (YES in S4), the medal CPU 204a executes a payout number setting process (S5) and ends the command receiving process. This payout number setting process will be described in detail later.

Further, if the received command is not a payout end command (NO in S4), the medal CPU 204a determines whether the received command is a one game end command (S6). As a result, if the received command is a one game end command (YES in S6), the medal CPU 204a performs a gaming machine performance information setting process to set gaming machine performance information (S7), and ends the command receiving process. Further, if the received command is not a one game end command (NO in S6), the medal CPU 204a determines whether the received command is a state transition command (S8). As a result, if the received command is a state transition command (YES in S8), the medal CPU 204a executes a main control state reception process (S9) to receive the main control state, and ends the command reception process.

Further, if the received command is not a state transition command (NO in S8), the medal CPU 204a executes a requested input number update process (S10) that updates the requested input number of electronic medals, and the received command is determined by pressing the start lever. It is determined whether it is a command (S11). As a result, if the received command is a start lever press command (YES in S11), the medal CPU 204a executes a game start process (S12) and ends the command reception process. Such game start processing will be explained in detail later. Further, if the received command is not a start lever press command (NO in S11), the medal CPU 204a ends the command reception process.

In the flowchart of FIG. 28, processing is executed exclusively and independently depending on which of the plurality of commands is received. For example, if the received command is a payout end command, the payout number setting process (S5) is performed, but the game start process (S12) is not performed, and if the received command is a start lever press command, the game starts. Although the process (S12) is performed, the payout number setting process (S5) is not performed. In this embodiment, the payout number setting process (S5), which is executed in response to receiving the payout end command, and the game start process (S12), which is executed in response to receiving the start lever press command, are managed independently. By switching the payout confirmation buffer and the IN signal confirmation buffer, the commands received by the medal CPU 204a are appropriately managed.

In the payout number setting process (S5) shown in FIG. 29, the medal CPU 204a sets 0h in the input request buffer (S5-1) and sets 0h in the IN signal confirmation buffer (S5-2). Here, by setting 0h in the IN signal confirmation buffer, the invalidation of the start lever press command received in the game start process (S12) described later is canceled. Subsequently, the medal CPU 204a determines whether or not the payout confirmation buffer is 0h (S5-3). As a result, if the payout confirmation buffer is not 0h (NO in S5-3), it means that the payout end command has not been received for the first time, and the medal CPU 204a ends the payout number setting process. On the other hand, if the payout confirmation buffer is 0h (YES in S5-3), this means that the payout end command has been received for the first time, so the medal CPU 204a sets FFh in the payout confirmation buffer (S5-4). , invalidates the second and subsequent payout end commands. Next, the medal CPU 204a determines whether the number of coins to be paid out is 16 or more (S5-5). As a result, if the number of coins to be paid out is 16 or more (YES in S5-5), FFh is set in the main reception command error buffer (S5-6), and the processing for setting the number of coins to be paid out is ended.

On the other hand, if the number of coins to be paid out is 15 or less (NO in S5-5), the medal CPU 204a determines whether re-gaming is activated (S5-7). As a result, if re-gaming is not activated (NO in S5-7), the medal CPU 204a determines whether the number of coins to be paid out is 0 (S5-8). As a result, if the payout number is 0 (YES in S5-8), the medal CPU 204a ends the payout number setting process. On the other hand, if the number of paid out medals is not 0 (NO in S5-8), the medal CPU 204a updates the number of game medals by adding the number of paid out medals to the number of game medals (S5-9), and sets the number of paid out medals to the number of paid out medals. Set (S5-10). In this way, the number of game medals is updated appropriately. When the number of payout medals is set to the number of payout medals (S5-10), or if replay is activated (YES in S5-7), the medal CPU 204a performs a game information setting process to set game information. (S5-11), and ends the payout number setting process.

In the game start process (S12) shown in FIG. 30, the medal CPU 204a determines whether or not the IN signal confirmation buffer is 0h (S12-1). As a result, if the IN signal confirmation buffer is not 0h (NO in S12-1), it means that the start lever press command is not received for the first time, and the medal CPU 204a ends the game start process. On the other hand, if the IN signal confirmation buffer is 0h (YES in S12-1), this means that the start lever press command has been received for the first time, so the medal CPU 204a sets FFh in the IN signal confirmation buffer (S12-1). -2), invalidate the second and subsequent start lever press commands, perform game information setting processing to set game information (S12-3), set 0h in the payout confirmation buffer (S12-4), and execute the game Finish the start process. Here, by setting 0h in the payout confirmation buffer, the invalidation of the payout end command received in the payout number setting process (S5) is canceled. Note that, in the above description, step S12-4 is executed when the determination is YES in S12-1, but it may be executed at a stage earlier than step S12-1.

Here, when the medal CPU 204a successively receives payout end commands of the same type from the main CPU 200a, it invalidates the payout end commands received from the second time onwards. Specifically, if the payout confirmation buffer is 0h in step S5-3 of FIG. 29, the medal CPU 204a determines that the payout end command has been received for the first time, switches the payout confirmation buffer to FFh, and changes the payout confirmation buffer to FFh in step S5 for the payout number. - Execute the process from 6 onwards normally. After that, even if the next payout end command is received, it is determined in step S5-3 that the payout confirmation buffer is not 0h (FFh), so the processing from step S5-6 onward for the number of payout coins is performed. No (payout end command is disabled).

In addition, under the situation where the received payout end command is invalidated as described above, upon receiving the start lever press command from the main CPU 200a, the medal CPU 204a cancels the invalidation of the payout end command. Specifically, if the payout confirmation buffer is 0h in step S5-3 of FIG. 29, the medal CPU 204a switches the payout confirmation buffer to FFh, and invalidates the payout end command received thereafter. However, when a start lever press command is received thereafter, the payout confirmation buffer is reset to 0h in step S12-4 of FIG. Therefore, when the payout end command is received next, it is determined that the payout confirmation buffer is 0h in step S5-3 of FIG. The process will be executed normally.

Furthermore, when the medal CPU 204a receives start lever press commands of the same type consecutively from the main CPU 200a, it invalidates the start lever press commands received from the second time onward. Specifically, if the IN signal confirmation buffer is 0h in step S12-1 of FIG. 30, the medal CPU 204a determines that the start lever press command has been received for the first time, switches the IN signal confirmation buffer to FFh, and then switches the IN signal confirmation buffer to FFh in step S12. -3 game information setting process is executed normally. After that, even if the next start lever press command is received, it is determined in step S12-1 that the IN signal confirmation buffer is not 0h (FFh), so the game information setting process in step S12-3 is performed. (The start lever press command is disabled).

Further, under the situation where the received start lever press command is invalidated, when the medal CPU 204a subsequently receives a payout end command from the main CPU 200a, it cancels the invalidation of the start lever press command. Specifically, if the IN signal confirmation buffer is 0h in step S12-1 of FIG. 30, the medal CPU 204a switches the IN signal confirmation buffer to FFh, and invalidates the start lever press commands received thereafter. However, upon receiving the payout end command, the IN signal confirmation buffer is reset to 0h in step S5-2 of FIG. Therefore, when the start lever press command is received next, it is determined that the IN signal confirmation buffer is 0h in step S12-1 of FIG. The information setting process will be executed normally.

In this way, when a command is received multiple times in a row, the second and subsequent received commands of the same type are invalidated, so that multiple processes that should originally be executed only once can be executed in response to the command. There is no need to run the game twice, and the game can be played properly. Furthermore, even if an unauthorized board is installed between the main control board 200 and the medal number control board 204, and a command is illegally transmitted multiple times by this unauthorized board, the command will be invalidated, so the game No profits will be unjustly obtained.

In addition, here, when the payout end command is received multiple times in a row, the payout confirmation buffer is switched in order to invalidate the second and subsequent receptions, and also when the start lever press command is received multiple times in a row. In this case, the IN signal confirmation buffer is switched to invalidate the second and subsequent receptions. Since the payout end command and the start lever press command are processed exclusively, one buffer is originally sufficient. However, if two values in one buffer are assigned to allow for the payout end command and allow for the start lever press command, one buffer will allow either the payout end command or the start lever press command, and the other will be allowed. If a backup abnormality occurs in the medal CPU 204a or a setting change occurs in the main control board 200 when the command is not allowed, the other command that should be allowed may not be allowed and the game may not proceed. be. Therefore, here, buffers (payout confirmation buffer, IN signal confirmation buffer) are provided for the payout end command and the start lever press command, and when predetermined initialization conditions such as backup abnormality or setting change are met, either buffer By setting 0h to 0h, a transition is made to a state where any command is allowed. With this configuration, even if a backup abnormality occurs in the medal CPU 204a or a setting change occurs in the main control board 200, it is possible to proceed with the game appropriately.

Note that this embodiment can also be implemented with one buffer by separately providing a state in which one buffer, for example, a command confirmation buffer, allows both the payout end command and the start lever press command. For example, 0h indicates a state in which both the payout end command and the start lever press command are allowed, 1h indicates a state in which only the payout end command is allowed and the start lever press command is not allowed, and a state in which only the start lever press command is allowed and the payout end command is allowed. The state that is not allowed is set to 2h. Then, upon receiving the payout end command, the medal CPU 204a switches the command confirmation buffer to 2h in order to invalidate the second and subsequent receptions when the payout end command is received multiple times in succession, and also switches the command confirmation buffer to 2h. When the push command is received, the command confirmation buffer is switched to 1h in order to invalidate the second and subsequent receptions when the start lever push command is received multiple times in succession. If a predetermined initialization condition such as a backup abnormality or a setting change is satisfied, the command confirmation buffer is set to 0h, thereby transitioning to a state where any command is allowed.

Note that although commands have been described here as an example of the information transmitted and received between the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a, the information is not limited to this case, and can include various contents such as data and signals.

(Monitoring unauthorized commands)
Some of the commands sent from the main CPU 200a to the medal CPU 204a (gaming medal insertion command, start lever press command, payout end command, one game end command, startup command, state transition command) are , the transmission order (the order in which the medal CPU 204a should receive them) is determined.

For example, a game medal insertion command, a start lever press command, a payout end command, and a one game end command are sequentially transmitted in accordance with the player's operation in one game. Specifically, when the player operates the bet switch 116 at the start of one game, the main CPU 200a transmits a game medal insertion command to the medal CPU 204a. Next, when the player operates the start switch 118, the main CPU 200a sends a start lever press command to the medal CPU 204a. Subsequently, the rotationally controlled reels 110a, 110b, 110c are stopped in response to the player's operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c, and when a winning determination is made, the main CPU 200a sends a payout end command to the medal CPU 204a. Send. Then, when the winning ratio related data is updated, the main CPU 200a sends a one game end command to the medal CPU 204a. In this way, one game is completed.

However, bets can be made either by inserting the electronic medals held in the medal holding section through the operation of the bet switch 116, or by automatically inserting the electronic medals based on the replay combination being displayed on the active line. There is. When electronic medals are automatically inserted based on the replay combination being displayed on the active line, the main CPU 200a does not send a game medal insertion command to the medal CPU 204a. Then, among the game medal insertion command, start lever press command, payout end command, and one game end command, the game medal insertion command is not necessarily transmitted from the main CPU 200a during one game. Therefore, the commands whose transmission order is determined by the main CPU 200a are three commands: the start lever press command, the payout end command, and the one game end command. Note that the payout end command is sent even when the number of payout coins is 0.

Here, three commands, the start lever press command, the payout end command, and the one game end command, are targeted as command fraud monitoring, and it is determined whether the order in which the commands are received is in a predetermined order. Specifically, when the medal CPU 204a receives one of the three commands (limited plurality of commands), the medal CPU 204a determines whether or not the received command is the command that should have been received, and if it is different from the command that should have been received. If so, increment the error counter by 1. In this way, the medal CPU 204a counts the error counter when there is a risk of fraud, and when it reaches a predetermined value (for example, 10), it is determined to be a communication error, and the device such as the speaker 128 notifies the communication error. . However, during a predetermined period after the power is turned on, communication errors are likely to occur during initialization processing, so updating of the error counter is prohibited to avoid unintended error notification.

Here, an example has been given in which the error counter is incremented by 1 when the order in which commands are received is different from the original order in which they are received. However, the object for incrementing the error counter is not limited to such cases. For example, if the order in which commands are received is different from the original order in which they were received, if the number of coins inserted is inconsistent, or if the number of coins paid out is inconsistent, the reels 110 may rotate without a bet being placed. If a command indicating that the start lever is pressed is received, if a game medal input command is received after receiving the start lever press command, if a start lever press command is received again after receiving the start lever press command, the checksum in the command is If it is abnormal, the error counter is incremented by 1. Here, for the number of inserted coins, use the total number of inserted coins included in the transmission information related to the role ratio of the 1 game end command, keep the total number of inserted coins received in the previous game, and add the total number of inserted coins from the previous game to this time. If the result of adding up the number of input sheets is equal to the total number of input sheets this time, it is determined that there is consistency, and if it is different, it is determined that there is no consistency. Similarly, for the number of payouts, use the total number of payouts included in the transmission information related to the role ratio of the 1-game end command, keep the total number of payouts received in the previous game, and add the total number of payouts from the previous game to the number of payouts this time. If the result of adding up the number of coins to be paid out is equal to the total number of coins to be paid out this time, it is determined that there is consistency, and if it is different, it is determined that there is no consistency. In addition, when a game medal input command is received after receiving a start lever press command, and when a start lever press command is received again after receiving a start lever press command, for example, when a start lever press command is received, a flag is set. When the payout end command is received, the information indicating that the start lever press command has been received is cleared. In addition, if the order in which the commands are received is different from the original order in which they were received, if the number of coins inserted is inconsistent, if the number of coins paid out is inconsistent, the reels 110 are rotating without a bet being executed. If a command indicating that this is the case is received, if a game medal input command is received after receiving a start lever press command, or if a start lever press command is received again after receiving a start lever press command, the error counter will be incremented. , the received command is validated and the process corresponding to the command is performed. On the other hand, if the checksum in the command is abnormal, the error counter is incremented and the received command is invalidated and discarded. Further, when the error counter reaches a predetermined value and a communication error occurs, and the communication error is notified, the power must be turned on again to clear the error counter in order to cancel the communication error. Note that the error counter may be incremented when the number of coins inserted is outside a predetermined range (for example, 1 to 3) and when the number of coins to be paid out is outside a predetermined range (for example, 0 to 15). Also, here, an example will be given in which the error counter is incremented when a game medal input command is received after receiving a start lever press command, and when a start lever press command is received again after receiving a start lever press command. However, this is not limited to such a case; if a game medal insertion command is received after receiving the start lever press command, the medal CPU 204a does not perform processing for the game medal insertion command, and after receiving the start lever press command, the medal CPU 204a When the push command is received again, the medal CPU 204a may not process the start lever push command received again.

31 to 33 are flowcharts showing the flow of command monitoring processing. The command monitoring process is executed when the medal CPU 204a receives some command from the main CPU 200a. Note that FIG. 31 shows a case where a start lever press command is received, FIG. 32 shows a case where a payout end command is received, and FIG. 33 shows a case where a 1 game end command is received. Here, processing related to this embodiment will be explained, and processing not related to this embodiment will be omitted. The numerical values of step S in these figures will be used only in the explanation of each figure.

As shown in FIG. 31, upon receiving a command from the main CPU 200a, the medal CPU 204a determines whether the received command is a start lever press command (S1). As a result, if the received command is not a start lever press command (NO in S1), the medal CPU 204a ends the command monitoring process regarding the start lever press command, and if the received command is a start lever press command (YES in S1), The medal CPU 204a determines whether the identifier held in the next command (variable) is an identifier indicating a start lever press command (S2). Here, the next command is a variable (memory area) for holding the identifier of the command to be received next regarding the three commands: the start lever press command, the payout end command, and the one game end command. As a result, if the identifier held in the next command is not an identifier indicating a start lever press command, that is, an identifier indicating a payout end command, or an identifier indicating a 1 game end command (NO in S2), the medal The CPU 204a determines that the command reception order is different from the original reception order and increments the error counter by 1 (S3). If the identifier held in the next command is an identifier indicating the start lever press command (YES in S2), the medal CPU 204a does not increment the error counter. Then, the medal CPU 204a sets an identifier indicating the payout end command as the next command to be received after the start lever press command (S4). Here, the payout end command is set as the command to be received next to the start lever press command, regardless of whether the received start lever press command is the command that should originally be received.

In this way, here, when the start lever press command is received, it is determined whether the identifier held in the next command is an identifier indicating the start lever press command. Furthermore, the identifier indicating the start lever press command is set in the next command when a one game end command is received, as will be described later. In other words, when receiving the start lever press command, the medal CPU 204a determines that the previously received command is the 1 game end command among the limited three commands: the start lever press command, the payout end command, and the 1 game end command. This means that you are determining whether or not it exists.

As shown in FIG. 32, upon receiving a command from the main CPU 200a, the medal CPU 204a determines whether the received command is a payout end command (S1). As a result, if the received command is not a payout end command (NO in S1), the medal CPU 204a ends the command monitoring process regarding the payout end command, and if the received command is a payout end command (YES in S1), the medal CPU 204a , it is determined whether the identifier held in the next command is an identifier indicating a payout end command (S2). As a result, if the identifier held in the next command is not an identifier indicating a payout end command, that is, an identifier indicating a 1 game end command or an identifier indicating a start lever press command (NO in S2), the medal The CPU 204a determines that the command reception order is different from the original reception order and increments the error counter by 1 (S3). If the identifier held in the next command is an identifier indicating a payout end command (YES in S2), the medal CPU 204a does not increment the error counter. Then, the medal CPU 204a sets an identifier indicating the one game end command as the next command to be received after the payout end command (S4). Here, regardless of whether the received payout end command is the command that should originally be received or not, the 1 game end command is set as the command to be received next to the payout end command.

As shown in FIG. 33, upon receiving a command from the main CPU 200a, the medal CPU 204a determines whether the received command is a one-game end command (S1). As a result, if the received command is not a 1 game end command (NO in S1), the medal CPU 204a ends the command monitoring process regarding the 1 game end command, and if it is a 1 game end command (YES in S1), The medal CPU 204a determines whether the identifier held in the next command is an identifier indicating a one game end command (S2). As a result, if the identifier held in the next command is not an identifier indicating a 1-game end command, that is, an identifier indicating a start lever press command or an identifier indicating a payout end command (NO in S2), the medal The CPU 204a determines that the command reception order is different from the original reception order and increments the error counter by 1 (S3). If the identifier held in the next command is an identifier indicating the one game end command (YES in S2), the medal CPU 204a does not increment the error counter. Then, the medal CPU 204a sets an identifier indicating the start lever press command as the next command to be received after the one game end command (S4). Here, the start lever press command is set as the command to be received next to the one game end command, regardless of whether the received one game end command is the command that should originally be received.

In this way, here, when the medal CPU 204a receives a predetermined command among the start lever press command, payout end command, and one game end command, the identifier held in the next command indicates the received command. It is determined whether it is equal to the identifier. In other words, when the medal CPU 204a receives a predetermined command among the start lever press command, payout end command, and 1 game end command, the previously received command is the 1 game end command and the start lever press command, respectively. , it is determined whether or not it is a payout end command.

As described above, when electronic medals are automatically inserted based on the replay combination being displayed on the active line at the start of one game, the main CPU 200a does not send a game medal insertion command to the medal CPU 204a. Then, the command reception order is "payout end command" → "1 game end command" → "start lever press command", and the command reception order is maintained. However, when the player operates the bet switch 116 at the start of one game, the medal CPU 204a receives the "game medal insertion command" between the "one game end command" and the "start lever press command". , and there is a risk that the commands will be determined to be received in a different order.

Here, as explained using FIGS. 31 to 33, the objects whose reception order is monitored are limited to three commands: the start lever press command, the payout end command, and the one game end command. For example, when a player operates the bet switch 116 at the start of one game, the medal CPU 204a receives commands in the order of "1 game end command" → "game medal insertion command" → "start lever press command". do. In this case, upon receiving the 1 game end command, the medal CPU 204a sets an identifier indicating the start lever press command as the command to be received next after the 1 game end command as the next command, as shown in FIG. Next, the medal CPU 204a receives the game medal insertion command, but since the received game medal insertion command is not one of the three commands: the start lever press command, the payout end command, and the 1 game end command, the medal CPU 204a determines and updates the next command. is not carried out. Subsequently, upon receiving the start lever press command, the medal CPU 204a determines whether or not the identifier held in the next command is an identifier indicating the start lever press command, as shown in FIG. Since the next command holds an identifier indicating the start lever press command, the error counter will not be updated. Therefore, no problem occurs even if the medal CPU 204a receives the "game medal insertion command" between the "one game end command" and the "start lever press command".

In addition, as described above, the main CPU 200a sends the game medal insertion command, start lever press command, payout end command, one game end command, and start-up command to the medal CPU 204a in the main loop, and states the command in the timer interrupt. A transition command is sent to the medal CPU 204a. Then, the medal CPU 204a will receive the state transition command at the timing of the timer interrupt between the three start lever press commands, payout end command, and one game end command, and if the commands are received in a different order, the medal CPU 204a will receive the state transition command at the timer interrupt timing. There is a risk of making judgments.

Even in such a case, the command monitoring process only targets three commands: the start lever press command, the payout end command, and the 1 game end command, so if the start lever press command, payout end command, and 1 game end command are Even if the main CPU 200a receives a state transition command in the meantime, the main CPU 200a does not execute the command monitoring process itself. In this way, the medal CPU 204a excludes commands other than the three commands, the start lever press command, the payout end command, and the one game end command, and only determines the order in which these three commands are received. . Therefore, even if the medal CPU 204a receives the state transition command at the timer interrupt timing between the start lever press command, payout end command, and one game end command, the error counter will not be updated.

Through such command monitoring processing, even if a command is tampered with due to fraudulent acts such as inserting an unauthorized board between the main control board 200 and the medal count control board 204, it is possible to appropriately identify it as an error. Become.

In addition, here, when the medal CPU 204a receives a start lever press command, payout end command, and one game end command as the second command, the identifier held in the next command is the start lever press command. , whether it is an identifier indicating a payout end command, or a 1 game end command, that is, whether the previously received command is a 1 game end command, a start lever press command, or a payout end command as the first command, respectively. The explanation was given using an example of determining whether the However, the commands to be determined are not limited to such cases; it is sufficient that there are at least two commands whose reception order is predetermined, and the medal CPU 204a determines whether the first command and the second command are received in the predetermined reception order. It is only necessary to determine whether or not the message is being received. At this time, when the medal CPU 204a receives the second command, it may determine that the received command is the first command among the limited number of commands.

In addition to the command monitoring process described above, the medal CPU 204a also manages timeouts in order to check whether commands are being sent stably from the main CPU 200a to the medal CPU 204a. Specifically, the main CPU 200a transmits the transmission confirmation command at the timer interrupt timing (for example, at a 1.49 msec cycle). The transmission confirmation command is a command that does not have an identifier or a checksum, and is composed of, for example, a 1-byte fixed value "AAh" in which 1 and 0 are arranged alternately on a bit-by-bit basis. By periodically receiving such transmission confirmation commands, the medal CPU 204a confirms that command transmission is being performed stably, and during a predetermined timeout (for example, 100 msec), sends transmission confirmation commands that should have been received. If the command cannot be received, information such as a pointer, etc. in the medal RAM 204c used when receiving commands such as a game medal insertion command, a start lever press command, a payout end command, and a single game end command is cleared. Here, since the frequency of transmission and reception of transmission confirmation commands is high, the information in the medal RAM 204c is only cleared in consideration of the influence of noise, etc., but during a predetermined timeout, transmission confirmation commands that should have been received cannot be received. If not, the error counter may be incremented by one.

However, depending on the command, the completion of transmission of one command may be longer than the timer interrupt period (for example, 1.49 msec). For example, it takes 4 msec or more to complete transmission of one game end command or start-up command. In this case, there is a possibility that the one-game end command or the start-up command and the transmission confirmation command may conflict with each other.

Here, as will be described later, the main CPU 200a temporarily holds each command in the transmission FIFO 380 for serial transmission. Although data is transmitted from the transmission FIFO 380 only at transmittable timings (for example, at 80 μsec intervals), the main CPU 200a can set each command to the transmission FIFO 380 at once. Furthermore, the main CPU 200a prohibits timer interrupts while setting the one game end command and the startup command in the transmission FIFO 380. With such a configuration, the timing at which the main CPU 200a sets the one game end command and the startup command in the transmission FIFO 380 and the timing at which the main CPU 200a sets the transmission confirmation command in the transmission FIFO 380 do not overlap. Therefore, there is no possibility that the one-game end command or the start-up command will conflict with the transmission confirmation command.

However, if the transmission confirmation command is set after the 1 game end command or the startup command is set, the transmission confirmation command is output from the transmission FIFO 380 after the 1 game end command or the startup command. Then, depending on the setting timing of the transmission FIFO 380, the transmission confirmation command overlaps after one game end command or startup command in the transmission FIFO 380, and two or more transmission confirmation commands are output in succession. In this case, the medal CPU 204a continuously receives the transmission confirmation command. However, even in such a case, the error counter will not be updated because the reception interval of the transmission confirmation command is on average equal to the timer interrupt period.

By managing timeouts using such transmission confirmation commands, commands may be tampered with by fraudulent acts, such as inserting an unauthorized board between the main control board 200 and the medal count control board 204, or forcing an unauthorized command to be input by some means. Even in such cases, it is possible to appropriately identify it as an error.

Here, the medal CPU 204a manages the timeout using the transmission confirmation command, but this is not the case; both the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a periodically output the transmission confirmation command, and the main CPU 200a also outputs the transmission confirmation command. Timeouts may be managed (mutual management) using commands.

Further, the means for checking whether command transmission from the main CPU 200a to the medal CPU 204a is being performed stably is not limited to timeout management using a transmission confirmation command, for example, providing a command permission signal as a connection confirmation signal, While either the main CPU 200a or the medal CPU 204a prohibits the transmission of commands by turning off the command permission signal, when the other one transmits a command, the information in the medal RAM 204c used when receiving each command is changed. , for example, pointers etc. may be cleared. Additionally, if either the main CPU 200a or the medal CPU 204a prohibits command transmission by turning off the command permission signal, and the other transmits a command, the error counter will be updated in the same way as the transmission confirmation command. Good too.

Furthermore, an example has been described here in which, in the smart pachi-slot machine 100, a command is transmitted from the main CPU 200a as the first control unit to the medal CPU 204a as the second control unit. However, this is not limited to such cases; for example, when sending and receiving commands between other boards in the smart pachislot 100, the first control unit or the second control unit may be applied to serial communication between various independent CPUs. be able to.

In addition, here, when electronic medals are automatically inserted based on the replay combination being displayed on the active line, the main CPU 200a is assumed to not send a game medal insertion command to the medal CPU 204a. As commands whose transmission order is determined, three commands have been listed and explained: the start lever press command, the payout end command, and the one game end command. However, not only in this case, but also in a case where electronic medals are automatically inserted based on a replay combination being displayed on the active line, the main CPU 200a may send a game medal insertion command to the medal CPU 204a. good. Then, the commands whose transmission order is determined by the main CPU 200a are four commands: the game medal insertion command, the start lever press command, the payout end command, and the one game end command. In this case, when the main CPU 200a receives any of the four commands: game medal insertion command, start lever press command, payout end command, and one game end command, the main CPU 200a determines whether or not the received command is the command that should originally be received. However, if the command is different from the command that should have been received, the error counter is incremented by one.

Further, here, on the premise that the payout end command is transmitted even when the number of payout coins is 0, the commands whose transmission order is determined by the main CPU 200a are the start lever press command, the payout end command, and the 1-game end command. The following three commands were listed and explained. However, the main CPU 200a may not transmit the payout end command to the medal CPU 204a if the number of payout coins is 0. Then, the commands whose transmission order is determined by the main CPU 200a are two commands: the start lever press command and the one game end command. In this case, when the main CPU 200a receives either of the two commands, the start lever press command and the 1 game end command, the main CPU 200a determines whether the received command is the command that should be received, and if the command is different from the command that should be received. If so, the error counter will be incremented by one. In addition, the main CPU 200a does not send a payout end command to the medal CPU 204a when the number of payout medals is 0, and when electronic medals are automatically inserted based on the replay combination being displayed on the active line. , a game medal insertion command can also be sent to the medal CPU 204a. Then, the commands whose transmission order is determined by the main CPU 200a are three commands: the game medal input command, the start lever press command, and the one game end command. In this case, when the main CPU 200a receives any of the three commands: the game medal insertion command, the start lever press command, and the one game end command, the main CPU 200a determines whether the received command is the command that should have been received, and If the command is different from the expected command, the error counter is incremented by one.

(Connection confirmation using VL connection signal)
As described above, when confirming the connection between the smart pachi-slot 100 and the dedicated unit 350, if the VL connection signal is ON, the smart pachi-slot 100 allows the game to proceed and accepts counting processing while the game is possible. On the other hand, if the VL connection signal is OFF, the smart pachislot 100 executes a game stop process, a process for betting electronic medals, operating the settlement switch 121, operating the start switch 118, and proceeding with the game. , all of the above-mentioned counting processes are restricted (prohibited). This is because if the VL connection signal is OFF, it can be determined that the smart pachi-slot 100 is not properly connected to the dedicated unit 350, or that the power of the dedicated unit 350 is turned off.

However, even if the VL connection signal is ON, that is, even if the smart pachislot 100 and the dedicated unit 350 are properly connected and the power of the dedicated unit 350 can be recognized to be ON, the counting will start immediately. There are cases where it is better not to perform the process. For example, when the VL connection signal is ON, communication between the main control board 200 and the medal count control board 204 is not established, or once established, but the communication connection is subsequently disconnected. . In this case as well, the counting process cannot be executed normally, so even if the smart pachi-slot 100 accepts the operation of the counting switch 112 and sends the information to the dedicated unit 350, there is a risk that the counted medal number will be lost. Therefore, in a modified example of the present embodiment, not only the VL connection signal but also the established state of communication between the main control board 200 and the medal number control board 204 is determined, and it is determined whether or not to execute the game stop process, and the communication If this has not been established, a game stop process is performed to restrict the progress of the game. Here, the case where the VL connection signal is ON and the communication between the main control board 200 and the medal number control board 204 is not established, and the case where the communication connection is once established but then the communication connection is disconnected. Although the explanation has been given using an example in which the game stop processing is performed in any case where the If the connection has not been established, the game stop process will be performed, but if the communication connection is once established but then the communication connection is disconnected, the game stop process will include placing bets on electronic medals and operating the settlement switch 121. , only the processing for proceeding with the game based on the operation of the start switch 118 may be limited, while the counting processing may remain possible.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the communication specifications when the power is turned on. The numerical values of step S in this figure will be used only in the explanation of this figure. For example, when the smart pachislot 100 is powered on, the main CPU 200a of the main control board 200 sends and receives predetermined commands (startup commands, reply commands) to and from the medal CPU 204a of the medal number control board 204, and checks the established state of communication. to decide.

First, the main CPU 200a sets its own register (S1), checks the backup at the time of the previous power outage (S2), and shifts to a signal wait state. In this waiting state, the main CPU 200a confirms that the power outage warning signal indicating that a power outage will occur after a predetermined period of time is OFF, and that the command permission signal received from the medal number control board 204 is ON ( In S3), if the power failure notice signal is ON or the command permission signal is OFF (NO in S3), the waiting state is maintained.

In parallel with this, the medal CPU 204a sets its own register (S4), checks the backup at the time of the previous power outage (S5), executes the initial setting process at the time of startup (S6), and at the time of startup Move to command waiting state. In the startup command waiting state, the medal CPU 204a checks whether the startup command has been received (S7), and if it has received it (YES in S7), checks whether the startup command is normal (S8) and starts the command. If the startup command is not received (NO in S7), or if the startup command is abnormal (NO in S8), the startup command wait state is maintained. Note that the startup command and the reply command are composed of a serial signal including a start bit, 1 byte (8 bits) of information indicating the type of command, a stop bit, and a parity bit. Therefore, if the command type indicates a startup command and the parity bit is normal, the medal CPU 204a determines that the startup command is normal.

If the power failure notice signal is OFF and the command permission signal is ON (YES in S3), the main CPU 200a transmits a startup command to the medal CPU 204a (S9). The main CPU 200a then sets a communication timer (S10) and shifts to a waiting state for a reply command. In this reply command waiting state, the main CPU 200a checks whether a reply command has been received (S11), and if it has received it (YES in S11), checks whether the reply command is normal (S12) and receives the reply command. If not (NO in S11), or if the reply command is abnormal (NO in S12), the reply command wait state is maintained. Note that the main CPU 200a determines that the reply command is normal if the command type indicates a reply command and the parity bit is normal.

When the main CPU 200a transmits the startup command (S9), the medal CPU 204a receives the startup command (YES in S7). When the medal CPU 204a determines that the startup command is normal (YES in S8), it shifts to a signal waiting state. In this waiting state, the medal CPU 204a confirms that the command permission signal received from the main control board 200 is ON (S13), and if the command permission signal is OFF (NO in S13), maintains the waiting state. . On the other hand, if the command permission signal is ON (YES in S13), the medal CPU 204a transmits a reply command to the main CPU 200a (S14), starts communication with the dedicated unit 350, and shifts to a countable state.

When the medal CPU 204a transmits the reply command (S14), the main CPU 200a receives the reply command (YES in S11). When the main CPU 200a determines that the reply command is normal (YES in S12), the main CPU 200a moves to a setting change process or a power failure recovery process. Here, an example has been described in which the main CPU 200a receives a reply command and, when determining that the reply command is normal, proceeds to the setting change process or the power failure recovery process. However, the main CPU 200a is not limited to such a case; after transmitting the startup command (S9), the main CPU 200a proceeds to the setting change process or the power failure recovery process without waiting for the reply command, and After the response command is completed, the reception status of the reply command may be checked, and if the reply command is not received or the reply command is received but is not normal, the state may be shifted to an error state.

In addition, in the waiting state for the reply command, the communication timer set in step S10 is timed, and when a predetermined time elapses, it times out and shifts to an error state, and the contents are displayed on the game medal number display device 114. At the same time, the communication process ends. Such communication processing is set not to be restored unless the power is turned on again. Through such a timeout, the main CPU 200a determines that communication between the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a has not been established, or that the communication connection has been disconnected after that, and performs the game stop process. , restricting the progress of the game.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing communication specifications during operation. The numerical values of step S in this figure will be used only in the explanation of this figure. For example, when the bet switch 116, settlement switch 121, start switch 118, etc. are operated, the main CPU 200a of the main control board 200 sends commands (start lever press command, reply command) to the medal CPU 204a of the medal number control board 204. Sends and receives, and determines the status of communication establishment.

For example, when the start switch 118 is operated, the main CPU 200a shifts to a signal waiting state. In this waiting state, the main CPU 200a confirms that the power cutoff notice signal is OFF and the command permission signal is ON (S1), and confirms that the power cutoff notice signal is ON or the command permission signal is ON. If it is OFF (NO in S1), the wait state is maintained.

On the other hand, if the power failure notice signal is OFF and the command permission signal is ON (YES in S1), the main CPU 200a sends a start lever press command to the medal CPU 204a (S2) and sets a communication timer. (S3).

When the main CPU 200a transmits the start lever press command (S2), the medal CPU 204a determines whether the received start lever press command is normal (S4), and if it is not normal (NO in S4), executes the process at the time of the operation. do not. On the other hand, if the received start lever press command is normal (YES in S4), the medal CPU 204a shifts to a waiting state until the command permission signal received from the main control board 200 turns ON. In this waiting state, the medal CPU 204a confirms that the command permission signal is ON (S5), and if the command permission signal is OFF (NO in S5), the medal CPU 204a maintains the waiting state. On the other hand, if the command permission signal is ON (YES in S5), the medal CPU 204a transmits a reply command to the main CPU 200a (S6), and ends the processing at the time of the operation.

When the main CPU 200a receives the reply command, it checks whether the reply command is normal (S7), and if it is normal (YES in S7), it checks whether the progress of the game is permitted (S8), and returns the reply command. If there is an abnormality (NO in S7), and if progression of the game is not permitted (NO in S8), the waiting state for a reply command is maintained. Here, if the reply command is normal (YES in S7) and progression of the game is permitted (YES in S8), the main CPU 200a advances the game.

Note that, similar to the communication specifications when the power is turned on, in the waiting state for a reply command, the communication timer set in step S3 is counted, and when a predetermined time elapses, the communication timer times out and the bet switch 116, settlement switch 121, and start switch 118 etc., will be discarded (invalidated). By disabling the operation in this way, the game is set to not proceed.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing the communication specifications at the end of the game. The numerical values of step S in this figure will be used only in the explanation of this figure. For example, when all the reels 110 stop and the winning determination ends, the main CPU 200a of the main control board 200 sends and receives commands (payout end command, reply command) to and from the medal CPU 204a of the medal number control board 204, and establishes communication. Judge the condition.

When all the reels 110 have stopped and the winning determination has been completed, the main CPU 200a shifts to a signal waiting state. In this waiting state, the main CPU 200a confirms that the power outage warning signal is OFF and the command permission signal is ON (S1), and confirms that the power outage warning signal is ON or the command permission signal is ON. If it is OFF (NO in S1), the wait state is maintained.

On the other hand, if the power failure notice signal is OFF and the command permission signal is ON (YES in S1), the main CPU 200a sends a payout end command to the medal CPU 204a (S2) and sets a communication timer ( S3).

When the main CPU 200a transmits the payout end command (S2), the medal CPU 204a determines whether the received payout end command is normal (S4), and if it is not normal (NO in S4), does not execute the processing at the end of the game. . On the other hand, if the received payout end command is normal (YES in S4), the medal CPU 204a shifts to a waiting state until the command permission signal received from the main control board 200 turns ON. In this waiting state, the medal CPU 204a confirms that the command permission signal is ON (S5), and if the command permission signal is OFF (NO in S5), the medal CPU 204a maintains the waiting state. On the other hand, if the command permission signal is ON (YES in S5), the medal CPU 204a transmits a reply command to the main CPU 200a (S6), and ends the processing at the end of the game.

When the main CPU 200a receives the reply command, it checks whether the reply command is normal (S7), and if the reply command is abnormal (NO in S7), it maintains a waiting state for the reply command. Here, if the reply command is normal (YES in S7), update processing of the main RAM 200c is executed and the game progresses.

Note that, similar to the communication specifications at power-on, in the waiting state for a reply command, the communication timer set in step S3 times out, and when a predetermined time elapses, the main RAM 200c is not updated. Note that even if a timeout does not occur here, the operation information of the bet switch 116, settlement switch 121, start switch 118, etc. will be discarded (invalidated) as explained using FIG. However, the game does not proceed.

Here, the establishment state of communication between the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a is also determined, and if the communication is not established, the game stop processing is executed, so that inconsistencies in the number of game medals and the number of counted medals can be prevented. It becomes possible to perform counting processing appropriately.

(bet processing)
As described above, by operating the bet switch 116, the player can transfer any number of electronic medals (number of game medals) held in the medal holding unit managed by the medal CPU 204a to the main player. Bets can be placed through the bet switch 116 managed by the CPU 200a. Furthermore, by operating the settlement switch 121, the player can settle the betted electronic medals and return them to the medal holding section.

At this time, the requested number of coins to be inserted is transmitted from the main CPU 200a to the medal CPU 204a through a game medal input command or a start lever press command. The requested number of coins to be inserted indicates the total number of electronic medals that the player desires to bet on in one game. For example, when the player operates the bet switch 116, the requested number of coins to be inserted becomes a specified number required for one game, for example, three coins. Further, when the player operates the 1-bet switch, the required number of coins to be inserted is added by one coin each time the player operates the 1-bet switch, up to the specified number. For example, each time a player operates the 1-bet switch, the number of coins requested to be inserted changes from "0" → "1" → "2" → "3", and from then on, even if the player operates the 1-bet switch, Maintain the requested number of sheets as "3". Each time the bet switch 116 or the 1-bet switch is operated, the main CPU 200a sends a game medal insertion command including the requested number of medals to the medal CPU 204a, regardless of whether the requested number of medals has changed.

Then, the number of coins that can be inserted and the number of game medals are transmitted from the medal CPU 204a to the main CPU 200a through a reply command. The number of coins that can be inserted indicates the total number of electronic medals that can be bet from the medal holding section in one game. Further, the number of game medals indicated by the reply command is the remaining number of game medals (the number of game medals after updating) when the possible number of insertable medals is bet (after the bet is placed). The main CPU 200a bets the number of electronic medals that can be inserted and received from the medal CPU 204a, and updates the number of game medals.

Here, an example has been described in which the main CPU 200a waits for receiving the number of coins that can be inserted and the number of game medals from the medal CPU 204a through a reply command, and then bets the number of electronic medals that can be inserted. However, the main CPU 200a may adopt a specification in which the main CPU 200a makes a bet on the electronic medal in advance in response to the operation of the bet switch 116 or the 1 bet switch, and matches the bet based on the reply command from the medal CPU 204a. . For example, the main CPU 200a holds information on the number of inserted medals (number of inserted value), which is the total number of electronic medals for which bets have already been completed in the main CPU 200a, the requested number of inserted medals, and the number of game medals, in the main RAM 200c. Therefore, you can know the number of coins that can be bet. Therefore, the main CPU 200a bets the number of electronic medals that can be inserted in response to the operation of the bet switch 116 or the 1-bet switch, and sends a game medal insertion command including the requested number of insertions to the medal CPU 204a. In response, the medal CPU 204a transmits a reply command indicating the number of insertable medals and the number of game medals to the main CPU 200a. Then, the main CPU 200a confirms that the received number of coins that can be inserted is the same as the number of electronic medals that have been bet (if they are different, the main CPU 200a resends the game medal input command as described later). , an error), the bet process ends. By adopting such a configuration, the main CPU 200a immediately places a bet on electronic medals in response to the operation of the bet switch 116 or the 1-bet switch, and, for example, by activating the operation of the start switch 118, It is possible to avoid delays in the progress of the game.

In this way, the main CPU 200a transmits the requested number of coins to be bet to the medal CPU 204a, and the medal CPU 204a replies with the number of coins that can be bet. Therefore, basically, the number of sheets that can be inserted should be equal to the number of sheets that are required to be inserted.

However, the number of operations of the bet switch 116 and the 1 bet switch is not limited, so they can be operated multiple times before one game is started. Here, if we simply set the number of coins that can be inserted = the number of coins that can be inserted, the requested number of coins to be inserted is sent to the medal CPU 204a each time the bet switch 116 or the 1 bet switch is operated, and each time, the number of coins that can be inserted is changed from the number of game medals. At the same time, the number of electronic medals exceeds the specified number and is bet. Furthermore, if the requested number of coins to be inserted is simply added to the number of game medals in the payment processing, the requested number of coins to be inserted is sent to the medal CPU 204a each time the payment switch 121 is operated, and each time, the requested number of coins to be inserted is added to the number of game medals. It gets added up. Further, even if the number of game medals is less than the number of coins that can be inserted, if the number of coins that can be inserted is simply equal to the number of coins that are required to be inserted, there is a possibility that the number of game medals will become negative due to a bet.

Therefore, the medal CPU 204a appropriately manages the number of electronic medals. Specifically, here, not only the main CPU 200a but also the medal CPU 204a holds the number of inserted medals as information in the RAM, and controls so that the number of inserted medals is equal between both CPUs. Then, the medal CPU 204a derives the number of insertable medals based on the number of inserted medals. For example, assuming that electronic medals have already been bet, the medal CPU 204a subtracts the number of inserted medals from the requested number of inserted medals to derive the number of medals that can be inserted. In addition, if the number of coins that can be inserted as derived in this way is greater than the number of game medals, the number of game medals will be negative if the derived number of coins that can be inserted will be negative. is the number of sheets that can be inserted.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing the flow of bet processing in the medal CPU 204a. Here, processing related to this embodiment will be explained, and processes not related to this embodiment, such as specific command generation processing, will be omitted. The numerical values of step S in this figure will be used only in the explanation of this figure. Here, the medal CPU 204a holds not only the number of game medals but also the number of inserted medals in the RAM belonging to the medal CPU 204a.

If the command is normally received from the main CPU 200a and the command includes the requested number of coins to be inserted (gaming medal input command, start lever press command), the medal CPU 204a determines that the requested number of coins to be input is 0, as shown in FIG. It is determined whether the number is greater than or equal to 3 and less than or equal to 3 (S1). As a result, if the requested number of sheets to be inserted is less than 0 or greater than or equal to 4 (NO in S1), error processing such as sending an error command indicating that the requested number of sheets to be inserted is not within the allowable range is performed to the main CPU 200a (S2 ), the betting process ends. Note that although the permissible range of the requested number of sheets to be input is determined here, the process proceeds to step S3 only when various permissible conditions are satisfied, such as that the VL connection signal is turned on. If it is possible and the permissible conditions are not met, error processing such as sending an error command to the main CPU 200a may be performed. Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the requested number of sheets to be inserted is 0, the payment process is performed, but in other embodiments, the specification that the requested number of sheets to be placed is 0 is not adopted in the payment process. In this case, if the requested number of sheets is 0, error handling may be performed such as sending an error command to the main CPU 200a.

On the other hand, if the requested number of inserted medals is greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 3 (YES in S1), the medal CPU 204a subtracts the requested number of inserted medals from the number of inserted medals to obtain an increase/decrease number (S3). Here, the number of inserted medals takes a value of 0 to 3, and the requested number of inserted medals takes a value of 0 to 3, so the increase/decrease number of medals is between -3 and 3. At this time, if the increase/decrease number is a negative value, it indicates a bet of electronic medals from the medal CPU 204a to the main CPU 200a, and if the increase/decrease number is a positive value, the payment of electronic medals from the main CPU 200a to the medal CPU 204a is indicated. shows. Therefore, for example, if the requested number of inserted medals is 0, the entire number of inserted medals will be subject to settlement.

Subsequently, the medal CPU 204a adds the increase/decrease number to the number of game medals, and takes the result as the addition result (S4). This addition result is the updated number of game medals in the case where there is no restriction on the number of game medals becoming negative.

Next, the medal CPU 204a determines whether or not the addition result is a negative value (S5). As a result, if the addition result is a negative value (YES in S5), the medal CPU 204a adds the current number of game medals to the number of inserted medals to derive the number of coins that can be inserted (S6). If the addition result is negative, it means that even if all the current number of game medals is bet, it will not reach the required number of medals to be inserted. Therefore, here, in order to bet as many electronic medals as possible, the total number of current game medals is added to the number of inserted medals to determine the number of available medals to be inserted. Then, the medal CPU 204a sets the number of game medals remaining after all bets have been made, that is, 0 medals, as the updated number of game medals (S7).

On the other hand, if the addition result is not a negative value (NO in S5), the medal CPU 204a directly sets the requested number of coins to be inserted as the number of coins that can be inserted (S8), and sets the addition result as the updated number of game medals (S9). Here, since the number of game medals is sufficient to the required number of coins to be inserted, the number of coins that can be inserted=the required number of coins to be inserted, and it is possible to directly use the addition result as the updated number of game medals.

Next, the medal CPU 204a updates the number of inserted medals managed by the medal CPU 204a to the number of insertable medals (S10), and sets the updated number of insertable medals and the updated number of game medals in the reply command (S11). ), the betting process ends. In this way, the reply command is sent to the main CPU 200a.

The main CPU 200a acquires the number of coins that can be inserted through the reply command, and can start one game. However, in a specification where the starting condition for one game is a maximum prescribed number of bets, the main CPU 200a holds information on the number of inserted medals and the number of game medals in the main RAM 200c, so the total number of game medals can be bet. However, it is possible to determine whether or not the number of coins that can be inserted is less than the maximum prescribed number, and if it is less than the maximum prescribed number, the start of one game may be restricted. For example, if the main CPU 200a determines that the number of coins that can be inserted is less than the maximum specified number, the command including the requested number of coins to be inserted may not be sent to the medal CPU 204a, or even if it is sent, the medal CPU 204a may not send the command to the medal CPU 204a instead of the reply command. (so-called "optimal max bet" control). In this way, it is possible to avoid playing the game in a state where the number of electronic medals less than the maximum specified number is bet. For example, even if 2 and 3 coins are allowed as the specified number of coins and one game can be played no matter which number of coins are inserted, if the number of coins that can be inserted is less than the maximum prescribed number of 3 coins (for example, , when only two coins have been inserted), the progress of the game can be restricted. Therefore, when the number of game medals is 0, it is possible to specify that the main CPU 200a does not send a command including the requested number of medals to be inserted to the medal CPU 204a.

FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of actual calculation of bet processing. For example, as shown in FIG. 38(a), when the number of game medals held in the RAM of the medal CPU 204a is "10" and the number of inserted medals is "0", the main CPU 200a issues an insertion request. Assume that a command including the number of sheets is received, and the requested number of sheets to be input is "3". The medal CPU 204a subtracts the requested number of inserted medals "3" from the number of inserted medals "0", derives the number of increases and decreases "-3", adds the number of increases and decreases "-3" to the number of game medals "10", and calculates the addition result. Derive "7". Since the addition result "7" is not a negative value, the number of coins that can be inserted is "3", which is equal to the requested number of coins to be inserted, and the number of game medals after the update is "7", which is equal to the addition result, and the number of medals that can be inserted is The number of sheets that can be inserted is "3". The number of insertable medals "3" and the updated number of game medals "7" are set in the reply command, and the updated number of inserted medals "3" is held in the RAM of the medal CPU 204a.

Further, as shown in FIG. 38(b), when the number of game medals held in the RAM of the medal CPU 204a is "1" and the number of inserted medals is "1", the main CPU 200a issues an insertion request. Assume that a command including the number of sheets is received, and the requested number of sheets to be input is "3". The medal CPU 204a subtracts the requested number of inserted medals "3" from the number of inserted medals "1", derives the number of increases and decreases "-2", adds the number of increases and decreases "-2" to the number of game medals "1", and calculates the addition result. Derive "-1". Since the addition result "-1" is a negative value, the number of coins that can be inserted is "2", which is the number of inserted medals "1" and the current number of game medals "1", and the number of game medals after the update is "0". ”, and the number of inserted medals is “2”, which is equal to the number of medals that can be inserted. The number of insertable medals "2" and the updated number of game medals "0" are set in the reply command, and the updated number of inserted medals "2" is held in the RAM of the medal CPU 204a.

Further, as shown in FIG. 38(c), when the number of game medals held in the RAM of the medal CPU 204a is "3" and the number of inserted medals is "3", the main CPU 200a issues an insertion request. Assume that a command including the number of sheets is received, and the requested number of sheets is "0". Such an event may occur when the payment switch 121 is operated. The medal CPU 204a subtracts the requested number of inserted medals "0" from the number of inserted medals "3", derives the number of increases and decreases "3", adds the number of increases and decreases "3" to the number of game medals "3", and obtains the addition result "6". ” is derived. Since the addition result "6" is not a negative value, the number of coins that can be inserted is "0", which is equal to the requested number of coins to be inserted, and the number of game medals after the update is "6", which is equal to the addition result, and the number of medals that can be inserted is The number of coins that can be inserted is "0". The number of insertable medals "0" and the updated number of game medals "6" are set in the reply command, and the updated number of inserted medals "0" is held in the RAM of the medal CPU 204a.

Further, as shown in FIG. 38(d), when the number of game medals held in the RAM of the medal CPU 204a is "2" and the number of inserted medals is "3", the main CPU 200a issues an insertion request. Assume that a command including the number of sheets is received, and the requested number of sheets to be input is "3". Such an event may occur, for example, when the bet switch 116 is operated multiple times. Furthermore, if the main CPU 200a sends a command including the requested number of coins to be inserted to the medal CPU 204a, and the medal CPU 204a successfully receives the command, but for some reason the main CPU 200a cannot normally receive the reply command from the medal CPU 204a, This can also occur when the main CPU 200a retransmits a command including the requested number of coins to the medal CPU 204a. The medal CPU 204a subtracts the requested number of inserted medals "3" from the number of inserted medals "3", derives the number of increases and decreases "0", adds the number of increases and decreases "0" to the number of game medals "2", and calculates the addition result "2". ” is derived. Since the addition result "2" is not a negative value, the number of coins that can be inserted is "3", which is equal to the requested number of coins to be inserted, and the number of game medals after the update is "2", which is equal to the addition result, and the number of inserted medals is The number of sheets that can be inserted is "3". The number of insertable medals "3" and the updated number of game medals "2" are set in the reply command, and the updated number of inserted medals "3" is held in the RAM of the medal CPU 204a.

Further, as shown in FIG. 38(e), when the number of game medals held in the RAM of the medal CPU 204a is "3" and the number of inserted medals is "0", the main CPU 200a issues an insertion request. Assume that a command including the number of sheets is received, and the requested number of sheets is "0". Such an event may occur, for example, when the payment switch 121 is operated multiple times. Furthermore, if the main CPU 200a sends a command including the requested number of coins to be inserted to the medal CPU 204a, and the medal CPU 204a successfully receives the command, but for some reason the main CPU 200a cannot normally receive the reply command from the medal CPU 204a, This can also occur when the main CPU 200a retransmits a command including the requested number of coins to the medal CPU 204a. The medal CPU 204a subtracts the requested number of inserted medals "0" from the number of inserted medals "0", derives the number of increases and decreases "0", adds the number of increases and decreases "0" to the number of game medals "3", and obtains the addition result "3". ” is derived. Since the addition result "3" is not a negative value, the number of coins that can be inserted is "0", which is equal to the requested number of coins to be inserted, and the number of game medals after the update is "3", which is equal to the addition result, and the number of medals that can be inserted is The number of coins that can be inserted is "0". The number of insertable medals "0" and the updated number of game medals "3" are set in the reply command, and the updated number of inserted medals "0" is held in the RAM of the medal CPU 204a.

In this way, both the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a retain the number of inserted medals as information in their respective RAMs, and are controlled so that the number of inserted medals is equal between both CPUs. , it becomes possible to grasp the number of inserted medals managed only in the main CPU 200a. Therefore, based on the number of gaming medals managed by the medal CPU 204a, the number of inserted medals, and the requested number of inserted medals obtained from the main CPU 200a, "number of inserted medals - requested number of inserted", "number of gaming medals + number of increase/decrease", etc. Through calculation, it becomes possible to appropriately derive the number of coins that can be inserted, the number of game medals after updating, and the number of medals that can be inserted after updating.

In this way, for example, even if the bet switch 116 or the 1 bet switch is operated multiple times, the medal CPU 204a appropriately derives the requested number of inserted medals based on the number of inserted medals, and increases the number of game medals by the required number of electronic medals. It is subtracted from. Therefore, in the bet process, the electronic medals are not bet in excess of the specified number, and in the settlement process, the electronic medals are not added to the number of game medals unnecessarily. Further, when the number of game medals is less than the number that can be inserted, the medal CPU 204a makes a bet up to the number of game medals held in the medal holding section, so that the number of game medals does not become negative due to the bet.

Note that when a setting change occurs in the main control board 200, both the number of inserted medals and the number of game medals held in the RAM of the main CPU 200a and the RAM of the medal CPU 204a are cleared to zero. Specifically, when a setting change occurs, the main CPU 200a clears the number of inserted medals and the number of game medals held in its own RAM to zero. Then, the main CPU 200a transmits a command indicating that the setting change has been executed to the dedicated unit 350 via the medal CPU 204a. At this time, when the medal CPU 204a receives a command indicating that the setting change has been executed, the medal CPU 204a clears the number of inserted medals to zero. In addition, since the number of game medals held in the medal holding unit is not cleared at any opportunity other than when the "number of game medals clear button" is operated, the medal CPU 204a uses the current number of game medals as the main button in the reply command to the startup command. The main CPU 200a updates the number of game medals held in its own RAM based on the received number of game medals. By doing so, it is possible to ensure that the number of inserted medals and the number of game medals are the same between the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a. Further, when a backup abnormality occurs in the medal CPU 204a, the RAM belonging to the medal CPU 204a is cleared to 0. Even in this case, the main CPU 200a can ensure the sameness of the inserted medals by transmitting the number of inserted medals held in the main RAM 200c of the main CPU 200a to the medal CPU 204a through a startup command at startup.

In addition, instead of or in addition to the above configuration, the medal CPU 204a periodically sends various calculated values such as the number of inserted medals, the number of game medals, the requested number of inserted medals, and the number of possible inserted medals to the main CPU 200a at a predetermined period as a command. You may also send it.

(Setting change/setting confirmation)
As described above, in this embodiment, settings are changed by the setting value setting means. When attempting to change the settings, the smart pachislot 100 is first powered off. Then, when a predetermined operation key is inserted into the setting door key (not shown) and rotated from the OFF position to the ON position, when the power is turned on via the power switch (not shown), the setting change mode is entered. , the settings can be changed, and the settings changing status turns ON. Here, the setting change status is ON while the setting change is being executed, and is OFF otherwise. Note that if the main RAM 200c is abnormal at the start of the setting change mode, all variables in the main RAM 200c are cleared, and if the main RAM 200c is normal, only the setting change area of the main RAM 200c is cleared. Note that when the main CPU 200a transmits the setting changing status to the dedicated unit 350, the medal CPU 204a can acquire the setting changing status, but clears the number of game medals managed by the medal CPU 204a according to the setting changing status. Never. When the setting change switch is pressed in a state where settings can be changed, the setting value is incremented by 1 each time, and the setting value is increased by 1, such as 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → 1 → etc. Repeat in ascending order. Here, the set value is updated to one of six levels of set values, and when the start switch 118 is operated, the set value is determined. Then, by returning the setting door key to its original position (OFF position), the setting change mode is ended and the game becomes possible. Note that the setting change status is turned off after the setting change mode ends and at the end of one game.

Furthermore, in the setting change mode, the main CPU 200a generates a setting change signal to transmit the setting change status to the dedicated unit 350. The setting change signal indicates ON/OFF of the setting change status, and is set to bit 0 in gaming machine fraud 1 of the hall con/fraud monitoring information (gaming machine information) in the gaming machine information notification shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 16, the dedicated unit 350 is notified at a cycle of 300 msec.

Here, in the case where two CPUs (main CPU 200a and medal CPU 204a) are installed independently as shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), it is assumed that the main CPU 200a manages the setting change status. . Then, when the main CPU 200a is turned on via the power switch with a predetermined operation key inserted into the setting door key and rotated from the OFF position to the ON position, the setting changing status is ON. In order to indicate this, the setting changing signal is turned on and a gaming machine information notification is sent to the dedicated unit 350 through the medal CPU 204a. On the other hand, after returning the setting door key to its original position (the OFF position) and after completing one game, the main CPU 200a turns off the setting changing signal to indicate that the setting changing status has become OFF. Then, the game machine information notification is sent to the dedicated unit 350 through the medal CPU 204a. In other words, the setting change signal must remain ON until the end of one game. If such processing is to be implemented by the main CPU 200a, a program is required that not only sets the setting changing signal, but also waits for the end of one game and turns off the setting changing signal, which reduces the usage area. In particular, there is a risk that the control area will be compressed. Therefore, here, the process of setting the setting change signal and the process of turning off the setting change signal after waiting for the end of one game are realized by the medal CPU 204a instead of the main CPU 200a.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing the process of updating the setting change signal. The numerical values of step S in this figure will be used only in the explanation of this figure. When the power switch is turned on while a predetermined operation key is turned on, the main CPU 200a executes a setting change process to change a set value (S1). When the initialization process including setting changes is completed, the main CPU 200a executes a bet process for betting electronic medals in response to the player's operation of the bet switch 116 (S2). Next, in response to the player's operation of the start switch 118, the main CPU 200a executes a lottery process (S3). Then, the main CPU 200a starts rotating the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c and executes a reel rotation process (S4). Next, in response to the player's operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c, reel stop processing is executed to control the reels 110a, 110b, 110c to stop corresponding to the operated stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c (S5 ). When the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c stop, the main CPU 200a executes a determination process to determine whether the symbol combination displayed on the active line A corresponds to any winning combination (S6), and makes the determination. Based on the result, when a symbol combination corresponding to a small winning combination is displayed on the active line A, a payout process for medals corresponding to the small winning combination is executed (S7). In this way, one game is executed through a series of processes from step S2 to step S7. Thereafter, steps S2 to S7 will be repeated.

Furthermore, at the start of the setting change process (S1), the main CPU 200a transmits a state transition command (first command) indicating that the setting change has started to the medal CPU 204a. When the medal CPU 204a receives the state transition command, it turns on the setting change signal by setting bit 0 in gaming machine fraud 1 of the hall console/fraud monitoring information shown in FIG. 11 to 1 (S11). . Further, in the payout process (S7), when the payout of medals is completed, the main CPU 200a transmits a payout end command (second command) to the medal CPU 204a. Upon receiving the payout end command, the medal CPU 204a turns off the setting change signal by setting bit 0 in gaming machine fraud 1 of the hole con/fraud monitoring information to 0 (S12). In this way, at the start of changing the setting value, the setting changing signal is turned ON and transmitted to the dedicated unit 350, and after completing the setting value change, the setting changing signal is turned OFF and the dedicated unit 350 is sent to the dedicated unit 350. The functional unit that sends the signal to unit 350 may be referred to as a setting change signal update unit. Note that the first command is not limited to the state transition command, but can be any command as long as it is specified at the start of changing the setting value, and the second command is the payout end command. However, it can be any command as long as it is specified each time a game is completed.

In this way, by implementing the process of setting the setting change signal in the medal CPU 204a instead of the main CPU 200a, it is possible to suppress the increase in the number of programs in the main ROM 200b. Therefore, the use area, especially the control area, is not compressed. Note that the ROM of the medal CPU 204a has a sufficient memory capacity (2.5 Kbytes), so there is no problem even if the program is implemented in the medal CPU 204a.

Here, the main CPU 200a transmits a payout end command to the medal CPU 204a in the payout process (S7) for each game, and the medal CPU 204a turns off the setting change signal in response to the payout end command (S12). ). In this configuration, the medal CPU 204a repeatedly turns off the setting change in progress signal. However, the setting change signal remains OFF, and once the setting change signal is OFF, it is appropriately notified to the dedicated unit 350 at a cycle of 300 msec. Therefore, there is no problem in the medal CPU 204a repeatedly turning off the setting change in progress signal. Here, when transmitting the payout end command to the medal CPU 204a, there is no need for the main CPU 200a to determine the condition that the game is the first game for which the setting change process has been completed, so the game is called the first game for which the setting change process has been completed. A program for determining conditions is not required, and the increase in the number of programs in the main ROM 200b can be further suppressed.

In addition, here, an example has been described in which the main CPU 200a sends a command to the medal CPU 204a in the payout process (S7), but as long as one game is finished, the reel stop process (S5) and the determination process are executed. A command may be transmitted in (S6).

Furthermore, in the smart pachi-slot 100, in addition to changing the settings, it is also possible to check the set values by checking the settings. When attempting to confirm the settings, first a predetermined operation key is inserted into the setting door key and rotated from the OFF position to the ON position. Then, the setting confirmation mode is entered, and the setting value can be confirmed, and the setting confirmation status is turned ON. Here, the setting confirmation status is ON while the setting confirmation is being executed, and is OFF otherwise. Note that during the setting confirmation status, the operations of the bet switch 116, the settlement switch 121, and the start switch 118 may be disabled. Then, the set value is displayed and the status timer starts counting. Here, the status timer is a timer that measures the time to maintain the status during setting confirmation. Then, by returning the operation key to its original position (OFF position), the setting confirmation mode ends and the game becomes possible. Note that the setting confirmation status is turned OFF when the setting door key is OFF and the status timer has elapsed for 5 seconds or more.

Further, in the setting confirmation mode, the main CPU 200a generates a setting confirmation signal in order to transmit the setting confirmation status to the dedicated unit 350. The setting confirmation signal indicates ON/OFF of the setting confirmation status, and as shown in Fig. 11, it is set to bit 1 in gaming machine fraud 1 of the hall con/fraud monitoring information (gaming machine information) in the gaming machine information notification. As shown in FIG. 16, the dedicated unit 350 is notified at a cycle of 300 msec.

Here, when two CPUs (main CPU 200a and medal CPU 204a) are installed independently as shown in FIG. 5(a) and FIG. 5(b), if the main CPU 200a manages the setting confirmation status, the setting A program is required to execute not only the process of setting the confirmation signal but also the process of counting 5 seconds with the status timer, which may put pressure on the use area, especially the control area. Therefore, similarly to the setting change mode, the process of setting the setting confirmation signal and the process of counting 5 seconds with the status timer are realized by the medal CPU 204a instead of the main CPU 200a.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing the process of updating the setting confirmation signal. The numerical values of step S in this figure will be used only in the explanation of this figure. While one game is being executed through the series of processes shown in FIG. 40, the payout process (S1) of the previous game is finished and a predetermined operation key is turned on while waiting for electronic medals to bet. The main CPU 200a starts a setting confirmation process to confirm the setting values (S2). When the setting confirmation is completed, a predetermined operation key is turned off, and the main CPU 200a ends the setting confirmation process (S3). In this way, the main CPU 200a becomes capable of bet processing (S4).

Furthermore, at the start of the setting confirmation process (S2), the main CPU 200a transmits a state transition command (third command) to the medal CPU 204a in response to the start of setting confirmation. Upon receiving this state transition command, the medal CPU 204a turns on the setting confirmation signal by setting bit 1 in gaming machine fraud 1 of the hall console/fraud monitoring information shown in FIG. 11 to 1 (S11). . Further, the main CPU 200a transmits a state transition command (fourth command) to the medal CPU 204a at the end of the setting confirmation process (S3). Upon receiving the state transition command, the medal CPU 204a sets the status timer to 5 seconds and starts timing (S12). Then, the medal CPU 204a determines whether or not the status timer has elapsed for 5 seconds (S13), waits until 5 seconds have elapsed (NO in S13), and when 5 seconds have elapsed (YES in S13), the hole control/fraud monitoring By setting bit 1 in the gaming machine fraud information 1 to 0, the setting confirmation signal is turned off (S14). In this way, at the start of setting value confirmation, the setting confirmation signal is turned ON and sent to the dedicated unit 350, and after the setting value confirmation is completed, the setting confirmation signal is turned OFF after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. The functional unit that sends the signal to the dedicated unit 350 may be referred to as a setting confirmation signal update unit. Note that the third command is not limited to the above, but can be any command as long as it is specified at the start of setting value confirmation, and the fourth command is not limited to the above, but can be any command that is specified at the start of setting value confirmation. It can be any command as long as it is specified upon completion of the confirmation.

In this way, by implementing the process of setting the setting confirmation signal and the process of counting 5 seconds with the status timer in the medal CPU 204a instead of the main CPU 200a, it is possible to suppress the increase in the number of programs in the main ROM 200b. The area, especially the control area, is not compressed.

As described above, the setting confirmation signal indicates that the device is staying in the setting confirmation mode, and must be output for at least 3 seconds as a preventive measure. However, the gaming machine information notification including the setting confirmation signal is transmitted to the dedicated unit 350 only at a cycle of 300 msec. Then, for example, if the medal CPU 204a receives the state transition command immediately after the gaming machine information notification is sent, there is a risk that the time between the ON and OFF settings confirmation signals may be reduced by about 300 msec. Here, by setting the standby time in the status timer to 5 seconds, the time from ON to OFF of the setting confirmation signal can be set to 3 seconds or more, regardless of the transmission timing of the gaming machine information notification. In addition, the 5-second timer does not start when the command indicating the start of setting confirmation is received, but when the command indicating the end of setting confirmation is received. Since the time until the command indicating the end of setting confirmation is added, the time from ON to OFF of the setting confirmation signal can be reliably set to 3 seconds or more.

(Winner of replay role)
Furthermore, here, the processing load on the main CPU 200a and the memory capacity of the main ROM 200b are reduced by generating the setting change in progress signal and the setting confirmation signal in the medal CPU 204a instead of the main CPU 200a. However, the present invention is not limited to this case, and various information sent from the main CPU 200a to the medal CPU 204a may be kept to a minimum, and information that requires notification to the dedicated unit 350 may be generated by the medal CPU 204a. This configuration also makes it possible to reduce the burden on the main CPU 200a. For example, the smart pachi-slot machine 100 must transmit the hole con/fraud monitoring information in the gaming machine information notification and gaming information shown in FIG. 11 every 300 msec to the dedicated unit 350, and the gaming information includes: When the start switch 118 is operated or when the game ends, the number of inserted medals and the number of paid out medals must be transmitted. Here, for example, if the game result is a winning of a replay combination, the main CPU 200a sends only the replay flag and the information of the payout number "0" to the medal CPU 204a, and the medal CPU 204a sends each information necessary to the dedicated unit 350. For example, when the start switch 118 is operated, the specified number at the time of replay operation (the specified number bet in the game) is generated as the number of inserted medals, and when the game ends, the specified number is generated as the number of payout medals, and the dedicated unit 350 to notify. With this configuration, the processing load on the main CPU 200a and the memory capacity of the main ROM 200b can be reduced.

In addition, at this time, by assigning the replay flag sent by the main CPU 200a to the medal CPU 204a to a predetermined bit "replay state" (1 bit) of the identification information instead of a 1-byte command, a replay state called a replay state can be assigned. There is no need to prepare byte commands, making it possible to consolidate commands and reduce processing load.

(Data transmission control from main CPU 200a to medal CPU 204a)
When two CPUs (main CPU 200a and medal CPU 204a) are installed independently as shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), serial communication is executed between the main CPU 200a and medal CPU 204a. For example, the main CPU 200a transmits a predetermined command to the medal CPU 204a through serial communication. Then, the medal CPU 204a transmits gaming machine information notifications as shown in FIGS. 8 to 16 to the dedicated unit 350.

FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram showing a comparative example of communication processing between the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a. Here, an example will be described in which a 5-byte (fixed length) command including a checksum is sent from the main CPU 200a to the medal CPU 204a.

As shown in FIG. 41, the main control board 200 is provided with a transmission FIFO 380 for serial transmission. The transmission FIFO 380 has a memory capacity of 64 bytes, and has a buffer function that holds the first byte of data input and outputs the first byte of data at transmittable timing (for example, at 80 μsec intervals). has. Further, the main RAM 200c corresponding to the main CPU 200a is provided with a transmission candidate buffer 382 that holds a 4-byte command (data).

When the main CPU 200a generates a command (4 bytes excluding the checksum) to be sent to the medal CPU 204a, it first determines whether the command is already held in the transmission candidate buffer 382. Here, if the command is held, the main CPU 200a waits until the transmission candidate buffer 382 becomes empty. If the command is not held, the main CPU 200a causes the transmission candidate buffer 382 to hold the 4-byte command indicated by cross hatching, as shown in FIG. 41(a). Next, in response to the command being held in the transmission candidate buffer 382, the main CPU 200a determines whether or not there is a 10-byte free space in the transmission FIFO 380. Here, 10 bytes of free space means that the data held in the 64-byte buffer of the transmission FIFO 380 is 54 (64-10) or less, and at least 10 bytes of data can be held. Note that the reason why 10 bytes of free space is determined here is that two 5-byte commands including a checksum may be transmitted in succession. Here, if there is no 10 byte free space in the transmission FIFO 380, the main CPU 200a waits until 10 bytes become free in the transmission FIFO 380. Then, if there is 10 bytes free in the transmission FIFO 380, the main CPU 200a causes the transmission FIFO 380 to hold the command, as shown in FIG. 41(b).

In addition, as shown in FIG. 41(c), when the main CPU 200a causes the transmission FIFO 380 to hold the command, the main CPU 200a calculates the checksum of the 4-byte command held in the transmission candidate buffer 382, and converts it into a 4-byte command. In addition, the transmission FIFO 380 is also made to hold the checksum shown in black. In this way, a 5-byte command is set in the transmission FIFO 380. Then, the transmission FIFO 380 transmits a 5-byte command to the medal CPU 204a at an interval of 80 μsec, as shown in FIG. 41(d).

In FIG. 41, a comparative example in which the command has a fixed length has been described, but the command may have a variable length. For example, the main CPU 200a transmits a variable length command of, for example, 3 bytes to 80 bytes to the medal CPU 204a. As described above, when the command has a variable length, the following problems arise. For example, a 3-byte command can be held in the 4-byte transmission candidate buffer 382 or the 64-byte transmission FIFO 380 at one time, but an 80-byte command cannot be held in either of them at one time. Therefore, the command to be transmitted is divided into a plurality of parts, and the command is transmitted in units of a small number of bytes (for example, 1 byte). Also, here, the configuration of the transmission candidate buffer 382 is deleted and the checksum generation process is changed.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing the concept of sending one byte of a command and a diagram showing the command. The numerical values of step S in this figure will be used only in the explanation of this figure.

As shown in FIG. 42(a), the main CPU 200a first obtains information on the transmission FIFO 380 (S1). Specifically, the command "PUSH AF" on the first line in FIG. The value of is set as the upper 1 byte of the address, the address "@S0ST__" is set as the lower 1 byte, and the value of the multiplication result register indicated by that address is read into the A register. In this way, information on the transmission FIFO 380 is acquired from "@S0ST__". Next, as shown in FIG. 42(a), the main CPU 200a determines whether there is a free space of 1 byte or more in the transmission FIFO 380 (S2), and until there is a free space of 1 byte or more in the transmission FIFO 380 (S2). NO), repeat the process of step S1. Specifically, the command "JBIT Z, 6, A, MCD_SND01" on the 4th line of FIG. For example, the process repeats from the index "MCD_SND01" on the second line, and if bit 6 is not 0, the next command on the fifth line is executed.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 42(a), if there is 1 byte or more free space in the transmission FIFO 380 (YES in S2), the main CPU 200a transmits 1 byte worth of data to the transmission FIFO 380 (S3). Specifically, the data saved in the stack area is returned to the AF register by the command "POP AF" on the 5th line of FIG. 42(b). The command "OUT (@S0DT___), A" on the 6th line sets the value of the U register as the upper 1 byte of the address, sets the address "@S0DT__" as the lower 1 byte, and returns to the transmit FIFO 380 indicated by that address. Outputs the value of the A register. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 42(a), the checksum for 1 byte is updated (S4). Specifically, the command "ADD A, E" on the 7th line of FIG. 42(b) adds the value of the E register that holds the checksum to the value of the A register, and the command "LD E, A'' returns the addition result (value of the A register) to the E register, and the command ``RET'' on the 9th line returns to the routine one step above.

FIG. 43 is an explanatory diagram showing communication processing between the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a. Here, an example will be described in which an 80-byte command among variable-length commands is sent from the main CPU 200a to the medal CPU 204a.

As shown in FIG. 43, the main CPU 200a is provided with a transmission FIFO 380 for serial transmission. As in FIG. 41, the transmission FIFO 380 has a memory capacity of 64 bytes, holds the first byte of data input, and stores the first byte of data at transmittable timing (for example, at 80 μsec intervals). It has a buffer function for output. Further, the main RAM 200c belonging to (corresponding to) the main CPU 200a is provided with a checksum buffer 384 that holds a 1-byte checksum.

When the main CPU 200a generates a command (76 bytes excluding the checksum) to be sent to the medal CPU 204a, it clears the checksum buffer 384 (sets it to 0) and determines whether there is 1 byte free space in the transmission FIFO 380. . Here, if the transmission FIFO 380 does not have 1 byte free, the main CPU 200a waits until the transmission FIFO 380 becomes free by 1 byte. If there is 1 byte free space in the transmission FIFO 380, the main CPU 200a causes the transmission FIFO 380 to hold 1 byte of data located at the beginning of the command, as shown in FIG. 43(a).

In addition, when the main CPU 200a causes the transmission FIFO 380 to hold 1 byte of data, the main CPU 200a calculates a checksum between the data in the checksum buffer 384 and the 1 byte of data, and calculates the checksum (calculated) shown in black. result) is overwritten in the checksum buffer 384. In this way, the checksum is updated every time one byte of data is transmitted.

Then, as shown in FIG. 43(b), if there is 1 byte free space in the transmission FIFO 380, the main CPU 200a causes the transmission FIFO 380 to hold commands 1 byte at a time, and the transmission FIFO 380 stores commands 1 byte at a time at 80 μsec intervals. It is transmitted to the medal CPU 204a. In this way, the main CPU 200a causes the transmission FIFO 380 to sequentially hold commands divided into 1-byte units if the transmission FIFO 380 has free space of one or more bytes. However, as described above, since the number of bytes of the command to be transmitted is larger than the capacity of the transmission FIFO 380, a situation may occur where there is no free space in the transmission FIFO 380, as shown in FIG. 43(c). In this case, the main CPU 200a will wait until the transmission FIFO 380 becomes free by one byte.

When the main CPU 200a causes the transmission FIFO 380 to hold all commands, the main CPU 200a causes the transmission FIFO 380 to hold the checksum held in the checksum buffer 384, as shown in FIG. 43(d). In this way, an 80-byte command is set in the transmission FIFO 380. Then, the transmission FIFO 380 transmits an 80-byte command to the medal CPU 204a at an interval of 80 μsec.

In this way, with the configuration in which commands are divided and held in the transmission FIFO 380, the main CPU 200a can send the commands to the medal CPU 204a regardless of the length of the command, even if the command length is larger than the capacity of the transmission FIFO 380. It becomes possible to send commands appropriately.

In addition, regardless of the number of bytes of the command, for example, even if the command is 3 bytes, the main CPU 200a uniformly classifies the command and stores it in the transmission FIFO 380, so that the program can be simplified. It is possible to suppress the increase in the number of programs in the main ROM 200b. Therefore, the use area, especially the control area, is not compressed. Furthermore, unlike the configuration in FIG. 41, since the number of transmission candidate buffers 382 is reduced, the capacity of the main RAM 200c can also be secured.

Furthermore, here, the main CPU 200a uniformly updates the checksum every time the transmission FIFO 380 holds 1 byte of data, so the checksum calculation is completed when the command transmission is completed. . Therefore, there is no need for a separate program that calculates checksums for multiple pieces of data at once, and not only is the used area, especially the control area, not overwhelmed, but the processing time can be reduced.

Although the explanation has been given here with an example in which the main CPU 200a divides the command into 1-byte units and stores them in the transmission FIFO 380, this is not limited to such a case. It can be divided into predetermined byte units that are less than the length. Here, if the unit of division is not a common divisor of the length of the command, the main CPU 200a repeatedly transmits the command in the divided length, and transmits the remaining data at the last transmission. For example, if the command length is 80 bytes and the byte unit is 5 bytes, the main CPU 200a divides the command into 5-byte units and repeatedly (16 times) holds the command in the transmission FIFO 380.

In addition, although an example has been described here in which a command is sent from the main CPU 200a (first control unit) to the medal CPU 204a (second control unit) in the smart pachislot 100, the smart pachislot machine 100 is not limited to such a case. It can be applied to serial communication between various independent CPUs as a first control unit or a second control unit, such as when sending commands between other boards in the PCB 100 or from the main CPU 200a in a smart pachislot to the medal CPU 204a. can.

Moreover, although the example in which the capacity of the transmission FIFO 380 is 64 bytes has been described here, the present invention is not limited to this case, and any capacity can be applied. This embodiment is particularly effective when the command is longer than the capacity of the transmission FIFO 380. In addition, the microprocessor LEM50A sold by LETech, which is based on the Z80 series CPU, is used here, and its transmission FIFO 380 has a capacity of 64 bytes. There is also a mode in which the transmission FIFO 380 operates with a capacity of 64 bytes, and this mode may be selected, for example, when a program of the LEM 50A is used in the LC 701A. Needless to say, even in this case, the effects of this embodiment can be obtained.

In the above-described embodiment, the main control board 200 is provided with a transmission FIFO 380 for serial transmission, and the transmission FIFO 380 is used for communication processing from the main CPU 200a to the medal CPU 204a. In parallel, the medal number control board 204 is also provided with a transmission FIFO (not shown) for serial transmission, and the transmission FIFO is used for communication processing from the medal CPU 204a to the main CPU 200a. The transmission FIFO for serial transmission provided in the medal number control board 204 has a memory capacity of 16 bytes, holds the first byte of data input, and determines the transmission possible timing (for example, at 80 μsec intervals). It has a buffer function that outputs that 1-byte data first.

As described above, when the medal CPU 204a receives a predetermined command (game medal insertion command, start lever press command, payout end command, start-up command) from the main CPU 200a, the medal CPU 204a displays identification information, the number of coins that can be inserted, and the number of game medals. For example, a 5-byte reply command consisting of transmission information and a checksum is sent to the main CPU 200a. If the frequency of sending such reply commands increases, there may be a case where the sending FIFO, which has a memory capacity of only 16 bytes, cannot hold the sending data.

Therefore, when transmitting the reply command, the medal CPU 204a sends it to the transmission FIFO with a transmission interval. For example, the medal CPU 204a transmits the next reply command after 4 msec or more has elapsed since the previous reply command was sent (waiting for 4 msec). At this time, the main CPU 200a executes the reception process at a cycle of 1.49 msec, refers to the FIFO trigger level, waits for the completion of reception of all bytes of the reply command (5 bytes in this case), and then Execute analysis processing. With this configuration, the transmission data is accumulated in the transmission FIFO for serial transmission provided in the medal number control board 204, and it becomes possible to avoid a situation where the transmission data cannot be held.

In addition, in the reply command, by independently managing information triggered by lending processing and counting processing on a bit-by-bit basis, even if lending processing and counting processing are executed at the same time, the information can be sent in one reply. Since the commands can be written simultaneously and independently, the frequency of sending reply commands can be reduced.

Furthermore, as described above, it is assumed here that the command sent from the main CPU 200a to the medal CPU 204a has a variable length. In this case, the time from the start of command transmission to the completion of transmission will be different. Here, if a power outage occurs, the command transmission may not be completed in the power outage process. Some commands can be supplemented with other processing even if the transmission is not completed, while others require completion of the transmission. For example, even if the command to end one game is not completed and the command is not transmitted, no problem will occur because it will be retransmitted when the power is restored (at startup). Therefore, the power cutoff process can be started immediately, for example, without waiting for the completion of command transmission. With this configuration, it is possible to avoid sending unnecessary commands, and it is possible to suppress an increase in interrupt prohibition time.

On the other hand, in the payout end command, transmission information indicating the number of coins to be paid out is transmitted. The number of coins to be paid out should not be transmitted multiple times. This is because if the number of coins to be paid out is sent at the end of the game and then sent again when the power is restored (at startup), the number of coins to be paid out will be larger (doubled) because it will have been paid out multiple times. . In addition, since the number of coins to be paid out is highly important information that is directly related to the player's profits, it is necessary to reliably transmit it to the medal CPU 204a. Therefore, among the plurality of commands that the main CPU 200a sends to the medal CPU 204a, commands with high importance, such as the payout end command, are sent to the medal CPU 204a reliably between the detection of the power outage warning signal and the start of the power outage processing. Send commands to. That is, the power-off process is started after the command transmission is completed. Note that since command transmission must be completed within a short period of time before power cut processing is started, the number of bytes of highly important commands is made short (for example, 10 bytes). With this configuration, the main CPU 200a can reliably transmit highly important commands to the medal CPU 204a, and can proceed with the game appropriately.

Furthermore, as described above, it is assumed here that the command sent from the main CPU 200a to the medal CPU 204a has a variable length. Then, depending on the order of command transmission and its contents, the time from the start of transmission to the completion of transmission will differ. For example, if a power outage warning signal occurs immediately after a relatively long (for example, 60 bytes) single game end command is sent, there is a risk that a power outage will occur without the command sending being completed. Further, when the power is turned on, the main CPU 200a sends a startup command longer than one game end command (for example, 80 bytes) to the medal CPU 204a, and restarts the process from the state before the power outage occurred. Here, when one game ends, the data related to the winning ratio is updated, and a one game end command is sent after the start-up command. In this case, since there is a high possibility that the start-up command still remains in the transmission FIFO 380, the transmission of one game end command is further awaited. If the power outage warning signal occurs immediately after such a one game end command is sent, the completion of the command transmission will be further delayed, and there is a possibility that the power outage will occur before the completion of the command transmission.

However, as described above, even if the one game end command is not transmitted to the medal CPU 204a, no problem will occur because it will be retransmitted when the power is restored (at the time of startup). Note that at the time of power restoration (start-up), no data is held in the transmission FIFO 380, so unless a power outage occurs, the start-up command is appropriately transmitted to the medal CPU 204a.

Therefore, when the command includes "transmission information related to winning ratio" such as the one game end command, when the power cutoff notice signal is detected, the power cutoff process is started immediately without waiting for the completion of the command transmission. For example, in step S2 of FIG. 42(a), if the sending FIFO 380 has 1 byte or more of free space, the main CPU 200a adds "role ratio" to the command before sending 1 byte of data to the sending FIFO 380 in step S3. "related transmission information" is included and a power outage warning signal is detected. Then, when the power failure notice signal is detected, the main CPU 200a does not perform the subsequent steps S3 and S4, that is, without transmitting 1 byte of data (transmitting the 1 game end command including the checksum). (cancel), end the process, and move on to the power-off process. With this configuration, it is possible to avoid sending unnecessary commands, and it is possible to suppress an increase in interrupt prohibition time.

On the other hand, if the command does not include "role ratio-related transmission information" or if the power outage warning signal is not detected, the main CPU 200a executes steps S3 and S4. With this configuration, when a power outage notice signal is detected during the transmission of a single game end command of low importance, it is possible to immediately cancel the transmission of the command and appropriately execute the power outage process.

Also, if the power is turned on, a startup command is sent, processing resumes from the state before the power outage, and immediately after that, a 1-game end command is sent, and immediately after that, a power outage warning signal is detected. Assume that In this case, since no data is held in the transmission FIFO 380 when the power is turned on, the first 64 bytes of the startup command are immediately held in the transmission FIFO 380. Thereafter, when transmitting the one game end command, the latter half of the startup command still remains in the transmission FIFO 380. Therefore, it takes a long time until the command is completely sent. However, due to the configuration that determines whether or not the power interruption notice signal is detected, the transmission of the one game end command is canceled when the transmission FIFO 380 becomes empty, so it is not possible to appropriately execute the power interruption processing. It becomes possible.

Note that the "transmission information related to winning ratio" is included not only in the one-game end command but also in the start-up command. Therefore, if a power outage warning signal is detected when sending a startup command, the process is terminated without transmitting any further data (by canceling the transmission of the startup command including the checksum). , the process will proceed to power outage processing.

However, among the startup commands, the transmission of "transmission information necessary at startup" does not stop, and power-off processing is not performed until the transmission is completed. This is due to the following reasons. In other words, the "transmission information required at startup" includes gaming machine information, chip ID, manufacturer code, etc., and confirmation of the power outage warning signal also needs to be recorded in multiple places, which increases the processing load and memory capacity. This may lead to Furthermore, as mentioned above, since no data is held in the transmission FIFO 380 at the time of startup, it is possible to have the transmission FIFO 380 hold the "transmission information necessary at startup" in a short time, and the data can be stored in the transmission FIFO 380 until the transmission is completed. This is because it does not require a long time.

Here, regarding the 1-game end command and the start-up command, if the command includes "transmission information related to role ratio" and a power outage warning signal is detected, subsequent data will be transmitted. The explanation has been given using an example in which the process immediately shifts to power-off processing without any interruption. For other commands (start lever press command, payout end command, state transition command), the process in FIG. 42(a) may be executed as is, or the process before step S1 in FIG. At the start, it is determined whether or not a power outage warning signal has been detected, and if it has been detected, the power outage processing is performed immediately without performing all steps S1 to S4, that is, without transmitting subsequent data. It may be possible to move to With this configuration, all commands are appropriately transitioned to power-off processing.

(Data transmission control from main CPU 200a to sub CPU 202a)
In the above, data transmission control from the main CPU 200a to the medal CPU 204a has been described. Here, data transmission control from the main CPU 200a to the sub CPU 202a will be explained.

Serial communication is performed between the main CPU 200a and the sub CPU 202a. For example, the main CPU 200a transmits a predetermined command to the sub CPU 202a through serial communication. However, as described above, from the viewpoint of fraud prevention and the like, the communication direction is limited to only one direction from the main CPU 200a to the sub CPU 202a.

FIG. 44 is an explanatory diagram for explaining communication processing between the main CPU 200a and the sub CPU 202a. Here, an example will be described in which a 5-byte (fixed length) command including a header and a checksum is sent from the main CPU 200a to the sub CPU 202a.

As shown in FIG. 44, the main control board 200 is provided with a transmission FIFO 390 (FIFO) for serial communication. The transmission FIFO 390 has a memory capacity of 128 bytes (the upper limit number of bytes that can be stored in the transmission FIFO 390). The transmission FIFO 390 can hold multiple bytes of data with an upper limit of 128 bytes, and outputs the first byte of data input at transmittable timings (for example, at 80 μsec intervals). Although an example in which the upper limit number of bytes is 128 bytes will be described here, the upper limit number of bytes is not limited to this case, and can be arbitrarily set according to the specifications of the transmission FIFO 390.

When the main CPU 200a generates a command to be transmitted to the sub CPU 202a, the main CPU 200a (first control unit) transmits the command to the transmission FIFO 390 (FIFO). In this way, the command is accumulated as data in the transmission FIFO 390, as shown in FIG. 44(a). Then, as shown in FIG. 44(b), the transmission FIFO 390 transmits the accumulated commands as serial data at equal intervals to the sub CPU 202a (second control unit). The configuration including the transmission FIFO 390 allows the main CPU 200a to transmit commands at any timing without considering the serial data communication protocol.

However, if the main CPU 200a randomly sends commands in response to generated commands, the data received by the sending FIFO 390 will be greater than the data sent from the sending FIFO 390, and the commands will be accumulated in the sending FIFO 390, causing As shown in (c), there is a possibility that the sending FIFO 390 will not be able to receive commands. For example, when the start switch 118 is operated by the player, as explained using FIG. A type of lottery is performed, and the reel control means 306 drives the stepping motor 152 to rotate the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c. Therefore, the main CPU 200a sends multiple commands to the sub CPU 202a at once in a short period of time. For example, when the start switch 118 is operated, the main CPU 200a sends a command to the effect that the start switch 118 has been operated, and a plurality of types of lottery results, such as a winning type lottery, a plurality of AT lottery results, a plurality of chance zone lottery results, etc. The main CPU 200a sends a command indicating the lottery result to the sub CPU 202a at once, and immediately after that, when the reels 110a, 110b, 110c start rotating, the main CPU 200a sends a command to the sub CPU 202a indicating that the reels 110a, 110b, 110c have started rotating. Send to. In this case, even though commands are being transmitted from the main CPU 200a, the transmission FIFO 390 will not be able to store the commands, and the generated commands will not be transmitted to the sub CPU 202a.

Therefore, the main CPU 200a temporarily restricts command transmission when commands are accumulated in the transmission FIFO 390 at a predetermined accumulation upper limit value (trigger level) or more.

FIG. 45 is an explanatory diagram for explaining other communication processing between the main CPU 200a and the sub CPU 202a. Here, the storage upper limit value of the transmission FIFO 390 is assumed to be 64 bytes. As shown in FIG. 45(a), the main CPU 200a can transmit commands to the transmission FIFO 390 until the data accumulated in the transmission FIFO 390 reaches the storage upper limit.

At this time, it is assumed that more data is received by the transmission FIFO 390 than data transmitted from the transmission FIFO 390, commands are accumulated in the transmission FIFO 390, and the data exceeds the storage upper limit value. For example, suppose that the transmission FIFO 390 receives a new 5-byte command with 63 bytes of data accumulated in the transmission FIFO 390, and the data accumulated in the transmission FIFO 390 becomes 64 bytes or more (here, 68 bytes). . Then, as shown in FIG. 45(b), the main CPU 200a limits command transmission (stops transmission) and waits for command transmission.

Since the main CPU 200a restricts the transmission of commands, the amount of data in the transmission FIFO 390 decreases each time data is transmitted from the transmission FIFO 390. Then, when the data in the transmission FIFO 390 decreases and becomes less than the storage upper limit value, the main CPU 200a resumes command transmission, as shown in FIG. 45(c).

The main CPU 200a transmits commands not by timer interrupt processing but by the main processing described using FIG. 4. Therefore, even if the transmission of commands is restricted in this way, the timer interrupt processing will function normally and the progress of the game will not be affected.

FIG. 46 is a flowchart for explaining communication processing. The numerical values of step S in this figure will be used only in the explanation of this figure. Here, a storage upper limit value (for example, 64 bytes) can be set for the transmission FIFO 390. The main CPU 200a can determine whether the data accumulated in the transmission FIFO 390 has exceeded the accumulation upper limit value.

As shown in FIG. 46, when a command to be transmitted is generated in the main CPU 200a, the communication process is started, and the main CPU 200a acquires information from the transmission FIFO 390 (S1). The main CPU 200a determines whether the data accumulated in the transmission FIFO 390 is equal to or greater than the upper limit value of accumulation, based on the acquired information, for example, the trigger level flag inside the transmission FIFO 390 (S2). Here, if the data accumulated in the transmission FIFO 390 is equal to or greater than the accumulation upper limit, the trigger level flag becomes 0, and if the data accumulated in the transmission FIFO 390 is less than the accumulation upper limit, the trigger level flag becomes 1. As a result, if the accumulated data is equal to or higher than the accumulation upper limit value, that is, if the trigger level is 0 (YES in S2), the main CPU 200a will limit the transmission of data to the transmission FIFO 390. The process from step S1 is repeated. If the accumulated data is less than the accumulation upper limit value, that is, if the trigger level is 1 (NO in S2), the main CPU 200a transmits the data to the transmission FIFO 390 (S3).

In this way, the configuration in which the main CPU 200a restricts command transmission when the data accumulated in the transmission FIFO 390 exceeds the accumulation upper limit value makes it possible for the main CPU 200a to appropriately transmit commands to the sub CPU 202a. .

Note that the accumulation upper limit value can be set as follows. For example, the main CPU 200a generates a value that is less than or equal to the value obtained by subtracting the number of command bytes (e.g., 5 bytes) from the upper limit number of bytes that can be stored in the transmission FIFO 390 (e.g., 128 bytes) and adding 1 (e.g., 124 bytes). is set as the accumulation upper limit value. The reason why 1 is added here is because the upper limit of accumulation in the transmission FIFO 390 is set to a value that does not allow command reception. For example, in the above example, if the data accumulated in the transmission FIFO 390 is 124 bytes or more, the upper limit number of bytes will be exceeded if a 5-byte command is received. On the other hand, if the data accumulated in the transmission FIFO 390 is 123 bytes, which is less than 124 bytes, it is possible to receive an additional 5-byte command. Therefore, the range of the storage upper limit value is 124 bytes or less. Here, in initialization processing S100 in FIG. 4, the main CPU 200a sets a numerical value "64" in the transmission FIFO 390 as an accumulation upper limit value.

Furthermore, if the length of the command is variable, the command with the maximum length among multiple types of commands is targeted. That is, the main CPU 200a subtracts the maximum number of command bytes (for example, 10 bytes) from the upper limit number of bytes that can be stored in the transmission FIFO 390 (for example, 128 bytes) and adds 1 to the result (for example, 119 bytes). Set the following value as the storage upper limit (for example, 64 bytes). Here, 64, which is a power of 2, is used as the storage upper limit, but any value can be selected as long as it is less than or equal to the value obtained by subtracting the maximum number of command bytes from the upper limit byte number and adding 1. is possible.

Further, the accumulation upper limit value may be a power of 2 (2, 4, 6, . . . ) or a power of 2 (2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64). In any case, the upper limit number of bytes is not adopted as the storage upper limit value.

In this embodiment, the upper limit number of bytes that can be stored in the transmission FIFO 390 is 128 bytes, and the number of command bytes is all 5 bytes, so the upper limit number of bytes is not divisible by the number of command bytes. Then, as described above, the value obtained by subtracting the maximum number of command bytes (for example, 5 bytes) from the upper limit number of bytes that can be stored in the transmission FIFO 390 (for example, 128 bytes) and adding 1 (for example, 124 bytes) ) It is efficient to set any value below as the storage upper limit value. Further, here, an example in which the number of bytes of the commands is all 5 bytes has been described, but the number of bytes of the commands is not limited to this number, and the number of bytes of the commands can be arbitrarily set, such as all 3 bytes. In addition, here, we have explained only one type of command byte number (5 bytes), but the number of commands is not limited to this. The number of bytes may be different.

In addition, although an example has been described here in which a command is sent from the main CPU 200a (first control unit) to the sub CPU 202a (second control unit) in the smart pachislot 100, the smart pachislot machine 100 is not limited to such a case. The present invention can be applied to serial communication between various independent CPUs as a first control unit or a second control unit, such as when transmitting commands between other boards in the smart pachislot machine 100 or from the main CPU 200a to the medal CPU 204a in the smart pachislot machine 100. Can be done.

In addition, although an example in which the capacity of the transmission FIFO 390 is 128 bytes has been described here, the present invention is not limited to this case, and any capacity can be applied according to the specifications of the transmission FIFO 390. In addition, the microprocessor LC701A sold by LETech, which is based on the Z80 series CPU, is used here, and its transmission FIFO 390 has a capacity of 128 bytes, but it is similar to the microprocessor LEM50A. , if the capacity of the transmission FIFO 390 is 64 bytes, the upper limit number of bytes can be set to 64. Furthermore, even in the case of the LC701A, for example, it is possible to set the mode in which the capacity of the transmission FIFO 390 is limited to 64 bytes, and set the upper limit number of bytes to 64.

(Display of electronic medals)
As explained using FIG. 3, the player can play games through the frequency display device 372 and the number of acquired medals display device 374 of the dedicated unit 350, as well as the number of game medals display device 114 and the liquid crystal display section 124 of the smart pachislot 100. The number of electronic medals owned by the person can be visually confirmed.

47 and 48 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the display mode of electronic medals. When a player attempts a game, the player inserts cash into the cash input section 362 of the dedicated unit 350, and as shown in FIG. 10" can be visually recognized. Next, by the player operating the lending switch 366 of the dedicated unit 350, the computerized medal corresponding to the number of points displayed on the number display device 372 is transferred to the smart pachislot 100, and the player As shown in b), through the count display device 372, the count is decremented by the transferred amount and becomes “0”, and through the game medal count display device 114 of the smart pachislot 100, the electronic medals are transferred. It can be visually confirmed that the number has been increased by the amount of time and has become "50". For convenience of explanation, in FIG. 47, the numerical value displayed on the game medal number display device 114 is shown in the upper right corner surrounded by a broken line.

Subsequently, when the player operates the bet switch 116, electronic medals are bet, and as shown in FIG. 47(c), the number of electronic medals bet (for example, 3 ”) has been subtracted to become “47”. Here, when the player operates the start switch 118 and the stop switch 120 and wins a small winning combination with a payout number of 11 pieces, the payout control means 310 pays out 11 electronic medals based on the game result, As shown in FIG. 47(d), the player can see that the number of electronic medals (for example, "11") has been paid out through the payout display area (display means) indicated by the broken line in the upper right corner of the liquid crystal display section 124. , and through the game medal number display device 114, it can be visually confirmed that the number of paid out computerized medals has been added to "58". Here, a display that allows the number of paid out computerized medals (number of gaming values) to be specified is called a payout display. The payout display is maintained until the next game starts, and is cleared when electronic medals are bet in the next game. In addition, clearing the payout display means that the displayed number of paid out electronic medals will be deleted, or "0" will be displayed instead of the displayed number of paid out electronic medals. say what will be done.

Here, when the player operates the counting switch 112 to end the game, as shown in FIG. 350 and that the number has become "0", and that the number has been increased by the number of electronic medals transferred and has become "58" through the acquired medal number display device 374 of the dedicated unit 350. Can be done. Then, when the player operates the return switch 368, the electronic medals held in the dedicated unit 350 are transferred to the card as shown in FIG. It can be visually confirmed that the number of electronic medals has become "0".

Here, we will focus on the payout display on a part of the liquid crystal display section 124. Here, as an example of payout display, the sub-CPU 202a (display control means) displays a payout display area (display means) in a part of the liquid crystal display section 124 managed by the sub-control board 202. An example of displaying the number of medals (number of gaming values) will be explained. However, the main CPU 200a (display control means) is not limited to this case, and the main CPU 200a (display control means) is managed by the main control board 200 and has seven segments that can represent numbers. The sub CPU 202a (display control means) displays the number of electronic medals paid out on a sub payout display section (display means) that is managed by the sub control board 202 and has seven segments. May be displayed. Furthermore, the payout display is not limited to the case where it is displayed on any one of the payout display area, the main payout display section, and the sub payout display section of the liquid crystal display section 124, but may be displayed on two selected ones, or on all of them. .

As explained using FIG. 47(d), when a small winning combination with a payout number of 11 pieces is won, the payout control means 310 pays out 11 electronic medals based on the game result, and the sub CPU 202a: The number of electronic medals paid out (for example, "11") is displayed in the payout display area of the liquid crystal display section 124. At such timing, if the player operates the counting switch 112 to perform counting processing without starting the next game, the payout on the liquid crystal display section 124 will be displayed as shown in FIGS. 47(e) and 47(f). A payout display is maintained in the display area. Even if the smart pachi-slot 100 is powered off in this state and then powered on again, the payout display will remain unless special processing is performed. Therefore, even after the power is turned on again, the payout display area of the liquid crystal display section 124 continues to display the number of electronic medals that have been paid out.

Here, it is assumed that when a setting change is executed in the smart pachi-slot 100, the payout display is cleared. Then, in the state shown in FIG. 47(f), if the power is reset without changing the settings, the payout display will be maintained, so even after the power is turned on again, the payout display area of the liquid crystal display section 124 will be displayed. The number of paid out computerized medals "11" is maintained. On the other hand, in the state shown in FIG. 47(f), when the power is turned off and the power is turned on again after the setting change is executed, the payout display has been cleared, so the payout display area of the liquid crystal display section 124 does not appear. The display of the number of electronic medals that have been paid out will not remain. Therefore, a player who is aware of the smart pachislot machine 100 in which electronic medals were paid out at the end of the previous day's game will be able to display the paid out electronic medals in the payout display area of the liquid crystal display section 124 on the next day. Depending on whether or not the number of sheets is displayed, it is possible to determine whether or not the settings have been changed. Further, in order to perform such confirmation, the player may wish to leave a payout display, and for example, may perform counting processing with electronic medals intentionally paid out at the end of the previous day's game.

Here, unlike the smart pachislot 100, in a slot machine in which the game is played using real medals, when the medals are paid out, at least the medals are stored electronically in credits. If the player ends the game in this state, the player must return (settlement) the credited medals. In addition, even if the player ends the game with the medals electronically stored in the credit, but the player who was playing the game does not process the return process, the hall clerk will notify the player when the game hall closes or opens. will process the return of the credited medals. In such slot machines, the payout display is cleared in the credit return process (operation of the settlement switch in the slot machine). Therefore, when the player executes the credit return process at the end of the game, the payout display is cleared, and the problem of determining whether or not the settings have been changed does not occur. On the other hand, in the smart pachislot 100, the paid-out computerized medals are held directly in the medal holding section, so after the computerized medals are paid out, it is necessary to operate the payment switch 121, which corresponds to the return process. I don't. Therefore, even if the payout display is cleared in response to the operation of the settlement switch 121, the payout display will not be cleared because the settlement switch 121 itself is not operated. Note that although we have explained here an example in which the payout display is cleared by the credit return process in a slot machine, the payout display is not limited to this case, and the payout display can be cleared by operating the settlement switch without performing the credit return process. It may be cleared. Further, the payout display may not be cleared by the credit return process. Furthermore, here, an example has been described in which the smart pachislot 100 does not require the operation of the settlement switch 121 after the payout of electronic tokens is executed, but this is not limited to such a case. After that, the payout display may be cleared by operating the settlement switch 121.

Here, in the smart pachi-slot 100, after the electronic medals are paid out, when the player ends the game, he operates the counting switch 112 to perform counting processing. Therefore, the payout display can be cleared according to the counting process.

However, even if the payout display is cleared by counting processing, it is not possible to completely prevent the display of the number of paid out electronic medals from being maintained as described below. For example, the counting process can be executed in units of one coin, so if you clear the payout display according to the counting process of one coin, there are still electronic medals remaining in the medal holding section (number of game medals). The player feels strange because the payout display is cleared before the number of electronic medals on the display device 114 is not "0", that is, the game has not been completed. Also, if we assume that the payout display is cleared when counting 50 coins, but not when counting 1 coin, clearing the payout display can be avoided by repeating the counting process of 1 coin. The payout display will remain. However, if the payout display is cleared after confirming that the electronic medals in the medal holding section are "0" when performing the counting process, the player will not feel any discomfort. However, since the counting process is performed in units of 1, 50, or the total number of game medals under 50, determining whether the number of game medals is "0" becomes complicated, and in that case, the memory capacity And the processing load will increase.

Furthermore, for the following reason, the payout display is not cleared by operating the counting switch 112. As described above, the counting switch 112 used for counting processing is connected to the medal control board 204, and the medal CPU 204a receives the operation of the counting switch 112 by the player. Therefore, when attempting to reflect the counting process on the payout display of the display device managed by the main control board 200, information indicating that the counting process has been performed is transmitted from the medal CPU 204a of the medal control board 204 to the main CPU 200a of the main control board 200. Must be communicated. Note that even if the main CPU 200a and medal CPU 204a are installed in the main control board 200 as shown in FIG. 5(b), it is still necessary to transmit information that the counting process has been performed. be. Furthermore, when attempting to reflect the counting process on the payout display on the liquid crystal display unit 124 or the like managed by the sub-control device 202, the counting process is first performed from the medal CPU 204a of the medal control board 204 to the main CPU 200a of the main control board 200. In addition, the main CPU 200a of the main control board 200 must transmit information that the counting process has been performed to the sub CPU 202a of the sub control device 202. Therefore, a complicated process is required to reflect the counting process on the payout display, which puts pressure on the memory capacity for programs and data in the main control board 200 and the sub-control board 202.

Furthermore, as described above, the medal CPU 204a must always accept operations on the counting switch 112 while the game is possible (except in limited states such as errors). Therefore, the medal CPU 204a must perform counting processing in response to the operation of the counting switch 112 even when electronic medals are paid out. In this case, the payout display may change as follows. For example, in a specification where the payout display counts up by 1, if three electronic medals are paid out, the payout display changes from 0 → 1 → 2. However, when the counting switch 112 is operated at the timing when the second coin is paid out and the counting process is reflected in the payout display, the payout display changes from 2 to 0, and then changes from 0 to 1 when the remaining 1 coin is paid out. Change. In this case, it is difficult for the player to accurately grasp the number of electronic medals (here, "3") that have been paid out. Here, in the payout of the last coin, it is also possible to correct the payout display change from 0 to 1 to 0 → 3 to display a payout of three coins. However, this requires a complicated process of forcibly displaying the final number of coins to be paid out, which may put pressure on the memory capacity of programs and data in the main control board 200 and the sub-control board 202. Furthermore, even in a specification where the payout number is displayed at once instead of counting up as a payout display, if electronic medals are paid out while the counting switch 112 is being held down, the number of payout medals "3". ” will be displayed for a short time (for a moment) and then disappear immediately, or depending on the display update cycle, the payout number “3” will not be displayed at all. Even in this case, it is difficult for the player to accurately grasp the number of electronic medals that have been paid out.

Therefore, even if the counting switch 112 is operated to perform counting processing, the payout display is maintained in the payout display area of the liquid crystal display section 124 as shown in FIGS. 47(e) and 47(f). Become.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the main CPU 200a and the sub CPU 202a clear the payout display in response to either or both of power-off and power-on. For example, if the settings are changed in the initialization process S100 in FIG. 4 after the power is turned on, the main CPU 200a changes the settings in the initialization process S100 in FIG. Clears the payout display even if no changes have been made. Further, as shown in FIG. 48(a), even if the power is cut off while the number of electronic medals paid out in the payout display area of the liquid crystal display section 124 is "11", the sub CPU 202a clears the payout display on power up. In this way, "0" is displayed in the payout display area of the liquid crystal display section 124, as shown in FIG. 48(b). Here, an example has been described in which both the main CPU 200a and the sub CPU 202a clear the payout display when the power is turned off or turned on. However, when either the main CPU 200a or the sub CPU 202a The payout display may be cleared either when the power is turned on or when the power is turned on.

With this configuration, the payout display is reliably cleared by resetting the power supply, regardless of whether the settlement switch 121 is operated or the counting switch 112 is operated, so that no payout display remains. Therefore, the player cannot determine whether or not a setting change has been executed based on whether or not the display of the number of electronic medals that have been paid out is maintained.

Further, the main CPU 200a or the sub CPU 202a may clear the payout display in response to a predetermined operation by the player to start a game, that is, an operation of the bet switch 116 or an operation of the start switch 118. With this configuration, the payout display is reliably cleared when the player starts the next game, so no payout display remains. By performing a predetermined operation to start the game, the player can proceed with the next game with a new display without leaving the previous game result in the next game.

Furthermore, the main CPU 200a or the sub CPU 202a may clear the payout display in response to the operation of the settlement switch 121. In addition, in a specification in which the payout display is not cleared by resetting the power supply, but is cleared in response to the operation of the start switch 118 while a bet is placed, The payout display may also be cleared. With this configuration, the payout display can be reliably cleared by, for example, a hall clerk returning the betted electronic medals using the settlement switch 121, so that no payout display remains.

Further, the payout display may be cleared in response to the operation of a settlement switch in a slot machine in which a game is played using real medals. In slot machines, paid medals may be stored in credits. Here, for example, the clerk at the hall can reliably clear the payout display by returning the medals stored in the credit card using the settlement switch, so that no payout display remains. Further, the main CPU 200a or the sub CPU 202a may clear the payout display in response to the end of the advantageous period.

Furthermore, in the smart pachislot 100 or the slot machine, if no game is played for a predetermined period of time, the performance control means 334 executes a standby performance (demonstration performance) and displays a standby screen (demonstration screen) on the liquid crystal display section 124. There are cases. In addition, in the smart pachislot 100 or the slot machine, after the power is turned on, the standby effect (demonstration effect) is directly executed without transitioning to the screen for playing the game, and the standby screen (demonstration screen) is displayed on the liquid crystal display section 124. There are cases where This standby performance ends when the game is started, that is, by operating the bet switch 116 while no bet is being placed, or by operating the start switch 118 while a bet is being placed, and the game is started. The ongoing production begins. During such standby performance, the sub CPU 202a prevents the payout display from being visible on the standby screen, regardless of whether or not the payout display is being displayed internally. Therefore, even if the payout display is not cleared when the power is turned on, the player cannot visually check the payout display and therefore cannot know whether a setting change has been performed or not. Then, the main CPU 200a or the sub CPU 202a may clear the payout display in response to the operation of the bet switch 116 or the operation of the start switch 118 after the standby performance. With this configuration, the payout display is reliably cleared when the player starts playing regardless of whether or not the settlement switch 121 is operated or the counting switch 112 is operated, so the payout display does not remain after the power is turned on. do not have. Therefore, the player cannot determine whether or not a setting change has been executed based on whether or not the display of the number of electronic medals that have been paid out is maintained.

Further, here, an example has been described in which, in the smart pachi-slot machine 100, the main CPU 200a clears the payout display in response to either or both of power-off and power-on. However, this is not the only case; in a slot machine in which a game is played using real medals, for example, the main CPU 200a may clear the payout display in response to either or both of power-off and power-on. good.

Further, here, an example has been given in which the main CPU 200a clears the payout display in response to either or both of power-off and power-on. However, the present invention is not limited to this case, and the main CPU 200a may measure the time from the payout display and clear the payout display when the measured time reaches a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds). Here, the time measurement start point may be the display start timing of the payout display, or may be the display end timing of the payout display. Therefore, for example, in a specification where the payout display counts up by 1, time measurement may be started from the first payout display, or may be started from the last payout display. Note that if the main CPU 200a is configured to measure the time from the payout display and clear the payout display when the measured time reaches a predetermined time, the main CPU 200a will either turn off the power or turn on the power. Alternatively, the payout display may or may not be cleared depending on both parties. In the case where the main CPU 200a adopts a specification in which the payout display is not cleared when the power is turned off and/or turned on, if the power is cut off in the middle of measuring the elapsed time from the payout display, The time that had been measured up to that point may be held and the time measurement may be restarted when the power is turned on again, or the time may be measured from the beginning when the power is turned on again.

(Effect display on liquid crystal display section 124)
As described above, if no game is played in the smart pachislot 100, slot machine, smart pachinko, or pachinko machine for a predetermined period of time, the performance control means 334 executes a standby performance (demonstration performance) and displays a message on the liquid crystal display unit 124. Display the standby screen (demo screen). The standby screen may have a black or blank background to represent a pause in the game. Further, the standby performance may prompt the start of a game or provide a demonstration of the smart pachi-slot 100 instead of the performance in progress.

Further, the performance control means 334 may display a game machine information display showing information regarding the smart pachislot 100 or smart pachinko on the liquid crystal display section 124 while executing the standby performance.

FIG. 49 is an explanatory diagram for explaining gaming machine information display. The effect control means 334 displays a gaming machine information display 400 in front of a black background as a standby effect, as shown in FIG. 49(a). Here, the gaming machine information display 400 includes a gaming machine type display 402 indicating that the gaming machine is a smart pachislot 100 or smart pachinko, and a warning when playing a game with the smart pachislot 100 or smart pachinko. It also includes a warning display 404. In FIG. 49(a), the character string "SMART PACHISLOT" divided into two lines and the character string "SMART PACHISLOT" are displayed in purple as the gaming machine type display 402, indicating that the gaming machine is the smart pachislot 100. It has been shown that there is. In the case of smart pachinko, the character string "Smapachi" is displayed in the game machine type display 402, indicating that the game machine is a smart pachinko.

In addition, in FIG. 49(a), as an alert display 404, in the smart pachislot 100, in order to prompt the execution of counting processing and prevent forgetting to take out a card, a warning message such as "forgetting to count (to pay for medals) and taking out a card" is displayed. Please be careful not to forget or steal it.'' is displayed. Note that in the case of a smart pachinko machine, since there is no operation of the payment switch 121, the warning display 404 reads, ``Please be careful not to forget to count, forget to take out your card, or have it stolen.'' Here, the gaming machine type display 402 and the attention display 404 are arranged so that the horizontal center of the gaming machine type display 402 and the horizontal center of the attention display 404 coincide (center aligned). . Further, here, an example is given in which both the gaming machine type display 402 and the attention call display 404 are displayed as the gaming machine information display 400, but only one of them may be displayed.

Note that the positional relationship between the gaming machine type display 402 and the attention-calling display 404 is not limited to the positional relationship as shown in FIG. For example, in FIG. 49(a), the game machine type display 402 is located above the attention display 404, but the attention display 404 may be located above the game machine type display 402.

Further, regarding the display timing of the game machine type display 402 and the caution display 404, the game machine type display 402 and the caution display 404 may start to be displayed at the same time, or the game machine type display 402 and the caution display 404 may start displaying at the same time. may end displaying at the same time. Here, there is a period in which the game machine type display 402 and the attention call display 404 are displayed at least simultaneously.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 49(b), the gaming machine type display 402 and the attention-calling display 404 may be placed side by side in the left-right direction. At this time, the game machine type display 402 may be located to the left or to the right of the attention display 404. Here, the height position of the upper end of the gaming machine type display 402 and the upper end of the attention calling display 404 may be made equal, or the height position of the lower end of the gaming machine type display 402 and the lower end of the attention calling display 404 may be made equal. You can also do it. Further, as shown in FIG. 49(b), the height of the display 402 by game machine type and the height of the attention display 404 can be made equal, and the height positions of the upper and lower ends of both can be made equal. This configuration creates regularity in the arrangement of the game machine type display 402 and the attention call display 404, allowing the player to recognize them as one.

In addition, in FIG. 49(a), the alert display 404 is represented by a dark-colored (here, purple) character string on a light-colored (here, white) background; It may also be represented by a string of characters in a light color (in this case, white). Further, the game machine type display 402 and the attention-calling display 404 can each be set arbitrarily in terms of color, shape, size, character font, background figure, etc.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 49(c), the game machine type display 402 may be displayed overlappingly with the attention display 404. In this way, the player can recognize them as one.

Incidentally, in recent years, smart pachislot 100, slot machines, smart pachinko, and pachinko machines have been introduced to prevent addiction (addiction prevention measures) in order to prevent dependence (addiction) on them and clearly show that they are entertainment that can be enjoyed with peace of mind. ). For example, the effect control means 334 displays an addictive prevention display on the liquid crystal display section 124 while executing the standby effect. For example, in the smart pachislot 100 or slot machine, the effect control means 334 controls the performance control means 334 at the end of a bonus game state with a so-called end screen in which the number of payout coins exceeds 50, or at the end of a series of increasing sections (due to the characteristics of the game, At the end of at least one of the RT gaming state, AT performance state, and ART gaming state with an end screen in which the number of medals obtained in a continuous section where an increase in medals can be expected exceeds 300, An addictive prevention display may also be displayed on the liquid crystal display section 124. In addition, during the execution of the standby performance, at the end of at least one of the bonus game state with an end screen, the RT game state with an end screen, the AT performance state, and the ART game state, in addition to the addictive prevention display, the above game Machine information display 400 may also be displayed.

FIG. 50 is an explanatory diagram for explaining gaming machine information display and addictive prevention display. Here, an example is given in which the performance control means 334 displays the gaming machine information display 400 and the addictive prevention display 410 on the liquid crystal display section 124 while executing the standby performance. Here, as shown in FIG. 50(a), the addictive prevention display 410 displays character strings such as ``Be careful not to become addicted.'' and ``Pachislot is a game that can be enjoyed in moderation.'' In the case of smart pachinko, the text string ``Pachinko is a game that can be enjoyed in moderation'' is displayed as the addictive prevention display 410. This sinking prevention display 410 has a height H of (10×2×D−5)/9 or more and a width W of the D-inch liquid crystal display portion 124, which is 7 inches or more, based on the height H. The length should maintain the aspect ratio of the slogan. In addition, in FIG. 50(a), "Be careful not to get addicted" in the addictive prevention display 410 is expressed as a light-colored (here, white) character string on a dark-colored (for example, red) background. It may also be represented by a dark-colored (here, red) character string on a light-colored (here, white) background. In addition, among the addictive prevention displays 410, ``Pachislot is a game that can be enjoyed in moderation.'' is expressed as a dark-colored (here, red) character string on a light-colored (here, white) background; ) may be represented by a string of characters in a light color (in this case, white) on the background. Further, the engrossment prevention display 410 can be arbitrarily applied in terms of color, shape, size, font of characters, graphics of the background, etc., and it is sufficient that it is displayed continuously for at least 3 seconds or more.

Here, the gaming machine type display 402, the attention calling display 404, and the addictive prevention display 410 are arranged in various positional relationships based on arbitrary regularity. In FIG. 50(a), the gaming machine type display 402, the attention display 404, and the addictive prevention display 410 are arranged so that the horizontal center of the gaming machine type display 402 and the horizontal center of the attention display 404 are the same as the addictive prevention display 410. They are arranged so that their horizontal centers coincide with each other (center-aligned). Further, the left end of the attention display 404 and the left end of the immersion prevention display 410 can be made equal in lateral position, or the right end of the attention display 404 and the right end of the immersion prevention display 410 can be made equal in lateral position. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 50(a), the left and right widths of the warning display 404 and the immersion prevention display 410 can be made equal, and the left and right ends of both can be made equal in left and right positions. This configuration creates regularity in the arrangement of the gaming machine information display 400 and the addictive prevention display 410, allowing the player to recognize them as one.

Note that the vertical positional relationship between the gaming machine type display 402, the caution display 404, and the addictive prevention display 410 can be arbitrarily determined. For example, as shown in FIG. 50(a), the layout may be as follows from the top: gaming machine type display 402 → warning display 404 → addictive prevention display 410, or from the top: gaming machine type display 402 → addictive prevention display 410 → caution It may be arranged as the warning display 404, or it may be arranged as the warning display 404 → gaming machine type display 402 → addictive prevention display 410 from the top, or the warning display 404 → addictive prevention display 410 → gaming machine type from the top. It may be arranged as a separate display 402, or it may be arranged as immersion prevention display 410 from above → display 402 by game machine type → caution display 404, or immersion prevention display 410 → attention display 404 → game machine type from above. It may be arranged with a separate display 402.

Furthermore, the display timing of the display 402 by game machine type, the warning display 404, and the addictive prevention display 410 may be such that the display by game machine type 402, the warning display 404, and the addictive prevention display 410 start to be displayed at the same time, or The display of the model-specific display 402, the warning display 404, and the addictive prevention display 410 may be terminated at the same time. Here, there is a period in which the gaming machine type display 402, the caution display 404, and the addictive prevention display 410 are displayed at least simultaneously.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 50(b), the display 402 by game machine type, the warning display 404, and the addictive prevention display 410 may be arranged side by side in the left-right direction. At this time, the game machine type display 402, the caution display 404, and the addictive prevention display 410 are arranged so that the vertical center of the game machine type display 402, the vertical center of the caution display 404, and the vertical center of the addictive prevention display 410 are They are arranged so that their centers coincide with each other (center-aligned). In addition, the vertical positions of the upper end of the gaming machine type display 402 and the upper end of the attention display 404 are made equal to the upper end of the immersion prevention display 410, and the lower edge of the gaming machine type display 402 and the lower end of the attention display 404 are displayed to prevent immersion. It is also possible to make the upper and lower positions of the lower end of 410 the same. Further, as shown in FIG. 50(b), the height of the game machine type display 402, the height of the attention display 404, and the height of the addictive prevention display 410 are made equal, and the vertical positions of the upper and lower ends of the three displays are made equal. You can also do it. This configuration creates regularity in the arrangement of the gaming machine information display 400 and the addictive prevention display 410, allowing the player to recognize them as one.

Note that the horizontal positional relationship between the gaming machine type display 402, the attention-calling display 404, and the addictive prevention display 410 can be arbitrarily determined. For example, as shown in FIG. 50(b), the display may be arranged as follows from the left: gaming machine type display 402 → warning display 404 → addictive prevention display 410, or from the left: gaming machine type display 402 → addictive prevention display 410 → caution It may be arranged as the warning display 404, or it may be arranged as the warning display 404 → gaming machine type display 402 → addictive prevention display 410 from the left, or the warning display 404 → addictive prevention display 410 → gaming machine type from the left. It may be arranged as a separate display 402, or it may be arranged as an addictive prevention display 410 → game machine type display 402 → attention display 404 from the left, or addictive prevention display 410 → attention display 404 → game machine type from the left. It may be arranged with a separate display 402.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 50(c), the game machine type display 402 may be displayed overlappingly with the attention display 404. In this case, in the explanation of FIGS. 50(a) and 50(b), the display 402 by game machine type and the alert display 404 can be replaced with the alert display 404. In this way, the player can recognize them as one.

By the way, as mentioned above, when the differential number of coins (value calculated based on the value related to the use of gaming value and the value related to the acquisition of gaming value) reaches the specified differential number of coins (first specified value), the completion The function is activated and the progress of the game is restricted. However, since the player cannot accurately grasp the difference in the number of coins after the power is reset, the player cannot accurately grasp the difference in the number of coins that can be obtained before the completion function is activated. Suppose that a player stops playing just before the complete function is activated, and another player starts playing the smart pachi-slot 100 or slot machine. At this time, other players cannot grasp the difference in the number of coins that can be obtained before the complete function is activated, so there is a risk that the complete function will be activated even if only a small number of coins are acquired. In this case, the player may feel distrustful due to the sudden activation of the complete function.

Therefore, the production control means 334 obtains the difference number of sheets, and when the difference number reaches a predetermined suggested difference number (second specified value), the completion function is activated through the liquid crystal display section 124, the speaker 128, the performance lamp 126, etc. Displays a suggestion display that suggests in advance that the operation is approaching (there is a possibility that the specified difference number of sheets will be reached). In this way, by displaying the suggestion display when the number of difference sheets reaches the predetermined number of suggested difference sheets, the player can know in advance that the completion function may be activated. Furthermore, even if a player stops playing just before the complete function activates, and another player attempts to start playing on the smart pachislot 100 or slot machine, the other player may not be able to activate the complete function due to the suggestion display. You can grasp the difference in the number of coins that can be obtained before the system activates.

FIG. 51 is an explanatory diagram for explaining gaming machine information display, addictive prevention display, and suggestion display. Here, an example is given in which the performance control means 334 displays a gaming machine information display 400, an addictive prevention display 410, and a suggestion display 420 on the liquid crystal display section 124 while executing a standby performance. Here, the suggestion display 420 includes letters, numbers, and symbols that allow the player to understand that the completion function is about to be activated. For example, the effect control means 334 displays the character string "0116 pieces until complete function is activated" on the liquid crystal display section 124, as shown in FIG. 51(a). In the suggestion display 420, a character string is surrounded by a frame, and the white character string is emphasized by, for example, displaying the frame in red and a solid black pattern inside the frame. Furthermore, each of the suggestion displays 420 can be arbitrarily set in terms of color, shape, size, font of characters, graphics of the background, etc.

In addition, the display timing of the game machine type display 402, the caution display 404, the addictive prevention display 410, and the suggestion display 420 is such that the game machine type display 402, the caution display 404, the addiction prevention display 410, and the suggestion display 420 are displayed at the same time. The game machine type display 402, the warning display 404, the addictive prevention display 410, and the suggestion display 420 may be displayed simultaneously. Here, there may be a period in which the game machine type display 402, the caution display 404, the addictive prevention display 410, and the suggestion display 420 are displayed at least simultaneously. However, the present invention is not limited to this case, and the gaming machine information display 400, the addictive prevention display 410, and the suggestion display 420 may be exclusively displayed in different frames. In this case, the suggestion display 420 is not displayed at the timing when the gaming machine information display 400 and the addiction prevention display 410 are displayed, and the gaming machine information display 400 and the addiction prevention display 410 are not displayed at the timing when the suggestion display 420 is displayed. is not displayed. At this time, the position where the gaming machine information display 400 and the addictive prevention display 410 are displayed and the position where the suggestion display 420 is displayed may partially or completely overlap.

Further, in the character string, the number of difference sheets until the complete function is activated, that is, the difference between the specified number of difference sheets and the number of difference sheets (hereinafter referred to as the number of difference sheets reached) is indicated by a four-digit numerical value. For example, if the specified difference number of sheets is 20,000 sheets and the difference number of sheets is 19,884 sheets, "0116 sheets" corresponding to the difference will be displayed in the character string as shown in FIG. 51(a). Become. Then, when the difference number of sheets is updated, the character string (numeric value) is also updated accordingly. Here, we have given an example in which the difference in number of arrival sheets is expressed as a four-digit number regardless of the size, but this is not limited to this case. If the upper digit is "0", that digit may not be displayed). Further, the number of reached sheets may be changed in units of 10 or 100.

Furthermore, the effect control means 334 can change the transparency of the suggestion display 420. Here, transparency indicates the degree to which the image (color) of the lower layer (behind) is transmitted by the transparent image, from 0 to 100%, and the higher the transparency, the more the image (color) of the lower layer is transmitted. It becomes easier to see. Specifically, the effect control means 334 displays the suggestion display 420 with a transparency of 0% at an arbitrary timing, then gradually increases the transparency, displays the suggestion display 420 with a transparency of 90%, and then gradually increases the transparency. lower to Here, the minimum value of transparency is 0% and the maximum value is 90%, but it goes without saying that the transparency is not limited to these values and can be set arbitrarily. For example, the minimum value of transparency may be set to 0% so that images of lower layers are not transmitted at all, and the maximum value may be set to 100% so that the suggestion display 420 is not displayed at all. The effect control means 334 repeats such changes in transparency periodically (for example, every 2 seconds). Therefore, the player sees the suggestion display 420 blinking on the liquid crystal display section 124. Such blinking operation emphasizes the suggestion display 420, making it possible to notify the player that the completion function is about to be activated. In addition, in a state where the transparency of the suggestion display 420 is high, the player can visually recognize (understand) an image of a layer lower than the suggestion display 420, for example, a background image.

Here, an example has been described in which a character string (for example, "0116 sheets until complete function is activated") is displayed on the liquid crystal display section 124 as the suggestion display 420 to notify the difference in the number of sheets until the complete function is activated. . However, the suggestion display 420 is not limited to this case, and it is sufficient that the player can grasp that the activation of the complete function is approaching. "Operation is approaching" may be displayed on the liquid crystal display section 124. In this case as well, the effect control means 334 displays the suggestion display 420 with a transparency of 0% at an arbitrary timing, then gradually increases the transparency, displays the suggestion display 420 with a transparency of 90%, and then gradually increases the transparency. cyclically repeating the process of lowering the

In this way, by displaying the suggestion display 420 when the difference number reaches a predetermined difference number, the player can know in advance that there is a possibility that the complete function will be activated. Further, even if a player stops playing just before the complete function is activated and another player attempts to start playing the smart pachislot 100, the other player will not be able to stop the game due to the suggestion display 420. You can figure out the difference in the number of coins you can get before it activates. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the player's sense of distrust due to the sudden activation of the complete function. In addition, the player can accurately grasp the difference in the number of coins that can be obtained by the time the completion function is activated through the suggestion display 420, so he or she can start playing the smart pachislot 100 after understanding the difference in the number of coins. It becomes possible to judge whether or not.

The gaming machine type display 402, the caution display 404, the addictive prevention display 410, and the suggestion display 420 are arranged in various positional relationships based on arbitrary regularity. In FIG. 51(a), the gaming machine type display 402, the attention display 404, the addictive prevention display 410, and the suggestion display 420 are arranged at the horizontal center of the gaming machine type display 402 and the horizontal center of the attention display 404. They are arranged so that the center of the immersion prevention display 410 in the left-right direction and the center of the suggestion display 420 in the left-right direction coincide (center aligned). In addition, the left end of the attention display 404, the left end of the immersion prevention display 410, and the left end of the suggestion display 420 may be made equal in horizontal position, and the right end of the attention display 404, the right end of the immersion prevention display 410, and the right end of the suggestion display 420 may be made equal. The left and right positions of can also be made equal. Further, as shown in FIG. 51(a), the horizontal width of the attention display 404, the horizontal width of the immersion prevention display 410, and the horizontal width of the suggestion display 420 are made equal, and the left and right positions of the left and right ends of the three displays are made equal. You can also do it. With this configuration, regularity is created in the arrangement of the gaming machine information display 400, the addictive prevention display 410, and the suggestion display 420, and the player can recognize them as one.

Note that the vertical positional relationship between the gaming machine type display 402, the caution display 404, the addictive prevention display 410, and the suggestion display 420 can be arbitrarily determined. For example, as shown in FIG. 51(a), the display may be arranged as follows from the top: gaming machine type display 402 → warning display 404 → addictive prevention display 410 → suggestion display 420, or any of the other 23 orders may be arranged. They may be arranged in order.

Furthermore, the game machine type display 402, the attention-calling display 404, the addictive prevention display 410, and the suggestion display 420 may be juxtaposed in the left-right direction. At this time, the display 402 by game machine type, the attention display 404, the addictive prevention display 410, and the suggestion display 420 are arranged so that the vertical center of the game machine type display 402 and the vertical center of the attention display 404 are the same as the addictive prevention display 410. The vertical center of the suggestion display 420 is arranged so that the vertical center of the suggestion display 420 coincides with the vertical center of the suggestion display 420 (center aligned). In addition, the vertical positions of the upper end of the gaming machine type display 402, the upper end of the attention display 404, the upper end of the immersion prevention display 410, and the upper end of the suggestion display 420 are made equal, and the lower end of the gaming machine type display 402 and the upper end of the attention display 404 are made equal. The lower ends of the immersion prevention display 410 and the lower ends of the suggestion display 420 can also be made to have the same vertical position. Furthermore, the height of the game machine type display 402, the height of the attention call display 404, the height of the addictive prevention display 410, and the height of the suggestion display 420 can be made equal, and the vertical positions of the upper and lower ends of the four displays can be made equal. With this configuration, regularity is created in the arrangement of the gaming machine information display 400, the addictive prevention display 410, and the suggestion display 420, and the player can recognize them as one.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 51(b), the game machine type display 402 may be displayed overlappingly with the attention display 404. In this case, in the explanation of FIG. 51(a), the game machine type display 402 and the attention call display 404 can be replaced with the attention call display 404.

Note that the gaming machine type display 402, the alert display 404, the addictive prevention display 410, and the suggestion display 420 may be arranged in the same layer, or in different layers. When arranged in different layers, only a part of each display, for example, only the frames may overlap. The priority order of the layers may be, for example, in the order of game machine type display 402 -> warning display 404 -> addictive prevention display 410 -> suggestion display 420, or in any of the other 23 orders.

Note that the suggestion display 420 is displayed during execution of the standby performance, at least one of the bonus game state with an end screen, the RT game state with an end screen, the AT performance state, and the ART game state, as described above. , may be displayed during normal gaming.

FIG. 52 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the suggestion display. For example, when the performance state is the normal performance state, the performance control means 334 performs a stage performance indicating that the performance state is the normal performance state. There are multiple types of stage effects, and they change at various timings as the game progresses. The player can grasp the progress of the game through the stage performance. Here, as stage effects, a background image of stage A (for example, a city) and a stage name notification image "Stage A" are displayed on the liquid crystal display section 124, as shown in FIG. When the number of difference sheets reaches a predetermined number of suggested difference sheets, the effect control means 334 executes a suggestion effect that displays a suggestion display 420 on a layer higher than the layer in which the background image of the stage effect is displayed.

Further, the performance control means 334 may always display the suggestion display 420 on the liquid crystal display section 124 regardless of switching between the gaming state and the performance state, for example, switching between stage performances. However, if an error occurs, the effect control means 334 displays the error with priority over the suggestion display 420.

The effect control means 334 avoids overlapping the display area of the suggestion display 420 with the display area of other images, for example, the stage name notification image (for example, "Stage A") in FIG. 52, and improves the visibility of other images. Display in a position that does not interfere (does not overlap). Images to which the suggestion display 420 is not duplicated are images that include information to be notified to the player using letters, numbers, symbols, and the like. Here, the images containing information to be notified to the player include the gaming machine type display 402, the alert display 404, and the addictive prevention display 410 described above. Here, too, the performance control means 334 displays one or more of the gaming machine type display 402, the warning display 404, the addictive prevention display 410, or all of them, and the suggestion display 420 vertically as shown in FIG. 51(a). They can be arranged regularly in the direction or in the left-right direction.

Images containing information to be notified to players include, in addition to the stage name notification image, an image showing the number of medals won, an image showing the gaming state, an image showing the performance state, and an image showing the counter value. , an image that prompts a button effect, an auxiliary effect, a warning image, a logo image that shows the model name of the smart pachislot 100, a logo image that shows the manufacturer of the smart pachislot 100, and encourages the use of a service that can save game records (for example, Uchi WIN). There are images etc. Here, the button performance is a performance that prompts the player to operate the performance switch 122. Further, the warning image is an image that calls attention to the progress of the game, and for example, a rotation warning error image that is notified when the stop operation is not performed for a predetermined period of time after the operation of the stop switch 120 becomes effective. etc. are included.

By displaying the display area of the suggestion display 420 in a position that does not overlap (does not obstruct visibility) the display area of the image containing the information to be notified to the player, the visibility of the information to be notified to the player can be improved. can be increased. In addition, the display area of the suggestion display 420 overlaps with the display area of the image containing the information to be notified to the player, creating a sense of distrust that the player is having difficulty grasping the information. I won't let you go.

(Communication between main CPU and test machine)
Similar to slot machines that use real medals to advance the game, the Smart Pachislot 100 undergoes type testing by the Security Communications Association (Hotsukyo), a testing agency designated by the Public Safety Commission, and by GLI Japan, a general incorporated association. The Connection Specifications for Testing Machines for Reel-Type Gaming Machines (7th Edition) describes the specifications necessary to properly conduct tests using testing machines used by designated testing institutions. The outline will be explained below.

FIG. 53 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a test shooting test of the smart pachislot 100. In the test shooting test, as shown in FIG. 53, the smart pachislot 100 and the test shooting test machine 500 are connected via a first interface board 502 and a second interface board 504 for unifying each signal.

First, the test shot test machine 500 outputs a predetermined signal to the smart pachislot 100 via the connector CN3 of the first interface board 502. The predetermined signal output here is, for example, a pseudo signal indicating that the bet switch 116, start switch 118, stop switch 120, etc. have been operated. Incidentally, since these switches are not actually operated, the sensor provided for each switch does not output a detection signal, but a pseudo signal is output as if the switch had been operated in a pseudo manner.

Furthermore, in response to this signal, the main control board 200 outputs a predetermined signal to the test firing tester 500 via the connectors CN1 and CN2 of the first interface board 502. The predetermined signals output here are signals indicating the state of the performance lamp 126, the state of various sensors, the position of the stepping motor 152, etc. Further, when an auxiliary effect based on the AT effect state or the like is adopted, the main control board 200 outputs a predetermined signal to the test firing tester 500 via the connector CN4 of the second interface board 504. The predetermined signal outputted here is a signal related to a gaming method that can obtain the maximum payout rate. Here, such a signal is mainly expressed as a discrete signal, that is, a binary value of 1 (HIGH) or 0 (LOW).

Based on the configuration shown in FIG. 53, check whether the operation status of game control processing (winning type lottery, reel control, bet, etc.) in response to inputs of the start switch 118, stop switch 120, bet switch 116, etc. is normal. Also, tests are conducted to see if various lamps are displayed normally. In addition, various timings of the operation of the bet switch 116, start switch 118, stop switch 120, and game control processing, for example, after the start switch 118 is operated, the stop switch 120 is first enabled, and the corresponding effect lamp Does the signal change after the conditions for the signal to turn on/off are met, such as the timing at which the lamp signal that manages the on/off state of the 126 is turned on, or does the timing fall within an appropriate time range? will be tested.

In addition, as tests related to ball output performance (to confirm the upper and lower limits of the ball output rate), for example, (1) short-time ball output rate (the ball output rate in a section of 500 games is less than 300%); ), (2) medium time ball output rate (ball output rate in any 6000 game section must be less than 150%), (3) long time ball output rate (ball output rate in any 17500 game section (less than 120% and more than 55%), (4) Accessory ratio (among the game medals paid out from the slot machine, those obtained by operating the accessary objects (SB, CB, MB, RB, BB) (5) Consecutive accessory ratio (out of the game medals paid out from the gaming machine, the number of balls earned through the operation of consecutive accessory objects (RB or BB) must be 60% or less) ), etc. In addition, the test methods include (A) simulation test (a test in which the maximum number of coins that can be obtained in each game is obtained), and (B) test shooting test 1 (a test in which the player plays the game using the same game method as the one used in the game). ), (C) Test shooting test 2 (playing the game using the gaming method that gives the lowest ball payout rate), and the like. Note that the accessory ratio and the continuous accessory ratio become effective when the number of games is 17,500 games or more, which is the specified number of games. Therefore, only when the number of games exceeds the specified number of games, the information on the accessory ratio and continuous accessory ratio is expressed as, for example, 70 (46H) or 60 (3CH), and the number of games does not reach the specified number of games. During this period, FFH is used as an invalid value.

Here, as a comparative example, a case will be described in which a slot machine and a test shot test machine 500 are connected, and then a case in which a smart pachislot 100 and a test shot test machine 500 are connected will be described.

FIG. 54 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the slot machine. For example, when a slot machine and a test firing test machine 500 are connected, if pseudo signals from the bet switch 116, start switch 118, and stop switch 120 are sequentially input from the test shot test machine 500 to the slot machine, the , the reel control means 306 of the slot machine controls the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c to stop. Due to such a pseudo signal, an automatic game in which the game is repeated is executed in the slot machine. Here, a case will be explained in which a symbol combination corresponding to a minor winning combination with a payout number of 15 pieces is displayed on the active line A in one automatic game.

When all the reels 110a, 110b, 110c are stopped by the reel control means 306 at time a in FIG. 54, the determining means 308 determines whether the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination has been displayed on the active line A. , the payout control means 310 pays out the number of medals (15 medals in this case) corresponding to the winning combination based on the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination (here, the minor winning combination) being displayed on the active line A. put out. Here, medals are paid out one by one at equal intervals according to the number of small winnings paid out. Then, when the payout of medals is completed, the payout control means 310 allows the start of the next game, that is, allows a bet using the bet switch 116.

At this time, a payout count signal (first signal) consisting of 15 pulses with a duty of 50% is transmitted from the slot machine to the test shot testing machine 500 (outputted to the outside) based on the payout of 15 medals. , 178.8 msec later, at time b indicating the end of the payout count signal, the input request lamp signal (second signal) is turned ON (outputted to the outside). Based on the payout count signal, the test shooting test machine 500 determines whether the appropriate number of medals has been paid out, and also determines whether the next game is possible (starts the next automatic game) by turning on the input request lamp signal. Understand what you can start doing. Here, the first signal is not limited to the payout count signal, and it is sufficient that the number of electronic medals can be transmitted to the test shot testing machine 500 as a number of pulses. Further, the second signal is not limited to the injection request lamp signal, and it is sufficient that the second signal is capable of transmitting to the test shot testing machine 500 that the output of the first signal has been completed, for example, that the number of pulses has been output equal to the number of electronic medals.

By the way, the slot machine and the smart pachi-slot 100 have substantially the same game process. Therefore, the signals transmitted and received from the test firing tester 500 are also substantially equal. However, the operation may differ between the slot machine and the smart pachislot 100. For example, in a slot machine, it takes time to pay out actual medals, but in the smart pachi-slot 100, the game proceeds without the intervention of medals, so the payout control means 310 does not pay out medals. Therefore, actual payout of medals by the payout control means 310 as shown in FIG. 54 does not occur. In the slot machine, the payout control means 310 restricts the start of the next game while medals are being paid out, and allows the start of the next game after the payout is completed. However, in the smart pachislot 100, the payout of electronic medals is finished instantaneously without requiring actual payout of medals. Then, as long as all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c stop, the next game can be started immediately after that.

However, as described above, since the slot machine and the smart pachi-slot 100 have substantially the same game processing, the signals transmitted and received from the test shot test machine 500 are substantially the same. Then, in the smart pachi-slot 100, it is necessary to output a payout count signal and an input request lamp signal even when actual medals are not paid out. Therefore, in the smart pachislot 100 as well, a payout count signal consisting of 15 pulses is transmitted to the test shooting test machine 500 based on the payout of 15 medals, and after 178.8 msec, an input request is made in response to the end of payout. It is conceivable that the next game in the smart pachi-slot machine 100 can be started by turning on the lamp signal and synchronizing it with the input request lamp signal.

However, in the smart pachislot 100, the payout of electronic medals is completed instantaneously after all reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are stopped, so the player outputs a payout count signal after the payout of electronic medals is completed. The player waits until the game is completed before starting the next game. In this case, a situation may arise in which the player operates the bet switch 116 while the start of the next game is restricted, and the operation is not accepted effectively, making it impossible to improve the operability. Further, even though the next game can be started after the payout of electronic medals has been completed, providing a waiting time for the payout count signal will unnecessarily delay the progress of the game.

Therefore, the progress of the game in the smart pachi-slot 100 main body and the signal transmission to the test shooting test machine 500 are operated independently to proceed with the game appropriately.

FIG. 55 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the smart pachislot 100. For example, in the case where the smart pachi-slot machine 100 and the test shot test machine 500 are connected, if the pseudo signals of the bet switch 116, start switch 118, and stop switch 120 are sequentially input from the test shot test machine 500 to the smart pachi-slot machine 100, the pseudo signals Accordingly, the reel control means 306 controls the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c to stop. Due to such a pseudo signal, an automatic game in which the game is repeated is executed in the slot machine. Here, as in FIG. 54, it is assumed that a symbol combination corresponding to a small winning combination with a payout number of 15 pieces is displayed on the active line A.

When all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are stopped by the reel control means 306 at time a, the determination means 308 determines whether or not the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination has been displayed on the active line A, and controls the payout. The means 310, based on the fact that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination (here, the minor role) is displayed on the active line A, sends out the number of electronic medals (15 medals here) corresponding to the minor role at once. Pay out. In this way, when the payout of medals is instantaneously completed, the payout control means 310 allows the start of the next game. By doing so, the player can start the next game immediately after paying out the electronic medals.

At this time, a payout count signal (first signal) consisting of 15 pulses is transmitted from the smart pachislot 100 to the test shooting test machine 500 based on the payout of 15 medals, independent of the payout of electronic medals. The input request lamp signal (second signal) is turned ON (outputted to the outside) at time b indicating the end of the payout count signal after 178.8 msec. The test shooting test machine 500 determines whether the medals have been properly paid out based on the payout count signal, and also recognizes that the next game is possible by turning on the input request lamp signal.

Here, the progress of the game on the smart pachislot 100 main body and the signal transmission to the test shooting test machine 500 are operated independently, and the next game can be started immediately after the payout of the electronic medals is completed. Since the bet switch 116 can be accepted immediately after the payout is completed, the player is not restricted in accepting the bet switch 116 and can improve operability. Further, the next game can be started immediately after the payout of electronic medals is finished, so it is possible to proceed with the game appropriately.

(Second embodiment: smart pachinko)
By the way, a smart pachinko machine is also being considered in which the pachinko machine is of an enclosed circulation type, allowing players to play the game without touching the game balls. In smart pachinko, by applying a frame control board, a counting switch, and a game ball number display device that have the same functions as the medal number control board 204, counting switch 112, and game medal number display device 114 in the smart pachislot 100, smart pachinko Similar to Pachislot 100, it is possible to proceed with the game without distributing game balls between the smart pachinko and the dedicated unit. The game ball number display device is a display device that displays the number of game balls, which is the total number of electronic game balls that can be used for games. Note that the number of game balls corresponds to an example of the number of game values, which is the total number of game values that can be provided for the game.

The main CPU (first control unit) of the smart pachinko machine issues a starting hole entry command indicating that a game ball has entered the starting hole, and one special symbol from among a plurality of preset special symbols. A lottery is held to determine the results, a lottery result command that shows the results, a special symbol fluctuation start command, a special symbol fluctuation end command, a payout command that pays out prize balls in a jackpot game or small win game according to the lottery result. , at least two commands among a plurality of commands such as a game end command indicating that a jackpot game or a small win game has ended are transmitted in a predetermined transmission order. Then, the frame CPU (second control unit) of the smart pachinko may update the error counter when the order in which commands are received is different from the original order in which commands are received.

In addition, although an example has been described here in which a command is sent from the main CPU 200a (first control unit) to the medal CPU 204a (second control unit) in the smart pachislot 100, the smart pachislot machine 100 is not limited to such a case. Applicable to serial communication between various independent CPUs as the first control unit or second control unit, such as when sending commands between other boards within the 100 or from the main CPU in a smart pachinko to the CPU of the frame control board. can do.

In addition, in the smart pachislot 100, the counting switch 112 and the game medal number display device 114 are respectively provided on the operation unit installation base 111, but in the smart pachinko, the counting switch and the game ball number display device are installed on It may be provided on the plate (not shown), for example, near the cross key (direction switch).

Further, the various aspects related to the sounds output from each speaker, such as the counting sound, described with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26 can be applied not only to the smart pachislot 100 but also to smart pachinko. In this case, the smart pachislot 100 and the smart pachinko may respond differently when a plurality of sounds overlap. For example, in the smart pachislot 100, the amount of decrease in the volume of the game sound when it overlaps with the counting sound and the amount of decrease in the volume of the game sound when it overlaps with the rental sound are set to be the same, and in the smart pachinko The amount of decrease in the volume of the game sound when it overlaps with the rental sound and the amount of decrease in the volume of the game sound when it overlaps with the rental sound may be made different. In the smart pachislot 100, the amount of decrease in the volume of the game sound output from speakers other than the specific speaker is made larger than the amount of decrease in the volume of the game sound output from the specific speaker. The amount of volume reduction may not vary depending on the speaker. When the error sound and the counting sound (rental sound) overlap, the smart pachislot 100 allows the error sound and the counting sound (rental sound) to overlap each other without reducing the volume of both the error sound and the counting sound (rental sound). In a smart pachinko, the error sound may be output from each speaker without reducing the volume of the error sound, and the counting sound (rental sound) may not be output from each speaker. When the complete function sound and the counting sound (rental sound) overlap, in the smart pachislot 100, the volume of both the complete function sound and the counting sound (rental sound) does not decrease, and the complete function sound and the counting sound (rental sound) overlap. In a smart pachinko, only one of the complete function sound and the counting sound (rental sound) may be output from each speaker, and the other may not be output from each speaker.

Furthermore, the volume of the counting sound and the volume of the rental sound described with reference to FIG. 27 are applicable not only to the smart pachislot 100 but also to smart pachinko.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. It is clear that those skilled in the art can come up with various changes and modifications within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. be done.

For example, the security-related signal transmitted from the smart pachi-slot 100 to the dedicated unit 350 is to be continuously output for three seconds or more. Here, if the smart pachi-slot 100 is powered off while outputting a security-related signal, the smart pachi-slot 100 may or may not output the security-related signal again after power is restored. If the security-related signal is to be output again, the smart pachi-slot 100 may continue to output the security-related signal for three seconds or more after the power is restored.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the main CPU 200a obtains a door open error detection flag that is set to "1" when the front upper door 104 or the front lower door 106 is opened, and determines a door open error. I listed and explained. In smart pachislot, not only the main CPU 200a but also the medal CPU 204a manages door opening errors. Specifically, a door open signal that is output when the front upper door 104 or the front lower door 106 is opened is input as an electrical signal (hardware) to both the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a, and the main CPU 200a The door opening error is reported through the sub CPU 202a, and in parallel, the medal CPU 204a reports the door opening error through the dedicated unit 350 and the hall computer (not shown). With this configuration, even if one of the main CPU 200a and the medal CPU 204a malfunctions, as long as the other CPU is normal, a door opening error can be reported, so security can be ensured. Note that the door opening error is defined as not a fraud monitoring process related to dispensing and lending, and is processed in an unused area.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the main control board 200, the sub-control board 202, and the medal number control board 204 are arranged so as to share the functional parts for proceeding with the game, but some of the main control board 200 The functional parts may be arranged on the sub-control board 202 and the medal number control board 204, or some functional parts of the sub-control board 202 may be arranged on the main control board 200 and the medal number control board 204. Some of the functional parts of the board 204 may be arranged on the main control board 200 or the sub-control board 202, or all the functional parts can be arranged on one control board.

Further, each process performed by the main control board 200, sub-control board 202, and medal number control board 204 described above does not necessarily have to be performed in chronological order according to the order described as a flowchart, but in parallel or by a subroutine. May include.

100 Smart pachislot (gaming machine)
112 Count switch 114 Game medal number display device 116 Bet switch 118 Start switch 120 Stop switch 121 Settlement switch 122 Production switch 200 Main control board 200a Main CPU
204 Medal number control board 204a Medal CPU
350 dedicated unit

Claims (2)

A gaming machine that can be connected to a specific unit that lends gaming value,
a gaming value control means for managing the gaming value;
a sound control means for controlling the output of sound according to the progress of the game;
Equipped with
The sound control means includes:
outputting a predetermined sound at a first volume through the audio output section when the player is in an advantageous state;
When the game is in the advantageous state and no operation is performed for a predetermined period of time, the volume of the predetermined sound is shifted to a volume adjustment state in which the volume of the predetermined sound is limited to a second volume smaller than the first volume. There is,
The gaming value control means includes:
While the game is possible, a counting process may be performed to transfer the gaming value to the specific unit according to the player's operation;
The sound control means includes:
In response to execution of the counting process, a counting sound is output at a third volume through the audio output unit,
A game machine that outputs the counting sound at the third volume even if the volume adjustment state is entered when the game machine is in the advantageous state. A gaming machine that can be connected to a specific unit that lends gaming value,
a gaming value control means for managing the gaming value;
a sound control means for controlling the output of sound according to the progress of the game;
Equipped with
The sound control means includes:
outputting a predetermined sound at a first volume through the audio output section when the player is in an advantageous state;
When the game is in the advantageous state and no operation is performed for a predetermined period of time, the volume of the predetermined sound is shifted to a volume adjustment state in which the volume of the predetermined sound is limited to a second volume smaller than the first volume. There is,
The gaming value control means includes:
While gaming is possible, lending processing may be performed in which the gaming value is transferred from the specific unit in accordance with the player's operation;
The sound control means includes:
In response to execution of the lending process, outputting the lending sound at a third volume through the audio output unit,
A gaming machine that outputs the rental sound at the third volume even if the volume adjustment state is entered when the game machine is in the advantageous state.

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