JP2024061101A - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a gaming machine that can solve problems associated with the configuration and internal processing peculiar to medal-less machines. [Solution] The gaming machine is equipped with a gaming control unit, a value management unit capable of receiving information related to the gaming value from a gaming value recording means connected to the gaming machine and capable of managing the gaming value, and a transfer instruction unit capable of instructing the transfer of information related to the gaming value from the value management unit to the gaming value recording means, an upper limit for the amount of gaming value that the value management unit can manage is set, and the states related to the management of the gaming value include an unreached state until the amount of gaming value managed by the value management unit reaches the upper limit, and an reached state that is maintained after the amount of gaming value managed by the value management unit reaches the upper limit until a predetermined operation is performed on the transfer instruction unit, and the unreached state and the reached state have different processing contents that can be executed. [Selected Figure] Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an amusement machine.

Conventionally, gaming machines (hereinafter referred to as "current machines") have been known in which a player borrows medals, which are real objects, and inserts the medals to progress through the game.

On the other hand, from the perspective of improving the efficiency of store management operations, gaming machines that do not use medals, which are physical objects, (hereinafter referred to as "medalless machines") are being considered (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

In such medal-less machines, an operator (including the player who is playing the game, store staff, and users who have finished playing) inserts banknotes into a medal dispensing machine (medal unit), and medal data (for example, data related to the number of medals) is transferred from the medal unit to the gaming machine, and it is envisioned that the medal data (increase or decrease in the number of medals) is managed on the gaming machine side as the game progresses.

In addition, with such medal-less machines, it is thought that at least when ending a game, the operator needs to press the counting button to execute the transfer process. This transfer process then transfers the medal data managed within the gaming machine to the medal unit, after which the operator is expected to remove the card on which the medal data is recorded from the medal unit.

JP 2022-001222 A JP 2022-34200 A

It is believed that such medal-less machines have problems based on their unique configuration and internal processing that are not present in current machines. Therefore, when operating a medal-less machine, it is necessary to uncover and consider in advance the problems based on the unique configuration and internal processing of medal-less machines.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can solve problems inherent to the configuration and internal processing of medal-less machines.

The present invention relates to
A game control unit capable of controlling the progress of a game in the gaming machine;
a value management unit capable of receiving information about a game value from a game value recording means connected to the gaming machine or installed in the gaming machine, and capable of managing the game value that changes as the game progresses;
a transfer instruction unit capable of instructing to transfer information relating to the game value from the value management unit to the game value recording means based on a predetermined operation;
Equipped with
An upper limit of the amount of the game value that the value management unit can manage is set,
The state regarding the management of the game value includes an unreached state until the amount of the game value managed by the value management unit reaches the upper limit value, and an reached state that is maintained after the amount of the game value managed by the value management unit reaches the upper limit value until the predetermined operation is performed on the transfer instruction unit,
The unreached state and the reached state have different executable process contents and/or different executable processes and different unexecutable processes.
It is an amusement machine.

In addition, in the present invention,
In the unachieved state, a process related to the progress of the game can be executed;
In the reached state, processing related to the progress of the game cannot be executed.
It is possible to do so.

In addition, in the present invention,
An output unit capable of outputting information related to the game is further provided,
The output unit is
When the game value is not reached, a process of accepting a bet of the game value and/or a process of notifying and/or suggesting that the game value can be bet is executable.
When the game is in the reached state, a process of accepting a bet of the game value and/or a process of notifying and/or suggesting that the game value can be bet is not executable.
It is possible to do so.

In addition, in the present invention,
An output unit capable of outputting information related to the game is further provided,
The output unit is
When the non-achievement state is reached, a process of notifying and/or suggesting the non-achievement state can be executed,
When the arrival state is reached, a process of notifying and/or suggesting that the arrival state is reached can be executed.
It is possible to do so.

In addition, in the present invention,
the value management unit is capable of transitioning from the reached state to the unreached state by the predetermined operation being performed on the transfer instruction unit that is disposed in a position of the gaming machine that is visible to an operator,
It is possible to do so.

In addition, in the present invention,
Further comprising a storage unit capable of storing an error history relating to the gaming machine;
The information indicating that the reached state has been reached is not stored in the storage unit as the error history.
It is possible to do so.

In addition, in the present invention,
a first abnormal state where a connection abnormality occurs between the gaming machine and the game value recording means, a second abnormal state where a connection abnormality occurs between the value management unit and a function other than the value management unit, and a third abnormal state where the reached state is set in that order;
The output unit is capable of generating the status abnormalities in descending order of priority when at least two of the first status abnormality, the second status abnormality, and the third status abnormality occur simultaneously.
The cancellation process is executed.
be able to.

In addition, in the present invention,
The reached state has more limited executable processing contents than the unreached state.
It is possible to do so.

The present invention provides a gaming machine that can solve problems associated with the configuration and internal processing unique to medal-less machines.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the slot machine. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a slot machine. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of symbols on a spinning reel. A diagram explaining the state transition of a game area. 11 is a diagram illustrating state transitions in the first game state. FIG. A figure explaining the state transition in the second game state. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating types of commands and timing of receiving them. This is a diagram explaining the range (MY) and the difference in number of sheets in the advantageous zone. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a support process is being executed. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the flow of the operation process of the slot machine. FIG. 11 is a flow diagram showing the flow of lending processing and transfer processing. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of occurrence priority processing. A flow chart showing the flow of medal count upper limit reaching processing. A flow chart showing the flow of medal count control communication abnormality processing. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of a command response process. A flow chart showing the flow of medal unit connection abnormality processing.

[First embodiment]
A slot machine 1 according to an embodiment of a gaming machine of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 16. Note that the embodiment described below is merely one example of the present invention, and the embodiment of the present invention can be modified as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 1 in this embodiment is a medal-less machine that can be played without using medals, which are real objects. Below, we will first explain the medal unit 7 connected to this slot machine 1.

<Configuration of medal unit 7>
As shown in FIG. 2, the medal unit 7 is connected to the slot machine 1 outside the slot machine 1 so as to be able to communicate with the slot machine 1 .

The medal unit 7 can also store inside it a card 70 that stores medal data as electronic data that replaces the medals that are real objects.

The medal unit 7 can also perform the medal lending process associated with the transfer of medal data to the slot machine 1, as described below, and conversely, the ejection process of the card 70 associated with the transfer of medal data from the slot machine 1.

The medal unit 7 can also manage medal data within the slot machine 1 by sending and receiving necessary data to and from the media management section 613 (described below) of the slot machine 1.

The medal unit 7 also includes a loan button 71. When an operator inserts a bill into the medal unit 7 (a deposit signal generated by the medal unit 7 is sent to the slot machine 1), the operator then presses the loan button 71, which generates a loan signal and sends it to the media management unit 613.

In this specification, "operator" refers to all users, including players who are playing a game, users who have finished playing (including users walking around the store), and store staff, but may be referred to individually as "store staff" or "player" as necessary.

In addition, when the counting button 44 of the slot machine 1 is pressed, the medal unit 7 receives a transfer signal and medal data from the slot machine 1.

If the card 70 does not contain medal data, the medal unit 7 executes a process to write the received medal data to the card 70, and if medal data has already been written to the card 70, it executes a process to update and overwrite the medal data on the card 70.

The medal unit 7 is communicatively connected to a hall computer (a computer installed in the store) and a unit management computer (a computer that manages the medal unit 7), not shown. The medal unit 7 connected to each slot machine 1 can transmit, for example, medal data stored (credited) in each slot machine 1 to the hall computer, etc. This allows the medal data of the slot machine 1 to be managed by the hall computer, etc.

When the operator presses the eject button 72, the medal unit 7 ejects the stored card 70 to the outside. In addition, when the card 70 is ejected to the outside, the medal unit 7 may be able to generate an ejection signal for the card and transmit the ejection signal to the slot machine 1.

<Configuration of Slot Machine 1>
As described above, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is a medal-less machine in which the game can be played without using medals, which are real objects. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the game is played using medal data, which is electronic data, instead of medals, which are real objects. The medal data is an example of a game value. In the following, for the sake of convenience, "medal data" may be expressed simply as "medal".

As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 1 has a cabinet 10. A front door 100 is provided on the front of the cabinet 10. This front door 100 is locked while a game is in progress.

A transparent reel window 200 is provided in the center of the front door 100. Through this reel window 200, the operator can see the multiple symbols displayed on the surface of each of the multiple rotating reels 20, which will be described later.

Above the reel window 200, there is an LCD screen 3, a speaker 101, and an illumination unit 102 for various effects during play.

The LCD screen 3 displays various animations (video effects) while the player is playing.

The speaker 101 outputs a specified BGM (background music), SE (sound effects) and audio.

The illumination unit 102 is made up of LEDs and the like, and lights up or goes out in a predetermined pattern, for example, when a highly anticipated performance screen is displayed or when a winning combination is achieved.

The operation unit 4 is provided below the reel window 200. The operation unit 4 includes a number of stop switches 40, a bet switch 41, a lever 42, a digital counter 43, a count button 44, and a cancel button 45.

A sensor is provided near each switch in the operation unit 4 to detect the player's operation and output an operation signal to the control unit 6.

Each stop switch 40 is provided corresponding to each reel 20. Each stop switch 40 accepts an operation to stop the rotation of each reel 20 while the reel 20 is rotating. When stop switch 40a is pressed, the rotation of reel 20a stops, when stop switch 40b is pressed, the rotation of reel 20b stops, and when stop switch 40c is pressed, the rotation of reel 40c stops.

The bet switch 41 is used when the operator bets medals. The number of credited medals (medal data) and bet medals (medal data) are managed by the slot machine 1 (medal management unit 613, described below). In the following, when we say "credited medals (medal data)", we mean the medals (medal data) managed by the media management unit 613.

The lever 42 functions as a start switch that accepts operations to spin each reel 20.

The digital counter 43 digitally displays the number of medal credits, the number of medals paid out (the number of medals won), the number of medals bet, etc.

The counting button 44 can accept an operation by the operator to transfer medal data from the media management unit 613 described below to the medal unit 7. In this embodiment, the counting button 44 is disposed in a position on the slot machine 1 that is visible to the operator. A visible position is a position that the operator can touch without unlocking and opening the front door 100, and in this embodiment, it is the front of the housing 10. When the counting button 44 accepts an operation by the operator, a transfer signal is generated in the counting button 44.

After the counting button 44 is pressed, for example, by raising or lowering the lever 42, medal data of any quantity specified by the operator may be transferred to the medal unit 7. In this case, the button by which the operator transfers medal data of any quantity may be the counting button 44, or may be a button different from the counting button 44. Alternatively, medal data of any quantity specified by the operator may be transferred to the slot machine 1 by the operator operating a button on the medal unit 7 side.

The cancel button 45 can accept an operation by the operator to change medal data that has been bet to a state where it has not been bet. When the cancel button 45 accepts an operation by the operator, a cancel signal is generated by the cancel button 45. After that, the medium management unit 613, which receives the cancel signal, manages the medal data that has been bet as a state where it has not been bet.

A reset button 5 is also provided inside the housing 10. The reset button 5 is a button for resetting a medal count control communication anomaly E7 and a medal unit connection anomaly E8, which will be described later. This reset button 5 can be operated by store staff. In other words, since the reset button 5 is located inside the housing 10, which is normally locked (for example, during game play or idling), users who do not have a key (users other than store staff) cannot touch the reset button 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 1 also includes a reel unit 2 and a control unit 6. The reel unit 2 and the control unit 6 are disposed inside the housing 10, together with a power supply device (not shown) that turns the main power supply of the slot machine 1 on and off.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the reel unit 2 has three reels 20 and three stepping motors 21. The reel unit 2 is arranged inside the housing 10 in a position corresponding to the reel window 200.

For example, patterns (symbols) such as those shown in FIG. 3 are arranged on the surface of each reel 20. The game progresses when a game result determination unit 612 (described later) determines whether the combination of patterns displayed on a pay line L (described later) when each reel 20 stops spinning is a predetermined combination of patterns.

A stepping motor 21 is provided for each rotating reel 20 and drives the corresponding rotating reel 20.

The stepping motor 21 stops the rotation of the reel 20 corresponding to the operated stop switch 40 within 190 ms after the stop switch 40 is operated while the reel 20 is rotating. The stepping motor 21 rotates once in 504 steps. As a result, the reel 20 rotates at a speed of 80 rotations per minute. In other words, the number of steps that can be advanced within 190 ms is 127.

The rotation and stopping of these reels 20 and stepping motor 21 are controlled by the reel control unit 611, which will be described later.

<Flow of the game by the operator (player)>
The operator operates the bet switch 41 to use the credited medals to bet medals on the slot machine 1. When a predetermined number of medals are bet on the slot machine 1, the pay line L is activated. After that, it becomes possible to operate the lever 42, i.e., to start playing.

Figure 1 shows an example in which the active line L is composed of one line sloping downward to the right. The active line L is a virtual line that determines the winning combination. In this embodiment, when a MAX BET of three coins is placed, one line L is activated.

In the following, "winning" refers not only to the alignment of symbols that result in the payout of medals, such as bells and watermelons, on the pay line L, but also to the alignment of symbols that correspond to specific roles, such as replays, chances, and bonuses, which do not result in the payout of medals, on the pay line L. In this embodiment, specific roles also include the special roles described below.

In this embodiment, one game (one play) refers to a series of actions in which the player operates the bet switch 41, lever 42, stop switch 40, etc. to obtain a predetermined game result, including the internal lottery, the winning determination process, and the medal data increase/decrease process.

Specifically, when the lever 42 is operated (lever on) in a state in which play can begin, an internal lottery is held to determine the winning flag, and each reel 20 begins to spin. In this state, when any of the stop switches 40 is operated, the reel 20 corresponding to the operated stop switch 40 stops. When all reels 20 stop, a predetermined number of medals are paid out according to the combination of symbols (winning combination) that line up on the pay line L (winning combination). This ends one game.

In addition, at least a portion of the information regarding the progress of the game until the predetermined game result is obtained (for example, when the bet switch 41 is pressed, when the lever 42 is operated, when the stop switch 40 is pressed, when an internal lottery is executed, when a predetermined role is won, when the reel is spun, etc.) is managed by the first control unit 61A.

<About game status>
During play, the type of play area is set as shown in Figure 4, and one play state is set from among a plurality of play states as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Based on the set play area and play state, an internal lottery and a predetermined lottery are performed.

The game states include a first game state (see FIG. 5) and a second game state (see FIG. 6). Note that the first game state and the second game state are not mutually exclusive game states, but are merely classified states for the purpose of distinction for the sake of convenience.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first game state includes a special role non-carryover state, a bonus internal state (special role carryover state), and a special role implementation state. The special role non-carryover state, the bonus internal state, and the special role implementation state are mutually exclusive.

The "no special role carryover state" refers to a state in which a special role (for example, a type 1 BB, which is a role continuous operation device for a type 1 special role) has not been won by the internal lottery, and the winning special role has not been carried over. The "no special role carryover state" is set, for example, when the setting value described below is changed, when the RAM is initialized (an example of a specified condition), or when more than a specified number of medals are paid out during the special role implementation state.

The bonus internal state is a state in which a special role has been won through an internal draw, but the winning of that special role has been carried over. In other words, the bonus internal state is a state in which a special role flag has been won through an internal draw, but the symbols representing that special role have not been aligned on the active line L, and the special role has not yet been won. Note that if the winning of a Type 1 BB is in a carried over state, no further Type 1 BB draws will be held.

The special role implementation state refers to the state in which a special role has been won by an internal lottery and no more than the specified number of medals have been paid out.

During play of the slot machine 1, the operator continues playing the game with the first game state remaining in the special role carryover state without winning the special role that has been carried over.

The slot machine 1 in this embodiment is an AT (assist time) machine. In an AT machine, the first game state is set to a bonus internal state by the operation of a store staff member before the store opens, for example, and in this state, the operator can enjoy playing by transitioning to the second game state.

As shown in FIG. 6, the second game state is either a normal game state or an AT (an example of a special game state). In the second game state, the normal game state and the AT are mutually exclusive.

The general game state is a state that is not an AT (including a CZ, if one exists, which is a chance zone with a high probability of winning the AT), that is, a state in which the assist function does not occur (or is unlikely to occur). For example, after the RAM is cleared or the AT ends, until the AT lottery is won, the second game state is set to the general game state.

AT is a state in which the assist function (AT function) is activated, which informs the player of the correct pressing order (correct operation order) of the stop switch 40 for a role other than the special role that has been won by internal drawing, via the LCD screen 3, speaker 101, and illumination unit 102.

When the play area is a favorable area, the AT drawing is performed according to the winning combination (such as a rare combination, or the number of times a predetermined combination has been won) obtained by the internal drawing. When the play area is a favorable area and the AT is won in the AT drawing (the AT transition signal is generated), the second play state transitions from the general play state to the AT.

The second game state transitions from the AT to the general game state when a predetermined number of games have passed since play began in the AT, when the total number of medals paid out since play began in the AT reaches a predetermined number, when an assist has been performed a predetermined number of times, or when an assist related to a specific role (for example, push order bell) has been performed a predetermined number of times. This ends the AT.

The CZ is entered when certain conditions are met, such as when a CZ lottery is won based on the winning combination, when the number of games reaches a predetermined number of games, or when the points accumulated in a predetermined case reach a predetermined value. In this embodiment, the CZ is described as a separate concept from the high probability mode in FIG. 5, but the high probability mode may be the CZ.

<About the game area>
The above-mentioned game zone is a state (zone) for determining whether or not the processing related to the instruction function is performed. As shown in Fig. 4, the game zone is composed of a normal zone and an advantageous zone. The normal zone and the advantageous zone are in an exclusive relationship, and the game zone can be either the normal zone or the advantageous zone.

Processing related to the instruction function includes, for example, processing to exercise the instruction function (providing an assist), drawing of modes (modes in which the probability of winning the AT is determined), mode transition processing, CZ drawing processing, CZ processing, AT drawing processing (including processing related to the continuation of the AT), AT processing, etc.

The normal zone is a zone where processing related to the instruction function cannot be executed, but where a lottery for zone transition to the advantageous zone is conducted. As a result of playing in the normal zone, the game zone transitions from the normal zone to the advantageous zone depending on the internally drawn role. Note that while the game zone is the normal zone, the second game state is the general game state.

The advantageous zone is a zone in which processing related to the instruction function can be executed. The advantageous zone includes an advantageous zone in which the second gaming state progresses in a general gaming state, and an advantageous zone in which the second gaming state progresses in a CZ or AT. The gaming zone remains an advantageous zone from the time the gaming zone transitions to the advantageous zone until a specified end condition is met.

<Configuration of control unit 6>
As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 6 includes a main control unit (a first control unit 61A and a second control unit 61B) and a sub control unit 62.

The first control unit 61A, the second control unit 61B and the sub-control unit 62 each include a CPU and a memory unit (ROM, RAM, RWM).

In this embodiment, the components of the first control unit 61A, the second control unit 61B, and the sub-control unit 62 are mounted on one board. As a result, the first control unit 61A, the second control unit 61B, and the sub-control unit 62 are each configured on an individual board. These boards are connected by wiring via an interface.

As mentioned above, the main control unit of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is composed of two chips: a first control unit 61A and a second control unit 61B.

In this embodiment, the reason why a two-chip configuration is adopted for the main control unit is mainly as follows.
(1) The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is a medal-less machine, and medal data needs to be transmitted and received between the slot machine 1 and the medal unit 7. (2) The capacity of the first control unit 61A is limited by regulations (e.g., regulations regarding certification of gaming machines and model inspections, etc.). If the first control unit 61A were to also manage medal data and transmit and receive it to the medal unit 7, the capacity of the first control unit 61A would be further strained. (3) In response to this, a two-chip configuration is adopted, consisting of a chip that manages medal data and transmits and receives it to the medal unit 7, and a chip that performs other main control. This eliminates the need for the first control unit 61A to perform medal data management processing, and the resources of the first control unit 61A can be allocated to other functions.

The communication method between the first control unit 61A and the second control unit 61B is asynchronous serial communication.

In addition, at least one of the first control unit 61A and the second control unit 61B is communicatively connected to the medal unit 7. The communication method between the first control unit 61A and/or the second control unit 61B and the medal unit 7 is also asynchronous serial communication.

<Description of First Control Unit 61A>
The ROM of the first control unit 61A stores programs that are directly related to the progress of the game (for example, control of the spinning reel 20, control of ball output).

The RAM and RWM of the first control unit 61A store game data (information related to the progress of the game) required for game progress.

The gaming data includes the current number of games, as well as data indicating the gaming status (which gaming state and gaming section each is in). In this embodiment, the gaming data includes, for example, data indicating that the first gaming state is a special role non-carryover state, a bonus internal state, etc.

Through the operation of the CPU and memory unit of the first control unit 61A, the first control unit 61A functions as an internal lottery unit 610 (part of the game control unit), a spinning reel control unit 611 (part of the game control unit), a game result determination unit 612 (part of the game control unit), a setting value control unit 614 (part of the game control unit), a section control unit 615 (part of the game control unit), a game status control unit 616 (part of the game control unit), an RT status control unit 617 (part of the game control unit), a detection unit 618, and a function operation unit 619 (part of the game control unit).

That is, in this embodiment, the first control unit 61A performs all controls directly related to the progress of the game, except for the medal count control (described later) performed by the second control unit 61B. Specifically, the controls performed by the first control unit 61A include, for example, internal lottery processing, control of the spinning reel 20, various game states and/or game zone controls, various error monitoring and error processing, such as communication connection monitoring between the slot machine 1 and the medal unit 7 and communication connection monitoring between the first control unit 61A and the second control unit 61B.

The errors include, for example, system abnormalities in the first control unit 61A, the second control unit 61B, and the sub-control unit 62, as well as medal count control communication abnormality E7, medal unit connection abnormality E8, and medal count upper limit reached E9. These medal count control communication abnormality E7, medal unit connection abnormality E8, and medal count upper limit reached E9 will be described later.

The first control unit 61A can also generate commands related to playing on the slot machine 1. The generated commands include those sent to each function within the first control unit 61A (for example, a command for spinning the reel 20, a command for determining the game result), as well as request commands sent to the second control unit 61B.

The request commands sent to the second control unit 61B include request commands to which the second control unit 61B needs to respond, and request commands to which the second control unit 61B does not need to respond, as shown in FIG. 7.

Here, FIG. 7 shows the request command name, the timing at which the second control unit 61B accepts the request command, and the command information.

The request commands to which the second control unit 61B must respond are those between the "request command to confirm medal count" and the "request command to end one game" that are "response targets."

The "o" in Figure 7 means that the second control unit 61B will respond if the request command is sent to the second control unit 61B at the appropriate time.

Specifically, the request commands to which the second control unit 61B needs to respond include, for example, request commands received by the second control unit 61B "before the start of a game", request commands received "during a game", request commands received while "waiting for the prize processing" of a winning combination, and request commands received while "waiting for the end of one game".

The request commands that the second control unit 61B may receive "before the start of play" are, for example, a "medal count confirmation request command" for confirming the amount of medal data credited, a "deposit request command" for betting medals, a "settlement request command" for performing transfer processing, and a "lever on acceptance request command" for accepting operation of the lever 43.

The request command that the second control unit 61B may receive "during play" is, for example, a "third post-stop request command" for carrying out processing after the last of the three stop switches 40 is pressed.

The request commands that the second control unit 61B may receive while "waiting for winning processing" are a "payout request command" related to the payout of medals and a "payout process completion request command" related to the medal payout process.

The command that the second control unit 61B receives while "waiting for one game to end" is a "request to end one game" to carry out processing after one game has ended.

On the other hand, request commands with a "-" in the name, such as "Chip Individual Number," are request commands that are always accepted and do not require the second control unit 61B to respond (constantly accepted commands).

Specifically, the constantly accepted commands are the "individual chip number" indicating the ID that identifies the first control unit 61A, the "model information" of the slot machine 1, and "active." This "active" is a command that indicates, for example, whether the slot machine 1 is in an illegal state, whether the complete function is activated, the game state such as AT or a special game state being executed, etc.

In addition, the "Command information" in Figure 7 stores information on "Command group," "Command No.", and "Command."

A "command group" is a grouping of request commands that are accepted by the second control unit 61B at the same time. For example, the "medal count confirmation request command," "insertion request command," "payment request command," and "lever-on acceptance command" are all request commands that are accepted "before play begins," so the "command groups" for all of these are set to "0."

The "Command No." is an ID assigned to identify each request command within the same command group. For example, a "medal count confirmation request command" has a "command group" of "0" and a "command No." of "0", while a "submission request command" has a "command group" of "0" and a "command No." of "1". In this way, even if they are in the same command group, the "command No." is different, so each request command can be uniquely identified.

"Command" is the content that identifies the command itself. In other words, "Command" is an ID for identifying each request command based on the "Command Group" and "Command No.". For example, a request command with "Command" of "0x00" is uniquely determined to be a "Medal Count Confirmation Request Command."

The second control unit 61B uses the request commands exchanged between the first control unit 61A and the second control unit 61B to perform a "response determination process" as an error determination based on the game status. This response determination process will be described in detail in the explanation of the second control unit 61B.

The first control unit 61A can also control the on/off of the lamp of the bet switch 41 for placing a MAX BET and the enable/disable control of the bet switch 41 in response to a "command related to the number of credits being managed" sent from the second control unit 61B, for example. As a result, the bet switch 41 turns on the lamp (operation is enabled) if the number of credits in the medal data is three or more, and turns off the lamp (operation is disabled) if the number of credits is two or less.

Next, we will explain medal count control communication abnormality E7, medal unit connection abnormality E8, medal count upper limit reached E9, and counting prompt display.

(Explanation of medal count control communication error E7)
The medal count control communication abnormality E7 is a communication connection abnormality that occurs between the first control unit 61A and the second control unit 61B.

While this medal count control communication abnormality E7 occurs, communication is not established between the first control unit 61A and the second control unit 61B, so the second control unit 61B does not execute the response availability determination process in the first place.

The medal count control communication error E7 is detected by the first control unit 61A (detection unit 618). Specifically, the first control unit 61A detects that a medal count control communication error E7 has occurred if it does not receive a communication response command from the second control unit 61B even after a waiting time of about 380 ms has elapsed since sending a communication connection confirmation command to the second control unit 61B.

When a medal count control communication error E7 occurs, the first control unit 61A generates a signal to that effect (E7 signal) and transmits the E7 signal to the sub-control unit 62. This causes the performance control unit 620, which is a function of the second control unit 611B, to display the words "E7 medal count control communication error" on the LCD screen 3, as shown in Figure 9(a).

In addition, if a medal count control communication abnormality E7 occurs, the first control unit 61A places the slot machine 1 in a non-playable state.

This "non-playable state" refers to a state in which the slot machine 1 disables the operation of the bet switch 41, lever 42, stop switch 40, count button 44, cancel button 45, etc. by the operator. "Disabling" here means that even if the various switches and buttons are operated, the operation is not accepted, and even if the operation of the various switches is accepted, the operation or processing corresponding to the operation is not performed. In addition, the lamps of the bet switch 41, stop switch 40, etc. are turned off and no longer light up.

On the other hand, the "playable state" refers to the slot machine 1 enabling operations on the bet switch 41 and the like, and turning on the lamps on the bet switch 41 and the like. "Enable" refers to accepting operations on various switches and carrying out actions and processing according to those operations.

The medal count control communication error E7 can be released by the store staff unlocking the front door 100 and pressing the reset button 5 located inside the cabinet 10. In other words, the medal count control communication error E7 is not expected to be released by the player's operation.

(Explanation of medal unit connection error E8)
The medal unit connection abnormality E8 is a communication connection abnormality that occurs between the slot machine 1 and the medal unit 7.

Signals regarding the lending of medals, signals indicating that medals have been lent from the medal unit 7, signals regarding the medal transfer process, and signals regarding gaming machine information (e.g., total number of inserted medals, total number of paid out medals, range (MY) described below, individual chip numbers such as the first control unit 61A, fraud monitoring information transmitted between the slot machine 1 and the hall computer, etc.) are transmitted and received between the slot machine 1 and the hall computer.

When the first control unit 61A (detection unit 618) detects a medal unit connection abnormality E8, as shown in FIG. 2, a voltage of 5.0 V (power supply voltage VL) is applied to the connection confirmation transmission line 81 provided between the slot machine 1 and the medal unit 7. A power supply generating device that generates the power supply voltage VL is provided, for example, in the medal unit 7 in order to monitor the connection between the slot machine 1 and the medal unit 7.

Also, as shown in FIG. 2, a ground application transmission line 82 for the connection confirmation transmission line 81 is provided between the slot machine 1 and the medal unit 7.

When the power supply voltage VL is applied to the connection confirmation transmission line 81 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the connection confirmation power supply VL being "on"), the first control unit 61A does not detect the medal unit connection abnormality E8.

On the other hand, if the power supply voltage VL is not applied to the connection confirmation transmission line 81 (hereinafter, this may be referred to as the connection confirmation power supply VL being "off"), and this state continues for a certain period of time (e.g., one minute), the first control unit 61A detects a medal unit connection abnormality E8.

As described above, the reason why medal unit connection abnormality E8 is not detected simply because the connection confirmation power supply VL is off (the reason why "the state in which the connection confirmation power supply VL remains off for a certain period of time" is one of the conditions for detecting medal unit connection abnormality E8) is as follows:

For example, if the slot machine 1 and the medal unit 7 are powered on at the same time, it may take longer for the medal unit 7 to start up than the slot machine 1. In this case, the connection confirmation power supply VL is determined to be off when the slot machine 1 completes its startup first, and a medal unit connection abnormality E8 is immediately detected, even though it is not clear whether an abnormality in the connection between the slot machine 1 and the medal unit 7 has actually occurred. In this case, the slot machine 1 becomes unplayable.

In this embodiment, to avoid such a problem, when the connection confirmation power supply VL is turned off and this state continues for a certain period of time, the first control unit 61A detects a medal unit connection abnormality E8.

The medal unit connection abnormality E8 is constantly monitored by the first control unit 61A even when the first control unit 61A is not activated. Specifically, the first control unit 61A detects whether a medal unit connection abnormality E8 has occurred from the time one game ends until the next lever is turned on (i.e., excluding the time "during game execution" when any of the reels 20a to 20c are spinning).

When a medal unit connection abnormality E8 occurs, the first control unit 61A generates a signal to that effect (E8 signal) and transmits the E8 signal to the second control unit 61B (performance control unit 620). As a result, as shown in FIG. 9(b), text indicating that a medal unit connection abnormality E8 has occurred is displayed on the liquid crystal screen 3.

In addition, if a medal unit connection abnormality E8 occurs, the first control unit 61A puts the slot machine 1 in a non-playable state. This non-playable state is the same as the non-playable state caused by the medal count control communication abnormality E7 described above.

Information (E8 signal) indicating that a medal unit connection abnormality E8 has occurred is stored in the memory unit of the first control unit 61A even when the power to the slot machine 1 is turned off.

The medal unit connection error E8 can be cleared by a store staff member pressing the reset button 5 provided in the slot machine 1. In other words, the medal unit connection error E8 is not expected to be cleared by a player's operation.

If a power outage (or momentary power outage) occurs during gameplay, the slot machine 1 detects a medal unit connection abnormality E8 between the end of the game and the next lever-on. When power is restored, the connection confirmation power supply VL turns on, and the medal unit connection abnormality E8 is cleared.

(Explanation of the counting reminder display)
The count prompt display is intended to prompt the operator to perform the transfer process at an appropriate time in order to prevent the number of medal credits displayed on the digital counter 43 from becoming too large.

Specifically, the first control unit 61A receives the credited medal data from the medium management unit 613 of the second control unit 61B.

In this embodiment, the status of medal data management (medal management status) includes a case where the number of medals credited is less than 17,000 (unreached state) and a case where the number is 17,000 or more (reached state).

First, when the number of credited medals is less than 15,000, which is lower than the reached state, the first control unit 61A sets the counting prompt command, which is a parameter, to "0." When the number of credited medals becomes 15,000 or more, the first control unit 61A changes the counting prompt command from "0" to "1" and sends the counting prompt command "1" to the second control unit 61B. This causes the performance control unit 620 to display text such as "Please count" on the LCD screen 3 (measurement prompt display), as shown in FIG. 9(c).

The first control unit 61A determines whether the number of medals credited is 15,000 or more during the period from the bet waiting state to the lever being turned on.

In addition, the fact that the counting prompt display has been displayed is stored and maintained in the memory unit of the first control unit 61A, but if power is cut off to the slot machine 1, the information that the counting prompt display has been displayed is initialized.

The counting prompt display is erased when the player presses the count button 44, or when the number of credited medals decreases as the game progresses and the credited medal data falls below 15,000. In other words, the counting prompt display can be turned off by the player himself, and there is no need to have the store staff turn it off.

The counting prompt display may continue to be displayed after the lever 42 is operated (during game play) as shown in FIG. 9(c), or may be temporarily erased during game play and then displayed again after one game has ended and the game is waiting for a bet.

If there is no change in the count prompt command even when playing a game, the count prompt command "1" will not be resent. Furthermore, when the slot machine 1 is powered back on, the first control unit 61A will send the count prompt command to the second control unit 61B once during the first idle time, regardless of whether the count prompt command is "0" or "1."

In addition, once the credited medal data exceeds 15,000 medals, the count prompt command "1" will not be resent until it falls below 14,999 medals. In other words, for example, even if the credited medal data falls below 17,000 medals (the reached state is released) after medal count limit reached E9 has occurred and medal count limit reached E9 is released, if the medal data continues to be 15,000 medals or more, the count prompt command "1" will not be resent.

In addition, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, while the counting prompt display is being displayed, at least the following will not be executed: display of the attract screen (standby screen), acceptance of operations for adjusting the volume during gameplay, or transition to a menu screen for setting various operation contents of the slot machine 1.

In addition, while the counting prompt display is being shown, the number of medals remaining until the process relating to reaching the medal count upper limit E9 is executed may be displayed. In this case, for example, text such as "300 more medals until reaching the medal count upper limit E9!" may be displayed on the LCD screen 3.

(Explanation of medal count upper limit reached E9)
The medal number upper limit reaching E9 is intended to force the operator (particularly the player among the operators) to carry out the transfer process.

The first control unit 61A determines whether the number of credited medals is equal to or greater than 17,000 medals, which is more than the 15,000 medals that triggers the counting prompt display, during the period from the bet waiting state to the lever being turned on.

Then, when the number of credited medals is 17,000 or more (the medal management state has reached the reached state), the first control unit 61A generates a signal (E9 signal) indicating that the medal count upper limit E9 has been reached, and transmits the E9 signal to the second control unit 61B.

As a result, as information indicating that the medal management state has reached the reached state, the performance control unit 620 causes the LCD screen 3 to display text such as "Play will be possible once counting has been performed" as shown in FIG. 9(d). This display has different content from the count prompt display. In addition, the first control unit 61A can also cause the 7-segment display for the first control unit 61A (more specifically, the 7-segment display on the main control board on which the CPU of the first control unit 61A is implemented) to notify/indicate that the medal count upper limit E9 has been reached.

This seven-segment display may also serve as a segment display to display other errors (medal count control communication error E7, medal unit connection error E8, etc.) other than the medal count upper limit reached E9.

In addition to the errors mentioned above, the seven-segment display may also serve as a segment display for displaying management information related to the game (e.g., advantageous zones, payout rate).

In addition, as information indicating that the medal management status is in an unreached state (i.e., the medal management status has not been reached), the performance control unit 620 can display on the LCD screen 3 the message "Transfer processing is not yet necessary," display the number of medals remaining until the counting prompt display is displayed, or not display any information regarding the transfer processing.

In addition, when the medal count upper limit is reached E9, the first control unit 61A makes the slot machine 1 unplayable. This unplayable state is the same as the unplayable state caused by the medal count control communication abnormality E7 described above.

In addition, when reaching the medal count upper limit E9 is detected, the first control unit 61A can also send an E9 signal to the performance control unit 620 to light up the LED and notify the error. This error notification does not have to be output as sound, but can also be output as sound.

In addition, the fact that the medal count upper limit E9 has been reached (the medal management state has reached the reached state) is stored and maintained in the memory unit of the first control unit 61A, but is not stored as an error history.

The medal count limit reached E9 is released when the player presses the count button 44, causing the credited medal data to fall below 17,000 medals (the medal management status becomes an unreached state). In other words, medal count limit reached E9 can be released by the player himself, just like the count reminder display, and there is no need to have the store staff release it.

Note that since the medal count limit reached E9 can be cancelled by the player himself, there is a risk that it could be intentionally caused by a malicious player. As mentioned above, the reason that the detection of medal count limit reached E9 is not recorded as error history is because keeping such information as error history is not desirable from the perspective of managing the gaming machine.

<Description of second control unit 61B>
The ROM of the second control unit 61B stores programs that are directly related to the progress of the game (for example, transfer processing).

The RAM and RWM of the second control unit 61B store game data (information related to the progress of the game) necessary for the game to proceed.

Game data includes medal data consisting of the number of credits, number of bets, etc., as well as data showing the difference in number of medals calculated from that data.

The second control unit 61B functions as a media management unit 613 (corresponding to a value management unit) through the operation of the CPU and memory unit of the second control unit 61B.

Specifically, the second control unit 61B controls the medium management unit 613, i.e., mainly controls the management of medal data. The controls executed by the second control unit 61B include, for example, management of credited medal data, processing related to medal betting and payout, and monitoring and processing of medal data backup errors.

For example, when the second control unit 61B (medium management unit 613) processes medal bets and payouts, if there is a bet request for three medals from the first control unit 61A, the second control unit 61B responds by indicating that it is possible to bet three medals. In response, the second control unit 61B subtracts three medal data from the medal data that has been credited.

In addition, the second control unit 61B (media management unit 613) increases the medal data to be credited by the amount of the payout for the winning role when a winning role is won.

The second control unit 61B also stores information about the game status sent from the first control unit 61A in a memory unit and is aware of the current game status. In other words, the current game status is managed separately by each of the first control unit 61A and the second control unit 61B.

As mentioned above, the game status may include, for example, whether or not the game has started (waiting for a medal to be inserted), whether or not the game is in progress (the reel 20 is spinning), whether or not the game is waiting for a winning operation, whether or not a special device is in operation or a replay is in progress, whether or not an error is occurring (including whether or not there is a medal unit connection abnormality E8), whether or not the AT is in progress, instruction information, the number of times the game has been played, etc.

The second control unit 61B can then refer to the current game status it manages and execute a response/non-response determination process to determine whether or not to respond to the request command sent from the first control unit 61A, as shown in FIG. 7.

That is, first, the second control unit 61B determines whether or not the request command is a command to which a response should be made based on the command type of the received request command.

In addition, if the received request command is a command to which a response should be made, the second control unit 61B determines whether or not to generate a response command depending on the timing of receipt.

Then, if the second control unit 61B decides to respond to the received request command, it generates a response command (yes/no) and sends it to the first control unit 61A.

For example, when the second control unit 61B receives a "deposit request command" which is a request command to bet three medals, as shown in FIG. 7, this request command is a "response target" and therefore it is determined to be a command to which a response should be made.

Furthermore, if the game status known to the second control unit 61B at the time of receiving the "input request command" is "before game has started", the second control unit 61B determines that the reception of the command is appropriate based on the current game status. This is because, as shown in FIG. 7, the command "input request command" received by the second control unit 61B was received at the correct timing in relation to the current game status.

Next, if the amount of medal data (credited medal data) managed by the medium management unit 613 is three or more, the second control unit 61B generates an input request response command indicating "Yes" and sends it to the first control unit 61A.

On the other hand, if the medal data managed by the medium management unit 613 is two or less, the second control unit 61B generates an insertion request response command stating "not possible" and sends it to the first control unit 61A.

In addition, if the game status known to the second control unit 61B at the time of receiving the "input request command" is "playing," the second control unit 61B determines that it is inappropriate to receive the command in the current game status, and decides not to respond to the "input request command."

This is because the status in which the second control unit 61B should receive the "insertion request command" is "before game starts" as shown in Figure 7, but the current game status as understood by the second control unit 61B is "play in progress", and the received command "insertion request command" was not received at the correct timing in relation to the current game status.

In this case, the second control unit 61B discards the received "insertion request command" and generates error information. This error information is displayed on the seven-segment display controlled by the second control unit 61B and is also sent to the hall computer. In this way, the second control unit 61B discards the request command when it determines that the type of the received request command and the timing of its receipt are inappropriate in order to reduce the processing load between the first control unit 61A and the second control unit 61B and to avoid complicating the processing.

The seven-segment display controlled by the second control unit 61B may be provided on the second main control board on which the CPU of the second control unit 61B is mounted, or may be provided on the outer surface of the front door 100 of the housing 10 and may display credits or the number of coins dispensed, etc.

The second control unit 61B does not transmit the generated error information to the first control unit 61A. In response to this, the first control unit 61A performs an interrupt process and waits for a response command to be sent from the second control unit 61B, but since no response command is sent, the first control unit 61A generates its own error information based on this, separately from the second control unit 61B.

In addition, the process of generating error information by the second control unit 61B is not limited to the aforementioned case of "when a request command that does not match the current game status is received," and may also be executed, for example, in the following states.
(1) When request commands are sent consecutively from the first control unit 61A, but the serial numbers between the commands are not consecutive. (2) When a request command, excluding a continuous reception command, is received from the first control unit 61A before the startup of the slot machine 1 is completed. (3) When an illegal request command (for example, a command that causes data to be tampered with) is received.

The process of generating error information by the second control unit 61B also includes the process of discarding the received request command.

In addition, in conventional gaming machines, the main control unit (first control unit 61A and second control unit 61B) typically performs one-way communication with other control units such as the sub-control unit 62, and the other control units are prohibited from sending information to the main control unit. In contrast, in this embodiment, as described above, when the first control unit 61A sends a request command to the second control unit 61B, the second control unit 61B sends a response command (such as "Yes", "No") to the first control unit 61A.

In other words, in this embodiment, the first control unit 61A and the second control unit 61B, which can be considered main control units, are capable of bidirectional communication. The reason why communication between the first control unit 61A and the second control unit 61B is bidirectional is as follows.

The first reason is that the first control unit 61A monitors whether the second control unit 61B has received the request command successfully.

The second reason is that it is necessary to deal with special situations, such as when the power to the slot machine 1 is turned off while the first control unit 61A is waiting for a response command to command A, and when the power is turned on thereafter, the first control unit 61A sends a new command B, without complicating the program.

To address these reasons, communication between the first control unit 61A and the second control unit 61B is made bidirectional, and if the first control unit 61A does not receive a response command, the first control unit 61A detects that an error has occurred between the first control unit 61A and the second control unit 61B and issues an error notification.

The request command and response command are composed of a message length indicating the length of the command, a command indicating the command code, a serial number indicating the sequence number of the counting serial number or loan serial number, a data section indicating the command data, and a checksum calculated from the data from the message length to the data section.

<Description of Functions of First Control Unit 61A and Second Control Unit 61B>
The following describes the internal lottery unit 610, spinning reel control unit 611, game result determination unit 612, setting value control unit 614, section control unit 616, game status control unit 616, RT status control unit 617, detection unit 618, and function operation unit 619 in the first control unit 61A, and the media management unit 613 in the second control unit 61B.

<Internal lottery unit 610>
The internal drawing unit 610, which is one of the functions of the first control unit 61A, performs an internal drawing based on the operation of the lever 42, and sets one of the flags of a plurality of roles as a winning flag. Specifically, the internal drawing unit 610 performs an internal drawing based on an internal drawing table (not shown) and a random number obtained when the lever 42 is operated, based on the first game state and the second game state, the game section, and the RT state when the lever 42 is operated.

Then, the internal lottery unit 610 generates an internal lottery result signal based on the result of the internal lottery. The internal lottery result signal (an example of information regarding the progress of the game) is transmitted from the internal lottery unit 610 to the reel control unit 611, the game result determination unit 612, the game status control unit 616, the performance control unit 620, and the like.

The internal lottery table shows information on the winning combinations that may be obtained by an internal lottery. The internal lottery unit 610 performs an internal lottery based on the internal lottery table, according to a combination of the RT state (described below) when the lever 42 is operated and the type of bonus.

The information on the roles shown in the internal lottery table includes one or more roles that are associated with a combination of symbols and the corresponding roles. The roles include losing roles that do not result in the payout of medals, as well as push order roles (e.g., push order lip, push order bell) that pay out medals if the stop switch 40 is pressed in the correct order.

If a push order role is won and the stop switch 40 is pressed in the correct push order, that push order role wins and the player can win a number of medals (e.g., 8 medals) according to that role. If a push order role is won but the stop switch 40 is not pressed in the correct push order, that push order role will not win, or a different role (such as a 1-coin role) will win.

The push order role can also be won and established during the general game mode (e.g., other than AT and CZ). However, when the push order role is won during the general game mode, the correct push order is generally not announced, so the push order role may be missed or only one medal may be paid out. On the other hand, during the AT, the correct push order is announced, so there is a high possibility that multiple medals (e.g., eight medals) will be paid out.

<Rotary Reel Control Unit 611>
The spinning reel control unit 611, which is one of the functions of the first control unit 61A, controls the drive of the stepping motor 21 based on the operation of the lever 42 or each stop switch 40, and performs rotation start control to start the rotation of each spinning reel 20 or rotation stop control to stop the rotation.

Specifically, when the lever 42 is operated while all of the reels 20 are stopped, the reel control unit 611 starts the rotation of all of the reels 20. When the stop switch 40 corresponding to the rotating reel 20 is operated while at least one reel 20 is rotating, the reel control unit 611 stops the rotation of the reel 20 corresponding to the operated stop switch 40.

When the player controls the stopping of the rotation during play, the reel control unit 611 can stop the rotation of the reel 20 based on the operation of the stop switch 40 so that the combination of symbols corresponding to the role indicated by the winning flag (excluding the flag for a special role), which is the result of the internal lottery, is positioned on the pay line L of the reel 20, resulting in a winning role.

In addition, when the player controls the stopping of the reels while playing, the reel control unit 611 performs pull-in control or kick-off control depending on the winning combination obtained by the internal lottery and the position of the reels 40 corresponding to the operated stop switch 40. Pull-in control is control that stops the rotation of the reels 20 by pulling the symbols corresponding to the winning combination onto the pay line L. Kick-off control is control that stops the rotation of the reels 20 so that symbols corresponding to non-winning combinations do not line up on the pay line L.

When a special role is won, the reel control unit 611 can, based on the operation of the lever 42 immediately before the special role is won and the operation of the stop switch 40 immediately after the special role is won, spin and stop the reel 20 but not win the special role.

<Explanation of the Game Result Determination Unit 612>
The game result determination unit 612, which is one of the functions of the first control unit 61A, determines the result of the game based on the internal lottery result signal output from the internal lottery unit 610 and the symbols visible through the reel window 200 when the rotation of each rotating reel 20 stops. The result of the game is determined based on the symbols aligned on the pay line L, depending on whether or not a winning combination has been achieved.

Specifically, if the combination of symbols stopped on the pay line L matches a predetermined combination of symbols, it is determined that a winning combination has been achieved. This determination result (an example of information regarding the progress of the game) is sent as a game result determination signal from the game result determination unit 612 to the medium management unit 613, the detection unit 618, the sub-control unit 62, and the like.

<Description of the Medium Management Unit 613>
The medium management unit 613, which is one of the functions of the second control unit 61B, manages the number of medal credits and the number of medals bet.

The media management unit 613 receives an input request (a request as to how many cards to insert) or a withdrawal request (a request as to how many cards to withdraw) from the first control unit 61A, and executes the following processing.

Specifically, when medals are bet based on the player's operation (when an insertion request is made), the media management unit 613 decreases the number of credits (an example of information regarding the progress of the game) according to the number of medals bet, and increases the number of credits when medals are credited based on the player's operation.

In addition, when the acquisition flag is set as a winning flag by the internal lottery and an acquired winning combination is won based on the player's operation (when a payout request is made), the media management unit 613 increases the number of credits according to the number of medals paid out based on the type of acquired winning combination that has been won.

As shown in FIG. 8, the media management unit 613 also calculates the difference in number of medals (an example of information regarding the progress of the game), which is the cumulative value of the number of medals paid out minus the number of medals bet, regardless of whether the game is in a normal zone or an advantageous zone, and regardless of whether the game is in a general game mode or an AT. The difference in number of medals is used to calculate the difference in number of medals in an advantageous zone, whether the complete function has been activated, and the like, as described below.

The media management unit 613 also calculates the advantageous zone difference number, which is the difference in the number of medals in the advantageous zone (the period from when the game zone transitions from the normal zone to the advantageous zone until it transitions back to the normal zone), as shown in FIG. 8.

In this embodiment, when the advantageous zone difference number becomes +2400 sheets, the media management unit 613 initializes the advantageous zone difference number to 0 (zero). For example, if the play zone transitions to the advantageous zone when the difference number becomes -300 sheets after the start of play, the media management unit 613 initializes the advantageous zone difference number when 2700 sheets are paid out thereafter (in this case, the advantageous zone difference number becomes +2400 sheets). When the advantageous zone difference number becomes +2400 sheets, the media management unit 613 sends a signal to that effect to the zone control unit 615. This causes the zone control unit 615 to transition the play zone to the normal zone.

In addition, the media management unit 613 can initialize the favorable zone difference number to 0 (zero) when a predetermined condition is met and the favorable zone ends, except when the favorable zone difference number becomes +2400.

The media management unit 613 starts calculating the difference in number of sheets in the favorable zone when the gaming zone transitions again to the favorable zone.

As shown in Figure 8, the media management unit 613 calculates a range (MY), which is the difference between the maximum and minimum of the difference in the number of medals, using the difference in the number of medals, which is the cumulative value of the number of medals paid out minus the number of medals bet since the slot machine 1 was last powered on. Unlike the aforementioned advantageous zone difference in the number of medals and the difference in the number of medals, this range (MY) is calculated for all play zones (advantage zones and normal zones), that is, continuously as long as the slot machine 1 is powered on.

Information about this range (MY) is sent to the function activation unit 619 and used for the complete function described below.

The media management unit 613 resets the range (MY) when the power to the slot machine 1 is turned off by the store staff.

The number of medals bet, the number of credits, the difference in number of medals, etc. calculated by the media management unit 613 are sent to the game status control unit 616, the performance control unit 620, etc. as information regarding the progress of the game.

<Explanation of the setting value control unit 614>
A set value control unit 614, which is one of the functions of the first control unit 61A, progresses the game using one of a plurality of set values (e.g., 1 to 6) with different advantageous degrees of control of the progress of the game, based on the operation of the store staff. This set value is set for each slot machine 1. Information on the set value set by the set value control unit 614 is transmitted to the internal lottery unit 610, the performance control unit 620, etc.

Depending on which setting value is used, the advantage in game progress, such as the machine odds, the probability of winning a specific minor role such as a common bell, the probability of winning a CZ, or the probability of winning an AT, will differ. For example, the larger the setting value (e.g., the closer to 6), the greater the advantage in game progress (e.g., the higher the machine odds).

Although not shown in the figure, the slot machine 1 further includes a setting key. The setting key is a switching key for switching to a setting change mode. The setting value control unit 614 turns off the setting change mode when the store staff turns off the setting key, and turns on the setting change mode when the store staff turns on the setting key.

<Section Control Unit 615>
The interval control unit 615, which is one of the functions of the first control unit 61A, sets one of a plurality of game intervals (normal interval and advantageous interval) during play, as shown in FIG.

When the gaming zone is a normal zone, the zone control unit 615 performs a zone transition lottery to determine whether to maintain the normal zone state or transition to an advantageous zone. If the zone transition lottery is won, the zone control unit 615 sets (transitions) the gaming zone to an advantageous zone. When a specific lottery target role (for example, a rare role such as a cherry or chance eye) is won, a lottery is performed to determine whether or not to conduct a zone transition lottery, and if the result is a win, a zone transition lottery is performed.

Furthermore, when the gaming zone is an advantageous zone, the zone control unit 615 determines whether to maintain the advantageous zone state or transition to a normal zone (whether to end the advantageous zone). For example, when the gaming zone is an advantageous zone, the zone control unit 615 determines whether the second gaming state has transitioned from the AT to a general gaming state. For example, when the second gaming state has transitioned to a general gaming state, the zone control unit 615 can transition the gaming zone from the advantageous zone to a general zone.

In addition, when the interval control unit 615 receives a signal from the media management unit 613 indicating that the advantageous zone difference has reached +2400 coins, or when a predetermined condition is met other than when it has reached +2400 coins, the interval control unit 615 forcibly transitions the play interval from the advantageous zone to the normal zone. Note that, for example, if the advantageous zone difference becomes -1000 coins after entering the advantageous zone, the operator (particularly the player) can win up to 1000 coins + 2400 coins = 3400 coins.

In addition, when the slot machine 1 is powered on or the RAM is cleared, the interval control unit 615 sets the play interval to the normal interval regardless of the previous play interval.

The interval control unit 615 can transmit information about the game interval (whether it is a normal interval or an advantageous interval) as information about the progress of the game to the media management unit 613, the game status control unit 616, the performance control unit 620, etc.

<Game Status Control Unit 616>
The game state control unit 616, which is one of the functions of the first control unit 61A, sets the first game state and the second game state.

Specifically, the game state control unit 616 sets the first game state to one of the special role non-carryover state, the bonus internal state, and the special role implementation state, and sets the second game state to one of the general game state and the AT.

The game state control unit 616 sets the first game state to a special role non-carryover state, for example, immediately after the RAM of the first control unit 61A is cleared.

If a special role is won by the internal lottery but the special role is not won, the game state control unit 616 sets the first game state to the bonus internal state.

When a predetermined condition is met in the bonus internal state (for example, when the RAM is cleared or a set value is changed), the game state control unit 616 transitions the first game state from the bonus internal state to a special role non-carryover state.

When a special role is won and a special role is awarded in the special role non-carryover state, the game state control unit 616 transitions the first game state from the special role non-carryover state to the special role implementation state.

In addition, when a special role is won in the bonus internal state, the game state control unit 616 transitions the first game state from the bonus internal state to the special role implementation state.

In addition, when a predetermined condition is met or more than a predetermined number of medals are paid out in the special role implementation state, the game state control unit 616 transitions the first game state from the special role implementation state to a special role non-carryover state.

Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the game state control unit 616 determines whether or not to set the second game state to the AT based on the result of the AT lottery. Specifically, if the AT lottery, which is performed when the game zone is a favorable zone, is won, the game state control unit 616 sets the second game state to the AT.

On the other hand, if the AT lottery is not won, the game state control unit 616 sets the second game state to the general game state.

In addition, when the AT ends, the game state control unit 616 transitions the second game state from the AT to a general game state.

The game state control unit 616 also selects one of a number of modes related to the progress of the game for the second game state (for example, a normal mode in which it is difficult to win the AT lottery, or a high probability mode in which it is easy to win the AT lottery).The game state control unit 616 then executes the AT lottery with the AT winning probability associated with the selected mode.

The game status control unit 616 can transmit information regarding the first game status and information regarding the second game status to the media management unit 613, the performance control unit 620, etc. as information regarding the progress of the game.

<RT state control unit 617>
The RT state control unit 617, which is one of the functions of the first control unit 61A, can proceed with the game using one of the multiple RT states. The multiple RT states each have a predetermined probability (replay probability) that the replay flag will be established as a winning flag, and the RT state control unit 617 can transition the RT state when a predetermined combination (for example, a special combination) is won.

In this embodiment, the RT state control unit 617 makes the RT state different between the special role implementation state and other states (special role non-carryover state, bonus internal state). In addition, the RT state control unit 617 maintains the same RT state in the special role non-carryover state and inside the bonus. And, the RT state control unit 617 does not transition the RT state inside the bonus where the AT is executed.

The RT state control unit 617 can transmit information about the RT state (whether the RT state is RT0, RT1 in which the probability of winning a replay is higher than RT0, etc.) to the performance control unit 620, etc. as information about the progress of the game.

<Detection Unit 618>
The detection unit 618, which is one of the functions of the first control unit 61A, detects errors such as medal count control communication abnormality E7, medal unit connection abnormality E8, medal count upper limit reached E9, etc. As described above, for example, the detection unit 618 detects that medal count control communication abnormality E7 has occurred when it cannot receive a communication response command from the second control unit 61B even after a waiting time of about 380 ms has elapsed since sending a communication connection confirmation command to the second control unit 61B.

<Function Activation Unit 619>
A function activation unit 619 as one of the functions of the first control unit 61A receives information about the range (MY) sent from the medium management unit 613.

Then, when the range (MY) becomes equal to or greater than the first range, for example 18,500, the function activation unit 619 generates information regarding a pre-notification indicating that activation of the complete function is imminent.

This complete function is a so-called stop function, and when the complete function is activated, the slot machine 1 will no longer accept any operations related to play, and the operator will not be able to continue playing (the machine will enter a state where play is not possible) unless the power is turned off and on by store staff.

The game-related operations referred to here mean the operations required to play one game, and include the operation of the bet switch 41 for betting medals, in particular, as an operation for starting the spinning reel 20. When the complete function is activated, such game-related operations cannot be accepted, so even if the bet switch 41 is operated while the complete function is activated, medal betting will not be processed.

For example, information regarding advance notification is sent to the performance control unit 620 for each game while this information is being generated by the function operation unit 619. This allows the performance control unit 620 to provide advance notification.

In addition, when the range (MY) falls below the first range of 18,500, the function activation unit 619 stops generating information related to advance notification. As a result, advance notification is no longer provided by the performance control unit 620.

The information regarding advance notification may be a flag that turns the advance notification notification on or off. In this case, when the advance notification notification changes from off to on, information indicating that the flag is "on" is sent to the performance control unit 620, and conversely, when the advance notification notification changes from on to off, information indicating that the flag is "off" is sent to the performance control unit 620. In this way, by making the information regarding advance notification a flag format, it is possible to prevent an excessive number of signals from being transmitted from the first control unit 61A0 to the sub-control unit 620.

Furthermore, the function activation unit 619 activates the complete function when the range (MY) becomes equal to or greater than 19,000, which is the second range.

The function activation unit 619 deactivates the complete function when the store staff turns off the power to the slot machine 1. When the power to the slot machine 1 is turned on again after being off, not only is the complete function deactivated, but the range (MY) is reset to 0 (zero). Therefore, no advance notice is given, and it becomes possible to play the slot machine 1 in a state where the conditions for reactivating the complete function are no longer met.

<Description of the sub-control unit 62>
The ROM of the sub-control unit 62 stores programs that are indirectly related to the progress of the game (for example, control of the presentation on the LCD screen 3, control of the LED light emission of the illumination unit 102, and control of the audio output from the speaker 101).

The RAM and RWM of the sub-control unit 62 store various data related to performance control.

The sub-control unit 62 controls the performance based on the signal sent from the first control unit 61A. In other words, the sub-control unit 62 functions as a performance control unit 620 (corresponding to an output unit).

The communication method between the first control unit 61A and the sub-control unit 62, and the communication method between the second control unit 61B and the sub-control unit 62 are both asynchronous serial communication.

<Description of Functions of Sub-Control Unit 62>
The following describes the performance control unit 620 as a function of the sub-control unit 62.

<Performance control unit 620>
The performance control unit 620 displays a performance image (hereinafter referred to as a "game performance") selected from a plurality of types of performance images on the liquid crystal screen 3 based on the game progress, and outputs sound effects and background music corresponding to the performance image from the speaker 101. For example, when an AT is won, the performance control unit 620 selects a performance pattern for displaying that fact on the liquid crystal screen 3, and controls the display of the liquid crystal screen 3, the sound output of the speaker 101, and the light emission of the illumination unit 102 according to the performance pattern.

In addition, during the AT, the performance control unit 620 causes at least one of the liquid crystal screen 3 and the speaker 101 to announce the correct push order when a push order role is won.

The performance control unit 620 stores information related to the game performance being executed in the memory unit of the sub-control unit 620. As a result, even if the game performance is interrupted when a medal unit connection abnormality E8 occurs, after the medal unit connection abnormality E8 is resolved, the performance control unit 620 can refer to the information in the memory unit of the sub-control unit 620 and resume the interrupted game performance, for example, from the state immediately before it was interrupted.

For example, if a game presentation is composed of scenes A, B, and C, and a medal connection abnormality E8 occurs while scene B is being output (announced), the presentation control unit 620 can resume the game presentation from scene B after the medal unit connection abnormality E8 is resolved.

The performance control unit 620 can also execute display processing relating to a medal count control communication anomaly E7 as shown in FIG. 9(a), display processing relating to a medal unit connection anomaly E8 as shown in FIG. 9(b), display processing for a counting prompt display as shown in FIG. 9(c), and display processing relating to medal count upper limit reached E9 as shown in FIG. 9(d).

The performance control unit 620 executes the processing related to the medal count control communication abnormality E7, the processing related to the medal unit connection abnormality E8, and the processing related to the medal count upper limit being reached E9 in the following order of priority. That is, in this embodiment, the priority for processing abnormal states is set in the following order: processing related to the medal unit connection abnormality E8, processing related to the medal count control communication abnormality E7, and processing related to the medal count upper limit being reached E9 (priority order: processing related to the medal unit connection abnormality E8 > processing related to the medal count control communication abnormality E7 > processing related to the medal count upper limit being reached E9).

Then, when at least two of these abnormal conditions may be processed at the same time, the performance control unit 620 executes the processing in the order of the highest priority described above.

Specifically, for example, if the display process related to the medal unit connection abnormality E8 and the display process related to the medal count control communication abnormality E7 (or the medal count upper limit reached E9) can be executed at the same time (if these status abnormalities occur simultaneously), the performance control unit 620 will first execute the display process related to the medal count connection abnormality E8 without executing the display process related to the medal count control communication abnormality E7 (or the medal count upper limit reached E9), or will set the display content related to the medal count connection abnormality E8 in a layer above the display content related to the medal count control communication abnormality E7 (or the medal count upper limit reached E9).

Note that, in the following, a visual "display process" is described as an example of the process for a status abnormality such as the medal unit connection abnormality E8, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an auditory "audio output process" may be executed as the process for the status abnormality.

For example, when audio output processing related to medal unit connection abnormality E8 is executed, the performance control unit 620 can make the output volume related to medal count control communication abnormality E7 (or medal count upper limit reached E9) smaller than the output volume related to medal unit connection abnormality E8 (or set the output volume related to medal count control communication abnormality E7, etc., to zero).

In the following, a visual "display process" is described as an example, but if the "display process" is replaced with an "audio output process", the performance control unit 620 can prioritize the execution of the higher priority process by adjusting the volume or outputting the audio related to the higher priority process first.

The display modes of these display processes are explained below. The performance control unit 620 can execute one of the following display modes, or a combination of them.

Display mode 1
In addition, when the second game state is a general game state, AT (including CZ), the presentation control unit 620 displays a counting prompt display and/or a display relating to reaching the medal count upper limit E9, giving it a higher priority than the game presentation.

In this case, the presentation control unit 620 can, for example, set the counting prompt display and/or the display content relating to reaching the medal count upper limit E9 in a layer above the display content relating to the game presentation.

The presentation control unit 620 can also overlay the counting prompt display and/or the text and images related to the display indicating that the medal count limit has been reached E9 over the game presentation so that the text and images are more noticeable than the text and images related to the game presentation, lighten the shading of the text and images related to the game presentation (or make them semi-transparent, or darken the text and images related to the counting prompt display and/or the display indicating that the medal count limit has been reached E9), reduce the display size of the text and images related to the game presentation, and so on.

Display mode 2
In addition, when the second game state is AT (including CZ) and the push order role is won by an internal lottery and an assist (hereinafter referred to as "push order navigation") is displayed to notify or suggest the correct push order, the performance control unit 620 can make the display area on the LCD screen 3 that displays the counting prompt and/or the medal count limit reached E9, etc., different from the display area in which the push order navigation is notified, or can make these display areas the same but differentiate the timing of displaying them.

The performance control unit 620 may superimpose the display area for the game performance on the LCD screen 3 with the display area for the push order navigation, counting prompt, and medal count upper limit reached E9. In this case, the performance control unit 620 can lower the priority of the processing related to the game performance, for example, by making the display area for the game performance on the LCD screen 3 smaller than the display area for the push order navigation, etc., or by setting the layer that displays the display area for the game performance to a lower layer.

In this case, if the game presentation includes characters' conversations, names, and other text, the presentation control unit 620 will display these texts so that they do not overlap with, for example, the push order navigation text.

In addition, when the display contents relating to the push order navigation, the counting reminder display, and the medal count upper limit reaching display E9 are displayed simultaneously on the liquid crystal screen 3, and at least a portion of these display contents overlap with each other, the performance control unit 620 can give the push order navigation display content the highest priority.

Examples of the effect control unit 620 giving the highest priority to the display contents of the push order navigation include, for example, making the text of the push order navigation larger without overlapping the display contents of the push order navigation, the counting prompt display, and the medal count limit reached E9, changing the font of the text of the push order navigation, making the text of the push order navigation smaller and instead adding an effect that surrounds the frame of the spinning reel 20, or lighting up the spinning reel 20 that is to be stopped next.

Display mode 3
In addition, when the second game state is the AT, the presentation control unit 620 can, when displaying as game presentation "Over 1,000 coins won during the AT!" and information until the AT ending such as "10G remaining until the ending ends" and "30 coins remaining until the ending ends" (hereinafter collectively referred to as "AT presentation"), prevent the characters related to the AT presentation from overlapping with the characters of the counting prompt display and/or the display content related to the medal count limit reached E9.

Specifically, the performance control unit 620 can prevent the display of the counting prompt display and/or the display content related to medal count upper limit reached E9 while the characters related to the AT performance are changing (for example, while the number of medals acquired is being counted up, etc.). This makes it possible to prevent confusion between the characters related to the AT performance and the characters related to the counting prompt display, etc.

In addition, if the AT performance is a special performance such as an ending, a premium performance, or a continuous performance, and is a performance that is particularly desired to be shown to the player, the performance control unit 620 can display the display content related to the counting prompt display, etc., smaller than the display content related to the AT performance.

In addition, if the process related to reaching the medal count upper limit E9 is executed before the AT ending process, the performance control unit 620 can display a message to that effect in the counting prompt display (for example, a message such as "The medal count upper limit E9 will occur before the AT ending"). This allows the player to enjoy the ending of the AT.

Display mode 4
Also, when the second game state is the general game state or the AT and before the medal number upper limit reaching E9 is activated, the performance control unit 620 can change the game performance instead of displaying the counting prompt. Specifically, the performance control unit 620 can display, for example, text such as "There are a lot of medals credited, so you may have to pause the game for now" on the liquid crystal screen 3 as the lines of a character related to the game performance.

Display mode 5
After the process for reaching the medal number upper limit E9 is executed, the effect control unit 620 can execute a setting suggestion effect that suggests the setting value. For example, this setting suggestion effect can be text such as "The setting value is either 1 or 6" that makes it easier for the player to guess the setting value.

In addition, when the effect control unit 620 executes a setting suggestion effect while executing the display process related to reaching the medal count upper limit E9, the effect control unit 620 may display the setting suggestion on the LCD screen 3, or may output the setting suggestion as audio to the speaker 101.

In addition, the performance control unit 620 can increase the frequency with which setting suggestion performance is executed after the medal count upper limit E9 has occurred.

In other words, the probability that the setting suggestion effect will be executed after the medal count upper limit E9 has occurred is higher than before the medal count upper limit E9 has occurred. This probability may be determined in advance in a table. Note that the changed frequency (probability) may be able to be restored to the original probability when the setting value is changed, when the reset button 5 is operated, when the RAM is cleared, etc.

Display mode 6
Furthermore, in cases where the display process for the counting prompt display and the display process for the advance notification can be executed at the same time, the performance control unit 620 can execute the display process for the counting prompt display with a higher priority than the display process for the advance notification. In this case, for example, the performance control unit 620 can display the counting prompt display in a layer above the display contents for the advance notification, or can display the counting prompt display at an earlier timing and display the display contents for the advance notification at a later timing. The counting prompt display is given priority in this way because the user can cancel the counting prompt display by hand.

In contrast to the above, if the display process for the counting prompt display and the display process for the advance notification are executed at the same time, the performance control unit 620 can also execute the display process for the advance notification with a higher priority than the display process for the counting prompt display.

Display mode 7
Furthermore, in cases where the display process related to the medal count upper limit reaching E9 and the display process related to the advance notification can be executed at the same time, the performance control unit 620 can execute the display process related to the medal count upper limit reaching E9 with a higher priority than the display process related to the advance notification. In this case, for example, the performance control unit 620 displays the display content related to the medal count upper limit reaching E9 in a layer above the display content related to the advance notification, or displays the display content related to the medal count upper limit reaching E9 at an earlier timing, and displays the display content related to the advance notification at a later timing.

Display mode 8
In addition to the counting reminder display and/or the display indicating that the medal count limit has been reached E9, the performance control unit 620 can also provide, on the LCD screen 3, a display to prevent addiction (an example of an addiction prevention warning) and a display to prevent forgetting to settle (an example of a warning to prevent forgetting to settle) in the result display, for example, at the end of the AT.

An addiction prevention warning is a warning to encourage the player not to become too addicted to the game. An addiction prevention warning may be text, an image, or audio such as "Pachinko slot machines should be enjoyed in moderation" or "Be careful not to get addicted."

The warning to prevent forgetting to settle is a warning to encourage the operator not to forget to operate the counting button 44 when it is necessary to transfer all of the credited medal data to the medal unit 7 in order to end a game, and a warning to encourage the operator not to forget to remove the card 70. The warning to prevent forgetting to settle is, for example, text, images, or sounds such as "Please be careful not to forget to settle your medals," or "Please be careful not to forget to settle your medals and not to forget to remove or have your card stolen."

The display process related to the counting reminder display and/or the medal count upper limit reached display E9 can be given a lower priority than the display process related to the addiction prevention display and the medal count upper limit reached display. Specifically, the performance control unit 620 can set the display content related to the counting reminder display and/or the medal count upper limit reached display E9 to a layer lower than the layer that displays the display content related to the addiction prevention display and the medal count upper limit reached display.

In addition, when the counting reminder display or the display content relating to reaching the medal count limit E9, the addiction prevention display, and the settlement prevention display are displayed in the same location on the LCD screen 3, the performance control unit 620 can display the addiction prevention display and the settlement prevention display in that order, and then display the counting reminder display etc. after deleting them. The reason for this control is to avoid the message from being difficult to convey to the player due to overlapping displays of these displays.

The performance control unit 620 can also display, in different locations on the LCD screen 3, a counting reminder display or display content relating to reaching the medal count upper limit E9, a display to prevent addiction, and a display to prevent forgetting to settle.

In this way, the performance control unit 620 can display the addiction prevention display and the payment forget prevention display in a manner that is easy for the operator to recognize, without overlapping with the counting reminder display and the display content related to the medal count reaching upper limit E9.

<Flow of Basic Operation Processing of Slot Machine 1>
The flow of basic operational processing of the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

When the power supply of the slot machine 1 is turned on and the setting value has been changed, the function operation unit 619 determines whether the slot machine 1 is in a playable state (whether the complete function is operating) (step S101).

If slot machine 1 is not playable (S101: NO), processing proceeds to step S115, which will be described later.

On the other hand, if the slot machine 1 is in a playable state (S101: YES), and medal data has been transmitted from the medal unit 7, the first control unit 61A of the slot machine 1 displays the number of medals credited on the digital counter 43 and accepts operation of the bet switch 41, lever 42, etc. by the operator. This causes the slot machine 1 to enter a play start state (step S102).

Next, the media management unit 613 starts counting the range (MY) (step S103). After that, the media management unit 613 counts the range (MY) for each game regardless of whether it is in the normal zone or the advantageous zone.

Next, the section control unit 615 causes the game to proceed in the normal section (step S104).

Next, the game state control unit 616 causes the game to proceed in the general game state (step S105).

Next, the zone control unit 615 determines whether the game zone is an advantageous zone (including whether the zone transition lottery has been won and whether the advantageous zone state will be maintained) (step S106).

If the play area is not a favorable area (S106: NO), the process returns to step S104.

On the other hand, if the game zone is a favorable zone (S106: YES), the media management unit 613 counts the favorable zone difference number (in a game that has transitioned to a favorable zone, counting of the favorable zone difference number begins) (step S107). After this, the zone control unit 615 continues counting the favorable zone difference number while the game zone is a favorable zone (in both the general game state and the AT).

Next, the game state control unit 616 determines whether or not to transition the second game state to AT (step S108).

If the second game state does not transition to AT (S108: NO), processing returns to step S105.

On the other hand, if the second game state transitions to the AT (S108: YES), the game state control unit 616 causes the game to proceed in the AT (step S109).

Next, the function activation unit 619 determines whether or not to activate the complete function (step S110). Specifically, the function activation unit 619 determines whether or not the range (MY) is equal to or greater than 19,000.

If the complete function is activated (S110: YES), processing proceeds to step S113, which will be described later.

On the other hand, if the complete function is not activated (S110: NO), the zone control unit 615 determines whether the advantageous zone difference in number of coins is +2400 or more (step S111).

If the difference in the number of sheets in the favorable zone is +2400 or more (S111: YES), the zone control unit 615 transitions the play zone to the normal zone, the play status control unit 617 ends the AT, and the media management unit 613 initializes the difference in the number of sheets in the favorable zone to zero (0), and then the process returns to step S104.

On the other hand, if the difference in the number of sheets in the favorable zone is not +2400 or more (S111: NO), the game status control unit 616 determines whether or not to end the AT (step S112).

If the AT is ending (S112: YES), processing returns to step S105.

On the other hand, if the AT does not end (S112: NO), the process returns to step S109.

Returning to step S110, if the complete function has been activated (S110: YES), the function activation unit 619 controls the operator to be unable to continue playing on the slot machine 1 (step S113).

Next, in response to pressing of the count button 44, the medium management unit 613 and the medal unit 7 transmit and receive the necessary information to execute the transfer process (step S114).

Next, in response to the power being turned off by the store staff member, the power to the slot machine 1 is turned off (step S115), and the media management unit 613 initializes the range (MY) to 0 (zero), and the function activation unit 619 cancels the complete function (step S116). Note that if the slot machine 1 is only restored from the power outage, the range (MY) is initialized and the complete function is cancelled, but the advantageous zone and the advantageous zone difference number are carried over.

Next, in response to a power-off restoration operation by the store staff, the power of the slot machine 1 is turned on (step S117), after which the process returns to step S102.
The above is the flow of the basic operation process of the slot machine 1.

<Loan and transfer processing>
Next, the flow of the lending process and the transfer process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

First, the medal unit 7 accepts the insertion of a bill (e.g., 1000 yen) by the operator (step S201). At this time, the medal unit 7 generates an insertion signal and transmits it to the slot machine 1.

Next, in response to pressing of the loan button 71, the medal unit 7 transmits a loan signal and data on 50 medals to the slot machine 1 (media management unit 613) (step S202).

Then, the media management unit 613 displays the number of medals credited to the slot machine 1 on the digital counter 43 and accepts operation of the bet switch 41, lever 42, etc. by the operator. This causes the slot machine 1 to enter a game start state (step S203).

Next, if the number of medals credited is more than two (S204: NO), based on the counting button 44 being pressed (the transfer signal being generated) (step S205), the medal unit 7 receives a transfer signal and medal data credited to the slot machine 1 (e.g., data on 105 medals) (step S206).

Then, the medal unit 7 records the medal data credited to the slot machine 1 on the card 70 (step S207).

Next, the medal unit 7 ejects the card 70 from the medal unit 7 in response to pressing of the eject button 72 (step S208).

Returning to step S204, if the number of medals credited is two or less (S204: YES) and the operator chooses to continue playing (S209: YES), the process returns to step S201.

On the other hand, if the operator does not want to continue playing the game (S209: NO), the process proceeds to step S206 in response to the count button 44 being pressed (step S205).
The above is the flow of the lending process and the transfer process.

<Priority Processing of Occurrences>
Next, the flow of the occurrence priority process will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 12. Note that here, the process relating to the priority order of occurrence of each connection abnormality will be mainly described, and the method of detecting each connection abnormality and the associated process will be described in detail with reference to the flow described later.

First, the first control unit 61A determines whether the connection check power supply VL has been turned off for a certain period of time, for example while waiting for a timer interrupt (step S301).

If it is determined that the connection confirmation power supply VL has not been turned off for a certain period of time (S301: NO), the first control unit 61A determines that a medal unit connection abnormality E8 has not occurred (step S304).

If it is determined that the connection confirmation power supply VL has been off for a certain period of time (S301: YES), the first control unit 61A determines that a medal unit connection abnormality E8 has occurred (step S302).

Next, the first control unit 61A determines whether the reset button 5 has been pressed while the connection check power supply VL has been turned on from off (step S303).

If the connection check power supply VL remains off, or if the connection check power supply VL is turned on from off but the reset button 5 is not pressed (S303: NO), the process of step S303 is repeated until the reset button 5 is pressed.

On the other hand, if the reset button 5 is pressed while the connection confirmation power supply VL is on (S303: YES), the first control unit 61A clears the medal unit connection abnormality E8 (step S304).

The first control unit 61A determines whether a communication state has been established between the first control unit 61A and the second control unit 61B (step S305).

If it is determined that the communication state has been established (S305: YES), the first control unit 61A determines that a medal count control communication abnormality E7 has not occurred (step S308).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the communication state has not been established (S305: NO), the first control unit 61A determines that a medal count control communication abnormality E7 has occurred (step S306).

Next, the first control unit 61A determines whether the reset button 5 has been pressed (step S307).

If it is determined that the reset button 5 has not been pressed (S307: NO), the process returns to step S306.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the reset button 5 has been pressed (S307: YES), the first control unit 61A releases the medal count control communication abnormality E7 (step S308).

If neither the medal unit connection abnormality E8 nor the medal count control communication abnormality E7 has occurred, the first control unit 61A receives medal data from the second control unit 61B and stores the information in the memory unit of the first control unit 61A (step S309).

Next, the first control unit 61A determines whether the number of medals credited is 17,000 or more (step S310).

If it is determined that the number of medals credited is less than 17,000 (S310: NO), the first control unit 61A determines that the medal count upper limit E9 has not been reached (step S313).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of medals credited is 17,000 or more (S310: YES), the first control unit 61A determines that the medal count upper limit E9 has been reached (step S311).

Next, the first control unit 61A determines whether the count button 44 has been pressed (step S312).

If it is determined that the count button 44 has not been pressed (S312: NO), the process returns to step S311.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the count button 44 has been pressed (S312: YES), the first control unit 61A determines that the medal count upper limit reaching E9 has been released (step S313). After that, the generation priority process is terminated.
The above is the flow of the occurrence priority process.

<Medal count limit reached process>
Next, the flow of the medal count upper limit reaching process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

If the number of medals credited is less than 17,000 (if the medal management status is in an unsatisfied state), the performance control unit 620 arranged in the sub-control unit 62 indicates that the medal management status is in an unsatisfied state (step S401). As information indicating that the medal management status is in an unsatisfied state, the performance control unit 620 displays, for example, a message on the liquid crystal screen 3 stating "Transfer processing is not yet necessary."

The first control unit 61A also enables game progress (for example, a state in which operation of the lever 42 can be accepted, a state in which pressing of the stop switch 40 can be accepted, a state in which operation of the bet switch 41 can be accepted, and a state in which the LED of the bet switch 41, etc. can be turned on) (step S402).

Next, the first control unit 61A determines whether the number of medals credited is 15,000 or more based on the medal data from the second control unit 61B (step S403).

If it is determined that the number of medals credited is less than 15,000 (S403: NO), processing returns to step S401.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of medals credited is 15,000 or more (S403: YES), the first control unit 61A executes processing related to the counting prompt display (step S404).

Specifically, the performance control unit 620, which receives the counting command "1" generated by the first control unit 61A, displays the message "Please count" on the liquid crystal screen 3. At this time, the performance control unit 62 displays the counting prompt display with a higher priority than game performances, etc. Also, while the counting prompt display is displayed, the performance control unit 620 does not display the attract screen, etc.

Next, the first control unit 61A determines whether the count button 44 has been pressed (step S405).

If the count button 44 is pressed (S405: YES), the first control unit 61A cancels the count prompt display (step S412). After that, the medal count upper limit reaching process ends.

On the other hand, if the count button 44 is not pressed (S405: NO), the count prompt display remains displayed (including the case where the count prompt display is temporarily erased during game play), and the first control unit 61A determines whether the number of credited medals has reached 17,000 or more (the medal management state has reached the reached state) (step S406).

If it is determined that the number of medals credited is less than 17,000 (S406: NO), processing returns to step S405.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of medals credited is 17,000 or more (S406: YES), the first control unit 61A determines that the medal count upper limit E9 has been reached (step S407).

Then, the first control unit 61A disables game progress (for example, does not accept operation of the lever 42, does not accept pressing of the stop switch 40, does not accept operation of the bet switch 41, turns off the LED of the bet switch 41, etc.) (step S408). That is, in this embodiment, when the medal management state is the reached state, the contents of the processing that can be executed are more limited than when it is the unreached state.

Next, the first control unit 61A determines whether the count button 44 has been pressed (step S409).

If the count button 44 is not pressed (S409: NO), the process returns to step S407.

If the count button 44 is pressed (S409: YES), the first control unit 61A cancels the medal count upper limit reached E9 (step S410).

Next, the first control unit 61A enables the game to proceed (step S411), and the medal count upper limit reaching process is then terminated.
The above is the flow of the medal count upper limit reaching process.

<Medal count control communication error processing>
Next, the flow of medal count control communication abnormality processing will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

First, the first control unit 61A sends a communication connection confirmation command to the second control unit 61B (step S501). Then, the first control unit 61A waits for a response from the second control unit 61B.

If there is a response from the second control unit 61B (if communication has been established) (S502: YES), the first control unit 61A enables the game to proceed (step S508). After that, the medal count control communication abnormality processing ends.

On the other hand, if there is no response from the second control unit 61B (communication state is not established) (S502: NO), the first control unit 61A determines whether a predetermined time (waiting time, for example, 380 ms) has elapsed in that state (step S503).

If there is no response from the second control unit 61B but the predetermined time (waiting time) has not elapsed (S503: NO), the process returns to step S502.

If a predetermined time has elapsed without a response from the second control unit 61B (S503: YES), the first control unit 61A determines that a medal count control communication abnormality E7 has occurred (step S504).

Next, the first control unit 61A disables game progress (step S505).

Next, the first control unit 61A determines whether the reset button 5 has been pressed (step S506).

Step S506 is repeated until the reset button 5 is pressed.

If the reset button 5 is pressed (S506: YES), the first control unit 61A releases the medal count control communication abnormality E7 (step S507).

Next, the first control unit 61A enables the game to proceed (step S508), after which the medal count control communication abnormality process is terminated.
The above is the flow of medal count control communication abnormality processing.

<Command response processing>
Next, the flow of the command response process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

First, the first control unit 61A transmits a game status to the second control unit 61B (step S601). This allows the first control unit 61A and the second control unit 61B to individually manage the common game status.

Next, the first control unit 61A sends a request command to the second control unit 61B (step S602).

Next, the second control unit 61B determines whether a response is required to the received request command (step S603).

If no response is required to the request command (S603: NO), the request command is left unattended and the command response process is then terminated.

On the other hand, if a response to the request command is required (S603: YES), the second control unit 61B refers to the current game status that it manages and determines whether the timing at which the request command was sent is appropriate (step S604).

If the timing of sending the request command is not appropriate (S604: NO), the second control unit 61B discards the request command and issues an error notification (step S607). Although the first control unit 61A waits for a response from step S602 (interrupt 255), there is no response during that time, so it determines that a problem has occurred in communication with the second control unit 61B and issues an error notification. The command response process then ends.

On the other hand, if the timing of sending the request command is appropriate (S604: YES), the second control unit 61B responds to the request command. The first control unit 61A determines whether the response command "OK" has been sent from the second control unit 61B (step S605).

If the response command "OK" is sent from the second control unit 61B (S605: YES), the first control unit 61A receives the response command and executes normal processing (processing corresponding to the response command), after which the command response processing ends.

On the other hand, if the second control unit 61B does not send the response command "OK" (or sends the response command "NO") (S605: NO), the first control unit 61A issues an error notification (step S606), and then the command response process is terminated.
The above is the flow of the command response process.

<Medal unit connection error processing>
Next, the flow of medal unit connection abnormality processing will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

First, when the power supply VL for checking the connection between the slot machine 1 and the medal unit 7 is turned on, the performance control unit 620, which is a function of the sub-control unit 62, outputs game performance to the LCD screen 3 and the speaker 101, etc., and stores information about the game performance being output in the memory unit of the sub-control unit 62 (step S601).

At a timing thereafter, the first control unit 61A determines whether the power supply VL for checking the connection between the medal unit 7 and the first control unit 61A is turned off (step S702). Note that this determination is performed when the reel 20 is not rotating.

If the connection confirmation power supply VL is on (not off) (S702: NO), gameplay continues normally and the medal unit connection abnormality processing ends. In other words, in this case, it is determined that medal unit connection abnormality processing E8 has not occurred.

On the other hand, if the connection check power supply VL is off (S702: YES), the first control unit 61A determines whether a certain period of time has elapsed in that state (step S703).

Step S703 is repeated until a certain period of time has elapsed.

If a certain period of time has elapsed while the connection confirmation power supply VL is off (S703: YES), the first control unit 61A determines that a medal unit connection abnormality E8 has occurred (step S704).

Next, the first control unit 61A disables game progress (step S705).

The sub-control unit 62 (performance control unit 620) also interrupts the game performance being output (step S706).

Next, the first control unit 61A determines whether the reset button 5 was pressed after the connection check power supply VL was turned on (S707).

Step S707 is repeated until reset button 5 is pressed.

If the reset button 5 is pressed (S707: YES), the first control unit 61A clears the medal unit connection abnormality E8 (step S708).

Next, the first control unit 61A enables the game to proceed (step S709).

Next, the sub-controller 62 (the performance controller 620) refers to the memory unit of the second controller 61B and resumes the output of the interrupted game performance based on the information of the game performance that was output before the medal unit connection abnormality E8 occurred (step S710). After that, the game continues in a normal state, and the medal unit connection abnormality process is terminated.
The above is the flow of medal unit connection abnormality processing.

<First Invention>
To sum up, the slot machine 1 of the present invention has the following features:
A game status control unit 616 and a section control unit 615 that can control the progress of a game on the slot machine 1;
a medium management unit 613 capable of receiving medal data from a medal unit 7 connected to the slot machine 1 and managing medals whose value changes as the game progresses;
A counting button 44 that can instruct the transfer of medal data from the medium management unit 613 to the medal unit 7 based on a predetermined operation;
A performance control unit 620 capable of outputting game information related to a game, including game performances executed as the game progresses;
Equipped with
An upper limit is set for the amount of medals that the medium management unit 613 can manage.
The states related to medal management include an unreached state in which the amount of medals managed by the medium management unit 613 reaches the upper limit, and an reached state in which the amount of medals managed by the medium management unit 613 reaches the upper limit and is maintained until a predetermined operation is performed on the count button 44.
The process that can be executed differs between the unreached state and the reached state.

<Effects of the Invention>
In a medal-less machine such as the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, medal data is managed internally (in the medium management unit 613), and the number of medals is displayed on the digital counter 43. Here, if the number displayed on the digital counter 43 becomes large, there is a risk that it will become difficult for the operator to grasp the number of medals.

Specifically, if the digital counter 43 has a maximum display limit of four digits ("9999") and more medals than the maximum display limit have been credited, the operator will not be able to grasp the number. For this reason, in a medal-less machine, it is considered preferable to have the operator press the counting button 44 at appropriate times to execute the transfer process.

In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the medal management states are an unreached state in which the amount of medals has not yet reached the upper limit, and an reached state in which the amount of medals has reached the upper limit, and the processing content that can be executed differs between the unreached state and the reached state. Therefore, the operator can easily understand whether the current state is an unreached state or an reached state. This makes it possible to appropriately prompt the operator to perform the transfer process.

<Second Invention>
In addition, in the slot machine 1 of the present invention,
The performance control unit 620 includes:
It is possible to execute a count prompt display, which is a notification process for prompting the user to transfer medal data to the medal unit 7, before the amount of medals managed by the medium management unit 613 reaches the upper limit value, and
The counting prompt display can be executed with a higher priority than the game presentation process that outputs game presentations that are executed as the game progresses.

<Effects of the Invention>
As mentioned above, in a medal-less machine, it is considered necessary to prompt the operator to transfer medal data to the medal unit 7 at an appropriate time before the reached state is reached.

According to the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the medal management state is in an unachieved state, the performance control unit 620 executes a counting prompt display, so that the player can be prompted to press the counting button 44 at an appropriate time.

In particular, the presentation control unit 620 can execute the counting prompt display with a higher priority than the game presentation processing. Therefore, even when the operator is playing a game, the counting prompt display can be confirmed without being buried in the game presentation. This makes it possible to appropriately prompt the operator to perform the transfer processing.

<Third Invention>
In addition, the slot machine 1 of the present invention has
Further, a detection unit 618 is provided that can detect the occurrence of a connection abnormality between the medal unit 7 and the slot machine 1.
For example, if the occurrence of a medal unit connection abnormality E8 is detected while the performance control unit 620 is outputting a push order navigation (for example, a notification that the stop switch 40 should be pressed second), the performance control unit 620 can interrupt the output of the push order navigation, and after the medal unit connection abnormality E8 is resolved, output the push order navigation from the continuation (a notification that the stop switch 40 should be pressed second).

<Effects of the Invention>
It is considered that a medal-less machine needs to always be connected to the medal unit 7 in order to execute a transfer process in response to an instruction from an operator. However, for some reason, a communication connection error may occur between the slot machine 1 and the medal unit 7. In this case, it is assumed that the slot machine 1 will be unable to proceed with the game, and the game presentation will be interrupted.

According to the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, even if the game presentation is interrupted due to the occurrence of a medal unit connection abnormality E8, the game presentation can be resumed after the medal unit connection abnormality E8 is released. Therefore, even after the occurrence of a medal unit connection abnormality E8, the player can be guided to play in a natural state while preventing the player from losing their sense of immersion in the game.

<Fourth Invention>
In addition, the slot machine 1 of the present invention has
a first control unit 61A capable of generating a request command related to a game on the slot machine 1;
A second control unit 61B capable of receiving a request command transmitted from the first control unit 61A;
At least
The first control unit 61A at least
Game status control unit 616,
Equipped with
The second control unit 61B at least
Media management unit 613,
Equipped with
The second control unit 61B is capable of a response possibility determination process for determining whether or not to respond to a received request command, depending on the current game status based on the control of the game state control unit 616 and the like.

<Effects of the Invention>
In particular, in a medalless machine in which the main control unit is composed of two chips as in this embodiment, it is expected that data will be frequently sent and received between the first control unit 61A and the second control unit 61B.

However, if the second control unit 61B were to respond to all request data sent from the first control unit 61A, the amount of data exchanged between the first control unit 61A and the second control unit 61B would increase, and the processing load on these control units would be heavy. In addition, the first control unit 61A may send request data at an inappropriate time, or may send a request command to which the second control unit 61B does not need to respond. Furthermore, some kind of unauthorized processing (for example, so-called cheating) may be performed by the first control unit 61A.

In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, taking these points into consideration, the second control unit 61B is able to decide whether or not to respond to a request command depending on the current game status managed by the second control unit 61B. Therefore, depending on the game status managed by the second control unit 61B, the second control unit 61B does not need to respond to a request command, and can leave the request command alone or discard it. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of data sent and received between the first control unit 61A and the second control unit 61B, prevent processing from becoming complicated, and suppress excessive processing load on the first control unit 61A.

As described above, this embodiment can provide a gaming machine that can solve problems associated with the configuration and internal processing unique to medal-less machines.

[Other embodiments]
The various control means and processing procedures described in the above embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its applications, or its uses. The various control means and processing procedures can be appropriately modified in design without changing the gist of the present invention. In addition, the various control means, processing procedures, and processing contents described in each embodiment can be configured individually or in appropriate combinations.

In addition, the various definitions used in this specification are commonly used throughout the specification unless otherwise specified in each example.

In the above embodiment, an example is described in which the main control unit is configured with two chips, a first control unit and a second control unit, but the present invention is not limited to this, except for the fourth invention. In other words, the main control unit may not be divided into a first control unit and a second control unit, but may be configured with a single chip.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an example is described in which the first control unit determines whether an abnormal state such as the medal count upper limit E9 has occurred, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the second control unit may determine these abnormal states, or a third control unit (or an external device such as the medal unit 7) that is different from the first control unit, the second control unit, and the sub-control unit may determine these abnormal states.

In this specification, "process A is executed with a higher priority than process B" means, for example, that process A and process B are executed at the same timing (or at least partially overlapping timing),
(1) Process A is executed, but process B is canceled and not executed. (2) If it is decided to execute process A at the same time that process B is being executed, process B is canceled (or interrupted) and process A is executed. (3) The image displayed by process A is displayed in a layer higher than the image displayed by process B. (4) The image (or display area) displayed by process A is larger or darker (easier to see, easier to recognize) than the image (or display area) displayed by process B.
(5) The sound output by process A is louder than the sound output by process B (or the volume of process B is zero).
(6) This means that process B is in a standby state and will be executed after process A is completed.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an example is described in which the medal management status (unreached status and reached status) is managed by the media management unit of the second control unit, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the medal management status may be managed by a function/means other than the media management unit (e.g., a detection unit of the first control unit).

In the above embodiment, an example is described in which the counting button is located in a position on the slot machine that is visible to the operator (a position that the operator can touch without unlocking the front door 100), but the following aspects can also be considered as "visible positions."

For example, the counting button may be located in a recess in the housing of the slot machine, and the recess may be covered with, for example, a transparent cover. In this case, the operator can open the cover and press the counting button behind it. Also, for example, the counting button may be installed on a device provided separately from the slot machine.

In the above embodiment, an example is described in which the second control unit does not send error information to the first control unit when it decides not to respond to a request command sent from the first control unit, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the second control unit may also be able to send error information to the first control unit. In this case, the first control unit can quickly execute processing to prevent so-called cheating (fraudulent behavior) (for example, processing to disable play on a slot machine that can only be released by an operation by a store staff member).

In addition, while the counting prompt display and/or medal count upper limit reached E9 is occurring, the first control unit and the second control unit can display information indicating that the counting prompt display or the like is occurring on the seven-segment display, or can prevent the display.

In the above embodiment, an example is described in which the media management unit calculates the difference in the number of medals, the difference in the number of medals in the advantageous zone, etc., but the difference in the number of medals, etc. may be calculated by another control unit, such as the zone control unit.

In the above embodiment, an example is described in which it is suggested that the medal management status is in an unachieved state, but it is not necessary to suggest/notify that the medal management status is in an unachieved state.

Note that, without being limited to the above embodiment, there may be cases where a slot machine has a seven-segment display but does not have an LCD screen. In such cases, the performance control unit may be able to execute processing, for example, as follows.

Process 1
When the second gaming state is a general gaming state and the number of credits reaches 15,000, the presentation control unit may be capable of causing the seven-segment display to display a counting prompt display.

Process 2
When the first game state is a special role implementation state and the number of medals remaining until the special role implementation state ends is displayed on the 7-segment display, the presentation control unit may be capable of displaying the counting prompt display and/or the display content relating to reaching the medal count upper limit E9 in different locations on the 7-segment display.

In addition, when the special role is in effect and the occurrence of the medal count upper limit E9 has been confirmed, the performance control unit can output music different from that in the normal special role state, or light up the LED in a different way than in the normal special role state, etc.

In addition, in conjunction with displaying the counting prompt, the performance control unit can also display on the seven-segment display the number of medals remaining until medal count upper limit E9 is reached.

In particular, if the medal count upper limit E9 occurs immediately after the special role implementation state ends, the performance control unit can display the number of medals remaining until the special role implementation state ends and the number of medals remaining until the medal count upper limit E9 is triggered at different positions on the 7-segment display.

The first control unit can also prevent the medal count upper limit E9 from being activated until the special role implementation state ends. In this case, the first control unit will not set the game to a state in which game progress is disabled until the special role implementation state ends.

Process 3
When the second game state is an AT, the presentation control unit may be capable of displaying on the seven-segment display the remaining number of medals that can be acquired while the AT is being executed (and/or the number of medals acquired while the AT is being executed; the same applies below), a counting prompt and/or an indication that the medal count limit has been reached E9, and a push order navigation.

In this case, the performance control unit may be able to display the remaining number of medals that can be acquired, the push order navigation, the counting prompt and/or the medal count upper limit reached E9 at the same time in different locations on the seven-segment display.

Alternatively, in this case, the performance control unit may display at least two of the counting prompt and/or medal count upper limit reached E9, and the remaining number of medals that can be obtained, at different times in the same location on the 7-segment display. In this case, the push order navigation is displayed in a location different from the remaining number of medals that can be obtained, etc.

Alternatively, in this case, the performance control unit may be able to display the push order navigation, the counting prompt and/or the medal count upper limit reached E9, and the remaining number of medals that can be obtained all at different times in the same place (or different places) on the seven-segment display.

In addition, without being limited to the above embodiment, if a medal unit connection abnormality E8 occurs while outputting a game presentation, the presentation control unit may be able to interrupt the game presentation and execute a resume process as follows.

・Restart process 1
When the medal unit connection abnormality E8 is resolved, the performance control unit may be able to output the game performance that was output immediately before the medal unit connection abnormality E8 occurred, from a predetermined timing for that game performance or later. In this case, for example, if a plurality of points are provided in the game performance, when the medal unit connection abnormality E8 is resolved, the performance control unit can return to the point that was most recently output when the medal unit connection abnormality E8 occurred and resume the game performance from that point. In this case, the continuity of the game performance can be maintained, and the player can be guided into the game in a natural state.

・Restart process 2
When the medal unit connection abnormality E8 is resolved, the performance control unit may be able to output the game performance that was being output immediately before the medal unit connection abnormality E8 occurred from the beginning (from scene A in the example of the embodiment). In this case, the game performance that was once interrupted is displayed from the beginning, so that the player can be given a sense of immersion in the game.

・Restart process 3
The performance control unit may be capable of outputting an attract screen when the medal unit connection abnormality E8 is resolved. In this case, the operator can naturally return to the game by performing an operation related to the game progress.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an example is described in which the slot machine is a medal-less machine, but the present invention is not limited to this. The slot machine may be equipped with, for example, a medal insertion port, a hopper unit, a medal payout port, a bottom tray, etc., so that medals, which are real objects, can be used in the game.

Not limited to the above embodiment, the number of medals bet may be displayed by LED instead of digitally.

The slot machine may also be capable of transmitting medal data currently credited to the slot machine to the medal unit at predetermined times (e.g., every 5 games, every 10 minutes) (including transmitting medal data to a hall computer, unit management computer, etc. via the medal unit).

In this case, the medal unit (and/or hall computer, unit management computer; same below) can record the transmitted data and compare it with the medal data transmitted together with the transfer signal when the counting button is finally pressed to check whether the medal data contains invalid information.

Furthermore, the medal unit may be able to check whether the medal data received at a specified timing is invalid based on the progress of play on the slot machine (whether or not the game is in an AT, whether or not a bonus is in progress, whether or not the game is in a normal zone, etc.). Specifically, if the slot machine's specifications state that the net increase in medals per game during an AT is two medals, but the number of medals has increased by 1,000 medals in 100 games, the medal unit can detect that the medal data is invalid.

The medal data managed by the unit management computer may be further consolidated in a game information computer, making it possible to manage medal data for all slot machines.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the operator can take a break at any time during play. In this case, the store staff may be able to lock the slot machine and/or the medal unit so that other users cannot operate them.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an example is described in which the bonus is a continuous operation device for a first type special feature, but the present invention is not limited to this. The bonus may be at least one of a first type special feature, a continuous operation device for a first type special feature, a second type special feature, or a continuous operation device for a second type special feature.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an example is described in which the slot machine is an AT machine, but the slot machine may be an ART (assisted replay time) machine, or may be a bonus-only slot machine that does not execute AT, ART, etc., or a slot machine that can execute both a bonus and an AT (or ART).

In addition, a signal indicating the type of play zone may be sent from the zone control unit to the digital counter, so that the digital counter can indicate whether the play zone is an advantageous zone or not, for example, by whether or not a dot is displayed.

In addition, without being limited to the above embodiment, for example, when the AT ends or when the number of continuing games in the advantageous zone reaches 3000 games, the zone control unit may forcibly transition the play zone from the advantageous zone to the normal zone. In addition, the slot machine may not have a play zone (advantageous zone and normal zone).

In addition, in the above embodiment, an example is described in which the special gaming state other than the general gaming state is AT, but the special gaming state may be CZ.

In addition, although not described in the above embodiment, the mode may be changed when a specific condition is met (for example, when the CZ is won but the AT is not won, when the AT ends, or when the advantageous zone ends).

In addition, in the above embodiment, the range (MY) was used to activate the complete function, but this is not limited to this, and the difference in the number of medals may be used to determine whether or not to activate the complete function.

1. Slot machine (amusement machine)
61A First control unit 61B Second control unit 610 Internal lottery unit (game control unit)
611 Rotation reel control unit (game control unit)
612 Game result determination unit (game control unit)
613 Media Management Department (Value Management Department)
614 Setting value control unit (game control unit)
615 Section control unit (game control unit)
616 Game status control unit (game control unit)
617 RT state control unit (game control unit)
618 Detection unit 619 Function operation unit (game control unit)
62 Sub-control unit 620 Production control unit (output unit)

Claims (8)

A game control unit capable of controlling the progress of a game in the gaming machine;
a value management unit capable of receiving information about a game value from a game value recording means connected to the gaming machine or installed in the gaming machine, and capable of managing the game value that changes as the game progresses;
a transfer instruction unit capable of instructing to transfer information relating to the game value from the value management unit to the game value recording means based on a predetermined operation;
Equipped with
An upper limit of the amount of the game value that the value management unit can manage is set,
The state related to the management of the game value includes an unreached state until the amount of the game value managed by the value management unit reaches the upper limit value, and an reached state that is maintained after the amount of the game value managed by the value management unit reaches the upper limit value until the predetermined operation is performed on the transfer instruction unit,
The unreached state and the reached state have different executable process contents and/or different executable processes and different unexecutable processes.
Amusement machine. In the unachieved state, a process related to the progress of the game can be executed;
In the reached state, processing related to the progress of the game cannot be executed.
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1. An output unit capable of outputting information related to the game is further provided,
The output unit is
When the game value is not reached, a process of accepting a bet of the game value and/or a process of notifying and/or suggesting that the game value can be bet is executable.
When the game is in the reached state, a process of accepting a bet of the game value and/or a process of notifying and/or suggesting that the game value can be bet is not executable.
3. The gaming machine according to claim 2. An output unit capable of outputting information related to the game is further provided,
The output unit is
When the non-achievement state is reached, a process of notifying and/or suggesting the non-achievement state can be executed,
When the arrival state is reached, a process of notifying and/or suggesting that the arrival state is reached can be executed.
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1. the value management unit is capable of transitioning from the reached state to the unreached state by the predetermined operation being performed on the transfer instruction unit that is disposed in a position of the gaming machine that is visible to an operator,
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1. Further comprising a storage unit capable of storing an error history relating to the gaming machine;
The information indicating that the reached state has been reached is not stored in the storage unit as the error history.
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1. a first abnormal state where a connection abnormality occurs between the gaming machine and the game value recording means, a second abnormal state where a connection abnormality occurs between the value management unit and a function other than the value management unit, and a third abnormal state where the reached state is set in that order;
The output unit is capable of generating the status abnormalities in descending order of priority when at least two of the first status abnormality, the second status abnormality, and the third status abnormality occur simultaneously.
The cancellation process is executed.
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1. The reached state has more limited executable processing contents than the unreached state.
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1.