JP4351653B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly to a gaming machine to which a gaming medium lending device is connected.

As a conventional gaming machine, a slot machine gaming machine that lends a medal to a player by operating a medal paying device provided inside the gaming machine when receiving a lending request signal from a gaming medium lending device connected to the gaming machine There is. Further, there is a gaming machine that notifies the occurrence of an abnormality to the game medium lending device and interrupts the medal lending process when there are not enough medals at the time of lending (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-47689 A

  When a medal for 100 yen is paid out by the medal payout device, a lending request signal is transmitted only once from the game medium lending device to the gaming machine. Then, five medals corresponding to 100 yen are paid out from the medal payout device, and the medal lending process for one unit is completed.

  Further, when a plurality of medals are paid out by the medal payout device, a loan request signal is continuously transmitted a plurality of times from the game medium lending device to the gaming machine. The gaming machine lends one unit (five) of medals every time it receives a lending request signal, and repeats lending one unit of medals as many times as it receives the lending request signal. For example, when a medal for 500 yen is paid out, a lending request signal is continuously transmitted from the gaming medium lending device to the gaming machine 5 times, and each time the gaming machine receives the lending request signal, one unit (5 cards) ) Medals. Finally, 25 medals are lent out.

  That is, since the number of medals paid out by the medal payout device is always a multiple of 5, if a medal shortage occurs conveniently when the payout number of medals is a multiple of 5, the gaming machine and the game medium lending device are identical. The communication process required for paying out a unit medal can be completed and the medal lending process can be terminated. However, if a medal shortage occurs when the number of medals to be paid out is not a multiple of 5, it becomes impossible to pay out medals in the middle of one unit of medal renting process, so there is a complexity between the gaming machine and the game medium lending device. Communication error handling is required.

  Therefore, the number of medals stored in the medal payout device is counted in advance before paying out medals, and the medal payout is stopped when the number of medals becomes less than one unit. If there is no problem.

  However, since disc-shaped medals are stacked and stored randomly in the medal payout device, it is impossible to accurately count the number of medals in the medal payout device in units of one. Therefore, it is very difficult to determine the timing to stop paying out medals during the medal lending process.

  Therefore, the present invention determines the shortage of medals in the gaming machine based on the speed of the game medium paid out from the medal payout device, and if it is determined that the shortage has occurred, the medal is paid out when one unit of medals is paid out. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that prevents a complicated communication error process from occurring with a gaming medium lending device by canceling the lending process.

A first invention is a front frame that can be freely opened and closed, a front frame opening switch that detects opening and closing of the front frame, a loading portion into which a game medium is inserted, a game medium storage means that stores a game medium, and a gaming machine A lending request signal from a game medium lending device connected to the unit is lent by a unit lending unit that lends the game medium stored in the game medium storage unit to the player by one unit, and a lending operation. When the lending request signal is repeatedly received a predetermined number of times corresponding to a predetermined unit of game media, the unit lending means is operated for the predetermined number of times, and the predetermined unit of game media is transferred to the unit. A game medium lending means for lending to a player in a divided manner, wherein the unit lending means is a game medium paying means for paying out game media corresponding to the one unit at a predetermined interval one by one. Ah A payout detecting means for detecting a game medium paid out by the game medium payout means, an interval measuring means for measuring a payout interval of the detected game medium, and a payout interval of the game medium measured by the interval measuring means And the front frame opening switch detects the shortage of the game medium stored in the game medium storage means and detects the shortage of the game medium by the front frame release switch. Game medium shortage detecting means for setting an emergency lending flag to ON until it is detected that the state has changed from the open state to the closed state, and when the shortage of game media is detected by the game medium shortage detection means, the one unit A lending cancellation unit that stops lending out gaming media when a number of gaming media corresponding to a multiple of the payout amount are paid out, and the gaming medium shortage detecting unit When a shortage of technical media is detected, a storage counter is initialized, and when the emergency lending flag is set to ON, the number of gaming media input from the input unit to the gaming medium storage means A game medium amount that updates the storage counter based on the number of game media paid out from the game medium storage means and estimates the amount of game media stored in the game medium storage means based on the update result And when the emergency lending flag is set to ON, the game medium lending unit is configured to perform the one-time operation based on the amount of the game medium estimated by the game medium amount estimating unit. The number of operations of the unit lending means corresponding to the lending operation is determined.

In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the game medium payout means is constituted by a disk-shaped disk that rotates about a rotation axis, and the disk includes a storage portion that stores the game medium. It is characterized by being formed at regular intervals in the circumferential direction of the disk.

According to the present invention, a front frame that can be freely opened and closed, a front frame opening switch that detects opening and closing of the front frame, a loading portion into which a game medium is inserted, a game medium storage means that stores a game medium, and a gaming machine A lending request signal from a game medium lending device connected to the unit is lent by a unit lending unit that lends the game medium stored in the game medium storage unit to the player by one unit, and a lending operation. When the lending request signal is repeatedly received a predetermined number of times corresponding to a predetermined unit of game media, the unit lending means is operated for the predetermined number of times, and the predetermined unit of game media is transferred to the unit. A game medium lending means for lending to a player in a divided manner, wherein the unit lending means is a game medium paying means for paying out game media corresponding to the one unit at a predetermined interval one by one. Ah A payout detecting means for detecting a game medium paid out by the game medium payout means, an interval measuring means for measuring a payout interval of the detected game medium, and a payout of the game medium measured by the interval measuring means. Based on the fact that the interval is longer than a predetermined time, a shortage of game media stored in the game media storage means is detected, and the front frame release switch detects the shortage of game media and detects the lack of the game media. The game medium shortage detecting means for setting the emergency lending flag to ON until it is detected that the frame has changed from the open state to the closed state, and when the shortage of game media is detected by the game medium shortage detection means, A lending cancellation unit that stops lending out gaming media when a number of gaming media corresponding to a multiple of the unit has been paid out, and the gaming medium shortage detecting unit. When a shortage of game media is detected, a storage counter is initialized, and when the emergency lending flag is set to ON, the number of game media input from the input unit to the game medium storage means A game medium amount that updates the storage counter based on the number of game media paid out from the game medium storage means and estimates the amount of game media stored in the game medium storage means based on the update result And when the emergency lending flag is set to ON, the game medium lending unit is configured to perform the one-time operation based on the amount of the game medium estimated by the game medium amount estimating unit. Since the number of operations of the unit lending means corresponding to the lending operation of the game is determined, the shortage of the game medium is detected in advance, and when the number of game media corresponding to a multiple of one unit is paid out, the game medium In order to finish the body lending process, it is possible to prevent the communication process between the gaming machine and the game medium lending device from becoming complicated due to a shortage of game media occurring while the number of paid out game media reaches one unit. can do.

At this time, since the maximum value of the number of game media that can be lent to the player is predicted and the game media is paid out, the game media lending process can be performed in accordance with the number of game media stored in the gaming machine.

Further, since the number of operations of the unit lending means is adjusted by the number of game media entering and leaving the game machine, it is possible to perform a game medium lending process corresponding to the latest state of the game machine.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing a configuration of a gaming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The gaming apparatus 1 includes a gaming machine (slot machine) 2 and a card unit (card processing machine) 3 as a gaming medium lending device provided adjacent thereto.

  The gaming machine 2 has a hinge on the left side, and includes a front frame 4 that can be opened and closed in a single-opening manner around the hinge. On the back side of the front frame 4, three reels (first reel 5a, second reel 5b, and third reel 5c) constituting a variable display device (variable display device) are rotatably arranged side by side. Yes. On the outer peripheral surface of each of the reels 5a to 5c, a symbol row composed of a plurality of types of symbols (designs) is written. The reels 5a to 5c are driven by reel motors 5Ma to 5Mc (FIG. 2) and rotate independently of each other. Each of the reel motors 5Ma to 5Mc is composed of, for example, a stepping motor. Then, the gaming machine 2 performs a variable display game by the rotation of the reels 5a to 5c, and the result of stopping the variable display becomes a predetermined display mode (predetermined symbol combination mode) on an effective line to be described later. A predetermined game value is given to the player.

  A display window 6 is provided at the approximate center of the front frame 4 so that the player can visually recognize a symbol that is variably displayed (variably displayed) by the rotation of the reels 5a to 5c. When the reels 5a to 5c are stopped, three symbols can be visually recognized from the display window 6 in the symbol rows written on the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 5a to 5c. That is, a total of nine symbols can be visually recognized from the display window 6 in a state where the reels 5a to 5c are stopped.

  Above the display window 6, a display device 7 is provided that performs an auxiliary game and displays effects and information related to the variable display game. When an abnormality occurs in the connection state between the gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3, the display device 7 displays that fact in the display area. The display device 7 is controlled by the display control device 220 (FIG. 2), and the display contents are changed. It should be noted that the auxiliary game can inform the player that a specific winning flag has been established in the variable display game by deriving a specific result.

  Speakers as sound output devices 8 are provided above and to the left and right of the display device 7. The speaker is controlled by the sound control device 230 (FIG. 2), and outputs a sound effect when the big bonus (BB) state or the regular bonus (RB) state occurs to improve the fun of the game.

  Below the display window 6, a payout number display unit 9, a game progress display unit 10 and a credit number display unit 11, each formed of a 7-segment LED or a liquid crystal display, are provided. The payout number display unit 9 displays the payout number of medals obtained when the winning is confirmed or the payout number of medals lent to the player by operating the lending button 13. In addition, the payout number display unit 9 displays a preset error code when an abnormality occurs in the operation of the gaming machine 2 (for example, insufficient medals, clogged medals, abnormal connection between the gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3). To do. The game progress display unit 10 is in an assist (AT) state (a state of a winning flag such as a small role, a game state in which a specific stop order of the reels 5a to 5c is notified to the player), a BB state, or an RB state. Displays the number of remaining games.

  The credit amount display unit 11 displays the credit amount accumulated by the player's medal insertion operation. The player can place a bet based on the credit amount displayed on the credit amount display unit 11. Note that an operation in which a player inserts medals or subtracts the number of credits to start a game is called a bet.

  The number of credits is stored with a predetermined value (for example, 50) as a limit. Therefore, when the number of credits reaches this limit value, surplus medals among the inserted medals are discharged to the tray 25. In addition, when the gaming machine 2 is set in a non-credit state as described later, up to three inserted medals are bet, and surplus medals are discharged to the tray 25 without being added to the number of credits. .

  In the vicinity of the display window section 6, a bet line display section 36 (FIG. 2) (not shown) is provided. The bet line display unit 36 displays a bet line (valid line) activated corresponding to the number of medals bet (the number of bets). The number of medals bet is the number of medals inserted by the player for the game, or the number of medals used for the game after being subtracted from the memorized number of medals (credits) previously inserted by the player. .

  The bet line display unit 36 includes, for example, three lamps “1”, “2”, and “3”. For example, when the bet number is 1, only the “1” lamp of the bet line display unit 36 is lit, indicating that only the middle horizontal line is an active line. When the number of bets is 2, the “1” and “2” lamps of the bet line display section 36 are lit, indicating that the three horizontal lines in the upper, middle and lower stages are active lines. When the bet number is 3, all the lamps “1”, “2” and “3” on the bet line display section 36 are lit, and three horizontal lines and two slanting lines, right-down and right-up. Indicates that the line (5 lines in total) is an active line.

  Further, in the vicinity of the display window portion 6, a game state display portion 37 (FIG. 2) (not shown) is provided. The game state display unit 37 indicates that the gaming machine 2 is in a playable state, “REPLAY” display indicating that the replay winning has been acquired and the game currently being executed is a replay game after the replay winning, a player “WAIT” display indicating that there is a waiting time until the reels 5a to 5c start rotating after the medals are inserted and the start lever 21 is operated, and “INSERT MEDALS” display for prompting the insertion of medals Is done.

  On the lower left side of the display window 6, a balance display unit 12 is provided. The balance display unit 12 is constituted by a 7-digit LED of 3 digits, and displays the frequency (for example, 1 frequency for 100 yen) held by the prepaid card inserted in the card unit 3. The prepaid card is a card having a value corresponding to a predetermined amount (for example, 1000 yen, 2000 yen, 3000 yen, 5000 yen). The prepaid card may store the amount instead of the frequency.

  Below the balance display section 12, a lending button 13 for requesting the card unit 3 to lend medals from the gaming machine 2 and a discharge button 14 for discharging a prepaid card having the remaining number from a card insertion slot 27 described later. Is provided. On the back side of the balance display unit 12, the lending button 13, and the discharge button 14, a display board 240 (FIG. 3) for controlling the display of the balance display unit 12 or the operation of the lending button 13 is provided.

  When the player presses the lending button 13 once, 10 degrees out of the frequencies displayed on the balance display unit 12 are converted into 50 medals (1000 yen) and lent out. The rented medals are discharged to the tray 25. At the same time, a frequency corresponding to the number of lent medals is subtracted from the frequency displayed on the balance display unit 12 and displayed. The number of medals corresponding to the number of times (one unit of medal lending) is normally set to 5 units, but may be arbitrarily set at the game hall. Further, the frequency of lending per one pressing operation of the lending button 13 can be arbitrarily set in the game hall.

  The lending button 13 incorporates a medal lending permission LED 43 (FIG. 3). The medal rentable LED 43 notifies the player that the medal can be lent by being lit. While the medal lending permission LED 43 is not lit, the lending button 13 cannot be operated, and while the medal lending permission LED 43 is lit, the lending button 13 is operable. That is, as long as the medal lending permission LED 43 is not lit, the medal is not lent even if the lending button 13 is operated. Note that the medal lending permission LED 43 may notify whether or not the lending button 13 is operable by the lighting color.

  A medal insertion slot 16 for inserting medals is provided on the right side of the inclined base 15 between the upper half and the lower half of the front frame 4. When a medal is inserted into the medal slot 16, the inserted medal is added to the number of bets. When the bet number reaches the maximum betable number (for example, 3), the number of inserted medals is not added to the bet number but added to the credit number. Further, when the number of credits has reached the limit value, the inserted medals are discharged to the tray 25 without being added to the number of credits.

  The tilting table 15 has a 1-bet button 17 for betting one medal that has been credited by a single pressing operation, and a max-bet button 18 for betting the maximum number of medals by a single pressing operation. Is provided. When the max bet button 18 is operated, for example, when no medals are bet, three medals are bet, and when only one medal is bet, two medals are bet. By using these bet buttons 17 or 18, it is possible to bet medals within the number of credits stored in the credit storage area without inserting medals from the medal insertion slot 16.

  A quadrilateral decorative panel 19 is provided below the front frame 4. On the upper left side of the decorative panel 19, a credit selection button 20 is provided that can selectively switch between a credit state in which medals can be stored as credits and a non-credit state in which medals cannot be stored as credits. Yes. When the gaming machine 2 is switched from the credit state to the non-credit state by the credit selection button 20, the number of medals corresponding to the number of credits is discharged to the tray 25, and at the same time, the display of the credit number display unit 11 is cleared and becomes zero. .

  On the right side of the credit selection button 20, a start lever 21 for starting rotation of the reels 5a to 5c at the same time is provided. On the right side of the start lever 21, a reel stop button (first reel stop button 22a, second reel stop button 22b, third reel stop button 22c) for stopping the rotation of the reels 5a to 5c and deriving the stop symbol. Is provided. When the reel stop buttons 22a to 22c are operated, the reels 5a to 5c corresponding to the buttons stop rotating. When the bet number is 0, the start condition of the variable display game is not satisfied, and the reels 5a to 5c do not rotate even if the start lever 21 is operated.

  Each reel stop button 22a-22c incorporates an operation information lamp for notifying that each button can be operated by lighting. When these lamps are not lit, the reel stop buttons 22a to 22c are inoperable. When the operation information lamp is lit, the reel stop buttons 22a to 22c are operable. That is, while the operation information lamp is not lit, the reels 5a to 5c do not stop rotating even if the reel stop buttons 22a to 22c are operated. Note that the operation information lamp may notify whether or not the reel stop buttons 22a to 22c are operable by the lighting color.

  A return button 23 is provided on the right side of the reel stop button 22c. By operating the return button 23 when a medal in the medal flow path from the medal slot 16 is jammed, the medal clogged in the flow path is returned to the tray 25.

  On the left and right sides of the display window section 6, there are provided decoration display sections 24 made up of decorative lamps, LEDs, and the like. The decoration display part 24 improves the interest of the game by lighting in various modes when the BB state or the RB state occurs.

  In addition, below the decorative panel 19, a tray 25 and an ashtray 26 for storing medals paid out from the gaming machine 2 are provided. A medal payout device (hopper) 50 for discharging medals to the tray 25 is disposed on the back side of the decorative panel 19. The medal payout device 50 includes a medal storage unit 50a that stores medals and a discharge unit 50b that includes a mechanism that discharges medals.

  The card unit 3 is provided with a card insertion slot 27 in the center. When a prepaid card is inserted into the card insertion slot 27, a frequency corresponding to the valuable value possessed by the card is displayed on the balance display unit 12. Then, when there is a medal lending request from the player by operating the lending button 13 on the gaming machine 2 side, a corresponding number of medals are discharged to the tray 25.

  Further, when a player requests to discharge a prepaid card by operating the discharge button 14 on the gaming machine 2 side, if the prepaid card has a remaining number, the prepaid card is discharged to the card insertion slot 27. Note that the prepaid card whose remaining number has become 0 is taken into the card accommodating portion inside the card unit 3 and initialized.

  The data stored in the prepaid card may be information corresponding to a valuable value (amount) or information corresponding to a game value (the number of medals). Further, the information corresponding to the valuable value or the game value may be information directly written on the card, and is stored in an external device such as a management device corresponding to the code (card ID number) stored in the card. It may be information. That is, the card reader / writer may directly read the valuable value (amount information) and the game value (number of medals) stored in the card, but reads the ID number stored in the card and reads the ID number Correspondingly, it may be configured to receive the transmission of the valuable value stored in the external device such as the management device.

  The prepaid card inserted into the card insertion slot 27 can use a storage medium such as an IC card in addition to a magnetic card. Further, it may be a storage medium such as a coin shape or a tag shape instead of a square shape like a card. In this case, by mounting the storage medium at a predetermined location of the card unit 3, the storage medium is received by the card unit 3, and the card unit 3 can read the contents stored in the storage medium.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a part of the control system of the gaming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The control system of the gaming machine 2 includes a game control device 200 disposed inside the gaming machine 2 as a main component. The game control device 200 is a control device that performs overall control of the game (game progress control processing and control of each controlled device). The game control device 200 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, and an input / output interface (I / I). F) 205 is provided.

  Further, the card control unit 200 is electrically connected to the game control device 200 via the connection terminal board 40. The game control device 200 and the card unit 3 exchange various signals via the connection terminal board 40. Thereby, the connection state between the two can be confirmed on the gaming machine 2 side, and the gaming machine 2 executes the medal lending process. Note that a relay terminal plate may be provided between the gaming machine 2 and the connection terminal plate 40 as necessary.

  The connection terminal board 40 is connected to a balance display unit 12, a lending switch 13A, and a discharge switch 14A provided on the gaming machine 2 side. The lending switch 13A is a switch that detects that the lending button 13 has been operated. The discharge switch 14A is a switch that detects that the discharge button 14 has been operated. The connection terminal board 40 outputs a signal input from the lending switch 13A or the discharge switch 14A to the CPU (not shown) of the card unit 3.

  When a signal is input from the lending switch 13A, the card unit 3 outputs a lending request signal (BRQ signal) to the CPU 201 of the gaming microcomputer 204. Then, the CPU 201 adds the number of medals lent out to the credit storage area provided in the RAM 203. Furthermore, a display control signal for the number of credits obtained by adding the number of lent medals is output to the credit number display unit 11.

  When a signal is input from the discharge switch 14 </ b> A, the card unit 3 discharges the prepaid card inserted into the card insertion slot 27 and outputs a display control signal for clearing the balance display to the balance display unit 12.

  Further, when receiving the lending completion signal (EXS), the card unit 3 subtracts the frequency corresponding to the number of lent medals from the stored content of the prepaid card. And the display control signal of the frequency of the subtracted prepaid card is output to the balance display unit 12, and the remaining frequency display is updated.

  The CPU 201 of the game microcomputer 204 performs various arithmetic controls for game control. Further, the CPU 201 generates a random number for internal lottery that determines whether or not to stop the symbols on the reels 5a to 5c in a predetermined special combination manner in the variable display game. Then, an internal lottery is performed based on the generated random number. The winning probability of each winning in the internal lottery is changed according to the number of medals to be inserted (the number of bets), and the winning probability is controlled to increase as the number of bets increases. Instead of generating random numbers for internal lottery by software processing of the CPU 201, the game control device 200 is provided with a random number generator for generating random numbers, and internal lottery is performed using the random numbers for internal lottery output from the random number generator. You may go.

  The result of the internal lottery (whether the winning flag is established / not established) is transmitted to the display control device 220 via the effect control device 210, and the execution of the auxiliary game on the display device 7 is controlled based on the lottery result. . In addition, the probability that the auxiliary game is executed may be increased as the number of bets increases, so that the auxiliary game can be executed at an appropriate frequency according to the result of the internal lottery. The lottery for determining whether or not to execute the auxiliary game can be performed by the CPU 201, but may be performed by the effect control device 210.

  The ROM 202 stores a program for executing control processing and control data (for example, a determination value for internal lottery).

  The RAM 203 stores a random number storage area for internal lottery generated by the CPU 201 and other various data (for example, a storage counter, a shortage counter, a delimiter counter, a payout counter, the number of credits, the number of bets, an emergency loan flag, a winning establishment flag, etc.) And a work area in which data necessary for the operation of the CPU 201 is temporarily stored.

  The input / output interface 205 is connected to a inserted medal detection sensor 16A, a 1-bet switch 17A, a max-bet switch 18A, a credit selection switch 20A, a start lever switch 21A, and reel stop switches 22A to 22C via a low-pass filter and a buffer gate (not shown). The signals input from the reel position detection sensors 30a to 30c, the reset switch 31, the front frame opening detection switch 32, the probability setting device 33, and the payout medal detection sensor 59A are output to the CPU 201.

  The inserted medal detection sensor 16A is provided on the flow path through which the medal inserted from the medal slot 16 flows. The inserted medal detection sensor 16A detects and counts inserted medals. The 1-bet switch 17A detects that the 1-bet button 17 has been operated. The max bet switch 18A detects that the max bet button 18 has been operated. The credit selection switch 20A detects that the credit selection button 20 has been operated. The start lever switch 21A detects that the start lever 21 has been operated. The reel stop switches 22A to 22C are provided on the reel stop buttons 22a to 22c, respectively, and detect that the reel stop buttons 22a to 22c are operated. When the operation of the reel stop buttons 22a to 22c is detected by the reel stop switches 22A to 22C, the rotation of the corresponding reels 5a to 5c is stopped. The reel position detection sensors 30a to 30c are provided on the reels 5a to 5c, respectively, and detect the reference positions of the reels 5a to 5c. The reset switch 31 initializes the gaming state of the gaming machine 2. The front frame opening switch 32 detects opening / closing of the front frame 4.

  The probability setting device 33 switches the setting of the gaming machine 2. Settings 1 to 6 with different probabilities that a winning flag is established are prepared. Setting 1 has the lowest probability of winning a winning flag, and can be switched so that the winning flag has a higher probability as the set value increases. Note that the amount of medals that a player can earn when playing a predetermined amount of game differs depending on the probability that a winning flag is established.

  The payout medal detection sensor 59 </ b> A detects the number of medals paid out and counts medals paid out from the medal payout device 50. The configuration of the payout medal detection sensor 59A will be described with reference to FIG.

  The input / output interface 205 sends control signals output from the CPU 201 to reel motors 5Ma to 5Mc, a payout number display unit 9, a game progress display unit 10, a credit number display unit 11, via output ports and drivers (not shown). The decoration display unit 24, the bet line display unit 37, the game state display unit 37, the medal payout unit motor 38, the external signal output unit 39, and the effect control device 210 are output.

  The medal discharger motor 38 drives the medal payout device 50 to rotate the disk 52 (FIG. 4). Then, by rotating the disk 52, the medals accommodated in the medal hole 54 (FIG. 4) are conveyed to the medal discharge port 56 (FIG. 4) provided in the medal payout device 50.

  The external signal output unit 39 is an external device that manages the gaming machine 2 with various information related to the operating status of the gaming machine 2 (signals related to insertion and payout of medals and signals indicating the BB state or the RB state). Output to. Further, the external signal output unit 39 outputs test data (inspection data) including information related to the establishment of each winning flag to an external device.

  The effect control device 210 includes a control CPU, RAM, and ROM, and controls and controls information display and sound output related to the effect of the auxiliary game. For example, when a detection signal is detected from either the inserted medal detection sensor 16A, the 1 bet switch 17A, or the max bet switch 18A, bet input (bet) information is transmitted from the game control device 200 to the effect control device 210. When the presentation control device 210 receives the information, the presentation control device 210 transmits a display control signal to the display control device 220 for the control process of the auxiliary game displayed on the display device 7. In addition, the effect control device 210 transmits a sound control signal to the sound control device 230 for the sound control process corresponding to the auxiliary game output from the sound output device 8. The effect control device 210 also controls the effect display on the display device 7 and the output from the sound output device 8.

  The display control device 220 includes a display control CPU and RAM, and a ROM that stores information display data. Based on the display control signal transmitted from the effect control device 210, effect information (effect pattern) that constitutes an auxiliary game. Is transmitted to the display device 7 to be displayed.

  The sound control device 230 includes a sound control CPU and RAM, and a ROM that stores sound effect data. Based on the sound control signal transmitted from the effect control device 210, the sound control device 230 has an effect corresponding to the gaming state. A predetermined effect sound according to the sound or the auxiliary game is output.

  In the communication between the game control device 200 and the effect control device 210, a control signal is transmitted only in one direction from the game control device 200 to the effect control device 210, and an illegal signal is input to the game control device 200. Is preventing.

  FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a connection state between the game control device 200 of the gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The game control device 200 and the card unit 3 are electrically connected via a connection terminal board 40 provided attached to the gaming machine 2.

  The connection terminal board 40 is provided with photocouplers 401 to 405, and various signals are exchanged between the game control device 200 and the card unit 3 via these photocouplers 401 to 405.

  The collector terminals (terminals connected to the game control device 200) of the transistors of the photocouplers 401 to 403 are pulled up to a predetermined voltage (for example, 5V) in the game control device 200. The collector terminals (terminals connected to the card unit 3) of the transistors of the photocouplers 404 and 405 are pulled up to a predetermined voltage (for example, 5 V) in the card unit 3.

  The game control device 200 includes a power supply device 41. In addition to the power supply circuit, the power supply device 41 includes a backup power supply unit and a power failure monitoring circuit. When the power failure monitoring circuit detects a predetermined voltage drop of the power supply device 41, the power failure monitoring circuit sequentially outputs a power failure detection signal and a reset signal to the game control device 200 and the effect control device 210. The game control device 200 performs a predetermined power failure process when receiving a power failure detection signal, and stops the operation of the CPU 201 when receiving a reset signal. The backup power supply unit supplies backup power to the RAM 203 of the game control device 200, and retains the stored contents relating to game data (game information, game control information).

  The game control device 200 always supplies 24V AC power from the power supply device 41 to the card unit 3. The card unit 3 includes a power supply circuit 42. The power supply circuit 42 generates 18V DC power from the 24V AC power supplied from the game control device 200. Then, the generated 18 V DC power supply is supplied to the photocoupler 401.

  The game control device 200 determines whether or not the card unit 3 is normally connected to the gaming machine 2 by monitoring a connection confirmation signal (CHK) transmitted from the card unit 3. Specifically, when the gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 are normally connected, + 18V is supplied to the diode of the photocoupler 401, the transistor of the photocoupler 401 is turned on, and the CHK signal is L level. (Low level), and a CHK signal is transmitted to the game control device 200. On the other hand, when the gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 are not normally connected, + 18V is not supplied to the diode of the photocoupler 401, so the transistor of the photocoupler 401 is turned off and the CHK signal is at the H level (high level). Level) and the CHK signal is not transmitted to the game control apparatus 200. That is, the game control apparatus 200 can determine the connection state with the card unit 3 based on whether or not a CHK signal is detected.

  Further, a plurality of signals (lending machine preparation completion signal, lending request signal, gaming machine preparation completion signal, lending completion signal) are exchanged between the card unit 3 and the game control device 200 for the medal lending process. Yes. Hereinafter, each signal will be described.

  The lending machine preparation completion signal (BRDY) is a signal output from the card unit 3 to the gaming machine 2 via the photocoupler 402, and indicates that the medal lending process is possible on the card unit 3 side. . The BRDY signal is normally at the H level and is at the L level during the lending process. When the operation of the lending button 13 of the gaming machine 2 is detected by the lending switch 13A, the BRDY signal falls to the L level. Due to the change of the BRDY signal to the L level, the medal medal lending process on the gaming machine 2 side is started. When the medal lending process ends, the level becomes H level.

  The lending request signal (BRQ) is a signal output from the card unit 3 to the gaming machine 2 via the photocoupler 403, and instructs the gaming control device 200 to lend out one medal. The BRQ signal is normally at the H level, and when it falls to the L level, it is instructed to lend medals (in units of 5) for one time. When the gaming control apparatus 200 receives the BRQ signal and the lending completion signal (EXS) falls, the BRQ signal returns to the H level. A one-pulse BRQ signal is formed by the fall to the L level and the return to the H level. When the lending button 13 is operated once and a plurality of medals are lent out, pulse signals corresponding to the number of pulses are sequentially generated and output.

  The gaming machine preparation completion signal (PRDY) is a signal that is output from the gaming machine 2 to the card unit 3 via the photocoupler 404 and is in a state in which the gaming machine 2 can accept a medal lending instruction using a BRQ signal. Tell if there is. The PRDY signal is set to the H level during a period during which the medal lending instruction cannot be accepted (for example, when the variable display game is executed), and changes to the L level when the medal lending instruction can be accepted.

  The lending completion signal (EXS) is a signal output from the gaming machine 2 to the card unit 3 via the photocoupler 405. The EXS signal is normally at the H level, and indicates that the gaming machine 2 has received a BRQ signal (medal lending instruction) from the card unit 3 at the fall to the L level. Further, the gaming machine 2 indicates that the medal lending process has been completed by the rising of the EXS signal to the H level thereafter.

  The game control device 200 is electrically connected to a display board 240 that controls operation of the lending button 13 or lighting of the medal lending available LED 43. The display board 240 is provided with a lending button 13, a discharge button 14, a medal lending available LED 43, and a balance display LED 44. In addition, a photocoupler 406 is provided on the display substrate 240. Then, the game control device 200 outputs an ENABLE signal to the display substrate 240 via the photocoupler 406.

  The ENABLE signal indicates whether or not the gaming machine 2 is in a state where medals can be lent. The ENABLE signal is normally at the L level, and becomes H level when the gaming machine 2 is in a state where the medal can be lent, and the operation of the lending button 13 is validated to turn on the medal rentable LED 43. Then, when the gaming machine 2 is in a state where it is not possible to lend medals (for example, a state where the operation of the lending button 13 is detected by the lending switch 13A or a state where the operation of the start lever 21 is detected by the start lever switch 21A) Falling to the L level, the operation of the lending button 13 is invalidated, and the medal lending available LED 43 is turned off. When the operation of the lending button 13 is valid, a predetermined number of medals are lent when the player operates the lending button 13. On the other hand, when the operation of the lending button 13 is invalid, the medal is not lent even if the player operates the lending button 13.

  The state in which the gaming machine 2 can lend medals is from the end of the variable display game until the start lever 21 is operated, and excludes the medal lending process. Further, when the gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 are not normally connected, when an error occurs in the gaming machine 2, during the stage setting process, various switches and sensors (the settlement switch 20A, the inserted medal detection sensor 16A) ), The gaming machine 2 cannot lend medal.

  The photocoupler 406 is connected only to the lending switch 13A and the medal lending available LED 43. That is, only the lending button 13 and the medal lending enable LED 43 are controlled by the output level of the ENABLE signal, and the discharge button 14 and the balance display unit 12 are not controlled by the ENABLE signal.

  The display substrate 240 is electrically connected to the card unit 3. When the player operates the lending button 13 or the discharge button 14, the operation of each button is detected by the lending switch 13A and the discharge switch 14A, and a signal is output to the card unit 3. When the card unit 3 detects a signal from the lending switch 13A, the card unit 3 starts the medal lending process, and outputs a display signal of the frequency obtained by subtracting the frequency lent by one medal lending process from the balance frequency to the balance display LED 44. To do. When the card unit 3 detects a signal from the discharge switch 14A, the card unit 3 discharges the prepaid card from the card insertion slot 27 and outputs a display signal for clearing the balance frequency to the balance display LED 44.

  FIG. 4 is a top view of the discharge unit 50b of the medal payout device (hopper) 50 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  A flat base plate 51 is fixed to the discharge unit 50b in the horizontal direction. On the surface side of the base plate 51, a disk-shaped disk 52 is provided so as to be rotatable about a disk rotation shaft 53. The base plate 51 and the disc 52 are positioned in parallel with a gap slightly larger than the medal thickness.

  On the lower surface side of the base plate 51, a medal payout unit motor 38 (not shown) that is an electric drive source of the medal payout device 50 is provided. The medal payout unit motor 38 is connected to the disc rotating shaft 53 via a gear box. That is, when the medal payout unit motor 38 is driven, the driving force is transmitted to the disk rotation shaft 53 via the gears in the gear box, and the disk 52 rotates clockwise around the disk rotation shaft 53.

  The disc 52 is provided with five medal holes 54 at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. Each medal hole 54 is formed in a circular shape having a size capable of accommodating a medal and penetrating from the front surface to the back surface of the disk 52.

  On the outer periphery of each medal hole 54, a medal pusher 55 is provided that is fixed to the back surface of the disk 52. On the left side of the figure, the medal pusher 55 supports the disc-shaped medal (shown as the medal 61) accommodated in the medal hole 54 from below to above in the rotation direction of the disk 52 by the tip.

  A medal reservoir 50 a is attached to the surface of the base plate 51. In the medal storage section 50a, medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 16 and medals replenished from the outside of the gaming machine 2 are stored in an internal mortar-shaped space in a state of being stacked in a disorderly manner.

  The medal reservoir 50a is provided with a linear sensor from the top to the bottom. The linear sensor detects the contact position when the medal contacts the sensor surface. As a result, the approximate amount of medals stored in the medal storage unit 50a can be estimated.

  The medals stored in the medal storage unit 50 a slide on the surface of the disk 52 and are stored one by one in the medal holes 54. The surface of the base plate 51 is slid along with the rotation of the disk 52 while being accommodated in the medal hole 54.

  A medal discharge port 56 having a height substantially the same as the medal thickness and a width substantially the same as the diameter of the medal is formed on the side surface of the medal storage portion 50 a at a position in contact with the base plate 51.

  A guide pin 57 is provided in the vicinity of the medal discharge port 59 so as to protrude from the surface of the base plate 51. The guide pin 57 is provided at a position that is smaller than the diameter of the medal and larger than the radius of the medal from the outer periphery of the disk 52 to the center 53 side. Since the distance between the guide pin 57 and the outer periphery of the disk 52 is smaller than the diameter of the medal, the medal received in the medal hole 54 comes into contact with the guide pin 57 and the disk 52 rotates in the vicinity of the medal discharge port 59. Can prevent the movement of medals to. Further, since the distance between the guide pin 57 and the outer periphery of the disc 52 is larger than the radius of the medal, the medal that is in contact with the guide pin 57 is pushed out in the outer peripheral direction of the disc 52.

  A movable member 58 and a fixed member 59 are provided opposite to each other on both sides of the medal discharge port 56. The movable member 58 is biased toward the fixed member 59 by a spring. Then, the movable member 58 and the fixed member 59 are configured with a space slightly smaller than the diameter of the medal in a state where they are biased by the spring.

  When the medal discharged from the medal discharge port 56 passes between the movable member 58 and the fixed member 59, the movable member 58 is pushed out in the direction opposite to the fixed member 59 (arrow X direction). When more than half of the medals are discharged from the medal discharge port 56, the medals jump out of the discharge unit 50 b (arrow Y direction) by the force of the movable member 58 returning to the fixed member 59 direction. To be paid out.

  A payout medal detection sensor 60 is provided outside the medal discharge port 56 at a position where medals discharged from the medal discharge port 56 pass. The payout medal detection sensor 60 that detects the passage of a medal transmits a pulse signal to the game control device 200 every time one medal is detected. Thereby, the interval at which medals are paid out is detected, and the number of medals paid out is counted.

  The medals paid out from the medal payout device 50 as described above are discharged to the tray 25.

  In the case of a medal, when the player's operation of the lending button 13 is detected and the card unit 3 requests the gaming machine 2 to lend a medal (output of the BRQ signal at the L level), the prize is obtained as a result of the variable display game. Is paid out when a medal is acquired or when an operation of the credit selection button 20 is detected. In these cases, first, a payout command signal is output from the game control device 200 to the medal payout device 50. Based on the signal, a predetermined number of medals are paid out from the medal payout device 50 to the tray 25.

  5A and 5B are flowcharts of the main process of game control according to the embodiment of the present invention, and are executed by the CPU 201 of the game control apparatus 200. FIG.

  When the gaming machine 2 is powered on, the gaming microcomputer 204 executes an initialization process for setting initial values for various control parameters such as a monitoring timer, a storage counter, a shortage counter, a delimiter counter, and a payout counter ( S11), the gaming machine 2 is set to an initial state.

  When the initialization process is completed, the PRDY signal is lowered to the L level, and the medal lending instruction from the card unit 3 can be received. Further, the ENABLE signal is output to the display substrate 240 at the H level. As a result, the operation of the lending button 13 becomes effective, and the medal lending available LED 43 is lit to notify the player that the medal lending process is possible.

  Next, medal lending processing, front frame opening switch detection processing, and inserted medal detection processing are performed (S12 to S14). Each process will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Next, the operation of the bet button 17 or 18 is detected by the bet switch 17A or 18A (S15). Then, the number of medals corresponding to the detected button type is added to the bet number and simultaneously subtracted from the credit number. For example, when the operation of the 1-bet button 17 is detected by the 1-bet switch 17A, 1 is added to the bet amount, and 1 is subtracted from the credit amount. When the operation of the max bet button 18 is detected by the max bet switch 18A, the number of medals bet by the operation is added to the bet number and subtracted from the credit number. That is, when the bet number stored in the bet number storage area is 0, three medals are bet by operating the max bet button 18, so 3 is added to the bet number and 3 is subtracted from the credit number. Is done. Similarly, when the bet number stored in the bet number storage area is 1, 2 is added to the bet number when the bet number stored in the bet number storage area is 2, and simultaneously the number of credits Is subtracted from.

  When the bet number is 3, since the bet number has already reached the maximum betable number, the bet operation cannot be performed even if the bet button 17 or 18 is operated. Therefore, in this case, the number of bets and the number of credits are not updated.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the start operation of the variable display game, that is, the operation of the start lever 21 is detected by the start lever switch 21A (S16). If the start lever 21 has not been operated, the process returns to step S12.

  When the start lever 21 is operated, it is determined whether or not the number of bets is larger than 0 in order to confirm whether or not the start condition of the variable display game is satisfied (S17). When the number of bets is 0, even if the start lever 21 is operated, the start condition of the variable display game is not satisfied, so the operation of the start lever 21 is invalid. Therefore, the signal from the start lever switch 21A is ignored and the process returns to step S12.

  If the bet number is greater than 0, whether or not the gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 are normally connected is determined based on whether or not the CHK signal is output at the L level (S18). When the CHK signal is output at the H level, it can be determined that the gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 are not normally connected, and the gaming machine 2 is not permitted to operate, so the bet number is 0. Even if it is larger, the start condition of the variable display game is not satisfied. Therefore, the process returns to step S12.

  When the CHK signal is output at the L level, it can be determined that the gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 are normally connected, so a lottery regarding the result of the variable display game is performed using a random number for internal lottery. . Then, the reels 5a to 5c are rotated all at once to start the change of the symbol (S19).

  Then, when the first reel stop button 22a is operated by the player, the rotation of the first reel 5a is stopped (S20). Further, when the player operates the second reel stop button 22b, the rotation of the second reel 5b is stopped (S21). When the third reel stop button 22c is operated by the player, the rotation of the third reel 5c is stopped (S22).

  Next, determination of a combination (for example, a combination of symbols that gives a player a gaming value such as BB, RB, replay, etc.), that is, a combination pattern of the stopped reels 5a to 5c is determined (S23). Then, it is determined whether or not the symbol is a combination mode indicating replay (S24). If the replay state has not occurred, it is determined whether or not a prize has been established according to the symbol combination mode of the stopped reels 5a to 5c (S25). The “prize” in this case is a specific symbol combination mode that gives a player a game value of paying out a predetermined number of medals, and includes a symbol combination mode in which a BB state or an RB state occurs.

  When a prize is established, the medal payout unit motor 38 is operated to pay out the number of medals corresponding to the prize to the tray 25. At the same time, the number of medals paid out is subtracted from the storage counter (S26). The storage counter counts the approximate number of medals stored in the medal storage unit 50a. When a medal is replenished by an employee of a game hall or when a medal is inserted by a player, the number of medals is added to the storage counter, and when a prize medal is paid out, the number of medals is subtracted.

  Next, it is determined whether the established prize is in the BB state or the RB state (S27). If it is determined in step S25 that no prize has been established, neither of these bonus states has occurred, and the process proceeds to step S29 without starting the bonus game.

  If it is determined in step 27 that the BB state or the RB state has occurred, a bonus game is started (S28). In the bonus game, an auxiliary game is executed a predetermined number of times according to the type of BB or RB, and a game value that can acquire many medals is given to the player.

  Since the variable display game is completed by the above processing, the bet number is cleared and all the LEDs of the bet line display unit 36 are turned off (S29). Then, returning to step S12, the medal lending process is executed again.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S24 that the replay state has occurred, it is determined whether or not the start operation of the variable display game, that is, the operation of the start lever 21 has been detected by the start lever switch 21A (S30). If the start lever 21 is not operated, the process of step S30 is executed until the start lever 21 is operated.

  When the start lever 21 is operated, it is determined whether or not the gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 are normally connected (S31). When the gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 are not normally connected, since the gaming machine 2 is not permitted to operate, the start condition of the variable display game is satisfied even if the replay state occurs. Absent. Therefore, returning to step S30, the operation of the start lever 21 and the connection state of both are monitored until the gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 are normally connected.

  If the gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 are normally connected, the process proceeds to step S19. Then, a lottery regarding the result of the variation display game is drawn, the variation of the symbol is started, and the variation display game (replay game) is executed.

  6A and 6B are flowcharts of the medal lending process according to the embodiment of the present invention, which are called from step S12 of the main process (FIG. 5A) and executed by the CPU 201 of the game control apparatus 200.

  In the medal lending process, first, it is determined whether or not the shortage counter is larger than 0 (S41). The shortage counter is set with the number of medals that could not be paid out of the 5 payout units when an abnormality occurred in the gaming machine 2 during the one-time medal lending process. In the present embodiment, medals are paid out while estimating (evaluating) the number of stored medals in the medal payout device 50 so that a shortage of medals does not occur when the number of payout units is less than five. However, even if there is an error in the evaluation of the number of stored medals and a shortage of medals occurs when the number of medals is less than the number of payout units, a shortage counter is provided so that the shortage of medals can be paid out accurately.

  If the shortage counter is greater than 0, it can be determined that an abnormality has occurred in the gaming machine 2 during the previous medal lending process. In this case, medals are not lent even if the rent button 13 is operated by the player until the shortage counter becomes 0, that is, until the gaming machine 2 returns to a normal state by replenishment of medals or the like. Therefore, the process returns to the main process without performing the subsequent processes.

  If the shortage counter is 0, it is determined whether or not the BRDY signal falls to the L level (ON state) (S42). When the operation of the lending button 13 is detected by the lending switch 13A, the card unit 3 changes the BRDY signal from the H level to the L level. Therefore, when the BRDY signal is output at the H level, it can be determined that the lending button 13 has not been operated, and the start condition for the medal lending process is not satisfied, and the process returns to the main process.

  On the other hand, when the BRDY signal falls to the L level, it can be determined that the lending button 13 has been operated. Next, it is determined whether or not the BRQ signal has fallen to L level (ON state) (S43). When the BRQ signal is output at the H level, it can be determined that a medal lending instruction has not been issued from the card unit 3, and the process returns to the main process.

  If the BRQ signal falls to the L level, first, the delimiter counter is initialized (set to 0) (S44). The delimiter counter is incremented by 1 every time a medal is lent out. Normally, 10 degrees are lent out by a single pressing operation of the rent button 13, so that the delimiter counter is incremented with 10 as the upper limit, and when the upper limit is reached, the gaming machine 2 ends the medal rent process. As will be described later, the upper limit value varies depending on the value of the storage counter. A number obtained by multiplying the number of medals per frequency by this upper limit value (5 × 10 times = 50 in normal times) is the number of medals lent out for one pressing operation of the lending button 13. Maximum number.

  Next, 5 which is the number of medals for one time is set in the payout counter (S45). The payout counter is decremented by 1 each time one medal is paid out from the medal payout device 50. The number of payouts set in the payout counter is displayed in synchronization with the payout number display unit 9. That is, when 1 is subtracted from the value of the payout counter, the payout number display unit 9 also displays the payout number after subtraction.

  Next, in order to indicate to the card unit 3 that the BRQ signal has been received, the EXS signal is lowered to the L level (ON state) after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the BRQ signal fell (S46). Then, when the card unit 3 detects that the EXS signal has fallen to the L level, the card unit 3 returns the BRQ signal to the H level (off state) after a lapse of a predetermined time from the time when the fall has been detected. In response to this, when it is confirmed that the BRQ signal has returned to the H level (off state) (S47), the operation of the medal payout unit motor 38 is started (S48). As a result, the disk 52 of the medal payout device 50 starts to rotate. At this time, the monitoring timer is initialized (set to 0) (S49). The monitoring timer monitors the payout interval of each medal by initializing the monitoring timer every time a medal is paid out. When the monitoring timer elapses for a predetermined time (for example, 6 seconds), it can be determined that the medal payout has been interrupted because some abnormality has occurred in the gaming machine 2.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a medal payout is detected by the payout medal detection sensor 60 (S50). If a medal payout is not detected, it can be determined that no medal has been paid out from the medal payout device 50, so the monitoring timer is updated (S51). Then, it is determined whether or not the monitoring timer has expired (S52). If the monitoring timer has not expired, the process returns to step S50 to determine again whether or not the medal has been normally paid out from the medal payout device 50. If the medal has not been paid out, the processes of steps S50 to S52 are executed until the monitoring timer expires.

  When the monitoring timer expires, it can be determined that the medal has not been paid out within a predetermined time even though the disk 52 is rotating, so that the medal has not been paid out normally. It can be determined that some abnormality has occurred in the gaming machine 2 in the middle of the process. Therefore, the operation of the medal payout unit motor 38 is stopped (S53), and the value stored in the payout counter is added to the shortage counter (S54). Thereafter, the process returns to the main process.

  On the other hand, if the medal payout is detected in step S50, it can be determined that the medal has been normally paid out from the medal payout device 50, so 1 is subtracted from the payout counter and updated (S55).

  Next, an abnormality due to a lack of medals in the gaming machine 2 is detected by a medal payout evaluation process (S56). Specifically, based on the timing and the number of times each signal exchanged between the gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 is output, it is evaluated whether or not medals are continuously paid out at normal intervals. By doing so, the abnormality of the gaming machine 2 is detected. For example, when it is determined based on a medal detection signal from the payout medal detection sensor 60 that the interval from the payout of one medal to the payout of the next medal exceeds a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 sec) It is determined that there are not enough medals in the medal payout device 50.

  If enough medals are stored in the medal payout device 50, medals are continuously stored in the adjacent medal holes 54 of the disk 52. In this case, the time interval at which medals are detected by the payout medal detection sensor 60 is the same as the value (reference discharge time) obtained by dividing the time for which the disk 52 rotates once by the number of medal holes 54. For example, when the disk 52 makes one rotation, 0.5 sec is required, and when the number of the medal holes 54 is 5, the reference discharge time is 0.5 sec ÷ 5 = 0.1 sec.

  On the other hand, when the amount of medals stored in the medal payout device 50 decreases, medals are not continuously received in the adjacent medal holes 54 of the disk 52, and medals are detected by the payout medal detection sensor 60. The interval of time to be longer than the reference discharge time. That is, when the time interval for detecting medals by the payout medal detection sensor 60 becomes long (when the speed at which the medals are ejected is relatively slow compared to the rotational speed of the disk 52), the medals It can be determined that there are not enough medals in the payout device 50.

  The medal discharge speed (lending speed) is the number of medals discharged from the medal payout device 50 per unit time (for example, 1 sec), and is measured based on the detection result of the payout medal detection sensor 60. .

  It should be noted that the medal payout interval exceeds a predetermined time as described above once and the medal payout device 50 does not evaluate that the amount of medals stored in the medal payout device 50 is extremely short. It may be evaluated that the amount of medals is extremely insufficient when a state where the payout interval exceeds a predetermined time has occurred more than a predetermined number of times.

  Further, as in the present embodiment, the medal discharge speed (lending speed) is not limited to the method of measuring the medal discharge speed (lending speed) based on the detection result (medal payout interval) of the payout medal detection sensor 60, and the medal is determined by another method. It may be determined that the lack of medals in the medal payout device 50 has occurred by measuring the discharge speed of the medals. For example, the medal discharge speed may be measured by measuring the time from the first medal discharge until the predetermined number of medals are discharged. Further, when the rotational speed (operation speed) of the disk 52 is variable, the medal discharge speed, which serves as a reference for insufficient medal storage amount, may be changed in accordance with the change in the rotational speed.

  Note that the predetermined time used for detecting an abnormality due to the lack of medals in the payout evaluation process is shorter than the predetermined time set in the monitoring timer in order to detect an abnormality of the gaming machine 2 in step S52. That is, in the above example, when the medal payout interval is between 0.5 sec and 6 sec, it is evaluated that an abnormality due to the lack of medals has occurred in the payout evaluation process, but in steps S50 to S52, Abnormality is not detected.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the payout counter after subtracting 1 in step S55 is 0, that is, whether or not all the medals set in the payout counter have been paid out (S57). If the payout counter is not 0, the process returns to step S49, and the monitoring timer is initialized again. Steps S49, 50, and S55 to S57 are executed until the payout counter reaches 0, that is, until all the medals set in the payout counter are paid out.

  When the payout counter reaches 0, it can be determined that one medal has been paid out, so the operation of the medal payout unit motor 38 is stopped (S58). Then, the EXS signal is returned to the H level (off state) (S59), and the delimiter counter is incremented by 1 and updated (S60).

  Next, it is determined whether or not an abnormality of the gaming machine 2 is detected by the payout evaluation process in step S56 (S61). If an abnormality of the gaming machine 2 is detected, the storage counter is initialized (set to 0) and the emergency lending flag is set to ON (S62). When the emergency lending flag is set to ON, the subsequent medal lending process is stopped.

  Thereafter, the PRDY signal is returned to the H level (off state), and the completion of the medal lending process is transmitted to the card unit 3 (S63).

  Upon confirming that the BRDY signal has returned to the H level (off state) after the PRDY signal has returned to the H level (S64), the PRDY signal is again lowered to the L level (on state), and the card unit 3. Return to a state where the medal lending instruction from 3 can be accepted (S65). Thereafter, the process returns to the main process.

  In this way, by measuring the discharge speed (lending speed) of medals, an abnormality of the gaming machine 2 (insufficient medals) is detected in advance, and the number of medals equivalent to a multiple of the number is paid out once. Then, the medal lending process is terminated. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent complication of communication processing between the gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 due to a shortage of medals in the middle of the number of medals paid out once. In particular, even if the medal discharging device 50 is configured such that disk-shaped medals are stored in a random manner in the medal storage unit 50a, it is determined whether the medal amount in the medal storage unit 50a is insufficient. be able to.

  On the other hand, if no abnormality of the gaming machine 2 is detected in step S61, it is determined whether or not the emergency lending flag is set to ON (S66). If the emergency lending flag is not set to ON, it can be determined that sufficient medals are stored in the medal storage unit 50a, and the outputs of the BRDY signal and the BRQ signal are monitored (S69).

  When the card unit 3 detects that the EXS signal has risen to the H level (off state), the card unit 3 determines whether or not a predetermined number of medals have been paid out (for example, 10 degrees = 1000 yen). If the predetermined number of medals are not paid out, it is determined that the next one-time medal lending instruction should be issued, and the BRQ signal is changed to the L level (on state) again. . On the other hand, if the predetermined number of medals are paid out, it is determined that the next one-time medal lending instruction should not be given, and the BRDY signal is changed to the H level (off state). .

  Therefore, when the BRDY signal is maintained for a predetermined time while returning to the H level in step S70, the medal lending process is finished, and the medal of the number of rents lent out per one pressing operation of the lending button 13 is completed. Since it can be determined that the lending instruction has ended, the process returns to the main process.

  On the other hand, if the BRDY signal is maintained at the L level in step S70 and the BRQ signal changes to the L level within a predetermined time after the EXS signal is changed to the H level, the card unit 3 starts the next operation. It can be determined that the medal lending instruction has been issued. Therefore, the process returns to step S45, and 5 which is the number of medals is set to the payout counter. Thereafter, the EXS signal is lowered to the L level, and the medal lending process for the next frequency is started.

  On the other hand, if the emergency lending flag is set to ON in step S66, it can be determined that an abnormality (medal shortage) has been detected in the previous medal lending process. In other words, as long as medals are not replenished, there may be a shortage of medals stored in the gaming machine 2 in this medal lending process, so the upper limit value of the delimiter counter based on the value of the storage counter Is calculated (S67).

  The storage counter is initialized when an abnormality is detected in the previous medal lending process (S62). Thereafter, when the player inserts medals, the number of medals inserted is added. (S94 in FIG. 8). Further, when a prize is established as a result of the variable display game, the number of medals paid out in accordance with the prize is subtracted (S26). Therefore, the value of the storage counter in this case is a value obtained by adding the number of inserted medals and subtracting the number of prize medals.

  Then, an integer part of a value obtained by dividing the value of the storage counter by 5 (the number of medals corresponding to 1 degree) is calculated as the upper limit value of the division counter. That is, 0 when the storage counter is 0 or more and 4 or less, 1 when the storage counter is 5 or more and 9 or less, 2 when the storage counter is 10 or more and 14 or less, and the same when the storage counter is 15 or more. The value calculated in this way becomes the upper limit value of the delimiter counter.

  In this way, the medal lending process can be performed in accordance with the number of medals stored in the gaming machine 2 by predicting the maximum value of the medals that can be lent to the player and paying out medals. Further, the medal lending process corresponding to the latest state of the gaming machine 2 is adjusted by adjusting the maximum value of the number of medals lent out to the player by the number of medals inserted into the gaming machine 2 and paid out from the gaming machine 2. Can do.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the delimiter counter added and updated in step S60 matches the upper limit value calculated in step S67 (S68). If the value of the delimiter counter matches the upper limit value, it is impossible to rent medals after that, so the process proceeds to step S63 and the medal lending process is terminated.

  If the value of the delimiter counter does not match the upper limit value, that is, if the value of the delimiter counter has not reached the upper limit value, it is possible to lend medals until the upper limit value is reached. The following frequency medal lending process is performed.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the front frame opening switch detection process according to the embodiment of the present invention, which is called from step S13 of the main process (FIG. 5A) and executed by the CPU 201 of the game control device 200.

  In the front frame opening switch detection process, first, it is determined whether or not the front frame opening detection switch 32 detects a change from the open state (open state) to the closed state (closed state) of the front frame 4 (S71). ). If no change from the open state to the closed state is detected, no abnormality has occurred in the gaming machine 2, or even if an abnormality has occurred in the gaming machine 2, the gaming machine 2 2. Since it can be determined that the internal abnormality has not been inspected or dealt with, the process returns to the main process.

  When a change from the open state to the closed state is detected, a front frame is used by a game hall employee to check for medals, or check and deal with clogged medals and abnormal connection between the gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3. It can be determined that 4 is once opened and then closed.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the shortage counter is greater than 0 (S72). If the shortage counter is 0 or less, there is no shortage of medals to be paid out, and the gaming machine 2 has returned to the normal state by replenishment of medals, so the emergency lending flag is canceled (S81). Thereafter, the process returns to the main process.

  If the shortage counter is greater than 0, the medal payout unit motor 38 starts to pay out the medal stored in the shortage counter storage area (S73). As a result, the disk 52 of the medal payout device 50 starts to rotate.

  Next, when the medal payout is detected by the payout medal detection sensor 60 (S74), 1 is subtracted from the shortage counter and updated (S75). Then, it is determined whether or not the shortage counter after subtraction is 0, that is, whether or not all medals stored in the shortage counter storage area have been paid out (S76).

  If the shortage counter is not 0, the process returns to step S74, and the payout medal detection sensor 60 detects again whether there is a payout of medals. Then, the processes in steps S74 to S76 are executed until the shortage counter becomes 0, that is, until all medals stored in the shortage counter storage area are paid out.

  When the shortage counter becomes 0, it can be determined that all medals stored in the shortage counter storage area have been paid out, and the operation of the medal payout unit motor 38 is stopped (S77).

  Next, in order to indicate to the card unit 3 that the BRQ signal has been received, the EXS signal is returned to the H level (off state), and the fact that one-time medal lending process has been completed is transmitted to the card unit 3. Further, the PRDY signal is returned to the H level (off state), and the completion of the medal lending process is transmitted to the card unit 3 (S78).

  Upon confirming that the PRDY signal has returned to the H level and confirming that the BRDY signal has returned to the H level (off state) (S79), the PRDY signal is again lowered to the L level (on state), and the card unit 3 is returned to a state where the medal lending instruction from 3 can be accepted (S80). Since the gaming machine 2 has returned to the normal state by the above processing, the emergency lending flag is canceled (S81). Thereafter, the process returns to the main process.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the inserted medal detection process according to the embodiment of the present invention, which is called from step S14 of the main process (FIG. 5A) and executed by the CPU 201 of the game control device 200.

  In the inserted medal detection process, first, it is determined whether or not a medal is detected by the inserted medal detection sensor 16A (S91). If no medal is detected, it can be determined that no medal has been inserted, and the process returns to the main process.

  If a medal is detected, it can be determined that a medal has been inserted, so the number of inserted medals is added to the bet number and updated (S92). At this time, if the bet number is smaller than 3, the number of inserted medals is added to the bet number, but if the bet number is 3, the maximum betable number has been reached. The number is updated by adding to the number of credits.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the shortage counter is greater than 0 (S93). If the shortage counter is 0, since there are no shortage medals to be paid out, the inserted medals are added to the storage counter and updated (S94). Thereafter, the process returns to the main process.

  If the shortage counter is greater than 0, it can be determined that a medal has not yet been replenished by the game hall employee after the abnormality of the gaming machine 2 is detected in step S50 of FIG. 6A. Therefore, one medal is paid out from the medal payout device 50 without adding the inserted medal to the storage counter (S95). Then, 1 is subtracted from the shortage counter and updated (S96).

In this way, even if the medals are not replenished by the game hall employees, when the player inserts medals into the gaming machine 2, the shortage counter is subtracted by the amount of medals inserted and stored in the shortage counter storage area. The medals that have been issued can be paid out early. That is, the gaming machine 2 can be returned to the normal state at an early stage. Next, it is determined whether or not the shortage counter after subtraction is 0 (S97). If the shortage counter is not 0, that is, if one or more medals are stored in the shortage counter storage area, the process returns to the main process. The medals stored in the shortage counter storage area are paid out in the front frame opening switch detection process or inserted medal detection process to be executed thereafter.

  When the shortage counter is 0, it can be determined that all medals stored in the shortage counter storage area have been paid out. Therefore, the storage counter is initialized (set to 0) and the emergency lending flag is set to ON. In addition, the EXS signal is returned to the H level (off state), and the fact that one-time medal lending process is completed is transmitted to the card unit 3. Then, the PRDY signal is returned to the H level (off state), and the completion of the medal lending process is transmitted to the card unit 3 (S98).

  Upon confirming that the PRDY signal has returned to the H level and confirming that the BRDY signal has returned to the H level (off state) (S99), the PRDY signal is again lowered to the L level (on state), and the card unit 3. Return to the state where the medal lending instruction from 3 can be accepted (S100). That is, when the shortage counter becomes 0, it is determined that the gaming machine 2 has returned to the normal state, and the player can accept the operation of the lending button 13. Thereafter, the process returns to the main process.

  In the present embodiment, the medal lending process is completed by turning off the PRDY signal. However, as shown in FIG. 11, the card unit 3 is maintained with the PRDY signal maintained at the L level (on state). The medal lending process may be terminated by ignoring the BRQ signal received from the. That is, if the EXS signal does not fall to the L level (ON state) within a predetermined time even though the BRQ signal is output at the L level (ON state), the card unit 3 sets the BRQ signal to the H level (OFF). State) and then the BRDY signal is returned to the H level (off state), and the medal lending process is terminated.

  FIG. 9 is a timing chart of normal medal lending processing according to the embodiment of this invention.

  When the operation of the lending button 13 by the player is detected, the lending switch 13A is turned on. Upon receiving the lending switch 13A being turned on, the card unit 3 lowers the BRDY signal to the L level indicating that the medal is being lent. At the same time, the lending switch 13A is turned off.

  Next, the BRQ signal falls to the L level (ON state), and the card unit 3 instructs the gaming machine 2 to lend the first medal. In response to this, the gaming machine 2 lowers the EXS signal to the L level (ON state), and transmits to the card unit 3 that the lending instruction has been accepted. In response to this, when the BRQ signal returns to the H level (off state), the gaming machine 2 operates the medal discharge unit motor 38 to start driving the medal payout device 50.

  Each time one medal is paid out from the medal payout device 50, the payout medal detection sensor 60 that detects the passage of the medal is turned on. When one medal (5 cards) is paid out, the EXS signal returns to the H level (ON state), and the fact that the one medal lending process is completed is transmitted from the gaming machine 2 to the card unit 3. . At the same time, the medal discharger motor 38 stops operating. Thus, the first medal lending process (R1) is completed.

  Thereafter, a BRQ signal corresponding to a predetermined frequency (10 in FIG. 9) is transmitted from the card unit 3 to the gaming machine 2 in response to a single operation signal transmission from the lending switch 13A through the same communication operation. Sent repeatedly. At this time, each time the gaming machine 2 receives one BRQ signal from the card unit 3, the gaming machine 2 lends a medal to the player by one unit (five). Then, the gaming machine 2 performs the medal lending process (R2 to R10) as many times as the number of reception of the BRQ signal while dividing the medal into units (5). Finally, medals corresponding to the number of times the BRQ signal is received (a total of 50 medals) are paid out.

  When a predetermined time (for example, 250 msec) has elapsed after the last medal lending process (R10) is completed, the BRDY signal returns to the H level (off state), and the medal lending process from the card unit 3 to the gaming machine 2 is completed. It was sent.

  During this period, the PRDY signal is always maintained at the L level indicating that a medal lending instruction can be accepted.

  FIG. 10 is a timing chart of the medal lending process when it is evaluated as abnormal in the payout evaluation process of the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the first medal lending process (R1), five medals are detected by the payout medal detection sensor 60 at equal intervals. Therefore, in the payout evaluation in the first medal lending process (R1), sufficient medals are stored in the medal storage unit 50a, that is, the gaming machine 2 can be evaluated as being in a normal state.

  Next, in the second medal lending process (R2), the payout medal detection sensor 60 detects the first to third medals at equal intervals. However, the interval A from the payout of the third medal to the payout of the fourth medal is longer than the interval between other medal payouts. In other words, because there are not enough medals in the medal storage unit 50a, medals are not received continuously in the adjacent medal holes 54 of the disk 52, and the timing at which medals are ejected from the medal ejection port 59 is delayed. Can be evaluated.

  Therefore, in this case, when the second medal lending process (R2) is completed, the PRDY signal is returned to the H level (off state), and the fact that the medal lending process is completed is transmitted to the card unit 3. In response to this, the card unit 3 returns the BRDY signal to the H level (off state) and transmits to the gaming machine 3 that the medal lending process is completed. In response to this, the gaming machine 2 lowers the PRDY signal to the L level (on state), and returns it to a state where a medal lending instruction from the card unit 3 can be accepted.

  In this manner, by detecting the lack of medals in the medal storage unit 50a based on the output timing of each signal exchanged between the gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3, the number of medals corresponding to a multiple of the number is once. The medal lending process can be terminated at the time of payout, and there is a shortage of medals on the way to the number of paid out medals once, and communication processing between the gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 is performed. It is possible to prevent complication.

  FIG. 11 is a timing chart of a modified example of the medal lending process when it is evaluated as abnormal in the payout evaluation process of the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the first medal lending process (R1), five medals are detected by the payout medal detection sensor 60 at equal intervals. Therefore, in the payout evaluation in the first medal lending process (R1), sufficient medals are stored in the medal storage unit 50a, that is, the gaming machine 2 can be evaluated as being in a normal state.

  Next, in the second medal lending process (R2), the payout medal detection sensor 60 detects the first to third medals at equal intervals. However, the interval A from the payout of the third medal to the payout of the fourth medal is longer than the interval between other medal payouts. In other words, because there are not enough medals in the medal storage unit 50a, medals are not received continuously in the adjacent medal holes 54 of the disk 52, and the timing at which medals are ejected from the medal ejection port 59 is delayed. Can be evaluated.

  Therefore, in this case, after the second-time medal lending process (R2) is completed, the BRQ signal falls to the L level (ON state), and the card unit 3 instructs the gaming machine 2 to lend the third-time medal. Even if the game machine 2 is turned off, the gaming machine 2 does not lower the EXS signal to the L level (ON state). That is, the gaming machine 2 does not transmit to the card unit 3 that the medal lending instruction has been received.

  When a predetermined time (for example, 10 sec) elapses after the BRQ signal falls to the L level, it is determined that the gaming machine 2 has not received the medal lending instruction, and the card unit 3 sets the BRQ signal to the H level (off). To the state). This completes the medal lending process.

  The embodiment disclosed this time is illustrative in all points and is not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined not by the above description of the invention but by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

  As described above, the present invention can be applied to gaming machines such as slot machine gaming machines, coin gaming machines, and pachinko gaming machines that pay out gaming media one unit at a time in response to a gaming media lending request by a player. it can.

It is a front view which shows the structure of the game device of embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows a part of control system of the game device of embodiment of this invention. It is a circuit diagram which shows the connection state of the game control apparatus of the game machine of embodiment of this invention, and a card unit. It is a front view of the medal payout device of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the main process of game control of an embodiment of the invention. It is a flowchart of the main process of game control of an embodiment of the invention. It is a flowchart of the medal lending process of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the medal lending process of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of a front frame open switch detection process of an embodiment of the invention. It is a flowchart of the insertion medal detection process of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a timing chart of the normal medal lending process of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a timing chart of the medal lending process when it is evaluated as abnormal in the payout evaluation process of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a timing chart of the modification of the medal lending process when it is evaluated as abnormal in the payout evaluation process of the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game device 2 Game machine 3 Card unit 4 Game frame 9 Payout number display part 13 Lending button 16 Medal slot 50 Medal payout device 60 Payout medal detection sensor 61 Medal

Claims (2)

An openable front frame,
A front frame opening switch for detecting opening and closing of the front frame;
An input unit into which game media are input;
Game medium storage means for storing game media;
Unit lending means for lending only one unit of game media stored in the game medium storage means to a player for one lending request signal from a game medium lending device connected to a gaming machine;
When the lending request signal is repeatedly received a predetermined number of times corresponding to a predetermined unit of game media lent by a single lending operation, the unit lending means is operated for the predetermined number of times, In a gaming machine comprising:
The unit lending means is a game medium payout means for paying out a number of game media corresponding to the unit one by one at a predetermined interval,
A payout detecting means for detecting a game medium paid out by the game medium payout means;
An interval measuring means for measuring a payout interval of the detected game medium;
Based on the fact that the payout interval of the game media measured by the interval measuring means is longer than a predetermined time, the lack of game media stored in the game media storage means is detected, and the lack of the game media is detected. Game medium shortage detecting means for setting an emergency lending flag to ON until it is detected that the front frame has been changed from an open state to a closed state by the front frame opening switch after being detected;
When a shortage of game media is detected by the game media shortage detection means, a lending cancellation means for canceling the lending of game media when a number of game media corresponding to a multiple of the unit is paid out;
When a shortage of game media is detected by the game media shortage detection means, a storage counter is initialized, and when the emergency lending flag is set to ON, the game medium storage means is input from the input unit. The storage counter is updated based on the number of played game media and the number of game media paid out from the game media storage means, and the game media stored in the game media storage means is updated based on the update result. A game medium amount estimating means for estimating the amount , and
When the emergency lending flag is set to ON, the game medium lending unit is configured to correspond to the unit corresponding to the one lending operation based on the amount of game media estimated by the game medium amount estimating unit. A gaming machine characterized by determining the number of operations of the lending means . The game medium payout means is constituted by a disk-shaped disk that rotates about a rotation axis,
The disc has an accommodating portion for accommodating the game medium for a certain period in the circumferential direction of the disc.
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is formed with a gap.

Images