JP4353527B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine installed and used in a game hall such as a pachinko parlor.

  In this specification, description will be made using medals as game media, but the game media includes other media such as coins. “Medal (game medium) insertion” includes betting a stored (credit) medal with a bet button or the like in addition to actually inserting a medal into the medal insertion slot.

  A slot machine that is installed and used in amusement halls such as pachinko parlors is composed of a box-shaped storage box whose front side is open and a front door that can be opened and closed freely. A reel unit, a hopper device, a control device for controlling them, and the like are installed, and a power supply device for turning on the main power of the slot machine and supplying power to various control devices is installed. In addition to the power supply button operated when power is supplied to the power supply device, the power supply device is operated when selecting and setting one of a plurality of lottery tables having different winning lottery probabilities. A setting change button is provided.

The lottery table is set, for example, by opening the front door of the slot machine, inserting a dedicated setting key into the key hole, turning the setting key from the off position to the on position, and then turning on the main power. This is done by operating the setting change button. Then, after setting the lottery table, when the setting key is rotated from the on position to the off position, the game mode is set and the game can be executed. When the lottery table used in the game is set by operating the setting change button, a signal is transmitted to the circuit board for processing the game, and the game is executed based on the set lottery table.
JP 2002-224417 A

  However, in the slot machine as described above, foreign matter such as a wire or a plate is allowed to enter the storage box through a gap formed between the front door and the storage box or a hole intentionally opened in the front door. There is a problem that the lottery table is illegally changed by operating the setting change button.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of preventing an illegal act of changing a lottery table by operating a setting change button. .

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes setting means for selecting and setting one of a plurality of lottery tables having different winning lottery probabilities, and using the lottery table set by the setting means. In a gaming machine in which a game is executed, an external device identifying means for electrically identifying whether or not an external device used with the gaming machine is connected to the gaming machine, and the external device identifying means And a setting operation control unit that validates the setting operation of the setting unit when the connection cannot be identified, and invalidates the setting operation of the setting unit when the connection of the external device is identified.

  Further, it is preferable that the game can be executed only in a state where the connection of the external device is identified by the external device identification means.

  The external device is a gaming medium lending device that inputs value information read from the inserted value medium to the gaming machine, and the gaming machine is configured to play games according to the value information input from the lending device. It is preferable to have a dispensing device that dispenses the medium.

  The external device is preferably a hall computer that exchanges game information with a plurality of the gaming machines.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, the external device identifying means electrically identifies whether or not the external device used with the gaming machine is connected to the gaming machine, and the external device identifying means cannot identify the connection of the external device. When the setting operation control means validates the setting operation of the setting means, and the setting operation control means invalidates the setting operation of the setting means when the connection of the external device is identified, the external device is connected to the gaming machine. In other words, even if the setting means is set in the time zone in which the gaming machine and the external device are operating, the winning lottery probability cannot be changed. Thereby, an unauthorized setting change by the setting means can be surely prevented.

  In addition, since the game can be executed only when the connection of the external device is identified by the external device identification means, it is assumed that the connection of the external device is illegally released and the setting is changed by the setting means. Can not play games.

  The external device is a gaming medium lending device that inputs value information read from the input value medium to the gaming machine, and the gaming machine pays out gaming media according to the value information input from the lending device. Since the payout device is provided, the setting means is set when the lending device is connected to the gaming machine in a state where the value information can be input to the gaming machine, that is, during the time when the gaming machine and the lending device are operating. Even if an operation is performed, the winning lottery probability cannot be changed. Thereby, an unauthorized setting change by the setting means can be surely prevented.

  In addition, since the external device is a hall computer that exchanges game information with a plurality of gaming machines, the hall computer is connected to the gaming machine in a state where gaming information can be exchanged. That is, even if the setting means is set in the time zone in which the gaming machine and the hall computer are operating, the winning lottery probability cannot be changed. Thereby, an unauthorized setting change by the setting means can be surely prevented.

  Before describing the slot machine (gaming machine) 2 to which the present invention is applied, a method for borrowing medals used when playing a game in the slot machine 2 will be briefly described. A player purchases a prepaid card 53 (see FIG. 4) with a prepaid card vending machine (not shown) installed in the store before playing the game. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, a medal is borrowed by inserting a prepaid card 53 into a medal lending machine (lending device) (external device) 3 installed on the side of the slot machine 2. The player plays a game in the slot machine 2 using the medal. The bripaid card 53 stores value information corresponding to the purchase amount by a magnetic method or the like. The medal lending machine 3 is an external device used with the slot machine 2, and the slot machine 2 and the medal lending machine 3 are electrically connected. The value information recorded on the prepaid card 53 is read by the medal lending machine 3, and the number of medals corresponding to the read value information is paid out by the hopper device 30b (see FIGS. 2 and 3) of the slot machine 2. It has become.

  The configuration of the slot machine 2 to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the slot machine 2, a game mode, a lottery table setting mode, a lottery table confirmation mode, and a standby mode are set. In the game mode, a game in the slot machine 2 can be executed. In the lottery table setting mode, it is possible to select and set one of a plurality of lottery tables with different winning lottery probabilities. In the lottery table confirmation mode, it is possible to confirm the lottery table set to be used in the game. In the standby mode, it does not belong to any of the game mode, the lottery table setting mode, and the lottery table confirmation mode, and enters a signal input waiting state.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the casing 5 of the slot machine 2 is roughly divided into a storage box 6 having an opening 6a on the front surface and a front door 7 that closes the opening 6a so as to be opened and closed. Three symbol display windows 8 to 10 are provided in the upper part of the front door 7, and a first reel 11a, a second reel 11b, and a third reel 11c are rotatably incorporated in the back of each display window. As is well known, various symbols are arranged at a constant pitch on the outer periphery of the first to third reels 11a to 11c, and when the reels are stopped, three symbols are observed per reel through the corresponding display window. . As a result, a total of five straight winning lines, each of which has a combination of the symbols of each reel, are set, with three horizontal lines and two diagonal lines.

  A credit number display window 12 is provided above the front door 7 and below the symbol display windows 8-10. Behind the credit number display window 12, a credit number display device 13 (see FIG. 3) is provided. The slot machine 2 can store appropriate medals up to 50, and the credit number display device 13 displays the number of stored medals through the credit number display window 12. An error display window 14 is provided on the side of the credit number display window 12. An error code display device 15 (see FIG. 3) for displaying an error code through the error display window 14 is provided behind the error display window 14. When there is an abnormality in the machine operation or the game operation, an error code corresponding to the abnormality is displayed through the error display window 14.

  An operation panel 16 is provided on the front door 7. The operation panel 16 is provided with operation buttons such as a single bet button 17, a MAX bet button 18, a settlement button 19, a start lever (setting means) 21, and first to third stop buttons 22 to 24. The operation panel 16 is provided with a medal slot 25. Since the functions of these operation buttons and the medal slot 25 are well known, details are omitted.

  When the front door 7 is opened, a hopper unit 30 and a power supply device 31 are provided inside the storage box 6 in addition to the first to third reels 11a to 11c. The hopper unit 30 includes a medal storage box 30a for storing medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 25 by execution of a game, and a hopper device (payout device) 30b. The medals paid out from the hopper device 30 b are paid out to the medal tray 33 through the medal payout port 32.

  On the front side of the power supply 31, a power switch 31a for turning on the main power of the slot machine 2, a key hole 31b, and a setting change button (setting means) 31c are provided. When the power switch 31a is turned on, the main power is turned on to supply power to various control devices. In this embodiment, the start lever 21 and the setting change button 31c function as a setting unit that selects and sets one of a plurality of lottery tables having different winning lottery probabilities.

  The key hole 31b is configured to be rotated between an off position and an on position by inserting a predetermined key (not shown) and rotating the key. As will be described in detail later, when the medal lending machine 3 with the main power turned on is not connected to the slot machine 2 via the communication cable 54 (see FIG. 4), and when the power switch 31a is off. Then, after inserting a predetermined key (not shown) into the keyhole 31b and rotating the key from the off position to the on position, the lottery table setting mode is set by turning on the power switch 31a.

  In the lottery table setting mode, pressing one of the setting change buttons 31c (setting operation) selects one of a plurality of lottery tables having different winning lottery probabilities used in the winning determination of the winning combination determining unit 44. . After the lottery table is selected, the lottery table selected by operating the start lever 21 is set to be used in the game. After the lottery table is set, when the key inserted into the keyhole 31b is rotated from the on position to the off position, the game mode or standby mode is entered.

  When the medal lending machine 3 with the main power turned on is connected to the slot machine 2 via the communication cable 54 (see FIG. 4), the power switch 31a is turned on regardless of the key operation. Enter game mode. Also, after turning on the power switch 31a and turning on the main power of the slot machine 2, a predetermined key (not shown) is inserted into the keyhole 31b and rotated from the off position to the on position to enter the lottery table confirmation mode. . Further, the medal lending machine 3 in a state where the key is not inserted into the keyhole 31b or the key inserted into the keyhole 31b is not in the ON position and the main power is turned on is connected to the communication cable 54 (see FIG. 4). When not connected to the slot machine 2 via the, the power switch 31a is turned on to enter the standby mode.

  A lottery table code display window 34 is provided in front of the front door 7. Behind the lottery table code display window 34, the type of the lottery table selected by operating the setting change button 31c through the lottery table code display window 34 and the game by operating the start lever 21 are used. A lottery table code display device 35 (see FIG. 3) for displaying the type of the set lottery table is provided. When a lottery table is selected by pressing the setting change button 31c during the lottery table setting mode, a code indicating the type of the selected lottery table is flashed and selected through the lottery table code display window 34. When the lottery table is set to be used in the game by operating the start lever 21, the blinking display is stopped and the code indicating the set lottery table type is statically displayed. In the lottery table confirmation mode, a code indicating the type of the lottery table that is set to be used in the current game by the lottery table code display device 35 is statically displayed through the lottery table code display window 34.

  In addition, a medal rental display window 36 is provided in front of the front door 7. Behind this medal lending display window 36 is provided a medal lending display device 37 for displaying the number of medals paid out when the prepaid card 53 is inserted into the medal lending machine 3 and displaying whether or not the medal lending is possible.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the operation of the slot machine 2 is basically controlled by a control unit 42 including a CPU (external device identification means) (setting operation control means) 40 and a memory 41. In addition to the CPU 40 and the memory 41, the control unit 42 is provided with an electronic lottery unit 43 and a winning combination determining unit 44.

  Sensors are provided in the single bet button 17 and the MAX bet button 18, and a signal is input to the CPU 40 when each button is pressed. The CPU 40 determines the number of 1 to 3 medals inserted prior to the start of the game based on a detection signal from the medal sensor 45 or an input signal from either the 1-bet button 17 or the MAX bet button 18. And determine the number of activated winning lines. Further, the bet number of medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 25 when the game is started is counted by a credit medal counter (not shown) provided in the CPU 40, and the one bet button 17 or the MAX bet button 18 is operated. Each time a medal insertion operation is performed, the bet number of medals is successively subtracted from the credit number.

  A sensor is provided inside the settlement button 19, and a signal is input to the CPU 40 when the settlement button 19 is pressed. When the settlement button 19 is pressed while medals are stored in the credit medal counter, all the medals stored in the credit medal counter are subtracted, and medals for the number of medals stored in the credit medal counter. Are all paid out to the medal tray 33 by the hopper device 30b.

  The start switch sensor 46 is turned on when the start lever 21 is operated. When the start lever 21 is operated during the game mode, a game start signal is input to the CPU 40. When the start lever 21 is operated during the lottery table setting mode, the start switch sensor 46 is set. A signal is input to the CPU 40. In response to the game start signal, the CPU 40 rotates the first to third reels 11a to 11c based on the game execution program stored in the ROM area of the memory 41 and starts the game process. Further, the CPU 40 inputs a setting execution signal corresponding to the setting signal to the winning combination determining unit 44 in response to the setting signal. The RAM area of the memory 41 is a working area, and is used for temporary storage and rewriting of flags and data used for setting the mode of the slot machine 2 and flags and data used for each game. It is done.

  The reel drive control unit 47 controls the drive and stop of each reel. Each of the first to third reels 11a to 11c is fixed to a drive shaft of an individual stepping motor 48a to 48c, and each reel is controlled by controlling the driving of each stepping motor 48a to 48c.

  Since the stepping motors 48a to 48c rotate at a rotation angle corresponding to the number of supplied drive pulses, the CPU 40 controls the rotation angle of the first to third reels 11a to 11c by controlling the number of supplied drive pulses. The stop position of the reel can be determined by stopping the supply of the drive pulse. Each reel is integrally formed with reflection signal portions 49a to 49c at its reference position, and the photosensors 50a to 50c photoelectrically detect the passage of each reflection signal portion for each rotation. Detection signals from the photosensors 50a to 50c are input to the CPU 40 as a reset signal for each reel.

  The CPU 40 is provided with a pulse counter for each of the stepping motors 48a to 48c, and counts the number of drive pulses supplied to each of the stepping motors 48a to 48c. When the reset signal is input from the photosensors 50a to 50c, the count value of the corresponding pulse counter is cleared. Therefore, the number of drive pulses corresponding to the rotation angle within one rotation of each reel is stored in each pulse counter while being sequentially updated.

  A symbol table is stored in the ROM area of the memory 41. In the symbol table, the number of drive pulses corresponding to the rotation angle from the reference position of each reel and the symbol representing each symbol arranged on the reel at a constant pitch are stored. A code is associated. Therefore, by monitoring the count value of the pulse counter for each reel, it is possible to identify, for example, which symbol has moved on the central pay line, and to what extent the reel is further rotated. It can be predicted whether the symbol of will move on the winning line.

  Sensors are provided inside the first to third stop buttons 22 to 24, and a stop signal for each reel is input to the CPU 40 when the first to third stop buttons 22 to 24 are operated. The start lever 21 is operated to start the rotation of all reels. When these rotations reach a steady speed, the operation of the first to third stop buttons 22 to 24 is validated. Thereafter, by operating these, stop control of the corresponding first to third reels 11a to 11c is started.

  The CPU 40 operates the electronic lottery unit 43 in response to the game start signal. The electronic lottery unit 43 includes a random number generator and a random number sampling circuit, and determines one random value by lottery every time the game is started. The random number value determined here is input to the winning combination determination unit 44. The winning combination determining unit 44 determines what winning combination is awarded in the currently executed game according to the input random number value.

  The winning combination determining unit 44 is provided with a plurality of (for example, six types) lottery tables having different winning lottery probabilities. In the lottery table, the random number sampled in the game in the normal mode is BB giving the right to shift to the BB mode, the RB giving the right to shift to the RB mode, and the small role winning design that only pays out a predetermined number of medals. It is used for determining which symbol belongs to, such as a small role corresponding to, replay that gives the right to play the next game with the same number of bets without inserting medals, or a winning that does not cause any wins, that is, winning determination. There are a plurality of types of small role winning symbols, and a payout medal is assigned to each. The type and symbol of the winning are determined depending on which winning symbol the sampled random number value belongs to. In this way, the winning combination determining unit 44 determines whether or not to win using any one of the input random number value and a plurality of lottery tables. When the winning combination is determined by the winning combination determination unit 44, a winning combination determination signal indicating the type of the determined winning combination or winning combination is input to the CPU 40.

  The hopper device 30b pays out a prescribed number of payout medals to the medal tray 33 according to the type of winning combination. A payout table in which the number of payout medals is determined for each type of winning combination is stored in the ROM 41, and the CPU 40 reads this to drive the hopper device 30b.

  A mode selection switch 52 is provided inside the keyhole 31b. When the main power is turned on after a predetermined key is inserted into the keyhole 31 b and rotated from the off position to the on position, the mode selection switch 52 is turned on and an on signal is input to the CPU 40. Thereafter, when the key is rotated from the on position to the off position, the mode selection switch 52 is turned off, and an off signal is input to the CPU 40. When a predetermined key is inserted into the keyhole 31b after the main power is turned on and is rotated from the off position to the on position, a lottery table confirmation signal is input to the CPU 40. Thereafter, when the key is rotated from the on position to the off position, a lottery table confirmation cancellation signal is input to the CPU 40.

  A sensor is provided inside the setting change button 31c, and a selection signal is input to the CPU 40 in response to the pressing operation of the setting change button 31c.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the medal lending machine 3 is for reading the value information written in the prepaid card (value medium) 53 and inputting the read value information into the slot machine 2. The medal lending machine 3 is formed in a vertically long rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a card insertion slot 3a into which the prepaid card 53 is inserted is formed on the front surface thereof. On the back side, a power switch (not shown) for turning on the main power of the medal lending machine 3 and a communication cable 54 for transmitting information obtained by the medal lending machine 3 to the slot machine 2 are provided. A plug 54 a is provided at the tip of the cable 5.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the medal lending machine 3 is configured with a CPU 55a as the center, and a control device 55 that performs electrical control of the medal lending machine 3 and whether or not the prepaid card 53 is inserted into the card insertion slot 3a. And a card identification device 56 that reads the value information written on the prepaid card 53.

  When the main power of the slot machine 2 and the medal lending machine 3 is turned on after the plug 54a is inserted into the connection connector (not shown) of the slot machine 2, the CPU 55a causes the slot machine 2 and the medal lending machine 3 to be electrically connected. A connection completion signal indicating that the connection has been established is intermittently input to the CPU 40 of the slot machine at predetermined time intervals (for example, at intervals of 0.1 seconds). When receiving the connection completion signal, the CPU 40 determines that the medal lending machine 3 is connected to the slot machine 2 and sets a flag α in the RAM area of the memory 41. When the slot machine 2 and the medal lending machine 3 are not connected via the communication cable 54, or one of the slot machine 2 and the medal lending machine 3 is turned on, and the other main power is turned off. If it is set, the flag α is not set.

  The CPU 40 is intermittently disconnected when the plug 54a is pulled out from the connection connector of the slot machine 2 with the flag α set, or when the main power supply of the medal lending machine 3 is turned off with the flag α set. When the connection completion signal inputted in the normal state is interrupted, it is determined that the medal lending machine 3 is not connected to the slot machine 2 and the flag α set in the RAM area of the memory 41 is deleted. As described above, the CPU 40 functions as an external device identifying unit that electrically identifies whether or not the medal lending machine 2 used together with the slot machine 2 is connected to the slot machine 2.

  By the way, when the flag α is not set in the RAM area of the memory 41 and the ON signal from the mode selection switch 52 is input to the CPU 40, the lottery table setting mode is set. In the lottery table setting mode, the CPU 40 inputs a selection execution signal corresponding to the selection signal to the winning combination determining unit 44 in response to the selection signal from the setting change button 31c. The winning combination determining unit 44 selects one lottery table corresponding to the selection execution signal from the plurality of lottery tables in response to the selection execution signal.

  On the other hand, when the flag α is set in the RAM area of the memory 41, the CPU 40 ignores the selection signal from the setting change button 31c and does not input the selection execution signal to the winning combination determination unit 44. As a result, the winning combination determination unit 44 does not select the lottery table. As described above, the CPU 40 validates the pressing operation (setting operation) by the setting change button 31c when the connection of the medal lending machine 3 cannot be identified, and by the setting change button 31c when the connection of the medal lending machine 3 is identified. It functions as a setting operation control means for invalidating the pressing operation (setting operation).

  As described above, after the lottery table is selected in the lottery table setting mode, the CPU 40 inputs a setting execution signal corresponding to the setting signal to the winning combination determining unit 44 in response to the setting signal from the start switch sensor 46. . The winning combination determining unit 44 sets the lottery table selected by operating the setting change button 31c in response to the setting execution signal to be used in the game.

  After the lottery table is set, when the off signal from the mode selection switch 52 is input to the CPU 40 in a state where the flag α is set in the RAM area of the memory 41, the lottery table setting mode is shifted to the game mode. Further, after the lottery table is set, when an off signal is input to the CPU 40 in a state where the flag α is not set in the RAM area of the memory 41, the lottery table setting mode is shifted to the standby mode.

  When the plug 54a is not inserted into the connection connector of the slot machine 2, or when the main power of the medal lending machine 3 is off and the key is not in the on position, the power switch 31a of the slot machine 2 is turned on. When it is done, it becomes standby mode. That is, when the flag α is not set in the RAM area of the memory 41 and when the mode selection switch 52 is off, the power switch 31a of the slot machine 2 is turned on to enter the standby mode.

  When the connection completion signal is input from the medal lending machine 3 to the CPU 40 during the standby mode and the flag α is set in the RAM area of the memory 41, the game mode is entered. Further, when the medal lending machine 3 with the main power turned on is connected to the slot machine 2 where the main power is not turned on, when the power switch 31a of the slot machine 2 is turned on and the main power is turned on, The CPU 40 sets the flag α in the RAM area of the memory 41 in response to the connection completion signal from the medal lending machine 3. As a result, the slot machine 2 enters the game mode. As described above, the slot machine 2 can execute a game only when the CPU 40 identifies the connection of the medal lending machine 3.

  Regardless of the presence or absence of flag α, after the power switch 31a of the slot machine 2 is turned on with no key inserted into the keyhole 31b or with the key inserted into the keyhole 31b not in the ON position, When the mode selection switch 52 is turned on, a lottery table confirmation signal is input to the CPU 40. When a lottery table confirmation signal is input to the CPU 40, a lottery table confirmation mode is entered, and a code indicating the type of lottery table currently set to be used in the game through the lottery table code display window 15 by the lottery table code display device 35. Is displayed. When the mode selection switch 52 is turned off, a lottery table confirmation cancellation signal is input to the CPU 40. When the lottery table confirmation cancellation signal is input to the CPU 40, the display by the lottery table code display device 35 is stopped. When the flag α is set, the game mode is entered, and when the flag α is not set. Enter standby mode.

  The card identification device 56 is provided with a card drawing portion 56 a that draws the prepaid card 53 inserted from the card insertion slot 3 a into the card identification device 56. The card identification device 56 is provided with an identification sensor 56b for identifying whether or not the prepaid card 53 drawn by the card drawing unit 56a is a predetermined regular prepaid card 53. When the prepaid card 53 drawn by the identification sensor 56b is identified as a genuine card, the prepaid card 53 is drawn into the inside as it is. On the other hand, when it is identified that the prepaid card 53 that has been drawn is not legitimate, the drawing of the prepaid card 53 by the card drawing portion 56a is stopped and sent to the card insertion slot 3a.

  The card identification device 56 is provided with a reading unit 56 c that reads value information recorded on the prepaid card 53. The CPU 55a inputs a value information signal corresponding to the value information read by the reading unit 56c to the CPU 40 of the slot machine 2.

  When receiving the value information signal, the CPU 40 of the slot machine 2 operates the hopper device 30b, and pays out the number of medals corresponding to the value information signal to the hopper device 30b. Thus, the hopper device 30b functions as a payout device that pays out medals in accordance with the value information input from the medal lending machine 3.

  Further, when receiving the value information signal, the CPU 40 of the slot machine 2 operates the medal rental display device 37. The medal lending display device 37 displays the medal payout number and the medal lending availability through the medal lending display window 36 based on the value information signal.

  Next, the operation of the slot machine 2 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. With the main power of the slot machine 2 turned off, a predetermined key is inserted into the keyhole 31b, the key is rotated from the off position to the on position, and then the main power of the slot machine 2 is turned on. When the inserted medal lending machine 3 is connected to the slot machine 2, the flag α is set in the memory 41 and the game mode is set. In this game mode, the CPU 40 ignores a selection signal generated by pressing the setting change button 31c. As a result, the pressing operation of the setting change button 31c is invalidated, and the lottery table cannot be selected by the setting change button 31c.

  With the main power of the slot machine 2 turned off, a predetermined key is inserted into the keyhole 31b, the key is rotated from the off position to the on position, and then the main power of the slot machine 2 is turned on. If the inserted medal lending machine 3 is not connected to the slot machine 2, the flag α is not set in the memory 41 and the lottery table setting mode is set.

  In the lottery table setting mode, the CPU 40 inputs a selection execution signal to the winning combination determination unit 44 in response to a selection signal generated by pressing the setting change button 31c. The winning combination determining unit 44 selects a lottery table in response to the selection execution signal. Thus, in the lottery table setting mode, the pressing operation of the setting change button 31c is validated, and the lottery table can be selected by the setting change button 31c. After the lottery table is selected with the setting change button 31c, when the start lever 21 is operated, the selected lottery table is set to be used in the game, and used in the winning determination of the winning combination determining unit 44.

  When a predetermined key is inserted into the keyhole 31b and the key is rotated from the off position to the on position while the main power of the slot machine 2 is turned on, the lottery table confirmation mode is entered, and the lottery mode display device 35 displays the lottery mode. The type of the lottery table currently set through the window 15 is displayed.

  Also, the main power supply of the slot machine 2 was turned on with no key inserted into the keyhole 31b or without the key inserted into the keyhole 31b being in the ON position, and the flag α was not set in the memory 41 at this time. If it is, the standby mode is set. When the key is inserted into the keyhole 31b and set to the ON position during the standby mode, the lottery table confirmation mode is set.

  On the other hand, when the main power of the slot machine 2 is turned on with no key inserted into the keyhole 31b or without the key inserted into the keyhole 31b being in the ON position, and the flag α is set in the memory 41 at this time , Enter the game mode. When a key is inserted into the keyhole 31b and set to the ON position during the game mode, the lottery table confirmation mode is set. When changing the lottery table, the medal lending machine 3 is connected to the slot machine 2 with the main power of the medal lending machine 3 turned on, and once the main power of the slot machine 2 is turned off, the key hole 31b is inserted. The main power of the slot machine 2 may be turned on after inserting the key and setting the key to the ON position.

  As described above, whether or not the medal lending machine 3 is connected to the slot machine 2 is electrically identified, and when the connection cannot be identified, the pressing operation by the setting change button 31c is validated, and the connection is identified. Since the pressing operation by the setting change button 31c is invalidated at the time of the game, it is illegal to operate at the amusement store business hours, that is, during the time when the slot machine 2 and the medal lending machine 3 are both operating. The act of setting the lottery table by operating the setting change button 31c can be prevented.

  In the above embodiment, the CPU 40 responds to the selection signal from the setting change button 31c when the flag α is not set, and ignores the selection signal from the setting change button 31c when the flag α is set. However, when the flag α is not set, the selection signal is output from the sensor provided in the setting change button 31c, and when the flag α is set, the selection signal is output from the sensor provided in the setting change button 31c. Is controlled so that the selection of a lottery table by pressing the setting change button 31c is enabled when the flag α is not set, and the setting change button 31c is pressed when the flag α is set. The selection of the lottery table by operation may be disabled. Alternatively, the setting change button 31c may be locked so that the setting change button 31c cannot be pressed when the flag α is set, and the lock may be released when the flag α is not set. In addition, when the flag α is not set, the CPU 40 selects the lottery table of the winning combination determining unit 44, sets the lottery table selected in response to the setting signal from the start lever 21, and the flag α is set. When the winning combination determining unit 44 selects the lottery table, the selected lottery table may not be set by ignoring the setting signal from the start lever 21, and the flag α is set. The lottery table of the winning combination determining unit 44 cannot be set, and the lottery table of the winning combination determining unit 44 may be set when the flag α is not set. The “setting” in the above embodiment broadly includes not only selecting the lottery table of the winning combination determining unit 44 but also setting the selected lottery table to be used in the game.

  In the above embodiment, the game mode can be executed only when the flag α is set by setting the game mode when the flag α is set and setting the standby mode when the flag α is not set. However, the game start signal from the start switch sensor 46 may be invalidated when the flag α is not set, and the game start signal may be validated when the flag α is set. Further, the start lever 21 may be locked so that the start lever 21 cannot be operated when the flag α is not set, and the lock may be released when the flag α is set, and the flag α is set. It is only necessary that the slot machine 2 is controlled so that the game cannot be executed when it is not, and the game can be executed when the flag α is set.

  In the above embodiment, the medal lending machine 3 is used as an external device used together with the slot machine 2, and it is electrically identified whether or not the medal lending machine 3 is connected to the slot machine 2, and lottery is performed when the connection cannot be identified. The setting operation for selecting and setting the table is validated, and the setting operation is invalidated when a connection is identified. However, as shown in FIG. Using the hall computer 60 that exchanges game information with the machine 2, it is electrically identified whether or not the hall computer 60 is connected to the slot machine 2, and based on the identification result as described above Processing may be executed. In this case, since the operation is the same as that of the above embodiment except that the hall computer 60 is used instead of the medal lending machine 3, the description and illustration are omitted. As described above, the external device used by being electrically connected to the slot machine 2 can be appropriately changed.

  In the above embodiment, the flag α is deleted when the connection completion signal that is intermittently input is interrupted, and the winning combination determining unit is operated by pressing the setting change button 31c when the flag α is not set in the memory 41. 44 lottery tables can be selected, but the flag α is set from the state in which the flag α is set by turning off the main power of the medal lending machine 3 without turning off the main power of the slot machine 2. The selection signal from the setting change button 31c may be invalidated until a predetermined time (e.g., 30 seconds) elapses when the state is not changed. As a result, even if the main power of the medal lending machine 3 is turned off and the setting change button 31c is illegally pressed without turning off the main power of the slot machine 2 during the business hours of the game hall, the lottery table Since the change cannot be made, an act of illegally operating the setting change button 31c is suppressed.

  In the above embodiment, the lottery table selected by the setting change button 31b is set to be used in the game by operating the start lever 21, but operation buttons other than the start lever 21 (for example, the single bet button 17 or the The lottery table may be set to be used in the game by operating the checkout button 19 or the like. Further, a dedicated operation button that is operated when setting the selected lottery table to be used in the game may be provided.

  In the above embodiment, the slot machine 2 has been described as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to various gaming machines such as a pachinko machine.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of a slot machine and a medal lending machine. It is a slot machine of the state where the front door was removed, and is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the slot machine. It is a functional block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of a medal lending machine. It is a functional block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a medal lending machine. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in the slot machine of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in the slot machine of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine to which the hall computer is connected.

Explanation of symbols

2 Slot machines (game machines)
3 Medal lending machine (lending device) (external device)
21 Start lever (setting means)
30b Hopper device (dispensing device)
31c Setting change button (setting means)
40 CPU (setting operation control means) (external device identification means)
60 hall computer (external device)

Claims (4)

In a gaming machine that includes a setting unit that selects and sets one of a plurality of lottery tables having different winning lottery probabilities, and a game is executed using the lottery table set by the setting unit.
An external device identifying means for electrically identifying whether or not an external device used with the gaming machine is connected to the gaming machine;
A setting operation control unit that validates the setting operation of the setting unit when the connection of the external device cannot be identified by the external device identification unit, and invalidates the setting operation of the setting unit when the connection of the external device is identified; A gaming machine characterized by comprising:   2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game can be executed only when the connection of the external device is identified by the external device identification means.   The external device is a gaming medium lending device that inputs value information read from the inserted value medium to the gaming machine, and the gaming machine stores gaming media according to the value information input from the lending device. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a payout device for paying out. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the external device is a hall computer that exchanges gaming information with a plurality of the gaming machines.

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