JP4619078B2 - Amusement stand - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine represented by a slot machine (pachislot machine) and a pachinko machine.

  When a player inserts a game medium such as a medal and starts a game on a gaming machine such as a slot machine, a plurality of rows of reels are rotated through a reel display window, and a picture is variably displayed and stopped. The game media such as medals are paid out to the player as a payout according to the combination of the patterns, and it is important for the game stand to properly execute the medal taking-in operation and the medal paying-out operation. is there.

  Conventionally, in the case of a slot machine without an automatic medal replenishment function, if all medals replenished to the medal payout device are paid out, the game table displays an error and interrupts the game control, so the game is continued. Unable to do so, the player had to call the store clerk and clear the slot machine error. The game clerk who is called when such an error occurs first checks the error display of the slot machine, identifies from the display content that the medal of the medal payout device is empty, and then refills the medal. Since the replenishment work has been carried out after taking the game, it cannot be said that the error of the slot machine is being quickly released, and during that time, the player is forced to wait without being able to resume the game.

  Therefore, it is possible to display either a graphic or a message on the display screen of the display device, and when an error occurs in the game machine, the error information is displayed on the display screen of the display device. In order to make the parts of the error and its contents clear to the game store clerk at a glance, a game stand is proposed to reduce the psychological burden and work burden of the game store staff accompanying the error occurrence. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-801

  Also, a gaming medium lending machine that lends gaming media by inserting banknotes and a gaming table (slot machine main body) are formed as a pair to constitute a gaming table device, and medals are accumulated in the gaming medium lending machine. Even if the player accumulates more game media than the number of medals that can be paid out by the hopper device (medal payout device) in the main body of the slot machine by providing the function, the game media lending machine A technique has also been proposed in which a tangible medal can be paid out from a game medium lending machine at the time of payment so that the game can be continued.

JP 2003-93591 A

  However, in the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, the game is interrupted because the error cannot be canceled unless the hands of the game shopman are troubled, and it takes some time for the player to resume the game. The fundamental problem that the player is disadvantaged by doing so has not been solved. Further, in the gaming machine device described in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to equip each slot machine with a gaming medium lending device, and there is a problem of securing installation space and introduction cost. It cannot be introduced.

  In view of such problems, the present invention enables continuation of the game without losing the player even if the game medium payout device cannot pay out the game medium, and further, The purpose is to provide a game machine that can be introduced into a similar installation space.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is based on the number of game media used in the game and the game start operation, and determines whether or not the winning combination is won by an internal lottery, and the game result is the internal game A game control means for determining a winning based on whether or not the combination of symbols corresponding to the winning winning combination is determined, and determining the number of game media to be paid out based on the determination result;
Game medium storage means capable of storing and storing up to a predetermined upper limit number of game media to be paid out and game media to be paid out for winnings;
A game medium discharge device capable of discharging the game medium in the discharge game medium storage part from the game medium discharge port;
Game medium discharge control means for controlling the game medium discharge device to discharge the game medium;
As many game media as the number of payouts determined by the game control means are stored and stored in the game medium storage means, and as many game media as the number of payouts exceeding the storage upper limit of the game medium storage means are paid out by the game medium payout control means. Storage / dispensing control means to be controlled;
A gaming table having
A game medium payout holding means capable of storing, as electronic information, a payout hold memory, which is the number of game media for which payout has been put on hold under the control of the game medium payout control means;
The storage / dispensing control means has a first payout holding condition in which the game medium discharge operation by the game medium discharge device is not executed, and unpaid game media in which the payout control by the game medium payout control means has not ended. Based on the fact that both the second payout hold conditions are satisfied, the game medium payout holding means adds and stores unpaid game media in the game medium payout hold means, thereby allowing the game control means to continue the game ,
Number of electronic media game media stored in the game media storage means, electronic media game media stored in the game media payout holding means, and games that have been inserted into the game stand but are not yet used for games First payout instruction means that can be arbitrarily operated by the player to pay out and pay out game media for the total number of game media, which is the total amount of media;
Second settlement instruction means that can be arbitrarily operated by the player to settle the game medium of electronic information stored in the game medium payout suspension means;
With
In the first settlement process performed by the storage / dispensing control unit based on the operation of the first settlement instruction unit, the game media are discharged before the game media for the total number of game media are ejected from the game media ejection device. When the first payout hold condition is established in which the game medium cannot be discharged by the discharge device, an error is notified to stop the game by the game control means,
In the second settlement process performed by the storage / dispensing control means based on the operation of the second settlement instruction means, a memory transfer process is performed for transporting the payout hold memory of the game medium payout hold means to the game medium storage means. If the storage storage addition impossible condition that the number of stored storage of the game medium storing means is a predetermined upper limit number is satisfied before the storage transfer processing is completed, the game media corresponding to the payout reserved storage of the game medium payout storing means is stored. When a reserved game medium payout process to be paid out by the game medium payout control means is performed, and the first payout hold condition in which the game medium discharge operation by the game medium discharge device cannot be executed before the reserved game medium payout process is completed is satisfied In this case, the pending game medium payout process is stopped, and the second settlement process is terminated while leaving the unprocessed payout hold memory in the game medium payout holding means, but the game control means continues the game. And characterized in that a possible.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first aspect, the game control by the game control means is performed after the first payout holding condition is established in which the game medium discharge operation by the game medium discharge device is not executed. Is provided with an informing means for informing that the operation is continued.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first or second aspect, the game control means continues the game when the payout hold memory of the game medium payout hold means has reached a predetermined upper limit number. The game control is stopped when the impossible condition is satisfied .

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to any one of the first to third aspects, a payout hold memory for visually displaying the number of payout hold memories stored in the game medium payout hold means. A number display means is provided.

According to the gaming machine according to claim 1, the game machine is provided with a game medium payout holding means capable of storing, as electronic information, a payout hold memory which is the number of game media for which payout by the control of the game medium payout control means is held. The payout control means includes a first payout holding condition in which the game medium discharge operation by the game medium discharge device is not executed, and a second payout in which unpaid game media that have not been paid out by the game medium payout control means remain. Based on the fact that the holding condition is satisfied, the game medium can be continued by the game control means by adding and storing the number of unpaid game media in the game medium payout holding means. When the game medium of the game medium discharge device becomes empty, the game is prevented from being interrupted and the game is not interrupted. You can enjoy to continue the work, and has high practical value. In addition to the first settlement instruction means operated by the player when ending the game on the gaming table, there is provided a second settlement instruction means capable of continuing the game even if the first payout hold condition is satisfied. When the game medium storage memory of the game medium storage means that can be used for continuation of the game runs out or the remaining is low, if there is a payout storage memory in the game medium payout storage means, the game can be performed by operating the second settlement instruction means. The game can be continued by transferring the payout hold storage of the medium payout holding means to the game medium storage memory of the game medium storage means.

  In addition, according to the gaming table according to claim 2, it is notified that the game control by the game control means is continued after the first payout holding condition is established in which the game medium discharge operation by the game medium discharge device is not executed. Since the notification means is provided, it is possible for a game store clerk to easily identify a game stand in a state where game medium replenishment to the game medium discharge device is necessary, and it is easy to quickly and accurately deal with it, thereby improving the service of the game store. .

According to the gaming machine of claim 3, the game control means stops the game control when a game continuation inability condition is reached in which the payout hold storage of the game medium payout hold means reaches a predetermined upper limit number. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the player from being disadvantaged without impairing the reliability of the payout storage, which is electronic information.

  In addition, according to the gaming machine according to claim 4, since the payout storage number display means for visually displaying the storage number of the payout hold memory in the game medium payout hold means is provided, the game medium discharge device as a tangible game medium Further, the player can easily confirm the number of game media that have not been paid out to the player by the display content of the payout hold memory number display means. Therefore, the player can confirm each time whether or not the amount of game media to be paid out in accordance with the winning of the game result is properly added to the payout hold storage, and a sense of security for the storage function of the payout hold storage means can be obtained. .

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Overall configuration>
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a slot machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, in the center of the slot machine 100, three cylindrical reels (left reel 111, middle reel 112) in which a plurality of types of symbols (for example, red bell, BAR, etc.) are arranged on the outer peripheral surface are provided. , The right reel 113), and is configured to be rotationally driven inside the slot machine main body 102.

  The front door 101 of the slot machine 100 is provided with a reel display window 110. When the reels 111 to 113 are viewed from the front, three symbols applied thereto can be seen in the vertical direction from the reel display window. ing. That is, when all the reels 111 to 113 are stopped, the player can see a total of nine symbols of 3 × 3. When these reels 111 to 113 are rotationally driven and the reels 111 to 113 are stopped at an appropriate timing, various combinations of symbols are displayed.

  In the slot machine 100 of the present embodiment, the three reels 111 to 113 are provided. However, the number of reels and the installation position of the reels are not limited thereto. Further, a backlight (not shown) for illuminating individual symbols displayed on the reel display window is disposed on the back side of each reel 111 to 113. The backlight is capable of emitting light of, for example, seven colors (three primary colors of red, green, and bluish purple and a mixed color such as white) and includes an LED corresponding to each primary color. Is done.

  The winning line display lamp 125 is a lamp indicating the winning line 114 that is valid for each game. The effective pay line 114 changes depending on the number of game media (in this embodiment, medals are assumed) inserted into the slot machine 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, in the case of having five winning lines 114, when one medal is inserted, the middle horizontal winning line, when two medals are inserted, the upper horizontal winning line and the lower horizontal winning line are shown. When three winning lines are added, three lines are added, and five diagonal lines are added. The winning combination is determined based on the combination of symbols arranged on the effective winning line. Of course, the number of winning lines is not limited to five.

  The payout number display 123 is a display for displaying the number of medals to be paid out to the player when winning a winning combination with a medal payout. The game number display 122 is a display for displaying the number of general games in the big bonus game. The stored number display unit 121 is a display unit that displays the number of medals stored electronically (credit). The payout hold number display 124 is a display that displays the number of payout hold medals electronically added and stored as medals that cannot be paid out from the medal payout device (hopper). The effect lamp 126 is a lamp used for the effect to enhance the interest of the game.

  The medal insertion buttons 130 and 131 are insertion buttons for electronically inserting the stored medals into the slot machine 100, and are called so-called bet buttons. In the present embodiment, a maximum medal insertion button 131 (a so-called “max bet button”) and a single medal insertion button 130 are provided. By pressing any of these buttons, 1 to 3 medals required for the game can be obtained. It is electronically inserted into the slot machine 100. The number of inserted medals is subtracted from the current stored number, and the remaining number is displayed on the stored number display 121. The medal slot block 136 has an opening through which a player directly inserts medals when starting a game. Hereinafter, the insertion of medals means both the electronic insertion of medals by the medal insertion buttons 130 and 131 and the insertion of medals from the medal insertion slot block 136.

  The start lever 132 is a lever-type switch for performing an operation that triggers the rotation of the reels 111 to 113 as a game start operation. The stop buttons 133, 134, and 135 are provided corresponding to the reels 111 to 113, respectively, and are button switches that stop the corresponding reels 111 to 113 when pressed. Each stop button 133-135 is provided with a lamp (not shown). After the start lever 132 is operated, all the lamps are turned on when the reels 111-113 can be stopped. Each time the stop buttons 133 to 135 are pressed, the lights are turned off.

  The first checkout button 137 displays, from the medal payout opening 151, all of the stored medals stored as credits in the slot machine 100, the inserted medals inserted from the medal slot block 136, and the payout pending medals whose payout is suspended. It is a button for discharging and adjusting. The second checkout button 138 is a button for paying out a payout pending medal electronically stored as a payout hold memory, and when the second checkout button 138 is pressed, the payout hold medal is paid out from the payout hold memory. Transfer to storage memory to increase the amount of credit, and even if the storage memory reaches the upper limit, if there is a payout pending memory, pay it out as a tangible medal from the medal payout device and pay it out with the medal payout device If not, the remainder is retained as a payout hold memory.

  The medal discharge port 151 is an opening for discharging medals, and medals paid out at the time of winning a prize are discharged from here. The discharged medals are accumulated in a tray provided around the discharge port 151. An upper lamp 144, a side lamp 141, a waist lamp 143, a lower lamp 142, and a saucer lamp (configured as a medal saucer) 152 are effects lamps for exciting the game, and are turned on / off / flashing according to the game state. To do. The sound hole 160 of the central speaker and the sound hole 161 of the upper speaker are equipped with a decorated speaker cover, from which game sound effects are output.

  The display device 170 may display various information related to the game (effect information that excites the game, error information that displays the content of the error when an abnormality occurs in the slot machine, etc.) on the display screen 171 facing the front. it can. As the display device 170, a liquid crystal display, a dot matrix display, or the like can be used.

  The door device 180 provided on the front side of the display screen 171 of the display device 170 includes a left door 181 and a right door 182, and the left door 181 and the right door 182 move sideways so that the display screen 171 can be visually recognized. The left door 181 covers the left half of the display screen 171 and the right door 182 covers the right half of the display screen 171 so that the entire surface of the display screen 171 cannot be visually recognized. is there.

  Next, each control unit functioning as control means in the slot machine 100 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 shows details of the main control unit 300, and FIG. 3 shows details of the sub-control unit 400.

<Configuration of main control unit>
First, the main control unit 300 of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The main control unit 300 includes a CPU 310 that is an arithmetic processing unit for controlling the entire main control unit 300, a data bus and an address bus for the CPU 310 to transmit and receive signals to and from each IC and each circuit, It has the structure described below.

  The clock correction circuit 314 is a circuit that divides the clock oscillated from the crystal oscillator 311 and supplies it to the CPU 310. For example, when the frequency of the crystal oscillator 311 is 12 MHz, the divided clock is 6 MHz. The CPU 310 operates by receiving the clock divided by the clock circuit 314 as a system clock.

  The CPU 310 is connected to a timer circuit 315 for setting a monitoring cycle for constantly monitoring the states of sensors and switches, which will be described later, and a transmission cycle of motor drive pulses, via a bus. When the power is turned on, the CPU 310 transmits the frequency dividing data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 312 to the timer circuit 315 via the data bus.

  The timer circuit 315 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 310 at each interrupt time. In response to this interrupt request, the CPU 310 executes monitoring of each sensor and transmission of drive pulses. For example, when the system clock of the CPU 310 is set to 6 MHz, the frequency division value of the timer circuit 315 is set to 1/256, and the data for frequency division of the ROM 312 is set to 44, the reference time for this interrupt is 256 × 44 ÷ 6 MHz = 1. 877 ms.

  Connected to the CPU 310 are a ROM 312 for storing programs for controlling each IC, lottery data used for internal winning lottery, reel stop positions, and a RAM 313 for storing temporary data. Has been. Other storage means may be used for these ROM 312 and RAM 313, and this is the same in the sub-control unit 400 described later.

  The CPU 310 is connected to an input interface 360 for receiving an external signal. The medal acceptance sensor 320, the start lever sensor 321, the stop button sensor 322, and the medal insertion button are connected via the input interface 360 every interrupt time. The sensor 323, the first checkout button switch 324, the second checkout button switch 325, the reset switch 326, and the medal payout sensor 327 are detected, and each sensor is monitored.

  Two medal acceptance sensors 320 are installed in the passage inside the medal insertion slot 134 and detect whether or not a medal has passed. The start lever sensor 321 is installed on the start lever 132 and detects a start operation by the player. The stop button sensor 322 is installed in each of the stop buttons 133 to 135, and detects the operation of the stop button by the player.

  The medal insertion button sensor 323 is installed in each of the medal insertion buttons 130 and 131, and detects an insertion operation when a medal electronically stored in the RAM 313 is inserted as a game medal. For example, when the medal insertion button sensor 323 corresponding to the medal insertion button 130 becomes H level, the CPU 310 electronically inserts one stored medal and the medal insertion button sensor 323 corresponding to the medal insertion button 131 When the H level is reached, three stored medals are electronically inserted. When the medal insertion button 131 is pressed, two are inserted when the number of stored medals is two, and one is inserted when the number is one.

  The first checkout button switch 324 is provided on the first checkout button 137. When the first settlement button switch 324 detects that the first settlement button 137 has been pressed, the CPU 310 stores the number of stored medals stored, the number of inserted medals inserted from the medal slot 136, The total number of medals for which payout is suspended is added up to calculate the total number of medals, and the hopper motor is driven to perform the first settlement process for paying out medals for the total number of medals from the medal payout device. If the medal payout device becomes empty because the number of medals that can be paid out by the medal payout device is less than the total number of medals, the first checkout process is canceled and the medal payout device is empty. An error notification to the effect is given.

  The second settlement button switch 325 is provided on the second settlement button 138. When the second settlement button switch 325 detects that the second settlement button 138 has been pressed, the number of medals in the withdrawal suspension memory is transferred to the storage memory, and the withdrawal suspension memory remains even if the storage memory becomes full. For example, the second settlement process for driving the hopper motor and paying out from the medal payout device is performed. If the medal payout device becomes empty because the number of medals that can be paid out by the medal payout device is less than the total number of medals in the payout hold memory, the second settlement process is terminated and the remaining payout is paid out as it is. Hold as reserved storage.

  The reset switch 326 clears a specific area of the RAM 313 and returns to a normal operation state when operated after recovery from an error or the like. The medal payout sensor 326 detects a medal paid out by the medal payout device and performs an appropriate number of payout controls. Each of the above sensors may be a non-contact type sensor or a contact type sensor.

  The CPU 310 further has an input interface 361 and output interfaces 370 and 371 connected to an address bus via an address decoding circuit 350. The CPU 310 exchanges signals with external devices via these interfaces.

  An index sensor 328 is connected to the input interface 361. Specifically, the index sensor 328 is installed at a predetermined position on the mounting base of each of the reels 111 to 113, and becomes H level each time the light shielding piece provided on the reel passes through the index sensor 328. When detecting this signal, the CPU 310 determines that the reel has made one rotation, and resets the rotational position information of the reel to zero.

  The output interface 370 drives a reel motor driving unit 330 for driving the reels and a hopper motor of a medal payout device (a device for paying out medals accumulated in the bucket from the medal payout outlet 155). A hopper motor drive unit 331, a game lamp 340 (specifically, a winning line display lamp 125, an effect lamp 126, etc.), a payout number display 123, a game number display 122, and a stored number display 121 and a payout hold number display 124 are connected.

  A random number generation circuit 317 is connected to the CPU 310 via a data bus. The random number generation circuit 317 is an increment counter capable of incrementing a value within a certain range based on the clocks oscillated from the crystal oscillator 311 and the crystal oscillator 316 and outputting the count value to the CPU 310. It is used for various lottery processes including the internal lottery.

  Further, an output interface 371 for transmitting a command to the sub-control unit 400 is connected to the data bus of the CPU 310.

<Configuration of sub-control unit>
Next, the sub-control unit 400 of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The sub-control unit 400 is an arithmetic processing unit that controls the entire sub-control unit 400 based on a main control command or the like transmitted from the main control unit 300, and the CPU 410 transmits and receives signals to and from each IC and each circuit. It has a data bus and an address bus for performing, and has a configuration described below.

  The clock correction circuit 414 is a circuit that corrects the clock oscillated from the crystal oscillator 411 and supplies the corrected clock to the CPU 410 as a system clock.

  Further, a timer circuit 415 is connected to the CPU 410 via a bus. The CPU 410 transmits the frequency dividing data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 412 to the timer circuit 415 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The timer circuit 415 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 410 at each interrupt time. The CPU 410 controls each IC and each circuit based on the interrupt request timing.

  In addition, the CPU 410 temporarily stores a ROM 412 in which commands and data for controlling the entire sub-control unit 400, backlight lighting patterns and data for controlling various displays, and the like are stored. The RAM 413 is connected via each bus.

  The CPU 410 is connected to an input / output interface 460 for transmitting and receiving external signals. The input / output interface 460 includes a backlight 420 and a RAM 413 for illuminating the patterns of the reels 111 to 113 from the back. A reset switch 421 for clearing the data is connected.

  An input interface 461 for receiving a main control command from the main control unit 300 is connected to the CPU 410 via a data bus, and an effect process that excites the entire game based on the command received via the input interface 461. Etc. are executed.

  A sound source IC 480 is connected to the data bus and address bus of the CPU 410. The sound source IC 480 controls sound according to a command from the CPU 410. The sound source IC 480 is connected to a ROM 481 that stores sound data. The sound source IC 480 amplifies the sound data acquired from the ROM 481 by the amplifier 482 and outputs the sound data from the speaker 483.

  Similarly to the main control unit 300, the CPU 410 is connected to an address decoding circuit 450 for selecting an external IC, and the address decoding circuit 450 has an output interface for outputting signals to various effect lamps. 470, an input interface 461 for receiving a command from the main control unit 300, an input interface 471 for inputting a signal from the door / liquid crystal screen control unit 500, a clock IC 424, and a signal output to the 7-segment display 440 An output interface 472 is connected.

  With the clock IC 424 connected, the CPU 410 can acquire the current time. The 7-segment display 440 is provided inside the slot machine 100 so that a store clerk or the like can check predetermined information set in the sub-control unit 400, for example.

  Further, a demultiplexer 419 is connected to the output interface 470. The demultiplexer 419 distributes the signal transmitted from the output interface 470 to each display unit and the like. That is, the demultiplexer 419 displays the upper lamp 144, the side lamp 141, the waist lamp 143, the lower lamp 142, the reel panel lamp 145, the title panel lamp 147, the tray lamp 152, and the payout exit strobe 153 according to the data received from the CPU 410. Control.

  The title panel lamp 147 is a lamp that illuminates the title panel, and the payout exit strobe 153 is a strobe type lamp installed inside the payout opening 151.

  The CPU 410 performs signal transmission to the door / liquid crystal screen control unit 500 via the demultiplexer 419. Conversely, the CPU 410 receives a signal from the door / liquid crystal screen control unit 500 via the input interface 471. That is, the CPU 410 performs bidirectional communication with the door / liquid crystal screen control unit 500 via the demultiplexer 419 and the input interface 471. The door / liquid crystal screen control unit 500 is a device that performs display control on the display device 170 and door opening / closing control of the door device 180.

  The main control unit 300 described above determines, based on the number of game media used in the game and the game start operation, whether or not to win a winning combination by internal lottery, and the game result corresponds to the winning combination that has been won internally. A game control means for determining a winning based on whether or not the combination is determined, and determining the number of game media to be paid out based on the determination result; A function as a game medium storage means capable of storing and storing media as electronic information up to a predetermined upper limit number is realized, and a medal payout device that uses medals as game media “removes game media in the discharge game medium storage unit from game media. The function as a “game media discharge device that can discharge to one destination from the exit” is realized. In the medal payout device, a bucket for storing payout medals functions as a discharge game medium storage unit.

  Further, the main control unit 300 functions as “a game medium payout control unit for controlling the game medium discharge device to pay out a game medium” and “the number of games determined by the game control unit”. A function as a storage / payout control means for storing and storing the medium in the game medium storage means and controlling the payout of the number of game media exceeding the upper limit of the storage of the game medium storage means by the game medium payout control means is realized. Thus, the slot machine 100 can credit up to a predetermined upper limit (for example, 50) medals.

  In addition, the main control unit 300 has a function as “a game medium payout holding unit capable of storing, as electronic information, a payout hold memory, which is the number of game media for which payout is held by the control of the game medium payout control unit”. The storage / dispensing control means includes a first payout holding condition in which the game medium discharging operation by the game medium discharging device is not executed, and an unpaid game medium in which the payout control by the game medium payout control means has not ended. Based on the fact that the second payout hold condition is satisfied, the game media payout holding means adds and stores unpaid game media in the game medium payout hold means, thereby allowing the game control means to continue the game.

  In other words, when a prize is established in a game and the number of medals corresponding to the prize is given to the player, the medal payout device is operated because the memorized storage reaches the upper limit and no further memorization is possible. When paying out tangible medals, the bucket of the medal payout device is empty and there are no medals that can be paid out, or the medal payout device malfunctions (medal clogging etc.), so that the medal payout device cannot pay out medals. (The first payout hold condition is achieved), and if all the medals to be paid out to the player as an award have not been paid out (the second payout hold condition is achieved), the payout medals are paid out. It is stored electronically as a memory, and this stored number is displayed on the payout hold number display 124 so that the player can continue playing the game. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide a device such as a game medium lending device separately from the slot machine 100, it is possible to maintain compatibility with a game table introduced in an old game store, and there is also a large equipment installation cost, etc. Since it is unnecessary, we can promote introduction to amusement stores.

  Further, if the number of medals is displayed on the payout hold number display 124 provided at an appropriate position in front of the slot machine 100, the state where the payout of medals by winning is added as the payout hold memory, that is, the medals by the medal discharging device. Since the game store clerk can recognize that the game control by the game control means is continued in the state where the first payout hold condition in which the discharge operation is not executed is satisfied, an error of the medal replenishment request occurs in the slot machine 100 If this happens, prompt action can be encouraged. It should be noted that the payout hold number display 124 indicates “notification means for notifying that the game control by the game control means is continued after the first payout hold condition in which the game medium discharge operation by the game medium discharge device is not executed” is established. In addition, a notification means may be separately provided at a location that is easily noticeable by a game store clerk or the like, such as an upper portion of the slot machine 100. Moreover, in order to display the number of payout pending medals, the payout hold number display unit 124 may not be provided and may be displayed in combination with another display unit.

  When the game medium payout holding means is configured to electronically store the payout hold medal number as in the slot machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the number of medals that can be stored naturally from the storage capacity reserved for the payout hold storage. Although there is an upper limit, the storage upper limit for the number of payout pending medals that can be stored by the game media payout holding means can be determined in consideration of the reasonable number of medals that can be obtained by a player during the day of the game shop. For example, it is possible to treat the number of memorized withdrawal medals by the withdrawal hold memory as having no upper limit, and it is possible to prevent the situation where the withdrawal hold memory reaches the upper limit, so that the medal payout device has run out of medals. Even if the player wins a lot of medals in a game that is continuously played later, it is possible to continue playing the game with the slot machine 100 until the game shop is closed.

  Also, considering the possibility that the number of medals won by the player will increase more than expected and the number of paid-out pending medals will exceed the storage upper limit value of the game media payout holding means, The means is to stop the game control when the game continuation disabling condition is reached when the payout storage of the game medium payout suspending means reaches a predetermined upper limit number, and “the game cannot be continued to notify the state that the game disabling condition is satisfied”. A “status notification means” may be provided to prompt the game shop staff to take action. When medals are replenished to the medal payout device after the game continuation is stopped due to the establishment of the game stop condition, the total number of medals that have been put on hold (the number of medals stored up to the upper limit in the payout hold memory) The total number of medals for the remaining number that could not be stored in the payout hold memory) is paid out from the medal payout device at once, and the game impossible condition is released, and the game can be played again. When canceling the inoperable condition, the payout hold memory is not emptied at a stretch, and only the remaining number that is not stored in the payout hold memory is paid out from the medal payout device. The payment may be performed only when the player voluntarily operates the first and second payment buttons 137 and 138.

  In the slot machine 100 having the above-mentioned game medium payout holding function, when the player presses the first settlement button 137 and requests the first settlement processing operation when the game in the slot machine 100 is finished, the main control is performed. The CPU 310 of the unit 300 stores the number of medals stored as stored medals in the RAM 313 and the inserted medals (medals inserted from the medal slot block 136) detected by the medal acceptance sensor 320 in the RAM 313. The total number of medals is calculated by adding up the total number of medals and the number of medals stored as payout pending medals in the RAM 313, and a drive command is output to the hopper motor 331. Let them pay out.

  At this time, before the medals for the total number of medals are paid out, the bucket of the medal paying device is emptied or a failure such as clogging of medals occurs, and the hopper motor driving unit 331 drives the hopper motor of the medal paying device. If a medal paid out by the medal payout sensor 327 within a predetermined grace time cannot be detected, or if a medal stays in the detection unit and continues to be detected, an error due to a medal payout error It becomes a state. When an error notification command based on the occurrence of this error state is transmitted from the main control unit 300 to the sub-control unit 400, the sub-control unit 400 that has received this command lights various effect lamps or outputs a warning sound from the speaker 483. For example, to notify that the first settlement processing operation has been interrupted. In addition, an error display command is transmitted from the sub-control unit 400 to the door / liquid crystal screen control unit 500, and a message prompting the game clerk to deal with it is displayed on the display screen 171 of the display device 170, such as “payment checkout / hopper check”. It may be displayed.

  After an error state due to a medal payout abnormality occurs during the first checkout process, a game clerk or the like replenishes medals to the bucket of the medal payout device or clears a clogged medal so that the medal payout device operates normally. When the reset switch 326 is operated after the restoration work is performed, the slot machine 100 returns to the state immediately before the occurrence of the error, whereby the first settlement process is resumed and the remaining medals are paid out.

  Note that if the number of medals that can be stored as payout pending medals is set to an extremely large number, the total number of medals at the time of payment will be larger than the number of medals that can be stored in the bucket of the medal payout device, and after the error due to abnormal medal payout There is a possibility that the resumed first checkout process will be interrupted again due to out of medals, which will be complicated for both the player waiting for the checkout and the game clerk corresponding to the error. Therefore, even if the “999” is set as the upper limit value of the payout hold memory that can be stored by the game medium payout hold means in this embodiment, even if the first checkout process is performed with the payout hold memory being full, the medal payout device The average number of remaining medals can be covered, and even when the medal payout device becomes empty during the settlement process, the first settlement process can be completed with a single replenishment.

  In addition, the payout pending medal that can be stored as the payout hold memory in the game medium payout holding means of the slot machine 100 according to the present embodiment is electronically added and stored the number of medals that have been suspended from the medal payout device. Thus, unlike the stored medals stored in the game medium storing and storing means, it cannot be used as the game medals by operating the medal insertion buttons 130 and 131. Therefore, no matter how many payout pending medals remain, if the stored memory medal becomes zero, a tangible medal must be inserted from the medal slot 136 to play a game, which is convenient for the player. Will be damaged.

  Therefore, in the slot machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the second checkout button 138 functioning as “payout hold release instructing means that can be arbitrarily operated by the player to cause the storage / payout control means to perform the payout hold release operation”. “In the payout hold releasing operation performed by the storage / payout control means based on the operation of the payout hold release instructing means, the memory for transferring the payout hold memory of the game medium payout hold means to the game medium storage means is provided. When the storage storage addition impossible condition is satisfied, in which the storage storage number of the game medium storage means is a predetermined upper limit number before the storage transfer process is completed, the payout storage amount of the game medium payout storage means is satisfied. A reserved game medium payout process in which the game medium payout control means pays out the game media, and the game medium discharge device plays a game before the reserved game medium payout process ends. When the first payout hold condition is established in which the medium discharge operation cannot be executed, the hold game medium payout process is stopped, and the payout hold release operation is performed with the unprocessed payout hold memory remaining in the game medium payout holding means. To be finished.

  Accordingly, when the number of medals stored and stored in the storage device in the slot machine 100 is reduced or completely zero, the player presses the second check button 138 to request the second check processing operation. The CPU 310 of the main control unit 300 transfers the medal of the electronic information from the payout storage storing the number of payout hold medals in the RAM 313 to the storage storing the number of stored medals in the RAM 313. Even if the storage memory reaches the upper limit of 50, if there are still payout pending medals, the second settlement processing operation for paying out the remaining number of medals as the payout pending medals in the RAM 313 from the medal payout device. It is done. Note that, when the second settlement processing operation is requested, if the storage storage has already reached the upper limit, an operation for paying out medals for the payout pending storage from the medal payout device is executed.

  Further, in the second checkout processing operation, when the medals for the payout pending storage that could not be transferred to the storage memory are paid out from the medal payout device, the bucket of the medal payout device becomes empty, and the hopper motor drive unit 331 If the medal payout sensor 327 is not detected within the predetermined grace time even though the hopper motor of the medal payout device is driven, the medal payout abnormality is caused as in the first checkout processing operation described above. Since the remaining number of sheets that could not be paid out by the medal payout device without any error is held as the payout hold memory, the slot machine 100 can execute a normal game, and the player can continue the game as it is.

  In the second settlement processing operation, when a medal corresponding to the payout pending storage that could not be transferred to the storage memory is paid out from the medal payout device, a medal clogging or the like occurs and the medal remains in the detection unit. If the medal payout sensor 327 continues to be detected, an error state due to a medal payout abnormality is set and the second settlement processing operation is interrupted. Even if the medal payout operation by such a medal payout device cannot be performed normally, the game in the slot machine 100 may be continued. However, in this embodiment, the game is interrupted in consideration of the reliability of the device. It was supposed to be

  When the second settlement processing operation is interrupted as described above, an error notification command based on the occurrence of an error state is transmitted from the main control unit 300 to the sub control unit 400, similar to when the first settlement processing operation is suspended. In response to this, the sub-control unit 400 turns on various effect lamps or outputs a warning sound from the speaker 483 to notify that the second settlement processing operation has been interrupted, or to notify the sub-control unit. An error display command is transmitted from 400 to the door / liquid crystal screen control unit 500, and a message prompting the game clerk to deal with it is displayed on the display screen 171 of the display device 170, such as “payment settlement / occurrence of hopper abnormality”. .

  After an error state due to a medal payout abnormality occurs during the second settlement process, the medal clogging is eliminated, and after the recovery operation is performed so that the medal payout device operates normally, the reset switch 326 is operated, The machine 100 returns to the state immediately before the occurrence of the error, whereby the second settlement process is resumed and the remaining medals are paid out. In addition, when the medal of the medal payout device becomes empty after the second settlement process is resumed and the medal cannot be paid out, this does not cause an abnormal state, and the remaining number of pieces that could not be paid out by the medal payout device. As a result, the second settlement process is terminated using the payout hold memory as it is, and the game is continued.

  In addition, since the second settlement process described above is for settlement of the payout pending medal that is electronic information, the payout pending medal remaining without being transferred to the storage memory is paid out from the medal payout device. When the second checkout process is performed by pressing the second checkout button 138, as long as medals that can be paid out remain in the medal payout device, payout pending medals that cannot be transferred to the storage memory are discharged from the medal payout outlet 151 as tangible medals. Thus, when the stored medal in the stored memory is used up, it is necessary to insert a medal from the medal insertion port 136 again, which is troublesome for the player. Therefore, the credit transfer switch that can be operated by the player so as to meet the desire to leave the rest of the medal payout storage from the medal payout storage without being discharged from the medal payout device. When the player operates this credit transfer switch, only the credit transfer process for transferring the payout hold memory to the storage memory may be executed.

<Main control unit main processing>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing basic control (main control unit main processing) of the game in the slot machine 100 of the present embodiment. Basic control of the game is performed mainly by the CPU 310 of the main control unit 300, and a series of processing is repeatedly executed unless a power-off or the like is detected. Further, during the execution of this main process, a timer interrupt process is executed every predetermined time (for example, every 1.877 ms), and a display update process for various displays and a process for receiving detection signals from various detectors.

  In step S101, medal insertion and start operation acceptance processing is performed. In step S102, the random number generated by the random number generator 317 is acquired. In step S103, the winning combination lottery is performed using the random number acquired in S102 and the winning combination lottery table stored in the ROM 312. The type of winning combination may be arbitrarily adopted, but in this embodiment, there are a regular bonus (RB), a big bonus (BB), a small combination, a replay, and the like. For each winning combination, lottery data is set for each set value and each inserted number.

  In step S104, rotation of all reels 111 to 113 is started. In step S105, the stop buttons 133 to 135 can be received. When any one of the stop buttons is pressed, control is performed to stop the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button with the pattern corresponding to the lottery result in S103. Do. In step S106, a winning determination is performed. Here, when a pattern combination corresponding to the winning combination is displayed on the activated winning line 114, it is determined that the winning combination is won. For example, if “bell-bell-bell” is arranged on the validated winning line 114, it is determined that the bell is won. In addition, if “7-7-7” is prepared, it is determined that a BB winning is achieved. The winning result is stored as a winning result code.

  In step S107, if any winning combination with a payout has been won, the medal payout device is operated to pay out the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination. In step S108, game state control processing is executed. In this game state control process, control for shifting the type of game is performed. For example, in the case of winning a BB, preparation is made so that the BB game can be started from the next time. Prepare to start the game. As described above, one game is completed, and the game progresses by repeating this thereafter.

<Medal insertion / start operation acceptance processing>
FIG. 5 shows details of the medal insertion / start operation acceptance process performed in step S101 of the main control section main process.

  In step S201, a prescribed number of medals that can be bet is set according to the gaming state. In step S202, an error detection confirmation process is performed. In step S203, it is determined whether or not the operation of the first settlement button 137 has been accepted. If the detection signal from the first settlement button sensor 324 has been received by the interrupt timer process, the operation of the first settlement button 137 is performed. Is received and the first settlement process is performed (step S204).

  In step S205, it is determined whether or not the operation of the second settlement button 138 has been accepted. If the detection signal from the second settlement button sensor 325 has been accepted by the interrupt timer process, the operation of the second settlement button 138 is performed. Is determined, and the second settlement process is performed (step S206).

  Subsequently, in step S207, whether or not a medal insertion is accepted is checked. If a medal insertion is accepted, a medal insertion command corresponding to the number of inserted medals is transmitted to the sub-control unit 400 (step S208). The sub-control unit 400 turns on the winning line display lamp 125 according to the number of inserted medals.

  In step S209, it is checked whether or not the operation of the start lever 132 has been received. If it is determined that the start operation has been performed, the medal insertion / start operation reception process is terminated, and the sub-control unit 400 is returned in step S208. The transmitted number of inserted medals is determined, and an effective winning line 114 corresponding to the determined number of inserted medals is also determined. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S209 that a valid operation of the start lever 132 has not been received, the processing from step S202 is repeated.

<Error detection confirmation process>
FIG. 6 shows details of the error detection confirmation process performed in step S202 of the medal insertion / start operation acceptance process.

  In step S301, it is determined whether or not an error status (error type information acquired based on the detection of some error in the process performed by timer interruption every 1.877 ms) is acquired, If the status is not acquired, the error detection confirmation process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S301 that the error status has been acquired, a display error code corresponding to the error status is set (step S302), and the current status indicator display type (for example, the game count indicator) The content displayed on the screen 122 is saved, and an error code is displayed on the status display (for example, the game number display 122).

  The type of error status is not particularly limited. For example, “medal insertion” acquired when a medal inserted from the medal slot block 136 stays and is continuously detected by the medal acceptance sensor 320. "Abnormality 1 (error code: E001)", "medal insertion abnormality 2 (error code: E002)" acquired when the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot block 136 does not normally pass the medal acceptance sensor 320, “Medal payout abnormality 1 (error code: E003)” acquired when medals paid out from the medal payout device stay and are continuously detected by the medal payout sensor 327, constant from the driving of the hopper motor of the medal payout device The “meda” acquired when a medal is not detected by the medal payout sensor 327 even after a lapse of time. Payout error 2 (error code: E004) "and the like, from the error code displayed on the status indicator, the game clerk et the state of the slot machine 100 can be identified.

  After the error code is displayed on the status display as described above, in step S304, it is determined whether or not the reset switch 326 has been operated, and the loop is continued until the operation of the reset switch 326 is detected. That is, when an error status is acquired based on an error being detected during the timer interrupt process, the slot machine 100 continues until the game shop clerk operates the reset switch 326 after performing a recovery operation for error cancellation. Game control in is interrupted.

  When the reset switch 326 is operated to exit the loop in step S304, the display of the status display type (for example, the display content of the game number display 122) is restored (step S305), and the error status is cleared. (Step S306). Thus, the game is resumed from the state immediately before the game was interrupted.

<First checkout process>
FIG. 7A shows details of the first settlement process performed in step S204 of the medal insertion / start operation acceptance process.

  In step S401, the number of stored medals + the number of inserted medals + the number of held-out medals is set as the number of requested medal settlements, and the settlement 1 flag is set in step S402. When the medal settlement request number is set in step S401, the hopper motor of the medal payout device is driven and controlled in the first settlement acceptance process (detailed later) performed by timer interruption, and one tangible medal is addressed. The payout of medals continues until the number of checkouts reaches zero.

  In step S403, an error detection confirmation process is performed. In step S404, it is determined whether or not medals have been paid out for the required number of payments and payment is completed. If payment is not completed, error detection in step S403 is performed. Return to the confirmation process. The error detection confirmation process in step S403 is the process described with reference to FIG. In the first settlement acceptance process performed by timer interruption during the first settlement process, errors due to medals running out or medals staying occur and an error status (medal payout abnormality 1 or medal payout abnormality 2) is acquired. If the error status is acquired, step S304 of the error detection confirmation process loops until the reset switch 326 is operated, and the first settlement process is interrupted.

  The medal payout for the number of medals required for the medal settlement is executed, and if it is determined in step S404 that the settlement is completed, the settlement 1 flag is cleared (step S405), and the first settlement process is terminated.

<Second checkout process>
FIG. 7B shows details of the second settlement process performed in step S206 of the medal insertion / start operation acceptance process.

  In step S501, the payout pending number is set as the medal settlement request number, and the settlement 2 flag is set in step S502. When the medal settlement request number is set in step S501, the hopper motor of the medal payout device is driven and controlled in the second settlement acceptance process (detailed later) performed by timer interruption, and one tangible medal is addressed. The payout of medals continues until the number of checkouts reaches zero.

  In step S503, error detection confirmation processing is performed. In step S504, it is determined whether or not medals have been paid out for the required number of payments and payment is completed. If payment is not completed, error detection in step S503 is performed. Return to the confirmation process. The error detection confirmation process in step S503 is the process described with reference to FIG. In the second settlement acceptance process performed by timer interruption during the second settlement process, there is a possibility that an error due to medals stays and an error status (medal payout abnormality 1) is acquired, and the error status is If acquired, step S304 of the error detection confirmation process loops until the reset switch 326 is operated, and the second settlement process is interrupted.

  When the number of medals set for the medal settlement request number is executed and it is determined in step S504 that settlement is completed, the settlement 2 flag is cleared (step S505), and the second settlement process is terminated.

<First settlement acceptance process>
FIG. 8 shows a first settlement acceptance process performed at regular intervals with a timer interrupt.

  In step S601, it is determined whether or not the medal settlement request number set for the first settlement process in step S401 of the first settlement process is 1 or more (greater than zero), and the medal settlement request number is zero. If there is, there is no need for settlement, and the first settlement acceptance process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S601 that the medal settlement request number is 1 or more, hopper stop information used for pulse supply control to the hopper motor is acquired (step S602). In addition, when the hopper stop information is acquired, the drive pulse is not output to the hopper motor.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not an abnormality in which a medal stay has occurred in the medal payout device (step S603), and if a medal staying is detected, an error status of medal payout abnormality 1 is acquired ( In step S604), the first settlement acceptance process is terminated as it is. By acquiring this error status, the continuation of the game is interrupted in the error detection confirmation process described above, and the reset switch 326 needs to be operated to return to the normal game. If the reset switch 326 is operated without the retention of medals that caused the error being resolved, even after the first settlement process is resumed, it is determined that the medal stagnation is detected in step S603 of the first settlement settlement process. Therefore, in step S604, the error status of the medal payout abnormality 1 is acquired again, and the game is substantially suspended.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not an abnormality occurring when the medal in the bucket of the medal payout device is empty is detected (step S605). If the medal emptying is detected, the error status of the medal payout abnormality 2 is set. Obtaining (step S606), the first settlement acceptance process is terminated as it is. By acquiring this error status, the continuation of the game is interrupted in the error detection confirmation process described above, and the reset switch 326 needs to be operated to return to the normal game. If the reset switch 326 is operated without eliminating the medal empty abnormality that caused the error, it is determined that the medal empty is detected in step S605 of the first payment accepting process even after the first checkout process is resumed. Therefore, the error status of the medal payout abnormality 2 is acquired again in step S606, and the game is substantially suspended.

  If neither medal retention abnormality nor medal empty abnormality is detected, hopper drive information is acquired in step S607. When this hopper drive information is acquired, a drive pulse is output to the hopper motor, and medals are paid out. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the medal payout sensor 327 has detected a medal (step S608). If the medal payout has not been detected, the first settlement acceptance process is terminated.

  Note that when a predetermined grace period (for example, about 2 seconds) elapses while it is determined that the medal payout is not detected in step S608, a medal empty abnormality is detected, and accordingly, the medal empty is detected in step S605. It is determined to be detected, and the error status of medal payout abnormality 2 is acquired. On the other hand, when a predetermined grace time elapses while the medal payout sensor 327 detects a medal, a medal staying abnormality is detected. Accordingly, in step S603, it is determined that the medal staying is detected, and the medal paying abnormality 1 is detected. The error status will be acquired.

  If it is determined in step S608 that the medal payout has been detected, “1” is subtracted from the medal settlement request number as a completion of one medal payout request (step S609). It is determined whether or not the medal settlement request number has reached 0, that is, whether or not the medal payout operation for the medal settlement request number set in the first settlement process has been completed (step S610). If zero, hopper stop information is acquired (step S611), and the hopper motor drive of the medal payout device is stopped. On the other hand, if the medal settlement request number is not zero in step S610 (if it is 1 or more), the hopper drive information acquired in step S607 is held, and the hopper motor drive of the medal payout device is continued.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the payout hold number is larger than zero (1 or more) (step S612). If the payout hold number is 1 or more, a new payout is obtained by subtracting “1” from the payout hold number. The number of reserved sheets is set (step S613), and if the number of reserved payments is determined to be zero in step S612, it is determined whether or not the stored number is greater than zero (1 or more) (step S614). If it is above, “1” is subtracted from the stored number to obtain a new stored number (step S615), and if it is determined in step S614 that the stored number is zero, “1” is subtracted from the inserted number to obtain a new number. The number of inserted sheets is set (step S616).

  By performing the processing of step S612 to step S616 described above, in the first checkout process, the payout pending medal is first settled, then the stored medal is settled, and finally the inserted medal is settled. It is possible to update the memory of the remaining settlement medals that have not been paid out.

<Second settlement acceptance process>
FIG. 9 shows a second settlement acceptance process performed at regular intervals with a timer interrupt.

  In step S701, it is determined whether or not the medal settlement request number set for the second settlement process in step S501 of the second settlement process is 1 or more (greater than zero), and the medal settlement request number is zero. If there is, there is no need for settlement, and the second settlement acceptance process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S701 that the medal settlement request number is 1 or more, it is determined whether the stored number of stored sheets is less than 50 (the storage upper limit has not been reached) (step S702). Is 49 or less, 1 is added to the number of stored sheets to obtain a new stored number (step S703).

  After adding 1 to the stored number in step S703, assuming that the settlement of one medal has been completed, subtract “1” from the medal settlement request number to obtain a new medal settlement request number (step S704). It is determined whether or not the new medal settlement request number has reached 0, that is, whether or not the medal payout operation for the medal settlement request number set in the second settlement process has been completed (step S705). If the number is zero, hopper stop information is acquired (step S706), and the hopper motor drive of the medal payout device is not performed. Finally, “1” is subtracted from the payout hold number to obtain a new payout hold number (step S707), and the second settlement acceptance process ends.

  As described above, when the medal transfer from the payout hold memory to the storage memory is performed, and the number of stored memory reaches 50 (upper limit), it is determined in step S702 that the stored number is not smaller than 50. In step S708, the hopper stop information is acquired, and it is determined whether or not an abnormality that the medal staying has occurred in the medal payout device is detected (step S709). Then, the error status of medal payout abnormality 1 is acquired (step S710), and the second settlement acceptance process is terminated as it is. By acquiring this error status, the continuation of the game is interrupted in the error detection confirmation process described above, and the reset switch 326 needs to be operated to return to the normal game. If the reset switch 326 is operated without the retention of medals that caused the error being resolved, it is determined that the medal stagnation is detected in step S709 of the second settlement acceptance process even after the second settlement process is resumed. Therefore, the error status of the medal payout abnormality 1 is acquired again in step S710, and the game is substantially suspended.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not an abnormality occurring when the medal in the bucket of the medal payout device is empty is detected (step S711). If the medal empty is detected, the medal settlement request number is cleared ( In step S712), the second settlement acceptance process is terminated. In this way, by clearing the medal settlement request number, in the second settlement acceptance process performed at the next timer interruption, the medal settlement request number is zero. In step S701, the medal settlement request number is 0. It is determined that it is not larger, and the second settlement acceptance process is terminated as it is. Further, when the required number of medals is cleared, it is determined that the payment is completed in step S504 of the second payment process, and the second payment process is also ended.

  That is, in this second settlement acceptance process, even if the medal payout device becomes empty, the second settlement process is not performed without acquiring the error status of the medal withdrawal abnormality 2 as in the first settlement acceptance process. Since it is only stopped, the game in the slot machine 100 can be continued.

  If neither a medal retention abnormality nor a medal empty abnormality is detected, hopper drive information is acquired in step S713, it is determined whether the medal payout sensor 327 detects a medal (step S714), and the medal payout is determined. If not detected, the second settlement acceptance process is terminated as it is.

  Note that when a predetermined grace period (for example, about 2 seconds) elapses while it is determined that the medal payout is not detected in step S714, a medal empty abnormality is detected. Accordingly, in step S711, the medal empty is detected. As the detection is determined and the medal settlement request number is cleared in step S712, the second settlement process ends. On the other hand, when a predetermined grace period elapses while the medal payout sensor 327 detects a medal, a medal staying abnormality is detected. Accordingly, in step S709, it is determined that the medal staying is detected, and the medal paying abnormality 1 is detected. The error status is acquired, and the second settlement process is interrupted.

  If it is determined in step S714 that the medal payout is detected, it is determined that one medal payout has been completed from the medal payout device, and “1” is subtracted from the medal checkout request number to obtain a new medal checkout request number ( In step S704), it is determined whether or not this new medal settlement request number has become 0, that is, whether or not the medal payout operation for the medal settlement request number set in the second settlement process has been completed (step S705). If the medal settlement request number is zero, hopper stop information is acquired (step S706), and the hopper motor drive of the medal payout device is stopped. On the other hand, when the medal settlement request number is not zero (when it is 1 or more) in step S705, the hopper drive information acquired in step S713 is held, and the hopper motor drive of the medal payout device is continued. Finally, “1” is subtracted from the payout hold number to obtain a new payout hold number (step S707), and the second settlement acceptance process ends.

<Medal payout acceptance process>
FIG. 10 shows a medal payout acceptance process performed at regular intervals by timer interruption.

  In step S801, it is determined whether or not the medal payout request number is greater than zero. If a medal payout request number is set in step S107 of the main control unit main process by winning a winning combination that pays out medals as a prize, it is determined in step S801 that the medal payout request number is 1 or more. Then, it is determined whether the stored number of stored sheets is less than 50 (the storage upper limit has not been reached) (step S802). If the stored number is 49 or less, 1 is added to the stored number. A new stored number is set (step S803). That is, the medals given to the player based on the occurrence of the winning combination is first added to the storage memory.

  After adding 1 to the stored number in step S803, assuming that one medal has been paid out, subtract "1" from the medal payout request number to obtain a new medal payout request number (step S804). It is determined whether or not the new medal payout request number has reached 0, that is, whether or not the medal payout operation for the medal payout request number has been completed (step S805). Stop information is acquired (step S806), and the medal payout acceptance process is terminated. If the number of requested medal payouts is not zero in step S805, the medal payout process is terminated as it is.

  As described above, when the medal based on the occurrence of the winning combination is added to the storage memory, when the number of stored memory reaches 50 (upper limit), the stored number is not less than 50 in step S802. When the hopper stop information is acquired in step S807, it is determined whether or not the medal staying abnormality is detected in the medal payout device (step S808), and the medal stay is detected. Acquires the error status of medal payout abnormality 1 (step S809), and ends the second settlement acceptance process as it is. By acquiring this error status, the continuation of the game is interrupted in the error detection confirmation process described above, and the reset switch 326 needs to be operated to return to the normal game. If the reset switch 326 is operated without canceling the retention of medals that caused the error, even if the game is resumed and the medals are continuously paid out, the medal stagnation detection is performed in step S808 of the medal payout acceptance process. Therefore, in step S809, the error status of medal payout abnormality 1 is acquired again, and the game is substantially suspended.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the empty detection flag is ON (step S810). If the empty detection flag is not ON, an abnormality that occurs when the medal of the bucket of the medal payout device is empty is detected. In step S811, if no abnormality in the medal is detected, hopper drive information is acquired in step S812, and it is determined whether the medal payout sensor 327 has detected a medal. (Step S813) If the medal payout is not detected, the medal payout acceptance process is terminated as it is.

  If it is determined in step S813 that the medal payout has been detected, it is determined that one medal payout has been completed from the medal payout device, and “1” is subtracted from the medal payout request number to obtain a new medal payout request number ( In step S804), it is determined whether or not the new medal payout request number has become 0, that is, whether or not the medal payout operation for the medal payout request number has been completed (step S805), and the medal payout request number is zero. If so, the hopper stop information is acquired (step S806), and the hopper motor drive of the medal payout device is stopped. On the other hand, when the number of requested medal payouts is not zero (when it is 1 or more) in step S810, the hopper drive information acquired in step S812 is held, and the hopper motor drive of the medal payout device is continued.

  If it is determined in step S813 that no medal payout has been detected and a predetermined grace period (for example, about 2 seconds) has elapsed, a medal empty abnormality is detected, and accordingly, a medal empty detection is performed in step S811. In step S814, the empty detection flag is changed to ON, and it is determined whether the payout hold number in the payout hold memory is smaller than 999 (upper limit number) (step S815), and the payout hold memory is determined. If the payout hold number is less than or equal to 998 (less than the upper limit), 1 is added to the payout hold number to obtain a new payout hold number (step S816), and the processing of steps S804 to S806 is performed. The medal payout acceptance process ends.

  That is, in this medal payout acceptance process, even if the medal payout device is in the medal empty state, if the payout hold memory does not reach the upper limit (if the payout medal can be moved to the payout hold memory), Since the error status of the medal payout abnormality 2 is not acquired as in the first settlement acceptance process, the game in the slot machine 100 can be continued. If the sky detection flag is turned ON by the medal empty detection, in the medal payout acceptance process performed at the next timer interruption, it is determined in step S810 that the sky detection flag is ON, so that steps S811 and S814 are performed. Without confirming the payout hold number in step S815.

  In addition, after the empty detection flag is set to ON, by adding unpaid medals to the payout hold memory, when the medal payout for the number of requested medal payouts is completed, the medal payout acceptance is then performed with a timer interrupt. When the processing is performed, it is determined in step S801 that the number of requested medal payouts is zero. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the sky detection flag is ON in step S817. If the sky detection flag is ON, step S818 is performed. Return the empty detection flag to OFF. As a result, when a medal payout request based on a prize is subsequently generated, in the medal payout acceptance process, the medal payout is performed again in the order of addition to the storage memory, payout by the medal payout device, and addition to the payout hold memory. The requested number of medals can be paid out.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the above step S815 that the payout pending number has reached the upper limit (999), the error status of the medal payout abnormality 2 is acquired (step S819), and the empty detection flag is returned to OFF. (Step S820), the medal payout acceptance process is terminated. By acquiring this error status, the continuation of the game is interrupted in the error detection confirmation process described above, and the reset switch 326 needs to be operated to return to the normal game.

  As described above, a game store clerk or the like replenished the bucket of the medal payout device with the medal emptying abnormality for the slot machine 100 in which the payout hold memory is full during the medal payout acceptance process and the game is interrupted, thereby eliminating the medal empty abnormality. When the reset switch 623 is operated later, when the medal payout acceptance process is performed by the timer interruption process in association with the resumption of the medal payout operation, the stored storage remains at the upper limit, and the process proceeds from step S802 to step S807. In step S808, it is determined that there is no medal stay detection, in step S810, it is determined that the sky detection flag is OFF, in step S811, it is determined that there is no medal sky detection, and in step S812, hopper drive information is acquired, and the medal payout device Drive pulses are supplied to the hopper motor, and the remaining number of requested medal payouts is used for tangible medals. Is the paying out from the medal payout device with.

  That is, in this medal payout acceptance process, if the medal payout device becomes empty and the medal payout is performed by addition to the payout hold memory, the payout hold memory reaches the upper limit value (the payout medal is changed). When it becomes impossible to move to the payout hold memory), the error status of the medal payout abnormality 2 is acquired as in the first settlement acceptance process, and the game in the slot machine 100 is interrupted, and the medal to the medal payout device It is assumed that the game in the slot machine 100 cannot be resumed unless the reset switch 326 is operated after the supply.

  Note that if the reset switch 326 is operated without eliminating the sky abnormality of the medal that caused the error, it is determined that the medal empty is detected in step S811 of the medal payout acceptance process even after the game is resumed. Since it is determined in S815 that the payout pending number is also full, the error status of the medal payout abnormality 2 is acquired again in Step S819, and the game is substantially suspended.

  Although the gaming table according to the present invention has been described based on the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment, and any equivalent is used unless the configuration described in the claims is changed. You may divert and implement technology.

It is a front view of a slot machine which is an example of a game table. It is a schematic block diagram of a main control part. It is a schematic block diagram of a sub-control part. It is a flowchart which shows the main process by the main control part. It is a flowchart which shows medal insertion / start operation reception processing. It is a flowchart which shows an error detection confirmation process. (A) is a flowchart which shows a 1st payment process. (B) is a flowchart which shows a 2nd payment process. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st payment acceptance process performed by a timer interruption. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd payment acceptance process performed by a timer interruption. It is a flowchart which shows the medal payout reception process performed with a timer interruption.

Explanation of symbols

100 Slot Machine 137 First Settlement Button 138 Second Settlement Button 300 Main Control Unit 310 CPU
312 ROM
313 RAM
324 First settlement button sensor 325 Second settlement button sensor 331 Hopper motor drive unit

Claims (4)

Based on the number of game media used in the game and the game start operation, whether or not to win the winning combination is determined by internal lottery, and based on whether or not the game result is a combination of symbols corresponding to the internal winning combination Game control means for determining a winning and determining the number of game media to be paid out based on the determination result;
Game medium storage means capable of storing and storing up to a predetermined upper limit number of game media to be paid out and game media to be paid out for winnings;
A game medium discharge device capable of discharging the game medium in the discharge game medium storage part from the game medium discharge port;
Game medium discharge control means for controlling the game medium discharge device to discharge the game medium;
As many game media as the number of payouts determined by the game control means are stored and stored in the game medium storage means, and as many game media as the number of payouts exceeding the storage upper limit of the game medium storage means are paid out by the game medium payout control means. Storage / dispensing control means to be controlled;
A gaming table having
A game medium payout holding means capable of storing, as electronic information, a payout hold memory, which is the number of game media for which payout has been put on hold under the control of the game medium payout control means;
The storage / dispensing control means has a first payout holding condition in which the game medium discharge operation by the game medium discharge device is not executed, and unpaid game media in which the payout control by the game medium payout control means has not ended. Based on the fact that both the second payout hold conditions are satisfied, the game medium payout holding means adds and stores unpaid game media in the game medium payout hold means, thereby allowing the game control means to continue the game ,
Number of electronic media game media stored in the game media storage means, electronic media game media stored in the game media payout holding means, and games that have been inserted into the game stand but are not yet used for games First payout instruction means that can be arbitrarily operated by the player to pay out and pay out game media for the total number of game media, which is the total amount of media;
Second settlement instruction means that can be arbitrarily operated by the player to settle the game medium of electronic information stored in the game medium payout suspension means;
With
In the first settlement process performed by the storage / dispensing control unit based on the operation of the first settlement instruction unit, the game media are discharged before the game media for the total number of game media are ejected from the game media ejection device. When the first payout hold condition is established in which the game medium cannot be discharged by the discharge device, an error is notified to stop the game by the game control means,
In the second settlement process performed by the storage / dispensing control means based on the operation of the second settlement instruction means, a memory transfer process is performed for transporting the payout hold memory of the game medium payout hold means to the game medium storage means. If the storage storage addition impossible condition that the number of stored storage of the game medium storing means is a predetermined upper limit number is satisfied before the storage transfer processing is completed, the game media corresponding to the payout reserved storage of the game medium payout storing means is stored. When a reserved game medium payout process to be paid out by the game medium payout control means is performed, and the first payout hold condition in which the game medium discharge operation by the game medium discharge device cannot be executed before the reserved game medium payout process is completed is satisfied In this case, the pending game medium payout process is stopped, and the second settlement process is terminated while leaving the unprocessed payout hold memory in the game medium payout holding means, but the game control means continues the game. Gaming table, characterized in that it was possible.   2. An informing means for informing that the game control by the game control means is continued after the establishment of the first payout hold condition in which the game medium discharge operation by the game medium discharge device is not executed. The game table described in 1. 2. The game control unit according to claim 1, wherein the game control unit is configured to stop the game control when a game continuation disabling condition in which a payout hold storage of the game medium payout hold unit reaches a predetermined upper limit number is satisfied. 2. The game table described in 2.   4. The game table according to claim 1, further comprising a payout hold memory number display means for visually displaying the number of payout hold memories stored in the game medium payout hold means.

Images