JP5704583B2 - Slot machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine in which a game is started when a player bets a game medal, and a game result is determined by a combination of symbols displayed on a reel.

  A slot machine, which is a gaming machine, includes a plurality of rotatable reels with symbols, and is configured to display symbols in a variable manner by rotating the reels according to an operation performed by a player. In a slot machine, a game is started when a player bets a game medal, and when the combination of symbols corresponding to the role determined by the winning combination determining means is displayed on the active line, the combination wins and the game medal is won. A game such as a payout is provided.

  In addition to the role in which game medals are paid out by winning a prize, the re-playing role (replay role) that automatically throws it into the next game without consuming the betting game medal. There is. Automatic insertion means automatically betting game medals. In a conventional general slot machine, a game medal is automatically inserted when a re-game is established, and therefore an additional game medal cannot be inserted in a game in which a re-game is in operation. On the other hand, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a slot machine that can accept the insertion of a game medal in a game after a re-game operation.

JP-A-6-190107

  However, in the slot machine of Patent Document 1, there is no disclosure of specific technical means regarding refusal to insert game medals, and so-called “medal swallowing” in a situation where additional insertion of game medals is impossible. There was a risk of an accident.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a slot machine in which a game medal can be safely inserted even in a game in which a re-game is activated by taking a means for rejecting the game medal when the game medal cannot be inserted. It is said.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention includes an insertion slot into which a game medal is inserted, a selector for selecting a game medal inserted through the insertion slot, and an arithmetic processing device that controls the progress of the game by arithmetic processing. A slot machine including a main control board, wherein the selector includes a blocker that moves to a position that allows or rejects game medals, and an insertion sensor that detects game medals. The control board sets a winning combination determination means that determines the winning combination by lottery when the start lever is operated, and the upper limit number of the specified number that can be bet on the game, on condition that a specified number of gaming medals are bet An upper limit number setting means, a bet number management means for managing the number of game medals bet on a game, a predetermined upper limit number is determined in advance, and an internal storage number of game medals is determined. Determining the winning combination, internal storage number management means for controlling, blocker control means for controlling the position of the blocker, game medal management means for executing control on game medals upon detection of game medals by the insertion sensor, and A random number generating means for updating a random number used to perform the game, and a signal input port to which at least an insertion sensor signal is input when a game medal is detected by the insertion sensor, and is determined by the winning combination determining means The winning combination includes at least a re-gamer, and the upper limit setting means sets the number of game medals bet on the previous game when the re-game player is established in the previous game to the specified number of the current game. The management means sets the number of game medals bet on the previous game as the number of bets on the current game when a re-game is established in the previous game, and The management means includes an upper limit number of the prescribed number set by the upper limit number setting means, a number of game medals stored by the betting number management means, and an internal storage number stored by the internal storage number management means The blocker control means controls the blocker from a position where the game medal acceptance is permitted to a position where the game medal acceptance is rejected when the result of the arithmetic processing is a predetermined result. When the specified number of game medals are bet and the start lever is operated, the blocker is controlled to a position where the game medals are not accepted. On the condition that the predetermined upper limit is not reached, the block is changed from a position where the acceptance of game medals is permitted to a position where game medals are accepted. In a game in which a re-player is not established in the previous game by controlling the rocker , a game medal from a position where it refuses to accept a game medal regardless of whether or not the internal storage number has reached the predetermined upper limit number. The blocker is controlled to a position where acceptance of the input is permitted, and the input sensor signal information input to the signal input port is acquired by an interrupt process executed at a predetermined cycle, and the main control board is configured to perform the arithmetic process. A first clock source for providing a system clock signal for operating the apparatus to the arithmetic processing unit, a second clock source for providing a random number clock signal to the random number generation means, and a first clock source from the first clock source. And a timer circuit for executing the interrupt processing based on the system clock signal.

  According to the slot machine of the present invention, a means for rejecting the insertion of a game medal even in a situation where the insertion of the game medal is impossible is provided. Thereby, it is possible to provide a slot machine in which a game medal can be safely inserted even during a re-game. In addition, it is possible to flexibly and easily cope with system control design changes such as signal input / output monitoring executed in interrupt processing of a predetermined cycle.

It is a front view showing the front appearance of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view showing the internal structure of the slot machine with the front door of FIG. 1 opened. It is a figure which illustrates the arrangement | sequence of the symbol attached | subjected to the reel of a slot machine, and the kind of the symbol. It is a front view of the medal payout device provided in the slot machine. FIG. 5 is a structural diagram of a payout mechanism when viewed from the AA arrow line in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a structural diagram of a payout mechanism section when viewed from the AA arrow line in FIG. 4, and is a view for explaining an operation. FIG. 5 is a structural diagram of the payout mechanism portion when viewed from the AA arrow line shown in FIG. 4, and further a diagram for explaining the operation. It is a front view which shows the internal structure of the selector with which a slot machine is equipped. FIG. 9 is a simplified vertical cross-sectional view of the blocker mechanism shown in FIG. 8, illustrating a state in which medal acceptance is permitted. FIG. 9 is a simplified vertical cross-sectional view of the blocker mechanism shown in FIG. 8, illustrating a state in which acceptance of medals is refused. It is a block diagram which illustrates the hardware system configuration which controls a slot machine. It is a block diagram illustrating an interface configuration around a signal input port provided in the MPU of the slot machine. It is a figure which illustrates the structure of the input data matched with the signal input port shown in FIG. It is a block diagram illustrating an interface configuration around a signal output port provided in the MPU of the slot machine. It is a block diagram which further illustrates the interface structure around the signal output port with which MPU of a slot machine is equipped. It is a block diagram which further illustrates the interface structure around the signal output port with which MPU of a slot machine is equipped. It is a block diagram which further illustrates the interface structure around the signal output port with which MPU of a slot machine is equipped. It is a block diagram which further illustrates the interface structure around the signal output port with which MPU of a slot machine is equipped. It is a figure which illustrates the structure of the output request data matched with the signal output port shown in FIGS. FIG. 30 is a block diagram illustrating a peripheral circuit related to a clock signal provided in a main control board of the slot machine. It is a time chart which shows game progress control processing and interval interruption processing in each thread on the vertical axis. It is a figure which illustrates the logical conversion process of the input data performed by an interruption process, and a rising data generation process. It is a figure which illustrates the kind of internal timer using an interruption process. It is a flowchart which illustrates game progress control processing. It is a flowchart which illustrates a game start process. It is a flowchart which illustrates a blocker signal output process. It is a flowchart which illustrates a medal management process. It is a flowchart which illustrates medal insertion processing. It is a flowchart which illustrates a selector error check process. It is a flowchart which illustrates a regulation upper limit number set process. It is a flowchart which illustrates a blocker signal stop process. It is a flowchart which illustrates 1 sheet bet processing. It is a flowchart which illustrates credit addition processing. It is a flowchart which illustrates bet operation reception processing. It is a flowchart which illustrates a settlement process. It is a flowchart which illustrates a credit clearing process. It is a flowchart which illustrates bet settlement processing. It is a flowchart which illustrates medal one piece payout processing. It is a flowchart which illustrates error display processing. It is a flowchart which illustrates a start lever check process. It is a figure which illustrates the structure of the input data obtained from the signal input port by the last interruption process. It is a figure which illustrates the structure of the rising data of the signal obtained from the signal input port. It is a figure which illustrates the structure of the output request data of the signal output from a signal output port. It is a figure which illustrates the structure of status flag data. It is a flowchart which illustrates other embodiment of a game start process.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the slot machine 10 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The slot machine 10 can be played with a specified number (1, 2, or 3) of game medals (hereinafter simply referred to as “medals”) bet and a reel 40L with a plurality of types of symbols. , 40C, 40R is a gaming machine capable of repeatedly executing a unit game whose result is determined by a combination of symbols displayed when the rotation of 40C, 40R is stopped. In the present specification, the “specified number” refers to the number of medals that can be bet on the game according to the game state.

[Front appearance configuration of slot machine]
First, the configuration of the slot machine 10 will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a front appearance of the slot machine 10. The slot machine 10 includes a casing that is a substantially rectangular box, and the front door 20 is provided so that the opening of the casing can be opened and closed. Normally, as shown in FIG. 1, the front door 20 is locked to the housing at a position where the opening is closed.

  The front door 20 is comprised by the panel member to which various designs were given for every model. The panel member of the front door 20 includes a central panel portion 30 at a middle position that is a game area for displaying symbols attached to the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R, and the reels 40L and 40C mainly below the central panel portion 30. , An operation panel unit 50 in which switches for performing game operations such as rotation and stop of 40R are arranged, and an upper panel in which lamps, speakers, etc. for game effects are mainly arranged above the central panel unit 30 A part 60 and a lower panel part 70 on which characters appearing in the game of the slot machine 10 are drawn below the operation panel part 50 are generally constituted. In addition, the front door 20 is assembled by the central panel part 30, the operation panel part 50, the upper panel part 60, the lower panel part 70, etc. which were unitized, respectively. Moreover, you may manufacture the front door 20 with one panel member by which these panel parts are comprised integrally.

  The middle panel 31 is provided with a middle panel 31 made of a resin plate such as hard acrylic. In the middle of the panel 31, a display window 32 composed of three rows of vertically-long rectangular transparent portions is formed. Through the display window 32, the slot machine 10 is capable of visually recognizing a total of nine frames of 3 rows x 3 frames on each of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R inside the housing.

  In the display window 32, a total of five lines crossing the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are set. These five lines include three horizontal lines (horizontal middle line L1, horizontal upper line L2A, horizontal lower line L2B) and two diagonal lines (diagonally lowering line L3A, Diagonally upwardly rising line L3B).

  In this specification, betting a medal on a slot machine is referred to as “bet”, and “number of bets” refers to the number of medals bet on the current game of the slot machine. Further, a variable (name of storage area) for managing the number of medals bet on a game may be simply referred to as “the number of bets”. In the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, regardless of the number of bets, only the horizontal middle line L1 is set as a reference line (hereinafter referred to as “effective line”) for winning determination. A plurality of valid lines may be selected according to the number of bets. In addition, the number of active lines may be set in advance to 5 or 4, and the winning probability of the combination may be different depending on the number of bets.

In addition to the display window 32 described above, the middle panel 31 of the central panel unit 30 is provided with various lamps and a display for notifying the player of various information regarding the game.
For example, three operation instruction lamps 33l, 33c, and 33r are provided adjacent to the display window 32. These operation instruction lamps 33l, 33c, and 33r correspond to the stop switches 56L, 56C, and 56R and the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R, respectively. For example, the operation instruction lamps 33l, 33c, and 33r are lit in an assist time (AT) game. This is used for notifying a player who assists the stop operation.

Further, below the middle panel 31, bet number display lamps 34a, 34b, 34c, a credit number display 35, and an obtained number display 36 are provided.
The bet number display lamps 34a, 34b, and 34c are lamps that display the number of medals bet on the game. That is, when the bet number is “1”, only the bet number display lamp 34a is lit, when the bet number is “2”, the bet number display lamps 34a and 34b are lit, and when the bet number is “3”, all bets are displayed. The number display lamps 34a, 34b and 34c are lit.

  The credit number display 35 is a two-digit 7-segment numerical display and displays the credit number credited to the slot machine 10.

  Here, “internal storage” means storage related to medals covered by the right of use (specifically bets, etc.) and disposal (specifically liquidation / refund, etc.) by the player. It does not refer to physical medal storage. “Credit” may refer to medals stored internally in the slot machine in addition to storing medals internally in the slot machine. The “credit number” means the number of medals stored in the slot machine. Further, a variable (name of storage area) for managing the number of medals that are credited may be simply referred to as “credit number”.

  The acquired number display 36 is a 2-digit 7-segment numerical value display, and displays the number of medals to be paid out to the player when a winning combination is established in the game. Note that, as a mode of paying out medals by winning a prize, there are a case where credit is given to the slot machine 10 and a case where a medal payout device 83 described later is driven to pay out medals from the medal payout exit 71.

  The operation panel 50 provided below the central panel 30 is formed with a table-like surface 50a whose upper surface is slightly inclined toward the player. A medal insertion slot 51 is provided on the right side of the table-like surface 50a. The medal insertion slot 51 is an “insertion slot” for the player to insert medals into the slot machine 10. Here, “insertion” of a medal means insertion of a medal into the slot machine 10 through the medal insertion slot 51 in this specification unless otherwise specified.

  Inside the medal slot 51 is provided a selector 28 for selecting whether the inserted medal is regular or irregular. Although details will be described later, the selector 28 includes a blocker 532 that moves to a position where the medal acceptance is permitted or rejected, and an insertion sensor that detects the inserted medal (the insertion first sensor 541 and the insertion second sensor 542). It has.

  Here, “accepting” a medal means physically accepting the inserted medal into the inside of the slot machine (specifically, the hopper 401). If a medal is inserted when the blocker 532 is in a position where it refuses to accept the medal, the medal is blocked by the blocker 532 and returned from the medal payout opening 71.

  On the left side of the table-like surface 50a of the operation panel unit 50, a single bet switch 52 and a max bet switch 54 are provided for the player to give an instruction to bet medals from credits. Although details will be described later, when the one-sheet bet switch 52 is operated, one coin from the medals credited to the slot machine 10 is bet on the game. When the max bet switch 54 is operated, three medals from the credited medals are bet. When a bet is placed by operating the single bet switch 52 or the maximum bet switch 54, the number of bet medals is subtracted from the credit, and accordingly, the display value of the credit number display 35 is also subtracted.

  When a player inserts a medal from the medal insertion slot 51 while no medals have been bet on the slot machine 10, the bet number display lamps 34a, 34b, 34c are sequentially turned on each time the medal is inserted. Medals according to the respective numbers are bet on the slot machine 10. Then, when the number of inserted medals reaches the maximum number of three, credits are added every time medals are inserted thereafter, and accordingly, the display value of the credit number display 35 is also added.

  A start lever 55 that can be tilted is provided on the left front portion of the operation panel 50. When the player operates the start lever 55 after betting medals on the slot machine 10, all the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R start to rotate at the same time. Thereby, the symbols printed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are scrolled and displayed from the top to the bottom through the display window 32.

  At the center of the front surface of the operation panel 50, there is a stop operation means 56 for performing an operation for stopping the rotation of the reels 40L, 40C, 40R by a player's pressing operation (this is referred to as a “stop operation”). Three stop switches 56L, 56C, and 56R are provided. The left end stop switch 56L corresponds to the left end reel (left reel) 40L, the center stop switch 56C corresponds to the center reel (middle reel) 40C, and the right end stop switch 56R corresponds to the right end reel (right reel) 40R. It corresponds to.

  That is, in the slot machine 10, the reel 40L is stopped when the stop switch 56L is operated with respect to the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R rotated by the tilting operation of the start lever 55, and the reel 40C is stopped when the stop switch 56C is operated. When the stop switch 56R is operated, the reel 40R is configured to stop.

  Further, a clearing switch 57 for clearing and paying back a betted (betted) medal or an internally stored (credited) medal is provided on the right front portion of the operation panel unit 50.

  The upper panel portion 60 positioned above the central panel portion 30 is provided with an image display device 61 formed of, for example, a color liquid crystal display at the central portion. The image display device 61 displays, for example, an animation developed as the game progresses as an effect image. The display device provided in the slot machine may not be the image display device 61 but may be a dot matrix display device, for example. Further, the game history and the internal lottery result information may be directly displayed with characters, symbols, or the like, or such information may be coded and displayed. That is, as the display device, any type of display means suitable for the application and purpose can be used.

  The upper panel portion 60 is provided with an upper lamp 62 and corner lamps 63L and 63R. For example, when the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are stopped and any combination is established, the upper lamp 62 and the corner lamps 63L and 63R are turned on and blinked in a pattern corresponding to the combination, thereby establishing the combination. Produce visually.

  The upper panel 60 is provided with stereo speakers 64L and 64R. For example, the effect sound is output via the speakers 64L and 64R along with the effect image of the moving image displayed by the image display device 61.

  A medal payout outlet 71 and a tray 72 are provided in the lower panel portion 70 located below the central panel portion 30. The medal payout opening 71 is formed as an opening for paying out the medal from the medal payout device 83 housed in the housing of the slot machine 10 to the tray 72.

  Speakers 73L and 73R are provided on the left and right sides of the lower part of the lower panel 70. For example, when any combination is established in the game, sound effects linked to lighting and blinking of the effect lamps such as the upper lamp 62 and the corner lamps 63L and 63R are output through the speakers 73L and 73R.

[Internal structure of slot machine]
FIG. 2 is a view showing the internal structure of the slot machine 10 with the front door 20 opened. As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 10 includes a rectangular box-shaped casing 80, and the casing 80 is closed and locked by the front door 20 during the game.

  A reel device 40 that rotatably supports the three reels 40L, 40C, and 40R is provided on the horizontal frame in the housing 80 so as to face the central panel portion 30 of the front door 20. In the reel device 40, the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are provided such that their rotation axes coincide with one horizontal straight line. The reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are driven to rotate independently by stepping motors 41L, 41C, and 41R fixed to the frame of the reel device 40, respectively.

  FIG. 3 shows an arrangement example of symbols attached to the left reel 40L, the middle reel 40C, and the right reel 40R. Symbol positions “0” to “19” that are incremented by 1 along the direction of rotation of the reels are assigned to symbols attached to the left reel 40L, the middle reel 40C, and the right reel 40R. In addition, a type code is assigned to each type of symbol. A symbol arrangement table in which symbol position numbers and type codes are associated with each reel 40L, 40C, 40R is stored in the ROM 1012 of the main control board 100 described later.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, as a symbol attached to the reel, those having a motif of “bell”, “watermelon”, numerals “7”, “cherry” and the like are generally used. However, these symbol motifs are only traditionally used, and can be appropriately selected according to the type of slot machine, the theme, the characters that appear. Also, the number of symbols on the reel is not limited to 20 symbols, and any number such as 21 symbols can be adopted.

  Referring to FIG. 2 again, at the bottom of the housing 80, there are a power supply unit 82 for supplying power to various devices and apparatuses mounted on the slot machine 10, and a medal payout device 83 as a “payout device”. Be contained. The medal payout device 83 includes a hopper 401 capable of storing a plurality of medals. A main control board 100 as a “main control board” is provided on the back plate of the housing 80. The main control board 100 mainly controls the progress of the game in the slot machine 10.

  On the back side of the front door 20, an upper panel unit 22 including speakers 21 </ b> L and 21 </ b> R is provided on the upper stage. The upper panel unit 22 is configured as a unit including the above-described image display device 61, the upper lamp 62, the corner lamps 63L, 63R and the like on the front side in addition to the speakers 21L, 21R. Further, the sub control board 200 is fixed to the back side of the upper panel unit 22. The sub control board 200 as the “sub control board” mainly controls the effects of the game based on the command transmitted from the main control board 100.

  A selector 28 that performs selection and detection of medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 51 is provided in the middle step on the rear side of the front door 20. Details of the selector 28 will be described later. Below the selector 28, a chute 24 that guides medals determined to be legitimate by the selector 28 to the hopper 401 of the medal payout device 83, and a medal payout outlet 71 that is judged to be a non-regular medal or a foreign object. A guiding medal return path 25 is provided. In addition, the above-described speakers 26L and 26R are provided in the lower part of the rear side of the front door 20, respectively.

[Medal payout device]
Next, the configuration of the medal payout device 83 will be described. FIG. 4 is a front view of the medal payout device 83. The medal payout device 83 receives a medal from the upper opening and stores the hopper 401 that is located at the bottom of the hopper 401 and releases the medal stored in the hopper to the outside one by one from the medal discharge port 402a. And a payout mechanism unit 402 for dispensing.

  Here, FIG. 5 is a structural diagram of the payout mechanism unit 402 when viewed from the AA arrow line of FIG. 4, and a part of the rotation capturing plate 403 is shown broken away. FIGS. 6 and 7 are structural views of the payout mechanism 402 when viewed from the same position as in FIG. 5, in which the transporting road surface 407 is shown broken away to explain the operation of the payout sensors 411 and 412. Yes.

  The payout mechanism 402 includes the rotation capture plate 403 in which a plurality of capture holes 403a for capturing the medals stored in the hopper 401 described above and the transport plate 404 in contact with the lower side surface of the rotation capture plate 403 described above. The hopper 401 is provided so as to be integrally rotated by a payout motor 420 at the position of the bottom surface of the hopper 401.

  The rotation capturing plate 403 has a substantially disc shape, and a plurality of capturing holes 403a, which are circular holes that have a slightly larger diameter than the medal and penetrate therethrough, are formed in the circumferential direction. A rotation shaft 420a of a built-in payout motor 420 is fixed to the center position of the rotation capturing plate 403. The conveyance plate 404 is in contact with the lower surface of the rotation capturing plate 403 and is fixed to the rotation shaft 420a of the dispensing motor 420 at the center position. That is, the rotation capturing plate 403 and the conveyance plate 404 are attached so that the driving torque of the payout motor 420 is directly transmitted through a common rotating shaft 420a and rotates integrally.

  The conveyance plate 404 extends radially from the position just below the catching hole 403a in a radial direction between the bay entry portion 404a cut into the center axis direction and cut into the bay entry portion 404a adjacent to each other. A pushing projection 404b whose tip end portion gently bends in the direction opposite to the rotation direction is formed.

  A substantially circular conveyance path surface 407 including a rotation area of the rotation capturing plate 403 and the conveyance plate 404 is formed in a concave shape on the inclined upper surface portion of the payout mechanism unit 402.

  With this configuration, the medal captured through the capture hole 403 a of the rotation capture plate 403 is held in a gap space defined by the conveyance path surface 407, the bay portion 404 a of the conveyance plate 404 and the rotation capture plate 403. Then, by driving the payout motor 420 and rotating the transport plate 404, the held medal is pressed by the pushing projection 404b, constrained by the transport path surface 407, and circulated and transported to the medal discharge port 402a.

  Further, a discharge path surface 408 is formed between the transport path surface 407 and the medal discharge port 402a. A fixed pin roller 413 whose axial position is fixed is provided on one side wall of the discharge path surface 408, and a movable pin roller 414 whose axial position is movable is provided at a position where the discharge path surface 408 is blocked.

  The axis of the movable pin roller 414 is provided on the light-shielding base 410 that is rotatably attached around the support shaft 410a on the back surface side of the discharge path surface 408. That is, as the movable pin roller 414 reciprocates to a position close to the fixed pin roller 413 (close side) and a position away from the fixed pin roller 413 (open side), the light shielding base 410 reciprocates around the support shaft 410a. Is provided.

  The light shielding base 410 is always urged by the coil spring 415 toward the side where the pin roller 414 is closed. Further, on the back surface side of the conveyance path surface 407, a payout first sensor 411 and a payout second sensor 412 are provided which are made of a photo interrupter that detects the rotation position of the light shielding base 410. The payout sensor for detecting the payout of medals by the medal payout device 83 of the present embodiment includes the payout first sensor 411 and the payout second sensor 412. Note that the payout sensor may be constituted by one photosensor.

  Next, the operation of the medal payout device 83 having such a configuration will be described. When paying out medals, a payout drive signal is output to the payout motor 420, and the payout motor 420 rotates the rotation capturing plate 403 and the transport plate 404 in the clockwise direction shown in FIGS. At this time, when the medal M held on the transport plate 404 is transported in the circumferential direction and comes into contact with the pair of pin rollers 413 and 414 in the closed state, the pressing force by the pushing protrusion 404b is applied to the two pin rollers via the medal M. Acting on 413 and 414, the movable pin roller 414 is pushed and spread to the opening side against the urging force of the coil spring 415 (see FIG. 6). At this time, the light shielding base 410 is slightly rotated, and the payout first sensor 411 is first shielded from light and activated (turned on). The coil spring 415 stores elastic energy due to expansion.

  When the transport plate 404 further rotates and the center of the medal M exceeds a line connecting the axes of the pin rollers 413 and 414 (at this time, the pin rollers 413 and 414 are in a position in which they are most separated from each other), the light shielding base 410 is The payout second sensor 412 is released from light shielding and activated (turned on), and the elastic contraction force by the coil spring 415 acts in the direction of releasing the medal M (see FIG. 7). For this reason, the elastic energy accumulated in the coil spring 415 is released at once, and the medal M is urged and pushed out by the movable pin roller 414 moving toward the closing side to the discharge path surface 408, and is released to the outside from the medal discharge port 402a. .

In the above-described embodiment, the payout sensors 411 and 412 are configured by two transmissive photosensors. However, the payout sensor may be a reflective photosensor that is turned on by reflected light from the detection target. Further, the payout sensor may be one as long as it detects the movement of the movable roller 414. Specifically, the payout sensor can be configured as a photosensor that is turned on at a position where the movable roller 414 is separated from the fixed pin roller 413.
In the above-described embodiment, the rotation capturing plate 403 and the transport plate 404 are configured as separate members. However, these functions are used as one rotating member in which the capturing hole for capturing the medal and the bay entry portion for transporting the medals communicate with each other. May be realized.

[selector]
Next, the configuration of the selector 28 will be described. Here, FIG. 8 is a front view showing the internal structure with the front cover covering the substantially lower half of the selector 28 removed. The selector 28 includes a rectangular case 501 integrally formed of synthetic resin such as hard plastic.

  The selector 28 is assembled such that a case front surface 502 positioned in front of the case 501 and a front cover (not shown) face each other with a gap. In these gaps, a medal guide passage 523 is formed from the medal entrance 521 to the medal exit 522 at the lower right.

  In the vicinity of the medal inlet 521 of the selector 28, an adjustment screw 504 for excluding a medal having a thickness greater than a specified thickness is provided so as to protrude from the case front surface 502 (medal guide passage 523) of the case 501.

  In the vicinity of the medal outlet 522 of the selector 28, a first insertion sensor 541 and a second insertion sensor 542, which are “insertion sensors” that detect medals that have passed through a blocker mechanism 530 described later, are provided. The throwing first sensor 541 and the throwing second sensor 542 are configured as photosensors that are turned on when the light reflected by the opposed reflecting portions 540 is blocked by a medal.

  Further, at least upstream of the blocker mechanism 530 (on the medal inlet 521 side), an insertion monitoring sensor 543 having a flap that can swing in the medal guide passage 523 is provided. The insertion monitoring sensor 543 is configured as a photo sensor that detects the rotation of the flap due to the passage of a medal inserted from the medal entrance 521.

  The blocker mechanism 530 is provided in the medal guide passage 523 on the upstream side of the insertion sensor, and includes at least a blocker 532 that moves to a position where the medal acceptance is permitted or rejected. Here, FIGS. 9 and 10 are simplified longitudinal sectional views for explaining the operation of the blocker mechanism 530 also shown in FIG. FIG. 9 shows a state where the blocker 532 permits the acceptance of medals (blocker ON), and FIG. 10 shows a state where the blocker 532 refuses the acceptance of medals (blocker OFF).

  As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, a rail portion 512 is formed on the lower edge of the medal guide passage 523 so as to protrude from the front surface 502 of the case so that the outer peripheral surface of the medal can be placed and rolled. An inclined plate 513 for sliding the medal toward the medal drop opening 503 is attached to the case 501 along the front edge of the rail portion 512.

  The blocker mechanism 530 includes a solenoid 533 fixed behind the case front surface 502, a blocker 532 pivotally supported with respect to the case front surface 502 via a shaft pin 534, and a lower end side supported to turn on the solenoid 533. Mainly provided is a metal working plate 531 that swings on / off (ON / OFF). The blocker 532 is always urged to the side (the side shown in FIG. 10) where the blocker claw 532a enters the medal guide passage 523 via the torsion spring 535 shown in FIG. Further, the operating plate 531 is always urged to the side away from the solenoid 533 (the side shown in FIG. 10) via a spring (not shown).

  The selector 28 having such a configuration operates as follows. Only medals having a constant outer diameter and thickness are selected from medals inserted from the medal entrance 521, and the rail unit 512 rolls to move to the blocker mechanism unit 530.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the “blocker ON (ON)” state in which the blocker signal is output and the solenoid 533 is excited, the operation plate 531 is attracted by the magnetic force of the solenoid 533. At this time, the operating plate 531 swings toward the solenoid 533 side, and the upper pressing portion 531a contacts and presses the upper pressure receiving portion 532a of the blocker 532. As a result, the blocker 532 is closed so that the front opening / closing plate 532c is parallel to the front surface 502 of the case, and the blocker claw 532a is retracted from the medal guide passage 523 and stopped.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the “blocker is in a position where the medal is allowed to be received” means that the open / close plate 532c of the blocker 532 is closed to form the medal guide passage 523, and the blocker claw 532a which is the tip is the medal guide. It means being in a position for retreating from the passage 523. At this position, a medal guide passage 523, which is a space for allowing medals to pass between the case front surface 502 and the blocker 532, is secured, so that medals moving on the rail portion 512 pass the blocker mechanism portion 530. Can do.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, when the output of the blocker signal is stopped and the solenoid 533 is in a non-excited “blocker off (OFF)” state, the operation plate 531 stops at a position away from the solenoid 533. In this state, the pressing portion 531a at the upper portion of the operating plate 531 is separated from the pressure receiving portion 532a at the upper portion of the blocker 532, and the blocker 532 is inclined by the urging force of the torsion spring 535 (see FIG. 8). As a result, the blocker 532 stops at a position where the opening / closing plate 532c is opened and the blocker claw 532a is entered into the medal guide passage 523.

  The “position where the blocker refuses to accept the medal” means that the opening / closing plate 532c is opened and the blocker claw 532a enters the medal guide passage 523 as shown in FIG. In other words, at this blocker off (OFF) position, a medal moving on the rail portion 512 collides with the blocker claw 532a, slides down on the inclined plate 513, and is eliminated to the medal drop opening 503.

[System configuration of slot machine]
Next, the overall system configuration of the slot machine 10 will be described. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a hardware system configuration for controlling the slot machine 10. The main control board 100 is a main control board that mainly controls the progress of the game. The main control board 100 is mounted with an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) 101 including a CPU 1011, a ROM 1012, a RAM 1013, and the like. The CPU 1011 of the MPU 101 executes arithmetic processing in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 1012, whereby game progress and overall system control in the slot machine 10 are executed.

  On the main control board 100, switches for game operations such as a start lever 55, stop switches 56L, 56C and 56R, a single bet switch 52, a max bet switch 54 and a checkout switch 57 shown in FIG. A relay board (for example, a central display board provided on the back side of the front door 20) and a harness are connected. In addition, switches may be connected only by a harness without a relay board | substrate.

In addition, the main control board 100 includes display units such as bet number display lamps 34a, 34b, 34c, a credit number display 35, an obtained number display 36, and a medal insertion waiting lamp 37 such as an arbitrary relay board (for example, the front door 20). And a central display board provided on the back surface side) and a harness. The lamps may be connected only by a harness without using a relay board.
The MPU 101 of the main control board 100 can light up the bet number display lamps 34a, 34b, and 34c according to the bet number of medals bet by the one bet switch 52 or the max bet switch 54 or the like. Further, the MPU 101 converts information such as the number of credits stored in the RAM 1013 and the number of paid out medals into a numeric segment code as needed, and displays it on the credit number display unit 35 and the acquired number display unit 36. be able to.

  The selector 28 is connected to the main control board 100 via an arbitrary relay board (for example, a central display board provided on the back side of the front door 20) and a harness. That is, sensor signals from the input first and second input sensors 541 and 542 and the input monitoring sensor 543 provided in the selector 28 are input to the main control board 100, and the main control board is provided to the solenoid 533 provided in the selector 28. They are connected to each other so that blocker signals from 100 are output. The selector 28 may be connected only by a harness without using a relay board.

  Further, the main control board 100 is provided with a motor drive circuit 500 for rotating the stepping motors 41L, 41C, 41R connected to the reels 40L, 40C, 40R on a dedicated relay board (for example, above the reel device 40). It is connected via a rotating device board) and a harness. The motor drive circuit 500 outputs a drive pulse signal for accelerating and controlling the rotation of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R and an excitation stop signal for stopping the rotation of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R to the stepping motor 41L, Output to 41C and 41R. Further, rotation reference sensors 43L, 43C, and 43R that output signals (rotation reference position signals) indicating the rotation reference positions of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are connected to the main control board 100.

  Further, the medal payout device 83 is connected to the main control board 100 via an arbitrary relay board (for example, a payout board) and a harness. That is, to the payout motor 420 provided in the medal payout device 83, a payout drive signal for driving the payout motor is output from the main control board 100, and the payout first sensor 411 provided in the medal payout device 83 and the payout first The two sensors 412 are connected to each other so that a payout detection signal is input to the main control board 100. The medal payout device 83 may be connected only by a harness without using a relay board.

  Next, the sub-control board 200 is a sub-control unit that includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, and a RAM 203. The CPU 201 receives commands and game progress information transmitted from the main control board 100, and executes arithmetic processing according to programs stored in the ROM 202 in accordance with these various commands. Performs control related to game effects.

  On the sub-control board 200, lighting lamps such as an upper lamp 62 and corner lamps 63L, 63R, speakers 64L, 64R, 73L, 73R, operation instruction lamps 33l, 33c, 33r, and the like are wired to the front door 20. Connected through a wire harness.

  The sub-control board 200 reads image data selected as needed from the image data memory, generates a video signal in which the synchronization signal, the luminance signal, and the color signal are combined, and sends a moving image based on the video signal to the image display device 61. Control the display. The sub-control board 200 drives the lamps such as the upper lamp 62 and the corner lamps 63L and 63R to turn on and blink, and reads voice data such as announcements and musical sounds from the voice data memory and converts them into sound signals. The speakers 64L, 64R, 73L, and 73R are configured to ring based on the generated sound signal after amplification.

[Signal input / output port]
Next, examples of signal input ports and signal output ports provided in the MPU 101 of the main control board 100 will be specifically described. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating the interface configuration around the signal input ports IP10 to IP27.

(Signal input port)
The signal input ports IP10 to IP27 are configured as input bit terminals of the information holding circuits 91 and 93 connected to the data bus of the MPU 101. Address decoders 92 and 94 connected to the address bus of the MPU 101 are connected to select (enable) inputs and reset inputs of the information holding circuits 91 and 93, respectively.

  The start lever switch provided in the above-described start lever 55 is electrically connected to the signal input port IP10 which is an input bit terminal of the first information holding circuit 91. Further, the left, middle and right stop switches 56L, 56C and 56R are connected to the signal input ports IP11 to IP13 of the first information holding circuit 91, and the single bet switch 52 and the maximum bet are connected to the signal input ports IP15 to IP17. A switch 54 and a clearing switch 57 are electrically connected to each other. For example, there may be an “unused” port to which no switches or sensors are connected, such as the signal input port IP14.

  Similarly, the rotation reference sensors 43L, 43C, and 43R of the left, middle, and right reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are electrically connected to the signal input ports IP20 to IP22 of the second information holding circuit 93, respectively. The payout first sensor 411 and the payout first sensor 412 of the medal payout device 83 are electrically connected to IP23 to IP24, respectively, and the input first sensor 541 and the input second sensor of the selector 28 are connected to the signal input ports IP24 to IP27. 542 and the input monitoring sensor 543 are electrically connected to each other.

  Each of the information holding circuits 91 and 93 is configured as a memory circuit capable of storing and holding 1 byte (8 bits) of input data, for example, and a predetermined address (label) is assigned to each information holding circuit in advance. Here, FIG. 13 illustrates the configuration of input data associated with the signal input ports IP10 to IP17 and IP20 to IP27 according to the present embodiment.

  The signal state of H (high voltage level) / L (low voltage level) output from the switches such as the start lever 55 and the stop switches 56L, 56C, 56R is information assigned with the address referenced by the label _IP_SWITCH. It is temporarily held in the holding circuit 91. Similarly, the H / L signal states output from the sensors such as the rotation reference sensors 43L, 43C, 43R and the closing sensors 541 to 543 are transferred to the information holding circuit 93 to which the address referred to by the label _IP_SENSOR is assigned. Temporarily retained.

  The state information of each of the signal input ports IP10 to IP27 held by the information holding circuits 91 and 93 is read into the register of the MPU 101 or the RAM 1013 by an interval interrupt process with a predetermined period described later. More specifically, the MPU 101 selects an address decoder 92 by designating an address corresponding to the label_IP_SWITCH in the address bus during the interrupt process. When the address decoder 92 outputs an enable signal to the information holding circuit 91, 1-byte input data held by the information holding circuit 91 is output to the data bus, whereby the signal state from the above-described switches is changed. The MPU 101 is configured to be recognized.

  Similarly, the MPU 101 designates the address corresponding to the label _IP_SENSOR during the interrupt process and selects the address decoder 94, whereby the 1-byte input data held by the information holding circuit 93 is output to the data bus. The signal state from the sensors is recognized by the MPU 101.

  In the interval interrupt processing, logical conversion processing to input data read into the register of the MPU 101, generation processing of signal rise data to each input port, and the like are also executed. The details will be described later.

  In addition, regarding the switches such as the start lever 55 and the stop switches 56L, 56C, 56R, the information read from the information holding circuit 91 is provided on condition that the operation acceptance permission flag is set to ON in the game progress control process. It may be treated as valid. For example, only when the start lever acceptance permission flag is on, the MPU 101 can treat the bit information (the first bit D0 of _IP_SWITCH) corresponding to the signal input port IP10 read from the information holding circuit 91 as valid. On the other hand, when the start lever acceptance permission flag is OFF, the MPU 101 does not have to treat the bit information (the first bit D0 of _IP_SWITCH) corresponding to the read signal input port IP10 as valid.

  The information holding circuits 91 and 93 may be mounted on the main control board 100 as external circuits instead of the MPU 101 internal circuits. Further, the circuit diagram of FIG. 12 and the data configuration of FIG. 13 are merely examples, and the input configuration of each switch and sensor may be arbitrarily determined.

(Signal output port)
Next, signal output ports provided in the MPU 101 will be described. Here, FIGS. 14 to 18 are block diagrams illustrating interface configurations around the signal output ports OP10 to OP57, respectively.

  The signal output ports OP10 to OP57 are configured as output bit terminals of the gate circuits 113, 117, 121, 125, and 130 connected to the information holding circuits 111, 115, 119, 123, and 128 connected to the data bus of the MPU 101, respectively. Has been.

  In FIG. 14, the address decoder 112 connected to the address bus of the MPU 101 is connected to the select (enable) input and reset input of the information holding circuit 111. The information holding circuit 111 is configured as a 1-byte (8-bit) memory circuit to which an address (label_OP_REL_L) is assigned in advance, and takes in and holds each bit information of the data bus when selected by the address decoder 112. . Further, the gate circuit 113 converts the holding information of the information holding circuit 111 corresponding to the bit (port) designated by the address decoder 112 into a shaped and current-amplified signal and outputs it to the signal output ports OP10 to OP17. It is configured. That is, the gate circuit 113 has eight gate circuit elements corresponding to each bit of the information holding circuit 111.

  The signal output ports OP10 to OP13 are connected to the φ0 to φ3 phase terminals of the stepping motor 41L of the left reel 40L via the motor drive circuit 500, respectively. Further, the 7-segment LED of the first digit of the acquired number display 36 is connected to the signal output ports OP14 to OP17 via the 7-segment coder 114.

  In FIG. 15, the address decoder 116 connected to the address bus is connected to the select (enable) input and the reset input of the information holding circuit 115. The information holding circuit 115 is configured as a 1-byte 1-byte (8-bit) memory circuit to which an address (label_OP_REL_C) is assigned in advance, and takes in each bit information of the data bus when selected by the address decoder 116. Hold. Further, the gate circuit 117 converts the holding information of the information holding circuit 115 corresponding to the bit (port) designated by the address decoder 116 into a shaped and current-amplified signal and outputs it to the signal output ports OP20 to OP27. It is configured. That is, the gate circuit 117 has eight gate circuit elements corresponding to each bit of the information holding circuit 115.

  The signal output ports OP20 to OP23 are connected to the φ0 to φ3 phase terminals of the stepping motor 41C of the middle reel 40C via the motor drive circuit 500, respectively. The signal output ports OP24 to OP27 are connected to the second-digit 7-segment LED of the acquired number display 36 via the 7-segment coder 118.

  In FIG. 16, the address decoder 120 connected to the address bus is connected to the select (enable) input and the reset input of the information holding circuit 119. The information holding circuit 119 is configured as a 1-byte (8-bit) memory circuit to which an address (label_OP_REL_R) is assigned in advance, and fetches and holds each bit information of the data bus when selected by the address decoder 120. . Further, the gate circuit 121 converts the holding information of the information holding circuit 119 corresponding to the bit (port) instructed by the address decoder 120 into a shaped and current-amplified signal and outputs it to the signal output ports OP30 to OP37. It is configured. That is, the gate circuit 121 has eight gate circuit elements corresponding to each bit of the information holding circuit 119.

  The signal output ports OP30 to OP33 are connected to the φ0 to φ3 phase terminals of the stepping motor 41R of the right reel 40R through the motor drive circuit 500, respectively. Further, the 7-segment LED of the first digit of the credit amount display 35 is connected to the signal output ports OP34 to OP37 via the 7-segment coder 122.

  In FIG. 17, an address decoder 124 connected to an address bus is connected to a select (enable) input and a reset input of the information holding circuit 123. The information holding circuit 123 is configured as an 8-byte (8-bit) memory circuit to which an address (for example, label_OP_BLK_HPM shown in FIG. 19) is assigned in advance, and when the address decoder 124 selects the data bus Capture and hold each bit information. Further, the gate circuit 125 converts the holding information of the information holding circuit 123 corresponding to the bit (port) instructed by the address decoder 124 into a shaped and current-amplified signal and outputs it to the signal output ports OP40 to OP47. It is configured. That is, the gate circuit 125 has eight gate circuit elements corresponding to each bit of the information holding circuit 123.

  A solenoid 533 that drives a blocker 532 of the selector 28 is connected to the signal output port OP40 via an appropriate drive circuit 127a mounted on the main control board 100. Further, a payout motor 420 of the medal payout device 83 is connected to the signal output port OP41 via an appropriate drive circuit 127b that is also mounted on the main control board 100. A 7-segment LED of the second digit of the credit number display 35 is connected to the signal output ports OP44 to OP47 via a 7-segment coder 126.

  In FIG. 18, an address decoder 129 connected to the address bus is connected to the select (enable) input and reset input of the information holding circuit 128. The information holding circuit 128 is configured as a 1-byte (8-bit) memory circuit to which an address (label_OP_LMP1) is assigned in advance, and takes in and holds each bit information of the data bus when selected by the address decoder 129. . Further, the gate circuit 130 converts the holding information of the information holding circuit 128 corresponding to the bit (port) instructed by the address decoder 129 into a shaped and current amplified signal and outputs it to the signal output ports OP50 to OP57. It is configured. That is, the gate circuit 130 has eight gate circuit elements corresponding to each bit of the information holding circuit 128.

  The signal output ports OP50 to OP53 are respectively connected to bet number display lamps 34a, 34b, 34c and a medal insertion waiting lamp 37 via an appropriate drive circuit 131 mounted on the main control board 100. LED lamps for information notification (including those installed inside the housing) may optionally be connected to the other signal output ports OP54 to OP57.

  Here, FIG. 19 illustrates the configuration of the output request data associated with the signal output ports OP10 to OP17, OP20 to OP27, OP30 to OP37, OP40 to OP47, and OP50 to OP57 according to the present embodiment.

  In the main game progress control process, an output request for a signal to be output from the signal output port is set. Then, the signal for which the output request has been set is actually output from the signal output port in an interval interrupt process of a predetermined period described later. Here, “setting an output request” means storing state information of a signal to be output in a corresponding memory area to which an address (address) is assigned in advance.

  Specifically, for example, in the process of setting a blocker signal output request, the MPU 101 performs the first bit D0 (corresponding to the blocker signal) in the memory area of the address (address) corresponding to the label _PT_BLK_HPM during the main game progress process. ) Is executed to store 1-byte output request data with "1" set. In the next interrupt process, the address decoder 124 of the address corresponding to the label _OP_BLK_HPM is selected, and the information holding circuit 123 connected thereto is enabled. As a result, the output request data on the data bus is captured and held in the information holding circuit 123 (see FIG. 17).

  Also, for example, in the process of winning a small role and setting an output request for displaying the number of acquired medals, the binary 4 bit information of the first decimal number of the acquired number to be displayed by the MPU 101 is an address corresponding to the label _OP_REL_L Are stored in the upper 4 bits D4 to D7, and the binary 4-bit information of the second decimal digit is stored in the upper 4 bits D4 to D7 in the memory area of the address corresponding to the label_OP_REL_C. The label_OP_REL_L corresponds to the address of the information holding circuit 111, and the label_OP_REL_C corresponds to the address of the information holding circuit 115. For this reason, numerical information of the first digit of the acquired number to be displayed is held in the information holding circuit 111, and numerical information of the second digit is held in the information holding circuit 115 (see FIGS. 15 and 16).

  Then, in the next interrupt process in which the output request is set, the gate circuits 113, 117, 121, 125, and 130 are turned on, whereby the bits held in the information holding circuits 111, 115, 119, 123, and 128 are turned on. Are actually output as signals via the corresponding signal output ports.

  FIG. 43 shows an example of the configuration of output request data set for outputting a signal from the signal output port. In this embodiment, for example, in _PT_BLK_HPM, which is one of output request data to which a predetermined address is assigned to the RAM 1013, at least the first bit D0 corresponding to the blocker signal and the second bit D1 corresponding to the payout drive signal are 1 Included in byte data. In this way, by including the bit for requesting the output of the blocker signal and the payout drive signal in the 1-byte data, the main game progress control process uses this 1-byte data for the RAM 1013 referred to by the _PT_BLK_HPM. The output processing of both the blocker signal and the payout drive signal can be completed with only the command stored in the memory area (that is, one step command). In the interval interrupt process, these signals are output from the signal output port in one step, so that the processing load on the MPU 101 can be reduced.

  Even during the period when the output request is set, for example, the code signal to the 7-segment LED and the lamp display signal to the LED lamp are processes for turning off the corresponding gate circuit at the end of each interrupt process. May be included. In such a process, in practice, the LED blinks at high speed in the interrupt process cycle. However, since the LED blinks at a high speed, it seems that the LED is continuously lit up to the player's eyes, and does not cause any trouble or discomfort in the game.

  Further, the gate circuits 113, 117, 121, 125, and 130 described above may be mounted on the main control board 100 as external circuits instead of the internal circuits of the MPU 101. Further, the configurations of FIGS. 14 to 19 are merely examples, and the output configurations of the display signals and the drive signals may be arbitrarily determined.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 20, a peripheral circuit related to a clock signal provided in the main control board 100 will be described.

  The MPU 101 that is the arithmetic processing unit of the main control board 100 receives the first clock input terminal to which the system clock signal SCLK from the first clock source 105 is input and the random clock signal RCLK from the second clock source 107. And a second clock input terminal. The first clock source 105 and the second clock source 107 are composed of independent oscillation circuits. Therefore, the system clock signal SCLK and the random number clock signal RCLK can be made asynchronous signals having different clock frequencies (periods) and phases.

  The MPU 101 includes a clock circuit 1014, a timer counter (programmable timer counter; PTC) 1015, an interrupt controller 1016, and a random number counter 1017 as circuits related to processing of the clock signals SCLK and RCLK. And built-in.

  The clock circuit 1014 divides the system clock signal SCLK from the first clock source 105 by a predetermined division ratio n1, and divides the random number clock signal RCLK from the second clock source 107 by a predetermined division ratio n2. It is a circuit to do. The two frequency division ratios n1 and n2 may be the same value or different. For example, when a predetermined frequency dividing ratio n1 is “2” and a system clock signal SCLK of 12 MHz is input from the first clock source 105, an operation clock signal of 6 MHz obtained by dividing the frequency by 2 is input to the CPU 1011. At the same time, a 6 MHz clock signal is also input to the timer counter (PTC) 1015.

  The timer counter 1015 is a circuit that generates an interval interrupt signal INT for causing the CPU 1011 to start an interrupt process based on the system clock signal SCLK from the first clock source 105. The timer counter 1015 is configured such that the cycle of the interval interrupt signal INT can be changed based on the value of a PTC setting register that is one of special registers provided in the MPU 101. That is, the timer counter 1015 sets “−1” every time the system clock signal SCLK is input with the value set in the PTC setting register as the initial value of the counter, and the interval interrupt signal when the counter value becomes “0”. It is configured to output INT to the interrupt controller 1016.

For example, as can be calculated by the following equation, when the frequency of the system clock signal SCLK is 12 MHz, the division ratio n1 of the clock circuit 1014 is “2”, and the value of the PTC setting register is “13410”, the cycle of the system clock signal SCLK 2 × 13410 times to generate an interval interrupt signal INT having a period of 2.235 milliseconds.

12 MHz / (2 × 13410) = 447 Hz (= 2.235 msec)

  The random number counter 1017 is a circuit that updates the random number counter value based on the random number clock signal RCLK from the second clock source 107. The random number generation means described later includes the second clock source 107 and the random number counter 1017 as components, and the winning combination determining means uses the random number counter value indicated by the random number counter 1017 for determining the winning combination.

  In such a clock peripheral circuit, since the first clock source 105 and the second clock source 107 are made independent, the system clock signal SCLK and the random number clock signal RCLK may be asynchronous signals having completely different periods and phases. it can. Therefore, for example, it is impossible to execute an illegal act of illegally controlling or estimating the value of the internal random number obtained by the internal processing of the MPU 101 based on the system clock signal SCLK.

  In addition, since the program-controllable timer counter 1015 that generates the interval interrupt signal INT using the system clock signal SCLK is provided, the cycle of the interval interrupt signal INT can be changed as needed by the processing of the CPU 1011. . This makes it possible to flexibly and easily adapt system control such as monitoring of input / output of signals of sensors or switches and an internal timer according to the game situation and the processing load of the CPU 1011.

[Role used for slot machine games]
Here, a role provided for the game of the slot machine 10 will be briefly described. The slot machine 10 has a small role (bell role, watermelon role, cherry role, etc.) in which the player pays out medals by winning a prize, and a re-playing role (replay role) that allows the next unit game to be played without inserting medals. And a special game combination (bonus combination) for shifting to a special game state advantageous to the player. Here, the “unit game” means a game in which the period until the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are rotated and the winning determination is made is one unit.
Specifically, a game progress process from “game start process (S102)” to “game end check process (S117)” in FIG. 24 described later is referred to as “unit game”.

  According to the example of the pattern of FIG. 3, as a small role, a bell role composed of a symbol combination of “bell”, “bell”, and “bell”, and a watermelon role composed of a symbol combination of “watermelon”, “watermelon”, and “watermelon” There is a cherry role composed only of “cherry” symbols on the left reel 40L. In addition, as the replaying combination, a plurality of types of replaying combinations having different symbol combinations such as “replay”, “replay”, “replay”, “replay”, “replay”, and “watermelon” may be provided. In addition, as the BB role, the first BB role and the “Blue Seven (Blue 7)”, “Red Seven (Red 7)”, “Red Seven (Red 7)” and “Red Seven (Red 7)” There is a second BB combination composed of symbol combinations of “blue seven (blue 7)” and “blue seven (blue 7)”. Also, as the RB role, the first RB role composed of symbol combinations of “white bar”, “white bar” and “white bar” and the second RB composed of symbol combinations of “black bar”, “black bar” and “black bar”. There are roles.

  When a replay combination (replay combination) is established, the replay is activated. Here, the effect of “the re-game is activated” is that the medals bet in the unit game in which the re-game is established are not consumed and are automatically inserted into the next unit game. “Automatic insertion” means that processing for automatically betting medals is performed. Normally, the number of medals bet in the previous unit game in which a re-game is established is automatically set as the number of bets in the unit game in which the re-game is in operation. Thereby, when the re-game is activated, the player can play the next unit game without inserting medals.

The above-mentioned special game combinations include a BB combination that operates a BB (big bonus) game and an RB combination that operates an RB (regular bonus) game. Here, “BB game is activated” means that the game shifts to the BB game state. In the BB game state in which the BB game is in operation, the high probability game with a higher probability of winning the small role than the general game is continued multiple times, and the BB is paid out with a predetermined maximum payout number (for example, 419). The gaming state ends.
Further, “RB game is activated” means that the game shifts to the RB game state. In the RB game state in which the RB game is in operation, the high probability game with the same high probability that the small role is won continues and the predetermined number of games (for example, 12 games) is consumed or the predetermined number of times (for example, 8 times). The RB gaming state is ended by winning the small role.

  These special game combinations (BB combination, RB combination) are bonus-type combinations that can carry the winning state to the next unit game by combination lottery. That is, even if a special game combination is not established in the game, if a combination is established in the next game or later, it is possible to shift to a corresponding special game state. In addition, a role lottery is performed in a general game in which the winning state of the special game player is carried over (the condition device flag of the BB role or the RB role is on), and as a result, a small role or replay is performed along with the special game player win. There may also be cases where a winning combination such as a combination is won. At the time of such overlapping winning, a priority order may be provided for a winning combination such as, for example, preferentially pulling in and controlling a symbol related to a re-playing combination.

[Control means provided in the slot machine]
Next, various control means provided in the slot machine 10 will be described. Control means realized by the processing of the MPU 101 which is the arithmetic processing unit of the main control board 100 include main game progress control means for controlling the progress of the game, and an interval timer allocation activated by an interrupt signal INT of a predetermined period. There is an interrupt control means for executing an interrupt process (in this specification, “interval interrupt process” or simply “interrupt process”).

(Interrupt control means)
FIG. 21 is a time chart showing the game progress control process by the game progress control means and the interval interrupt process by the interrupt control means in each thread (period occupied by the MPU) with the time as the vertical axis. When the interrupt process is activated, the MPU 101 first saves the values of necessary registers such as a program counter register and an arithmetic register in the stack area of the RAM 1013. Then, signal information of switches such as the start lever 55, stop switches 56L, 56C, and 56R, bet switches 52 and 54, and the checkout switch 57 connected to the signal input ports IP10 to IP17 is monitored. Further, rotation reference sensors 43L, 43C, 43R connected to the signal input ports IP20 to IP27, a payout first sensor 411, a payout first sensor 412, a throwing first sensor 541, a throwing second sensor 542, a throwing monitoring sensor 543, etc. Monitor signal information of sensors.

  “Monitoring signal information” in the interrupt processing specifically refers to fetching information of switch signals and sensor signals held in the signal input ports IP10 to IP27 into the register of the MPU 101 or the RAM 1013. The MPU 101 may monitor only the information of only the signal input port that is necessary on condition that the input acceptance request is set.

  For monitoring signal information in the interval interrupt processing, logical conversion processing of signals (input data) input to the signal input ports IP10 to IP27 and generation of “rising data” of signals to the signal input ports are performed. Including processing. Here, FIG. 22 shows an example of logical conversion processing and rising data generation processing of input data executed in the interval interrupt processing. FIG. 22 shows a process related to the input data of the switches input to the signal input ports IP10 to IP17, and shows a process when the single bet switch 52 is turned on as an example. Note that the logical conversion process and the rising data generation process related to the input data of the sensors input to the other signal input ports IP20 to IP27 are also executed in the same manner, but detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  With reference to FIG. 22, in the logical conversion process, the MPU 101 first reads the 1-byte switch input data acquired this time from the memory area whose address is referenced by the label_IP_SWITCH into the A register. Then, the A register and the logical conversion mask data (_MSK_SWITCH) are XORed (exclusive OR), and the logical operation result is stored in the A register.

  The logic conversion mask data (_MSK_SWITCH) is composed of 1-byte data, and a value corresponding to the operation logic of the switch corresponding to each bit of the switch input data (_MSK_SWITCH) is set in advance. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, the signal of the switch that is actually input to the signal input ports IP10 to IP17 is positive logic in which H (high voltage level) indicates the switch operating state (ON), and L (Low voltage level) may be negative logic indicating the operating state (ON), and for each bit of logic conversion mask data (_MSK_SWITCH), the switch corresponding to each bit operates positively “0” is set, and “1” is set if a negative logic operation is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 22, when the MPU 101 performs an XOR operation on the switch input data (_MSK_SWITCH) and the logical conversion mask data (_MSK_SWITCH), the A register is rewritten with the logically converted switch data. Then, the MPU 101 stores the data of the A register (logically converted switch data) in a predetermined memory area (_IP_SWITCH_CUR) of the RAM 1013.

  Subsequently, the MPU 101 acquires the switch data (A register or _IP_SWITCH_CUR) obtained and logically converted in the current interrupt process, and the switch data (for example, the label__ shown in FIG. 41) obtained in the previous interrupt process and logically converted. The “rise data” of the switch is generated based on the data referred to by IP_SWITCH_OLD.

  Specifically, the MPU 101 reads, for example, switch data obtained by the previous interrupt process and logically converted from the memory area of the RAM 1013 referred to by the label_IP_SWITCH_OLD shown in FIG. 41 into the B register. Then, XOR operation is performed on the data in the A register (switch data obtained and logically converted in the current interrupt process) and the data in the B register (switch data obtained and logically converted in the previous interrupt process), and the B register Is rewritten with the logical operation result. Thereby, switch change bit data in which the bit value changed from the previous interrupt process to the current interrupt process is indicated by “1” is stored in the B register. The MPU 101 may then store the B register data (switch change bit data) in a predetermined memory area (_IP_SWITCH_CHG) of the RAM 1013.

  Further, the MPU 101 performs an AND (logical product) operation on the data in the A register (switch data obtained by this interrupt process and logically converted) and the data in the B register (switch change bit data), and the B register is logically processed. Rewrite with the calculation result. As a result, the “rise data” of the switch is stored in the B register.

The “rise data” of the sensor is a bit whose value has changed from “0” to “1” from the previous interrupt process to the current interrupt process, that is, the state has changed from OFF (OFF) to ON (ON) by the operation. The bit corresponding to the switch is indicated by “1”. In the example of FIG. 22, since the bit D5 of the rising data (for example, _IP_SWITCH_UP shown in FIG. 42) indicates “1”, the ON operation to the single bet switch 52 (see FIG. 13) corresponding to the bit D5. It can be seen that is detected. Then, the “rising data” created in the B register is stored in the memory area of the RAM 1013 whose address is referred to by, for example, the label_IP_SWITCH_UP shown in FIG.
Further, the data of _IP_SWITCH_OLD is updated to the switch data (data of _IP_SWITCH_CUR shown in FIG. 22) acquired by the current interrupt process by the interrupt process.

  Also, in the interval interrupt process, the MPU 101 turns on the gate circuits 113, 117, 121, 125, and 130 shown in FIGS. 14 to 18 to output a signal for which an output request is set in the main game progress control process. The process of actually outputting from the signal output ports OP01 to OP57 is performed.

  For example, when an operation to the start lever 55 is accepted in the game progress control process, a reel rotation output request for requesting output of a drive pulse signal for rotating the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R is set. When this reel rotation output request is being set, the four-phase drive pulse signals according to the 1-2 phase excitation method are sent from the signal output ports OP10 to OP13, OP20 to OP23, OP30 to OP33 to the stepping motors 41L, 41C, 41R. Is output. The 1-2 phase excitation method is a four-phase (φ0 to φ3) stepping motor with each excitation in the order of φ0, φ0 / φ1, φ1, φ1, φ2, φ2, φ2, φ3, φ3, φ3, φ0. A method of circulating and exciting phases sequentially. The excitation phase is updated every interval interrupt process.

(Internal timer)
The main control board 100 also has an internal timer that uses the above-described interval interrupt signal INT. For example, FIG. 23 shows an example of the time measurement start condition, the time measurement end condition, and the count value limit thereof together with the type of the internal timer. Each of the internal timers is configured as a counter whose value is decremented every interval interrupt process with a period of 2.235 milliseconds, for example. The internal timer may be constituted by a counter that is incremented for each interrupt process.

  For example, the “game wait processing timer” is activated when the rising edge (ON) of the first drive pulse signal that rotates the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R is detected, and the value is updated as a time measurement counter for each interrupt processing. This is an internal timer. Then, the interrupt processing does not turn on the start lever reception permission flag that permits the above-described rotation start operation until a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) elapses based on the count value of the game wait processing timer. Processing can be included. As a result, a so-called wait process is performed in which the start lever 55 does not accept unless a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) has elapsed since the previous unit game, and the shortest time interval between consecutive unit games is secured. .

  In addition, the “selector control monitoring timer” is activated when a falling (off) of a blocker signal that prohibits the acceptance of inserted medals is detected, and the value is updated as a time measurement counter for each interrupt process. It is a timer. This selector control monitoring timer is used in selector error check processing and blocker signal stop processing described later.

  The “input first sensor timer” is activated when the rise of the sensor signal from the input first sensor 541 of the selector 28 is detected (on), and the value is updated as a time measurement counter for each interrupt process. This is an internal timer. Similarly, the “second input sensor timer” is an internal timer that is activated when the rising (ON) of the sensor signal from the second input sensor 542 is detected and whose value is updated as a time measurement counter for each interrupt process. The “input monitoring sensor timer” is an internal timer that is activated when the rise (ON) of the sensor signal from the input monitoring sensor 543 is detected and whose value is updated as a time measurement counter for each interrupt process. These input first and second sensor timers are used for error determination by the abnormality monitoring processing means in the selector error check process described later. The input monitoring sensor timer is used to prevent malfunction of the selector 28 in the blocker signal output process described later.

  The “payout control monitoring timer” is an internal timer that is activated when the rising (ON) of the payout drive signal to the medal payout device 83 is detected and whose value is updated as a time measurement counter for each interrupt process. . The time measurement of the payout control monitoring timer ends when the payout drive signal is turned off. However, the time measurement is restarted every time the payout first sensor 411 indicating the completion of payout of medals is turned off. This payout control monitoring timer is used for error determination of the medal payout device 83 by the abnormality monitoring processing means in the medal single payout process described later.

The “payout first sensor timer” is activated when the sensor signal rise from the payout first sensor 411 of the medal payout device 83 is detected (on), and the value is updated as a time measurement counter for each interrupt process. Is an internal timer. The time measurement of the payout first sensor timer ends, for example, when 100 milliseconds have elapsed or the payout first sensor 411 is off, whichever comes first. The “payout second sensor timer” is an internal timer that is activated when a rise (on) of a sensor signal from the payout second sensor 412 is detected and whose value is updated as a time measurement counter for each interrupt process. The time measurement of the payout second sensor timer ends, for example, when 30 milliseconds elapses or when the payout second sensor 412 is off, whichever comes first.
These payout first and second sensor timers are used for error determination of the medal payout device 83 by the abnormality monitoring processing means in a single medal payout process described later.

  Other control means provided in the slot machine 10 include random number generation means, winning combination determination means, operating state determination means, upper limit number setting means, bet number management means, internal storage number management means, blocker control means, game medal management Means, clearing processing means, normal monitoring processing means, return processing means, and the like. Note that these control means are realized by the MPU 101 included in the main control board 100 executing arithmetic processing using hardware resources specified from the components of the slot machine 10 described above.

(Random number generator)
The “random number generating means” is means for obtaining a random number counter value updated based on the random number clock signal RCLK from the second clock source 107 as a built-in random number and outputting it to the winning combination determining means. The random number generation means may obtain a built-in random number by performing a predetermined arithmetic operation using a random number counter value and a soft random number. The soft random number may be obtained by updating a random number table stored in advance in the ROM 1012. Alternatively, a soft random number may be obtained by an arithmetic process according to a predetermined random number generation algorithm.

(Means for determining winning roles)
The “winning role determining means” is means for determining the winning role based on a random number (built-in random number) acquired from the random number generating means. Specifically, it is executed using a winning lottery table (stored in advance in the ROM 1012) in which a winning combination and a numerical range corresponding to the winning probability of the winning combination are assigned correspondingly. The winning combination determining means determines a combination corresponding to the numerical range to which the acquired random number belongs as a winning combination when the start lever 55 is operated by betting a specified number of game medals in the game start state.

(Operating state determination means)
The “operation state determination unit” is a unit that determines an operation state based on the game result. The “game result” means a result obtained by determining a symbol displayed after being stopped on the active line. Examples of the operating state based on the game result include a re-game operating state and a special game operating state. In a game end check process to be described later, an operation flag is set based on the game result. The operation state determination means can determine the operation state such as replay by referring to the operation flag.

(flag)
Here, the “flag” refers to a name assigned to a specific memory area for storing state information in order to manage various states in the progress of the game and input / output states of various signals.

In the slot machine 10 of this embodiment, regarding the gaming state,
Condition device flag: Management of winning combination won by winning combination determining means Operation flag: Management of established combination.

In addition, the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment has a function of accepting operation switches.
Start lever acceptance permission flag: Start lever operation acceptance management Stop switch acceptance permission flag: Stop switch acceptance acceptance management Bet switch acceptance permission flag: Bet switch acceptance acceptance management Clearing switch acceptance permission flag: Clearing switch Management of whether or not to accept the operation is provided.
The “start lever reception permission state storage unit” corresponds to the “start lever reception permission flag” in the description of the embodiment.

Further, in the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, regarding the output state of signals,
Blocker signal flag: Blocker state management of the selector Payout drive signal flag: State management of the payout drive signal of the medal payout device is provided.
The “blocker state storage unit” corresponds to the “blocker signal flag” in the description of the embodiment (for example, _FL_MEDAL_STS shown in FIG. 44).

Further, in the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, regarding the error detection state,
Selector error flag: CP error flag, CE error flag, C0 error flag, C1 error flag,
Dispensing device error flag: empty error flag, clogging error flag,
Etc. are provided.

Further, in the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, regarding medal management,
Specified number upper limit flag: ON is provided when the number of bets has reached the upper limit of the specified number.

(Maximum number setting means)
The “upper limit number setting means” is a means for setting the above-mentioned specified upper limit number in the specified upper limit number variable. In the slot machine 10, a prescribed number (the number of medals that can be bet on the game) is determined according to the gaming state. The “prescribed upper limit number” means the upper limit number of the predetermined number determined in the game.

  For example, in the special game state such as the BB game state, the prescribed number is set to “2”, and therefore the upper limit number setting means sets the maximum value “2” as the prescribed upper limit number. Further, for example, in the general gaming state that is not the special gaming state, the prescribed number is set to “1”, “2”, or “3”. Therefore, the upper limit number setting means sets the maximum value “3” among them as the specified upper limit number. The upper limit number setting means sets the number of medals bet on the previous game as the prescribed upper limit number variable when the above-described operation state determination means determines that the game is in the re-game operation state. In the present specification, the specified upper limit number variable may be simply referred to as “specified upper limit number”.

(Betting number management means)
The “betting number management means” is means for managing the number of game medals bet on a game, that is, the number of bets. In this embodiment, the bet number management means stores and manages the bet number in a bet number variable, and also adds a bet number due to a one-bet process when a medal is inserted or a bet operation is accepted. Etc. are executed. In the present specification, the bet number variable may be simply referred to as “bet number”.

(Internal storage number management means)
The “internal storage number management means” is a means for managing the internal storage number (credit number) of game medals. In addition to storing and managing the number of credits in a credit number variable, the internal storage number management means executes a credit addition process when a medal is inserted, a credit settlement process when the settlement switch 57 is operated, and the like. . In this specification, the credit number variable may be simply referred to as “credit number”.

(Blocker control means)
The “blocker control means” is a means for controlling the position of the blocker 532 by controlling the blocker signal (blocker ON / OFF) with respect to the solenoid 533 of the blocker mechanism 530 provided in the selector 28. That is, the blocker control means moves the blocker 532 to a position where the acceptance of medals is permitted by outputting a blocker signal (blocker ON state). If the blocker signal is not output, the blocker 532 moves to a position where the medal acceptance is rejected (blocker OFF state).

  The blocker control means waits until a predetermined time elapses after the input monitoring sensor 543 of the selector 28 is activated in the blocker signal output process (blocker ON process), and outputs the blocker signal after the predetermined time elapses. Here, the input monitoring sensor timer is an internal timer that starts time measurement when the sensor signal from the input monitoring sensor 543 falls (ON to OFF) as shown in FIG. As described above, the input monitoring sensor timer is configured as a counter whose value is incremented for each interval interrupt process with a period of 2.235 milliseconds, for example.

  When a medal is inserted in a blocker OFF state, if the medal reaches the blocker position and the blocker is turned on, the medal may be pinched. In order to avoid such inconvenience, when switching from the blocker OFF state to the blocker ON state, a predetermined time after the insertion monitoring sensor 543 is turned on (the medal reaches the blocker position, and the medal is inserted into the medal drop slot). The blocker signal is output after the elapse of a time suitable for flow down to the 503 side.

  The blocker control means sets an output request for the blocker signal via the signal output port after prohibiting the interval interrupt process in the blocker signal output process.

  Here, “setting the output request of the blocker signal” specifically means that 1-byte output request data in which the first bit D0 corresponding to the blocker signal is set to “1” is generated, and a predetermined address of the RAM 1013 is generated. (For example, storing in the memory area of label_PT_BLK_HPM shown in FIG. 43).

  When the output request data in which the first bit D0 is set to “1” is set in the memory area referred to by the label _PT_BLK_HPM, the blocker signal is actually transmitted in the next interrupt process in which the interval interrupt process is permitted. The signal is output from the signal output port OP40 to the selector 28, and the blocker is turned on.

  The output request data preferably includes at least a bit D0 corresponding to the blocker signal and a bit D1 corresponding to the payout drive signal in 1-byte data as in _PT_BLK_HPM of this embodiment shown in FIG. As a result, in the main game progress control process, both the blocker signal and the payout drive signal can be obtained only by a command (that is, a one-step command) for storing this 1-byte data in the memory area of the RAM 1013 referred to by the _PT_BLK_HPM. The signal output process can be completed. In the interval interrupt process, these signals are output from the signal output port in one step, so that the processing load on the MPU 101 can be reduced.

  Then, the MPU 101 stores information indicating that the blocker signal is in an output state during the interrupt prohibition period in a blocker state storage unit (blocker signal flag, for example, _FL_MEDAL_STS shown in FIG. 44). In addition, it is preferable that the bit corresponding to the blocker signal flag and the bit corresponding to the payout drive signal flag are included in the 1-byte flag data. As a result, the states of the blocker signal and the payout drive signal can be updated simultaneously with a one-step command.

  The address where the blocker signal output request data is set (for example, _PT_BLK_HPM shown in FIG. 43) is different from the address of the flag data for managing the state of the blocker signal (for example, _FL_MEDAL_STS shown in FIG. 44). In addition, on the program constituting the blocker control means, an instruction of at least two steps is required to set the output request and update the flag data. If interrupt processing is started between these instructions, there is a risk of data content mismatch between the output request data and the flag data. In the present embodiment, such processing is prohibited by prohibiting interrupt processing. To avoid the situation.

  Further, the blocker control means prohibits the interrupt process in the blocker signal stop process (blocker OFF process) and clears the blocker signal output request.

  “Clear blocker signal output request” in the blocker signal stop processing means that the RAM 1013 refers to 1-byte output request data in which the first bit D0 corresponding to the blocker signal is set to “0” by the label _PT_BLK_HPM. Is stored in a memory area at a predetermined address. When the output request data in which the first bit D0 is set to “0” is set in the memory area (_PT_BLK_HPM), the blocker signal is stopped in the next interrupt process in which the interval interrupt process is permitted.

  Then, the MPU 101 stores information indicating that the blocker signal is in a stopped state in the blocker state storage unit (blocker signal flag) during the interrupt prohibition period.

  As described above, on the program constituting the blocker control means, an instruction of at least two steps is required to clear the output request and update the flag data. If interrupt processing is started between these instructions, there is a risk of data content mismatch between the output request data and the flag data. In the present embodiment, such processing is prohibited by prohibiting interrupt processing. To avoid the situation.

The “game medal management means” is a means for executing control relating to a game medal triggered by detection of a game medal by the first insertion sensor 541 or the second insertion sensor 542. Note that the on / off state of the first input sensor 541 and the second input sensor 542 is such that the input state of the sensor signal to the signal input port is detected in each interval interrupt process, and the detected data is stored in the RAM 1013 in a predetermined manner. It is stored in the address (_IP_SENSOR_OLD shown in FIG. 41, _IP_SENSOR_UP shown in FIG. 42, etc.). In the main process other than the interrupt process such as the game medal management means, the MPU 101 refers to such input data stored in the RAM 1013 to determine the on / off state of sensors such as the insertion sensor.
The game medal management means is an upper limit number (specified upper limit number) set by the upper limit number setting means in the medal insertion process described later, which is started when the insertion sensors 541 and 542 of the selector 28 detect a game medal. The calculation processing based on the number of game medals (the number of bets) stored by the betting number management means and the internal storage number (credit number) stored by the internal storage number management means is executed, and a predetermined result If it does, the blocker 532 controls the blocker 532 to a position where it refuses to accept game medals.

  In addition, the game medal management means, in a medal insertion process to be described later that is activated when the insertion sensors 541 and 542 of the selector 28 detect a game medal, will determine the upper limit number (the predetermined number) set in the upper limit number setting means. Number upper limit) and the number of game medals stored by the betting number management means (the number of bets). If they match, the internal storage number management means adds the internal storage number (credit number) and must match. In this case, the betting number management means adds the number of game medals (the number of bets).

  Further, when the game medal management means waits for operation of the start lever 55 and the operation state determination means determines that it is in the re-game operation state, the game medal management means determines the number of internal storage (number of credits) and the blocker control means determines the game medal. If the blocker 532 is controlled to a position where the acceptance of the game is permitted, and it is determined by the operation state determination means that the game is not in the re-game operation state, the blocker control means determines whether or not the game medal The blocker 532 is controlled to a position where acceptance is permitted.

  The “clearing processing means” is a means that is activated upon the operation of the clearing switch 57 in the game start state and clears the game medals via the medal payout device 83. Here, the “game start state” means a state of waiting for an operation of the start lever 55, but also includes a state where a prescribed number of medals have not been bet yet.

  In particular, the clearing processing means operates as follows in the clearing processing described later. The clearing processing means reads the number of internal storage (credits) currently stored internally from the internal storage number management means, and reads the number of game medals (number of bets) bet on the game from the betting number management means. If the number of bets that can be settled (the number of bets that can be settled) is determined and the game is determined to be in a re-game operation state by the operating state determination means, the number of bets that can be settled (the number of bets that can be settled) is cleared If the internal storage number (credit number) is “1” or more, the medal payout device 83 is controlled to pay out the game medals by the read internal storage number (credit number), and the game is replayed by the operating state determination means. If it is determined that the number of bets that can be settled (the number of bets that can be settled) is equal to or greater than “1”, the medal payout device 83 is controlled to determine the number of bets that can be settled (the number of bets that can be settled). Number of game medals are paid out, and if the number of bets that can be settled (the number of bets that can be settled) is “0” and the number of internally stored (number of credits) is “1” or more, the medal payout device 83 is controlled. As a result, game medals are paid out in accordance with the read number of internal storage (the number of bets).

  Further, when the clearing processing means detects the operation of the clearing switch in the game start state, the clearing processing means clears the start lever reception permission state storage means (start lever reception permission flag) to a state where the operation cannot be received.

  The “abnormality monitoring processing means” is means for monitoring and dealing with abnormalities that may occur in the selector 28 and / or the medal payout device 83. The “return processing unit” is a unit that is activated in response to a reset operation after the abnormality that has occurred in the selector 28 and / or the medal payout device 83 is released, and returns these devices to the state before the abnormality.

The abnormality monitoring processing means detects that the selector 28 is abnormal when the detection (ON) of the sensor signals from the input first sensor 541 and the input second sensor 542 is detected in a different order from the predetermined order in the selector error check process. Is determined.
In addition, the abnormality monitoring processing means receives a sensor signal from the insertion sensor 541 or 542 after a predetermined time has elapsed after the blocker control means stops the blocker signal and moves the blocker 532 to a position where the game medal is not accepted. When detected (ON), it is determined that the selector 28 is abnormal.
Further, the abnormality monitoring processing means determines that the selector 28 is abnormal when the ON state of the sensor signal from the input sensor 541 or 542 is detected for a predetermined time or more.

In particular, the abnormality monitoring processing means saves the blocker signal information for controlling the blocker 532 by the blocker control means in the error display process in the error display processing when the abnormality is detected in the selector 28, and then stops the blocker signal. Then, the blocker 532 is moved to a position where the game medal is not accepted.
Then, the return processing means recalls the blocker signal information from the storage save area (stack), and controls the blocker signal based on the recalled information, thereby returning the blocker 532 to the position before the abnormality.

Further, the abnormality monitoring processing means indicates that the medal payout device 83 is abnormal when the sensor signal from the payout sensor 411 or 412 is not detected (ON) within a predetermined time after the payout drive signal is output in the single medal payout process. Is determined.
Also, the abnormality monitoring processing means determines that the medal payout device 83 is abnormal when the ON state of the sensor signal from the payout sensor 411 or 412 is detected for a predetermined time or more.

When it is determined that the medal payout device 83 is abnormal, the abnormality monitoring processing means saves the payout drive signal information for driving the payout device in the error display process to a storage save area (stack), and then stops the payout drive signal. Then, the medal payout device 83 is stopped.
Then, the return processing means recalls the payout drive signal information from the memory saving area (stack), and controls the payout drive signal based on the recalled information, thereby returning the medal payout device 83 to the drive state before the abnormality. .

[Control processing in slot machines]
Next, a specific embodiment of processing by the control means provided in the slot machine 10 described above will be described in detail along the flow of unit games performed in the slot machine.

(Game progress control process)
FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating an example of game progress control processing by the game progress control means. When power is supplied to the slot machine 10, the MPU 101 first executes initialization processing (step S101). The initialization process includes a process for returning to a state before power interruption such as setting of a stack pointer and a program counter. Then, a game start process is executed (step S102). Although details will be described later, in the game start processing in step S102, processing such as automatic insertion at the time of the re-game operation or permission of insertion of medals is performed.

  Then, the MPU 101 reads the bet number from a bet number variable that stores the number of medals (bet number) currently bet on the game (step S103). When the bet number is “0” (step S104: NO), a display output request waiting for medal insertion is set (step S105). Thereby, the medal insertion waiting lamp 37 is turned on.

  Next, a medal management process is executed (step S106). Although details will be described later, in the medal management process in step S106, the medal insertion process when a medal is inserted, the bet operation reception process when the bet switches 52 and 54 are operated, and the settlement switch 57 are operated. A checkout process is executed.

  Next, the MPU 101 updates the soft random number used in the winning lottery process by the winning winning determining means described above (step S107). Then, a start lever check process is executed (step S108). Although details will be described later, in the start lever check process in step S108, a predetermined error check is performed to determine whether or not the operation of the start lever 55 can be accepted.

  The MPU 101 repeats the processing related to medal management in steps S103 to S108 described above until the operation of the start lever 55 is received. When the operation of the start lever 55 is accepted in a state where a prescribed number of medals are bet (step S109: YES), the MPU 101 executes the winning lottery process by the winning combination determining means described above (step S110). .

  Next, the MPU 101 starts the rotation of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R by setting a reel rotation output request (step S111). The rotation control of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R is performed by the 1-2 phase excitation method for the stepping motors 41L, 41C, and 41R. As described above, the update of the drive pulse signal to each of the excitation phases φ0 to φ3 is performed at intervals. This is done for each process.

  Then, the MPU 101 creates a sliding frame number table (step S112). The sliding frame number table sets each symbol position number and the number of symbols (moving symbol number) up to the determined stop symbol in the direction in which the symbol moves starting from the symbol position number (the direction in which the symbol position number increases). Is done. Although the sliding frame number table is created based on the result of the winning lottery process, data of a plurality of expected sliding symbols may be stored in the ROM 1012 in advance and read based on the result of the winning lottery process.

  Then, the MPU 101 checks the reel stop acceptance based on the stop operation to the stop switches 56L, 56C, and 56R (step S113). In the reel stop acceptance check process in step S113, when a stop operation to one stop switch is accepted, the generated slip frame number table is referred to and the reel stop control is performed so that the determined stop symbol is displayed on the active line. Is executed.

  The MPU 101 repeats the processing from step S111 to S113 until it determines stop of all reels 40L, 40C, and 40R. When it is determined that all reels stop (step S114: YES), it is stopped and displayed on the active line. The selected symbol is determined (step S115). That is, the MPU 101 reads the winning combination won by the winning lottery process by the winning combination determining means described above from the condition device flag. Then, it is determined whether or not the symbol combination of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R displayed on the active line matches a combination corresponding to any winning combination, and when these match, the winning combination is established (winning) ).

  For example, when it is determined that the small role has won, the MPU 101 executes a medal payout process by winning (step S116). The medal payout process may be internally stored as credits or may be actually paid out from the medal payout opening 71. In the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment, priority is given to internal storage in credits. That is, normally, the number of medals to be paid out is added to the number of credits. However, when the number of credits exceeds a predetermined upper limit (this is referred to as “credit upper limit number”; for example, 50), there are more medals than that. It is paid out from the medal payout outlet 71 via the medal payout device 83.

  Next, a game end check process is executed (step S117). In the game end check process in step S117, when the MPU 101 determines that the small role has been won, the MPU 101 clears the condition device flag of the small role that has been won. Further, when the MPU 101 determines that the re-game is established, the MPU 101 clears the condition device flag of the re-game and turns on the operation flag related to the re-game.

  In addition, when a special game combination such as a BB combination or an RB combination is established, the MPU 101 clears the condition device flag of the special game combination related to the established special game combination and also relates to the established special game combination. Turn on the activation flag. In a game in which the condition device flag of a special game player is turned on (that is, a game in which the special game player is elected internally), if the special game player is not established, the condition device flag of the special game player is cleared. The internal winning state is carried over to the next unit game.

  Further, the MPU 101 checks a predetermined end condition when a special game such as a BB game or an RB game is in an operating state, and if it is determined that the end condition of the special game state is satisfied, an operation flag related to the special game player Turn off.

  In addition, the game end check process in step S117 is a process of freezing (stopping) the game progress process for a certain period of time for a winning effect when a winning combination is won or a lost effect when a winning combination is not achieved. May be included.

  The MPU 101 returns to step S102 described above after the game end check process, and starts the next unit game from the game start process.

(Game start processing)
Next, details of the game start process activated in step S102 in the game progress control process will be described. Here, FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating the game start process.

  In the game start process, the MPU 101 first sets a credit number display request (step S121). While the credit number display request is valid, the number of credits currently stored in the slot machine 10 is displayed on the credit number display 35 by the interval interruption process of a predetermined period. Then, the MPU 101 checks the operation flag (step S122) and determines whether the re-game is in an operation state or a non-operation state (step S123). As described above, the operation flag is a flag indicating a gaming state that is set in accordance with the established combination in the game end check process in the game progress control process.

  If the game is in the replay operation state (step S123: YES), medals are automatically inserted one by one. Here, “automatic insertion” means that a medal is automatically bet. Specifically, it waits for a certain time (for example, 100 milliseconds) (step S124), and the one-bed betting process (step S125) described later is repeatedly executed.

  If the number of bets automatically placed by the one-bet process has not reached the upper limit (three after the re-game operation) at this time (step S126: NO), the one-bet process is executed (step S126). S125). If automatic placement is repeated and the bet number reaches the upper limit of the prescribed number (step S126: YES), the current credit number is read into the register of the MPU 101 (step S127). Then, the MPU 101 determines whether or not the number of credits is the upper limit number of credits (for example, 50) (step S128). Only when the number of credits is less than the upper limit number of credits (step S128: NO), a blocker signal output process (blocker ON) described later is executed (step S129), thereby permitting insertion of medals from the medal insertion slot 51. .

  If the MPU 101 determines that the game is not in a re-game state (step S123: NO), blocker signal output processing (blocker ON) is executed regardless of the number of credits (step S129). .

  As described above, when the game medal management means of the present embodiment determines that the game is in the re-game operation state in the game start state waiting for the operation of the start lever 55, the game medal management means determines the internal storage number (credit number) and determines the medal amount. If the blocker 532 is controlled (ON) to a position where acceptance is permitted and it is determined that the re-game is not in operation, the blocker 532 is placed at a position where acceptance of medals is permitted regardless of whether there is an internal storage number (credit number). Is controlled (ON). As a result, in the medal insertion process after the re-game is activated, the processing load on the arithmetic processing unit (MPU 101) can be reduced, and the development of a new processing program becomes unnecessary.

(Blocker signal output processing)
Next, details of the blocker signal output process (blocker ON process) will be described. Here, FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating blocker signal output processing by the blocker control means.

  In the blocker signal output process, the MPU 101 first checks the value of the input monitoring sensor timer that starts time measurement when the input monitoring sensor 543 of the selector 28 is turned on (step S131). When the input monitoring sensor timer is measuring time, the process waits until a predetermined time, for example, 100 milliseconds elapses (step S132: NO to step S131). That is, in the blocker signal output process, when the input monitoring sensor timer measures the time by the operation of the input monitoring sensor 543, the blocker control means waits until a predetermined time elapses after the input monitoring sensor operates. Therefore, the blocker signal is not output.

  On the other hand, when the MPU 101 outputs a blocker signal and the input monitoring sensor timer is not measuring time, or when the input monitoring sensor timer that has started time measurement when the input monitoring sensor 543 is turned on passes a predetermined time. When (for example, 100 milliseconds) is indicated (step S132: YES), the interval interrupt processing described above is prohibited (step S133). Then, the MPU 101 sets a blocker signal output request (step S134).

  Specifically, “setting a blocker signal output request” means that the MPU 101 is executing the first bit D0 in the memory area of the address (address) corresponding to the label _PT_BLK_HPM shown in FIG. One-byte output request data with (1 corresponding to a blocker signal) set to “1” is stored. When the output request for the blocker signal is set, the output request data on the data bus is taken into the information holding circuit 123 and held. Then, in the next interrupt process in which the interrupt process is permitted, the gate circuit 125 is turned on, and the blocker signal is actually output to the selector 28. As a result, the blocker 532 moves to a position where the medal acceptance is permitted (blocker ON state).

  Then, the MPU 101 clears the input monitoring sensor timer. Here, “clearing” an internal timer such as the input monitoring sensor timer means that the count value of the internal timer is set to “0” and the time measurement is stopped. Then, the MPU 101 sets a blocker signal flag (for example, the third bit D2 of _FL_MEDAL_STS) to ON (step S136), and permits interval interrupt processing (step S137). Here, the “blocker signal flag” is a flag (blocker state storage means) indicating the output state of the blocker signal and also a flag for storing the position of the blocker 532. That is, when the blocker signal flag is on, it is managed that the selector 28 is in a state where the medal can be inserted and accepted (blocker ON), and when the blocker signal flag is off, the selector 28 rejects the medal insertion and acceptance. It is managed as being in a state (blocker OFF).

  Note that the address where the output request data of the blocker signal is set (for example, _PT_BLK_HPM shown in FIG. 43) is different from the address of the flag data for managing the state of the blocker signal (for example, _FL_MEDAL_STS shown in FIG. 44). Therefore, on the blocker signal output processing program, an instruction of at least two steps is required to set the blocker signal output request and update the flag data. In order to avoid inconsistencies in the data contents between the output request data and the flag data, in this embodiment, as described above, the blocker signal output request set (step S134) and the flag during the interval interrupt prohibition period are set. Data update (step S136) is executed.

  Further, when the blocker control means of this embodiment permits the insertion of medals into the selector 28, a predetermined time elapses after a sensor signal from the selector insertion monitoring sensor 543 is detected by the interrupt process. The blocker signal is output after the predetermined time has elapsed. Thereby, the insertion of medals and the movement of the blocker 532 do not occur at the same time, and malfunction such as clogging of medals in the selector 28 can be prevented.

  Further, it is preferable that the bit corresponding to the blocker signal flag and the bit corresponding to the payout drive signal flag are included in the 1-byte flag data. Thereby, the state of the blocker signal and the payout drive signal can be updated at the same time by a one-step command (step S136).

(Medal management process)
Next, details of the medal management process activated in step S106 in the game progress control process will be described. Here, FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating the medal management process.

  In the medal management process, the MPU 101 first refers to the blocker signal flag (the third bit D2 of _FL_MEDAL_STS) and determines whether the blocker signal is being output (step S141). If it is determined that the blocker signal is being output (step S141: YES), it is determined whether the closing first sensor 541 or the closing second sensor 542 is activated (turned on) (step S142). If the blocker signal is being output (step S141: YES) and the insertion first sensor 541 or the insertion second sensor 542 is activated (step S142: YES), it is considered that a regular medal has been inserted and accepted, The medal insertion process described later is executed (step S143).

  When the blocker signal is not output (step S141: NO) or the blocker signal is being output (step S141: YES), but the closing first sensor 541 and the closing second sensor 542 are inactive (off). (Step S142: NO), the MPU 101 turns on the bet switch acceptance permission flag and the clearing switch acceptance permission flag (Step S144). Thereby, the operation acceptance of the single bet switch 52, the max bet switch 54, and the checkout switch 57 becomes valid.

  At this time, when any of the bet switches 52 and 54 is operated and the switch signal is detected (turned on) (step S145: YES), the MPU 101 executes a bet operation reception process described later (step S146). Further, when the settlement switch 57 is operated to detect the rising edge of the switch signal (step S147: YES), a settlement process described later is executed (step S148). The settlement process may be executed by long-pressing the settlement switch 57.

(Medal insertion process)
Next, details of the medal insertion process that is started when a medal is properly inserted in step S143 of the medal management process will be described. Here, FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating the medal insertion process.

  In the medal insertion process, the MPU 101 first turns off the start lever acceptance permission flag (step S151). Thus, even if the start lever 55 is accidentally operated during the medal insertion process, it becomes invalid.

  Next, the MPU 101 executes a selector error check process, which will be described later, by the abnormality monitoring processing means, and checks whether an abnormality (selector error) has occurred in the selector 28 (step S152). When a selector error is detected (step S153: YES), a selector error display output request for displaying an error code is set (step S154). Then, an error display process to be described later is executed (step S155). Although details will be described later, in this error display process, upon receiving a reset operation, the return processing means described above returns the operating state of the blocker 532 to the operating state before the abnormality.

  If a selector error is not detected in the medal insertion process (step S153: NO), a specified upper limit number setting process described later by the upper limit number setting unit is executed (step S156). Here, the “specified upper limit number” is an upper limit number of a predetermined number (the number of medals that can be bet on a game) determined according to the gaming state. In the prescribed upper limit number setting process, the prescribed upper limit number is set according to the gaming state.

  Next, the MPU 101 reads the current bet number and credit number into the register (steps S157 and S158). The bet number and the credit number read here are values before considering the insertion of the medal. If the insertion of the medal is validated, it is then determined whether or not an additional medal can be inserted (step S159).

The determination of whether or not additional medals can be inserted in step S159 can be performed using, for example, the following determination formula.

Specified upper limit number> Bet number + Credit number + 1−Credit upper limit number

For example, if the specified upper limit set in the game is “3”, the current bet number is “2”, and the current credit number is the upper limit (full), substituting a numerical value into the above judgment formula will make both sides equivalent (3 = 2 + 50 + 1−50). For this reason, when the medal inserted this time is received, it turns out that the additional medal cannot be inserted any more.
For example, if the specified upper limit number determined by the game is “3”, the current bet number is “2”, and the current credit number is “49”, an inequality is established by substituting a numerical value into the above determination formula. (3> 2 + 49 + 1-50). Therefore, it can be seen that even if the medal inserted this time is received, another medal can be inserted.

As described above, the game medal management means of the present embodiment includes the prescribed upper limit number set by the upper limit number setting means, the number of game medals (the number of bets) stored by the betting number management means, and the internal storage number management means. When the calculation process based on the number of internally stored (credit number) stored in step S3 is executed and a predetermined result is obtained such as the determination formula is not satisfied, the blocker control means moves to a position where the acceptance of medals is rejected. The blocker 532 is controlled (blocker OFF).
Thereby, in a situation where a medal cannot be inserted, the insertion is rejected, and so-called “medal swallowing” can be prevented. Therefore, the player can safely insert medals even after the re-game is activated.
The determination as to whether or not additional medals can be inserted is not limited to the above determination formula.

  The MPU 101 determines that additional medals can be inserted if the above determination formula is satisfied (step S159: YES). On the other hand, the MPU 101 determines that additional medals cannot be inserted unless the determination formula is satisfied (step S159: NO), and executes a blocker signal stop process described later (step S160).

  When the MPU 101 determines that the current bet number does not reach the specified upper limit number (step S161: NO), the MPU 101 executes a single bet process described later (step S162), and the current bet number becomes the predetermined upper limit number. When it is determined that they match (step S161: YES), credit addition processing described later is executed (step S163).

  In this way, the game medal management means compares the upper limit number (specified upper limit number) of the prescribed number set in the upper limit number setting means with the number of game medals (betting number) stored by the betting number management means. If they match, the internal storage number management means adds the internal storage number (credit number), and if they do not match, the betting number management means adds the number of game medals (bet number).

  The above-described selector error check process (step S152), the prescribed upper limit number setting process (step S156), the blocker signal stop process (step S160), the one-bet process (step S162), and the credit addition process, which are activated by the medal insertion process Details of (Step S163) will be sequentially described next.

(Selector error check processing)
FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating the selector error check processing by the abnormality monitoring processing means.
In addition, although “return” is described in various flows, “return” means “to end the processing and move to the next processing”.

  In the selector error check process, the MPU 101 first determines the detection state of the input first sensor 451, and if the input first sensor 451 is not on (step S171: NO), sets the CP error flag to on ( In step S1711), the process returns (the selector error check process is terminated). In the first determination process, it is determined that the input first sensor 451 is turned on (step S171: YES). When the second determination process determines that the input first sensor 451 is off (step S172: YES), the process returns. The on / off detection state of the input sensor and other sensors is logically converted into a memory area of a predetermined address in the RAM 1013 (for example, _IP_SENSOR_OLD shown in FIG. 41, _IP_SENSOR_UP shown in FIG. 42, etc.) by interval interrupt processing. The input data is stored, and the MPU 101 is determined by fetching data from the address into the register in the main process.

  Even in the second determination process, the turning-off first sensor 451 is not detected to be off (step S172: NO), that is, the turning-on second sensor 452 is detected to be turned on in the next determination process in a state where the making first sensor 451 is turned on. If not (step S173: NO), the MPU 101 again determines the state of the input first sensor 451 (step S1731).

  At this time, if the MPU 101 determines that the input first sensor 451 is off (step S1731: YES), the process returns.

  Here, the “CP error flag” is an error flag indicating an illogical operation of the closing first sensor 451 and the closing second sensor 452. When this CP error occurs, it can be inferred that it is due to human factors such as fraud.

  The input first sensor 451 and the input second sensor 452 are sequentially arranged in the selector 28 along the receiving path downstream of the blocker 532. That is, “the operation of the input sensor in the normal order” means that the sensors are turned on in the order of the input first sensor 451 and the input second sensor 452. The MPU 101 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the selector 28 when the input first sensor 451 and the input second sensor 452 detect the ON state of the sensor signals in an order different from a predetermined order (normal order).

  Next, the MPU 101 refers to the input first sensor timer and determines whether a predetermined time (for example, 100 milliseconds) has elapsed when the input first sensor 451 is not turned off (step S1732). If the turning-off first sensor 451 is not turned off even after a predetermined time has passed since turning on (step S1732: YES), the MPU 101 determines that a medal retention selector error has been made (step S1732: YES), and turns on the CE error flag. Set (step S1733) and return.

  When the MPU 101 detects that the charging second sensor 452 is ON (step S173: NO) while the charging first sensor 451 is ON (step S172: NO), the MPU 101 performs the following determination processing in the first determination sensor 451 and the charging first sensor 451. The state of the two sensors 452 is detected (step S174). The MPU 101 refers to the input first sensor timer and the input second sensor timer, and when the input first sensor 451 or the input second sensor 452 does not turn off even after a predetermined time (for example, 100 milliseconds) elapses (step) (S1741: YES), the CE error flag is set on (step S1742), and the process returns.

  When the MPU 101 determines that the input first sensor 451 and the input second sensor 452 are turned off in the normal order (step S174: YES), the MPU 101 proceeds to the next error determination (step S175). In step S175, the MPU 101 refers to the selector control monitoring timer, and although the blocker signal is stopped (turned off) to prohibit the insertion of medals into the selector 28, the MPU 101 stops the predetermined time (for example, 500 milliseconds). ) After the elapse of time, for example, when the second input sensor 542 is turned on, it is determined to be abnormal (step S175: YES). When the MPU 101 determines this selector error, it sets the C0 error flag to ON (step S1751) and returns.

  Further, the MPU 101 monitors whether or not the value of the input monitoring counter is within a predetermined range, and determines that it is abnormal when it is out of the predetermined range (step S176: NO). When the MPU 101 determines this selector error, it sets the C1 error flag to ON (step S1761) and returns.

  Here, the “insertion monitoring counter” has an initial value of “0” and is incremented by “+1” each time the insertion monitoring sensor 543 is turned on, and the medal passes through the insertion first sensor 541 and the insertion second sensor 542 normally. This counter is decremented by “−1” each time. When the value of the insertion monitoring counter becomes larger than, for example, “3” even though the blocker 532 is in a position for receiving a medal, some abnormality such as a medal stay or an illegal act has occurred. It is assumed that

(Regular upper limit number set processing)
Next, details of the prescribed upper limit number setting process activated in the medal insertion process and the like will be described. Here, FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating the specified upper limit number setting process by the upper limit number setting unit.

  When the prescribed upper limit number setting process is activated, the MPU 101 sets the number of medals at the time of automatic insertion as the prescribed upper limit number as an initial value (step S181). The “number of medals at the time of automatic insertion” is the number of medals that are automatically inserted when the re-game is activated, and specifically, the number of bets bet on the previous game.

  Then, the MPU 101 checks the operation flag (step S182), and determines the operation state of replay (step S183). If it is determined that the replay is in an operational state, the process returns to the medal insertion process. That is, in the specified upper limit number setting process by the upper limit number setting means, when the above-described operating state determination means determines that the game is in the re-game operating state, the number of medals bet on the previous game is set as the specified upper limit number.

  On the other hand, if the re-game is not in the operational state (step S183: NO), two medals are set to the prescribed upper limit number (step S184). Then, the operation flag is checked to determine whether the special game is operating (step S185). If it is determined that the special game is in the operating state, the process returns to the medal insertion process. That is, when the operating state determining means determines that the game state is the special game state, two medals are set to the prescribed upper limit number.

  In the case of a general game in which neither a re-game nor a special game is operating, three medals are set to the prescribed upper limit (step S186).

(Blocker signal stop processing)
Next, details of blocker signal stop processing (blocker OFF) by the blocker control means will be described. FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating a blocker signal stop process. In the blocker signal stop process, the MPU 101 first prohibits the above-described interval interrupt process of a predetermined period (step S191). Then, the blocker signal output request is cleared (step S192).

  In the blocker signal stop process, “clear the blocker signal output request” means that 1-byte output request data in which the first bit D0 corresponding to the blocker signal is set to “0”, for example, the label_ It means storing in a memory area of a predetermined address referred to by PT_BLK_HPM. When the output request data in which the first bit D0 is set to “0” is set in the corresponding memory area (_PT_BLK_HPM), the blocker signal stops at the next interrupt process that is permitted the interval interrupt process (blocker OFF State).

  Then, the MPU 101 turns off the blocker signal flag (the third bit D2 of _FL_MEDAL_STS), which is the blocker state storage means, during the interrupt prohibition period (step S193), and thereafter permits the interval interrupt process (step S194).

  Note that the address where the output request data of the blocker signal is set (for example, _PT_BLK_HPM shown in FIG. 43) is different from the address of the flag data for managing the blocker state (for example, _FL_MEDAL_STS shown in FIG. 44). Therefore, on the blocker signal output stop processing program, an instruction of at least two steps is required to clear the blocker signal output request and turn off the flag data. In order to avoid the discrepancy of the data contents between the output request data and the flag data, in this embodiment, as described above, the blocker signal output request is cleared during the interval interrupt prohibition (step S192) and the flag Data update (step S193) is executed.

(Single bet processing)
Next, details of the single betting process by the betting number management means will be described. FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating a single bet process.

  In the single betting process, the MPU 101 first reads the current bet number into the register (step S201). Next, the number of bets in the register is updated by “+1” (step S202). Then, by setting a bet number display output request, the bet numbers displayed by the bet number display lamps 34a, 34b, and 34c are updated (step S203).

  Here, the MPU 101 clears the acquired number display output request to turn off the display of the acquired number display 36 (step S204).

  Next, the prescribed upper limit number setting process described above is executed (step S205), and the updated bet number is read into the register (step S206).

  When the bet number has reached the prescribed upper limit number (step S207: YES), the prescribed number upper limit flag is set on (step S208), and the process returns to the game progress control process. If the bet number has not reached the prescribed upper limit number, the prescribed number upper limit flag is not set and the process returns to the game progress control process.

  The one-bet process is a process that is executed when a medal is inserted and accepted (step S162), an automatic insertion process after the re-game is activated (step S125), and the bet switch is operated in a situation where there is a credit. It is activated by a process (step S228) executed when it is executed. By making processing such as single betting processing into a subroutine (modularization), the program configuration can be simplified and the capacity can be reduced.

(Credit addition process)
FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating an example of credit addition processing by the internal storage number management means.

  In the credit addition process, the MPU 101 first reads the current credit number into a register (step S211). Next, the number of credits in the register is updated by “+1” (step S212). Then, by setting a credit number display output request, the updated credit number is displayed on the credit number display 35 (step S213).

  The above is an example of the medal insertion process that is executed in response to the detection of medals by the first and second sensors 541 and 542 in the medal management process.

(Bet operation acceptance process)
Next, details of the bet operation accepting process started when the single bet switch 52 or the max bet switch 54 is operated in step S146 of the medal management process will be described. Here, FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating the bet operation acceptance process.

  In the bet operation accepting process, the MPU 101 first determines whether the specified number upper limit flag is set on. If the flag is on, the MPU 101 returns to the game progress control process because the bet number has already reached the specified upper limit number. (Step S221: YES).

  Next, the MPU 101 sets “1” to a bet request number variable (hereinafter simply referred to as “bet request number”). If the MPU 101 detects that the switch signal of the max bet switch 54, which is a switch other than the single bet switch 52, is turned on (step S223: NO), it sets the specified number upper limit flag to on (step S224), and issues a bet request. The number is corrected to “3” (step S225).

  Then, the MPU 101 reads the credit number into the register, and compares the credit number with the bet request number (step S226). If it is determined that the number of credits is not equal to or greater than the bet request number (step S226: NO), the process returns to the game progress control process. Note that the processing after step S226 is also executed when it is detected that the single bet switch 52 is turned on in step S223 (step S223: YES).

  Next, when the MPU 101 determines that the number of credits is larger than the bet request number (step S226: YES), the MPU 101 clears the rising data of the single bet switch 52 (step S227). “Clear the rising data of the single bet switch 52” means that the sixth bit D5 of the rising data of the switches (for example, _IP_SWITCH_UP shown in FIG. 42) generated by the interval interrupt process is “0”. Is to do.

  In step S227, the MPU 101 may clear the rising data of the max bet switch 54. “Clearing the rising data of the max bet switch 54” means, for example, setting the seventh bit D6 of the rising data (for example, _IP_SWITCH_UP shown in FIG. 42) to “0”. In the process of step S227, it is not determined whether the operated switch is the single bet switch 52 or the maximum bet switch 54, but the bit D5 (1 of the 1-byte rising data (for example, _IP_SWITCH_UP shown in FIG. 42) Both the bet switch and the bit D6 (corresponding to the max bet switch) may be set to “0”. Thereby, the configuration and processing of the program can be simplified.

  Next, the MPU 101 executes a single bet process (step S228). This increases the number of bets by one. Then, a credit subtraction process is executed (step S229), and the current credit number is reduced by one. Then, the one-bet process and the credit subtraction process in steps S228 and S229 are repeated until the addition of the bet number of the bet request number is completed (step S230).

  As described above, the rising data is generated by an interrupt process and stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 1013. In the bet operation acceptance process, the rising data (_IP_SWITCH_UP) of the bet switch is cleared in step S227. If the rising data is not cleared, the rising data is maintained until the next interrupt process is executed. Then, the rising data of the single bet switch is “1” during the period until the next interrupt process is executed even though the signal bet of the single bet switch 52 is detected in the main bet operation acceptance process. ", There is a possibility that the 1-bet process (step S228) may be repeatedly executed twice or more. In order to avoid such inconvenience, in the present embodiment, when there is a medal credit, the rising data is cleared before the start of the one-bet process.

(Clearing process)
Next, details of the settlement process that is started when the settlement switch 57 is operated in step S148 of the medal management process will be described. FIG. 35 is a flowchart illustrating the settlement process by the settlement processing unit.

  In the settlement process, the MPU 101 first turns off (cannot accept) the start lever acceptance permission flag (step S240). Accordingly, even if the start lever 55 is operated during the settlement process, it becomes invalid.

  Next, the MPU 101 reads the current credit number from the credit number variable into, for example, the B register (step S241). Also, the MPU 101 reads the current bet number from the bet number variable into, for example, the A register (step S242), and stores the read bet number in the liquidation bet number variable (hereinafter simply referred to as “the liquidation bet number”).

  The MPU 101 checks the operation flag (step S243), and determines the operation state of the replay (step S244). If it is determined that the replay is in an operational state, the betable bet number is cleared to “0” (step S245). Note that the bet number read into the A register may be treated as a bettable bet number, and the exclusive bet (XOR) operation may be performed between its own values to clear the clearable bet number to “0”. .

  Then, the MPU 101 determines whether there is a medal to be settled (step S246). The number of “medals to be liquidated” here corresponds to the number of bets that can be liquidated plus the number of credits. In other words, “there is a medal to be liquidated” means that at least one of the bettable liquidation or the number of credits is “1” or more, in other words, neither the betable liquidation or the number of credits is “0”. It is.

  For example, a logical sum (OR) operation is performed on the value of the A register (the number of bets that can be settled) and the value of the B register (the number of credits). S246: YES).

  Incidentally, when the re-game is in an operating state, the number of bets that can be settled is cleared to “0” in step S245 described above, so the number of medals to be settled matches the number of credits.

  If the MPU 101 determines that there are no medals to be settled (step S246: NO), the clearing process ends and the process returns to the game progress control process. When there is a medal to be settled (step S246: YES), the blocker signal stop process (blocker OFF) already described is executed (step S247). This prohibits additional insertion of medals.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the re-game is operating (step S248). If the re-game is in an operating state (step S248: YES), a credit clearing process described later is executed (step S251). If the re-game is not in an operational state (step S248: NO), the MPU 101 reads the bet number into the register (step S249). If the bet number is equal to or greater than “1” (step S250: YES), the bet settlement process described later is performed. Is executed (step S252). If the bet number is “0” (step S250: NO), a credit settlement process described later is executed (step S252).

  Thus, the clearing processing means reads the current internal storage number (credit number) from the internal storage number management means, and reads the number of game medals (number of bets) bet on the game from the betting number management means. If the number of bets that can be settled (the number of bets that can be settled) is determined and the game is determined to be in a re-game operation state by the operating state determination means, the number of bets that can be settled (the number of bets that can be settled) is cleared If the internal storage number (credit number) is “1” or more, the medal payout device 83 is controlled to pay out the game medals by the read internal storage number (credit number), and the game is replayed by the operating state determination means. If it is determined that the bet is not in operation, if the number of bets that can be settled (the number of bets that can be settled) is equal to or greater than “1”, the medal payout device 83 is controlled so ) And paying out game medals, if the number of bets that can be settled (the number of bets that can be settled) is “0” and the number of internal storage (number of credits) is “1” or more, the medal payout device 83 is controlled. , Game medals are paid out by the number of internal storages read (number of bets). This enables credit settlement when the re-game is in operation. Further, if the re-game is not in an operating state, the liquidation of the bet number bet can be prioritized over the credit liquidation.

(Credit clearing process)
Next, the details of the above-described credit clearing process (step S251) activated by the clearing process will be described. FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating the credit clearing process.

  In the credit clearing process, the MPU 101 first reads the current credit number into the register (step S261). When the number of credits is “1” or more (step S262: YES), a medal single payout process described later is executed (step S263).

  When the payout of one medal is completed by the single medal payout process, the MPU 101 executes the credit subtraction process to reduce the number of credits by one (step S264). Then, the number of credits is read again (step S261), and if the number of credits is “1” or more (step S262: YES), a medal one payout process is executed (step S263). When the processes of steps S261 to S264 are repeatedly performed and the number of credits becomes “0” (step S262: NO), the above-described blocker signal output process (blocker ON) is executed (step S265). Thereby, after the completion of the credit settlement, the insertion and acceptance of medals from the medal insertion slot 51 is permitted.

(Bet settlement process)
Next, the details of the above-described bet settlement process (step S252) started in the settlement process will be described. FIG. 37 is a flowchart illustrating the bet settlement process.

  In the bet settlement process, the MPU 101 first reads the current bet number into the register (step S271). When the bet number is “1” or more (step S272: YES), a medal single payout process described later is executed (step S273).

  When the payout of one medal is completed by the single medal payout process, the MPU 101 executes the bet number subtraction process to reduce the bet number by one (step S274). Then, the number of bets is read again (step S271). If the number of bets is still “1” or more (step S272: YES), one medal payout process is executed (step S273). When the processes in steps S271 to S274 are repeatedly performed and the bet number becomes “0” (step S272: NO), the blocker signal output process (blocker ON) described above is executed (step S275). As a result, after the betting medals are settled, insertion of medals from the medal insertion slot 51 is permitted.

(1 medal payout process)
Next, details of the above-described medal one-sheet payout process that is started when a medal is paid out by the above-described clearing process or winning will be described. FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating the medal single payout process.

  The MPU 101 first determines whether an abnormality (payout device error) has already been detected in the medal payout device 83 with reference to the payout device error flag set by the abnormality monitoring processing means (step S281). When a payout device error is detected (step S281: YES), an error display process described later is executed (step S282).

  Next, the MPU 101 sets a payout control monitoring timer and starts measuring time (step S283). Then, the MPU 101 sets an output request for the payout drive signal (step S284).

  “The MPU 101 sets“ output request for payout drive signal ”” means that the second bit D1 (corresponding to the payout drive signal) is “1” in the memory area of the RAM 1013 referred to by the label_PT_BLK_HPM shown in FIG. 1 byte of output request data is stored, and a payout drive signal is output to the payout motor 420 of the medal payout device 83 in the next interrupt processing after the execution of this command. At this time, the payout drive signal flag is set to ON. Here, the “payout drive signal flag” is a flag indicating the output state of the payout drive signal.

  After outputting the payout drive signal, the MPU 101 does not detect the operation (ON) of the payout first sensor 411 of the medal payout device 83 (step S287: NO), and the payout control monitoring timer is set for a predetermined time (for example, 500 milliseconds). (Step S285: YES), it is determined that the empty error is one of the payout device errors, and the empty error flag is set on (step S286). Then, the payout drive signal is stopped (step S293) and the process returns. When the payout drive signal is stopped, the payout drive signal flag is turned off.

  When the MPU 101 detects that the payout first sensor 411 is on (step S287: YES) before the payout control monitoring timer measures the elapse of a predetermined time (for example, 500 milliseconds) (step S285: NO), The sensor timer is set and time measurement is started (step S288). If the turn-on of the second payout sensor 412 is continuously detected (step S289: YES), the payout second sensor timer is set and time measurement is started (step S290).

  The MPU 101 confirms that the payout second sensor 412 is turned off before a predetermined monitoring time (for example, 30 milliseconds) has elapsed by the time measurement by the payout second sensor timer (step S291: YES), and continues the time by the payout first sensor timer. When the measurement confirms that the payout first sensor 411 is turned off before a predetermined monitoring time (for example, 100 milliseconds) has elapsed (step S292: YES), it is determined that one medal has been paid out normally, and the payout drive signal Is cleared (step S293).

  The MPU 101 "clears the payout drive signal output request" means, for example, that the second bit D1 (corresponding to the payout drive signal) is set to "0" in the memory area of the RAM 1013 referred to by the label _PT_BLK_HPM shown in FIG. 1 byte output request data is stored, and the payout drive signal is stopped in the next interrupt processing after the execution of this instruction.

  On the other hand, when the payout second sensor 412 cannot be confirmed after the payout first sensor 411 is turned on, the MPU 101 determines that the medal payout device 83 is in a clogging error and sets the clogging error flag to on (step S294). Then, the payout drive signal is stopped (step S293) and the process returns.

  Further, the MPU 101 cannot confirm that the payout first sensor 411 is turned off after the payout first sensor 411 is turned on and before a predetermined monitoring time (for example, 100 milliseconds) is measured by the payout first sensor timer (step S292: NO). Alternatively, when the payout second sensor 412 is turned on and the turn-off second sensor 412 cannot be confirmed to be turned off before measuring a predetermined monitoring time (for example, 30 milliseconds) by the payout second sensor timer (step S291: NO), It is determined that there is a clogging error in the dispensing device 83, and a clogging error flag is set on (step S294). Then, the payout drive signal is stopped (step S293) and the process returns.

(Error display processing)
Next, details of an error display process started when a selector error is detected in the above-described medal insertion process or when a payout device error is detected in the single medal payout process will be described. FIG. 39 is a flowchart illustrating error display processing by the abnormality monitoring processing means and the return processing means.

  In the error display process, the MPU 101 first refers to the selector error flag and the payout device error flag, and stores the error code of the detected error in the stack area of the RAM 1013 (step S301). The error code may be stored in a predetermined memory area of the static RAM or may be stored in a register. Further, the MPU 101 refers to the payout drive signal flag, obtains information indicating the output state of the payout drive signal to the payout motor 410, and saves the information to the stack which is a storage save area (step S302). Subsequently, the MPU 101 refers to the blocker signal flag, obtains information indicating the output state of the blocker signal to the solenoid 533, and saves the information to the stack which is a storage save area (step S303).

  In addition, it is preferable that the bit corresponding to the blocker signal flag and the bit corresponding to the payout drive signal flag are included in the 1-byte flag data. As a result, the save processing in steps S302 and S303 can be executed with a one-step instruction, and the program can be simplified and the processing speed can be improved. In addition to the stack area of the RAM 1013, the save destination of the flag data may be a predetermined memory area or register of the static RAM.

  If the payout drive signal is being output, the MPU 101 clears the payout drive output request and stops the operation of the medal payout device 83 (step S304). If the blocker signal is being output, blocker signal stop processing (blocker OFF) is executed (step S305). In addition, the MPU 101 turns off the start lever reception permission flag and prohibits operation reception to the start lever 55 (step S306). Also, an error display output request is set, and an error code is displayed on a predetermined display (step S307).

  As described above, when the abnormality monitoring processing unit of the present embodiment detects a selector error and / or a payout device error, it saves the blocker signal information and the payout drive signal information in the storage save area, respectively, The payout drive signal is stopped. As described above, clearing the output request for the blocker signal and clearing the output request for the payout drive signal sets the first bit D0 (corresponding to the blocker signal) in the memory area referred to by the MPU 101 with the label _PT_BLK_HPM. 0 ”and the second bit D1 (corresponding to the payout drive signal) is set to“ 0 ”, and 1 byte of output request data is stored, and these signals are stored in the next interrupt processing after the execution of this instruction. Stop.

  Next, the MPU 101 waits in a loop process until a reset signal due to a reset operation to the slot machine 10 is detected (step S308: NO), receives the detection of the reset signal (step S308: YES), and performs a predetermined determination process. Is executed (step S309). If the error factor is not removed by this determination process (step S310: NO), the process proceeds to the process of waiting for the reset operation from step S308 again. When the MPU 101 determines that the error factor has been removed by the determination process (step S310: YES), the MPU 101 clears the stored error code (step S311), sets an error return display output request, and indicates that the error has been canceled. The image is displayed on a predetermined display (step S312).

  Next, the MPU 101 recalls the information of the payout drive signal before the error from the stack area of the RAM 1013 (step S313). If the payout drive signal has been output before the error (step S314: YES), the MPU 101 returns the payout drive signal information. An output request is set, and the operation of the medal payout device 83 is resumed (step S315). Further, the MPU 101 recalls the information of the blocker signal before the error from the stack area of the RAM 1013 (step S316). If the blocker signal is output before the error (step S317: YES), the blocker signal output process is executed (step S317: YES). Step S318). As described above, the blocker signal output request and the payout drive signal output request are set so that the MPU 101 sets the first bit D0 (corresponding to the blocker signal) to “1” in the memory area referred to by the label_PT_BLK_HPM. This is to store 1-byte output request data in which the second bit D1 (corresponding to the payout drive signal) is set to “1”. After execution of this instruction, these signals are output in the next interrupt process.

As described above, the return processing means of the present embodiment recalls the information of the payout drive signal from the storage save area, and controls the payout drive signal based on the recalled information, thereby driving the medal payout device 83 before the abnormality. Return to the state. The return processing means recalls the blocker signal information from the storage save area (stack), and controls the blocker signal based on the recalled information, thereby returning the blocker 532 to the position before the abnormality.
This makes it possible to reliably return these devices to a normal state after resetting without being affected by the error removal operation or determination processing on the selector 28 or medal payout device 83 in which an abnormality has occurred.

(Start lever check processing)
Next, details of the start lever check process activated in step S108 in the game progress control process will be described. Here, FIG. 40 is a flowchart illustrating the start lever check process.

  In the start lever check process, the MPU 101 first refers to the selector error flag and the payout device error flag and confirms that no error has occurred in these devices (step S321). Further, the prescribed number variable in the game is read and the prescribed number is checked (step S322). As described above, the “specified number” refers to the number of medals that can be bet on the game according to the game state as described above.

  Here, the MPU 101 compares the specified number uniquely corresponding to the game state of the game with the specified number stored in the specified number variable, and if they do not match (step S323: NO), start. The lever acceptance permission flag is turned off, or if the start lever acceptance permission flag is off, it is kept off, and the process returns to the game progress control process (step S324).

  Further, the MPU 101 determines whether or not the operation of the start lever 55 can be accepted (step S325). For example, if the game weight processing timer indicates that a predetermined time of 4.1 seconds has elapsed, for example, it is determined that the operation of the start lever 55 can be accepted. Note that the “game weight processing timer” is an internal timer that starts time measurement at the rising edge of the first drive pulse signal that rotates the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R as described above.

  When the MPU 101 determines that the operation of the start lever 55 can be accepted (step S325: YES), the MPU 101 sets the start lever acceptance permission flag to ON (step S326), and the rotation start sensor signal from the start lever 55 rises at this stage. Is not detected in the interval interruption process (step S327: NO), the process returns to the game progress control process. When the start lever 55 is operated and a rotation start sensor signal is detected by the interval interrupt process (step S327: YES), the MPU 101 executes a blocker signal stop process (step S328). Then, a built-in random number obtained by arithmetic processing based on the random number counter value and the soft random number is fetched (step S329).

  Although the basic embodiment desirable in the present invention has been described above, the following modifications or developments may be added.

Modification 1
The slot machine 10 includes at least, for example, replays A, B, and C. In these two types of replay players,
The operating condition of replay A is determined by the winning combination of replay A, and the symbol combination of “replay”, “replay” and “replay” is stopped and displayed;
The operating condition of replay B is determined by the winning combination of replay B, and the symbol combination “replay” “replay” “replay” or “replay” “replay” “bell” is stopped and displayed;
The replay C operating condition is that the winning combination of the replay C is determined, and the symbol combination “replay” “replay” “replay” or “replay” “replay” “watermelon” is stopped and displayed. .

  In this example, when a specific replay is activated, for example, when the symbol combination “Replay” “Replay” “Bell” is displayed and the replay B is activated, or the symbol combination “Replay” “Replay” “Watermelon” When replay C is activated, additional insertion and / or settlement of medals may be possible. In addition, the symbol combination to be stopped and displayed may be determined according to the stop operation procedure (stop operation order or stop operation timing).

Modification 2
In step S147 of the medal management process, the clearing process (step S148) may be executed not by the rising of the clearing switch 57 but by the long press of the clearing switch 57.

  For example, until the value of the eighth bit D7 corresponding to the clearing switch 57 of the input data (_IP_SWITCH_CUR) of the logically converted switch becomes “1” and the count number of interrupt cycles exceeds 500 (about 1.2 seconds) When the value of D7 is maintained at “1”, it can be determined that the settlement switch 57 has been pressed for a long time.

  Further, when the insertion of a medal is detected while the clearing switch 57 is being pressed and held, the medal insertion process (step S143) may be executed. For example, when the value of the eighth bit D7 of the switch input data (_IP_SWITCH_CUR) is “1” and the count number of the interrupt cycle does not exceed 500, the rising edge data of the sensor signal (for example, shown in FIG. 42) When the bit D5 corresponding to the insertion first sensor 541 of “IP_SENSOR_UP” becomes “1”, the medal insertion process may be activated.

Modification 3
In the re-game operating state determination process in the clearing process (step S248), when it is determined that the re-game is not in the operating state, the credit clearing process may be executed following the bet number clearing process. That is, if the re-game is not in an operational state, all bets and credited medals may be settled with a single operation.

Modification 4
Another embodiment of the game start process activated in step S102 of the game progress control process will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  The MPU 101 first sets a credit number display request (step S401). Then, the MPU 101 checks the operation flag (step S122) and determines whether the re-game is in an operation state or a non-operation state (step S402).

  When the MPU 101 determines that the re-game operation state is set (step S403: YES), the MPU 101 reads the credit amount into the register (step S404). It is determined whether the number of credits is the upper limit number of credits (for example, 50) (step S405). If the number of credits has not reached the upper limit number of credits (step S405: NO), blocker signal output processing (blocker ON) is executed (step S406), thereby permitting insertion of medals from the medal insertion slot 51.

  If it is determined in step S403 that the re-game is not in an operational state (step S403: NO), blocker signal output processing (blocker ON) is executed regardless of the number of credits (step S406).

  Then, the MPU 101 determines again whether or not the re-game is in an operational state (step S407). When the re-game is in an operational state (step S407: YES), a one-bet process is executed (step 408). One piece of step S408 until the number of bets automatically placed by the single betting process reaches the upper limit of the prescribed number (three in the normal gaming state, two in the special gaming state) (step S409: YES) The betting process is repeated.

  If it is determined in step S407 that the re-game is in an operating state, a predetermined waiting time is provided before the one-bet processing in step S408, and the one-bet processing is executed after the predetermined waiting time has elapsed. Also good. In other words, it may be controlled not to immediately execute the 1-bet process when the re-game player wins.

10 slot machine 28 selector 34a, 34b, 34c bet number display lamp 35 credit number display 36 acquired number display 40L, 40C, 40R reel 41L, 41C, 41R stepping motors 43L, 43C, 43R rotation reference sensor 50 operation panel unit 51 Medal slot 52 Single bet switch 54 Max bet switch 55 Start lever 56L, 56C, 56R Stop switch 57 Clearing switch 71 Medal payout port 72 Dish 80 Case 83 Medal payout device 100 Main control board 101 MPU
105 First clock source 107 Second clock source 200 Sub control board 201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
401 Hopper 402 Dispensing mechanism part 402a Medal discharge port 411 Discharging first sensor 412 Discharging second sensor 420 Discharging motor 500 Motor drive circuit 521 Medal inlet 522 Medal outlet 523 Medal guide passage 530 Blocker mechanism part 532 Blocker 533 Solenoid 541 Input first sensor 542 Input second sensor 543 Input monitoring sensor

Claims (1)

A slot for game medals,
A selector for selecting game medals to be inserted from the insertion slot;
A main control board having an arithmetic processing device for controlling the progress of the game by arithmetic processing;
A slot machine with
The selector includes a blocker that moves to a position that allows or rejects game medals, and an insertion sensor that detects game medals.
The main control board is
A winning combination determining means for determining a winning combination by lottery when the start lever is operated, on condition that a prescribed number of game medals bet;
An upper limit number setting means for setting an upper limit number of the prescribed number that can be bet on the game;
Bet number management means for managing the number of game medals bet on a game;
A predetermined upper limit number is determined in advance, and the internal storage number management means for managing the internal storage number of game medals;
Blocker control means for controlling the position of the blocker;
Game medal management means for executing control relating to game medals triggered by detection of game medals by the insertion sensor;
Random number generating means for updating a random number used to determine the winning combination;
A signal input port to which at least an insertion sensor signal is input when a game medal is detected by the insertion sensor;
With
There is at least a re-game player as a winning combination determined by the winning combination determining means,
The upper limit number setting means sets the number of game medals bet on the previous game to the prescribed number of the current game when a re-game player is established in the previous game,
The bet number management means sets the number of game medals bet on the previous game as the bet number of the current game when a re-game player is established in the previous game,
The game medal management means includes
Arithmetic processing based on the upper limit number of the prescribed number set by the upper limit number setting means, the number of game medals stored by the betting number management means, and the internal storage number stored by the internal storage number management means Run
The blocker control means includes
When the result of the arithmetic processing is a predetermined result, the blocker is controlled from a position where game medals are accepted to a position where game medals are not accepted,
When the prescribed number of game medals are bet and the start lever is operated, the blocker is controlled to a position where the game medals are not accepted,
In a game in which a re-playing role is established in the previous game, the game storage medal is changed from a position where the game medal acceptance is permitted to a position where the game medal acceptance is permitted on condition that the internal storage number does not reach the predetermined upper limit. Control the blocker,
In games where a re-game is not established in the previous game, game medals are allowed to be accepted from a position where acceptance of game medals is rejected regardless of whether or not the number of internal storage reaches the predetermined upper limit. Control the blocker in position,
The input sensor signal information input to the signal input port is acquired by an interrupt process executed at a predetermined cycle,
The main control board includes: a first clock source that provides a system clock signal for operating the arithmetic processing unit to the arithmetic processing unit; and a second clock source that provides a random number clock signal to the random number generating unit. And a timer circuit for executing the interrupt processing based on the system clock signal from the first clock source.

Images