JP5970109B1 - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a gaming machine capable of appropriately performing both eco-mode on / off switching setting and volume adjustment using an existing volume adjustment switch. A slot machine 1 includes a rotary switch 34a for volume adjustment, and a sub-control board 73 that performs volume adjustment and eco-mode switching setting of speakers 31L and 31R. The sub-control board 73 includes a rotary switch 34a. The eco-mode on / off correspondence set for each switch number and the volume are stored in advance, and when a predetermined eco-mode switching setting condition is satisfied, the switch number is associated with the switch number after the rotary switch 34a is switched. The eco-mode switching is set by judging whether the eco-mode is on or off, and when a predetermined volume switching setting condition different from the eco-mode switching setting condition is satisfied, it is associated with the switch number after switching the rotary switch 34a. To the specified volume. [Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine having an eco mode for reducing power consumption.

  Conventionally, game machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines perform various effects using liquid crystal display devices, decorative lamps, movable accessories, speakers, and the like. Some gaming machines of this type are equipped with an eco mode for saving power consumed in such effects and power consumed during standby in response to a recent demand for lower power consumption.

  For example, in the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, a technique for performing on / off switching of the eco mode using a rotary switch for volume adjustment is disclosed. In this case, the rotary switch has 16 switching contacts “0” to “F”, and these switching contacts are “0”, “1”... “7”, “8”,.・ "E" and "F" are arranged in the clockwise order. The switching contacts “0” to “7” are set in the volume adjustment area in which the eco mode is off, and the switching contacts “8” to “F” are set in the volume adjustment area in the eco mode on.

Japanese Patent No. 4968401 (see paragraphs 0047-0050, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, etc.)

  However, in the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, the rotary switch has 16 switching contacts, but the volume level can be adjusted in 8 steps. / Off may not be switched. In addition, although only one of the eco mode switching setting and the volume adjustment is intended, there is a possibility that an erroneous operation of performing both may occur, and there is a problem in coexistence of the volume adjustment and the on / off switching of the eco mode. Therefore, it is conceivable to newly provide an eco-mode switching setting switch. However, since the number of parts increases, the volume adjustment and the eco-mode on / off can be performed using the existing volume adjustment switch. There is a need for a technique that can appropriately perform both switching settings.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a gaming machine capable of appropriately performing both eco-mode on / off switching setting and volume adjustment using an existing volume adjustment switch. For the purpose.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the gaming machine according to the present invention has an eco-mode on and a suppression in which the power consumption of a plurality of effect members including an illumination, an effect lamp, a liquid crystal panel, and an effect speaker is suppressed. In a gaming machine capable of switching to eco mode off and operating in an unoperated state, a volume control switch having a plurality of switching contacts for adjusting the volume of the speaker, volume control of the speaker, and eco mode Control means for setting the switching, a setting display switch for displaying a set value indicating the payout rate, and a power switch for starting the gaming machine, the control means, each switch of the volume adjustment switch Pre-store the association of eco-mode on and eco-mode off allocated to the different switching contacts among the contacts, and Previously storing the correspondence volume set for switching contact respectively, when the setting display switch ECO mode switching setting condition that the volume control switch is switched when in the ON state is established, the volume After the adjustment switch is switched, the eco mode on or eco mode off associated with the switching contact is determined to set the eco mode switching. When the setting display switch is in the off state, the volume adjustment switch Even if it is switched, the eco mode switching setting is not performed, the volume adjustment is not performed until the power switch is operated after the volume adjustment switch is switched, and the power switch is operated after the volume adjustment switch is switched. Volume selection that is different from the eco-mode switching setting condition When e setting condition is satisfied, and wherein the adjusting to the volume associated with the switching contact after switching of the volume control switch. According to this configuration, since the eco mode switching setting condition for switching the eco mode state is different from the volume switching setting condition for adjusting the volume, when one of the eco mode state and the volume is to be changed, It is possible to prevent an erroneous operation of changing the other setting that is not intended to be changed. In addition, when performing both eco mode switching and volume adjustment using the volume adjustment switch, there is a problem that the volume level that can be adjusted decreases with respect to the number of switching contacts of the volume adjustment switch as in the past. Does not occur. In other words, both the volume adjustment and the eco mode switching setting can be appropriately performed using the existing volume adjustment switch. Further, when the switching contact of the volume adjustment switch is switched while the setting display switch is turned on to display the set value, only the eco mode is switched and set among the eco mode and the volume associated with the switching contact. After that, when the setting display switch is turned off and the setting check operation is resumed, the eco-mode will not be changed even if the volume adjustment switch contact is changed. By operating, only the volume is changed. Checking the set value is rarely performed during business hours in the hall, so if the volume adjustment switch is switched during business hours, only the volume adjustment is performed and the eco mode is switched off during business hours. A practical configuration in which the switching setting is performed can be provided.

In addition, other game machines according to the present invention operate in an eco-mode on state in which power consumption of a plurality of stage members including lighting, a stage lamp, a liquid crystal panel, and a stage speaker is suppressed, and in an uncontrolled state. In a gaming machine capable of switching the eco mode to off, the volume adjustment switch having a plurality of switching contacts for adjusting the volume of the speaker, the volume adjustment of the speaker, and the setting of the eco mode switching Control means for performing, and a setting display switch for displaying a set value indicating a payout rate, wherein the control means is allocated to the different switching contacts among the switching contacts of the volume adjustment switch The correspondence between eco-mode on and eco-mode off is stored in advance, and the correspondence of the volume set for each switching contact Only stored in advance, when the set display switch eco mode switching setting condition that the volume control switch is switched when in the ON state is established, correspondence to the switching contact after switching of the volume control switch The eco-mode switching setting is made by judging whether the eco-mode is on or eco-mode off, and even if the volume adjustment switch is switched when the setting display switch is off, the eco-mode switching setting is made. When a volume switching setting condition different from the eco-mode switching setting condition for performing the switching operation of the volume adjustment switch is satisfied, the volume associated with the switching contact after the volume adjustment switch is switched The eco mode on and the eco mode off are It is characterized by being allocated for the switching contact in contact. According to this configuration, et Komodo is that the setting display switch is not switched set if in the ON state, the volume adjustment is immediately reflected by switching operation of the contacts of the volume control switch. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation in which the eco mode state is switched although the switch contact should be switched to adjust the volume . Also, when performing the switching of eco mode on / off, as a gaming machine described in Patent Document 2, there is no need to turn a large rotary switch.

Further, the apparatus further comprises player volume specifying means for specifying the volume of the speaker based on a predetermined volume adjustment operation by the player, and the control means specifies the volume of the speaker by the player volume specifying means. If, regardless of the position of the switching contact of the volume control switch, but it may also be to adjust the level of the output signal to the speaker to be the designated volume to perform the volume setting. According to this configuration, since the player volume designation means for designating the volume of the speaker based on the player's operation is provided along with the volume adjustment switch, the volume can be changed during the game, which is practical.

According to the present invention, since the eco-mode switching setting condition for switching the eco-mode state is different from the volume switching setting condition for adjusting the volume, when trying to change one of the eco-mode state and the volume, It is possible to prevent an erroneous operation of changing the other setting which is not originally intended to be changed. In addition, when performing both eco mode switching and volume adjustment using the volume adjustment switch, there is a problem that the volume level that can be adjusted decreases with respect to the number of switching contacts of the volume adjustment switch as in the past. Does not occur. In other words, both the volume adjustment and the eco mode switching setting can be appropriately performed using the existing volume adjustment switch.

It is a perspective view of the slot machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows a rotary switch. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the switching contact of a rotary switch, ON / OFF setting of an eco mode, and a volume level. It is a figure for demonstrating the player's volume adjustment mechanism. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the switching contact of a rotary switch, and a default volume. It is a figure which shows the modification of the relationship between the switching contact of a rotary switch, ON / OFF setting of eco mode, and a volume level. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the switching contact of the rotary switch of FIG. 7, and a default volume.

  A slot machine 1 as an example of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a perspective view of the slot machine 1, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine 1, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a rotary switch, and FIG. 4 is a switching contact of the rotary switch and an eco mode on / off state. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the off setting and the volume level, FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a player volume adjustment mechanism, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the switching contact of the rotary switch and the default volume.

(Constitution)
In the slot machine 1 in this embodiment, one game is executed based on a player's operation on condition that a prescribed number of game media such as medals are inserted. It is configured as follows. That is, in this slot machine 1, the front surface of the housing 3 is closed by the front door 5 so that it can be opened and closed, and the operation plate 7 is disposed at a substantially central height position of the front door 5. A front plate 9 is disposed above the front plate 9.

  The front plate 9 is provided with a horizontally long display window 11. Inside the display window 11, left, middle, and right reels that variably display a plurality of types of symbols in a predetermined order are arranged. The left, middle, and right reels are provided with a total of 21 types of symbols (for example, “7”, “BAR”, “Bell”, “Cherry”, “Watermelon”, “R1”, “R2”) in a predetermined arrangement. ing. Further, frame numbers from 0 to 20 are assigned to each symbol in order. Then, for example, a reel tape on which symbols from frame numbers 0 to 20 are printed is attached to the peripheral surface of the reel to form each reel. When the reels 13L, 13M, and 13R rotate, a plurality of symbols are variably displayed on the display window 11 in a predetermined order of frame numbers 20, 19,..., 0, 20,. From the display window 11, when the rotation of each reel is stopped, the symbols are set to look into a total of three symbols, one in each of the upper, middle and lower stages. That is, when all three reels are stopped, a total of nine symbols arranged in three columns and three rows are stopped and displayed on the display window 11.

  Further, reel motors 14L, 14M and 14R (see FIG. 2) each composed of a stepping motor are connected to each reel so that each reel can be driven to rotate independently.

  Further, the operation panel 7 has a bet switch 15 for instructing the insertion of medals one by one from the credit medals stored therein, and the maximum number of cards inserted per game (game) from the credit medals (set to 3). The maximum bet switch 17 for instructing the insertion of medals), the lever-shaped start switch 19 for rotating each reel to start variable display of each symbol, and stopping the rotation of the left, middle and right reels, respectively. Left / middle / right stop switches 21L, 21M, 21R for stopping the variable display of each symbol, a settlement switch 23 for paying out credit medals, and a medal slot 25 are provided. In this embodiment, one type of three medals inserted (specified number) necessary for one game is set. Further, a plurality of variable display rows for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols are formed by each reel, and each stop switch 21L, 21M, 21R is provided corresponding to each reel.

  In addition, an animation or the like is displayed almost at the center above the front plate 9 to notify the player of winning or winning, or to notify the operation mode of each stop switch 21L, 21M, 21R. Liquid crystal display 27 (corresponding to the “liquid crystal panel” of the present invention) is provided, and an explanation panel 29 on which various winning symbols are displayed is provided immediately above the liquid crystal display 27, and the liquid crystal display 27 Speakers 31L and 31R (corresponding to the “speaker for performance” of the present invention) are provided on the left and right sides of the explanation panel 29, respectively, for performing effects by music or voice. A central lamp portion 33M is disposed on the upper side of the explanation panel 29 and the speakers 31L and 31R, and left and right lamp portions 33L and 33R are disposed on the left and right sides thereof. Each lamp unit 33M, 33L, 33R is provided with a light source such as a light emitting diode. These lamp portions 33M, 33L, and 33R are integrally formed to constitute an upper lamp portion 33 (corresponding to the “ramp for performance” of the present invention) for performing effects such as notifying the player of winning and winning. doing.

  In addition, a lower panel 35 on which a decorative image or the like is displayed is provided below the operation panel 7. A lower lamp unit in which a plurality of light sources are arranged in, for example, two rows on the left and right sides of the lower panel 35. 37L and 37R (corresponding to the “production lamp” of the present invention) are provided. A medal payout opening 39 and a medal receiver 41 for receiving medals paid out from the payout opening 39 are provided below the lower panel 35. In addition, a winning line is drawn on the front plate 9, and a credit indicator 45 for displaying the number of stored credit medals is disposed at the lower left corner of the front plate 9. The credit display 45 is composed of, for example, two 7-segment LEDs, and can display a 2-digit stored number (up to 50).

  A support frame (not shown) that supports each reel is fixed to the rear wall in the housing 3. A hopper unit 43 (see FIG. 2) for discharging medals to the payout opening 39 is disposed below the support frame in the housing 3. Further, on the back side near the medal slot 25, a medal selector 48 (see FIG. 2) that selects whether or not the medal inserted into the medal slot 25 is genuine and guides only the regular medal to the hopper unit 43. ) Is arranged. Further, on the left side of the hopper unit 43, an operation box 49 (see FIG. 2) is fixed to the left side wall in the housing 3. The operation box 49 is provided with a power switch 50 (see FIG. 2) for switching on / off of the power source, as well as a key cylinder and a push button type setting change button 52 (see FIG. 2) for setting change processing described later. ) Is provided.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the insertion sensor 53 is provided in the medal selector 48 in the vicinity of the medal insertion slot 25 inside the housing 3, and detects the medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 25 one by one. The payout sensor 54 is provided at the exit of the hopper unit 43 and detects medals paid out to the payout outlet 39 one by one.

  The left / middle / right position sensors 55L, 55M, and 55R are for detecting the rotation positions of the left, middle, and right reels, respectively. For example, the photo that detects protrusions provided on the left, middle, and right reels, respectively. When the left, middle, and right reels are made of interrupters, the protrusions are detected every round and the detection signals are output to the main control board 63. In this embodiment, for example, when the left / middle / right position sensors 55L, 55M, and 55R detect the protrusions, the symbol of frame number 20 is arranged in the middle of the display window 11, respectively. .

  The setting display switch 56 is provided inside the key cylinder of the operation box 49, and is turned on / off by inserting and rotating a setting change key (not shown) into the key cylinder.

  Here, an operation procedure for changing a setting value for adjusting the payout rate of the slot machine 1 will be described. For example, when the setting display switch 56 is turned on before the power switch 50 of the slot machine 1 is turned on and the power switch 50 is turned on, the setting change process is started. At this time, when the setting change button 52 (reset switch) is pressed once, the setting value set before the ON operation of the power switch 50 is temporarily set to a setting value one higher (for example, setting 3 to setting 4). Tentative setting). Thereafter, each time the setting change button 52 is pressed, the setting value is temporarily set to the next higher setting value. However, when the setting change button 52 is pressed when the temporary setting value is 6, the setting value returns to 1 and is temporarily set. Finally, the set value is determined by turning on the start switch 19, and the temporary set value at that time becomes the set value of the slot machine 1.

  When confirming the set value, when the setting display switch 56 is turned on, the current set value is displayed on the setting display 36 disposed on the back side of the front door 5. The setting indicator 36 is formed of, for example, a 7 segment LED.

  The hopper motor 57 is disposed in the hopper unit 43 and pays out medals toward the payout opening 39 by driving thereof.

  Further, in this slot machine 1, a main control board 63 on which a main CPU 61 that performs control relating to the progress of the game is mounted, and a sub that performs control of effects in accordance with the progress of the game based on information transmitted from the main control board 63. A sub control board 73 on which the CPU 71 is mounted is provided separately, and various game information is transmitted from the main control board 63 to the sub control board 73 in one direction.

  The RAM 65 of the main control board 63 temporarily stores data relating to the game such as the game state of the slot machine 1, and various storage areas for storing various data are formed.

  The ROM 67 of the main control board 63 stores a game machine program (a program for the slot machine 1) including preset data.

  Further, the main CPU 61 of the main control board 63 has an interrupt function such as a timer interrupt, and executes a game machine program stored in the ROM 67 to perform processing related to the progress of the game. Further, the main CPU 61 is operated by a player such as information on the result lottery result (including information necessary for winning a prize, which will be described later) by the part lottery means 103, the stop switches 21L, 21M, 21R, the start switch 19, and the like. Various game information such as information related to the operation of the operating tool is transmitted to the sub control board 73 (sub CPU 71) in a command format.

  The memory 75 of the sub-control board 73 includes a RAM unit that temporarily stores various data and a ROM unit that stores various programs for effects. The sub CPU 71 of the sub control board 73 has an interrupt function such as a timer interrupt, and the sub CPU 71 is stored in the memory 75 based on various game information regarding the slot machine 1 transmitted from the main CPU 61. By executing the program, the contents of the production related to the game for the player are determined. In addition, the sub CPU 71 of the sub control board 73 controls the effect devices such as the liquid crystal display 27 and the speakers 31L and 31R via the I / O port of the sub control board 73 based on the determined contents of the effect. I do.

  The sub-control board 73 includes a device-side volume adjustment switch 34a (corresponding to the “volume adjustment switch” of the present invention) and a player-side volume adjustment switch 34b for adjusting the volumes output from the speakers 31L and 31R, respectively. (Corresponding to the “player volume designation means” of the present invention) is connected. In this embodiment, the apparatus-side volume adjustment switch 34 a is mounted on the sub-control board 73 and fixed to the inner surface of the housing 3. On the other hand, the player-side volume adjustment switch 34b is disposed on, for example, the operation plate 7 so as to be operated by the player, and is connected to the sub-control board 73 via a harness or the like.

  In addition, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the eco mode is turned on in a state where power consumption of a plurality of effect members including the illumination, the effect lamp, the liquid crystal display 27, and the speakers 31L and 31R is suppressed, and the state where the effect is not suppressed The eco-mode state can be switched between eco-mode off and operation. An example of suppression of power consumption when the eco mode is on will be described. For example, in the operating state of the slot machine 1, the illumination for the lower panel 35 that is lit when the eco mode is off is turned off. Further, in the standby state of the slot machine 1, the brightness of the illumination for the lower panel 35 is suppressed to 50% when the eco mode is off, the backlight of each reel is turned off, and the upper lamp portion which is a lamp for production is further provided. 33 and the lower lamp portions 37L and 37R are both turned off.

  The operation state of the slot machine 1 is shifted from the standby state to the standby state when a state in which there is no input signal to the slot machine 1 continues for a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes). Transition to the operating state. When the eco mode is on, the volume output from the speakers 31L and 31R may be suppressed or silenced compared to when the eco mode is off.

  In this embodiment, the eco mode on and eco mode off switching setting (eco mode switching setting) is performed using the device-side volume adjustment switch 34a that adjusts the output volume of the speakers 31L and 31R. As shown in FIG. 3, the device-side volume adjustment switch 34 a is composed of a rotary switch having ten switching contacts for rotating the knob to switch the switch numbers 0 to 9. Hereinafter, the apparatus-side volume adjustment switch 34a may be referred to as a rotary switch 34a.

  As shown in FIG. 4, each of the switch numbers “0” to “9” of the rotary switch 34a is associated with an eco mode state of either eco mode on or eco mode off, and a volume level. The correspondence relationship is stored in the memory 75 of the sub control board 73. The volume levels output from the speakers 31L and 31R are set in 10 levels from 1 to 10. The switch number “0” is the volume level “1”, the switch number “1” is the volume level “2”, and the switch number “2”. "" Is a volume level "3", and the volume level increases as the switch number increases. Note that the rotary switch 34a is capable of mutual movement of the switch number “0” and the switch number “9”.

  Regarding the eco mode state, when each switch number is “0, 2, 4, 6, 8”, the eco mode is set to ON and each switch number is “1, 3, 5, 7, In any case of “9”, the eco mode is set to off. In other words, eco mode on and eco mode off are distributed alternately to adjacent switching contacts, and the switch number is changed by rotating the knob of the rotary switch 34a clockwise or counterclockwise. The eco mode is switched on and off alternately. At this time, the on / off state of the eco mode for the switching contact of the rotary switch 34a is registered in advance, for example, by mapping it in the memory 75 of the sub control board 73.

  As described above, when both the eco mode state and the volume level are associated with each switch number, it is difficult to cope with changing only one of the eco mode state and the volume level. The embodiment is configured to cope with a case where only one of the eco mode state and the volume level is desired to be changed by making the eco mode state switching setting condition different from the volume switching setting condition. Hereinafter, the eco mode switching setting and the volume adjustment will be described.

  First, switching between eco mode on and eco mode off will be described. First, the sub-control board 73 determines whether or not a setting value confirmation operation has been performed, that is, whether or not the setting display switch 56 is in an ON state. This determination is made based on information transmitted from the main control board 63 (information on whether or not the setting display switch is in an ON state). If the sub-control board 73 determines that the setting display switch 56 is in the ON state, it then determines whether or not the switch number of the rotary switch 34a has been switched. Next, when the sub-control board 73 determines that the switch number of the rotary switch 34a has been switched while the setting display switch 56 is on (corresponding to "Establishment of eco-mode switching setting condition" of the present invention), the switch after switching After further determining whether the eco-mode state associated with the number is on or off, set the switch to the eco-mode state of eco-mode on or eco-mode off associated with the switch number after switching. Do. That is, the eco mode state associated with the switched switch number is reflected in the current eco mode state.

  On the other hand, if the sub-control board 73 determines that the above confirmation operation has not been performed, that is, if the setting display switch 56 is in the OFF state, the switch number of the rotary switch 34a is switched. However, the eco mode state before switching the switch number is maintained without performing the eco mode state switching setting. The eco mode state is stored in a predetermined eco mode storage area of the memory 75 of the sub control board 73, and is rewritten every time the eco mode state is switched and set.

  Next, the volume switching setting will be described. The sub control board 73 performs volume adjustment by determining whether or not the power switch 50 is turned on or off. Specifically, a predetermined storage area of the memory 75 is provided with a volume storage area for storing the set volume level, and the volume level set on the sub-control board 73 can be stored. Yes. Each time the power switch 50 is turned on or off, the sub control board 73 associates the volume level stored in the volume storage area of the memory 75 with the switch number of the rotary switch 34a at the time of the operation. Then, the sound volume output from the speakers 31L and 31R is adjusted to the rewritten sound volume level. According to this configuration, even when the switch number of the rotary switch 34a is switched in order to adjust the volume, the volume level is not immediately adjusted to the volume level of the switch number after switching, but after the switch number is switched. After the power switch 50 is turned on or off, the volume level of the switch number after switching is adjusted. Note that turning on or off the power switch 50 corresponds to the “volume switching setting condition” of the present invention.

  The volume can be adjusted not only by switching the switch number of the rotary switch 34a but also by operating the player side volume adjustment switch 34b that can be operated by the player. The player-side volume adjustment switch 34b is, for example, the left and right keys 34L and 34R of the menu switch group 16 used when displaying various information related to the game on the liquid crystal display 27 (the player-side volume adjustment switch 34b in FIG. 2). Or the like). Each time the left key 34L is pressed once, the volume level is decreased by one, and every time the right key 34R is pressed once, the volume level is increased by one.

  Regarding the volume adjustment by the player, when one of the left and right keys 34L and 34R is pressed by the player when each reel is stopped, the volume level as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 27, for example. In this case, seven bars are arranged in the left-right direction, and the volume level can be determined from the number of bars painted in a predetermined color. Here, the volume level (default volume) initially displayed when the left and right keys 34L and 34R are pressed is determined based on the switch number of the rotary switch 34a. In a predetermined default volume storage area of the memory 75 of the sub-control board 73, as shown in FIG. 6, the relationship between each switch number of the rotary switch 34a and the default volume displayed on the liquid crystal display 27 is stored. .

  When one of the left and right keys 34L and 34R is pressed while each reel is stopped, the sub control board 73 determines the switch number of the rotary switch 34a at that time, and then the data in the default volume storage area. Then, the default volume is determined, and the liquid crystal display 27 is controlled so that the default volume is displayed. For example, when the switch number of the rotary switch 34a is set to “3” and one of the left and right keys 34L and 34R is pressed, the sub control board 73 displays the default volume as shown in FIG. The liquid crystal display 27 is controlled as described above. When the switch number of the rotary switch 34a is “6” to “9”, the sub control board 73 sets the liquid crystal display 27 so that the volume “7” which is the maximum volume is displayed as the default volume. Control. In this case, the volume displayed on the liquid crystal display 27 is the maximum volume “7”, but the volume actually output from the speakers 31L and 31R is set to a level corresponding to the switch number of the rotary switch 34a.

  Note that the volume level screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 27 is switched from the normal screen to the operation of the left and right keys 34L and 34R, and then the no-operation state continues for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds). When it comes to the normal screen automatically. Further, when the start switch 19 is operated before the non-operation state continues for a predetermined time, the normal screen is automatically returned.

  After the default volume is displayed, when the player operates the left / right keys 34L and 34R to specify the volume level, the sub control board 73 sets the specified volume regardless of the switch number of the rotary switch 34a. The volume is set by adjusting the level of the output signal to the speakers 31L and 31R so that the volume level is reached.

  Further, in this embodiment, when the power switch 50 is turned off after the player has designated the volume level, it is displayed on the liquid crystal display 27 after the next power switch 50 is turned on. The default volume level is maintained at the volume level immediately before the power switch 50 is turned off.

  Here, the function of adjusting the volume of the speakers 31L and 31R by the sub-control board 73 and the function of performing the eco-mode switching setting correspond to the “control means” of the present invention.

  Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, the eco-mode switching setting condition is “switch number can be switched while the setting value confirmation operation is performed”, and the setting value confirmation operation is performed. If it is not in the state, even if the switch number of the rotary switch 34a is switched, the switch number after the switching is not switched to the eco mode state. On the other hand, the volume switching setting condition is “ON / OFF operation of the power switch 50”. Even if the switch number of the rotary switch 34a is switched, if the power switch 50 is not operated after that, after the switching. The volume level of the switch number is not switched. Therefore, when one of the volume adjustment and the eco mode switching setting is performed, an erroneous operation of performing the other which is not originally intended to be changed can be prevented.

  In this embodiment, eco mode on and off are assigned to adjacent switch numbers (switching contacts), and the eco mode can be switched only by moving one scale. It is easy to generate. However, by making the eco-mode switching setting condition different from the volume switching setting condition, the erroneous operation can be surely prevented even with such a configuration of the rotary switch 34a.

  In addition, since the eco-mode switching setting is performed using the existing rotary switch 34a for volume adjustment, the cost of the gaming machine can be reduced. In addition, a part of each switch number (switching contact) of the rotary switch 34a is not configured to be a switching contact dedicated to the eco mode switching setting, but is configured to associate both the volume level and the eco mode state with each switch number. The hardware change of the rotary switch 34a becomes unnecessary. As a result, the eco mode function can be added to all existing models by simply changing the software.

  In addition, since the setting value confirmation operation (setting display switch 56 is turned on) is rarely operated during business hours in the hall, the volume adjustment is performed when the rotary switch 34a is switched during business hours. It is possible to provide a practical configuration in which the eco mode switching setting is performed outside business hours.

  Further, it is practical because the volume can be adjusted not only by the rotary switch 34a generally operated by a hall employee but also by the left and right keys that can be operated by the player.

(Modification of switch configuration)
Next, a modified example of the relationship between each switch number of the rotary switch 34a, the on / off setting of the eco mode, and the volume level will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 is a diagram showing a modified example of the relationship between the switching contact of the rotary switch 34a and the on / off setting of the eco mode and the volume level, and FIG. 8 is the relationship between the switching contact of the rotary switch 34a and the default volume in FIG. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the switch configuration of this example is different from the configuration of the above-described embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the switch numbers “0” and “1” are both the volume level “1” and the switch number “2”. ”And“ 3 ”are both volume levels“ 2 ”, switch numbers“ 4 ”and“ 5 ”are both volume levels“ 3 ”, switch numbers“ 6 ”and“ 7 ”are both volume levels“ 4 ”, The switch numbers “8” and “9” are both associated with the volume level “5”. That is, the two adjacent switch numbers of the rotary switch 34a are paired so that the eco mode can be switched on and off without changing the volume level. Both the eco mode switching setting condition and the volume switching setting condition are the same as in the above-described embodiment.

  As for the volume adjustment by the player, in the predetermined default volume storage area of the memory 75 of the sub-control board 73, each switch number of the rotary switch 34a as shown in FIG. 8, the default volume displayed on the liquid crystal display 27, and The relationship is remembered. For example, when the switch number of the rotary switch 34a is “4” or “5”, when one of the left and right keys 34L and 34R is pressed while each reel is stopped, the sub control board 73 is The liquid crystal display 27 is controlled so that the default volume as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed.

  The volume levels 1 to 5 of the rotary switch 34a correspond to the volume levels 2 to 6 displayed on the liquid crystal display 27, and the minimum volume (volume level 1) and the maximum volume displayed on the liquid crystal display 27. (Volume level 7) is a volume level that can be adjusted only by operating the left and right keys 34L and 34R by the player. That is, the volume adjustment by the left and right keys 34L and 34R is configured to be performed in a wider range than the volume adjustment by the rotary switch 34a. In the above-described embodiment, similarly, the volume adjustment by the left and right keys 34L and 34R may be performed in a wider range than the volume adjustment by the rotary switch 34a.

  According to this configuration, in addition to the effects obtained in the above-described embodiment, the eco mode switching setting can be performed without changing the volume setting.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications other than those described above can be made without departing from the spirit thereof. As long as it is different from the mode switching setting condition, it can be appropriately changed. For example, the switching operation of the switch number of the rotary switch 34a may be set as the volume switching setting condition. In this case, the volume is immediately adjusted to the volume of the switch number after switching by the switching operation of the switch number of the rotary switch 34a. However, the eco mode state is switched if the setting value confirmation operation is not performed. It will not be set.

  Moreover, the structure which does not provide the player side volume adjustment switch 34b (left-right key 34L, 34R) may be sufficient. In the above-described embodiment, the case where the apparatus-side volume adjustment switch 34a is configured by a rotary switch has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  Of the switch numbers of the rotary switch 34a, for example, the switch number “0” is made to correspond to the eco mode on, the switch number “1” is made to correspond to the eco mode off, and the remaining switch numbers “2” to “9” may be configured not to be used for the eco mode switching setting. In this case, both the eco mode switching setting condition and the volume switching setting condition may be the same as the conditions of the above-described embodiment.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the slot machine 1 has been described as an example of the gaming machine of the present invention. However, a pachinko machine, a gaming machine (so-called parrot) in which a slot machine and a pachinko machine are combined, or a computer. The present invention may be applied to a video game by executing a program.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Slot machine (game machine), 27 ... Liquid crystal display (liquid crystal panel), 31L, 31R ... Speaker (production speaker), 33 ... Upper lamp part (production lamp), 34a ... Device side volume adjustment switch (volume) Adjustment switch), 34b ... player side volume adjustment switch (player volume designation means), 37L, 37R ... lower lamp section (production lamp), 50 ... power switch, 56 ... setting display switch, 73 ... sub control board ( Control means)

Claims (3)

It is possible to switch between eco-mode on and off for eco-modes that operate in a state where power consumption of a plurality of production members including lighting, production lamps, liquid crystal panels, and production speakers is suppressed. In gaming machines,
A volume adjustment switch having a plurality of switching contacts for adjusting the volume of the speaker;
Control means for performing volume adjustment of the speaker and setting of the eco-mode switching;
A setting display switch for displaying a set value indicating a payout rate;
A power switch for starting a gaming machine,
The control means includes
Pre-store the association of eco-mode on and eco-mode off allocated to the different switching contacts among the switching contacts of the volume adjustment switch, and set the volume set for each of the switching contacts. Pre-store the correspondence,
When the eco mode switching setting condition that the volume adjustment switch is switched when the setting display switch is in the on state is established, the eco mode on or the state associated with the switching contact after the volume adjustment switch is switched or Determine the eco-mode off and set the eco-mode switching, even if the volume adjustment switch is switched if the setting display switch is in the off-state, do not set the eco-mode switching,
There is a volume switching setting condition different from the eco-mode switching setting condition that the volume adjustment is not performed until the power switch is operated after the volume adjustment switch is switched, and the power switch is operated after the volume adjustment switch is switched. When established, the game machine is adjusted to a volume associated with the switching contact after the volume adjustment switch is switched. It is possible to switch between eco-mode on and off for eco-modes that operate in a state where power consumption of a plurality of production members including lighting, production lamps, liquid crystal panels, and production speakers is suppressed. In gaming machines,
A volume adjustment switch having a plurality of switching contacts for adjusting the volume of the speaker;
Control means for performing volume adjustment of the speaker and setting of the eco-mode switching;
A setting display switch for displaying a set value indicating a payout rate,
The control means includes
Pre-store the association of eco-mode on and eco-mode off allocated to the different switching contacts among the switching contacts of the volume adjustment switch, and set the volume set for each of the switching contacts. Pre-store the correspondence,
When the eco mode switching setting condition that the volume adjustment switch is switched when the setting display switch is in the on state is established, the eco mode on or the state associated with the switching contact after the volume adjustment switch is switched or Determine the eco-mode off and set the eco-mode switching, even if the volume adjustment switch is switched if the setting display switch is in the off-state, do not set the eco-mode switching,
When a volume switching setting condition different from the eco-mode switching setting condition for performing the switching operation of the volume adjustment switch is established, the volume adjustment switch is adjusted to a volume associated with the switching contact after switching the volume adjustment switch,
The eco-mode on and the eco-mode off are assigned to the adjacent switching contacts. A player volume specifying means for specifying the volume of the speaker based on a predetermined volume adjustment operation by the player;
When the volume of the speaker is designated by the player volume designation means, the control means sends the designated volume to the speaker regardless of the position of the switching contact of the volume adjustment switch. The game machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the volume is set by adjusting the level of the output signal.

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