JP6105769B2 - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that executes a slot game in which winning or losing is determined based on a combination of symbols.

  The gaming machine that executes the slot game determines the win or loss based on the combination when the symbols are rearranged. As a method of rearranging the symbols, there is a mechanical reel system that mechanically moves and stops the symbols. A conventional mechanical reel type gaming machine has a reel device including a reel in which symbols are arranged on an outer peripheral surface, a reel drive mechanism that rotationally drives the reel, and an origin detection mechanism that detects the origin position of the reel. ing. For example, the origin detection mechanism can detect the position of each location including the origin position of the reel by forming a plurality of different projections on the inner circumference side of the disk that rotates with the reel and detecting these projections with a sensor. (Patent Documents 1 to 4). As a result, the gaming machine can re-arrange symbols in a predetermined combination based on the rotation angle of the reel by associating the positional relationship between the reel and the symbol with reference to the origin position.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0159210 Australian Patent Application No. 2005200185 European Patent Application No. 1557803A2 JP-A-2005-204745

  By the way, in recent years, it has been desired to enable complicated effects by rotating and stopping the reels. Therefore, it is desired that the reel can be positioned with higher accuracy than the conventional configuration in which the convex portion is detected by the origin detection mechanism.

  An object of this invention is to provide the gaming machine which can position a reel with high precision.

  The present invention is a gaming machine having the following configuration, a reel having symbols arranged on an outer peripheral surface, a reel origin detection mechanism for detecting a reel origin position of the reel, and the symbol by rotating the reel. A reel drive mechanism to be rearranged, a reel drive control unit for controlling the reel drive mechanism so as to rotate and stop the reel at an arbitrary rotation angle with respect to the reel origin position, and an external by rotation of the reel A magnet provided in the reel drive mechanism to change the magnetic field, a magnetic force detection mechanism that outputs a magnetic force detection signal by detecting the magnetic force of the external magnetic field, and the magnetic force detection signal and the arrangement position of the symbols. Reel setting means for associating; the magnetic force detection signal output from the magnetic force detection mechanism as the reel rotates; Based by Lumpur setting means and the magnetic force detection signal associated with a sequence position of the symbol, having a stop position detecting means for detecting the stop position when the symbols are rearranged.

  According to the above configuration, the symbol arrangement position is directly detected by a sensor or the like by associating the magnetic force detection signal obtained by detecting the magnetic force of the external magnetic field changed by the rotation of the reel and the symbol arrangement position. Even if it is not detected, the arrangement position of the symbols can be indirectly detected based on the magnetic force detection signal. Accordingly, the stop position when the symbols are rearranged is detected based on the magnetic force detection signal associated with the symbol arrangement position and the magnetic force detection signal detected in real time by the magnetic force detection mechanism. At this time, the external magnetic field of the magnet used for detecting the stop position of the symbol is an analog amount that continuously fluctuates from the N pole to the S pole. By stopping the resolution, the stop position can be detected easily and with high accuracy. As a result, for example, it is possible to perform reel control that produces an effect while rotating and stopping the reel finely at a rotation angle that does not pass the reel origin position.

  Furthermore, according to the above configuration, even if the positional relationship between the symbol and the reel origin position is not set in advance, if the relationship between the symbol and the magnetic force detection signal is specified, it is based on the magnetic force detection signal and the reel origin position. Thus, the positional relationship between the symbols arranged on the reels and the reel origin position can be set. As a result, when performing the work of arranging symbols on the outer peripheral surface of the reel, the work burden required for the arrangement can be reduced compared to the case of arranging the symbols while positioning the symbols with respect to a predetermined position (reel origin position) of the reels. Can do.

  In the gaming machine according to the present invention, the difference between the stop position of the symbol when the reel is stopped at a rotation angle based on the reel origin position and the stop position of the symbol detected by the stop position detecting unit. And a rotation angle correction unit capable of controlling the reel drive mechanism so as to obtain a rotation angle of the reel from which the difference is eliminated.

  According to the above configuration, every time the reel stops, the difference between the symbol stop position based on the reel origin position and the symbol stop position based on the magnetic force detection signal is detected, and this difference is eliminated. The rotation angle of the reel can be modified as is done. As a result, when the positional relationship between the symbol and the reel origin position changes for some reason, conventionally, the change in the positional relationship could not be corrected until the reel origin position of the reel was detected. Reel control that produces effects while finely rotating and stopping the reel at a rotation angle that does not pass the reel origin position of the reel, for example, by being corrected each time it stops or when the reel stops under predetermined conditions Is possible.

  The magnetic force detection mechanism according to the present invention may output the magnetic force detection signal a plurality of times within the symbol arrangement region when the reel rotates.

  According to the above configuration, the position of the plurality of locations in the symbol placement area can be detected by each magnetic force detection signal. Therefore, even a slight shift in the symbol placement area can be detected and corrected. .

  The reel setting means according to the present invention is a reel setting in which the symbol arrangement position and a plurality of magnetic force detection values of the magnetic force detection signal that change within the symbol arrangement region in the rotation direction of the reel are stored in association with each other. The stop position detecting means stops using the magnetic force detection value of the magnetic force detection signal output from the magnetic force detection mechanism as the reel rotates and the magnetic force detection value of the reel setting table. The position may be detected.

  According to the above configuration, since the position can be detected by the magnetic force detection value at a plurality of locations in the symbol arrangement area with a simple configuration using the reel setting table, there is a slight deviation in the symbol arrangement area. Can be detected and corrected.

  The present invention can position a reel with high accuracy.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of the gaming machine. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between a reel setting table and an arrangement | positioning area | region. FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a reel setting method of the gaming machine. FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a functional flow of the gaming machine. It is explanatory drawing which shows the function flow of an external control apparatus. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the entire gaming machine. 1 is a block diagram of a gaming system. It is a block diagram of a PTS system. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a slot machine in the gaming machine. It is explanatory drawing which shows the button layout of a control panel. It is an expansion perspective view of a PTS terminal. It is a perspective view of a reel device. It is a disassembled perspective view of a reel apparatus. It is a perspective view of a reel unit holding mechanism. It is a perspective view of a reel unit holding mechanism. It is a perspective view of the 2nd connector. It is a perspective view of a slide holding mechanism. It is a reverse view of a reel apparatus. It is a front view of a reel device. It is a side view of a reel device. It is a perspective view of a reel support mechanism. It is a perspective view of a reel support mechanism. It is a perspective view of a reel support mechanism and an effect light emitting device. It is a side view of a reel device. It is a perspective view of a reel drive mechanism. It is a perspective view of a reel drive mechanism. It is a perspective view of a blade | wing mechanism and a driving force transmission mechanism. It is a perspective view of a blade | wing mechanism and a driving force transmission mechanism. It is a perspective view of a reel. It is a perspective view of a reel. It is a perspective view of a reel frame. It is a perspective view of a reel frame and a reel belt. It is a perspective view of a reel frame and a backlight device. It is a front view of a reel frame and a backlight device. It is a perspective view of a backlight device. It is a perspective view of a backlight device. It is a perspective view of a backlight substrate case. It is a perspective view of an effect light emitting device. It is a perspective view of an effect light emitting device. It is an electrical block diagram of a slot machine. It is an electrical block diagram of a reel board | substrate. It is an electrical block diagram of a PTS terminal. It is an electrical block diagram of an IC card. It is explanatory drawing of the data table which shows a symbol and the code number of each symbol. It is explanatory drawing of the data table of a payout management table. It is explanatory drawing of the data table of a free game frequency table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between a reel setting table and a magnetic force detection value. It is a flowchart of a starting process. It is a flowchart which shows a part of basic game process. It is a flowchart which shows a part of basic game process. It is a flowchart of a free game process. It is a flowchart of a common game process. It is a flowchart of a reel setting mode process. It is a flowchart of a reel rotation stop process. It is a flowchart of a step shift correction process. It is explanatory drawing of a reel rotation stop process. It is a flowchart of a reel rotation stop process.

(Outline of gaming machine)
As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine of the present embodiment is rearranged by rotating and displaying the symbol 501 based on the magnetic force of the external magnetic field that changes with the rotation of the reel M3 and the reel origin position. A slot machine 10 is provided. In the following description, the gaming machine will be described using a multi-participant model including a plurality of slot machines 10, but it may be a slot machine 10 intended for a single player.

  The slot machine 10 includes a mechanical reel type reel device M1. The reel device M1 has an origin rearrangement function that enables rearrangement of the symbols 501 based on a reel origin signal output when the reel M3 reaches a predetermined rotation angle, and an external magnetic field that changes as the reel M3 rotates. And a stop position detecting function for detecting the stop position of the symbol 501 based on the magnetic force of. That is, when the symbol 501 is rearranged at the planned stop position by the origin rearrangement function, the slot machine 10 can check whether or not the symbol 501 is accurately rearranged at the planned stop position by the stop position detection function. It is possible.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the slot machine 10 includes a reel device M1 including a reel M3 and a reel control unit 631 in FIG. 4 that controls the reel device M1. The reel device M1 rotates the reel M3, a reel M3 having symbols 501 arranged on the outer peripheral surface, a reel origin detection mechanism (reel origin detection unit 660 in FIG. 4) for detecting the reel origin position of the reel M3. To detect the magnetic force detection signal by detecting the magnetic force of the external magnetic field and the reel driving mechanism M5 for rearranging the symbols 501, the magnet M201 provided in the reel driving mechanism M5 so as to change the external magnetic field by the rotation of the reel M3. The magnetic force detection mechanism M202 for outputting and reel setting means (reel setting table in FIG. 2, reel setting unit 632 in FIG. 4) for associating the magnetic force detection signal with the arrangement position of the symbols 501 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the reel control unit 631 has a function of controlling the reel drive mechanism M5 so as to rotate and stop the reel M3 at an arbitrary rotation angle based on the reel origin position. As well as the magnetic force detection signal output from the magnetic force detection mechanism as the reel M3 rotates and the magnetic force detection signal associated with the arrangement position of the symbol 501 by the reel setting means. The stop position detecting unit has a function of detecting the stop position when rearranged.

  As a result, the slot machine 10 associates the magnetic force detection signal obtained by detecting the magnetic force of the external magnetic field that changes due to the rotation of the reel M3 with the symbol arrangement position, so that the arrangement position of the symbols 501 is detected by a sensor or the like. Even if it is not directly detected, the arrangement position of the symbols 501 can be indirectly detected based on the magnetic force detection signal. Accordingly, the stop position when the symbol 501 is rearranged is detected based on the magnetic force detection signal associated with the arrangement position of the symbol 501 and the magnetic force detection signal detected in real time by the magnetic force detection mechanism M202. .

  At this time, since the external magnetic field of the magnet M201 used for detecting the stop position of the symbol 501 is an analog amount that continuously varies from the N pole to the S pole, it is mechanically detected as in the past. In addition, the stop position can be detected easily and with high accuracy by subdividing the resolution. As a result, for example, it is possible to perform reel control that produces effects while finely rotating and stopping the reel at a rotation angle that does not pass the reel origin position of the reel.

  Furthermore, even if the positional relationship between the symbol 501 and the reel origin position is not set in advance, the slot machine 10 determines the symbol 501 and reel origin position arranged on the reel M3 based on the magnetic force detection signal and the reel origin position. Can be set. As a result, when performing the work of arranging the symbols 501 on the outer peripheral surface of the reel M3, the work burden required for the arrangement is greater than when arranging the symbols 501 while positioning the symbols 501 with respect to a predetermined position (reel origin position) of the reels. Can be reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the slot machine 10 configured as described above is provided in a multi-player gaming machine 300. In the gaming machine 300, a plurality of slot machines 10, which are game terminals including the reel device M1, are connected to the center controller 200 so that data communication is possible. In the gaming machine 300, a base game such as a slot game can be individually executed in each slot machine 10, and a common game can be executed in synchronization with each slot machine 10.

  The connection between the slot machine 10 and the center controller 200 may be wired or wireless, or a combination thereof. Further, the unit of the bet amount may be a currency of a country or region such as dollar, yen, euro, or a game point used only in a hall provided with the gaming machine 300 or in the industry.

  The above configuration will be described more specifically. The gaming machine 300 executes an input device that can be input from the outside, a base game, and a common game that is executed by a plurality of slot machines 10. A plurality of slot machines 10 each having a terminal controller programmed to execute various processes, and connected to the plurality of slot machines 10 so as to be able to perform various processes. And a programmed center controller 200.

  The terminal controller of the gaming machine 300 includes a first process for executing a base game by input of a start operation of an input device, a second process for executing a common game by a game start command from the center controller 200, and the center controller 200. And at least a third process for determining a game result of the common game based on the game result information.

  Here, the “common game” is a sub-game different from the original main game of the gaming machine 300, and is executed in parallel with the basic game or at one time during the stop period of the basic game. For example, common games include a craps game, a baseball game, a soccer game, and the like.

  The center controller 200 of the gaming machine 300 includes a first process for outputting a game start command to the slot machine 10 that satisfies the game execution condition at a predetermined timing, and a second process for determining a game result of the common game. At least the third process of sequentially outputting the game result determined in the second process to each slot machine 10 as the game result information can be executed.

  Here, the “game execution condition” is a condition for qualifying to participate in the common game. For example, the accumulated value of the bet amount of the base game is not less than the minimum bet amount, or the number of games of the base game is The condition is that the minimum bet number is exceeded. It should be noted that the “game execution condition” can be satisfied by the player's intention immediately before starting the common game. For example, if the game execution condition is not satisfied because the accumulated value of the bet amount of the base game is less than the minimum bet amount, the minimum bet amount and the accumulated value of the bet amount are set immediately before starting the common game. The game execution condition is satisfied by paying the difference between the two or paying a predetermined condition establishment amount. If the number of times of the base game is insufficient, the game execution condition is satisfied by paying an amount corresponding to the shortage or by paying a predetermined condition establishment amount.

  The predetermined timing for outputting the game start command is when the common game start condition is satisfied in any one of the slot machines 10. Here, the “common game start condition” is a cumulative value of bet amount information, a cumulative value of the number of games in the base game, or the like. In the present embodiment, the gaming machine 300 including the center controller 200 is described separately from the slot machine 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. The gaming machine 300 may be configured such that one or more slot machines 10 have the function of the center controller 200 and the slot machines 10 are connected to each other so as to be capable of data communication.

  The “slot machine 10” is a kind of game terminal in the gaming machine 300. In the present embodiment, the slot machine 10 is described as an example of a game terminal. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a model having a terminal controller that can independently execute some base game is used as the game terminal. Applicable.

  The “base game” in the present embodiment is executed by the slot machine 10. The base game is a slot game in which a plurality of symbols 501 are rearranged. The base game is not limited to the slot game, and may be a game that can be executed independently on a game terminal such as the slot machine 10.

  The rearrangement of the symbols 501 in the slot game is performed in the reel device M1 (symbol display device). In the slot game, on the condition that a gaming value is bet, the symbols 501 are rearranged in the reel device M1, and a normal game for giving a normal payout according to the rearranged symbols 501 is executed. Is rearranged under a predetermined condition, the symbol 501 is rearranged on the condition that the payout rate is larger than that of the base game, and a bonus game for giving a bonus payout according to the rearranged symbol 501 is executed; And a rescue process is executed when the rescue start condition is satisfied.

  The “symbol 501” is not limited to the type and the number as long as it is rearranged in the reel device M1, but is a superordinate concept of a specific symbol and a normal symbol. The specific symbol is added to the normal symbol as necessary. For example, the specific symbol includes a wild symbol and a trigger symbol. The wild symbol is a symbol that can be used as a symbol 501 of any kind. The trigger symbol is a symbol serving as a trigger for starting execution of at least the bonus game. For example, in this embodiment, “BLUE 7” corresponds. The trigger symbol may be a trigger that increases the specific symbol in the bonus game, that is, increases the specific symbol of at least one of the trigger symbol and the wild symbol. The trigger symbol may be a trigger that increases the number of bonus games in the bonus game.

  The “game value” is a coin, a bill, or electronic valuable information corresponding to these. The game value in the present invention is not particularly limited, and may be a game medium such as a medal, token, electronic money, ticket or the like. The ticket is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a ticket with a barcode described later.

  “Bonus game” is synonymous with feature game. The bonus game in the present embodiment has been described as a game in which a free game is repeated. However, the bonus game may be any type of game as long as the game state is more advantageous than the normal game. In addition, other bonus games may be adopted as long as the game state is advantageous to the player, that is, the game state is more advantageous than the base game. For example, the bonus game has various states such as a state in which more game values can be obtained than a normal game, a state in which game values can be acquired with a higher probability than a normal game, and a state in which the number of game values consumed is less than in a normal game. May be realized alone or in combination.

  A “free game” is a game that can be executed with fewer bets of game value than a normal game. “A game can be executed with fewer bets of game value” includes the case where the bet is “0”. Therefore, the “free game” may be a game that is executed without a game value betting condition and pays an amount of game value corresponding to the rearranged symbols 501. In other words, the “free game” may be a game that is started without presuming the consumption of game value. On the other hand, the “normal game” is a game that is executed on the condition that a game value is bet and pays an amount of game value corresponding to the rearranged symbols 501. In other words, the “normal game” is a game that is started on the premise that the game value is consumed.

  The “rearrangement” means that the symbol 501 is rotated and then stopped and displayed. In other words, the symbol 501 is arranged again after the symbol 501 is released. “Arrangement” means that the symbol 501 can be visually confirmed by an external player.

  “Normal payout according to rearranged symbols 501” means a normal payout corresponding to the rearranged winning combination. The “bonus payout according to the rearranged symbols 501” means a bonus payout corresponding to the rearranged winning combination. The “winning combination” means that a prize is established.

  “Conditions that result in a payout rate larger than that of the base game” include execution of a free game, increase of wild symbols and trigger symbols, execution of a game using a replaced symbol table, and the like. In the base game, the rescue process may be executed when the rescue start condition is satisfied.

  The “rescue process” is a process for relieving the player. For example, execution of a free game, increase of wild symbols and trigger symbols, execution of a game using a replaced symbol table, awarding of an insurance payout, etc. are exemplified as the rescue process.

  The “rescue start condition” is an excessive continuation of the normal game, that is, a state in which the normal game is repeated over a predetermined number of times, or the total amount of payouts is too low, that is, the same player plays the game over a predetermined number of times. The case where the normal payout and bonus payout obtained when the repetition is repeated is not more than a predetermined value is exemplified. The “rescue process” is a process for relieving the player. For example, execution of a free game, increase of wild symbols and trigger symbols, execution of a game using a replaced symbol table, awarding of an insurance payout, etc. are exemplified as the rescue process.

  In addition, the gaming machine 300 further includes a shared display device 700 provided at a position that can be viewed from the operation positions of all the slot machines 10 until the center controller 200 satisfies the common game start condition. The state may be displayed on the shared display device 700. The “operation position” is the position of the line of sight of the player who operates the slot machine 10. According to the gaming machine 300 having this configuration, the state until the common game start condition is satisfied is displayed on the shared display device 700, so that each player can expect the waiting time until the common game is started. be able to.

(Function flow of gaming machine 300: slot machine)
The gaming machine 300 configured as described above includes the slot machine 10 and the external control device 621 (center controller 200) connected to the slot machine 10 so as to be able to perform data communication. The external control device 621 is connected to a plurality of slot machines 10 installed in the hall so that data communication is possible.

  The slot machine 10 has a BET button 601, a spin button 602, a display 614, and a game controller 100 that controls each of these units. The BET button 601 and the spin button 602 are a kind of input device. Further, the slot machine 10 includes a transmission / reception unit 652 that enables data communication with the external control device 621.

  The BET button 601 has a function of accepting a bet amount by a player's operation. The spin button 602 has a function of accepting the start of a game such as a normal game by a player's operation, that is, a start operation. The display 614 has a function of displaying various symbols 501, still image information such as numerical values and symbols, and moving image information such as effect images. The display 614 has a symbol display area 614a, a video display area 614b, and a common game display area 614c.

  The symbol display area 614a has a reel device M1 and displays the symbol 501 in FIG. The video display area 614b displays various types of effect video information executed while the game is in progress as a moving image or a still image. The common game display area 614c is an area for displaying a common game such as a jackpot game.

  The game controller 100 includes a coin insertion / start check unit 603, a normal game execution unit 605, a bonus game start determination unit 606, a bonus game execution unit 607, a random value extraction unit 615, a symbol determination unit 612, and an effect. A random number extraction unit 616, an effect content determination unit 613, a speaker unit 617, a lamp unit 618, a winning determination unit 619, and a payout unit 620.

  The normal game execution unit 605 has a function of executing a normal game on condition that the BET button 601 is operated. The bonus game start determination unit 606 determines whether or not to execute the bonus game based on the combination of the symbols 501 rearranged in the normal game. That is, the bonus game start determination unit 606 determines that the bonus game has been won when the trigger symbols are rearranged under a predetermined condition, and causes the bonus game execution unit 607 to execute the bonus game from the next unit game. It has a function to transfer processing.

  Here, the “unit game” is a series of operations from the start of BET acceptance until a state where a prize can be established. For example, the unit game of the base game is in a state including a BET time for accepting a BET, a game time for rearranging the stopped symbols 501, and a payout time for payout processing for giving a payout once. The unit game in the normal game is called a unit normal game.

  The bonus game execution unit 607 has a function of executing a bonus game in which a free game is repeated with a plurality of games only by operating the spin button 602.

  The symbol determination unit 612 uses the random value from the random value extraction unit 615 to determine a symbol 501 to be rearranged, and rearranges the determined symbol 501 to the symbol display area 614a of the display 614. And a function of outputting rearrangement information of the symbol 501 to the winning determination unit 619 and a function of outputting an effect designation signal to the effect random number extraction unit 616 based on the rearrangement state of the symbol 501. Yes.

  When receiving the effect command signal from the symbol determining unit 612, the effect random number extracting unit 616 has a function of extracting the effect random number and a function of outputting the effect random number to the effect content determining unit 613. Have. The effect content determination unit 613 has a function of determining the effect content using the random number value for the effect, a function of outputting video information of the determined effect content to the video display area 614b of the display 614, and a voice / A function of outputting light emission information to the speaker portion 617 and the lamp portion 618.

  The winning determination unit 619 is based on the function of determining the presence / absence of winning when the rearrangement information of the symbols 501 in the display state rearranged on the display 614 is obtained, and the winning combination when determining that the winning is achieved. A function for calculating a payout amount, and a function for outputting a payout signal based on the payout amount to the payout unit 620. The payout unit 620 has a function of paying out game value to the player in the form of coins, medals, credits, and the like. The payout unit 620 has a function of adding credit data corresponding to the payout credit to credit data stored in the IC card 500 inserted into the PTS terminal 700 described later.

  Furthermore, the game controller 100 has a storage unit (not shown) that stores various bet amount data. The storage unit is a device that stores data such as a hard disk device or a memory in a rewritable manner.

  Furthermore, the game controller 100 has a common game execution unit 653. The common game execution unit 653 outputs the bet amount information based on the bet amount bet on the base game to the external control device 621 for each unit base game, and the common game is executed by a game start command from the external control device 621. A function to be executed, and a function to accept a BET input from the BET button 601 for a BET amount corresponding to BET amount data for a common game that can be bet on the common game.

  The game controller 100 is connected to the PTS terminal 700. The PTS terminal 700 is a unit in which an LCD 719, microphones 704 and 705, human body detection cameras 712 and 713, and the like are integrated, and has a function of rendering a game, for example, by communicating with the game controller 100. In particular, the PTS terminal 700 is provided with a card insertion slot 706 so that the IC card 500 can be inserted. As a result, the player can use the credit stored in the IC card 500 in the slot machine 10 by inserting the IC card 500 into the card insertion slot 706. The mechanical configuration of the PTS terminal 700 will be described later.

  In addition, when the game controller 100 receives credit data from the PTS terminal 700, the game controller 100 updates the credit display on the display 614. Furthermore, the game controller 100 outputs the adjustment credit data to the PTS terminal 700 when the game is adjusted.

  The PTS terminals 700 included in each of the plurality of slot machines 10 constituting the gaming machine 300 are connected to the management server 800 so as to be communicable, and collectively download images and manage IC cards 500 and credits.

  Further, the slot machine 10 can be connected to a reel setting device 635 via a transmission / reception unit 652. The reel setting device 635 has a function as an external operation means for inputting an operation command by an external operation and outputting an operation command signal. The operation command signal is a signal serving as a trigger for storing the magnetic force detection value in the reel setting table of FIG. Thereby, when the operator operates to output an operation command signal when the predetermined symbol 501 is displayed at a predetermined position, the relationship between the magnetic force detection value and the symbol 501 can be defined. . For example, if it is previously defined that an operation command is to be performed when “JACKPOT7” is stopped and displayed at a predetermined display position, the operation command signal is output in the arrangement area 5011 of “JACKPOT7”, thereby generating a magnetic force. It can be specified that the detection values NU27 to NU35 are the arrangement area 5011 of “JACKPOT7”.

  The reel setting device 635 is exemplified by the personal computer of FIG. 3 in addition to a dedicated setting device. For example, when the reel setting device 635 is a personal computer, an operation command can be input and an operation command signal can be output at the timing when a specific key operation such as an enter key is performed. Thus, the operator who sets the reel device M1 can perform an operation command input operation and an operation command signal output operation by key operation while confirming the operation procedure on the display screen of the personal computer.

  The reel setting device 635 may be a reel setting permission member such as a USB memory that can be attached to and detached from the transmission / reception unit 652 and various operation buttons such as a BET button 601 provided in the slot machine 10. In this case, when the reel setting permission member is connected to the transmission / reception unit 652, the slot machine 10 itself becomes a part of the reel setting device 635. The operator who sets the reel device M1 can output an operation command signal by operating the operation button while confirming the operation procedure displayed on the video display area 614b or the like on the display 614 of the slot machine 10. it can.

  Further, the slot machine 10 includes a reel control unit 631, a reel setting unit 632, a reel setting storage unit 633, and a magnetic force detection unit 630 (magnetic force detection mechanism). The magnetic force detection unit 630 has a function of outputting a magnetic force detection signal by detecting the magnetic force of the external magnetic field. As shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic force detector 630 is set to output a plurality of magnetic force detection values (magnetic force detection signals) to the arrangement area 5011 of the symbol 501. In other words, the magnetic force detection unit 630 outputs a magnetic force detection signal a plurality of times within the arrangement area 5011 of the symbol 501 when the reel M3 rotates.

  Here, the “arrangement area 5011” is an area partitioned in the arrangement direction of the reel band M32, and each symbol 501 is arranged in each area. For example, when there are 22 symbols 501, the reel band M <b> 32 is divided into 22 divisional areas 5011. Thereby, in one arrangement area 5011, a plurality of magnetic force detection values exist in the rotational movement direction of the symbol 501 (reel M3). For example, in the arrangement area 5011 where the symbol 501 is “ORANGE”, nine magnetic force detection values from the magnetic force detection value ND18 to the magnetic force detection value ND10 are associated with the rotational movement direction. As a result, since the position can be detected by each magnetic force detection signal (magnetic force detection value) at a plurality of locations in the rotational movement direction of the arrangement area 5011 of the symbol 501, there is a slight deviation in the arrangement area 5011 of the symbol 501. Can be detected and corrected.

  The reel setting storage unit 633 stores various data necessary for reel setting such as a magnetic force detection value included in a magnetic force detection signal continuously detected as the reel M3 rotates. For example, the reel setting storage unit 633 stores various data in the storage format of the reel setting table in FIG.

  The reel control unit 631 has a function of controlling the reel device M1 so as to rearrange the symbols 501 in a predetermined arrangement state based on the magnetic force detection signal and the arrangement positions of the symbols 501. The reel control unit 631 has a function (reel drive control unit) for controlling the reel drive mechanism M5 so as to rotate and stop the reel M3 at an arbitrary rotation angle with respect to the reel origin position.

  The reel control unit 631 is connected to a reel origin detection unit 660 that detects the reel origin position of the reel M3. The reel control unit 631 outputs a magnetic force detection signal (magnetic force detection value) output from the magnetic force detection unit 630 as the reel M3 rotates, and a magnetic force detection signal (related to the arrangement position of the symbols 501 by the reel setting storage unit 633). And a function (stop position detecting means) for detecting a stop position when the symbol 501 is rearranged based on the magnetic force detection value).

  The reel setting unit 632 has a function of associating the magnetic force detection signal with the arrangement position of the symbols 501. Specifically, the reel setting unit 632 sequentially stores the magnetic force detection values of the magnetic force detection signal in the reel setting table at the output timing of the operation command signal, and outputs a plurality of magnetic force detection values for the arrangement area 5011 of the symbol 501. Has a function to associate. Accordingly, since the slot machine 10 outputs an operation command signal by an external operation, the reel setting device is operated at a timing when the worker enters the predetermined arrangement state while visually checking the arrangement state of the symbols 501. The predetermined symbol 501 can be positioned at the predetermined position of the reel M3 specified by the magnetic force detection value only by performing the setting operation of operating 635. As a result, the reel setting unit 632 can easily start the operation of setting the positional relationship between the symbol 501 and the reel M3 by operating the reel setting device 635.

  Further, the reel control unit 631 calculates a rotation angle (the number of steps of the reel motor M51) as a reel stop scheduled position for rearranging the symbols 501 determined by the symbol determination unit 612 with reference to the reel origin position. And a reel driving function for rotating and stopping the reel M3 at the calculated rotation angle. Further, the reel control unit 631 detects the stop position of the symbol 501 (reel stop planned position) when the reel M3 is stopped at a rotation angle based on the reel origin position, and the function as a stop position detecting unit. A function (difference detection means) for detecting a difference from the stop position (reel stop position) of the symbol 501 and a function for rotating and stopping the reel M3 so as to be the rotation angle of the reel M3 from which the difference is eliminated (rotation angle correction) Means).

  Thus, every time the reel M3 stops, the difference between the reel stop planned position based on the reel origin position and the reel stop position based on the magnetic force detection signal is detected, and this difference is canceled. The rotation angle of the reel M3 can be corrected. As a result, when the positional relationship between the symbol 501 and the reel origin position changes for some reason, conventionally, the change in this positional relationship could not be corrected until the reel origin position of the reel M3 was detected. Reel control that produces effects while finely rotating and stopping the reel M3 at a rotation angle that does not pass through the reel origin position, for example, is corrected when the reel M3 stops or when the reel stops under predetermined conditions. It becomes possible to do.

(Function flow of gaming machine 300: external control device)
The gaming machine 300 configured as described above is connected to the external control device 621. The external control device 621 has a function of remotely operating and remotely monitoring processing such as the operation status of each slot machine 10 and changes of various game setting values. Further, the external control device 621 determines a common game start condition for each game terminal, and executes a common game on the plurality of slot machines 10 when a determination result that satisfies the common game start condition is obtained at any game terminal. It has a function to do.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the external control device 621 includes a common game start unit 6213, a game terminal selection unit 6215, and a transmission / reception unit 6217. The common game start determination unit 6213 has a function of determining whether or not a common game start condition is satisfied based on an accumulated value of bet amount information transmitted from the slot machine 10 for each unit base game, and a plurality of slot machines 10. A function to output a game start command and a function to display a state until the common game start condition is satisfied on the shared display device 700.

  It should be noted that whether or not the common game start condition is satisfied can be determined based on all accumulated values that are increased by repeating the unit base game, in addition to the accumulated value of the bet amount information. For example, the number of times of the base game, the game time of the base game, or the like may be used as the cumulative value.

  Further, the common game start unit 6213 has a function of outputting a game start command to the slot machine 10 in which the cumulative value that increases as the base game repeats satisfies the game execution condition. As a result, the common game start unit 6213 does not give the slot machine 10 whose accumulated value is less than the minimum set value to the qualification to participate in the common game, so that the player is conscious of actively repeating the base game. It is possible to have

  Further, the common game start unit 6213 has a function of monitoring a non-input time during which no start operation is performed and outputting a game start command to the slot machines 10 excluding the slot machines 10 whose non-input time is equal to or longer than the timeout time. Have. Accordingly, the common game start unit 6213 can determine that the player is absent for the slot machine 10 in which the base game has not been executed for the timeout time or longer. Makes it possible to avoid running the game.

  The game terminal selection unit 6215 has a function of selecting a specific slot machine 10 from the plurality of slot machines 10 and outputting a common game start command signal to the specific slot machine 10. The transmission / reception unit 6217 has a function of enabling data transmission / reception with the slot machine 10.

(Overall configuration of game system)
A game system 350 including the gaming machine 300 having the above functions will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the game system 350 includes a plurality of slot machines 10 and an external control device 621 connected to each slot machine 10 via a communication line 301.

  The external control device 621 controls a plurality of slot machines 10. In the present embodiment, the external control device 621 is a so-called hall server installed in a gaming facility having a plurality of slot machines 10. Each slot machine 10 is given a unique identification number, and the external control device 621 determines the origin of data sent from each slot machine 10 based on the identification number. Also, when data is transmitted from the external control device 621 to the slot machine 10, the transmission destination is specified using the identification number.

  Note that the game system 350 may be constructed in one gaming facility capable of performing various games such as a casino, or may be constructed among a plurality of gaming facilities. Further, when the game system 350 is constructed in one game facility, the game system 350 may be constructed for each floor or section of the game facility. The communication line 301 may be wired or wireless, and a dedicated line or an exchange line can be employed.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the game system is roughly divided into a management server block, a customer terminal block, and a staff terminal block. The management server block includes a casino hall server 850, a currency exchange server 860, a casino / hotel staff management server 870, and a download server 880.

  The casino hall server 850 is a server that manages the entire casino hall in which the slot machine 10 is installed. The exchange server 860 is a server that creates exchange rate data based on exchange information and the like. The casino / hotel staff management server 870 is a server that manages a casino hall or a hotel staff related to the casino hall. The download server 880 is a server that, for example, downloads the latest information such as information on games and news, and notifies the player through the PTS terminal 700 of the various slot machines 10.

  The management server block includes a member management server 810, an IC card & money management server 820, a megabucks server 830, and an image server 840.

  The member management server 810 is a server that manages member information of players who play the slot machine 10. The IC card & money management server 820 is a server that manages the IC card 500 used in the slot machine 10. Specifically, the IC card & money management server 820 is a server that stores fractional cash data in association with an identification code, or outputs fractional cash data to the PTS terminal 700. The IC card & money management server 820 also creates and manages denomination data and the like. The megabucks server 830 is a server that manages, for example, megabucks, which is a game in which the total sum of the premiums of a plurality of slot machines 10 installed in a plurality of casino halls is a dividend. The image server 840 is a server that downloads a latest image such as an image or news related to a game and notifies the player through the PTS terminal 700 of the various slot machines 10.

  The customer terminal block has a slot machine 10, a PTS terminal 700, and a payment machine 750. The PTS terminal 700 can be attached to the slot machine 10 and can communicate with the management server 800. The settlement machine 750 is a machine that cashes the cash data stored in the IC card 500 owned by the player and settles it, or stores coins, bills, etc. in the IC card 500 as cash data.

  The staff terminal block includes a staff management terminal 900 and a member card ticketing terminal 950. The staff management terminal 900 is a terminal where the staff of the casino hall manages various slot machines 10. In particular, in the case of this embodiment, the staff of the casino hall manages whether the number of IC cards 500 stocked in the PTS terminal 700 is accumulated or insufficient. The membership card issuing terminal 950 is a terminal used when a player playing a game in the casino hall issues a membership card.

(PTS terminal 700)
As shown in FIG. 8, the PTS terminal 700 is incorporated in the PTS system. A PTS terminal 700 attached to the slot machine 10 is communicably connected to the game controller 100 and the bill validator controller 890 of the slot machine 10.

  In communication with the game controller 100, the PTS terminal 700 performs a game effect or updates credit data using sounds or images. In addition, the PTS terminal 700 transmits credit data necessary for payment during communication with the bill validator controller 890.

  The PTS terminal 700 is connected to the management server 800 so as to be communicable. The PTS terminal 700 communicates with the management server 800 between two lines, a general communication line and an additional function communication line.

  The PTS terminal 700 communicates data such as cash data, identification code data, player member information, and the like on a general communication line. On the other hand, the PTS terminal 700 performs communication related to a newly added function in the additional function communication line. In the case of the present embodiment, the PTS terminal 700 includes an exchange function, an IC card function, a biometric authentication function, a camera function, and an RFID (Radio Frequency) function that performs individual identification using radio waves in an additional function communication line. IDentification) function.

(Machine configuration of slot machine)
The overall structure of the slot machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the slot machine 10, coins, bills, or electronic valuable information corresponding to these are used as game media. In particular, in the present embodiment, credit-related data such as cash data stored in the IC card 500 is used.

  The slot machine 10 includes a cabinet 11, a top box 12 installed on the upper side of the cabinet 11, and a main door 13 provided on the front surface of the cabinet 11.

  The main door 13 is provided with a reel device M1. A reel cover 134 is provided on the front surface of the reel device M1. The reel cover 134 has a transparent liquid crystal panel or a transparent panel. The reel cover 134 may include a touch panel. The reel cover 134 has a display window 150 at the center. The display window 150 makes 20 symbols 501 in 5 columns and 4 rows visible from the outside. Four symbols 501 in each column are part of a symbol group arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the reel M3. Each reel M3 stops after rotating the symbol 501 displayed in each symbol 501 in the vertical direction by moving and displaying the four symbols 501 downward or upward while changing the overall speed. It is possible to perform rearrangement.

  At the left end and the right end of the display window 150, payline generation rows are arranged symmetrically. The leftmost payline generation row arranged on the left side when viewed from the player side has 25 payline generation units. Further, the rightmost payline generation row arranged on the right side has 25 payline generation units.

  The payline generator at the left end forms a pair with any payline generator at the right end. A payline is defined in advance as a line from each payline generating unit at the left end to the payline generating unit at the right end that is paired with the payline generating unit. 25 paylines are defined.

  The above payline is validated by connecting the left end portion and the right end payline generating portion. Otherwise, it is disabled. The valid number of paylines is determined based on the BET amount. In the case of MAXBET, which is the maximum BET amount, the maximum number of 25 paylines is activated. The activated payline establishes various winning combinations for each symbol 501. Details of the winning combination will be described later.

  In this embodiment, the case where the slot machine 10 includes the mechanical reel type reel device M1 is described. However, the slot machine 10 according to the present invention includes a video reel type that displays a pseudo reel and a mechanical type. It may be mixed. The reel cover 134 may be provided with a touch panel. In this case, the player can input various instructions by operating the touch panel. An input signal is transmitted from the touch panel to the main CPU 71.

  A control panel 30 is disposed below the reel device M1. The control panel 30 includes various buttons, a coin entry 21 that accepts coins into the cabinet 11, and a bill entry 22.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the control panel 30 arranges a reserve button 31, a collect button 32, and a game rule button 33 on the upper side of the left area, and a 1-BET button 34 and a 2-BET A button 35, a 3-BET button 37, a 5-BET button 38, and a 10-BET button 39 are arranged in the middle of the left area, and a play 2 LINES button 40, a play 10 LINES button 41, a play 20 LINES button 42, and a play 40 LINES button 43 A MAX LINES button 44 is provided in a manner arranged in the lower part of the left area.

  Further, the control panel 30 includes a coin entry 21 and a bill entry 22 arranged in the upper part of the right area, and a gambling button 45 and a start button 46 arranged in the lower part of the right area.

  The reserve button 31 is an operation button that is used when leaving a seat or when requesting exchange of money from an attendant at a game facility. The collect button 32 is a so-called settlement button that adds credit data related to credits acquired in various games to credit data stored in the IC card 500 inserted in the PTS terminal 700. The game rule button 33 is a button that is pressed when the game operation method or the like is unknown. When the game rule button 33 is pressed, various types of help information are displayed on the upper image display panel 131 described later.

  The 1-BET button 34 is a button for betting one credit which the player currently owns for each valid payline each time the button is pressed. The 2-BET button 35 is a button for starting a game with 2 BET for each active payline. The 3-BET button 37 is a button for starting a game with 3 BET for each active payline. The 5-BET button 38 is a button for starting a game with 5 BET for each active payline. The 10-BET button 39 is a button for starting a game with 10 BET for each active payline. Therefore, the number of BETs betted for each valid payline is determined by pressing the 1-BET button 34, the 2-BET button 35, the 3-BET button 37, the 5-BET button 38, and the 10-BET button 39. .

  The play 2 LINES button 40 is a button that activates a payline when pressed. As a result, the number of activated paylines becomes “2”. The play 10 LINES button 41 is a button that activates a payline when pressed. As a result, the number of activated paylines becomes “10”. The play 20 LINES button 42 is a button that activates a payline when pressed. As a result, the number of activated paylines becomes “20”. The play 40 LINES button 43 is a button that activates a payline when pressed. As a result, the number of activated paylines becomes “40”. Furthermore, the MAX LINES button 44 is a button that activates a payline when pressed. As a result, the number of activated paylines becomes the maximum “50”.

  The gambling button 45 is an operation button used when shifting to a gambling game after the bonus game is finished. Here, the gambling game is a game played using the acquired credits.

  The start button 46 is a button used when starting to scroll the symbol 501. The start button 46 also functions as a button for starting a bonus game or adding a payout obtained in the bonus game to credits. The coin entry 21 accepts coins in the cabinet 11. The bill entry 22 is used to identify the appropriateness of a bill and accept a regular bill in the cabinet 11.

  As shown in FIG. 9, on the lower front surface of the main door 13, that is, below the control panel 30, a coin entrance 18 for receiving coins, a berry glass 132 on which a character of the slot machine 10 is drawn, Is provided.

  An upper image display panel 131 is provided on the front surface of the top box 12. The upper image display panel 131 is a liquid crystal panel and constitutes a display. The upper image display panel 131 displays an image related to the effect, an introduction of the contents of the game, and an image showing the explanation of the rules. Further, the top box 12 is provided with a speaker 112 and a lamp 111. In the slot machine 10, an effect is executed by displaying an image, outputting sound, and outputting light.

  A data display 174 and a keypad 173 are provided below the upper image display panel 131. The data display unit 174 includes a fluorescent display, an LED, and the like, and displays, for example, member data read from the IC card 500 inserted from the PTS terminal 700 and data input by the player via the keypad 173. is there. The keypad 173 is for inputting data.

(PTS terminal machine configuration)
A PTS terminal 700 is attached between the reel device M1 and the control panel 30. The PTS terminal 700 includes an LCD 719 as shown in FIG. The LCD 719 is disposed at the center of the PTS terminal 700. The LCD 719 displays, for example, an effect image that produces a game.

  On the upper part of the PTS terminal 700, human body detection cameras 712 and 713, microphones 704 and 705, and bass reflex (bass reflex) speakers 707 and 708 are arranged.

  The human body detection cameras 712 and 713 detect the presence / absence of a player by the camera function and output a signal to a unit controller 730 described later. The microphones 704 and 705 are used for the player to participate in the game by voice or to authenticate the player by voice recognition. The speakers 707 and 708 produce a game by voice, and output a notification sound due to forgetting to remove the IC card 500. Furthermore, the speakers 707 and 708 also output a notification sound even when authentication of the inserted IC card 500 fails. Note that the speakers 707 and 708 are installed so that sound can be heard in stereo from the back side of the LCD 719 through a duct through the duct (player side), and thus can be installed in a small space.

  The PTS terminal 700 is provided with an LED 709 and a card insertion slot 706. The LED 709 notifies the remaining number of IC cards 500 accumulated in a card stacker 714 to be described later by lighting in a plurality of colors. Specifically, the LED 709 lights yellow when the remaining number of IC cards 500 is 5 or less, lights blue when 6 to 24, and lights green when 25 or more. When the remaining number of IC cards 500 is 0 or 30, the LED 709 is lit in gray and the running game is stopped. Thereby, for example, when the LED 709 is lit yellow, the staff of the casino hall can immediately determine that the remaining number of the IC cards 500 is small and replenish the IC cards 500. On the other hand, for example, when the LED 709 is lit in green, the staff of the casino hall can immediately determine that the remaining number of IC cards 500 is full, and the IC card 500 can be extracted. When the IC card 500 is replenished, it can be replenished by inserting the IC card 500 owned only by each staff from the card insertion slot 706. On the other hand, when the IC card 500 is removed, ten IC cards 500 are discharged together with the replenishment card by inserting one card called a replenishment card from the card insertion slot 706. In this way, the staff does not need to check the remaining number of IC cards 500 of each slot machine 10 on the management server or to actually check by opening the main door 13 of the slot machine 10, thus improving security. It leads to.

  The card insertion slot 706 has a mechanism for inserting or removing the IC card 500. The IC card 500 is inserted such that the display unit 510 faces upward and faces away from the card insertion slot 706. The IC card 500 is completely inside when the player is in the game, but is discharged so that the display unit 510 is exposed at the time of payment. Thereby, the player can check credit-related data such as updated cash data. Further, the IC card 500 may be held so that the display unit 510 is exposed without completely entering the player even during the game. Thereby, the player can always confirm that the credit is updated during the game. When it is detected that there is no player using the human body detection cameras 712 and 713 at the time of credit settlement, the IC card 500 is drawn into the inside and stored in the card stacker 714. As a result, for example, even if a player who has confirmed that the remaining credit is low on the display unit 514 stands by leaving the IC card 500 on purpose, the IC card 500 is not inserted for a long time. In the present embodiment, up to 30 card stackers 714 can be stored.

  As described above, the PTS terminal 700 according to the present embodiment saves space because various devices having a microphone function, a camera function, a speaker function, a display function, and the like form a single unit. Is realized. Thus, for example, when each function is installed as a single product, there is no inconvenience that the speaker cannot be installed toward the player when the LCD is directed toward the player.

(Reel device M1)
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the reel device M1 provided in the slot machine 10 includes a reel unit M11 that rearranges the symbols 501 by rotationally driving a reel M3 in which the symbols 501 are arranged on the outer peripheral surface. A reel unit holding mechanism M12 that detachably holds the reel unit M11. In the following description, when the installation location of the reel unit M11 is specified, the reel unit M11 is referred to as first to fifth reel units M11a to M11e in order from the left end when viewed from the front.

(Reel unit holding mechanism M12)
As shown in FIG. 14, the reel unit holding mechanism M12 is provided on the reel unit support plate M121 that can be attached to the cabinet 11 (housing) of the slot machine 10 and the reel unit support plate M121. And a slide holding mechanism M122 that holds the reel unit M11 so as to be slidable relative to the side. Thus, if the reel unit support plate M121 is attached to the cabinet 11 of the gaming machine 10, the reel device M1 can be attached / detached by the slide holding mechanism M122 only by sliding the reel unit M11 with respect to the reel unit support plate M121. Therefore, the conventional process such as screwing can be omitted.

(Reel unit holding mechanism M12: reel unit support plate M121)
More specifically, the reel unit holding mechanism M12 has a flat reel unit support plate M121. The reel unit support plate M121 is bent horizontally from a rectangular flat plate portion M1211, a front bent portion M1212 bent downward from the front end side of the flat plate portion M1211, and a rear end side of the flat plate portion M1211. And a rear bent portion M1213. The front bent portion M1212 and the rear bent portion M1213 are difficult to deform the reel unit support plate M121 with respect to the weight when the reel unit M11 is held.

  Here, the “front end side” means one side on the front side of the slot machine 10. On the other hand, the “rear end side” means one side on the rear side of the slot machine 10. In the present embodiment, with the slot machine 10 as a reference position, the side on which a player who plays with the slot machine 10 is located is referred to as the front side, the front side, or the front side, and the direction opposite to the front side is referred to as the rear side. The direction in which the slot machine 10 and the player pass is referred to as the front-rear direction, and the horizontal direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction is referred to as the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIG. 15, a connector support member M1214 is provided in the left-right direction (width direction) on the upper surface of the flat plate portion M1211. The connector support member M1214 has an L-shaped longitudinal cross section in the front-rear direction, and a horizontal portion M1214a joined to the flat plate portion M1211, and a vertical portion M1214b that stands upright from the horizontal portion M1214a. And have. A connector fitting hole M1214c is formed in the standing portion M1214b. The connector fitting holes M1214c are formed in a number corresponding to the number of installed reel units M11. The connector fitting hole M1214c is formed such that when the reel unit M11 is installed on the reel unit support plate M121, the width direction center of the reel unit M11 and the width direction center of the connector fitting hole M1214c face each other. Is set to

  A plurality of fixing holes M1211a are formed in the flat plate portion M1211. These fixing holes M1211a are arranged at two positions on the front and rear sides in front of each connector fitting hole M1214c. That is, the fixing holes M1211a are arranged in a matrix of 2 rows and 5 columns in the flat plate portion M1211. The fixing hole M1211a constitutes a part of a slide holding mechanism M122, which will be described later, and allows the slide holding member M1221 of FIG. 14 to be attached to the reel unit support plate M121.

  Each connector fitting hole M1214c is provided with a second connector M123 as shown in FIG. The second connector M123 is a female connector. That is, the second connector M123 includes a connector fitting member M1231 and a plurality of pin terminals M1232, as shown in FIG. The pin terminal M1232 is electrically connected to the main body PCB 110 of FIG. 40 via a signal line (not shown).

  The connector fitting member M1231 has attachment parts M1231a and M1231a formed at both ends in the width direction, and a connector insertion part M1231b whose front side is opened. As shown in FIG. 14, the attachment portions M1231a and M1231a are fastened with screws to the standing portion M1214b of the connector support member M1214. As shown in FIG. 20, when the reel unit M11 is installed on the reel unit support plate M121, the second connector M123 is inserted with the first connector M124 which is a male connector provided in the reel unit M11. Accordingly, the first connector M124 is electrically connected.

(Reel unit holding mechanism M12: Slide holding mechanism M122)
A slide holding mechanism M122 is arranged in front of the second connector M123 configured as described above, as shown in FIG. The slide holding mechanism M122 has a slide holding member M1221. The slide holding member M1221 is formed symmetrically with respect to the center line in the front-rear direction. The slide holding member M1221 includes a slide main body portion M1222, a first slide fixing portion M1223 disposed in front of the slide main body portion M1222, and a second slide fixing portion M1224 disposed behind the slide main body portion M1222. ing.

  The slide main body M1222 is formed in a flat plate shape whose upper surface and lower surface are flat. The upper surface of the slide main body M1222 can support the reel support mechanism M6 in a planar shape. On the other hand, the lower surface of the slide main body M1222 abuts the flat plate portion M1211 of the reel unit support plate M121 in a planar shape, so that the reel support mechanism M6 can be supported in a planar shape by the reel unit support plate M121.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the slide main body M1222 is formed in a rectangular shape in a top view with the front-rear direction as the longitudinal direction. A through hole M1222a is formed at the center of the slide body M1222. As shown in FIG. 14, the through hole M1222a enables the reel unit support plate M121 to be fixed by screwing.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17, the first slide fixing portion M1223 disposed in front of the slide main body portion M1222 is formed in the same plane as the slide main body portion M1222. The first slide fixing part M1223 is formed in a square shape in a top view having a width dimension longer than the width dimension of the slide main body part M1222. In other words, both end portions in the width direction of the first slide fixing portion M1223 are protruded from both end portions in the width direction of the slide main body portion M1222.

  A through hole M1223a is formed at the center of the first slide fixing portion M1223. The through hole M1223a enables the reel unit support plate M121 to be fixed by screwing. Also. A fixing protrusion M1223b is formed at the front end portion of the first slide fixing portion M1223. The fixing protrusion M1223b is formed to protrude obliquely upward from the first slide fixing part M1223 toward the rear. A protrusion M1223f is formed at the tip of the fixing protrusion M1223b downward. The fixing protrusion M1223b has a function of fixing the reel unit M11 in the vertical direction and prohibiting movement in the front-rear direction.

  In addition, slide stop portions M1223c and M1223c are arranged symmetrically on the upper surface of the first slide fixing portion M1223. The slide stop portion M1223c is formed by a wall portion that is open on the front surface side and the upper surface side, that is, a wall portion that is L-shaped as viewed from above and protrudes upward from the inner position to the rear position. The slide stop portion M1223c has a function of stopping at a predetermined position in the front-rear direction when the reel unit M11 is slid from the front. On the other hand, on the lower surface of the first slide fixing part M1223, insertion parts M1223e and M1223e whose front sides are opened are formed symmetrically.

  In addition, connecting portions M1223d and M1223d are formed at the rear end portion of the first slide fixing portion M1223. The connecting portions M1223d and M1223d are formed so as to protrude obliquely downward from the first slide fixing portion M1223 toward the rear. As shown in FIG. 18, the connecting portions M1223d and M1223d are fitted in the fixing holes M1211a arranged on the front side of the flat plate portion M1211 in an oblique direction so that the slide holding member M1221 moves up and down with respect to the reel unit support plate M121. Has the function of fixing in the direction.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17, the second slide fixing portion M1224 disposed behind the slide main body portion M1222 is formed in the same plane as the slide main body portion M1222. The second slide fixing part M1224 is formed in a square shape in a top view having a width dimension longer than the width dimension of the slide main body part M1222. In other words, both end portions in the width direction of the second slide fixing portion M1224 are protruded from both end portions in the width direction of the slide main body portion M1222.

  A through hole M1224a is formed at the center of the second slide fixing portion M1224. The through hole M1224a enables the reel unit support plate M121 to be fixed by screwing. Also. On the upper surface of the second slide fixing part M1224, slide stop parts M1224b and M1224b are arranged symmetrically. The slide stop portion M1224b is formed by a wall portion whose front side and upper surface side are open, that is, a wall portion having an L-shape as viewed from above, which protrudes upward from the inner position to the rear position. The slide stop portion M1224b has a function of stopping at a predetermined position in the front-rear direction when the reel unit M11 is slid from the front. On the other hand, on the lower surface of the second slide fixing part M1224, insertion parts M1224d and M1224d whose front sides are opened are formed symmetrically.

  In addition, connecting portions M1224c and M1224c are formed at the rear end portion of the second slide fixing portion M1224. The connecting parts M1224c and M1224c are formed so as to protrude obliquely downward from the second slide fixing part M1224 toward the rear. As shown in FIG. 18, the connecting portions M1224c and M1224c are fitted into the fixing holes M1211a disposed on the rear side of the flat plate portion M1211 in an oblique direction so that the slide holding member M1221 is attached to the reel unit support plate M121. It has a function of fixing in the vertical direction.

(Reel unit M11)
As shown in FIG. 12, the reel unit holding mechanism M12 configured as described above enables the reel unit M11 to be detachably held. The reel unit M11 includes a reel M3 having symbols 501 arranged on the outer peripheral surface, and a reel support mechanism M6 that supports the reel M3.

(Reel unit M11: Reel support mechanism M6)
As shown in FIG. 21, the reel support mechanism M6 has a reel support member M61 and a motor support member M62. The reel support member M61 includes a side surface erected portion M63, a front surface erected portion M64, a rear surface erected portion M65, and a support bottom surface portion M66. Each of these parts M63 to M66 is formed by bending a flat plate. The support bottom surface portion M66 is formed in a flat shape so as to come into contact with the reel unit support plate M121 in a planar shape. A bottom surface insertion hole M66a is formed in the support bottom surface portion M66.

  The bottom surface insertion hole M66a is formed in a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. Further, the bottom insertion hole M66a has center protrusions M66b and M66b formed at the center, and front protrusions M66c and M66c formed at the front side. Specifically, the bottom surface insertion hole M66a has a slightly larger size than the above-described outer shape of the slide holding member M1221 and is formed in an approximate opening shape so that the slide holding member M1221 can be inserted from above. .

  Thereby, after the slide holding member M1221 is inserted into the bottom surface insertion hole M66a of the support bottom surface portion M66, the reel supporting member M61 is formed with a central protrusion M66b on the lower surface of the first slide fixing portion M1223 of FIG. The insertion portion M1223e and the reel unit support plate M121 are fitted into the gap between the insertion portion M1224d formed on the lower surface of the second slide fixing portion M1224 in FIG. 17 and the reel unit support plate M121. By fitting in the gap, the reel unit support plate M121 is fixed in the vertical direction.

  A front standing portion M64 is disposed in front of the support bottom surface portion M66. The front surface erecting portion M64 is erected in a direction perpendicular to the support bottom surface portion M66. A front surface insertion hole M64a is formed in the support bottom surface portion M66. As shown in FIG. 20, the front insertion hole M64a is configured such that the fixing protrusion M1223b is inserted therein, and the protrusion M1223f is brought into contact with the front surface side of the front standing portion M64. Yes. Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 20, the reel support member M61 can be fixed in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction without the reel support member M61 being screwed to the reel unit support plate M121. .

  Further, a rear surface standing portion M65 is disposed behind the support bottom surface portion M66. A connector fitting hole M65a is formed in the rear surface standing portion M65. The connector fitting hole M65a is disposed so as to face the connector fitting hole M1214c of FIG. The first connector M124 of FIG. 20 described above is provided in the height position and the connector fitting hole M65a. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 20, when the reel support member M61 is slid backward on the reel unit support plate M121, the first connector M124 is connected to the second connector M123. become.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, a side surface standing portion M63 is disposed on the right side from the front of the support bottom surface portion M66. The side surface erecting portion M63 includes a front inclined portion M63a inclined rearward from the upper end of the front erecting portion M64, an illumination mounting portion M63b disposed above the front inclined portion M63a, and the rear of the illumination mounting portion M63b. And a rear inclined portion M63d that is inclined from the rear of the attachment notch M63c toward the upper end of the rear surface standing portion M65.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 22, four substrate mounting portions M63e are formed on the left side surface of the side surface erecting portion M63. The board attaching part M63e is horizontally arranged, and as shown in FIG. 23, the reel board M67 is held in parallel to the side surface standing part M63. The reel board M67 has a function of controlling the reel device M1, and is electrically connected to the first connector M124 via a signal line (not shown). An origin sensor M671 is provided on one surface of the reel substrate M67 on the reel M3 side. The origin sensor M671 constitutes a part of a reel origin detection mechanism that outputs a reel origin signal.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the illumination attachment portion M63b includes a backlight attachment portion M63b1 that supports the backlight device M7 and an effect attachment portion M63b2 that supports the effect light emitting device M8. ing. The backlight attachment portion M63b1 and the illumination attachment portion M63b are disposed on the rear surface side and the front surface side, respectively. The vertical width dimension of the backlight mounting portion M63b1 is larger than the vertical width dimension of the effect mounting portion M63b2. An effect light fixing hole M63b4 is formed at the center of the effect attachment portion M63b2. In addition, two backlight fixing holes M63b3 and M63b3 are formed in the illumination attachment portion M63b. These backlight fixing holes M63b3 and M63b3 have a function of maintaining the mounting posture of the backlight device M7.

  Further, a motor support member M62 is provided in the mounting notch M63c. The motor support member M62 is erected in the left direction from the front surface side, and is provided with erected portions M62a and 62a arranged symmetrically in the front-rear direction, and a plane mounting portion M62b horizontally provided between the erected portions M62a and 62a. Have. A reel motor M51 of FIG. 13 is provided on the left side surface of the plane mounting portion M62b. A circular insertion hole M62c is formed at the center of the flat mounting portion M62b so that the end surface of the reel motor M51 is exposed to the right side, that is, the mounting notch M63c side. As shown in FIG. 13, an encoder device M21 provided on the end surface of the reel motor M51 is arranged in the space surrounded by the insertion hole M62c and the standing portions M62a and 62a.

(Reel unit M11: reel drive mechanism M5 / reel angle detection mechanism M2)
The reel motor M51 constitutes a part of the reel drive mechanism M5. The reel drive mechanism M5 is configured to rearrange the symbols 501 by rotationally driving the reel M3. Specifically, the reel driving mechanism M5 includes a reel motor M51 that applies a rotational driving force to the reel M3, and a heat sink M52 that dissipates heat by increasing the surface area of the reel motor M51.

  The reel motor M51 is, for example, a stepping motor having a resolution of 200, and the rotation speed of the rotation drive shaft M512 can be controlled in a speed region from a high speed rotation such as 200 rpm to a low speed rotation of 12.5 rpm. As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the reel motor M51 has a hollow prismatic motor partition wall M511. A flange portion M511a is formed at one end of the motor partition wall M511. As shown in FIG. 23, the flange portion M511a is fixed to the plane mounting portion M62b of the motor support member M62 by screws. In addition, a positioning portion M511b protruding in a circular shape is formed at the center of the flange portion M511a. As shown in FIG. 24, the positioning portion M511b is fitted into the insertion hole M62c, thereby facilitating positioning at the time of assembly in which the rotation drive shaft M512 is aligned with the rotation center of the reel M3. Misalignment is prevented.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 25, one end portion of the rotational drive shaft M512 protrudes from the center portion of the positioning portion M511b. One end of the rotational drive shaft M512 is connected to the encoder device M21. The encoder device M21 constitutes a part of the reel angle detection mechanism M2. The encoder device M21 detects a magnetic force detection signal and a position pulse signal by magnetically detecting the rotation of the reel interlocking shaft (not shown) connected to the rotation drive shaft M512 that coincides with the rotation center of the reel M3. A signal output unit that outputs an origin pulse signal and a phase difference pulse signal; Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the encoder device M21 has a magnet M201 provided on the reel interlocking shaft so as to change the external magnetic field by the rotation of the reel M3, and the magnetic force of the external magnetic field. A magnetic force detection mechanism M202 that outputs a magnetic force detection signal upon detection is provided as part of the signal output unit.

  A heat sink M52 is provided on the upper surface of the motor partition wall M511. The heat sink M52 is formed of a metal having high thermal conductivity such as aluminum or copper. The heat sink M52 has a flat plate-like base part M522 joined in a planar shape to the motor partition wall M511, and a plurality of fin members M521 provided upright on the upper surface of the base part M522. Thus, the heat sink M52 can be cooled without increasing the surface area of the reel motor M51 without requiring special electrical wiring for cooling the reel M3.

  Further, the other end of the rotation drive shaft M512 protrudes from the other end of the motor partition wall M511. A fitting annular portion M512a is formed at the tip of the rotational drive shaft M512. As shown in FIG. 13, the fitting annular portion M512a allows the blade mechanism M4 and the driving force transmission mechanism M9 to be fixed in the axial direction by fitting the stopper member M514. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 26, two fixing members M513 are provided symmetrically about the rotational drive shaft M512 at the root portion of the rotational drive shaft M512. The fixing member M513 is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the rotation drive shaft M512. The fixing member M513 fixes the blade mechanism M4 and the driving force transmission mechanism M9 in the rotation direction, and fixes the reel M3 coupled to the driving force transmission mechanism M9 in the rotation direction, whereby the rotation angle of the reel M3 and the rotation drive shaft are fixed. The rotation angle of M512 is made to coincide.

(Reel unit M11: blade mechanism M4 / driving force transmission mechanism M9)
As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the blade mechanism M4 and the driving force transmission mechanism M9 connected to the reel motor M51 configured as described above are realized by a rotating body 90 integrally formed of resin. Yes. The rotating body 90 includes a first annular portion M91 disposed on one end side on the left side from the front, a second annular portion M92 disposed on the other end side, a first annular portion M91, and a second annular portion M92. And a third annular portion 93 disposed therebetween. The first annular portion M91, the second annular portion M92, and the third annular portion 93 are each formed in an annular shape, and the center axis thereof coincides with the rotation center of the reel M3. On the inner peripheral side of the second annular portion M92 and the third annular portion 93, a reel motor M51 of the reel drive mechanism M5 in FIG. 13 and the like are arranged.

  The second annular portion M92 has a notch M921 formed in part. The notch M921 and the origin sensor M671 in FIG. 23 constitute a reel origin detection mechanism. The notch M921 is detected by the origin sensor M671, and can output a reel origin signal indicating the reel origin position. The third annular portion 93 has a plurality of first blade portions M931 (blade mechanisms M4) on the inner peripheral surface. The first blade portion M931 is formed in a wave shape from the outer peripheral side toward the inner peripheral side. As a result, when the first blade portion M931 is turned around the rotation center, the air flows in the direction of the rotation center to cool the reel drive mechanism M5.

  Further, an inner peripheral annular portion M912 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the first annular portion M91. A plurality of second blade portions M911 (blade mechanisms M4) are formed between the first annular portion M91 and the inner peripheral annular portion M912. The second blade portion M911 is formed in an inclined state from the end surface of the first annular portion M91 to the third annular portion 93 side. As a result, the second blade portion M911 is swung around the rotation center, thereby causing the air outside the end face of the first annular portion M91 to flow toward the inner peripheral side of the third annular portion 93, thereby causing the reel drive mechanism M5 to move. It is designed to cool.

  Further, a cross-shaped inner peripheral support portion M913 and an insertion hole M914 formed at the center of the inner peripheral support portion M913 are disposed on the inner peripheral side of the inner peripheral annular portion M912. The insertion hole M914 coincides with the rotation center of the reel M3. Through the insertion hole M914, the rotational drive shaft M512 of the reel motor M51 of FIG. 26 is inserted. A fixing fitting portion M915 is formed on the inner peripheral wall surface of the third annular portion 93 in the inner peripheral support portion M913. The fixing fitting portion M915 enables the rotation drive shaft M512 and the rotating body 90 to be fixed in the rotation direction by fitting the fixing member M513 in FIG.

(Reel unit M11: Reel M3)
The rotating body 90 is provided with a reel M3 as shown in FIG. The reel M3 includes an annular reel band M32 in which one or more symbols 501 are arranged, a reel frame M31 in which the reel band M32 is provided on the outer peripheral surface, and the blade mechanism M4 in the rotating body 90 is disposed on the inner peripheral side. have. Thereby, the reel M3 prevents the enlargement by providing the cooling function with respect to the reel motor M51 by using the inner peripheral side of the reel frame M31 as an attachment location of the blade mechanism M4.

  As shown in FIG. 30, the reel frame M31 includes a drive-side reel frame M311 that holds one end of the reel band M32, a driven-side reel frame M312 that holds the other end of the reel band M32, It has a frame connecting member 313 that connects the outer peripheral portions of the driving side reel frame M311 and the driven side reel frame M312. The reel frame M31 formed of these members is formed of a material that transmits light.

  As a result, the reel M3 is connected to the reel frame M31 via the frame connecting member 313 from the state where the reel frame M31 is divided into the driving side reel frame M311 and the driven side reel frame M312. Since it is possible to assemble, the width of the reel frame M31, that is, the width of the reel M3 including the reel frame M31 and the reel band M32 can be easily changed only by changing the length of the frame connecting member 313. It is possible to change.

  The drive side reel frame M311 has an inner peripheral annular portion M3111. The inner peripheral annular portion M3111 is fitted and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the first annular portion M91. As a result, the reels M3 are coupled in a state where the reels M3 coincide with the rotation center of the rotating body 90.

  On the other hand, the driven-side reel frame M312 has a reel band fitting portion M312a that is fitted to the end of the reel band M32. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 31, the drive-side reel frame M311 has a reel band fitting portion M311a that is fitted to the end of the reel band M32. As a result, the reel M3 is connected to the reel frame M31 via the frame connecting member 313 from the state where the reel frame M31 is divided into the driving side reel frame M311 and the driven side reel frame M312. In the middle of assembly, the reel band M32 is fitted by sandwiching both ends of the reel band M32 from both sides with the reel band fitting portions M311a and M312a of the driving side reel frame body M311 and the driven side reel frame body M312. It can be easily assembled to the reel frame M31.

  The reel band fitting portions M311a and M312a are formed to fit the entire circumference of the reel band M32 as shown in FIG. As a result, the reel frame M31 holds the entire circumference of the reel band M32, so that it is possible to improve the shape retention when the reel band M32 is held by the reel frame M31.

  The frame connecting member 313 is disposed so as to be able to support the back surface of the reel band M32. Thereby, it is possible to further improve the shape retention when held by the reel frame M31. The reel band M32 is formed of a material such as acrylic resin that can transmit illumination light.

(Reel unit M11: Backlight device M7)
As shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, a backlight device M7 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the reel M3 configured as described above. The backlight device M7 is disposed so that illumination light is emitted from the inner peripheral side of the reel M3 toward the reel band M32, and the irradiation light transmitted through the reel band M32 is visible from the outside of the slot machine 10.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 35 and 36, the backlight device M7 is provided in the backlight light source unit M70 and the reel support mechanism M6, and the base case that detachably supports the backlight light source unit M70. And a support member M74. Four backlight light source units M70 are arranged in the vertical direction. The arrangement interval is set so that the backlight source unit M70 faces the symbol 501. That is, the positional relationship between the backlight light source unit M70 and the symbol 501 is set so as to exist on a line segment that passes through the rotation center of the reel M3 in the vertical direction. Thereby, it is possible to transmit the illumination light from the reel band M32 and the transparent reel frame M31 while illuminating each symbol 501 facing each backlight light source unit M70.

  Each of the backlight light source units M70 described above has a plurality of illumination light sources M71 that are arranged in the width direction and the longitudinal direction of the reel band M32 and can change the light amount when emitting illumination light in a plurality of stages. Thereby, the backlight device M7 can individually control the emission mode of the illumination light in each illumination light source M71, and can increase the degree of freedom of the effect using the illumination light.

  The backlight light source unit M70 is provided with an illumination light source M71, and includes a backlight substrate M72 arranged to face the reel band M32, and a backlight substrate case M73 that holds the backlight substrate M72. The backlight substrate case M73 is detachably supported by the base case support member M74. In other words, the reel device M1 includes a backlight substrate M72, a backlight substrate case M73, and a base case support member M74 that detachably supports the backlight substrate case M73.

  Thereby, the backlight device M7 is configured such that the backlight substrate case M73 holding the backlight substrate M72 can be attached to and detached from the base case support member M74. When it becomes necessary to change the size of the backlight substrate M72, the backlight light source unit M70 (the backlight substrate M72 and the base case support member M74) is replaced without replacing the entire backlight device M7. It is possible to cope with the change of the reel width. That is, the backlight device M7 can easily change the size of the backlight substrate M72 in a short time.

  Further, the base case support member M74 has a fitting portion M741 and a protruding portion M742 on the base side on the other side from the attachment position of the backlight light source unit M70. As shown in FIG. 33, the fitting portion M741 and the protruding portion M742 are detachably connected by fitting to the backlight mounting portion M63b1 of the reel support member M61.

  As shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, the backlight substrate case M73 detachably supported by the base case support member M74 is disposed at one end in the reel width direction and contacts the base case support member M74 in a planar shape. It has a plate-like member M731 formed so as to contact, and a claw member M732 protruding from the plate-like member M731 so as to be elastically deformable in the direction of the base case support member M74. On the other hand, the base case support member M74 has a fitting portion M741 that fits both ends of the plate-like member M731 so as to be slidable when the plate-like member M731 comes into contact with the surface, and the plate-like member M731 is fitted. It has a fitting hole M742 into which the claw member M732 is fitted when fitted into the joint M741.

  As a result, the backlight device M7 is fitted such that both end portions of the plate-like member M731 are slidably fitted to the fitting portion M741 when the plate-like member M731 is brought into contact with the surface, and the plate-like member M731. When the claw member M732 is fitted into the fitting hole M742, the backlight substrate case M73 and the base case support member M74 can be connected by the fitting portion M741 and the fitting hole M742. . On the other hand, the backlight device M7 can remove the backlight substrate case M73 from the base case support member M74 if an external force that elastically deforms the claw member M732 is applied to the backlight substrate case M73. As a result, the backlight device M7 can easily attach and detach the backlight light source unit M70 to the base case support member M74.

(Reel unit M11: effect light emitting device M8)
Further, as shown in FIG. 13, an effect light emitting device M8 is disposed on the side of the reel M3. The effect light emitting device M8 is configured to emit a plurality of effect lights so as to be visible from the outside of the slot machine 10. Thus, the effect light emitting device M8 can increase the effect of the effect and the degree of freedom of the effect when the reel M3 is rotated and the symbols 501 are rearranged.

  As shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, the effect light emitting device M8 includes a plurality of effect light sources M81 arranged at least along the longitudinal direction of the reel band M32. These effect light sources M81 are individually controllable, and the amount of light when the effect light is emitted can be changed in a plurality of stages. Thus, the effect light emitting device M8 can increase the effect of the effect and the degree of freedom of the effect when the reel M3 is rotated and the symbols 501 are rearranged.

  Specifically, the effect light emitting device M8 includes an effect light source unit M80 and a unit support member M83 that is provided in the reel support mechanism M6 and detachably supports the effect light source unit M80. The effect light source unit M80 includes a hollow substrate case M82, an effect light substrate M84 accommodated in the substrate case M82, and an effect light source M81 arranged in a line on the upper surface of the effect light substrate M84.

  The substrate case M82 is formed in a fan shape so as to have the same curved surface as the outer peripheral surface of the annular reel M3. The substrate case M82 is formed of a material that transmits light at least on the front side. The effect light substrate M84 is curved with the same radius of curvature as the substrate case M82. Thereby, each effect light source M81 on the effect light substrate M84 is set to have the same distance from the upper surface of the substrate case M82.

  A unit support member M83 is disposed at the inner peripheral end of the substrate case M82. The unit support member M83 is detachably provided on the side surface standing portion M63 of the reel support mechanism M6. Specifically, the unit support member M83 has a plate-like member M831 formed so as to come into contact with the effect mounting portion M63b2 in a surface shape, and an effect attachment when the plate-like member M831 comes into contact with the surface. A fitting portion M833 that fits both ends of the portion M63b2 so as to be slidable, and protrudes from the plate-like member M831 in an elastically deformable direction toward the effect mounting portion M63b2, so that it can be fitted into the effect light fixing hole M63b4. Claw member M832.

  Thereby, the effect light emitting device M8 is fitted so that both ends of the effect mounting portion M63b2 can slide to the fitting portion M833 when the plate-like member M831 is brought into contact with the effect mounting portion M63b2 in a planar shape. In addition, the effect light emitting device M8 and the reel support member M61 can be connected by fitting the claw member M832 to the effect attaching portion M63b2. On the other hand, if the effect light emitting device M8 applies an external force that elastically deforms the claw member M832, the effect light emitting device M8 can be detached from the reel support member M61. As a result, the effect light emitting device M8 can be easily attached to and detached from the reel support member M61 of the reel support mechanism M6.

(Electric configuration of slot machine)
Next, with reference to FIG. 40, a configuration of a circuit included in the slot machine 10 will be described.

  The gaming board 50 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, and a boot ROM 53, which are connected to each other via an internal bus, a card slot 55 corresponding to the memory card 54, and an IC socket 57 corresponding to a GAL (Generic Array Logic) 56. .

  The memory card 54 is composed of a nonvolatile memory and stores a game program and a game system program. The game program includes a program related to game progress and a program for executing effects by images and sounds. The game program includes a symbol determination program. The symbol determination program is a program for determining symbols to be rearranged in the symbols 501.

  The game program includes each symbol in each symbol row of the display block and a code: NO. And the base game symbol table data indicating the base game symbol table indicating the correspondence relationship with the random number values, the symbols of each symbol column of the display block, and the code No. And bonus game symbol table data indicating a bonus game symbol table indicating a correspondence relationship between random numbers and symbols: NO. Determination table data, code No. Code No. indicating the decision table Determination table data, wild symbol increase count determination table data indicating a wild symbol increase count determination table, trigger symbol increase count determination table data indicating a trigger symbol increase count determination table, the type and number of symbols rearranged on the payline, and Odds data indicating the correspondence with the amount of dividend is included.

  The card slot 55 is configured so that the memory card 54 can be inserted and removed, and is connected to the motherboard 70 via an IDE bus. Accordingly, by removing the memory card 54 from the card slot 53S, writing another game program in the memory card 54, and inserting the memory card 54 into the card slot 53S, the type and contents of the game played in the slot machine 10 are changed. be able to.

  The GAL 56 is a kind of PLD (Programmable Logic Device) having an OR fixed type array structure. The GAL 56 includes a plurality of input ports and output ports. When a predetermined input is input to the input port, the corresponding data is output from the output port.

  The IC socket 57 is configured so that the GAL 56 can be attached and detached, and is connected to the mother board 70 by a PCI bus. By replacing the memory card 54 with another program written therein or rewriting the program written in the memory card 54 with another one, the contents of the game played in the slot machine 10 can be changed. .

  The CPU 51, the ROM 52, and the boot ROM 53 connected to each other by an internal bus are connected to the mother board 70 by a PCI bus. The PCI bus transmits signals between the motherboard 70 and the gaming board 50 and supplies power from the motherboard 70 to the gaming board 50.

  The ROM 52 stores an authentication program. The boot ROM 53 stores a preliminary authentication program and a program (boot code) for the CPU 51 to start the preliminary authentication program.

  The authentication program is a program (tamper check program) for authenticating the game program and the game system program. The preliminary authentication program is a program for authenticating the authentication program. The authentication program and the preliminary authentication program are described in accordance with a procedure (authentication procedure) for authenticating that the target program has not been tampered with.

  The motherboard 70 is configured using a commercially available general-purpose motherboard (printed wiring board on which basic components of a personal computer are mounted), a main CPU 71, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 72, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 73, a communication And an interface 82. Note that the motherboard 70 corresponds to the game controller 100 in the present embodiment.

  The ROM 72 is composed of a memory device such as a flash memory, and stores a program such as BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) executed by the main CPU 71 and permanent data. When the BIOS is executed by the main CPU 71, initialization processing of predetermined peripheral devices is performed. In addition, the game program and game system program take-in process stored in the memory card 54 is started via the gaming board 50. In the present invention, the ROM 72 may be rewritable or impossible.

  The RAM 73 stores programs such as data used when the main CPU 71 operates and a symbol determination program. For example, when the above-described game program, game system program, and authentication program are loaded, these can be stored. The RAM 73 is provided with a work area for executing the program. For example, an area for storing a counter for managing the number of games, the number of BETs, the number of payouts, the number of credits, an area for storing a symbol (code number) determined by lottery, and the like are provided.

  The communication interface 82 is for communicating with an external control device 621 such as a server via the communication line 301. Also, a door PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 90 and a main body PCB 110, which will be described later, are connected to the motherboard 70 by USB. A power supply unit 81 is connected to the motherboard 70. Further, a PTS terminal 700 is connected to the motherboard 70 by USB.

  When power is supplied from the power supply unit 81 to the motherboard 70, the main CPU 71 of the motherboard 70 is activated, and power is supplied to the gaming board 50 via the PCI bus to activate the CPU 51.

  The door PCB 90 and the main body PCB 110 are connected to input devices such as switches and sensors and peripheral devices whose operations are controlled by the main CPU 71.

  A control panel 30, a reverter 91, a coin counter 92C, and a cold cathode tube 93 are connected to the door PCB 90.

  The control panel 30 includes a reserve switch 31S, a collect switch 32S, a game rule switch 33S, a 1-BET switch 34S, a 2-BET switch 35S, and a 3-BET switch 37S corresponding to the buttons described above. A 5-BET switch 38S, a 10-BET switch 39S, a play 2 LINES switch 40S, a play 10 LINES switch 41S, a play 20 LINES switch 42S, a play 40 LINES switch 43S, a MAX LINES switch 44S, and a gambling switch 45S. , A start switch 46S is provided. Each switch detects that the corresponding button has been pressed by the player, and outputs a signal to the main CPU 71.

  Inside the coin entry 36, a reverter 91 and a coin counter 92C are provided. Then, the reverter 91 identifies whether or not the coin inserted into the coin entry 36 is appropriate, and the coin other than the regular coin is discharged from the coin payout exit. Further, the coin counter 92C detects the accepted regular coin and counts the number of the coins.

  The reverter 91 operates based on a control signal output from the main CPU 71, and distributes appropriate coins selected by the coin counter 92C to a hopper 113 or a cash box (not shown). When the hopper 113 is not filled with coins, it is sorted into the hopper 113, and when the hopper 113 is filled with coins, it is sorted into the cash box.

  The cold cathode tube 93 functions as a backlight installed on the back side of the upper image display panel 131 and lights up based on a control signal output from the main CPU 71.

  A lamp 111, a speaker 112, a hopper 113, a coin detector 113S, a bill entry 22, a graphic board 130, a key switch 173S, and a data display 174 are connected to the main body PCB 110.

  The lamp 111 is lit based on a control signal output from the main CPU 71. The speaker 112 outputs a sound such as BGM based on a control signal output from the main CPU 71.

  The hopper 113 operates based on a control signal output from the main CPU 71, and pays out a designated payout number of coins from a coin payout exit to a coin tray (not shown). The coin detection unit 113 </ b> S detects the coins paid out by the hopper 113 and outputs a signal to the main CPU 71.

  A touch panel may be provided on the front surface of the reel device M1. The touch panel detects a position touched by a player's finger and outputs a signal corresponding to the detected position to the main CPU 71.

  The bill entry 22 is used to identify whether a bill is appropriate and to accept a regular bill in the cabinet 11. The bills inserted into the cabinet 11 are converted into coins, and credits corresponding to the converted coins are added as player-owned credits.

  The graphic board 130 controls display of images performed by the upper image display panel 131 based on a control signal output from the main CPU 71. The graphic board 130 includes a VDP (Video Display Processor) that generates image data, a video RAM that stores image data generated by the VDP, and the like. Note that image data used when generating image data by VDP is included in the game program read from the memory card 54 and stored in the RAM 73.

  The graphic board 130 includes a VDP (Video Display Processor) that generates image data based on a control signal output from the main CPU 71, a video RAM that temporarily stores image data generated by the VDP, and the like. ing. Note that image data used when generating image data by VDP is included in the game program read from the memory card 54 and stored in the RAM 73.

  The key switch 173S is provided on the keypad 173, and outputs a predetermined signal to the main CPU 71 when the keypad 173 is operated by the player.

  The data display 174 displays data read by the card reader 172 or data input by the player via the keypad 173 based on a control signal output from the main CPU 71.

(Electric configuration of slot machine: reel device M1)
A reel device M1 is connected to the main body PCB 110. As shown in FIG. 13, the reel device M1 has five first to fifth reel units M11a to M11e. As shown in FIG. 41, each of the first to fifth reel units M11a to M11e has a reel substrate M67. The reel substrate M67 includes an input / output unit M675 connected to the main body PCB 110 so as to allow data communication, a reel driving unit M672, a backlight driving unit M673, and a director driving unit M674 connected to the input / output unit M675. .

  A magnetic force detection mechanism M202 is connected to the entrance / exit part M675. The magnetic force detection mechanism M202 includes a magnetic sensor that outputs a magnetic force detection signal having an output intensity according to the magnetic force, and a sensor fixing mechanism that fixes the magnetic force sensor at a predetermined position. The magnetic force detection mechanism M202 is connected to the rotation shaft of the reel motor M51, and outputs a magnetic force detection signal by detecting the magnetic force of the external magnetic field by the magnet M201 of FIG. 3 that rotates in conjunction with the reel M3. It has become.

  The reel driving unit M672 is connected to supply driving power to the reel motor M51. The backlight driving unit M673 is connected so as to individually supply driving power to each illumination light source M71 of the backlight device M7. The effector driving unit M674 is connected so as to individually supply driving power to each effect light source M81 of the effect light emitting device M8.

(Electrical configuration of PTS terminal)
Next, with reference to FIG. 42, a configuration of a circuit included in the PTS terminal 700 will be described.

  A PTS controller 720 that controls the PTS terminal 700 is connected to various functional units with a unit controller 730 as a center, and includes a CPU 731, a communication unit 734, a ROM 733, and a RAM 732.

  The CPU 731 executes and calculates various programs stored in a ROM 733 described later. In particular, the CPU 731 executes the credit update program, converts the credit data acquired from the game controller 100 into cash data, adds the fractional cash data in the management server 800, and transmits the cash data to the IC card 500.

  If the credit amount based on the credit data acquired from the game controller 100 is not “0” by executing the human body detection operation program, the CPU 731 uses the human body detection cameras 712 and 713 to send the IC card to the card stacker 714. Whether or not 500 is taken in is determined.

  In addition, the CPU 731 executes an authentication program and collates the identification code in the IC card 500 with the identification code in the management server 800.

  Further, the CPU 731 executes a voice control program and controls a voice control circuit unit 724 described later based on the authentication result. The voice control here is control in which the CPU 731 controls the voice control circuit unit 724 described later to notify the authentication failure from the speakers 707 and 708 in the case of authentication failure. The communication unit 734 enables communication with the game controller 100.

  Further, the CPU 731 executes a device program and controls the operation of the LCD 719, the microphones 704 and 705, and the speakers 707 and 708. Further, the CPU 731 executes the LED control program and controls the lighting of the LEDs 718 according to the remaining number of IC cards 500.

  The ROM 733 is a memory device such as a flash memory, and stores permanent data executed by the CPU 731. For example, the ROM 733 stores a credit update program for rewriting credit data stored in the IC card 500 according to a command from the game controller 100, a human body detection operation program, an authentication program, a voice control program, a device program, an LED, A control program.

  The RAM 732 temporarily stores data necessary for executing various programs stored in the ROM 733. For example, the RAM 732 stores credit data to be updated based on a signal from the game controller 100. The RAM 732 stores the time when the player is detected by the human body detection cameras 712 and 713 and the time counted from that time.

  The unit controller 730 also includes a human body detection camera control unit 722, an LCD drive unit 723, a voice control circuit unit 724, a remaining card recognition input unit 727, a card suction / discharge drive unit 726, and a card detection input unit 725. And the LED driving unit 728 and the modem unit 721.

  The human body detection camera control unit 722 controls the operation of the human body detection cameras 712 and 713 based on a command from the unit controller 730.

  The LCD driving unit 723 controls the operation of the LCD 719 based on a command from the unit controller 730.

  The sound control circuit unit 724 controls the operations of the microphones 704 and 705 and the speakers 707 and 708 based on a command from the unit controller 730.

  The remaining card recognition input unit 727 inputs a signal for determining the remaining number of IC cards 500 accumulated in the card stacker 714 by the remaining card recognition sensor 717 to the unit controller 730. Here, the remaining card recognition sensor 717 has a function of determining the remaining number of IC cards 500 accumulated in the card stacker 714 using, for example, an infrared detection mechanism (not shown).

  The card suction / discharge driving unit 726 drives and controls the card suction / discharge mechanism 716 based on a command from the unit controller 730. Here, the card suction / discharge mechanism 716 has a mechanism for taking the IC card 500 into the inside and a mechanism for discharging the IC card 500 to the outside.

  The card detection input unit 725 inputs a signal from the card detection sensor 715 to the unit controller 730. Here, the card detection sensor 715 acquires various data such as cash data and an identification code from the inserted IC card 500.

  The LED drive unit 728 performs drive control to turn on the LED 718 based on a command from the unit controller 730.

  The modem 721 converts the high-frequency signal from the antenna 701 into a signal that can be controlled by the unit controller 730, while converting the signal from the unit controller 730 through the antenna 701 into a signal that can be transmitted to the IC card 500.

  The unit controller 730, the card suction / discharge drive unit 726, the card detection input unit 725, and the modulation / demodulation unit 721 are also collectively referred to as a card unit control controller. (Electric configuration of IC card)

  Next, with reference to FIG. 42 and FIG. 43, a configuration of a circuit included in the IC card 500 will be described.

  The IC card 500 includes an antenna 507, a power supply control circuit 504, a modem circuit 508, a display writing IC 505, a display driver 506, and a display unit 510.

  The antenna 507 transmits and receives various signals via the antenna 701 included in the PTS terminal 700.

  The power supply control circuit 504 includes a second booster circuit 531 and a third booster circuit 532. The second booster circuit 531 boosts the signal from the antenna 507 to a voltage that can be processed by a modem circuit 508 described later. The third booster circuit 532 boosts the voltage from the power source to a voltage for driving a display driver 506 described later.

  The modem circuit 508 includes a transmitter 521 and a detection circuit 522. The transmitter 521 outputs a signal having a specific frequency and mixes it with a signal received from the antenna 507, thereby converting the signal into a signal that can be processed by the display writing IC 505 described later. The detection circuit 522 detects a signal received from the antenna 507.

  The display writing IC 505 includes a CPU 553, a credit data memory 552, and a display controller 551.

  The CPU 553 executes a cash data rewrite update program, and rewrites and updates the cash data stored in the credit data memory 552 based on the cash data acquired from the PTS terminal 700.

  Further, the CPU 553 controls the display controller 551 so that the cash data stored in the credit data memory 552 is used as display data and is displayed on the display unit 510 via the display driver 506 described later.

  The credit data memory 552 stores credit-related data such as the above-described cash data rewriting / updating program, cash data, identification code, and cash data for display. Note that the credit related data stored in the credit data memory 552 is used for both calculation and display.

  The display controller 551 acquires display credit data stored in the credit data memory 552 based on the CPU 553 control signal, and causes the display unit 510 to display the credit data for display.

  The IC card 500 has a communication IC 509. The communication IC 509 includes a first booster circuit 543, a transmitter 546, a detection circuit 545, a transmission control unit 544, a CPU 542, and an authentication memory 541. The first booster circuit 543 boosts terminal-side authentication data acquired from the PTS terminal 700 to a voltage that can be processed by a CPU 542 described later.

  The transmitter 546 outputs a signal of a specific frequency and mixes it with the signal received from the antenna 507, thereby converting it into a signal that can be processed by the CPU 542. The detection circuit 522 detects a signal received from the antenna 507.

  The CPU 542 executes an authentication routine program and transmits an identification code stored in an authentication memory 541 described later to the PTS terminal 700 when an authentication request is received from the PTS terminal 700. The authentication memory 541 stores an authentication routine program used by the CPU 542 and an identification code.

(Symbols, combinations, etc.)
The symbols 301 displayed in the display windows 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, and 7E of the slot machine 10 form a symbol row with 22 symbols. As shown in FIG. 44, any code number from 0 to 21 is assigned to the symbols constituting each symbol column. Each symbol string is configured by combining symbols “JACKPOT 7”, “BLUE 7”, “BELL”, “CHERRY”, “STRAWBERRY”, “PLUM”, “ORANGE”, and “APPLE”.

  Three consecutive symbols in the symbol row are displayed (arranged) in the upper stage 7a, middle stage 7b, and lower stage 7c of the respective display windows 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, and 7E, thereby displaying the display windows 7A and 7A. 7B, 7C, 7D, and 7E constitute a symbol matrix of 5 columns and 3 rows. The symbols constituting the symbol matrix start scrolling when the game is started by pressing the start button after the BET button is pressed. When a predetermined time elapses after the scrolling is started, the scrolling of each symbol is stopped (rearrangement).

  In addition, various winning combinations are determined in advance for each symbol. The winning combination is a combination in which a combination of symbols stopped on the payline is advantageous to the player. The advantageous state includes a state in which coins corresponding to the winning combination are paid out, a state in which the number of coins to be paid out is added to credits, a state in which a bonus game is started, and the like.

  Specifically, when the combination of “APPLE” symbols on the payline is stopped, a bonus trigger occurs, and the gaming state shifts from the basic game to the bonus game. In the basic game, when the combination of “CHERRY” symbols on the payline is stopped, 20 coins (valuable value) are paid out per bet. Further, in the basic game, when the combination of the symbols “PLUM” is stopped on the payline, 5 coins are paid out per bet.

  The bonus game is a gaming state that is more advantageous than the basic game. In addition, other bonus games may be adopted as long as the gaming state is advantageous to the player, that is, the gaming state is more advantageous than the basic game. For example, a state where more coins can be acquired than the basic game, a state where coins can be acquired with a higher probability than the basic game, a state where the number of coins consumed is lower than the basic game, a free game, etc. are adopted as other bonus games be able to.

(Dividend management table)
FIG. 45 is a payout management table for managing payouts awarded based on winning combinations. This payout management table is stored in the ROM 242 of the main control board 71, and the payout information is associated with the type of winning combination. For example, the payout corresponding to the winning combination of “BELL” is “10”. The payout corresponding to the winning combination of “BLUE 7” is “40”. In the present embodiment, the payouts in the basic game and the free game are set to the same amount.

(Free game frequency table)
FIG. 46 is a table referred to when determining the number of free games with respect to the number of points acquired in the common game in the basic game. In the free game number table, the number of points awarded in the common game and the number of free games are associated with each other. For example, when the accumulated point is “4”, the “80” free game is executed. When the accumulated points are “8”, “160” free games are executed. Thus, the free game can be continued for a long time by succeeding in the common game in the basic game and acquiring many points.

(Reel setting table)
FIG. 47 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the reel setting table and the magnetic force detection signal when associating the symbol row with the magnetic force detection value. The reel setting table has a code number column, a symbol column column, and a magnetic force detection value column. There are five types of reel setting tables for the first to fifth symbol columns. FIG. 47 shows a reel setting table for the first symbol column.

  The reel setting table for the first symbol column has a plurality of magnetic force detections of magnetic force detection signals that change within the arrangement area 5011 of the symbols 501 in the arrangement position of the symbols 501 and the rotation direction of the reels M3 (the rotational movement direction of the symbols 501). Value data is stored in association with each other. Specifically, when the resolution is such that 200 magnetic force detection values can be obtained per rotation of the reel M3, the number of magnetic force detection values corresponding to the occupation ratio of the arrangement region 5011 in the rotational movement direction with respect to the total length of the reel M3. Are associated in the arrangement area 5011.

  For example, when 22 symbols 501 are equally arranged as a symbol row, 9 to 10 magnetic force detection values are associated with each arrangement region 5011. That is, nine magnetic detection values from the magnetic detection value NU27 to the magnetic detection value NU35 are stored in the arrangement area 5011 of “JACKPOT7”. As a result, the slot machine 10 detects the stop position using the magnetic force detection value data of the magnetic force detection signal output along with the rotation of the reel M3 and the magnetic force detection value data of the reel setting table, thereby “JACKPOT7 It is possible to detect a slight positional deviation in the arrangement region 5011 when a desired symbol 501 such as “is stopped and displayed at a predetermined position based on the magnetic force detection value.

  In this embodiment, the case where 22 symbols 501 are arranged in the reel band M32 is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of symbols 501 such as 11 may be arranged on the reel band M32. Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the arrangement area 5011 displaying the symbols 501 is equally divided is described, but the arrangement areas 5011 may be arranged unevenly. In this case, the number of magnetic force detection values corresponding to the ratio of the area length of the arrangement area 5011 to the entire length of the reel band M32 is stored. Further, in the present embodiment, a case is described in which 200 magnetic force detection values are output for one cycle in which the reel M3 makes one rotation. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of symbols 501 arranged is not limited to this. Any number of detected magnetic force values may be used.

(Processing operation of slot machine 10: start-up process)
Next, a startup process performed in the slot machine 10 will be described.
When the slot machine 10 is powered on, a startup process routine shown in FIG. 48 is executed on the motherboard 240 and the gaming board 250. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the memory card 253 is inserted into the card slot 253S of the gaming board 250 and the GAL 254 is attached to the IC socket 254S.

  First, when the power switch is turned on (power is turned on) in the power unit 245, the mother board 240 and the gaming board 250 are activated. When the mother board 240 and the gaming board 250 are activated, separate processes are performed in parallel. That is, in the gaming board 250, the CPU 251 executes a process of reading the preliminary authentication program stored in the boot ROM 252 and a process of performing preliminary authentication by the preliminary authentication program. Note that the preliminary authentication is a process for confirming and proving that the authentication program has not been altered in advance (A1) before being taken into the motherboard 240 in accordance with the preliminary authentication program.

  On the other hand, in the motherboard 240, the main CPU 241 executes the BIOS stored in the ROM 242. As a result, the compressed data incorporated in the BIOS is expanded in the RAM 243 (B1). Then, the main CPU 241 executes the BIOS expanded in the RAM 243, and performs diagnosis and initialization of various peripheral devices (B2).

  Thereafter, the main CPU 241 reads out the authentication program stored in the ROM 255 via the PCI bus and stores the read authentication program in the RAM 243 (B3). At this time, the main CPU 241 takes a checksum by the ADDSUM method (standard check function) in accordance with the BIOS standard BIOS function. Thereby, it is confirmed whether or not the authentication program is definitely stored in the RAM 243.

  Next, the main CPU 241 confirms members connected to the IDE bus. Thereafter, the main CPU 241 accesses the memory card 253 inserted into the card slot 253S via the IDE bus, and reads out the game program and the game system program from the memory card 253. In this case, data constituting the game program and the game system program is read out by 4 bytes. Subsequently, the main CPU 241 performs authentication to confirm and prove that the read game program and game system program have not been tampered with in accordance with the authentication program stored in the RAM 243 (B4).

  When the authentication process ends normally, the main CPU 241 writes and stores the game program and game system program to be authenticated (authenticated) in the RAM 243 (B5).

  Next, the main CPU 241 accesses the GAL 254 attached to the IC socket 254S, reads the payout rate setting data from the GAL 254, writes it into the RAM 243, and stores it (B6). Thereafter, the main CPU 241 reads out the country identification information stored in the ROM 255 of the gaming board 250 and performs processing for storing the read country identification information in the RAM 243 (B7).

  As a result of executing the above authentication process, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not the program and data are normal (B8). If not normal (B8: NO), an abnormal signal including ID information for identifying the slot machine 10 is output to a centralized monitoring device (not shown). The centralized monitoring device identifies the slot machine 10 in the abnormal state based on the abnormality signal, instructs the staff waiting in the vicinity of the slot machine 10 to perform the abnormality handling process, and the occurrence date and time of the abnormality The abnormality history information such as the occurrence location is stored (B18). Thereafter, the speaker 23 of the slot machine 10 emits sound, and the light emitting unit 20 emits light, thereby notifying the abnormal state. Thereafter, this routine in the mother board 240 is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is normal (B8: YES), the operations of the sensors provided in the slot machine 10 are checked in order (B9). Then, it is determined whether or not all sensors normally operate (B10). If there is an abnormality in at least one sensor (B10: NO), this routine is terminated after the above-described B18 and B19 are executed.

  On the other hand, if all the sensors are normal (B10: YES), then the operation of all the drive mechanisms is checked in order (B11). Then, it is determined whether or not all the drive mechanisms operate normally (B12). If there is an abnormality in at least one drive mechanism (B12: NO), the routine is terminated after the above-described B18 and B19 are executed. On the other hand, when all the drive mechanisms are normal (B12: YES), the operation of all the illuminations is checked in order (B13). And it is determined whether all the electrical decorations operate | move normally (B14). If there is an abnormality in at least one of the illuminations (B14: NO), this routine is terminated after the above-described B18 and B19 are executed.

  On the other hand, when all the illuminations are normal (B14: YES), an activation signal indicating normal activation is output to a centralized monitoring device (not shown) or the like (B15). Thereafter, the basic game process is executed (B16), and this routine is terminated. Details of the basic game process will be described below.

(Basic game processing)
49 and 50 are flowcharts showing the flow of processing operations in the basic game of the slot machine 10, which are executed by the main CPU 241 of the slot machine 10. One routine of FIGS. 49 and 50 is a unit game. Note that the slot machine 10 has been activated in advance, and on the other hand, variables used in the main CPU 241 on the game controller 1 side are initialized to predetermined values, whereby the slot machine 10 is in steady operation. To do.

  First, it is determined whether or not a credit which is the remaining number of coins inserted by the player remains (S1). Specifically, the credit number C stored in the RAM 243 is read, and processing based on the read credit number C is performed. If the number of credits C is “0” (S1: NO), the game cannot be started, and thus this routine is terminated without performing any processing. On the other hand, when the number of credits C is “1” or more (S1: YES), it is determined that credits remain, and the process proceeds to S2.

  In S2, it is determined whether or not the operation button 11 (BET button) has been pressed (S2). If the operation button 11 (BET button) is not operated even after the predetermined time has elapsed (S2: NO), game conditions are set (S3). Specifically, the number of coins bet on the payline in this game is determined based on the operation of the operation button 11 (BET button). At this time, an operation signal generated by operating the operation button 11 (BET button) is received, and the number of BETs related to the payline is determined based on a predetermined memory of the RAM 243 based on the number of times the received operation signal is received. Stored in the area. Then, the credit number C written in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 243 is read. The total BET number obtained by adding the BET number is subtracted from the read credit number C. The subtracted value is stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 243.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the operation button 11 (start button) has been operated (S4). When the operation button 11 (start button) is not operated (S4: NO), S4 is repeatedly executed to enter a standby state until the operation button 11 is operated. If the operation button 11 (start button) is operated (S4: YES), it is determined whether or not to start the common game (S5).

  On the other hand, when the operation button 11 (BET button) is pressed in S2 (S2: YES), it is determined whether or not the value of the credit number C is equal to or greater than the value of the total BET number in the previous game. . In other words, it is determined whether or not the game can be started by pressing the operation button 11 (BET button). Specifically, when the operation button 11 (BET button) is pressed, the credit number C written in a predetermined memory area in the RAM 243 and the BET number related to the payline in the previous game are read. Based on the relationship between the read credit number C and the BET number, processing is performed based on whether the value of the credit number C is equal to or greater than the total BET number in the previous game. If it is determined that the value of the credit number C is less than the value of the total BET number in the previous game (S16: NO), the game cannot be started, and thus this routine is terminated without performing any processing. .

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the value of the credit number C is equal to or greater than the total BET number in the previous game (S16: YES), the value of the total BET number in the previous game is subtracted from the value of the credit number C. Is done. The subtracted value is stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 243. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not to start the common game (S5).

  When it is determined to start the common game (S6: YES), the common game start flag is set to “ON” (S7). Specifically, data indicating that the game start flag is ON is written in the common game start flag storage area of the RAM 243. On the other hand, when it is determined not to start the common game (S6: NO), a combination determination process is executed (S8).

  In the combination determination process, first, a combination of stop symbols along the payline is determined. Specifically, a command for generating a random number is issued to the random number generator. Then, random numbers in a predetermined range generated by the random number generator are extracted. The extracted random number is stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 243. In the present embodiment, the random number is generated by a random number generator provided outside the main CPU 241. However, the random number generator is not provided and is generated by the arithmetic processing of the main CPU 241. May be.

  Thereafter, a random number table stored in the ROM 242 and a winning combination table for giving a prize are read out. The read random number table and the winning combination are stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 243. The stop display is controlled for each reel based on the random number table.

  Next, the random number table and the winning combination table stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 243 are read out. The random number table is referred to using a random number value written in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 243 as a parameter. Then, a combination of stop symbols for the payline is determined.

  When the winning combination is determined, the winning combination table is stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 243. The random number value written in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 243 and the winning combination table are read out. Based on the random number value and the winning combination table, a stop symbol combination to be stopped and displayed is determined. At this time, the symbol arrangement table stored in the ROM 242 is read by the main CPU 241, stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 243, and referred to. The determined stop symbol data is stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 243. Alternatively, a stop symbol may be determined for each reel using the random number table.

  When the combination of stop symbols related to the payline is determined, it is determined whether or not the combination of stop symbols related to the payline is a winning combination. When the combination of the stop symbol related to the payline is a winning combination, it indicates that an award indicating the type of the winning combination is given to the payline in order to generate a prize corresponding to the symbol combination that is the winning combination determined above. The flag is activated. A flag indicating that the activated prize is awarded is stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 243. On the other hand, when the combination of the stop symbols related to the payline is another combination, that is, a combination of loses, the flag indicating that the award is awarded is not validated.

  After the above combination determination process is executed, the reels 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, and 30E are rotated so as to move the plurality of symbols 301 in the plurality of display windows 7A to 7E (S9). Then, it waits until predetermined time passes (S10). Then, the rotation of the reels 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, and 30E is automatically stopped (S11). At this time, the series of processes S9 to S10 are executed by the reel rotation stop process of FIG. Details will be described later.

  Next, whether or not a winning combination is established is determined by the combination determination process in S8 (S12). Specifically, the determination is based on the state of a flag indicating that a prize relating to a payline stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 243 is awarded. If the flag indicating that a prize is to be awarded has not been validated (S12: NO), it is determined that a winning combination has not been established, and this routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the flag indicating that a prize is awarded is enabled (S12: YES), it is determined whether or not the winning combination established by the combination determination process in S8 is “BLUE 7”. . Specifically, when the winning combination is “BLUE 7” (S13: YES), after the coins corresponding to the winning combination are paid out (S17), this routine is ended.

  On the other hand, when the winning combination is not “BLUE 7” (S13: NO), it is determined whether or not the common game end flag is ON (S14). Specifically, it is determined whether or not data indicating that the common game end flag is ON is written in the common game end flag area of the RAM 243. If the common game end flag is not ON (S14: NO), S14 is repeatedly executed to enter a standby state. If the common game end flag is ON (S14: YES), a free game process is executed (S15). Then, this routine ends.

(Free game processing)
Next, free game processing will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the number of free games is set to N (S101). The number of Lee games is determined according to the cumulative number of points acquired in the common game in the basic game.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not to start the common game (S102). When the common game is started (S103: YES), the common game start flag is set to “ON” (S104). Specifically, data indicating that the common game start flag is ON is written in the common game start flag storage area of the RAM 243. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S105.

  On the other hand, if the common game is not started (S103: NO), the process directly proceeds to S105. Thereby, the combination determination process similar to that described above is performed (S105). The difference in the combination determination process is that the random number table to be referred to is a free game random number table (not shown). Thereafter, rotation of the reels 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, and 30E is started (S106). After waiting for a predetermined time (S107), an image for stopping the rotation of each reel 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E is displayed (S108).

  Next, it is determined whether or not a winning combination has been established (S109). If not established (A109: NO), the process proceeds to S111. On the other hand, when it is established (S109: YES), payout according to the winning combination is performed (S110). Specifically, the payout management table is referred to, and the payout number of coins corresponding to the winning combination is calculated. Then, the number of credits stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 243 is read out. The calculated value is added to the number of credits. The added value is stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 243 and the stored value is displayed on the credit number display unit 9.

  In S111, a process of subtracting 1 from N is performed (S111). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the common game end flag is ON (S112). Specifically, it is determined whether or not data indicating that the common game end flag is ON is written in the common game end flag area of the RAM 243. If the common game end flag is not ON (S112: NO), the process of S112 is repeatedly executed to enter a standby state.

  If the common game end flag is ON (S112: YES), then it is determined whether N is 0 (S113). If it is not 0 (S103: NO), the process is re-executed from S102. On the other hand, if N is 0 (S103: YES), this routine ends.

(Common game processing)
Next, common game processing will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, on the upper liquid crystal panel 5A, a common game screen that is an effect screen when the common game is stopped is displayed (S201). Then, it is determined whether or not the common game start flag is ON. Specifically, it is determined whether data indicating that the common game start flag is ON is written in the game start flag area of the RAM 243 (S202).

  If the common game start flag is not ON (S202: NO), this routine ends. On the other hand, when the common game start flag is ON (S202: YES), an effect screen for executing the common game is displayed on the upper liquid crystal panel 5A (S204).

  Next, a common game is started (S205). Then, it is determined whether or not the common game has been won (S206). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the common game is to be successful using a random number value extracted from the random number.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the common game has been won (S207). When winning (S207: YES), the accumulated point number is counted up by 1 point (S208), and the accumulated point number is displayed (S209). Then, it is determined whether or not the common game has been executed a predetermined number of times (S210). On the other hand, if the game has not been won (S207: NO), it is determined whether or not the common game has been executed a predetermined number of times without counting up the accumulated points (S210).

  When the common game has not been executed a predetermined number of times (S210: NO), the game is re-executed from S203, and the next common game is started. For example, when a common game such as 10 times is repeatedly executed (S210: YES), the screen is switched to the basic game screen (S211). Thereafter, after the number of free games is determined (S212), the cumulative point number is reset (S213). Then, after the common game end flag is set to ON (S214), this routine is ended.

(Reel setting mode processing)
The reel setting mode process will be described with reference to FIG.
First, it is determined whether or not a reel setting command has been issued (S801). If the reel setting command is not issued (S801: NO), this process is terminated. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, when the reel setting device 635 is connected to the slot machine 10 so that data communication is possible, it is determined that a reel setting command has been issued by detecting this connection (S801: YES). ). Note that the reel setting command may be determined to have been issued by transmitting a reel setting command signal to the main body PCB 110 of the slot machine 10 by a key operation on the reel setting device 635. Thereafter, the slot machine 10 instructs the reel setting device 635 to display a setting screen. As a result, the reel setting device 635 displays a reel setting procedure and manual on the screen (S802).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the data signal of the reel number from the reel setting device 635 has been received by the operator operating the reel setting device 635 (S803). If not received (S803: NO), the standby state is established by re-execution of S803. On the other hand, when the reel number data signal is received (S803: YES), the first to fifth reel units M11a to M11e corresponding to the reel number are set and the following processing is executed.

  An operator who designates the reel number manually rotates the reel M3 of the first to fifth reel units M11a to M11e corresponding to the reel number. At this time, it is determined whether or not the reel M3 has been rotated one or more times (S806). If the reel M3 has not been rotated more than once (S806: NO), the reel M3 continues to rotate. On the other hand, when the reel M3 has been rotated one or more times (S806: YES), a plurality of magnetic force detection values such as at least 200 for one rotation are stored in the magnetic force detection value column of the magnetic force setting table of FIG. This means that the storage completion screen is displayed (S807). Thereby, the operator recognizes that the rotation of the reel M3 may be stopped, and stops the storing operation of the magnetic force detection value by the rotation of the reel M3.

  Next, symbol identification work is performed. That is, it is determined whether or not an operation command has been issued (S808). If no operation command is issued (S808: NO), the standby state is set. During this standby state, the reel M3 is rotated in the forward direction or the reverse direction. Then, when a predetermined symbol 501 such as “JACKPOT7” reaches a predetermined position, an operation command is issued. When the operation command is issued (S808: YES), the type of the symbol 501 at the timing when the operation command is issued is specified, and all the symbols 501 are associated with the magnetic force detection values (S809). . Then, a setting completion screen is displayed (S810), and this routine is terminated.

  Thus, even if the positional relationship between the symbol 501 and the reel origin position is not set in advance, the relationship between the symbol and the magnetic force detection value of the magnetic force detection signal is specified by the operation command, whereby the magnetic force detection value and the reel origin position are determined. Based on the above, it is possible to set the positional relationship between the symbols 501 arranged on the reel M3 and the reel origin position. As a result, when performing the work of arranging the symbols 501 on the outer peripheral surface of the reel M3, the work load required for the arrangement is greater than when arranging the symbols 501 while positioning the symbols 501 with respect to a predetermined position (reel origin position) of the reel M3. Can be reduced.

(Reel rotation stop processing)
In the basic game process in FIG. 49, a series of processes from S9 to S11 is executed by a reel rotation stop process as shown in FIG. The reel rotation stop process may be performed every time a unit game such as a free game other than the basic game is executed, or may be performed every time the reel M3 is stopped.

  First, the reel M3 is selected (S821). Then, the planned stop position is obtained so that the symbol 501 of the determined combination is stopped and displayed by rearrangement. That is, the first stop step number from the reel origin position in the selected reel M3 is calculated (S822). Further, the second stop step number is obtained by subtracting the step number counted last time from the first stop step number (S823).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 56, in the previous unit game, in a state where the “BLUE 7” symbol 501 is stopped and displayed by rearrangement, the “PLUM” symbol 501 is stopped and displayed in the current unit game. In this case, “150” from the reel origin position to “PLUM” is obtained as the first stop step number. Then, by subtracting the stop step number “90” which is the stop position of the previous “BLUE 7” from the first stop step number “150”, “150” from “BLUE 7” to “PLUM” is obtained. It is obtained as the second stop step number. Further, when “ORANGE” is to be stopped and displayed in the next unit game, the first stop step number from the reel origin position is calculated as “260”, and the second stop step number from “PLUM”. Are respectively calculated as “110”.

  In the present embodiment, when obtaining the second stop step number, the second stop step number is obtained by subtracting the previous stop step number from the first stop step number, which is the total number of steps, but the present invention is not limited to this. The second stop step number may be obtained by setting the current stop position as the origin position and adding the number of steps from the origin position to the planned stop position.

  It is determined whether or not selection has been completed for all the reels M3 (S825), and a planned stop position for each reel M3 is obtained. When the planned stop positions for all the reels M3 are obtained (S824: YES), the rotation of all the reels M3 is started (S825). The counting of the number of steps in all the reels M3 is started (S826).

  It is determined whether or not the reel origin position is passed during the rotation of the reel M3 (S827). When passing the reel origin position (S827: YES), the first stop step number is used as the stop step number (S828). This is because the positioning from the reel origin position is performed by clearing the number of steps to zero at the timing of passing the reel origin position. Thus, even when the reel M3 is rotated a plurality of times, the planned stop position can be set by the number of stop steps within one rotation of the reel M3 (for example, within 200 steps).

  On the other hand, when the reel origin position is not passed (S827: NO), the second stop step number is used as the stop step number (S829). This is because there is a case where it is necessary to stop at the reel stop planned position in a state where zero clear by the reel origin position is not performed as in the effect of slightly rotating the reel M3.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the number of steps matches the number of stop steps (S830). If they do not match (S830: NO), the process is executed from S827, and the rotation of the reel M3 is continued. If they match (S830: YES), the reel rotation is stopped (S831). It is determined whether or not the rotation of all the reels M3 has been stopped (S832). If all the reels M3 have not been stopped (S832: NO), the process is re-executed from S827. Then, when all the reels M3 are stopped (S832: YES), this routine is ended.

  In the reel rotation stop process described above, stop control of the reel M3 is performed using the first stop step number and the second stop step number, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, as shown in FIG. 57, after the reel M3 is selected (S901), the planned stop position is obtained so that the symbol 501 of the determined combination is stopped and displayed by rearrangement. That is, the number of stop steps from the current position in the selected reel M3 is calculated (S902). For example, in FIG. 56, during a period until the reel origin position is reset at a predetermined trigger timing, “the unit game is in progress only with the second stop step number. Specifically, the predetermined trigger is set. After the reel origin position is reset at the timing, when “90” is obtained as the stop step number of “BLUE 7” and is stopped and displayed, “BLUE” is set as the planned stop position of “PLUM” in this unit game. “60”, which is the number of steps from “7” to “PLUM”, is calculated as the number of stop steps, and the number of steps from “PLUM” to “ORANGE” as the planned stop position of “ORANGE” in the next unit game. "110" is calculated as the number of stop steps.

  It is determined whether or not selection has been completed for all the reels M3 (S903), and a planned stop position for each reel M3 is obtained. When the planned stop positions for all the reels M3 are obtained (S903: YES), the rotation of all the reels M3 is started (S904), and the counting of the number of steps in all the reels M3 is started (S905).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the number of steps matches the number of stop steps (S906). If they do not match (S906: NO), S906 is executed and the rotation of the reel M3 is continued. If they match (S906: YES), the reel rotation is stopped (S907). It is determined whether or not the rotation of all the reels M3 has been stopped (S908). If all the reels M3 have not been stopped (S908: NO), the process is re-executed from S906. Then, when all the reels M3 are stopped (S908: YES), this routine is ended.

(Step shift correction process)
While the reel rotation stop process is being executed as described above, the step deviation correction process is executed as shown in FIG. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the rotation of each reel M3 is stopped (S841). If not stopped (S841: NO), S841 is re-executed. On the other hand, when the reel M3 is stopped (S841: YES), the magnetic detection value at the stop position is acquired from the magnetic detection signal (S842). Then, the magnetic detection value of the planned stop position is acquired from the reel setting table (S843), and the difference between the stop position and the planned stop position is calculated from the magnetic detection value (S844). Thereafter, the stop position is corrected based on the difference. That is, the difference is used as a correction value for the second stop step number when calculating the next scheduled stop position (S845). Thereafter, this routine is terminated. The stop position may be corrected by rotating the reel M3 by the difference. In this case, correction of the second stop step number and the like can be made unnecessary.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but only specific examples are illustrated, and the present invention is not particularly limited. The specific configuration of each unit and the like can be appropriately changed. The effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are only the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. is not.

  Further, in the above detailed description, the characteristic portions have been mainly described so that the present invention can be easily understood. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the detailed description above, but can be applied to other embodiments, and the scope of application is various. The terms and terminology used in the present specification are used to accurately describe the present invention, and are not used to limit the interpretation of the present invention. Moreover, it would be easy for those skilled in the art to infer other configurations, systems, methods, and the like included in the concept of the present invention from the concept of the invention described in this specification. Accordingly, the description of the claims should be regarded as including an equivalent configuration without departing from the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. The purpose of the abstract is to simplify the technical contents and essence of this application by patent offices and general public institutions, and engineers belonging to this technical field who are not familiar with patents, legal terms or technical terms. It is intended to be able to make a quick judgment through a simple survey. Accordingly, the abstract is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to be evaluated by the claims. Moreover, in order to fully understand the object of the present invention and the specific effects of the present invention, it is desirable that the interpretation should be made with sufficient consideration of the literatures already disclosed.

  The above detailed description includes processing executed by a computer. The above explanations and expressions are given for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to understand the most efficiently. In this specification, each step used to derive one result should be understood as a self-consistent process. In each step, transmission / reception, recording, and the like of electrical or magnetic signals are performed. In the processing in each step, such a signal is expressed by bits, values, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, etc., but these are used only for convenience of explanation. There is a need. In addition, the processing in each step may be described in an expression common to human behavior, but the processing described in this specification is executed by various devices in principle. Further, other configurations required for performing each step will be apparent from the above description.

  In the detailed description mentioned above, it divided and demonstrated to 1st Embodiment-3rd Embodiment. However, the configurations according to these embodiments can be combined as appropriate. By combining the configurations according to these embodiments, it is possible to provide a gaming machine with higher entertainment properties and a gaming machine control method.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Slot machine M1 Reel apparatus M2 Reel angle detection mechanism M3 Reel M4 Blade | wing mechanism M5 Reel drive mechanism M6 Reel support mechanism M7 Backlight apparatus M8 Effect light emission apparatus M9 Drive force transmission mechanism M11 Reel units M11a-M11e First to fifth reels Unit M12 Reel unit holding mechanism M21 Encoder device M31 Reel frame M32 Reel belt M51 Reel motor M52 Heat sink M61 Reel support member M62 Motor support member M71 Illumination light source M81 Production light source

Claims (4)

A reel with symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface;
A reel driving mechanism for rearranging the symbols by rotationally driving the reels;
A magnet that changes an external magnetic field in accordance with the rotation of the reel;
A magnetic force detection mechanism for detecting a magnetic force of the external magnetic field changed by the magnet to output a magnetic force detection signal a plurality of times within the symbol arrangement region when the reel is rotated;
Reel setting means for associating the magnetic force detection signal with the symbol arrangement position;
A gaming machine characterized by comprising: The symbols are rearranged based on the magnetic force detection signal output from the magnetic force detection mechanism with the rotation of the reel and the magnetic force detection signal associated with the arrangement position of the symbols by the reel setting means. Stop position detecting means for detecting the stop position when
A reel origin detection mechanism for detecting a reel origin position of the reel;
A reel drive control unit that controls the reel drive mechanism to rotate and stop the reel at an arbitrary rotation angle based on the reel origin position;
Have
Difference detecting means for detecting a difference between the stop position of the symbol when the reel is stopped at a rotation angle based on the reel origin position and the stop position of the symbol detected by the stop position detecting means; ,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a rotation angle correcting unit capable of controlling the reel driving mechanism so as to be the rotation angle of the reel in which the difference is eliminated. The reel setting means includes
A reel setting table that stores the symbol arrangement position and a plurality of magnetic force detection values of the magnetic force detection signal that change in the symbol arrangement region in the rotation direction of the reel in association with each other;
The stop position detecting means includes
3. The stop position is detected using a magnetic force detection value of the magnetic force detection signal output from the magnetic force detection mechanism with the rotation of the reel and a magnetic force detection value of the reel setting table. The gaming machine described in 1. Having external operation means for inputting an operation command by an external operation and outputting an operation command signal;
The reel setting means defines, based on the operation command signal, a relationship between the symbol arrangement position and a magnetic force detection value of the magnetic force detection signal that changes in the symbol arrangement region in the rotation direction of the reel. The gaming machine according to claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that.

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