JP6361142B2 - Slot machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine that operates by communication connection with a management device such as a lending machine.

  In a general slot machine, a game is started when a player inserts a predetermined number (usually two or three) of game media such as medals. In game halls (halls) where a large number of gaming machines such as slot machines are installed, medals and other rental machines are usually adjacent to each gaming machine so that players can borrow medals without taking their seats off. Is provided. The player can borrow a predetermined number of medals on the spot by inserting cash into the lending machine and performing a lending operation. In addition, card-compatible lending machines (CR lending machines) such as prepaid cards are widely used in order to eliminate the complexity of inserting cash such as banknotes.

  In addition, in a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, an enclosed ball type gaming machine that allows a game with points without adding a game ball and adds points according to the occurrence of a prize is also known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2012-029892 A

  In conventional slot machines, there are openings that lead to the inside of the housing, such as the insertion slot and the outlet for medals. It is a problem.

  Also, if you apply technology such as an enclosed ball-type pachinko machine to the slot machine as it is and try to add credit from the lending machine to the credit according to the lending operation, the lending operation that occurs regardless of the progress of the game, etc. However, the main control board has to cope with it at any time. For this reason, there are concerns about an increase in processing load on the main control board that controls the progress of the game, a delay in the progress of the game, and the like.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a slot machine with high security that can play a game without intervention of a physical game medium such as a medal. Another object of the present invention is to reduce the processing load of the main control board that controls the progress of a game and prevent a delay in the progress of the game in a slot machine that is communicably connected to an external management device such as a lending machine. The purpose is to be.

  The present invention manages a game point that is connected to a main control board having a main control means for controlling the progress of a game on the premise that a game point is inserted, and the main control board and an external management device so as to be able to communicate with each other. A payout control board having a payout control means for transmitting, to the payout control board at the end of the game, the main control means transmits a specified number of next games necessary for proceeding with the next game, and the payout control means Is set in order to advance the game from the game point that is managed when a point insertion operation by the player is accepted, and the set number of insertion points is transmitted to the main control board, and the main control means The operation of the start lever is not accepted until the number of input points transmitted from the control board satisfies the specified number, and the main control means further displays error information managed by the main control board. To the payout control board, the payout control means sends error information managed by the payout control board to the main control board, and the payout control means further includes an error in the main control board or the payout control board. In this case, the slot machine is characterized in that it does not accept a game point insertion operation and does not update a game point based on a return from the management device or a settlement request.

  Further, it is preferable that the payout control means does not accept a game point insertion operation when a game is in progress.

  According to the slot machine of the present invention, it is possible to play a game without any medal, thereby eliminating the need for a medal slot and payout port, thereby significantly improving security. . In addition, by adopting a new payout control board that can electronically manage game points used in games by communicating with the management device, the processing load on the main control board that controls the progress of the game is reduced, the game progress is delayed, etc. Can be prevented.

It is a front view which shows the slot machine and lending machine by embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the whole system containing the slot machine and lending machine by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the arrangement | positioning of the symbol arrange | positioned at each reel of the slot machine by embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a combination provided for a game of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention and a symbol combination corresponding to each combination. It is a figure which further shows the symbol combination corresponding to each combination and each combination which are provided for the game of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the result lottery result in the general game state in the slot machine by embodiment of this invention. FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing a transition of a gaming state in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the predetermined number of insertions and the gaming state in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the frame structure of the communication command by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating embodiment of a communication start request | requirement and a communication start response among communication commands. It is a figure for demonstrating embodiment of the game state notification and game state response among communication commands. It is a figure for demonstrating embodiment of a status information request | requirement among communication commands. It is a figure for demonstrating embodiment of a status information response among communication commands. It is a figure for demonstrating embodiment of another communication command. FIG. 10 is a communication flow diagram related to game point insertion processing according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the communication flow which concerns on the rental process of the game point by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the communication flow which concerns on the replay process of the game point by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the communication flow which concerns on the payment process of the game point by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which further shows the communication flow which concerns on the payment process of the game point by embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the game progress control processing in the slot machine by embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the game start process in the slot machine by embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart showing a start lever check process in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing a slot machine 10 and a management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 is one of so-called medal-less machines that can play a game without any media such as medals. In such a slot machine, management devices connected so as to be communicable one-on-one are installed adjacent to each other. As will be described later, in this embodiment, a gaming point is electronically stored in the slot machine 10 by a lending operation to a management device by a player, and a slot machine game is started on condition that the gaming point is inserted.

  In the present specification, a card-compatible lending machine (CR lending machine) 20 will be described as a management apparatus installed in the slot machine 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. Although not shown, the management device may be, for example, a bill-compatible device that allows a player to insert bills and borrow game points. The management device may be a device having a function of issuing an IC card, a replay card, or the like.

  In the present embodiment, the card used for renting game points is assumed to be a prepaid card purchased in advance by a player, for example. However, it may be a hall member card in which the registered player ID information is stored. The card used is preferably an IC card in which an IC memory chip storing at least money balance information and game point balance information, a small antenna for wireless communication, and the like are embedded. Further, ID information unique to the card may be stored. Furthermore, any other storage system such as a magnetic card may be used as long as the information can be stored, and a special-type storage medium such as a pseudo coin may be used instead of a card.

  The lending machine 20 has a basic function of lending game points to a player when playing a game with the slot machine 10. In a general slot machine, a medal is used as a game medium used for a game, and a lending machine installed in a game hall usually lends a medal to a player. On the other hand, the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment is configured as a so-called medal-less gaming machine in which no medals come in and out. By making such a medalless, illegal acts such as theft of physical game media such as medals and misuse by counterfeit medals can be prevented, and further, the entry of illegal means from the outside can be completely sealed, etc. Security is much higher than before.

[Management device]
A lending machine 20 that is an embodiment of the management apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is provided with at least a lending switch 21 and a replay switch 22 on the front surface thereof. Further, a card insertion opening 26 for inserting and discharging a card is formed. Near the card insertion slot 26, a return switch 23 for returning a card inserted into the card insertion slot 26 is provided. A liquid crystal display 27 for providing operation guidance of the lending machine 20 and the state of the slot machine 10 with characters and images may be provided on the front surface of the lending machine 20, or a lending switch, a replay switch, etc. The operation unit may be provided as an icon displayed on the touch panel type liquid crystal display.

  The LED numerical value display unit 25 is a display unit that displays a valuable value possessed by the card inserted into the card insertion slot 26 with a numerical value of a plurality of digits. The valuable value possessed by the card includes a money balance that is a balance of money that has been prepaid and a game point balance that is a balance of game points that can be replayed by settlement. The current monetary balance is displayed as an amount on the balance amount display 25a, and the current game point balance is displayed as the number of points on the balance point display 25b.

  The outline of the operation of the lending machine 20 as a management device is as follows.

  First, when the slot machine 10 can accept the rental of gaming points and there is a money balance in the card inserted into the card insertion slot 26, an LED lamp built in the lending switch 21 is provided. Lights in blue (available for rental). When the lending switch 21 is operated in this state, for example, 50 points corresponding to, for example, 1000 yen, which is a predetermined amount, is stored and added to the slot machine 10. Thereby, predetermined game points are lent out to the player.

  If the money balance of the card is less than a predetermined value (for example, less than 1000 yen), only game points having the number of points converted from the current balance at a predetermined rate may be accumulated and added. Further, even if the money balance of the card is less than a predetermined amount, a predetermined 50 points may be lent out by supplementing from the game point balance held by the card.

  Next, when the slot machine 10 is ready for replay and there is a game point balance on the card, the LED lamp built in the replay switch 22 lights blue (replay is possible). . When the replay switch 22 is operated in this state, a predetermined, for example, 50 points are stored and added to the slot machine 10 from the gaming point balance held by the card. If the gaming point balance held by the card is less than the predetermined number of points, all of the current gaming point balance is stored and added to the slot machine 10.

  The return switch 23 is a switch for discharging the card inserted into the card insertion slot 26 and returning it to the player. The player can take out the card by operating the return switch 23 when he / she wants to stop the game in the machine or to leave the machine temporarily for a break or the like. In addition, you may provide the function which settles the game point currently stored in the slot machine 10 side, and pays it out to a card | curd by one return operation to the return switch 23. FIG. Further, for example, when the payment is not completed on the slot machine 10 side (a state where game points are still stored) or in a re-playing state where payment is not accepted, the operation of the return switch 23 is invalidated. Or a warning may be displayed on the liquid crystal display 27.

[Configuration of slot machine]
Next, the main body of the slot machine 10 of this embodiment will be described. The slot machine 10 of the present embodiment is a gaming machine that operates on the assumption that communication is established with the lending machine 20 as the management device described above.

  The slot machine 10 starts a game on condition that a specified number of game points are set to be input. The player operates to rotate and stop the reel (also referred to as “rotor”), and the winning is determined according to the symbol combination stopped and displayed on the active line. The slot machine 10 is basically a gaming machine in which a single game is performed after the reel rotates in this way until it is stopped and a winning determination is made.

  With reference to FIG. 1, the slot machine 10 is provided with a front door 11 constituting a game area at a position where the front opening of a substantially rectangular housing is closed. The front surface of the front door 11 is constituted by a front panel that is a panel member that is designed so as to enhance the visual effect on the player. Inside the slot machine 10, three reels 12L, 12C, and 12R that can be separately rotated are installed with their rotation axes aligned, and a reel tape having a symbol arrangement shown in FIG. Has been.

  A display window 11a for displaying symbols and the like of the internal reels 12L, 12C, and 12R is formed on the middle panel provided in the middle portion of the front panel. The middle panel is made of a resin plate such as hard acrylic, and through a display window 11a which is a transparent area at the center, the reels 12L, 12C, and 12R inside the housing each have a total of 9 frames of 3 rows x 3 frames vertically. The design of is visible.

  In the display window 11a, five lines are set in advance in a direction crossing the reels 12L, 12C, and 12R. These five lines are composed of three horizontal lines and two diagonal lines. From these lines, an effective line serving as a reference for winning determination is selected according to the number of game points inserted in the game. When the symbols of the stopped reels 12L, 12C, and 12R are displayed in a predetermined combination on the selected active line, a combination corresponding to the symbol combination (for example, a small combination to which game points are paid out) is established. It will be.

  Note that the medal-less slot machine 10 of the present embodiment does not have a mechanism for actually inserting and paying out medals. In this specification, “payout” of gaming points merely shows the same meaning as that of a conventional general slot machine for the sake of convenience, and specifically, adds gaming points stored internally. Say. Here, the game points stored in the slot machine 10 are particularly referred to as “stored game points”. That is, game points paid out by winning are added electronically as stored game points, and as a result, the number of game points that can be used by the player increases.

  Further, in this specification, “inserting” a game point means that a game point to be used or bet for a game is subtracted from an internally stored game point and set internally. In this specification, the number of game points set for betting on a game is also referred to as “number of input points” or simply “number of input”.

  In addition to the display window 11a, the middle panel is provided with various lamps and a display for notifying the player of various information regarding the game. For example, a lower part of the display window 11a is provided with a stored point number display 13a that displays the number of game points that are currently stored, and an acquired point number display 13b that displays the number of game points paid out by winning. ing.

  The storage point number display 13a is composed of, for example, a 5-digit LED numerical display (7-segment LED), and displays the number of game points currently stored in the slot machine 10. A player can play a game within the range of the number of game points stored in the slot machine 10.

  The acquired point number display 13b is composed of, for example, a two-digit LED numerical display (7-segment LED), and displays the game points paid out by winning in the game, that is, the number of points acquired by the player.

  Further, three operation instruction lamps 13l, 13c, and 13r are provided adjacent to the display window 11a. These operation instruction lamps 13l, 13c, and 13r correspond to stop buttons 16L, 16C, and 16R, respectively. For example, when the operation instruction lamps 13l, 13c, and 13r are turned on in an AT (assist time) game described later. It is used for notifying a player who assists the stop operation.

  Below the above-described middle panel, an operation console unit having a table-like surface whose upper surface is slightly inclined is formed. On the left side of the table-shaped surface, a 1P insertion switch 14a and a maximum insertion switch 14b are provided for allowing the player to perform setting (betting) of gaming points to the slot machine 10. When the 1P insertion switch 14a is operated and accepted, one gaming point is set to be inserted for gaming from the gaming points stored in the slot machine 10. When the maximum insertion switch 14b is operated and accepted, a predetermined maximum number of game points that can be bet on the game are set for insertion. Then, the number of game points inserted is subtracted from the number of stored game points, and accordingly, the display value of the stored point number display 13a is also subtracted.

  A start lever 15 having an operation knob capable of tilting operation is provided on the left side of the front of the console section described above. After the player bets a specified number of game values on the slot machine 10, when the start lever 15 is operated (rotation start operation), all the reels 12L, 12C, and 12R start to rotate all at once. Thereby, the symbols printed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical reels 12L, 12C, and 12R are moved (scrolled) from the top to the bottom through the display window 11a and displayed.

  An operation for stopping the rotation of the reels 12L, 12C, and 12R by a player's pressing operation (hereinafter referred to as “rotating cylinder stop operation” or simply “stop operation”) is performed at the front center portion of the console section. Three stop buttons (also referred to as “stop buttons”) 16L, 16C, and 16R are provided. The left end stop button 16L corresponds to the left end reel (left reel) 12L, the center stop button 16C corresponds to the center reel (middle reel) 12C, and the right end stop button 16R corresponds to the right end reel (right reel) 12R. It corresponds to.

  That is, the slot machine 10 stops the reel 12L when the stop button 16L is operated with respect to the reels 12L, 12C, and 12R that have started rotating by the tilting operation of the start lever 15, and the reel 12L when the stop button 16C is operated. When 12C is stopped and the stop button 16R is operated, the reel 16R is configured to stop. When the reels 12L, 12C, and 12R are stopped, a symbol whose braking slip amount is within a specified number of frames (for example, five frames) is selected as a stop symbol, and each stop symbol is stopped at a fixed position on the effective line. To be controlled. Such symbol stop control is called “retraction control”.

  The stop buttons 16L, 16C, and 16R are used until the start of rotation of the reels 12L, 12C, and 12R triggered by the rotation start operation to the start lever 15 and acceleration and constant speed (for example, 80 rotations / min). The turning stop operation is invalid.

  A liquid crystal display 18 made of, for example, a color liquid crystal display is provided on the upper stage of the front panel. The liquid crystal display 18 displays, for example, an animation in which a story develops as the game progresses as an effect image. The display device provided in the slot machine may not be the liquid crystal display 18 but may be, for example, a dot matrix type display device. In addition, the game history and the lottery result information may be directly displayed by characters, symbols, or the like, or such information may be coded and displayed. That is, as the display device of the slot machine 10, display means of any method suitable for the application and purpose can be used.

  In addition, electric lamps 17a, 17b, and 17c are provided at a plurality of locations on the peripheral edge of the front panel. The illumination lamps 17a, 17b, and 17c, when, for example, any of the winning combinations is turned on and blinking in a pattern corresponding to the winning combination, visually creates the winning combination.

  Speakers 19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d are provided at the left and right positions of the upper and lower portions of the front panel. For example, the effect image of the moving image displayed on the liquid crystal display 18 and the stereo effect sound in conjunction with the lighting / flashing of the electric lamps 17a, 17b, 17c are output via the speakers 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d.

[Hardware configuration of the entire system]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the entire system including the slot machine 10 as a gaming machine and the lending machine 20 as a management device.

  First, the configuration on the lending machine 20 side will be described. The lending machine 20 includes a CR unit 600 having functions such as information reading and writing with respect to a card inserted into the card insertion slot 26. The above-described balance amount display unit 25a is connected to the CR unit 600, and the CR unit 600 causes the balance amount display unit 25a to numerically display the balance of the monetary value currently held by the card. The CR unit 600 is connected to a management device board 500 which is a main control board of the lending machine 20 via a lending machine connection terminal board 140 which is a kind of external connection terminal board provided on the slot machine 10 side. Further, the CR unit 600 can communicate with the payout control board 300 in the slot machine 10 via the lending machine connection terminal board 140.

  The management device board 500 provided in the lending machine 20 is configured to receive various operation signals from operation switches such as the lending switch 21, the replay switch 22, and the return switch 23 described above. Further, the balance point indicator 25b described above is connected to the management device board 500 via the game point number display board 501, and the management device board 500 stores the game point balance that is the balance of the game points currently held by the card. The balance point display 25b is configured to be displayed.

  Although details will be described later, when a settlement operation is accepted on the slot machine 10 side, a settlement process is executed. At this time, if there is an insertion point, the insertion point is settled and added to the game points stored in the slot machine 10. When the second settlement operation is accepted, the stored game points are counted and returned to the lending machine 20. Thereby, it is comprised so that the game point balance of the card | curd which the lending machine 20 manages may be updated.

  In addition, an image control board 502 for controlling display of images, characters, operation icons, and the like is connected to the management apparatus board 500 on a liquid crystal display 27 provided on the front surface of the lending machine 20.

  Next, in the slot machine 10, the main control board 100 is a control device for controlling the progress of basic slot machine games such as a lottery drawing, reel rotation control, and winning determination. The main control board 100 includes a microcomputer unit (MPU) including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a signal input / output circuit, and the like, and the sub control board 200, the spinning device board 120, the payout control board 300, Interface circuit for connecting to various circuit boards such as the door relay terminal board 130, other internal devices such as a power supply unit (not shown), and a random number generation circuit for obtaining random numbers used in the lottery process ( Etc.) are mounted on a substrate in the case.

  The main control board 100 has a stop button sensor 16Ls built in the left stop button 16L, a stop button sensor 16Cs built in the middle stop button 16C, and a right stop button 16R through the door relay board 130. A stop button sensor 16Rs is connected. That is, the operation state of each stop button 16L, 16C, 16R is input to the main control board 100 as an ON / OFF signal (stop operation signal) from the stop button sensors 16Ls, 16Cs, 16Rs.

  Further, the start lever sensor 15s of the start lever 15 is connected to the main control board 100 via the door relay board 130, and the operation state of the start lever 15 is determined by the ON / OFF signal (rotation start operation signal) from the start lever sensor 15s. ) To the main control board 100.

  Note that switch signal information such as a stop operation signal from the stop button sensors 16Ls, 16Cs, and 16Rs and a rotation start operation signal from the start lever sensor 15s is a predetermined period (for example, 2 milliseconds) set in the main control board 100. ) In the interval interrupt process, the data is taken into a predetermined address area in the RAM.

  Further, a payout number display board 131 is connected to the main control board 100 via a door relay board 130. On the payout number display board 131, for example, a two-digit LED numerical value display (7-segment LED) constituting the above-described acquired point number display 13b is mounted. When the winning of the small role (bell or the like) is determined by the control processing of the main control board 100, the main control board 100 outputs the data of the number of game points to be paid out to the player by winning to the payout number display board 131. The payout number display board 131 converts the game point number data into a segment code for numerical display and displays it on the acquired point number display 13b.

  The spinning device substrate 120 includes stepping motors 12Lm, 12Cm, and 12Rm that drive the reels 12L, 12C, and 12R, and a spinning sensor 12Ls that is a photosensor that detects a rotation reference position of each of the reels 12L, 12C, and 12R. 12Cs and 12Rs are connected.

  When driving the reels 12L, 12C, and 12R, the CPU of the main control board 100 sets the excitation phase (for example, φ0, φ1, φ2, and φ3) by the 1-2 phase excitation method, for example, for each interval interrupt process described above. A driving pulse signal that changes is generated. The drive pulse signal is current-amplified in the spinning device substrate 120 and supplied to the stepping motors 12Lm, 12Cm, and 12Rm. The positions and display symbols (symbol numbers) of the reels 12L, 12C, and 12R that are rotating are the reference position detection signals from the cylinder sensors 12Ls, 12Cs, and 12Rs, and the count number of drive pulse signals that are output for each interval interrupt process. Is constantly grasped by the CPU of the main control board 100.

  Note that a part of the operation information in the slot machine 10 (the number of game points inserted, the number of payouts, the operation of special games, etc.) is transferred from the main control board 100 through the spinning device board 120 and the external concentrated terminal board 150 as needed. May be transmitted to an external computer such as a hall computer.

  One feature of the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment is that it includes a payout control board 300 connected to the main control board 100 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. The “bidirectional communication” in the gaming machine here employs a polling communication system in which the payout control board 300 as the secondary station returns a response command to the request command transmitted by the main control board 100 as the primary station. It is preferable. Further, in order to avoid unauthorized communication access to the main control board 100, the main control board 100 is provided with a reception protection means for prohibiting the reception of spontaneous signals from the payout control board 300 and other boards. Also good.

  The payout control board 300 is connected to the 1P input switch 14 a and the max input switch 14 b described above, and an ON / OFF signal (input operation signal) of the input operation made to these switches is input to the payout control board 300. It is configured. Further, the payment control board 300 is connected to a payment switch 14c, and an ON / OFF signal (a payment operation signal) from the payment switch 14c is input to the payment control board 300.

  In addition, an input display LED substrate 301 and a storage display substrate 302 are connected to the payout control substrate 300. For example, three LED lamps are mounted on the input display LED substrate 301. Here, the payout control board 300 manages game points input by the player, and displays the number of game points currently input to the slot machine 10 by the number of LED lamps that are turned on by the control processing. ing.

  Further, for example, a 5-digit LED numerical display (7-segment LED) constituting the storage point number display 13a described above is mounted on the storage display substrate 302. The payout control board 300 manages game points (stored game points) stored internally in the slot machine 10, and outputs data on the number of game points stored internally at this time to the storage display board 302. . Thereby, the storage display board 302 converts the data of the number of stored game points into a segment code for numerical display and displays it on the stored point number display 13a.

  The payout control board 300 provided in the slot machine 10 is also connected to the management apparatus board 500 of the lending machine 20 as a management apparatus so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. The “two-way communication” outside the gaming machine here is a response command issued by the payout control board 300 (game machine) as the secondary station to the request command transmitted by the management apparatus board 500 (management apparatus) as the primary station. It is preferable to employ a polling communication system that returns a response. Further, in order to avoid unauthorized communication access to the lending machine 20 as the management apparatus, the management apparatus board 500 is provided with a receiving control means for prohibiting the reception of the payout control board 300 or a spontaneous signal from the outside. You can also.

  Next, the sub-control board 200 provided in the slot machine 10 is a control device that mainly controls game effects. The sub control board 200 includes various peripheral circuits in addition to the CPU, ROM, and RAM. The peripheral circuit of the sub control board 200 includes a communication circuit for receiving a command from the main control board 100, a sound circuit for sounding the speakers 19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d, and an LED mounted on the LED illumination board 240. A lamp driving circuit for lighting or blinking the lamp (electric decoration lamps 17a, 17b, 17c, etc.) is included.

  An image control board 210 is connected to the sub control board 200. An audio board 230, an effect ROM 220, and an image display control board 211 are connected to the image control board 210. The image control board 210 takes sound data such as musical sounds referred to by the effect pattern selected from the effect ROM 220 under the control of the sub-control board 230 from the sound board 230 and reproduces it. At the same time, the image control board 210 sends image data according to the production pattern from the production ROM 220 to the image display control board 211. The image display control board 211 converts the image data received from the image control board 210 into a video signal and outputs it to the liquid crystal display 18. Thereby, a moving image such as an animation of the selected effect pattern is displayed on the liquid crystal display 18 together with the effect sound effect.

  The selection of the effect pattern by the sub-control board 200 is basically performed according to a command transmitted from the main control board 100 and including information such as a winning lottery result and a gaming state. Further, the effect pattern may be selected based on the result of the effect lottery means on the sub-control board 200. As a result determined by such an effect lottery, there is a lottery (for example, an AT lottery) for notifying the player of the result of the role lottery on the main control board 100. Furthermore, a lottery such as a win / loss determination in a player participation type continuous effect (battle effect or the like) performed in association with the original game of the slot machine 10 can also be performed.

[Role used for slot machine games]
FIG. 3 illustrates an arrangement of symbols attached to the outer peripheral portions of the left reel 12L, the middle reel 12C, and the right reel 12R. In this example, the number of symbols assigned to one reel is 20, and symbol numbers “0” to “19” are assigned to each symbol along the direction in which the reel rotates. A type code is assigned to each type of symbol. Then, a symbol array table in which symbol numbers and type codes are associated with each reel 12L, 12C, 12R is stored in the ROM of the main control board 100. As a symbol attached to the reel, a motif having “bell”, “watermelon”, numerals “7”, “cherry” and the like as shown in FIG. 3 is generally used. However, these symbol motifs are only traditionally used, and can be changed and selected as appropriate according to the type, theme, character, etc. of the slot machine.

  4 and FIG. 5 are diagrams illustrating examples of the combinations used for the game of the slot machine 10 and the symbol combinations corresponding to the respective combinations. Of these, FIG. 4 (a) shows a special game combination (bonus combination) to be shifted to a special game state advantageous to the player, and FIG. 4 (b) shows the next game game without setting a game point. The re-playing role (replaying role) that allows the game to be played is shown. Further, FIG. 5 shows a small combination in which game points are paid out by winning.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 4 (a), a BB (Big Bonus) special game (hereinafter referred to as "BB game") that is a special game player and an RB (Regular Bonus) special game are transferred. “RB combination” to be shifted to the state (hereinafter referred to as “RB game”) is shown. The BB game state is a game state in which a high-probability game with a higher probability of winning a small role than a general game continues a plurality of times and ends when a predetermined maximum number of game points (eg, 419 points) is acquired. As for the RB game state, a high probability game with a high probability of winning a small role continues, and a predetermined number of games (for example, 12 games) is consumed, or a predetermined number of times (for example, 8 times) of a small role is won. The gaming state that ends with

  These special game combinations (BB combination, RB combination) are bonus-type combinations that can carry over the winning state by the combination lottery means to the next game. That is, even if a special game combination is not established in the game, if a combination is established in the next game or later, it is possible to shift to a corresponding special game state. In addition, a role lottery is performed in a general game in which the winning state of the special game player is carried over (the winning flag of the BB role or the RB role is on), and as a result, a small role or a re-playing player along with the winning of the special game player In some cases, the winning combination such as, etc. may be won in duplicate. In such a state that the winning flags of the bonus item and winning combination are turned on, the winning combination is given priority, for example, the drawing related to the re-game player is preferentially drawn and controlled.

  FIG. 4B shows an embodiment of a plurality of types of re-game players (re-games A to L). Of these, the replay A is a “normal replay” that is established when three replay symbols are aligned on the active line in the horizontal middle stage. The replay symbols of each reel 12L, 12C, 12R are arranged on the reel tape within an interval of 5 frames which is the maximum number of sliding control frames, so that the replay symbol A is reliably established by pulling in all the replay symbols. It is a symbol arrangement that can be made.

  The replays B to F are “chance replays” in which symbol patterns including replay symbols on the left and right are associated with each other. When any of these symbol forms are aligned with the active line, the game shifts to a state of RT2 that is slightly advantageous to the player, for example. The replay symbols of the left and right reels 12L and 12R are symbols that can be pulled in as described above. In addition, since each of the symbols of the bell, red seven, blue seven, black bar, and white bar of the middle reel 12C is arranged within an interval of five frames, one of the symbols is controlled to be drawn as a stop symbol. Thus, the symbol arrangement is such that any one of the replays B to F can be established.

  The re-game G is a re-game player associated with the “red seven (red 7) assortment” symbol pattern that requires an eye-opening (stop operation) at a predetermined timing. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, this is also a role that becomes a trigger for transition to the state of RT3 in which an advantageous game in which the probability of a re-game role is high and game points are not reduced is possible.

  The re-games H to K are re-games in which a pattern aspect partially shared by “red seven uniforms” is associated. That is, when the red seven symbols are successfully pressed to the right or middle reels 12R and 12C, the expectation for the establishment of “red seven uniform (replay G)” can be increased. In addition, the symbols of the replays H to K do not include replay symbols, but when these symbols are aligned with the horizontal middle line, the symbols are displayed with three replay symbols aligned with the horizontal lower line at the same time. It is an array. For this reason, even if the replay symbols are not arranged on the active line, the player can visually recognize the formation of the re-gamer.

  The replay game L is a replay game combination in which red seven, replay, and red seven symbols are associated with each other. For example, when the red seven symbol display for the left and right reels 12L and 12R is successfully pushed by reverse pinching, the reach of “red seven uniform” is obtained. The re-game player who can be established by displaying the reach between the red seven symbols on the active line is either the re-game G or the re-game L. At this time, by making the player aim for the red seven symbol of the middle reel 12C, it is possible to increase the expectation of the establishment of the red game G combination of “red seven uniform”.

  FIG. 5 shows a pattern aspect of a plurality of types of small roles (Bell A to W and Cherry A to C). In the bell small role (bell role), the bell symbols are aligned on the active line when the stop operation order of the stop buttons 16L, 16C, 16R (also referred to as “stop operation order” or simply “push order”) is correct. It has a bell A and bells B to W which are displayed in a different pattern when the push order is incorrect. Note that the correspondence between the correct answer and the incorrect answer in the push order is made according to the lottery result by the role lottery means. Further, normally, the number of game points to be paid out is set more in the bell A when the push order is correct than in the bells B to W when the push order is incorrect. The pattern modes corresponding to the roles B to W other than the bell A in which the bell patterns are aligned are referred to as “Barakebell”, “Bell role spilling eyes”, or simply “Spilled eyes”.

  As will be described later, in this embodiment, the bells B to W that are displayed with different symbols when the push order is incorrect are also a role for the transition of the RT state in the general game.

  Cherry A-C is a role that can win game points by winning simultaneously, and only the left reel 12L wins with a specific symbol display (Cherry A, B), or specific symbols of the left reel 12L and the middle reel 12C Win a prize on the display (Cherry C).

  In the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, for example, any lottery result shown in FIG. 6 is obtained by the lottery process of the role lottery means. FIG. 6 shows a lottery result including an internal winning combination (lottery results 1 to 13) and losing (lottery result 0) in the general gaming state. Each lottery result 0-13 is sequentially assigned a numerical range included in the numerical range 0-65535 that can be output by the random number generator (not shown), and the width of each assigned numerical range is the winning probability of each lottery result. It corresponds to. The association between the lottery result and the random value range is stored in advance in the ROM of the main control board 100 as a role lottery table. Since the winning probability of the combination differs depending on the gaming state, a plurality of winning lottery tables are managed for each gaming state in the ROM.

  According to the embodiment of FIG. 6, when the random number value acquired from the random number generator in response to the operation of the start lever 15 belongs to the numerical range of the lottery result 1, the BB combination is won internally. When the random value belongs to the numerical range of the lottery result 2, the RB combination is won internally. Similarly, when the random value is in the numerical range of the lottery result 3, only the replay replay A is won internally, and in the case of the lottery result 4 in the numerical range, the replay A and the replays G to L are simultaneously won. It becomes a state. In the same way, for a small combination such as a bell combination, the lottery result referred to in the combination lottery table is obtained according to the acquired random number value.

  Note that the winning state of the special game combination such as the BB combination or the RB combination can be carried over until the symbol combination related to the combination is displayed. That is, when a special game combination is won in the combination lottery process, a winning flag is set, and the state where the winning flag is set is maintained until the special gaming state is established. A game in which the winning flag is set in this way may be referred to as “internal winning state” or “internal winning”.

  On the other hand, the winning state of a small part such as a bell or cherry and a general part such as a re-playing part (replay) is effective only in the game and cannot be carried over to another game. That is, when a small combination or re-playing combination is won in the combination lottery process, the winning flag is set, but the winning flag is cleared at the end of the game regardless of whether or not the winning combination has won.

  In the case of a lottery result in which a plurality of winning combinations are won simultaneously, the winning combinations are associated with the stop operation order (pushing order) according to the result. For example, when a plurality of replays having the lottery result 4 are simultaneously won, “forward press” is associated with “replay A” of the normal replay. On the other hand, other replays (such as bell replays) “replays G to L” are associated with “reverse pressing and other operation order (ie, other than forward pressing)”. Note that, as in the case of the lottery result 5, there may be a lottery result in which the push order is not associated with a plurality of chance replays that are won simultaneously.

  Regarding the bell combination, in the present embodiment, the bell A has the largest number of payouts, and therefore, the stop operation order associated with the “bell combination A” is set to “push order correct answer” and the symbols are displayed in a scattered manner. The stop operation order associated with “Bell combination B to W” is “incorrect push order”. For example, in the case of the lottery result 6, the left middle right push order is set as the correct push order that the bell A can win. That is, if the stop operation is performed in the middle left and right at the time of the internal winning of the lottery result 6, it is very likely that the bell A with the bell symbol will win, and in any other operation order, any one of the bells B to R (Bell spilled eyes) is displayed on the active line.

[Game state provided in the slot machine]
FIG. 7 illustrates a game state transition flow controlled by the main control board 100 of the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment. Note that the RT state transition flow in FIG. 7 is merely an example, and the lottery probability of each gaming state may be changed, the number of RT states may be increased or decreased, and the transition condition between gaming states may be added or changed as appropriate. .

  As described above, the gaming state of the slot machine 10 is roughly divided into a “general gaming state” and a “special gaming state” in which an RB role or a BB role is established. And, in the general gaming state, the winning flag is set in which the winning flag relating to the special game player who can carry over the winning state of the player lottery in other games such as the RB role and the BB role is set, or the winning flag is set. Not divided into non-internal winning status.

  Further, in view of the difference in the winning probability of the re-gamer, the general gaming state can have, for example, five RT states (non-RT and RT1 to RT4). That is, the general game shifts from “non-RT” and “RT1” in which the winning probability of the re-gamer is relatively low, “RT3” in which the winning probability of the re-gamer is relatively high, from non-RT1 to RT3. It belongs to one of the RT states of “RT2” in the middle or “RT4” in which the special game player is internally won.

  The RT state in the general game according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, the general game immediately after the end of the special game state such as the BB game or the RB game is in the RT1 state in which the internal winning probability of the re-gamer is 1 / 7.3, for example. Here, when the general game in the state of RT1 is performed, for example, when a bell combination including any of the bell A and the bells B to W is won simultaneously, the stop buttons 16L and 16C are selected according to the lottery result. , 16R correct answer and incorrect answer push order are associated with each other. As described above, when the stop buttons 16L, 16C, and 16R are operated in the order in which the corresponding correct answers are pressed, there is a high possibility that the bell symbol will be aligned with the active line and the role of the bell A will be won. On the other hand, if the pressing order in which the stop operation is performed is incorrect, the symbol of the “Barakebell” bell role spill is displayed on the active line, and any of the corresponding bells B to W is established.

  In the state of RT1, if such a bell role spilling due to an incorrect push order is displayed on the active line, the game shifts to a non-RT state. There is no change in the replay winning probability when transitioning from RT1 to non-RT, but as shown in FIG. 7, non-RT is closer to RT3 which is more advantageous to the player than RT1. .

  When a general game in a non-RT state is performed, for example, when replaying players A to F are simultaneously elected, and symbols related to replaying B to F (chance replay) are displayed on the active line The game shifts from the non-RT to the RT2 state. In addition, according to the order of pressing by the player, a symbol related to chance replay or a symbol related to normal replay may be displayed on the active line. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the state of RT2 is also a chance state that can be shifted to the state of RT3 that is advantageous to the player when, for example, the red game G of “seven red matches” is established.

  However, on the other hand, if the bell role is simultaneously won in the state of RT2, and if the design of the bell role spilling is displayed on the active line due to the stop operation of the incorrect push order, the game changes from RT2 to the non-RT state. It falls.

  When the state of RT2 is maintained and the combination of the re-game G of “Red Sevens” is established, the game shifts to the state of RT3 that is advantageous to the player. When shifting to such an advantageous gaming state, the progress of the game may be temporarily frozen, and during that time, a reel effect by a pseudo game may be performed. In such a pseudo game, in order to distinguish from a normal game, for example, a so-called bound stop reel operation effect may be performed in which a red seven symbol slightly vibrates on an active line.

  The RT state transition control shown in FIG. 7 is executed by the main control board 100 as described above. In parallel with this, the sub-control board 200 controls AT and the like in the game in progress. In an AT game, for example, the correct pressing order associated with the lottery results by the role lottery means is notified to the player by the lighting of the operation instruction lamps 13l, 13c, 13r and the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 18. . Note that the AT does not necessarily report only the correct answer push order, but for example, by notifying the push order of the incorrect answer of the bell role, which is a transition condition from RT1 to non-RT, finally the RT3 is sent to RT3. As a result, it is possible to notify the push order that is advantageous to the player, such as navigating the state transition.

  The notification of the pushing order by the AT is executed in a predetermined number of games after the end of the BB game which is a special game, for example. Further, for example, the AT may be executed by lottery by the effect lottery means of the sub-control board 200, or the AT may be executed when a predetermined start condition is satisfied. The executed AT continues for a predetermined number of games (for example, one set is 30 games). If another AT wins during the AT state, another set (for example, 30 games) of the AT state continues. Such AT execution lottery results (AT execution rights) can also be stocked.

  In this way, basically, one AT execution right is acquired by lottery by the sub-control board 200, whereby one set (for example, 30 games) of ATs is executed. The AT lottery by the effect lottery means may be performed during the AT state or at the end of the AT. The probability that one set of AT states will continue after the end of one set of AT states is referred to as “AT continuation rate”.

[Relationship between the specified number of inputs and gaming status]
In the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, a specified number of insertions, which is the number of game points that can be bet on one game, is predetermined according to the game state. FIG. 8 shows an example of the relationship between the prescribed number of inputs and the gaming state.

  In the example of FIG. 8, the specified number of insertions in the game in the general gaming state is 2 points and 3 points, and the predetermined number of insertions in the game in the special gaming state in which the BB combination or RB combination is operating is predetermined as 2 points. It has been. Here, the “specified number of inputs” refers to the number of game points that can be bet on a game. The specified number of inputs may be simply referred to as “specified number” in this specification. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, a game in which 2 points or 3 points are input is possible in the game in the general game state, and a game in which only 2 points are input is possible in the game in the special game state. It should be noted that the prescribed number of throws in a game in the general gaming state may be set to only 3 points and 1 for example. Also, the specified number of throws may be 2 or 3 points depending on the type of the combination that is operating in the special game state.

[Main control contents of each control board]
Next, main control contents of each of the main control board 100, the payout control board 300, and the management apparatus board 500 shown in FIG. 2 are extracted.

(Main control board)
The main control contents of the main control means provided on the main control board 100 are as follows.
(A) Game progress control / Rotation start operation detection and acceptance processing / Role selection according to the number of insertion points / Reel acceleration / constant speed rotation control / Rotation stop operation detection and acceptance processing / Reel based on lottery flag Stop control (design display control)
-Transmission of payout point information to the payout control board 300 at the time of winning a prize-Transmission of the next game regulation number information to the payout control board 300 at the end of the game-If a re-game is established, the game is re-sent to the payout control board 300 at the end of the game (A) Display of various information ・ Displays the number of game points paid out at the time of winning a prize on the acquired point number display 13b (c) Outputs outer edge information, jackpot signal, door opening signal, security signal, etc. Here, the “big hit signal” refers to a signal indicating that a BB game or an RB game is in operation. “Door open signal” refers to a signal indicating the open state of the front door 11. The “security signal” refers to a signal related to security of the slot machine 10 including an error detection state.
(D) Error detection / management / error detection in the main control board 100 / reception of error information from the payout control board 300 / transmission of error information to the payout control board 300 / processing at error detection (error detection / reception time Notifications, game interruptions, not accepting various operations, etc.)
・ Return processing after error cancellation (e) Other ・ Setting change processing related to lottery probability

(Discharge control board)
The main control contents of the payout control means provided in the payout control board 300 are as follows.
(A) Game point management / display / game point storage / update / stored game point number is displayed on the stored point number display 13a (a) game point input acceptance / input point set / input from stored game point number Subtracting the number of points ・ Displaying the number of points to be charged ・ Displaying the input operation while the game is in progress or replaying is impossible ・ Cannot accept the input operation when an error is detected in the main control board 100 or the payout control board 300 (c) Payout game Point accumulation / addition of game points based on payout game point information from the main control board 100 (d) Support for lending requests / Addition of game points by point addition requests from the management device board 500 / During game progress and other conditions Point invalidation request is invalidated ・ No point addition request is issued when an error is detected in the main control board 100 or the payout control board 300 (E) Responding to replay request / Adding game points based on point addition request from management device board 500 / Invalidation of point addition request depending on other conditions / error of main control board 100 or payout control board 300 Point addition request at the time of detection is invalidated (f) Payment operation reception / payment operation detection and reception processing / number of input points and initialization / counting of the number of stored game points and initialization / counting to management device board 500 Point data transmission, game in progress, and other conditions are not accepted. Checking point addition request when error of main control board 100 or payout control board 300 is detected (g) Error detection / management / payout control board 300 Error detection, reception of error information from the main control board 100, transmission of error information to the main control board 100, management board Transmission error detection processing when the error information to the receiving and managing the device substrate 500 of error information from 00 (error detection and receiving notification of the time, can not be accepted for various operations, etc.)

(Management device board)
The main control contents of the management device means provided on the management device board 500 are as follows.
(A) Lending operation reception / lending operation detection and reception processing / lending operation reception When a lending operation is received, a point addition request is transmitted to the payout control board 300. (a) Replay operation reception / replay operation detection and reception Sending a point addition request to the payout control board 300 at the time of processing / replaying operation reception / game point balance update processing (c) handling adjustment / renewing management game points based on count point data from the payout control board 300 / card return processing (D) Error detection / management / management device board 500 receives error information from error detection / payout control board 300, sends error information to payout control board 300, and processes at error detection (error detection / reception process Notifications, not accepting various operations, etc.)

[Communication specifications]
(Communication between main control board and payout control board)
In the slot machine 10 of this embodiment, the main control board 100 and the payout control board 300 regularly exchange commands. Specifically, it is preferable to adopt a polling method in which the payout control board 300 as the secondary station returns a response command to the request command transmitted by the main control board 100 as the primary station. The polling interval for command communication is, for example, 200 milliseconds, which is longer than the above-described interrupt processing interval for signal input / output (for example, 2 milliseconds). Although details will be described later, the command to be communicated is encrypted except for some frames.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of a command frame configuration for bidirectional communication. As shown in FIG. 9A, the communication command includes a data length, a serial number, a command code, a data part, and a CRC from the top. However, depending on the type of command, the data portion may not be provided. The meaning of each data item is as described in FIG. That is, the total number of bytes including the serial number (1 byte), command code (1 byte), data part (variable), and CRC (2 bytes) is stored in the “data length”.

  The “sequence number” stores the sequence number of the command. For example, if n is added to the serial number of the request command transmitted from the main control board 100 at the present time, the response command from the payout control board 300 in response to this request command is assigned the serial number of n + 1. The request command transmitted in the next polling is given a serial number of n + 2. In this way, by using a serial number updated by adding +1 for each command transmitted to each other, it is possible to easily check communication errors such as missing or dropped commands.

  Further, the numbers updated for each request command and response command may be used as serial numbers. For example, an n sequence number may be assigned to a request command transmitted at the present time, and an n + 1 sequence number may be assigned to a request command transmitted in the next polling. In this case, the response command to the request command to which the serial number of n is assigned may be given the same serial number of n, and the response command returned in the next polling may be assigned the serial number of n + 1. In this embodiment, since the relationship between the request command and the response command exchanged with each other is associated with the same serial number, the accuracy of checking the communication error of the command can be further increased.

  The “command code” stores a 1-byte control code for specifying the content of information requested or responded by the command. The “data portion” stores command data defined corresponding to each command code. A specific embodiment of this data portion will be described later with reference to FIGS. In “CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check)”, 2 bytes are reserved for error detection of a command to be communicated. A communication error can be detected by checking the CRC of the board that receives the command.

  From the main control board 100, for example, a communication start request having the configuration shown in FIG. In response to this, the payout control board 300 returns a communication start response having a configuration shown in FIG. 10B, for example.

  The communication start request from the main control board 100 includes a serial number and a predetermined command code (control code “01h”). The serial number and command code of the communication start request from the main control board 100 are both expressed and encrypted in a 1-byte HEX format (which means a hexadecimal number, the same applies hereinafter).

  The communication start response from the payout control board 300 means a 4-bit BIN (binary number) as a data part in addition to a 1-byte HEX format serial number and a command code (control code “11h”). .) Includes information on a communication state expressed in a format and an error state expressed in a 1-byte HEX format.

  In the “communication state” frame constituting the data part of the communication start response, information on whether or not the payout control board 300 can communicate (data bit D1) and the presence or absence of other errors (data bit D0) is stored. The error code of the error detected by the payout control board 300 is stored in the “error state” frame constituting the data part of the communication start response.

  All of the serial number, command code, and data portion frames in the communication start response from the payout control board 300 are encrypted.

  Further, from the main control board 100, for example, a gaming state notification having a configuration shown in FIG. In response to this, the payout control board 300 returns a gaming state response having the configuration shown in FIG. 11B, for example.

  The game status notification from the main control board 100 includes a 1-byte HEX format serial number and a command code (control code “02h”), as well as a 1-byte BIN-format game operating status and fraud detection information, respectively. And game information.

  In the “game operating state” frame constituting the data part of the gaming state notification, whether or not the slot machine 10 is operating BB (data bits D0 to D1) and whether or not RB is operating (data bits D2 to D3). Information on whether or not re-playing is in operation (data bits D4 to D7) is stored.

  In the “fraud detection information” frame constituting the data part of the gaming state notification, whether the front door 11 is open (door open) or not (data bit D1), and when a fraud is detected, its fraud code (data bit) D2 to D7) and the presence / absence of detected other errors (data bit D0) are stored.

  In addition, the data portion of the game state notification includes game information having a data type of 4-bit HEX format, a data number corresponding to each data type, and information on the number of payout points.

  For example, a value “1” is assigned to the next game regulation number information in the “data type” frame that is one of the game information constituting the data portion of the game state notification, and the operation acceptance state ( The value “2” is assigned to the “start acceptance”, the value “3” is assigned to the spinning / reel state, and the value “4” is assigned to the addition / non-validation of the game points. The value “5” is assigned to the information.

  Further, data corresponding to the data type is stored in a frame of “data number” which is one of the game information constituting the data part of the game state notification. For example, when the main control board 100 determines the symbol combination at the end of the game and determines the prescribed number of the next game according to the result (see FIG. 8), the value of the data type frame is set to “1”, The determined next game prescribed number of data is stored in the “data number” to create a game state notification, and is transmitted to the payout control board 300 at the next polling. Further, the main control board 100 determines whether or not the accumulated game points can be added according to the progress of the game, for example, sets the data type frame value to “4”, and allows the game points to be added. If it is, “1” is stored in the data number, and if it is not possible to add gaming points, “0” is stored in the data number to create a gaming state notification and the payout control board is immediately polled. To 300.

  The number of game points determined to be paid out by winning is stored in the “number of payout points” frame, which is one of the game information constituting the data part of the game state notification.

  All of the serial number, command code, and data portion frames in the game state notification transmitted from the main control board 100 to the payout control board 330 are encrypted. With such a game state notification command frame configuration, information regarding the gaming state determined or managed by the main control board 100 is transmitted to the payout control board 300 at any time, for example, at a polling interval of 200 milliseconds.

  Next, the gaming state response from the payout control board 300 referred to in FIG. 11B is a 4-bit BIN as a data part in addition to a serial number and a command code (control code “12h”) in 1-byte HEX format, respectively. The payout control status in the form and the number of inputs in the 4-bit HEX format are included.

  In the “payout control state” frame constituting the data part of the gaming state response, the communication error (data bit D1) detected by the payout control board 300, and the fraud code (data bits D2 to D2) when fraud is found, are found. D7) and the presence / absence of detected other errors (data bit D0) are stored.

  Also, the number of game points that are currently set to be input, which is managed by the payout control board 300, is stored in the “input number information” frame that forms the data portion of the game state response.

  All of the serial number, command code, and data portion frames in the game state response returned from the payout control board 300 to the main control board 100 are encrypted. With such a game state response command frame configuration, information related to the input state managed by the payout control board 300 is transmitted to the main control board 100 at any time, for example, at a polling interval of 200 milliseconds.

  On the main control board 100 side, the request command can be retried up to, for example, three times including the first time until there is a response command from the payout control board 300 within the polling time. The main control board 100 determines that a communication line disconnection error has occurred if a response command cannot be received from the payout control board 300 even if the request command is transmitted a predetermined number of times.

  On the other hand, the payout control board 300 determines that a communication line disconnection error has occurred if the next request command from the main control board 100 cannot be received even after one second has elapsed since the response command was transmitted.

(Communication between management device board and payout control board)
In the gaming machine system of the present embodiment, commands are also periodically exchanged between the management device board 500 of the lending machine 20 and the payout control board 300 of the slot machine 10. Specifically, a polling method is adopted in which the payout control board 300 as the secondary station returns a response command to the request command transmitted by the management apparatus board 500 as the primary station. The polling interval is, for example, 200 milliseconds. The command configuration used for communication between the management device board 500 and the payout control board 300 is similar to the command structure used for communication between the main control board 100 and the payout control board 300 shown in FIG. A serial number, command code, data part, and CRC are included. However, depending on the type of command, the data portion may not be provided. The meaning of each data item is as described above with reference to FIG. 9B, and description thereof is omitted here.

  From the management device board 500, for example, a status information request having the configuration shown in FIG. In response to this, the payout control board 300 returns a status information response having the configuration shown in FIG. 13, for example.

  Referring to FIG. 12, the status information request from the management device board 500 is the status of the management device in the 1-byte BIN format as the data portion in addition to the serial number and command code (control code “06h”) in 1-byte HEX format, Each frame includes the number of points added in byte HEX format and the management device error status in 1 byte HEX format.

  Whether or not a card is being inserted into the lending machine 20 (data bit D0) in the “management apparatus state” frame constituting the data portion of the status information request transmitted from the management apparatus board 500, the lending machine 20 is in a ready state. (Data bit D1), whether the status information request is a command including a game point addition request described later (data bit D3), and whether the count point reception process in the settlement process is completed (data Bit D4) information is stored.

  Although details will be described later, when a lending operation or a replay operation is performed on the lending machine 20, a game point addition request for requesting addition of game points is transmitted from the management device board 500 to the payout control board 300. This game point addition request specifically refers to a status information request having a data part in which the value of the data bit D3 of the management device status frame is “1”.

  It should be noted that the status information request management device status frame transmitted from the management device board 500 to the payout control board 300 is formed in the information unit in bit format (BIN format). A game point addition request can also be transmitted at the same time. Each frame of the data part in the status information request is encrypted. In the status information request command frame of FIG. 12, an embodiment in which the serial number and the command code are not encrypted is shown, but these frames may be encrypted and transmitted.

  With such a status information request command frame configuration, status information related to the lending machine 20 managed by the management device board 500 is transmitted to the payout control board 300 at any time, for example, at a polling interval of 200 milliseconds.

  Next, referring to FIG. 13, the status information response transmitted from the payout control board 300 to the management apparatus board 500 includes a 1-byte HEX format serial number and a command code (control code “16h”) as a data part. It includes each frame of gaming machine information, gaming machine status, error status detected on the slot machine 10 side, fraud detection information, and gaming information.

  The “gaming machine information” frame that constitutes one of the data sections of the status information response returned by the payout control board 300 includes the number of storage points in the 3-byte HEX format, the number of input points in the 1-byte HEX format, and the 3-byte HEX. Contains information on the number of count points in the format.

  Information on the number of game points managed by the payout control board 300 and stored internally at the present time is stored in the “number of stored points” frame constituting one of the gaming machine information. Information on the number of gaming points currently set to be input managed by the payout control board 300 is stored in the “number of input points” frame that constitutes another piece of gaming machine information. Information on the number of gaming points counted by the payout control board 300 in the settlement process described later is stored in the “counting point number” frame that constitutes another one of the gaming machine information.

  The “gaming machine state” that constitutes another frame of the data portion of the state information response from the payout control board 300 is composed of frames of state 1 and state 2 in the 1-byte BIN format, respectively. In the frame of “state 1”, information (data bit D0) indicating whether the slot machine 10 is prohibited from gaming (value “0”) or allowed to play (value “1”), and the slot machine 10 is waiting (value “0”). ) Or not playing (value “1”) information (data bit D1), presence / absence of game points stored internally (data bit D2), whether the slot machine 10 is in a counting state (data bit D4), Information such as the result (data bit D5) of whether or not the gaming points have been normally added at the time of lending or replaying is included.

  Among these pieces of information, for example, the game prohibition information indicated by the value of the data bit D0 of the state 1 frame being “0” is received from the main control board 100 when the payout control board 300 detects a communication error or other error. It is set when gaming of the slot machine 10 is prohibited, such as when a communication start request is not transmitted or cannot be received, or when a gaming state notification received from the main control board 100 includes door opening or other fraud detection information. The On the contrary, if these errors are not detected, a game permit in which the value of the data bit D0 of the state 1 frame is “1” is transmitted.

  Further, the information indicating whether or not waiting is indicated by the value of the data bit D1 of the state 1 frame is information indicated by the data type of the game information included in the game state notification transmitted from the main control board 100 to the payout control board 300. The payout control board 300 makes a determination based on (for example, whether or not the operation of the start lever 15 has been accepted or whether the reel is rotating or stopped).

  In addition, the presence / absence of game points in the state 1 (data bit D2) is set based on information on the stored game points managed by the payout control board 300, and the counting state (data bit D4) and the game point addition result (data bit D5) ) Is also set based on each processing result by the payout control board 300.

  “State 2”, which constitutes another frame of the gaming machine state, includes information indicating the operation of the BB (data bits D0 to D1), information indicating the operation of the RB (data bits D2 to D3), and the operation of the regame (Data bits D4 to D7). As described above, in the state 2, a plurality of bits are allocated in preparation for a plurality of types of BB combination, RB combination, and replay combination.

  Information on whether or not each combination such as BB or re-game is in operation is included in the game operation state frame of the game state notification transmitted from the main control board 100 to the payout control board 300. The payout control board 300 Based on the information of the operating combination, a state 2 frame of the gaming machine state is set and returned to the management device substrate 500 as a state information response.

  In addition, in the “error state” frame that constitutes another one of the data portion of the state information response returned by the payout control board 300, the error code information of the error that is generated and detected on the slot machine 10 side is 1 Set in byte HEX format. This error state frame includes information on the error state received by the payout control board 300 from the main control board 100 via the game state notification and the error state detected by the payout control board 300.

  Further, the “fraud detection information” frame that constitutes another one of the data portion of the status information response includes fraud detection information generated on the main control board 100 side and fraud detection information generated on the payout control board 300 side. Are stored in a 1-byte BIN format. The fraud detection information generated on the main control board 100 side is set in the data portion of the state information response based on the information included in the gaming state notification received by the payout control board 300 from the main control board 100.

  In addition, a plurality of (n pieces) of game information is included in the “game information” frame that constitutes another one of the data portion of the status information response. Specifically, the number (n) of the game information is set to the first byte of the game information frame in the HEX format, followed by the type information in the 1-byte BIN format and the payout number information corresponding to the type information. A total of 2 bytes of data are continuously stored for the number of game information (n). The game information from these payout control boards 300 is the ratio (IN / OUT) of the number of game points (IN) lent to the slot machine 10 on the management device (lending machine 20) side and the number of game points (OUT) paid out. ), Etc., when managing information related to playing balls as necessary.

  Each frame of the data portion in the status information response returned from the payout control board 300 to the management apparatus board 500 is encrypted. In the status information response command frame of FIG. 13, an embodiment in which the serial number and the command code are not encrypted is shown, but these frames may be encrypted and transmitted. With such a status information response command frame configuration, status information regarding the slot machine 10 is transmitted to the management device board 500 at any given polling interval via the payout control board 300.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, when a card is inserted into the lending machine 20, a card insertion notification is transmitted from the management device board 500, and a card insertion response is returned from the payout control board 300. At the time of the card return operation, a card return notification is transmitted from the management device board 500, and a card return response is returned from the payout control board 300.

  The card insertion notification from the management device board 500 referred to in FIG. 14A is an 8-byte BIN format card as a data portion in addition to a 1-byte HEX format serial number and a command code (control code “07h”). ID information and insertion time information in a 6-byte BCD (meaning binary-coded decimal number, the same applies hereinafter) format are stored. At least each frame constituting the data part of the card insertion notification is encrypted and transmitted, but the entire command including the serial number and command code may be encrypted and transmitted to the payout control board 300.

  The card insertion response from the payout control board 300 referred to in FIG. 14B includes a 1-byte HEX format serial number and a command code (control code “17h”). In the embodiment of FIG. 14B, the card insertion response is not encrypted, but the serial number and the command code may be encrypted and transmitted to the management apparatus board 500.

  The card return notification from the management apparatus board 500 referred to in FIG. 14C is composed of a serial number and a command code (control code “08h”) in 1-byte HEX format. In the embodiment of FIG. 14C, the card return notification is not encrypted, but the serial number and command code may be encrypted and transmitted to the payout control board 300.

  The card return response from the payout control board 300 referred to in FIG. 14 (d) is an 8-byte BIN format card as a data portion in addition to a 1-byte HEX format serial number and a command code (control code “18h”). ID information and 6-byte BCD format insertion time information are stored. The card ID information and the insertion time information are set based on the card insertion notification information transmitted from the management apparatus substrate 500 when the card is inserted. Although at least each frame constituting the data part of the card return response is encrypted and transmitted, the entire command including the serial number and command code may be encrypted and transmitted to the management apparatus board 500.

  On the management device board 500 side, the request command can be retried up to three times including the first time until a response command is received from the payout control board 300 within the polling time. The management device board 500 determines that a communication line disconnection error has occurred when a response command cannot be received from the payout control board 300 even if the request command is transmitted a predetermined number of times.

  On the other hand, the payout control board 300 determines that a communication line disconnection error has occurred if the next request command from the management apparatus board 500 cannot be received even after one second has elapsed since the response command was transmitted.

[Communication sequence flow]
Next, based on FIG. 15 to FIG. 19, game point insertion, lending, replay, and settlement processing through command communication among the main control board 100, the payout control board 300, and the management apparatus board 500 will be described. The “main control means” described below is means for executing arithmetic processing in the main control board 100, the “payout control means” is means for executing arithmetic processing in the payout control board 300, and the management apparatus means manages It is means for executing arithmetic processing in the device substrate 500.

(Input process)
FIG. 15 shows a communication flow related to the game point insertion process. As described above, a status information request is transmitted from the management device board 500 at a predetermined polling interval (step S101), and a status information response is returned from the payout control board 100 (step S201). When the power is turned on, a communication start request is transmitted from the main control board 100 (step S301), and a communication start response is returned from the payout control board 100 (step S202). When communication starts normally, a gaming state notification is transmitted from the main control board 100 at regular polling intervals (step S302), and a gaming state response is returned from the payout control board 100 (step S203).

  When the payout control means of the payout control board 300 detects a game point input operation to the 1P input switch 14a or the maximum input switch 14b (step S204: YES), it can be input with reference to the game state notification from the main control board 100. (Step S205). If a game point can be input (step S205: YES), an input operation is accepted (step S206).

  Here, the determination as to whether or not the game points can be inserted by the payout control means is made based on the game information (see FIG. 11A) included in the game state notification transmitted from the main control board 100 as needed. Specifically, if the game information indicates that the start lever 15 has started to rotate, and the reel is rotating, the game is in progress, so it is determined that a game point cannot be inserted. That is, when the payout control means recognizes that the game is in progress based on the game state notification from the main control board 100, the payout control means does not accept the game point insertion operation. “A game is in progress” refers to a time during which a series of games from the start of reel rotation to display symbol determination based on a rotation start operation to the start lever 15 is in progress.

  Further, even when it is recognized that the reel is stopped based on the game information included in the game state notification received by the payout control board 300, the game operation state included in the received game state notification (FIG. 11A). ) Is in the re-game operation (at least one of the data bits D4 to D7 in the game operation state indicates “1”), the game point is automatically input, and it is therefore impossible to input the game point. to decide. That is, even when the game is not in progress, for example, even when the game is waiting for a rotation start operation to the start lever 15 (before the game is started), the payout control means does not accept the input operation when the game is being replayed.

  In addition, the payout control means determines whether the main control board 100 detects an error or fraud based on the fraud detection information (see FIG. 11A) included in the gaming state notification from the main control board 100 or the payout. Even when the control board 300 detects an error or fraud (at least one of the data bits D0 to D7 of the fraud detection information indicates “1”), it is determined that the game point cannot be inserted and the game point Do not accept the input operation.

  Next, when the payout control means accepts a game point input operation (step S206), it returns the input point data as a game state response to the game state notification (step S303) from the main control board 100 in the next polling (step S303). Step S207). Then, the payout control means subtracts the number of inserted points from the number of game points stored internally (step S208).

(Lending process)
FIG. 16 shows a communication flow related to the gaming point lending process. As described above, if the system is in a normal state, communication is performed at regular polling intervals among the main control board 100, the payout control board 300, and the management apparatus board 500.

  When the management device unit of the management device board 500 of the lending machine 20 detects a lending operation to the lending switch 21 (step S102: YES), it refers to the status information response from the payout control board 300, and the game to the slot machine 10 It is determined whether or not the points can be lent (step S103). If lending is possible, a lending operation is accepted (step S104).

  Here, the management device means determines whether or not the gaming point can be lent to the slot machine 10 as information on the gaming machine state (see FIG. 13) included in the state information response returned from the payout control board 300. Based on. More specifically, the frame in the state 1 in the gaming machine state is gaming permitted (the data bit D0 in the state 1 indicates “1”) and is waiting (the data bit D1 in the state 1 indicates “0”). At this time, the management device means determines that it can be lent. That is, if the slot machine 10 is operating normally and is in a game-permitted state and the game is not in progress, the management device means determines that the lending is possible (even if re-game is in progress) (S103: YES), a lending operation is accepted (step S104). Conversely, the management device means does not determine that the slot machine 10 is in a rentable state when the slot machine 10 is in a game-permitted state but the game is in progress.

  As another embodiment, the management device means determines that the slot machine 10 is in a rentable state when the slot machine 10 is in a game-permitted state and the game is in a re-game operation even if the game is not in progress. It is also possible not to accept the lending operation. The management device means determines whether or not the game of the slot machine 10 is in a re-game operation based on information on the gaming machine state (see FIG. 13) included in the state information response returned from the payout control board 300. More specifically, when the frame in the state 2 in the gaming machine state is in the re-game operation (at least one of the data bits D4 to D7 in the state 2 indicates “1”), the game is in the re-game operation. Judging.

  Further, the management device means, when the main control board 100 detects an error or fraud based on the error status and / or fraud detection information (see FIG. 13) included in the status information response from the payout control board 300, or Even when the payout control board 300 detects an error or fraud, the lending operation is not accepted without determining that the lending is possible.

  When the management device means accepts the lending operation, it sets a predetermined number of game points (for example, 50 points / 1000 yen equivalent) as the additional point data (step S105). In the next polling, a status information request (lending request) including a point addition request (see FIG. 12) in which the data bit D3 of the management apparatus status frame is set to “1” is transmitted to the payout control board 300 (step S106). ).

  The payout control means of the payout control board 300 refers to the game state notification from the main control board 100 to determine whether the slot machine 10 can add points (step S211).

  Here, whether or not the game point can be added by the payout control means is determined based on the game information (see FIG. 11A) included in the game state notification transmitted from the main control board 100. Specifically, if the game information indicates acceptance of the rotation start operation of the start lever 15 and the reel is rotating, it is recognized that the game is in progress and it is determined that game points cannot be added.

  In addition, the payout control means indicates that the game operation state (see FIG. 11A) included in the received game state notification is in the re-game operation (at least one of the data bits D4 to D7 in the game operation state is “1”). Even if the game is not in progress, it may be determined that game points can be added and the lending process may be executed. Conversely, the payout control means may determine that game points cannot be added and restrict lending processing when the game operation state included in the received game state notification indicates that re-game operation is in progress.

  In addition, the payout control means determines whether the main control board 100 detects an error or fraud based on the fraud detection information (see FIG. 11A) included in the gaming state notification from the main control board 100 or the payout. When the control board 300 detects an error or fraud (at least one of the data bits D0 to D7 of the fraud detection information indicates “1”), it is determined that the game points cannot be added, and the game points are lent out. The processing is not executed. Furthermore, when any error code is included in the management device error status frame (see FIG. 12) of the status information request from the management device board 500, the payout control means determines that game points cannot be added, and gaming point lending processing Do not execute. That is, when it is determined that an error or fraud has occurred in at least one of the slot machine 10 and the lending machine 20, the gaming point lending process is not executed.

  When the payout control means determines that the game points can be added (step S211: YES), the payout control means adds the number of addition request points to the internally stored game points (step S212). This “addition request point number” is recognized by the payout control means based on the addition point number data of the status information request transmitted from the management apparatus substrate 500.

  When the addition of the gaming points is completed, the payout control means transmits a status information response including an addition completion response to the management device board 500 in the next polling (step S213). The management device means of the management device board 500 receives the addition completion response, and executes a remaining amount update process such as subtracting the monetary value corresponding to the number of rented game points from the monetary balance of the card (step S107).

(Replay process)
FIG. 17 shows a communication flow related to the game point replay process. As described above, when the system is in a normal state, communication is performed at regular polling intervals among the main control board 100, the payout control board 300, and the management apparatus board 500.

  When the management device means of the management device board 500 of the lending machine 20 detects a replay operation to the replay switch 22 (step S111: YES), it can be replayed with reference to the status information response from the payout control board 300. It is determined whether it is in a state (step S112). If replay is possible, a replay operation is accepted (step S113).

  Here, the management device means determines whether or not it is in a replayable state based on the information on the gaming machine state (see FIG. 13) included in the state information response returned from the payout control board 300. More specifically, the frame in the state 1 in the gaming machine state is gaming permitted (the data bit D0 in the state 1 indicates “1”) and is waiting (the data bit D1 in the state 1 indicates “0”). At this time, the management device means determines that the replay is possible. That is, the management device means determines that the slot machine 10 is operating normally and is in a game-permitted state and is not in progress, and is in a replayable state (even if replaying is in progress) (S112). : YES), a replay operation is accepted (step S113). Conversely, the management device substrate 500 is in a state where the slot machine 10 is allowed to play a game, but does not determine that the replay is possible when the game is in progress.

  As another embodiment, the management device means sets the replayable state when the slot machine 10 is in a game-permitted state and the game is in a re-game operation even if the game is not in progress. It is also possible not to accept a replay operation without making a determination. The management device means determines whether or not the game of the slot machine 10 is in a re-game operation based on information on the gaming machine state (see FIG. 13) included in the state information response returned from the payout control board 300. More specifically, when the frame in the state 2 in the gaming machine state is in the re-game operation (at least one of the data bits D4 to D7 in the state 2 indicates “1”), the game is in the re-game operation. Judging.

  Further, the management device means, when the main control board 100 detects an error or fraud based on the error status and / or fraud detection information (see FIG. 13) included in the status information response from the payout control board 300, or Even when the payout control board 300 detects an error or fraud, the replay operation is not accepted without determining that the replay is possible.

  When receiving the replay operation, the management device means sets a predetermined number of game points (for example, 50 points) in the added point data (step S114). Then, in the next polling, a status information request (replay request) including a point addition request (see FIG. 12) in which the data bit D3 of the management apparatus status frame is set to “1” is transmitted to the payout control board 300 (step) S115).

  The payout control means of the payout control board 300 refers to the game state notification from the main control board 100 to determine whether the slot machine 10 is in a state where points can be added (step S221).

  Here, whether or not the game point can be added by the payout control means is determined based on the game information (see FIG. 11A) included in the game state notification transmitted from the main control board 100. Specifically, if the game information indicates acceptance of the rotation start operation of the start lever 15 and the reel is rotating, it is recognized that the game is in progress and it is determined that game points cannot be added.

  In addition, the payout control means indicates that the game operation state (see FIG. 11A) included in the received game state notification is in the re-game operation (at least one of the data bits D4 to D7 in the game operation state is “1”). Even if the game is not in progress, it may be determined that game points can be added and the replay process may be executed. Conversely, when the game operation state included in the received game state notification indicates that a re-game operation is in progress, the payout control means may determine that game points cannot be added and restrict replay processing.

  In addition, the payout control means determines whether the main control board 100 detects an error or fraud based on the fraud detection information (see FIG. 11A) included in the gaming state notification from the main control board 100 or the payout. When the control board 300 detects an error or fraud (at least one of the data bits D0 to D7 of the fraud detection information indicates “1”), it is determined that the game points cannot be added, and the replay process is performed. Do not run. Furthermore, when any error code is included in the management device error status frame (see FIG. 12) of the status information request from the management device board 500, the payout control means determines that the game points cannot be added and executes replay processing. Do not. That is, when it is determined that an error or fraud has occurred in at least one of the slot machine 10 and the lending machine 20, the replay process is not executed.

  When the payout control means determines that the game points can be added (step S221: YES), the payout control means adds the number of addition request points to the internally stored game points (step S222). This “addition request point number” is recognized by the payout control board 300 based on the data on the addition point number of the status information request transmitted from the management apparatus board 500.

  When the addition of the gaming points is completed, the payout control means transmits a status information response including an addition completion response to the management device board 500 in the next polling (step S223). The management device means of the management device substrate 500 receives the addition completion response and executes an update process for subtracting the number of gaming points requested for addition from the gaming point balance managed (step S116).

(Checkout process)
18 and 19 show a communication flow relating to the game point settlement process. As shown in FIG. 18, if the system is in a normal state, communication is performed at regular polling intervals among the main control board 100, the payout control board 300, and the management apparatus board 500.

  When the payout control means of the payout control board 300 detects an operation on the checkout switch 14c (step S231: YES), the payout control means determines whether the payout is possible with reference to the game state notification from the main control board 100 (step S232).

  Here, the determination of whether or not the game points can be settled by the payout control means is performed based on the game information (see FIG. 11A) included in the game state notification transmitted from the main control board 100. Specifically, if the game information indicates that the start lever 15 has started to rotate, and the reel is rotating, it is recognized that the game is in progress and it is determined that payment is not possible.

  In addition, the payout control means indicates that the game operation state (see FIG. 11A) included in the received game state notification is in the re-game operation (at least one of the data bits D4 to D7 in the game operation state is “1”). In the case of (shown)), it is judged that payment is impossible.

  That is, the payout control means determines that the slot machine 10 is in a state where payment can be made when it is recognized that the game is not started (standby state) and the re-game is not activated based on the received game state notification. (Step S232: YES). Then, a settlement operation is accepted (step S233).

  Further, the payout control means determines whether there is an input point managed by itself (step S234). If there are game points that have been thrown in (step S234: YES), the game points that have been thrown in are counted, added to the stored game points, and updated (step S234). Then, the number of input points is initialized to zero, and the process proceeds to waiting for the next settlement operation.

  If there is no entry point from the beginning, or if the game point that has been entered by receiving the first settlement operation is zero (step S234: NO), the payout control board 300 indicates the number of stored game points that it manages. Counting is started (step S236). Also, counting by the internal timer is started (step S237). Then, it waits until the management apparatus can accept it (step S239).

  When the payout control unit finishes counting the game points, it returns the count point data to the management device board 500 in a game state response to the status information notification (step S121) from the management device board 500 in the next polling (step S121). S240). Specifically, information on the counted number of gaming points is stored in the counting point number frame constituting the gaming machine information of the gaming state response and is transmitted to the management device board 500. Then, the payout control means initializes the number of game points stored internally to zero.

  The management device means of the management device board 500 receives the counting point data from the payout control board 300 and executes an update process for adding the counting points to the gaming point balance of the card managed on the lending machine 20 side ( Step S122).

  The payout control means of the payout control board 300 prompts a return operation or performs a return operation when the card return notification is not received from the management apparatus board 500 until the above-described internal timer measures the elapse of a predetermined time after completion of the liquidation. A notification for calling out is performed (step S241).

  When the management device unit of the management device substrate 500 detects an operation on the return switch 23 (step S123: YES), it determines whether the card inserted in the CR unit 600 is in a returnable state (step S124). If the card can be returned (step S124: YES), the management device means transmits a card return notification (step S125), and the payout control means of the payout control board 300 returns a card return notification response accordingly. (Step S242).

  If the card return notification response from the payout control board 300 is normal, the management apparatus means of the management apparatus board 500 controls the CR unit 600 and returns the card to the player (step S126).

  In this embodiment, even before the game is started, when the game is being replayed, the payout control board 300 does not accept the settlement operation. This is because the game points automatically entered by re-game should not be paid back by settlement. However, when the game is being re-played, only the game points stored directly inside may be settled without paying the input points.

[Game progress control processing in slot machines]
Next, a specific embodiment of the game progress control process executed on the main control board 100 of the slot machine 10 will be described.

(Game progress control process)
FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a game progress control process by the game progress control means constituting the main control means of the main control board 100. When the power supply is supplied to the slot machine 10, the game progress control means first executes an initialization process (step S11). The initialization process includes a process of returning to a state before power interruption such as setting of a stack pointer of the CPU and a program counter. And a game start process is performed (step S12). Although details will be described later, in the game start processing in step S12, processing such as automatic insertion at the time of the re-game operation and permission and lending of gaming points is performed.

  Then, the game progress control means reads information on the number of insertion points that have been input at the present time (input number information) from the payout control board 300 (step S13). Specifically, as described above, the main control board 100 transmits a game state notification to the payout control board 300, and based on the input information of the game state response that is the response (see FIG. 11B), The number of input points is read into the CPU register.

  The game progress control means compares the prescribed number managed by itself with the number of insertion points indicated by the insertion number information. When the number of input points does not satisfy the specified number (step S14: NO), a display output request waiting for input of game points is set (step S15). As a result, the game point waiting lamp is turned on. Then, the game progress control means again reads the number of input points based on the game state response from the payout control board 300, and repeats the processing of steps S13 to S15 until the specified number is satisfied.

  When it is determined that the number of input points satisfies the specified number, the game progress control means shifts to the next soft random number update process in step S17. As described above, the prescribed number of gaming points is determined according to the gaming state (see FIG. 8).

  Also, for example, in the case of a general game state that is not a special game state such as a bonus, when the prescribed number is determined in plural, such as 2 points and 3 points, the number of input points satisfies the minimum specified number, that is, the number of input points ≧ You may transfer to following step S17, when it is judged that it is the minimum prescribed number (for example, 2 points).

  After the number of inserted points satisfies the specified number, the game progress control means updates the soft random number used in the role lottery process (step S17). Then, a start lever check process is executed (step S18). Although details will be described later, in the start lever check process in step S18, a predetermined error check is performed to determine whether or not the operation to start rotation of the start lever 15 can be accepted.

  Then, when the rotation start operation to the start lever 15 is accepted with the prescribed number of game points being inserted (step S19: YES), the game progress control means executes a role lottery process (step S20). At the next polling, a game state notification (see FIG. 11A) storing start lever reception information identified by the data type value “2” and the data number “1” is issued as the payout control board 300. Sent to.

  Next, the game progress control means sets the reel rotation output request to start the rotation of the reels 12L, 12C, 12R in the subsequent interval interrupt processing (step S21). The rotation control of the reels 12L, 12C, and 12R is performed by the 1-2 phase excitation method for the stepping motors 12Lm, 12Cm, and 12Rm, and the drive pulse signal to each excitation phase of φ0 to φ3 is updated every interrupt processing. . Then, at the next polling, a game state notification (see FIG. 11A) for storing information on the rotation of the spinning cylinder identified by the data type value “3” and the data number “7” is issued. Sent to.

  Then, the game progress control means creates a sliding frame number table (step S22). The sliding frame number table sets each symbol position number and the number of symbols (moving symbol number) up to the determined stop symbol in the direction in which the symbol moves starting from the symbol position number (the direction in which the symbol position number increases). Is done. The sliding frame number table is created based on the result of the winning lottery process, but data of a plurality of possible sliding symbols may be stored in the ROM in advance and read based on the result of the winning lottery process.

  Then, the game progress control means checks the reel stop acceptance based on the turning stop operation to the stop buttons 16L, 16C, 16R (step S23). In the reel stop acceptance check process in step S23, when a turning stop operation to one stop button is accepted, the created sliding frame number table is referred to, and the reel that displays the determined stop symbol on the active line is displayed. Stop control is executed.

  The game progress control means repeats the processing from steps S21 to S23 until it is determined that all reels 12L, 12C, and 12R are stopped. When any of the reels stops, a gaming state notification (see FIG. 11A) including information on rotation / stop of the spinning cylinder is transmitted to the payout control board 300. For example, when the left reel 12L is first stopped, the value of “data type” is set to “3” that specifies the rotation / stop information of the rotating cylinder, and the value of “data number” corresponds to the stopped left reel 12L. The third digit bit is “0”, the second digit bit corresponding to the rotating middle reel 12C is “1”, and the first digit bit corresponding to the rotating right reel 12R is “1”. A gaming state notification set to the represented value “3” is transmitted.

  When the game progress control means determines that all the reels are stopped (step S24: YES), the game stop control means that the data type value is set to “3” and the data number value is set to “0” (all stopped). Information is transmitted to the payout control board 300 by a game state notification (see FIG. 11A). Then, the symbol stopped and displayed on the active line is determined (step S25). In this display symbol determination processing, the game progress control means refers to the winning flag indicating the winning lottery result, and the symbol combination of the reels 12L, 12C, 12R displayed on the active line is a combination corresponding to any winning symbol. It is determined whether or not they match.

  For example, when it is determined that the small role has won, the game progress control means executes a game point payout process (step S26). In this game point payout process, the number of points determined according to the winning combination is added to the stored game points. Then, the game progress control means transmits to the payout control board 300 a game state notification (see FIG. 11A) in which the added game point number is set in the payout point number frame.

  Next, the game progress control means executes a game end check process (step S27). In the game end check process in step S27, the winning flag of the combination that cannot be carried over such as a small combination or a re-playing combination is cleared. At the same time, when it is determined in step S25 described above that any combination such as a re-game combination is established, an operation flag relating to the established combination is set. Then, the game progress control means transmits a game state notification (see FIG. 11A) in which the result of the set operation flag is set in the game operation state frame to the payout control board 300.

  In the case of a game in which the winning flag of a special game player such as the BB or RB game is on (that is, a game in which the special game player is internally selected), if the special game player is not established, The winning flag is not cleared and the winning state is carried over to the next game.

  Further, the game progress control means may determine an end condition of these game states in a game end check process in a special game state such as a BB game or an RB game. When it is determined that the above-mentioned special game state termination condition is satisfied, the operation flag relating to the special game combination is cleared, and the game shifts to the general game state (RT1).

  Further, after the game end check process in step S27, a process of freezing the game progress for a certain period of time may be included for a winning effect when the winning combination is won or a lost effect when the winning combination is not established. .

  The game progress control means determines the next game regulation number necessary to advance the next game based on the combination established at the end of the game or the state of the operation flag (see FIG. 8). Then, through the game state notification (see FIG. 11A) in which the data type value is set to “1” and the data number value is set to the determined next game specification number, the next game specification number is sent to the payout control board 300. Is transmitted (step S28).

(Game start processing)
Next, the game start process started as a subroutine in step S12 in the game progress control process will be described. Here, FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating the game start processing by the game start processing means constituting the main control means of the main control board 100.

  The game start processing means first checks an error generated or detected in the main control board and the payout control board 300. As described above, the error information generated in the main control board 100 is transmitted to the payout control board 300 via the periodic game state notification and the game state response, and the error information generated in the payout control board 300 is transmitted to the main control board. Reply to 100.

  When the game start processing means of the main control board 100 detects any error (step S32: YES), it executes error processing (step S33). In the error processing in step S33, at least permission flags such as a point update permission flag and a submission setting permission flag are not set. That is, when the main control board 100 or the payout control board 300 is in error, the game machine is not updated such as addition of game points based on the lending operation or replaying operation performed by the player on the lending machine 20. Similarly, during the error, the game point insertion operation performed by the player on the 1P insertion switch 14a and the maximum insertion switch 14b is not accepted.

  When the main control board 100 does not detect an error (step S32: NO), the main control board 100 sets a game point number display request (step S34). While the game point number display request is valid, the number of game points currently stored in the slot machine 10 is displayed on the stored point number display 13a by the interval interrupt process of a predetermined cycle. Then, the main control board 100 checks the operation flag (step S35) and determines whether or not the replay is in an operation state (step S36). As described above, the operation flag is a flag indicating a gaming state that is set according to the established combination in the game end check process (step S27) in the game progress control process.

  If the re-game is in operation (step S36: YES), game points are automatically entered (step S37). Here, “automatic insertion” means that game points of the number of points bet on the previous game are automatically bet on the game in which the re-game is activated.

  In a game in which the re-game is not in operation (step S36: NO), an insertion setting permission flag is set (step S38). Thereby, it is possible to accept a game point insertion operation via the 1P insertion switch 14a and the maximum insertion switch 14b at the start of the game.

  Further, in a game where the re-game is not activated (step S36: NO), the settlement permission flag is set. As a result, the settlement operation can be accepted to the settlement switch 14c before the game starts.

  Regardless of whether the re-game is in operation (re-game) or not, the point update permission flag is set in this game start process (step S40). As a result, even during replaying, the lending operation and the replay operation to the lending machine 20 can be accepted until the operation of the start lever 15 is accepted.

  Note that flag information such as the above-described payment permission flag, insertion setting permission flag, and point update permission flag may be included in the game state notification and transmitted from the main control board 100 to the payout control board 300. Thereby, the payout control means determines whether or not a game point can be input based on the transmitted flag information (step S205 in FIG. 15) and whether or not a point can be added (step in FIG. 16). S211, step S221 in FIG. 17), it is possible to easily determine whether or not payment is possible (step S232 in FIG. 18).

  Further, as another embodiment of the game start process, it is also possible to set a settlement permission flag even during replaying and to accept a settlement operation to the settlement switch 14c. In other words, payment during replay may be allowed. Further, the game start process determined to be in the re-game may not include the step of setting the point update permission flag. In other words, in a game in which re-game is activated, updating of the addition of game points or the like is prohibited by clearing the point update permission flag or maintaining the clear state, and thereby lending operation and replay operation to the lending machine 20 May not be accepted.

(Start lever check processing)
Next, the start lever check process started as a subroutine in step S18 in the game progress control process will be described. Here, FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating the start lever check process by the start lever check means constituting the main control means of the main control board 100.

  The start lever check means first checks whether the number of input points satisfies a specified number (step S41). As described above, the “specified number” refers to the number of game points that can be put into the game according to the game state (see FIG. 8). The start lever check means recognizes the number of inserted points based on the number-of-inputs information of the game state response transmitted from the payout control board 300 (see FIG. 11B).

  Further, the start lever check means determines whether or not the operation of the start lever 15 can be accepted (step S42). For example, if the game wait timer indicates that a predetermined time of 4.1 seconds has elapsed, it is determined that the operation of the start lever 15 can be accepted.

  If the start lever check means determines that the number of input points satisfies the specified number (step S41: YES) and that the operation of the start lever 15 can be accepted (step S42: YES), the start lever check permission flag is set. (Step S43). On the other hand, if the number of input points does not satisfy the specified number (step S41: NO) or if the operation of the start lever 15 is not acceptable (step S42: NO), the start lever acceptance permission flag is cleared (step S44). ).

  If the rising edge of the rotation start sensor signal from the start lever 15 is not detected at this stage even though the start lever acceptance permission flag is set (step S45: NO), the process returns to the game progress control process. When the rise of the rotation start sensor signal from the start lever 15 is detected (step S45: YES), the start lever check means clears the closing setting permission flag (closing setting disabled state; step S46).

  Similarly, after accepting the operation of the start lever 15, the start lever check means clears the settlement permission flag (unpaid state; step S47) and clears the point update permission flag (point update unusable state; step S48).

  Then, the start lever check means takes in the built-in random number obtained by the arithmetic processing based on the random number counter value and the soft random number used for the winning lottery process (step S49).

10 Slot machine 12L, 12C, 12R Reel 13a Accumulated point number display 13b Acquired point number display 14a 1P input switch 14b Max input switch 14c Settlement switch 15 Start lever 16L, 16C, 16R Stop button 18 Liquid crystal display 20 Lending machine ( Management device)
21 Lending switch 22 Replay switch 23 Return switch 25 LED numerical display unit 26 Card insertion slot 27 Liquid crystal display 100 Main control board 131 Number-of-payout display board 140 Lending machine connection terminal board 200 Sub-control board 210 Image control board 300 Delivery control board 301 Input display LED board 302 Storage display board 500 Management device board 501 Game point number display board 502 Image control board 600 CR unit

Claims (1)

A main control substrate having a main control means for controlling the progress of Yu technique,
It said main are mutually communicably connected with the control board, comprising: a dispensing control board having a dispensing control means for managing a game point, a,
The main control means has a predetermined gaming state in which a prescribed number X or a prescribed number Y (> X) can be set, and when in the prescribed gaming state, the main control means plays a game in the next game with respect to the payout control board. Send the next game prescribed number information related to the prescribed number X and the prescribed number Y necessary to proceed,
When the payout control means accepts a point throwing operation by a player, it sends the throwing point number information to the main control board,
The main control means advances the game based on the operation of the start lever when at least the insertion point number information transmitted from the payout control board satisfies the specified number X.
Slot machine.

Images