JP6421352B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine capable of playing a game.

  As a gaming machine, a predetermined number of bets are set, and a slot machine in which a plurality of types of identification information are variably displayed based on a start operation, and a gaming medium such as a gaming ball is played by a launching device. And a pachinko gaming machine in which a plurality of types of identification information are variably displayed when a game medium is won in a starting area such as a prize opening provided in the gaming area.

  Some game machines of this type include a reel having a plurality of types of identification information drawn on the outer periphery, and a variable display device that changes the display mode by rotating the reel.

  Generally, 21 areas are defined for one reel. Therefore, the number of steps of the stepping motor is 336 steps. Here, when this motor is used for a reel in which 20 areas are defined for one turn, 336 steps cannot be divided by 20. For this reason, there is known a slot machine that uses a 336 step stepping motor on a reel in which a region of 20 is defined per circle by mixing a 26 step symbol and a 25 step symbol (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

JP 2012-187212 A

  However, in the slot machine described in Patent Document 1, the symbol stop step has a pattern of one-phase excitation and two-phase excitation. Since the force to stay at the current position is different between when the excitation phase is 1 phase and when it is 2 phases, the amount of movement due to inertia changes and the movement until the reel actually stops varies. There is.

  The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of reducing variations in movement until the reel stops.

(1) A gaming machine (slot machine 1, pachinko gaming machine) capable of playing a game, wherein a step of exciting a first number of excitation phases and a value greater than the first number Movable means (left reel) driven by a stepping motor (reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R) that operates by repeating at least a step of exciting a plurality of excitation phases , and a plurality of symbols arranged on the outer periphery. 2L, middle reel 2C, right reel 2R),
In order to stop the stepping motor at any one of the stop steps respectively assigned to the plurality of symbols, stop control means (main control) that excites all excitation phases at a stop control start step that is a predetermined number of steps before the stop step. Control unit 41);
With
The plurality of stop steps include a predetermined stop step, a first stop step separated from the predetermined stop step by a first step number, and a second stop step separated from the first stop step by a second step number,
The plurality of symbols includes a plurality of specific types of symbols,
The plurality of stop steps assigned to the plurality of specific types of symbols are separated from the stop steps assigned to the symbols arranged in front of the specific type of symbols by the same number of steps, respectively.
The stop control start step is a step in which the second number of excitation phases are excited .

  According to such a configuration, since the control for stopping from the step in which the second number of excitation phases are excited is started in any stop step, variation in motion can be reduced.

(2) In the gaming machine described in (1) above,
The second number (two phases) may be larger than the first number (one phase).

  According to such a configuration, the stop control is performed from the point in time when a large amount of excitation is performed, so that variations in movement are less likely to occur and stable excitation can be performed.

(3) In the gaming machine according to (1) or (2) above,
The stepping motor is repeatedly excited with a predetermined number of steps of excitation patterns (one-phase and two-phase excitation patterns), and both the first step number and the second step number may be multiples of the predetermined step number.

  According to such a configuration, stable excitation can be performed without the excitation pattern straddling the stop step.

(4) In the gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (3) above,
The excitation pattern of the predetermined number of steps may include a step of exciting the first number of excitation phases and a step of exciting the second number of excitation phases.

  According to such a configuration, since it is configured with a minimum number of steps, a deviation between stop steps can be minimized.

(5) In the gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (4) above,
The production means (the outer periphery of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R) are a plurality of types of symbols ("Red 7", "Blue 7", "Black 7", "Bar", "Watermelon", "Cherry a", "Cherry" b ”,“ Bell ”,“ Replay ”, and“ Blank ”),
The stop step is provided for each of the symbol positions, and the number of steps away from the symbol placed in front of a specific type of symbols (“bell”, “watermelon”, “replay”) arranged in the symbol band. May be arranged to have the same value.

  According to such a configuration, a specific type of symbol is arranged in an area having the same number of steps, so that the specific type of symbol looks the same.

(6) In the gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (5) above,
The control for stopping the stepping motor may be performed in steps separated from the stop step by the same number of steps in any of the plurality of stop steps.

  According to such a configuration, it is not necessary to change the control content for stopping for each region of different steps.

It is a system configuration | structure figure which shows the structure of the game system in this Embodiment. It is a front view of the slot machine in the present embodiment. It is an internal structure figure of a slot machine. It is a figure which shows the symbol arrangement | sequence of a reel. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a slot machine. It is a figure for demonstrating the technical matter relevant to the kind of small combination, the symbol combination of a small combination, the number of payouts, and a small combination. It is a figure for demonstrating the technical matter relevant to the kind of small combination, the symbol combination of a small combination, the number of payouts, and a small combination. It is a figure for demonstrating the technical matter relevant to the kind of small combination, the symbol combination of a small combination, the number of payouts, and a small combination. It is a figure for demonstrating the technical matter relevant to the kind of small combination, the symbol combination of a small combination, the number of payouts, and a small combination. It is a figure for demonstrating the technical matter relevant to the kind of small combination, the symbol combination of a small combination, the number of payouts, and a small combination. It is a figure for demonstrating the technical matter relevant to the kind of small combination, the symbol combination of a small combination, the number of payouts, and a small combination. It is a figure for demonstrating the technical matter relevant to the kind of re-game player, the symbol combination of a re-game player, operation | movement, and a re-game player. (A) is a block diagram which shows the structure of an external output board | substrate, (b) is a figure which shows the structure of the data format of a security signal. It is a figure which shows the structure of a reel motor. (A) is a timing chart which shows the control method at the time of starting of a reel motor, (b) is a timing chart which shows the control method at the time of rotation of a reel motor and a stop. It is the figure which showed the start timing of the all-phase excitation stop control in the reel in which 20 area | regions (frame | frame) are defined in the reel 1 round. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the starting process which CPU of a main control part performs at the time of starting. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the error process performed when CPU of a main control part generate | occur | produces an error. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the setting change process which CPU of a main control part performs in a starting process. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the game process which CPU of a main control part performs after a starting process. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the BET process which CPU of a main control part performs after a starting process. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the BET process which CPU of a main control part performs after a starting process. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the internal lottery process which CPU of a main control part performs in a game process. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the reel rotation process which CPU of a main control part performs in a game process. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the payout process which CPU of a main control part performs in a game process. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the completion | finish process which CPU of a main control part performs in a game process. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the timer interruption process (main) which CPU of a main control part performs regularly. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the timer interruption process (main) which CPU of a main control part performs regularly. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the stop switch process which CPU of a main control part performs in a timer interruption process (main). It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the door monitoring process which CPU of a main control part performs in a timer interruption process (main). It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the command transmission process which CPU of a main control part performs in a timer interruption process (main). It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the external output signal update process which CPU of a main control part performs in a timer interruption process (main). It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the interruption interruption process (main) performed when CPU of a main control part inputs a voltage drop signal from an interruption detection circuit. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the starting process (sub) which CPU of a sub control part performs at the time of starting. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the timer interruption process (sub) which CPU of a sub control part performs regularly. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the output timing of a medal OUT signal and a security signal when an abnormality that does not hinder the progress of the game during the reel rotation process is detected and a winning with a medal payout occurs. It is a figure showing the output timing of a medal OUT signal and a security signal when an award with a medal payout occurs and an abnormality that does not hinder the progress of the game is detected during the payout process. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the output timing of a medal OUT signal and a security signal when an abnormality that does not hinder the progress of the game is detected during the reel rotation process and a replay winning is generated. It is the figure which showed the output timing of a medal OUT signal and a security signal in the case of outputting a medal OUT signal immediately after paying out a medal.

  The form for implementing the slot machine which is an example of the game machine which concerns on this invention is demonstrated below based on an Example.

[Configuration of gaming system]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a gaming system in the present embodiment to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming system according to the present embodiment has a plurality of types of slot machines 1 arranged in parallel on a plurality of gaming islands in a game hall, and has a one-to-one correspondence with the slot machines 1. The call lamp device 200 installed corresponding to the game machine, the collection unit 50 for collecting game information of each slot machine 1, and the relay for relaying game information data based on the game information collected by the collection unit 50 to the hall computer 140 Receiving game information data including game information of the unit 60 and each slot machine 1 installed in the game arcade relayed by each relay unit 60, and each slot machine 1 included in the received game information data And a hall computer 140 for managing game information and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of slot machines 1 are installed on the side surface of the game island in the present embodiment, and a calling lamp device 200 is provided above the corresponding slot machine 1. The calling lamp device 200 used in the present embodiment has a display function for various game information and messages by having a display unit on the front side in addition to a normal lamp lighting function. Yes.

  Further, the slot machine 1 and the collection unit 50 of the present embodiment are connected via a signal cable 59 as shown in FIG. 1, and each collection unit 50 is further connected to the relay unit 60 via a communication cable 61. The collection unit 50 and the relay unit 60 are connected to each other through a simple local area network so that bidirectional data communication is possible. The collection unit 50 inputs various signals to be described later output from each slot machine 1. The game information data including the game information collected by the above and the game state history data including the game state history (state-specific data) are transmitted.

  Further, each of these relay units 60 is connected to the hall computer 140 via a hub 57 by a communication cable 58, and both the relay unit 60 and the hall computer 140 are connected by a local area network capable of relatively high-speed data communication. The transmission data transmitted from each collection unit 50 is relayed by the relay unit 60 and transmitted to the hall computer 140, so that the hall computer 140 relates to each slot machine 1. Information can be collected and managed centrally.

  Similarly to the collection unit 50, the calling lamp device 200 of the present embodiment is also connected to the hall computer 140 via the relay unit 60, and the calling lamp device 200 and the hall computer 140 are connected via the relay unit 60. However, bidirectional data communication can be performed, and the hall computer 140 can perform model setting of the slot machine 1 corresponding to each calling lamp device 200 and various condition settings regarding game information. ing.

[Configuration of slot machine]
First, the slot machine 1 used in the present embodiment will be described below. The slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a housing 1a having an open front surface and a front door 1b pivotally supported on a side end of the housing 1a.

  Inside the casing 1a of the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, reels 2L, 2C, and 2R (hereinafter, left reel, middle reel, As shown in FIG. 2, three consecutive symbols out of the symbols arranged on the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are provided from the see-through window 3 provided on the front door 1b. Arranged to be visible.

  As shown in FIG. 4, “red 7”, “blue 7”, “black 7”, “bar”, “watermelon”, “cherry a”, “cherry” are provided on the outer peripheries of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R, respectively. A plurality of kinds of mutually distinguishable symbols such as “b”, “bell”, “replay”, and “blank” are drawn in a predetermined order. The “bell” design is generally yellow, the “watermelon” design is generally green, and the “cherry a” and “cherry b” designs are generally red. Become. The symbols drawn on the outer peripheries of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are displayed in upper, middle, and lower three stages in the see-through window 3 provided in the approximate center of the reel panel of the front door 1b.

  The reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are provided in correspondence with each other and rotated by reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R (see FIG. 5), so that the symbols of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are continuously formed in the see-through window 3. In addition to being displayed while changing, by stopping the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, three consecutive symbols are derived and displayed on the fluoroscopic window 3 as display results.

  Inside the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are reel sensors 33L, 33C, and 33R that detect a reference position for each of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, and a reel LED 55 that irradiates the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R from the back side. , Is provided. The reel LED 55 includes 12 LEDs corresponding to three consecutive symbols of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, and can irradiate each symbol independently.

  At the position corresponding to each of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R on the front door 1b, a horizontally-long rectangular see-through window 3 that allows the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R to be seen through from the front side is provided. The reels 2L, 2C, and 2R can be visually recognized from the player side.

  The front door 1b uses a medal insertion unit 4 into which medals can be inserted, a medal payout exit 9 from which medals are paid out, and credits (the number of medals stored as a player's own game value). MAXBET switch 6 that is operated when setting the maximum bet number (3 in any game state in this embodiment) out of a prescribed number of bets determined according to the game state, stored as credits Settlement switch 10 that is operated when the medal used for setting the number of medals and the bet is set (to return the medals used for setting the credit and the number of bets), start that is operated when starting the game Stop switch 8L, 8C, 8R operated when stopping the rotation of the switch 7, the reels 2L, 2C, 2R, and the effect switch for use in the effect. 56 are respectively provided so as to be operated by the player.

  In the present embodiment, among the three reels 2L, 2C, and 2R that have started to rotate, the reel that stops first is referred to as a first stop reel, and the stop is referred to as a first stop. Similarly, the reel that stops second is called the second stop reel, the stop is called second stop, the reel that stops third is called the third stop reel, and the stop is the third stop. Alternatively, it is called final stop. Of the three reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, the first stop of the left reel 2L is the first stop of the left, the first stop of the middle reel 2C is the first stop of the middle, and the right reel 2R is the first stop. This is called right first stop.

  In the present embodiment, the procedure for the player to operate the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R (also referred to as the pushing order) includes forward push, forward push, middle left push, middle right push, reverse push push, And reverse push. The forward pressing refers to a pressing order in which the middle reel 2C is second stopped after the left reel 2L is first stopped. Further, the forward pinching push means a push order in which the left reel 2L is stopped for the first time and then the right reel 2R is stopped for the second time. The middle left push means a push order in which the left reel 2L is second stopped after the middle reel 2C is first stopped. The middle right push refers to a pushing order in which the right reel 2R is second stopped after the middle reel 2C is first stopped. The reverse pinching push refers to a pressing order in which the left reel 2L is second stopped after the right reel 2R is first stopped. The reverse pressing refers to a pressing order in which the middle reel 2C is second stopped after the right reel 2R is first stopped.

  On the front door 1b, a credit indicator 11 that displays the number of medals stored as credits, the number of medals paid out due to the occurrence of a winning combination, an error code indicating the contents when an error occurs, and the like are displayed. Indicator 12: 1BETLED 14 for notifying that 1 bet is set by lighting, 2BETLED 15 for notifying that 2 betting is set, and notifying that 3 bets are set 3BETLED16, insertion request LED17 that notifies that a medal can be inserted by lighting, start enable LED18 that notifies that the game start operation by the operation of the start switch 7 is effective, wait (fixed from the start of the previous game) Waiting for the reel to start rotating because the period has not elapsed) That the weight of LED19 for notifying by lighting the fact, payout display unit 13 during replay LED20 is provided for informing by lighting the effect that while replaying the game to be described later is provided.

  Inside the MAXBET switch 6, there is provided a BET switch valid LED 21 (see FIG. 5) for notifying that the setting operation of the betting number by the operation of the MAXBET switch 6 is valid, and the stop switches 8L, 8C, Inside the 8R, left, middle and right stop effective LEDs 22L, 22C and 22R (see FIG. 5) for notifying that the reel stop operation by the corresponding stop switches 8L, 8C and 8R is effective are provided. It has been. Further, below the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R on the front door 1b, a lower panel on which a title of the slot machine 1 and a payout table are printed is provided.

  Inside the front door 1b, there is a reset switch 23 for detecting a reset operation for releasing an error state described later and a stop state described later by a predetermined key operation, while changing a set value and confirming a set value described later. A setting value display 24 for displaying the setting value at that time, for selecting whether to enable / disable the stop function for controlling the stop state (a state in which the progress of the game is restricted until a reset operation is performed). Stop switch 36a, automatic checkout switch 36b for selecting whether the automatic checkout function is effective / invalid for controlling automatic checkout (processing for adjusting (returning) medals stored as credits regardless of the player's operation) The flow path of medals inserted from the medal insertion unit 4 is either on the side of a hopper tank 34a (see FIG. 3) described later provided in the housing 1a or on the medal payout outlet 9 side. A flow path switching solenoid 30 for selectively switching to one side, a medal selector (not shown) having an insertion medal sensor 31 for detecting a medal inserted from the medal insertion unit 4 and flowing down to the hopper tank 34a side, and the front door 1b. A door open detection switch 25 (see FIG. 5) for detecting the open state is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a reel sensor 33L that can detect the reel reference positions of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R, and the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, as shown in FIG. , 33C, 33R (see FIG. 5), an external output board 1000 for outputting an external output signal, a hopper tank 34a for storing medals inserted from the medal insertion section 4, and a hopper tank 34a. A hopper unit 34 including a hopper motor 34b for paying out medals from the medal payout opening 9, a payout sensor 34c for detecting medals paid out by driving the hopper motor 34b, and a power supply box 100 are provided.

  On the side of the hopper unit 34, an overflow tank 35 is provided for storing medals overflowing from the hopper tank 34a. Inside the overflow tank 35, a full sensor 35 a made up of a pair of electrically conductive members spaced apart from each other and provided at a height capable of detecting a predetermined amount of stored medals is provided. It is possible to detect that the medal storage amount stored in the inside when it is conductive by contacting through the medal stored in the inside exceeds a predetermined amount, that is, that the overflow tank is full. It has become.

  The front side of the power supply box 100 functions as a setting key switch 37 for switching to a setting change state or a setting confirmation state, and functions as a reset switch for canceling an error state or a stop state in a normal state. There are provided a reset / setting switch 38 that functions as a setting switch for changing a setting value of a winning probability (outtake rate) of internal lottery to be described later, and a power switch 39 that is operated when the power is turned on / off. .

  As shown in the figure, the reset / setting switch 38 (release operation means) is provided inside the housing 1 a of the slot machine 1. In order to prevent unauthorized cancellation, the operation of the reset / setting switch 38 may be invalidated when the front door 1b is closed. The state where the front door 1b is closed may be a state where the front door 1b itself is closed, or a state where the key of the front door 1b is closed.

  When a game is played in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, first, a medal is inserted from the medal insertion unit 4 or a bet number is set using a credit. To use the credit, the MAXBET switch 6 may be operated. When a predetermined number of bets determined according to the gaming state are set, the pay line L1 (see FIG. 2) becomes valid and the operation of the start switch 7 is valid, that is, the state where the game can be started. Become. In the present embodiment, when the prescribed number of bets is set to three regardless of the gaming state and the prescribed number of bets is set, the winning line L1 becomes valid. In addition, when a medal is inserted exceeding the maximum number out of the prescribed number corresponding to the gaming state, the amount is added to the credit.

  The winning line is a line that is set to determine whether a combination of symbols displayed on the perspective windows 3 of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is a symbol combination such as a small role or a replaying role to be described later. . In the present embodiment, these combinations are also called “winning combination” or “winning combination”. A combination of symbols constituting any combination stops on the winning line, and a winning occurs. Also called.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, only the winning line L1 set across the symbols arranged in the horizontal direction in the middle stage of the reel 2L, the middle stage of the reel 2C, the middle stage of the reel 2R, that is, the middle stage, is the winning line. It is defined as. In the present embodiment, only one pay line is applied, but a plurality of pay lines may be applied.

  For example, the winning lines are the upper line of the left reel 2L, the upper part of the middle reel 2C, the upper part of the right reel 2R, that is, the winning line L2 set across the symbols arranged in the upper stage, the upper part of the left reel 2L, and the middle reel 2C. The middle line, the lower stage of the right reel 2R, that is, the winning line L3 set across the symbols arranged in the lower right direction, the lower stage of the left reel 2L, the middle stage of the middle reel 2C, the upper stage of the right reel 2R, that is, the upper line of the right reel. Including a winning line L4 set across the symbols, and a winning line L5 set across the symbols arranged in the lower stage of the left reel 2L, the lower stage of the middle reel 2C, the lower stage of the right reel 2R, that is, the lower stage. May be.

  When the start switch 7 is operated in a state where the game can be started, the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R rotate, and the symbols of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R continuously vary. When any one of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is operated in this state, the rotation of the corresponding reels 2L, 2C, 2R is stopped, and the display result is derived and displayed on the fluoroscopic window 3.

  Then, when all the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are stopped, one game is finished, and a predetermined symbol combination (hereinafter also referred to as a winning combination) is displayed on the reels 2L, 2C, 2R on the winning line L1. If the game stops as a result, a winning occurs, and a predetermined number of medals are given to the player and added to the credit. Further, when the credit reaches the upper limit number (50 in the present embodiment), medals are paid out directly from the medal payout opening 9 (see FIG. 2).

  In the present embodiment, a configuration using three reels is illustrated, but a configuration using only one reel, a configuration using two reels, a configuration using four or more reels may be used. In a configuration using two or more reels, a winning determination may be made based on a combination of display results derived for all two or more reels. In this embodiment, the variable display device is configured by physical reels. However, the variable display device may be configured by an image display device such as a liquid crystal display.

  Further, in the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, after the game is started and the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are rotated to start changing the symbols, any of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is When operated, the reels corresponding to the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R stop rotating and the symbols are stopped and displayed. The maximum stop delay time from the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R to the stop of the rotation of the corresponding reels 2L, 2C, 2R is 190 ms (milliseconds).

  The reels 2L, 2C, and 2R rotate 80 times per minute, and 80x20 (number of symbols per reel) = 1600 frames, so the maximum 4 frames are drawn in 190ms. Will be able to. In other words, the symbols that can be selected as the stop symbols are the symbols that are displayed when the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are operated, and the symbols that are four frames ahead of them, for a total of five symbols. For this reason, for example, when any of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is operated and the symbol displayed on the lower stage of the reel corresponding to the stop switch is used as a reference, the symbol from the symbol to four frames ahead Since the symbols can be displayed in the lower row, in each of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R, when any one of the stop switches 8L, 8R is operated, the symbol displayed in the middle row of the reel corresponding to the stop switch. The symbols arranged within 5 frames including can be displayed on the winning line.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the slot machine 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the slot machine 1 is provided with a game control board 40, an effect control board 90, and a power supply board 101. The game state is controlled by the game control board 40, and the game state is controlled by the effect control board 90. The production according to the control is controlled, and the power supply board 101 generates the drive power for the electrical components constituting the slot machine 1 and supplies them to each part.

  Further, a hopper motor 34b, a payout sensor 34c, a full sensor 35a, a setting key switch 37, a reset / setting switch 38, and a power switch 39 are connected to the power supply board 101.

  The game control board 40 includes a MAXBET switch 6, a start switch 7, stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, a settlement switch 10, a reset switch 23, a stop switch 36a, an automatic settlement switch 36b, an insertion medal sensor 31, and a door opening detection switch. 25, reel sensors 33L, 33C, and 33R are connected, and a payout sensor 34c, a full sensor 35a, a setting key switch 37, and a reset / setting switch 38 are connected via the power supply board 101. Detection signals of switches are input.

  In addition, the game control board 40 includes a credit indicator 11, a game auxiliary indicator 12, 1-3 BET LEDs 14-16, an insertion request LED 17, a start valid LED 18, a waiting LED 19, a replaying LED 20, a BET switch valid LED 21, a left, middle The right stop valid LEDs 22L, 22C and 22R, the set value display 24, the flow path switching solenoid 30, the reel motors 32L, 32C and 32R are connected, and the hopper motor 34b is connected via the power supply board 101. These electrical components are driven based on the control of a main control unit 41 (described later) mounted on the game control board 40.

  The game control board 40 includes a microcomputer having a main CPU 41a, a ROM 41b, a RAM 41c, and an I / O port 41d. The main control unit 41 that controls the game, a predetermined range (0 to 65535 in this embodiment) Detects a detection signal input from a random number circuit 42 that generates a random number, a pulse oscillator 43 that supplies a clock signal having a constant frequency to the random number circuit 42, and switches connected to the game control board 40 directly or via the power supply board 101 A switch detection circuit 44, a motor drive circuit 45 that controls the drive of the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R, a solenoid drive circuit 46 that controls the drive of the flow path switching solenoid 30, various displays connected to the game control board 40, The LED drive circuit 47 that controls the drive of the LED is supplied to the slot machine 1 When the power source voltage is monitored and a voltage drop is detected, a power interruption detection circuit 48 that outputs a voltage drop signal indicating that to the main control unit 41, an initialization command is input when the power is turned on or from the main CPU 41a A reset circuit 49 for providing a reset signal to the main CPU 41a when not performed, and various other devices and circuits are mounted.

  The main CPU 41a has an interrupt function (including an interrupt prohibition function) such as a timekeeping function and a timer interrupt, and executes a program (described later) stored in the ROM 41b to perform processing related to the progress of the game. Each part of the control circuit mounted on the control board 40 is controlled directly or indirectly. The ROM 41b stores fixed data such as programs executed by the main CPU 41a and various tables. The RAM 41c is used as a work area when the main CPU 41a executes a program. The I / O port 41d inputs / outputs a control signal to / from each circuit connected via a signal input / output terminal included in the main control unit 41.

  Further, the main control unit 41 is supplied with backup power even during a power failure, and the data stored in the RAM 41c is held while the backup power is being supplied.

  The main CPU 41a repeatedly loops the process according to the control state until the detection state of the various switches connected to the game control board 40 is changed as a basic process, and step by step according to the change of the detection state of the various switches. Execute the process to move to. Further, the main CPU 41a has an interrupt function as described above, and can interrupt the basic process by the occurrence of the interrupt and execute the interrupt process. The voltage output from the power interruption detection circuit 48 A power interruption process (main) is executed in response to the input of the decrease signal, and a timer interrupt process (main) is executed at regular time intervals. Note that the execution interval of the timer interrupt process (main) is set to a time longer than the sum of the time required to complete the repetition of the process depending on the control state in the basic process and the execution time of the timer interrupt process (main) Therefore, the process that is repeated according to the control state between the current and next timer interrupt processes (main) is completed at least once.

  In the power interruption process, execution of other interrupt processes is prohibited as the process starts. Then, a process of saving all registers that may be in use to the RAM 41c is performed. As a result, it is possible to return to the original processing when the power interruption is restored. Next, after all output ports are initialized, a RAM parity is calculated based on all data stored in the RAM 41c, set in a predetermined parity storage area, and RAM access is prohibited. Then, a loop process in which no process is performed is entered. That is, when the voltage decreases as it is, the operation is stopped internally. Therefore, the main control unit 41 reliably stops operation when power is interrupted. As described above, in the power interruption processing, the RAM parity at that time is calculated and stored in the parity storage area, and is stored in the RAM 41c by comparing with the RAM parity calculated at the next startup. It is possible to check whether the data is normal.

  Next, the reset circuit 49 outputs a reset signal to the main control unit 41 when the voltage rises to a level at which the main control unit 41 can be activated when the power is turned on, and activates the main control unit 41. When the value of the reset counter is counted up without being cleared based on a signal periodically output from the main control unit 41, that is, when the main control unit 41 does not operate for a certain time, The reset signal is output to restart the main control unit 41.

  The main CPU 41a transmits various commands to the effect control board 90 via the I / O port 41d. Here, from the game control board 40 to the effect control board 90, for example, by using a unidirectional circuit such as a diode or a transistor, only in one direction (direction from the game control board 40 to the effect control board 90). The signal is configured not to pass. Therefore, a command transmitted from the game control board 40 to the effect control board 90 is sent in only one direction, and no command is sent from the effect control board 90 to the game control board 40. Command transmission from the game control board 40 to the effect control board 90 is performed by serial communication. The game control board 40 and the effect control board 90 are not limited to being directly connected, and may be configured to be connected via a relay board, for example.

  Electrical components such as a liquid crystal display 51 (see FIG. 1), a rendering effect LED 52, speakers 53 and 54, and a reel LED 55 arranged on the front door 1b of the slot machine 1 are connected to the rendering control board 90. These electrical components are driven based on control by a later-described sub-control unit 91 mounted on the effect control board 90. In addition, an effect switch 56 is connected to the effect control board 90, and a detection signal of the effect switch 56 is input.

  In the present embodiment, the sub-control unit 91 mounted on the effect control board 90 performs output control of effect devices such as the liquid crystal display 51, effect effect LED 52, speakers 53 and 54, and reel LED 55. However, separately from the sub-control unit 91, an output control unit that directly controls the output of the effect device is mounted on the effect control board 90 or another board, and the sub-control unit 91 receives a command from the main control unit 41. Based on the output pattern determined by the sub control unit 91, the output control unit may control the output of the rendering device based on the output pattern determined by the sub control unit 91. In such a configuration, the sub control unit 91 and The output control of the effect device is performed by both of the output control units.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the liquid crystal display 51, the effect effect LED 52, the speakers 53 and 54, and the reel LED 55 are exemplified as the effect device, but the effect device is not limited to these, for example, mechanically driven A display device or a mechanically driven item may be applied as the effect device.

  Similar to the main control unit 41, the effect control board 90 includes a sub CPU 91a, ROM 91b, RAM 91c, and a microcomputer provided with an I / O port 91d. The sub control unit 91 controls the effect, and the effect control board 90. A display control circuit 92 that performs display control of the liquid crystal display 51 connected to the LED, an LED drive circuit 93 that performs drive control of the effect LED 52 and the reel LED 55, and an audio output circuit 94 that controls audio output from the speakers 53 and 54. When the power is turned on or when the initialization command from the sub CPU 91a is not input for a certain period of time, a reset circuit 95 that gives a reset signal to the sub CPU 91a and a detection signal input from the effect switch 56 connected to the effect control board 90 are detected. Switch circuit 96 for monitoring the power supply voltage supplied to the slot machine 1 When a voltage drop is detected, an interruption detection circuit 98 that outputs a voltage drop signal indicating that to the sub CPU 91a and other circuits are mounted. The sub CPU 91a is connected to the game control board 40. In response to the command transmitted from the control unit, various controls for performing the performance are performed, and each part of the control circuit mounted on the performance control board 90 is controlled directly or indirectly.

  Similar to the main CPU 41a, the sub CPU 91a has an interrupt function (including an interrupt prohibition function). One of the interrupt terminals of the sub control unit 91 is connected to a strobe (INT) signal line that is output when the main control unit 41 transmits a command, among the command transmission lines, and the sub CPU 91a receives the strobe signal. An interrupt is generated based on the input, and a command from the main control unit 41 is acquired and stored in the buffer. Also, the sub CPU 91a executes an interrupt process (sub), which will be described later, by generating an interrupt every time the number of clock inputs reaches a certain number, that is, every certain interval. In addition, one of the interrupt terminals of the sub-control unit 91 is connected to the power interruption detection circuit 98, and the sub CPU 91a performs power interruption processing according to the input of the voltage drop signal output from the power interruption detection circuit 98. (Sub) is executed. Also, when an unused interrupt occurs in the sub CPU 91a, the process is immediately returned to the original process.

  The sub-control unit 91 is also supplied with backup power at the time of a power failure, and the data stored in the RAM 91c is held while the backup power is supplied.

[Setting value]
In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the medal payout rate changes according to the set value. Specifically, the medal payout rate is changed by using a winning probability corresponding to a set value in an internal lottery described later. The set value is composed of 6 levels of 1 to 6, with 6 being the highest payout rate and the payout rate being lower as the value is decreased in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. That is, when 6 is set as the set value, the advantage is highest for the player, and as the value decreases in order of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, the advantage decreases stepwise.

[Power interruption]
In the slot machine 1 in the present embodiment, when the main CPU 41a detects a voltage drop signal from the power interruption detection circuit 48, power interruption processing (main) is executed. In the power interruption process (main), the registers are saved in a stack of a RAM 41c, which will be described later, and data for destructive diagnosis in which any bit is 1, that is, specific data other than 0 are stored in the RAM 41c. The RAM parity adjustment data is calculated so that the RAM parity based on the data stored in the area becomes 0, and stored in the RAM 41c.

  The main CPU 41a calculates the RAM parity based on the data stored in all areas of the RAM 41c at the time of activation, confirms the value of the destructive diagnosis data, the RAM parity is 0, and the destructive diagnosis The processing state of the main CPU 41a is restored to the state before the power interruption based on the data stored in the RAM 41c on the condition that the value of the data for use is correct, but the RAM parity is not 0 (in the case of 1) or is destroyed. If the value of the diagnostic data is not correct, it is determined that the RAM is abnormal, and the RAM abnormal error code is set in the register to control the RAM abnormal error state so that the progress of the game is disabled. Unlike the other error states, the RAM abnormality error state is not canceled even if the reset switch 23 or the reset / setting switch 38 is operated, and until a new set value is set in the setting change state. It will not be released.

  In addition, when the sub CPU 91a detects a voltage drop signal from the power interruption detection circuit 98, the power interruption processing (sub) is executed. In the power interruption process (sub), the register is saved in a stack of a RAM 91c, which will be described later, and destructive diagnosis data in which any bit is 1 is stored in the RAM 91c, and also based on data stored in all areas of the RAM 91c. The RAM parity adjustment data is calculated so that the RAM parity becomes 0 and stored in the RAM 91c.

  Then, the sub CPU 91a calculates the RAM parity based on the data stored in all areas of the RAM 91c at the time of activation, and based on the data stored in the RAM 91c on the condition that the RAM parity is 0. The processing state of the sub CPU 91a is restored to the state before the power interruption. If the RAM parity is not 0 (1), it is determined that the RAM is abnormal and the RAM 91c is initialized. In this case, unlike the sub CPU 91a, the execution of the performance is not disabled only by initializing the RAM 91c.

[Initialize]
Next, initialization of the RAM 41c of the main control unit 41 will be described. The storage area of the RAM 41c of the main control unit 41 is divided into an important work, a non-saved work, a general work, a special work, an unused area, and a stack area.

  The important work is a work that stores data that is inconvenient to initialize, such as various display devices, LED display data, and I / O input / output data. The unsaved work is a work that holds the state of various switches, and a value is always set regardless of whether or not the data in the RAM 41c is destroyed at the time of activation. The general work is a work that stores data that can be initialized, such as a stop control table, a stop symbol, and the number of medals to be paid out. The special work is a work in which data such as various software random numbers that are initialized only before the start of setting is stored. The unused area is an unused area in the storage area of the RAM 41c, and is initialized if any one of a plurality of initialization conditions described later is satisfied. The stack area is an area in which data saved from the register of the main control unit 41 is stored, and the unused stack area is one of a plurality of initialization conditions to be described later, like the unused area. However, if it is established, it will be initialized, but the in-use stack area is not initialized because the program continues.

  In the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 has the data in the RAM 41c destroyed when it is activated when the setting key switch 37 is on, when a RAM error occurs, or when the setting key switch 37 is off. When there is not, when four initialization conditions at the end of one game are satisfied, four types of initializations with different areas initialized according to each initialization condition are performed.

[Winning line]
In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, a prescribed number of bets that can be set is determined according to the gaming state, and on condition that the prescribed number of bets determined according to the gaming state is set. The game can be started. In the present embodiment, the pay line L1 is activated when a specified number of bets corresponding to the gaming state is set.

  The slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment wins when all the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are stopped and a combination of symbols called a combination is arranged on the activated pay line L1. The combination may be a combination of the same symbols or a combination including different symbols. The types of winning combinations are determined according to the game state, but can be broadly divided into small roles with payout of medals and the next game with the number of bets automatically set without using medals. There is a re-playing role that can be. In the present embodiment, only a small combination and a re-playing combination are provided, but a special combination with a transition to a gaming state advantageous to the player may be provided. In order for winning of each combination determined according to the gaming state to occur, it is necessary to win an internal lottery to be described later and set a winning flag of the combination in the RAM 41c. Note that the winning flags for the small combination and re-playing combination are valid only in the game in which the flag is set, and are invalid in the next game.

[Internal lottery]
Hereinafter, the internal lottery of the present embodiment will be described. In the internal lottery, it is determined whether or not the above winning combination is permitted before the display results of all the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are derived and displayed (actually, when the start switch 7 is detected). To do. In the internal lottery, first, a random value for internal lottery (an integer from 0 to 65535) is acquired when the start switch 7 is detected. Specifically, the value of the random number value storage work assigned to the RAM 41c is set to the lottery work assigned to the RAM 41c. Then, for each combination determined according to the gaming state, numerical data stored in the lottery work, and each value determined according to the value of the gaming state flag for specifying the gaming state, the number of bets and the set value It is performed according to the number of judgment values for the combination.

  The random value storage work is a storage area in which numerical data latched simultaneously with the operation of the start switch 7 is stored. Every time new numerical data is latched, the latched numerical data is processed by a timer interruption process thereafter. The numerical data read in (main) and stored in the random value storage work is updated to the latest numerical data latched newly.

  In the internal lottery, an internal lottery target, the current gaming state flag value, and the number of judgment values determined in accordance with the set value are used as random numbers for internal lottery (numerical data stored in the lottery work). When the result of addition overflows, it is determined that the winning combination is won. For this reason, a winning combination will be won with a probability (number of determination values / 65536) according to the number of determination values. If a winning combination of any combination is determined, a winning flag corresponding to the combination determined to be winning is set in the internal winning flag storing work assigned to the RAM 41c. The winning flag set in the internal winning flag storing work is cleared for each game.

[Reel stop control]
Next, stop control of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R will be described. The main control unit 41 refers to the table index and table creation data stored in the security check program when the rotation of the reel starts and when the reel stops and the reel that is still rotating still remains. Then, a stop control table is created for each rotating reel. When any of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R corresponding to the rotating reel is effectively detected, the stop control table of the corresponding reel is referred to and the slip of the referred stop control table is referred to. Based on the number of frames, control is performed to stop the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R corresponding to the operated stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R.

  In the table index, an index that indicates the start address of the area in which the data for table creation is stored, from the reference address when referring to the table index, according to the setting state of the winning flag by internal lottery (hereinafter referred to as the internal winning state) Differences up to the address where the data is stored are registered. As a result, a difference corresponding to the internal winning state is acquired, and the corresponding index data can be acquired by adding the difference to the reference address. Even if the winning status of the combination is different, when the same control is applied, the same address is stored as the index data. In such a case, the same table creation data is referred to. Thus, a stop control table is created.

  The table creation data includes a stop control table indicating the number of sliding frames according to the stop operation position, and an address of the stop control table to be referred to according to the reel stop status.

  The stop control table referred to according to the reel stop status is whether all reels are rotating, only the left reel is stopped, only the middle reel is stopped, only the right reel is stopped, It may vary depending on whether the middle reel is stopped, the left and right reels are stopped, the middle and right reels are stopped, and if any reel is stopped, stop Since there may be differences depending on the stop position of the reels already completed, the address of the stop control table to be referenced for each situation is registered for each rotating reel, and based on the top address of the table creation data, It is possible to specify the address of the stop control table that should be referred to according to the status of the system. And to be able to identify the Do stop control table. Even when the stop status of the reels and the stop position of the stopped reels are different, when the same stop control table is applied, the same address may be registered as the address of the stop control table. In such a case, the same stop control table is referred to.

  The stop control table is data that can specify the number of sliding frames for each timing when the stop operation is performed. In the present embodiment, stepping motors that make one turn at a cycle of 336 steps (0 to 335) are used for the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R. That is, when the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R are driven in 336 steps, the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R make one round. Four sets of five areas of “16 steps (the number of steps that one symbol moves), 18 steps, 16 steps, 18 steps, and 16 steps” are set for one reel. That is, 20 areas (frames) are defined for one reel. These regions are assigned region numbers 1 to 20 from the reel reference position. On the other hand, the number of symbols arranged on one reel is 20, and symbol numbers 1 to 20 from the reel reference position are assigned to symbols on each reel, so symbols 1 to 20 are assigned to each reel. , Area numbers 1 to 20 are assigned in order. In the stop control table, the number of sliding symbols for each area number is compressed and stored according to a predetermined rule, and the number of sliding symbols for each area number can be acquired by expanding the stop control table. Yes.

  As described above, the stop control table created by referring to the table index and the table creation data corresponds to the area number, and the area corresponding to each area number has a stop reference position (in this embodiment, a perspective window). 3 when the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is detected at the timing (the timing in which the number of steps from the reel reference position is included in the range of the number of steps). This is a table in which the number of frames is set.

  Next, a procedure for creating a stop control table will be described. First, at the start of reel rotation, the top address of data for table creation corresponding to the internal winning state of the game is acquired. Specifically, the table index is first referred to, index data corresponding to the internal winning state is obtained, table creation data is identified based on the obtained index data, and all reels are identified from the identified table creation data. The address of the stop control table for each reel corresponding to the state of rotation is acquired, and the stop control table for each reel stored at the acquired address is expanded to generate a stop control table for all reels.

  Further, when any one reel stops or any two reels stop, the index data acquired at the start of reel rotation, that is, the top address of the table creation data corresponding to the internal winning state of the game The table creation data is identified based on the obtained table creation data, and the address of the stop control table for the unreacted reel corresponding to the stop reel and the area number of the stop position of the reel is obtained from the identified table creation data. The stop control table for each stored reel is expanded to create a stop control table for the unstopped reels.

  Next, when the main control unit 41 effectively detects any one of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R corresponding to the rotating reel, the control when the display result is derived to the corresponding reel is described. explain. If any of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R corresponding to the rotating reel is detected effectively, the area number of the stop operation position is based on the number of steps from the reel reference position when the stop operation is detected. And the number of sliding symbols corresponding to the area number of the specified stop operation position is obtained by referring to the stop control table of the reel where the stop operation is detected. Then, control is performed to rotate and stop the reel by the number of acquired sliding frames.

  Specifically, from the number of steps from the reel reference position at the time when the stop operation is detected, the number of steps from the acquired number of sliding frames to the stop is calculated, and the reel is rotated and stopped by the calculated number of steps. Take control. Thus, the region corresponding to the region number that is the stop position ahead of the number of sliding frames from the region corresponding to the region number of the stop operation position where the stop operation is detected is the stop reference position (in this embodiment, the fluoroscopic window 3 The lower symbol area).

  In the table index of the present embodiment, only one address is stored as index data corresponding to one internal winning state in one gaming state, and one table creation data includes one reel. Only one address is stored as the address of the storage area of the stop control table corresponding to the stop status (and the stop position of the stopped reel).

  That is, the table creation data corresponding to one internal winning state in one gaming state and the stop control table corresponding to the reel stop status (and the stop position of the stopped reel) are uniquely determined. The stop control table created with reference to is unique for one internal winning state in one gaming state and the reel stop status (and the stop position of the stopped reel). Therefore, when all of the gaming state, the internal winning state, and the reel stop status (and the stop position of the stopped reel) are the same, the reel is based on the same stop control table, that is, the same control pattern. The stop control is performed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a value of 0 to 4 is determined as the number of sliding frames, and it is possible to stop the reel by drawing a maximum of 4 frames after detecting a stop operation. In other words, the stop position of the symbol can be designated from a range of a maximum of 5 frames including the stop operation position where the stop operation is detected. In addition, since it is necessary to move one frame to move the reel for one symbol, it is possible to stop the reel by pulling in a maximum of four symbols after detecting the stop operation. The symbol stop position can be designated from a range of up to five symbols including the operation position.

  In the present embodiment, when any of the winning combinations is won, the winning combination is drawn to the maximum in the range of 4 frames on the winning line, and the winning combination is drawn not to be aligned on the winning line. Create a stop control table with the number of sliding symbols and perform reel stop control. On the other hand, if you do not win any of the roles, stop control with the number of sliding symbols that does not match any of the roles Create a table and perform reel stop control. As a result, when a stop operation is performed, if the winning combination can be stopped on the winning line in the drawing range of up to 4 frames, the control is performed so that the winning combination is stopped. The combination that has not been performed will be controlled to be stopped in a drawing range of a maximum of 4 frames.

  In the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 rotates the reels for which the stop operation has not yet been detected until the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is detected after the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R is started. And the control for stopping the display result on the corresponding reel is performed on condition that the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is detected. Even if the reel rotation temporarily stops due to the occurrence of a reel rotation error, the stop operation is still detected until the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is detected after the reel rotation is restarted. Control is performed to stop the display result of the corresponding reels on the condition that the rotation of the reels that have not been continued is continued and the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is detected.

[Send command]
Next, commands that the main control unit 41 transmits to the sub control unit 91 will be described. In the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 instructs the sub-control unit 91 to insert a number command, a credit command, an internal winning command, a freeze command, a freeze release command, a reel rotation start command, a reel stop command, a winning number command, Multiple types including payout start command, payout end command, return command, gaming state command, standby command, stop command, error command, setting command, setting confirmation command, door command, operation detection command, and judgment winning command Send a command. These commands consist of 1-byte type data indicating the type of command and 1-byte extension data indicating the content of the command, and the sub-control unit 91 can specify the type of command from the type data.

  The inserted number command is a command that can specify the number of inserted medals, that is, the number of medals used for setting the number of bets, and is a state from the end of the game (after changing the setting) to the start of the game. Or, when a prescribed number of bets is not set, a medal is inserted, or when the bet number is set by operating the MAXBET switch 6. The inserted number command is transmitted when the betting number setting operation is performed, so that it is possible to specify that the betting number setting operation has been performed by receiving the inserted number command.

  The credit command is a command that can specify the number of medals stored as credits, and is a state from the end of the game (after setting change) to the start of the game, and in a state where a predetermined number of bets is set, Sent when a medal is inserted and credits are added.

  The internal winning command is a command that can specify the internal lottery result, and is transmitted when the start switch 7 is operated to start the game. Further, since the internal winning command is transmitted when the start switch 7 is operated, it is possible to specify that the start switch 7 has been operated by receiving the internal winning command.

  The freeze command is a command that can specify the start of freeze (a control state in which the progress of the game is delayed for a predetermined time), and is transmitted when the freeze is started.

  The freeze release command is a command that can specify that the current freeze has been released, and is transmitted when the freeze is released.

  The reel rotation start command is a command for notifying the start of reel rotation, and is transmitted when rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is started.

  The reel stop command is a command that can specify whether the reel to be stopped is the left reel, the middle reel, or the right reel, the area number of the corresponding reel stop operation position, and the area number of the corresponding reel stop position. And is transmitted each time stop control is performed in accordance with the stop operation of each reel. Since the reel stop command is transmitted when the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are operated, it is possible to specify that the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are operated by receiving the reel stop command. .

  The winning number command is a command that can specify the combination of symbols arranged on the winning line L1, the presence / absence of winning, the type of winning, and the number of medals to be paid out, and all reels are stopped and the winning determination is performed. Sent after.

  The payout start command is a command for notifying the start of payout of medals, and is transmitted when the payout of medals is started by paying out a prize or credit (including medals used for setting the number of bets). The payout end command is a command for notifying the end of payout of medals, and is transmitted when the payout of medals by winning and winning a credit is completed.

  The return command is a command indicating that the main control unit 41 has returned to the control state before the power interruption, and is transmitted when the main control unit 41 returns to the control state before the power interruption.

  The game state command is a command that can specify the game state of the next game, and is transmitted at the end of the game.

  The standby command is a command indicating a transition to the standby state, and after one game is over, a credit (which was used for setting the bet number) is set when the transition to the standby state is made after a predetermined time without setting the bet number. (Including medals) is sent out after the medal payout is completed and the payout end command is sent.

  The stop command is a command indicating the occurrence or release of the stop state, and after RT2, the stop command indicating the occurrence of the stop state is transmitted when the stop state starts, and the reset operation is performed and the stop command is performed. When the stop state is released, a stop command indicating the release of the stop state is transmitted.

  An error command is a command that indicates the occurrence or cancellation of an error condition and the type of error condition. When an error is determined and controlled to an error condition, an error command indicating the occurrence and type of the error condition is sent and reset. When the error state is canceled after the operation is performed, an error command indicating the cancellation of the error state is transmitted.

  The setting command is a command indicating the start or end of the setting change state and the setting value after the setting change. At the time of transition to the setting change state, a setting command indicating the start of the setting change state is transmitted. A setting command indicating the end of the setting change state and the setting value after the setting change is transmitted. Further, since the control state of the main control unit 41 is initialized with the transition to the setting change state, it can be specified that the control state of the main control unit 41 has been initialized by the setting command indicating the start of setting. .

  The setting confirmation command is a command that indicates the start or end of the setting confirmation state. A setting confirmation command that indicates the start of setting confirmation is transmitted when entering the setting confirmation state, and the setting confirmation end is indicated when the setting confirmation state ends. A confirmation command is sent.

  The door command is a command indicating the detection state of the door opening detection switch 25, that is, on (open state) / off (closed state), when the power is turned on, at the end of one game (after the game is over, the bet number of the next game) Sent before the setting of ”can be started), and when the detection state of the door opening detection switch 25 changes (from on to off, from off to on).

  The operation detection command is a command indicating the detection state (on / off) of the operation switches (MAXBET switch 6, start switch 7, stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R), and is transmitted at regular intervals.

  The determination combination winning command is a command indicating that the determination combination is won and the type of the determined determination combination. When the start switch 7 is operated to win the determination combination, the game starts. Sent after being stored in the command buffer.

  Here, the determination combination is a combination in which a predetermined stop order type is determined by lottery by the main control unit 41 when winning, and the main control unit 41 determines the push order specified by the stop order type and the actual When the pressing order operated by the player matches the pressing order for the determination combination, it is specified that the pressing order is correct. Note that information indicating the stop order type is also added to the determination winning combination command.

  Of these commands, commands other than the door command and the operation detection command are generated in the basic process, and the command data in the command buffer assigned to the non-initialized area is updated to the newly generated command data, and the serial communication circuit Is transmitted to the sub-control unit 91.

  On the other hand, the door command is generated in the door monitoring process of the timer interrupt process (main) and stored in the door command storage area. The door command storage area stores a door command indicating the detection state of the door opening detection switch 25 at the time of power-on or at the end of one game, and when the detection state of the door opening detection switch 25 changes, A door command indicating the detection state is stored. Further, the door command stored in the door command storage area is not cleared even after the door command is transmitted, and is then overwritten by a newly stored door command. When the power is turned on or one game is finished, a door command transmission request 1 for requesting transmission of the door command stored in the door command storage area is set, and whether the door command transmission request 1 is set or whether the door is opened is detected. When the detection state of the switch 25 changes, the door command transmission request 2 is set. When the door command transmission request 2 is set, the door command stored in the door command storage area is set. In the command transmission process of the timer interrupt process (main) executed after transmission is commanded, it is stored in the command buffer and transferred to the serial communication circuit 511 to be transmitted to the sub-control unit 91.

  The operation detection command is generated based on the detection state of the switch every time the command transmission process of the timer interrupt process (main) is executed 10 times, and is transferred to the serial communication circuit to perform sub-control. Transmitted to the unit 91.

[Control by sub-control unit 91 at the time of command reception]
Next, the control of the effect performed by the sub-control unit 91 based on the command transmitted from the main control unit 41 to the effect control board 90 will be described. When the sub control unit 91 receives a command from the main control unit 41, the sub control unit 91 executes a command reception interrupt process. In the command reception interrupt process, the command acquired from the command transmission line is stored in the reception buffer provided in the RAM 91c. The reception buffer is provided with an area capable of storing a maximum of 16 commands so that a plurality of commands can be accumulated.

  In the timer interrupt process (sub), the sub-control unit 91 determines whether or not an unprocessed command is stored in the reception buffer. If an unprocessed command is stored, the sub-control unit 91 is the earliest. Based on the control pattern table stored in the ROM 91b based on the command received in the stage, the liquid crystal display 51, the effect effect LED 52, the speakers 53 and 54, the reel LED 55, etc. based on the control contents registered in the control pattern table Performs output control of various rendering devices.

  In the control pattern table, the display pattern of the liquid crystal display 51 corresponding to the type of command, the lighting mode of the lighting effect LED 52, the output mode of the speakers 53 and 54, the lighting mode of the reel LED, etc. Control patterns of these effect devices are registered, and when the sub-control unit 91 receives a command, the sub-control unit 91 stores the control patterns registered corresponding to the effect patterns set in the RAM 91c in the game of the control pattern table. Among these, the control pattern corresponding to the type of the received command is referred to, and the output control of the rendering device is performed based on the control pattern. Thereby, the production according to the production pattern and the progress of the game is executed.

  If the sub-control unit 91 receives a new command during the execution of an effect triggered by the reception of a certain command, the sub-control unit 91 stops the effect based on the control pattern being executed and sets the newly received command. An effect based on the corresponding control pattern is executed. In other words, even if the production is not finished to the end, when a new command is received, the production that was being executed is canceled and a new command is received unless the received new command is not a command that triggers a new production. An effect based on the command is executed.

  When the internal winning command is received, the effect pattern is selected at a selection rate corresponding to the result of the internal lottery indicated by the internal winning command, and is set in the RAM 91c. The selection rate of the effect pattern is registered in the effect table stored in the ROM 91b, and when the sub control unit 91 receives the internal winning command, the sub control unit 91 stores the effect pattern in the effect table according to the result of the internal lottery indicated by the internal winning command. With reference to the registered selection rate, one of the effect patterns is selected from a plurality of types of effect patterns according to the selection rate, and the selected effect pattern is set in the RAM 91c as the effect pattern of the game. Even if the same command is received, a different control pattern is selected depending on the effect pattern selected when the internal winning command is received. As a result, different effects may be performed depending on the effect pattern.

  In addition, when the sub control unit 91 receives a specific command from the main control unit 41, the sub control unit 91 performs an effect using a control pattern corresponding to the specific command. For example, when an error command is received, an error notification effect is performed with a control pattern corresponding to the error state, and when a standby command is received, a demonstration effect indicating a standby state is performed.

  The sub-control unit 91 buffers a plurality of detection states (on / off) of the MAXBET switch 6, the start switch 7, the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R specified from the operation detection command in time series. Based on the detection states (on / off) of the buffered MAXBET switch 6, start switch 7, stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R, detection of the MAXBET switch 6, start switch 7, stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R It is possible to specify whether or not the state has changed, and by specifying these changes in the detection state, it is possible to specify the operation status of the MAXBET switch 6, the start switch 7, the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R. It has become.

[Winner]
In the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, a winning is awarded when the winning symbols are aligned on the winning line L1. The types of winning combinations are roughly divided into small roles with medal payouts and re-playing roles.

  In order for winning of each combination determined according to the gaming state to occur, it is necessary to set a winning flag in the RAM 41c to win the internal lottery and allow winning of the winning combination.

  6 to 11 are diagrams for explaining the types of small combinations, symbol combinations of small combinations, the number of payouts, and technical matters related to small combinations. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the technical items related to the type of re-gamer, the symbol combination of the re-gamer, the operation, and the re-gamer.

  With reference to FIGS. 6 to 11, the small combination among the winning combinations will be described. Among the winning combinations, the small combinations include bells 1-2, AT 1-34, watermelons 1-4, chances 1-5, and cherries 1-5. A small combination is awarded when a combination of symbols corresponding to each combination shown in FIGS.

  First, the bells 1 to 2 and the ATs 1 to 34 will be described. When winning one of the bells 1 and 2, nine medals are paid out. In addition, when one of AT1 to AT34 is won, one medal is paid out. The bell 2 is for control for aligning the bell 1 at the middle first stop (C) and for control for aligning the bell 1 at the first right stop (R) (for CR). Further, AT1 to 16 are for control to be missed in the middle right at the first left stop (1xx). Further, the ATs 17 to 24 are for control to be missed on the left and right at the middle first stop (2xx). Further, AT25 to 32 are for control to drop out in the left at the first stop on the right (3xx). Further, the AT 33 is for control to align the AT 33 at the middle first stop (only the middle 1st is correct). The AT 34 is for control to align the ATs 34 at the first right stop (only the right 1st is correct).

  Therefore, by combining the winning of Bells 1 and 2 and ATs 1 to 34, depending on the pushing order, Bells 1 to 2 are aligned and nine medals are paid out, or one of ATs 1 to 34 is aligned and one medal is It is possible to control when a payout is made or when all the medals are not paid out (missing). For example, by combining the winning of the bells 1 to 2 and the ATs 1 to 34, it is possible to control so that the bells 1 are aligned when the pushing order is correct and the ATs 1 to 34 are pulled in when the answer is incorrect. That is, the winning combination is determined by the pressing order. Thereby, for example, a difference in the number of payouts can be made by suggesting the pressing order on the effect screen or the like.

  Next, cherries 1 to 5 will be described. When one of the cherries 1 to 5 is won, two medals are paid out. When the cherry 1 or the cherry 2 is won, the cherry symbol stops in the middle on the left reel 2L. Therefore, cherry 1 and cherry 2 are also called middle cherries. Here, referring to FIG. 4, cherry a, cherry b, black 7, and blank among the constituent symbols of cherries 1 to 5 are not arranged within 5 frames on the left reel 2L. Therefore, even if the cherries 1 to 5 are won, the winning combination may not be won if the stop switch is not operated at an appropriate timing.

  Next, the watermelons 1 to 4 will be described. When one of the watermelons 1 to 4 is won, three medals are paid out. Here, referring to FIG. 4, the blue 7 and the blank among the constituent symbols of the watermelons 1 to 4 are not arranged within 5 frames in the left reel 2L. For this reason, even if one of the watermelons 1 to 4 is won alone, the winning combination may not be won if the stop switch is not operated at an appropriate timing.

  Next, chances 1 to 5 will be described. When one of the chances 1 to 5 is won, one medal is paid out. Here, referring to FIG. 4, the combinations of the constituent symbols of chances 1 to 5 are arranged within 5 frames in each of the left reel 2L, the middle reel 2C, and the right reel 2R. Therefore, when the chances 1 to 5 are won independently, the winning combination is won regardless of the operation timing of the stop switch. In other words, chances 1 to 5 are unmissable roles.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 12, the re-game player among the winning combinations will be described. Among the winning combinations, the replaying combination includes lips 1 to 11. The re-playing combination is awarded when the combination of symbols corresponding to each combination shown in FIG.

  For example, Lip 1 is awarded when a combination of “Replay-Replay-Black 7” or “Replay-Replay-Replay” is arranged on the winning line L1. Here, referring to FIG. 4, the replay, which is a structural symbol of the lip 1, is arranged within 5 frames in each of the left reel 2L, the middle reel 2C, and the right reel 2R. Therefore, when the lip 1 is won alone, the winning combination is won regardless of the operation timing of the stop switch. That is, Lip 1 is an unmissable role.

  In Lip 2, when a combination of "Red 7-Replay-Replay", "Blue 7-Replay-Replay", "Black 7-Replay-Replay", or "Blank-Replay-Replay" is arranged on the winning line L1. Wins a prize. Lips 3 to 11 are also awarded when the symbol combinations shown in FIG. 12 are aligned on the winning line L1.

[About external output]
The slot machine 1 of this embodiment outputs an external output signal indicating a gaming state, an error occurrence state, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, these external output signals are output from the game control board 40 under the control of the CPU 41a, and the information providing terminal board of the game store (hall) where the external output board 1000 and the slot machine 1 are installed. 1010 is output to a hall device such as a hall computer.

  From the game control board 40 to the external output board 1000, a medal IN signal indicating the number of medals used for setting the number of bets, a medal OUT signal indicating the number of medals given to the player due to the occurrence of a winning, a gaming state RB signal indicating that a regular bonus is described later, a BB signal indicating that the gaming state is a big bonus described later, a door opening signal indicating that the front door 2b is opened, and a setting change mode described later. A setting change signal indicating transition, a throwing error signal indicating abnormality of the medal selector, and a payout error signal indicating abnormality of the hopper unit 34 are output.

  In this embodiment, there is no challenge time (a gaming state in which the number of sliding pieces on the reel is limited, but winning is allowed for all small roles) or a challenge bonus with a high probability of challenge time. However, in order to make common with the slot machines equipped with these gaming states, in addition to the signal lines for outputting the above signals, the gaming state is a challenge between the gaming control board 40 and the external output board 1000. A signal line for outputting a CT signal indicating that the time is in progress and a CB signal indicating that the gaming state is in the challenge bonus is connected, and a signal line for error output that may be expanded in the future is connected. Has been.

  The external output board 1000 is provided with a relay circuit 1001, a parallel / serial conversion circuit 1002, a terminal for each output signal, and a connector 1003 to be electrically connected to the circuit of the information providing terminal board 1010. ing.

  Of the signals output from the game control board 40, the medal IN signal, medal OUT signal, RB signal, BB signal, (CT signal, CB signal) are directly used as pulse signals via the relay circuit 1001. The information is output to the information providing terminal board 1010.

  On the other hand, a door opening signal, a setting change signal, a closing error signal, a payout error signal, and a (preliminary signal) are security signals that are serial signals that can be individually identified by the parallel / serial conversion circuit 1002. And output to the information providing terminal board 1010.

  The medal IN signal, medal OUT signal, RB signal, BB signal, (CT signal, CB signal) output from the external output board 1000 are output to the hall device via the information providing terminal board 1010. . On the other hand, the security signal output from the external output board 1000 is again converted into a door opening signal, a setting change signal, a closing error signal, a payout error signal, and a spare signal at the information providing terminal board 1010 and output to the hall device. Will be.

  The parallel / serial conversion circuit 1002 converts the door open signal, setting change signal, input error signal, payout error signal, (preliminary signal) into a serial signal in the data format shown in FIG. Output. The basic format consists of a pulse width of ms and a frame length of 7 bits. The first bit is a start bit indicating the start of data, the last bit is a stop bit indicating the end of data, and D1 to D5 in between are transmission data. Become. The start bit is 1 (on) and the stop bit is 0 (off). D1 is a bit indicating the output state of the door opening signal. If 1 (on), it indicates a door opening signal on (when the front door 2b is open), and if it is 0 (off), the door opening signal off. Indicates. D2 is a bit indicating the output state of the setting change signal. If 1 (on), D2 indicates the setting change signal on (moving to the setting change mode), and 0 (off) indicates the setting change signal off. . D3 is a bit indicating the output state of the insertion error signal. If it is 1 (on), it indicates the insertion error signal on (it is highly likely that the medal selector has been cheated), and 0 (off). Indicates a throw error signal off. D4 is a bit indicating the output state of the payout error signal. If it is 1 (on), it indicates a payout error signal on (there is a high possibility that fraud has been performed on the hopper unit 34), and 0 (off). If there is, a payout error signal off is indicated. D5 is a bit indicating the output state of the spare signal, and is always 0 in this embodiment.

[Reel motor configuration]
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R. The reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R are, for example, hybrid type stepping motors, and include a stator 32b and a rotor 32a facing the stator 32b. The rotor 32a has a large number of gear-shaped salient poles (not shown), and permanent magnets magnetized in the same direction as the rotation shaft are incorporated therein. These reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R receive a pulse signal output from the motor drive circuit 45 based on the control of the CPU 41a, and each excitation phase φ1 to φ4 of the stator 32b is excited according to a predetermined procedure to generate one pulse. The rotor 32a is rotated by a predetermined angle (one step) every time it is received.

  FIG. 15A is a timing chart showing a control method when starting the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R. In the figure, φ1 to φ4 indicate each excitation phase, “ON” indicates an excitation state, and “OFF” indicates a demagnetization state. When starting the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R, the CPU 41a starts excitation in the rotational direction by a 1-2 phase excitation method, which will be described later, starting from the state where only the stop phase is excited. Specifically, for example, when the stop phase is (φ3, φ4), φ1 in the order of (φ4), (φ4, φ1), (φ1)... From the state where (φ3, φ4) is excited. ˜φ4 is excited alternately with one phase, two phases, and one phase.

  If the excitation is started with a phase different from the stop phase as a starting point, the permanent magnet of the rotor 32a is suddenly attracted to the excitation phase, and the reel vibrates at the start of rotation. In the present embodiment, since the excitation is started from the stop phase as a starting point, the reel integrally coupled with the rotor 32a starts smoothly.

  FIG. 15B is a timing chart illustrating a control method during rotation and when the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R are rotating.

  First, during the rotation, that is, until the condition for stopping the reel is satisfied, the reel motor is driven by the 1-2 phase excitation method to rotate the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R. For example, a pulse signal indicating excitation of φ1 to φ4 is turned ON / OFF at the timing shown in FIG. 15B, and (φ4, φ1), (φ1), (φ1,. (φ2), (φ2), (φ2, φ3), (φ3), (φ3, φ4), (φ4), (φ4, φ1)... in this order, two phases, one phase, two phases, one phase The reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are rotated by rotating the rotor 32a by exciting [phi] 1 to [phi] 4 alternately every two phases and one step.

  Next, when the condition for stopping the rotating reel is satisfied, the process proceeds to reel stop control. For example, when the condition for stopping the reel is established in the period shown in FIG. 15B as the stop condition establishment step, until the point Ta when the phase shifts to the state in which the two-phase excitation method is excited. Wait and shift to stop control.

  The reel stop control is performed by the all-phase excitation stop control as shown in FIG. All-phase excitation stop control starts at the point Ta when the reel motor is driven by the 1-2 phase excitation method and transitions from the state where one phase is excited to the state where two phases are excited. In this control, the state to be held is held for a predetermined hold time (T1 + T2). For example, as shown in FIG. 15B, the state in which (φ1, φ2, φ3, φ4) is excited is held from the time when (φ1, φ2) is excited to the state where (φ1, φ2) is excited. Hold for time T1 + T2. As a result, rapid braking is applied to the rotor 32a of each reel motor that has been rotating at a high speed.

  After all-phase excitation stop control is executed for T1 + T2 (Tc), φ1 and φ2 are demagnetized, and the motor voltage is changed from H to L while maintaining the excitation states of stop phases φ3 and φ4. Even after the rotor 32a is stopped, the excited states of the stop phases φ3 and φ4 are maintained because the rotor 32a stabilizes the holding torque of the stop phases φ3 and φ4 due to the phase difference between the holding torque and the detent torque and the deviation due to the influence of friction. This is to prevent the point from being deviated. As a result, it is possible to prevent the reel from moving finely after being temporarily stopped and the angular position of the rotor 32a when the reel motor is started next time from being shifted from the angular position at the time of stopping.

  The excitation states of the stop phases φ3 and φ4 that are maintained even after the rotor 32a is stopped are a predetermined time (30 seconds in this embodiment) without performing the next game start operation, and shift to a standby state (demonstration effect). Is released when the same timing has elapsed (Td). That is, after the rotor 32a is stopped, when a predetermined time has passed without the start operation of the next game being performed, all of φ1 to φ4 are demagnetized. For this reason, for example, there is no burden on the components and the like constituting the stepping motor due to the heat generated when the excitation phase is continuously excited for a long time, so that deterioration of these components can be prevented. Further, in this embodiment, the excited state is released at the timing when the state in which the next game start operation is not performed continues for a predetermined time and shifts to the standby state (demonstration effect), so that while the player is playing Can maintain a state in which the symbols arranged on the reels are not easily displaced, while it is possible to reduce the load on the components of the stepping motor in a state where the possibility that the player is playing is low.

[Start timing of all-phase excitation stop control]
Next, the start timing of all-phase excitation stop control will be described. FIG. 16A is a diagram showing the start timing of all-phase excitation stop control in a conventionally known reel (20-design reel) in which 20 areas (frames) are defined for one revolution of the reel. FIG. 16B is a diagram showing the start timing of the all-phase excitation stop control in the reel in which 20 areas (frames) are defined for one reel in the present embodiment.

  A stepping motor used for a reel (21-design reel) in which 21 areas are defined for one reel is a 336-step stepping motor. When this stepping motor is used for a reel of 20 symbols, 336 steps cannot be divided by 20. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16A, conventionally, the number of steps of one symbol (one area) is 16 steps or 17 steps.

  In this case, the symbol stop step has a pattern of one-phase excitation and two-phase excitation. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 16A, the symbol stop step of symbol 1 is the 16th step of two-phase excitation. In addition, the symbol stop step of symbol 2 is the 33rd step of the one-phase excitation. The symbol stop step for symbol 3 is the 50th step of the two-phase excitation.

  In this case, the start timing of the all-phase excitation stop control (step for starting the all-phase excitation stop control) before the predetermined step from the symbol stop step also has a pattern of one-phase excitation and two-phase excitation. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 16A, the start timing of the all-phase excitation stop control for symbol 1 is the 12th step of the two-phase excitation. In addition, the start timing of the all-phase excitation stop control for symbol 2 is the 29th step of the one-phase excitation. The symbol stop step for symbol 3 is the 46th step of the two-phase excitation.

  Thus, in the conventionally known example, the start timing of the all-phase excitation stop control before the predetermined step from the symbol stop step has a pattern of one-phase excitation and two-phase excitation. Since the force to stay at the current position is different between the excitation phase is 1 phase and the 2 phase, in the conventionally known example, the amount of movement due to inertia changes until the reel actually stops The movement of will vary.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16B, the number of steps of one symbol (one region) is 16 steps or 18 steps. In this case, the symbol stop step is only a two-phase excitation pattern. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 16B, the symbol stop step of symbol 1 is the 16th step of two-phase excitation. Further, the symbol stop step of symbol 2 is the 34th step of the two-phase excitation. The symbol stop step for symbol 3 is the 50th step of the two-phase excitation.

  That is, the plurality of symbol stop steps include a first stop step (the 16th step and the 50th step in FIG. 16B) separated from the symbol stop step of the previous symbol by a first step number (for example, 16 steps), and A second stop step (the 34th step in FIG. 16B) separated by a second step number (for example, 18 steps) different from the first step number is included.

  In this case, the start timing of the all-phase excitation stop control (step for starting the all-phase excitation stop control) before the predetermined step from the symbol stop step is also only the two-phase excitation pattern. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 16B, the start timing of the all-phase excitation stop control for symbol 1 is the 12th step of the two-phase excitation. In addition, the start timing of the all-phase excitation stop control for design 2 is the 30th step of the two-phase excitation. The symbol stop step for symbol 3 is the 46th step of the two-phase excitation.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the start timing of the all-phase excitation stop control before the predetermined step from the symbol stop step is only the two-phase excitation pattern. In other words, in both the first stop step and the second stop step, the step (the same number of excitation phases are excited) (the control for performing the all-phase excitation) for stopping the stepping motor (reel motor 32) is performed. For example, it starts from a step in which two phases are excited). As a result, the force to stay at the current position differs depending on whether the excitation phase is one phase or two phases, but the start timing of all-phase excitation stop control is the same excitation phase, so the reel is actually It is possible to reduce the variation in motion until the vehicle stops.

  In the illustrated example, the predetermined steps are four steps (the start timing of the all-phase excitation stop control is four steps before the symbol stop step). However, the number of steps is not limited to this as long as the number of steps is the same for all symbols. For example, the predetermined step may be 5 steps or more, and may be less than 4 steps.

  In the example shown in the figure, the start timings of all-phase excitation stop control are all two-phase excitation patterns. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and all excitation patterns may be the same. For example, all the start timings of the all-phase excitation stop control may be set to a one-phase excitation pattern. In addition, if all the start timings of the all-phase excitation stop control are set to the two-phase excitation pattern, the stop control is performed from the point in time when many excitations are performed, so that variations are less likely to occur and stable excitation can be performed.

  In this embodiment, the stepping motor (reel motor 32) is repeatedly excited with an excitation pattern of a predetermined number of steps (in this embodiment, the number of predetermined steps is “2” because it is a pattern of one phase and two phases). Both the first step number (16 steps in the present embodiment) and the second step number (18 steps in the present embodiment) are multiples of the predetermined number of steps. Accordingly, stable excitation can be performed without the excitation pattern straddling the stop step. In the present embodiment, the stepping motor (reel motor 32) is repeatedly excited with the excitation pattern of one phase and two phases. In this case, since it is composed of the minimum “2” steps, the deviation between the stop steps can be minimized.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, four sets of five areas of “16 steps, 18 steps, 16 steps, 18 steps, 16 steps” are set for one reel. Therefore, in the left reel (first cylinder) of FIG. The number of steps of the pattern “Watermelon” of 1 is 16 steps. The number of steps of the pattern “Cherry a” of No. 2 is 18 steps. The number of steps of the pattern “Black 7” of No. 3 is 16 steps. The number of steps of the symbol “Replay” of No. 4 is 18 steps. The number of steps of the symbol “Bell” of 5 is 16 steps. No. The number of steps for the pattern “Watermelon” in FIG. The number of steps of the symbol “bar” in FIG. The number of steps of the pattern “red 7” of 8 is 16 steps. The number of steps of the symbol “Replay” of No. 9 is 18 steps. The number of steps of 10 symbols “bell” is 16 steps. No. 11-No. No. 20 design, No. of middle reel (second drum) 1-No. No. 20 symbols and No. of the right reel (3rd cylinder). 1-No. Similarly, a set of “16 steps, 18 steps, 16 steps, 18 steps, 16 steps” is set for 20 symbols.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the “bell”, “watermelon”, and “replay” symbol stop steps are arranged so that the number of separation steps from the symbol placed in front is the same value. For example, all the “bell” symbol stop steps of the left reel (the first drum) have “16” as the number of separation steps from the symbol arranged in front. In addition, for example, in all the “watermelon” symbol stop steps of the left reel (the first drum), the number of separation steps from the symbol arranged in front is “16”. Further, for example, in all “replay” symbol stop steps of the left reel (the first drum), the number of separation steps from the symbol arranged in front is “18”. In addition, the arrangement | positioning of each symbol is not restricted to this, In the same reel, the symbol stop step of the same symbol should just be the same number of separation steps from the symbol arrange | positioned before. For example, all the “bell” symbol stop steps of the left reel (the first drum) may be arranged at a position where the number of separation steps from the symbol arranged in front is “18”.

  As a result, in each reel, “bell”, “watermelon”, and “replay” (a specific type of symbol) are arranged in an area having the same number of steps, so that the symbols look the same.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the start timing of the all-phase excitation stop control is 4 steps before the symbol stop step (predetermined step), regardless of whether the symbol has 16 steps or 18 steps. It is said. As a result, it is not necessary to change the control content for stopping between the “16” step symbol and the “18” step symbol.

[Processing of main control unit 41]
Next, various control contents executed by the CPU 41a of the main control unit 41 in the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  When a reset signal is input from the reset circuit 49, the CPU 41a performs a startup process shown in the flowchart of FIG. Since the reset signal is a signal output when the power is turned on and when the operation of the main control unit 41 is stagnant, the activation process is performed when the CPU 41a is activated when the power is turned on and when the CPU 41a is activated due to a malfunction. This is a process to be performed.

  In the start-up process, first, the built-in device and peripheral IC (excluding disconnection monitoring IC 50), interrupt mode, stack pointer, etc. are initialized (Sa1), then the voltage drop signal detection data is acquired from the input port, and the voltage drop It is determined whether or not a signal is input, that is, whether or not the voltage is stable (Sa2), and when a voltage drop signal is input, other than whether or not a voltage drop signal is input Shifts to a loop process that does not perform any process.

  If it is determined in step Sa2 that the voltage drop signal is not input, the values of the I register and IY register are initialized (Sa3), and the states of the stop switch 36 and the automatic settlement switch 29 are acquired. Validity / invalidity of the stop function and automatic settlement function is set in a specific register of the CPU 41a (Sa4). By the initialization of the I register and the IY register, the address of the interrupt table to be referred to when an interrupt occurs is set in the I register, and the reference address for referring to the storage area of the RAM 41c is set in the IY register. . These values are fixed values and are always initialized at startup.

  Next, access to the RAM 41c is permitted (Sa5), and it is determined whether or not the setting key switch 37 is in an ON state (Sa6). If the setting key switch 37 is not in the ON state at step Sa6, the storage state of the disconnection flag is acquired from the disconnection monitoring IC 50 (Sa7), and it is determined whether the disconnection flag is stored (Sa8). If the electrical connection state between the game control board and the inserted medal sensor 31 and the electrical connection state between the game control board 40 and the effect control board 90 are not released during a power failure, the disconnection flag is stored. If the disconnection flag is stored, the state of electrical connection between the game control board 40 and the inserted medal sensor 31 during the power failure or the game control board 40 and the effect control board 90 Since the electrical connection state between the two is released, an error code indicating a disconnection abnormality is set in the register (Sa9), and all the storage areas except the used stack area are stored in the storage area of the RAM 41c. After executing initialization 0 (Sa10) to be initialized, the door command set in the RAM 41c when commanding transmission of the door command stored in the door command transmission buffer The door command transmission request 1 for requesting transmission of the door command stored in the door command transmission buffer is set in the RAM 41c (Sa11), and the interrupt is permitted (Sa12). The process proceeds to error processing shown in FIG.

  If the disconnection flag is not stored in step Sa8, the RAM parity of all storage areas (including the unused area and the unused stack area) of the RAM 41c is calculated (Sa13), and whether the RAM parity is 0 or not. Is determined (Sa14). If the power interruption interrupt processing (main) is normally performed, the RAM parity should be 0. If the RAM parity is not 0 in the step of Sa13, the data stored in the RAM 41c is not normal. Therefore, an error code indicating RAM abnormality is set in the register (Sa15), and after executing initialization 0 that initializes all the storage areas of the storage area of the RAM 41c except the used stack area (Sa10), the door The command transmission request 2 is cleared, the door command transmission request 1 is set (Sa11), the interruption is permitted (Sa12), and the process proceeds to the error processing shown in FIG.

  If the RAM parity is 0 in step Sa14, it is further determined whether or not the destructive diagnosis data is normal (Sa16). If power interruption interrupt processing (main) is performed normally, the data for destruction diagnosis should be set. If the data for destruction diagnosis is not normal in step Sa16 (data for destruction diagnosis is power interruption) Since the data in the RAM 41c is not normal even in cases other than 5A (H) stored at the time, an error code indicating RAM abnormality is set in the register (Sa15), and the used stack area in the storage area of the RAM 41c After executing initialization 0 that initializes all storage areas except for (Sa10), the door command transmission request 2 set in the RAM 41c is cleared and the door command transmission request 1 is set in the RAM 41c (Sa11). The interrupt is permitted (Sa12), and the process proceeds to the error processing shown in FIG. When interrupt is permitted in step Sa12, the timer interrupt process is periodically executed. Accordingly, the door command is sub-controlled based on the door command transmission request 1 set in step Sa11. Transmitted to the unit 91.

  In the error processing, as shown in FIG. 18, the current display state of the game auxiliary display 12 is saved in the stack (Sb1), and the error code stored in the register is displayed on the game auxiliary display 12 (Sb2). .

  Next, the error code stored in the register is checked, and it is determined whether or not the error code is an error code indicating a disconnection error, a RAM error, or an abnormal winning error (Sb3). If the error code indicates an abnormal error or abnormal winning error, the process proceeds to a loop process in which neither process is performed.

  If it is determined in step Sb3 that the error code is not an error other than a disconnection error, a RAM error, and an abnormal winning error, it is determined whether an operation of the reset / setting switch 38 is detected. (Sb4) If the operation of the reset / setting switch 38 is not detected, it is further determined whether or not the operation of the reset switch 23 is detected (Sb5). If the operation of the reset switch 23 is not detected, Return to step Sb4. That is, the game waits in a state where the progress of the game is impossible until the operation of the reset / setting switch 38 or the reset switch 23 is detected.

  When the operation of the reset / setting switch 38 is detected in the step Sb4 or when the operation of the reset switch 23 is detected in the step Sb5, the error code stored in the register is cleared (Sb6 ), The display state of the game auxiliary display 12 is returned to the display state saved in the stack in step Sb1 (Sb7), and the process returns to the original process.

  As described above, in the error processing, if the error processing is other than the disconnection abnormality error, the RAM abnormality error, and the abnormal winning error, the error state can be canceled by operating the reset / setting switch 38 or the reset switch 23. However, if the error process is due to a disconnection error, a RAM error, or an abnormal winning error, the error state is canceled even if the reset / setting switch 38 or the reset switch 23 is operated, and the original state is restored. Never return.

  Returning to FIG. 17, if it is determined in step Sa16 that the data for destructive diagnosis is normal, the data in the RAM 41c is normal, so the non-saved work, the unused area, and the unused stack area in the RAM 41c are initialized. After performing initialization 3 (Sa17), the destruction diagnosis data is cleared (Sa18), and the value of the door monitoring timer for measuring the detection interval of the detection state of the door opening detection switch 25 and the command transmission delay time are counted. The value of the delay counter and the history of the input state of the detection signal from the door open detection switch 25 are cleared (Sa19), the door command transmission request 2 is cleared, and the door command transmission request 1 is set (Sa). Next, it is determined whether any special role is won in the state before the power interruption (Sa21). If any special role is elected in the state before the power interruption, Set power-on command to indicate winning (proceed to steps Sa22 and Sa19, and if no special role has been won in the state before power interruption, set power-on command to indicate non-winning special role (Sa23), the process proceeds to step Sa24.

  In step Sa24, each register is restored to the state before the power interruption, that is, the state stored in the stack, the interrupt is permitted (Sa25), and the process executed last before the power interruption is returned. When interrupt is permitted in step Sa25, the timer interrupt process is periodically executed. Accordingly, the power-on command set in step Sa17 or Sa18 is sent to the sub-control unit 91. Thereafter, the door command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 91 based on the door command transmission request 1 set in step Sa20.

  If the setting key switch 37 is in the ON state in step Sa6, it is determined whether or not the reset / setting switch 38 is in the ON state (Sa26). If the reset / setting switch 38 is in the ON state in the step of Sa26, after executing initialization 0 that initializes all the storage areas in the storage area of the RAM 41c except the used stack area (Sa27), then Sa29 Go to step. On the other hand, if the reset / setting switch 38 is OFF in the step of Sa26, after executing the initialization 1 for initializing all the storage areas of the storage area of the RAM 41c except the stop phase work and the stack area in use. (Sa28), the process proceeds to step Sa29.

  In step Sa29, the door command transmission request 2 is cleared and the door command transmission request 1 is set. Then, the process proceeds to step Sa30, and the value stored in the set value work (0 at this time) is corrected to 1. To do. Next, after setting the initialization command (Sa31), the interruption is permitted (Sa32), and the setting change process shown in FIG. 19, that is, the setting change mode is entered (Sa33). When the interrupt is permitted in the step of Sa32, the timer interrupt process is periodically executed, and accordingly, the initialization command set in the step of Sa31 is transmitted to the sub-control unit 91, Thereafter, the door command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 91 based on the door command transmission request 1 set in step Sa29. After the setting change process in step Sa33 is completed, a setting end command is set (Sa34), and the process proceeds to the game process. The setting end command set in the step of Sa34 is transmitted to the sub-control unit 91 in the subsequent timer interrupt process.

  In the setting change process, as shown in FIG. 19, the setting value stored in the setting value work of the RAM 41c (the value of the setting value work is corrected to 1 before shifting to the setting changing process. Is read out (Sc1).

  Thereafter, the operation waits for detection of the operation of the reset / setting switch 38 and the start switch 7 (Sc2, Sc3). When the operation of the reset / setting switch 38 is detected in the step of Sc2, the setting value read in the step of Sc1. 1 is added (Sc4), and it is determined whether or not the set value after addition is 7, that is, whether or not the settable range is exceeded (Sc5). If the set value after addition is not 7, After returning to the detection waiting state for the operation of the reset / setting switch 38 and the start switch 7 in the steps Sc2 and Sc3 again, if the setting value after addition is 7 in the step Sc5, the setting value is corrected to 1 (Sc6). ), The process returns to the detection waiting state for the operation of the reset / setting switch 38 and the start switch 7 in the steps Sc2 and Sc3.

  When the operation of the start switch 7 is detected in the step of Sc3, the changed set value selected at that time is stored in the set value work of the RAM 41c and the set value is confirmed (Sc7). Wait until the setting key switch 37 is turned off (Sc8). If it is determined in step Sc8 that the setting key switch 37 is OFF, the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. 17, and the process proceeds to the game process.

  As described above, in the starting process, when the setting key switch 37 is not in the ON state, it is determined whether or not a disconnection flag is stored. If the disconnection flag is stored, the process proceeds to an error process. Further, it is determined whether or not the data stored in the RAM 41c is normal by determining whether or not the RAM parity is 0 and whether or not the data for destructive diagnosis is normal, and the data in the RAM 41c is normal. If not, the process proceeds to error processing. In the error processing due to the disconnection error error or the RAM error error, the error code indicating the disconnection error error or the RAM error error is displayed on the game auxiliary display 12 and then initialized so that it cannot return to the state before the power interruption. To initialize the RAM 41c and shift to a loop process in which no process is performed, so that the progress of the game is disabled. If the data in the RAM 41c is not normal, the interrupt is not permitted. Therefore, once the process proceeds to error processing due to a disconnection error or RAM error, the setting key switch 37 is activated and the interrupt is interrupted. Until interruption is permitted, the interruption interruption process (main) is not performed even if the interruption occurs. That is, the RAM adjustment data is not calculated and stored so that the RAM parity is newly set to 0 in the power interruption interrupt process (main), and the destruction diagnosis data is not newly set. Even if the CPU 41a is restarted, the game cannot be restarted even if the CPU 41a is restarted, except when the setting key switch 37 is started in the ON state.

  Once the process proceeds to error processing due to disconnection error or RAM error, the setting key switch 37 is activated and all the areas except the used stack area of the RAM 41c are initialized, and then the setting change process is performed. Until the setting value is newly selected and set by operating the reset / setting switch 38, the game cannot be progressed. In other words, in the state where the error processing due to the RAM abnormality error is started, the state in which the game cannot be progressed is canceled and the game is resumed on the condition that a new set value is selected and set by operating the reset / setting switch 38. It becomes possible to make it.

  In addition, when the setting key switch 37 is activated with only the ON state, initialization 1 for initializing all the storage areas of the storage area of the RAM 41c except the stop phase work and the used stack area is executed. After that, when the setting key mode 37 and the reset / setting switch 38 are both activated while the mode is changed to the setting change mode, all of the storage areas of the RAM 41c except the stack area in use are stored. After the initialization 0 for initializing the storage area is executed, the mode changes to the setting change mode, and only the setting key switch 37 is activated or the setting key switch 37 and the reset / setting are reset. Whether to initialize with both of the switches 38 being turned on, leaving data indicating the stop phase of the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R depending on whether the switch 38 is activated. Or initialization including, it is possible to select a.

  In addition, regardless of whether or not to return to the state before power interruption after startup, by setting the door command transmission request 1, the door command is immediately transmitted after the power-on command or initialization command is transmitted. 91 is transmitted.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the game process executed by the CPU 41a.

  In the game process, a BET process (Sd1), an internal lottery process (Sd2), a reel rotation process (Sd3), a winning determination process (Sd4), a payout process (Sd5), and a game end process (Sd6) are sequentially executed. When the end-time process ends, the process returns to the BET process again.

  In the BET process in the step of Sd1, the process waits in a state where the bet number can be set, sets a predetermined number of bets according to the gaming state, and executes a process of determining the bet number when the start switch 7 is operated. To do.

  In the internal lottery process in step Sd2, a random number for internal lottery is extracted simultaneously with the start of the game by the detection of the start switch 7 in step Sd1, and the winning of each above-described combination is permitted based on the extracted random number value. Process to determine whether or not. In this internal lottery process, a winning flag is set in the RAM 41c based on the respective lottery results.

  In the reel rotation process in the step of Sd3, the process of rotating each reel 2L, 2C, 2R and the operation of the corresponding reel 2L, 2C, 2R in response to the operation of the stop switch 8L, 8C, 8R detected by the player are detected. A process for stopping the rotation is executed.

  In the winning determination process in the step Sd4, when it is determined in the step Sd3 that the rotation of all the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is stopped, the winning is determined according to the display result derived for each reel 2L, 2C, and 2R. A process of determining whether or not it has occurred is executed.

  In the payout process in step Sd5, when it is determined that a prize is generated in step Sd4, processing such as addition of credits and payout of medals is performed based on the number of payouts according to the win.

  In the game end process in the step of Sd6, a process of setting a gaming state in preparation for the next game is executed. Further, in the game end process, an RT process for performing control related to RT is also performed. At the end of the game end process, the door command transmission request 1 is set in the RAM 41c to request transmission of the door command.

  21 and 22 are flowcharts showing the control contents of the BET process executed by the CPU 41a in step Sd1.

  In the BET process, it is determined whether or not the full tank flag is set in the RAM 41c, that is, whether or not the full tank state of the overflow tank 35 has been determined before the previous game (Se7), and the full tank flag is set. For example, an error code indicating a full tank abnormality is set in the register (Se8), and the process proceeds to the error processing shown in FIG.

  If the full flag is not set in the step of Se7, the setting before waiting for input is performed (Se9), and the process proceeds to the step of Se10. In the setting before waiting for insertion, the insertion disable flag set in the RAM 41c is cleared, the detection of the single BET switch 5, the MAXBET switch 6, the start switch 7, and the settlement switch 10 is enabled, and the insertion of a medal is detected. When this is done, the first insertion flag indicating that the medal is the first inserted medal after the previous game control is finished is set in the RAM 41c.

  In the step of Se10, it is determined whether or not a medal can be inserted based on whether or not the insertion prohibition flag is set in the RAM 41c. If it is determined in step Se10 that the medal can be inserted, the flow path switching solenoid 30 is turned on, and the medal can be inserted using the medal flow path as a path on the hopper tank side. (Se11), the process proceeds to step Se13, and if it is determined that the medal cannot be inserted, the flow path switching solenoid 30 is set to the off state, and the medal flow path is the path on the medal payout exit 9 side. As a result, the insertion of a new medal is prohibited (Se12), and the process proceeds to Step Se13.

  In step Se13, it is determined whether or not the inserted medal sensor 31 has detected passage of the inserted medal. If the passage of the inserted medal is not detected in the step of Se13, the process proceeds to the step of Se24. If the passage of the inserted medal is detected, the insertion of the medal is performed based on whether or not the insertion impossible flag is set in the RAM 41c. It is determined whether or not it is possible to enter a medal (Se14). If the medal cannot be inserted, the process proceeds to Step Se24.

  If the medal can be inserted in the step of Se14, it is determined whether or not the first insertion flag is set in the RAM 41c based on whether or not the first insertion flag is set in the RAM 41c (Se15). If it is not the first input after the end of the game control, the process proceeds to step Se19. If the first input is after the end of the game control, the first input flag is cleared (Se16), and whether or not the full sensor 35a is detected is determined. Determine (Se17). If the full tank sensor 35a is not detected in step Se17, the process proceeds to step Se19. If the full sensor 35a is detected, a full tank flag indicating the full tank state of the overflow tank 35 is set in the RAM 41c (Se18). The process proceeds to Se19.

  In step Se19, the specified number of bets set in the RAM 41c is referred to determine whether the value of the BET counter is a specified number. If the value of the BET counter is not the specified number, the value of the BET counter is changed. 1 is added (Se20), and the process returns to the step of Se10.

  If the value of the BET counter is a prescribed number in the step of Se19, 1 is added to the value of the credit counter in which the credit value is stored in the RAM 41c (Se21), and whether or not the value of the credit counter is 50 which is the upper limit value. If the value of the credit counter is not 50, the process returns to the step of Se10. If the value of the credit counter is 50, the insertion impossible flag is set in the RAM 41c (Se23), and the process returns to the step of Se10. .

  In step Se24, it is determined whether an operation of the start switch 7 is detected. If the operation of the start switch 7 is not detected in the step of Se24, the process proceeds to the step of Se29, and if the operation of the start switch 7 is detected, the prescribed number of bets set in the RAM 41c is referred to and the BET counter It is determined whether or not the value is a specified number (Se25).

  If the value of the BET counter is not the prescribed number in the step of Se25, the process returns to the step of Se10, and if the value of the BET counter is the prescribed number, the in-game flag indicating that the game is in progress is set in the RAM 41c (Se251). . Then, after the step of Se251, the insertion impossible flag is set in the RAM 41c, the flow path switching solenoid 30 is turned off, and the insertion of a new medal is prohibited with the medal flow path as the path on the medal payout exit 9 side. (Se26), setting at the start of the game is performed (Se27). In the setting at the start of the game, detection of operations of the single BET switch 5, the MAXBET switch 6, the start switch 7, and the checkout switch 10 is invalidated. Then, after the step of Se27, the number of bets, that is, the value of the BET counter is added to the value of the medal IN signal output counter indicating the remaining number of outputs of the medal IN signal (Se28), and the BET process is terminated and the flowchart of FIG. Return to. Along with this, setting of bets based on the insertion of medals, detection of the operation of the single BET switch 5 and the MAXBET switch 6 is prohibited, and the adjustment of credits based on the detection of the operation of the adjustment switch 10 is prohibited. It becomes.

  In step Se <b> 29, it is determined whether or not an operation of the single BET switch 5 has been detected. If the operation of the single BET switch 5 is not detected in the step of Se29, the process proceeds to the step of Se34, and if the operation of the single BET switch 5 is detected, the prescribed number of bets set in the RAM 41c is referred to. Then, it is determined whether or not the value of the BET counter is a specified number (Se30). If the value of the BET counter is a prescribed number in the step of Se30, the process returns to the step of Se10, and if the value of the BET counter is not the prescribed number, it is determined whether or not the value of the credit counter is 0 (Se31). If the counter value is 0, the process returns to step Se10. If the value of the credit counter is not 0 in the step of Se31, the credit counter value is decremented by 1 (Se32), the value of the BET counter is incremented by 1 (Se33), and the process returns to the step of Se10.

  In step Se34, it is determined whether or not an operation of the MAXBET switch 6 is detected. If the operation of the MAXBET switch 6 is not detected in the step of Se34, the process proceeds to the step of Se39, and if the operation of the MAXBET switch 6 is detected, the specified number of bets set in the RAM 41c is referred to, and the BET counter It is determined whether or not the value is a specified number (Se35). If the value of the BET counter is a prescribed number in the step of Se35, the process returns to the step of Se10, and if the value of the BET counter is not the prescribed number, it is determined whether or not the value of the credit counter is 0 (Se36). If the counter value is 0, the process returns to step Se10. If the value of the credit counter is not 0 in the step of Se36, 1 is subtracted from the value of the credit counter (Se37), 1 is added to the value of the BET counter (Se38), and the process returns to the step of Se35.

  In step Se39, it is determined whether or not an operation of the settlement switch 10 is detected. If the operation of the settlement switch 10 is not detected in the step of Se39, the process returns to the step of Se10. If the operation of the settlement switch 10 is detected, the operation is based on whether or not the replay game flag is set in the RAM 41c. It is determined whether or not the game is a replay game (Se40). If the game is a replay game, the process returns to step Se10. If the game is not a replay game in the step of Se40, it is determined whether or not the value of the BET counter is 0 (Se41). If the value of the BET counter is 0, the process proceeds to the step of Se37, and the value of the BET counter is 0. Otherwise, a bet amount settlement flag indicating that the already set bet amount is to be settled is set in the RAM 41c (Se42), and the process proceeds to Step Se43. In the step of Se43, the hopper motor 34b is driven to pay out medals for the value stored in the credit counter or the BET counter, that is, medals stored as credits or medals used for setting the number of wagers. Checkout process is performed to control the return. Then, after the settlement process in the step of Se43, the input impossible flag set in the RAM 41c is cleared (Se44), and the process returns to the step of Se10.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the internal lottery process executed by the CPU 41a in step Sd2.

  In the internal lottery process of this embodiment, first, a prescribed number that is a predetermined number of medals inserted according to the game state of the game is read (Sg1), and the process proceeds to step Sg2. The prescribed number is 3 in any gaming state.

  In step Sg2, it is determined whether or not the number of inserted medals, that is, the value of the BET counter matches the specified number read in step Sg1, and if the number of inserted medals matches the specified number, step Sg3 If the number of medals inserted does not match the specified number, the process proceeds to step Sg4.

  In step Sg3, it is determined whether or not the set value stored in the set value work of the RAM 41c is in the range of 1 to 6, that is, whether or not the set value stored in the set value work is an appropriate value. If the set value is in the range of 1-6, the process proceeds to step Sg5, and if not, the process proceeds to step Sg4.

  In the step of Sg4, since it is determined that the data stored in the RAM 41c is not normal, an error code indicating the RAM abnormality is stored in the register, and the process proceeds to the error processing shown in FIG.

  In step Sg5, random number acquisition processing for acquiring a random number used in the game is performed, and the process proceeds to step Sg6. In the random number acquisition process, a sampling command is output to the sampling circuit 43, the random number generated by the random number generation circuit 42 is latched, and the latched random number value is input from the I / O port 41d and extracted. A predetermined logical operation is performed on the extracted random number, and the result is obtained as a random number.

  In the step of Sg6, the state number (any of 0 to 6) is stored in the RAM 41c according to the game state of the game, and the process proceeds to the step of Sg7. In the step of Sg7, according to the gaming state indicated by the state number, the hand number to be drawn first is stored in the RAM 41c, and the process proceeds to the step of Sg8. In the step of Sg7, if the state number is 0-3, that is, if any special role is not carried over in the normal gaming state, RT (1), RT (2), RT (3), it is drawn first If the target role number is 0 (big bonus (1)) and the status number is either 4 or 5, that is, any special role is carried over at RT (2) or RT (4) If it is, the role number to be drawn first is set to 8 (replay (1)), and if the state number is 6, that is, in the case of a regular bonus, the number to be drawn first is set to 10 Set (Red Cherry).

  In the step of Sg8, it is confirmed whether or not the state number is 6, that is, whether or not the regular bonus is being performed. If the state number is 6, that is, if the regular bonus is being performed, the process proceeds to the step of Sg10. . If the state number is not 6, the process proceeds to step Sg9.

  In the step of Sg9, it is confirmed whether or not the role number to be drawn is 14, that is, whether or not all the lots to be drawn in the gaming state other than the regular bonus have ended, and the role number is 14 If YES, go to step Sg11. If not 14, the process proceeds to step Sg10.

  In the step of Sg10, it is confirmed whether or not the role number as a lottery target is 17, that is, whether or not the lottery for all the lottery targets in the regular bonus has ended. Advances to step Sg11. If not 17, the process proceeds to step Sg12.

  In step Sg11, the general combination storing work in which the general combination winning flag is stored in the RAM 41c is cleared, the internal lottery process is terminated, and the process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In the step of Sg12, it is checked whether or not the common flag registered in the role-specific table is 1 in association with the processing target number, and if it is 1, the process proceeds to the step of Sg13. Advances to step Sg14.

  In step Sg13, the address of the storage area for the number of determination values in the ROM 41b registered in the role-specific table in association with the role number to be processed is read. Then, the number of judgment values stored at this address is acquired, and the process proceeds to step Sg15.

  In the step of Sg14, first, the setting value stored in the RAM 41c is read, and further, the number of determination values of the ROM 41b registered in the role-specific table is associated with the processing target number and the read setting value. Read the address of the area. Then, the number of judgment values stored at this address is acquired, and the process proceeds to step Sg15.

  In the step of Sg15, the number of determination values acquired in the step of Sg13 or Sg14 is added to the random number value for internal lottery, and the result of the addition is set as a new random number value. It is determined whether an overflow has occurred when added to the random number value. The occurrence of an overflow indicates that the winning combination corresponding to the processing target winning number has been won. If an overflow has occurred, the process proceeds to step Sg18. If no overflow has occurred, the process proceeds to step Sg17.

  In step Sg17, 1 is added to the role number to be processed, and the process returns to step Sg8.

  In the step of Sg18, it is confirmed whether or not the role number is 0-7, that is, whether it is a role number indicating a special role or a combination of roles including a special role. If the role number is 0-7, the step of Sg19 If the combination number is not 0 to 7, the process proceeds to step Sg20.

  In the step of Sg19, a special combination winning flag corresponding to the combination number to be processed is set in the special combination storing work in which the special combination winning flag is stored in the RAM 41c. In the Sg20 step, the general combination storing work of the RAM 41c is set. In addition, the winning flag of the general combination corresponding to the processing target combination number is set, the internal lottery process is terminated, and the process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that, in the step of Sg20, when the combination number is 0-4, the general combination is not won, so in this case, the general combination storing work in the RAM 41c is cleared.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the reel rotation process executed by the CPU 41a in step Sd3.

  In the reel rotation process, first, it is determined whether or not a wait time (about 4.1 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed since the reel rotation start time of the previous game (Sh1), and the wait time must have elapsed. For example, it waits until the wait time elapses.

  If the wait time has elapsed in the step of Sh1, a wait time is newly set (Sh2).

  Next, the reel motor is set to start rotating, and the reel starts rotating (Sh3). Then, a sliding frame number setting process for setting the number of sliding frames in the virtual sliding frame table for each rotating reel is performed (Sh4), and a setting at the time of completion of stop preparation is performed (Sh5). As a result, the stop operation can be validated, and then the stop operation becomes valid when a constant-speed rotation of the reel is detected in the processing at the time of passing through the origin of a timer interrupt process described later.

  Next, it is determined whether or not any one of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is detected (Sh6). If any stop switch is not detected, a reel rotation error (a certain period or more) is detected. Then, it is determined whether or not an error determined when the reel reference position is not detected by the reel sensor 33 (Sh7). If no reel rotation error has occurred, an insertion error (medal insertion) is further performed. Whether or not a medal insertion was detected during a period other than the permitted period, and whether or not a payout error (medal payout was detected during a period other than the permitted period) It is determined whether or not an error has occurred (Sh8, Sh9), and any error occurs in steps Sh7 to Sh9. If it is not determined, the flow returns to step Sh6.

  Further, when it is determined that an insertion error has occurred in step Sh8, or when a payout error has been determined in step Sh9, an error code indicating the input / discharge error during reel rotation is set in the register (Sh10). ), Return to the step of Sh6.

  If it is determined in step Sh7 that a reel rotation error has occurred, an error code indicating a reel rotation error is set in the register (Sh12), and the process proceeds to error processing shown in FIG. 18 (Sh13). Along with this, the rotation of the reels is also temporarily stopped. When the error is released, the process returns to the step of Sh3 again, and the reel rotation is resumed.

  If any stop switch operation is detected in step Sh6, the number of steps from the reel reference position at that time (the number of steps to be the stop operation position) in the reel motor corresponding to the stop switch is calculated. After acquiring and setting the work corresponding to the stop reel (Sh14), the process waits until the rotation of the reel corresponding to the stop operation stops (Sh15).

  Then, when the rotation of the reels corresponding to the stop operation is stopped, it is determined whether or not all the reels are stopped (Sh16). If all the reels are not stopped, the process returns to the step of Sh4, and all the reels are If it is stopped, the reel rotation process is terminated and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  As described above, in the reel rotation processing, after the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is started, the rotation of the reels for which the stop operation has not been detected is continued until the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is detected. Then, on the condition that the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is detected, control is performed to stop the display result on the corresponding reel. Even if the reel rotation temporarily stops due to the occurrence of a reel rotation error, the stop operation is still detected until the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is detected after the reel rotation is restarted. Control is performed to stop the display result of the corresponding reels on the condition that the rotation of the reels that have not been continued is continued and the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is detected.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the payout process executed by the CPU 41a in step Sd5.

  In the payout process, as a result of the winning determination process in step Sd4, the number of medals set when the occurrence of winning is determined is compared with the payout number indicating the number of medals already paid out. Whether or not is confirmed (Si1).

  If the payout has not ended, it is determined whether or not an insertion error (an error determined when the insertion of a medal is detected in a period other than the period during which the insertion of the medal is permitted) has occurred (Si11). If no occurrence of an error is determined in this step, the process proceeds to the Si2 step. If it is determined in the step of Si11 that an input error has occurred, an error code indicating the input error during the payout process is set in the register (Si12), and the process proceeds to the step of Si2.

  In the step of Si2, whether or not the credit can be added based on whether or not the credit has reached the upper limit is confirmed (Si2), and if it can be added to the credit, the time of the credit payout interval is waited ( After Si3), 1 is added to the credit (Si4). After the process of Si3, 1 is added to the value of the medal OUT signal output counter indicating the remaining number of outputs of the medal OUT signal (Si5), the payout number is added (Si6), and the process returns to the Si1 step again.

  If the credit cannot be added in the Si2 step, one payout process is performed (Si7), then the medal OUT signal output counter value is incremented by 1 (Si8), and the process proceeds to the Si9 step to add the payout number. The process returns to the Si1 step again.

  In the one-sheet payout process in the Si7 step, the hopper motor 34b is driven to control the payout of one medal, and only when the payout sensor 34c detects the payout of one medal normally, the Si8 step is performed. Proceed to Further, it is monitored whether or not a medal is jammed or a medal has run out. When it is determined that a medal is jammed or a medal has run out, the hopper motor 34b is stopped and a payout error is generated. The register is set, and the process proceeds to error processing shown in FIG. Then, after the payout error is canceled, the process returns to the step of Sg1.

  If the payout is completed in the step of Si1, the driving of the hopper motor 34b is stopped (Si10), and the process proceeds to the end process.

  In this way, in the payout process, control is performed to add 1 to the value of the medal OUT output counter every time one payout of medals is detected by the payout sensor 34c by the payout process or every time 1 credit is added. It has come to be.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the control content of the end process executed by the CPU 41a in step Sd6.

  In the termination process, first, the value of the BET counter in which the value of the betting number is stored in the RAM 41c is cleared (Sj1), and a prescribed number (3 regardless of the gaming state in this embodiment) is set in the RAM 41c. Then, it is determined whether or not the next game is a replay game based on whether or not the replay game flag indicating that it is a replay game is set in the RAM 41c (Sj3).

  If it is determined in step Sj3 that the next game is a replay game, the value of the BET counter is incremented by 1 (Sj4), and the value of the medal OUT signal output counter indicating the remaining output count of the medal OUT signal is incremented by 1. (Sj5), the process proceeds to step Sj6. In step Sj6, the prescribed number of bets set in the RAM 41c is referred to determine whether or not the value of the BET counter is a prescribed number (Sj6). If the value of the BET counter is not the prescribed number, step Sj4 If the value of the BET counter is a specified number, an insertion disable flag indicating that the medal cannot be inserted is set in the RAM 41c (Sj7), and the process proceeds to step Sj8. If it is determined in step Sj3 that the next game is not a replay game, the process proceeds to step Sj8.

  In step Sj8, the in-game flag set in the RAM 41c is cleared (Sj8), and it is determined whether an error code is set in the register (Sj9). If it is determined in step Sj9 that the error code is not set in the register, the termination process is terminated and the process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG. If it is determined in step Sj9 that the error code is set in the register, the process proceeds to error processing shown in FIG. 18 (Sj10). Then, when the error is released, the termination process is terminated and the process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when an abnormality that does not hinder the progress of the game is detected (for example, Sh8, Sh9 in FIG. 24, Si11 in FIG. 25), error processing ( The progress of the game is stopped) (step Sj10). Thereby, control does not become complicated. If an abnormality that may prevent the progress of the game is detected, error processing (abnormality notification, game progress stop) is performed at the time of detection of the abnormality (for example, Se8 in FIG. 21, Sg4 in FIG. 23, Sh13 in FIG. 24). Thereby, abnormality notification can be suitably performed. Further, when a freeze occurs after the game ends, if an abnormality occurs in the game, the freeze may be generated after error processing is performed.

  27 and 28 are flowcharts showing the control contents of the timer interrupt process (main) executed by the CPU 41a by interrupting the start process or the game process in response to the occurrence of the interrupt 3, that is, at an interval of 0.56 ms. .

  In the timer interrupt process (main), interrupts are first prohibited (Sk1). That is, the execution of another interrupt process during the execution of the timer interrupt process is prohibited. Then, after saving the register in use to the stack area (Sk2), port input processing for inputting detection data of various switches from the input port is performed (Sk3).

  Next, the branch counter for identifying the timer interrupt to be executed in the timer interrupt process (main) is advanced by 1 from the four types of timer interrupts 1 to 4 (Sk4). In the step of Sk4, 1 is added when the branch counter value is 0 to 2, and is updated to 0 when the counter value is 3. That is, the branch counter value loops in the order of 0 → 1 → 2 → 3 → 0... Each time the timer interrupt process is executed.

  Next, the branch counter value is referenced to determine whether it is 2 or 3, that is, timer interrupt 3 or timer interrupt 4 (Sk5). If it is not timer interrupt 3 or timer interrupt 4, that is, timer interrupt In the case of 1 or timer interrupt 2, it is checked whether the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R are started or whether they are rotating at a constant speed, and whether the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R are started or are rotating at a constant speed. For example, the motor phase signal output process for outputting the phase signal data changed in the motor step process of Sk9 described later and the phase signal data changed in the final stop process of Sk25 described later is executed (Sk6).

  Next, referring to the branch counter value, it is determined whether or not it is 1, that is, timer interrupt 2 (Sk7). If it is not timer interrupt 2, that is, timer interrupt 1, reel motor Reel starting process (Sk8) for controlling the step time interval when starting 32L, 32C, 32R, motor step process (Sk9) for changing phase signal data of the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R, reel motors 32L, 32C After the stop of 32R, the motor phase signal standby process (Sk10) for changing the phase signal to one-phase excitation after a certain time has been sequentially executed, and then the register saved in the stack area at Sk2 is restored (Sk21). The interrupt prohibited in the step is permitted (Sk22), and the process returns to the state before the interrupt.

  Further, in the case of timer interrupt 2 in the step of Sk7, LED dynamic display processing (Sk11) for dynamically lighting various indicators, and output processing of control signals and the like for outputting data such as lighting signals of various LEDs to the output port (Sk12), random number update process for updating various software random numbers (Sk13), time counter update process for updating various time counters (Sk14), monitoring of the detection state of the door opening detection switch 25, door command transmission request, transmission command The door monitoring process (Sk15) for performing the process, the command transmission process (Sk16) for transmitting the command stored in the normal command transmission buffer or the door command transmission buffer to the sub-control unit 91, and updating the external output signal After executing the external output signal update process (Sk17) sequentially, Returning the registers saved in the stack area Te (SK21), allow interruption prohibited at step Sk1 (SK22), return to the process before the interrupt process.

  If it is timer interrupt 3 or timer interrupt 4 in the step of Sk5, it is further determined by referring to the counter value for branching whether it is 3, that is, timer interrupt 4 (Sk18). If it is not interrupt 4, that is, if it is timer interrupt 3, the passing of the origin of the rotating reels 2L, 2C, 2R (pass of the reel reference position) is checked, and the occurrence of a reel rotation error is detected and stopped. Check if the preparation is complete (whether the stop preparation completion code is set). If the stop preparation is complete and the motor is rotating at a constant speed, operate the stop switch corresponding to the rotating reel. Passing origin process (Sk19) to be validated, switch input determination process (Sk20) for determining whether or not these various switches satisfy the detection condition based on detection signals from various switches After sequentially executed, restores the registers saved in the stack area in Sk2 (SK21), allow interruption prohibited at step Sk1 (SK22), return to the process before the interrupt process.

  If the timer interrupt is 4 in the step of Sk18, when the stop operation position is stored in the work of the stop reel in accordance with detection of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R or automatic stop control, the work of the stop reel The stop switch position is determined from the stop operation position stored in, and the stop switch process (Sk23) for calculating the number of steps after which the stop should be performed, and the number of steps until the stop calculated by the stop switch process is counted to stop After the stop process (Sk24) for starting the brake by the two-phase excitation when it is time to start, the final stop process (Sk25) for the three-phase excitation after a certain time from the start of the brake in the stop process is sequentially executed, and then in Sk2. Restore the registers saved in the stack area (Sk21), and enable the interrupts that were prohibited in the Sk1 step ( k22), returns to the interrupt before processing.

  FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the stop switch process executed by the CPU 41a in the timer interrupt 4 of the timer interrupt process (main) described above.

  In the stop switch process, first, for all reels in the order of left, middle, and right, whether or not a stop operation position is set for the work on the corresponding reel, that is, a stop operation has been detected or stopped by automatic stop. Is determined (Sk101, Sk102), and if no stop operation has been detected for all reels or if no stop has been instructed, the stop switch process is terminated and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  In addition, if any stop operation of the reel is detected in the step of Sk101 or if the stop of the reel is instructed, the process proceeds to the step of Sk103.

  In the step of Sk103, the virtual sliding frame table corresponding to the reel is referred to, and the region number serving as the stop position is specified from the region number including the step number of the stop operation position set for the work corresponding to the stop reel. Then, the process proceeds to step Sk104, the number of steps required from the current reel reference position to the stop position specified in step Sk103 is calculated, and after setting the calculated number of steps, the stop switch process is terminated. Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the door monitoring process executed in the timer interrupt 2 of the timer interrupt process (main) described above by the CPU 41a.

  In the door monitoring process, first, a history of the input state of the door opening detection switch 25 (a value obtained by continuing to logically OR the determination state of the positive detection signal of the door opening detection switch 25 acquired in the port input process for about 100 ms). The door sensor history is updated (Sk201). That is, a logical sum of the positive detection signal detection state of the door opening detection switch 25 and the door sensor history is taken as a new door sensor history.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the door monitoring timer value is 0, that is, whether or not about 100 ms has elapsed since the previous monitoring (Sk202). If the door monitoring timer value is not 0, the door monitoring timer value is set. 1 is subtracted (Sk203), the door monitoring process is terminated, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  If the value of the door monitoring timer is 0 in the step of Sk202, whether the door command transmission request 2 is set, that is, in order to give priority to the transmission of the power-on command or the initialization command at the time of activation, It is determined whether or not the transmission is waiting (Sk204). If the door command transmission request 2 is set, the door monitoring process is terminated and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. In step S204, it is determined whether or not the door command transmission request 2 is set. When the door command transmission request 2 is set, the door monitoring process is terminated, whereby the value of the door command transmission buffer is set. While not waiting for transmission by the power-on command or initialization command, the value of the door command transmission buffer, that is, the door command indicating the detection state of the first door opening detection switch 25 after activation is overwritten. Not to be.

  If the door command transmission request 2 is not set in the step of Sk204, 44 is set as the value of the door monitoring timer (Sk205), and a new time measurement of 100 ms is started. After the door sensor history is acquired in the register and the door sensor history in the RAM 41c is cleared (Sk206), the door open detection switch 25 indicated by the door sensor history acquired in the register and the door stored in the door command transmission buffer are stored. The detection state of the door opening detection switch 25 indicated by the command is compared, and it is determined whether or not there is a change in the detection state of the door opening detection switch 25 (Sk207).

  If there is no change in the detection state of the door opening detection switch 25 in the step of Sk207, whether or not the door command transmission request 1 is set, that is, whether or not the door command transmission is requested with the activation of the CPU 41a or the end of the game. If the door command transmission request 1 is not set, the door monitoring process is terminated and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  When there is a change in the detection state of the door opening detection switch 25 in the step of Sk207, or when the door command transmission request 1 is set in the step of Sk208, the door command transmission request is cleared and the door command transmission request 2 is set (Sk209), and a door command based on the door sensor history (detected state of the door open detection switch 25 after the change) acquired in the register is stored in the door command transmission buffer (Sk2), so that the door after the change Command transmission is instructed and a door opening signal update request is set (Sk211) to request that the output state of the door opening signal be updated to the changed output state, and then the door monitoring process is terminated. Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the control content of the command transmission process executed by the CPU 41a in the timer interrupt 2 of the timer interrupt process (main) described above.

  In the command transmission process, first, it is determined whether or not transmission delay of the power-on command or initialization command is in progress (Sk301), and if transmission delay of the power-on command or initialization command is in progress, the process proceeds to Step Sk308, If it is not during the transmission delay of the input command or the initialization command, it is determined whether or not an untransmitted power-on command or initialization command is stored in the normal command transmission buffer (Sk302).

  If an untransmitted power-on command or initialization command is stored in the normal command transmission buffer in step Sk302, the process proceeds to step Sk307, where an untransmitted power-on command or initialization command is used for normal command transmission. If it is not stored in the buffer, it is determined whether or not the transmission of the normal command is being delayed (Sk303).

  If the transmission of the normal command is delayed in the step of Sk303, the process proceeds to the step of Sk308. If the transmission of the normal command is not delayed, it is determined whether or not the transmission of the door command is delayed (Sk304). If it is delayed, the process proceeds to step Sk308. If the door command transmission is not delayed, it is determined whether the door command transmission request 2 is set, that is, whether door command transmission is instructed (Sk305). .

  If the door command transmission request 2 is not set in the step of Sk305, it is determined whether or not an untransmitted normal command is stored in the normal command transmission buffer (Sk306), and the untransmitted normal command is a normal command. If it is stored in the transmission buffer, the process proceeds to step Sk307. If an untransmitted normal command is not stored in the normal command transmission buffer, the command transmission process is terminated, and the flowchart shown in FIG. Return to.

  In step Sk307, a command delay random value (0 to 17) is acquired, stored in the delay counter, and the process proceeds to step Sk308.

  In step Sk308, after 1 is subtracted from the delay counter value, the process proceeds to step Sk309, where it is determined whether the delay counter value is 0. If the delay counter value is not 0, the command transmission process is terminated. Returning to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  If the delay counter value is 0 in the step of Sk309, it is determined whether or not the door command is transmitted (S310). If the door command is transmitted, the door command transmission request 2 is cleared and the door command is transmitted. The trust buffer address is set (Sk311), and the process proceeds to the step of Sk315. After the door command transmission request 2 is set, the door command transmission request 2 is not cleared until it is set in the door monitoring process and immediately before the door command associated with the setting of the door command transmission request 2 is transmitted. While waiting for door command transmission by the power-on command or initialization command, the value of the door command transmission buffer, that is, the door command indicating the detection state of the first door opening detection switch 25 after being activated may be overwritten. Absent.

  If it is not at the time of sending a door command in the step of Sk310, it is determined whether or not a power-on command or initialization command is sent (Sk312). If it is at the time of sending a power-on command or initialization command, a normal command is sent. The address where the power-on command or initialization command of the trusted buffer is stored is set (Sk313), and the process proceeds to Step Sk315.

  If it is not at the time of sending the power-on command or the initialization command at the step of Sk312, that is, at the time of sending the normal command, the address indicated by the transmission pointer of the normal command transmission buffer is set (Sk314), and the step of Sk315 is set. move on.

  In the step of Sk315, the command stored in the address set in the steps of Sk311, Sk313, and Sk314 is read and transmitted to the sub-control unit 91, the command transmission process is terminated, and the flowchart shown in FIG. Return.

  FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the external output signal update process executed by the CPU 41a in the timer interrupt 2 of the timer interrupt process (main) described above.

  In the external output signal update processing, first, it is determined whether or not the setting of the BB signal is changed (Sk401), and if there is no change in the setting of the BB signal, the process proceeds to Step Sk403 to set the BB signal. If there is a change, the signal in BB is updated to the changed output state (Sk402), and the process proceeds to step S403.

  In step Sk403, it is determined whether or not there is a change in the setting of the RB signal. If there is no change in the setting of the RB signal, the process proceeds to step Sk405, and if there is a change in the setting of the RB signal, RB The inside signal is updated to the changed output state (Sk404), and the process proceeds to Step S405.

  In Step Sk405, it is determined whether or not there is a request for updating the door opening signal. If there is no request for updating the door opening signal, the process proceeds to Step Sk407. If there is a request for updating the door opening signal, the door opening signal is sent. The output state after the change is updated (Sk406), and the process proceeds to Step Sk407.

  In step Sk407, it is determined whether or not an error state or setting change is in progress. If the error state or setting change is not in progress, the process proceeds to step Sk409. The signal to be updated is updated to ON (Sk408), and the process proceeds to step Sk409.

  In step Sk409, it is determined whether the error state has been released or the setting change has been completed. If the error state has not been released or the setting change has not been completed, the process proceeds to step Sk411. If the error state has been canceled or the setting change has been completed, the corresponding signal is updated to OFF (Sk410), and the process proceeds to step Sk411.

  In step Sk411, it is determined whether the value of the update waiting counter for measuring the update interval of the medal IN signal and the medal OUT signal is 0. If the update wait counter value is not 0, external output signal transmission processing is performed. The process ends (Sk412), and the process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In step Sk411, if the value of the update waiting counter is 0, it is determined whether or not the medal IN signal is ON (Sk413). If the medal IN signal is ON, the medal IN signal is updated to OFF. (Sk414), an initial value (a value corresponding to a predetermined update waiting time) is set in the update waiting counter (Sk423), and the process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  If the medal IN signal is not ON in step Sk413, the process proceeds to step Sk415.

  In step Sk415, it is determined whether or not the medal OUT signal is ON. If the medal OUT signal is ON, the medal OUT signal is updated to OFF (Sk416), and an initial value is set in the update waiting counter ( Sk423), the process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  If the medal OUT signal is not ON in step Sk415, the process proceeds to step Sk417.

  In step Sk417, it is determined whether or not the value of the medal IN signal output counter is 0. If the value of the medal IN signal output counter is 0, the process proceeds to step Sk420 and the value of the medal IN signal output counter is 0. If not, the medal IN signal is updated to ON (Sk418), the value of the medal IN signal output counter is decremented by 1 (Sk419), the initial value is set in the update waiting counter (Sk423), and the process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG. To do.

  In step Sk420, it is determined whether or not the value of the medal OUT signal output counter is 0. If the value of the medal OUT signal output counter is 0, the process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG. If it is not 0, it is determined whether or not the in-game flag is set in the RAM 41c (Sk4201). If it is determined in step Sk4201 that the in-game flag is set in the RAM 41c, the process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG. If it is determined in step Sk4201 that the in-game flag is not set in the RAM 41c, the medal OUT signal is updated to ON (Sk421), and the value of the medal OUT signal output counter is decremented by 1 (Sk422). Then, an initial value is set in the update waiting counter (Sk423), and the process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In this way, in the external output signal update process, the CPU 41a monitors the medal IN signal output counter by the timer interrupt process (main), and after the bet number is set by inserting medals or credits, the start switch 7 is detected, When the medal IN signal output counter is added, the medal IN signal is output.

  In the external output signal update process, the CPU 41a monitors the medal OUT signal output counter by the timer interrupt process (main), and when the medal payout is detected and the medal OUT signal output counter is added, and the in-game flag Is not set in the RAM 41c, the medal OUT signal is output. As a result, the medal OUT signal is output after the game is over, not during the game.

  FIG. 33 shows a power interruption interrupt process (main) executed by the CPU 41a in response to the occurrence of the interrupt 2, that is, when the voltage drop signal from the power interruption detection circuit 48 is input, interrupting the execution process or the game process. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of.

  In the power interruption interruption process (main), first, interruption is prohibited (Sm1). That is, other interrupt processing is prohibited from being executed at the start of the power interruption interrupt processing (main). Next, all registers that may be in use are saved in the stack area (Sm2). Note that the values of the I register and IY register described above are used, but are not saved here because the same fixed value is always set with the initialization at the time of startup.

  Next, the detection data of the voltage drop signal is acquired from the input port, and it is determined whether or not the voltage drop signal is input (Sm3). At this time, if the voltage drop signal is not inputted, the register saved in the stack area in Sm2 is restored (Sm4), the interrupt prohibited in the step of Sm1 is permitted (Sm5), and the process before the interrupt is performed. Return.

  If a voltage drop signal is input in step Sm3, destruction diagnosis data (5A (H) in this embodiment) is set (Sm6), and all output ports are initialized (Sm7). . Next, RAM parity adjustment data is calculated and set so that the exclusive OR of all storage areas (including unused areas and unused stack areas) of the RAM 41c becomes 0 (Sm8), and access to the RAM 41c is performed. It is prohibited (Sm9).

  Then, except for the determination of whether or not the voltage drop signal is input (Sm10, where Sm10 is the same process as Sm3), a loop process in which no process is performed is entered. That is, when the voltage decreases as it is, the operation is stopped internally. Therefore, the CPU 41a reliably stops operation when the power is interrupted. Further, in this loop processing, when the voltage recovers and the voltage drop signal is not input, the above-described startup processing is executed, and if the RAM parity is 0 and the destructive diagnosis data is normal, the original processing is performed. It will return to.

  In this embodiment, after the access to the RAM 41c is prohibited, the output state of the voltage drop signal is monitored, and when the voltage drop signal is not input, it is determined that the voltage is restored, and the process proceeds to the startup process. However, no processing is performed in the loop processing, and the voltage is recovered while the loop processing is being performed, and the process proceeds to the start-up processing based on the input of the reset signal from the reset circuit 49. You may make it do.

[Processing of sub-control unit 91]
Next, the startup process (sub) executed by the CPU 91a of the sub control unit 91 mounted on the effect control board 90 will be described below based on the flowchart of FIG.

  When a reset signal is input from the reset circuit 95 to the sub control unit 91, the CPU 91a performs a start process (sub) illustrated in FIG. Since the reset signal is a signal output when the power is turned on and when the operation of the sub-control unit 91 is stagnant, the activation process (sub) is performed when the CPU 91a is activated when the power is turned on and when the CPU 91a malfunctions or is displayed. This process is performed at the time of restart due to a malfunction of the control circuit 92.

  In the startup process (sub), the internal device, peripheral IC, interrupt mode, stack pointer, etc. are initialized (Sr1), the display control circuit 92 is initialized (Sr2), and access to the RAM 91c is permitted (Sr3). . Then, the RAM parity of all the storage areas of the RAM 91c is calculated (Sr4), and it is determined whether or not the RAM parity is 0 (Sr5).

  If the data in the RAM 91c is normal, the RAM parity should be 0. If the RAM parity is 0 in the step Sr5, the data stored in the RAM 91c is normal, so the process proceeds to the step Sr6. The production state before power interruption is restored. In step Sr6, the control pattern that was last executed before power interruption is set, and then the process proceeds to step Sr7.

  If the RAM parity is not 0 in step Sr5, the data stored in the RAM 91c is not normal. Therefore, the RAM 91c is initialized (Sr15) and the standby pattern is set as the control pattern (Sr16). Proceed to step.

  In step Sr7, it is determined whether or not the restart flag is set in the RAM 91c, that is, whether or not the restart is due to a malfunction of the display control circuit 92. If the restart flag is set, the step of Sr is performed. If the restart flag is not set, that is, if the power-up is activated, the process proceeds to step Sr8, only the command reception interrupt process is permitted, and the process proceeds to step Sr9.

  In step Sr9, it is determined whether an initialization command has been received. If an initialization command has not been received, the process proceeds to step Sr10, in which it is determined whether a power-on command has been received. When the initialization command is received, the RAM 91c is initialized (Sr17), the setting notification pattern is set as a control pattern (Sr18), and the process proceeds to step Sr13.

  In step Sr10, if the power-on command is not received, the process returns to step Sr9 again. If the power-on command is received, the process proceeds to step Sr11.

  In step Sr11, based on the power-on command received in step Sr10, it is determined whether or not a special role is elected in the state before power interruption (Sr15), and the special role is elected in the state before power interruption. If the special role notification pattern for notifying the winning of the special role is set as a control pattern (Sr12), the liquid crystal display 51, the effect effect LED 52, the speakers 53 and 54, the reels are set according to the set control pattern. An effect control process for controlling various effect devices such as the LED 55 is executed (Sr13), all interruptions are permitted (Sr14), and the process proceeds to a loop process.

  Further, in the step Sr11, when the special role is not elected in the state before the power interruption, the liquid crystal display according to the control pattern set in the step Sr6, that is, the control pattern set before the power interruption. 51, an effect control process for controlling various effect devices such as effect effect LED 52, speakers 53 and 54, and reel LED 55 is executed (Sr13), all interruptions are permitted (Sr14), and the process proceeds to a loop process. That is, as the timer interrupt process is permitted at this time, various effects based on the reception of the command can be executed.

  FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the timer interrupt process (sub) executed by the CPU 91a at intervals of 1.12 ms based on the count of the internal clock.

  In the timer interrupt process (sub), first, it is determined whether or not the touch panel operation check is in progress based on whether or not the detection wait flag indicating that the touch panel operation check is in progress is set in the RAM 91c (Ss1). If the touch panel operation check is not in progress, the process proceeds to step Ss6.

  If the operation of the touch panel is being checked in step Ss1, it is determined whether or not a touch operation has been detected (Ss2). If no touch operation has been detected, the process proceeds to step Ss16, and if a touch operation has been detected. After the result of the touch panel operation check is displayed on the liquid crystal display 51 (Ss3), the detection waiting flag is cleared, and the command reception interrupt process prohibited during the touch panel operation check is permitted, and the step of Ss6 Proceed to

  In step Ss6, it is determined whether or not the command is stored in the reception buffer, that is, whether or not the command is received from the main control unit 41. If the command is not stored in the reception buffer, the process proceeds to step Ss16. If the command is stored in the reception buffer, the command is acquired from the reception buffer (Ss7), and the process proceeds to step Ss8.

  In step Ss8, it is determined whether or not the acquired command is an inspection command. If it is not an inspection command, the process proceeds to step Ss13. If it is an inspection command, it is further an inspection command that specifies an operation check of the touch panel. Is determined (Ss9).

  If it is not an inspection command that designates an operation check of the touch panel in the step of Ss9, the process proceeds to the step of Ss12. Then, a detection waiting flag indicating that the touch panel operation is being checked is set in the RAM 91c (Ss11), and the process proceeds to step Ss12.

  In the step of Ss12, the part specified by the acquired inspection command and the operation mode to be specified are specified, the operation test process for operating the corresponding part in the specified operation mode is performed, and the process proceeds to the step of Ss16.

  In the step of Ss13, when the acquired command is an internal winning command, the effect table stored in the ROM 91b is referred to, and an effect pattern is selected at a selection rate according to the result of the internal lottery indicated by the internal winning command, An effect pattern selection process for setting the selected effect pattern in the RAM 91c as the effect pattern of the game is executed, and the process proceeds to step Ss14.

  In the step of Ss14, the control pattern table stored in the ROM 91b is referred to, and the effect pattern set in the RAM 91c and the control pattern registered corresponding to the acquired command are read and set in the RAM 91c. The process is executed, and the process proceeds to step Ss15.

  In the step of Ss15, an effect control process for controlling various effect devices such as the effect LED 52, the speakers 53 and 54, and the reel LED is executed according to the control pattern set in the step of Ss14, and the process proceeds to the step of Ss16.

  In step Ss16, touch panel processing for analyzing the detection status of the touch panel based on the data acquired from the touch panel controller 99 is performed. Then, the process proceeds to step Ss17, and processing for updating various counter values is performed. The process (sub) is completed.

  As described above, in the timer interrupt process (sub), when an inspection command specifying a touch panel operation check is received and the touch panel operation check is performed, the touch operation is detected in the command reception interrupt process. In the meantime, new commands are not received, and even if a new command is sent during this time, until a touch operation is detected and the operation check is completed No new command is received, and processing based on the command is not performed. In addition, after receiving an inspection command specifying a touch panel operation check and before a touch operation is detected, not only command reception interrupt processing is prohibited, but also reading of commands stored in the reception buffer. Even if a command has already been received and the received command is stored in the reception buffer, the reception buffer is not detected until the touch operation is detected and the operation check is completed. The processing based on the command stored in is also not performed.

[Output timing of medal OUT signal and security signal]
Next, the medal OUT signal and security signal output control that the CPU 41a outputs to the external output board 1000 as an external output signal when an abnormality (error) that does not prevent the progress of the game is detected is shown in FIGS. 38 will be described. An abnormality that does not prevent the progress of the game is an abnormality that allows the game to proceed without error processing. Specific examples of abnormalities that do not hinder the progress of the game are insertion errors and payout errors during reel rotation processing, and insertion errors during payout processing.

  The insertion error during the reel rotation process and the payout process is related to, for example, when a foreign object is inserted from the medal insertion unit 4, when a foreign object exists in the medal flow path, or during the reel rotation or the payout process. First, it is detected when a medal inserted from the medal insertion unit 4 flows down to the hopper tank 34a side. Also, a payout error during the reel rotation process is detected when a medal is paid out when it is not the payout timing.

  36 to 38, the start switch, the reel rotation start, the first stop, the second stop, the third stop, the payout, and the bet number setting indicate respective timings during the progress of the game. Specifically, the start switch indicates the timing when the operation of the start switch 7 is detected. The reel rotation start indicates the timing at which the reels 2L, 2C, 2R start to rotate. The first stop indicates a timing at which a stop operation that is first performed in a state where all the reels are still rotating is detected. The second stop indicates the timing at which any one reel has already stopped and the two reels are rotating, that is, the second stop operation is detected. The third stop indicates a timing when any two reels are stopped and one reel is rotating, that is, when a third stop operation is detected. The payout indicates the timing at which the medal payout process is performed. The betting number setting indicates the timing at which the betting number setting process is performed after winning the replay.

  The abnormality detection indicates a timing at which an abnormality that does not hinder the progress of the game is detected. The medal OUT signal indicates the output status of the medal OUT signal. Specifically, the medal OUT signal is a signal indicating that one medal has been paid out by outputting one pulse. The security signal indicates the output status of a signal (for example, an insertion error signal or a payout error signal) indicating that an abnormality that does not hinder the progress of the game has occurred.

  FIG. 36 is a diagram showing the output timing of the medal OUT signal and the security signal when an abnormality that does not prevent the progress of the game during the reel rotation process is detected and a winning with a medal payout occurs. In the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, when an abnormality that does not interfere with the progress of the game is detected during the reel rotation process, a security signal is not output immediately after the abnormality is detected, but after the payout process is completed. The security signal is output before the output of the medal OUT signal is completed. Thereby, it is possible to recognize medals paid out in a situation where an abnormality has occurred during the reel rotation process. That is, it is possible to recognize the game value given in the situation where an abnormality has occurred.

  In addition, as known in the art, when an abnormality is detected during the game when an abnormality is detected during the game, if an abnormality signal is output after the processing related to the game is terminated, “abnormality in game” and “ Cannot distinguish “abnormalities immediately after the game ends”. However, in this embodiment, when an abnormality is detected at a predetermined timing within a period from the start of the game to the end of the provision of the game medium, the medal OUT signal is output after the end of the provision of the game medium. Start outputting security signals before completion. Thereby, for example, the hall computer 140 analyzes the output timing of the medal OUT signal and the security signal collected by the collecting unit 50, and detects that the security signal has been output before the output of the medal OUT signal is completed. By doing so, it is possible to distinguish between “abnormalities in the game” rather than “abnormalities immediately after the game”.

  FIG. 37 is a diagram showing the output timing of the medal OUT signal and the security signal when a winning with a medal payout occurs and an abnormality that does not prevent the progress of the game is detected during the payout process. In the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, when an abnormality that does not hinder the progress of the game is detected during the payout process, a security signal is not output immediately after the abnormality is detected, but after the payout process is completed, In addition, the security signal is output before the output of the medal OUT signal is completed. Thereby, it is possible to recognize a medal paid out in a situation where an abnormality has occurred during the payout process. That is, it is possible to recognize the game value given in the situation where an abnormality has occurred.

  In addition, as known in the art, when an abnormality is detected during payout, when an abnormality is notified after payout is completed, if an abnormality signal is output after the processing related to the game is finished, “abnormality during payout” and “ Cannot distinguish “abnormality immediately after withdrawal”. However, in the present embodiment, when an abnormality is detected at a predetermined timing within a period from the start of the provision of the game medium to the end of the provision of the game medium, the medal OUT signal is given after the end of the provision of the game medium. The security signal output is started before completing the output. Thereby, for example, the hall computer 140 analyzes the output timing of the medal OUT signal and the security signal collected by the collecting unit 50, and detects that the security signal has been output before the output of the medal OUT signal is completed. By doing so, it is possible to distinguish between “abnormalities during payout” rather than “abnormalities immediately after the payout ends”.

  FIG. 38 is a diagram showing the output timing of the medal OUT signal and the security signal when an abnormality that does not hinder the progress of the game is detected during the reel rotation process and a replay winning is generated. In the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, when an abnormality that does not interfere with the progress of the game is detected during the reel rotation process, a security signal is not output immediately after the abnormality is detected, but the number of bets due to winning a replay A security signal is output after the processing is completed and before the output of the medal OUT signal is completed. As a result, it is possible to recognize that the betting number has been set in a situation where an abnormality has occurred during the reel rotation process. That is, it is possible to recognize the game value given in the situation where an abnormality has occurred. In the example shown in the figure, the horizontal axis for setting the number of bets is long, but it is actually instantaneous.

  In addition, as known in the art, when an abnormality is detected during the game when an abnormality is detected during the game, if an abnormality signal is output after the processing related to the game is terminated, “abnormality in game” and “ Cannot distinguish “abnormalities immediately after the game ends”. However, in this embodiment, when an abnormality is detected at a predetermined timing within a period from the start of the game to the end of the provision of the game medium, the medal OUT signal is terminated after the bet number processing by the replay winning is completed. The security signal output is started before completing the output. Thereby, for example, the hall computer 140 analyzes the output timing of the medal OUT signal and the security signal collected by the collecting unit 50, and detects that the security signal has been output before the output of the medal OUT signal is completed. By doing so, it is possible to distinguish between “abnormalities in the game” rather than “abnormalities immediately after the game”.

  Note that the timing for detecting an abnormality that does not interfere with the progress of the game is during reel rotation in the example shown in FIGS. 36 and 38, and in the payout process in the example shown in FIG. 37, but is not limited thereto. . For example, if an abnormality that does not interfere with the progress of the game is detected during waiting, an abnormality that does not interfere with the progress of the game during freezing, or an abnormality that does not interfere with the progress of the game during checkout Even in the case of detecting a token, as in the examples described in FIGS. 36 to 38, the security signal is not output immediately after the abnormality is detected, but the medal OUT signal is output after the payout process is completed. A security signal is output before completion. Thereby, it is possible to recognize medals paid out in a situation where an abnormality occurs during each process. That is, it is possible to recognize the game value given in the situation where an abnormality has occurred.

  Next, main effects obtained by the embodiment described above will be described.

  (1) In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16B, the number of steps of one symbol (one area) provided on each reel is 16 steps or 18 steps. Further, the plurality of symbol stop steps include a first stop step (the 16th step and the 50th step in FIG. 16 (B)) separated from the symbol stop step of the previous symbol by a first step number (for example, 16 steps), and A second stop step (the 34th step in FIG. 16B) separated by a second step number (for example, 18 steps) different from the first step number is included.

  In this case, the symbol stop step of all symbols is the same excitation phase. In this case, the start timing of the all-phase excitation stop control (step for starting all-phase excitation stop control) before the predetermined step from the symbol stop step is also the same excitation phase. That is, the start timing of all-phase excitation stop control is the same excitation phase.

  The force to stay at the current position is different between when the excitation phase is 1 phase and when it is 2 phases. However, in this embodiment, the start timing of all-phase excitation stop control is the same excitation phase. In addition, it is possible to reduce variations in movement until the reel stops.

  (2) In the present embodiment, the start timing of all-phase excitation stop control is all set to a two-phase excitation pattern. As a result, stop control is performed from the point in time when a large amount of excitation is performed, so that variations are less likely to occur and stable excitation can be performed.

  (3) In this embodiment, the stepping motor (reel motor 32) repeats with an excitation pattern of a predetermined number of steps (in this embodiment, the number of predetermined steps is “2” because it is a one-phase and two-phase pattern). The first step number (16 steps in the present embodiment) and the second step number (18 steps in the present embodiment) are multiples of the predetermined step number. Accordingly, stable excitation can be performed without the excitation pattern straddling the stop step.

  (4) In the present embodiment, the stepping motor (reel motor 32) is repeatedly excited with the excitation patterns of one phase and two phases. In this case, since it is composed of the minimum “2” steps, the deviation between the stop steps can be minimized.

  (5) In the present embodiment, the “bell”, “watermelon”, and “replay” symbol stop steps are arranged so that the number of separation steps from the symbol placed in front is the same value. As a result, in each reel, “bell”, “watermelon”, and “replay” (a specific type of symbol) are arranged in an area having the same number of steps, so that the symbols look the same.

  (6) In this embodiment, the start timing of all-phase excitation stop control is set to 4 steps before the symbol stop step (predetermined step), regardless of whether it is a 16-step symbol or an 18-step symbol. As a result, it is not necessary to change the control content for stopping between the “16” step symbol and the “18” step symbol.

  (7) In this embodiment, when an abnormality that does not hinder the progress of the game is detected during the reel rotation process, a security signal is not output immediately after the abnormality is detected, but after the payout process is completed, In addition, the security signal is output before the output of the medal OUT signal is completed. Thereby, it is possible to recognize medals paid out in a situation where an abnormality has occurred during the reel rotation process. That is, it is possible to recognize the game value given in the situation where an abnormality has occurred.

  (8) In this embodiment, when abnormality is detected at a predetermined timing within a period from the start of the game to the end of the provision of the game medium, the medal OUT signal is output after the end of the provision of the game medium. Starts output of security signal before completing. This makes it possible to distinguish between “abnormalities in the game” rather than “abnormalities immediately after the game”.

  (9) In this embodiment, when an abnormality that does not hinder the progress of the game is detected during the payout process, a security signal is not output immediately after the abnormality is detected, but after the payout process is completed, and The security signal is output before the output of the medal OUT signal is completed. Thereby, it is possible to recognize a medal paid out in a situation where an abnormality has occurred during the payout process. That is, it is possible to recognize the game value given in the situation where an abnormality has occurred.

  (10) In the present embodiment, when an abnormality is detected at a predetermined timing within a period from the start of the provision of the game medium to the end of the provision of the game medium, the medal OUT is performed after the end of the provision of the game medium. Start outputting the security signal before completing the signal output. This makes it possible to distinguish between “abnormalities during payout” rather than “abnormalities immediately after the payout ends”.

  (11) In the present embodiment, when an abnormality that does not interfere with the progress of the game is detected during the reel rotation process, a security signal is not output immediately after the abnormality is detected, but a bet number process by winning a replay The security signal is output after the completion of the operation and before the output of the medal OUT signal is completed. As a result, it is possible to recognize that the betting number has been set in a situation where an abnormality has occurred during the reel rotation process. That is, it is possible to recognize the game value given in the situation where an abnormality has occurred.

  (12) In the present embodiment, when an abnormality is detected at a predetermined timing within a period from the start of the game to the end of the provision of the game medium, the medal OUT is completed after finishing the betting number processing by the replay winning. Start outputting the security signal before completing the signal output. This makes it possible to distinguish between “abnormalities in the game” rather than “abnormalities immediately after the game”.

  (13) In the present embodiment, the reset / setting switch 38 (release operation means) is provided inside the casing 1 a of the slot machine 1. In order to prevent unauthorized cancellation, the operation of the reset / setting switch 38 may be invalidated when the front door 1b is closed. The state where the front door 1b is closed may be a state where the front door 1b itself is closed, or a state where the key of the front door 1b is closed.

  (14) In the present embodiment, when an abnormality that does not hinder the progress of the game is detected (for example, Sh8, Sh9 in FIG. 24, Si11 in FIG. 25), error processing (game) is performed after the reel rotation processing is completed. Is stopped) (step Sj10). Thereby, control does not become complicated.

  (15) In the present embodiment, when an abnormality that may hinder the progress of the game is detected, error processing (abnormality notification, game progress stop) is performed at the time of detecting the abnormality (for example, FIG. 21). Se8, Sg4 in FIG. 23, Sh13 in FIG. 24). Thereby, abnormality notification can be suitably performed.

[Modification]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible. Hereinafter, modifications and the like applicable to the present invention will be described. Further, at least two of the technical items described in the present embodiment described above and the technical items described in the following modifications may be implemented in combination, and the technical items described in the above-described embodiment. May be implemented by replacing the technical matters described in the following modified example, or the technical items described in the following modified examples may be further combined with the replacement. .

  For example, in the above-described example, when a winning with a medal payout occurs, the medal OUT signal is output after the payout process is finished, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the medal OUT signal may be output every time one medal is paid out. FIG. 39 is a diagram showing the output timing of the medal OUT signal and the security signal when the medal OUT signal is output immediately after the medal is paid out.

  In the illustrated example, after the payout process (medal payout) is completed, the security signal is output before the output of the final medal OUT signal is completed. That is, even in this case, when an abnormality that does not prevent the progress of the game is detected during the reel rotation process, the payout process (medal payout) is terminated instead of outputting a security signal immediately after the abnormality is detected. The security signal is output later and before the output of the medal OUT signal is completed. Accordingly, even when a medal OUT signal is output every time one medal is paid out, it is possible to recognize a medal paid out in a situation where an abnormality has occurred during the reel rotation process. In other words, even when a medal OUT signal is output every time a medal is paid out, the gaming value given in a situation where an abnormality has occurred can be recognized. In this case, by shortening the interval at which the collection unit 50 collects the medal OUT signal and the security signal than the pulse width of the medal OUT signal, the hall computer 104 can perform security before the output of the medal OUT signal is completed. It can be detected that a signal has been output. This makes it possible to distinguish between “abnormalities in the game” rather than “abnormalities immediately after the game”.

  Also, in the above-mentioned example, “injection error (selector error)” and “withdrawal error (hopper error)” have been described as examples of abnormalities (errors). The present embodiment can be applied even if there is an abnormal condition.

  In the above-described example, the parallel / serial conversion circuit 1002 converts the door opening signal, the setting change signal, the closing error signal, the payout error signal, and the (preliminary signal) into a data format as shown in FIG. However, this is not limited to this. For example, a door opening signal, a setting change signal, a closing error signal, a payout error signal, and (preliminary signal) may be output as one type of security signal without being converted into a serial signal. That is, no matter what abnormality occurs, one type of security signal may be output. In this case, the hall computer 140 can detect that an abnormality has occurred, but cannot identify the content of the abnormality.

  In addition, for example, a door opening signal, a setting change signal, a closing error signal, a payout error signal, and a (preliminary signal) are not converted into serial signals, and an output terminal is provided for each signal so that signals are output individually in parallel. It may be. In this case, since the hall computer 140 can collect each signal, the contents of the abnormality can be specified. In the above-described example, the contents of each signal are output by turning the bit on / off. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the contents of each signal may be output using a command.

  In the above-described example, the medal IN signal, medal OUT signal, RB signal, BB signal, (CT signal, CB signal) and the security signal are output from different terminals. Instead, the parallel / serial conversion circuit 1002 may convert all or some of the signals into serial signals and output them from the same terminal.

  In the above-described example, the stepping motor (reel motor 32) is used to drive the reel 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a stepping motor (reel motor 32) may be used for a pachinko drum, a movable member for production, a sprocket of a payout device, or the like.

  For example, when a stepping motor is used as a production movable member, a plurality of stepping motor stop steps are set in accordance with the stop position of the movable member. Even in this case, the respective stop steps of the stepping motor are set to the same excitation phase. Thereby, the start timing of the all-phase excitation stop control before the predetermined step from the stop step also becomes the same excitation phase, and variation in movement until the movable member actually stops can be reduced.

  Further, for example, the payout device pays out one medal (game ball) every time the sprocket rotates by a predetermined angle. In order to control the payout of medals (game balls) in units of one (ball), a plurality of stop positions are set on the sprocket. Therefore, when the stepping motor is used for the sprocket of the payout device, a plurality of stepping motor stop steps are set in accordance with a plurality of sprocket stop positions. Even in this case, the respective stop steps of the stepping motor are set to the same excitation phase. Thereby, the start timing of the all-phase excitation stop control before the predetermined step from the stop step is also the same excitation phase, and the variation in motion until the sprocket is actually stopped can be reduced.

  Further, in the above-described example, when an abnormality (error) that does not prevent the progress of the game is detected, an error process is performed in the end process, and the error code stored in the register is displayed on the game auxiliary display 12. However, the abnormality is reported, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the error code stored in the register may be displayed on the game auxiliary display 12 from the time when the abnormality is detected to notify the abnormality. In addition, the abnormality notification method may not only display the error code on the game auxiliary display 12 but also display the error content on the liquid crystal display 51.

  Further, in the above-described example, when an abnormality (error) that does not hinder the progress of the game is detected, error processing is performed in the end processing, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when any of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R is not rotating and an abnormality (error) that does not hinder the progress of the game is detected, error processing may be performed immediately. That is, when an abnormality (error) that does not interfere with the progress of the game is detected when none of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R is rotating, a security signal is immediately output and the progress of the immediate game is stopped. You may make it do.

[About pachinko machines]
In the present embodiment, the reel 2 is described as being applied to the slot machine 1. However, the reel 2 may be applied to a pachinko gaming machine. The pachinko gaming machine has, for example, a reel. In such a pachinko gaming machine, when it is determined to be controlled to a specific gaming state (big hit state) advantageous to the player, the reel is rotated to derive a specific display result. For example, a transmissive portion may be provided or the degree of transparency may be increased for a symbol that is derived to be in a state (probability variation state or jackpot state) advantageous for the player.

[Others]
(1) In the present embodiment, a slot machine to which medals are applied as a game medium used for setting the number of bets and giving game value associated with winning is described as an example. However, the slot machine embodying the present invention may be a slot machine (so-called parrot) to which a game ball used in a pachinko gaming machine is applied as a game medium. When game balls are used as game media, for example, one medal can correspond to five game balls, and when three bets are set in the above embodiment, 15 game balls are used. This is equivalent to setting the number of bets using.

  In this embodiment, a slot machine that sets wagers using medals and credits is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a slot machine that uses game balls to set bets and credits. It may be a fully credit type slot machine that uses only the bet number to set the bet amount. When game balls are used as game values, for example, one medal can correspond to five game balls, and when three bets are set in the above embodiment, 15 game balls are used. This is equivalent to setting the number of bets using.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to using only one of a plurality of types of game values such as medals and game balls, and for example, a plurality of types of games such as medals and game balls. It may be one that can be used in combination. That is, it is possible to play a game by setting the number of bets using any of a plurality of types of game values such as medals and game balls, and a plurality of types of games such as medals and game balls when a winning occurs. Any of the utility values may be paid out.

  (2) In the present embodiment, a variable display device having three reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is provided. When all the reels stop, one game is finished, and the display results derived to the three reels are combined. The slot machine in which a prize is generated in response to the above description has been described. That is, a variable display device capable of deriving a display result in each of a plurality of variable display areas capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information each identifiable, and using one game value for one game By setting a predetermined number of bets, the game can be started, and when the display result is derived in all of the plurality of variable display areas, one game is completed, and the plurality of results are obtained as a result of one game. A slot machine in which a winning can be generated according to the combination of the display results derived in each of the variable display areas has been described. However, when a display result is derived to a variable display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information that can be identified, one game is completed, and a prize is awarded according to the display result derived to the variable display device. As long as the slot machine can be generated, the slot machine is not limited to one having a variable display device having three reels, but has a single reel or a variable display device having a plurality of reels other than three. It may be. In this embodiment, the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are reels that rotate in the vertical direction. However, the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R may be reels that rotate in any direction such as a horizontal direction or an oblique direction.

  (3) The slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment causes each of a plurality of variable display areas (transparent windows 3) capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information (designs) each identifiable to derive a display result. The game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game using game values (medals, credits), and all of the variable display areas are provided. In the slot machine, one game is completed by deriving the display result, and a winning can be generated according to the combination of the display results derived to each of the plurality of variable display areas as a result of the one game. Also good.

  As the present embodiment, the slot machine that pays out game media to the player's hand according to the occurrence of a win has been described. However, the game medium is enclosed, and the game media is paid to the player's hand when a win occurs. You may employ | adopt the enclosed slot machine which adds a game point (score), without taking out. The base and the drum can be distributed, and the chassis is common and only the base or the base and the drum is called a gaming machine.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 slot machine 2L, 2C, 2R reel 6 MAXBET switch 7 start switch 8L, 8C, 8R stop switch 32, 32L, 32C, 32R reel motor 41 main controller 41a main CPU
41b ROM
41c RAM
51 Liquid Crystal Display 91 Sub Control Unit 91a Sub CPU
91b ROM
91c RAM
140 Hall computer 200 Call lamp device 1000 External output board

Claims (1)

A gaming machine capable of playing a game,
It is driven by using a stepping motor that operates by at least repeating the step of exciting the first number of excitation phases and the step of exciting the second number of excitation phases that are larger than the first number. A movable means in which a plurality of symbols are arranged on the outer periphery ;
In order to stop the stepping motor in any of the stop steps respectively assigned to the plurality of symbols, stop control means for exciting all excitation phases in a stop control start step a predetermined number of steps before the stop step ;
With
The plurality of stop steps include a predetermined stop step, a first stop step separated from the predetermined stop step by a first step number, and a second stop step separated from the first stop step by a second step number,
The plurality of symbols includes a plurality of specific types of symbols,
The plurality of stop steps assigned to the plurality of specific types of symbols are separated from the stop steps assigned to the symbols arranged in front of the specific type of symbols by the same number of steps, respectively.
The stop control start step is a step in which the second number of excitation phases are excited .