JP6490616B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  Conventionally, a gaming machine such as a slot machine includes a processing unit such as a central processing element and a readable / writable storage unit. For example, the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 stores the processing result by the processing unit in the address range of 7E00H to 7FFFH in the storage unit, and further performs processing using the stored processing result. The progress of the game is controlled and the production is executed.

JP 2007-307138 A

By the way, in recent years, the amount of information that needs to be stored in the storage unit has increased due to the improvement in game performance and the sophistication of production, and there is a possibility that the management of the storage unit becomes complicated.
An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can easily manage a storage unit.

A gaming machine for solving the above problems includes a processing unit that performs processing, a storage unit that stores a processing result of the processing unit, a storage unit that stores game media, and an input game medium to the storage unit. A guidance unit for guiding, and a detection unit for detecting a game medium in the guidance unit, and the processing performed by the processing unit is called a game progress process related to a progress of a game and a call during execution of the game progress process. And at least a staying process that includes determining whether or not the game medium stays in the guide unit based on a detection mode of the game medium by the detection unit, and the game progress process includes: Among the storage areas of the storage unit, the storage content of the first area is rewritten according to the processing result, while the storage content of the second area of the storage area of the storage unit is not rewritten. Second territory Is rewritten according to the processing result, while the memory content of the first area is not rewritten. In the game progress process, the memory content of the second area can be referred to. The gist of the staying process is to save the stored contents of the first area.

Regarding the gaming machine, in the game progress process, the stored contents of the second area are saved .

  According to the present invention, management of the storage unit can be facilitated.

The schematic diagram which shows the slot machine when it sees from the front. The schematic diagram which shows the slot machine of the state which open | released the front door. The schematic diagram which expands and shows a part of back surface of a front door. The schematic diagram when the front-end | tip part of a chute | shoot member is seen from back. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 shown in FIG. The block diagram which shows the electrical constitution of a slot machine. Explanatory drawing explaining the memory area of RAM for main control. Explanatory drawing explaining the information relevant to the kind of error state, and an error state. Explanatory drawing explaining the storage area | region of the information relevant to an error state. The flowchart which shows a game progress process. The flowchart which shows a selector check process. The flowchart which shows a passage number check process. The flowchart which shows an input error check process. The flowchart which shows medal management processing. The flowchart which shows an insertion check process. The flowchart which shows an unauthorized passage error setting process. The flowchart which shows an error display setting process. The flowchart which shows a medal clogging error setting process. The flowchart which shows a medal residence error setting process. The flowchart which shows an error display process. Explanatory drawing explaining the relationship between the process of main control CPU, and the storage area of main control RAM updated or referred in this process.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a slot machine which is a kind of gaming machine will be described. In this specification, the directions of up, down, left, right, front (front), and back (back) are directions when viewed from a player who plays a game in a slot machine.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 10 includes a square box-shaped main body cabinet 11. The main body cabinet 11 includes an opening (not shown) on the front surface. The slot machine 10 includes a front door 12 that covers an opening of the main body cabinet 11. The front door 12 is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the main body cabinet 11.

  The slot machine 10 has, for example, an effect of turning on, turning off, and blinking a light emitter (hereinafter, referred to as a light-emitting effect) as one of the effects (hereinafter referred to as game effects) associated with the game on the front surface of the front door 12. A decorative lamp 13 that can be executed is provided. The slot machine 10 includes, on the front surface of the front door 12, a speaker 14 that can execute an effect of outputting sound such as sound effects and music (hereinafter referred to as an audio effect) as one of game effects.

  The slot machine 10 includes, on the front surface of the front door 12, an effect display device 15 that can execute an effect (hereinafter, referred to as a display effect) for displaying an image imitating a character or a character as one of game effects. ing. As the effect display device 15, for example, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an organic EL display, or the like can be adopted. Further, as will be described in detail later, the effect display device 15 performs error notification for notifying various error states that have occurred in the slot machine 10.

  The slot machine 10 includes a substantially rectangular display window 12a through which the player can see through the interior of the front door 12 and below the effect display device 15. The slot machine 10 includes a reel unit 16. The reel unit 16 is disposed inside the machine so that the player can visually recognize it through the display window 12a. The reel unit 16 includes a left reel 16a (first reel), a middle reel 16b (second reel), and a right reel 16c (third reel). The reels 16a to 16c are rotating drums also called drums.

  Each of the reels 16a to 16c includes a symbol row in which a plurality of symbols are identifiable along the outer peripheral surface thereof. The symbol row is provided by winding a strip-shaped translucent film on which a plurality of symbols are printed along the longitudinal direction, around the reels 16a to 16c. The symbol rows of the reels 16a to 16c include a total of 21 symbols from symbol number 00 to symbol number 20, respectively.

  There are a plurality of types of symbols in the present embodiment. For example, for multiple types of symbols, a cherry symbol imitating cherry, a watermelon symbol imitating watermelon, a bell symbol imitating bell, a seven symbol imitating Arabic numeral “7”, and the character “BAR” are imitated. The BAR symbol and the replay symbol imitating the characters “REPLAY” are included.

  The reel unit 16 includes a first actuator A1 that rotates and stops the left reel 16a, a second actuator A2 that rotates and stops the middle reel 16b, and a third actuator A3 that rotates and stops the right reel 16c. (Shown in FIG. 6). As an actuator for driving the reels 16a to 16c, for example, a stepping motor can be employed. The reels 16a to 16c can be rotated and stopped in the vertical direction independently of each other by actuators provided corresponding to the reels 16a to 16c. In the slot machine 10, when the reels 16 a to 16 c rotate, the symbol row (plural types of symbols) that can be visually recognized through the display window 12 a is changed, thereby executing a changing game. For example, the variation of the symbol sequence is performed in such a manner that the symbol sequence is scroll-displayed in the vertical direction from the top to the bottom. A portion of the reel unit 16 that is visible from the display window 12a can be said to be a game execution unit that can execute a variable game by changing a plurality of symbol rows. As described above, the slot machine 10 is configured to be able to execute a variable game by operating (rotating) a reel on which a plurality of symbols are arranged.

  The reel unit 16 detects the rotational position of the first reel sensor SE1 for detecting the rotational position of the left reel 16a, the second reel sensor SE2 for detecting the rotational position of the middle reel 16b, and the rotational position of the right reel 16c. A third reel sensor SE3 (shown in FIG. 6).

  The display window 12a has a size capable of displaying three symbols that are continuous in the circumferential direction on the reels 16a to 16c. In the display window 12a, an upper stop position, a middle stop position, and a lower stop position are set for each of the reels 16a to 16c. In the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to determine that the stopped symbol combination is a winning combination by a combination of stop positions selected one by one from the three stop positions set for each of the reels 16a to 16c. A combination of stop positions is set. In the following description, a line connecting a plurality of stop positions constituting a combination of effective stop positions is simply referred to as an effective line NL. In the present embodiment, an effective line NL (a combination of effective stop positions) is configured by the middle stage stop positions of the reels 16a to 16c. The active line is also called a winning line.

  Here, “stop” for the symbol means that the symbol is stopped in the display window 12a, that is, at any one of the upper stop position, the middle stop position, and the lower stop position, and is displayed so as to be visible to the player. ing. Further, “winning” means that a predetermined combination of symbols necessary for winning a prize is displayed on the active line NL. In the slot machine 10, when a winning occurs, a predetermined prize is awarded to the winning symbol combination. In the following description, a symbol combination that can be awarded by being displayed on the active line NL may be indicated as “combination” or “stop eye”.

  Note that combinations other than valid stop position combinations are combinations of invalid stop positions (so-called invalid lines) in which the displayed symbol combination cannot be determined to be a prize. In this specification, “derived” means that a symbol combination corresponding to a game result is displayed on the effective line NL by stopping the symbol on the effective line NL. Therefore, the game result derived in the variation game corresponds to a symbol combination stopped on the active line NL in the variation game.

  The slot machine 10 includes a medal slot 17 for inserting a game medal YM (hereinafter simply referred to as a medal YM) as a game medium on the front surface of the front door 12. The slot machine 10 includes a bet button 18 on the front surface of the front door 12. The bet button 18 can be grasped as a means for betting a medal YM from credits stored internally in the slot machine 10 (hereinafter referred to as a bet). The slot machine 10 includes a settlement button 19 on the front surface of the front door 12. The settlement button 19 can be grasped as a means for operating when betting medals YM and credits stored internally in the slot machine 10 are paid back.

  The slot machine 10 includes a start lever 20 on the front surface of the front door 12. The start lever 20 can be grasped as a means for performing a start operation for starting the rotation of the reels 16a to 16c. That is, the acceptance of the start operation is an opportunity to start the variable game.

  The slot machine 10 includes a left stop button 21a (first stop button) on the front surface of the front door 12. The left stop button 21a corresponds to the left reel 16a, and can be grasped as means for performing a stop operation for stopping the rotation of the left reel 16a. The slot machine 10 includes a middle stop button 21b (second stop button) on the front surface of the front door 12. The middle stop button 21b corresponds to the middle reel 16b and can be grasped as a means for performing a stop operation for stopping the rotation of the middle reel 16b. The slot machine 10 includes a right stop button 21c (third stop button) on the front surface of the front door 12. The right stop button 21c corresponds to the right reel 16c, and can be grasped as means for performing a stop operation for stopping the rotation of the right reel 16c. As described above, the stop buttons 21a to 21c correspond to a plurality of symbol rows, respectively. Further, stopping the fluctuation of the corresponding symbol row corresponds to stopping the rotation (rotation) of the corresponding reel.

  The slot machine 10 includes a medal payout port 22 at the lower part of the front surface of the front door 12. The slot machine 10 includes a tray 23 that receives medals paid out from the medal payout port 22. Further, the slot machine 10 includes an opening lock 24 for opening the front door 12 on the front surface of the front door 12. In the slot machine 10, a key that fits the open lock 24 is inserted into the open lock 24, and the lock by the open lock 24 is released by opening the front door 12 by rotating the key in a predetermined direction. It becomes possible. Further, the slot machine 10 includes a door opening sensor SE4 (shown in FIG. 6) that detects that the unlocking lock 24 is unlocked, that is, the front door 12 is opened.

  The slot machine 10 includes an information display unit 25 that can display predetermined information on the front surface of the front door 12. The information display unit 25 is provided with a thrown-in display unit, a replay display unit, a weight display unit, a state display unit, a bet number display unit, a stored number display unit, a prize number display unit, and an error display unit 25a. .

  The insertable display unit displays, for example, whether the medal YM can be inserted or not depending on the lighting state of the light emitter. Here, the medal YM can be inserted includes that the medal YM can be betted and that the medal YM can be stored in the slot machine 10 as a credit. For example, the replay display unit displays whether the game is replayed (replay) according to the lighting state of the light emitter. The weight display unit displays, for example, whether or not the wait time is in accordance with the lighting state of the light emitter. The wait time is the shortest game time (shortest game time) set so that the number of executions of the variable game per unit time does not exceed a predetermined number of times. For example, the state display unit displays the state of the slot machine 10 according to the lighting state of the light emitter.

  The betting number display unit displays the betting number (the number of bets), for example, depending on the lighting state of the three light emitters. The stored number display section displays the number of credits stored in the machine. The award number display unit displays the number of medals YM to be given to the player based on the winning when the winning occurs during the variable game. Further, the error display unit 25a can perform error notification by displaying information that can identify various error states that have occurred in the slot machine 10. The information that can specify various error states is, for example, an error number determined in advance for each error state.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 10 includes a hopper unit 26. The hopper unit 26 is fixed to the bottom plate 11 a of the main body cabinet 11 inside the slot machine 10. The hopper unit 26 includes a storage box 27 as a storage unit that stores medals YM, and a support base 28 that supports the storage box 27. The support base 28 has a payout disk (rotating body) (not shown), a fourth actuator A4 (shown in FIG. 6) for rotating the payout disk, and a payout outlet 28a for the medal YM. The fourth actuator A4 is, for example, a stepping motor. The hopper unit 26 is configured to pay out the medals YM stored in the storage box 27 from the payout opening 28a by rotating the built-in payout disk by the fourth actuator A4. The hopper unit 26 pays out medals YM stored in the storage box 27 mainly on the condition that the symbol combinations derived and displayed on the reels 16a to 16c are predetermined symbol combinations.

  Further, the slot machine 10 includes an error cancel button SW for canceling various error notifications on the rear surface of the front door 12. Since the error release button SW is disposed on the back surface of the front door 12, it cannot be operated unless the front door 12 is opened in principle. In the following description, the operation of the error cancel button SW is simply referred to as “error cancel operation”.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the slot machine 10 includes a medal selector 30 that receives the medal YM inserted from the medal insertion slot 17 on the back surface of the front door 12. The medal selector 30 has a first medal passage 31 that first accepts the medal YM inserted from the medal insertion slot 17.

  The first medal passage 31 extends along the vertical direction. The width of the first medal passage 31 in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the first medal passage 31 extends is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the diameter of the medal YM in a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction. The first medal passage 31 has a length in the front-rear direction that is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the thickness of the medal YM. That is, the first medal passage 31 is formed in a size that allows the medals YM to pass one by one.

  Further, the medal selector 30 has a second medal passage 32 extending downward from a branching portion 31a provided at a lower end portion of the first medal passage 31, and a leftward (rightward in the drawing) from the branching portion 31a. And a third medal passage 33 extending slightly downward. The width of the second medal passage 32 in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the second medal passage 32 extends is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the diameter of the medal YM in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The second medal passage 32 has a length in the front-rear direction that is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the thickness of the medal YM. That is, the second medal passage 32 is formed in a size that allows the medals YM to pass one by one. The third medal passage 33 is formed in a size that allows the medals YM to pass one by one in the same manner as the second medal passage 32.

  An opening 32 a through which the medal YM passing through the second medal passage 32 is discharged is provided at the lower edge of the medal selector 30. An opening 33 a of the third medal passage 33 through which the medal YM passing through the third medal passage 33 is discharged is provided at the left edge portion (right edge portion in the drawing) of the medal selector 30.

  In the third medal passage 33, a blocker 35 is disposed on the downstream side of the branch portion 31a. The blocker 35 has a first state (ON state) in which the medal YM flowing down the first medal passage 31 can be received from the branching portion 31a into the third medal passage 33 by the operation of a solenoid (not shown), and the medal YM is branching portion 31a. The second medal passage 33 cannot be received and can be displaced to the second state (OFF state) where the second medal passage 32 is guided.

  The medal selector 30 includes a first insertion sensor SE5, a second insertion sensor SE6, and a third insertion sensor SE7 as a detection unit that detects a medal YM inserted from the medal insertion slot 17. Each of the insertion sensors SE5 and SE6 is disposed on the downstream side of the blocker 35 in the third medal passage 33. The first input sensor SE5 is disposed upstream of the second input sensor SE6. In the present embodiment, each insertion sensor SE5, SE6 corresponds to a first detection unit that detects a medal YM between the medal insertion port 17 and the storage box 27. The third insertion sensor SE7 is disposed upstream of the first medal passage 31 upstream of the branching portion 31a, that is, the insertion sensors SE5 and SE6. Each throwing sensor SE5, SE6 is, for example, a photo sensor, and the third throwing sensor SE7 is, for example, a mechanical switch.

  In addition, the slot machine 10 includes a hook-like chute member 40 that receives the medal YM discharged from the opening 33 a of the medal selector 30 and guides it to the hopper unit 26 on the rear surface of the front door 12. In the present embodiment, the chute member 40 corresponds to a guide rod that guides the medal YM that has passed through the medal selector 30 to the storage box 27 of the hopper unit 26. In other words, in this embodiment, the guide unit that guides the medal YM inserted from the medal insertion slot 17 to the storage box 27 includes the medal selector 30 and the chute member 40. The chute member 40 has a first extending portion 40a extending from the medal selector 30 toward the left (rightward in the drawing), and gently at the tip of the first extending portion 40a toward the rear (the hopper unit 26). A curved portion 40b that bends (bends), and a second extending portion 40c that extends rearward from the curved portion 40b. The chute member 40 has an inverted L shape as a whole when viewed from above.

  The chute member 40 is a substantially V-shaped member having a bottom surface 41 in a cross-sectional shape when cut along a plane orthogonal to the extending direction. Further, the bottom surface 41 of the chute member 40 is gently inclined so as to descend downward from the base end portion 40d connected to the medal selector 30 toward the front end portion 40e on the hopper unit 26 side. Therefore, the chute member 40 is formed with a guide path 42 through which the medal YM can roll from the base end portion 40d of the chute member 40 toward the tip end portion 40e, as indicated by an arrow Y1 in the drawing.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the guide path 42, the length in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the chute member 40 extends and the vertical direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the width direction) is the thickness of the two medals YM. Is set to be approximately the same as the sum of Therefore, in the slot machine 10, the medal YM can easily roll (flow down) the guide path 42 toward the hopper unit 26. On the other hand, in the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, the medal YM may roll in a state where the guide path 42 overlaps the width direction of the chute member 40. That is, the entire guide path 42 is a passing portion through which a plurality of medals YM can pass in a state where they overlap in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction. The guide path 42 is curved along the curved portion 40 b of the chute member 40.

  Further, the total length of the third medal path 33 (detection position of the medal YM by the insertion sensors SE5 and SE6) and the guide path AT of the medal YM constituted by the guide path 42 is the sum of the diameters of a predetermined number of medals YM. It is set to the same or substantially the same length. Specifically, the overall length of the guide passage AT of the present embodiment is set to be the same as or substantially the same as the sum of the diameters of 11 medals YM. That is, a maximum of 11 (predetermined number) medals YM can stay in the guide passage AT on the assumption that the medals YM do not overlap in the width direction. Note that there is a possibility that more than 11 medals YM may stay in the guide passage AT because the medals YM overlap in the width direction.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the slot machine 10 includes a fourth insertion sensor SE8 that detects a medal YM that rolls on the guide path 42 at the distal end portion 40e of the chute member 40. The fourth input sensor SE8 is a mechanical sensor (detection device). More specifically, the fourth closing sensor SE8 includes a housing member 45 that covers an upper opening in the guide path 42 at the distal end portion 40e of the chute member 40, and a detection piece that is suspended from the housing member 45 into the guide path 42. 46. The detection piece 46 can be rotated in a direction in which the guide path 42 extends around a rotation shaft 46 a extending in the width direction at the tip end portion 40 e, and a lower end portion (tip end portion) rolls on the guide path 42. The housing member 45 is supported so as to be able to contact the medal YM. The length of the detection piece 46 in the direction in which the rotating shaft 46a extends is in contact with at least one of the medals YM even when the guide path 42 is rolling with the two medals YM overlapped. It is possible size.

  The detection piece 46 comes into contact with the medal YM that rolls on the guide path 42, so that the non-detection position P0 that is not in contact with the medal YM and the lower end portion thereof are directed upward on the hopper unit 26 side from the rotation shaft 46a. It is possible to displace between the detection position P1 rotated. Further, the detection piece 46 is configured to be unrotatable from the non-detection position P0 in the direction opposite to the detection position P1 (hopper unit 26) side. For this reason, in the guide path 42, the medal YM is restricted by the detection piece 46 from moving from the downstream side to the upstream side of the detection piece 46. Therefore, the fourth insertion sensor SE8 can also function as a restriction mechanism that restricts the movement of the medal YM in the direction toward the medal insertion slot 17.

  Further, the fourth insertion sensor SE8 includes a detection unit 47 that can detect that the detection piece 46 is located at the detection position P1. The detection unit 47 is accommodated in the housing member 45. The detection unit 47 is, for example, a photo sensor. In the present embodiment, the fourth insertion sensor SE8 is configured to be able to detect the medal YM discharged from the guide path 42 toward the hopper unit 26.

  In the present embodiment, the fourth insertion sensor SE8 corresponds to a detection unit that detects the medal YM inserted from the medal insertion slot 17. The fourth insertion sensor SE8 is a detection unit that detects the medal YM between the medal insertion port 17 and the storage box 27, and is a first detection unit (first insertion sensor SE5, second insertion sensor SE6). This corresponds to the second detection unit on the downstream side.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 10 includes a discharge passage 34 that guides the medal YM discharged from the opening 32 a of the medal selector 30 to the medal payout port 22 on the back surface of the front door 12. The discharge passage 34 is provided with a receiving port 34a for receiving the medal YM paid out from the payout port 28a of the hopper unit 26.

Next, the electrical configuration of the slot machine 10 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 6, a main board 100 that performs various processes and outputs a control signal (control command) according to the result of the processes is disposed inside the slot machine 10. In addition, a sub-board 200 that performs various processes based on various control signals input from the main board 100 is disposed inside the slot machine 10.

First, the main substrate 100 will be described in detail.
The main board 100 is a main control CPU 100a as a processing unit that performs predetermined processing, a main control ROM 100b that stores a control program of the main control CPU 100a, and a storage unit that stores the processing results of the main control CPU 100a. And a main control RAM 100c.

  The main board 100 is connected to the reel sensors SE1 to SE3. The main control CPU 100a is configured to be able to input signals output from the reel sensors SE1 to SE3. The main board 100 is connected to the door opening sensor SE4. The main control CPU 100a is configured to be able to input an opening signal indicating that the front door 12 is opened from the door opening sensor SE4. In the following description, “the door opening sensor SE4 is ON” means that the door opening sensor SE4 detects the opening of the front door 12, and “the door opening sensor SE4 is OFF”. This means that the door opening sensor SE4 does not detect the opening of the front door 12.

  The main board 100 is connected to the input sensors SE5 to SE8. The main control CPU 100a is configured such that a medal detection signal indicating that a medal YM has been detected by each insertion sensor SE5 can be input from each of the insertion sensors SE5 to SE8. In the following description, “the insertion sensor is ON” means that the medal YM is detected by the insertion sensor, and “the insertion sensor is OFF” means that the medal YM is detected by the insertion sensor. Means not.

  The main board 100 is connected to the error release button SW. The main control CPU 100a is configured to be able to input an operation signal indicating that the error release button SW has been operated. In the following description, “error release button SW is ON” means that error release button SW is being operated, and “error release button SW is OFF” means that error release button SW is It means that it has not been operated.

  The main substrate 100 is connected to the information display unit 25 including the error display unit 25a. The main control CPU 100a is configured to control the information display unit 25 including the error display unit 25a. The main board 100 is connected to the bet button 18, the settlement button 19, the start lever 20, and the stop buttons 21a to 21c. The main control CPU 100a is configured to be able to input various operation signals that are output when the bet button 18, the settlement button 19, the start lever 20, and the stop buttons 21a to 21c are operated.

  The main board 100 is connected to the actuators A1 to A3. The main control CPU 100a controls the operation of the actuators A1 to A3 of the reels 16a to 16c by controlling the output mode of control signals (pulse signals) to the actuators A1 to A3 of the reels 16a to 16c. It is configured to be possible. The main board 100 is connected to the fourth actuator A4. The main control CPU 100a controls the operation of the fourth actuator A4 by controlling the output mode of the control signal (pulse signal) to the fourth actuator A4, and rotates and stops the payout disc. In the following description, the operation of the hopper unit 26 that rotates the payout disc is simply referred to as “payout operation”.

  In the main board 100, random numbers used for various lottery processes are generated. For example, the random number is generated as a hardware random number by providing a random number generation circuit that updates a value every time a clock signal is input, or a random number update in which the main control CPU 100a updates a value every predetermined control cycle. By executing the processing, it can be generated as a software random number. For the random numbers generated in the main board 100, for winning information determination used to determine winning information (for example, winning numbers) that can identify symbol combinations (combinations) that can be derived and displayed (winning) in the variable game. There are random numbers. In the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, each winning information is associated with one or a plurality of symbol combinations that can be derived and displayed in the variable game.

  The main control ROM 100b stores a main control program. In addition, the main control ROM 100b stores various tables used for execution of processing relating to the variable game. Examples of such a table include a winning information determination table for determining winning information from a plurality of winning information. The main control RAM 100c stores various information such as the above-described winning information. Information stored in the main control RAM 100c is updated as needed during the operation of the slot machine 10. In the following description, storing and updating information may be collectively referred to as “rewrite”.

Here, the storage area of the main control RAM 100c will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 7, addresses from “F000H” to “F3FFH” are assigned to the storage area of the main control RAM 100c in the present embodiment. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, a storage area to which addresses in the first range from “F000H” to “F1FFH” are assigned is referred to as “first storage area”, while a storage area in the second range from “F200H” to “F3FFH” is indicated. A storage area to which an address is assigned is referred to as a “second storage area”. In the present embodiment, the first storage area corresponds to the first area, while the second storage area corresponds to the second area. In the following description, “rewriting the storage contents of the storage area” includes both rewriting part of the storage contents of the storage area and rewriting all of the storage contents of the storage area.

  The first storage area and the second storage area in the present embodiment are storage areas obtained by dividing the address range in which rewriting of information is allowed in the slot machine 10 into a plurality (two in this embodiment). In the present embodiment, the first storage area is a storage area assigned to an address before the address assigned to the second storage area in the storage area of the main control RAM 100c. In the present embodiment, a work area, a stack area, and an unused area are set in the first storage area and the second storage area, respectively.

  In the present embodiment, the first storage area and the second storage area are configured to be initialized independently. For example, the main control CPU 100a initializes the second storage area while the second storage area is initialized. Processing that does not initialize one storage area is possible. In the present embodiment, the first storage area and the second storage area have different processes for rewriting the storage contents of each storage area. Specifically, the first storage area is configured not to be rewritten in the process of rewriting the second storage area among the processes performed by the main control CPU 100a. The second storage area is configured not to be rewritten in the process of rewriting the first storage area among the processes performed by the main control CPU 100a. The relationship between the processing performed by the main control CPU 100a and the rewritten storage area will be described in detail later.

  In addition, the storage contents stored in the first storage area and the second storage area in the present embodiment are different. In the present embodiment, information related to the progress of the game is stored in the first storage area. Examples of information relating to the progress of the game include the above-described winning information and information relating to reel rotation. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, information related to fraud is stored in the second storage area. Information relating to fraud includes, for example, information relating to an error state of the slot machine 10.

Next, the sub-board 200 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 6, the sub-board 200 includes a sub-control CPU 200a that performs predetermined processing, a sub-control ROM 200b that stores a control program for the sub-control CPU 200a, and a sub-control that can write and read necessary data. And a control RAM 200c. The sub-board 200 is connected to the effect display device 15, the decorative lamp 13, and the speaker 14. Further, in the sub board 200, random numbers used for various lottery processes are generated. For example, the random number is generated as a hardware random number by providing a random number generation circuit that updates a value every time a clock signal is input, or the sub-control CPU 200a updates the value every predetermined control cycle. By executing the processing, it can be generated as a software random number.

  The sub control ROM 200b stores a sub control program. Further, the sub-control ROM 200b has a display effect pattern that can specify a display effect mode in the effect display device 15, an audio effect pattern that can specify a sound effect mode in the speaker 14, and a light emission effect mode in the decoration lamp 13. Is stored. The sub-control RAM 200c stores various information such as flags relating to the internal state of the slot machine 10. The information stored in the sub control RAM 200c is updated as appropriate during the operation of the slot machine 10.

  The sub board 200 is electrically connected to the main board 100 so that information (control signal) is transmitted from the main board 100 in one direction. Then, the sub control CPU 200a controls the effect display device 15, the decoration lamp 13, and the speaker 14 so as to execute the effect based on various control signals input from the main board 100 (main control CPU 100a). This effect includes, for example, a push order notification effect for notifying the player of the push order of the stop buttons 21a to 21c necessary for deriving and displaying a predetermined symbol combination, and a symbol combination (role for which derivation display is possible) ) Suggestive to the player. Further, the sub-control CPU 200a can also make an effect corresponding to the internal state of the slot machine 10 such as during a bonus game.

Next, error states that can be detected by the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment will be described together with specific examples.
As shown in FIG. 8, the error state of this embodiment includes an illegal passing error state in which the medal YM passes illegally through the medal selector 30. It is determined whether or not the illegal passing error state has occurred based on the detection result of the first closing sensor SE5 and the detection result of the second closing sensor SE6. In other words, the detection result of the first closing sensor SE5 and the detection result of the second closing sensor SE6 are information on the illegal passing error state, and particularly for determining whether or not an illegal passing error state has occurred. Information. The information related to the illegal passage error state includes an illegal passage error display flag which is information for instructing notification of the illegal passage error state.

  The illegal passing error state is an error state related to the illegal passing of the medal YM through the medal selector 30, and thus can be said to be an important error state regarding illegal insertion of the medal YM. Therefore, it can be said that the information regarding the illegal passing error state is important information regarding the illegal insertion of the medal YM. The processing related to the illegal passing error state will be described later in detail.

  Further, the error state of the present embodiment includes a medal clogging error state in which it is estimated that a medal clogging has occurred in the medal selector 30. The medal clogging error state includes the detection result of the second insertion sensor SE6, the detection result of the third insertion sensor SE7, the monitoring timer for the second insertion sensor SE6, the monitoring timer for the third insertion sensor SE7, and the insertion request ready state. It is determined whether or not it is generated based on the input request ready state flag for determining whether or not there is. In other words, the detection result of the second input sensor SE6, the detection result of the third input sensor SE7, the monitoring timer for the second input sensor SE6, the monitoring timer for the third input sensor SE7, and the input request enable state flag are: This is information relating to a medal jam error state, and in particular, information for determining whether or not a medal jam error state has occurred. Further, the information related to the medal jam error state includes a medal jam flag that is information indicating the occurrence of the medal jam error state and a medal jam error display flag that is information for instructing notification of the medal jam error state.

  The medal clogging error state is an error state related to a medal clogging inside the medal insertion slot 17, and is an error state that can occur due to illegal insertion of the medal YM. It can be said that there is. Therefore, it can be said that the information regarding the medal jammed error state is important information regarding illegal insertion of the medal YM. The processing related to the medal jammed error state will be described later in detail.

  Further, in the error state of the present embodiment, the medals YM are overlapped in the width direction of the guide path 42, so that it is estimated that an excessive number of medals YM are staying in the guide passage AT. There is a retention error condition. The medal staying error state is the number of passages for managing the detection result of the first insertion sensor SE5, the detection result of the second insertion sensor SE6, the detection result of the fourth insertion sensor SE8, and the number of medals YM in the guide path AT. Based on the check counter, it is determined whether or not it has occurred. In other words, the detection result of the first insertion sensor SE5, the detection result of the second insertion sensor SE6, the detection result of the fourth insertion sensor SE8, and the passing number check counter are information on the medal staying error state, This is information for determining whether or not a medal retention error state has occurred. In the following description, the number of medals YM in the guide passage AT is simply indicated as “the number of staying medals”. Further, the information related to the medal staying error state includes a medal staying error flag that is information indicating the occurrence of the medal staying error state, and a medal staying error display flag that instructs notification of the medal staying error state.

  The medal staying error state is an error state related to the staying of medals in the medal insertion slot 17, and thus is an error state that can occur due to the illegal insertion of the medal YM. You can say that. Therefore, it can be said that the information regarding the medal staying error state is important information regarding illegal insertion of the medal YM. The processing related to the medal retention error state will be described later in detail.

Next, a storage area in which information related to an error state is stored will be described.
As shown in FIG. 9, the insertion request enabled state flag is stored in a storage area to which a predetermined first address is assigned in the first storage area. In the following description, the storage area to which each address is assigned is simply referred to as “address storage area”. In the present embodiment, in addition to the insertion request enabled state flag, various information such as information related to credits and information related to gaming states is stored in the first storage area.

  Further, the detection results of the input sensors SE5 to SE8 are stored in a storage area of a predetermined second address in the second storage area. In the present embodiment, the detection results of the input sensors SE5 to SE8 are stored in different bits within the same second address. In addition, the monitoring timer for the second input sensor SE6 is stored in a storage area at a predetermined third address in the second storage area, and the monitoring timer for the third input sensor SE7 is determined in advance in the second storage area. The passage number check counter is stored in the storage area of the fourth address in the storage area of the fourth address in the second storage area.

  The medal clogging flag is stored in a storage area at a predetermined sixth address in the second storage area, and the medal retention flag is stored in a storage area at a predetermined seventh address in the second storage area. The illegal passing error display flag is stored in a storage area at a predetermined eighth address in the second storage area, and the medal jamming error display flag is stored in a storage area at a predetermined ninth address in the second storage area. The medal retention error display flag is stored in a storage area of a predetermined tenth address in the second storage area.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, at least a part of the information related to the error state is stored in the second storage area. In other words, information related to illegal insertion of the medal YM, that is, information related to an error state, which is important information related to fraud, is stored in the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c.

  In the present embodiment, the storage area of the first to tenth addresses may be a storage area assigned to a single address or a storage area assigned to an address range consisting of a plurality of addresses. Good. The first to tenth addresses of the first address to the tenth address are given for convenience of explanation, and do not specify the order in the storage area of the main control RAM 100c. That is, the storage areas of the second to tenth addresses are allocated in the order of the second address → the third address →... → the tenth address in the addresses “F200H to F3FFH” of the second storage area, for example. Alternatively, they may be assigned in a different order.

  Hereinafter, various processes executed by the main control CPU 100a based on the main control program will be described. First, the game progress process related to the progress of the game will be described. In the present embodiment, the game progress process corresponds to a main process performed as a main routine and also corresponds to a first process.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the game progress process, the main control CPU 100a performs a game start set process (step Sa01). In the game start set process, the main control CPU 100a stores information such as a flag relating to the game state of the slot machine 10 and an effect (so-called freeze effect) using the reel unit 16 in the first storage area of the main control RAM 100c. In addition, a process for initializing a predetermined storage area in the first storage area is performed. In the present embodiment, the main control CPU 100a can independently execute the process of initializing the first storage area of the main control RAM 100c and the process of initializing the second storage area. In other words, the first storage area and the second storage area can be initialized independently.

  Next, the main control CPU 100a starts receiving bets for medals (step Sa02). Next, the main control CPU 100a checks the gaming state of the slot machine 10 (step Sa03). In step Sa03, the main control CPU 100a specifies whether or not the gaming state of the slot machine 10 is a bonus game.

  Next, the main control CPU 100a determines whether or not it is a re-game operation time (step Sa04). If it is not during the re-game operation (step Sa04: NO), the main control CPU 100a performs a medal management process for setting the number of bets in the current variable game (step Sa05). Details of the medal management process will be described later. The main control CPU 100a performs an error display setting process for notifying an error state occurring in the slot machine 10 when it is a re-game operation (step Sa04: YES) or when the process of step Sa05 is terminated. Perform (step Sa06). Details of the error display setting process will be described later.

  Next, the main control CPU 100a determines whether or not the bet number in the current variable game matches the maximum bet number (step Sa07). In addition, when the re-game operation is being performed (step Sa04: YES), the main control CPU 100a resets the bet number in the previous variation game as the bet number in the current variation game.

  When the bet number in the current variable game does not match the maximum bet number (step Sa07: NO), the main control CPU 100a proceeds to the process of step Sa03. That is, in the process of step Sa07, the main control CPU 100a determines whether or not it is in a state where a variable game can be started. On the other hand, when the bet number in the current variation game matches the maximum bet number (step Sa07: YES), the main control CPU 100a determines whether or not a start operation by the start lever 20 has been accepted (step Sa08). In the process of step Sa08, the main control CPU 100a makes an affirmative determination when an operation signal is input from the start lever 20, and makes a negative determination when an operation signal is not input from the start lever 20. When the start operation has not been received (step Sa08: NO), the main control CPU 100a proceeds to the process of step Sa03.

  On the other hand, when the start operation is received (step Sa08: YES), the main control CPU 100a determines whether or not the number of inserted medals is normal (step Sa09). If the number of inserted medals is not normal (step Sa09: NO), the main control CPU 100a performs a process of displaying a non-recoverable error (step Sa10). In the process of step Sa10, the main control CPU 100a controls the display content of the error display unit 25a so that information that can specify that an abnormality in the number of inserted medals has occurred is displayed. Further, the main control CPU 100a generates a sub control command (hereinafter, referred to as a notification start command) for instructing to start display of an error notification corresponding to an abnormality in the number of inserted medals, and performs control to output to the sub board 200 Do. Thereafter, the main control CPU 100a stands by until the power is turned off.

  When the number of inserted medals is normal (step Sa09: YES), the main control CPU 100a determines winning information (step Sa11). In step Sa11, the main control CPU 100a determines one winning information by lottery using the value of the winning information determining random number. The processing of step Sa11 is a role lottery (internal lottery) performed internally in the slot machine 10. Further, the main control CPU 100a instructs the start of the variable game in the process of step Sa11 and generates a variable game start command that can specify the determined winning information (symbol combination (combination)). Control to output.

  Next, the main control CPU 100a determines whether or not the shortest game time (wait time) has elapsed (step Sa12). When the shortest game time has not elapsed (step Sa12: NO), the main control CPU 100a stands by until the shortest game time has elapsed. When the shortest game time has elapsed (step Sa12: YES), the main control CPU 100a outputs an operation signal (drive signal) to the actuators A1 to A3 to start the rotation of the reels 16a to 16c, thereby changing the game. Is started (step Sa13).

  Subsequently, the main control CPU 100a determines whether or not a stop operation by any one of the stop buttons 21a to 21c has been received (step Sa14). In step Sa14, the main control CPU 100a makes an affirmative determination when an operation signal is input from any one of the stop buttons 21a to 21c, whereas it does not input an operation signal from any one of the stop buttons 21a to 21c. Make a negative decision.

  When the stop operation is received (step Sa14: YES), the main control CPU 100a determines a symbol to be stopped and displayed on the winning line based on the determined winning information and the operation timing of the stop button. The symbol combination control for stopping and displaying the symbol on the winning line is executed (step Sa15).

  When the stop operation has not been received (step Sa14: NO) and when the process of step Sa15 has been completed, the main control CPU 100a determines whether or not all of the reels 16a to 16c have been stopped (step Sa16). . When one or more of the reels 16a to 16c are not stopped (step Sa16: NO), the main control CPU 100a proceeds to the process of step Sa14. On the other hand, when all of the reels 16a to 16c are stopped (step Sa16: YES), the main control CPU 100a performs an error display setting process (step Sa17). Details of the error display setting process will be described later.

  Next, in each reel, the main control CPU 100a determines whether or not the symbol combination that is stopped and displayed on the active line NL is any symbol combination (combination) that determines a prize, and the symbol that determines a prize. If it is a combination, display symbol determination for determining the symbol combination is executed (step Sa18). That is, in step Sa18, the main control CPU 100a determines whether or not a symbol combination (comb) identifiable from the winning information determined in the process of step Sa11 has actually won, and if it has won, the symbol combination won. Is judged.

  Next, the main control CPU 100a determines whether or not to pay out medals to the player (step Sa19). In step Sa19, the main control CPU 100a makes an affirmative determination when winning a payout combination, but makes a negative determination when not winning a payout combination. When the medal YM is paid out (step Sa19: YES), the main control CPU 100a executes a medal payout process for driving the hopper unit 26 and paying out the medal YM (step Sa20). As described above, in the slot machine 10, medals can be paid out according to the symbol combination stopped and displayed on the active line NL.

  When the medal is not paid out (step Sa19: NO) and when the process of step Sa20 is completed, the main control CPU 100a performs an end process for ending one variation game (step Sa21). That is, in the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, the game can be ended by the symbol combination being derived and displayed. In the end process of step Sa21, the main control CPU 100a outputs, to the sub-board 200, a control for shifting the internal state according to the symbol combination (combination) determined to be a winning or a winning instruction command indicating that the winning is determined. Take control. This winning instruction command causes the sub-board 200 to recognize the winning of the symbol combination (role) specified by the variable game start command. Thereafter, the main control CPU 100a finishes the game progress process related to the execution of one variable game, and proceeds to the process of step Sa01 again.

  As described above, in the game progress process, the main control CPU 100a stores, for example, information such as a flag relating to the gaming state of the slot machine 10 and an effect using the reel unit 16 in the first storage area. The stored contents of the area are rewritten according to the processing result. On the other hand, in principle, the main control CPU 100a does not rewrite the stored contents of the second storage area in the game progress process. In other words, the game progress process of the present embodiment rewrites the storage contents of the first storage area in the storage area of the main control RAM 100c according to the processing result, except for a part of the subroutine processing described later. On the other hand, this is a process that does not rewrite the storage contents of the second storage area.

  Here, in this specification, when simply indicating that “the contents stored in a specific storage area are not rewritten in a specific process”, among the processes included in the “specific process”, the “specific process” is being executed. It is intended not to rewrite the storage contents of the “specific storage area” in accordance with the execution of the process excluding the process (subroutine) called by the user. That is, in this specification, even if it is indicated that “the storage content of a specific storage area is not rewritten in a specific process”, the “specific storage area” in the process called during the execution of the “specific process” There are times when the stored contents of are rewritten. Further, in this specification, when simply indicating “rewriting the storage contents of a specific storage area in a specific process”, it is called during the execution of the “specific process” among the processes included in the “specific process”. It is intended to rewrite the stored contents of the “specific storage area” in accordance with the execution of the process except for the process (subroutine) to be performed.

  Next, a selector check process for counting the number of medals YM passing through the medal selector 30 will be described. The selector check process is an interrupt process that is called and executed every predetermined control cycle by the main control CPU 100a. In the present embodiment, the main control CPU 100a permits the execution of interrupt processing mainly during execution of game progress processing. That is, the selector check process in the present embodiment is a process (a so-called subroutine) called during execution of the game progress process, and is particularly a process executed as an interrupt process. In the present embodiment, the selector check process corresponds to one of the second processes.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the selector check process, the main control CPU 100a determines whether or not the medal YM has passed through the medal selector 30 (step Sb01). In the process of step Sb01, the main control CPU 100a detects the detection result of the first input sensor SE5 and the second input sensor that can be grasped by referring to the storage area of the second address in the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c. Based on the detection result of SE6, it is determined whether or not the medal YM has passed through the medal selector 30.

  When the medal YM does not pass through the medal selector 30 (step Sb01: NO), the main control CPU 100a ends the selector check process. On the other hand, when the medal YM passes through the medal selector 30 (step Sb01: YES), the main control CPU 100a is stored in the storage area of the fifth address in the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c. The value of the passing number check counter is updated to a value indicating the number of medals YM after adding 1 (step Sb02). In this way, the main control CPU 100a adds 1 to the number of staying medals (the number of medals YM) managed based on the detection results of medals YM by the insertion sensors SE5 and SE6. Thereafter, the main control CPU 100a ends the selector check process.

  Next, a passing number check process for counting the number of medals YM passing through the guide path 42 will be described. Similar to the selector check process, the pass number check process is a process that is called and executed by the main control CPU 100a every predetermined control cycle. That is, the passing number check process in the present embodiment is a process (so-called subroutine) that is called during the execution of the game progress process, and is particularly a process that is executed as an interrupt process. In the present embodiment, the passing number check process corresponds to one of the second processes.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the passing number check process, the main control CPU 100a determines whether or not the fourth insertion sensor SE8 is ON (step Sc01). In the process of step Sc01, the main control CPU 100a determines the first on the basis of the detection result of the fourth input sensor SE8 that can be grasped by referring to the storage area of the second address in the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c. It is determined whether or not the 4-throw sensor SE8 is ON, that is, whether or not the medal YM has passed through the guide path 42. When the fourth insertion sensor SE8 is not ON (step Sc01: NO), the main control CPU 100a ends the passing number check process. On the other hand, when the fourth closing sensor SE8 is ON (step Sc01: YES), the main control CPU 100a passes through the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c stored in the storage area at the fifth address. The value of the counter for checking the number is updated to a value indicating the number of medals YM after 3 subtraction (step Sc02).

  Next, the main control CPU 100a determines whether or not the number of medals YM indicated by the passing number check counter is smaller than 0 (zero) (step Sc03). When the number of medals YM shown in the passing number check counter is 0 (zero) or more (step Sc03: NO), the main control CPU 100a ends the passing number check process. On the other hand, when the number of medals YM shown in the passing number check counter is smaller than 0 (zero) (step Sc03: YES), the main control CPU 100a updates the value of the passing number check counter to 0. (Step Sc04). Thereafter, the main control CPU 100a ends the passing number check process.

  As described above, the main control CPU 100a subtracts 3 from the number of staying medals managed based on the detection result of the medal YM by the fourth insertion sensor SE8. Then, when the number of staying medals does not reach 3 (predetermined number), the main control CPU 100a updates the passing number check counter so that the value indicates 0. In the present embodiment, as described above, a plurality of medals YM may overlap at the detection position of the medals YM by the fourth insertion sensor SE8. Therefore, even when the medal YM does not stay in the guide passage AT, the number of times the medal YM is detected by the first insertion sensor SE5 and the number of times the medal YM is detected by the second insertion sensor SE6. The number of times the medal YM is detected by the fourth insertion sensor SE8 may be reduced. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the medal YM is detected by the fourth insertion sensor SE8, the value of the passing number check counter is subtracted by 3, so that the medal YM does not stay in the guide passage AT. It can be suppressed that the value of the passing number check counter becomes 1 or more.

  The main control CPU 100a manages the number of remaining medals by updating the value of the passing number check counter based on the detection results of the insertion sensors SE5, SE6, and SE8 in the selector check process and the passing number check process described above. To do. In other words, the selector check process and the passing number check process correspond to a generation process for generating information regarding the number of medals YM in the guide path AT.

  The main control CPU 100a rewrites the value of the passing number check counter, that is, the stored contents of the second storage area in accordance with the processing result in each of the selector check process and the passing number check process. On the other hand, the main control CPU 100a does not rewrite the stored contents of the first storage area in each of the selector check process and the passing number check process. In other words, both the selector check process and the passing number check process of the present embodiment rewrite the storage contents of the second storage area in the storage area of the main control RAM 100c according to the processing result, while the first storage This is processing that does not rewrite the stored contents of the area.

  The main control CPU 100a also detects the detection results of the insertion sensors SE5 and SE6 provided in the medal selector 30 and the fourth insertion sensor SE8 provided in the chute member 40 in the selector check process and the passing number check process. Based on this detection result, the value of the counter for checking the number of passing sheets is rewritten. Further, the main control CPU 100a sets a medal retention flag based on the value of the passing number check counter in the input error check process described below. That is, the medal retention flag is generated based on the detection results of the insertion sensors SE5 and SE6 provided in the medal selector 30 and the detection result of the fourth insertion sensor SE8 provided in the chute member 40. .

  Next, input error check processing relating to determination of whether an error state has occurred will be described. The input error check process is a process that is called and executed every predetermined control cycle by the main control CPU 100a, similarly to the selector check process and the passing number check process. That is, the input error check process in the present embodiment is a process (a so-called subroutine) called during execution of the game progress process, and particularly a process performed as an interrupt process. In the present embodiment, the input error check process corresponds to one of the second processes.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the main control CPU 100a determines whether or not the third closing sensor SE7 is ON (step Sd01). In the process of step Sd01, the main control CPU 100a performs the third input based on the detection result of the third input sensor SE7 stored in the storage area of the second address in the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c. It is determined whether or not the sensor SE7 is ON. When the third input sensor SE7 is ON (step Sd01: YES), the main control CPU 100a stores the third input sensor stored in the storage area of the fourth address in the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c. The monitoring timer for SE7 is read (step Sd02). Note that the main control CPU 100a sets the monitoring timer value (for example, 1 second) for the third input sensor SE7 as a trigger when the third input sensor SE7 is turned on in a process different from the input error check process. It is stored in the control RAM 100c. Then, the main control CPU 100a, in a process different from the input error check process, updates the time corresponding to the control period by subtracting it from the monitoring timer for the third input sensor SE7 for each control period. ing.

  Next, the main control CPU 100a determines whether or not the monitoring timer for the third closing sensor SE7 has expired (step Sd03). In the process of step Sd03, the main control CPU 100a makes an affirmative determination when the read value of the monitoring timer for the third input sensor SE7 is zero, while the value of the monitoring timer for the third input sensor SE7 is determined. Negative determination is made when is not zero.

  When the monitoring timer for the third insertion sensor SE7 has expired (step Sd03: YES), the main control CPU 100a stores a medal clogging flag as information indicating the occurrence of a medal clogging error state in the second memory of the main control RAM 100c. Of the areas, the storage area of the sixth address is set (step Sd04). That is, the main control CPU 100a continues to detect the medal YM in the third insertion sensor SE7 for a predetermined time (time until the monitoring timer ends), so that the medal clogging occurs at the detection position of the third insertion sensor. When it is estimated that the token has occurred, the medal clogging flag is set. On the other hand, when the third closing sensor SE7 is not ON (step Sd01: NO), the main control CPU 100a clears the value of the monitoring timer for the third closing sensor SE7 (step Sd05).

  When the monitoring timer has not expired (step Sd03: NO), when the process of step Sd04 is terminated, or when the process of step Sd05 is terminated, the main control CPU 100a displays the medal YM indicated by the passing number check counter. Is determined, that is, whether the number of staying medals managed is equal to or greater than the prescribed number (step Sd06). In the present embodiment, 11 sheets, which is the maximum number of medals YM that can stay in the guide passage AT in a state where the medals YM do not overlap in the width direction, are set as the specified number of determination criteria.

  When the number of medals YM shown in the passing number check counter is equal to or greater than the specified number (step Sd06: YES), the main control CPU 100a uses a medal stay flag as information indicating the occurrence of a medal stay error state as the main control RAM 100c. The second storage area is set to the storage area of the seventh address (step Sd07). That is, the main control CPU 100a determines that the number of staying medals managed has reached the maximum number of medals YM that can stay in the guide passage AT when the medals YM do not overlap in the width direction. When it is estimated that 11 medals (maximum number) or more than 11 medals YM are staying, a medal staying flag is set. The case where more than 11 medals YM stay in the guide passage AT is a case where medals YM stay in a state where they overlap in the width direction.

  When the number of medals YM shown in the passing number check counter is less than the specified number (step Sd06: NO) and when the process of step Sd07 is completed, the main control CPU 100a determines whether or not the insertion request is possible. Is determined (step Sd08). More specifically, in the process of step Sd08, the main control CPU 100a makes an affirmative determination when the input request enable state flag is set in the first storage area of the main control RAM 100c, but is not set. Make a negative decision.

  If it is not in the making request possible state (step Sd08: NO), the main control CPU 100a is for the second making sensor SE6 stored in the storage area of the third address in the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c. The monitoring timer is read (step Sd09). In a process different from the input error check process, the main control CPU 100a stores the value of the monitoring timer for the second input sensor SE6 in the main control RAM 100c when the second input sensor SE6 is turned on. Let The main control CPU 100a, in a process different from the input error check process, updates the time corresponding to the control period by subtracting it from the monitoring timer for the second input sensor SE6 for each control period. ing.

  Next, the main control CPU 100a determines whether or not the second closing sensor SE6 is ON (step Sd10). In the process of step Sd10, the main control CPU 100a performs the second input based on the detection result of the second input sensor SE6 stored in the storage area of the second address in the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c. It is determined whether the sensor SE6 is ON. When the second input sensor SE6 is ON (step Sd10: YES), the main control CPU 100a determines whether or not the monitoring timer for the second input sensor SE6 has expired (step Sd11). In the process of step Sd11, the main control CPU 100a makes an affirmative determination when the read value of the monitoring timer for the second closing sensor SE6 is zero, while the value of the monitoring timer for the second closing sensor SE6 is determined. Negative determination is made when is not zero.

  When the monitoring timer for the second insertion sensor SE6 has expired (step Sd11: YES), the main control CPU 100a stores the medal clogging flag as information indicating the occurrence of a medal clogging error state in the second memory of the main control RAM 100c. Of the areas, the storage area of the sixth address is set (step Sd12). That is, the main control CPU 100a detects that a medal clogging has occurred at the detection position of the second insertion sensor SE6 because the medal YM is detected by the second insertion sensor SE6 even though the insertion request is not possible. If estimated, a medal clogged flag is set.

  When it is in a state where a closing request is possible (step Sd08: YES), when the second closing sensor SE6 is not ON (step Sd10: NO), when the monitoring timer for the second closing sensor SE6 has not expired (step Sd11: NO) ), Or when the process of step Sd12 is completed, the main control CPU 100a ends the input error check process. As described above, in the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, the main control CPU 100a executes the input error check process for each control cycle, thereby detecting the clogging of medals in the medal selector 30 and the retention of the medals YM in the guide path AT. Then, information (flag) corresponding to the detection result is stored in the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c.

  As described above, the input error check process is a process performed based on the detection result of the medal YM by the insertion sensors SE5 and SE6. The input error check process includes determining whether or not there is a clogged medal in the medal selector 30 (steps Sd01 to Sd04, Sd08 to Sd12). That is, the input error check process of this embodiment corresponds to a stay process.

  The input error check process includes setting a medal stay flag (steps Sd06 and Sd07). Since the medal retention flag is set based on the value of the passing number check counter, it can be said that it is information relating to the number of medals YM in the guide passage AT. Therefore, steps Sd06 and Sd07 of the input error check process correspond to a generation process for generating information regarding the number of medals YM in the guidance path AT.

  Further, as described above, the main control CPU 100a rewrites the storage contents of the second storage area such as the medal clogging flag and the medal retention flag in the input error check process according to the processing result. On the other hand, the main control CPU 100a does not rewrite the storage contents of the first storage area in the input error check process. In other words, the input error check process of the present embodiment rewrites the storage content of the second storage area in the storage area of the main control RAM 100c according to the processing result, but does not rewrite the storage content of the first storage area. It is processing. Further, the main control CPU 100a refers to the storage contents of the first storage area such as the input request enable state flag in the input error check process. Further, the main control CPU 100a refers to the storage contents of the second storage area such as the detection results of the input sensors SE6 and SE7 in the input error check process. That is, the main control CPU 100a can refer to both the storage contents of the first storage area and the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c in the input error check process.

  Next, the medal management process will be described. Since the medal management process is executed in step Sa05 of the game progress process, it can be grasped as a process (so-called subroutine) called during the execution of the game progress process. In the present embodiment, the medal management process corresponds to a game medium management process for managing the medal YM because various processes related to the medal YM are performed.

  As shown in FIG. 14, in the medal management process, the main control CPU 100a determines whether or not the insertion request is possible (step Se01). When it is in the insertion request enabled state (step Se01: YES), the main control CPU 100a determines whether or not the blocker 35 is controlled to an ON state (first state) in which medals can pass (step Se02). As described above, medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 17 are guided to the third medal passage 33 when the blocker 35 is controlled to be in the ON state. When the blocker 35 is controlled to be in the ON state (step Se02: YES), the main control CPU 100a determines whether or not the medal YM has passed the medal selector 30 (step Se03). In the process of Step Se03, the main control CPU 100a can detect the second input sensor SE6 and the detection result of the first input sensor SE5 that can be grasped by referring to the storage area of the second address in the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c. It is determined whether or not the medal YM has passed the medal selector 30 based on the detection result. Specifically, the main control CPU 100a makes an affirmative determination when any of the input sensors SE5 and SE6 is ON, and makes a negative determination when any of the input sensors SE5 and SE6 is OFF.

  When the medal YM passes through the third medal passage 33 (step Se03: YES), the main control CPU 100a executes insertion check processing for adding the bet number and credits (step Se04). Details of the input check process will be described later. Thereafter, the main control CPU 100a ends the medal management process.

  When the insertion request is not possible (step Se01: NO), the blocker 35 is not controlled to be in the ON state (step Se02: NO), or the medal YM is not passing through the third medal passage 33 (step Se03). : NO), the main control CPU 100a determines whether or not the settlement button 19 is turned on (operated) (step Se05). In the process of step Se05, the main control CPU 100a makes an affirmative determination when an operation signal is input from the settlement button 19, while a negative determination is made when no operation signal is input.

  When the settlement button 19 is turned on (step Se05: YES), the main control CPU 100a determines whether there is a settlement medal (step Se06). In the process of step Se06, the main control CPU 100a makes an affirmative determination when one or more credits are stored in the main control RAM 100c, while a negative determination is made when one or more credits are not stored. If there is a settlement medal (step Se06: YES), the main control CPU 100a sets a throw-in request impossible state (step Se07). More specifically, the main control CPU 100a erases (clears) the input request ready state flag in the first storage area of the main control RAM 100c.

  Next, the main control CPU 100a drives the fourth actuator A4 of the hopper unit 26 to rotate the payout disc, and executes a medal payout process for paying out the medal YM (step Se08). Next, the main control CPU 100a sets the input request ready state (step Se09). More specifically, the main control CPU 100a sets the input request ready state flag in the first storage area of the main control RAM 100c. When the settlement button 19 is not turned on (step Se05: NO), when there is no settlement medal (step Se06: NO), or when the process of step Se09 is completed, the main control CPU 100a performs the medal management process. finish.

  Next, the input check process will be described. The insertion check process is executed in step Se04 of the medal management process, which is a process called during the execution of the game progress process, so that it can be grasped as a process (so-called subroutine) called during the execution of the game progress process. In the present embodiment, the insertion check process corresponds to a game medium management process for managing the medal YM because various processes relating to the medal YM are performed.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in the insertion check process, the main control CPU 100a executes an unauthorized passage error setting process for determining whether an unauthorized passage error state has occurred (step Sf01). Details of the unauthorized pass error setting process will be described later.

  Thereafter, the main control CPU 100a determines whether or not the illegal passing error display flag is set in the storage area of the eighth address in the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c (step Sf02). When the illegal passing error display flag is not set (step Sf02: NO), the main control CPU 100a changes the detection state of the medal YM by the first insertion sensor SE5 and the second insertion sensor SE6 to insert the medal YM. It is determined whether or not the input sensor invalid transition to be invalid is satisfied (step Sf03). In the process of step Sd03, the main control CPU 100a can detect the second input sensor SE6 and the detection result of the first input sensor SE5 that can be grasped by referring to the storage area of the second address in the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c. Based on the detection result, it is determined whether or not the input sensor invalid transition is satisfied.

  In this embodiment, the input sensor invalid transition is [each input sensor SE5, SE6 = OFF] → [first input sensor SE5 = ON, second input sensor SE6 = OFF] → [each input sensor SE5, SE6 = OFF]. Is set. That is, in the process of step Sf03, the main control CPU 100a is disposed on the downstream side even though the first insertion sensor SE5 disposed on the upstream side in the third medal passage 33 is turned on. If the second closing sensor SE6 is not turned ON, an affirmative determination is made.

  When the input sensor invalid transition is made (step Sf03: YES), the main control CPU 100a ends the input check process. On the other hand, when it is not the insertion sensor invalid transition (step Sf03: NO), the main control CPU 100a adds 1 to the bet number when the already set bet number has not reached the maximum bet number. When the number reaches the maximum bet number, 1 is added to the credit (step Sf04). Thereafter, the main control CPU 100a ends the input check process. In the present embodiment, information (such as a counter) that can specify the number of bets and information (such as a counter) that can specify credits are stored in the first storage area of the main control RAM 100c.

  If the illegal passing error display flag is set (step Sf02: YES), the main control CPU 100a performs an error display process for notifying the error state occurring in the slot machine 10 (step Sf05). . Details of this error display processing will be described later. Next, the main control CPU 100a performs a pass number check counter initialization process for initializing the pass number check counter (step Sf06). In the pass number check counter initialization process, the main control CPU 100a updates the value of the pass number check counter set in the storage area of the fifth address in the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c to 0. To do. The pass number check counter initialization process is a process called during execution of the insertion check process, and is a process different from the insertion check process. Thereafter, the main control CPU 100a sets the input request ready state (step Sf06). Then, the main control CPU 100a ends the insertion check process.

  As described above, the main control CPU 100a rewrites the storage contents of the first storage area, such as the insertion request enabled state flag, in accordance with the processing result in each of the medal management process and the insertion check process. On the other hand, the main control CPU 100a does not rewrite the stored contents of the second storage area in each of the medal management process and the insertion check process. In other words, both the medal management process and the insertion check process of the present embodiment rewrite the storage contents of the first storage area in the storage area of the main control RAM 100c according to the processing result, while the second storage area This is a process that does not rewrite the stored contents of.

  Further, the main control CPU 100a refers to the stored contents of the first storage area, such as the insertion request enable state flag, in each of the medal management process and the insertion check process. Further, the main control CPU 100a refers to the storage contents of the second storage area, such as the detection results of the insertion sensors SE5 and SE6, in each of the medal management process and the insertion check process. That is, the main control CPU 100a can refer to both the storage contents of the first storage area and the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c in each of the medal management process and the insertion check process.

  Next, the illegal passing error setting process will be described. Since the illegal passing error setting process is executed in step Sf01 of the input check process that is called during the execution of the game progress process, it can be grasped as a process (so-called subroutine) called during the execution of the game progress process. . The unauthorized pass error setting process can also be grasped as a process called during execution of the medal management process or the insertion check process.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in the unauthorized pass error setting process, the main control CPU 100a determines that the medal YM detection state transition by the first insertion sensor SE5 and the second insertion sensor SE6 is an illegal insertion. It is determined whether it corresponds to a sensor abnormal transition (step Sg01). In the process of step Sg01, the main control CPU 100a determines that the transition of the detection state of the medal YM by the first insertion sensor SE5 and the second insertion sensor SE6 is the above-described insertion sensor invalid transition and the medal YM is normally inserted. If it does not correspond to any of the input sensor normal transitions, it is determined that it corresponds to an abnormal transition. On the other hand, the main control CPU 100a, when the transition of the detection state of the medal YM by the first insertion sensor SE5 and the second insertion sensor SE6 corresponds to any of the above-described insertion sensor invalid transition and the insertion sensor normal transition, It is determined that it does not correspond to an abnormal transition.

  The input sensor normal transition of the present embodiment is [each input sensor SE5, SE6 = OFF] → [first input sensor SE5 = ON, second input sensor SE6 = OFF] → [each input sensor SE5, SE6 = ON] → [First input sensor SE5 = OFF, second input sensor SE6 = ON] → [Each input sensor SE5, SE6 = OFF]. That is, the normal insertion sensor transition is a transition of the detection state of the medal YM when the medal YM passes from the upstream to the downstream of the third medal passage 33. Further, the insertion sensor abnormal transition is, for example, a transition of the detection state of the medal YM when the medal YM passes from the downstream to the upstream of the third medal passage 33.

  When the detection state transition of the medal YM corresponds to the insertion sensor abnormal transition (step Sg01: YES), the illegal passing error display flag is set in the storage area of the eighth address in the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c. (Step Sg02). And when it does not correspond to a making sensor abnormal transition (Step Sg01: NO) or when processing of Step Sg02 is ended, main control CPU100a ends illegal passage error setting processing.

  As described above, in the unauthorized pass error setting process, the main control CPU 100a rewrites the storage contents of the second storage area, such as the unauthorized pass error display flag, according to the processing result. On the other hand, the main control CPU 100a does not rewrite the stored contents of the first storage area in the unauthorized pass error setting process. In other words, the illegal passing error setting process of the present embodiment rewrites the storage contents of the second storage area in the storage area of the main control RAM 100c according to the processing result, while rewriting the storage contents of the first storage area. There is no processing.

  In the present embodiment, the detection result of each insertion sensor SE5, SE6, that is, the transition of the detection state of the medal YM by each insertion sensor SE5, SE6 corresponds to a game medium detection mode by the detection unit. Therefore, the unauthorized pass error setting process corresponds to a detection process performed based on the detection mode of the game medium by the detection unit. In the present embodiment, the input sensor abnormal transition corresponds to a predetermined fraud detection mode. That is, the unauthorized pass error setting process includes a process (step Sg01) for determining whether or not the detection mode of the game medium by the detection unit is a predetermined fraud detection mode.

  Next, the error display setting process will be described. Since the error display setting process is executed in steps Sa06 and Sa17 of the game progress process, it can be grasped as a process (so-called subroutine) called during the execution of the game progress process.

  As shown in FIG. 17, in the error display setting process, the main control CPU 100a determines whether the medal clogging flag is set in the storage area of the sixth address in the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c. (Step Sh01). When the medal clogging flag is set (step Sh01: YES), the main control CPU 100a performs a medal clogging error setting process for instructing notification of a medal clogging error state (step Sh02). Details of the medal jamming error setting process will be described later.

  Next, the main control CPU 100a performs an error display process for notifying an error state occurring in the slot machine 10 (step Sh03). Details of this error display processing will be described later. Subsequently, the main control CPU 100a performs a medal jam flag release process for clearing the medal jam flag (step Sh04). In the medal jam flag release process, the main control CPU 100a clears the medal jam flag set in the storage area of the sixth address in the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c. The medal jam flag release process is a process that is called during the execution of the error display process, and is a process different from the error display process.

  When the medal clogging flag is not set (step Sh01: NO), and when the processing of step Sh04 is finished, the main control CPU 100a sets the medal retention flag to the seventh storage area of the main control RAM 100c. It is determined whether or not the address storage area is set (step Sh05). When the medal retention flag is not set (step Sh05: NO), the main control CPU 100a ends the error display setting process. On the other hand, when the medal retention flag is set (step Sh05: YES), the main control CPU 100a performs a medal retention error setting process for instructing the notification of the medal retention error state (step Sh06). Details of the medal retention error setting process will be described later.

  Next, the main control CPU 100a performs an error display process for notifying an error state occurring in the slot machine 10 (step Sh07). Subsequently, the main control CPU 100a performs a medal stay flag releasing process for clearing the medal stay flag (step Sh08). In the medal stay flag canceling process, the main control CPU 100a clears the medal stay flag set in the storage area of the seventh address in the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c. The medal stay flag canceling process is a process called during the execution of the error display setting process, and is a process different from the error display setting process. Thereafter, the main control CPU 100a ends the error display setting process.

  As described above, the main control CPU 100a does not rewrite either the storage contents of the first storage area or the storage contents of the second storage area in the error display setting process. On the other hand, in the error display setting process, the main control CPU 100a refers to the storage contents of the second storage area such as a medal clogged flag and a medal retention flag.

  Next, the medal jam error setting process will be described. The medal clogging error setting process is executed in step Sh02 of the error display setting process, which is a process called during the execution of the game progress process, so that it is grasped as a process (so-called subroutine) called during the execution of the game progress process. it can.

  As shown in FIG. 18, in the medal clogging error setting process, the main control CPU 100a sets the medal clogging error display flag in the storage area of the ninth address in the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c (step Si01). ). Thereafter, the main control CPU 100a ends the medal jamming error setting process.

  Since the medal clogging error display flag is set based on the medal clogging flag indicating that a medal clogging has occurred in the medal selector 30, it can be said that the medal clogging error display flag is information regarding the presence or absence of a medal clogging in the medal selector 30. For this reason, the medal jam error setting process corresponds to a process of generating information regarding the presence / absence of a medal jam.

  Next, the medal retention error setting process will be described. The medal staying error setting process is executed in step Sh06 of the error display setting process which is a process called during the execution of the game progress process, so that it is grasped as a process (so-called subroutine) called during the execution of the game progress process. it can.

  As shown in FIG. 19, in the medal stay error setting process, the main control CPU 100a sets the medal stay error display flag in the storage area of the tenth address in the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c (step Sj01). ). Thereafter, the main control CPU 100a ends the medal retention error setting process.

  Since the medal staying error display flag is set based on the medal staying flag that is information on the number of medals YM in the guide passage AT, it can be said that the medal staying error display flag is information on the number of medals YM in the guide passage AT. Therefore, the medal retention error setting process corresponds to a generation process for generating information regarding the number of medals YM in the guide passage AT.

  As described above, the main control CPU 100a rewrites the stored contents of the second storage area, such as the medal jam error display flag and the medal stay error display flag, in each of the medal jam error setting process and the medal stay error setting process. . On the other hand, the main control CPU 100a does not rewrite the storage contents of the first storage area in each of the medal clogging error setting process and the medal retention error setting process. In other words, the medal clogging error setting process and the medal retention error setting process of the present embodiment both rewrite the storage contents of the second storage area in the storage area of the main control RAM 100c, while the first storage area This process does not rewrite the stored contents.

  Next, error display processing will be described. The error display process is executed in step Sf05 of the input check process that is called during the execution of the game progress process, or in steps Sh03 and Sh07 of the error display setting process that is called during the execution of the game progress process. Therefore, it can be grasped as a process (so-called subroutine) called during execution of the game progress process.

  As shown in FIG. 20, in the error display process, the main control CPU 100a refers to the storage area of the eighth address to the tenth address among the second storage areas of the main control RAM 100c, and sets the error display flag. It is determined whether or not (step Sk01). In the process of step Sk01, the main control CPU 100a makes an affirmative determination when any of the unauthorized passing error display flag, the medal jam error display flag, and the medal retention error display flag is set in the main control RAM 100c. If no error display flag is set, a negative determination is made.

  When the error display flag is not set (step Sk01: NO), the main control CPU 100a ends the error display process. On the other hand, when the error display flag is set (step Sk01: YES), the main control CPU 100a controls the display content of the error display unit 25a so that the error state notification is executed based on the error display flag. (Step Sk02).

  Next, based on the set error display flag, the main control CPU 100a generates a control command (notification start command) for instructing the start of notification of an error state corresponding to the error display flag. To the output buffer (step Sk03). Note that the notification start command set in the output buffer is output to the sub-board 200 (sub-control CPU 200a) in the output process or the like in the subsequent control cycle.

  Next, the main control CPU 100a sets a standby timer (step Sk04). More specifically, in the process of step Sk04, the main control CPU 100a sets a predetermined time (6 seconds in this embodiment) as a standby timer in the first storage area of the main control RAM 100c. When the standby timer is set, the main control CPU 100a updates the value of the standby timer by subtracting the time corresponding to the control cycle every predetermined control cycle.

  Next, the main control CPU 100a determines whether or not the standby timer has expired (step Sk05). In step Sk05, the main control CPU 100a makes an affirmative determination when the value of the standby timer is zero as a result of the subtraction, but makes a negative determination when the value of the standby timer is not zero. When the standby timer has not expired (step Sk05: NO), the main control CPU 100a waits until the standby timer expires by repeatedly executing the process of step Sk05.

  On the other hand, when the standby timer has expired (step Sk05: YES), the main control CPU 100a determines whether or not a predetermined error cancellation operation has been performed (step Sk06). More specifically, in the process of Step Sk06, the main control CPU 100a makes an affirmative determination when both the door opening sensor SE4 and the error release button SW are ON.

  When the predetermined error canceling operation has not been performed (step Sk06: NO), the main control CPU 100a waits until the predetermined error canceling operation is performed by repeatedly executing the process of step Sk06. On the other hand, when a predetermined error canceling operation has been performed (step Sk06: YES), the main control CPU 100a controls the display content of the error display unit 25a so that the notification of the error state is ended (step Sk07). ). Next, the main control CPU 100a generates a control command (hereinafter, referred to as a notification end command) for instructing the end of notification of an error state, and sets it in a predetermined output buffer (step Sk08). Subsequently, the main control CPU 100a performs an error display flag release process for clearing the error display flag (step Sk09). In the error display flag releasing process, the main control CPU 100a clears the error display flag set in the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c. The error display flag release process is a process that is called during the execution of the error display process, and is a process different from the error display process. Thereafter, the main control CPU 100a ends the error display process.

  As described above, the main control CPU 100a rewrites the storage contents of the first storage area, such as a standby timer, in accordance with the processing result in the error display process. On the other hand, the main control CPU 100a does not rewrite the storage contents of the second storage area in the error display process. In other words, the error display process of the present embodiment is a process of rewriting the storage contents of the first storage area in the storage area of the main control RAM 100c according to the processing result, but not rewriting the storage contents of the second storage area. It is.

  Further, the main control CPU 100a refers to the stored contents of the first storage area such as a standby timer in the error display process. Further, the main control CPU 100a refers to the stored contents of the second storage area such as each error display flag in the error display process. That is, in the error display process, the main control CPU 100a can refer to both the storage contents of the first storage area and the storage contents of the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c.

  The main control CPU 100a does not perform a process for advancing the variable game while the error display process is being executed, that is, while the error state is being notified. That is, in the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, the progress of the variable game is stopped during the notification of the error state, so that the player is informed that the error state has occurred from the situation where the progress of the variable game has been stopped. Can be recognized.

Next, an error notification process that is performed in order for the sub-control CPU 200a of the sub-board 200 to control the display content of the effect display device 15 to notify an error state will be described.
In the error notification process, the sub control CPU 200a determines whether a notification start command is input from the main control CPU 100a. When the notification start command is not input, the sub control CPU 200a ends the error notification process. On the other hand, when the notification start command is input, the sub-control CPU 200a controls the display content of the effect display device 15 so that notification of an error state of a type that can be specified from the input notification start command is started. To do.

  More specifically, when the sub-control CPU 200a is instructed to start notification of an illegal passage error state, the sub-control CPU 200a displays an image imitating a character string of “illegal passage of medal”, for example, The display content of the effect display device 15 is controlled so that the notification is started. Further, when the sub control CPU 200a is instructed to start notification of the medal jam error state, the sub control CPU 200a starts notification of the medal jam error state, for example, by displaying an image imitating the character string “medal jam jam”. The display content of the effect display device 15 is controlled as described above. Furthermore, when the sub control CPU 200a is instructed to start notification of the medal retention error state, the sub control CPU 200a starts notification of the medal retention error state, for example, by displaying an image imitating the character string “medal retention”. The display content of the effect display device 15 is controlled as described above.

  Further, the sub-control CPU 200a controls the display content of the effect display device 15 so that the notification of the error state is ended when the error state is notified and the notification end command is input. The sub-control CPU 200a controls the display content of the effect display device 15 so that the error state continues to be notified until the notification end command is input after the notification start command is input.

Next, the operation of the slot machine 10 configured as described above will be described.
As shown in FIG. 21, the processing that can be executed by the main control CPU 100a according to the present embodiment includes a first type process for rewriting the first storage area and a second type process for rewriting the second storage area. And a third type process that does not set any storage area as a rewrite target. In the first type process of the present embodiment, a game progress process, a medal management process, an insertion check process, and an error display process are classified. In addition, the second type process of the present embodiment includes an illegal passing error setting process, a medal clogging error setting process, a medal retention error setting process, a selector check process, a passing number check process, and an input error check process. Are classified. Thus, the second type process is a process related to fraud. In particular, the second type process of this embodiment is an important process related to illegal insertion of medals YM. The third type process is classified into an error display setting process.

  The main control CPU 100a of the present embodiment rewrites the storage contents of the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c in the process of rewriting the storage contents of the first storage area of the main control RAM 100c, such as the first type process. Absent. The main control CPU 100a does not rewrite the storage contents of the first storage area of the main control RAM 100c in the process of rewriting the storage contents of the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c, such as the second type process. That is, the main control CPU 100a according to the present embodiment changes the storage area in which the stored contents are rewritten according to the process to be executed.

  In other words, the first storage area can be grasped as a usable (rewritable) usable area for the first type process, while an unusable (unrewritable) unusable area (unrepresented) for the second type process. Use area). Further, the second storage area can be grasped as an unusable area (unused area) that is unusable (unrewritable) for the first type process, while it can be used (rewritable) for the second type process. It can be grasped as an area. That is, the first type process is a process in which information indicating the processing result is stored in the first storage area, while the second type process has an address storing the information indicating the processing result in the second storage area. This is the process.

  Further, the main control CPU 100a of the present embodiment performs both the storage contents of the first storage area and the storage contents of the second storage area in the medal management process, the insertion check process, and the error display process in the first type process. You can refer to it. That is, in the process of rewriting the storage contents of the first storage area, the main control CPU 100a determines the storage contents of the first storage area based on both the storage contents of the first storage area and the storage contents of the second storage area. Can be rewritten. The main control CPU 100a can refer to both the storage contents of the first storage area and the storage contents of the second storage area in the input error check process among the second type processes. That is, in the process of rewriting the storage contents of the second storage area, the main control CPU 100a determines the storage contents of the second storage area based on both the storage contents of the first storage area and the storage contents of the second storage area. Can be rewritten.

  Further, the main control CPU 100a of the present embodiment stores the second storage area in the error display setting process that is a process that does not rewrite the storage contents of the first storage area and the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c. You can refer to the contents. That is, the main control CPU 100a can refer to at least a part of the storage content of the storage area that is not rewritten in the processing in the processing that does not rewrite the storage content of the first storage area and the storage content of the second storage area.

  In the first type process, the main control CPU 100a of the present embodiment is configured to call and execute another first type process, second type process, and third type process. . The main control CPU 100a is configured to call and execute the first type process and the second type process in the third type process. On the other hand, the main control CPU 100a is configured not to be able to call and execute another second type process, the first type process, or the third type process in the second type process.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) With respect to various processes performed by the main control CPU 100a, the storage area to be rewritten among the storage areas of the main control RAM 100c can be made different for each process. The storage area of the main control RAM 100c can be easily managed.

  (2) In particular, the process performed based on the detection result of the inserted medal YM, such as the second type process such as the illegal passing error setting process, can be said to be an important process regarding the illegal insertion of the medal YM. In the present embodiment, such an important process is performed as a subroutine called during the execution of the game progress process. And in such an important process, the 2nd storage area different from the 1st storage area rewritten in the game progress process among the storage areas of the main control RAM 100c is rewritten. Thereby, the storage area to be rewritten can be different between the game progress process related to the progress of the game and the important process related to illegal insertion of the medal YM, and the management of the storage area of the main control RAM 100c can be further facilitated.

  (3) Also, in the game progress process, the storage contents of the second storage area rewritten in the important second type process related to the illegal insertion of the medal YM are not rewritten, while in the important second type process related to the illegal insertion of the medal YM, The stored contents of the first storage area that are rewritten in the game progress process are not rewritten. For this reason, in each process, it can suppress that unnecessary storage content mixes in the storage area rewritten by another process, and can improve security.

  (4) Among the important second type processes relating to illegal insertion of medals YM, the illegal passing error setting process is that the transition of the detection state of the medal YM by the first insertion sensor SE5 and the second insertion sensor SE6 is the insertion abnormal transition. This is a particularly important process for detecting the illegal insertion of the medal YM. In the present embodiment, for the illegal passing error setting process, which is a particularly important process, the content stored in the second storage area that is different from the first storage area that is rewritten in the game progress process is rewritten. The management of the storage area of the RAM 100c can be further facilitated, and the security can be further improved.

  (5) In medal management processing and insertion check processing for rewriting the storage contents of the first storage area in the storage area of the main control RAM 100c, the storage contents of the second storage area that are not rewritten in each process can be referred to. For this reason, in the medal management process and the insertion check process, it is not necessary to perform the same process as the process of rewriting the storage contents of the second storage area, and the process of the slot machine 10 can be made efficient overall.

  (6) In the error display setting process that does not rewrite the storage contents of the first storage area and the second storage area among the storage areas of the main control RAM 100c, at least one of the storage contents of the storage area that is not rewritten in the process. Therefore, the processing of the slot machine 10 can be made more efficient overall while facilitating management of the storage area.

  (7) Among the important second type processes related to illegal insertion of medals YM, the input error check process includes determining whether or not there is a medal clogging in the medal selector 30, so that the medal clogging that may occur due to the illegal insertion of medals YM This is a particularly important process for discovering In the present embodiment, for such an input error check process, which is a particularly important process, the storage content of the second storage area different from the first storage area rewritten in the game progress process is rewritten. The storage area can be managed more easily, and the security can be further improved.

  (8) Since the main control CPU 100a determines the presence or absence of a medal clogging based on the detection results of the insertion sensors SE6 and SE7 provided in the medal selector 30 upstream of the chute member 40, the medal YM is illegal. The medal clogging that can occur due to the insertion can be detected early.

  (9) Furthermore, since the input error check process is also a process of setting a medal retention flag that is information relating to the number of medals YM in the guide passage AT, the medal YM in the guide passage AT that may be caused by unauthorized insertion of medals YM This is a particularly important process for discovering stagnation. As described above, the main control RAM 100c is used to rewrite the storage contents of the second storage area different from the first storage area to be rewritten in the game progress process for the input error check process, which is a particularly important process. The storage area can be managed more easily, and the security can be further improved.

  (10) In the input error check process, it is possible to refer to the storage contents of the first storage area rewritten in the game progress process. For this reason, in the input error check process, it is not necessary to perform the same process as the game progress process, and the process of the slot machine 10 can be made efficient overall.

  (11) The selector check process, the passing number check process, and the input error check process are performed as an interrupt process during the execution of the game progress process. In the selector check process, the passing number check process, and the input error check process, the storage contents of the second storage area of the storage area of the main control RAM 100c are rewritten, while the first storage area is rewritten in the game progress process. Do not rewrite the memory. That is, in the present embodiment, the storage contents of different storage areas in the storage area of the main control RAM 100c can be rewritten in the game progress process and the process performed as the interrupt process during the execution of the game progress process. This makes it easier to manage the storage area of the main control RAM 100c.

  (12) The medal retention flag is generated based on the detection results of the insertion sensors SE5 and SE6 provided in the medal selector 30 and the detection result of the fourth insertion sensor SE8 provided in the chute member 40. The For this reason, the main control CPU 100a can appropriately generate the medal retention flag.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In the storage area of the main control RAM 100c, how to define the first storage area and the second storage area may be changed as appropriate. For example, the second storage area may be a storage area assigned to an address before the first storage area. Moreover, it is not necessary to set an unused area in each storage area. In other words, the rewriteable storage area and the non-rewritable storage area need only be different for each type of processing performed by the main control CPU 100a.

  The first storage area and the second storage area may not be storage areas in the same RAM provided on the same substrate, for example, storage areas in another RAM provided on the same substrate. Alternatively, it may be a storage area in another RAM provided on another substrate. In this case, both of the plurality of RAMs correspond to the storage unit.

  The storage content stored in the first storage area and the storage content stored in the second storage area may be changed as appropriate. For example, information regarding fraud may be stored in the first storage area, or information regarding the progress of the game may be stored in the second storage area. However, from the viewpoint of facilitating the management of the storage area of the main control RAM 100c, it is preferable to classify information by type and to store different storage areas according to the type of information. Note that the types of information include information related to reel control, information related to effects, and the like in addition to information related to game progress and information related to fraud described in the above embodiment.

  The main control CPU 100a performs the storage contents of the first storage area in the third type processing that does not rewrite the storage contents of the first storage area and the second storage area of the main control RAM 100c, such as an error display setting process. In addition, both the stored contents of the second storage area may be referred to. In this case, since it is possible to refer to both the storage contents of the first storage area and the storage contents of the second storage area in the process that does not rewrite the storage contents, the entire processing of the gaming machine is further performed while facilitating the management of the storage unit. Efficiency. Further, the main control CPU 100a selects one of the storage contents of the first storage area and the storage contents of the second storage area in the third type processing that does not rewrite the storage contents of the first storage area and the storage contents of the second storage area. Only one of them may be referred to, or none of them may be referred to.

  In the above embodiment, the main control CPU 100a is different from the storage area to be rewritten in some of the processes for rewriting one of the storage contents of the first storage area and the storage contents of the second storage area. Although the storage contents of the storage area can be referred to, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in all processes of rewriting one of the storage contents of the first storage area and the storage contents of the second storage area, the storage contents of a storage area different from the storage area to be rewritten by the process can be referred to Also good. According to this, it is not necessary to perform the same process as the process of rewriting the storage contents of the predetermined storage area in the process of rewriting the storage area different from the predetermined storage area, and the processing of the slot machine 10 is improved overall. it can.

  In addition, in all of the processes for rewriting one of the storage contents of the first storage area and the storage contents of the second storage area, the storage contents of a storage area different from the storage area to be rewritten by the process cannot be referred to. May be. In addition, in the process of rewriting the storage contents of the first storage area, the storage contents of the second storage area can be referred to, while in the process of rewriting the storage contents of the second storage area, the storage contents of the first storage area cannot be referred to. It may be. In addition, in the process of rewriting the storage contents of the second storage area, the storage contents of the first storage area can be referred to, while in the process of rewriting the storage contents of the first storage area, the storage contents of the second storage area cannot be referred to. It may be.

  Specifically, in the processing (second type processing) performed based on the detection result of the medal YM by the insertion sensors SE5 to SE8, such as the illegal passing error setting processing, the stored contents of the first storage area can be referred to. May be. In addition, in the processing (second type processing) for generating information related to the presence or absence of game media in the medal selector 30 such as the medal jam error setting processing, the stored contents of the first storage area may be referred to. Further, in processing (second type processing) for generating information on the number of medals YM in the guide passage AT, such as selector check processing, passing number check processing, and medal retention error setting processing, the storage contents of the first storage area are stored. Reference may be made. Further, in the game progress process (first type process) related to the progress of the game, the stored contents of the second storage area may be referred to.

  The process performed by the main control CPU 100a may include a process of rewriting both the storage contents of the first storage area and the storage contents of the second storage area. That is, the processing performed by the main control CPU 100a includes at least rewriting the storage contents of the first storage area while not rewriting the storage contents of the second storage area, and rewriting the storage contents of the second storage area. It is only necessary to include a process that does not rewrite the storage contents of the storage area, and it may further include other processes.

  The main control CPU 100a may protect (save) the storage contents of the first storage area so that the storage contents of the first storage area are not rewritten in the process of rewriting the storage contents of the second storage area. According to this, it is possible to prevent the storage contents of the first storage area from being rewritten unintentionally due to fraud, etc., even though the process of not rewriting the storage contents of the first storage area is performed. Further, the main control CPU 100a may protect (save) the storage contents of the second storage area so that the storage contents of the second storage area are not rewritten in the process of rewriting the storage contents of the first storage area. .

  The processing procedures in various processes performed by the main control CPU 100a may be changed as appropriate. That is, the process performed by the main control CPU 100a includes a game progress process related to the progress of the game and a process called during execution of the game progress process, which is performed based on the detection results of the input sensors SE5 to SE8. As long as it is included.

  For example, the determination as to whether or not the transition of the detection state of the medal YM in step Sf03 of the insertion check process corresponds to the insertion sensor invalid transition may be executed in the unauthorized pass error setting process. Further, the determination as to whether or not the transition of the detection state of the medal YM in step Sg01 of the unauthorized passing error setting process corresponds to the insertion sensor abnormal transition may be performed in the insertion check process. That is, the determination as to whether or not the transition of the detection state of the medal YM corresponds to the insertion sensor invalid transition and the determination as to whether it corresponds to the insertion sensor abnormal transition may be performed within the same process. In addition, it may be determined as an illegal passing error state also when it corresponds to a making sensor invalid transition.

-Moreover, it is not necessary to determine whether it corresponds to an input sensor invalid transition. That is, it is only necessary to determine whether or not it corresponds to at least a making sensor abnormal transition.
In addition, the determination of the presence / absence of medal clogging in steps Sd01 to Sd03 and Sd08 to Sd11 of the input error check process may be performed in the error display setting process. That is, it may be determined whether or not there is a clogged medal in a process that is not an interrupt process. In this case, when it is determined that a medal jam has occurred, a medal jam flag may be set in another process called from the error display setting process.

  The determination as to whether or not the number of medals shown in the passing number check counter in step Sd06 of the input error check process is greater than or equal to the specified number may be performed in the error display setting process. That is, in a process that is not an interrupt process, it may be determined whether or not the number of medals indicated by the passing number check counter is equal to or greater than a specified number. In this case, when it is determined that the number of medals indicated by the passing number check counter is greater than or equal to the specified number, the medal retention flag may be set in another process called from the error display setting process.

  In addition, in the process of setting the medal jam flag in steps Sd04 and Sd12 of the input error check process, a medal jam error display flag may be set instead of the medal jam flag. In this case, the medal jam flag may be omitted. Further, in the process of setting the medal stay flag in step Sd07 of the input error check process, a medal stay error display flag may be set instead of the medal stay flag. In this case, the medal retention flag may be omitted.

  The main control CPU 100a may be configured to call and execute another second type process, the first type process, and the third type process in the second type process. Further, the main control CPU 100a may be configured to call and execute another third type process in the third type process.

  -You may change suitably the number of processes classified into 1st type process, 2nd type process, and 3rd type process. For example, the number of processes classified as the first type process may be one, and the number of processes classified as the second type process may be plural. Further, the number of processes classified as the first type process may be plural, and the number of processes classified as the second type process may be one. Further, both the number of processes classified as the first type process and the number of processes classified as the second type process may be one. In addition, the number of processes classified as the first type process and the number of processes classified as the second type process may both be plural. In this case, the number of processes classified as the first type process and the The number of processes classified into two types of processes may be different. Furthermore, in the above-described another example, the number of processes classified into the third type process may be one or may be plural.

  The main control ROM 100b stores and holds the specific storage area in the second storage area for the process of rewriting the first storage area of the main control RAM 100c among the various processes performed by the main control CPU 100a. As for the process of rewriting, it may be configured to store and hold in a non-specific storage area different from the specific storage area. In other words, of the storage areas of the main control RAM 100c, the first storage area is a storage area that is rewritten by processing stored and held in a specific storage area of the main control ROM 100b, and the second storage area is It can be grasped as a storage area that is rewritten by processing stored and held in a non-specific storage area of the main control ROM 100b.

  In addition, in the process stored in the specific storage area of the main control ROM 100b, another process stored in the specific storage area or the process stored in the non-specific storage area is called and executed. You may be able to. Further, in the process stored in the non-specific storage area of the main control ROM 100b, the process stored in the specific storage area may not be called and executed. Further, in the process stored in the non-specific storage area of the main control ROM 100b, another process stored in the non-specific storage area may be called and executed. It may be.

  The slot machine 10 may include an external output unit that can output information that can specify an error state to an external device such as a hall computer or a data counter. According to this configuration, based on a signal that can specify that an error state has been detected, for example, the occurrence of an error state can be aggregated or a predetermined notification can be performed in a hall computer or the like. In this case, at least one of the error notification by the effect display device 15 and the error notification by the error display unit 25a may be omitted.

  The first insertion sensor SE5 and the second insertion sensor SE6 may be mechanical (contact type) sensors. Further, the third input sensor SE7 may be a non-contact sensor such as a photo sensor.

-The number and placement positions of the insertion sensors in the medal selector 30 may be changed. For example, one or both of the first closing sensor SE5 and the second closing sensor SE6 may be omitted.
The third insertion sensor SE7 may be arranged on the medal insertion port 17 side (upstream side) of the medal selector 30 in the guide passage AT.

  The fourth insertion sensor SE8 may be a non-contact sensor that does not include the detection piece 46 and that directly detects the passage of the medal YM using a photo sensor or the like. In this case, instead of the detection piece 46, a restriction mechanism for restricting the movement of the medal YM in the reverse direction may be provided separately, or the restriction mechanism may not be provided.

  -You may change the arrangement position of 4th throwing-in sensor SE8. For example, the fourth closing sensor SE8 may be disposed in the first extension part 40a or the bending part 40b. In other words, the second detection means may be disposed on the guide path 42 from the medal selector 30 to the hopper unit 26 (storage box 27) and can detect the passing medal YM.

  The width of the guide path 42 may be a width that allows a single medal YM to pass simultaneously. In this case, the value of the passing number check counter may be decremented by 1 in the process of step Sc02 in the passing number check process. In this case, the process of step Sc03 in the passing number check process may be omitted. Further, the width of the guide path 42 may be a width through which three or more medals YM can pass simultaneously.

  The value to be subtracted from the passing number check counter in step Sc03 in the passing number check process may be changed as appropriate. For example, the number of medals YM that can simultaneously pass through the guide path 42 in a state of being overlapped in the width direction, The value to be subtracted from the passing number check counter may not match. Here, the smaller the value to be subtracted from the passing number check counter is, the more likely the number of staying medals indicated by the passing number check counter becomes greater than the number of medals in the guide passage AT. While it may be difficult to overlook, it may be easy to erroneously determine that the medal YM remains. On the other hand, as the value subtracted from the passing number check counter is increased, the staying medal number indicated by the passing number check counter is likely to be smaller than the number of medals in the guide passage AT, so that the medal YM stays. While it is possible to suppress erroneous determination that the medals are present, it may be easy to miss the stay of the medal YM.

  The main control CPU 100a may detect the detection mode of each of the input sensors SE5, SE6, SE8 different from the above embodiment as an error state. For example, as a predetermined detection mode for detecting an error state, the time from when the medal YM is last detected by the insertion sensors SE5 and SE6 to when the medal YM is detected by the fourth insertion sensor SE8 is a predetermined time. It may be set to exceed.

  The main control CPU 100a makes an affirmative determination in the process of step Sb01 in the selector check process when the third input sensor SE7 is ON, but makes a negative determination when the third input sensor SE7 is not ON. May be. That is, the third input sensor SE7 may be the first detection unit. In this case, the specified number of sheets used in the determination of step Sd06 in the input error check process is staying in the first medal path 31 (detection position of the medal YM by the third insertion sensor SE7) in addition to the guide path AT in the above embodiment. A number obtained by adding the number of possible medals YM may be set.

  The main control CPU 100a may be able to detect an error state other than the various error states described above. For example, a medal clogging in the hopper unit 26 may be detected as an error state based on the detection mode of the medal YM in the payout sensor disposed in the hopper unit 26, and the hopper in which the medal YM is not stored in the storage box 27. The sky may be detected as an error state.

  The error notification by the effect display device 15 and the error display unit 25a may be any content that notifies the slot machine 10 that some kind of error state has occurred, and can specifically recognize the type of error state. It does not have to be.

Any of the notification of the error state by the effect display device 15 and the notification of the error state by the error display unit 25a may be omitted.
The main control ROM 100b and the main control RAM 100c may be different memories or may be different storage areas in the same memory. Similarly, the sub control ROM 200b and the sub control RAM 200c may be different memories or may be different storage areas in the same memory.

  -The function of the sub-board 200 may be divided into a plurality of boards. For example, a display board that specially controls the effect display device 15, an audio board that specially controls the speaker 14, and a lamp board that specially controls the decorative lamp 13 may be provided. An integrated board may be further provided.

  -It may be embodied in a gaming machine using a gaming medium having a shape different from the medal YM. For example, the present invention may be embodied as a slot machine (so-called parrot) using a game ball (pachinko ball) as a game medium or a pachinko game machine.

In the following, technical ideas that can be understood from the above embodiment and other examples will be added.
(A) The process performed by the processing unit includes a process that does not rewrite the storage contents of the first area and the storage contents of the second area. In this process, the storage contents of the first area and the second area The stored contents of the area can be referenced.

  (B) The game medium is a game medal, and the guide unit includes a medal selector that receives the inserted game medium, and a guide rod that guides the game medal that has passed through the medal selector to the storage unit. The detection unit is provided in the medal selector.

  (C) a processing unit that performs processing, a storage unit that stores a processing result of the processing unit, a storage unit that stores game media, a guide unit that guides the inserted game media to the storage unit, and the guidance A detection unit for detecting a game medium in the unit, and the process performed by the processing unit includes a main process performed as a main routine and a process performed as a subroutine, wherein the detection unit detects the game medium. Based on at least a staying process including determining whether or not the game medium stays in the guide unit, and the main process uses the storage content of the first area among the storage areas of the storage unit as a processing result. The storage content of the second area in the storage area of the storage unit is not rewritten while the staying process rewrites the storage content of the second area according to the processing result. In the gaming machine, which is a process that does not rewrite the stored contents of the first region.

  AT ... guide passage (guide part), YM ... game medal (game medium), SE5 ... first insertion sensor (detection part, first detection part), SE6 ... second insertion sensor (detection part, first detection part), SE7: third insertion sensor (detection unit), SE8: fourth insertion sensor (detection unit, second detection unit), 27: storage box (storage unit), 30: medal selector, 40 ... chute member (guide rod), DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Main board | substrate, 100a ... CPU for main control (processing part), 100c ... RAM for main control (memory | storage part).

Claims (2)

A processing unit for processing;
A storage unit for storing a processing result of the processing unit;
A storage unit for storing game media;
A guide unit for guiding the input game medium to the storage unit;
A detection unit for detecting a game medium in the guide unit,
The processing performed by the processing unit includes
Game progress processing related to the progress of the game,
At least a staying process that is called during execution of the game progress process and includes determining whether or not the game medium stays in the guide unit based on a detection mode of the game medium by the detection unit. Yes,
The game progress process is a process in which the storage content of the first area in the storage area of the storage unit is rewritten according to the processing result, while the storage content of the second area in the storage area of the storage unit is not rewritten. ,
The staying process is a process of rewriting the storage content of the second area according to the processing result, while not rewriting the storage content of the first area,
In the game progress process, the stored contents of the second area can be referred to,
In the staying process, the storage content of the first area is evacuated . The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein in the game progress process, the stored contents of the second area are saved .

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