JP6654837B2 - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine and a slot machine.

  As this kind of gaming machine, there has been proposed a gaming machine which displays a set value of a payout ratio or the like by a player operating a setting key switch so that the player's advantage can be confirmed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-18078 A

  In the gaming machine described in Patent Literature 1, when a setting key switch is operated in an on state, an interrupt is generated to start displaying a set value, and when the setting key switch is operated in an off state. Since the display of the set value is terminated and the process immediately returns to the original processing, the operation of displaying the set value is performed, and if the operation of immediately terminating the operation is performed, the setting is incorrectly confirmed. In such a case, it may not be possible to externally recognize that the setting has been confirmed, and it may not be possible to identify the possibility of tampering.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of reliably recognizing that the advantage has been confirmed outside.

In order to solve the above problems, a gaming machine according to claim 1 of the present invention
In gaming machines that play games,
An advantage display control means for performing an advantage display control for displaying an advantage for the player,
Control flag control means for controlling a state of a control flag indicating that the advantage display control is being performed ;
In an external output process executed at a specific time interval, an external output signal output to an external device is updated to an ON state when the control flag is set, and the external output signal is updated when the control flag is cleared. External output signal updating means for updating the external output signal to an OFF state;
With
The advantage display control means starts the advantage display control in response to a start operation, ends the advantage display control in response to an end operation,
It said control flag control means sets the control flag in response to the start operation, after the completion of operation is, the control flag is cleared to thereafter a predetermined delay time has elapsed,
The time required to detect the end operation is a time shorter than the specific time,
The predetermined delay time is a time longer than the specific time.
It is characterized by:
The gaming machine of the means 1 of the present invention comprises:
In a gaming machine that performs a game (slot machine 1),
An advantage display control means (main control unit 41) for performing an advantage display control (display control of a set value) for displaying an advantage degree (set value) for a player;
An output control unit (main control unit 41) that performs output control (output of a setting signal and notification of setting confirmation) that externally recognizes that the advantage display control (display control of the set value) is being performed. , Sub-control unit 91),
With
The advantage display control means starts the advantage display control (display of the set value) upon a start operation (on of the setting key switch 37) and upon an end operation (off of the setting key switch 37). Ending the advantage display control (display control of the set value),
The output control means starts the output control (output of a setting signal, notification of a setting check) upon the start operation (setting key switch 37 on), and ends the operation (off of the setting key switch 37). After a predetermined delay period (delay period) elapses, the output control (output of a signal during setting, notification of setting confirmation) is terminated.
According to this feature, the advantage display control is started upon a start operation and is terminated upon an end operation, while the output control for externally recognizing that the advantage display control is being performed is output. Is started upon the start operation and continues even after the end operation is performed until a predetermined delay time elapses, so that it is possible to externally reliably recognize that the advantage has been confirmed.

The gaming machine according to the second aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to the first aspect,
The output control is a control for outputting an external output signal (setting signal) indicating that the advantage display control (display control of a set value) is being performed to an external device,
The output control means starts outputting the external output signal (setting signal) upon the start operation (setting key switch 37 is turned on), and after the end operation (setting key switch 37 is turned off). After the elapse of a predetermined delay period (delay period), the output of the external output signal (setting signal) is terminated.
According to this feature, the fact that the advantage has been confirmed can be reliably recognized by the external device.

The gaming machine according to the third aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to the first or second aspect,
First control means (main control unit 41) including the advantage display control means;
Notification means (liquid crystal display 51, speakers 53 and 54) capable of performing notification;
A second control unit (sub-control unit 91) that controls the notification unit based on control information (command) transmitted from the first control unit (main control unit 41);
With
The output control means includes the first control means and the second control means,
The output control is control (notification during setting confirmation) for notifying by the notification means that the advantage display control (display control of the set value) is being performed,
The first control means transmits start control information (setting confirmation start command) indicating the start of the advantage display control when the start operation (setting key switch 37 is turned on), and performs the end operation (setting key). After a predetermined delay period (delay period) elapses after the switch 37 is turned off, end control information (setting confirmation end command) indicating the end of the advantage display control is transmitted,
The second control means, when receiving the start control information (setting check start command), starts the notification (setting check notification) by the notifying means, and receives the end control information (setting check end command). In this case, the notification by the notification means (setting confirmation notification) is terminated.
According to this feature, the fact that the degree of advantage has been confirmed can be reliably recognized by the notification means.

The gaming machine of the means 4 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of the means 1 to 3,
Whether or not to set one of a state in which a game medium (medal) can be inserted (a state in which the insertion possible flag is set) and a state in which a game medium cannot be inserted (a state in which the insertion possible flag is not set) A state setting unit (main control unit 41);
When the advantage display control (set value display control) starts, the insertion possibility state setting means determines whether a state in which game media can be inserted or a state in which game media cannot be inserted is set. Regardless, it is set to a state where it is impossible to insert the game medium (clear the insertion possible flag)
It is characterized by:
According to this feature, when the advantage display control is performed, it is impossible to insert the game medium regardless of whether the game medium can be inserted or the game medium cannot be inserted. Is set, it is possible to reliably set the state in which it is impossible to insert the game medium when performing the advantage display control.

The gaming machine of the means 5 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of the means 1 to 4,
Insertion availability determination means (insertion availability determination processing) for determining whether or not a game medium can be inserted;
Insertion permission / inhibition state setting means for setting one of a state in which game media can be inserted (a state in which an insertion enable flag is set) and a state in which game media cannot be inserted (a state in which an insertion enable flag is not set). (Main controller 41),
With
The advantage display control means is responsive to the start operation (on of the setting key switch 37) irrespective of whether or not a state in which a game medium can be inserted (a state in which an insertable flag is set). Degree display control (display control of set value) starts,
The insertion possibility determination means determines whether or not a game medium (medal) can be inserted when the advantage display control (set value display control) ends,
The insertion possible / impossible state setting means sets a state in which a game medium can be inserted or a state in which a game medium cannot be inserted, according to a determination result of the insertion possible / impossible determination means (insertion availability determination processing). I have.
According to this feature, after the end of the advantage display control, even when the state in which the game medium can be inserted or the state in which the game medium cannot be inserted is set, the insertion of the game medium other than the end of the advantage display control is performed. Even when a possible state or a state in which game media cannot be inserted is set, the processing for setting these states can be shared.

The gaming machine of the means 6 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of the means 1 to 5,
The time required to detect the start operation (the setting key switch 37 is on) is shorter than the time required to detect the operation related to the progress of the game (for example, the start switch 7 is on). .
According to this feature, since the time required to detect the start operation is relatively short, it is possible to detect a high possibility that there has been a fraud, while the operation related to the progress of the game can be performed. Since the time required to detect the is relatively long, the accuracy of determining whether or not an operation has been performed can be increased.

The gaming machine of the means 7 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of the means 1 to 6,
Equipped with an opening / closing door (front door 1b)
The start operation (on of the setting key switch 37) can be operated on condition that the open / close door (front door 1b) is opened.
According to this feature, it is possible to prevent the advantage display control from being illegally performed.

The gaming machine of the means 8 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of the means 1 to 7,
Control means (main control unit 41) for performing control based on a program;
Setting means for setting the control means (setting of various functions performed with reference to HW parameters);
With
The control means executes processing based on a program (game program or non-game program) after the setting by the setting means is performed, and prohibits an interrupt before processing based on the program is started (startup). Setting interrupt prohibition by time setting)
It is characterized by:
According to this feature, occurrence of an unintended interrupt can be prevented.

The gaming machine of the means 9 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of the means 1 to 8,
Control means (main control unit 41) for performing control based on a program;
Address storage means (vector table) capable of storing an address of an interrupt program (timer interrupt processing (main)) for executing the interrupt processing;
Determining means for determining at start-up whether or not the address stored in the address storage means (vector table) is within a predetermined range (area of the program area where programs and the like are actually stored);
Activation limiting means for restricting activation when it is determined that the address stored in the address storage means (vector table) is not within a predetermined range. Do not start if it is not the area actually stored)
It is characterized by having.
According to this feature, execution of unintended interrupt processing can be prevented in advance.

The gaming machine of the means 10 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of the means 1 to 9,
A plurality of timer value storage areas (for example, 1-byte timers A to C);
When any one of a plurality of types of timing conditions (for example, the timing conditions of the one-byte timers A to C) is satisfied, a timer value storage area (for example, the one-byte timer A) corresponding to the timing condition is satisfied. To C) a timer value storage means (main processing) for storing a timer value according to the timing condition;
Timer value updating means (time counter updating processing) capable of updating timer values stored in a plurality of timer value storage areas (for example, one-byte timers A to C) at predetermined intervals (about 2.24 ms);
With
To a plurality of timer value storage areas (for example, 1-byte timers A to C), continuous addresses (804CH to 804EH) are assigned according to a predetermined rule (+1),
The timer value updating means performs a predetermined operation (designated address + 1) on an update process (a process of subtracting 1 from the value indicated by the pointer) for updating the timer value stored in the timer value storage area corresponding to the designated address. Thus, a plurality of types of timer values can be updated by repeatedly executing while changing the designated address for the timer value storage area.
According to this feature, continuous addresses are assigned to the plurality of timer value storage areas according to a predetermined rule, and an update process for updating the timer value stored in the timer value storage area corresponding to the specified address is performed by a predetermined process. When multiple types of timer values are updated by repeatedly executing while changing the designated address for the timer value storage area by performing the above operation, the process of updating multiple types of timer values is performed for each type of timer value Program capacity can be reduced.
It should be noted that continuous addresses are assigned according to a predetermined rule, for example, when a start address and an address added by N (N is a natural number) from the start address are assigned.
Further, changing the designated address for the timer value storage area by performing a predetermined operation means, for example, changing the designated address by adding or subtracting a value corresponding to the number of processes to the current designated address; Changing a specified address by adding or subtracting a constant from or to a reference address corresponds to this. At this time, the value or the constant according to the number of processes may be different depending on the storage capacity of the timer value. For example, if the timer value is stored byte by byte, the value according to the number of processes is equal to the number of processes. .. And the constant is 1. However, if the timer value is stored in units of 2 bytes, the value corresponding to the number of processes becomes 2, 4, 6,. , And the constant is 2.

  It should be noted that the present invention may have only the matters specifying the invention described in the claims of the present invention, or may have configurations other than the matters specifying the invention together with the matters specifying the invention described in the claims of the present invention. It may be something.

It is a front view of the slot machine of the example to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the slot machine. It is a figure which shows the symbol arrangement | sequence of a reel. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the slot machine. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main control unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a ROM and a RAM of a main control unit. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating details of a memory map of a ROM and a RAM of a main control unit. It is a figure showing the composition of a game program and a non-game program. It is a figure showing the relation between a game field and a non-game field. (A) is a sectional view of the medal selector in a state where the flow path switching solenoid is turned off, and (b) is an AA sectional view of (a). (A) is a sectional view of the medal selector in a state where the flow path switching solenoid is turned on, and (b) is a sectional view taken along line BB of (a). 6 is a flowchart illustrating control contents of an initial setting process executed by a main control unit. 6 is a flowchart illustrating control contents of a main process executed by a main control unit. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the game start waiting process which a main control part performs. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the game start waiting process which a main control part performs. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the game start waiting process which a main control part performs. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the medal insertion determination processing which a main control part performs. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the insertion possibility determination processing which a main control part performs. 6 is a flowchart illustrating control contents of a settlement process executed by a main control unit. 6 is a flowchart illustrating control contents of a setting confirmation process executed by a main control unit. 5 is a flowchart illustrating control contents of an error process executed by a main control unit. 5 is a flowchart illustrating control contents of a power interruption process executed by a main control unit. 6 is a flowchart illustrating control contents when a main control unit determines a value of a timer counter. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a storage area of a timer counter in a RAM. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the control content of a time counter update process executed by a main control unit. 9 is a timing chart illustrating an output state of an external output signal in a setting confirmation process. 40 is a timing chart showing an output state of an external output signal of a slot machine to which the present invention is not applied.

  Embodiments for implementing a slot machine according to the present invention will be described below based on embodiments.

  An embodiment of a slot machine to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a housing 1a having an open front surface and a side of the housing 1a. And a front door 1b pivotally supported at one end.

  As shown in FIG. 2, inside the housing 1a of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, reels 2L, 2C, and 2R (hereinafter, left reel, middle reel, right reel) on which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer periphery. ) Are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction, and as shown in FIG. 1, three continuous symbols among the symbols arranged on the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R can be seen from the see-through window 3 provided on the front door 1b. Are arranged as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 3, "red 7", "blue 7", "white 7", "BAR", "watermelon", "cherry a", and "cherry" are provided on the outer peripheral portions of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, respectively. A plurality of mutually identifiable patterns such as "b", "bell", "replay a", "replay b", and "plum" are drawn in a predetermined order, each of which is 21 pieces. The symbols drawn on the outer peripheral portions of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are displayed in upper, middle, lower, and upper tiers, respectively, in the see-through window 3 provided substantially at the center of the front door 1b.

  Each of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R is rotated by a correspondingly provided reel motor 32L, 32C, 32R (see FIG. 4), so that the design of each of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R is continuous with the see-through window 3. While the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are stopped rotating, three consecutive symbols are derived and displayed on the see-through window 3 as a display result.

  Inside the reels 2L, 2C, 2R, a reel sensor 33L, 33C, 33R for detecting a reference position and a reel LED 55 for irradiating the reels 2L, 2C, 2R from the back are provided for the reels 2L, 2C, 2R, respectively. , Are provided. The reel LED 55 includes twelve LEDs corresponding to three consecutive symbols on the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, and can irradiate each symbol independently.

  A display area 51a of a liquid crystal display 51 (see FIG. 1) is arranged at a position on the front side (player side) of each of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R of the front door 1b. The liquid crystal display 51 has a liquid crystal panel having transparency when no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal element. The liquid crystal display 51 is provided with a transparent region 51 b corresponding to the transparent window 3 of the display region 51 a and a transparent window 3. Each reel 2L, 2C, 2R can be visually recognized from the player side.

  In the front door 1b, as shown in FIG. 1, a medal slot 4 in which medals can be inserted, a medal payout port 9 in which medals are paid out, and a credit (the number of medals stored as a game value owned by the player). In this range, the maximum bet amount of the specified number of bets determined according to the game state within the range (3 is set as the specified number of RT0 to 4 described later and 2 is set as the specified number of RB in the present embodiment). MAXBET switch 6 that is operated when setting the medals, the medals stored as credits and the medals used for setting the bet amount are settled (the medals used for setting the credits and the bet amount are returned) ), A start switch 7 that is operated when starting a game, and a stop switch that is operated when each of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R stops rotating. Pitch 8L, 8C, 8R, effect switch 56 to be used in effect are respectively provided so as to be operated by the player.

  In this embodiment, of the three reels 2L, 2C, and 2R that have started rotating, the reel that stops first is referred to as a first stop reel, and the stop is referred to as a first stop. Similarly, the reel that stops second is referred to as a second stop reel, the stop is referred to as a second stop, the reel that stops third is referred to as a third stop reel, and the stop is referred to as a third stop. Alternatively, it is referred to as a final stop.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the front door 1b displays a credit indicator 11 displaying the number of medals stored as credits, and shows the number of medals paid out due to the occurrence of a prize and the contents of the error when an error occurs. The game auxiliary display 12 displays an error code, information which can identify the reel stop order based on the navigation notification described later, etc., the 1 BET LED 14 for notifying that the bet number is set to 1, and the bet number is set to 2. 2 BET LED 15 for notifying that the game is on, 3 BET LED 16 for notifying that the bet amount has been set to 3 by light, insertion request LED 17 for notifying that a medal can be inserted, and a start switch 7 to operate the game. A start valid LED 18 for notifying that the start operation is valid by lighting, and a weight (previous game (A state in which the rotation of the reels is awaited because a certain period has not elapsed since the start.) A waiting LED 19 for notifying by light that the vehicle is being replayed and a replay LED 20 for notifying that a replay game is being performed is provided. Game display unit 13 is provided.

  Inside the MAXBET switch 6, there is provided a BET switch valid LED 21 (see FIG. 4) for notifying by lighting that the setting operation of the bet amount by operating the MAXBET switch 6 is valid, and the stop switches 8L, 8C, Inside the 8R, left, middle, and right stop valid LEDs 22L, 22C, and 22R (see FIG. 4) are provided to notify by light that the reel stop operation by the corresponding stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is valid. An effect LED 56a (see FIG. 4) is provided inside the effect switch 56 to notify by lighting that the operation of the effect switch 56 is effective.

  As shown in FIG. 2, inside the front door 1b, as shown in FIG. 2, a reset switch 23 for detecting a reset operation for releasing an error state described later and a hit state described later by a predetermined key operation, and a change of a set value described later A set value display 24 on which the set value at that time is displayed during or while the set value is being checked. A hit control for controlling to a stop state (a state in which the progress of the game is restricted until a reset operation is performed) at a predetermined timing. A hitting switch 36a for selecting the validity / invalidity of the stopping function, an automatic control for controlling the automatic payment processing (processing for paying out (returning) a medal stored as a credit regardless of a player's operation) at a predetermined timing. An automatic settlement switch 36b for selecting the validity / invalidity of the settlement function, and a flow path of medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 4 are connected to a hopper tank 34a (described later) provided inside the housing 1a. 2) A flow path switching solenoid 30 for selectively switching to either the medal payout exit 9 side or the medal payout exit 9 side, and an inserted medal sensor 31a which detects medals which are inserted from the medal insertion port 4 and flow down to the hopper tank 34a side. To c, a medal selector 29 having an insertion port sensor 26 for detecting the insertion of a foreign substance on the upstream side of the insertion medal sensors 31a to 31c, and a door open detection switch 25 (see FIG. 4) for detecting the open state of the front door 1b. Have been.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R (see FIG. 4) and the reel reference positions of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are respectively provided inside the housing 1a. A reel unit 2 including detectable reel sensors 33L, 33C, 33R (see FIG. 4), an external output board 1000 for outputting an external output signal (see FIG. 4), and a medal inserted from the medal slot 4 are stored. Hopper tank 34a, a hopper motor 34b (see FIG. 4) for paying out medals stored in the hopper tank 34a from the medal payout port 9, and a payout sensor 34c for detecting medals paid out by driving the hopper motor 34b ( (See FIG. 4) and a power supply box 100 are provided.

  On the side of the hopper unit 34, an overflow tank 35 for storing medals overflowing from the hopper tank 34a is provided. Inside the overflow tank 35, there is provided a full sensor 35a (see FIG. 4) for detecting that the stored medals are full.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the front of the power supply box 100 functions as a setting key switch 37 for switching to a setting change state or a setting confirmation state, and normally functions as a reset switch for canceling an error state or a stopped state. In a setting change state, a reset / setting switch 38 functioning as a setting switch for changing a setting value of a winning probability (a payout rate) of an internal lottery described later, and a power supply operated when turning on / off the power supply A switch 39 is provided.

  The power supply box 100 is provided inside the housing 1a, and the front door 1b is provided on the front of the power supply box 100 because the front door 1b can be opened by a predetermined key operation held by a clerk or the like. The set key switch 37, the reset / setting switch 38, and the power switch 39 can be operated only by a person such as a clerk having the key, and cannot be operated by the player. The same applies to the reset switch 23 detected by a predetermined key operation. In particular, since the setting key switch 37 requires further key operation after opening the front door 1b by key operation, only the clerk who has the key for operating the setting key switch 37 among the clerks at the game arcade. Operation is allowed.

  When playing a game in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, first, medals are inserted through the medal insertion slot 4 or the number of bets is set using credits. To use the credit, the MAXBET switch 6 may be operated. When a predetermined number of bets set according to the game state is set, the pay line LN (see FIG. 1) becomes valid, and the operation of the start switch 7 is valid, that is, the game can be started. Become. In this embodiment, three bets are defined as a prescribed number of bets in RT0 to RT4 described later, and two are determined as a prescribed number of bets in RB described later. When the bet amount is set, the pay line LN is activated. When medals are inserted in more than the maximum number among the prescribed numbers corresponding to the gaming state, the medals are added to the credit.

  The winning line is a line that is set to determine whether the combination of the symbols displayed in the perspective windows 3 of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is a combination of the winning symbols. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, only the winning line LN set across the middle row of the reel 2L, the middle section of the reel 2C, and the middle section of the reel 2R, that is, the middle row, is a winning line. Stipulated. In this embodiment, only one winning line is applied, but a plurality of winning lines may be applied.

  Further, in this embodiment, in order to make it easy to recognize that the combination of the symbols constituting the prize is arranged in the prize line LN, the invalid lines LM1 to LM4 are set separately from the prize line LN. The invalid lines LM1 to LM4 are not determined based on the combination of the symbols arranged on the invalid lines LM1 to LM4. When the combination of the symbols constituting the specific prize is arranged on the prize line LN, the invalid lines LM1 to LM4 are invalid. When a combination of symbols (for example, bell-bell-bell) that wins when the winning line LN is aligned with any of the LM1 to LM4 is arranged, a symbol forming a specific winning on the winning line LN is formed. This is to make it easy to recognize that the combination is complete.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper line of the reel 2L, the upper line of the reel 2C, and the upper line of the reel 2R, that is, the invalid line LM1 set over the symbols arranged in the upper direction in the horizontal direction, and the lower line of the reel 2L , The lower line of the reel 2C, the lower line of the reel 2R, that is, the invalid line LM2 set across the symbols arranged horizontally in the lower line, the upper line of the reel 2L, the middle line of the reel 2C, the lower line of the reel 2R, that is, the lower line. There are four types of invalid lines LM: an invalid line LM3 set across the symbols, a lower line of the reel 2L, a middle line of the reel 2C, and an upper line of the reel 2R, that is, an invalid line LM4 set across the symbols lined up to the right. It is defined as.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when a predetermined combination of symbols (for example, “Bell-watermelon-cherry b”) determined as a combination in the winning line LN is completed, a prize is won and a predetermined symbol is formed. When the combination is completed, a symbol combination (for example, “watermelon-watermelon-watermelon”) that is an index that is easier to recognize than a predetermined symbol combination is arranged on one of the invalid lines LM1 to LM4, and thus the invalid lines LM1 to LM4 are generated. And a combination that can make it appear as if a prize has been won by a combination of symbols arranged in any of the above. Hereinafter, a combination of symbols that are aligned with any of the invalid lines LM1 to LM4 when a predetermined symbol combination is aligned with the pay line LN is referred to as a symbol combination as an index, and constitutes a symbol combination as an index. The design is called an index design.

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

  When one of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is stopped, one game is completed, and a predetermined symbol combination (hereinafter, also referred to as a combination) is displayed on each of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R on the winning line LN. As a result, when the game stops, a prize is generated, and a predetermined number of medals are awarded to the player according to the prize and added to the credit. When the number of credits reaches the upper limit (50 in this embodiment), medals are paid directly from the medal payout port 9 (see FIG. 1). Further, when a combination of symbols accompanied by a transition of the gaming state is stopped on the pay line LN as a result of displaying the reels 2L, 2C, 2R, the game state is shifted to a gaming state corresponding to the combination of the symbols. .

  In this embodiment, the game starts when the operation of the start switch 7 is detected in a state where the operation of the start switch 7 is valid, and ends when all the reels stop. One unit of control (game control) for executing the game is started when all controls accompanying the end of the previous game are completed, and when all controls accompanying the end of the game are completed. finish.

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

  Further, in the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, after the game is started and the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are rotated and the symbols start to change, one of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is operated. Then, the rotation of the reel corresponding to the stop switch 8L, 8C, 8R is stopped, and the symbol is stopped and displayed. The maximum stop delay time from the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R to the stop of the rotation of the corresponding reels 2L, 2C, 2R is 190 ms (millisecond).

  The reels 2L, 2C, and 2R rotate 80 times per minute, and change 80 × 21 (the number of symbols per reel) = 1,680 symbols, so that a maximum of four symbols are drawn during 190 ms. You can do it. That is, the symbols that can be selected as the stop symbols are the symbols displayed when the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are operated, and the symbols four frames away from the symbols, for a total of five symbols.

  Therefore, for example, when one of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is operated and the symbol displayed on the lower row of the reel corresponding to the stop switch is set as a reference, the symbol from the symbol to four frames ahead is displayed. Since the symbol can be displayed in the lower row, when one of the stop switches 8L, 8R is operated on each of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R, the symbol displayed in the middle row of the reel corresponding to the stop switch is operated. Can be displayed on the winning line, including symbols arranged within five frames.

  Hereinafter, the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R may be simply referred to as reels unless it is particularly necessary to distinguish them. The reel 2L may be referred to as a left reel, the reel 2C may be referred to as a middle reel, and the reel 2R may be referred to as a right reel. An operation of stopping the reels 2L, 2C, 2R by operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R may be referred to as a stop operation.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the slot machine 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the slot machine 1 is provided with a game control board 40, an effect control board 90, and a power supply board 101. The game state is controlled by the game control board 40, and the game state is controlled by the effect control board 90. Is produced, and a drive power supply for the electric components constituting the slot machine 1 is generated by the power supply board 101 and supplied to each unit.

  A power supply of AC 100 V is supplied to the power supply board 101 from the outside, and a DC voltage required for driving the electric components constituting the slot machine 1 is generated from the power supply of AC 100 V, and the game control board 40 and the production control board 90. It is supplied to. The hopper motor 34b, the payout sensor 34c, the full tank sensor 35a, the setting key switch 37, the reset / setting switch 38, and the power switch 39 are connected to the power supply board 101.

  On the game control board 40, the MAXBET switch 6, the start switch 7, the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R, the settlement switch 10, the reset switch 23, the hitting switch 36a, the automatic settlement switch 36b, the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c, The door open detection switch 25, the reel sensors 33L, 33C, 33R are connected, and the payout sensor 34c, the full tank sensor 35a, the setting key switch 37, and the reset / setting switch 38 are connected via the power supply board 101. In addition, detection signals of these connected switches are input. In addition, the game control board 40 includes the above-described credit indicator 11, game assist indicators 12, 1-3 BET LEDs 14-16, insertion request LED 17, start valid LED 18, waiting LED 19, replay LED 20, BET switch valid LED 21, , Middle and right stop effective LEDs 22L, 22C, 22R, a set value display 24, a flow path switching solenoid 30, and reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R, and the hopper motor 34b described above via the power supply board 101. These electric components are connected and driven based on the control of a main control unit 41 described later mounted on the game control board 40.

  The game control board 40 performs a process relating to the progress of the game and also directly or indirectly controls each part of a control circuit mounted on the game control board 40, and an oscillation signal of a predetermined frequency. A control clock generation circuit for generating a control clock CCLK; a random number clock generation circuit 43 for generating a random number clock RCLK which is an oscillation signal having a predetermined frequency different from the oscillation frequency of the control clock CCLK; A switch detection circuit 44 that takes in a detection signal input from switches connected directly to or via a power supply board 101 and transmits the signal to a main control unit 41, and a motor drive signal (stepping) output from the main control unit 41. Motor drive circuit 45 for transmitting the motor phase signals) to the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R. A solenoid drive circuit 46 for transmitting a solenoid drive signal output from the main control unit 41 to the flow path switching solenoid 30; and various displays connected to the game control board 40 using an LED drive signal output from the main control unit 41. When the voltage of the power supply supplied to the slot machine 1 is detected by monitoring the voltage of the power supply supplied to the slot machine 1, a voltage drop signal indicating the fact is output to the main control unit 41. And a reset circuit 49 that supplies a system reset signal to the main control unit 41 when the power supply is unstable such as when the power is turned on or when the power is turned off.

  FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the main control unit 41 mounted on the game control board 40. The main control unit 41 is a one-chip microcomputer, and includes an external bus interface 501, a clock circuit 502, a verification block 503, a unique information storage circuit 504, an arithmetic circuit 505, a reset / interrupt controller 506, CPU (Central Processing Unit) 41a, ROM (Read Only Memory) 41b, RAM (Random Access Memory) 41c, free-run counter circuit 507, random number circuits 508a and 508b, timer circuit 509, interrupt controller 510 , A parallel input port 511, a serial communication circuit 512, a parallel output port 513, and an address decode circuit 514.

  The reset / interrupt controller 506 controls various reset and interrupt requests generated inside and outside the main control unit 41. The reset / interruption controller 506 includes an out-of-designation area prohibition (IAT) circuit 506a and a watchdog timer (WDT) 506b. The IAT circuit 506a is a circuit for monitoring whether or not the user program is correctly executed in the designated area, and has a function of outputting an IAT generation signal when detecting that the user program has been executed outside the designated area. In addition, the watchdog timer 506b has a function of generating a timeout signal every set period.

  The external bus interface 501 is a bus interface having an interface function between an external bus and an internal bus of a chip constituting the main control unit 41, an address bus, a data bus, and a direction control function of each control signal. The clock circuit 502 is a circuit that generates the internal system clock SCLK by dividing the control clock CCLK by two or the like. The verification block 503 has a function of connecting to an external verification machine and verifying a chip. The unique information storage circuit 504 is a circuit that stores a plurality of types of unique information serving as internal information of the main control unit 41. The arithmetic circuit 505 is a circuit that performs multiplication and division.

  The CPU 41a is a control CPU that executes a game control in the slot machine 1 by executing a user program (a game control processing program for game control) based on the control code read from the ROM 41b. When such game control is executed, a fixed data reading operation in which the CPU 41a reads fixed data from the ROM 41b, a variable data writing operation in which the CPU 41a writes various variable data in the RAM 41c and temporarily stores the same, and the CPU 41a is temporarily stored in the RAM 41c. A variable data reading operation for reading various kinds of variable data, a reception operation in which the CPU 41a receives an input of various signals from outside the main control unit 41 via the external bus interface 501, the parallel input port 511, the serial communication circuit 512, and the like; A transmission operation of outputting various signals to the outside of the main control unit 41 via the external bus interface 501, the serial communication circuit 512, the parallel output port 513, and the like is also performed.

  The ROM 41b stores control codes indicating user programs (game control processing programs for game control), fixed data, and the like. The RAM 41c provides a work area for game control and the like. Here, at least a part of the RAM 41c may be a backup RAM backed up by a backup power supply. That is, even if the power supply to the slot machine 1 is stopped, at least a part of the contents of the RAM 41c is stored for a predetermined period.

  As the free-run counter circuit 507, an 8-bit free-run counter is mounted. The random number circuits 508a and 508b are circuits that generate numerical data such as an 8-bit random number and a 16-bit random number, which are random numbers having a predetermined update range. In this embodiment, the hardware random number generated by the 16-bit random number circuit 508b among the random number circuits 508a and 508b is used as a random number for an internal lottery described later. The timer circuit 509 is a 16-bit programmable timer, counts down the set timer value based on the input of the control clock CCLK, and outputs an interrupt request signal to the interrupt controller when the timer value reaches 0000H. In this embodiment, it is possible to perform a periodic interrupt request and time measurement using the timer circuit 509.

  The interrupt controller 510 is a circuit that controls an external interrupt request from an interrupt terminal and an internal peripheral circuit (for example, a serial communication circuit 512, random number circuits 508a and 508b, and a timer circuit 509). . The parallel input port 511 includes an input-only port having a width of 8 bits. The parallel output port 513 provided in the main control unit 41 shown in FIG. 4 includes an output-only port having an 11-bit width. The serial communication circuit 512 is a circuit that performs asynchronous serial communication in input / output to / from the outside.

  The address decode circuit 514 is a circuit for decoding each functional block inside the main control unit 41 and decoding a chip select signal which is a decode signal for an external device. The chip select signal allows the internal circuit of the main control unit 41 or an external device serving as a peripheral device to selectively operate effectively, thereby enabling access from the CPU 41a.

  For example, when the main control unit 41 accesses an area of the storage area of the ROM 41b in which a program or the like is not stored, or accesses an area of the storage area of the RAM 41c for which access prohibition is set. That is, by causing an illegal access reset when an access is made to a memory area that is not accessed in a normal operation, the progress of the game is disabled. Even if an unauthorized program is stored in an area unrelated to the above, an unused area of the RAM 41c, or the like, the execution of the unauthorized program can be prevented.

  The main control unit 41 is activated by the occurrence of an internal or external reset. At this time, the main control unit 41 assigns a value set in a vector table assigned to the ROM 41b and set to the start address of the interrupt processing. Is a value indicating unused or a value indicating an area where a program or the like is actually stored. It is possible to prevent in advance that an unintended process is executed due to occurrence or the like.

  The main control unit 41 transmits various commands to the sub control unit 91 via the parallel output port 513. The command transmitted from the main control unit 41 to the sub control unit 91 is transmitted in only one direction, and the command is not transmitted from the sub control unit 91 to the main control unit 41. In the present embodiment, the command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 91 via the parallel output port 513, that is, the command is transmitted as a parallel signal. A configuration for transmitting a command to the sub-control unit 91, that is, a configuration for transmitting the command as a serial signal may be employed.

  In addition, the main control unit 41 receives detection states of various switches connected to the game control board 40 from the parallel input port 511. Then, the main control unit 41 executes a main process that shifts stepwise according to the detection state of various switches input from the parallel input port 511. In addition, the main control unit 41 can execute the interrupt process by interrupting the main process when an interrupt occurs. In the present embodiment, the timer interrupt processing (main) is executed when a timeout has occurred in the timer circuit 509, that is, at regular time intervals (about 0.56 ms in the present embodiment). In addition, the main control unit 41 is set to automatically prohibit other interrupts during execution of the interrupt processing, and when a plurality of interrupts occur simultaneously, a predetermined order is set. Has been set to execute priority. Note that if another interrupt factor occurs during execution of the interrupt processing and the interrupt factor continues even after the interrupt processing ends, the interrupt is terminated at the end of the interrupt processing. The prohibition is automatically released, at which point a new interrupt occurs. It should be noted that other interrupts are set to be automatically prohibited during execution of the interrupt processing, and the interrupt prohibition is not automatically released when the interrupt processing is completed. At the start, another interrupt may be prohibited by a program, and at the end of the interrupt processing, the prohibition of the interrupt may be released by the program.

  The main control unit 41 repeatedly performs a process according to the control state as a main process until the detection state of various switches connected to the game control board 40 changes, and responds to the change in the detection state of various switches. Execute the process of shifting in stages. In addition, the main control unit 41 executes the timer interrupt processing (main) at regular time intervals (about 0.56 ms in the present embodiment). Note that the execution interval of the timer interrupt processing (main) is set to a time longer than the sum of the time during which the processing repeated in the main processing repeats according to the control state and the execution time of the timer interrupt processing (main). Thus, at least one cycle of the process repeated according to the control state between the current and next timer interrupt processes (main) is performed at least.

  In addition, every time the timer interrupt process is executed, the main control unit 41 acquires input data in the port input process for various switches, and inputs the input data acquired in the current timer interrupt process and the previous timer interrupt process. If the input data acquired in the processing is in the same state, the determined data indicating that the current and previous input data are in the same state for each corresponding switch is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c, and the current timer interrupt is performed. When the final data set in the processing is different from the final data set in the previous timer interrupt processing, the edge data of each switch indicating that the current and previous final data are different is stored in the RAM 41c. Is set to a predetermined area.

  For example, for the start switch 7, it is determined whether or not the start switch 7 is operated in a state where the game can be started based on whether or not rising edge data indicating the rising of the start switch 7 is set. The rising edge data of the start switch 7 is detected by the start switch 7 in a switch input determination process that is performed once (every 2.24 ms) every four timer interrupt processes (main) that are performed by interrupting at regular intervals. It is set on condition that the determined data based on the state has changed from off to on. Since the determined data is data that is updated only when the current detection state and the previous state match each other in each switch input determination process, the rising edge data of the start switch 7 is such that the detection state of the start switch 7 is off. In this case, the setting is made by detecting that the start switch 7 is turned on twice consecutively in the switch input determination processing. On the other hand, since the execution interval of the switch input determination processing is about 2.24 ms, the start switch 7 is provided on condition that the on state is continuously detected for at least about 2.24 ms or more after the start switch 7 is turned on. Is set, and the operation of the start switch 7 is detected. Note that, similarly, for various switches other than the start switch 7, the determined data and the edge data are set.

  Accordingly, the operation of the switch is detected on the condition that the ON state of each switch is continuously detected for a certain period (at least about 2.24 ms) or more, and the static electricity or the like is detected. Can prevent the ON state of each switch from being erroneously detected due to the noise.

  Regarding the setting key switch 37, whether the setting key switch 37 was operated in an initial setting process to be executed first after power supply to the slot machine 1 is started and a game start waiting process to wait until a game is started. It is determined based on the state of the input port corresponding to the setting key switch 37. That is, the operation of the setting key switch 37 is detected only by changing the setting key switch 37 to the ON state.

  Thereby, in the initial setting process or the game start waiting process, whether the setting key switch 37 is operated based on the on-off state of the setting key switch 37 when determining whether the setting key switch 37 is operated or not. If the setting key switch 37 is ON, the setting key switch 37 may be operated even if the ON state of the setting key switch 37 is less than or equal to the execution interval of the timer interrupt processing (main). It can be determined that the key switch 37 has been operated.

  The effect switch 56 is connected to the effect control board 90, and a detection signal of the effect switch 56 is input. In addition, effect devices such as a liquid crystal display 51, effect LED 52, speakers 53 and 54, reel LED 55, and the like are connected, and these effect devices are controlled by a sub-control unit 91 described later mounted on an effect control board 90. It is driven based on this. In this embodiment, the sub-control unit 91 mounted on the effect control board 90 controls the output of the effect devices such as the liquid crystal display 51, the effect LED 52, the speakers 53 and 54, and the reel LED 55. However, an output control unit that directly performs output control of the effect device separately from the sub-control unit 91 is mounted on the effect control board 90 or another board, and the sub-control unit 91 is based on a command from the main control unit 41. The output pattern of the rendering device may be determined, and the output control unit may control the output of the rendering device based on the output pattern determined by the sub-control unit 91. In such a configuration, the sub-control unit 91 and the output control The output control of the rendering device is performed by both of the units. Further, in the present embodiment, the liquid crystal display 51, the effect LED 52, the speakers 53 and 54, and the reel LED 55 are illustrated as the effect devices, but the effect device is not limited to these, and for example, a display that is driven mechanically. A device or a mechanically driven role object may be applied as the rendering device.

  The effect control board 90 is composed of a microcomputer having a sub CPU 91a, a ROM 91b, a RAM 91c, and an I / O port 91d, and controls an effect, and a liquid crystal display 51 connected to the effect control board 90. A display control circuit 92 for performing display control of the display, an effect effect LED 52, an LED drive circuit 93 for controlling the drive of the reel LED 55, an audio output circuit 94 for controlling the audio output from the speakers 53 and 54, A reset circuit 95 for providing a reset signal to the sub CPU 91a when an initialization command from the sub CPU 91a is not input for a predetermined time; a switch detection circuit 96 for detecting a detection signal input from switches connected to the effect control board 90; A clock device 97 that outputs time information including date information and time information; The power supply voltage supplied to the lot machine 1 is monitored, and when a voltage drop is detected, a power cutoff detection circuit 98 that outputs a voltage drop signal indicating the voltage drop to the sub CPU 91a, and other circuits are mounted. Have been.

  The sub CPU 91a receives commands transmitted from the game control board 40, performs various controls for performing the effect, and directly or indirectly controls each unit of the control circuit mounted on the effect control board 90. .

  In the reset circuit 95, the voltage at which the reset signal is released is set lower than that of the reset circuit 49 that supplies a system reset signal to the main control unit 41 in the game control board 40. It is designed to be started earlier than the section 41. On the other hand, in the power interruption detection circuit 98, the voltage at which the voltage drop signal is output is set to be lower than that of the power interruption detection circuit 48 which outputs the voltage drop signal to the main control unit 41 in the game control board 40. In, the sub-control unit 91 detects a power failure at a later stage than the main control unit 41, and performs a power interruption process (sub) described later.

  The sub-control unit 91 has an interrupt function similarly to the main control unit 41, generates an interrupt when receiving a command from the main control unit 41, and acquires the command transmitted from the main control unit 41. , Execute the command reception interrupt processing stored in the buffer. Further, the sub-control unit 91 generates an interrupt every time the number of input system clocks reaches a certain number, that is, at certain time intervals (about 2 ms), and executes a timer interrupt process (sub) described later. Further, unlike the main control unit 41, when an interrupt occurs based on the reception of a command, the sub-control unit 91 interrupts the timer interrupt process (sub) even during execution of the process. , A command reception interrupt process is executed, and even if interrupts that trigger the timer interrupt process (sub) occur simultaneously, the command reception interrupt process is executed with the highest priority. The backup power is also supplied to the sub-control unit 91 at the time of a power failure, and the data stored in the RAM 91c is retained while the backup power is supplied.

  In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the payout rate of medals changes according to the set value. More specifically, the payout rate of medals is changed by using a winning probability according to a set value in a lottery that affects the degree of advantage to the player, such as an internal lottery, a navigation stock lottery, and an additional lottery, which will be described later. The set value is made up of six levels from 1 to 6, with 6 being the highest payout rate and the payout rate decreasing as the value decreases in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. That is, when 6 is set as the set value, the advantage is the highest for the player, and as the value decreases in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1, the advantage gradually decreases.

  In order to change the setting value, it is necessary to turn on the power of the slot machine 1 after turning on the setting key switch 37. When the setting key switch 37 is turned on and the power is turned on, the setting value read from the RAM 41c is displayed on the setting value display 24 as a display value, and the setting value can be changed by operating the reset / setting switch 38. Move to change state. When the reset / setting switch 38 is operated in the setting change state, the display value displayed on the set value display 24 is updated by one (when further operated from the set value 6, the set value is changed to 1). Return). Then, when the start switch 7 is operated, the display value is determined as the set value. Then, when the setting key switch 37 is turned off, the determined display value (set value) is stored in the RAM 41c of the main control unit 41, and the state shifts to a state where the game can proceed.

  When the power is turned on while the setting key switch 37 is turned on, the configuration may be changed to the setting change state on condition that the door opening detection switch 25 detects that the front door 1b is opened. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the setting from being illegally changed while the front door 1b is not opened. Further, in a configuration in which the state is changed to the setting change state on condition that the detection corresponding to the opening of the front door 1b is performed, the door opening detection switch 25 is used to respond to the opening of the front door 1b after shifting to the setting change state. It is preferable that the setting change state is maintained even if the detection of the change is not performed. Therefore, even if the front door 1b is temporarily closed during the setting change, the operation for shifting to the setting change state again is performed. It is not necessary, and the setting change operation does not become complicated. Further, when the setting key switch 37 is turned off after the start switch 7 is operated and the set value is determined after shifting to the setting change state, the door opening detection switch 25 detects the opening corresponding to the opening of the front door 1b. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the setting change state is ended and the game can proceed to a possible state, provided that the front door 1b is not opened even in such a configuration. It is possible to prevent the setting from being changed.

  In order to confirm the set value, after the game is over, the setting key switch 37 may be turned on while the bet amount is not set. When the setting key switch 37 is turned on in such a situation, the setting value read out from the RAM 41c is displayed on the setting value display 24, thereby shifting to a setting confirmation state in which the setting value can be confirmed. In the setting confirmation state, the progress of the game is not possible, and by setting the setting key switch 37 to the off state, the setting confirmation state ends, and the game returns to a state in which the game can proceed.

  After the game, when the setting key switch 37 is turned on in a state where the bet amount has not been set, the door opening detection switch 25 must detect that the front door 1b has been opened. The configuration may shift to the setting confirmation state. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the setting value from being illegally confirmed in a state where the front door 1b is not opened. Further, in a configuration in which the state is shifted to the setting confirmation state on condition that the detection corresponding to the opening of the front door 1b is performed, the door opening detection switch 25 responds to the opening of the front door 1b after shifting to the setting confirmation state. It is preferable that the setting confirmation state be maintained even if the detection of the setting is not detected. Therefore, even if the front door 1b is temporarily closed during the setting confirmation, the operation for shifting to the setting confirmation state again is performed. It is not necessary, and the setting confirmation operation does not become complicated. When the setting key switch 37 is turned off after the start switch 7 is operated and the set value is determined after shifting to the setting confirmation state, the door opening detection switch 25 detects the opening corresponding to the opening of the front door 1b. It is also possible to have a configuration in which the setting confirmation state is terminated and the game can be advanced to a state in which the game can be advanced, provided that the front door 1b is not opened even in such a configuration. It is possible to prevent the setting value from being confirmed.

  In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 determines whether or not the voltage drop signal from the power interruption detection circuit 48 is detected every time the timer interrupt processing (main) is executed. When the determination process is performed and it is determined that the voltage drop signal is detected in the power failure determination process, the power interruption process (main) for setting data for determining whether the data in the RAM 41c is normal at the next recovery is performed. Execute.

  Then, the main control unit 41 returns the processing state of the main control unit 41 to the state before the power failure based on the data stored in the RAM 41c on condition that the data in the RAM 41c is normal at the time of activation. However, when the data of the RAM 41c is not normal, it is determined that the RAM is abnormal, the RAM abnormal error code is set in the register, the state is controlled to the RAM abnormal error state, and the progress of the game is disabled.

  The error state is a normal error state that is released by a reset operation (operation of the reset / setting switch 38 or the reset switch 23), and the state is changed to the above-described setting change state and is released until a new set value is set. There is no special error state, and the RAM abnormal error state is a special error state. Once controlled to the RAM abnormal error state, the state shifts to the setting change state and is released until a new set value is set Never be.

  The sub-control unit 91 also determines whether or not the voltage drop signal from the power interruption detection circuit 98 has been detected in the timer interrupt processing (sub), and when it is determined that the voltage drop signal has been detected, At the next recovery, a power interruption process (sub) for setting data for determining whether the data in the RAM 91c is normal is executed.

  Then, the sub-control unit 91 returns the processing state of the sub-control unit 91 to the state before the power interruption based on the data stored in the RAM 91c, on condition that the data in the RAM 91c is normal at the time of activation. However, if the data in the RAM 91c is not normal, it is determined that the RAM is abnormal, and the RAM 91c is initialized. In this case, unlike the main control unit 41, the execution of the effect is not disabled only by initializing the RAM 91c.

  Further, even when it is determined that the data in the RAM 91c is normal at the time of the startup, the sub-control unit 91 receives the setting command described later indicating that the state has shifted to the setting change state from the main control unit 41. The RAM 91c is also initialized when neither the later-described return command nor the setting command indicating that the control state of the main control unit 41 has returned after a certain period of time has elapsed. Also in this case, the execution of the effect is not disabled only by initializing the RAM 91c.

  Next, initialization of the RAM 41c of the main control unit 41 will be described. The usable area of the storage area of the RAM 41c of the main control unit 41 is divided into a game RAM area, an unused area 4, and a non-game RAM area. The game RAM area is further divided into a special work, an important work, a general work, an unused area 3, and a game stack area. The special work is a work in which data that is not initialized even when the set value is changed is stored, and stores software random numbers, set values, data indicating a game state, and the like. The important work is a work in which data which is inconvenient when initialized at the end of a specific game state (RB, BB) is stored, and data for LED display, input / output data of an input port, an output port, and a game time. A clock counter and the like are stored. The general work is a work in which data that can be initialized at the end of a specific gaming state is stored, and stores a stopped symbol, the number of paid out medals, and the like. The unused area 3 is a work that is not used in any program. The game stack area is an area in which data saved from a register of the main control unit 41 during execution of a game program described later is stored.

  In the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 determines that the data in the RAM 41c is destroyed when the setting key switch 37 is turned on and the data in the RAM 41c is destroyed when the setting key switch 37 is turned on. When the five initialization conditions, namely, when the game is not destroyed, when the setting change state is ended, when a specific game state (RB, BB) is ended, and when one game is ended, each initial state is satisfied. Five types of initialization with different areas to be initialized are performed according to the initialization conditions.

  Initialization 0 is initialization performed when the setting key switch 37 is turned on and data in the RAM 41c is destroyed, and in initialization 0, all available areas are initialized. . Initialization 1 is initialization performed when the setting key switch 37 is turned on and the data in the RAM 41c is not destroyed at the time of startup. In initialization 1, the area other than the special work in the game RAM area is All areas of the game RAM area are initialized. The initialization 2 is an initialization performed after the setting change state is ended by the startup with the setting key switch 37 being ON. In the initialization 2, the special work and the game stack area (in use) in the game RAM area are used. Areas other than () are initialized. The initialization 3 is an initialization performed at the end of a specific game state. In the initialization 3, a general work, an unused area 3, and a game stack area (unused) in the game RAM area are initialized. The initialization 4 is an initialization performed at the end of one game. In the initialization 4, the unused area 3 of the game RAM area and the game stack area (unused) are initialized. The storage area for the set value and the data indicating the gaming state is allocated to the special work, and when the data in the RAM 41c is not destroyed at the time of startup with the setting key switch 37 being ON, ie, the data in the RAM 41c If the setting is changed normally, the data indicating the set value and the game state will be held. A storage area for a timer counter, which will be described later, is allocated to important work, and is held without being initialized at the end of a game or at the end of a specific game state.

  Further, when performing the above-described initialization, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment specifies the start address and the end address as the RAM addresses to be initialized, so that one byte from the specified start address is obtained. After overwriting the data of 0 with 0, the logical sum of the 1-byte data is calculated, and if the calculation result is 0, the process of moving to the next address is repeated until the designated end address is reached. Then, the RAM area in the range of the designated address is initialized.

  When the main control unit 41 according to the present embodiment is activated by the occurrence of a reset, the main control unit 41 performs a startup setting. In the setting at the time of starting, the status flag provided in the main control unit 41 is initialized. The status flag is data that holds the state of the operation result or execution result of the instruction, and particularly includes an interrupt master permission flag for setting the inhibition / permission of the interrupt. Since the initial value of the interrupt master permission flag is a value indicating that the interrupt is prohibited, the main control unit 41 starts up in a state where the interrupt is prohibited. After that, after setting various functions with reference to HW parameters to be described later, according to the program stored in the program / data area, when a reset occurs, the apparatus is started in an interrupt prohibited state, and then executed first. Start the initial setting process.

  In the initial setting process, the main control unit 41 first sets the interrupt to be prohibited, determines whether the setting key switch 37 is ON at the time of startup, and determines whether the setting key switch 37 is ON at the time of startup. If it is determined that the state is the state, the process proceeds to the setting change process, and the RAM 41c is initialized at the start of the setting change process. At this time, if the data in the RAM 41c is normal, the special work is retained and other areas are initialized, so that even after the setting is changed, a part of the control state (setting value, game state, etc.) before the change is changed. On the other hand, if the data in the RAM 41c is not normal while the data can be held, the abnormalities in the data in the RAM 41c can be surely resolved by initializing all the usable areas including the special work. It has become.

  After the RAM 41c is initialized, the interrupt is set to be enabled, and the set value is updated one by one every time the reset / setting switch 38 is operated, and after the ON of the start switch 7 is detected, The setting value when the setting key switch 37 is turned on is stored in the RAM 41c, and the setting change process is terminated.

  As described above, the main control unit 41 starts up with the interrupt master permission flag set to the initial value indicating that the interrupt is prohibited, and starts in the state in which the interrupt is prohibited. After the interrupt is set to be prohibited, the subsequent initial setting process is executed, so that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an unintended interrupt.

  Further, after the end of the setting change process, the main control unit 41 executes a main process of performing a process stepwise according to the progress of the game for each game unit. In the main process, the RAM 41c is initialized for each game unit, and the RAM 41c is also initialized at the end of the setting change process. Then, after the setting change processing is completed, the main processing is started from the stage before the processing of initializing the RAM 41c in the main processing, and the initialization of the RAM 41c after the completion of the setting change processing and the game unit The initialization of each RAM 41c can be performed by a common process.

  In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, a prescribed number of bets (3 in the case of RT0 to 4 and 2 in the case of RB) that can be set according to the gaming state (RT0 to RT4, RB) is determined. Therefore, the game can be started on the condition that a predetermined number of bets determined according to the game state is set. In the present embodiment, the pay line LN is activated when a prescribed number of bets is set according to the gaming state.

  In this embodiment, when all the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are stopped, the activated pay line (in this embodiment, all the pay lines are always activated. A winning combination is achieved when a combination of symbols called combinations is arranged on the winning line that has been formed (hereinafter, simply referred to as a winning line). The combination may be a combination of the same symbols or a combination including different symbols.

  The types of winning combinations are determined according to the state of the game, but can be broadly divided into small winning combinations with medal payout and re-starting so that the next game can be started without setting the number of bets. There are a gaming role and a special role accompanied by a transition to a gaming state advantageous to the player. Hereinafter, the small role and the replaying role are also collectively referred to as a general role. In order for the winning of each combination determined according to the gaming state to occur, it is necessary to win the internal lottery described later and set the winning flag of the combination in the RAM 41c. Note that among the winning flags of these roles, the winning flags of the small role and the replaying role are valid only in the game in which the flag is set, and are invalid in the next game. The combination is enabled until the combination of the permitted combinations is completed by the flag, and is invalid in the game in which the combination of the permitted combinations is completed. That is, once the special combination winning flag is won, even if the combination of combinations permitted by the flag cannot be aligned, the winning flag is not invalidated and is carried over to the next game. Becomes

  Hereinafter, the internal lottery of the present embodiment will be described. In the internal lottery, the main control unit 41 determines whether or not to permit winning of each of the above-mentioned roles before the display results of all the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are derived (specifically, the start switch 7). At the time of detection). In the internal lottery, first, when the start switch 7 is detected, a random number for the internal lottery (an integer from 0 to 65535) is obtained. Specifically, the value generated by the random number circuit 508b and stored in the random number value register of the random number circuit 508b is set in the lottery work assigned to the RAM 41c. Then, for each combination determined according to the gaming state, according to the numerical data stored in the lottery work and the number of judgment values of each combination determined according to the current gaming state, the number of bets and the set value. It is determined whether or not a prize is allowed.

  In the internal lottery, the number of determination values determined according to the role to be subjected to the internal lottery, the current game state and the set value are sequentially changed to the random number value for the internal lottery (numerical data stored in the lottery work). If the result of the addition overflows, it is determined that the winning combination has been won. For this reason, the winning combination is determined based on the probability (the number of judgment values / 65536) according to the magnitude of the number of judgment values.

  When the winning of any of the winning combinations is determined, the winning flag corresponding to the winning-determined winning combination is set in the internal winning flag storing work allocated to the RAM 41c. The internal winning flag storage work is composed of a 2-byte storage area, of which the upper byte is assigned as a special role storing work in which the special role winning flag is set, and the lower byte is a general role winning work. Assigned as a general role storage work for which the flag is set. Specifically, when the special combination is won, the special combination winning flag indicating that the special combination has been won is set in the special combination storing work, and the winning flag set in the general combination storing work is cleared. When the general role is won, a general role winning flag indicating that the general role has been won is set in the general role storing work. If any of the combinations and combinations of combinations are not won, only the general combination storage work is cleared.

  Next, stop control of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R will be described. The main control unit 41 refers to the table index and the table creation data stored in the ROM 41b when the rotation of the reels has started and when the reels have stopped and the reels that are still rotating still remain. Then, a stop control table is created for each rotating reel. When any one of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R corresponding to the spinning reel is effectively detected, the stop control table of the corresponding reel is referred to, and the slippage of the stop control table referred to. Based on the number of frames, control is performed to stop the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R corresponding to the operated stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R.

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

  In the present embodiment, if any one of the winning combinations is won, when the stop operation is performed, the winning combinations within the pull-in range of a maximum of four frames can be aligned and stopped on the pay line. If possible, a control is performed to stop the rolls in a uniform manner, and for the winning combination, a control is performed to stop the rolls without aligning them in the pull-in range of a maximum of four frames. When the special role and the small role are elected at the same time, such as when the small role is elected while the special role has been carried over from before the previous game, when the stop operation is performed, the maximum If it is possible to stop the small wins that have been won within the 4-frame pull-in range, control is performed to align and stop the small wins. In the case where the winning combination cannot be made, if a special role that has been won within the maximum pay-in range of 4 frames can be stopped on the winning line, the control for stopping the same is performed. That is, control is performed to stop the four frames without being aligned in the pull-in range. That is, in such a case, the control for aligning the small role on the pay line is given priority over the special role, and the special role can be won only when the small role cannot be drawn. When the special role and the small role can be drawn in at the same time, only the small role is drawn in, and the small role and the special role are not aligned on the winning line at the same time. In addition, when the special role and the small role are elected at the same time, the control to arrange the special role on the winning line has priority over the small role, and only when the special role cannot be drawn, the small role is placed on the winning line. Alignment control may be performed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the special role and the replaying role are simultaneously won, for example, when the replaying role is won while the special role has been carried over from before the previous game, a stop operation is performed. At this time, a control is performed in which the symbols of the replaying game are aligned and stopped within a pull-in range of a maximum of four frames on the winning line. In this case, the symbols constituting the replaying game or the symbols forming the replaying game simultaneously won are arranged within 5 symbols, that is, at intervals of 4 frames or less on any of the reels 2L, 2C and 2R. Since the stop can be stopped at an arbitrary position within the pull-in range of 4 frames, if the special role and the replaying role are simultaneously won, regardless of the operation timing of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R by the player. Instead, the re-game players will always win. In other words, in such a case, the control for aligning the re-gaming combination on the winning line is given priority over the special combination, and the re-gaming combination always wins. When the special role and the replaying role can be drawn in at the same time, only the replaying role is drawn in and the special role does not coincide with the replaying role on the winning line.

  In this embodiment, the reel stop control is performed by using the stop control table that can specify the number of sliding frames for each timing at which the stop operation is performed. A configuration in which the stop position is specified from the table and stop control for stopping the reel at the specified stop position is performed.The stop position that can be stopped at the timing of the stop operation is searched without using the stop control table or the stop position table. Specified and configured to perform stop control to stop the reel at the specified stop position, stop control using stop control table, stop control using stop position table, stop possible without using stop control table or stop position table A configuration in which stop control by searching and specifying a stop position is used together, and a configuration in which stop control is performed by partially changing the stop control table and stop position table It may be.

  In the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 counts the game time, which is the time that has elapsed since the start of the game, each time the reel rotation is started, that is, the time elapsed from the start of the reel rotation. After the end of one game, when a predetermined number of bets is set by inserting medals or the like and the game start operation is performed in a state where the game start operation is enabled, the reel rotation of the previous game is started. If the game time from which the timing was started is equal to or longer than the specified time (4.1 seconds in this embodiment), that is, if the specified time has elapsed since the start of reel rotation of the previous game, no wait is generated. At that time, the rotation of the reel for the game in the game is started. On the other hand, after the end of one game, when a predetermined number of bets is set by inserting medals or the like and the game start operation is performed in a state where the game start operation is enabled, the reel rotation of the previous game is started. If the game time that started counting from the point in time is less than the specified time, that is, if the specified time has not elapsed since the start of reel rotation in the previous game, a wait is generated and the reel rotation is started at that point. Instead, the game waits until the game time that has started timing from the start of reel rotation of the previous game reaches a specified time, and starts reel rotation when the specified time is reached.

  In the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 performs control to output an external output signal indicating a game state, an error occurrence state, and the like. These external output signals are output to a hall device such as a hall computer through an external output board 1000 and an information providing terminal board of a game shop (hall) in which the slot machine 1 is installed.

  The main control unit 41 provides a medal IN signal indicating the number of medals used for setting the number of bets, a medal OUT signal indicating the number of medals awarded to the player due to the occurrence of a prize, and a gaming state during RB (regular bonus). An RB signal indicating that the gaming state is BB (Big Bonus), an BB signal indicating that the gaming state is starting, an AT signal indicating the start of AT (assist time), a door opening signal indicating that the front door 1b is opening, A setting-in-progress signal indicating that the state has shifted to a setting change state or a setting confirmation state described later, a throw-in error signal indicating an abnormality in the medal selector 29, and a pay-out error signal indicating an abnormality in the hopper unit 34 are output.

  The external output board 1000 is provided with a relay circuit, a parallel-serial conversion circuit, and a terminal for each output signal, and is provided with a connector to be electrically connected to a circuit of the information providing terminal board. Among the signals output from the game control board 40, the medal IN signal, the medal OUT signal, the RB signal, the BB signal, and the AT signal are output as they are to the information providing terminal board as pulse signals via the relay circuit. . On the other hand, the door opening signal, the setting signal, the closing error signal, and the dispensing error signal are converted by a parallel-serial conversion circuit into security signals, which are serial signals that can be individually identified, and information is provided. Output to terminal board.

  Next, a command transmitted from the main control unit 41 to the sub control unit 91 will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 instructs the sub-control unit 91 to insert the number of coins command, credit command, game status command, internal winning command, reel acceleration information command, stop operation command, sliding frame number command, stop Command, game end command, winning number command, payout start command, payout end command, standby command, stop command, error command, return command, setting command, setting check start command, setting check end command, door command, operation detection command And a plurality of types of commands including a settlement start command, a settlement end command, an error start command, and an error release command. These commands are composed of 1-byte type data indicating the type of the command and 1-byte extended data indicating the content of the command. The sub-control unit 91 can determine the type of the command from the type data.

  The inserted number command is a command capable of specifying the inserted number of medals, that is, the number of medals used for setting the bet amount, and is a state from the end of the game (after changing the setting) to the start of the game. Or, when a medal is inserted in a state where the specified number of bets is not set, or when the MAXBET switch 6 is operated to set the number of bets, this is transmitted. Further, since the inserted number command is transmitted when the operation of setting the bet amount is performed, it is possible to specify that the operation of setting the bet amount has been performed by receiving the inserted number command.

  The credit command is a command capable of specifying the number of medals stored as credit, and is a state from the end of the game (after changing the setting) to the start of the game. In a state in which a specified number of bets is set, Sent when medals are inserted and credits are added.

  The game state command is a command that can specify the game state of the game, and is transmitted when the start switch 7 is operated to start the game.

  The internal winning command is a command capable of specifying an internal lottery result, and is transmitted when the start switch 7 is operated to start the game and after the gaming state command. The internal winning command includes a first internal winning command and a second internal winning command, and a state in which the navigation notification is performed when the notification target role targeted for the navigation notification is won in the internal lottery (AT If the navigation notification is performed during or during non-AT), the first internal winning command that can specify the type of the winning notification target role and the stop order that is advantageous to the player is transmitted, and the navigation notification is performed. In the state where the notification is not performed (when the navigation notification is not performed during the non-AT), the type of the notified notification target role can be specified, but the stop order advantageous to the player cannot be specified, the second internal winning. Command is sent.

  Since the game state command and the internal winning command are transmitted when the game is started by operating the start switch 7, it is possible to specify that the game is started by operating the start switch 7 by receiving these commands. It is.

  The stop operation command is a command that can specify whether the reel to be stopped is the left reel, the middle reel, or the right reel, and the area number of the stop operation position of the corresponding reel. It is transmitted each time the accompanying stop control is performed.

  The number of sliding frames command is a command capable of specifying whether the reel to be stopped is the left reel, the middle reel, or the right reel, or the number of sliding frames to be moved from when the corresponding reel is stopped to when it is stopped. Each time the stop control associated with the stop operation of each reel is performed, it is transmitted after the corresponding stop operation command is transmitted.

  The stop command is a command capable of specifying whether the reel to be stopped is the left reel, the middle reel, or the right reel, and the area number of the stop position of the corresponding reel, and the stop control accompanying the stop operation of each reel. Is transmitted after the corresponding slide frame number command is transmitted.

  The stop operation command, the number of sliding frames command, and the stop command can specify whether the reel to be stopped is a left reel, a middle reel, or a right reel, and is associated with the stop operation of each reel. Since the command is transmitted every time the stop control is performed, by receiving these commands, it is possible to specify that any one of the reels has been stopped and the reel to be stopped.

  The game end command is a command that can specify that the game has ended, and is transmitted when the player presses a stop switch to stop the third stop reel and releases the stop switch.

  The winning number command is a command capable of specifying the combination of symbols aligned on the winning line LN, the presence or absence of a winning, the type of winning, and the number of medals to be paid out at the time of winning, so that the player stops the third stop reel. This is when the stop switch is pressed down and the stop switch is released, and is transmitted after the transmission of the game end command.

  Since both the game end command and the winning number command are transmitted when the player presses the stop switch to stop the third stop reel and releases the stop switch, by receiving these commands, It is possible to specify that all the operations necessary to advance one game are completed.

  The payout start command is a command for notifying the start of payout of medals, and is transmitted when the payout of medals due to winning is started. The payout end command is a command for notifying the end of payout of medals, and is transmitted when the payout of medals due to winning is completed.

  The settlement start command is a command indicating the start of the settlement processing of medals used for credit or bet, is transmitted when the settlement processing is started, and the settlement end command is a command indicating the end of the settlement processing, Sent at the end of the checkout process.

  The standby command is a command indicating that a transition to a standby state is performed. After the end of one game, when the estimated end time (60 seconds in this embodiment) elapses and the bet amount is not set and the transition to the standby state is made, the settlement is performed. Sent after the end command has been sent.

  The stop command is a command indicating the occurrence or release of the stop state. After the BB ends, the stop command indicating the occurrence of the stop state is transmitted when the ending effect waiting time has elapsed, and the reset operation is performed. At the time when the stop state is released, a stop command indicating the release of the stop state is transmitted.

  The error start command is a command that indicates the start of error processing and the type of error.The error start command is transmitted when starting error processing. The error release command is a command that indicates the end of error processing. Sent when the state is released.

  The return command is a command indicating that the main control unit 41 has returned to the control state before the power failure, and is transmitted when the main control unit 41 has returned to the control state before the power failure at the time of activation.

  The setting command is a command that indicates the start or end of the setting change state, the setting value after the setting change, a setting command indicating the start of the setting change state is transmitted at the time of transition to the setting change state, and when the setting change state ends, A setting command indicating the end of the setting change state and the setting value after the setting change is transmitted. In addition, since the control state of the main control unit 41 is initialized along with the transition to the setting change state, it is possible to specify that the control state of the main control unit 41 has been initialized by the setting command indicating the start of setting. .

  The setting check start command is a command indicating the start of the setting check state, and is transmitted when shifting to the setting check state. The setting check end command is a command indicating the end of the setting check state, and is the end of the setting check state. Sent at times.

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

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

  Of these commands, commands other than the door command and the operation detection command are generated in the main processing, temporarily stored in a command queue provided in the RAM 41c, and transmitted in the subsequent command transmission processing of the timer interrupt processing (main). You.

  On the other hand, the door command is generated in the door monitoring process of the timer interruption process (main), is temporarily stored in a command queue provided in the RAM 41c, and is transmitted in the subsequent command transmission process of the timer interruption process (main). You.

  The operation detection command is generated based on the detection state of the switch every time the command transmission processing of the timer interrupt processing (main) is executed ten times, and is temporarily stored in a command queue provided in the RAM 41c. Is transmitted in the command transmission processing of the subsequent timer interruption processing (main).

  Next, the control of the effect performed by the sub-control unit 91 based on the command transmitted from the main control unit 41 to the effect control board 90 will be described. When receiving a command from the main control unit 41, the sub control unit 91 executes a command reception interrupt process. In the command reception interrupt processing, the command acquired from the command transmission line is stored in a reception buffer provided in the RAM 91c.

  In the timer interrupt processing (sub), the sub control unit 91 determines whether or not an unprocessed command is stored in the reception buffer. The control pattern table stored in the ROM 91b is referred to based on the command received in the step, and the liquid crystal display 51, the effect LED 52, the speakers 53 and 54, the reel LED 55, and the like are controlled based on the control contents registered in the control pattern table. Controls the output of various effect devices. In the control pattern table, for each of a plurality of types of effect patterns, a display pattern of the liquid crystal display 51 corresponding to the type of command, a lighting mode of the effect LED 52, an output mode of the speakers 53 and 54, a lighting mode of the reel LED 55, and the like. The control patterns of these effect devices are registered, and upon receiving the command, the sub-control unit 91 sets the control pattern of the control pattern registered in the control pattern table corresponding to the effect pattern set in the RAM 91c in the game. The control device refers to the control pattern corresponding to the type of the received command, and controls the output of the effect device based on the control pattern. As a result, an effect according to the effect pattern and the progress of the game is executed.

  When a new command is received during the execution of the effect triggered by the reception of a certain command, the sub-control unit 91 stops the effect based on the control pattern being executed, and returns to the newly received command. An effect based on the corresponding control pattern is executed. In other words, when a new command is received even in a state where the production has not been completed to the end, the production that was being executed is canceled and a new production is performed unless the received new command is not a command that triggers a new production. An effect based on the command will be executed.

  The effect pattern is selected at the selection rate according to the result of the internal lottery indicated by the internal winning command when the internal winning command is received, and is set in the RAM 91c. The selection rate of the effect pattern is registered in the effect table stored in the ROM 91b. When the internal control command is received, the sub-control unit 91 sets the effect in the effect table according to the result of the internal lottery indicated by the internal win command. With reference to the registered selection rate, one of a plurality of effect patterns is selected from the plurality of effect patterns in accordance with the selected rate, and the selected effect pattern is set as the effect pattern of the game in the RAM 91c. Also, even if the same command is received, different control patterns are selected depending on the effect pattern selected at the time of receiving the internal winning command, and as a result, different effects may be performed depending on the effect pattern.

  In the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 executes a navigation period for notifying the stop order that is advantageous to the player according to the internal lottery result by the lighting mode of the game auxiliary display 12 and a navigation period. It can be controlled at a certain assist time (hereinafter, referred to as AT).

  When controlled by the AT, the main control unit 41 executes the navigation notification by winning the navigation target combination according to the gaming state, and transmits a pressing order command to the sub control unit 91. Thus, the navigation effect using the liquid crystal display 51 or the like is executed. Further, in the present embodiment, even in a normal state where the AT is not controlled, the main control unit 41 can execute the navigation notification and the navigation effect by satisfying a certain condition.

  FIG. 6 is an address map of a memory area used by the main control unit 41. As shown in FIG. 6, the memory area used by the main control unit 41 includes a memory area (0000H to 7FFFH) allocated to the ROM 41b and a memory area (F000H to FFFFH) allocated to the RAM 41c.

  The memory area of the ROM 41b includes a program / data area (0000H to 26FFH) in which programs and fixed data are stored, a ROM comment area (2700H to 277FH) in which arbitrary data such as a program title and version can be set, A vector table area (2780H to 27A7H) in which an upper address of a subroutine of a CALLV instruction to be executed and a start address of a timer interrupt process (main) are set, and parameters for setting internal functions of the main control unit 41 by hardware. Are set, and an unused area (2800H to 7FFFH) where access is prohibited is included.

  The parameters set in the HW parameter area in the ROM 41b include the last address (HPREND) of the ROM area used in the program / data area, the start address (HRAMSTAT) and the last address (HRAMEND) of the RAM area whose access is prohibited.

  The memory area of the RAM 41c includes an available area (F000H to F400H) that can be used as a work, and an internal function register area (F4B0H to F4B0H) in which a register group for controlling each function mounted on the main control unit 41 is stored. F6FFH) and unused areas where access is prohibited (F401H to F4AFH, F700H to FFFFH).

  FIG. 7 is an address map of the program / data area in the ROM 41b and the usable area in the RAM 41c of the main control unit 41.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the program / data area in the ROM 41b includes a game program area in which a game program related to the progress of the game is stored, a game data area in which game data used by the game program is stored, It includes a use area 1, a non-game program area in which a non-game program not related to the progress of the game is stored, a non-game data area in which non-game data used by the non-game program is stored, and an unused area 2. .

  The progress of the game is to advance a series of processes constituting the game. In the case of a slot machine, the number of bets is set and the game can be started. Advancing a step of causing the reel to stop, deriving a display result, and giving a value such as a medal according to the display result.

  A game program area related to the progress of the game and a non-game program not related to the progress of the game are separately allocated, and are allocated rearward in the storage area of the ROM 41b among the game program area and the non-program area. Since the unused area 1 having at least 16 bytes or more is allocated to the area before the non-program area, the storage area includes a game program area related to the progress of the game and a non-game program not related to the progress of the game. Can be easily specified according to the difference between

  Further, the game program area and the game data area, and the non-game program area and the non-game data area are respectively allocated to continuous areas, while the game program area and the game data area related to the progress of the game and the non-game data area related to the progress of the game. Since the game program and the non-game data area are allocated to areas that are not continuous across the unused area 1 of at least 16 bytes or more, the game program area and the game data area related to the progress of the game and the A non-game program and a non-game data area that are not related can be easily specified according to the difference in the storage area.

  In the above description, “before and after the storage area” means the magnitude relationship of the address values assigned to the storage area, with the smaller address being the front and the larger address being the rear. For this reason, a storage area allocated behind one storage area corresponds to a storage area having an address value larger than that of one storage area, and a storage area allocated ahead of one storage area. , A storage area having an address value smaller than that of one storage area.

  Further, a configuration may be adopted in which a game program is allocated behind the non-game program area, and an unused area is allocated in front of the game program allocated behind the non-game program area. A game program area related to the progress of the game and a non-game program not related to the progress of the game can be easily specified according to the difference in the storage area.

  Further, the game program area and the non-game program area may be assigned to areas adjacent to each other with the unused area 1 interposed therebetween. A non-game program irrespective of the progress of the game can be easily specified according to the difference in the storage area.

  Further, in the unused areas 1 and 2 of the program / data area of the ROM 41b, since 0 values are stored in all areas, a game program area and a game data area, a non-game program area and a non-game data, The unused areas 1 and 2 can be easily distinguished from each other, and even when illegal data is stored in the unused areas 1 and 2, it can be easily found.

  It should be noted that the configuration may be such that 1 is stored in all the unused areas 1 and 2 of the program / data area of the ROM 41b. Even in such a configuration, the game program area and the game data area and the non-game The program area and the non-game data can be easily distinguished from the unused areas 1 and 2, and even if invalid data is stored in the unused areas 1 and 2, it can be easily found. .

  Further, if the configuration is such that the game program area and the non-game program area are assigned to separate areas, the game program area and the non-game program area may be configured to be applied to adjacent areas. Even with such a configuration, a game program area related to the progress of the game and a non-game program not related to the progress of the game can be easily specified according to the difference in the storage area.

  In addition, both the game program area and the non-game program area start from the address (0H) of the same lower 4 digits when the address is expressed in binary notation, and the program / data area of the ROM 41b. Among them, the game program area related to the progress of the game and the non-game program area not related to the progress of the game can be easily distinguished from other areas.

  In addition, both the game program area and the non-game program area not only start from the address of the same lower 4 digits when the address is expressed in binary but also the lower 1 digit when the address is expressed in hexadecimal. Starts from the same address (0H) of 0, so that the game program area and the non-game program area can be easily distinguished from other areas not only in the case where the address is expressed in binary but also in the case where the address is expressed in hexadecimal. can do.

  In both the game program area and the non-game program area, regardless of whether the address is expressed in binary or hexadecimal, the lower N (N is a natural number of 1 or more) digits starts from the address having the same value. With such a configuration, the game program area and the non-game program area can be easily distinguished from other areas. For example, the lower N (N is a natural number of 1 or more) digit 1 is the same. The same effect can be obtained by a configuration starting from the address of (1).

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the usable area of the RAM 41c includes a game RAM area used as a work by the game program, a non-game RAM area used as a work by the non-game program, and an unused area 4. The game RAM area includes a special work, an important work, a general work, an unused area 3, and a game stack area in which a game program saves data. The non-game RAM area includes a game stack area. It includes an area that can be referenced by a program, an area that cannot be referenced by a game program, and a non-game stack area in which a non-game program saves data. In the present embodiment, the game stack area and the non-game stack area are individually provided in different areas. However, a configuration in which one stack area shared by the game program and the non-game program may be provided.

  The unused area 3 is an area in which neither the game program nor the non-game program is used, and is a surplus area with respect to the game RAM area having a predetermined capacity.

  The unused area 4 is an area of 16 bytes or more in which neither the game program nor the non-game program is used. Since the game RAM area and the non-game RAM area are allocated to areas that are not continuous across the unused area 4, the game RAM area used by the game program related to the progress of the game and the non-game RAM area The non-game RAM area used by the game program can be easily specified according to the difference in the storage area.

  Hereinafter, the game program area, the game data area, and the game RAM area may be collectively referred to as a game area, and the non-game program area, the non-game data area, and the non-game RAM area may be collectively referred to as a non-game area. . The unused area 1 and the unused area 2, the unused area 3 and the unused area 4 may be collectively referred to as an unused area.

  The main control unit 41, based on a parameter set in the HW parameter area, permits access to an available area of the RAM 41c when access to an area of the program / data area of the ROM 41b is prohibited. When an area other than the set area is accessed, when an area other than the program / data area in the ROM 41b is accessed, and when an area other than the usable area in the RAM 41c is accessed, That is, when an illegal access is reset when an access is made to a memory area that cannot be accessed in a normal operation, the progress of the game is disabled. Therefore, an unused area of the ROM 41b or an area unrelated to the operation is used. If an unauthorized program is stored in an unused area or the like of the RAM 41c, Even, it is possible to prevent illegal program from being executed.

  Particularly, in the present embodiment, a game program area and a non-game program area are allocated to a program / data area of the ROM 41b to which access is permitted by the program, and the program / data area is located before the non-game program area behind the game program area. An unused area 1 is allocated to the area, and a lump of the program / data area including the area from the start address of the game program area to the end address of the non-game program is set based on the parameters set in the HW parameter area. The access to the area (the area from the game program area to the non-game data area) is set to be permitted all at once, while the other areas, that is, the game programs, game data, non-game programs, Non-game data is not stored Because it is forbidden access to the area later than trick data, it is possible to prevent conducted unintended control by malware or illegal data.

  Further, in the program / data area of the ROM 41b to which access is permitted by the program, a game area is allocated behind the non-game program area, and an unused area is provided in an area before the game program area behind the non-game program area. Is assigned and, based on the parameters set in the HW parameter area, access to a group of areas including the area from the start address of the non-game program area to the end address of the game program in the program / data area is collectively performed. Even if the access is set to permission while access to other areas is prohibited, unintended control by an unauthorized program or unauthorized data can be prevented.

  A game program area and a non-game program area are allocated to the program / data area, and an unused area 1 is allocated to an area in front of the non-game program area behind the game program area. Of the areas, one area including the game program area (the area from the game program area to the game data area) and one area including the non-game program (the area from the non-game program area to the non-game data area) A configuration may be adopted in which access is set to allow access and access to other areas is prohibited. Even in such a configuration, access is made to an area of the program / data area where no game program or non-game program is stored. Access is prohibited, the intention of malicious programs and data Can be prevented without control will take place. Further, in the program / data area of the ROM 41b to which access is permitted by the program, a game area is allocated behind the non-game program area, and an unused area is provided in an area before the game program area behind the non-game program area. Are allocated, and among the program / data areas, a group including the game program area (area from the game program area to the game data area) and a group including the non-game program (from the non-game program area to the non-game Access to the data area) and access to other areas may be prohibited. Even in such a configuration, a game program or a non-game Access to an area where no program is stored Because There is inhibited, it is possible to prevent conducted unintended control by malware or illegal data.

  Further, in the above description, the area to which access is permitted in the program / data area itself is set. However, by setting the area to which access is prohibited in the program / data area, the area to which access is indirectly set is set. It is good also as a structure performed.

  The main control unit 41 determines, based on the parameters set in the HW parameter area, that the user program is executed in an area other than the designated area where the program traveling is permitted, that is, that the user program is executed in a normal operation. When the user program is executed in the non-existing area, the IAT circuit 506a outputs the IAT generation signal, thereby disabling the progress of the game. Therefore, the unused area of the ROM 41b, the area unrelated to the operation, and the unoccupied area of the RAM 41c. Even if an unauthorized program is stored in the use area or the like, the execution of the unauthorized program can be prevented.

  Particularly, in the present embodiment, a game program area and a non-game program area are allocated to a program / data area of the ROM 41b to which access is permitted by the program, and the program / data area is located before the non-game program area behind the game program area. The unused area 1 is allocated to the area, and the IAT circuit 506a permits the program run for each of the game program area and the non-game program area in the program / data area based on the parameters set in the HW parameter area. While the area is set as the designated area, the program running in the other area, that is, the area where the game program and the non-game program are not stored in the program / data area is prohibited. Control line It can be prevented been.

  Further, in the program / data area of the ROM 41b to which access is permitted by the program, a game area is allocated behind the non-game program area, and an unused area is provided in an area before the game program area behind the non-game program area. Is assigned, and based on the parameters set in the HW parameter area, the IAT circuit 506a sets each of the game program area and the non-game program area in the program / data area as a designated area in which the program running is permitted. Thus, even if the program running in other areas is prohibited, it is possible to prevent unintended control by an unauthorized program or unauthorized data from being performed.

  Note that a game program area and a non-game program area are allocated to the program / data area, an unused area 1 is allocated to an area in front of the non-game program area behind the game program area, and an HW parameter area is allocated. Based on the parameters set in (1), a group of areas (areas from the game program area to the non-game data area) including the area from the start address of the game program area to the last address of the non-game program in the program / data area , The IAT circuit 506a may collectively set the designated area for permitting the program running and prohibit the program running in other areas. Even in such a configuration, the program / data area Of which game programs and non-game programs are stored Since the program running in the absence area is prohibited, it is possible to prevent conducted unintended control by malware or illegal data. Further, in the program / data area of the ROM 41b to which access is permitted by the program, a game area is allocated behind the non-game program area, and an unused area is provided in an area before the game program area behind the non-game program area. Are assigned, and based on the parameters set in the HW parameter area, a group of areas (from the game program area to the end address of the game program) including the area from the start address of the non-game program area to the end address of the game program in the program / data area The area up to the non-game data area) is collectively set by the IAT circuit 506a as a designated area where program running is permitted, and program running in other areas is prohibited. Unintended control It can be prevented been.

  Further, in the above description, the area for permitting the program running is set in the program / data area. However, the area for prohibiting the program running is set in the program / data area, so that the program running is indirectly permitted. A configuration in which an area is set may be adopted.

  The program executed by the main control unit 41 includes a main routine for managing the progress of the entire program, and a subroutine called during execution of another program.

  Also, a CALL instruction is included as an instruction for causing the main control unit 41 to execute a program stored in the program / data area.

  The CALL instruction is an instruction to call and execute a subroutine stored at an address designated in a main routine or a subroutine. When calling the subroutine by the CALL instruction, the main control unit 41 stores the address of the caller in the stack area, calls and executes the subroutine stored at the specified address. Then, after the subroutine ends, the process returns to the address of the caller stored in the stack area, that is, the main routine or the subroutine program of the caller who has executed the CALL instruction.

  The CALL instruction includes a normal CALL instruction and a CALLV instruction which is a special CALL instruction. A normal CALL instruction is an instruction that specifies an upper address and a lower address to specify both an upper address and a lower address and specifies an address and calls a subroutine, whereas a CALLV instruction specifies only a lower address. By doing so, the subroutine is called by specifying an address based on an upper address preset in the vector table area of the ROM 41b and a specified lower address, and calls the subroutine with a smaller amount of data compared to a normal CALL instruction. It becomes possible.

  The RST instruction is an instruction for calling a subroutine stored at a specific address corresponding to a specified value to execute by designating a value corresponding to a plurality of predetermined specific addresses. A subroutine can be called with a smaller amount of data than an instruction or a CALLV instruction. When calling the subroutine by the RST instruction, the main control unit 41 stores the caller address in the stack area, calls and executes the subroutine stored at the specific address corresponding to the designated value. Then, after the subroutine ends, the process returns to the address of the caller stored in the stack area, that is, the main routine or subroutine of the caller who has executed the RST instruction.

  The jump instruction is an instruction for moving to a program stored at an address specified in a main routine or a subroutine. The main control unit 41 moves to the program stored at the address specified by the jump command, and executes the destination program. In this case, unlike the CALL instruction or the RST instruction, even if the program after the movement ends, the program does not return to the source program.

  The main control unit 41 includes an LD instruction as an instruction to read data stored in the program / data area. The LD instruction is an instruction for reading data stored at an address specified in a main routine or a subroutine into a specified register. The main control unit 41 reads the data stored at the address specified by the LD instruction, and stores the read data in the register specified by the LD instruction.

  A subroutine frequently used among the game programs stored in the ROM 41b is stored in a region of the game program region of the ROM 41b where the start address is a specific value (for example, 00H). On the other hand, in the vector table area of the ROM 41b, a specific value is set as an upper address of a subroutine called by the CALLV instruction. Then, when calling the subroutine in which the upper address of the top address becomes the specific value, the main control unit 41 specifies only the lower address using the CALLV instruction, thereby changing the specific value set in the vector table area as the upper address. Then, the lower address specified as the lower address is specified, and the subroutine stored at the combined upper and lower addresses is called and executed. For this reason, an upper address constituting a part of an address used when calling a particularly frequently used subroutine in the game program is set in the vector table in advance as a specific value, and based on the specific value set in the vector table. Address, the subroutine can be called with a smaller amount of data as compared with a normal CALL instruction for calling a program by designating both the upper address and the lower address. It is possible to reduce waste of a program for specifying an address.

  A particularly frequently used subroutine among the non-game programs stored in the ROM 41b is stored in an area of the non-game program area of the ROM 41b where the start address is a specific value, and a CALLV instruction is stored in a vector table area of the ROM 41b. By setting a specific value as an upper address of a subroutine to be called in the subroutine, and when the main control unit 41 calls a subroutine in which the upper address of the leading address has a specific value, only the lower address is specified by using the CALLV instruction. , The subroutine can be called with a smaller amount of data compared to a normal CALL instruction that calls a program by specifying both the upper address and the lower address. When calling It is possible to reduce the waste of program for specifying the address.

  Further, a configuration may be adopted in which the upper address used when calling by the CALLV instruction is set in a specific register of the main control unit 41 instead of the vector table area.

  In addition to the CALLV instruction, a part of the address is specified by using a value stored in a vector table area, a value set in a specific register, and the like, and by specifying the remaining part of the address, With a configuration using a special CALL instruction capable of specifying the storage address of the subroutine, it is possible to reduce waste of a program for specifying an address when calling a subroutine. Also, an identification value having a smaller data amount than an address is assigned to each of a plurality of areas constituting the vector table area, and a storage address of a subroutine is set to each of the plurality of areas, and the identification value is specified to specify the identification value. Even with a configuration using a special CALL instruction capable of specifying a storage address of a subroutine stored in an area corresponding to a value, it is possible to reduce waste of a program for specifying an address when calling a subroutine. .

  Further, game data that is particularly frequently used among the game data stored in the ROM 41b is stored in a region of the game data region of the ROM 41b where the start address is a specific value, and a special LD is stored in the vector table region of the ROM 41b. By setting a specific value as the upper address of the data to be read by the instruction, and when the main control unit 41 calls game data in which the upper address of the top address becomes the specific value, the lower address is specified using a special LD instruction. Even in the case where the game data is read out, it is possible to call out the game data with a smaller amount of data as compared with a normal LD instruction for reading out the data by specifying both the upper address and the lower address. Of the program for specifying the address when reading the game data of It can be reduced.

  In addition, the non-game data that is particularly frequently used among the non-game data stored in the ROM 41b is stored in the non-game data area of the ROM 41b where the head address is a specific value, and the non-game data is stored in the vector table area of the ROM 41b. When a specific value is set as an upper address of data to be read by a special LD instruction, and when the main control unit 41 calls non-game data in which the upper address of the head address is a specific value, only the lower address is used by using the special LD instruction. By designating, even if the configuration is such that the non-game data is read, the non-game data is called with a smaller amount of data as compared with a normal LD instruction for reading data by specifying both the upper address and the lower address. And a process for specifying an address when reading these non-game data. It is possible to reduce the waste of lamb.

  Also in these cases, a configuration may be adopted in which the upper address used when calling with a special LD instruction is set in a specific register of the main control unit 41 instead of the vector table area.

  Part of the address is specified using the value stored in the vector table area, the value set in a specific register, etc., and the data storage address can be specified by specifying the remaining part of the address. With a configuration using a special LD instruction, it is possible to reduce waste of a program for specifying an address when reading data. In addition, an identification value having a smaller data amount than an address is assigned to each of a plurality of areas constituting the vector table area, and a data storage address is set for each of the plurality of areas, and the identification value is specified to specify the identification value. Even with a configuration using a special LD instruction that can specify a storage address of data stored in an area corresponding to a value, it is possible to reduce waste of a program for specifying an address when reading data. .

  The main control unit 41 is activated when a system reset by input of a system reset signal, a WDT reset by the WDT 506b, and the above-mentioned illegal access reset occur. At this time, the value set in the vector table area, that is, The upper address of the subroutine of the CALLV instruction and the start address of the timer interrupt processing (main) are values indicating the area where the program or the like is actually stored in the program area, or FFFFH (in the unused vector table area). Is determined, and if the value set in the vector table area is neither a value indicating the outside of the area where the program is set nor FFFFH, it does not start up. Unintended processing may be executed due to the occurrence of interrupts, etc. It can be prevented before.

  The game program is a program related to the progress of the game, and is a program for executing a process that hinders the progress of the game unless a process based on the program is executed. On the other hand, the non-game program is a program that is not related to the progress of the game, and even if it is called from the game program and returns to the game program without executing the processing based on the program, the game can be advanced. This is a program for executing processing.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the game program includes a game dedicated program included only in the game program, and a common determination program and a common general-purpose program included in both the game program and the non-game program.

  The game-dedicated program includes, for example, a game start waiting process, an internal lottery process, a reel control process, a game end setting process, an external output 1 process, an initial setting process, a power interruption process, and an error process. The game start waiting process is for setting the bet amount by inserting medals or the like after the control of one game is completed, and starting the game by operating the start switch 7 after the specified number of bets is set. The internal lottery process is a process of performing an internal lottery and setting a winning flag, and the reel control process is to start rotation of the reels and to operate the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R. In the game end setting process, it is determined whether or not a prize has occurred according to the stop position of the stopped reel, payout of medals, setting of re-games, The external output 1 process is a process for performing transition or the like, and the external output 1 process is a process for controlling the output of the medal IN signal, the medal OUT signal, the RB signal, the BB signal, and the RT signal among the external output signals. , First The setting process is a process for enabling the game when the power is turned on (backup abnormality confirmation, register initialization, etc.). The power interruption process can return to the state before the power interruption after the power interruption occurs. The error processing includes various kinds of abnormalities (medal insertion abnormality, foreign object detection in the medal selector 29, reel rotation abnormality, medal payout abnormality, foreign matter detection near the payout exit, RAM abnormality, setting, etc.). This is a process for disabling the game when a value abnormality, empty hopper tank 34a, full tank detection of overflow tank 35, etc.) are detected. Although not specifically shown, the game program also includes processing related to the above-described AT (such as lottery related to the AT and control related to navigation notification).

  The common determination program in the game program includes, for example, an insertion determination process and a payout determination process. The insertion determination processing is processing for determining whether or not medals are normally passed by the insertion medal sensors 31a to 31c, and is executed in a state where medals can be inserted for setting a bet number or the like. is there. The payout determination process is a process of determining whether or not the medal is normally passed by the payout sensor 34c, and is a process executed in a state in which the payout of the medal is permitted at the time of winning a small combination or at the time of credit settlement. It is.

  The common general-purpose program in the game program is a process called and executed from a plurality of types of processes constituting the game program. For example, a counter update process, a port input process, a data conversion process, an LED display process, a data setting process, Including command setting processing. The counter update process is a process for updating a designated counter value, the port input process is a process for acquiring an input state of a designated port, and the data conversion process is a process for inputting game data. The LED display process is a process of setting the designated value to be displayed on the LED, and the data setting process is a process of setting the designated data. The command setting process is a process of setting a specified command in a command queue.

  In particular, when an abnormality is detected as described above, the game program executes a reset condition (such as a random number abnormality, a RAM abnormality, a backup abnormality, or a setting value abnormality in the case of a setting value abnormality, Error processing to disable the progress of the game until a reset operation is established in the case of an abnormality other than the above.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the non-game program includes a non-game dedicated program included only in the non-game program, and a common determination program and a common general-purpose program that are the same as the game program.

  Non-gaming dedicated programs include, for example, test signal output processing, foreign object detection processing, door monitoring processing, external output 2 processing, inserted medal error determination processing, payout medal error determination processing, power failure determination processing, normal command transmission processing, power interruption Time command transmission processing. The test signal output process is a process for outputting a test signal generated in association with the result of the game, and the foreign object detection process is a process for detecting a foreign object in the medal passage by the slot sensor 26, The door monitoring process is a process for detecting opening of the front door 1b, and the external output 2 process is a process of detecting a security signal (door opening signal, setting signal, closing error signal, dispensing error signal) among the external output signals. This is a process for performing output control, and the inserted medal error determination process is performed based on the detection status of the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c, detecting backflow of inserted medals, detecting clogging of medals in the medal selector 29, and detecting foreign matter in the medal selector 29. The payout medal error determination process is a process for detecting the backflow of the payout medal based on the detection status of the payout sensor 34c, and the medal near the payout exit. The power outage determination process is a process for determining whether or not a voltage drop signal from the power interruption detection circuit 48 has been detected. The command transmission process is a process for transmitting, to the sub-control unit 91, one command set first among the commands set in the command queue by the command setting process of the game dedicated program and the non-game dedicated program. The power-off command transmission process is a process for transmitting all commands set in the command queue to the sub-control unit 91.

  The common general-purpose program in the non-game program is a process called and executed from a plurality of types of processes constituting the non-game program, and like the common general-purpose program in the game program, for example, a counter update process, a port input process, It includes data conversion processing, LED display processing, data setting processing, and command setting processing.

  The non-game program includes a process of determining whether or not a predetermined detection state is based on the detection state of the detection means (the insertion port sensor 26, the full tank sensor 35a, and the door open detection switch 25) which are not related to the progress of the game.

  Further, the non-game program functions as a detection means relating to the progress of the game in a specific control state among a plurality of control states (game start waiting processing, internal lottery processing, reel control processing, game end setting processing). In other control states, the detection means (for example, the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c and the payout sensor 34c) functioning as the detection means not related to the progress of the game may change the detection state in the control state not related to the progress of the game. A process for determining whether or not a predetermined detection situation is based on the detected medal (for example, a process for detecting inserted medals and a process for detecting paid-out medals for detecting an abnormality due to detection of insertion of medals during spinning of the reels and payout of medals) )including. In addition, since such a determination process is the same process as determining whether or not a predetermined detection status is based on a detection status in a control state related to the progress of a game in a game program, it corresponds to a common determination program. .

  In the processing included in the game program, the external output 1 processing, the processing of counting the number of inserted medals in the game start waiting processing, the processing of switching the flow path switching solenoid 30, and the number of medals paid out in the game end setting processing are performed. Processing that is not directly related to the progress of the game, such as counting, processing for detecting that the hopper tank 34a has been emptied, processing for updating software random numbers, processing related to AT, transmission of internal winning commands, etc. If so, all or a part of these processes may be included in the non-game program. On the other hand, all or some of the processes included in the non-game program may be included in the game program as long as they are indirectly related to the progress of the game.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 41a of the main control unit 41 calls the non-game program in the process based on the game program, executes the process based on the non-game program, and executes the process based on the non-game program. Then, the process returns to the process based on the game program.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 41a executes the processing based on the game program with reference to the game data in the game data area, and uses the game RAM area as a work when executing the processing based on the game program in principle. It is possible to refer to and update the contents of the game RAM area. In addition, when executing the processing based on the non-gaming program in principle, the CPU 41a executes the processing based on the non-gaming program with reference to the game data in the non-gaming data area, and uses the non-gaming RAM area as a work, It is possible to refer to and update the contents of the non-game RAM area.

  Further, in executing the processing based on the game program, the CPU 41a does not refer to the non-game data area and does not update the non-game RAM area, but can refer to the non-game RAM area. In executing the processing based on the non-game program, the game RAM area is not updated and the game RAM area is not updated, but the game RAM area can be referred to.

  In addition, the processing based on the game program can refer only to a specific area (for example, an error flag setting area indicating abnormality detection) of the non-game RAM area necessary for the game program. In the processing based on the game RAM area, only a specific area required for the non-game program (for example, an internal winning flag setting area, a game state setting area, an RT setting area, and the like) can be referred to. In addition, a specific area in the non-game RAM area where processing based on the game program can be referred to, and a specific area in the game RAM area where processing based on the non-game program can be referred to may be assigned to consecutive address areas. Although preferred, a configuration in which a part or the whole is allocated to a discontinuous address area may be used.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, a game program area in which a game program relating to the progress of a game is stored, a game data area in which game data referred to by the game program is readablely stored, and work data referred to by the game program. Are stored in a readable and writable manner, a non-game program area which is a program called by the game program, and stores a non-game program irrespective of the progress of the game, and a non-game which is referred to by the non-game program. Since a non-game data area in which data is stored in a readable manner and a non-game RAM area in which work data referenced by the non-game program is stored in a readable and writable manner are separately allocated, a game program, Game data and game program work data, Game program, the workpiece data of the non game data and non-game program, can be easily identified according to a difference in the storage area.

  Also, by dividing the game program area and the game data area from the non-game program area and the non-game data area, the area occupied in the ROM 41b can be compactly managed according to each function. It becomes even easier to identify the relevant data.

  Further, in this embodiment, it is possible to refer to the non-game RAM area when executing the game program, and to refer to the game RAM area when executing the non-game program. In executing the game program, the data used by the non-game program can be easily used, and in executing the non-game program, the data used by the game program can be easily used. On the other hand, when the game program is executed, it is impossible to update the non-game RAM area, and when the non-game program is executed, it is impossible to update the game RAM area. Does not affect the processing of the non-game program, and the non-game program does not affect the processing of the game program.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the processing based on the game program can refer only to a specific area required for the game program (for example, an error flag setting area indicating abnormality detection) in the non-game RAM area. In the processing based on the non-game program, only a specific area (for example, an internal winning flag setting area, a game state setting area, an RT setting area, etc.) necessary for the non-game program in the game RAM area can be referred to. Since the data that can be referred to by the game program in the non-game RAM area and the data that can be referred to by the non-game program are limited to a specific area, the reference destination of the game program or the non-game program can be easily specified. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, the game program and the non-game program can be executed, and a game stack area for saving data used by the game program and a non-game stack area for saving data used by the non-game program are separate. The main control unit 41 saves the data used by the game program and the data used by the non-game program in the stack areas provided separately, so that the management of the stack area can be performed. It will be easier. In particular, data used by a game program saved by the occurrence of a timer interrupt and data used by a non-game program executed during execution of a timer interrupt process (main) are stored together in one stack area. Since there is no such situation, the management of the stack does not become complicated.

  Next, the structure of the medal selector 29 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the state in which the medal selector 29 is viewed from the back side of the front door 1b will be described as the front side of the medal selector 29.

  The medal selector 29 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, and a medal flow passage 133 having a substantially L-shape in a front view is formed inside the main body. As shown in FIGS. 10 (b) and 11 (b), the side wall of the medal flow-down passage 133 is inclined forward from the lower side to the upper side such that the upper end of the flowing-down medal is inclined forward from the lower end. are doing.

  On the upper surface of the main body of the medal selector 29, an inflow port 141 communicating with the medal flow path 133 on the upstream side is formed, so that the medals inserted from the medal insertion port 4 flow into the medal flow path 133. ing. An outlet 142 communicating with the downstream of the medal flow passage 133 is formed on the side surface of the main body of the medal selector 29, and the medals discharged from the outlet 142 are guided by the medal chute 149 to the hopper tank. 34a.

  On the upstream side of the medal flow-down passage 133, the above-mentioned insertion port sensor 26 for detecting the passage of the medal flowing from the inflow port 141 is provided, and on the downstream side of the medal flow-down passage 133, the outlet 142 is provided. The aforementioned inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c for detecting the passage of the discharged medals are provided.

  In addition, the medal selector 29 determines whether the inserted medals are true or false (shape, size, thickness, etc.), and the passing of the authentic medals is detected by the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c. After that, the medals flow out of the outlet 142 formed on the side surface of the main body of the medal selector 29, and the false medals are formed in the lower part of the main body of the medal selector 29 before the passing medal is detected by the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c. The return portion 137 falls downward, and is returned to the lower plate from the medal payout port 9 (see FIG. 1) through a medal return passage 132 (see FIG. 2) provided below the medal selector 29. It has become.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the medal flow-down passage 133 flows down the medal flow-down passage 133 from a position downstream of the position where the insertion of the inserted medals is detected by the insertion port sensor 26, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. A flow path switching plate 147 is provided at a position upstream of a position where the passing of medals is detected by the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c. The flow path switching plate 147 is linked to the excitation of the flow path switching solenoid 30 (see FIG. 4) provided on the front side of the main body, and the non-guide position where the lower surface of the medals flowing down the medal flow path 133 is not guided (see FIG. 4). 10 (a) and (b)) and a guide position (the position in FIGS. 11 (a) and (b)) where the lower surface of the medal flowing down the medal flowing passage 133 is guided (position in FIGS. 11 (a) and (b)). Installed.

  In a state where the flow path switching solenoid 30 is not excited, the flow path switching plate 147 is biased to the non-guide position as shown in FIGS. , And the lower surface of the medals flowing down the medal flow passage 133 is not guided. For this reason, the medals flowing from the inflow port 141 and flowing down the medal flow passage 133 do not fall through the medal flow passage 133 as shown in FIG. Then, it is discharged from the return unit 137 and returned from the medal payout port 9 through the medal return passage 132.

  When the flow path switching solenoid 30 is excited, the flow path switching plate 147 moves from the non-guiding position to the guiding position as shown in FIGS. The lower surface of the flowing medal is guided. For this reason, the medals flowing from the inflow port 141 and flowing down the medal downflow path 133 are guided by the flow path switching plate 147 from the medal downflow path 133 as shown in FIG. Without dropping, it flows down to the outlet 142, is detected by the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c, and is discharged from the outlet 142.

  In this embodiment, as the insertion port sensor 26 and the insertion medal sensors 31a to 31c, the light receiving unit detects the interruption of the light from the light emitting unit when the medal passes between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. A photo sensor that detects the passage of medals is used, but the light emitting unit and light receiving unit are arranged at one end of the passage, and the light receiving unit detects the light of the light emitting unit reflected on the medal, so that the medal passes. May be used. Also, a physical sensor that detects the passage of a medal by detecting the operation of a movable piece that operates in conjunction with the passage of a medal may be used.

  Next, various control contents executed by the main control unit 41 in the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  First, an initialization process executed by the main control unit 41 at the time of startup will be described. When the main control unit 41 is activated by the occurrence of a reset, the main control unit 41 performs a startup setting. In the setting at the time of starting, the status flag provided in the main control unit 41 is initialized. The status flag is data that holds the state of the operation result or execution result of the instruction, and particularly includes an interrupt master permission flag for setting the inhibition / permission of the interrupt. Since the initial value of the interrupt master permission flag is a value indicating that the interrupt is prohibited, the main control unit 41 starts up in a state where the interrupt is prohibited. After that, the main control unit 41 sets various functions with reference to the HW parameters, and then performs an initial setting process according to the program stored in the program / data area.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the initial setting process, first, the value of the interrupt master permission flag is set to a value indicating that the interrupt is prohibited, thereby prohibiting the interrupt (Sa1). As described above, the main control unit 41 is activated in a state where the interrupt is prohibited, but in Sa1, the main control unit 41 prohibits the interrupt again. Next, initialization data is set (Sa2), and each output port including the parallel output port 513 is initialized (Sa3). Next, the internal register is set (Sa4).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the voltage of the power supply is normal (Sa5). If the voltage of the power supply is not normal, the determination is repeated until the voltage becomes normal. If the power supply voltage is normal, the upper address of the interrupt vector is set (Sa6), access to the RAM 41c is permitted (Sa7), and the stack pointer is initialized (Sa8).

  Next, the RAM parity of the game RAM area (the area of F000H to F1FFH including the game stack area and the unused area 3) in the available area of the RAM 41c is calculated (Sa9). Then, it is determined whether or not the calculated RAM parity is 0 (Sa10). As will be described later, if the power interruption processing (main) is normally performed at the time of the previous power-off, the RAM parity should be 0. Therefore, if the RAM parity is not 0 in the step Sd10, the game of the RAM 41c is executed. If the data stored in the RAM area is not normal, in this case, the process proceeds to step Sa13 to clear the destruction diagnosis data (Sa13). On the other hand, when the RAM parity becomes 0, destruction diagnosis data stored in the game RAM area is further acquired (Sa11), and it is determined whether or not the acquired destruction diagnosis data is correct (Sa12). The destruction diagnosis data is cleared (Sa13).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the setting key switch 37 is ON (Sa14). When the setting key switch 37 is in the ON state, the timer interrupt is set (Sa19). Specifically, a register of a timer circuit 509 incorporated in the main control unit 41 is set so that a timer interrupt is periodically executed at predetermined time intervals. In this embodiment, a value corresponding to about 0.56 ms is set in a predetermined register (time constant register), so that a timer interrupt is periodically generated about every 0.56 ms. In addition, in the timer circuit 509, by setting the register, the timer is initialized, and the timer starts counting from the initial value. When the setting of the timer interrupt in the step of Sa19 is completed, the processing shifts to the setting change processing. In the setting change process, each time the reset / setting switch 38 changes from OFF to ON, the setting value of the register is updated (1 is added for 1 to 5, and 1 is updated for 6), and the start switch 7 is updated. When the setting key switch 37 is turned off after the state changes from OFF to ON, the data of the set value set in the register is stored in the RAM 41c, and the start value of the RAM to be initialized in the main processing to be described later. The address is set in the RAM 41c, and the process proceeds to the main processing. Further, in the setting change process, at the start of the setting change process, the main control unit 41 sets a setting change flag indicating that the setting change process is being executed in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c. In the timer interrupt process performed in step (1), the setting change signal output from the external output board 1000 is switched to the on state by referring to the setting change flag. Then, at the end of the setting confirmation, the main control unit 41 releases the setting change flag, and in the timer interrupt processing, sets the setting change signal to the off state based on the fact that the setting change flag is not set. Can be switched.

  On the other hand, when the setting key switch 37 is in the OFF state, it is determined whether or not the storage content of the RAM 41c is destroyed (Sa15). In step Sa15, it is determined whether or not a RAM abnormality flag to be described later is set and whether or not the storage content of the RAM 41c is destroyed based on the determinations in Sa10 and Sa12. If the content stored in the RAM 41c has not been destroyed, a return command is transmitted to the sub control unit 91 (Sa16). Note that the case where the storage content of the RAM 41c is not destroyed means that the RAM abnormality flag is not set, the RAM parity is determined to be 0 in the step Sa10, and the destruction diagnosis data is further determined in the step Sa12. This is the case where it is determined to be correct.

  After the step Sa16, all the registers are restored based on the data stored in the game RAM area of the RAM 41c (Sa17), and the same timer interrupt setting as the step Sa19 is performed (Sa18). Then, the processing shifts to Sd24 processing of timer interrupt processing (main) described later. As a result, the state of the game RAM area and the non-game RAM area of the RAM 41c before the power interruption, and the processing executed before the power interruption is restored.

  If the content stored in the RAM 41c is destroyed in the step Sa15, a RAM abnormality flag indicating that the content stored in the RAM 41c is not normal is set in the RAM 41c (Sa20), and the process proceeds to error processing. In the error processing, the progress of the game is disabled. Further, in the error state in which the RAM abnormality flag is set and the mode is shifted, the setting key switch 37 is turned on and the power switch 39 is turned on, so that the mode can be canceled by shifting to the setting change processing. On the other hand, when the power switch 39 is turned on without setting the setting key switch 37 to the ON state, the RAM abnormality flag remains set, and it is determined in step Sa15 that the RAM is destroyed. The error state is returned again.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when a reset occurs, the main control unit 41 starts up in an interrupt-prohibited state, and thereafter, at the start of the initial setting process to be executed first, the program is used to execute the interrupt. The prohibition is performed, and even if the main control unit 41 is activated in a state where the interrupt is not prohibited for some reason, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an unintended interrupt.

  Further, the main control unit 41 allows the interrupt after setting the timer interrupt in the timer circuit 509 after the activation, and the interrupt occurs when the timer interrupt does not operate normally. Can be prevented. In addition, the timer circuit 509 sets a timer interrupt so that the timer is initialized and starts counting time from an initial value. Second, the timer interrupt can be generated at fixed time intervals without deviation from the time until the second and subsequent interrupts occur. In addition, the main control unit 41 updates the setting of the timer circuit 509 to an initial value by a program in the initial setting process, and when the setting of the timer circuit 509 is rewritten for some reason at startup. Even if there is, unintended interruption can be prevented from occurring.

  Next, a main process executed by the main control unit 41 will be described with reference to FIG. The main processing is repeatedly executed for each game of one unit. One cycle of the main processing corresponds to one unit of the game.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the main control unit 41 first prohibits an interrupt (Sb1). Next, the last address of the initialization target RAM (the last address of the game stack area (unused)) is set (Sb2), the game area initialization processing is executed, and the area of the RAM 41c indicated by the specified address is cleared. (Sb3).

  The game area initialization process initializes a designated area of the initialization target RAM in the game RAM area by sequentially clearing a designated start address to an end address. At this time, if the main processing is started after the setting change processing, when the setting change processing is completed, the area where the special work is stored in the available area is set as the head address of the initialization target RAM. The last address of the game stack area (unused) is set as the last address of the initialization target RAM in Sb2 of the main processing, so that the special work in the game RAM area is set. And areas (important work, general work, unused area 3, stack area (unused)) other than the game stack area (in use) are initialized. At the end of a game that is not in a specific game state, the start address of the initialization target RAM at the end of the game (the start address of the unused area 3) is set in a step Sb10 described later, and the initialization is performed in a step Sb2. Since the last address of the target RAM (the last address of the game stack area (unused)) is set, the unused area 3 and the game stack area (unused) among the available areas are initialized. Also, at the end of the specific game state and at the end of the game, the start address of the initialization target RAM at the end of the specific game state (special work in the game RAM area is stored in step Sb11 described later). In the step Sb2, the final address of the initialization target RAM at the end of the specific gaming state (the final address of the game stack area (unused)) is set. Therefore, the general work, the unused area 3, and the game stack area (unused) in the game RAM area are initialized.

  After the initialization of the RAM in the step of Sb3, an interrupt is permitted (Sb4), and a game start waiting process is called and executed (Sb5). In the game start waiting process, the process waits in a state where the number of bets can be set, sets a specified number of bets according to the game state, and starts the game when the start switch 7 is operated.

  Next, an internal lottery process is executed (Sb6). In the internal lottery process, it is determined whether the winning of each of the above-mentioned winning combinations is permitted based on the random number value for the internal lottery latched at the same time as the start of the game by the detection of the start switch 7 in step Sb5 (that is, the display result is derived). A process is performed to determine whether to allow or not.

  Next, a reel control process is executed (Sb7). In the reel control process, the process of rotating the reels 2L, 2C, 2R in response to the operation of the start switch 7, the result of the internal lottery in the step Sd2, and the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R by the player are detected. In response to this, a process of stopping the rotation of the corresponding reels 2L, 2C, 2R is executed.

  Next, a game end time setting process is executed (Sb8). In the game end setting process, when it is determined that the rotation of all the reels 2L, 2C, 2R has stopped in the process of Sb7, a prize is generated according to the display result derived on each of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R. A process is performed to determine whether or not it is. Then, when it is determined that a winning has occurred, processing such as adding credits and paying out medals is performed based on the number of payouts according to the winning. If a prize has been won, a process of setting a game state in preparation for the next game is executed after the payout of medals or the like is completed. If no winning has occurred, after the reels have stopped, a process of setting a gaming state in preparation for the next game is executed.

  When the game end time setting process ends, it is determined whether or not a specific game state has ended (Sb9). If the specific game state has not ended, the start address of the initialization target RAM at the time of game end is determined. Set (Sb10), and return to the step of Sb1. If it is the end of the specific game state, the start address of the initialization target RAM at the end of the specific game state is set (Sb11), and the process returns to the step Sb1.

  In the main process, a command storing process of generating a command in accordance with the progress of the game and setting the command in a command queue is executed, and the set command is executed in a normal timer interrupt process (main). The command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 91 by the command transmission process.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the power supply to the slot machine 1 is started, the main control unit 41 starts the initialization processing, and the RAM 41c in the game RAM area of the RAM 41c held by the backup power supply It is determined whether or not the storage content of the RAM is normal based on the parity and the destructive diagnosis data stored in the game RAM area, and when it is determined that the content is normal, the data stored in the game RAM area and the non-game The control is restarted based on the data stored in the RAM area, and it is determined whether or not the non-game data stored in the non-game RAM area and not hindering the progress of the game is normal. By omitting, it is possible to reduce the load at the time of restarting the control while ensuring that the progress of the game can be performed normally.

  The game RAM area of the RAM 41c includes an unused area 3 which is not used when performing control based on a game program or when performing control based on a non-game program. Executes an initial setting process when power supply to the slot machine 1 is started, calculates a RAM parity of the game RAM area including the unused area 3 in the initial setting processing, and adds the calculated RAM parity to the calculated RAM parity. Since it is determined whether or not the storage content of the game RAM area is normal based on the information, it is possible to prevent unauthorized data from being stored in the unused area 3.

  Further, when the power supply to the slot machine 1 is started, the main control unit 41 executes an initial setting process, and determines whether or not the storage content of the RAM 41c has been destroyed in the initial setting process. If it is determined that the stored contents of the data item are destroyed, a RAM abnormality flag is set and error processing is controlled. Thereafter, the error state is maintained without automatically returning, and the setting key switch 36 is turned on. In the state described above, when power supply to the slot machine 1 is started, the control is changed to the setting change processing, the game area initialization processing is executed to initialize the game RAM area, and the non-game area initialization processing is performed. Execute to initialize the non-game RAM area, that is, both the game RAM area and the non-game RAM area are initialized when the error state is released. While game any abnormality has occurred in the M region and the non-gaming RAM area can be prevented from proceeding.

  Next, a game start waiting process called and executed by the main control unit 41 in the main process will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 14, in the game start waiting process, first, the value of the BET counter in which the value of the bet amount is stored in the RAM 41c is cleared (Sc1). Then, a specified number corresponding to the game state is set in the RAM 41c (Sc2), and whether or not the game is a replay game is determined based on whether or not a replay game flag indicating that the game is a replay game is set in the RAM 41c. Is determined (Sc3).

  If it is determined in step Sc3 that the game is a replay game, after adding 1 to the value of the BET counter (Sc4), the BET counter is referred to by referring to the specified number of bets set in the RAM 41c. Is determined to be a prescribed number, that is, whether or not a bet amount as a game start condition is set (Sc5). Then, in step Sc5, if the value of the BET counter is not the specified number, the process returns to step Sc4, while if the value of the BET counter is the specified number, the process proceeds to step Sc6, and the credit value is set as described later. In response to the above, a determination process of determining whether or not to insert medals is performed. If it is determined in step Sc3 that the game is not a replay game, the flow advances to step Sc6 to execute insertion possibility determination processing.

  After executing the input availability determination process in step Sc6, it is determined whether an error code is set in the register, that is, whether an error is detected (Sc7). Then, the process proceeds to a start waiting error process (Sc8). On the other hand, if the error code is not set in step Sc6, the state of the input port corresponding to the setting key switch 37 acquired in the port input process is referred to, and whether the setting key switch 37 is on is determined. Is determined (Sc9), and if the setting key switch 37 is on, a setting confirmation process for displaying a set value for confirmation is executed as described later (Sc10).

  Then, after the setting confirmation processing is completed in step Sc10, or when it is determined in step Sc9 that the setting key switch 37 is not turned on, the process proceeds to step Sc11, and as described later, medal insertion for determining insertion of medals is performed. Execute the judgment process.

  After executing the medal insertion determination process in step Sc11, any one of the start switch 7, the MAXBET switch 6, and the settlement switch 10 is turned on from the off state with reference to the fixed data set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c. (Sc12, Sc21, Sc26) is determined based on the determined data of each switch. If it is determined that none of the switches has changed from the off state to the on state, Sc7 is determined. Return to step.

  If it is determined in step Sc12 that the start switch 7 has changed from the off state to the on state, it is determined whether or not another switch is on based on the determined data of each switch (Sc13). If it is determined that the other switches are not on, it is determined whether the value of the BET counter is a specified number (Sc14). If it is determined in step Sc13 that the other switch is on, or if it is determined in step Sc14 that the value of the BET counter has not reached the specified number, the process returns to step Sc7. On the other hand, if it is determined in step Sc13 that the other switches are not on, and if the value of the BET counter has reached the specified number in step Sc14, the value of the random number storage work is stored in the lottery work of the RAM 41c. It is set (Sc15), the insertion possible flag is cleared (Sc16), the value of the output port corresponding to the flow path switching solenoid 30 is set to a value indicating off (Sc17), and the flow path of the medals is set to the path on the medal payout exit 9 side. The insertion of a new medal is prohibited and the insertion request LED 17 is set to the off state (Sc18). Then, a detection time invalidation timer for disabling the detection of the medal clogging error by the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c for a predetermined period (500 ms in this embodiment) is set (Sc19), and the setting at the start of the game is performed. After that (Sc20), the game start waiting process ends, and the process returns to the main process.

  If it is determined in step Sc21 that the MAXBET switch has changed from the off state to the on state, it is determined whether the value of the BET counter has reached a specified number (Sc22), and the specified number has not been reached. In this case, it is determined whether the value of the credit counter is 0 (Sc23). In step Sc23, if the value of the credit counter is not 0, the credit counter is decremented by 1 (Sc24), the BET counter is incremented by 1 (Sc25), and the process returns to step Sc23, where the value of the BET counter reaches the specified number. Or, the processing of Sc22 to Sc25 is repeated until the value of the credit counter becomes 0. If it is determined in step Sc22 that the value of the BET counter has reached the specified number, or if it is determined in step Sc23 that the value of the credit counter is 0, the process returns to step Sc7.

  If it is determined in step Sc26 that the settlement switch 10 has been changed from the off state to the on state, a settlement processing for returning the medals used for setting the credit or the bet amount is executed as described later (Sc27). Then, after the settlement process is completed, the process returns to the step Sc7.

  In the game start waiting process according to the present embodiment, when the setting key switch 37 is turned on while the error code is not set and the process is not shifted to the error status, the process proceeds to the setting confirmation process. However, during the period from the start of the game start waiting process until the operation of the start switch 7 is detected, the setting key switch 37 is turned on with no error code set. In this case, it is determined whether or not the value of the BET counter is 0. If the value of the BET counter is 0, that is, the bet amount is not set according to the operation of the MAXBET switch 6 or the winning of the replaying role. In such a case, the process may proceed to the setting confirmation process, but may not proceed to the setting confirmation process if the value of the BET counter is 0.

  Next, a medal insertion determination process executed by the main control unit 41 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 17, in the medal insertion determination process, it is determined whether or not the insertion possible flag is set (Sd1), and when the insertion possible flag is set and the medal insertion is possible. Acquires the transition data of the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c (Sd2), terminates the medal insertion determination process if the inserted flag is not set and the medal cannot be inserted, and The process returns to the game start waiting process.

  After acquiring the transition data of the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c in the step Sd2, based on the acquired transition data, whether or not the medal is passing in the medal downflow path 133 of the medal selector 29 in the direction of the outlet 142. Is determined (Sd3). If it is determined in step Sd3 that the medal is not passing, the value of the output port corresponding to the flow path switching solenoid 30 is set to a value indicating on (Sd4), and the medal flow-down passage 133 is set to the outlet 142 side. To allow the insertion of a new medal, set the insertion request LED 17 to the on state (Sd5), and proceed to the step of Sd6. On the other hand, if it is determined in step Sd3 that the medal is passing, the flow proceeds to step Sd6 without setting the flow path switching solenoid 30 and the insertion request LED 17 to the on state.

  In step Sd6, it is determined whether or not the transition data acquired in step Sd2 is normal. If the transition data is determined to be normal, the outputs of the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c further change. It is determined whether or not (Sd7). If it is determined in step Sd6 that the transition data is not normal, an error code indicating an insertion error is set (Sd13), the medal insertion determination process is terminated, and in steps Sd7, the outputs of the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c are output. Also, when it is determined that there is no change in the game, the medal insertion determination process is terminated, and the process returns to the game start waiting process.

  If it is determined in step Sd6 that the transition data of the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c is normal, and if it is determined in step Sd7 that the output of the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c has changed, It is determined whether or not any of the outputs of the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c is on (Sd8).

  In the step Sd8, when it is determined that any of the outputs of the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c is in the on state, it is determined whether or not a one-sheet insertion possible flag described later is set with reference to the RAM 41c, that is, The medal detected by the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c is the last medal that can be inserted into the slot machine 1, and it is determined whether or not the insertion of this medal causes the credit value to reach the upper limit. In the step Sd9, when the one-sheet insertion flag is set, the value of the output port corresponding to the flow path switching solenoid 30 is set to a value indicating off (Sd10), and the medal flow-down passage 133 is set to the medal payout exit. Switch to the 9 side, prohibit the insertion of new medals, set the insertion request LED 17 to the off state (Sd11), and invalidate the detection time for invalidating the detection of the clogged medal error by the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c. After setting the timer (Sd12), the medal insertion determination processing ends, and the processing returns to the game start waiting processing. On the other hand, if it is determined in step Sd9 that the one-sheet insertion flag is not set, the medal insertion determination process is terminated without performing the steps Sd10 to Sd12, and the process returns to the game start waiting process.

  Further, in the step Sd8, when it is determined that none of the outputs of the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c are in the on state, it is determined whether or not the bet amount has reached the specified number by referring to the value of the BET counter. If the bet number has not reached the specified number (Sd14), the bet counter is incremented by one (Sd15), and after the insertion determination process is performed, the medal insertion determination process is terminated and the game is started. Return to the waiting process. On the other hand, if it is determined in step Sd14 that the bet amount has reached the specified number, one is added to the credit counter (Sd17), and after the insertion possibility determination process described later is executed, the medal insertion determination process ends. Then, the process returns to the game start waiting process.

  As described above, in the medal insertion determination process, the insertion possible flag is set, and when the medal is not passing, the flow path switching solenoid 30 and the insertion request LED 17 are controlled to the off state.

  In the medal insertion determination processing, the transition data of the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c are normal, the output of any of the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c changes from off to on, and the one-sheet insertion flag is set. In other words, when the insertion of the last medal that can be inserted into the slot machine 1 is detected, the flow path switching solenoid 30 and the insertion request LED 17 are controlled to the off state. For this reason, the one-sheet insertion flag is set, and when the inserted medal sensor 31a detects a medal, the other medal sensors 31b and 31c pass through the medal flow-down passage before detecting the medal. When the medal return path 132 is switched from the 142 side to the medal return path 132, and only one medal can be inserted, the medal flow path is set as early as possible after the last one medal is inserted. Since the switching from the 142 side to the medal return passage 132 side is performed, it is possible to prevent the medals from being taken in even when the medals further flow down.

  Further, when the flow path switching solenoid 30 is switched from on to off, a detection time invalidation timer is set. After that, even if the detection time of the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c exceeds the medal clogging determination time for a predetermined period, a medal clogging error occurs. Is determined, and after the medal flowing path is switched from the outlet 142 side to the medal return path 132 side, the inserted medals flow down the medal flowing path 133 toward the outlet 142 side with momentum. In such a case, even if the passing speed of the medals becomes slower than usual, it is prevented that a medal clogging error is determined.

  In addition, when the transition data of the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c is normal and the output of the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c changes from on to off, that is, the medals flowing down the medal flowing passage 133 flow normally to the outlet 142. In this case, the inserted medals are added to the bet or credit.

  Next, a description will be given, with reference to FIG. The insertion possibility determination processing is formed into a common module so that it can be called based on each processing such as a game start waiting processing, a medal insertion determination processing, a settlement processing, a setting confirmation processing, and an error processing.

  As shown in FIG. 18, in the insertion possibility determination process, the value of the credit and the value of the bet are specified with reference to the credit counter and the BET counter allocated to the game RAM area of the RAM 41c, and the game data area of the ROM 41b is specified. The upper limit number of credits (50 in this embodiment) is specified with reference to (Se1). Then, whether or not the sum of the credit value and the bet value has reached the maximum medal number that can be inserted (in the present embodiment, the sum of the maximum number of credits 50 and the maximum number of bets 3) Is determined (Se2), and if it is determined that the sum of the credit value and the bet amount value has reached the maximum medal number that can be inserted, the insertable flag indicating that the medal can be inserted is cleared, and (Se3), the input availability determination process ends, and the process returns to the calling source process.

  On the other hand, in the step of Se2, when it is determined that the sum of the credit value and the bet amount does not reach the maximum medal number that can be inserted, the sum of the credit value and the bet amount is It is determined whether the number has reached one less than the maximum medal number that can be inserted (Se4). In the step of Se4, the sum of the credit value and the bet value has reached one less than the maximum medal number that can be inserted, that is, a state where one more medal can be inserted into the slot machine 1. In the case of, a one-sheet insertion flag indicating that one more medal can be inserted is set (Se5), an insertion possible flag is set (Se6), and the insertion permission / prohibition determination processing ends. On the other hand, if the sum of the credit value and the bet amount does not reach one less than the maximum medal number that can be inserted in the step of Se5, an insertable flag is set (Se6), and the insertion is performed. The availability determination processing ends.

  As described above, the insertion possibility determination processing of the present embodiment is formed into a common module and is included in the game program, so it can be called based on the settlement processing, the setting confirmation processing, and the error processing. The capacity can be reduced.

  In addition, in the insertion possibility determination process of the present embodiment, when it is determined that the sum of the credit value and the bet amount does not reach the maximum medal number that can be inserted, an insertion possible flag is set. By setting the insertion possible flag, after the insertion possible / impossible determination processing, it is referred to in the medal insertion determination processing, and in accordance with the determination result in the insertion possible / impossible determination processing, that is, in response to the insertion possible flag being set, The flow path switching solenoid 30 is turned on.

  If it is determined that the sum of the credit value and the bet amount has reached one less than the maximum medal number that can be inserted, a one-sheet insertion flag is set. By setting the one-sheet insertion possible flag, after the insertion possible / impossible determination processing, it is referred to when the passage of the inserted medal is detected in the medal insertion determination processing, and the determination result in the insertion possible / impossible determination processing, That is, the flow path switching solenoid 30 is turned off according to the setting of the one-sheet insertion possible flag.

  In the present embodiment, the maximum number of medals that can be stored in the credit (50 in the present embodiment) is stored in the game data area of the ROM 41b. The maximum number of credits is specified by referring to the value set in.

  Next, the settlement process executed by the main control unit 41 in the game start waiting process will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 19, in the settlement process, first, it is determined whether or not a bet amount is set (Sf1). In the step of Se1, if it is determined that the bet amount is set, it is further determined whether or not the game is a replay game (Sf2). The bet amount is set to 0 (Sf3).

  If it is determined in step Sf1 that the bet amount is not set, or if it is determined in step Sf2 that the game is a replay game, it is determined whether or not the credit is 0 (Sf4). If it is 0, the settlement process ends, and the process returns to the game start waiting process. If the credit is not 0 in the step of Sf4, the value of the credit is set as the number of returned medals, and the value of the credit is set to 0 (Sf5).

  After the step of Sf3 or Sf5, the insertion enable flag indicating that the medal can be inserted is cleared (Sf6), and an adjustment start command indicating that the adjustment processing is started is set in the command queue (Sf7). Then, by setting the value of the output port corresponding to the flow path switching solenoid 30 to a value indicating “off”, the insertion of new medals is prohibited by setting the flow path of medals to the path of the medal payout port 9 (Sf8). After the insertion request LED 17 is turned off (Sf9), a detection time invalidation timer for disabling the detection of the medal clogging error by the insertion medal sensors 31a to 31c for a predetermined period (500 ms in the present embodiment) is set (Sf10). ), A medal return process is performed in which the hopper unit 34 returns medals of the number of medals set in the step Sf3 or Sf5 (Sf11). In the medal return process, a process of driving the hopper motor 34b is performed until the payout of medals corresponding to the number of returned medals is detected.

  In step Sf11, after returning the medals corresponding to the number of returned medals, the insertion acceptability determination process described with reference to FIG. 17 is executed (Sf12), and thereafter, a settlement end command indicating that the settlement process is ended is set (Sf13). ), The settlement process is terminated, and the process returns to the game start waiting process.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the settlement process is performed, the process corresponds to the flow channel switching solenoid 30 regardless of whether the process of setting the flow channel switching solenoid 30 to the on state has already been performed. By setting the value of the output port to a value indicating off, the flow path switching plate 147 of the medal selector 29 is positioned at the non-guide position, and the medal flow-down passage 133 is switched to the return portion 137 side.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the settlement process is started, by clearing the insertion enable flag indicating that the medal can be inserted, the medal insertion is disabled, and then the flow path switching solenoid 30 is turned off. When the insertion possible flag is cleared, the insertion of the medal based on the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c is not performed.

  In this embodiment, when the settlement process is started, a settlement start command indicating that the settlement process has been started is set, so that the settlement start command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 91. . The sub-control unit 91 that has received the settlement start command executes a settlement-in-progress notification for notifying that the settlement process is being executed, and displays on the liquid crystal display 51 a message indicating that the settlement process is being executed. At the same time, a sound indicating that the settlement process is being executed is output from the speakers 53 and 54 to notify the player that the settlement process is being executed and that the medal cannot be inserted through the medal slot 4. .

  Further, in the present embodiment, after the medal return process to be returned by the hopper unit 34 is completed in the settlement process, a settlement end command indicating that the settlement process is ended is set, so that the settlement end command is sent to the sub-control unit 91. Commands are sent. Note that the sub-control unit 91 that has received the settlement end command ends the notification indicating that the settlement process is being executed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, by setting the detection time invalidation timer when the flow path switching solenoid 30 is set to the off state in the settlement process, the medal clogging error occurs for a predetermined period (500 ms in the present embodiment). Detection is disabled.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the flow path switching solenoid 30 is set to the off state in the settlement process, the injection request LED 17 is turned off.

  Further, in this embodiment, when the settlement process is ended, the insertion possibility determination process is called and executed, and the sum of the bet amount, the credit value, and the bet value reaches the maximum medal number that can be inserted. , The insertion possible flag is cleared, and if the sum of the bet amount, the credit value, and the bet amount value does not reach the maximum medal number that can be inserted, the insertion possible flag is set. Therefore, in the game start waiting process that returns after the settlement process is completed, the on-off of the flow path switching solenoid 30 is performed according to the determination result in the insertion availability determination process, that is, whether the insertion enable flag is set. Will be switched.

  Next, a setting confirmation process executed by the main control unit 41 in the game start waiting process will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 20, in the setting confirmation processing, first, the insertion enable flag indicating that the medal can be inserted is cleared (Sg1), and the value of the output port corresponding to the flow path switching solenoid 30 is set to off. The value is set to a value (Sg2), and the insertion of new medals is prohibited using the medal flow path as the path on the medal payout exit 9 side. Then, the input request LED 17 is turned off (Sg3), and a setting confirmation flag indicating that the setting confirmation processing is being executed is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c (Sg4). When the setting confirmation flag is set, the next timer interrupt processing is executed and the external output 2 processing is performed, so that the external output board 1000 is linked with the setting confirmation flag being set. The setting-in-progress signal as the external output signal output from the switch is switched to the on state.

  Then, a detection time invalidation timer for disabling the detection of the medal clogging error by the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c for a predetermined period (500 ms in this embodiment) is set (Sg5). Thereafter, a setting confirmation start command indicating that the setting confirmation processing has been started is set in the command queue (Sg6), the currently set value is displayed on the setting value display 24 (Sg7), and acquired in the port input processing. With reference to the input port state corresponding to the set key switch 37, whether the set key switch 37 is on is determined (Sg8). If it is determined that the set key switch 37 is on, It waits until the setting key switch 37 is turned off.

  If it is determined in step Sg8 that the setting key switch 37 is not in the on state, the display of the set value on the set value display 24 is not displayed (Sg9). Thereafter, a delay period timer for delaying the progress of the setting confirmation process for a predetermined period (in this embodiment, 2.24 ms (millisecond) corresponding to a time interval of four timer interrupt processes) is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c. (Sg10), it is determined whether or not the predetermined period has elapsed (Sg11), and the process stands by until the predetermined period has elapsed. In the step Sg10, 4 is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c as a delay period timer, and thereafter, the value of the delay period timer is decremented by 1 every time a timer interrupt process is performed. When the value of the delay period timer is 0, it is determined that a predetermined period has elapsed.

  If it is determined in step Sg11 that the predetermined period has elapsed based on the delay period timer, a setting confirmation end command that can specify that the setting confirmation processing is to be terminated is set (Sg12), and the setting confirmation command is set in step Sg4. The setting confirming flag is released (Sg13). When the setting confirmation flag is cleared, the next timer interrupt processing is executed and the external output 2 processing is performed, so that the setting confirmation signal is output in conjunction with the setting confirmation flag not being set. The state can be switched to the off state.

  After the step of Sg13, the insertion possibility determination processing is called and executed (Sg14). After the insertion possibility determination processing is completed, the setting confirmation processing is terminated and the process returns to the game start waiting processing.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the setting confirmation processing is executed, the flow path switching solenoid 30 is supported regardless of whether the processing for setting the flow path switching solenoid 30 to the on state has already been performed. By setting the value of the output port to be turned off to a value indicating off, the flow path switching plate 147 of the medal selector 29 is positioned at the non-guide position, and the medal flow-down passage 133 is switched to the return portion 137 side. .

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the setting confirmation process is started, by clearing the insertion possible flag indicating that the medal can be inserted, the medal cannot be inserted, and then the flow path switching solenoid 30 is turned off. When the insertion possible flag is cleared, the insertion of the medal based on the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c is not performed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the setting confirmation processing is started, a setting confirmation start command indicating that the setting confirmation processing has been started is set, so that the setting confirmation start command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 91. It has become. The sub-control unit 91 that has received the setting confirmation start command executes a setting confirmation notification to notify that the setting confirmation state is being performed, and outputs a sound indicating that the setting confirmation state is being transmitted from the speakers 53 and 54. This is output to inform the player that the setting is being confirmed and that a medal cannot be inserted through the medal insertion slot 4.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the setting key switch 37 is turned off in the setting confirmation processing and the setting confirmation processing is terminated, a setting confirmation end command indicating that the setting confirmation processing is terminated is set. , A setting confirmation end command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 91. The sub-control unit 91 that has received the setting confirmation end command ends the notification indicating that the setting is being confirmed.

  Further, in this embodiment, when the flow path switching solenoid 30 is set to the off state in the setting confirmation processing, the medal detection invalidation timer is set, so that the medal detection is disabled for a predetermined period (500 ms in this embodiment). The detection by the medal sensors 31a to 31c is invalidated.

  Further, in this embodiment, when the flow path switching solenoid 30 is set to the off state in the setting confirmation processing, the injection request LED 17 is turned off.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the setting confirmation process is terminated, the insertion possibility determination process is called and executed, and the sum of the bet amount, the credit value, and the bet value is set to the maximum medal number that can be inserted. If the number of medals has been reached, the insertion possible flag is cleared, and if the sum of the bet, credit, and bet does not reach the maximum number of medals that can be inserted, the insertion possible flag is set. Therefore, in the game start waiting process to be returned after the setting confirmation process is completed, the ON / OFF of the flow path switching solenoid 30 is performed according to the determination result in the insertion possibility determination process, that is, whether the insertion possible flag is set or not. The state of -off will be switched.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in the setting confirmation process, after the setting confirmation flag is set, when it is determined that the setting key switch is in the ON state, the delay period timer is set. The setting check processing is not progressed until a predetermined delay period (2.24 ms (milliseconds)) elapses, and the timer is interrupted within the delay period with the setting checking flag set. When the processing is executed, the setting confirmation flag is referred to in the external output 2 processing of the timer interrupt processing, and is output from the external output board 1000 based on the setting confirmation flag being set. The setting signal as the external output signal is switched to the on state.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when it is determined in the setting confirmation process that the setting key switch is in the ON state, the predetermined delay period is at least the time until the external output 2 process is performed in the timer interrupt process ( In the present embodiment, the predetermined period is set by setting the delay period timer so that the signal during setting is equivalent to a time sufficient for the external device to detect the setting signal. Since the setting check process is not terminated until the delay period elapses, the external output 2 process of the timer interrupt process executed within the predetermined delay period ensures that the setting-in-progress signal is on. , And the on state of the setting signal is maintained for a time that can be detected by the external device.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in the setting confirmation process, after the setting confirmation start command is set in the command queue, when it is determined that the setting key switch is in the ON state, the delay period timer is set. After that, until a predetermined delay period (2.24 ms (milliseconds)) elapses, the process waits without performing the setting confirmation process, and the timer interrupt process is executed within the delay period, so that the command queue is stored. The set setting check start command is transmitted to the sub control unit 91. Then, after the delay period elapses, that is, after the setting confirmation start command is transmitted, the setting confirmation end command is set in the command queue and transmitted in the subsequent timer interrupt processing. On the side, after receiving the setting confirmation start command, the setting confirmation end command is received at least after the delay period has elapsed, and the notification of the setting confirmation is executed at least over the delay period.

  In the game start waiting process, the main control unit 41 determines whether or not the start switch 7, the MAXBET switch 6, and the settlement switch 10 are in an on state based on the fixed data of each switch. In the game start waiting process and the setting confirmation process, the setting key switch 37 is determined to be in the on state or the off state based on the state of the corresponding input port, and the game key is switched off. Compared with the period required to detect the operation of the switch related to the progress (in this embodiment, the period of four timer interrupt processes), the period required to detect the operation of the switch for starting or ending the setting confirmation state (timer (A period for one interrupt processing) is set short.

  Next, a start waiting error process executed by the main control unit 41 in the game start waiting process will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 21, in the start waiting error processing, first, the insertion enable flag indicating that the medal can be inserted is cleared (Sh1), and the value of the output port corresponding to the flow path switching solenoid 30 is turned off. Is set as a value indicating the flow path of the medal, the insertion of a new medal is prohibited (Sh2), the insertion request LED 17 is turned off (Sh3) for a predetermined period (this embodiment). Then, a detection time invalidation timer for invalidating the detection of the medal clogging error by the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c for 500 ms) is set (Sh4).

  Then, an error start command indicating that error processing has been started is set in the command queue (Sh5), the set error code is displayed on the game auxiliary display 12 (Sh6), and an error release condition (reset operation) Is determined (Sh7), and if the error release condition is not satisfied, the process waits until the error release condition is satisfied.

  In the step Sh7, when it is determined that the error release condition is satisfied, the display of the error code on the game assist display 12 is cleared (Sh8), and the insertion possibility determination process is called and executed (Sh9). Then, after the insertion possibility determination processing is completed, an error release command indicating that the error processing is to be completed is set (Sh10), and the processing returns to the game start waiting processing.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when performing the error processing during the waiting for start, regardless of whether the processing for setting the flow path switching solenoid 30 to the on state has already been performed, the flow path switching solenoid 30 is not used. By setting the value of the output port corresponding to the value to "off", the flow path switching plate 147 of the medal selector 29 is positioned at the non-guide position, and the medal flow-down passage 133 is switched to the return portion 137 side. ing.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the error processing during the waiting for start is started, by clearing the insertion enable flag indicating that the insertion of the medals is possible, the state where the insertion of the medals is impossible is performed. Is set to an off state, and when the insertion possible flag is cleared, the insertion determination of medals based on the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c is not performed.

  Further, in this embodiment, when the error processing during start waiting is started, an error start command indicating that the error processing has been started is set, so that the error start command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 91. Has become. Note that the sub-control unit 91 that has received the error start command executes an in-error notification to notify that the error processing is being performed, and outputs sounds indicating that the error processing is being performed from the speakers 53 and 54. It informs the player that an error has occurred and that a medal cannot be inserted through the medal insertion slot 4.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when an error release condition is satisfied in the error processing during waiting for start, and when terminating the error processing while waiting for start, by setting an error release command indicating that the error processing is to be terminated, An error release command is transmitted to the sub control unit 91. The sub-control unit 91 that has received the error release command ends the notification indicating that the error processing is being performed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the flow path switching solenoid 30 is set to the off state in the start waiting error processing, the medal detection invalidation timer is set, so that the medal detection invalidation timer is set for a predetermined period (500 ms in the present embodiment). , The detection by the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c is invalidated.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the flow path switching solenoid 30 is set to the off state in the start waiting error processing, the closing request LED 17 is turned off.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when terminating the start waiting error process, the call acceptability determination process is called and executed, and the sum of the bet amount, the credit value, and the bet value is the maximum medal that can be inserted. If the number has been reached, the insertable flag is cleared, and if the sum of the bet, credit, and bet does not reach the maximum medal number that can be inserted, the insertable flag is cleared. Therefore, in the game start waiting process which returns after the start waiting error process is terminated, the flow path switching is performed according to the determination result in the insertion availability determination process, that is, whether or not the insertion possible flag is set. The on-off state of the solenoid 30 is switched.

  The main control unit 41 of the present embodiment executes a timer interrupt process (main) that interrupts and executes the main process at regular intervals (at intervals of about 0.56 ms). The timer interrupt process (main) is a process executed by an interrupt generated in accordance with the count of the timer circuit 509. The address where the program of the timer interrupt process (main) is stored in the vector table. It is set as a value corresponding to the timer interrupt. Then, when a timer interrupt occurs, the processing from that address is executed. Further, other interrupts are automatically prohibited during the execution of the timer interrupt processing (main).

  In the timer interrupt processing (main), the power failure determination processing is called and executed, it is determined whether or not a voltage drop signal is input from the power interruption detection circuit 48, and two consecutive timer interrupt processing (main) are performed. If it is determined that the voltage drop signal has been input over a period of time, it is determined that a power failure has occurred, and the process proceeds to a power interruption process (main). The power interruption process will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 22, in the power interruption processing (main), the main control unit 41 first saves all registers that may be used to the stack area (Si1).

  Next, all output ports including the parallel output port 513 for outputting a command are initialized (Si2). Thus, the output state of the output port corresponding to the command output last by the command transmission processing at the time of power failure is initialized. Then, destruction diagnosis data is set in the game RAM area (Si3). The destruction diagnosis data is 5A (H), that is, a value including 1 in any bit. Next, RAM parity adjustment data is calculated and set in the game RAM area so that the exclusive OR of all areas (including the unused area 3) of the game RAM area becomes 0, and all the areas in the game stack area are set. RAM parity adjustment data is calculated and set in the game RAM area so that the exclusive OR of the areas (unused area 3, game stack area (unused) and game stack area (in use)) becomes 0 ( Si4), access to the RAM 41c is prohibited (Si5). Thereafter, the voltage decreases, the CPU 41a of the main control unit 41 stops, and the state shifts to a standby state. When the voltage drops in the standby state, the operation of the main control unit 41 is internally stopped, and the operation is reliably stopped when the power is cut off.

  In the present embodiment, the adjustment data is set in the target area so that the calculation result of the target area in the power interruption processing becomes a specific value (0 in this embodiment), and the target data is set in the start processing. It is determined whether or not the data in the RAM 41c is normal based on whether or not the calculation result of the area becomes a specific value. However, the calculation result of the area targeted in the power interruption process and the area targeted in the startup processing are determined. It may be configured to determine whether the data in the RAM 41c is normal based on whether or not the calculation result of the RAM 41c matches. Further, the calculation method is not limited to the exclusive OR, and another calculation method (for example, a sum) may be used.

  In the present embodiment, RAM parity adjustment data is calculated using data stored in all areas of the game RAM area including the unused area 3 in the power interruption processing, and the unused area 3 is included in the startup processing. It is determined whether or not the RAM 41c is normal based on the RAM parity calculated using data stored in all areas of the game RAM area, and an unauthorized program is stored in the unused area 3. In this case, since it is determined that the RAM is abnormal, it is possible to prevent an unauthorized program from being stored in the unused area 3.

  In this embodiment, RAM parity adjustment data is calculated using data stored in all areas of the game RAM area including the unused area 3 in the power interruption processing, and the unused area 3 is included in the start-up processing. Although the configuration is such that it is determined whether the RAM 41c is normal based on the RAM parity calculated using the data stored in all the areas of the game RAM area, the RAM parity of the game RAM area including the unused area 3 is adjusted. Data is calculated and set in the game RAM area, and RAM parity adjustment data in the non-game RAM area is calculated and set in the non-game RAM area, and stored in the game RAM area including the unused area 3 in the start-up process. RAM parity calculated using the calculated data, and RAM parity calculated using the data stored in the non-game RAM area. RAM41c may be determined configure whether normal or not based. In such a configuration, if an invalid program is stored in the game RAM area or the non-game RAM area, it is determined that the RAM is abnormal, so that the illegal program is stored in either the game RAM area or the non-game RAM area. Can be prevented from being stored.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the main controller 41 executes the power interruption processing when the power supply to the slot machine 1 is stopped and the power interruption detection circuit 48 detects a drop in the power supply voltage. In the above, the access to both the game RAM area and the non-game RAM area is prohibited by prohibiting the access to the RAM 41c. It is possible to prevent unauthorized data from being stored using the area.

  In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 4 flow down to the medal return passage 132 side by positioning the flow path switching plate 147 at the non-guide position, while the flow path switching plate 147 is The main control unit 41 sets the flow path switching solenoid 30 to the off state by providing the medal selector 29 in which the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 4 flows down to the hopper tank 34a by being positioned at the guide position. Thus, while the flow path switching plate 147 is located at the non-guiding position, the flow path switching plate 147 can be changed to the guiding position by turning the flow path switching solenoid 30 on.

  In such a configuration, the main control unit 41 controls the on-off state of the flow path switching solenoid 30 to switch the medal flow path of the medal selector 29 to a predetermined flow path side, and to perform the previous switching control. If it is configured to perform the control of switching the flow path according to the switching state of the flow path recognized based on, if for some reason the recognized switching state does not match the actual switching state, The medal channel may not be switched to the predetermined channel side.

  On the other hand, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment, when executing the settlement process, determines whether or not the process of setting the flow path switching solenoid 30 to the on state has already been performed. By setting the value of the output port corresponding to the switching solenoid 30 to a value indicating off, the flow path switching plate 147 of the medal selector 29 is located at the non-guide position, and the medal flow-down passage 133 is switched to the return portion 137 side. Thus, it is possible to reliably switch to the medal return path 132 when performing the settlement process.

  Further, when executing the setting confirmation processing, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment performs the flow path switching solenoid regardless of whether the processing for setting the flow path switching solenoid 30 to the on state has already been performed. By setting the value of the output port corresponding to 30 to a value indicating off, the flow path switching plate 147 of the medal selector 29 is positioned at the non-guide position, and the medal flow-down passage 133 is switched to the return unit 137 side. Therefore, when performing the setting confirmation processing, it is possible to reliably switch to the medal return path 132 side.

  Further, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment, when executing the start waiting error processing, regardless of whether the processing for setting the flow path switching solenoid 30 to the on state has already been performed or not. By setting the value of the output port corresponding to the switching solenoid 30 to a value indicating off, the flow path switching plate 147 of the medal selector 29 is located at the non-guide position, and the medal flow-down passage 133 is switched to the return portion 137 side. Thus, when performing the error processing during the waiting for start, it is possible to reliably switch to the medal return path 132 side.

  Further, in the settlement process, the setting confirmation process, and the start waiting error process, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment clears the medal insertion possible flag indicating that the medal can be inserted when each of the processes is started. After the state where the insertion of medals is not possible, the flow path switching solenoid 30 is set to the off state. When the insertion possible flag is cleared, the medal based on the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c is set. By setting the state in which the insertion determination is not performed, it is possible to prevent a medal from being unintentionally detected based on the output of the inserted medal sensor 31.

  In the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 determines that the insertion of the medal based on the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c is not performed when the inserted possible flag is cleared, thereby setting the inserted medal sensor 31a. In this configuration, the detection of medals by the input token sensors 31a to 31c may be disabled while the insertion possible flag is cleared.

  Further, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment performs an insertion availability determination process for determining whether or not a medal can be inserted at the end of each of the settlement process, the setting confirmation process, and the error process waiting for start. Performing, if it is in a state that can be inserted according to the determination result of the insertion possibility determination processing, the insertion possible flag is set, and then, while the medal insertion determination is performed, the insertion possible flag is set, The flow path switching solenoid 30 is set to an on state, and the medal flow-down passage 133 is switched to the hopper tank 34a side. When the medal flow-down path 133 is switched to the hopper tank 34a side, the flow of the medal flowing down is reduced. It is possible to prevent the liquid from flowing down to the hopper tank 34a without making the input determination.

  In addition, the main control unit 41 of this embodiment calls and executes the insertion possibility determination process at the end of each of the settlement process, the setting confirmation process, and the error process, and executes the bet amount, the credit value, and the bet amount value. If the sum with the maximum number of medals that can be inserted is reached, the insertion possible flag is cleared, while the sum of the bet, credit, and bet If the number does not reach the number, the on-off flag of the flow path switching solenoid 30 is set in accordance with the determination result in the on-off determination processing, that is, on whether the on-off flag is set or not. The state switches.

  In particular, after the settlement process is completed, the credit should be 0, and it is not necessary to perform the above-described determination. However, similar to the setting confirmation process and the error process, a common module-based input availability determination process is performed. By setting the flow path switching solenoid 30 to the on-off state in accordance with the determination result in the insertion possibility determination processing, the flow path switching solenoid is set after each of the settlement processing, the setting confirmation processing, and the error processing. It is possible to reduce the capacity of the program related to the control for switching the number 30.

  In the present embodiment, at the end of each of the settlement process, the setting confirmation process, and the error process, an injection availability determination process is executed, and the flow path switching solenoid 30 is turned on in accordance with the determination result in the injection availability determination process. Although the configuration is such that the state of -off is switched, it is stored whether or not a medal can be inserted before the start of each of the settlement processing, the setting confirmation processing, and the error processing, and the settlement processing, the setting confirmation processing, At the end of each processing of the error processing, the configuration may be such that the flow path switching solenoid 30 switches the on-off state according to the state before the start.

  Further, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment transmits a command indicating that the corresponding process is started to the sub-control unit 91 when starting each process of the settlement process, the setting confirmation process, and the error process. The sub-control unit 91 notifies that the corresponding process is executed in response to the command. Therefore, when each of the settlement process, the setting confirmation process, and the error process is performed, the medal insertion is not performed. It is possible to notify the player that it is possible.

  Further, when the flow path switching solenoid 30 is switched from on to off, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment sets a detection time invalidation timer, and thereafter detects the medal time of the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c for a predetermined period. Even if the clogging determination time is exceeded, a medal clogging error is not determined. After the medal flow path is switched from the outflow port 142 side to the medal return path 132 side, the inserted medals gain momentum and the medal flow path 133. When the medals flow down to the outlet 142 side, even if the passing speed of the medals becomes slower than usual, it is not determined that a medal clogging error occurs, and abnormal detection frequently occurs due to so-called swallowing of the medals. Can be prevented.

  Further, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment turns off the input request LED 17 when the flow path switching solenoid 30 is turned off when starting the settlement process, the setting confirmation process, and the error process. Therefore, in each of the settlement processing, the setting confirmation processing, and the error processing, it is possible to notify the player that the meda cannot be inserted.

  The slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a medal selector 29 that determines the authenticity of a medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 4. The main control unit 41 sets a medal flow passage 133 of the medal selector 29 to a medal hopper tank. The number of medals guided to the hopper tank 34a can be switched to an upper limit (in the present embodiment, the number of stakes is defined as a flow path leading to the side of the hopper tank 34a). (The sum of the number and the maximum number of credits), the medal flow-down passage 133 is switched to a channel leading to the medal payout port 9 side, and the main control unit 41 stores the bet amount or the credit. After the payment process for returning medals is performed, the medal flow-down passage 133 is switched to a flow passage that leads to the hopper tank 34a.

  In such a configuration, after the settlement is completed, the number of inserted medals should not have reached the upper limit number, so if the configuration is such that the insertion of medals is permitted along with the settlement completion, If the credit is not settled normally due to a problem, there is a possibility that the insertion of medals will be permitted after the payment is completed while the number of medals stored in the credit and the bet amount has reached the upper limit. There is.

  On the other hand, at the end of the settlement process, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment executes an insertion possibility process for determining whether or not the number of medals stored as credits has reached the upper limit number. When it is determined that the number has been reached, the insertion possible flag is cleared to set a medal insertion impossible state, and when it is determined that the upper limit number has not been reached, the insertion possible flag is set. Therefore, even if the settlement process is not normally performed due to a problem and ends, the number of medals stored in the credit has reached the upper limit, so that the medal can be inserted. It is possible to prevent a state where medals can be inserted after completion.

  In addition, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment determines whether or not the number of medals stored in the credit has reached an upper limit in a plurality of processes such as a settlement process, a setting confirmation process, and a start waiting error process. It is possible to call the insertion possibility determination process, since the insertion availability determination process is included in the game program as a common module that can be called based on various processes, in a plurality of processes to the bet or credit It is possible to reduce the program capacity required for the process of determining whether or not the stored number of medals has reached the upper limit.

  The main control unit 41 of the present embodiment adds one more medal number stored in the credit in the insertion availability determination processing for determining whether the medal number stored in the credit has reached the upper limit number. Therefore, the processing for determining whether or not the number of medals stored in the bet or credits reaches the upper limit is performed by the insertion possibility determination processing. Thus, it is also possible to specify whether or not the upper limit is reached, and it is possible to make preparations to prohibit medal insertion when it is specified that the upper limit is reached by adding one more.

  The main control unit 41 has a configuration capable of executing insertion availability determination processing for determining whether or not the number of medals stored in the credit has reached an upper limit number, and includes a ROM 41b in which programs and data are stored. The ROM 41b includes a program area (a game program area and a non-game data area) in which a program is stored, and a data area (game data area and a non-game data area) in which fixed data used by the program is stored. In the determination process, the upper limit number for determining whether or not the number of medals stored in the bet amount or the credit has reached the upper limit number is stored not in the program area of the ROM 41b but in the data area. Even when changing the upper limit used in the judgment process, only the upper limit is changed without changing the program Door can be.

  Further, when starting the settlement process, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment transmits a settlement start command indicating that the settlement process is started to the sub-control unit 91. Upon receipt of the start command, a settlement-in-progress notification for notifying that the settlement process is to be executed is performed. After the settlement process is completed, the insertion possible flag is set in the insertion possible / impossible judgment process, and the medal of the medal is set. After the state in which the payment can be made, a settlement end command capable of specifying that the settlement process is to be completed is transmitted to the sub-control unit 91, and the sub-control unit 91 receives the settlement end command and performs the settlement. Since the middle notification is ended, it is possible to prevent the insertion of medals from being restricted even though the middle notification is ended. Note that the same applies to the setting confirmation processing and the start waiting error processing.

  Next, a timer counter for measuring a time interval used by the main control unit 41 for controlling the progress of the game will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When the timing start condition is satisfied, the main control unit 41 sets an initial value corresponding to the counted time as the timer value of the timer counter assigned to the game RAM area of the RAM 41c, and sets the timer interrupt processing (main). The timer value is periodically subtracted, and when the timer value becomes 0, it is specified that the measured time has elapsed.

  More specifically, when the timekeeping start condition is satisfied in the main process, the main control unit 41 sets an initial value of the timer value according to the timekeeping time in an area to which a timer counter according to the condition is assigned. The set timer value is decremented by one until it becomes 0 approximately every 2.24 ms in the time counter update process of the timer interrupt process (main).

  Then, in the main processing, as shown in FIG. 23, the address of the corresponding timer counter is obtained (Sj1), the obtained value is read (Sj2), and it is determined whether the read value is not 0 (Sj3). When it is determined that the read value is 0, it is specified that the clock time has elapsed.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the timer counter used in this embodiment has a 1-byte timer A having an initial value of 1 byte or less, a 1-byte timer B, a 1-byte timer C, and an initial value of more than 1 byte and not more than 2 bytes. It includes a 2-byte timer A, a 2-byte timer B, a 2-byte timer C, and a 2-byte timer D.

  The 1-byte timer is a timer for measuring a relatively short period that can be measured with a timer value within 1 byte. For example, an external output signal timer for measuring an output period of an external output signal, an LED output update period LED update timer that measures the time, a stop invalidation timer that measures the time from when the stop operation is detected until the stop operation is validated again, and a payout wait that measures the time until the payout of medals starts after the reel stops. A timer, an insertion detection timer for measuring a period from when the on of the insertion medal sensors 31a to 31c are detected, an insertion port detection timer for measuring a period after the on of the insertion sensor 26 is detected, and an on of the payout sensor 34c. , A payout detection timer that measures a period from the start of the reel detection, a start-up timer that measures a period from the start of reel rotation until the stop operation becomes effective, and the like. Among these, the stop invalidation timer, the payout waiting timer, and the start time timer do not extend over the timing at which one game ends, but the external output signal timer, the LED update timer, the insertion detection timer, the insertion port The detection timer and the payout detection timer sometimes cross over the time measured by these timers when one game ends.

  The 2-byte timer is a timer for measuring a relatively long period that cannot be measured with a timer value within 1 byte. For example, a 1-game time timer for measuring a prescribed time (about 4.1 seconds) required for 1 game A security signal timer for measuring the minimum output period of the security signal among the external output signals, a standby time timer for measuring a period from the end of the game, a hopper empty timer for measuring a period during which the payout sensor 34c is not detected after the hopper motor 34b is driven. There is a timer. Of these, the standby time timer and the hopper empty timer do not straddle the timing of the end of one game with the measurement period of these timers, but the one game time timer and the security signal timer have the time measured by these timers of one game. May end the timing of the end.

  As described above, the timer counter indicates the timing at which one game ends, that is, the timing at which a part of the RAM 41c is initialized in accordance with the progress of the game (at the end of one game or at the end of a specific game state, Are initialized, and a timer counter that measures a measurement period that extends over a period of time, and a timer counter that does not extend over the timing at which a part of the RAM 41c is initialized in accordance with the progress of the game. The counter is also assigned to a special work that is not initialized at a timing according to the progress of the game.

  Of these timer counters, the one-byte timers A to C are assigned one byte at a time to a continuous three-byte area (804CH to 804EH) of the RAM 41c, and the two-byte timers A to D correspond to eight consecutive bytes of the RAM 41c. Two bytes are allocated to the area (804FH to 8055h). Further, 1-byte timers A to C and 2-byte timers A to D are also allocated to continuous areas of the RAM 41c. Hereinafter, the area to which the 1-byte timers A to C are assigned is called a 1-byte timer group, and the area to which the 2-byte timers A to D are assigned is called a 2-byte timer group. That is, both the 1-byte timer group and the 2-byte timer group are set in areas to which consecutive addresses are assigned according to a predetermined rule. The area to which consecutive addresses are assigned according to a predetermined rule is, for example, an area to which a start address and an address to be added by N (N is a natural number) from the start address are assigned.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the control content of the time counter updating process.

  In the time counter update process, first, the number of 1-byte timer counters to be updated (3 in this embodiment) is set as the number of 1-byte processes (Sk1), and the start address (804CH) of the 1-byte timer group is set. The pointer is set (Sk2).

  Next, if the 1-byte value stored at the designated address (the address indicated by the pointer) is not 0, 1 is subtracted from the 1-byte value of the designated address (Sk3), and 1 is subtracted from the number of processes set in the step of Sk1. (Sk4), it is determined whether or not the number of processes after the subtraction is 0 (Sk5).

  If the number of times of processing after the subtraction is not 0 in step Sk5, that is, if all the one-byte timers have not been updated, the pointer is incremented by 1 (Sk6), and the process returns to step Sk3. As a result, the pointer moves to the address of the unprocessed 1-byte timer, and if the value of the 1-byte at the specified address is not 0, the pointer is decremented.

  If the number of processes after the subtraction in step Sk5 is 0, that is, if the update of all the 1-byte timers is completed, the number of 2-byte timer counters to be updated is set as the number of 2-byte processes (this embodiment Then, 4) is set (Sk7), and the pointer is incremented by 1 (Sk8). As a result, the pointer moves to the head address (804FH) of the 2-byte counter group.

  Next, if the 2-byte value stored in the area consisting of the designated address (the address indicated by the pointer) and the next address is not 0, the 2-byte value of the designated address and the next address is subtracted by 1 (Sk9), and Sk7 The number of times of processing set in the step is subtracted by 1 (Sk10), and it is determined whether or not the number of times of processing after the subtraction is 0 (Sk11).

  If the number of times of processing after the subtraction is not 0 in the step of Sk11, that is, if all the 2-byte timers have not been updated, the pointer is incremented by 2 (Sk12), and the process returns to the step of Sk9. As a result, the pointer moves to the address of the unprocessed 2-byte timer, and the value of the designated address and the next address are decremented unless the 2-byte value is 0.

  If the number of processes after the subtraction is 0 in step Sk11, that is, if all the 2-byte timers have been updated, the process ends.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the value of the timer counter assigned to the RAM 41c is periodically updated, and the passage of time is specified by reaching a specific value (0). Conventionally, when measuring a plurality of types of time intervals, a timer value is set and updated in a plurality of types of processing requiring time measurement, and a program for updating a plurality of types of timer values is provided in each processing. In such a case, the program capacity is increased. In addition, since a plurality of types of timer counters are allocated as a data group for each process in which each is used, it is necessary to read the value of an unrelated address in order to update them collectively in one process. there were.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the area in which a plurality of types of timer counter values are stored is set in the area of the RAM 41c to which consecutive addresses are assigned according to a predetermined rule, and the timer value stored in the designated address is set. Since the updating process is repeated by adding a constant to the current designated address and changing the designated address for the area where the plural types of timer counter values are stored, the plural types of timer values are updated. In addition, the program capacity can be reduced as compared with the case where the processing of designating a plurality of types of addresses and updating the values of the addresses is performed by individual processing.

  It should be noted that the process of updating the timer value stored at the designated address is repeatedly performed while changing the designated address for the area in which the plurality of types of timer counter values are stored by performing a predetermined operation. Any configuration may be used as long as the value is updated. For example, by adding a constant to the current designated address and repeatedly executing while changing the designated address for an area in which a plurality of types of timer counter values are stored, a plurality of types are provided. , Or a value corresponding to the number of processes with respect to the reference address (for example, in the case of a 1-byte counter, +1 for 1 process, 2 for 2 processes, and 2 In the case of 3, +3...) Is added or subtracted to change the designated address for the area in which a plurality of types of timer counter values are stored. Ri may be configured to update a plurality of types of the timer value by return run.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration is such that the values of the seven types of timer counters of 1-byte timers A to C and the two-byte timers A to D are provided. The process of updating the timer value stored at the specified address in the area where the consecutive addresses are assigned by the specified operation is performed by changing the specified address for the area storing the multiple types of timer values by performing a predetermined operation. If the configuration is such that two or more timer values are updated by repeatedly executing the program, the program capacity can be reduced as described above.

  In addition, only one of the one-byte timer and the two-byte timer sets the value of the timer counter in an area of the RAM 41c to which continuous addresses are assigned according to a predetermined rule, and updates the timer value stored at the specified address. A configuration in which a plurality of timer values are updated by performing a predetermined operation repeatedly while changing a designated address for an area in which a plurality of types of timer values are stored and changing the designated address may be used.

  In addition, only a part of the timer counters provided in the main control unit 41 sets the timer value in an area of the RAM 41c to which continuous addresses are assigned according to a predetermined rule, and updates the timer value stored at the designated address. A configuration in which a plurality of timer values are updated by performing a predetermined operation repeatedly while changing a designated address for an area in which a plurality of types of timer values are stored and changing the designated address may be used.

  In the present embodiment, a separate timer counter is provided for each type of period to be measured. For example, one timer counter may be shared for a plurality of types of periods in which the measured periods do not overlap.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as the processing executed by the main control unit 41, a timer interruption processing (main) for periodically performing a predetermined processing regardless of the progress of the game, and a processing in accordance with the progress of the game The main control unit 41 sets an initial value in a timer counter when a time measurement condition is satisfied in the main processing, and performs a plurality of types of processing in a timer interrupt processing (main). Since the timer value is updated, there is no need to provide a process for updating a plurality of types of timer values in each process constituting the main process. Therefore, the program capacity for updating the plurality of types of timer values is reduced. be able to.

  In this embodiment, the main processing is periodically interrupted and the timer interrupt processing (main) is executed. However, in the timer interrupt processing which is periodically executed, the timer interrupt processing is determined in advance regardless of the progress of the game. The main control unit 41 may be configured to perform both the periodic processing for performing the performed processing and the main processing for performing different processing stepwise according to the progress of the game. By setting an initial value to the timer counter when the timing condition is satisfied in the processing and updating a plurality of types of timer values in the periodic processing, a plurality of types of timer values can be stored in each processing constituting the main processing. Since there is no need to provide a process for updating, it is possible to reduce the program capacity for updating a plurality of types of timer values.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in the time counter update processing, the value of the designated address is updated on condition that the value of the address is not 0, so that the timer value is updated to an abnormal value. Can be prevented.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in the time counter updating process, the same number of processes as the number of timer counters to be updated are set, and the process of updating the timer value is repeatedly executed by the set number of processes. In addition to simplifying the management of the number of timer counters to be performed, for example, when a plurality of types of timer counters having different update intervals are provided, it is possible to arbitrarily set the type of the timer value to be updated according to the number of processes to be set. it can.

  The number of processes, that is, the number of timer counters to be updated may be set in a program, or may be set by reading a value set in a table.

  In addition, the timer counter to be updated last is set in advance without setting the number of processes first, and the timer value is updated repeatedly until the address of the timer counter is reached. A specific end value (for example, FFh) is stored in the next address of the timer counter to be updated, and the process of repeatedly updating the timer value until the value read from the specified address becomes the specific end value may be repeatedly executed. good.

  Further, in this embodiment, a 1-byte timer counter and a 2-byte timer counter are provided, and a process of updating a 1-byte timer value and a process of updating a 2-byte timer value are separately provided. Therefore, the capacity of the program and the capacity occupied by the timer value in the RAM 41c can be reduced as compared with the case where the process of updating the 1-byte timer value and the process of updating the 2-byte timer value are shared.

  In this embodiment, a 2-byte timer counter is provided to measure a relatively long time corresponding to an initial value exceeding 1 byte. For example, a timer counter having a different update interval, for example, a timer By providing a first timer counter that updates once every four times of interrupt processing (main) and a second timer counter that updates once every fourteen times, a relative value can be obtained without providing a 2-byte counter. In such a configuration, it is not necessary to provide a process of updating the 1-byte timer value and a process of updating the 2-byte timer value. Can reduce the program capacity required for updating the program.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a plurality of types of timer counters are allocated in the RAM 41c to special works that are not initialized according to the progress of the game, and are not initialized according to the progress of the game. Regardless of the progress of the game, it is possible to measure the time of the period spanning the timing at which a part of the RAM 41c is initialized according to the progress of the game.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the measurement period is not limited to the timer counter that may straddle the timing at which one game ends, that is, the timing at which a part of the RAM 41c is initialized in accordance with the progress of the game. Timer counters that do not straddle the timing at which a part of the RAM 41c is initialized in accordance with the progress are stored together with other timer counters in the area allocated to the special work, so that the timer counters can be easily managed. At the same time, a timer counter that does not straddle the timing at which a part of the RAM 41c is initialized according to the progress of the game, and the timing at which a part of the RAM 41c is initialized according to the progress of the game. The application of the timer counter can be easily changed by a later design change, such as changing to a timer counter that may It can be. In addition, if the configuration is such that one timer counter is shared for a plurality of types of periods in which the measurement periods do not overlap as described above, the timing at which a part of the RAM 41c is initialized may cross over as the game progresses. It is possible to measure the measurement period and the measurement period that does not straddle the timing at which a part of the RAM 41c is initialized according to the progress of the game with one timer counter.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 26, the main control unit 41 detects the on state of the setting key switch 37 in a state where the start wait error processing is not being executed during the execution of the game start wait processing. At that time, the setting confirmation process is started. In the setting confirmation process, the display of the setting value is started, the current setting value is displayed on the setting value display 24, the setting confirmation flag is set in the RAM 41c, and the setting confirmation flag is set. As a result, the output of the signal being set as an external output signal from the external output board 1000 is turned on. In addition, a setting confirmation start command is set, and the command is transmitted to the sub control unit 91. On the other hand, by receiving the setting confirmation start command, the sub-control unit 91 causes the liquid crystal display 51 and the speakers 53 and 54 to output an image and a sound indicating that the main control unit 41 is in the setting confirmation state. The setting confirmation notification is started.

  In this state, in the main control unit 41, when the setting key switch 37 is operated and the off state of the setting key switch 37 is detected, the display of the set value on the set value display 24 is terminated, and the A period timer is set. Then, after a predetermined delay period (2.24 ms in this embodiment) has elapsed, the setting confirmation flag is cleared from the RAM 41c, so that the output of the setting change state signal is turned off. In addition, a setting confirmation end command is set, and the command is transmitted to the sub control unit 91. On the other hand, upon receiving the setting confirmation end command, the sub-control unit 91 determines that the setting confirmation state in the main control unit 41 has been terminated, and terminates the setting confirmation notification.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 sets the delay period when the operation of ending the setting confirmation state is performed in the setting confirmation process, and clears the setting confirmation flag after the delay period has elapsed. Therefore, during the delay period, the output of the external output signal is maintained in the on state, and after the delay period has elapsed, after the setting confirmation flag is cleared, the output of the external output signal is turned off.

  The main control unit 41 of the present embodiment can change the payout rate of medals according to the set value that is an advantage for the player. When the setting key switch 37 is turned on while the setting is on, the setting check process of displaying the setting value on the setting value display 24 so that the setting value can be checked is started, and the setting key switch 37 is turned off. In such a case, the configuration is such that the setting confirmation process is terminated and the process returns to the game start waiting process.

  In such a configuration, if the setting key switch 37 is turned on immediately after the setting key switch 37 is turned on during the game start waiting process, the setting is incorrectly performed. When the setting is confirmed, for example, when the confirmation is performed, it cannot be recognized outside, and there is a possibility that the possibility of the illegality cannot be specified.

  On the other hand, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment checks the setting value so that the setting value can be checked when the setting key switch 37 is turned on during the game start waiting process. After the processing is started and the display of the set value on the set value display 24 is started, when the setting key switch 37 is turned off, the display of the set value on the set value display 24 is ended. Then, the main control unit returns to the game start waiting process, in which the setting key switch 37 is turned on, and the setting confirmation process is being performed when the setting confirmation process is started. An external output control (a setting-in-progress signal is output from the main control unit 41 so as to start the display of the set value on the set value display unit 24 managed by the main control unit 41, and to output the fact that the setting confirmation process is being performed outside the main control unit 41). Output control and settings When the setting key switch 37 is turned off, the display of the set value on the set value display 24 is ended, and the delay period timer is set. After terminating the external output control after the elapse of the predetermined delay period, the setting confirmation process is terminated and the process returns to the game start waiting process. Therefore, the display of the setting value on the setting value display 24 is the setting confirmation process. The external output control, which starts when the start operation of the setting is completed and ends when the end operation is performed, makes it possible to externally recognize that the setting check process is being performed. After the end operation is performed, the operation is continued until the predetermined delay time elapses, so that the execution of the setting confirmation process can be reliably recognized outside the main control unit 41.

  Further, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to execute the setting confirmation process in the game start waiting process, and when the setting key switch 37 is turned on and the setting confirmation process is started, By setting the setting confirmation flag, the output of the setting signal, which is an external output signal, is started as the external output control. After the setting key switch 37 is turned off, the setting is performed after a predetermined delay period has elapsed. Since the output of the setting signal is terminated by canceling the checking flag, the main control is performed to confirm that the setting confirmation processing has been executed based on the output of the setting signal by an external device connected to the outside of the slot machine 1. The recognition can be reliably performed outside the unit 41.

  In particular, as shown in FIG. 27, after the setting key switch 37 is turned on and the setting confirmation process is started, the timer interrupt process for performing the external output 2 process for controlling the output state of the setting signal is performed. If the setting confirmation flag is cleared during the period until the setting is executed, the setting confirmation processing ends without the setting-in-progress signal being switched to on, but after the setting confirmation processing is started, By setting the period longer than the period until the timer interrupt process in which the external output 2 process for controlling the output state of the setting signal is performed as the predetermined delay period, the setting key switch 37 is turned on. Despite the state being detected and the setting confirmation processing being performed, the setting signal is not switched to the on state as an external output signal, and the setting signal is not detected by the external device. It can be prevented.

  In the external device to which the setting signal is input, it takes a certain time to detect that the setting signal is switched to the on state. However, the setting key switch 37 is set to the on state. After the setting confirmation process is started and the setting signal is switched to the on state, the period until the switching to the off state is sufficient to detect that the setting signal has been switched to the on state in the external device. The predetermined delay period is set so that a long time is secured, so that the ON state of the setting key switch 37 is detected, the setting confirmation processing is performed, and the setting-in-progress signal is switched to the ON state. Regardless, it is possible to prevent the external device from detecting the setting signal.

  Further, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to execute the setting confirmation process in the game start waiting process, and when the setting key switch 37 is turned on and the setting confirmation process is started, A predetermined delay time elapses after the setting key switch 37 is turned off by transmitting a setting check start command capable of specifying that the setting check process has been started as the external output control to the sub-control unit 91. After that, after transmitting a setting confirmation end command capable of specifying that the setting confirmation processing is terminated to the sub-control unit 91, the setting confirmation processing is terminated and the processing returns to the game start waiting processing. When receiving the setting confirmation start command, the sub-control unit 91 starts the setting confirmation informing notification that the setting confirmation processing is being performed, and receives the setting confirmation end command. At this time, since the notification during the setting check is ended, the sub-control unit 91 reliably recognizes that the main control unit 41 has executed the setting check processing based on the setting check start command and the setting check end command. be able to.

  In particular, as a predetermined delay period after transmitting the setting confirmation start command and delaying until transmitting the setting confirmation end command, after the sub-control unit 91 receives the setting confirmation command and starts the setting confirmation notification, By setting a sufficient period for the clerk or the like to recognize the middle notification, the setting key switch 37 is turned on, and the setting is confirmed by the setting confirmation middle notification even though the ON state is detected and the setting confirmation processing is performed. It is possible to prevent the recognition process having been performed from becoming unrecognizable.

  In the present embodiment, when the setting key switch 37 is determined to be in the off state in the setting confirmation processing, the main control unit 41 sets the delay period timer so that the setting is performed after a predetermined delay period has elapsed. The sub-control unit 91 transmits a confirmation end command to the sub-control unit 91. On the other hand, when the sub-control unit 91 receives the setting confirmation end command, the sub-control unit 91 terminates the setting confirmation notification. 41 transmits a setting confirmation end command to the sub control unit 91 when the setting key switch 37 is determined to be in the off state in the setting confirmation processing, and the sub control unit 91 receives the setting confirmation end command. After the predetermined delay period elapses after that, the notification during the setting confirmation may be terminated, or the main control unit 41 may set the setting key switch in the setting confirmation processing. When it is determined that 37 is in the off state, a delay period timer is set, and after a predetermined delay time has elapsed, a setting confirmation end command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 91. The configuration confirmation notification may be terminated after a predetermined delay period has elapsed after receiving the confirmation end command. In such a configuration, in the setting confirmation processing, the sub-control unit 91 sends the setting confirmation notification at least after a predetermined delay period has elapsed after an operation for terminating the setting confirmation state is performed. Can be managed to end.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in the setting confirmation process, after transmitting the setting confirmation start command, the main controller 41 sets the delay period so that the predetermined delay period corresponds to a time interval of at least four timer interrupt processes. In this configuration, a timer is set, the setting confirmation in-progress flag is released after the elapse of the delay period, and a setting confirmation end command is transmitted. If the configuration includes a process for intentionally delaying until the middle flag is released and the setting confirmation end command is transmitted, a time interval of less than four timer interrupts may be set as the delay period. A time interval of four or more interrupts may be set as the delay period. In such a configuration, the output state of the signal being set is controlled as the predetermined delay period as described above. For a period longer than the period until the timer interrupt processing in which the external output 2 processing is performed is performed, a sufficient time for detecting that the setting signal has been switched to the on state in the external device is secured. If the configuration is such that a period and a period sufficient for a clerk or the like to recognize the setting confirmation notification are set, the execution of the setting confirmation process can be reliably recognized outside the main control unit 41. .

  Further, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment has the setting key switch 37 turned on, starts outputting the setting signal, and transmits a setting confirmation start command, and then a predetermined delay time has elapsed. Later, the output of the setting-in-progress signal is terminated, and the configuration confirmation end command is transmitted.The delay period until the output of the setting-in-progress signal is terminated is the same as the delay period for transmitting the setting confirmation end command. Although the time interval is set, the delay period until the output of the setting-in-progress signal is terminated may be different from the delay period for transmitting the setting confirmation end command.

  In the present embodiment, when the setting key switch 37 is turned on in the setting confirmation processing, the main control unit 41 displays the setting value on the setting value display 24, and the setting key switch 37 is turned off. Is set to stop displaying the set value on the set value display 24 when the setting key switch 37 is turned on. When the setting key switch 37 is turned off, a delay period timer is set. When a predetermined delay period has elapsed, the setting value of the setting value display 24 is displayed. It may be configured to stop. With this configuration, after the setting key switch 37 is turned off, the display of the set value on the set value display 24 is maintained over a period until a predetermined delay period elapses. The display of the set value by the set value display 24 can be reliably recognized externally.

  In addition, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment obtains the operations of the various switches related to the progress of the game, such as the start switch 7, the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, in the previous and current timer interrupt processing. The setting key switch 37 which triggers the start of the setting confirmation process while detecting the operation based on the final data indicating that the input data is in the same state, that is, based on the input data acquired at a plurality of timings Is detected on the basis of the state of the corresponding input port at that time, that is, the on / off state of the setting key switch 37 acquired at a single timing. , The time required to detect the operation of the setting key switch 37 is relatively longer than the time required to detect the operation related to the progress of the game. Therefore, if the setting key switch 37 is turned on even in a very short time, the state shifts to the setting confirmation state and the external output control is executed. If it is possible, it will be possible to detect at a high rate, on the other hand, because the time required to detect the operation related to the progress of the game is relatively long, the operation is erroneously detected by noise such as static electricity Without this, it is possible to increase the accuracy of determining whether or not the operation has been performed.

  In the present embodiment, when the setting confirmation process is started in the game start waiting process and when the setting confirmation process is ended in the setting confirmation process, the setting key switch 37 is set based on the state of the corresponding input port at that time. The on-off state is determined. However, when the setting confirmation process is started or terminated, the on-off state is determined based on the set data of the setting key switch 37. good. In this case, too, by setting the time required for obtaining the set data of the setting key switch 37 shorter than the time required for obtaining the set data than other switches for proceeding the game, the time is extremely short. However, if the setting key switch 37 is turned on, the state shifts to the setting confirmation state and the external output control is executed, and if there is a possibility that the illegality has been made, it should be detected at a high rate. On the other hand, since the time required to detect the operation related to the progress of the game is relatively long, it is possible to determine whether the operation has been performed without being erroneously detected due to noise such as static electricity. Determination accuracy can be improved.

  Further, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment is configured to start the setting confirmation processing by operating the setting key switch 37, and the setting key switch 37 can be operated by opening the front door 1b. Since it is possible, one step is required to shift to the setting confirmation processing, so that it is possible to prevent the setting confirmation processing from being executed due to fraud.

  In this embodiment, the main control unit 41 performs the setting confirmation process by turning on the setting key switch 37 in the game start waiting process. However, the setting key switch 37 is turned on. In this case, when it is specified that the front door 1b is opened based on the output of the door open detection switch 25, the configuration confirmation processing may be performed. Since the set value confirmation processing cannot be executed without opening the door 1b, it is possible to more effectively prevent the illegal execution of the setting confirmation processing.

  As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and includes changes and additions within a scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say.

  In the above embodiment, an example is described in which the present invention is applied to a slot machine in which a bet amount is set using medals and credits as a game value, but a slot in which a bet number is set using a game ball as a game value. The present invention may be applied to a machine or a completely credit-type slot machine that sets a bet amount using only credits as a game value. When a game ball is used as a game value, for example, one medal can be made to correspond to five game balls. When the number of bets is set to 3 in the above embodiment, 15 game balls are used. This is equivalent to setting a bet amount by using this.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the use of only one of a plurality of types of game values such as medals and game balls. For example, a plurality of types of game values such as medals and game balls can be used together. It may be. That is, it is possible to set a bet amount and play a game by using any of a plurality of types of gaming values such as medals and game balls, and to generate a plurality of types of games such as medals and game balls by generating a prize. A slot machine that can pay out any of the utility values may be applied.

  In the above embodiment, a slot machine as a gaming machine is applied, but the gaming machine is not limited to the slot machine 1, but may be applied to a gaming machine other than a slot machine, such as a pachinko gaming machine using a game ball. .

1 Slot machine 2L, 2C, 2R Reel 6 MAXBET switch 7 Start switch 8L, 8C, 8R Stop switch 12 Game auxiliary display 41 Main control unit 41c RAM
91 Sub-control unit 91c RAM

Claims (1)

In gaming machines that play games,
An advantage display control means for performing an advantage display control for displaying an advantage for the player,
Control flag control means for controlling a state of a control flag indicating that the advantage display control is being performed ;
In an external output process executed at a specific time interval, an external output signal output to an external device is updated to an ON state when the control flag is set, and the external output signal is updated when the control flag is cleared. External output signal updating means for updating the external output signal to an OFF state;
With
The advantage display control means starts the advantage display control in response to a start operation, ends the advantage display control in response to an end operation,
It said control flag control means sets the control flag in response to the start operation, after the completion of operation is, the control flag is cleared to thereafter a predetermined delay time has elapsed,
The time required to detect the end operation is a time shorter than the specific time,
The gaming machine, wherein the predetermined delay time is a time longer than the specific time .

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