JP6674110B2 - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a slot machine has been known as one of gaming machines (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2015-173832

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to improve the performance as a gaming machine.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by the following means (the configuration of the corresponding embodiment is shown in parentheses).
The present invention
Game media slot (medal slot 47),
A blocker (45),
Detecting means A (insertion sensor 44a) and detecting means B (insertion sensor 44b) provided in a passage (medal passage) through which a game medium (medal) inserted from the game medium insertion port passes and capable of detecting the game medium. (The detection means B is located downstream of the detection means A).
When the number of bets is “3” and the number of credits is a predetermined value (the predetermined value is a value less than the upper limit of the number of credits) , when a game medium is inserted from the game medium insertion port, When the detection status of the detection unit A and the detection unit B with respect to the medium satisfies a predetermined condition, “1” can be added to the number of credits,
In a situation where the number of bets is “3” and the number of credits is a predetermined value (the predetermined value is a value less than the upper limit of the number of credits), the power supply to the power A design value of a period until the blocker control for detecting the interruption of the supply and performing the control of the blocker for disabling the reception of the game medium is set as T1 (T1 in FIGS. 3 and 5),
When the number of bets is “3” and the number of credits is a predetermined value (the predetermined value is a value less than the upper limit of the number of credits) , when a game medium is inserted from the game medium insertion port, The period from the time when the detecting means A detects the medium to the time when the detecting means A does not detect the game medium after the detecting means B detects the game medium and the detecting means B does not detect the game medium. The design value is T2 (T3 in FIGS. 2 and 5),
When the number of bets is “3” and the number of credits is a predetermined value (the predetermined value is less than the upper limit of the number of credits) , when a game medium is inserted from the game medium insertion port, When a design value in a period from when the medium is inserted to immediately before the game medium reaches the blocker is T3 (corresponding to “T2 ′” described in the specification “0227”),
T2 <T1 <T3
It has become.

  According to the present invention, the performance as a gaming machine can be improved.

It is a block diagram showing an outline of control of a slot machine which is an example of a gaming machine in the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating a state in which medals inserted from a medal insertion slot pass through an insertion sensor in the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a voltage drop when a power failure occurs in a first embodiment (A) in a time chart. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a throw-in sensor and passing of a medal in the first embodiment (B). It is a figure explaining ON / OFF of an injection sensor in a 1st embodiment (B) with a time chart. It is a schematic diagram when a medal is discharged from a medal payout device in the first embodiment (C). It is a schematic diagram which shows the mode of ON (detection) / OFF (non-detection) of a payout sensor when a medal is delivered from a medal payout device in the first embodiment (C). It is a figure which shows ON / OFF of a payout sensor by a time chart in 1st Embodiment (C). FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a main control board and a board case in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, (a) is a plan view showing a board case accommodating a main control board. (B) is an AA arrow sectional view showing Example 1 of the gate mark. (C) is an AA arrow sectional view showing Example 2 of the gate mark. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a flow of processing when a disconnection occurs between a main control board and a sub control board in the third embodiment. In 4th Embodiment, it is sectional drawing (schematic diagram) explaining movement of the stop button of a stop switch, (a) shows a no-load state, (b) shows when a detection sensor is turned on from off. (C) shows a state where the stop button is pushed to the deepest part, and (d) shows a state where the push of the stop button is released and the detection sensor is turned off from on. In the fourth embodiment, it is a diagram showing in a time chart the relationship between the movement of the stop button and the excitation state of the motor, wherein (a) shows Example 1 and (b) shows Example 2. In the fifth embodiment, it is a diagram showing in a time chart the relationship between the power on / off and the voltage level, where (a) shows a power off after the main program is started, and (b) is a state before the main program is started. Indicates power off.

In the present specification, the meanings of the terms are as follows.
“Bet” refers to betting a medal (game medium) to play a game. In order to bet medals, an actual medal is put in through the medal insertion slot 47, or the bet switch 40 is operated to bet a stored medal.
On the other hand, "credit" means storing medals inside the slot machine 10 unlike "bet" described above. In this specification, “credit” is used in a sense that does not include “bet”.
Further, “insertion” means to bet or credit a medal.

“Care” means that a player inserts medals from a medal insertion slot 47 (described later).
The “care bet” means that the player bets medals by taking care of medals from the medal slot 47.
The “care credit” means that a player credits medals by adding medals through the medal slot 47 (adds credits).
“Bet medal” refers to a medal that is bet.
“Stored medals” refer to medals that have been credited (stored).

The “reserved bet” means that when a player operates a bet switch 40 (described later), a part or all of the credited medals are bet in order to play a game within a range where a bet can be made in the game. To do.
The “auto bet” means that when the replay has been won, the control process of the slot machine 10 automatically bets the number of medals previously bet in the game.
“Payment” refers to paying out a bet medal and / or a stored medal to a player. In the present embodiment, the settlement process is executed when a settlement switch 43 (described later) is operated.

  The term “payout” refers to paying out medals to a player based on winning of a winning combination, or paying out medals by the above-mentioned settlement. When paying out the medals to the player based on the winning of the role, the medals are stored as credits (adding the stored medals, in other words, updating the electronic data stored in the RWM 53 (described later)), and paying out. Includes both paying out the actual medals from the mouth (not shown). For paying out medals, for example, credits are made with “50” as the limit number, and medals whose credits exceed “50” are controlled so as to be actually paid out to the player.

  The “game medium” is a medal in the present embodiment, but, for example, in the case of a sealed (ECO) game machine, electronic information (electronic medal, electronic data) is used as a game medium. It is to be noted that “electronic information” means, for example, that when money (banknote) is inserted into a lending machine, it is converted into electronic information corresponding to the money, and a part or all of the electronic information is played by a gaming machine. That can be credited to a gaming machine as a game medium for performing the game.

  In the case where the game medium is electronic information, “payout of medals” means that credit (addition) is made to the game medium credit device provided in the game machine. Therefore, "payout of medals" does not only mean that medals are actually paid out from the hopper 35 (described later), but the electronic information corresponding to the payout corresponding to the winning combination is credited to the gaming media credit device. Addition) is also included.

  When the game progresses as “N−1” game eyes, “N” game eyes, “N + 1” game eyes,... (“N” is an integer of 2 or more), the current game is “N” games. When it is an eye, the game of the “N” game eye is referred to as “this game”. Also, the game of the “N−1” game eye is referred to as “previous game”. Furthermore, the game of the “N + 1” game is referred to as “next game”.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings and the like.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of control of a slot machine 10, which is an example of a gaming machine according to the present embodiment. This embodiment includes the first to fifth embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram common to the first to fifth embodiments.
A main control board 50 and a sub control board 80 are provided as typical control boards provided in the slot machine 10.
The main control board 50 has an input port 51 and an output port 52, and includes an RWM 53, a ROM 54, a main CPU 55, and the like (this does not mean that only the one shown in FIG. 1 is provided). The appearance of the main control board 50 and the fact that the main control board 50 is housed in the board case 56 will be described in a second embodiment (FIGS. 9 and 10).

In FIG. 1, a main control board 50 and a peripheral device for game progress including an operation switch such as a bet switch 40 are electrically connected via an input port 51 or an output port 52. The input port 51 is a connection for inputting a signal from an operation switch or the like, and the output port 52 is a connection for transmitting a signal to a peripheral device such as the motor 32.
In FIG. 1, a signal from the peripheral device for input is indicated by an arrow pointing to the main control board 50, and a peripheral device for output is indicated by an arrow pointing from the main control board 50 to the peripheral device. (The same applies to the sub-control board 80).

The RWM 53 is a storage medium capable of storing (updating) various data (variables) based on the progress of a game or the like.
The ROM 54 is a storage medium for storing programs and various data (for example, data tables) necessary for the progress of the game.
The main CPU 55 refers to a CPU (IC having an arithmetic function) provided on the main control board 50, and executes and calculates programs necessary for the progress of the game. And the payout at the time of winning.

The MPU including the RWM 53, the ROM 54, the main CPU 55, and the registers is mounted on the main control board 50. It should be noted that the RWM 53 and the ROM 54 may be provided externally in addition to those mounted inside the MPU.
An MPU including an RWM 83, a ROM 84, and a sub CPU 85 is also mounted on a sub control board 80 described later. Note that the RWM 83 and the ROM 84 may be provided externally, in addition to those mounted inside the MPU.

In FIG. 1, medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 47 are sent to the inside of the medal selector.
The movement of medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 47 in the medal selector will be described later with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, a passage sensor 46, a blocker 45, and a closing sensor 44 (a pair of closing sensors 44a and 44b) are provided in the medal selector (but are not limited to these). These are electrically connected to the main control board 50.
The medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 47 are configured to be detected by the passage sensor 46 first.

  Further, a blocker 45 is provided downstream of the passage sensor 46. The blocker 45 is for permitting / non-permitting the insertion of medals. When the insertion of medals is not permitted, the blocker 45 forms a medal passage for returning medals inserted through the medal insertion slot 47 from the payout opening. I do. On the other hand, when the insertion of medals is permitted, a medal passage for guiding the medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 47 to the hopper 35 is formed. The blocker 45 closes an opening formed in a part of a medal passage in the medal selector (an opening leading to a medal return opening) and forms a medal passage for guiding the medal to the hopper 35 side. And an actuator for driving the switching member.

  Here, during the game (from the start of the rotation of the reel 31 to the end of the payout corresponding to the winning combination when the reels 31 are stopped and the winning of the combination is completed) during the game, the insertion of the medal is not permitted. I do. That is, the blocker 45 permits medal insertion at least when a game is not played.

  In the medal selector, a throwing sensor (optical sensor) 44 is provided further downstream of the blocker 45. In the present embodiment, the insertion sensor 44 includes a pair of insertion sensors 44a and 44b disposed at a predetermined distance from each other, and after a predetermined time has elapsed since the medal was detected by one of the insertion sensors 44a, the other input sensor 44b Is configured to be detected. Then, it is determined whether or not a correct medal has been inserted based on the timing at which the pair of insertion sensors 44 are turned on / off.

As shown in FIG. 1, the main control board 50 includes, as operation switches operated by the player, a bet switch 40 (40a or 40b), a start switch 41, a (left, middle, right) stop switch 42, and The settlement switch 43 is electrically connected.
Here, the “operation switch (or simply,“ switch ”)” switches on / off of an electric signal based on an operation of an operation body by a player (operator) (receiving an external force). Refers to a device (including an electric circuit and / or an electric component), and does not limit the shape of the operating body operated by the player.

  When the operation switch is off, for example, light from the light emitting element continues to be incident on the light receiving element (when the light receiving element continues to detect light, the operation switch is off). Then, when the (operation body of) the operation switch is operated by the player or the like, the light from the light emitting element does not enter the light receiving element. When this state is detected, an electric signal indicating that the operation switch has been turned on is transmitted to the main control board 50. Contrary to the above, when the operation switch is in the off state, the light from the light emitting element does not enter the light receiving element, and is turned on when the light from the light emitting element enters the light receiving element. May be.

  In the present embodiment, the operating body of the start switch 41 has a lever (bar) shape (for this reason, it is also referred to as a “start lever (switch) 41”), a bet switch 40, a stop switch 42, and a settlement switch. The operation body 43 has a push button shape (for this reason, it is also referred to as a “bet button (switch) 40”, a “stop (stop) button (switch) 42”, and a “payment button (switch) 43”). In a fourth embodiment to be described later, the operation body of the stop switch 42 (the part pressed by the player) is referred to as a “stop button 42a”.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, an LED (light emitting unit) is provided on the operation body of the operation switch and / or around or near the operation body. When the operation of the operation switch is permitted, the LED or the like corresponding to the operation switch emits blue light, and when the operation of the operation switch is not permitted, the operation of the operation switch is prohibited. By emitting red light from an LED or the like, the permission / non-permission state of the operation switch is indicated to the player.

  Specifically, for example, when all the reels 31 are rotating and the operation of the stop switch 42 is in a receivable state, the LEDs of all the stop switches 42 emit blue light to indicate that the operation is possible. Shown in When one stop switch 42 is operated, the reel 31 corresponding to the operated stop switch 42 is controlled to stop. Thereafter, the remaining stop switch 42 becomes operable only when the excitation state of the motor 32 corresponding to the reel 31 whose stop is controlled is terminated and the detection sensor 42e of the operated stop switch 42 (fourth described later). After the embodiment is turned off. Therefore, during that time, all the LEDs of the stop switches 42 emit red light. Then, when the excitation state of the motor 32 corresponding to the operated stop switch 42 ends and the detection sensor 42e corresponding to the stop switch 42 is turned off, the LED of the already operated stop switch 42 turns on. The LED of the stop switch 42, which is still emitting red light but not yet operated, emits blue light.

The bet switch 40 is an operation switch operated by the player when betting the stored medals for the current game. In the present embodiment, a 1-bet switch 40a for inserting one medal and a 3-bet switch 40b for inserting three (maximum number, prescribed number) medals are provided.
The present invention is not limited to this, and a bet switch for two bets may be provided.

  Note that the prescribed number is predetermined in accordance with, for example, when the accessory is not operated / operated. More specifically, the number is set to three when the accessory is not in operation, at the time of SB operation, at the time of 1BB operation, two at the time of 2BB operation, and the like. By operating the 1-bet switch 40a twice, two medals can be inserted, and by operating the bet switch 40a three times, three medals can be inserted. When the specified number is three, three medals can be inserted at a time by operating the three-bet switch 40b. When the specified number is two, the three-bet switch 40b is operated. Two medals can be inserted at a time. If the three-bet switch 40b is operated in a state where a bet less than the specified number has already been bet, bet processing is performed so that the number of bets becomes three.

The start switch 41 is an operation switch operated by the player when starting the reels 31 (all left, middle, and right).
Furthermore, three stop switches 42 are provided corresponding to the three (left, middle, right) reels 31, and are operation switches operated by the player when the corresponding reels 31 are stopped.
Further, the settlement switch 43 is an operation switch operated by the player when paying out (paying out) medals bet and / or stored (credited) inside the slot machine 10.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a display board 75 is electrically connected to the main control board 50. In practice, a relay board is provided between the main control board 50 and the display board 75, and the main control board 50 and the relay board, and the relay board and the display board 75 are connected. In FIG. 1, illustration of the relay board is omitted. Thus, the main control board 50 and the display board 75 may be directly connected by a harness or the like, or another board may be interposed between them.
Further, the control boards are not limited to being directly connected by a harness or the like, but may be connected via another separate board (such as a relay board). For example, one or more other boards (such as a relay board) may be interposed between the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80.

On the display board 75, a credit number display LED 76 and an acquired number display LED 78 are mounted.
The credit number display LED 76 is an LED for displaying the number of medals stored (credited) in the slot machine 10, and includes two digits of an upper digit and a lower digit.

Further, the acquired number display LED 78 is an LED for displaying the number of payouts (the number of acquired players) at the time of winning a winning combination, and is composed of two digits of an upper digit and a lower digit like the credit number display LED 76. .
Note that the acquired number display LED 78 may be controlled so as to be turned off when there is no medal to be paid out. Alternatively, the upper digit may be turned off and only the lower digit may be displayed as “0”.

The acquired number display LED 78 normally displays the acquired number, but functions as an LED for displaying the content (type) of the error when an error occurs.
Furthermore, the acquired number display LED 78 functions as an LED that displays pressing order instruction information (to notify an advantageous pressing order) in a game that notifies the pressing order during AT. Therefore, the acquired number display LED 78 in the present embodiment is an LED that also serves to display the acquired number, error content, and push order instruction information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that a dedicated LED or the like for displaying the pressing order instruction information may be provided.
During the AT, the notification of the advantageous pressing order is also executed by the image display device 23 connected to the sub-control board 80.

In FIG. 1, a motor (stepping motor in this embodiment) 32 of the symbol display device and the like are electrically connected to the main control board 50.
The symbol display device includes reels (three in this embodiment) for displaying symbols, motors 32 for driving the respective reels 31, and reel sensors 33 for detecting the positions of the reels 31.

  The motor 32 serves as a driving unit for rotating the reels 31, is connected to the rotation center of each reel 31, and is controlled by a reel control unit 65 described later. Here, the reel 31 includes a left reel 31, a middle reel 31, and a right reel 31, and a stop switch 42 operated when stopping the left reel 31 is a left stop switch 42. When the middle reel 31 is stopped. The stop switch 42 to be operated is the middle stop switch 42, and the stop switch 42 to be operated when stopping the right reel 31 is the right stop switch 42.

The reel 31 has a ring shape, and has an outer peripheral surface to which a reel tape on which a plurality of types of symbols (designs constituting a symbol combination corresponding to a combination) are printed is attached.
Each reel 31 is provided with one index (or two or more indexes). The index is provided in a convex shape, for example, on the peripheral side surface of the reel 31 and is used when detecting whether the reel 31 has passed a predetermined position, whether the reel 31 has made one revolution, and the like. Each index is detected by the reel sensor 33. The signal of the reel sensor 33 is electrically connected to the main control board 50. When the index detects (turns off) the reel sensor 33, the input signal is input to the main control board 50, and it is detected that the reel 31 has passed a predetermined position.

  Further, the symbol on the reference position at the moment when the reel sensor 33 detects the index of the reel 31 is stored in the ROM 54 in advance. Thereby, the symbol on the reference position at the moment when the index is detected can be detected. Further, from the moment when the reel sensor 33 detects the index of the reel 31, how many pulses of the (stepping) motor 32 are driven, the number of symbols ahead from the symbol on the reference position is stopped on the effective line. Can be identified.

  A medal payout device is electrically connected to the main control board 50. The medal payout device includes a hopper 35 for storing medals, a hopper motor 36 driven when paying out medals of the hopper 35 from a payout opening, and a payout for detecting medals paid out from the hopper motor 36. The sensor 37 is provided.

The medals that have been cleaned and accepted (determined to be normal) from the medal insertion slot 47 are formed to be stored in the hopper 35.
In the present embodiment, the payout sensor (optical sensor) 37 includes a pair of payout sensors 37a and 37b arranged at a predetermined distance. When a medal is paid out, a predetermined moving member (a movable piece 39a in FIG. 7 described later) is moved by the medal. The payout sensors 37a and 37b are turned on / off by the movement of the predetermined moving member. Based on whether or not the payout sensors 37a and 37b are turned on / off within a predetermined time range, it is determined whether or not the medal has been correctly paid out.

For example, if the on of the pair of payout sensors 37 is not detected even though the hopper motor 36 is driven, it is determined that medals have not been paid out, and a hopper error (no medals) is detected.
On the other hand, when at least one of the payout sensors 37 continues to output the ON signal, it is detected that the medal is clogged.
The details of these operations will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  When starting the game, the player inserts a medal that has been credited in advance by operating the bet switch 40 (reserved bet) or cares and inserts a medal from the medal slot 47 (care bet). When the start switch 41 is operated in a state where a predetermined number of medals of the game are bet, a signal generated at that time is input to the main control board 50. Upon receiving this signal, the main control board 50 (specifically, a reel control means 65 described later) performs a lottery by the role lottery means 61 and controls the driving of all the motors 32 to control all the reels 31. Control to rotate. As the reel 31 is rotated by the motor 32 in this manner, the symbol on the reel 31 is moved and displayed in the display window at a predetermined speed in the vertical direction.

  Then, by pressing the stop switch 42, the player stops the rotation of the reel 31 corresponding to the stop switch 42 (for example, the left reel 31 corresponding to the left stop switch 42). When the stop switch 42 is operated, a signal generated at that time is input to the main control board 50. Upon receiving this signal, the main control board 50 (specifically, a reel control unit 65 described later) controls the drive of the motor 32 corresponding to the stop switch 42, and the lottery result of the role lottery unit 61 (internal lottery). The stop control of the reel 31 related to the motor 32 is performed so as to correspond to the result determined by the means).

  Then, the game result of the current game is displayed by the symbol combination when all the reels 31 are stopped. Furthermore, when the symbol combination corresponding to any of the winning combinations stops on the activated line (when the winning combination is won), payout of medals corresponding to the winning winning combination is performed.

Next, a specific configuration of the main control board 50 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the main CPU 55 of the main control board 50 includes the following combination lottery means 61 and the like. The following means in the present embodiment are exemplifications, and are not limited to the means shown in the present embodiment.

The role lottery means 61 performs lottery (decision, selection) of the winning number. Here, the "lottery of the winning number by the role lottery means 61" is the same as the "internal lottery" in the rules of the law of the wind (rules on the recognition of gaming machines and the verification of model types, hereinafter simply referred to as "rules"). The lottery result by the role lottery means 61 is the same as the “result determined by internal lottery” in the rules. Therefore, the role lottery means 61 is also referred to as “internal lottery means 61” in an expression according to the rules.
When the winning number is determined by the role lottery means 61, a prize and replay condition device number and an accessory condition device number are determined based on the winning number, and a prize and replay condition device that can be operated in the game, In addition, the accessory condition apparatus is determined. For this reason, the combination lottery means 61 is also referred to as a condition device number determination (lottery or selection) means, a winning combination determination (lottery or selection) means, or the like.

  The role lottery means 61 includes, for example, a random number generating means (a hardware random number or the like) for lottery, a random number extracting means for extracting a random number generated by the random number generating means, and a random number value extracted by the random number extracting means. And a winning number determining means for determining a winning number.

  The random number generating means generates a random number in a predetermined area (for example, “0” to “65535” in decimal). The random number is, for example, a random number that is counted by a counter that counts one in 200 n (nano) seconds and keeps counting from one cycle of “0” to “65535” as long as the slot machine 10 is powered on. Keep counting.

  The random number extracting means extracts the random number generated by the random number generating means at a predetermined time, in this embodiment, when the start switch 41 is operated (turned on) by the player. The determining means determines the winning number corresponding to the area to which the random value belongs by comparing the random number value extracted by the random number extracting means with a lottery table described later.

  The winning flag control means 62 controls on / off of a winning flag corresponding to each winning based on the lottery result by the winning lottery means 61. In the present embodiment, a winning flag is provided for every combination. Then, when any of the winning combinations is won in the lottery by the lottery means 61, the winning flag of the winning combination is turned on (the winning flag is set). It should be noted that the winning of the combination includes a case where there is one winning combination (single winning) and a case where there are a plurality of winning combinations (overlapping winning).

The pressing order instruction number selecting means 63 selects a pressing order instruction number (a number corresponding to the correct answer pressing order) based on the lottery result of the winning number by the role lottery means 61 (when a pressing order bell or a pressing order replay is won) ( Decision).
The “push order” of the push order instruction number selected here means an advantageous push order (correct answer order) for the player. For example, at the time of winning the pushing order bell, it indicates the pushing order (correct answering order) in which the higher order bell is won. In addition, at the time of replay overlap winning, it indicates a pushing order in which the promotion is promoted to an advantageous RT or a pushing order in which the RT is not dropped to a disadvantageous RT.

In the present embodiment, each winning number is provided with a unique pressing order instruction number.
Then, when the push order bell or the push order replay is won during the AT, the main control board 50 causes the above-mentioned acquired number display LED 78 to display the push order instruction information corresponding to the push order instruction number, specifically, “ = * ”(“ * ”= 1, 2,...). The function of displaying the push order instruction information when the condition device having the advantageous push order is activated is also referred to as an instruction function.
Further, when the push order bell or the push order replay is won during the AT, the main control board 50 starts the game (after the start switch 41 is operated and the winning number is determined), the sub control board 50 A command corresponding to the push order instruction number is transmitted to 80.
When receiving the command, the sub-control board 80 displays the correct pressing order on the image display device 23 as an image.

  The pressing order number selected by the main control board 50 can be transmitted to the sub control board 80 only during the advantageous section (AT). Therefore, even if the push order instruction number is selected by the push order instruction number selecting means 63 in the normal section, the push order instruction number is not transmitted to the sub-control board 80. In the normal section, the pressing order instruction number does not have to be selected.

The effect group number selecting means 64 selects an effect group number corresponding to the winning number, which is to be transmitted to the sub-control board 80.
Here, the effect group number corresponding to the winning number is predetermined. When the winning number is determined by operating the start switch 41, the effect group number selecting means 64 selects an effect group number corresponding to the winning number of the game. The number is transmitted to the sub control board 80. The sub control board 80 outputs an effect related to the winning combination based on the received effect group number. The effect group number is different from the above-described pressing order instruction number, and is selected for each game and transmitted from the main control board 50 to the sub control board 80.

  Further, the main control board 50 does not transmit the winning number of the game to the sub control board 80. Therefore, the sub control board 80 cannot know the winning number of the game. However, since the sub-control board 80 receives each game and the effect group number, it is possible to output the effect based on the received effect group number. However, even when the push order bell or the push order replay is won, since the correct answer push order cannot be determined from the effect group number, the sub-control board 80 does not notify the correct answer push order based on the effect group number. . On the other hand, during the AT, when the push order bell or the push order replay is won, the push order instruction number is transmitted from the main control board 50 to the sub control board 80. Thereby, the sub-control board 80 can notify the correct push order based on the received push order instruction number.

The reel control unit 65 controls to start the rotation of all (three) reels 31 when receiving the rotation start command of the reel 31, particularly, when detecting the operation of the start switch 41 in the present embodiment. .
Further, after the winning number is determined by the winning lottery means 61, the reel control means 65 refers to the on / off state of the winning flag in the current game, and determines a stop position determining table corresponding to the on / off state of the winning flag. And when the stop switch 42 is operated, the stop position of the reel 31 corresponding to the stop switch 42 is determined based on the timing when the operation of the stop switch 42 is detected, and the motor 32 is operated. Drive control is performed so that the reel 31 is stopped at the determined position.

  For example, in a game in which at least one winning flag is on, the reel control unit 65 enables a symbol combination corresponding to a winning combination (combination for which the winning flag is on) within a range of the stop control of the reel 31. The reel 31 is controlled so as to be stoppable on the line, and the reel 31 is controlled so as not to stop the symbol combination corresponding to a combination other than the winning combination (combination for which the winning flag is turned off) on the activated line.

Here, “within the range of the stop control of the reel 31” means the time from the moment when the stop switch 42 is operated to the time when the reel 31 is actually stopped or the rotation amount of the reel 31 (the number of moving symbols (frames)). Within the range.
In this embodiment, the reel 31 is rotated at a constant speed at a speed of about 80 rotations per minute.
When the stop switch 42 is operated, the time from the moment when the stop switch 42 is operated to the time when the reel 31 is stopped is within 190 ms, except for the predetermined reel 31 (for example, the middle reel 31) during the MB operation. Is set to Thus, in the present embodiment, the maximum number of symbols moved from the symbol at the moment when the stop switch 42 is operated to the stop of the reel 31 is set to four symbols, except for the predetermined reel 31 during MB operation.

  On the other hand, for the predetermined reel 31 during the MB operation, the time from the moment when the stop switch 42 is operated to the time when the reel 31 is stopped is set within 75 ms. Thereby, for the predetermined reel 31 during the MB operation, the maximum number of moving symbols from the symbol at the moment when the stop switch 42 is operated to the stop of the reel 31 is set to one symbol.

At the moment when the operation of the stop switch 42 is detected, if any of the symbols within the range of the stop control of the reel 31 is a symbol to be stopped at a predetermined effective line, when the stop switch 42 is operated Then, the symbol is controlled so as to stop at a predetermined effective line.
That is, if the reel 31 is stopped immediately at the moment when the stop switch 42 is operated, if the symbol corresponding to the winning number does not stop on a predetermined activated line, the reel 31 is stopped until the reel 31 is stopped. By controlling the rotation and movement of the reel 31 within the range of the stop control, control is performed so that the symbol corresponding to the winning number is stopped on a predetermined effective line as much as possible (pull-in stop control).

Conversely, if the reel 31 is stopped immediately at the moment when the stop switch 42 is operated, when the symbol combination of the hand not corresponding to the winning number stops on the activated line, the reel 31 is stopped when the reel 31 is stopped. By controlling the rotation and movement of the reel 31 within the range of the stop control, control is performed so that the symbol combination of the hand not corresponding to the winning number is not stopped on the activated line (kick-off stop control).
Further, in a game in which a plurality of winning combinations have been won (for example, when a pressing order bell is won), the priority order of winning combinations is determined in advance according to the pressing order of the stop switch 42 and the operation timing of the stop switch 42. In accordance with the predetermined priority, the control for stopping the drawing of the symbol relating to the highest priority combination is performed.

The winning determination means 66 determines whether the symbol combination of the reel 31 stopped on the activated line when the reel 31 is stopped is a symbol combination corresponding to one of the winning combinations.
Here, the winning determination means 66 does not actually detect whether or not the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination has stopped on the active line. Specifically, based on the condition device operated in the game and the pressing order of the stop switch 42 and / or the operation timing of the stop switch 42, a symbol combination to stop on the activated line before the reel 31 actually stops is determined in advance. It is determined, or the symbol combination stopped on the activated line after the reel 31 has stopped is determined in advance.

The control command transmitting means 71 transmits information (control command) necessary for the effect output from the sub-control board 80 to the sub-control board 80.
The control command includes, for example, information when the bet switch 40 is operated, information when the start switch 41 is operated, and a pressing order instruction number (only when the winning number having the correct answer pressing order during AT is won). , Effect group number, RT (game state) information, information when the stop switch 42 is operated, information on a winning combination, and the like.

In FIG. 1, a sub-control board 80 controls selection and output of effects (information) during a game and during a game standby.
Here, the main control board 50 and the sub-control board 80 are electrically connected, and the main control board 50 (the control command transmitting means 71) transmits the effect to the sub-control board 80 in one direction by parallel communication. Sends information (control commands) required for output.
The main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 are not limited to being electrically connected, but may be connected using optical communication means. Further, both the electrical connection and the optical communication connection are not limited to parallel communication, but may be serial communication, or both serial communication and parallel communication may be used.

The sub control board 80 includes an input port 81, an output port 82, an RWM 83, a ROM 84, a sub CPU 85, and the like, like the main control board 50.
The following peripheral devices for effect such as effect lamp 21 as shown in FIG. 1 are electrically connected to the sub-control board 80 via the input port 81 or the output port 82. However, the peripheral devices for the effect are not limited to these.
The RWM 83 is a storage medium that can temporarily store data and the like captured when the sub CPU 85 controls the effect.
The ROM 84 is a storage medium that stores, as effect data, programs for performing a lottery relating to the effect, various data, and the like.

  The effect lamps 21 are made of, for example, LEDs or the like, and are turned on in a predetermined pattern when predetermined conditions are satisfied. The effect lamp 21 is provided on the inner peripheral side of each reel 31, and is a back lamp for illuminating the symbols displayed on the reel 31 (three symbols vertically continuous from the display window) from behind. A fluorescent lamp that illuminates the design on the reel 31 from above, a frame lamp that is arranged on the front of the front door of the slot machine 10 and that blinks when a winning combination is won, etc. are included.

The speaker 22 outputs a predetermined sound when a predetermined condition is satisfied in order to perform various effects during the game.
Furthermore, the image display device 23 is composed of a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, a dot display, and the like. During the game, various effect images (correct answer order, effects corresponding to the condition devices operating in the game, and the like). And game information (the number of games played, the number of acquired games, and the like during the operation of the accessory and during the advantageous section (AT)), and the like.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state until a medal M inserted from the medal insertion slot 47 passes through the insertion sensors 44a and 44b, and is a schematic diagram viewed from the front. FIG. 2 shows the inside of the medal selector so that it can be seen. In addition, the medal M indicates M1 to M4 according to the position. The position of M1 indicates a state in which the medal M is placed in the medal holder 47b of the medal slot 47 (a state before being released). That is, at the position of M1, when viewed from the front, the lowermost point of the outer peripheral edge of the medal M and the upper surface of the medal holder 47b are in contact.
In FIG. 2 (and FIG. 4 to be described later), the entire substantially square portion displayed as the input sensors 44a and 44b is the light receiving / emitting range (eye of the sensor) of the input sensors 44a and 44b, respectively (each of them). It is not the housing of the input sensors 44a and 44b.)

The position of M2 indicates the position at the moment when the medal M is no longer seen from the front. That is, at the position of M2, the uppermost point of the outer peripheral edge of the medal M and the upper surface of the medal holder 47b overlap. For example, assuming that the player releases his / her hand from the medal M when the medal M is at the position of M1, the medal M falls from the position of M1. Therefore, at the position of M2, it is in a state of being released from the player's hand and falling (moving) downstream.
The “upstream side” indicates the medal insertion slot 47 side, and the “downstream side” indicates the insertion sensor 44b side (hopper 35 side). Speaking of the position of the medal M, M1 → M2 → M3 → M4 from upstream to downstream.

In the example of FIG. 2, the passage sensor 46 is arranged so that the medal M is detected by the passage sensor 46 when the medal M is located at M2.
Further, the position of M3 indicates the position at the moment (ON) when the medal M is detected by the insertion sensor 44a. Further, the position of M4 indicates the position at the moment (off) when the medal M is no longer detected by the insertion sensor 44b.

  The medal insertion slot 47 is a part for inserting a medal M into the slot machine 10 (medal selector) when a player bets or credits a medal M as a game medium. The medal insertion slot 47 includes a medal guard 47a and a medal holder 47b. The medal holder 47b has a substantially curved surface (curvature that is slightly larger than the periphery of the medal M) extending perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing so that a plurality of (up to about ten) superimposed medals M can be simultaneously placed. ).

The surface (the surface seen in FIG. 2) of the medal placing portion 47b where the medal M of the medal guard portion 47a comes into contact with the substantially curved surface is formed to intersect substantially vertically.
Further, although not shown in FIG. 2, a portion where the medal placing portion 47b and the medal guard portion 47a intersect has an opening through which one medal M can flow. When the two medals M are stacked, the medals M do not drop from the opening, but when the thickness of one medal M is thick, the medals M are formed to flow down from the opening. For this reason, for example, the player places a plurality of stacked medals M on the medal placing portion 47b, and presses the medals M in the direction of the medal guard portion 47a while increasing the pressing force. By weakening, the medals M placed on the medal holder 47b can be dropped one by one from the opening into the medal selector.

  When a medal M is inserted (released downward) from the medal insertion slot 47, the medal M flows down a passage in the medal selector. In the medal selector, a passage sensor 46, an insertion sensor 44a, and an insertion sensor 44b are provided from the upstream side. Further, the blocker 45 described above is provided between the passage sensor 46 and the input sensor 44a (in FIG. 2, below the input sensor 44a).

  When the medal M enters the medal selector, it is first detected by the passage sensor 46. The passage sensor 46 is a sensor provided for determining the presence or absence of a medal clogging or goto action, and detects the medal M for a predetermined time (predetermined) from when the passage sensor 46 detects the medal M, Further, when the medal M is no longer detected after the elapse of the predetermined time, it is determined that the medal M is normal. On the other hand, if the medal M continues to be detected after the passage of a predetermined time after the passage sensor 46 detects the medal, it is determined that a medal staying error has occurred. If the medal M is not detected before the predetermined time elapses after the passage sensor 46 detects the medal M, it is determined that the medal M is illegally passed.

  When the medal M flows down in the medal passage, it reaches the position of the blocker 45. The blocker 45 is arranged on the lower surface side in the medal passage. When the blocker 45 is in the ON state (the output port of the output port 52 relating to the blocker 45 is ON), the blocker 45 forms a medal channel so that the medals M can be detected by the insertion sensors 44a and 44b. In other words, it has a role of sending the medal M that has moved from the upstream side to the insertion sensors 44a and 44b without sending it out of the medal path.

  On the other hand, when the block is in the off state (the output port related to the blocker 45 among the output ports 52 is off), the blocker 45 moves in FIG. Thereby, an opening (a pit) is formed in the medal passage. As a result, when the blocker 45 is in the off state, the medal M falls from this opening just before reaching the M3 and is sent out of the medal path (M5 in FIG. 2). The medal M dropped from this opening is returned to a medal return opening (not shown) without being detected by the insertion sensor 44a.

For example, when the prescribed number of the game has already been bet and the number of credits has reached the upper limit, no more medals can be bet and credits cannot be made, so the blocker 45 is controlled to be in the off state. Thereby, even if the medal M is inserted from the medal insertion slot 47 in that state, the medal M falls from the opening and returns to the medal return port.
On the other hand, when the blocker 45 is in the ON state, since the opening is closed by the blocker 45, the medals M flowing down in the medal passage pass over the blocker 45, and the insertion sensors 44a and 44b To the side.

  In this embodiment, the blockers 45 are arranged as shown in FIG. 2, but the arrangement is not limited to this. The medal M can be detected by the passage sensor 46 regardless of the ON state / OFF state of the blocker 45, and when the blocker 45 is ON, the medal M can be guided to the insertion sensors 44a and 44b, and When the blocker 45 is in the off state, the medal M may be sent to the medal return port without being detected by the insertion sensors 44a and 44b. In other words, the blocker 45 may be located between the passage sensor 46 and the input sensor 44a.

  The passage sensor 46 may be located upstream of the blocker 45, and is located at a position where the medal M inserted from the medal insertion slot 47 can be detected even when the blocker 45 is in the off state. Just do it. Further, in FIG. 2, the passage sensor 46 is arranged so as to be able to detect the medal M when the medal M is located at M2, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the medal M is further downstream than the position of M2. It is also possible to arrange the passage sensor 46 so as to detect the medal M when moving to.

  The insertion sensors 44a and 44b are sensors for detecting a medal M that has passed through the blocker 45, and these two sensors are installed at a predetermined distance from each other. First, when the medal M reaches the position of M3, the insertion sensor 44a on the upstream side can detect the medal M (turns on from off). When the medal M further flows, the insertion sensor 44b detects the medal M (turns from off to on). By determining the on / off timing of these two insertion sensors 44a and 44b, it is determined whether or not the inserted medal M is normal. When the medal M reaches the position of M4, it is no longer detected by the insertion sensors 44a and 44b. The medals M that have passed through the insertion sensors 44a and 44b are sent to the hopper 35.

In FIG. 2, the medal selector is designed as follows.
First, the position of the medal M at the position of M2, that is, from the moment when the medal M becomes invisible when the medal selector is viewed from the front, to the position of the medal M, that is, the position at the moment when the medal M is no longer detected by the insertion sensor 44b. (The moving trajectory is indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 2) is set to time T2. Note that the value is obtained when the user releases his / her hand (at the initial speed “0”) from the medal M when the medal M is located at M1 and releases the hand downward. Therefore, the speed when the medal M is located at M2 exceeds “0”.

Further, the acceleration of the medal M increases as it moves further downward from the position of M2. On the other hand, in FIG. 2, an impact member (not shown in FIG. 2) is provided in a portion where the medal passage is bent from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction. When the medal M comes into contact with the impact member, the speed of the medal M is reduced, and the medal M is directed to the insertion sensors 44a and 44b.
Then, the time from the moment when the medal M is located at M3 (the moment when the insertion sensor 44a detects) to the moment when the medal M is located at the M4 (the moment when the insertion sensor 44b stops being detected) is set as the time T3. .

<First Embodiment (A)>
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a time chart for explaining the first embodiment (A) of the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 shows voltage levels when the power of the slot machine 10 is turned off (for example, when the power switch 11 is turned off or when a power failure occurs).
In FIG. 3, the voltage when the power supply is normally turned on is defined as a supply level V0. In the state of the supply level V0, the slot machine 10 operates normally.

FIG. 3 shows an example in which the power supply has been cut off (the event that the power supply has been cut off has occurred) at time S11. In the present embodiment, when a power failure occurs, the voltage drops to the power failure detection level V1 at time T0.
The time T0 from the occurrence of power interruption (time S11; supply level V0) to the detection of power interruption (time S12; power interruption detection level V1) is at least 20 interrupts (1 interrupt time 2.235 ms × 20). (Interrupt = 44.7 ms) or more.
On the main control board 50, a voltage monitoring device (not shown) (power cutoff detection circuit) is provided. When the power supply voltage becomes equal to or lower than the power-off detection level V1 which is a predetermined value, a power-off detection signal is input to a predetermined bit in the input port 51, and the power supply is detected by detecting whether or not the signal has been input. Detect disconnection.

When the voltage further decreases from the power-off detection level V1 and falls below the drive voltage limit V2 of the main CPU 55, the main CPU 55 cannot be driven (the operation of the main CPU 55 cannot be guaranteed).
The example of FIG. 3 shows an example in which the voltage level reaches the drive voltage limit V2 of the main CPU 55 at time S13, and thereafter drops to Low. The main control board 50 cannot execute the power-off process when the voltage becomes lower than the drive voltage limit V2. Therefore, when the power-off occurs at the time S11, the main-control board 50 can terminate the power-off process at least by the time S13. Is set to

The detection of the power-off is executed in the interrupt processing executed every 2.235 ms. However, when the power-off is detected for two consecutive interrupts, the power-off processing is executed in the next interrupt processing. Accordingly, in FIG. 3, time S12 is a timing at which it is determined that the voltage is equal to or lower than the power-off detection level V1 in the interrupt processing twice consecutively, and that power-off has been detected. Then, the power interruption processing is executed in the next interruption processing.
In the interruption processing, the following processing is executed. First, it is determined whether or not a power-off is detected. When the power-off is detected, the process shifts to a power-off process (without shifting to a normal interrupt process). In the power-off processing, first, the output port 52 is turned off. The blocker 45 is turned off by the process of turning off the output port 52. Further, a stack pointer saving process, a power-off process completed flag (a flag for determining whether or not a normal power-off process has been performed), a RWM53 checksum execution process, a RWM53 write-inhibit process, and the like are performed. After the sequential execution, a reset wait state (loop processing state) is set. This reset waiting state is a state in which no processing is performed by design.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, in the interrupt process following the interrupt process (time S12) in which the power shutdown is detected, the power shutdown process is executed, and the blocker 45 is turned off.
The power-off processing is not limited to being executed in the interrupt processing next to the interrupt processing in which the power-off is detected, and the power-off processing may be executed in the interrupt processing in which the power-off is detected. In this case, “T1 = S12−S11”.

  On the other hand, FIG. 3 also shows the medal positions (M2, M4) after the medal is inserted. In FIG. 2, it is assumed that the player has released his / her hand from the medal M while the medal M is at the position of M1. In this case, the medal M falls at the initial speed “0”. Thereby, the medal M is released into the medal selector. Then, in FIG. 3, the time S11 at which the power supply is cut off and the time at which the medal M reaches the position of M2 are matched.

As shown in FIG. 2, the time from the moment when the medal M is located at M2 to the moment when it is located at M4 is T2. Similarly, in FIG. Later, it is assumed that the medal M is located at M4.
In this case, the present embodiment is designed to satisfy the relationship of “T2> T1”.

  Therefore, when the power is cut off at the moment when the medal M is located at M2, the power-off process is executed before the medal M reaches M4, and the insertion sensor 44b does not detect the medal M. Therefore, when the power is cut off at the moment when the medal M is located at M2, the medal M is sent to the medal return opening (lower plate) without being detected by the insertion sensor 44b. Therefore, the medal M does not normally pass through the insertion sensors 44a and 44b. Thus, the medal M is swallowed, but after the power is turned off (after time S11), the process of adding “1” to the medal M (adding “1” to the bet or credit) is executed. Not done. This can eliminate the possibility that betting or credit processing will be executed after the occurrence of power interruption.

For example, when the power is cut off at the moment when the medal M is located at M2, when the time T1 has elapsed (during power-off processing), when the medal M is located immediately before M4 in FIG. Is passed through the position of M3), the medal M is detected by the insertion sensor 44a, but not detected by the insertion sensor 44b, and the power is turned off.
Further, in the case where the power is cut off at the moment when the medal M is located at the position M2, when the time T1 has elapsed (during power-off processing), the medal M is located on the upstream side of the position of the M3 in FIG. At this time, the power of the medal M is turned off without being detected by either the insertion sensor 44a or the insertion sensor 44b.

In FIG. 2, the time from the moment when the medal M is located at M2 to the moment when the medal M is located at M3 is defined as time T2 '.
In this case, it is preferable to design so as to satisfy the relationship of “T2 ′> T1”.
In the case where the power is cut off at the moment when the medal M is located at the position M2 in the case of the design in the above relationship, the blocker 45 is turned off by executing the power-off processing at the time when the medal M reaches the position M3. ing. Therefore, the medal M is sent out of the medal passage without being detected by the insertion sensor 44a, and is sent to the medal return port.

Here, the difference between the related art and the first embodiment (A) will be described.
Conventionally, when the power is cut off at the moment when the medal M is located at the position M2, the medal M has already passed the position of the insertion sensor 44b when the power cut is detected and the blocker 45 is turned off. Therefore, after the power interruption, the medal “1” addition processing (bet processing or credit processing) has been executed. However, it is not preferable to execute the medal addition process after the power interruption occurs. This is because all the processes related to the progress of the game should be stopped immediately after the power-off.
Therefore, with the configuration as in the first embodiment (A), even if the player inserts the medal M through the medal insertion slot 47 and the power is cut off at the moment when the medal M is positioned at M2 (immediately after the insertion), Since the addition processing of the medals “1” is not executed, the function of the slot machine 10 can be enhanced.

<First Embodiment (B)>
In the first embodiment (B), the relationship between the closing sensors 44a and 44b and the power-off is determined.
FIG. 4 is a front view showing a process from when the medal M is detected by the insertion sensor 44a to when it is no longer detected by the insertion sensor 44b. In FIG. 4, the arrow direction indicates the traveling (flowing) direction of the medal M.
FIG. 4A shows a diagram at the moment when the medal M is detected by the insertion sensor 44a. At this time, the input sensor 44a is at the moment when it is turned on from off, and the input sensor 44b is kept off. This position corresponds to M3 in FIG.

Next, when the medal M advances to the left side in FIG. 4 and reaches the state shown in FIG. 4B, the insertion sensor 44a remains in the state of detecting the medal M, and the insertion sensor 44b detects the medal M. Become like Therefore, in FIG. 4B, the input sensor 44a is on and the input sensor 44b is at the moment when the input sensor 44b is turned on from off.
In FIG. 4, even when the insertion sensors 44a and 44b and the medal M overlap, both the insertion sensors 44a and 44b and the medal M are shown by solid lines, but the medal M and the insertion sensor 44a and It does not represent the positional relationship of 44b. The insertion sensors 44a and 44b may be arranged on the near side or the back side in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG.

When the medal M further advances and reaches the state shown in FIG. 4C, the medal M is detected by both the insertion sensors 44a and 44b. Therefore, the input sensor 44a in this case is on, and the input sensor 44b is also on.
Here, the diameter of the medal M is, for example, 25 mm (so-called 25 pie (φ)) in the general specification and 30 mm (so-called 30 pie (φ)) in the special specification. Therefore, it is necessary to set the distance between the input sensors 44a and 44b so that the state shown in FIG. Here, as described later, it is determined whether or not the state shown in FIG. 4C, that is, the time during which both the insertion sensors 44a and 44b are on (detecting the medal M) is within a predetermined range. Determines whether or not a medal insertion error is determined. Therefore, the distance between the input sensors 44a and 44b also differs depending on how to set the time during which both the input sensors 44a and 44b are on.

  When the medal M further advances from the state of FIG. 4C, as shown in FIG. 4D, the insertion sensor 44a stops detecting the medal M. In this case, the input sensor 44a is the moment when the input sensor 44a is turned off from on, and the input sensor 44b is kept on. When the medal M further advances, the insertion sensor 44b stops detecting the medal M as shown in FIG. Therefore, in this case, the input sensor 44a remains off, and the input sensor 44b is at the moment when the input sensor 44b is turned off from on. Note that the position of the medal M in FIG. 4E corresponds to M4 in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a time chart showing ON / OFF of the input sensors 44a and 44b. In FIG. 5, time S21 is the moment when the input sensor 44a is turned on from off (the input sensor 44b remains off), and corresponds to the timing in FIG.
Next, the time at which the medal M is detected (turned from off to on) by the insertion sensor 44b (FIG. 4B) is defined as S22. Furthermore, the time (FIG. 4D) at the moment when the insertion sensor 44a stops detecting the medal M (turns from on to off) is defined as S23. Further, the time (FIG. 4E) at the moment when the insertion sensor 44b stops detecting the medal M (turns from ON to OFF) is defined as S24.

  Here, if the time Ta (from time S21 to S23) during which the insertion sensor 44a is detecting the medal M is within the range of 6.705 ms (3 interrupts) or more and less than 185.505 ms (83 interrupts). (Condition 1) The main control board 50 determines that a normal medal M has passed, and when it is out of this range, it determines that a medal passing error has occurred.

  Further, the time Tb (from time S22 to S23) during which both the insertion sensors 44a and 44b are detecting the medal M is within a range of not less than 4.47 ms (2 interrupts) and less than 118.455 ms (53 interrupts). If this is the case (condition 2), the main control board 50 determines that the medal has passed the normal medal M, and if it is out of this range, it determines that a medal passing error has occurred.

Furthermore, if the time Tc (from time S22 to S24) during which the insertion sensor 44b detects the medal M is within the range of 6.705 ms (3 interrupts) or more and less than 185.505 ms (83 interrupts). (Condition 3) The main control board 50 determines that the medal is passing the normal medal M, and if it is out of this range, it is determined that a medal passing error has occurred.
If all of the above conditions 1 to 3 are satisfied, it is determined that the passing of the medal M is normal, and if at least one of the conditions is not satisfied, a medal passing error is determined.

As shown in FIG. 5, when both of the input sensors 44a and 44b are turned off (time S24), the input monitoring counter is decremented by "1".
Here, the insertion monitoring counter becomes “+1” when the above-mentioned passage sensor 46 detects the medal M, and when the medal normally passes the insertion sensors 44a and 44b (both the input sensors 44a and 44b are turned off). The counter is incremented by "-1" when the state changes from "on" to "off" (at time S24). That is, in a normal state, "1" and "0" are repeated.
On the other hand, when the passage sensor 46 does not detect the medal M and only the insertion sensors 44a and 44b detect the passage of the medal, the insertion monitoring counter becomes “−1” and the main control board 50 determines that the medal has passed. I do.

When the passage sensor 46 detects the medal M (insertion monitoring counter = “+ 1”) and the insertion sensors 44a and 44b do not detect the passage of the medal M, the passage sensor 46 further detects the medal M. When the insertion monitoring counter reaches a predetermined value equal to or greater than “2”, the main control board 50 determines that a medal clogging error has occurred. For example, when the normal value of the insertion monitoring counter is set to “0” to “2”, when the insertion monitoring counter becomes “3” or more, the main control board 50 determines that a medal jam error has occurred. Can be
The input monitoring counter is cleared when the blocker 45 changes from the off state to the on state.

  In FIG. 5, at time S24, the insertion sensor 44b is turned off from on, the insertion monitoring counter is decremented by “1”, and when it is determined that the medal M has passed normally, the main control board 50 Execute processing (bet processing or credit processing). For example, if the bet number is less than the specified number at that time, "1" addition processing of the bet number is executed. Specifically, when the prescribed number in the game is "3" and the bet number at that time is "0", the bet number is increased from "0" by the "1" addition process of the bet number. Update to "1".

At that time, if the bet amount has already reached the specified number and the credit amount has not reached the maximum number of "50", the credit amount "1" addition process is executed. For example, if the credit amount at that time is “10”, the credit amount is updated to “11”.
When the number of bets reaches the specified number and the number of credits reaches the maximum number “50”, the main control board 50 turns off the blocker 45. Thus, even if the medal M is inserted from the medal insertion slot 47, the medal M is returned. In other words, in this case, even if the medal M is inserted, it is not detected by the insertion sensors 44a and 44b.

In FIG. 5, in addition to ON / OFF of the input sensors 44a and 44b, the timing at the time of occurrence of power supply interruption and the timing of power supply interruption detection are displayed. FIG. 5 shows Example 1 and Example 2, both of which illustrate an example in which power is cut off at the timing when the input sensor 44a is turned on from off (time S21).
Then, in Example 1, the power interruption is detected after a lapse of time T1 from the time S21 when the power interruption occurs. Here, in Example 1, “T1> T3” is set. Therefore, when the insertion sensor 44a detects the medal M at the moment when the power is turned off, the power-off process is started after the “1” addition process of the medal M has already been executed.

Here, the time T3 from the time S21 to S24 can be represented by “Ta + Tc−Tb”. Therefore, the minimum time of the time T3 corresponds to 4 interrupts, and is “8.94 ms”.
The maximum time of the time T3 is equivalent to 113 interrupts, and is “252.555 ms”.
In the first example, the power-off process is always set to be performed after the time S24. Therefore, for example, the time T1 from the occurrence of power interruption (time S21) to execution of the power interruption processing is set to be 114 interrupts or more.

  With the above setting, even if the power is cut off at the moment when the insertion sensor 44a detects the medal M (time S21), the power-off process is executed after the process of adding “1” of the medal M is performed. , The medal M is normally betted or credited. Therefore, swallowing of the medal M can be prevented.

Further, in the second example, contrary to the first example, the power-off processing is executed before the “1” addition processing of the medal M is executed. That is, in Example 2, the setting is made so as to satisfy the relationship of “T1 <T3”.
The time T3 from the time S21 to the time S24 corresponds to four interrupts in the minimum time as described above. Therefore, in order to satisfy the relationship of “T1 <T3”, it is necessary to execute the power-off processing within three interrupts from the occurrence of the power-off. However, it is difficult to perform the power-off processing within three interrupts from the occurrence of the power-off, so the minimum time Tc is set to be longer than four interrupts. For example, setting the minimum time of the time Tc to 15 interrupts can be mentioned. If the time T1 from the occurrence of the power interruption (time S21) to the power interruption processing is set to about 10 interrupts, the power interruption processing is executed before the time S24 when the power interruption occurs at the time S21. It becomes possible.

  When the power-off process is performed, the “1” addition (bet or credit) process of the medal M is not performed thereafter. Therefore, in Example 2, even if the insertion sensor 44a detects the medal M at the time S21 (when the power is turned off), the process of adding “1” to the medal M1 is not performed. As a result, there is a demerit that the medal M is swallowed. However, as described in the first embodiment (A), after the power is cut off, the “1” addition processing of the medal M is not performed. The power-off process can be executed as quickly as possible.

<First Embodiment (C)>
In the first embodiment (C), the relationship between the payout sensors 37a and 37b and the power-off is determined.
When adding medals to be paid out to credits, the hopper motor 36 is not driven, and the storage area of the number of credits provided in the RWM 53 of the main control board 50 is updated. Further, the value indicated by the credit number display LED 76 is updated so as to be a number corresponding to the credit number stored in the storage area.

  Then, when paying out medals after the number of credits reaches the upper limit value "50", the hopper motor 36 is driven to pay out medals from the hopper 35 (discharge from the payout port). In this case, the payout sensors 37a and 37b detect on / off each time one medal is paid out. When the detection result of on / off by the payout sensors 37a and 37b is within the normal range, it is determined that one medal M has been correctly paid out, and when the detection result is not within the normal range, the medal M is determined. Is not paid out correctly, the main control board 50 determines that a medal payout error has occurred.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating an operation when the medal M is paid out from the medal payout device. Although not shown in FIG. 6, a hopper disk (substantially disk-shaped rotating disk) is attached to the bottom surface of the hopper 35, and the hopper disk is rotated by driving a hopper motor 36. In this hopper disk, a plurality of openings capable of holding the medals M are formed along the outer periphery of the hopper disk. The medal M in the hopper 35 is configured to enter the opening of the hopper disk. When the hopper motor 36 is driven in this state, the hopper disk rotates and the medals M held in the opening of the hopper disk are discharged one by one. The medals M are discharged, and new medals M in the hopper 35 enter the vacated opening.

In FIG. 6, the medal M located at M1 is the one immediately after being ejected from the opening of the hopper disk. Both the fixed shaft 38a and the movable shaft 38b are components constituting a medal payout device. The fixed shaft 38a is a shaft that does not move when the medal M is paid out. On the other hand, the movable shaft 38b is a shaft that reciprocates each time one medal M is paid out. In a no-load state, the movable shaft 38b is arranged at a position indicated by a solid line in the figure, and is fixed by a spring (not shown in FIG. 6; equivalent to a spring 39b in FIG. 7 described later). 38a. The medal M (M1) immediately after being discharged from the opening of the hopper disk comes into contact with both the fixed shaft 38a and the movable shaft 38b.
In a state where the medal M is arranged at the position (M1) shown by a solid line in FIG. 6 and is in contact with both the fixed shaft 38a and the movable shaft 38b, the medal M is located between the fixed shaft 38a and the movable shaft 38b. Narrower than diameter. Therefore, at this time, the medal M cannot pass between the fixed shaft 38a and the movable shaft 38b.

  A pushing force in the direction F1 in FIG. 6 acts on the medal M discharged from the opening of the hopper disk. When a pushing force in the F1 direction acts on the medal M, the medal M can move in the F1 direction, and the pushing force pushes the movable shaft 38b in the F2 direction in the drawing. Note that the fixed shaft 38a does not move. As a result, the movable shaft 38b moves in the direction F2 in the figure while maintaining the state of being in contact with the medal M. Further, the movable shaft 38b moves between the fixed shaft 38a and the movable shaft 38b to a position where the medal M can pass. In other words, the gap between the fixed shaft 38a and the movable shaft 38b is larger than the diameter of the medal M. The position of the movable shaft 38b at this time is indicated by a two-dot chain line in the figure.

  Thereby, the medal M passes through the space between the fixed shaft 38a and the movable shaft 38b, and is discharged in the F1 direction (medal payout opening side) in the drawing. The medal M at this time is indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 6 (M2). When the medal M is discharged, the force pressing the movable shaft 38b in the F2 direction is released. As a result, the movable shaft 38b is returned to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 6 again by the force of the spring.

  FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating the on (detection) / off (non-detection) state of the payout sensors 37a and 37b when the medal M is paid out as described above in the medal payout device. FIG. 7 shows that the movable piece 39a moves in the order of (a) → (b) → (c) → (d) → (a) every time one medal M is paid out.

FIG. 7A shows a state of the movable piece 39a when the movable shaft 38b is located at a position (initial position) indicated by a solid line in FIG. The movable piece 39a is attached so as to be rotatable about a central axis in the figure, and is urged clockwise by a spring 39b.
When the movable piece 39a is urged clockwise in the figure, the movable shaft 38b in FIG. 6 is urged toward the fixed shaft 38a in the figure.
In a state where the movable piece 39a is urged clockwise in FIG. 7 by the spring 39b and no force other than the tension of the spring 39b is applied to the movable piece 39a, the movable piece 39a is fixed to a predetermined stopper (not shown). 7), it stops at the position shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7A, on the left side of the movable piece 39a in the figure, a payout sensor 37a (upper side in the figure) and 37b (lower side in the figure) are arranged. The movable piece 39a is formed to extend toward the payout sensors 37a and 37b. When the movable piece 39a is stopped at the position shown in FIG. ing.
In FIG. 7, each of the payout sensors 37a and 37b shows the housing of the sensor, and illustration of the light emitting / receiving unit (the eyes of the sensor) is omitted. This point is different from the closing sensors 44a and 44b of FIGS. 2 and 4 in which only the light receiving / emitting unit (the eyes of the sensor) is illustrated.

Here, the payout sensor 37a is in an on state (for example, FIG. 7A) when the movable piece 39a is detected, and is in an off state (for example, FIG. 7B) when the movable piece 39a is no longer detected. It is set to be.
Similarly, the payout sensor 37b is in an off state (for example, FIG. 7A) when the movable piece 39a is not detected, and is turned on (for example, FIG. 7C) when the movable piece 39a is detected. Is set to
In the state of FIG. 7A, the payout sensor 37a detects the movable piece 39a and is in an on state, and the payout sensor 37b does not detect the movable piece 39a and is in an off state.

  As described with reference to FIG. 6, when the pushing force in the direction F1 in FIG. 6 acts on the medal M, the movable shaft 38b starts moving in the direction F2 in FIG. 7A, the movable piece 39a starts rotating counterclockwise against the urging force of the spring 39b. When the movable piece 39a moves to the position shown in FIG. 7B, the tip of the movable piece 39a goes out of the inside of the payout sensor 37a. As a result, the payout sensor 37a does not detect the movable piece 39a, so that it is turned off. Even if the movable piece 39a rotates to the position shown in FIG. 7B, the tip of the movable piece 39a does not reach the payout sensor 37b. Therefore, in the state of FIG. 7B, the payout sensor 37a is off, and the payout sensor 37b is off.

  In FIG. 6, when the movable shaft 38b further moves in the F2 direction and reaches a position indicated by a two-dot chain line (a position where the medal M can pass through a gap between the fixed shaft 38a and the movable shaft 38b) in FIG. 7, the movable piece 39a further rotates counterclockwise, and reaches the position shown in FIG. Thereby, the tip of the movable piece 39a enters the payout sensor 37b, and the payout sensor 37b detects the movable piece 39a. Therefore, in the state of FIG. 7C, the payout sensor 37a is in the off state, and the payout sensor 37b is in the on state.

  In FIG. 6, when the medal M is further ejected from the position of M2, there is no force for urging the movable shaft 38b in the direction F2 in FIG. 6, so that the movable shaft 38b is moved to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. Return. The return force at this time is due to the force of the spring 39b in FIG. Thereby, in FIG. 7, the movable piece 39a rotates clockwise, the tip of the movable piece 39a comes out of the payout sensor 37b, and the payout sensor 37b does not detect the movable piece 39b. FIG. 7D shows the state at this time. In the state of FIG. 7D, the payout sensor 37a is in an off state, and the payout sensor 37b is in an off state.

  When the movable piece 39a further rotates clockwise, the tip of the movable piece 39a enters the payout sensor 37a, and the payout sensor 37a detects the movable piece 39a. This returns to the state of FIG. 7A (initial state). In the state of FIG. 7A, as described above, the payout sensor 37a is on, and the payout sensor 37b is off. When returning to this position, the movable shaft 38b returns to the position indicated by the solid line in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a time chart showing ON / OFF of the payout sensors 37a and 37b.
In FIG. 8, it is assumed that the payout process of medals has been started and the hopper motor drive signal is on.
In FIG. 8, before the time S31, the state is as shown in FIG. At time S31, the state shown in FIG. 7B is reached, and the payout sensor 37a is turned off (the payout sensor 37b is turned off). Next, at time S32, the payout sensor 37b is turned on. This state is the state shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, the time from time S31 to S32 is Td.

  The payout sensor 37a is in the off state, and the payout sensor 37b is in the on state until time S33. At the time S33, the payout sensor 37b is turned off. This state is the state shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, the time from time S32 to S33 is Te. Then, when the time reaches S34, the state returns to the state (initial position) in FIG. 7A, and the payout sensor 37a is turned on. In FIG. 8, the time from time S32 to S34 is Tf.

In the payout process, the main control board 50 monitors the on / off time of the payout sensors 37a and 37b, and determines that a medal payout error has occurred when the payout sensors 37a and 37b are not within a predetermined time range.
For example, in FIG. 8, the time Td is set to less than 29.055 ms (13 interrupts). Therefore, when the payout sensor 37b is turned off by the 12th interrupt after the payout sensor 37a is turned off, it is determined that the payout sensor 37b is normal. If not, a medal payout error is assumed.

  The time Te during which the payout sensor 37a is off and the payout sensor 37b is on is set to be equal to or longer than 11.175 ms (5 interrupts) and shorter than 62.58 ms (28 interrupts). Therefore, when time S32 is reached (when the payout sensor 37b is turned on), the time Te until the payout sensor 37b is turned off is monitored, and when the time Te is not within the above-mentioned predetermined time range, The main control board 50 determines that a medal payout error has occurred.

  Further, after the payout sensor 37b is turned on (time S32), the time Tf until the payout sensor 37b is turned off and the payout sensor 37a is turned on (time S34) is 11.175 ms (5 interrupts). ) And less than 62.58 ms (28 interrupts). Therefore, when the time S32 is reached (when the payout sensor 37b is turned on), the time Tf is monitored until the payout sensor 37b is turned off and the payout sensor 37a is turned on. When the time is not within the predetermined time range, the main control board 50 determines that a medal payout error has occurred.

Also, in FIG. 8, similarly to FIGS. 3 and 5, the time from the occurrence of the power shutdown to the power shutdown processing is also displayed.
First, it is assumed that a power interruption occurs at the timing of time S31, that is, at the timing when the payout sensor 37a is turned off. In this case, in the example of FIG. 3, an example in which power interruption is detected by 20 interrupts has been described. However, in the example of FIG. At the time of T1), a setting is made to detect the power-off and execute the power-off process.

  Here, the maximum time (normal operation) of the time “Td + Tf” is “12 + 27 = 39” interrupts. Therefore, the time T1 from power-off to execution of power-off processing is set to, for example, 40 interrupts (89.4 ms). Set. With this setting, even if the power is cut off at the moment when the payout sensor 37a is turned off, the power cutoff processing can be started after the payout processing of one medal has been normally completed. That is, “(Td + Tf) <T1” can be set.

Conventionally, power interruption (power failure etc.) has occurred during medal payout processing. In this case, depending on the timing of the medal payout process and the power-off, it is determined that the medal has been paid out even though the medal has not been paid out, and there is a possibility that the player may lose money.
On the other hand, in the first embodiment (C), medals can be correctly paid out even if the power is cut off during the payout processing of medals.

  In particular, when the medal payout process is started, that is, even when the power is cut off at the timing of time S31 in FIG. 8, the power cutoff is detected after finishing one medal payout process, and the process proceeds to the power cutoff process. Therefore, for example, when the payout sensor 37a is turned off or when the payout sensor 37b is turned on, the power-off process is not executed. Thus, it is possible to prevent the power-off process from being performed during the medal payout process and the medal payout process from being stopped before the (one) medal payout process ends normally.

  If the time T1 is set to be longer than necessary, the payout process of the next medal may be executed. Therefore, the power-off process is performed at least before the next medal payout process is performed. In FIG. 8, for example, assuming that the cycle of one medal payout process is time T4 and that the payout sensor 37a is changed from the on state to the off state at the timing of time S35, "T1 <T4" is set.

<Second embodiment>
The second embodiment relates to a trace of a gate formed on a substrate case of a main control substrate 50.
In the related art, the shape, size, position, and the like of the gate trace on the substrate case are determined by the mold designer at the time of mold production, solely for the convenience of mold production.
However, since the gate trace has an uneven surface, even if a hole is made to aim at the gate trace, for example, there is a case where it cannot be visually identified (not noticed).

If the main CPU 55 of the main control board 50 is disposed immediately below the gate trace, a hole is made in the gate trace, and a wire is passed through the hole, thereby being accessed by the main CPU 55 (goto action is performed). Done). In particular, in the case where the gate mark is shaped to be thinner than other portions, holes are more easily formed than in other portions.
Therefore, in the second embodiment, a goto action is prevented from being performed using the gate trace of the substrate case.

FIG. 9 is an exploded external perspective view showing the main control board 50 and the board case 56 (the upper cover 57 and the lower cover 58).
The substrate case 56 is composed of an upper cover 57 and a lower cover 58, and both are molded products (injection) made of a transparent resin. Therefore, when the main control board 50 is housed inside, the state of the main control board 50 can be visually confirmed from outside the board case 56.

On the main control board 50, electronic components such as the above-described main CPU 55, management information display LED 74 (4-digit LED, also referred to as "role ratio monitor"), and set value display LED 73 are mounted. Although many electronic components such as the above-described RWM 53 and ROM 54 are mounted on the main control board 50, they are not shown in FIG. Further, although not shown in FIG. 9, on the main control board 50, bet switches 40a and 40b, a start switch 41, a stop switch 42, a passage sensor 46 in the medal selector, and LEDs for checking the failure of the insertion sensors 44a and 44b are mounted. Have been. The failure confirmation LED is not limited to this.
For example, the failure confirmation LED of the start switch 41 is turned off when the start switch 41 is off, and when the start switch 41 is operated (when the start switch 41 is operated and the sensor detects on). ) Is an LED that is turned on (lit).

  It should be noted that the failure confirmation LED of the start switch 41 and the failure confirmation LED of other operation switches and sensors, which will be described later, are turned off when the operation switch is operated (when the sensor detects on), and when the operation switch is off. You may comprise so that it may light.

Further, two failure confirmation LEDs for the bet switches 40a and 40b are provided for the bet switches 40a and 40b, and are turned off when the bet switch 40 is not operated, and the bet switch 40 is operated. When the electric signal at that time is received, the LED is turned on.
Further, a total of three failure confirmation LEDs for the passage sensor 46 and the insertion sensors 44a and 44b are provided for each sensor, and are turned off when no medal is detected, and turned on when a medal is detected. LED.
Then, the administrator operates, for example, the start switch 41 to check whether the failure confirmation LED of the start switch 41 mounted on the main control board 50 is turned on or off, thereby determining whether the start switch 41 has a failure (energization). Can be confirmed. The same applies to other switches and sensors.

  When the front door is opened during normal operation (when the setting is not being changed and the setting is not being checked), the failure checking LED may be turned on / off by operating the start switch 41 or the like. . Alternatively, the failure confirmation may be performed by opening the front door and performing a predetermined operation after a door open error occurs. Further, the light may be turned on / off by operating the start switch 41 or the like at all times (even during setting change or setting confirmation).

The model number of the board is displayed (printed or the like) on the main control board 50. Although not shown in FIG. 9, a model number and the like are similarly displayed on the upper surface of the RWM 53 and the ROM 54.
Furthermore, screw holes 50a for passing screws are formed at the four corners of the main control board 50.
On the other hand, bosses 58c for screwing are formed at four inner corners on the lower surface of the lower cover 58. When the main control board 50 is placed on the lower cover 58, the screw holes 50a and the bosses 58c overlap. can do.

  When the upper cover 57 is placed on the lower cover 58 in this state, the upper cover 57 and the lower cover 58 are formed into a shape that fits into each other (in FIG. 9, the specific shape of the fitting portion is not shown). Further, caulking portions 57a are provided on both left and right sides of the upper cover 57 in the drawing. Similarly, caulking portions 58a are provided on the left and right rows in the drawing of the lower cover 58. In FIG. 9, illustration of the specific shape and the detailed shape of the caulked portions 57 a and 58 b is omitted.

When the upper cover 57 and the lower cover 58 are fitted together and caulking is performed using the caulking portions 57a and 58a, thereafter, at least a part of the caulking portions 57a and 58a must be destroyed (unless plastic deformation is performed). The cover 57 and the lower cover 58 cannot be opened.
Thus, security of the main control board 50 can be secured.

As shown in FIG. 9, two gate marks 57b are provided on the outer side of the upper surface of the upper cover 57. In the board case 56 (a state in which the upper cover 57 and the lower cover 58 are fitted), the side where the main control board 50 is housed is referred to as “inside”, and the side exposed to the outside is referred to as “outside”. .
In FIG. 9, the gate trace 57b is provided in two places, but is not limited to this, and may be provided in any place.

Here, the “gate” is a gate at the time of pouring resin (hot water) into a mold at the time of resin molding. is there.
When the board case 56 (upper cover 57, lower cover 58) has a shape as shown in FIG. 9, it is low cost to use a mold that is vertically divided in FIG. When a multi-cavity mold is used, it is preferable to use a pin gate, and from the viewpoint of fluidity of resin (hot water), it is preferable to provide a gate near the center of the molded product. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the gate positions of the upper cover 57 and the lower cover 58 are formed not on the side surface but on the upper surface in FIG.

Further, in consideration of cutting of the protrusion of the gate mark at the time of molding, the gate mark is preferably provided outside.
From the above, the gate trace 57b of the upper cover 57 is provided outside the upper surface.
For the same reason as above, the gate trace 58b of the lower cover 58 is also provided outside the lower surface (the surface opposite to the visible surface in FIG. 9). In FIG. 9, the gate traces 58b of the lower cover 58 are provided at two places like the gate traces 57b of the upper cover 57, but may be provided at one place or at three or more places. Is also good.

  Further, when the resin (hot water) flows from the gate into the mold, if the spread of the resin (hot water) in the mold is not uniform and a cooling time difference occurs, the molded product may be warped and deformed. Therefore, it is preferable to arrange the gate position of the molded product at a position where the spread of the resin (hot water) in the mold becomes uniform. Further, when the gate is provided at a plurality of locations, it is preferable that the distance from the end of the molded product to the gate and the distance between the gates are made as equal as possible.

  10A is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the gate trace 57b of the upper cover 57 of the board case 56 and the gate trace 58b of the lower cover 58, and the main control board 50. FIG. FIG. 10A shows a state in which the main control board 50 is housed in the board case 56 (a state in which the main control board 50 is fixed to the lower cover 58 and the upper cover 57 and the lower cover 58 are fitted together). FIG. 2 is a plan view as viewed from above. Further, the main control board 50 is seen through from the upper surface side of the upper cover 57.

Furthermore, (b) shows Example 1 of the cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. (A), and (c) shows Example 2 of the cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. Is shown. In these cross-sectional views, hatching is omitted from the viewpoint of the visibility of the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 10A, when the main control board 50 is housed in the board case 56, the two gate traces 57b extend vertically (on the main control board 50 side) (directly below) the upper cover 57 from the two gate traces 57b. The model number display, the management information display LED 74, the set value display LED 73, and the main CPU 55 (socket) are set so as not to be located. As described above, the RWM 53, the ROM 54, and the LED for failure confirmation are also mounted on the main control board 50. However, it is preferable that the gate mark 57b is not positioned directly above them.

The gate traces 57 are arranged as described above for the following reasons.
Even after the slot machine 10 has been installed in the market, it is necessary for the main control board 50 to visually check whether any unauthorized modification or the like has been performed. In particular, it is necessary to check whether or not the main CPU 55 and the like (including the RWM 53 and the ROM 54; the same applies hereinafter), whether the main CPU 55 and the like have been altered by the goto action, and the like. Furthermore, since the main control board 50 is housed in the board case 56 and the board case 56 is sealed as described above, it is necessary to visually check the main control board 50 from outside the board case 56. is there.
The board case 56 accommodating the main control board 50 is attached to the inside of the housing of the slot machine 10, for example, inside the rear surface. This is for mounting at a position where the numerical values displayed by the set value display LED 73 and the management information display LED 74 are easy to see.

  Therefore, it is considered that the administrator of the slot machine 10 looks at the board case 56 (main control board 50) from a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the upper cover 57. That is, it is considered that the board case 56 (main control board 50) is visually observed as shown in FIG. Therefore, if the main CPU 55 and the like are arranged in the vertical direction (immediately below) the gate trace 57b, the visibility may be hindered by the gate trace 57. In particular, information displayed (printed or the like) on the upper surface of the main CPU 55 or the like can be visually observed without obstructing visibility.

  Since the entire upper cover 57 is molded from a transparent resin, the visibility is not completely impaired even immediately below the gate trace 57b. However, as shown in (b) and (c) in FIG. 10, the cross section of the gate trace 57b becomes an uneven surface, so that the visibility immediately below the gate trace 57b is reduced (it is worse than a plane). It is true. In the cross-sectional view of FIG. 10B, since the upper end surface of the projection 57d is a cut surface, whitening may occur due to stress at the time of cutting the resin. Therefore, also in this case, the visibility immediately below the gate mark 57b is hindered.

In addition, since the upper surface of the upper cover 57 is a transparent surface having no irregularities except for the gate traces 57b, even if a hole is made by a goto action, the upper surface can be easily noticed visually.
On the other hand, the gate trace 57b is an uneven surface obtained by cutting the resin. For this reason, if a hole is formed in the gate hole 57b and then the hole is sealed with, for example, a resin material or the like, it may not be easy to visually determine whether or not the hole has been formed in the gate mark 57b. Therefore, there is a possibility that a goto action using the gate trace 57b is performed.

  On the other hand, when a hole is made in the gate trace 57b, if the main CPU 55 and the like are positioned in the vertical direction (immediately below) the gate trace 57b, the goto action becomes easy. Therefore, if the main CPU 55 and the like are not arranged in the vertical direction (immediately below) the gate trace 57b, it is difficult to access the main CPU 55 and the like, and it is possible to make the goto action difficult.

  The model number displayed (printed or the like) on the surface of the main control board 50 is also important information for checking whether there is any fraud. Therefore, the model number is displayed to make it easy to confirm (read) the model number. The gate trace 57b was not arranged directly above the region. Further, when a gate mark 57b is present immediately above the model number indication, a hole is made in the gate mark 57b to access the inside of the substrate case 56, and to prevent the model number indication from being tampered with. The gate trace 57b is not arranged directly above the model number display.

  Further, with respect to the set value display LED 73, it is necessary to see the displayed numerical value when changing the setting or when confirming the setting. Also, regarding the management information display LED 74, it is necessary to look at the displayed numerical value in order to confirm whether the advantageous section ratio, the accessory ratio, and the like are within appropriate ranges. Therefore, the gate trace 57b is not disposed directly above these LEDs. Further, similarly to the above, a hole is made in the gate trace 57b by using the gate trace 57b, and the LEDs in the substrate case 56 are accessed therefrom. The gate trace 57b is not arranged on the top.

  Also, regarding the above-described failure confirmation LED, the administrator of the slot machine 10 operates the operation switch to confirm whether the failure confirmation LED corresponding to the operation switch is turned on, and thus the visibility is improved. For this reason, it is preferable that the gate mark 57b is not located directly above the failure confirmation LED. Similar to the above, the failure confirmation LED is not arranged in the vertical direction (immediately below) the gate trace 57b to make it difficult to perform the goto action.

In each of the cross-sectional views of Example 1 shown in FIG. 10B and Example 2 shown in FIG. 10C, the outer shape of the gate trace 57b is the same. Then, in Example 1 of (b), the inside of the upper surface of the gate trace 57b remains a flat surface. On the other hand, in Example 2 of (c), the inside of the upper surface of the gate trace 57b is formed in a projection shape (thickness).
The outside of the gate trace 57b has a projection 57d at the center thereof, and has a recess 57c formed so as to sink into a cylindrical shape at the outer periphery thereof. The boundary between the gate and the molded product is connected at the time of molding, and this boundary is cut by a cutter when the molded product is separated from the mold. Therefore, the upper end surface of the projection 57d is a cut surface by the cutter. The cutting of the boundary between the gate and the molded product includes a method of automatically cutting at the time of injection by a molding machine and a method of cutting in a later step.

  Here, when cutting the boundary between the gate and the molded product, it is costly to completely process the cut surface into a smooth surface, in other words, to make the height of the protrusion 57d almost “0”. High and difficult. Therefore, the recess 57c is formed so that the protrusion 57d does not protrude above the outer surface of the upper surface of the upper cover 57 even if the height remains slightly. Thus, when the assembling operator touches the upper cover 57, it is possible to prevent the projection 57d from being injured.

As shown in FIG. 10B, when the recess 57c is provided in the gate trace 57, the thickness of the upper cover 57 is reduced by that much. As described above, if there is a thin part even in a part, there is a possibility that the gotting action of making a hole in the recess 57 c and accessing the inside of the substrate case 56 may be facilitated.
Therefore, in Example 2 of FIG. 10C, a protrusion 57e is provided on the opposite side (inside) of the upper surface on which the gate mark 57b is provided to prevent the thickness of only the recess 57c from being reduced. I have. If the protrusion 57e is not provided and a portion where the wall thickness is reduced is not provided, it is possible to make it difficult to make a hole in the recess 57c.

  The protrusion 57e not only contributes to countermeasures against fraud by preventing a part of the thickness of the gate trace 57b from becoming thin, but also functions as a dimple (pool) during molding. In FIG. 10B, when the resin (hot water) is injected from the mold gate (a position corresponding to the protrusion 57d) and the resin (hot water) collides with the inside of the upper surface, the resin (hot water) is discharged. There is a possibility that the flow may change rapidly and the flow may not be stable. Therefore, by providing a dimple (water pool) at a position facing the tip of the gate, when the resin (hot water) is injected from the gate, the flow of the resin (hot water) is less rapidly changed, and (Hot water) can flow stably. The protrusion 57e may have various shapes such as a quadrangular cross-section, a triangular cross-section, a trapezoidal cross-section (in the case of FIG. 10C), a dome cross-section, and the like. Any shape may be used as long as the shape can prevent the occurrence of the heat.

  Regarding the visibility in the vertical direction (directly below) of the gate trace 57b, it is better that the lower side of the gate trace 57 is smoother than the uneven shape. Therefore, regarding the visibility just below the gate trace 57b, the shape of FIG. 10B is superior to the shape of FIG. 10C. In addition, the shape of FIG. 10B simplifies the shape of the mold because it is not necessary to form a portion corresponding to the protrusion 57e in the mold as compared with the shape of FIG. 10C. Lower costs).

Also, the gate trace 58b of the lower cover 58 is provided on the outside (the lower side in FIG. 9). Furthermore, the projection 57d and the recess 57c shown in FIG. 10B are formed on the outside. As described above, it is more convenient to provide the protrusion 57d and the concave portion 57c outside the molded product in terms of the molding process.
Then, when the main control board 50 is fixed to the lower cover 58, the pin position of the main CPU 55 and the like of the main control board 50 is set so as not to be located in the vertical direction of the gate trace 58b of the lower cover 58. This is because a hole is made in the gate trace 58b of the lower cover 58 so that the pins of the main CPU 55 and the like cannot be accessed.
When the gate trace 58b of the lower cover 58 has the shape shown in FIG. 10C, the protrusion 57e in FIG. 10C faces the pin side of the main control board 50. It goes without saying that the pins projecting from the lower surface side of the control board 50 and the projections 57e are formed so as not to interfere (contact) with each other.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the upper cover 57 and the lower cover 58 are fitted together, the gate trace 57b of the upper cover 57 and the gate trace 58b of the lower cover 58 overlap in the vertical direction. It is preferable to dispose (shift) them so that they do not match. In particular, when the gate traces 57b and 58b shown in FIG. 10B are used, a part of the gate traces 57b and 58b (the recessed portion 57c) becomes thin, but the thinner part is the upper cover. By arranging the lower cover 58 and the lower cover 58 at positions where they do not overlap, it is possible to prevent portions that are easily targeted from overlapping.
When the gate trace 57b of the upper cover 57 and the gate trace 58b of the lower cover 58 are overlapped in the vertical direction, the position of the gate trace of the other cover can be determined only by looking at one cover. turn into. In order to prevent this, the gate trace 57b of the upper cover 57 and the gate trace 58b of the lower cover 58 are prevented from overlapping in the vertical direction.

<Third embodiment>
In the third embodiment, when a command is transmitted from the main control board 50 to the sub control board 80, when communication between the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 is temporarily disabled (disconnection) Later, when communication is restored, or when communication fails due to the influence of noise, etc.).
As described above, the control command transmitting means 71 of the main control board 50 transmits commands such as the pressing order instruction number and information on the operated stop switch 42 to the sub-control board 80. Then, the sub-control board 80 outputs an effect based on the command received from the main control substrate 50, and updates the effect according to the operation of the operation switch during the game.

Here, there is a possibility that the main control board 50 and the sub-control board 80 are disconnected and communication becomes impossible. The causes include poor contact and radio waves. When the sub-control board 80 stops receiving the command from the main control board 50, the effect stops in the current state. Neither the main control board 50 nor the sub control board 80 determines whether there is a disconnection in the communication between them. For this reason, even if a disconnection occurs between the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80, the main control board 50 proceeds with the game (operation of the bet switch 40, the start switch 41, and the stop switch 42). Etc.), the command transmission processing to the sub-control board 80 is continued. On the other hand, when the sub control board 80 does not receive a command from the main control board 50, the effect state at that time is maintained.
Even when the main control board 50 and the sub-control board 80 are disconnected, for example, during an AT, the main control board 50 causes the acquisition number display LED 78 to display the pressing order by operating the instruction function. Displays instruction information. Thereby, even if the sub-control board 80 is not functioning normally, the player can operate the stop switch 42 in the correct answering order by looking at the pushing order instruction information.
Further, the player can compare the pressing order instruction information displayed on the acquired number display LED 78 with the effect content (correct pressing order) displayed on the image display device 23 as an image. When it is, it can be known that a problem has occurred in the image display by the sub-control board 80.

For example, when a disconnection occurs in the middle of the "N" game and communication is restored in the middle of the "N + 1" game, the command transmitted from the main control board 50 can be received by the sub control board 80. Sometimes, the effect cannot be suddenly switched to the "N + 1" game. Even when the communication is restored, the sub-control board 80 determines that the “N + 1” game item has been started when the command related to the operation of the start switch 41 (the command notifying the start of the game) has not been received. This is because it cannot be determined. For this reason, when the communication between the main control board 50 and the sub-control board 80 is disconnected and then returned, there is a possibility that the player may be misunderstood depending on the contents of the effect.
Therefore, in the third embodiment, when the communication between the main control board 50 and the sub-control board 80 is disconnected and then returned, the effect is given as unnatural as possible while minimizing the misunderstanding of the player. Output an effect that does not exist.

FIG. 11 shows the operation of the main control board 50 in the third embodiment (referred to as “main operation” in FIG. 11) and the effect display by the sub-control board 80 (referred to as “sub-display” in FIG. 11). ), And shows five examples including pattern 1 (example 1) to pattern 5 (example 5).
Patterns 1 to 5 all show an example in which communication is disabled in the course of the "N" game (disconnection occurs) and communication is restored in the course of the "N + 1" game.
In the main operation of FIG. 11, “bet” means that the bet switch 40 has been operated and a specified number has been effectively bet. Also, “start” means that the game has started by operating the start switch 41 after the specified number has been bet. Furthermore, for example, “right stop” means that the right stop switch 42 is operated (the right reel 31 stops).

Further, in the sub-display, the “push order effect” means an effect in which, for example, in a game that has been won in the push order bell or the push order replay, the correct answer order is image-displayed. Specifically, for example, “right-left-middle display” means an effect that informs that the correct answer pressing order is “right-left-middle”. In addition, for example, “left center display” is an effect after the left stop switch 42 is operated, and the stop switch operated second is the left stop switch 42 operated third. Means production to inform.
Furthermore, for example, the “right stop effect” means an effect that the right stop switch 42 was operated (the right reel 31 stopped) when a command indicating that the right stop switch 42 was operated was received. means.

In the pattern 1, when the start switch 41 is operated in the “N” game, the main control board 50 performs a lottery of a winning combination as described above. In this game, “right and left middle” is an example in which the pushing order bell, which is the correct answer pushing order, is won. In this case, the main control board 50 transmits a pressing order instruction number (command) corresponding to the correct pressing order “right and left middle” to the sub control board 80 during the AT. Upon receiving this command, the sub-control board 80 outputs, to the image display device 23, a pressing order effect that displays the correct pressing order of “right and left middle”.
Although not shown, the main control board 50 displays the pressing order instruction information corresponding to the correct pressing order “center right” on the acquired number display LED 78 (operation of the instruction function).

Next, it is assumed that the player operates the right stop switch 42 as the first stop after seeing the correct answer pressing order (right stop). Thereby, the right reel 31 stops, and a command to that effect is transmitted to the sub-control board 80. Upon receiving the command, the sub-control board 80 outputs an effect (right stop effect) in which the right stop switch 42 is operated (the right reel 31 is stopped), and displays the middle right and left display and the middle left display (other middle). Are displayed as "-middle left", "× middle left", etc.).
Pattern 1 shows an example in which a disconnection has occurred after the right reel 31 stopped, and communication between the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 has been disabled (sub disconnection). That is, this is an example in which communication is disabled during the game.

  Even if communication between the main control board 50 and the sub-control board 80 is disabled (even if the sub-control board 80 is not functioning), the main control board 50 can proceed with the game. The example of the pattern 1 shows an example in which the left and middle stop switches 42 are operated (the left and middle reels 31 are stopped) after the occurrence of the disconnection in the “N” game eye (left middle stop). ).

  Next, it is assumed that a bet operation for the “N + 1” game eye is performed and the start switch 41 is operated. In the “N + 1” game item, similarly to the “N” game item, an example is shown in which “right and left middle” has won the push order bell (or push order replay), which is the correct answer order. In the case of the "N + 1" game, as in the case of the "N" game, an example in which the stop switch 42 is operated in the middle left and right pressing order is shown. Not limited to this, any result of the lottery may be used.

  Note that, when the player wins the push order bell (or the push order replay) having the correct answer push order in the “N + 1” game item, the main control board 50 displays the push order instruction information on the acquired number display LED 78. Therefore, even when the correct push order is not displayed on the image display device 23, the player can operate the stop switch 42 in the correct push order by the push order instruction information displayed on the acquired number display LED 78. Become.

In the “N + 1” game, the player operates the right stop switch 42 first. Thereafter, it is assumed that communication between the main control board 50 and the sub-control board 80 is restored before the second left stop switch 42 is operated.
Thus, when the player operates the left stop switch 42, which is the second stop switch 42, the command is transmitted to the sub control board 80. Upon receiving this command, the sub-control board 80 updates the image display so as to correspond to the received command. That is, an image indicating that the left stop has been performed is displayed (left stop effect). Here, the sub-control board 80 updates the continuation of the effect already displayed, that is, the effect of the “N” game.

  Therefore, the second stop switch 42 (left) of the “N + 1” game is actually operated, but the sub-control board 80 sets the second stop switch 42 (left) of the “N” game. Outputs the effect when operated. Since the second correct push order in the “N” game is left, in this example, it is operated in the correct push order. Therefore, the sub-control board 80 outputs a left stop effect (push order correct answer effect) and outputs an effect of the last middle display.

Then, when the last middle stop switch 42 is operated in the “N + 1” game, a command to that effect is transmitted to the sub-control board 80. Upon receiving this command, the sub-control board 80 outputs an effect corresponding to the third stop of the “N” game, that is, a middle stop effect.
In the case of the “N + 1” game, if the player wins the role having the correct answer pressing order and the correct answer pressing order is other than right and left, the effect is output as described above in the situation of the pattern 1. Is done. That is, in the “N + 1” game, when the pressing order operated by the player is right and left, even if the pressing order corresponds to the incorrect pressing order, a pressing order failure such as a pattern 2 described later occurs. The effect is not output.

  Furthermore, in the case of the "N + 1" game, if the player has won a role that does not have the correct answer pressing order, or even if the player has not won the role, if the pressing order operated by the player is the middle right and left, The same effect as is output. That is, even when the “N + 1” game item does not have the correct push order, the sub-control board 80 determines that the left stop switch 42 is operated after the communication is restored (in the example of the pattern 1). When a command is received, a left stop effect (push order correct answer effect) is output, and further, a middle display is output.

  Next, when a bet for the “N + 2” game is made and the start switch 41 is operated to start the “N + 2” game, the main control board 50 sends a “ A command corresponding to the start of the "N + 2" game is transmitted. Thereby, the sub-control board 80 outputs the effect at the start of the “N + 2” game eye. Specifically, when the start switch 41 is operated, a command of the effect group number or the pressing order instruction number is transmitted to the sub-control board 80. Upon receiving these commands, the sub-control board 80 performs a pressing order effect and displays a correct answering pressing order as in the start of the “N” game eyes.

As described above, in the pattern 1, until the third stop of the “N + 1” game, the sub-control board 80 performs the “N” game based on the command received from the main control board 50 (the “N + 1” game). Is continuously output, and when the “N + 2” game item is started, the effect is updated to the “N + 2” game item.
At the end of the game, the main control board 50 transmits a command for the acquired number to the sub-control board 80, and the sub-control board 80 sometimes displays an image of the acquired number during the AT. In such a case, the sub-control board 80 cannot receive the command of the acquired number at the end of the “N” game, that is, during the disconnection. "The acquired number at the end of the game item remains displayed. Then, when the communication is restored and the command of the acquired number at the end of the “N + 1” game is received, the sub-control board 80 updates the image display so as to be the acquired number at the end of the “N + 1” game. .

In pattern 2, the main operation is the same as in pattern 1. The timing of the disconnection is the same as that of the pattern 1, but the timing at which the communication is restored is different from that of the pattern 2. Pattern 2 is an example in which communication is restored after the left stop, which is the second stop, in the “N + 1” game.
In the pattern 2, the main operation and the sub-display in the “N” game are the same as those in the pattern 1, and the description is omitted.
Next, in the “N + 1” game, the stop switch 42 is operated in the order of right and left, and it is assumed that communication is restored after the second left stop.

  Immediately before the communication is restored, the sub control board 80 is outputting the right stop effect and the middle left display of the “N” game. In this state, the communication is restored, and when the player operates the stop switch 42 (third stop) during the “N + 1” game, the command is transmitted to the sub-control board 80. When the sub-control board 80 receives the middle stop command while the middle left display is being performed, it determines that the order is the wrong answer pressing order, and outputs a pressing order failure effect. In the third embodiment, after the push order failure effect is output, the subsequent push order effect is not output.

In addition, when it is assumed that the stop switch 42 is operated in the middle left and right pushing order in the “N + 1” game, the communication is restored after the middle left stop, and then the right stop command is issued by the right stop command. Also when transmitted to the substrate 80, a push order failure effect is output in the same manner as described above. Since the sub-control board 80 is outputting the right stop effect and the middle left display, if the right stop command is received at this time, the same stop command is received twice in one game. . Even in such a case, the processing is performed as a pressing order failure without performing error notification or the like, and the effect is output.
Then, as in the case of the pattern 1, when the “N + 2” game item is started, a command at the start of the “N + 2” game item is transmitted to the sub-control board 80. Thereby, the sub-control board 80 starts the effect of the “N + 2” game eyes.

In pattern 3, the main operation and the sub display of the “N” game are the same as in pattern 1.
Pattern 3 shows an example in which the communication is restored after the first stop right and the second stop during the “N + 1” game item. Therefore, in the “N + 1” game, after the communication is restored, the left stop command, which is the third stop, is transmitted to the sub-control board 80. Since the sub-control board 80 has output the "middle left display" of the "N" game, if a left stop command is received in this state, the sub-control board 80 determines that the correct answer is the pushing order. Therefore, the sub-control board 80 outputs a left stop effect (push order correct answer effect), and then outputs a middle display.

  However, on the main control board 50 side, the game ends for the “N + 1” th game at the left third stop. Next, the process proceeds to the “N + 2” game, and when the command at the start of the “N + 2” game is transmitted to the sub-control board 80, the sub-control board 80 receives the command, and the “N + 2” game Switch to the production at the start. Therefore, the left stop effect and the middle display that have been output until then are cancelled. Also, even if a command at the start of the “N + 2” game eye is received during the output of the middle display, an error notification or the like is not performed, and an effect at the start of the “N + 2” game eye is output in accordance with the received command. .

Pattern 4 is an example of displaying the number of remaining games in AT in the sub display. In pattern 4, the main operation, the disconnection timing, and the communication return timing are the same as in pattern 3.
The main control board 50 transmits a command of the remaining number of games of the AT to the sub-control board 80 at the start of each game or game. When receiving the command of the remaining number of games of the AT from the main control board 50, the sub-control board 80 updates the display of the remaining number of games of the AT. During the AT, the display of the number of remaining games is not performed alone, but is output together with the pressing order effect of the pattern 3.

In pattern 4, when the start switch 41 is operated (at the start of a game), the main control board 50 transmits a command for the remaining number of games in the AT to the sub control board 80. Here, it is assumed that the remaining number of games of the AT is 10 games in the “N” game.
The sub control board 80 displays the remaining number of games in the AT (10 remaining games) based on the command received from the main control board 50 at the start of the “N” game eye.
Then, if the disconnection occurs in the course of the “N” game and the disconnection state continues at the start of the “N + 1” game, the main control board 50 starts the “N + 1” game at the start (at the start). Although the process for transmitting the command of the remaining number of games (9 games) in the AT to the control board 80 is executed, the sub-control board 80 cannot receive the command (due to disconnection). For this reason, in the “N + 1” game eyes, “the remaining 10 games” of the “N” game eyes remain displayed.

  Then, when the communication is restored in the middle of the “N + 1” game (after the middle left stop) and the game shifts to the “N + 2” game, at the start of the “N + 2” game, the main control board 50 On the other hand, a command for the remaining number of games (8 games) in the AT is transmitted. Upon receiving this command, the sub-control board 80 updates the display of the remaining 10 games to the display of the remaining 8 games.

Pattern 5 is an example in which the main operation, disconnection timing, and communication return timing are the same as pattern 4, but the “N” game is the remaining one game of AT.
At the start of the “N” game (when the start switch 41 is operated), the main control board 50 transmits a command of the remaining number of games (one remaining game) in the AT to the sub control board 80. When receiving this command, the sub-control board 80 updates the display of the remaining one game (from the display of the remaining two games so far).
When the disconnection occurs after the right stop of the “N” game, the main control board 50 determines that the remaining number of games in the AT is 0 at the start of the “N + 1” game (when the start switch 41 is operated). A command indicating that the game is a game is transmitted to the sub-control board 80, but the sub-control board 80 cannot receive the command (same as the pattern 4). Therefore, at the start of the “N + 1” game eye, the display indicating that the remaining one game of the AT is continued.

Further, when ending the AT, the sub-control board 80 outputs an AT end effect. The AT end effect is executed at the end of the game based on receiving a command indicating that the remaining number of games in the AT is 0 game (at the start of the game).
However, in the example of the pattern 5, the sub control board 80 does not receive the command indicating that the remaining number of games in the AT is 0 game, so that the AT end effect is not output. Therefore, at the end of the “N + 1” game, an effect indicating that there is one remaining game of the AT is output.

Then, when the “N + 1” game ends and shifts to the “N + 2” game, at the start of the “N + 2” game, the main control board 50 sends a command indicating a normal game (non-AT) to the sub control board 80. Send. Based on the reception of this command, the sub-control board 80 erases the display of "1 remaining game" and outputs a normal (non-AT) effect.
At the end of the AT, an image such as "Pachinko / pachislot is a game machine to be enjoyed moderately" is displayed in order to prevent immersion. However, in the case of the pattern 5, the image display cannot be performed because the sub-display has not returned to normal at the end of the “N + 1” game eye. Therefore, as a countermeasure, the game history is managed on the sub-control board 80 side, and when the game is shifted to the next game (in the example of FIG. 11, “N + 2” game) over the end of the AT, the game is The image display is performed at the start of the operation.

  In the above patterns 1 to 5, when a disconnection occurs in the “N” game, the sub-control board 80 continues to output the effect immediately before the disconnection in the “N” game until the communication is restored, and “N + 1” When the communication is restored in the middle of the "game", the continuation of the effect output as the "N" game is output based on the command received in the "N + 1" game. Therefore, for example, in pattern 1, when the left stop command is received after the communication is restored at the “N + 1” game item, the correct answer is received regardless of whether the stop switch 42 is actually operated in the correct push order. A pressing order effect is output.

  On the other hand, in the pattern 1, for example, in the “N + 1” game item, if a middle stop command is received after the communication is restored, the pressing order of the effect output at that time, that is, the “N” game item Since the incorrect pressing order is displayed for the middle left display, a pressing order failure effect is output regardless of whether the stop switch 42 is actually operated in the correct pressing order. However, even if the push order failure effect is output in the “N + 1” game eye, if the player operates the stop switch 42 in the correct push order of the “N + 1” game eye, the pattern is advantageous to the player. Since the combination is stopped and displayed, there is no disadvantage to the player.

  As described above, when the communication is restored at the “N + 1” game item, at the “N + 1” game item, the effect that takes over the effect before the disconnection (“N” game item) is output, and the “N + 2” game item is output. Reset the effect at the start (return to the correct effect). Thereby, in any of the game in which the disconnection has occurred and the game in which the communication has been restored, the output of the unnatural effect can be minimized, and the player can be given as little misunderstanding as possible.

Also, in the example of FIG. 11, an example is shown in which the communication is restored to the “N + 1” game after the disconnection occurred in the “N” game, but the communication is restored when two or more games have elapsed after the disconnection occurred. This is the same as FIG.
For example, when a disconnection occurs in the “N” game and communication is restored to the “N + a” game (a = “2” or more), the “N” game is disconnected until the “N + a−1” game. The previous and previous effects continue to be output. Then, in the “N + a” game item where the communication is restored, the continuation of the effect of the “N” game that has been continuously output is executed based on the command received after the communication is restored. Next, at the start of the “N + a + 1” game eye, the effect is updated to the effect at the start of the “N + a + 1” game eye (correct effect).

<Fourth embodiment>
The motor 32 performs acceleration, constant speed, deceleration, and stop processing when rotating and stopping the reel 31. These are all in an excited state. When the rotation of the motor 32 is stopped, a state is set in which a four-phase excitation is applied simultaneously for a predetermined time (time T11 described later) (hereinafter, referred to as a “four-phase excitation state”).
The fourth embodiment relates to the time relationship between the operation of the stop button 42a of the stop switch 42 and the four-phase excitation state when the motor 32 stops.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the operation of the stop button 42a and the detection sensor 42e in the fourth embodiment. It should be noted that hatching is omitted in FIG. 12 from the viewpoint of the legibility of the drawing. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram for explaining the fourth embodiment, and does not mean that an actual product has a structure as shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, the process from when the stop button 42a is pressed until it returns to the original state is illustrated in the order of (a) → (b) → (c) → (d). In the figure, the upper side is the player side, and the lower side is the inside of the slot machine 10. In the figure, the upper side than the front door 12 is the side seen from the player.
Further, a line at which the detection sensor 42e detects the moving piece 42d is indicated by a dotted line. The moment when the tip of the moving piece 42d comes into contact with the dotted line is the moment when the detection sensor 42e detects the moving piece 42d.

In FIG. 12A, a stop button 42a is an operating body of the stop switch 42, and is operated when the player turns on the stop switch 42 (pushed into the slot machine 10). The player side of the stop button 42a is arranged so as to project from the front door 12 provided on the front surface of the housing of the slot machine 10 by about several millimeters. This part has a substantially cylindrical shape when viewed from the front of the player. In the no-load state, the stop button 42a is urged in the F3 direction (outward direction, player direction) in FIG. 5A by the spring force of the (compression) coil spring 42c, and the stop button 42 is urged by this urging force. An end of the player side 42 a protrudes from the front door 12. In this state, a lower surface portion (hereinafter, referred to as a “flange-shaped portion”) of the stop button 42a in the drawing is in contact with the front door 12.
On the other hand, the stopper 42b is provided inside the front door 12 (inside the housing), and is in contact with the stop button 42a when the stop button 42a is pushed in, and prohibits further movement of the stop button 42a. It is.

  A moving piece 42d movable integrally with the stop button 42a is provided on the lower surface side of the stop button 42a in the drawing. Further, a detection sensor 42e for detecting the movement of the moving piece 42d is disposed directly below the moving piece 42d. In the no-load state shown in FIG. 7A, in the state where the stop button 42a is urged toward the front door 12 by the urging force of the coil spring 42c, the tip (the lower end in the figure) of the moving piece 42d is It is arranged at a position distant from the detection sensor 42e. Therefore, in the state of (a) in the figure, the detection sensor 42e does not detect the moving piece 42d and is in the off state.

  Next, as shown in (b) in the figure, when stopping the rotation of the reel 31, the player pushes the stop button 42a in the F4 direction. Thus, the stop button 42a moves downward in the drawing against the urging force of the coil spring 42c. When the stop button 42a moves downward in the figure, the moving piece 42d integral with the stop button 42a also moves downward in the figure. Thereby, the tip of the moving piece 42d enters the detection sensor 42e. When the tip of the moving piece 42d contacts the dotted line of the detection sensor 42e, the detection sensor 42e changes from the off state to the on state. FIG. 12B shows the position of each member at the moment when the detection sensor 42e changes from the off state to the on state. At the moment when the detection sensor 42e is turned on, the flange portion of the stop button 42a is not yet in contact with the stopper 42b, and there is a gap between the stop button 42a and the stopper 42b.

  When the stop button 42a is further depressed from the state of FIG. 12B, as shown in FIG. 12C, the flange-shaped portion of the stop button 42a contacts the stopper 42c. This position is the deepest part when the stop button 42a is pressed. In the state of FIG. 12C, the state in which the tip of the moving piece 42d is detected by the detection sensor 42e is maintained, and the detection sensor 42e is in the ON state.

  When the player releases the pressing of the stop button 42a from the state of FIG. 12C (excluding the force in the direction F4 in FIG. 12C), the stop button 42a is pressed by the urging force F3 of the coil spring 42c. A force to return to the initial position acts. Thereby, the stop button 42a and the moving piece 42d integrated with the stop button 42a move upward in the drawing. As a result, the tip of the moving piece 42d does not contact the dotted line of the detection sensor 42e, and the detection sensor 42e changes from the on state to the off state (FIG. 12D).

FIG. 12D shows the arrangement of each member at the moment when the detection sensor 42e changes from the on state to the off state. In the state of FIG. 12D, the stop button 42a has not returned to the final position. When the stop button 42a is further returned from the state of FIG. 12D, the stop button 42a comes into contact with the flange-shaped portion front door 12, and the stop button 42a stops at this position. This state is the state of FIG. 12A, in which the stop button 42a is not loaded.
It should be noted that the state of FIG. 12B showing the timing at which the detection sensor 42e changes from the off state to the on state and the state of FIG. Although they are the same, there is no particular problem even if slight deviation occurs.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are time charts showing the relationship between the operation of the stop button 42a and the excitation state of the motor 32 in the fourth embodiment, in which FIG. 13A shows Example 1 and FIG. Show.
In FIG. 13A, the time when the stop button 42a is at the initial position in the no-load state (FIG. 12A) and the pressing of the stop button 42a starts is S41. The time when the stop button 42a is depressed and the detection sensor 42e is turned on from off, that is, when the state shown in FIG. Further, the time when the stop button 42a is pressed down from that position and the stop button 42a reaches the deepest part (when the state of FIG. 12C is reached) is defined as S43. The above times S41, S42, and S43 depend on the pushing speed of the player and are not constant. If the stop button 42a is pushed slowly, the time from the time S41 to S43 becomes longer, and if the stop button 42a is pushed earlier, the time from the time S41 to S43 becomes shorter.

Next, at time S44, the pressing of the stop button 42a is released. At the time of time S44, the stop button 42a is located at the deepest part.
When the pressing of the stop button 42a is released, as described above, a force for returning the stop button 42a to the initial position is exerted by the spring force of the coil spring 42c. It is assumed that the operator of the stop button 42a does not touch the stop button 42a from the moment when the pressing of the stop button 42a is released.
Then, the time when the detection sensor 42e is turned off from on, that is, when the state shown in FIG. Here, the time from time S44 to S45 is defined as T11.

  The time T11 is a variable determined by the spring force (spring constant) of the coil spring 42c and the stroke (movement distance) of the stop button 42a from the deepest position to the position where the detection sensor 42e is turned off. In Example 1 of (a), the spring force (spring constant) of the coil spring 42c and the stroke of the stop button 42a are designed such that the time T11 becomes 100 ms.

  On the other hand, when the ON of the stop switch 42 (specifically, the ON of the detection sensor 42e) is detected (when the state of FIG. 12B is reached), the reel control unit 65 controls the reel corresponding to the stop switch 42. The stop control of the reel 31 is executed, and the reel 31 is stopped at the position corresponding to the result of the lottery by the lottery means (the result determined by the internal lottery means). As described above, the time from the start of the stop control of the reel 31 to the stop of the reel 31 (after the detection of the detection sensor 42e is turned on) (except for the predetermined reel 31 during the MB game) is as described above. The number of moving frames is set within 190 ms (when the number of symbols on the reel 31 is 21 symbols, the number of moving frames is within 5 frames, and when the number of symbols on the reel 31 is 20, the number of moving frames is within 4 frames). Accordingly, the time from the start of deceleration of the reel 31 to the stop of the reel 31 is not constant, since it depends on the result of the lottery result and the position of the reel 31 at the moment when the stop switch 42 is operated.

Further, after moving the reel 31 to the predetermined position, the reel control unit 65 sets the motor 32 to the state where the four phases are simultaneously excited (brake is applied) for the predetermined time (the above-described four-phase excitation state). ).
Here, the motor 32 in the present embodiment is a four-phase stepping motor, and performs, for example, one- or two-phase excitation while the motor 32 (reel 31) is rotating (note that the motor is not limited to the one- and two-phase excitation). Absent). Therefore, even during the rotation of the motor 32, it is in one excitation state. When the rotation of the motor 32 is stopped, the motor is set to the four-phase excitation state.
When the bound stop is performed after the reel 31 is moved to the predetermined position (when the reel 31 appears to vibrate at the stop position), for example, the three-phase excitation state is used instead of the four-phase excitation state. Is also possible.

  At the moment when the rotation of the motor 32 is stopped, there is a possibility that the motor 32 or the reel 31 may exceed the position to be stopped due to inertia at the time of rotation. Therefore, at the moment when the reel 31 is stopped at a predetermined position, the motor 32 is stopped. By setting a four-phase excitation state and generating a static torque, it is prevented from moving from the stop position by inertia. When the motor 32 is in the four-phase excitation state, operation acceptance of the next stop switch 42 is not permitted. At the time of the first or second stop, the operation acceptance of the next stop switch 42 is permitted because the detection sensor 42e of the operated stop switch 42 is changed from the on state to the off state (return to the state of FIG. 12D). ) And when the four-phase excitation state of the motor 32 that has stopped rotating is completed.

Such control is performed for the following reason.
In order to hold the stop position of the reel 31, the motor 32 is controlled to the four-phase excitation state. However, when such control is performed, a larger load is applied than in the normal state. It gets bigger. In order to reduce the load, the operation of the next stop button 42a can be accepted after the four-phase excitation state of one motor 32 is completed.

  In the example 1 of FIG. 13A, when the combination lottery result by the combination lottery means (the result determined by the internal lottery means) is a predetermined result (for example, at the time of winning the pressing order bell), the four-phase excitation state is set. The excitation time T12 from the start to the end is set to 90 interrupts (2.235 × 90 = 201.15 ms). Here, the excitation time T12 in the four-phase excitation state is set to “90 interrupts” when the role lottery result is a predetermined result because the excitation time T12 is always constant regardless of the role lottery result. Not necessarily.

Therefore, in the first example of the fourth embodiment, “T11 <T12” is set.
Here, when the stop control of the reel 31 is started from the time point S42, the reel 31 stops within 190 ms. As described above, when the number of symbols on the reel 31 is "21", the number of moving frames during stop control is 5 or less (minimum 1 frame), or when the number of symbols on the reel 31 is "20". Since the number of moving frames at the time of the stop control is within four frames (minimum one frame), the reel 31 stops within approximately "40" to "190" ms from the time point S42.
On the other hand, the time (time from time S42 to S44) from when the detection sensor 42e is turned on from the off state to when the stop button 42e reaches the deepest part and the pressing force of the stop button 42e is released is , “40” to “180” ms. For this reason, the time when the four-phase excitation state of the motor 32 is started and the time S44 when the pressing of the stop button 42a is released are close times (substantially the same time).

Thus, in Example 1, it is assumed that the four-phase excitation state is started at the timing when the pressing of the stop button 42a is released (time S44), and after the detection sensor 42e is turned off from the on state (time S45), The motor 32 is designed so that the four-phase excitation state ends (time T12 elapses). For this reason, when the four-phase excitation state of the motor 32 is completed, it is possible to set so that the operation of the next stop button 42a can be accepted.
As described above, if the detection sensor 42e is designed to be turned off before the four-phase excitation state ends, the operation of the next stop button 42a can be accepted when the four-phase excitation state ends. . As a result, the game can proceed at a high speed.

  On the other hand, in Example 2 of FIG. 13B, from the moment when the pressing of the stop button 42a reaching the deepest portion is released (time S44), the detection sensor 42e is turned from on to off (at time S45). This is an example in which the time T11 (until it reaches) is set to 300 ms. Therefore, the return time of the stop button 42a is three times that of Example 1. As described above, the return time of the stop button 42a can be set (adjusted) by the spring force (spring constant) of the coil spring 42c and the stroke of the stop button 42a.

On the other hand, in Example 2, the time T12 from the start of the four-phase excitation state to the end thereof is set to 45 interrupts (100.575 ms).
In Example 2, as in Example 1, it is assumed that the four-phase excitation state is started from the moment when the pressing of the stop button 42a reaching the deepest portion is released (time S44), and the four-phase excitation of the motor 32 is performed. The design is such that the detection sensor 42e is turned off after the excitation state ends. Therefore, when the detection sensor 42e is turned off, it can be set so that the operation of the next stop button 42a can be accepted.

In this way, by designing the four-phase excitation state to be finished when the detection sensor 42e is turned off, the operation acceptance of the next stop button 42a is permitted when the detection sensor 42e is turned off. can do. As a result, the game can proceed at a high speed.
As described above, each of Example 1 and Example 2 has an advantage in control.
Note that examples 1 and 2 in FIG. 13 show examples in which the time T12 from the start to the end of the four-phase excitation state is different. However, for example, when the four-phase excitation time T12 is a fixed value, if "T11 <T12", the next stop button 42a can be accepted when the four-phase excitation state ends. Therefore, when the four-phase excitation time T12 is a constant value, the game can be completed at a higher speed in Example 1.

<Fifth embodiment>
The fifth embodiment relates to the relationship between turning on / off the power and starting a program.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing, in a time chart, an outline of control in the fifth embodiment.
FIG. 14A is a diagram illustrating a state when power is cut off after the main program (program of the main control board 50) is started. The power supply is turned on at time S51, and then turned off at time S55.
When the power is turned on at time S51 (when the power switch 11 is turned on in FIG. 1), the supply of power to both the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 is started, and the main control board 50 and the The voltage level of the sub-control board 80 gradually increases, and reaches the supply level V0 (the level when the power is on). In FIG. 14, the voltage supply level V0, the power-off detection level V1, and the drive voltage limit V2 are the same as those in FIG. 3 (first embodiment (A)).

  After the power is turned on at time S51, the time when the voltage levels of the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 reach the supply level V0 is defined as S52. Thereafter, at time S53 when time T22 has elapsed from time S52, the sub-program by the sub-control board 80 starts. Thereafter, at time S54 when time T23 (T23> T22) has elapsed from time S52, the main program by the main control board 50 starts. In this way, the sub-program is started first and then the main program is started because the main control board 50 transmits the first command after power-on to the sub-control board 80. This is because the sub-control board 80 is ready to receive the command.

Next, when the power supply is cut off at time S55 (the power switch 11 is turned off or a power failure occurs, for example), the voltage levels of the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 gradually decrease. Even if the voltage level decreases, the main control board 50 and the sub-control board 80 can execute the power-off process if the voltage is equal to or higher than the drive voltage limit V2.
Further, when the power interruption occurs at time S55, the voltage becomes the power interruption detection level V1 at time T0 (20 interruptions) as in FIG. 3, and the power interruption is detected (time S56). Further, after the power-off is detected, the power-off process is executed, for example, after one interrupt, as in FIG. It is assumed that the power-off process ends at time S57.
Thereafter, when the time reaches S58, the voltage falls below the drive voltage limit V2, and the program (process) cannot be executed. For this reason, control is performed so that the power-off process ends before the time S58 is reached.

When the main program is started at the time S54, the main CPU 55 is set, the RWM 53 is checked, whether or not the previous power-off was normal, the state of the setting key switch is checked, etc., and thereafter, the interrupt processing is started. . When the setting key switch is off, a power-off recovery process (initialization of a predetermined range of the RWM 53, etc.) is executed after the start of the interrupt process. On the other hand, when the setting key switch is ON, the process proceeds to the setting change process after the start of the interrupt process.
Then, as shown in FIG. 14A, when the power is turned off after the main program is started and the setting key switch is off, the power-off processing is executed after the power-off recovery processing is completed. I do. Thereby, the program can be terminated normally.
On the other hand, when the power is turned off after the main program is started and the setting key switch is turned on, the power-off processing is executed without starting the setting change processing. This is because, if the setting change process is executed after the power is turned off, a problem may occur.

Further, in order to execute the main program normally, the setting of the main CPU 55 and the check of the RWM 53 are always executed even when the power-off is detected at the same time as the activation of the main program.
Furthermore, after the main program is started, even if the power is cut off after that, the program is always executed until the interrupt is started. This is for detecting power interruption in the interrupt processing. Note that, similarly to the first embodiment (A), for example, at the “N” th interrupt, a voltage drop (power-off detection level V1) at which it is determined that power-off has occurred is detected, and the next “N + 1” game item is detected. However, when the voltage drop is detected, power interruption is detected at the (N + 1) th interrupt (determined as power interruption). Then, the power-off process is executed from the “N + 2” interrupt.

In the example of FIG. 14A, the main program starts at time S54, and the power is turned off at time S55. However, even if a power failure occurs at the same time as the time S54 (activation of the main program), the power-off processing is set to be completed before the voltage reaches the drive voltage limit V2.
In FIG. 14A, during the time T21 from when the power is turned on (time S51) to when the voltage reaches the supply level V0 (time S52), the voltage is changed to the Low level from the occurrence of power interruption (time S55). It is set so as to be shorter than the time T24 until the time becomes.
The time T23 (the time from when the voltage reaches the supply level V0 to when the main program is started) is set to be shorter than the time T24.

FIG. 14B shows an example in which a power failure occurs before the main control board 50 starts the main program. In the example of FIG. 14B, the power is turned on at time S51, and the power is turned off at time S59. Here, the time S59 is earlier than the time S54 in FIG. That is, after the power supply (supply level V0) required to start the main program is supplied, the power is cut off before the predetermined time (time T23) has elapsed (before reaching time S54), and the voltage has dropped. It is an example. In such a case, the main program does not start. Therefore, thereafter, the voltage gradually decreases, and finally the power supply goes to the low level.
In the example of FIG. 14B, when the power is turned on again, the apparatus can be started normally.
Although not shown in FIG. 14, it is conceivable that a power failure occurs immediately after the subprogram is started (after time S53) and before time S54 (before the main program starts). Can be
When the power is turned off at the above timing, the subprogram executes the power-off process of the subprogram. Then, before the voltage supplied to the sub-control board 80 reaches the drive voltage limit V2, the power-off processing of the sub-program can be ended.
Further, since the power-off at the above timing is a power-off before the main program is started, the main program is not started as described above.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described contents, and various modifications such as the following are possible.
(1) In the present embodiment, the passage sensor 46 is provided. This is because the passage sensor 46 increases the accuracy of the medal insertion determination and is also effective as a countermeasure against fraud. However, the passage sensor 46 need not be provided, and only the pair of input sensors 44a and 44b may be provided.

(2) In FIG. 2, the insertion sensors 44a and 44b are configured to detect the medals M that move in a substantially horizontal direction, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, when the medal M is falling substantially vertically downward, the insertion sensors 44a and 44b may detect the medal M.
(3) In FIG. 2, the blocker 45 is disposed on the lower surface side of the medal passage, but is not limited to this. Before the medal M is detected by the insertion sensor 44a, any mechanism having a function of sending the medal M out of the medal path may be used.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the insertion sensors 44 a and 44 b are illustrated so as to detect a position slightly above the center position of the medal M when viewed from the front. It does not mean. The insertion sensors 44a and 44b may be arranged in any manner as long as they are arranged so as to reliably detect the passing medal M.

  (4) In FIG. 3, the time T2 is the time from the moment when the medal M is located at M2 to the moment when the medal M is located at M4, but is not limited to this. For example, the time from when the medal M is at the position of M1 in FIG. 2 until it reaches M4 from the moment when the hand is released may be set to T2, and "T2> T1" may be set. Alternatively, the time from when the medal M reaches M4 from any one of the predetermined positions between M1 and M2 may be set to T2 and "T2> T1".

(5) In the first embodiment (A), when the power is cut off at the moment when the medal M is located at the position M2, the power-off process is executed until the medal M reaches the position M4. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the power is cut off at the moment when the medal M is located at M2, the power-off process may be executed until the medal M reaches M3. That is, in this case, the medal M is not detected by the insertion sensor 44a due to the power-off processing.
Alternatively, when the power is turned off at the moment when the medal M is located at the position M2, the power-off process may be executed before the medal M reaches the insertion sensor 44b. In this case, the medal M is detected by the insertion sensor 44a, but is not detected by the insertion sensor 44b, and the power-off process is executed.

(6) Further, in the first embodiment (A), a power supply interruption occurs at the moment when the medal M is located at the position M2, and a time T1 until the power supply interruption is detected and the power supply interruption processing (blocker off) is executed. Is set to be shorter than the time required for the medal M to reach the position where the blocker 45 is installed from the position of the medal M (this time is referred to as “T2 ′”). With this setting, when the power is cut off at the moment when the medal M is located at M2, when the medal M reaches the position of the blocker 45 from the position of M2, the blocker 45 is already turned off. Therefore, the medal can be prevented from passing through the insertion sensors 44a and 44b.
In the above description, the position of the medal M2 may be the moment when the hand is released at the position of M1, or a predetermined position between M1 and M2.

(7) As shown in FIG. 3, in the first embodiment (A), the power-off process (blocker off) is executed in the interrupt process following the interrupt process in which the power-off is detected. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the power-off process (blocker off) may be set to be performed after the “2” to “5” interrupt processes, counting from the interrupt process that detects the power-off. Alternatively, the power-off process (blocker off) may be executed by an interrupt process that detects the power-off.
(8) In the first embodiment (A) of FIG. 3, when a power failure occurs, the time T0 until the voltage reaches the maintenance level V1 from the supply level V0 is set to 20 interrupts, but is not limited to this. Various settings can be made without depending on the performance of the power supply.

  (9) In the first embodiment (C) of FIG. 7, when the medal M is paid out by the medal payout device, the payout sensors 37a and 37b detect the movable piece 39a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the payout sensors 37a and 37b may detect the payout medal M itself. For example, the payout sensors 37a and 37 may be arranged like the insertion sensors 44a and 44b shown in FIG. 4 to detect the passage of the (paid out) medal M.

In the case where the payout sensors 37a and 37b are arranged as described above, when the medal M passes through the payout sensors 37a and 37b,
Payout sensor 37a on, payout sensor 37b off (time S31 ')
Payout sensor 37a ON, payout sensor 37b ON (time S32 ')
Payout sensor 37a off, payout sensor 37b on (time S33 ')
Dispensing sensor 37a off, dispensing sensor 37b off (time S34 ')
Follow the course of.
Then, the time from time S31 'to S34' is set to be shorter than the time T1 (the time from the occurrence of power interruption to the execution of power interruption processing).

  (10) In the second embodiment, the gate trace 57b is formed so that the protrusion 57d and the concave portion 57c are on the outside. Conversely, the gate mark 57b is formed so that the protrusion 57d and the concave portion 57c are on the inside. It is also possible. The same applies to the gate trace 58b of the lower cover 58. In this case, if the gate trace 57b is shaped as shown in FIG. 10B, the outside of the upper cover 57 or the lower cover 58 becomes a smooth surface. On the other hand, if the shape is as shown in FIG. 10C, a protrusion 57e is formed outside the upper cover 57 or the lower cover 58.

  (11) In the second embodiment, an example in which the main control board 50 is housed as an example of the board case 56 has been described. However, the second embodiment can be applied not only to the main control board 50 but also to another control board for which fraud is to be prevented, for example, a board case of the sub-control board 80. As shown in FIG. 1, the sub control board 80 also includes the RWM 83, the ROM 54, the sub CPU 85, and the like. On the upper surface of the upper cover in the board case of the sub control board 80, at least the sub The CPU 85 may not be disposed, and the RWM 83 and the ROM 54 may not be disposed. Similarly, the model number display area of the sub-control board 80 may be prevented from overlapping in the vertical direction (immediately below) the gate mark.

(12) In the third embodiment, the pressing order effect during AT and the display of the operated stop switch 42 (stopped reel 31) and the number of remaining games during AT are taken as examples. The third embodiment can be applied to the case where the number of acquired games (BB game and the like) and the remaining number of acquireable games are displayed.
For example, the acquired number at the start of the “N” game item is “200”, the acquired number at the start of the “N + 1” game item is “209”, and the acquired number at the start of the “N + 2” game item is “ Assume that there were 218 "sheets. Further, the main control board 50 transmits a command relating to the acquired number to the sub control board 80 at the start of each game.
Then, as in the example shown in FIG. 11, it is assumed that a disconnection occurs in the middle of the “N” game, and communication is restored in the middle of the “N + 1” game.

  In this case, the sub-control board 80 displays “200” as the acquired number for the “N” game item. Also, at the start of the “N + 1” game eye, since the command relating to the acquired number is not received (due to disconnection), the “N + 1” game eye also maintains the display of the acquired number “200”. Next, when the sub-control board 80 receives a command related to the acquired number at the start of the “N + 2” game eye, it updates the display to the acquired number “218” based on the command.

  (13) FIG. 11 of the third embodiment shows an example in which the image display is returned to normal at the start of the “N + 2” game eye. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the image display may be returned to normal after all stops of the “N + 1” game or when a betting operation is performed thereafter. Alternatively, it is also possible to return the image display to normal at a predetermined timing based on a command transmitted to the sub-control board 80 at the time of a full stop or after the full stop.

  (14) In the third embodiment, for example, in the middle of a disconnected “N + 1” game, there is a case where an additional (additional) lottery is won in the AT during the AT. In this case, since the “N + 1” game is disconnected, the sub-control board 80 cannot receive the command based on the winning in the additional lottery. Therefore, in this case, for example, at the start of the "N + 2" game, the main control board 50 transmits a command indicating the result after the addition (addition) lottery, and at the start of the "N + 2" game, the sub-control board 80 To display the game information (acquirable number or the number of games) after the addition.

  (15) In the third embodiment (FIG. 11), for example, a case in which the line is disconnected after the first right stop of the “N” game and the communication is restored before the first stop switch 42 of the “N + 1” game is operated Can be considered. Then, in the "N + 1" th game, it is assumed that the player has made the first right stop. In this case, when the sub-control board 80 receives the command of the right first stop in the “N + 1” game item, it means that the sub-control board 80 has received the stop command of the stop switch 42 that has been already operated. Output. Then, the image display may be returned to a normal state at the time of the bet operation after all the stops of the “N + 1” game or at the start of the “N + 2” game.

(16) In the third embodiment (FIG. 11), when displaying the acquired number of images during the AT, the following method may be used as the update processing of the image display of the acquired number of images before and after the disconnection.
When the payout process is performed, the main control board 50 transmits a command indicating the acquired number to the sub control board 80. Here, when a disconnection occurs during the “N” game eyes, the sub-control board 80 cannot receive the acquired number of “N” game eyes. Immediately before the disconnection of the “N” game, the sub-control board 80 displays “100” as the acquired number during the AT. The “N” game item and the “N + 1” game item in the AT each acquire 10 cards.
In this case, the acquired number of cards during the AT at the end of the “N” game eye should be “110”, but remains “100” (because of the disconnection). Then, it is assumed that the communication is restored in the course of the “N + 1” game. This allows the sub-control board 80 to return the acquired number during AT to a normal value based on the acquired number command received during the payout process for the “N + 1” game. Here, the value may be returned to a normal value during the payout process of the “N + 1” game, or may be returned to a normal value at the start of the “N + 2” game, as in the example of FIG. Furthermore, it may be updated to "110" at the time of the payout process of the "N + 1" game, and may be updated to "120" at the start of the "N + 2" game.

  (17) In the present embodiment, the slot machine 10 is illustrated as an example of the gaming machine. However, the present invention is applicable to, for example, a pachinko gaming machine. In pachinko machines, the starting port (the winning opening that starts the symbol change by the symbol change display device and obtains the random number for the jackpot lottery), the electric chu winning opening (when the game ball wins, the next winning A winning opening provided with an accessory that opens for a certain period of time and then closes to make it easier.Electric chute is not limited to a tulip shape.) Provided. The first embodiment (B) can be applied to these winning ports.

Specifically, for example, a winning sensor (a sensor that first detects a game ball winning the starting port) and a discharge sensor (a sensor that detects a game ball after being detected by the winning sensor) are provided at the starting port, for example. Is provided. Further, the attacker is provided with a V winning sensor (a sensor that first detects a game ball that has won the attacker) and a discharge sensor (a sensor that detects a game ball after being detected by the V winning sensor). .
For example, in the case of the starting port, when the power is cut off at the moment when the game ball is detected by the winning sensor, it is set so that the discharge sensor can detect the game ball before the power-off process is executed. Thereby, even if a power failure occurs at the moment when the game ball is detected by the winning sensor, the prize ball can be correctly counted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a prize ball from not being paid out even if a game ball has won a prize hole. The same applies to the attacker's V winning sensor and discharge sensor.

  (18) In the present embodiment, the slot machine 10 is taken as an example of one of the gaming machines. However, the slot machine 10 is installed in a fourth branch that is subject to the Wind Management Law. The present invention is not limited to a so-called “pachislot gaming machine”, and can be applied to, for example, a casino machine and an enclosed gaming machine (medalless gaming machine) that does not use medals to be used for a game as a game medium.

Here, the enclosed gaming machine (medalless gaming machine) can eliminate the medal payout device (unit including the hopper 35, the hopper motor 36, and the payout sensor 37) in FIG. 1, for example. Further, the medal insertion slot 47 and the medal selector can be made unnecessary. Then, all the electronic medals (electronic game media) awarded by winning the combination are stored in the credit number display LED 76. In this case, it is conceivable that the credit number display LED 76 is composed of, for example, five digits (a maximum of "99,999" electronic medals can be stored).
The present invention can be applied to such casino machines and enclosed game machines (medalless game machines) except for the first embodiment.

<Appendix>
The inventions (initial inventions) described in the initial specification and the like of the present application include, for example, the following initial inventions 1 to 4, for solving problems to be solved by the initial invention and problems to be solved by the original invention, respectively. Means and effects of the first invention are as follows. However, the invention described in this specification does not mean that the invention is initially limited to inventions 1 to 4.

1. Initial invention 1
(A) Problems to be Solved by Initial Invention 1 The initial invention relates to a gaming machine that does not execute processing relating to a game medium after a power failure occurs.
In a conventional gaming machine, by turning off a blocker before executing a backup process as a power-off process, even if a medal is inserted during the execution of the backup process, the medal is returned to the player via the blocker. Therefore, a technique is known in which the medal addition processing is not performed (for example, JP-A-2015-173832).
However, for example, when the power is cut off at the moment when a medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot, the medal passes through the blocker before the power-off processing is executed, and the medal is counted. There was a possibility. Note that it is not preferable in terms of control to execute the medal addition process (medal bet process or medal credit process) after the power failure occurs.
The problem to be solved by the invention at first is to prevent the addition processing of the game media from being executed even when the power supply is cut off almost simultaneously with the insertion of the game media from the game media slot. .

(B) Means for solving the problem of Invention 1 initially (corresponding embodiments are described in parentheses).
The initial invention (first embodiment (A))
Game media slot (medal slot 47),
A state where the passage of the game medium is permitted (on state) or a state where the passage of the game medium is not permitted (off state) is provided in a passage (medal passage) of the game medium (medal) inserted from the game medium insertion slot. ) And a controllable blocker (45);
Detecting means A (insertion sensor 44a) and B (insertion sensor 44b) provided in the passage of the game medium inserted from the game medium insertion port and capable of detecting the game medium (detection means B is located on the downstream side of detection means A). ) And,
From the time when the power supply is interrupted in a state where the blocker is controlled to allow the passage of the game media, the event that the power supply is interrupted is detected, and the game media is detected. The time until the blocker is controlled to a state where passage is not permitted is T1 (T1 in FIGS. 2 and 3),
When the game medium is released from the game medium insertion port toward the inside of the game machine in a state where the blocker is controlled to permit the passage of the game medium, the game medium cannot be visually recognized from the front of the game machine. From the time when it becomes possible (the position of M2 in FIG. 2), until the detecting means B detects the game medium and the detecting means B no longer detects the game medium (the position of M4 in FIG. 2). When the time is T2 (T2 in FIGS. 2 and 3),
T1 <T2
It is characterized by the following.

(C) Effect of Initial Invention 1 According to the initial invention, the power is cut off when the game medium is released from the game medium insertion port toward the inside of the game machine and the game medium becomes invisible from the front of the game machine. When the game medium is detected by the detecting means B, the blocker is controlled to a state in which the supply of power is cut off and the passage of the game medium is prohibited before the detection means B stops detecting the game medium. , At least not detected by the detecting means B.
Therefore, the game medium is not normally detected by the detection means A and B, and the game medium addition processing (bet processing or credit processing) is not executed. Therefore, even if the power supply is interrupted when the game medium becomes invisible from the front of the gaming machine, that is, even if the power interruption occurs immediately after the game medium is released inside the game machine, Media can be rejected. Thus, it is possible to prevent the addition processing of the game media from being executed after the power-off.

2. Initial invention 2
(A) Problems to be Solved by Initial Invention 2 The initial invention relates to a gate trace of a board case in a gaming machine having a board case accommodating a control board therein.
In a conventional gaming machine, a board case accommodating a main control board inside is known. Here, since the substrate case is generally formed by molding, gate marks remain on the substrate case. Then, a technique using this gate mark as a mark has been proposed (for example, JP-A-2017-042270).
However, since the gate trace of the substrate case has a cut portion of the resin, it is unclear when viewed from the outside. For this reason, there is a problem that a gate mark may be opened and the inside of the main control substrate may be accessed.
A problem to be solved by the invention at first is to suppress a gobbling action using a gate trace of a substrate case.

(B) Means for solving the problem of Invention 2 initially (corresponding embodiments are described in parentheses).
The initial invention (second embodiment)
A predetermined IC (main CPU 55) having an arithmetic function;
A control board (main control board 50) on which the predetermined IC is mounted on one surface (a surface facing the upper surface of the upper cover 57);
A substrate case (a substrate case 56 including an upper cover 57 and a lower cover 58) that has a plurality of surfaces (upper surface, side surfaces, and the like) and accommodates the control substrate.
The board case is formed such that the inside is visible,
A gate mark (57b) at the time of molding the substrate case is arranged on a surface (outside the upper surface of the upper cover 57) that is outside the substrate case and faces the one surface of the control substrate;
The predetermined IC of the control substrate is not positioned in a direction perpendicular to the surface facing the gate mark.

(C) Effect of Initial Invention 2 According to the initial invention, since the predetermined IC of the control board is not located in the vertical direction of the gate trace of the substrate case, the gate trace is illegally opened to access the predetermined IC. Can be prevented.
Further, since there is no gate trace of the substrate case in the vertical direction of the predetermined IC on the control board, the predetermined IC can be visually confirmed without being blocked by the gate trace. As a result, it is possible to easily visually check whether or not a predetermined IC has been tampered with.

3. Initial Invention 3
(A) Problems to be Solved by Initial Invention 3 The initial invention relates to processing when communication is restored after disconnection has occurred in communication between the main control board and the sub control board.
2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional gaming machine, a gaming machine in which a command is transmitted from a main control board to a sub control board, and the sub control board controls an image display device or the like based on the received command is known.
Here, a technique is known in which the sub-control board compares the previously received command with the currently received command, and determines that the command reception is abnormal based on the consistency of the received commands (for example, JP 2014-226503 A).
However, when a command is transmitted from the main control board to the sub-control board, a disconnection may occur between the main control board and the sub-control board. Then, when the communication is restored, the sub-control board may not be able to output a normal effect.
The problem to be solved by the invention at the beginning is to provide an appropriate effect when communication is restored after a disconnection has occurred between the main control board and the sub control board.

(B) Means for solving the problem of Invention 3 initially (corresponding embodiments are described in parentheses).
The initial invention (third embodiment)
A main control board (50);
A sub-control board (80) for controlling an effect based on the information received from the main control board;
The sub-control board can receive information on the operated stop switch (42) from the main control board,
In the predetermined game state (AT), the sub-control board can output an effect corresponding to the operation of the operated stop switch based on receiving information on the operated stop switch,
The sub-control board,
In a case where a predetermined stop switch is operated at an “N” game item in the predetermined game state, when information that the predetermined stop switch is operated is received, a predetermined state corresponding to the operation of the predetermined stop switch is received. An effect (an effect when the reel corresponding to the predetermined stop switch is stopped) is output, and thereafter, information from the main control board cannot be received before all the remaining stop switches in the "N" game are operated. After that, the information from the main control board can be received at the “N + a” game item, and thereafter, the information that the specific stop switch different from the predetermined stop switch is operated is received at the “N + a” game item When the effect is an effect corresponding to the operation of the specific stop switch and is an effect related to the predetermined effect (in the predetermined effect, When the reel corresponding to the specific stop switch is stopped, an effect is output. After that, when predetermined information is received in the “N + a + 1” game item, based on the predetermined information, “ N + a + 1 "game effects are output.

(C) Effect of Initial Invention 3 According to the initial invention, when communication is restored in the course of the “N + a” game, the effect related to the predetermined effect of the “N” game that has been output up to that time is output. Therefore, in the “N + a” game, an effect following the “N” game can be output. Then, since the effect returns to the normal effect when the game is shifted to the “N + a + 1” game, it is possible to prevent the effect from suddenly changing due to the return of the communication during the “N + a” game. As a result, it is possible to output an effect without a sense of incongruity before and after the occurrence of the disconnection.

4. Initial invention 4
(A) Problems to be Solved by Initial Invention 4 The initial invention relates to a gaming machine capable of operating a stop switch at high speed.
In a conventional gaming machine, when a stop switch is operated, a reel corresponding to the stop switch is stopped at a predetermined position corresponding to a lottery result. Further, after stopping the reel at a predetermined position, the motor is set to the excitation state for a predetermined time. Here, when the operated stop switch is in the ON state or when the motor is in the excited state, the operation of the next stop switch is not accepted.
Here, there is known a technique in which a stop operation is not accepted even if a second stop switch is operated after the first stop switch is operated until the reel status becomes a stopped state (see FIG. 1). For example, see JP-A-2017-093576).
However, in the above-described conventional technology, there is a problem that if the time until the operation of the next stop switch becomes receivable after the operation of the stop switch is long, the game cannot be played at a high speed.
The problem to be solved by the invention at first is to enable the stop switch to be operated at high speed.

(B) Means for solving the problem of Invention 4 initially (corresponding embodiments are described in parentheses).
The initial invention (the fourth embodiment)
A reel (31);
A motor (32) for rotating the reel;
Reel control means (65) for controlling the drive of the motor and stopping the rotation of the reel based on the detection of the operation of the stop button (stop button 42a);
Internal lottery means (role lottery means 61)
A sensor (detection sensor 42e) for detecting the operation of the stop button is turned on until the stop button is pushed to the deepest part (the position shown in FIG. 12C), and when the push of the stop button is released, the stop is stopped. The button is movable to an initial position (a position shown in FIG. 12A) by an urging force, and the sensor is turned off until the stop button moves to the initial position.
In a game in which the internal drawing means determines a predetermined result, the stop button is operated on a predetermined reel at a predetermined timing under a situation where all reels are rotating by the reel control means, and the predetermined After detecting that the sensor of the stop button for the reel is turned on, an excitation state (four-phase excitation state) for stopping the predetermined reel is set, and a predetermined time (T12 in FIG. 13) elapses from the excitation state. Is configured to end the excitation state when
T1 (T11 in FIG. 13) from the moment when the stop button is depressed to the deepest position until the sensor is turned off, and T2 is the predetermined time,
T1 <T2
It is characterized by the following.

(C) Effects of Initial Invention 4 According to the initial invention, it is assumed that the start of the excitation state of the motor when the reel is stopped and the moment when the stop button is pushed to the deepest position are released. Sometimes, the excitation state ends after the sensor is turned off. Therefore, the operation of the next stop button can be accepted at the timing when the excitation state of the motor ends.

10 slot machines (game machines)
Reference Signs List 11 power switch 21 effect lamp 22 speaker 23 image display device 31 reel 32 motor 33 reel sensor 35 hopper 36 hopper motor 37a, 37b dispensing sensor 38a fixed shaft 38b movable shaft 39a movable piece 39b spring 40a 1-bet switch 40b 3-bet switch 41 start Switch 42 Stop switch 42a Stop button 42b Stopper 42c Coil spring 42d Moving piece 42e Detection sensor 43 Adjusting switch 44a, 44b Input sensor 45 Blocker 46 Path sensor 47 Medal slot 47a Medal guard 47b Medal holder 50 Main control board (main control) means)
50a Screw hole 51 Input port 52 Output port 53 RWM
54 ROM
55 Main CPU
56 substrate case 57 upper cover 57a caulking portion 57b gate mark 57c recessed portion 57d protrusion 57e protrusion 58 lower cover 58a caulking portion 58b gate mark 58c boss 61 role lottery means 62 winning flag control means 63 pressing order instruction number selecting means 64 staging group Number selection means 65 Reel control means 66 Win determination means 67 Payout means 71 Control command transmission means 73 Setting value display LED
74 Management information display LED
75 Display board 76 Credit number display LED
78 Acquisition number display LED
80 Sub-control board (sub-control means)
81 Input port 82 Output port 83 RWM
84 ROM
85 Sub CPU
91 Effect output control means

Claims (1)

Game media slot,
With a blocker,
A detecting unit A and a detecting unit B which are provided in a passage through which the game medium inserted from the game medium insertion port is capable of detecting the game medium (the detecting unit B is located downstream of the detecting unit A); With
When the number of bets is “3” and the number of credits is a predetermined value (the predetermined value is a value less than the upper limit of the number of credits) , when a game medium is inserted from the game medium insertion port, When the detection status of the detection unit A and the detection unit B with respect to the medium satisfies a predetermined condition, “1” can be added to the number of credits,
In a situation where the number of bets is “3” and the number of credits is a predetermined value (the predetermined value is a value less than the upper limit of the number of credits), the power supply to the power A design value of a period until a time when the control of the blocker for detecting the event that the supply is cut off and disabling the reception of the game medium is executed is set as T1,
When the number of bets is “3” and the number of credits is a predetermined value (the predetermined value is a value less than the upper limit of the number of credits) , when a game medium is inserted from the game medium insertion port, The period from the time when the detecting means A detects the medium to the time when the detecting means A does not detect the game medium after the detecting means B detects the game medium and the detecting means B does not detect the game medium. Design value is T2,
When the number of bets is “3” and the number of credits is a predetermined value (the predetermined value is less than the upper limit of the number of credits) , when a game medium is inserted from the game medium insertion port, When the design value of the period from when the medium is inserted to immediately before the game medium reaches the blocker is T3,
T2 <T1 <T3
A gaming machine.

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