JP6712065B2 - Amusement machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

Conventionally, a slot machine is known as one of the gaming machines (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2005-173832, A

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

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by the following solution means (shown in parentheses is the configuration of a corresponding embodiment).
The present invention is
A hopper (35),
Detecting means C (dispensing sensor 37a) and detecting means D (dispensing sensor 37b) capable of detecting a movable piece that can be displaced when the hopper is driven to dispense the game medium (detecting means C has the movable piece in the initial position). And the detecting means D detects when the movable piece is at a predetermined position after displacement)).
Let T1 be the design value (from the occurrence of power interruption to the power interruption processing in FIG. 8) in the period from the occurrence of the event of power interruption to the execution of the power interruption processing .
In the case where a specific number of game media are dispensed by driving the hopper, the detecting means C detects the movable piece from the time when the detecting means C stops detecting the movable piece, and then the detecting means C again detects the movable piece. When the design value (from S31 to S35 in FIG. 8) during the period until the detection means C does not detect the movable piece again in order to pay out the next game medium is T4,
T1<T4
Has become.

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

In the present embodiment, it is a block diagram showing an outline of control of a slot machine which is an example of a gaming machine. In the present embodiment, it is a front view illustrating a state in which medals inserted from a medal insertion slot pass through an insertion sensor. In the first embodiment (A), it is a diagram illustrating a voltage drop when a power failure occurs in a time chart. It is a figure explaining the relationship between an insertion sensor and passage of a medal in a 1st embodiment (B). In 1st Embodiment (B), it is a figure explaining ON/OFF of an injection|pouring sensor with a time chart. In the first embodiment (C), it is a schematic diagram when a medal is ejected from the medal payout device. In the first embodiment (C), it is a schematic diagram showing how the payout sensor is turned on (detected)/off (non-detected) when a medal is sent from the medal payout device. In 1st Embodiment (C), it is a figure which shows ON/OFF of a payout sensor by a time chart. In 2nd Embodiment, it is a disassembled perspective view which shows the outline of a main control board and a board case. In 2nd Embodiment, (a) is a top view which shows the board case which accommodated the main control board. (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA showing Example 1 of the trace of the gate. (C) is an AA arrow sectional view showing Example 2 of a gate trace. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a flow of processing when a disconnection occurs between the main control board and the 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 an unloaded state, (b) shows when a detection sensor changes from OFF to ON. The state is shown, (c) shows the state where the stop button is pushed to the deepest part, and (d) shows the state when the push of the stop button is released and the detection sensor is turned from on to off. In 4th Embodiment, it is a figure which shows the relationship of movement of a stop button and the excitation state of a motor with a time chart, (a) shows Example 1, (b) shows Example 2. In the fifth embodiment, it is a diagram showing the relationship between the on/off of the power supply and the voltage level in a time chart, (a) shows the power off after the main program is started, (b) before the main program is started. Indicates a power failure.

In the present specification, the meanings of the terms are as follows.
"Bet" means betting a medal (game medium) for playing a game. In order to bet medals, the actual medals are carefully inserted through the medal insertion slot 47, or the bet switch 40 is operated to bet the stored medals.
On the other hand, “credit” means that, unlike the above-mentioned “bet”, medals are stored inside the slot machine 10. In the present specification, the term "credit" is used in a meaning not including "bet".
Furthermore, “inserting” means betting or crediting a medal.

“Maintenance” means that the player inserts medals through the medal insertion slot 47 (described later).
The “care bet” means that the player bets a medal by taking care of the medal from the medal insertion slot 47.
The “care credit” means that the player credits a medal (adds credit) by taking care of the medal from the medal insertion slot 47.
“Bet medal” means a medal that has been bet.
The "stored medal" is a medal that has been credited (stored).

The “reserved bet” is a bet for playing a part or all of the credited medals within the range where the player can bet in the game by operating the bet switch 40 (described later). It means to do.
The "automatic bet" is to automatically bet the number of medals previously bet in the game by the control process of the slot machine 10 when the replay is won.
"Payment" means paying out bet medals and/or accumulated medals to the player. In the present embodiment, the settlement process is executed when the settlement switch 43 (described later) is operated.

“Paying out” means paying out medals to a player based on winning a winning combination, or paying out medals by the above settlement. When paying out medals to the player based on winning of the winning combination, they are stored as credits (addition of stored medals, in other words, updating electronic data stored in RWM 53 (described later)), and payout This includes both paying out actual medals through the mouth (not shown). For the payout of medals, for example, "50" is set as the limit number of credits, and the medals for which the number of credits exceeds "50" are controlled to be actually paid out to the player.

The "gaming medium" is a medal in this embodiment, but in the case of an enclosed (ECO) gaming machine, electronic information (electronic medal, electronic data) is used as the gaming medium. Note that "electronic information" means, for example, when money (banknotes) is put into a lending machine, it is converted into electronic information corresponding to the money, and part or all of the electronic information is played on a gaming machine. It is possible to credit the game machine as a game medium for performing the game.

Further, in the case where the game medium is electronic information, “payout of medals” means to credit (add) 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 game medium credit device is credited with electronic information of a dividend corresponding to a winning combination ( The process of adding) is also included.

"N-1" game item, "N" game item, "N+1" game item, ... ("N" is an integer greater than or equal to 2) When the game progresses, the current game is "N" game When it is an eye, the "N" game eye game is referred to as a "current game". Also, the game of the "N-1" game is referred to as "previous game". Furthermore, the game of the "N+1" game is called the "next game".

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below 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 in the present embodiment. This embodiment includes the first to fifth embodiments. Then, 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 (which does not mean to include only those shown in FIG. 1). 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 the second embodiment (FIGS. 9 and 10).

In FIG. 1, the main control board 50 and peripheral devices for game progression including operation switches such as the bet switch 40 are electrically connected via an input port 51 or an output port 52. The input port 51 is a connection unit for inputting signals such as operation switches, and the output port 52 is a connection unit for transmitting signals to peripheral devices such as the motor 32.
In FIG. 1, a peripheral device for input is indicated by an arrow indicating a signal from the peripheral device toward the main control board 50, and a peripheral device for output is indicated by an arrow directed from the main control board 50 to the peripheral device. It is shown (similar 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 and the like.
The ROM 54 is a storage medium that stores programs and various data (for example, a data table) 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 a program necessary for the progress of a game, performs an arithmetic operation, and more specifically, a lottery for a winning combination and a reel 31. Drive control and payout at the time of winning.

An MPU including a RWM 53, a ROM 54, a main CPU 55, and a register is mounted on the main control board 50. The RWM 53 and the ROM 54 may be provided outside the MPU in addition to those mounted inside the MPU.
An MPU including the RWM 83, the ROM 84, and the sub CPU 85 is also mounted on the sub control board 80 described below. The RWM 83 and the ROM 84 may be provided outside the MPU, instead of being mounted inside the MPU.

In FIG. 1, the 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 within 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 loading sensor 44 (a pair of loading sensors 44a and 44b) are provided in the medal selector (but not limited to these). These are electrically connected to the main control board 50.
A medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 47 is first detected by the passage sensor 46.

Further, a blocker 45 is provided on the downstream side of the passage sensor 46. The blocker 45 is for allowing/disallowing the insertion of medals. When the insertion of medals is not allowed, the blocker 45 forms a medal passage for returning the medals inserted from the medal insertion opening 47 from the payout opening. To do. On the other hand, when the insertion of medals is permitted, a medal passage for guiding the medals inserted from the medal insertion opening 47 to the hopper 35 is formed. The blocker 45 is, for example, a switching member that closes an opening formed in a part of the medal passage in the medal selector (an opening leading to the medal return port) to form a medal passage for guiding the medals to the hopper 35 side. And an actuator or the like for driving the switching member.

Here, in the blocker 45, during the game (from the start of rotation of the reels 31 until all reels 31 are stopped and the payout corresponding to the winning combination is finished at the time of winning the winning combination), the insertion of medals is not permitted. To do. That is, the blocker 45 permits the insertion of medals at least when the game is not being played.

An insertion sensor (optical sensor) 44 is provided further downstream of the blocker 45 in the medal selector. In the present embodiment, the insertion sensor 44 is composed of a pair of insertion sensors 44a and 44b arranged at a predetermined distance, and the other insertion sensor 44b after a predetermined time has elapsed since the medal was detected by one insertion sensor 44a. Is configured to be detected by. 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.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, on the main control board 50, a bet switch 40 (40a or 40b), a start switch 41, a (left, middle, right) stop switch 42, and an operation switch operated by the player. The settlement switch 43 is electrically connected.
Here, the “operation switch (or simply, “switch”)” switches on/off of the electric signal based on the operation of the operation body by the player (operator) (receives a force from the outside). It 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 enter the light receiving element (when the light receiving element continues to detect light, the operation switch is off). When a player or the like operates the operation switch (the operation body of the operation switch), 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 is 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 the light from the light emitting element enters the on state when entering the light receiving element. You may.

In the present embodiment, the operation body of the start switch 41 is in the shape of a lever (rod) (henceforth, also referred to as “start lever (switch) 41”), the bet switch 40, the stop switch 42, and the adjustment switch. The operation body 43 is in the shape of a push button (for this reason, it is also referred to as a "bet button (switch) 40", a "stop button (switch) 42", and a "payment button (switch) 43"). In the fourth embodiment described later, the operating body of the stop switch 42 (the portion pushed by the player) is referred to as the "stop button 42a".

Further, although not shown in FIG. 1, an LED (light emitting means) is provided on the operation body of the operation switch and/or around or near the operation body. When the operation acceptance of the operation switch is permitted, for example, the LED or the like corresponding to the operation switch emits blue light, and when the operation acceptance of the operation switch is not permitted, for example, the operation switch The LED or the like emits red light to indicate to the player whether the operation switch is permitted or not.

Specifically, for example, when all the reels 31 are rotating and the operation of the stop switches 42 is acceptable, the LEDs of all the stop switches 42 are made to emit blue light and the player can operate. Shown in. When one stop switch 42 is operated, the reel 31 corresponding to the operated stop switch 42 is stop-controlled. After that, the remaining stop switches 42 can be operated because the excitation state of the motor 32 corresponding to the reel 31 which has been stop-controlled is completed, and the detection sensor 42e of the operated stop switch 42e (fourth described later). Embodiment) is turned off. Therefore, during that time, the LEDs of all 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 is Although the red light is still emitted, the LED of the stop switch 42, which has not been operated yet, is made to emit 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, specified number) medals are provided.
Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and a bet switch for two-bed bet may be provided.

The specified number is determined in advance, for example, depending on whether or not the accessory is not operated. Specifically, it is set such that the accessory is not operated, the SB is operated, the 1BB is operated, 3 sheets are operated, the 2BB is operated, 2 sheets, and the like. If the 1-bet switch 40a is operated twice, two medals can be inserted, and if it is operated three times, three medals can be inserted. When the prescribed number is 3, three medals can be inserted at once by operating the 3 bet switch 40b. When the prescribed number is 2, if the 3 bet switch 40b is operated. You can insert two medals at a time. If the 3-bet switch 40b is operated while the bet of less than the specified number is already bet, the bet processing is performed so that the bet number 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, center, right) reels 31, and are operation switches operated by the player when stopping the corresponding reels 31.
Furthermore, the settlement switch 43 is an operation switch operated by the player when paying out (paying out) medals betted 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 addition, 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, the 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, but another board may be interposed therebetween.
Further, the control boards are not limited to being directly connected by a harness or the like, but may be connected via another board (a relay board or the like). For example, one or more other separate boards (relay boards, etc.) 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 that displays the number of medals accumulated (credited) inside the slot machine 10, and is composed of two digits, an upper digit and a lower digit.

The winning number display LED 78 is an LED that displays the number of payouts (the number of players acquired) when winning a winning combination, and is composed of two digits, an upper digit and a lower digit, like the credit number display LED 76. .
The acquired number display LED 78 may be controlled to be turned off when there are no medals 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 that displays the content (type) of the error when an error occurs.
Furthermore, the acquired number display LED 78 functions as an LED that displays push order instruction information (notifies an advantageous push order) in a game in which the push order is notified during AT. Therefore, the acquired number display LED 78 in this embodiment is an LED that also displays the acquired number, the error content, and the pushing 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 push order instruction information may be provided.
Note that during 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, the main control board 50 is electrically connected to a motor (stepping motor in the present embodiment) 32 of the symbol display device.
The symbol display device includes reels (three in this embodiment) that display symbols, motors 32 that drive the reels 31, respectively, and a reel sensor 33 for detecting the position of the reels 31.

The motor 32 serves as a drive unit for rotating the reel 31, is connected to the center of rotation 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, and when the middle reel 31 is stopped. The stop switch 42 operated is the middle stop switch 42, and the stop switch 42 operated when stopping the right reel 31 is the right stop switch 42.

The reel 31 has a ring shape, and a reel tape having a plurality of types of symbols (symbols constituting a symbol combination corresponding to a winning combination) printed thereon is attached to the outer peripheral surface thereof.
Further, each reel 31 is provided with one (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 it has rotated once, or the like. Then, each index is detected by the reel sensor 33. The signal from the reel sensor 33 is electrically connected to the main control board 50. When the index detects (cuts) 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 the (stepping) motor 32 is driven to stop the symbol on the effective line from the symbol on the reference position. It becomes possible to identify whether or not it is possible.

A medal payout device is electrically connected to the main control board 50. The medal payout device includes a hopper 35 for accumulating medals, a hopper motor 36 that is 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 cared for from the medal insertion slot 47 and that have been received (judged to be normal) are formed so as to be accommodated 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. Then, when the medal is paid out, a predetermined moving member (a movable piece 39a in FIG. 7, which will be described later) is moved by the medal. The payout sensors 37a and 37b are turned on/off by the movement of a predetermined moving member. Whether or not the medals have been correctly paid out is determined based on whether or not the payout sensors 37a and 37b are turned on/off within a predetermined time range.

For example, when the pair of payout sensors 37 is not detected to be ON even though the hopper motor 36 is driven, it is determined that no medals have 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 clogging has occurred.
Details of these operations will be described later with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.

When starting the game, the player inserts a credited medal in advance by operating the bet switch 40 (a storage bet) or care-inserts a medal from the medal insertion slot 47 (care bet). When the start switch 41 is operated with a specified number of medals of the game being betted, a signal generated at that time is input to the main control board 50. When this signal is received, the main control board 50 (specifically, a reel control means 65 to be described later) performs a lottery by the winning lottery means 61 and controls all the motors 32 to drive all reels 31. Control to rotate. As the reel 31 is thus rotated by the motor 32, the symbols on the reel 31 are moved and displayed in the vertical direction in the display window at a predetermined speed.

Then, the player pushes the stop switch 42 to stop 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, the signal generated at that time is input to the main control board 50. When this signal is received, the main control board 50 (specifically, a reel control means 65 described later) drives and controls the motor 32 corresponding to the stop switch 42, and the lottery result of the combination lottery means 61 (internal lottery). (Result determined by the means), the stop control of the reel 31 related to the motor 32 is performed.

Then, the game result of the current game is displayed by the symbol combination when all 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 of the winning combination is achieved), the payout of medals corresponding to the 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 is provided with the following role lottery means 61 and the like. The following respective 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 (determination, selection) of winning numbers. 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 wind management law (rules regarding the authorization of game machines and the verification of the model, etc., hereinafter simply referred to as "rules"), The lottery result by the role lottery means 61 is the same as the “result determined by the internal lottery” in the rule. Therefore, the role lottery means 61 is also referred to as “internal lottery means 61” in an expression conforming to the rules.
When the winning number is determined by the role lottery means 61, the prize and replay condition device number and the accessory condition device number are determined based on the winning number, and the prize and replay condition device becomes operable in the game, Also, the accessory condition device will be determined. Therefore, the role lottery means 61 is also referred to as a condition device number determination (lottery or selection) means, a winning role determination (lottery or selection) means, or the like.

The role lottery means 61, for example, based on the random number generating means (hardware random number) for the lottery, the random number extracting means for extracting the random numbers generated by this random number generating means, and the random number value extracted by the random number extracting means, And a winning number determining means for determining the winning number.

The random number generation means generates a random number in a predetermined area (for example, "0" to "65535" in decimal). The random number is, for example, a counter that counts 1 at 200 n (nano) sec and continues to count as one cycle in the range of “0” to “65535”. While the slot machine 10 is powered on, the random number is Keep counting.

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

The winning flag control means 62 controls ON/OFF of the winning flag corresponding to each winning combination, based on the lottery result by the winning combination lottery means 61. In the present embodiment, a winning flag is provided for each winning combination for all winning combinations. When any of the winning combinations is won in the lottery by the winning combination lottery means 61, the winning flag of the winning combination is turned on (the winning flag is set). The winning of the winning combination may be a single winning combination (single winning) or a multiple winning combination (double winning).

The push order instruction number selection means 63 selects a push order instruction number (a number corresponding to the correct answer push order) based on the lottery result (push order bell or at the time of push order replay win) of the winning number by the role lottery means 61 ( Decision).
The “push order” of the push order instruction number selected here means a push order (correct answer push order) advantageous to the player. For example, when the push order bell is elected, it refers to the push order in which the higher bell is awarded (correct answer order). In the case of replay overlapping wins, it refers to a push order in which the RT is promoted to an advantageous RT or a push order in which the RT is not lowered.

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

Note that the pushing order instruction number selected by the main control board 50 can be transmitted to the sub control board 80 only during the advantageous period (AT). Therefore, even if the pressing order instruction number is selected by the pressing order instruction number selecting unit 63 in the normal section, the pressing order instruction number is not transmitted to the sub-control board 80. In addition, in the normal section, it is not necessary to select the push order instruction number.

The effect group number selecting means 64 is for selecting an effect group number corresponding to the winning number, which number is to be transmitted to the sub-control board 80.
Here, the effect group number corresponding to the winning number is predetermined. Then, when the winning number is determined by operating the start switch 41, the effect group number selecting means 64 selects the effect group number corresponding to the winning number of the game, and the main control board 50 causes the selected effect group to be selected. 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 push order instruction number and is selected for each game, and is 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 effect group number, it is possible to output an 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 order based on the effect group number. .. On the other hand, during 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. As a result, the sub-control board 80 can inform the correct pressing order based on the received pressing order instruction number.

The reel control means 65 controls to start the rotation of all (three) reels 31 when receiving the rotation start command of the reels 31, particularly when the operation of the start switch 41 is detected in this embodiment. ..
Further, after the winning number is determined by the role lottery means 61, the reel control means 65 refers to the ON/OFF of the winning flag in the current game, and refers to the stop position determination table corresponding to ON/OFF of the winning flag. 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. Drive control is performed to control the reel 31 to stop at the determined position.

For example, in the game in which at least one winning flag is turned on, the reel control means 65 enables the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination (the winning combination having the winning flag turned on) within the range of the reel 31 stop control. The reel 31 is stopped and controlled so that it can be stopped on the line, and the reel 31 is stopped and controlled so as not to stop the symbol combinations corresponding to the winning combinations other than the winning combinations (winning flags are off) on the activated line.

Here, "within the stop control range of the reel 31" means the time from the moment the stop switch 42 is operated until the reel 31 actually stops or the amount of rotation of the reel 31 (the number of moving symbols (frames)). Means within the range.
In the present embodiment, the reel 31 is rotated at a speed of about 80 rotations per minute at a constant speed.
Then, when the stop switch 42 is operated, the time from the moment the stop switch 42 is operated until the reel 31 is stopped is within 190 ms except for the predetermined reel 31 (for example, the middle reel 31) that is in the MB operation. Is set to. Thereby, in the present embodiment, the maximum number of moving symbols from the moment the stop switch 42 is operated to when the reel 31 is stopped is set to 4 except for the predetermined reel 31 during MB operation.

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

Then, at the moment when the operation of the stop switch 42 is detected, when any of the symbols within the stop control range of the reel 31 is a symbol to be stopped at a predetermined effective line, when the stop switch 42 is operated In addition, the design is controlled so as to stop at a predetermined effective line.
That is, when the reel 31 is immediately stopped at the moment the stop switch 42 is operated, when the symbol of the winning combination corresponding to the winning number does not stop on the predetermined effective line, the reel 31 is stopped before the reel 31 is stopped. By controlling the rotational movement of the reel 31 within the range of the stop control, the symbol of the winning combination corresponding to the winning number is controlled to be stopped on a predetermined effective line as much as possible (pull-in stop control).

On the contrary, when the reel 31 is stopped immediately at the moment the stop switch 42 is operated, when the symbol combination of the winning combination that does not correspond to the winning number stops on the activated line, when the reel 31 stops, the reel 31 By controlling the rotational movement of the reel 31 within the range of the stop control, the symbol combination of the winning combination that does not correspond to the winning number is controlled so as not to stop on the activated line (kicking stop control).
Further, in a game in which a plurality of winning combinations are won (for example, when the push order bell is selected), the priority order of winning winning combinations is predetermined according to the pressing order of the stop switch 42 and the operation timing of the stop switch 42. Therefore, according to a predetermined priority order, the drawing stop control of the symbol relating to the highest priority combination is performed.

The winning determination means 66 is for determining whether or not the symbol combination of the reel 31 stopped on the activated line is a symbol combination corresponding to any winning combination when the reel 31 is stopped.
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 activated line. Specifically, based on the condition device operated in the game, the pressing order of the stop switch 42 and/or the operation timing of the stop switch 42, a symbol combination to be stopped on the effective line before the reel 31 is actually stopped is previously set. It is determined or the symbol combination stopped on the activated line after the reel 31 is stopped is determined in advance.

The control command transmitting means 71 transmits to the sub control board 80 information (control command) necessary for the performance output by 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 push order instruction number (only when the winning number in AT and the correct answer pushing order is won). , Production group number, RT (game state) information, information when the stop switch 42 is operated, information of 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 a game standby.
Here, the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 are electrically connected to each other, and the main control board 50 (control command transmitting means 71) is directed to the sub control board 80 in one direction by parallel communication. Sends information (control command) necessary for output.
The main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 are not limited to being electrically connected, but may be a connection using an optical communication unit. Further, both the electrical connection and the optical communication connection are not limited to parallel communication, but may be serial communication, or serial communication and parallel communication may be used together.

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

The effect lamp 21 is composed of, for example, an LED or the like, and lights up in a predetermined pattern when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The effect lamp 21 is arranged 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 that are vertically continuous from the display window) from behind, and the reel 31. A fluorescent lamp that illuminates the symbols on the reel 31 from the upper part, a frame lamp that is arranged in front of the front door of the slot machine 10 and blinks when winning a winning combination, and the like are included.

Further, 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, etc., and various effect images during the game (correct answer pressing order, effect corresponding to the condition device operated in the game, etc.). In addition, the game information (the number of games played and the number of games acquired during the advantageous period (AT) during the operation of the accessory) is displayed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the medal M inserted from the medal insertion slot 47 passes through the insertion sensors 44a and 44b, and is a schematic view seen from the front. In FIG. 2, the inside of the medal selector is visible. Further, the medal M shows M1 to M4 according to the position thereof. The position of M1 indicates a state in which the medal M is placed on the medal placement portion 47b of the medal insertion slot 47 (state before being released). That is, at the position of M1, when viewed from the front, the lowest point of the outer peripheral edge of the medal M and the upper surface of the medal placing portion 47b are in contact with each other.
In addition, in FIG. 2 (and FIG. 4 described later), it is assumed that the entire substantially square portions displayed as the closing sensors 44a and 44b are the light emitting/receiving ranges (eyes of the sensors) of the closing sensors 44a and 44b, respectively. It is not the housing of the input sensors 44a and 44b.).

Further, the position of M2 indicates the position at the moment when the medal M cannot be 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 placement portion 47b overlap each other. For example, assuming that the player releases the medal M when the medal M is at the position M1, the medal M falls from the position M1. Therefore, at the position of M2, it is in a state of being released from the player's hand and being dropped (moved) to the downstream side.
The "upstream side" indicates the medal insertion slot 47 side, and the "downstream side" indicates the insertion sensor 44b side (the hopper 35 side). In terms of the position of the medal M, M1→M2→M3→M4 from the upstream side toward the downstream side.

In the example of FIG. 2, the passage sensor 46 is arranged so that the passage sensor 46 detects the medal M when the medal M is located at M2.
Furthermore, the position of M3 indicates the position at the moment (on) when the medal M is detected by the insertion sensor 44a. 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 portion for inserting the medal M into the slot machine 10 (medal selector) when the player bets or credits the medal M as a game medium. The medal insertion slot 47 includes a medal guard section 47a and a medal placement section 47b. The medal holder 47b is capable of mounting a plurality of medals M (up to about 10 at a maximum) at the same time, and has a substantially curved surface extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing (a curvature slightly larger than the peripheral edge of the medal M). Curved surface).

The substantially curved surface of the medal rest portion 47b and the surface of the medal guard portion 47a in contact with the medal M (the surface visible in FIG. 2) are formed so as to intersect substantially vertically.
Further, although not shown in FIG. 2, there is an opening through which one medal M can flow down at a portion where the medal placing portion 47b and the medal guard portion 47a intersect. The medal M does not drop from the opening when the two medals M are stacked, but the medal M flows down from the opening when the thickness of the medal M is one. Therefore, for example, the player places a plurality of stacked medals M on the medal holder 47b and presses the plurality of medals M toward the medal guard part 47a while strengthening the pressing force. By weakening it, it is possible to drop the medals M placed on the medal holder 47b one by one into the medal selector from the opening.

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

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 whether or not there is a clogging of a medal or a goto action, and detects the medal M for a predetermined time (predetermined) from the time when the passage sensor 46 detects the medal M, Furthermore, when the medal M is no longer detected after the lapse of a predetermined time, it is determined to be normal. On the other hand, if the passage sensor 46 continues to detect the medals M even after a lapse of a predetermined time after detecting the medals, it is determined that the medals are accumulated. Further, when the passage sensor 46 detects the medal M and then stops detecting the medal M before a predetermined time elapses, 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. The blocker 45 forms a medal flow path so that the medal M can be detected by the insertion sensors 44a and 44b when the blocker 45 is in the on state (the output port of the output port 52 related to the blocker 45 is on). In other words, it has the role of sending the medal M moving from the upstream side to the insertion sensors 44a and 44b side without sending it out of the medal passage.

On the other hand, when the output port 52 is in the off state (the output port related to the blocker 45 among the output ports 52 is off), the blocker 45 must move so as to shift in the vertical direction with respect to the drawing sheet in FIG. Thus, an opening (pitfall) 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 immediately before reaching the medal M3 and is sent out of the medal passage (M5 in FIG. 2). The medal M dropped from the opening is returned to the medal return port (not shown) without being detected by the insertion sensor 44a.

For example, when the specified number of games is already bet and the number of credits has reached the upper limit, it is not possible to bet and credit any more medals, so the blocker 45 is controlled to the off state. As a result, even if the medal M is inserted from the medal insertion opening 47 in that state, it drops from the opening and is returned to the medal return opening.
On the other hand, when the blocker 45 is in the ON state, since the opening is blocked by the blocker 45, the medal M flowing down in the medal passage passes over the blocker 45 and the insertion sensors 44a and 44b. Can be moved to the side.

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

Further, the passage sensor 46 only needs to be located on the upstream side of the blocker 45, and is arranged at a position where the medals M inserted from the medal insertion slot 47 can be detected even when the blocker 45 is off. 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. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the medal M is located 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 it is moved to.

The insertion sensors 44a and 44b are sensors for detecting the medal M that has passed through the blocker 45, and these two sensors are installed at a predetermined distance. First, when the medal M reaches the position of M3, the insertion sensor 44a on the upstream side can detect the medal M (from off to on). When the medal M further flows down, the insertion sensor 44b next 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 medal M is at the position of M2, that is, the position at which the medal M is at the position of M4, that is, the position at which the medal M is not detected by the insertion sensor 44b from the moment when the medal M becomes invisible when the medal selector is viewed from the front. The time until reaching (the moving path is shown by the dotted line in FIG. 2) is set to time T2. It is a value when the medal M is located at M1 and the hand is released from the medal M (at the initial velocity “0”) and released 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 at 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 decelerated so that the medal M moves toward the insertion sensors 44a and 44b.
The time from the moment when the medal M is located at M3 (the moment when it is detected by the insertion sensor 44a) to the moment when it is located at M4 (the moment when it is no longer detected by the insertion sensor 44b) is set to 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 the voltage level 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 the 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 is cut off at time S11 (the phenomenon in which the power supply is cut off). In the present embodiment, when power failure occurs, the voltage drops to the power failure detection level V1 at time T0.
The time T0 from when the power failure occurs (time S11; supply level V0) to when the power failure is detected (time S12; power failure 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 interruption detection circuit) is provided. Then, when the power supply voltage becomes equal to or lower than the power cutoff detection level V1 which is a predetermined value, the power cutoff detection signal is input to a predetermined bit in the input port 51, and the power is detected by detecting whether or not the signal is input. Detect disconnection.

When the voltage further decreases from the power failure detection level V1 and becomes less than 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).
In the example of FIG. 3, the voltage level reaches the drive voltage limit V2 of the main CPU 55 at time S13, and then decreases to Low. Since the main control board 50 cannot execute the power-off process when the voltage becomes less than the drive voltage limit V2, when the power-off occurs at time S11, the power-off process can be completed at least by time S13. Is set to.

The detection of power failure is executed in the interrupt processing executed every 2.235 ms, but when the power failure is detected for two consecutive interrupts, the power interruption processing is executed in the next interrupt processing. Therefore, in FIG. 3, time S12 is the timing at which the voltage is determined to be equal to or lower than the power failure detection level V1 in the interrupt processing twice in succession and the power failure is detected. Then, the power interruption process is executed in the next interrupt process.
In the interrupt process, the following process is executed. First, it is determined whether or not the power failure is detected, and when the power failure is detected, the process proceeds to the power-off process (without proceeding to the normal interrupt process). In the power-off process, 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 completion flag (a flag for determining whether or not a normal power-off is performed) setting process, a checksum execution process of the RWM 53, a write prohibition process of the RWM 53, etc. After the sequential execution, the reset waiting state (loop processing state) is entered. This reset waiting state is a state in which no processing is performed by design.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the power-off process is executed and the blocker 45 is turned off in the interrupt process following the interrupt process (time S12) in which the power-off is detected.
Note that the power-off process is not limited to being executed in the interrupt process subsequent to the interrupt process in which the power-off is detected, and the power-off process may be executed in the interrupt process 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 medals have been inserted. In FIG. 2, it is assumed that the player releases his or her hand from the medal M while the medal M is at the position M1. In this case, the medal M drops at the initial velocity "0". As a result, the medal M is released into the medal selector. In FIG. 3, the time S11 when the power is cut off and the time when 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 set to T2, but similarly in FIG. 3, the time T2 elapses from the moment when the medal M is located at M2. Later, it is assumed that the medal M is located at M4.
In this case, the present embodiment is designed so as to satisfy the relationship of "T2>T1".

Therefore, if 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 port (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. Therefore, the medal M will be swallowed, but after the power is cut off (after time S11), the process of adding "1" to the medal M (adding "1" to the bet or the credit) is executed. Not done. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the bet or credit process is executed after the power is cut off.

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

Further, in FIG. 2, the time from the moment when the medal M is located at M2 to the moment when it is located at M3 is referred to as time T2′.
In this case, it is preferable to design so as to satisfy the relationship of “T2′>T1”.
In the case of designing in the above relationship, if the power is cut off at the moment when the medal M is located at M2, when the medal M reaches M3, the power off process is executed to turn off the blocker 45. 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 conventional technique and the first embodiment (A) will be described.
Conventionally, when a power failure occurs at the moment when the medal M is positioned at M2, when the power failure is detected and the blocker 45 is turned off, the medal M has already passed the position of the insertion sensor 44b. Therefore, the medal “1” addition process (bet process or credit process) is executed after the power is cut off. However, it is not preferable to execute the medal addition process after the power is cut off. This is because after the power is cut off, all the processing related to the progress of the game should be stopped immediately.
Therefore, with the configuration of the first embodiment (A), even if the player inserts the medal M from the medal insertion opening 47 and the power is cut off at the moment when the medal M is located at M2 (immediately after the insertion). Since the medal "1" addition processing is not executed, the function of the slot machine 10 can be enhanced.

<First embodiment (B)>
The first embodiment (B) defines the relationship between the closing sensors 44a and 44b and power-off.
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 not detected by the insertion sensor 44b. In FIG. 4, the arrow direction indicates the traveling (downflow) 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 closing sensor 44a is at the moment when it is turned on, and the closing sensor 44b remains off. Note that this position corresponds to M3 in FIG.

Next, when the medal M advances to the left side in FIG. 4 and enters 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. Like Therefore, in FIG. 4B, the closing sensor 44a is on and the closing sensor 44b is at the moment when it is turned on.
Note that, 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 front side or the back side of the medal M in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG.

When the medal M further progresses and enters the state of FIG. 4C, the medal M is detected by both the insertion sensors 44a and 44b. Therefore, the closing sensor 44a in this case is on, and the closing 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 closing sensors 44a and 44b so that the state of FIG. Here, as will be described later, whether or not the state of 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 to determine a medal insertion error. Therefore, the distance between the closing sensors 44a and 44b also depends on how to set the time when both the closing sensors 44a and 44b are on.

When the medal M further advances from the state of FIG. 4C, the insertion sensor 44a stops detecting the medal M, as shown in FIG. 4D. In this case, the closing sensor 44a is at the moment when it is turned off, and the closing sensor 44b remains on. When the medal M further advances, the insertion sensor 44b no longer detects the medal M, as shown in FIG. Therefore, in this case, the closing sensor 44a remains off, and the closing sensor 44b is at the moment when it is turned off. The position of the medal M in FIG. 4(e) 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 closing sensor 44a is turned on from off (the closing sensor 44b remains off), and corresponds to the timing of FIG. 4(a).
Next, the time at the moment (FIG. 4B) when the insertion sensor 44b detects the medal M (turned from OFF to ON) is S22. Furthermore, the time when the insertion sensor 44a stops detecting the medal M (from ON to OFF) (FIG. 4D) is S23. Further, the time when the insertion sensor 44b stops detecting the medal M (from ON to OFF) (FIG. 4(e)) is S24.

Here, if the time Ta (from time S21 to S23) during which the insertion sensor 44a 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 1), the main control board 50 determines that the medal M is normally passed, and if it is out of this range, it is determined as a medal passing error.

Further, the time Tb during which both the insertion sensors 44a and 44b detect the medal M (between the times S22 and S23) is within the range of 4.47 ms (2 interrupts) or more and less than 118.455 ms (53 interrupts). If so (condition 2), the main control board 50 determines that the medal M is normally passed, and if it is out of this range, it is determined as a medal passing error.

Furthermore, if the time Tc during which the insertion sensor 44b is detecting the medal M (between times S22 and S24) 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 M is normally passed, and if it is out of this range, a medal passing error is determined.
When all of the above conditions 1 to 3 are satisfied, it is determined that the medal M passes normally, and when at least one condition is not satisfied, a medal passing error is determined.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, when both the closing sensors 44a and 44b are turned off (time S24), the closing monitoring counter is decremented by "1".
Here, the insertion monitoring counter becomes “+1” when the passage sensor 46 detects the medal M, and when the medal normally passes through the insertion sensors 44a and 44b (both the insertion sensors 44a and 44b are turned off). The counter is incremented by “-1” at the time of turning on → off, and thus at time S24. That is, under normal conditions, "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 passage error. To do.

When the passage sensor 46 detects the medal M (insertion monitoring counter=“+1”) and the insertion sensors 44a and 44b do not detect passage of the medal M, the passage sensor 46 further detects the medal M. Then, when the insertion monitoring counter reaches a predetermined value of “2” or more, the main control board 50 determines that there is a medal jam error. For example, when the normal value of the insertion monitoring counter is set to "0" to "2" and the insertion monitoring counter becomes "3" or more, the main control board 50 determines that the medal clogging error occurs. Be done.
The throw-in monitoring counter is cleared when the blocker 45 changes from the off state to the on state.

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

In addition, at that time, when 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, when the number of credits at that time is "10", the number of credits is updated to "11".
When the bet number reaches the specified number and the credit amount reaches the maximum number of “50”, the main control board 50 turns off the blocker 45. Thereby, 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 will not be detected by the insertion sensors 44a and 44b.

In addition to turning on/off the closing sensors 44a and 44b, FIG. 5 also shows the timings when a power failure occurs and when a power failure is detected. FIG. 5 shows Example 1 and Example 2, both of which exemplify a case where the power is cut off at the timing (time S21) when the closing sensor 44a is turned on.
In Example 1, the power failure is detected after the time T1 has elapsed from the time S21 when the power failure occurred. 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 cut off, the power-off process is started after the "1" addition process for the medal M has already been executed.

Here, the time T3 from 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 T3 corresponds to 113 interrupts and is “252.555 ms”.
Then, in the example 1, the power-off process is set to be executed after the elapse of the time S24. Therefore, for example, the time T1 from the occurrence of power shutdown (time S21) to the execution of power shutdown processing is set to be 114 interrupts or more.

With the above settings, 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 "1" addition process of the medal M is executed. , The medal M is normally bet or credited. Therefore, swallowing of the medal M can be prevented.

Contrary to Example 1, Example 2 is an example in which the power-off process is executed before the “1” addition process for the medal M is executed. That is, in the second example, the relationship of “T1<T3” is set.
The time T3 from the time S21 to S24 corresponds to 4 interrupts at the minimum time as described above. Therefore, in order to satisfy the relationship of “T1<T3”, it is necessary to execute the power-off process within 3 interrupts after the power-off occurs. However, since it is difficult to set the power-off process to be executed within 3 interrupts after the power-off occurs, the minimum time Tc is set to be longer than 4 interrupts. For example, it is possible to set the minimum time of the time Tc to 15 interrupts. Then, by setting the time T1 from the occurrence of power interruption (time S21) to the power interruption process to about 10 interrupts, when the power interruption occurs at time S21, the power interruption process is executed before the time S24. It becomes possible.

When the power-off process is executed, the “1” addition (bet or credit) process for the medal M is not executed thereafter. Therefore, in Example 2, even if the insertion sensor 44a detects the medal M at the time of time S21 (when the power is cut off), the "1" addition process for the medal M1 is not executed. As a result, there is a disadvantage that the medal M is swallowed, but as described in the first embodiment (A), after the power is cut off, the "1" addition process for the medal M is not executed. 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 power-off is defined.
When the medals to be paid out are added to the credits, the hopper motor 36 is not driven, and the storage area for 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 that the number corresponds to the number of credits 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 (discharging from the payout opening). In this case, the payout sensors 37a and 37b detect ON/OFF each time one medal is paid out. When the on/off detection result 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. The main control board 50 determines that a medal payout error has occurred.

FIG. 6 is a plan view for explaining the operation when the medals M are paid out from the medal payout device. Although not shown in FIG. 6, a hopper disc (substantially disc-shaped rotating disc) is attached to the bottom surface of the hopper 35, and the hopper disc is rotated by the drive of the hopper motor 36. In this hopper disc, a plurality of openings capable of holding the medals M are formed along the outer circumference of the hopper disc. Then, the medal M in the hopper 35 is configured to enter the opening of the hopper disc. When the hopper motor 36 is driven in this state, the hopper disc is rotated and the medals M held in the opening of the hopper disc are ejected one by one. A new medal M in the hopper 35 is inserted into the empty opening where the medal M is discharged.

In FIG. 6, the medal M located at M1 is the one immediately after being ejected from the opening of the hopper disc. Both the fixed shaft 38a and the movable shaft 38b are components that form a medal payout device. The fixed shaft 38a is a shaft that does not move when the medals M are paid out. On the other hand, the movable shaft 38b is a shaft that reciprocates each time one medal M is paid out. In the unloaded state, the movable shaft 38b is arranged at the position shown by the solid line in the figure, and is fixed by a spring (not shown in FIG. 6, which corresponds to the spring 39b in FIG. 7 described later). It is biased toward the 38a side. Immediately after being ejected from the opening of the hopper disc, the medal M (M1) comes into contact with both the fixed shaft 38a and the movable shaft 38b.
In addition, in a state where the medal M is arranged at a 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 point, the medal M cannot pass through between the fixed shaft 38a and the movable shaft 38b.

The pushing force in the F1 direction in FIG. 6 acts on the medal M discharged from the opening of the hopper disc. When the 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. The fixed shaft 38a does not move. As a result, the movable shaft 38b moves in the F2 direction in the figure while maintaining the state of 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 becomes wider than the diameter of the medal M. The position of the movable shaft 38b at this time is shown by a two-dot chain line in the figure.

As a result, the medal M passes through between the fixed shaft 38a and the movable shaft 38b, and is discharged in the F1 direction (medal payout opening side) in the figure. The medal M at this time is shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 6 (M2). When the medal M is discharged, the force pushing 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 an ON (detection)/OFF (non-detection) state of the payout sensors 37a and 37b when the medal M is paid as described above in the medal payout device. In FIG. 7, 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 the state of the movable piece 39a when the movable shaft 38b is arranged at the position shown by the solid line (initial position) in FIG. The movable piece 39a is attached rotatably around the central axis in the figure, and is urged clockwise by a spring 39b.
When the movable piece 39a is biased clockwise in the figure, the movable shaft 38b in FIG. 6 is biased toward the fixed shaft 38a in the figure.
In the state where the movable piece 39a is biased clockwise in FIG. 7 by the spring 39b and no force other than the tensile force of the spring 39b acts on the movable piece 39a, the movable piece 39a has a predetermined stopper (not shown). No.), the vehicle is stopped at the position shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7A, payout sensors 37a (upper side in the figure) and 37b (lower side in the figure) are arranged on the left side of the movable piece 39a in the figure. The movable piece 39a is formed so as to extend toward the payout sensors 37a and 37b. When the movable piece 39a is stopped at the position shown in FIG. ing.
Note that, in FIG. 7, the payout sensors 37a and 37b both show the housing of the sensor, and the illustration of the light emitting/receiving unit (eyes of the sensor) is omitted. In this respect, it differs from the input sensors 44a and 44b shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 in which only the light emitting/receiving unit (sensor eyes) is shown.

Here, the payout sensor 37a is in an ON state (for example, FIG. 7A) when detecting the movable piece 39a, and is in an OFF state (for example, FIG. 7B) when the movable piece 39a is no longer detected. 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 in an ON state (for example, FIG. 7C) when the movable piece 39a is detected. Is set to.
In the state of FIG. 7A, the payout sensor 37a is detecting the movable piece 39a and is in the on state, and the payout sensor 37b is not detecting the movable piece 39a and is in the off state.

As described in FIG. 6, when the pushing force in the F1 direction in FIG. 6 acts on the medal M, the movable shaft 38b starts to move in the F2 direction in FIG. 6, but the movable shaft 38b moves in this way. When moved, in FIG. 7A, the movable piece 39a starts rotating counterclockwise against the biasing force of the spring 39b. Then, when the movable piece 39a moves to the position shown in FIG. 7B, the tip of the movable piece 39a goes out from inside the dispensing 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 is rotated to the position shown in FIG. 7B, the tip of the movable piece 39a does not reach the dispensing 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 the position of the two-dot chain line portion in FIG. 6 (the position where the medal M can pass through the gap between the fixed shaft 38a and the movable shaft 38b), 7, the movable piece 39a further rotates counterclockwise and reaches the position shown in FIG. 7(c). As a result, the tip of the movable piece 39a enters the dispensing sensor 37b, and the dispensing 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, the force for urging the movable shaft 38b in the F2 direction in FIG. 6 disappears, so that the movable shaft 38b moves to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. Return. The returning force at this time is due to the force of the spring 39b in FIG. As a result, in FIG. 7, the movable piece 39a rotates clockwise, the tip of the movable piece 39a goes out of the dispensing sensor 37b, and the dispensing sensor 37b no longer detects the movable piece 39b. FIG. 7D shows the state at this time. In the state of FIG. 7D, the payout sensor 37a is off and the payout sensor 37b is off.

When the movable piece 39a further rotates in the clockwise direction, the tip of the movable piece 39a enters the payout sensor 37a, and the payout sensor 37a detects the movable piece 39a. As a result, the state returns to the state (initial state) of FIG. In the state of FIG. 7A, as described above, the payout sensor 37a is on and the payout sensor 37b is off. Further, 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 medal payout process is started and the hopper motor drive signal is in the ON state.
In FIG. 8, the state before time S31 is the state shown in FIG. When time S31 is reached, the state shown in FIG. 7B is entered and the payout sensor 37a is turned off (the payout sensor 37b is off). Next, when the time S32 is reached, 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, and at the time S33, the payout sensor 37b is in the OFF state. This state is the state shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, the time from time S32 to S33 is Te. Then, when time S34 is reached, the state returns to the state (initial position) of 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 time during which the payout sensors 37a and 37b are in the on/off state, and when the time is not within the predetermined time range, determines that a medal payout error has occurred.
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 on by the 12th interrupt after the payout sensor 37a is turned off, it is determined to be normal, but if the payout sensor 37b is on by the 12th interrupt. If not, a medal payout error will occur.

Further, the time Te during which the payout sensor 37a is off and the payout sensor 37b is on is set to be 11.175 ms (5 interrupts) or more and less than 62.58 ms (28 interrupts). Therefore, at time S32 (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 predetermined time range, The main control board 50 determines that there is a medal payout error.

Furthermore, 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). ) Or more and less than 62.58 ms (28 interrupts). Therefore, at time S32 (when the payout sensor 37b is turned on), the time Tf until the payout sensor 37b is turned off and the payout sensor 37a is turned on is monitored. When the time is not within the range of the predetermined time, the main control board 50 determines that there is a medal payout error.

Further, in FIG. 8, similarly to FIGS. 3 and 5, the time from the occurrence of power cutoff to the power cutoff process is also displayed.
First, it is assumed that the power is cut off at the timing of time S31, that is, the timing at which the payout sensor 37a is turned off. In this case, in the example of FIG. 3, an example in which the power interruption is detected by 20 interrupts has been described. However, in the example of FIG. A power failure is detected after the elapse of T1), and power off processing is set to be executed.

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

Conventionally, power supply interruption (power failure etc.) may occur during medal payout processing. In this case, depending on the occurrence timings of the medal payout process and the power-off, it is determined that the medals have been paid out even though the medals have not been paid out, which may cause a loss to the player.
On the other hand, in the first embodiment (C), even if the power is cut off during the medal payout process, the medals can be paid out correctly.

Particularly, 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 one medal payout process is completed, and the process proceeds to the power cutoff process. Therefore, for example, the power-off process is not executed when the payout sensor 37a is in the off state or when the payout sensor 37b is in the on state. Thus, it is possible to prevent the power-off process from being executed in the middle of the medal payout process and the medal payout process to be stopped before the (one piece) medal payout process is normally completed.

If the time T1 is set longer than necessary, the payout process for the next medal may be executed. Therefore, the power-off process is executed at least before the next medal payout process is executed. In FIG. 8, for example, assuming that the cycle of the one-medal payout process is time T4 and the payout sensor 37a is switched 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 gate trace formed on the substrate case of the main control substrate 50.
In the prior art, the shape, size, position, etc. of the gate traces on the substrate case were determined by the mold designer at the time of manufacturing the mold, for the sake of convenience in manufacturing the mold.
However, since the trace of the gate becomes an uneven surface, even if a hole is made aiming at the trace of the gate, for example, it may not be visually recognizable (not noticeable).

If the main CPU 55 of the main control board 50 is arranged directly below the gate mark, a hole is made in the gate mark, and a wire is passed through the hole, so that the main CPU 55 is accessed. There is a possibility that it will be done). In particular, when the gate trace has a shape in which the wall thickness is thinner than other portions, it becomes easier to make a hole than other portions.
Therefore, in the second embodiment, it is possible to prevent the goto action from being performed by using the gate mark of the substrate case.

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

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

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

Further, two LEDs for failure confirmation of 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. It is an LED that lights up when an electric signal at that time is received.
Furthermore, a total of three failure confirmation LEDs of 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 are turned on when a medal is detected. It is an LED.
Then, the administrator operates the start switch 41, for example, and confirms whether the failure confirmation LED of the start switch 41 mounted on the main control board 50 is turned on or off. Can be confirmed. The same applies to other switches or sensors.

The failure confirmation LED may be turned on/off by operating the start switch 41 or the like when the front door is opened during normal operation (the setting is not being changed and the setting is not being confirmed). .. Alternatively, the failure confirmation may be performed by executing a predetermined operation after opening the front door and causing a door open error. Furthermore, the light may be turned on/off at all times (even while the setting is being changed or the setting is being confirmed) by operating the start switch 41 or the like.

The model number of the board is displayed (printed or the like) on the main control board 50. Although not shown in FIG. 9, the model numbers and the like are also displayed on the upper surfaces 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 corners on the inner surface of the lower surface of the lower cover 58. When the main control board 50 is placed on the lower cover 58, the screw hole 50a and the boss 58c overlap each other, and the main control board 50 is fixed to the lower case 58 by screwing the screw from the screw hole 50a to the boss 58c. 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 with each other (in FIG. 9, the specific shape of the fitting portion is not shown). Further, the upper cover 57 is provided with caulking portions 57a on both left and right sides in the figure. Similarly, a caulking portion 58a is provided on the left and right rows of the lower cover 58 in the drawing. It should be noted that in FIG. 9, the concrete shape and the detailed shape of the caulked portions 57a and 58b are not shown.

When the upper cover 57 and the lower cover 58 are fitted to each other and caulking is performed using the caulking portions 57a and 58a, at least a part of the caulking portions 57a and 58a must be destroyed thereafter (without plastic deformation). The cover 57 and the lower cover 58 cannot be opened.
Thereby, the security of the main control board 50 can be ensured.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, gate traces 57b are provided at two locations on the outside of the upper surface of the upper cover 57. In the board case 56 (with the upper cover 57 and the lower cover 58 fitted together), the side in which the main control board 50 is housed is called the “inside”, and the side exposed to the outside is called the “outside”. ..
In FIG. 9, the gate traces 57b are provided at two places, but not limited to this, they may be provided at any place.

Here, the "gate" is a gate when pouring resin (hot water) into the mold during resin molding, and the gate mark is a mark that remains at the boundary between the gate and the molded product after resin molding. is there.
When the substrate case 56 (the upper cover 57 and the lower cover 58) has a shape as shown in FIG. 9, it is inexpensive to form the mold in the vertical direction in FIG. In the case of a multi-cavity mold, it is preferable to use a pin gate, and from the viewpoint of the fluidity of the resin (hot water), it is preferable to provide the 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. 9.

Further, considering the cutting of the protrusion of the gate mark at the time of molding, the gate mark is preferably provided on the outside.
From the above, the gate mark 57b of the upper cover 57 is provided outside the upper surface.
Further, for the same reason as above, the gate mark 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 mark 58b of the lower cover 58 is provided in two places like the gate mark 57b of the upper cover 57, but it may be provided in one place or in three or more places. Good.

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

10A is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the gate trace 57b of the upper cover 57 and the gate trace 58b of the lower cover 58 of the substrate case 56 and the main control substrate 50. As shown in FIG. FIG. 10A shows a state in which the main control board 50 is accommodated 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). Is a plan view 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 sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. (a), and (c) is an example 2 of the sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. Indicates. Note that hatching is omitted in these cross-sectional views from the viewpoint of easy viewing of the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 10A, in a state where the main control board 50 is accommodated in the board case 56, the two gate marks 57b extend vertically (on the main control board 50 side) (directly below) the upper cover 57. 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 failure confirmation LED are also mounted on the main control board 50, but it is preferable that the gate mark 57b is not located directly above them.

The gate trace 57 is arranged as described above for the following reason.
It is necessary for the main control board 50 to visually confirm whether or not any unauthorized modification has been made even after the slot machine 10 has been installed in the market. In particular, it is necessary to confirm whether or not the main CPU 55 and the like (including the RWM 53 and the ROM 54. The same applies hereinafter) and whether or not the main CPU 55 has been altered by a goto act. Further, 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 confirm the main control board 50 from the outside of the board case 56. is there.
Then, the board case 56 accommodating the main control board 50 therein is attached inside the housing of the slot machine 10, for example, inside the back surface. This is because the numerical values displayed by the set value display LED 73 and the management information display LED 74 are mounted at a position where it is easy to see.

Therefore, it is considered that the manager of the slot machine 10 visually views the board case 56 (main control board 50) from the 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 (directly below) the gate mark 57b, the visibility may be hindered by the gate mark 57. In particular, the information displayed (printed or the like) on the upper surface of the main CPU 55 or the like can be viewed without hindering the visibility.

Since the entire upper cover 57 is molded from transparent resin, the visibility is not completely impeded even just below the gate mark 57b. However, as shown in (b) and (c) of FIG. 10, since the cross section of the gate trace 57b becomes an uneven surface, the visibility directly below the gate trace 57b is deteriorated (becomes worse than the plane). Things are certain. Further, in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 10B, since the upper end surface of the protrusion 57d is a cut surface, whitening may occur due to the stress when the resin is cut. Therefore, in this case as well, visibility under the gate mark 57b is hindered.

Further, since the upper surface of the upper cover 57 is a transparent and smooth surface with no unevenness except for the gate mark 57b, even if a hole is formed by, for example, a got action, it can be easily visually recognized.
On the other hand, the gate mark 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, it may not be possible to easily visually determine whether the hole is formed in the gate mark 57b. For this reason, there is a possibility that a goto action using the gate mark 57b is performed.

On the other hand, when a hole is formed in the gate mark 57b, if the main CPU 55 and the like are located in the vertical direction (directly below) the gate mark 57b, it becomes easier to carry out goto action. Therefore, if the main CPU 55 and the like are not arranged in the vertical direction (directly below) the gate mark 57b, it becomes difficult to access the main CPU 55 and the like, and it is possible to make the goto action difficult.

Further, the model number displayed (printed or the like) on the surface of the main control board 50 is also important information for checking the presence or absence of fraud, so the model number is displayed in order to make it easy to confirm (read). The gate mark 57b was not arranged right above the area. Further, when there is a gate mark 57b directly above the model number display, a hole is made in the gate mark 57b to access the inside of the substrate case 56, and to prevent the model number display from being tampered with, The gate mark 57b should not be arranged directly above the model number display.

Further, regarding the set value display LED 73, it is necessary to see the displayed numerical value when changing the setting or 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, etc. are within the proper ranges. Therefore, the gate mark 57b is not arranged directly above these LEDs. Further, in the same manner as described above, in order to make it difficult for the LED in the substrate case 56 to be accessed from the hole by making a hole in the gate mark 57b by using the gate mark 57b and making it difficult to carry out the action, it is necessary to make the true of these LEDs. The gate trace 57b should not be placed above.

Also, regarding the above-described failure confirmation LED, the administrator of the slot machine 10 operates the operation switch to confirm whether or not the failure confirmation LED corresponding to the operation switch lights up, so that the visibility is improved. Therefore, it is preferable that the gate mark 57b is not located directly above the failure confirmation LED. It is also the same as above that the failure confirmation LED is not arranged in the vertical direction (directly below) the gate mark 57b to make it difficult to carry out the goto action.

In FIG. 10, the cross-sectional views of Example 1 shown in (b) and Example 2 shown in (c) have the same outer shape of the gate trace 57b. Then, in the example 1 of (b), the inside of the upper surface of the gate mark 57b is left flat. On the other hand, in the example 2 of (c), the inside of the upper surface of the gate trace 57b is formed in a protrusion shape (thickness).
The outside of the gate trace 57b has a protrusion 57d in the center thereof, and a recess 57c formed so as to sink in a cylindrical shape on the outer periphery thereof. The boundary between the gate and the molded product is connected at the time of molding, and when the molded product is separated from the mold, this boundary is cut with a cutter. Therefore, the upper end surface of the protrusion 57d is a cut surface by the cutter. There are two methods for cutting the boundary between the gate and the molded product: a method of automatically cutting with a molding machine at the time of injection, and a method of cutting in a post process.

Here, at the time of cutting the boundary between the gate and the molded product, it is costly to process the cut surface to be a completely smooth surface, in other words, to make the height of the projection 57d almost "0". High and difficult. Therefore, the recess 57c is formed so that the projection 57d does not project above the outer surface of the upper surface of the upper cover 57 even if the projection 57d has some height. As a result, for example, when an operator who assembles the upper cover 57 touches the upper cover 57, it is possible to prevent the protrusion 57d from being injured.

As shown in FIG. 10B, when the recess 57c is provided in the gate trace 57, the wall thickness of the upper cover 57 is correspondingly reduced. In this way, if there is a part where the wall thickness is thin, there is a possibility that the goto action of making a hole in the recess 57c and accessing the inside of the substrate case 56 becomes easy.
Therefore, in Example 2 of FIG. 10C, a protrusion 57e is provided on the opposite side (inner side) to the outer side of the upper surface where the gate trace 57b is provided to prevent the thickness of only the recess 57c from becoming thin. There is. If the protrusion 57e is not provided and the thinned portion is not provided, it is possible to make the goto action of making a hole in the recess 57c difficult.

Further, the protrusion 57e not only contributes to countermeasures against fraud by preventing a part of the wall thickness of the gate trace 57b from becoming thin, but also functions as a dimple (a pool of hot water) at the time of molding. In FIG. 10(b), when the resin (hot water) collides with the inside of the upper surface when the resin (hot water) is injected from the gate (the position corresponding to the protrusion 57d) of the mold, the resin (hot water) There is a risk that the flow will change suddenly, making it impossible to flow stably. Therefore, by providing a dimple (reservoir pool) at a position facing the tip of the gate, the flow of the resin (hot water) is prevented from changing abruptly when the resin (hot water) is injected from the gate. (Hot water) will be able to 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 shape in cross section, and the like, and is thinned by providing the recess 57c. Any shape may be used as long as it can prevent the above.

As for the visibility of the gate trace 57b in the vertical direction (directly below), the smoothness of the lower side of the gate trace 57 is superior to the uneven shape. Therefore, regarding the visibility directly under the gate mark 57b, the shape of FIG. 10B is superior to the shape of FIG. 10C. In addition, the shape of FIG. 10(b) simplifies the shape of the mold, as compared with the shape of FIG. 10(c), since it is not necessary to form a portion corresponding to the protrusion 57e in the mold. Cost can be reduced).

Further, the gate mark 58b of the lower cover 58 is also provided on the outer side (lower side in FIG. 9). Furthermore, the protrusion 57d and the recessed portion 57c shown in FIG. 10B are formed on the outer side. This is because, as described above, it is more convenient for the molding process to provide the protrusion 57d and the recess 57c on the outer side of the molded product.
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 positioned in the vertical direction of the gate mark 58b of the lower cover 58. This is because holes are formed in the gate mark 58b of the lower cover 58 so that the pins of the main CPU 55 and the like cannot be accessed.
When the gate mark 58b of the lower cover 58 has the shape shown in FIG. 10C, the protrusion 57e of FIG. 10C faces the pin side of the main control board 50. It goes without saying that the pins protruding from the lower surface side of the control board 50 and the protrusions 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 to each other, the gate mark 57b of the upper cover 57 and the gate mark 58b of the lower cover 58 overlap in the vertical direction. It is preferable to arrange (shift) so that it does not occur. Particularly, in the case of the gate traces 57b and 58b shown in FIG. 10B, the wall thickness of a part of the gate traces 57b and 58b (recessed portion 57c) is thin, but the thin wall portion is the upper cover. By arranging 57 and the lower cover 58 at positions where they do not overlap with each other, it is possible to prevent portions that are easily aimed at from overlapping.
Further, when the gate mark 57b of the upper cover 57 and the gate mark 58b of the lower cover 58 overlap each other in the vertical direction, the position of the gate mark of the other cover can be known only by looking at one cover. turn into. In order to prevent this, the gate mark 57b of the upper cover 57 and the gate mark 58b of the lower cover 58 do not overlap in the vertical direction.

<Third Embodiment>
In the third embodiment, when the command is transmitted from the main control board 50 to the sub control board 80, when the communication between the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 is temporarily disabled (disconnection of the wire). 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 push order instruction number and information on the operated stop switch 42 to the sub control board 80. Then, the sub control board 80 outputs the effect based on the command received from the main control board 50, and updates the effect in accordance with 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. Causes of this include poor contact and radio waves. When the sub control board 80 does not receive a command from the main control board 50, the production is stopped in the current state. Further, neither the main control board 50 nor the sub control board 80 determines whether or not there is a disconnection in the communication between them. For this reason, the main control board 50 advances the game (operation of the bet switch 40, the start switch 41, and the stop switch 42) even when a disconnection occurs between the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80. Etc.), the command transmission process is continued to the sub control board 80. On the other hand, when the sub control board 80 does not receive a command from the main control board 50, it maintains the effect state at that time.
Even when the main control board 50 and the sub-control board 80 are disconnected, if the AT control is in progress, for example, the main control board 50 causes the acquired number display LED 78 to be pushed by the operation of the instruction function. Display 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 pressing order by looking at the pressing order instruction information.
Further, since the player can compare the pushing order instruction information displayed on the acquired number display LED 78 with the effect contents (correct answer pushing order) displayed on the image display device 23, the information on both sides is inconsistent. While doing so, it is possible to know that there is a problem 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, a command transmitted from the main control board 50 can be received by the sub control board 80. At times, the production cannot be suddenly switched to the "N+1" game. Even when communication is restored, the sub control board 80 does not receive the command “N+1” when the command related to the operation of the start switch 41 (command for informing the game start) is not received. This is because it cannot be determined. Therefore, when the communication between the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 is broken and then restored, there is a possibility that the player may be misunderstood depending on the content of the effect.
Therefore, in the third embodiment, when the communication between the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 is restored after the disconnection, the player is given a sense of discomfort while avoiding misunderstanding as much as possible. Output a production that does not exist.

FIG. 11 shows the operation of the main control board 50 (described as “main operation” in FIG. 11) and the display of effects by the sub control board 80 (described as “sub display” in FIG. 11) in the third embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship with (.), and shows five examples including pattern 1 (example 1) to pattern 5 (example 5).
Patterns 1 to 5 each show an example in which communication is lost in the middle of the "N" game (disconnection occurs) and communication is restored in the middle of the "N+1" game.
Further, in the main operation of FIG. 11, “bet” means that the bet switch 40 is operated and the specified number of bets are effectively bet. In addition, “start” means that the game is started by operating the start switch 41 after the specified number of bets have 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, "push order effect" means, for example, an effect in which the correct answer push order is displayed as an image in a game in which a push order bell or a push order replay is won. Specifically, for example, “display in the middle of right and left” means an effect that informs that the order of pressing the correct answer is the order of “middle of right and left”. In addition, for example, "left middle display" means that the left stop switch 42 is operated and that the second stop switch to be operated is left and the third stop switch 42 is to be inside. It means an effect to be notified.
Furthermore, for example, "right stop effect" means an effect that the right stop switch 42 is operated (the right reel 31 is stopped) when a command indicating that the right stop switch 42 is operated is received. means.

In the pattern 1, when the start switch 41 is operated at the "N" game, the main control board 50 performs the lottery of the winning combination as described above. In this game, "right middle left" is an example in which the push order bell in which the correct answer is pressed is won. In this case, if the main control board 50 is in AT, the main control board 50 transmits the pressing order instruction number (command) corresponding to the correct answer pressing order "middle right and left" to the sub control board 80. Upon receiving this command, the sub-control board 80 outputs, to the image display device 23, a pressing order effect for displaying the correct pressing order of "right left middle".
Although not shown, the main control board 50 displays the push order instruction information corresponding to the correct push order “middle right, left” 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, looking at the correct pressing order (right stop). As a result, the right reel 31 is stopped and a command to that effect is transmitted to the sub-control board 80. When the sub-control board 80 receives the command, the sub-control board 80 outputs the effect that the right stop switch 42 is operated (the right reel 31 is stopped) (right stop effect), and displays the right-left center display and the left-center display (note that other Are displayed as "-left middle", "x left middle", etc.).
Pattern 1 shows an example in which a disconnection occurs after the right reel 31 is stopped and communication between the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 is disabled (sub disconnection). That is, this is an example in which communication is disabled during the game.

The main control board 50 can progress the game even if the 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). In the example of pattern 1, in the "N" game, after the occurrence of the disconnection, the left and middle stop switches 42 are respectively operated (the left and the middle reel 31 are stopped) (left middle stop). ).

Next, it is assumed that the bet operation for the "N+1" game is performed and the start switch 41 is operated. In the "N+1" game, as in the "N" game, "right-left-middle" shows an example in which the push-order bell (or the push-order replay) is the correct push order. In addition, in the "N+1" game, as in the "N" game, an example is shown in which the stop switch 42 is operated in the right-left-middle pushing order. However, when a winning combination having the right-right-middle pushing order is won. Not limited to, any role lottery result may be used.

It should be noted that when the "N+1" game wins the push order bell (or the push order replay) having the correct push order, the main control board 50 displays the push order instruction information on the acquired number display LED 78. Therefore, the player can operate the stop switch 42 in the correct pressing order by the pressing order instruction information displayed on the acquired number display LED 78 even when the correct pressing order is not displayed as an image on the image display device 23. Become.

In the "N+1" game, the player first operates the right stop switch 42. After that, it is assumed that the communication between the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 is restored before operating the second left stop switch 42.
Accordingly, 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 effect that has already been displayed, that is, the effect of the "N" game.

Therefore, actually, the second stop switch 42 (left) of the "N+1" game is operated, but the sub-control board 80 has the second stop switch 42 (left) of the "N" game. Outputs the effect when operated. Since the second correct answer order in the "N" game is left, in this example, the correct answer order is operated. Therefore, the sub-control board 80 outputs the left stop effect (press order correct effect effect) and the final middle display effect.

Then, in the “N+1” game, when the last middle stop switch 42 is operated, 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, an intermediate stop effect.
In addition, even if the winning combination having the correct answer order is won in the “N+1” game and the correct answer order is other than right, left, and under the situation of pattern 1, the effect is output as described above. To be 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, the pressing order fails like pattern 2 described later. No production is output.

Furthermore, in the case of the "N+1" game, even if a winning combination having no correct answer pressing order is won, or even if a winning combination is not won, if the pressing order operated by the player is right, left, and above, The same effect is output. That is, even when the “N+1” game does not have the correct answer pressing order, the sub control board 80 indicates that the left stop switch 42 is operated after the communication is restored (in the example of the pattern 1). When the command is received, the left stop effect (press order correct effect effect) is output, and further, the middle display is output.

Next, when a bet is placed for the "N+2" game and the "N+2" game is started by operating the start switch 41, the main control board 50 tells the sub-control board 80 " The 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. Specifically, when the start switch 41 is operated, commands of the effect group number and the pressing order instruction number are transmitted to the sub control board 80. Upon receiving these commands, the sub-control board 80 displays the pressing order effect and the correct pressing order as at the start of the "N" game.

From the above, in the pattern 1, until the third stop of the "N+1" game, the sub-control board 80, based on the command ("N+1" game) received from the main control board 50, the "N" game. Is continuously output, and when the "N+2" game item is started, the effect is updated to the "N+2" game item.
Further, the main control board 50 may transmit a command for the number of acquired cards to the sub control board 80 at the end of the game, and the sub control board 80 may display the acquired number of images in the AT together with an image. In such a case, the sub-control board 80 cannot receive the command of the number of acquisitions at the end of the "N" game, that is, during the disconnection, so at the end of the "N" game, "N-1". The number of cards acquired at the end of the game will remain displayed. Then, when the communication is restored and the command of the acquired number is received at the end of the "N+1" game, the sub-control board 80 updates the image display so that the acquired number at the end of the "N+1" game is reached. ..

In pattern 2, the main operation is the same as in pattern 1. Further, the timing of disconnection is the same as that of pattern 1, but the timing of communication recovery is different from that of pattern 2. In pattern 2, in the "N+1" game, communication is restored after the second stop, that is, the left stop.
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 thereof will be omitted.
Next, in the "N+1" game, the stop switch 42 is operated in the order of right and left, but the communication is restored after the second stop on the left.

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

In the "N+1" game, assuming that the stop switch 42 is operated in the order of pushing the left and right sides of the middle, the communication is restored after the middle left stop, and the right stop command is performed after the right stop is performed. Also when transmitted to the board 80, the push order failure effect is output as in the above. Since the sub control board 80 is in the middle of outputting the right stop effect and the middle left display, if the right stop command is received at this point, the same stop command is received twice in one game. .. Even in such a case, the processing is regarded as a pressing order failure and the effect is output without giving an error notification or the like.
Then, when the "N+2" game is started in the same manner as in pattern 1, the command at the start of the "N+2" game is transmitted to the sub control board 80. As a result, the sub-control board 80 starts producing the "N+2" game.

In pattern 3, the main operation and 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. Therefore, in the "N+1" game, after the communication is restored, the command of the left stop which is the third stop is transmitted to the sub control board 80. Since the sub control board 80 outputs the "left middle display" of the "N" game, when it receives a command to stop to the left in this state, it is determined that the correct pressing order has been reached. Therefore, the sub-control board 80 outputs the left stop effect (press order correct effect effect), and then outputs the middle display.

However, on the side of the main control board 50, the "N+1" game ends with the third stop on the left. Next, when the command at the start of the “N+2” game is sent to the sub control board 80, the sub control board 80 receives the command, and then the “N+2” game is started. Switch to the production at the start. Therefore, the left stop effect and the middle display which have been output until then are canceled. Further, even if the command at the start of the "N+2" game is received during the output of the middle display, no error notification is given, and the effect at the start of the "N+2" game is output according to the received command. .

Pattern 4 is an example of displaying the number of remaining games in AT in the sub display. Further, in pattern 4, the main operation, the disconnection timing, and the communication recovery timing are the same as in pattern 3.
The main control board 50 transmits a command of the number of remaining games of the AT to the sub-control board 80 at the start of each game. When the sub control board 80 receives a command for the number of remaining games of the AT from the main control board 50, it updates the display of the number of remaining games of the AT. Note that during AT, the display of the number of remaining games is not displayed alone, but is output together with the pressing order effect of pattern 3.

In pattern 4, the main control board 50 transmits a command of the number of remaining games in AT to the sub control board 80 when the start switch 41 is operated (when the game is started). Here, in the "N" game, it is assumed that the number of remaining AT games is 10 games.
At the start of the “N” game, the sub control board 80 displays the number of remaining games in AT (10 games remaining) based on the command received from the main control board 50.
Then, if the disconnection occurs in the middle of the "N" game and the disconnection state continues even at the start of the "N+1" game, the main control board 50, when starting the "N+1" game (at the start), The sub-control board 80 cannot receive the command (due to disconnection) although it executes processing for transmitting a command of the number of remaining games (9 games) in the AT to the control board 80. Therefore, in the "N+1" game, the "remaining 10 games" of the "N" game remains displayed.

Then, when communication is restored in the middle of the "N+1" game (after stopping in the middle left) and the process shifts to the "N+2" game, the main control board 50 switches to the sub control board 80 at the start of the "N+2" game. On the other hand, the command of the number of remaining games (8 games) in 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 when the main operation, the disconnection timing, and the communication recovery timing are the same as those in 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 to the sub-control board 80 a command for the number of remaining games in AT (one game remaining). Upon receiving this command, the sub-control board 80 updates the display of the remaining 1 game (from the display of the remaining 2 games until then).
When the disconnection occurs after the right stop of the "N" game, the main control board 50 determines that the number of remaining games in the AT is 0 at the start of the "N+1" game (when the start switch 41 is operated). Although a command to the effect that it is a game is transmitted to the sub control board 80, the sub control board 80 cannot receive the command (same as pattern 4). Therefore, at the start of the “N+1” game, the display indicating that the remaining one AT game is continued.

Further, the sub control board 80 outputs an AT end effect when the AT is ended. The AT end effect is executed at the end of the game based on the reception of a command (at the start of the game) that the number of remaining games in AT is 0 game.
However, in the example of pattern 5, since the sub control board 80 has not received the command indicating that the number of remaining games in AT is 0 game, the AT end effect is not output. Therefore, even at the end of the "N+1" game, the effect indicating that there is one remaining game of AT is output.

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

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

On the other hand, in pattern 1, for example, in the "N+1" game, if a command of the middle stop is received after the communication is restored, the pressing order of the production output at that time, that is, the "N" game Since an incorrect answer pressing order is displayed for the middle left display, the pressing order failure effect is output regardless of whether or not the stop switch 42 is actually operated in the correct answer pressing order. However, even if the pressing order failure effect is output in the “N+1” game, if the player operates the stop switch 42 in the correct order of pressing the “N+1” game, a symbol that 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 in the "N+1" game, the "N+1" game outputs an effect that inherits the effect before the disconnection (the "N" game) and outputs the "N+2" game. Reset the effect at the start (return to the correct effect). As a result, it is possible to minimize the output of unnatural effects in both the game in which the disconnection has occurred and the game in which the communication has been restored, and to prevent the player from misunderstanding as much as possible.

Further, in the example of FIG. 11, an example is shown in which the communication is restored to the "N+1" game after the disconnection occurs in the "N" game, but the communication is restored when two or more games have passed after the disconnection occurred. However, it is the same as FIG. 11.
For example, if a disconnection occurs in the "N" game and communication is restored to the "N+a" game (a="2" or more), the "N" game disconnects until the "N+a-1" game. The production just before is continued to be output. Then, in the "N+a" game in which the communication is restored, the continuation of the "N" game production, which has been continuously outputting, is executed based on the command received after the communication is restored. Next, at the start of the “N+a+1” game, the effect (correct effect) at the start of the “N+a+1” game is updated.

<Fourth Embodiment>
The motor 32 performs acceleration, constant speed, deceleration, and stop processing when the reel 31 rotates and stops, but these are all in the excited state. Then, when the rotation of the motor 32 is stopped, a state is set in which four phases are simultaneously excited for a predetermined time (time T11 described later) (hereinafter, referred to as “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 is stopped.
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. Note that hatching is omitted in FIG. 12 from the viewpoint of viewability of the drawing. Further, FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram for explaining the fourth embodiment, and does not mean that the actual product has a structure as shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, the process from pressing the stop button 42a to returning 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 side above the front door 12 is the side visible to the player.
Furthermore, the line where the detection sensor 42e detects the moving piece 42d is shown by a dotted line. It is assumed that the moment when the tip of the moving piece 42d contacts 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 (pushed inside the slot machine 10) when the player turns on the stop switch 42. The player side of the stop button 42a is arranged so as to protrude from the front door 12 provided on the front surface of the housing of the slot machine 10 by about several millimeters. When viewed from the front of the player side, this portion has a substantially cylindrical shape. In the unloaded state, the stop button 42a is urged in the F3 direction (outward direction, player direction) in the figure (a) by the spring force of the (compression) coil spring 42c, and the urging force causes the stop button 42a. An end of the player 42 a on the player side projects from the front door 12. In this state, the lower surface portion (hereinafter referred to as “flange-shaped portion”) of the stop button 42a in the figure 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 comes into contact with the stop button 42a when the stop button 42a is pushed in, and prohibits further movement of the stop button 42a. Is.

On the lower surface side of the stop button 42a in the figure, a movable piece 42d that is movable integrally with the stop button 42a is provided. Further, a detection sensor 42e for detecting the movement of the moving piece 42d is arranged immediately below the moving piece 42d. In the unloaded state shown in (a) of the figure, when the stop button 42a is biased toward the front door 12 by the biasing force of the coil spring 42c, the tip (lower end in the figure) of the moving piece 42d is It is arranged at a position away from the detection sensor 42e. Therefore, in the state of (a) in the figure, the detection sensor 42e is not detecting 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. As a result, the stop button 42a moves downward in the figure against the biasing force of the coil spring 42c. When the stop button 42a moves downward in the figure, the moving piece 42d integrated with the stop button 42a also moves downward in the figure. As a result, the tip of the moving piece 42d enters the detection sensor 42e. When the tip of the moving piece 42d comes into contact with 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-shaped 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 pushed in from the state of FIG. 12(b), the flange-shaped portion of the stop button 42a contacts the stopper 42c, as shown in FIG. 12(c). This position is the deepest part when the stop button 42a is pushed. Further, 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, so the detection sensor 42e is in the ON state.

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

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. 12(d), the stop button 42a comes into contact with the flange-shaped front door 12 and the stop button 42a stops at this position. This state is the state shown in FIG. 12A, in which the stop button 42a is in the unloaded state.
The state of FIG. 12(b) showing the timing when the detection sensor 42e changes from the off state to the on state and the state of FIG. 12(d) showing the timing when the detection sensor 42e changes from the on state to the off state are generally Although the same, there is no particular problem even if a slight deviation occurs.

FIG. 13 is a time chart showing the relationship between the operation of the stop button 42a and the excitation state of the motor 32 in the fourth embodiment. (a) shows Example 1 and (b) shows Example 2. Show.
In FIG. 13A, the stop button 42a is at the initial position in the unloaded state (FIG. 12A), and the time at the moment when the stop button 42a starts to be pressed is S41. The time when the stop button 42a is pressed and the detection sensor 42e is turned on from off, that is, when the state of FIG. 12(b) is set is S42. Further, the time when the stop button 42a is pushed in from that position and the stop button 42a reaches the deepest portion (when the state shown in FIG. 12C is reached) is S43. The above times S41, S42, and S43 depend on the player's pushing speed, and are not constant. If the stop button 42a is pushed in slowly, the time from time S41 to S43 becomes long, and if the stop button 42a is pushed in quickly, the time from time S41 to S43 becomes short.

Next, at time S44, the stop button 42a is released. At the time of time S44, the stop button 42a is assumed to be located at the deepest part.
When the pushing of the stop button 42a is released, as described above, the spring force of the coil spring 42c exerts a force for returning the stop button 42a to the initial position. The operator of the stop button 42a does not touch the stop button 42a from the moment the stop button 42a is released.
Then, the time when the detection sensor 42e is turned from ON to OFF, that is, when the state of FIG. Here, the time from the time S44 to S45 is T11.

The time T11 is a variable determined by the spring force (spring constant) of the coil spring 42c and the stroke (moving 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 is 100 ms.

On the other hand, when the stop switch 42 is turned on (specifically, the detection sensor 42e is turned on) (in the state of FIG. 12B), the reel control means 65 causes the reel control unit 65 to correspond to the stop switch 42. The stop control of 31 is executed, and the reel 31 is stopped at a position corresponding to a winning combination lottery result (a result determined by the internal drawing means). 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) is as described above (except for the predetermined reel 31 during the MB game). Within 190 ms (when the number of symbols on the reel 31 is 21 symbols, the number of moving frames is 5 or less, when it is 20 symbols, the number of moving frames is 4 or less). Therefore, the time from the start of deceleration of the reel 31 to the stop of the reel 31 is not constant because it depends on the winning combination lottery result and the position of the reel 31 at the moment the stop switch 42 is operated.

Furthermore, after the reel control means 65 has moved the reel 31 to a predetermined position, the motor 32 is simultaneously excited (braked) for four phases for a predetermined time (the above-mentioned four-phase excitation state). ).
Here, the motor 32 in the present embodiment is a four-phase stepping motor, and performs, for example, 1 and 2 phase excitation while the motor 32 (reel 31) is rotating (note that it is not limited to 1 and 2 phase excitation. Absent). Therefore, even when the motor 32 is rotating, it is in one excited state. Then, when the rotational driving of the motor 32 is stopped, the four-phase excitation state is set.
When the bouncing stop is performed after moving the reel 31 to a predetermined position (when the reel 31 appears to vibrate at the stop position), the three-phase excitation state, for example, should be set instead of the four-phase excitation state. Is also possible.

At the moment when the rotation driving of the motor 32 is stopped, there is a possibility that the motor 32 or the reel 31 may be over the desired position due to inertia during rotation, so the motor 32 is stopped at the moment when the reel 31 is stopped at a predetermined position. The four-phase excitation state is set and static torque is generated to prevent movement from the stop position due to inertia. When the motor 32 is in the four-phase excitation state, the next operation acceptance of the stop switch 42 is not permitted. During the first or second stop, the next operation acceptance of the 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, which has stopped the rotation drive, ends.

The reason for controlling in this way is as follows.
In order to maintain the stopped position of the reel 31, the motor 32 is controlled to a four-phase excitation state. However, when such control is performed, more load is applied than in the normal state, so the load on the slot machine 10 as a whole is reduced. It gets bigger. Therefore, in order to reduce this load, it is possible to accept the operation of the next stop button 42a after ending the four-phase excitation state of one motor 32.

In Example 1 of FIG. 13A, when the hand lottery result by the hand lottery means (the result determined by the internal lottery means) is a predetermined result (for example, when the push order bell is won), 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, when the hand lottery result is a predetermined result, the excitation time T12 in the four-phase excitation state is set to "90 interrupts" regardless of which hand lottery result the excitation time T12 is always constant. Does not mean that.

Therefore, in Example 1 of the fourth embodiment, "T11<T12" is set.
Here, when the stop control of the reel 31 is started from the time of time S42, the reel 31 is stopped 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 within 5 (minimum 1 frame), or when the number of symbols on the reel 31 is “20”. Since the number of moving frames during the stop control is within four frames (minimum one frame), the reel 31 stops within about “40” to “190” ms from the time point of time S42.
On the other hand, the time from the time when the detection sensor 42e is changed from the off state to the on state until the stop button 42e reaches the deepest portion and the pushing force of the stop button 42e is released (time from time S42 to S44) , “40” to “180” ms. Therefore, the time when the four-phase excitation state of the motor 32 is started and the time S44 when the stop button 42a is released from pressing are close to each other (approximately the same time).

Therefore, in Example 1, it is assumed that the four-phase excitation state is started at the timing (time S44) when the stop button 42a is released, and the detection sensor 42e is changed from the on state to the off 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, the operation of the next stop button 42a can be accepted.
In this way, if the detection sensor 42e is designed to be turned off before the end of the four-phase excitation state, the operation acceptance of the next stop button 42a can be permitted at the end of the four-phase excitation state. .. This enables the game to proceed at high speed.

On the other hand, in Example 2 of FIG. 13B, from the moment when the stop button 42a reaching the deepest portion is released (time S44) to when the detection sensor 42e is turned on (at time S45). In this example, the time T11 (until the arrival) is set to 300 ms. Therefore, the return time of the stop button 42a is three times longer than that in the first example. 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 to the end of the four-phase excitation state is set to 45 interrupts (100.575 ms).
Then, in Example 2, as in Example 1, it is assumed that the four-phase excitation state is started from the moment when the stop button 42a reaching the deepest portion is released (time S44), and the four-phase excitation of the motor 32 is started. 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, the operation of the next stop button 42a can be accepted.

In this way, by designing the four-phase excitation state to end 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. This enables the game to proceed at high speed.
As described above, both Example 1 and Example 2 have advantages in control.
In addition, in the example 1 and the example 2 of FIG. 13, the time T12 from the start to the end of the four-phase excitation state is different. However, if the four-phase excitation time T12 is a constant value, for example, if "T11<T12", then 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 of Example 1 can be played at a higher speed.

<Fifth Embodiment>
The fifth embodiment relates to the relationship between on/off of a power source and activation of a program.
FIG. 14 is a time chart showing an outline of the control in the fifth embodiment.
In FIG. 14, (a) is a diagram showing a state when the power is cut off after the main program (the 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 (the power switch 11 is turned on in FIG. 1), the power supply to both the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 is started, and the main control board 50 and The voltage level of the sub control plate 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 failure detection level V1, and the drive voltage limit V2 are the same as in FIG. 3 (first embodiment (A)).

The time when the voltage level of the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 reaches the supply level V0 after the power is turned on at time S51 is defined as S52. After that, the sub program by the sub control board 80 is started from time S53 when time T22 has elapsed from time S52. Thereafter, the main program by the main control board 50 is started from time S54 when time T23 (T23>T22) has elapsed from time S52. As described above, the sub program is activated first and then the main program is activated when the main control board 50 transmits the first command after power-on to the sub control board 80. This is for keeping the command receivable on the sub-control board 80 side.

Next, when the power is cut off (power switch 11 is turned off, power failure, etc.) at time S55, the voltage levels of the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 are gradually reduced. Even if the voltage level is lowered, if the voltage is equal to or higher than the drive voltage limit V2, the main control board 50 and the sub control board 80 can execute the power-off processing.
Further, when the power failure occurs at time S55, the voltage becomes the power failure detection level V1 at time T0 (20 interrupts) as in FIG. 3, and the power failure is detected (time S56). Furthermore, after the power-off is detected, the power-off processing is executed, for example, after one interruption, as in FIG. The power-off process ends at time S57.
After that, when time S58 is reached, the voltage falls below the drive voltage limit V2, and the program (process) cannot be executed. Therefore, the power-off process is controlled to be completed before the time S58.

When the main program is started at time S54, the setting of the main CPU 55, the check of the RWM 53, the confirmation of whether the previous power-off was normal, the confirmation of the state of the setting key switch, etc. are executed, and then the interrupt processing is activated. .. When the setting key switch is off, power interruption recovery processing (initialization of a predetermined range of the RWM 53, etc.) is executed after the interruption processing is activated. On the other hand, when the setting key switch is on, the process proceeds to the setting change process after the interrupt process is activated.
Then, as shown in FIG. 14A, in the case where the power is cut off after starting the main program, if the setting key switch is off, the power cut-off process is executed after the power cut-off recovery process is completed. To do. As a result, the program can be terminated normally.
On the other hand, when the power is cut off after the main program is activated, if the setting key switch is on, the power cutoff process is executed without starting the setting change process. This is because if the setting change process is executed after the power is cut 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 failure is detected at the same time when the main program is started.
Furthermore, after the main program is started, even if the power is cut off thereafter, it is always executed until the interrupt is started. This is to detect power failure in interrupt processing. As in the first embodiment (A), for example, at the “N” interrupt, a voltage drop (power cut detection level V1) that is determined to have occurred a power cut is detected, and the next “N+1” game is executed. However, when the voltage drop is detected, the power failure is detected at the “N+1” interrupt (determined as power failure). Then, the power-off process is executed from the "N+2" interrupt.

In the example of FIG. 14A, the main program is activated at time S54, and the power is cut off at time S55 thereafter. However, even if the power is cut off at the same time as the time S54 (start of the main program), the power cut processing can be completed before the voltage reaches the drive voltage limit V2.
In FIG. 14A, the time T21 from when the power is turned on (time S51) until the voltage reaches the supply level V0 (time S52) is the time when the power supply is cut off (time S55) and the voltage is changed to the low level. The time is set to be shorter than T24.
Further, the time T23 (the time from the voltage reaching the supply level V0 to the start of the main program) is set to be shorter than the time T24.

FIG. 14B is an example when the power is cut off before the main program is started by the main control board 50. 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 before the time S54 in FIG. That is, after the power (supply level V0) necessary for starting the main program is supplied, the power is cut off before the predetermined time (time T23) elapses (before the time S54 is reached), and the voltage drops. Here is an example. In such a case, the main program will not start. Therefore, after that, the voltage gradually decreases, and finally the power supply becomes the Low level.
In the example of FIG. 14(b), when the power is turned on again, it can be started normally.
Although not shown in FIG. 14, the power cut may occur immediately after the subprogram is activated (after time S53) and before the time S54 (before the main program is activated). Be done.
When the power is cut off at the above timing, the subprogram executes the power cut processing of the subprogram. Then, the power-off process of the sub-program can be completed before the voltage supplied to the sub-control board 80 reaches the drive voltage limit V2.
Further, since the power-off at the above timing is the power-off before the start of the main program, the main program does not start 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 this embodiment, the passage sensor 46 is provided. This is because the passage sensor 46 enhances the accuracy of the medal insertion determination and is effective as a countermeasure against fraud. However, the passage sensor 46 may 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 medal M moving 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 medal M may be detected by the insertion sensors 44a and 44b.
(3) In FIG. 2, the blocker 45 is arranged on the lower surface side of the medal passage, but it is not limited to this. It is sufficient that it has a function of sending the medal M to the outside of the medal passage before the medal M is detected by the insertion sensor 44a.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the insertion sensors 44a and 44b are illustrated so as to detect an area slightly above the center position of the medal M when viewed from the front, but the actual product has such a configuration. 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 it is located at M4, but it is not limited to this. For example, when the medal M is at the position M1 in FIG. 2 and the time from the moment the hand is released to the time M4 is reached, T2 may be set, and “T2>T1” may be set. Alternatively, the time taken for the medal M to reach M4 from any predetermined position between M1 and M2 may be set to T2, and “T2>T1” may be set.

(5) In the first embodiment (A), when the power cutoff occurs at the moment when the medal M is located at M2, the power cutoff process is executed before the medal M reaches M4. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, when the power cutoff occurs at the moment when the medal M is located at M2, the power cutoff process may be executed before the medal M reaches M3. That is, in this case, due to the power-off process, the medal M is not detected by the insertion sensor 44a.
Alternatively, if the power is cut off at the moment when the medal M is located at 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) Furthermore, in the first embodiment (A), the power is cut off at the moment when the medal M is located at M2, the time T1 until the power cut is detected and the power cut processing (blocker off) is executed. Can be 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 M2 (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, 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 next to the interrupt process in which the power-off is detected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be set such that the power cutoff process (blocker off) is executed after the interrupt process of “2” to “5”, for example, counting from the interrupt process that detected the power cutoff. Alternatively, the power-off process (blocker off) may be executed by the interrupt process that detects the power-off.
(8) In the first embodiment (A) of FIG. 3, the time T0 until the voltage reaches the sustain level V1 from the supply level V0 is set to 20 interrupts when the power is cut off, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is possible to set various settings without depending on the performance of the power supply.

(9) In the first embodiment (C) of FIG. 7, the payout sensors 37a and 37b detect the movable piece 39a when the medal M is paid out by the medal payout device. 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 passage of the (payout) medal M.

Further, when the payout sensors 37a and 37b are arranged in such a manner, when the medal M passes through the payout sensors 37a and 37b,
Dispensing sensor 37a is on, dispensing sensor 37b is off (time S31')
Dispensing sensor 37a on, dispensing sensor 37b on (time S32')
Dispensing sensor 37a off, dispensing 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 time T1 (time from occurrence of power interruption to execution of power interruption processing).

(10) In the second embodiment, the gate trace 57b is formed so that the projection 57d and the recess 57c are on the outer side. Conversely, the gate trace 57b is formed so that the projection 57d and the recess 57c are on the inner side. It is also possible. The same applies to the gate mark 58b of the lower cover 58. In this case, if the gate trace 57b has the shape shown in FIG. 10B, the outside of the upper cover 57 or the lower cover 58 becomes a smooth surface. On the other hand, in the case of the shape shown in FIG. 10C, the 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 is given as an example of the board case 56. However, the second embodiment can be applied not only to the main control board 50 but also to other control boards for which fraud is desired to be prevented, for example, the 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, but on the upper surface of the upper cover of the board case of the sub-control board 80, at least the sub-direction in the direction perpendicular to the gate trace (just below). The CPU 85 may not be arranged, and the RWM 83 and the ROM 54 may not be arranged. Similarly, it is possible to prevent the model number display areas of the sub-control board 80 from overlapping in the vertical direction (just below) the gate traces.

(12) In the third embodiment, the push order effect during AT and the display of the operated stop switch 42 (stopped reel 31) and the number of remaining games during AT have been described as an example. The third embodiment can be applied even when displaying the number of games (BB games, etc.) acquired and the number of remaining available games.
For example, the number of acquisitions at the start of the "N" game is "200", the number of acquisitions at the start of the "N+1" game is "209", and the number of acquisitions at the start of the "N+2" game is " Suppose it was 218". Further, the main control board 50 is supposed to transmit a command regarding the acquired number to the sub control board 80 at the start of each game.
Then, similarly to 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 number to be acquired in the "N" game. Further, at the start of the “N+1” game, since the command regarding the acquired number is not received (due to the disconnection), the “N+1” game also maintains the display of the acquired number “200”. Next, when the sub-control board 80 receives a command regarding the acquired number at the start of the “N+2” game, it updates the display of the acquired number of “218” based on the command.

(13) In FIG. 11 of the third embodiment, an example is shown in which the image display is normally restored at the start of the “N+2” game. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image display may be returned to the normal state after the total stop of the “N+1” game or when a bet operation is performed thereafter. Alternatively, it is also possible to restore the image display to normal at a predetermined timing based on a command transmitted to the sub control board 80 during or after the complete stop.

(14) In the third embodiment, for example, in the middle of an open “N+1” game, there is a case where the player wins the additional (addition) lottery in the number of available games and the number of games in AT. In this case, since the "N+1" game is disconnected, the sub control board 80 cannot receive a command based on winning 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. It is possible to display the game information (the number of obtainable games and the number of games) after being added.

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

(16) In the third embodiment (FIG. 11), in the case of displaying the acquired number of images during AT, the following method may be used as the update processing of the image display of the acquired number before and after the disconnection.
When the payout process is performed, the main control board 50 sends a command indicating the acquired number to the sub control board 80. Here, when a disconnection occurs in the middle of the "N" game, the sub control board 80 cannot receive the number of acquired "N" games. Immediately before the disconnection of the "N" game, the sub-control board 80 is supposed to display "100" as the acquired number in AT. Further, both the "N" game item and the "N+1" game item in AT are to acquire 10 cards.
In this case, the number of coins in AT at the end of the "N" game should originally be "110", but remains "100" (because of disconnection). Then, it is assumed that communication is restored in the middle of the "N+1" game. As a result, the sub-control board 80 can return the acquired number in AT to a normal value based on the acquired number command received during the payout process of the "N+1" game. Here, it may be returned to a normal value at the time of payout processing 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. Further, it may be updated to "110" at the time of payout processing of the "N+1" game and 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 a gaming machine, but the present invention is also applicable to a pachinko gaming machine, for example. In pachinko gaming machines, starting mouth (starting the symbol fluctuation by the symbol fluctuation display device and winning the random number for the jackpot lottery), Den Chu winning mouth (when the game ball wins, the next winning For the sake of ease, a prize hole is provided with a character that opens for a certain period of time and then closes. (The electric chu is not limited to a tulip shape.), various prize holes such as an attacker (a big prize hole that opens during a big hit) It is provided. Then, the first embodiment (B) can be applied to these winning openings.

Specifically, for example, a winning sensor (a sensor that first detects the game ball that has won the starting port) and an ejection sensor (a sensor that detects the game ball after being detected by the winning sensor) are provided at the starting port. It 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 an ejection sensor (a sensor that detects the gaming ball after being detected by the V winning sensor). ..
For example, in the case of a starting opening, when power loss occurs at the moment when the game ball is detected by the winning sensor, the discharge sensor is set to be able to detect the game ball before the power shutdown process is executed. Thereby, even if the power is cut off 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 the prize ball from not being paid out even though the game ball has won in the winning opening. The same applies to the V winning sensor and the discharge sensor of the attacker.

(18) In the present embodiment, the slot machine 10 is given as an example of one of the gaming machines. However, the slot machine 10 is a “revolving-type gaming machine” installed in the fourth branch office to which the wind management law is applied. The present invention is not limited to (so-called "pachi-slot gaming machine"), but can be applied to, for example, a casino machine or an enclosed gaming machine (medalless gaming machine) that does not use medals used for gaming as a gaming medium.

Here, the enclosed game machine (medalless game machine) can eliminate the medal payout device (a 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 dispensed with. Then, all the electronic medals (electronic game media) given by winning the winning 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 (it is possible to store up to “99,999” electronic medals).
Even in such a casino machine or an enclosed game machine (medalless game machine), the present invention can be applied except for the first embodiment.

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

1. Original invention 1
(A) Problem to be Solved by Initial Invention 1 The initial invention relates to a gaming machine in which processing related to a game medium is not executed after power failure occurs.
In the conventional gaming machine, by turning off the blocker before executing the backup process as the power-off process, even if a medal is inserted during the backup process, the medal is returned to the player via the blocker. Therefore, a technique is known in which the medal addition process is not performed (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-173832).
However, for example, if the power is cut off at the moment when a medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot, the medal will pass through the blocker before the power off process is executed, and the medal will be counted. There was a possibility. It should be noted 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 is cut off.
Initially, the problem to be solved by the invention is to prevent the addition processing of the game medium from being executed even when the power supply is cut off almost at the same time when the game medium is input from the game medium input port. ..

(B) Means for solving the problem of invention 1 at the beginning (Note that the corresponding embodiment is described in parentheses.)
The original invention (first embodiment (A)) is
A game medium slot (medal slot 47),
It is provided in the passage (medal passage) of the game medium (medal) inserted from the game medium insertion port, and the state of permitting the passage of the game medium (ON state) or the state of disallowing the passage of the game medium (OFF state) ) Controllable blocker (45),
Detecting means A (insertion sensor 44a) and B (insertion sensor 44b) (detection means B provided downstream of the detection means A provided in the passage of the game medium inserted from the game medium insertion port and capable of detecting the game medium Located at) and
From the time when the power supply is cut off in the situation where the blocker is controlled to allow the passage of the game medium, the event that the power supply is cut off is detected, and the game medium Let T1 (T1 in FIGS. 2 and 3) be the time until the blocker is controlled so that the passage is not permitted,
When the game medium is released from the game medium inlet toward the inside of the game machine while the blocker is controlled to allow passage of the game medium, the game medium is not visible from the front of the game machine. From when it becomes possible (the position of M2 in FIG. 2) until the detection means B detects the game medium and the detection means B stops detecting 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 in that

(C) Effect of Initial Invention 1 According to the initial invention, the power supply is cut off when the game medium is ejected from the game medium inlet toward the inside of the game machine and the game medium becomes invisible from the front of the game machine. In this case, the blocker is controlled to a state in which the passage of the game medium is not permitted by detecting the event that the power supply is cut off before the detection means B stops detecting the game medium. At least, it is not detected by the detecting means B.
Therefore, since the game medium is not normally detected by the detection means A and B, the game medium addition process (bet process or credit process) is not executed. Therefore, even if the power is cut off when the game medium becomes invisible from the front of the game machine, that is, even if the power is cut off immediately after the game medium is released inside the game machine, the game is stopped. You can choose not to accept the medium. As a result, it is possible to prevent the addition processing of the game medium from being executed after the power is cut off.

2. Initial invention 2
(A) Problem to be Solved by Initial Invention 2 The initial invention relates to a gate mark of a board case in a gaming machine provided with a board case in which a control board is housed.
In a conventional game machine, a board case in which a main control board is housed is known. Here, since the substrate case is generally formed by molding, a gate mark remains on the substrate case. Then, a technique in which this gate mark is used as a mark has been proposed (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-042270).
However, since the gate mark on the substrate case has a resin cut portion, it is unclear from the outside. Therefore, there is a problem that the gate trace may be opened and the inside of the main control board may be accessed.
Initially, the problem to be solved by the invention is to suppress the goto action using the gate mark of the substrate case.

(B) Means for solving the problem of the first invention 2 (Note that the corresponding embodiment is described in parentheses.)
The original invention (second embodiment) is
A predetermined IC (main CPU 55) having an arithmetic function,
A control board (main control board 50) having the predetermined IC mounted on one surface (a surface facing the upper surface of the upper cover 57);
A board case (a board case 56 including an upper cover 57 and a lower cover 58) that has a plurality of surfaces (top surface, side surface, etc.) and accommodates the control board;
The substrate case is formed so that the inside can be visually confirmed,
A gate trace (57b) at the time of molding of the substrate case is arranged on a surface (outside the upper surface of the upper cover 57) outside the substrate case and facing the one surface of the control substrate,
It is characterized in that the predetermined IC of the control substrate is not located in a direction perpendicular to the facing surface from the gate trace.

(C) Effect of Original Invention 2 According to the initial invention, since the predetermined IC of the control board is not positioned in the vertical direction of the gate mark on the substrate case, the gate mark is illegally opened to access the predetermined IC. Can be prevented.
Further, since the gate mark of the substrate case does not exist 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 mark. As a result, it is possible to easily visually confirm whether or not a given IC has been tampered with.

3. Initial invention 3
(A) Problem to be Solved by Initial Invention 3 The initial invention relates to processing when communication is restored from a disconnection in a communication between the main control board and the sub-control board.
In a conventional gaming machine, a gaming machine is known 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.
Here, there is known a technique in which the sub control board compares a command received last time with a command received this time, and determines a command reception abnormality based on the consistency of these received commands (for example, Open 2014-226503).
However, when a command is transmitted from the main control board to the sub control board, disconnection may occur between the main control board and the sub control board. Then, when communication is restored, the sub-control board may not be able to output a normal effect.
Initially, the problem to be solved by the invention is to make an appropriate effect when communication is restored after a disconnection occurs between the main control board and the sub control board.

(B) Means for solving the problem of Invention 3 at the beginning (Note that the corresponding embodiment is described in parentheses.)
The original invention (third embodiment) is
A main control board (50),
A sub control board (80) for controlling the effect based on the information received from the main control board,
The sub control board can receive information of the operated stop switch (42) from the main control board,
In a predetermined game state (AT), the sub-control board can output an effect corresponding to the operation of the stop switch based on receiving information of the operated stop switch,
The sub control board,
In the case where a predetermined stop switch is operated at the "N" game in the predetermined game state, when the information on the operation of the predetermined stop switch is received, a predetermined operation corresponding to the operation of the predetermined stop switch is received. Outputs the effect (effect when the reel corresponding to the predetermined stop switch is stopped), and then the information from the main control board cannot be received before all the remaining stop switches in the "N" game are operated. , Then, the information from the main control board can be received in the "N+a" game, and then, in the "N+a" game, the information that a specific stop switch different from the predetermined stop switch is operated is received. At this time, an effect corresponding to the operation of the specific stop switch and an effect related to the predetermined effect (an effect following the predetermined effect when the reel corresponding to the specific stop switch is stopped) is output. Then, after that, when the predetermined information is received in the "N+a+1" game, the effect of the "N+a+1" game is output based on the predetermined information.

(C) Effect of Initial Invention 3 According to the initial invention, when the communication is restored in the middle of the “N+a” game, an effect related to the predetermined effect of the “N” game that has been output until then is output. Therefore, in the "N+a" game, the effect following the "N" game can be output. Then, since the normal production is restored when the game shifts to the "N+a+1" game, it is possible to prevent the production from suddenly changing due to the return of communication in the middle of the "N+a" game. As a result, before and after the occurrence of the disconnection, it is possible to output an effect without a feeling of strangeness.

4. Original invention 4
(A) Problem 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 the conventional gaming machine, when the stop switch is operated, the reel corresponding to the stop switch is stopped at a predetermined position corresponding to the lottery result. Further, after stopping the reel at a predetermined position, the motor is energized for a predetermined time. Here, when the operated stop switch is in the ON state or when the motor is in the excitation state, the next operation of the stop switch is not accepted.
Here, there is known a technique in which, even after the first stop switch is operated until the reel status is stopped, the stop operation is not accepted even if the second stop switch is operated ( See, for example, JP-A-2017-093576).
However, in the above-described conventional technique, if the time until the next operation of the stop switch becomes acceptable after the stop switch is operated, there is a problem that the game cannot be digested at high speed.
Initially, the problem to be solved by the invention is to enable the stop switch to be operated at high speed.

(B) Means for solving the problem of the first invention 4 (Note that the corresponding embodiment is described in parentheses.)
The original invention (fourth embodiment) is
Reel (31),
A motor (32) for rotating the reel;
Reel control means (65) for driving and controlling the motor to stop the rotation of the reel based on the detection of the operation of the stop button (stop button 42a);
With internal drawing means (role drawing means 61),
A sensor (detection sensor 42e) that detects the operation of the stop button is turned on until the stop button is pushed to the deepest portion (position shown in FIG. 12C), and when the push of the stop button is released, the stop button is released. The button is configured to be movable to an initial position (the position shown in FIG. 12A) by a biasing force, and the sensor is turned off before the stop button moves to the initial position.
In the game in which the internal drawing means determines a predetermined result, the stop button is operated for a predetermined reel at a predetermined timing under the condition that all reels are rotated by the reel control means, and the predetermined After detecting the ON state of the sensor of the stop button for the reel, the excited state (four-phase excited state) for stopping the predetermined reel is set, and a predetermined time (T12 in FIG. 13) has elapsed from the excited state. Is configured to end the excitation state,
When the time from the moment the push of the stop button pushed to the deepest part is released to the time when the sensor is turned off is T1 (T11 in FIG. 13) and the predetermined time is T2,
T1<T2
It is characterized in that

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

10 slot machines (gaming machines)
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 payout 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 Adjustment switch 44a, 44b Insertion sensor 45 Blocker 46 Passage sensor 47 Medal insertion slot 47a Medal guard part 47b Medal placement part 50 Main control board (main control) means)
50a Screw hole 51 Input port 52 Output port 53 RWM
54 ROM
55 Main CPU
56 board case 57 upper cover 57a caulking part 57b gate mark 57c recess 57d protrusion 57e protrusion 58 lower cover 58a caulking part 58b gate mark 58c boss 61 winning lottery means 62 winning flag control means 63 push order instruction number selecting means 64 directing group Number selection means 65 Reel control means 66 Winning determination means 67 Payout means 71 Control command transmission means 73 Set 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 Production output control means

Claims (1)

With a hopper,
Detecting means C and detecting means D capable of detecting a movable piece that is displaceable when the game medium is dispensed by driving the hopper (the detecting means C detects when the movable piece is in the initial position, and the detecting means D is detecting when the movable piece is at a predetermined position after displacement)) and
Let T1 be the design value for the period from when the power supply is cut off to when the power is cut off.
In the case where a specific number of game media are dispensed by driving the hopper, the detecting means C detects the movable piece from the time when the detecting means C stops detecting the movable piece, and then the detecting means C again detects the movable piece. When the design value of the period until the detection and the detection means C stops detecting the movable piece again in order to pay out the next game medium is T4,
T1<T4
Is a gaming machine.

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