JP6744562B2 - Amusement machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention described in this specification (hereinafter referred to as the “present invention”) relates to gaming machines such as slot machines and pachinko machines.

A slot machine (revolving drum type gaming machine), which is a typical gaming machine, generally controls the progress of a game using reels (also referred to as "revolving drums") (for example, reel drive control, role determination (" (Also referred to as "role lottery"), control of insertion/payout of game media such as game medals, transition control of game state between a plurality of game states having different probability of winning combination determination, and the like (" Also referred to as "main control means") and various effects for the purpose of improving the interest of the game depending on the game situation (image effect by image display device (also referred to as "liquid crystal display device"), sound effect by speaker device, etc.) And a sub-control board (also referred to as “sub-control means”) that controls the execution of the above. Information transmission (transmission) between both boards is performed in only one direction from the main control board to the sub-control board. It is possible.

In a slot machine, generally, an effective line is set by inserting a specified number of game media, and a reel rotation start operation such as tilting of a start lever (also referred to as “starting lever”) is performed by a player. Thus, a winning combination determination process (also referred to as a “winning lottery process”) is performed, and any game winning combination (also simply referred to as a “winning combination”) or loss is determined, and then a plurality of reels start spinning. When a plurality of reels start to rotate and reach a predetermined rotation speed, a reel rotation stop operation such as pressing a stop switch is enabled, and the player performs a reel rotation stop operation for each reel Are sequentially stopped.

Usually, the rotation stop of the plurality of reels is controlled based on the timing of the reel rotation stop operation by the player and the determined winning combination. That is, each reel is controlled so that it can be stopped at an arbitrary timing within a predetermined time (usually, a maximum of 5 symbols can be moved) from the timing when the reel rotation stop operation is performed, whereby the winning combination is determined. The combination (also called "winning winning combination") determined by the process (also called "winning" or "winning") is realized as much as possible (combination of symbols forming the winning combination winning combination (also called "corresponding symbol")) Is stopped and displayed on the activated line), and a winning combination that has not been determined by the winning combination determination process is not established (corresponding symbols constituting winning combinations other than the permitted winning combination are not stopped and displayed on the activated line). In addition, the symbol combination that is stopped and displayed is also referred to as a "roll result".

As the game combination, in addition to the normal combination called a re-game combination or a small combination, a special combination also called a bonus combination is generally provided. The re-play role is a role that allows a re-play (the next game can be performed without the player inserting a new game medium) even though the game medium is not given (cannot be acquired) even if established. Also called "role". The small winning combination is a winning combination in which a predetermined number of game media can be acquired when the winning combination is established, and is also called a "winning combination". A bonus combination (special combination) is a combination in which a special game state (also called "special combination", "special game", or "bonus game (game)") can be activated (settable) when the bonus combination is established. Is. The special gaming state is, for example, the role determination probability of a predetermined small role (simply the "determination probability" is acceptable, other than that, the "role lottery probability" (simply the "lottery probability"), the "role selection probability" (simply The "probability of selection" is acceptable), and the "probability of winning part" (may be simply "probability of winning") is higher than usual.

In many cases, only a small number of the symbol combinations constituting the special combination are arranged on each reel. Therefore, even when the special combination is determined, the player performs the reel rotation stop operation for each reel in consideration of the timing at which the corresponding symbol can be stopped and displayed while discriminating the symbols to be rotated and displayed (such as It is difficult to establish a special role unless the operation is also called “pressing”. However, if the special part is decided but it cannot be established, information indicating that the special part has been decided is carried over to the next game ("special part"). It is also referred to as "carrying out winning roles", "carrying out winning special roles," etc.), and even for players who are not good at keeping up with the push, the opportunity to establish a decided special role is guaranteed (having a winning There is also a special role that cannot be crossed).

Further, in the conventional slot machine, a plurality of RT states (game states) having different winning combination determination probabilities are provided, and a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, a predetermined symbol combination is stopped and displayed). It is generally known that the transition to another RT state is triggered by. Such a transition between the RT states is controlled by the main control board because the combination determination probability of the combination (re-play combination) changes. In addition, a period in which the winning combination determination probability of the re-play combination is controlled to the RT state set to the highest value may be referred to as a replay time.

On the other hand, it is also possible to set a game period called AT (assist time) for notifying information that allows the player to play the game advantageously, and to perform a predetermined notification effect (assist effect) within this game period. ing. Such an AT may be set during a period (replay time) in which the winning combination determination probability of the replay combination is controlled to the RT state in which it is set to the highest value, and the AT during such a replay time is: It is generally called ART (assist replay time). In reality, even if the role determination probability of the re-game combination is not controlled to the RT state set to the highest value, it is decided that such a state to be controlled to the RT state is ART (assist Replay time). As an assist effect performed during AT, for example, when a small winning combination that enables the acquisition of a game medium is determined, the fact is notified or the determined small winning combination is established (corresponding symbol is an effective line. The operation mode of the stop switch (the operation order (also referred to as “push order”) indicating the order in which the plurality of stop switches should be operated and the stop switch) There is known a device for giving notification of an operation position (also referred to as a “push position”) indicating which rotation position the reel should be operated. It should be noted that the game combination (combination result) in which the symbol combination that is stopped and displayed is different depending on the difference in the pressing order is also referred to as the “pressing combination”.

There is also a slot machine (also referred to as "sub AT machine") in which the above-described control processing relating to the AT (also referred to as "AT related control processing") is performed exclusively by the sub control means. However, since there is a problem that the AT can be forcibly set by performing a fraudulent act (goto act) on the sub-control unit, it is more difficult to perform the fraudulent action than the sub-control unit these days. Many slot machines (also referred to as "main AT machines") perform a part of the AT-related control processing by the main control means. For example, the main control means mainly performs the processing relating to the setting of the AT and the processing of determining the pushing order to notify during the AT, and the sub-control means is mainly determined by the main control means in the AT set by the main control means. There is known a main AT machine that performs a process of executing a pressed order notification (assist effect). In such a main AT machine, various information relating to the AT is managed by the main control means, and the information is appropriately transmitted from the main control means to the sub control means.

Generally, in a slot machine, the amusement store side determines the winning combination determination result (“role lottery result” (simply “lottery result” is acceptable), “role winning result” (merely “winning result” is acceptable), “role winning result”. It is possible to change the set value for setting the probability of determining "(may be simply referred to as "winning result") within a range of a plurality of steps. The difference in the role determination probabilities (also referred to as “setting difference”) affects the payout rate of the slot machine. Therefore, the set value is an index for managing the payout rate for the game store, and for the player, It is of great interest as an index for acquiring more game media. Among the role determination results (winning roles), the role determination probability does not change at any setting value (also referred to as “role determination result without setting difference”), and the role determination probability changes depending on the setting difference ( It is also referred to as "a winning combination determination result with a setting difference").

In the gaming machine, various devices have been made so far in order to improve the interest of the game. For example, in the bonus game during non-AT, when the player presses a predetermined push order operation when the push forward combination is selected, the value of the predetermined counter is updated and the updated counter value reaches the predetermined value. Then, a game machine configured to give a privilege is known (for example, see Patent Document 1 below). Further, the counter set to a predetermined initial value is managed in the AT, the value of the counter is updated according to the result of the winning combination lottery in the AT, and the AT is ended when the updated counter value reaches the predetermined value. A gaming machine that does is known (for example, see Patent Document 2 below).

In addition, in the gaming machine, the number of game media (also referred to as “acquired number”) acquired by the player in a gaming state in which the player has an advantage over the normal gaming state (also referred to as “advantageous gaming state”) is advantageous. Many are displayed during the game period or at the end of the game, but there are also some measures taken to improve the interest of the game. For example, there is known a game machine configured to display a medium acquisition number, which is a difference between a game medium used for a game and a game medium paid out by a payout means, by a button operation (for example, Patent Document 3 below). See). Also, during execution and at the end of the special game, two or more types of game medium information regarding the number of game media acquired in the special game are displayed on the image display means, and at least one game medium information is displayed in a specific drawing mode. A gaming machine configured to do so is known (for example, see Patent Document 4 below).

JP, 2013-141491, A JP, 2016-198476, A JP, 2013-31471, A JP, 2006-68236, A

In the conventional gaming machine, various contrivances have been made in order to enhance the playability and to enhance the enjoyment of the game, and to make the game play smoothly, but there is room for further improvement.

For example, in a bonus game, updating a counter value in accordance with a game result or the like, and playing a game in which a privilege is given when the updated counter value reaches a predetermined value is to improve the game performance in the bonus game. It will be useful. Further, the configuration in which the privilege is awarded when the value of the counter reaches a predetermined value has an advantage that it is easy for the player to know that the privilege is confirmed. However, the value of the counter may reach a predetermined value at an early stage, and in that case, if it is easy for the player to know that the privilege will be granted, the player will be exhausted at that point. However, there is a possibility that the interest of the game thereafter may be reduced.

In addition, displaying the number of acquired game media in the advantageous game state to notify the player is useful in that the player can grasp the outcome of the game in the advantageous game state. However, when the value of the number of acquisitions displayed at the end of the advantageous game state is small, the player who sees it is disappointed that he did not get a satisfactory result, and the player's motivation is greatly reduced. There is also a risk that

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in a game that determines whether or not to grant a privilege according to the value of a counter that is updated, whether or not the privilege is granted until the end of the period in which the game is executed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game machine that is difficult for a player to understand.

The gaming machine according to the present invention has the following features. In the following description of the characteristic configuration, an example of the corresponding configuration in the embodiments described later is shown in parentheses.

A gaming machine according to the present invention (for example, a slot machine 1) includes a main control means for performing a lottery and a sub-control means for controlling a predetermined effect, and an advantageous game that is advantageous to a player (for example, a bonus). A game machine capable of executing a game), and as a combination selected in the combination lottery, a different symbol combination (for example, "bell bell bell", "replay bell replay") depending on the pressing order by the player. Alternatively, a "replay bell watermelon/cherry") can be displayed, and a push order combination (for example, winning prizes A to C) is provided, and as a period during which the advantageous game is performed, a specific period (for example, a push order selection game execution period). ) And a non-specific period (for example, a push order selection game non-execution period), and in the specific period, a push order selection game that allows the player to select a push order when the push order combination is selected. In the non-specific period, when the pressing order combination is selected, the pressing order selection game is not executed, and a pressing order notification for notifying the player of a predetermined pressing order (for example, bell alignment) (Navi) is performed by both the main control means and the sub control means, and in the advantageous game, a predetermined counter value (for example, a star counter value) is set to a predetermined initial value before the specific period is started. (For example, “3”), the set value of the counter is updated so as to increase or decrease according to the result of the push order selection game, and the value of the counter at the end of the specific period is equal to or more than the initial value. If it is, a predetermined privilege is given.

According to the gaming machine having such a configuration, the privilege is awarded when the value of the counter updated according to the result of the push order selection game performed in the specific period is equal to or more than the initial value at the end of the specific period. It Therefore, even if the counter value deviates from the initial value at an early stage of the specific period, if the counter value increases or decreases after that, and there is a possibility that it will be equal to or greater than the initial value or less than the initial value at the end of the specific period. Whether or not the privilege is granted is not decided at that time. Whether or not the privilege can be given is determined by whether the counter value at the end of the specific period will not exceed the initial value no matter how the counter value increases or decreases thereafter. It is the time when there is no possibility of becoming less than. Therefore, at least in the early stage of the specific period, whether or not the privilege can be given is not fixed, and it may be delayed until the end of the specific period.

In addition, unlike the configuration in which the privilege is confirmed when the value of the counter reaches a predetermined value, even if it is internally confirmed whether or not the privilege can be granted in the middle of the specific period, the counter at that time is determined. If the relationship between the value of and the number of remaining games is not sufficiently understood, it is difficult for the player to recognize that the privilege granting is confirmed. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for the player to know whether or not the privilege is given until the end of the specific period. Further, thereby, it becomes possible to enhance the playability of the push order selection game in the privilege period. Furthermore, in the non-specific period, the push order selection game is not executed when the push order combination is selected, and the push order notification for notifying the player of the predetermined push order is performed. It is possible to easily identify that the push order selection game is not played.

According to the gaming machine configured as described above, in a game in which whether or not to grant the privilege is determined according to the value of the updated counter, whether or not the privilege is granted to the player is determined until the end of the period in which the game is executed. It is possible to make it difficult to understand.

It is a front view of the first slot machine. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of the first slot machine. It is a diagram showing a symbol arrangement of reels of the first slot machine. It is a diagram showing a symbol combination in the first slot machine. In the first slot machine, (A) shows a winning item (replay/win) in the winning combination determination, and (B) shows a winning item (bonus) in the winning combination determination. FIG. 3 is a block diagram conceptually showing the functions of the first slot machine. FIG. 38 shows the relationship between the RT states in the first slot machine. It is a diagram showing a relationship of each game mode in the first slot machine. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between a navigation number, a corresponding push order, and display contents in the first slot machine. (A) in the above first slot machine shows an outline of a bonus game period, and (B) shows an outline of main processing during a push order selection game. In the first slot machine, (A) is the content of the winning combination during the bonus game, (B) is the content of the game level lottery, (C) is the content of the winning navigation lottery, and (D) is the content of the revival lottery. FIG. In the first slot machine, (A) is a bell-aligned effect (when winning A is selected), (B) is a pressing order selecting effect, (C) is winning navigation effect (when winning A is selected), and (D) is a game result. It is a figure which respectively shows the example of a notification effect (addition), (E), a game result notification effect (subtraction), and (F) a game result notification effect (maintenance). In the first slot machine, (A) is the end image (1), (B) is the end image (2), (C) is the end image (3), (D) is the end image (4), (E). Is an end image (5), (F) is a diagram showing an example of a mode of displaying the acquired number during the game, respectively. It is a flowchart showing a flow of game progress control processing in the first slot machine. In the first slot machine, (A) is a bonus game set process, and (B) is a flowchart showing a flow of bonus game lever time process. It is a flowchart showing a flow of a push order selection process in the first slot machine. It is the flowchart which shows the flow of processing at the time of game mode 5 all-time cylinder stop in the aforementioned 1st slot machine. It is a flowchart showing a flow of game result processing in the first slot machine. It is a flowchart showing a flow of timer interrupt processing in the first slot machine. FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the second slot machine with the front door opened. FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the front surface of the second slot machine as viewed from the rear surface side thereof. FIG. 16 is a front view showing a state where the main control device of the second slot machine is attached inside the housing. It is a front view of a main control board of the second slot machine. FIG. 22 is an enlarged detailed view of a K portion shown in FIG. 21. In the above-mentioned second slot machine, (A) is a front configuration of a payout amount display lamp and a stored number display lamp, (B) is a name of each segment lamp, (C) is a display example of the payout amount by the payout number display lamp, ( D) is a diagram showing an example of displaying an error by the payout amount display lamp, and (E) is a diagram showing an example of displaying a navigation number by the payout number display lamp. In the above-mentioned second slot machine, (A) is a display example when changing the setting by the payout number display lamp, (B) is another display example when changing the setting by the payout number display lamp, (C) is by the payout number display lamp Yet another display example when changing the setting, (D) a display example of the set value by the payout amount display lamp, (E) another display example of the set value by the payout number display lamp, (F) is a payout number display lamp It is a figure which shows another example of a display of the setting value by. It is a schematic plan view showing a modified example of the medal slot member of the second slot machine. (A) in the conventional slot machine is a schematic diagram for explaining the view from the back side of the front door, and (B) is another schematic diagram for explaining the view from the back side of the front door. FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the second slot machine with the front door removed. FIG. 36 is an internal front view showing the positional relationship between the reel unit and the medal payout device of the second slot machine. It is an internal side view showing a positional relationship between the reel unit and the medal payout device of the second slot machine. The figure which shows the schematic structure of the medal auxiliary tank of the said 2nd slot machine ((A) is a top view, (B) is a sectional view of an empty state, (C) is a sectional view of a full state, (D)) (E) is a cross-sectional view of a temporary full state, (E) is a cross-sectional view of a modified mode). In the above second slot machine, (A) is an example of the size of the connecting member, (B) is an example of the space and size of the two electrode pins, and (C) is the connecting member in the medal auxiliary tank. It is a figure which shows the effect|action at the time of falling. FIG. 38 is an internal front view showing a manner of changing the positional relationship between the reel unit and the medal payout device of the second slot machine.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In the following description, the "role determination process" is made up of a plurality of preset role determination result numbers (composed of one or a plurality of game roles or loses (excluding cases where the loses are not set)) It means a selection action (also referred to as “role determination”) such as a lottery executed by using an electronic device or the like in order to randomly select one or a plurality of role determination result numbers (winning items). .. Here, the winning combination determination result number is one or a plurality of gaming winning combinations (also referred to as “winning winning combination” and “winning winning combination”) that are allowed to be realized in the game in which the winning combination determination result number is determined (elected). It refers to) or loss. It should be noted that the winning combination is also referred to as a “winning lottery” or an “internal drawing”, and the “winning” in the lottery or the winning is also called “win” or “sen”.

In addition, the term "established" in the description of "a game role is established", "a game role is established", etc. means a game role corresponding to the determined role determination result number (a game role with a payout of a game medal ( A small combination) or a combination of symbols (corresponding symbol) that constitutes a game combination without payout (whether it is a re-play combination or a special combination) is a predetermined stop mode (for example, a mode that is lined up on the activated line described below). It is used as a concept to indicate that is displayed in. However, regarding the timing of establishment, for example, when the reel stop operation is performed at a timing when the corresponding symbol of the game combination can be stopped and displayed on the effective line, or the corresponding symbol of the game combination stops on the effective line. The time when it is displayed, the slot machine, the time when it is identified that the corresponding symbol of the gaming combination is stopped and displayed on the activated line, the time when the identified result is stored in the storage area, and the like can be set at an appropriate timing. ..

In addition, in the following description, among the game medals inserted by the player into the medal insertion slot 21 (described below) (maintenance operation) and the credited (stored) game medals, the rules necessary for playing the game. The pressing operation of the 1-BET switch 22 or the MAX-BET switch 23 for providing a number of game medals for a game is collectively referred to as a bet operation. In addition, this bet operation, a pressing operation of a settlement switch 24, a tilting operation of a start lever (also referred to as a “start switch”) 25, and a pressing operation of stop switches 26a, 26b, and 26c, which will be described later, by the player are collectively referred to as a game. This is called operation. In addition, in general, "insertion" in a slot machine is used to mean that a game medal is "inserted into a slot machine" and that it is used to mean "use a game medal for a game". There is. In the following description, basically, the word "input" is used in the former meaning, and the word "bet" is used in the latter meaning.

Further, the "payout number" (also referred to as "payout number") of the game medals means the number of game medals given to the player in one game. In addition, the act of actually paying out the game medal from the slot machine to the outside (also referred to as “actual payout”) includes the act of paying out the game medal, and the game medal stored in the slot machine is electromagnetically There is an act of increasing the stored numerical value (also referred to as "stored additional payout").

Further, the "winning number" (also referred to as "winning number") of the gaming medals means the gaming medals that the player has won during a predetermined period (which can be set arbitrarily, for example, AT period or bonus period). Means the numerical value counted by the acquisition number counter described later. The "difference number" of game medals (also referred to as "difference number") is a value obtained by subtracting the total number of game medals bet from the total number of game medals paid out in a predetermined period (a negative value). Sometimes). Although the "winning number" and the "difference number" of the game medals can be used interchangeably, they will be treated as different concepts below.

Further, “freeze” means that execution of a predetermined control process relating to the progress of the game is delayed for a certain period of time. The freezes are set when the operation of the start lever 25 is accepted (also referred to as “freeze at reel start”) and freezes set after the rotation of all reels is stopped (“freeze at reel stop”). (Also called)) can be provided as appropriate. During the freeze period, the game operation by the player cannot be effectively accepted.

In the following description, “push navigation” refers to a process (act) of notifying the push order and the push position in order to assist the establishment of the game combination selected by the combination determination. Of the push navigation, the one that assists the establishment of the replay role is "RP Navi" (RP is the abbreviation for replay), the one that assists the establishment of the winning role (small role) is the "Prize navigation", and the specific symbol is The one that assists in the stop display is also referred to as "navigation navigation" (mainly performed on the sub-control unit side). To distinguish between push navigation performed by the main control means side and push navigation performed by the sub control means side, the former is called "main side push navigation" ("main side RP navigation", "main side winning navigation"). , "Main side push navigation"), the latter "sub side push navigation" ("sub side RP navigation", "sub side winning navigation", "sub side push navigation"), or push navigation It is also referred to as "effect" ("RP navigation effect", "prize navigation effect", "push navigation effect").

Further, in the following description and drawings, numerical values may be represented by binary numbers or hexadecimal numbers in addition to decimal numbers. Therefore, in order to distinguish between them, "B" is added to the end of the numerical value when expressed in a binary number, and "H" is added to the end of the numerical value when expressed in a hexadecimal number. In addition, when written in decimal, nothing is added to the end of the number.

《First slot machine》
FIG. 1 shows a first slot machine (referred to as “slot machine 1”) as an embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention. Hereinafter, a basic configuration of the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. This will be described with reference to FIG.
<Appearance of slot machine>
As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 1 includes a front door 2 that is attached to the front surface of a main body housing so as to be openable and closable. The middle panel assembly 20, the lower panel assembly 30, and the saucer assembly 40 are attached.

A display screen 11a of an image display device (also referred to as a “liquid crystal display device”) 11 (see FIG. 2) arranged on the back side of the upper panel assembly 10 is arranged so as to face the front. The first effect lamp 12, the second effect lamps 13a and 13b, and the third effect lamps 14a and 14b are arranged in the peripheral portion thereof. Further, a pair of upper speakers 15a and 15b are arranged on the left and right below the display screen 11a.

At the center of the middle panel assembly 20, there is provided a display window W facing the surfaces of the three reels 3a, 3b, 3c arranged side by side in the main body housing, and below the display window W. , A medal slot 21 for inserting a game medal (game medium), a 1-BET switch 22 for betting one game medal within the credited range, a maximum bet allowance (for example, three) games MAX-BET switch 23 for betting medals at once, clearing switch 24 for paying out bet game medals and/or credited game medals, all reels 3a, 3b, 3c (reel The start lever 25, which is operated when the "rotating cylinder" is also started to rotate, and three stop switches 26a, 26b, 26c (left side in the drawing) for individually stopping the rotation of the reels 3a, 3b, 3c Stop switch 26a corresponds to the reel 3a, the central stop switch 26b corresponds to the reel 3b, the right stop switch 26c corresponds to the reel 3c), and the game medals inserted and accumulated from the medal insertion slot 21 A reject switch 27 or the like for returning is provided. The start lever is also called a "start switch" and the stop switch is also called a "stop button".

The inside of the medal insertion slot 21 is concerned when the inserted game medals are effectively accepted and a receiving passage through which the game medals pass (which leads to a hopper 50 described later) and when the inserted game medals cannot be accepted. The game medal passes through a return passage (which leads to a game medal payout opening 41, which will be described later), and a blocker 48 (see FIG. 2) is provided at the branching portion. The blocker 48 guides the game medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 21 to the receiving passage during the period in which the inserted game medals are effectively accepted, and is inserted into the medal insertion slot 21 during the other periods. In order to guide the game medal to the return passage, the receiving passage and the return passage can be selectively opened, one of which can be opened and the other of which can be closed. In the following description, the blocker 48 is in the ON state, and the game medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 21 are guided to the receiving passage (game medal acceptance state), and the blocker 48 is in the OFF state. It is assumed that the game medals inserted into the mouth 21 are guided to the return passage (game medals cannot be accepted).

Further, inside the medal insertion slot 21, three insertion medal sensors 28a, 28b, 28c (see FIG. 2) for detecting game medals are provided. The inserted medal sensor 28a is for detecting that a game medal has been inserted into the medal insertion slot 21, and is located on the upstream side of the position where the blocker 48 is installed on the passage along which the inserted game medal flows down. It is installed in. The inserted medal sensor 28b detects that the game medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 21 are guided to the receiving passage and effectively received, and is located downstream of the position where the blocker 48 is installed (a hopper described later). It is located at a position closer to 50). The insertion medal sensor 28c detects that the game medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 21 has passed through the branch portion between the receiving passage and the return passage, and the vicinity of the branch portion (the position where the blocker 48 is installed). A little closer to the inserted medal sensor 28b).

When both the inserted medal sensor 28a and the inserted medal sensor 28b detect a game medal, it means that the game medal has been inserted into the medal insertion slot 21 and that the inserted game medal has been effectively accepted. On the other hand, when the inserted medal sensor 28a detects the game medal but the inserted medal sensor 28b does not detect the game medal, the game medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 21, but the inserted game medal is effectively accepted. It means that the item was returned without being returned. Further, when the three inserted medal sensors 28a, 28b, 28c detect the passage of the game medals in an order different from the predetermined order (the order of 28a, 28c, 28b), or when some of the inserted medal sensors pass the game medals. If is not detected, it means that an abnormal passage such as backflow of the game medal has occurred.

The display window W is configured such that when all three reels 3a to 3c are stopped, three symbols for each reel, that is, nine symbols in total, are displayed so that the player can visually recognize them. The pay line 29 that horizontally connects the symbol display areas in the middle of the reels 3a, 3b, and 3c is a pay line that is activated by betting a specified number of game medals, and on the activated pay line. It is configured to be able to determine whether or not a game combination is established based on the symbol combination that is stopped and displayed. The activated winning line is also referred to as an “effective line”.

Further, in the slot machine 1, various display lamps including LED lamps are arranged. In the present embodiment, as display lamps, MAX-BET switch display lamp 46a, BET number display lamp 46b, insertable display lamp 46c, game start display lamp 46d, re-game display lamp 46e, status display lamp 46f, number display lamp. 46 g, a stored number display lamp 46 h, and a payout number display lamp 46 j are provided. These display lamps are configured to be controlled by a main control board 60 (main control means 100) described later.

The MAX-BET switch display lamp 46a is turned on under the condition that a game medal can be bet, is arranged inside the MAX-BET switch 23, and when the MAX-BET switch 23 is turned on, the MAX-BET switch 23 is partially or entirely. It is designed to shine. Other display lamps are arranged laterally or below the display window W in the middle panel assembly 20.

The BET number display lamp 46b (hereinafter also referred to as "BET lamp 46b") displays the number of betted game medals, and is a 1-BET display that is turned on when the number of betted game medals is one or more. It is composed of a lamp 46bC, a 2-BET display lamp 46bB that is turned on when there are two or more sheets, and a MAX-BET display lamp 46bA that is turned on when there are three sheets. The insertable display lamp 46c is turned on under the condition that the game medal can be inserted, and the game start display lamp 46d is turned on under the condition that the start lever 25 can be operated to start the game. Is done. The re-game display lamp 46e is turned on when a re-play combination described later is established in an arbitrary game and a game medal is automatically bet by an automatic bet process described later.

The state display lamp 46f is turned on when the accumulated (credited) game medals are settled, and the number-of-times display lamp 46g is set to the initial value of the number of AT games (for example, when AT is set). For example, while displaying "30"), the display value of each game and the number of AT games is subtracted by one, and when the number of additions of the number of AT games is determined, the number of additions is added and displayed. The stored number display lamp 46h (hereinafter also referred to as "CRE lamp 46h") displays the number of stored game medals while incrementing by one, and the payout number display lamp 46j establishes a small winning combination described later. The number of game medals paid out at that time is displayed while incrementing by one. The stored number display lamp 46h and the payout number display lamp 46j display two 7-segment indicators (seven segment lamps for displaying numbers and a decimal point (dot)) in order to display the upper digit and the lower digit. (Consisting of one segment lamp).

The payout amount display lamp 46j is also configured to display a character (alphabet) or a number indicating the type of error when some abnormality (error) occurs in the slot machine 1. The errors set in this embodiment include HP error, HE error, H0 error, CE error, CP error, CH error, C0 error, C1 error, FE error, E1 error, E5 error, E6 error, E7 error, etc. There is. The HP error is an error when it is determined that the game medals are accumulated at the medal payout opening of the hopper 50 described later, and the HE error is an error when it is determined that the game medals in the hopper 50 are empty (hopper empty error). The H0 error is an error when it is determined that the game medal abnormally passed the payout sensor. The CE error is an error (game medal retention error) when it is determined by the inserted medal sensor that the game medals have accumulated, and the CP error is an error when it is determined that the inserted game medals have been illegally passed. The C0 error is an error when it is determined that there is an abnormal input to the inserted medal sensor, and the C1 error is an error when it is determined that there is an abnormality in passing through the inserted medal sensor. The FE error is an error (full error) when it is determined that the auxiliary storage 85 described later is full, and the E1 error is an error (RAM error) when the content of the storage device (RAM) is not normal when the power is turned on. Yes, the E5 error is an error (rotating cylinder stop error) when the combination of symbols at the time of all-time cylinder stop becomes abnormal (corresponding symbols constituting a winning combination other than the winning combination are displayed as a stop). The E6 error is an error (setting value error) when the value (setting value) described below for determining the winning combination determination probability is out of the range, and the E7 error is updating the internal random number used in each lottery or the like. This is an error (internal random number error) when a state abnormality is detected. Each error of E1, E5, E6, and E7 (collectively referred to as “E system error”) is canceled by a setting change described later, and other errors are canceled by operation of a reset switch 82 described later. It is like this.

Further, the payout amount display lamp 46j also has a function of displaying a navigation number, which will be described later, which indicates the operation order (pushing order) of the stop switches 26a to 26c. The payout amount display lamp 46j when displaying the navigation number is also referred to as a "main side pushing order display". Further, the payout amount display lamp 46j also has a function of displaying a set value described later at the time of confirming the setting and changing the setting described later. The payout amount display lamp 46j for displaying the set value is also referred to as a "set value display".

A transparent lower panel cover 31 is attached to a central portion of the lower panel assembly 30, and decorative lamps 32a and 32b are arranged on both left and right ends thereof. In addition, on the back surface side of the lower panel cover 31, a semi-transparent lower panel base provided with a predetermined pattern and a lower panel illumination light (neither is shown) are attached, and the lower panel illumination light is turned on. By doing so, the design of the lower panel base is configured to be illuminated from the rear surface side.

The tray assembly 40 is provided with a game medal payout opening 41 for paying out game medals, and a game medal storage tray 42 for accumulating the game medals so as to face the game medal payout opening 41. An ashtray 43 is provided on the left of the game medal storage tray 42. Further, on the left and right of the game medal payout opening 41, a speaker opening 45a composed of a large number of small holes is formed so as to face the front surfaces of the pair of lower speakers 44a and 44b (see FIG. 2) arranged on the back side of the tray assembly 40. , 45b are formed.

Further, a hopper 50 (see FIG. 2) for paying out game medals obtained when a predetermined winning mode is formed as a result of the game is provided in the main body housing. This hopper 50 is provided. A medal detection unit 51 (see FIG. 2) for detecting a game medal is provided. Further, the hopper 50 has a function of physically storing the game medals that have been thrown in and effectively accepted. Further, an auxiliary storage 85 (see FIG. 2) for storing the game medals overflowing from the hopper 50 is provided in the vicinity of the hopper 50, and the auxiliary storage 85 is full (from the auxiliary storage 85). A full-state detector 86 (see FIG. 2) for detecting whether or not the game medals may overflow is provided.

<Reel>
The reels 3a, 3b, 3c are configured to rotate by driving stepping motors 35a, 35b, 35c (see FIG. 2), respectively. Each reel 3a, 3b, 3c is made of a translucent member, and a translucent reel tape having a plurality of types of symbols (see FIG. 3) is displayed on the outer peripheral surface thereof. It is pasted. Further, back lamps 38a, 38b, 38c (see FIG. 2) are arranged on the inner surface side of each reel 3a, 3b, 3c. By turning on the back lamps 38a, 38b, 38c, a display window is displayed. The area of each reel 3a, 3b, 3c facing the W is entirely illuminated from the inner surface side, or a predetermined symbol combination stopped and displayed on each reel 3a, 3b, 3c (for example, on the activated line 29, It is configured to illuminate only a partial area of each reel 3a, 3b, 3c so as to make the corresponding symbols of the game combination arranged at positions different from the effective line 29 stand out.

<Basic operations for playing games>
To play a game with the slot machine 1, first, bet by actually inserting a game medal into the medal insertion slot 21, or by operating either the 1-BET switch 22 or the MAX-BET switch 23, the credit range is reached. The winning line 29 is activated by betting a prescribed number of game medals inside. In the present embodiment, the prescribed number of game medals required to activate the pay line 29 is set to three in each RT state of non-RT, RT1, RT2, and RT3 described later. However, the specified number is not limited to this, and can be changed as appropriate, such as setting the specified number to a different value according to the RT state and the like. Further, a plurality of pay lines may be provided and the number of activated pay lines may be changed according to the number of bets on the game medals.

Next, when the player operates the start lever 25, the bet number is determined (the betted game medals are used for the game), and a combination determination process described later is performed, and then the minimum game time ( The time that must be ensured at least from the start of rotation of all reels in one game to the start of rotation of all reels in the next game (eg 4.1
After confirming that each of the reels 3a to 3c starts to rotate, a plurality of types of symbols displayed on the outer peripheral surface of the reels 3a to 3c are vertically moved in the display window W (normally). , From top to bottom) is displayed. Then, when the rotation of the reels 3a to 3c reaches a predetermined speed and becomes a constant speed rotation, the respective stop switches 26a to 26c are activated (the operation of the stop switch can be effectively accepted), and the player stops the switch 26a. Is operated to stop the rotation of the reel 3a, the stop switch 26b is operated to stop the rotation of the reel 3b, and the stop switch 26c is operated to stop the rotation of the reel 3c.

Here, when it is determined that the symbol combination stopped and displayed on the activated line 29 is in a predetermined winning mode (corresponding symbol of a gaming combination that can obtain a game medal), each winning mode The number of game medals corresponding to is paid out by the hopper 50 or added as a credit.

<Connection between control board and each device>
In this embodiment, as the main control boards for controlling the slot machine 1, as shown in FIG. 2, three control boards, that is, a main control board 60, a sub-main control board 70A, and a sub-sub control board 70B are provided (sub-board). The main control board 70A and the sub-sub control board 70B are collectively referred to as the sub control board 70). Main control relating to the progress of the game (including drive control of reels 3a to 3c, winning combination determination processing, etc.) is performed by a control circuit arranged on the main control board 60, and illumination by lamps such as back lamps 38a to 38c. The control and the like are configured to be performed by a control circuit arranged on the sub-main control board 70A. In addition, the effect image display control by the image display device 11 and the sound generation control from the speakers such as the upper speakers 15a and 15b are configured to be performed mainly by the control circuit arranged on the sub-sub control board 70B. There is.
Further, the information transmission between the main control board 60 and the sub control board 70 can be performed only in one direction from the main control board 60 to the sub main control board 70A. Information can be transferred bidirectionally to and from the control board 70B.

On the main control board 60, a main CPU 61 that performs various arithmetic processes related to games, a ROM 62 that is a read-only storage device that stores control programs and the like, and a RAM 63 that is a storage device that can write and read information (“ (“RAM” is also referred to as “RWM”) is provided, and each drive circuit and the like operate according to a control program stored in the ROM 62, whereby control relating to the progress of the game in the slot machine 1 is performed. It is like this. The ROM 62 and the RAM 63 are non-volatile storage devices, and are configured to retain the stored information even when power is not supplied.

The main CPU 61 includes a clock pulse generator 64 for generating a clock pulse (clock signal), a frequency divider 65 for dividing the clock pulse generated by the clock pulse generator 64, and a clock pulse (or frequency division). Based on the clock pulse), a random number generator 66 for generating a random number used for determining a winning combination and the like, and a random number fetching circuit 67 for fetching the random number generated by the random number generator 66 are connected. The clock pulse generator 64 is composed of two oscillators (not shown), and clock signals asynchronous with each other are output from the respective oscillators. Hereinafter, a clock signal of a predetermined frequency output from one oscillator is referred to as an internal clock, and a clock signal of a predetermined frequency (a frequency different from the internal clock but may be the same) output from the other oscillator. Is called an external clock. For example, the internal clock is used as an operation clock of the main CPU 61 and an update clock of random numbers used in predetermined lottery other than the winning combination determination, and the external clock is used as an updating clock of random numbers used in the winning combination determination. The main CPU 61, the ROM 62, the RAM 63, the frequency divider 65, the random number generator 66, the random number fetching circuit 67, the interface circuit 68, etc. may be mounted on one IC chip to constitute a one-chip microcomputer. Further, the main CPU 61 sends signals to the motor drive circuit 36a, the display lamp control circuit 47, the hopper drive circuit 52, and the sub control board 70 via the interface circuit 68, and at the same time, the reel position detection circuits 37a, 37b. , 37c, the payout detection signal circuit 53, and the housed state signal circuit 87.

The motor drive circuit 36a is a circuit for performing rotation/stop control of the stepping motors 35a, 35b, 35c for rotationally driving the reels 3a, 3b, 3c, respectively, and the display lamp control circuit 47 is for the above-mentioned various display. It is a circuit for controlling the lamp for use. The reel position detection circuits 37a, 37b, 37c are circuits for transmitting respective detection signals from reel sensors (not shown) installed on the reels 3a, 3b, 3c to the main control board 60 (detection circuit 37a). Corresponds to the reel 3a, the detection circuit 37b corresponds to the reel 3b, and the detection circuit 37c corresponds to the reel 3c). The hopper drive circuit 52 is a circuit that drives the hopper 50 to pay out the game medals when the small winning combination is established, and the payout detection signal circuit 53 indicates that the game medals have been paid out from the hopper 50. It is a circuit that transmits a payout detection signal to the main control board 60 when the medal detection section 51 detects the medal. The storage state signal circuit 87 is a circuit that transmits a storage state signal indicating whether or not the auxiliary storage case 85 is in the full state to the main control board 60 according to the detection result of the full state detection unit 86.

Further, the slot machine 1 is supplied with power from the power supply device 80 via the main control board 60. A power switch 81, a reset switch 82 and a setting key type switch 83 are connected to the power supply device 80, and signals from these switches are transmitted to the main CPU 61 via the interface circuit 68. ing. Further, the main CPU 61 sends the setting change switch 84 via the interface circuit 68.
Is configured to receive a signal from.

The power switch 81 is a switch that accepts power-on and power-off operations from the power supply device 80 to the slot machine 1, and the reset switch 82 causes a predetermined error (errors other than the E-system error described above) in the slot machine 1. When the error occurs, the switch is operated by the game shop staff or the like when the cause of the error is removed and the error is resolved. By operating the reset switch 82, the error occurrence information stored in the main control board 60 and the sub-control board 70 is cleared, and accordingly, the processing at the time of error elimination is performed by the main control board 60 and the sub-control board 70. To be executed. Further, the setting key type switch 83 is a switch operated when confirming and changing the setting of a setting value that determines the degree (rank) of the role determination probability, and the setting change switch 84 sets a plurality of setting values. It is a switch for changing in stages (6 stages in this embodiment).

When the front door 2 is open (also referred to as “door open state”) and the slot machine 1 is supplied with power (power switch 81 is ON), the setting key type switch 83 is ON. By operating, the setting can be confirmed. Further, in the state where the door is open and the slot machine 1 is not supplied with power (the power switch 81 is in the OFF state), the setting key type switch 83 is operated in the ON state, and the power switch 81 remains in that state. The setting can be changed by operating the ON state (turning on the slot machine 1). Further, each time the setting change switch 84 is operated in that state, the set value can be updated step by step. Further, after the setting value is updated, the start lever 25 is tilted to confirm the updated setting value, and after the setting is confirmed, the setting key type switch 83 is operated to the OFF state to complete the setting change operation. It is supposed to do. The setting key type switch 83 can be switched between an ON state and an OFF state by inserting a predetermined key member (setting key) into a predetermined lock member provided on the main body side and rotating the same. There is. In addition, the setting confirmation and the setting change cannot be executed in a state in which the game is being executed (a state in which game medals are bet (including automatic bet) and a state in which the reel is rotating), It is possible to execute the game only while the game is on standby. It should be noted that, at the time of confirming the setting and at the time of changing the setting, the set value is displayed on the payout amount display lamp 46j by using six integer values of "1 to 6" (separate for displaying the set value). The lamp may be provided in the housing of the slot machine 1 or the like).

The power from the power supply device 80 is supplied to the sub-main control board 70A via the main control board 60, and is further supplied to the sub-sub control board 70B via the sub-main control board 70A (the power supply apparatus 80. Power may be directly supplied to the sub main control board 70A and the sub sub control board 70B. A supply voltage monitoring circuit for monitoring the voltage supply state is provided on the circuit that supplies power from the power supply device 80 to the main control board 60 and on the circuit that supplies power to the sub-main control board 70A via the main control board 60. (Not shown) are provided respectively. Each supply voltage monitoring circuit determines that the power supply is cut off when the supply voltage drops to a predetermined voltage value, and outputs a power supply cutoff detection signal to the main CPU 61 and a sub-main CPU 71 described later. In addition, each supply voltage monitoring circuit returns the supply voltage to a predetermined voltage value (a value different from the voltage value for power-off determination (for example, a high value, but the same value may be used)). It is determined that the power is turned on, and a power-on detection signal is output to the main CPU 61 and the sub-main CPU 71. The voltage value at the time of detecting the power failure of the main control board 60 is set to a value higher than the voltage value at the time of detecting the power failure of the sub-main control board 70A, and before the sub-main control board 70A. The main control board 60 is configured to perform a process (power-off process) programmed to be executed when the power is turned off (the same may be applied to power-on).

Further, in the main CPU 61, the reel stop signal circuit 91, the start lever 25, the inserted medal sensors 28a, 28b, 28c, and the 1-BET switch 22 which are connected to the switch board 90 or mounted on the switch board 90. , MAX-BET switch 23 and clearing switch 24 are input through the interface circuit 68.

A blocker 48 is connected to the main CPU 61 via an interface circuit 68, and is configured to control ON/OFF of the blocker 48. In the following description, a signal for controlling ON/OFF of the blocker 48 is also referred to as “blocker signal”. Although not shown, the slot machine 1 is provided with a door sensor for detecting the open/closed state of the front door 2, and a signal from this door sensor is input to the main CPU 61 via the interface circuit 68. It has become so. The main CPU 61 determines whether the front door 2 is in a closed state (also referred to as “door closed state”) or an open state (door open state) based on a signal from the door sensor.

Although not shown, the main CPU 61, when in a predetermined game state (for example, an AT state or a bonus state), connects to a data counter, a hall computer, or the like via an external connection terminal board or the like. A predetermined signal (also referred to as “outer end signal”) is output, and the outer end signal can be used to manage the number of times set in a predetermined game state or the like and to present it to the player.

On the other hand, on the sub-main control board 70A, a sub-main CPU 71 that mainly performs various kinds of arithmetic processing relating to production management, a ROM 72 that is a read-only storage device that stores control programs, and information can be written and read. RAM 73, which is a storage device, is provided, and each drive circuit and the like operate in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 72, thereby controlling image production and sound production in the slot machine 1, and controlling lamp production. And so on. The ROM 72 and the RAM 73 are non-volatile storage devices, and are configured to hold the stored information even when power is not supplied. Further, a clock pulse generator and a frequency divider (not shown) are connected to the sub-main CPU 71, and a predetermined process is executed according to the clock signal generated by the clock pulse generator and the frequency divider. It has become.

The sub-main CPU 71 is configured to receive various signals from the main control board 60 via the interface circuit 74 and transmit the signals to the lamp control circuit 18. The lamp control circuit 18 is a circuit that controls lighting of lamps such as the back lamps 38a to 38c.

Further, the sub-main CPU 71 is configured to transmit various signals to the sub-sub control board 70B and receive various signals from the sub-sub control board 70B via the interface circuit 74. Hereinafter, a signal (control signal) transmitted from the main control board 60 to the sub-main control board 70A is also referred to as a "control command", and a signal transmitted from the sub-main control board 70A to the sub-sub control board 70B (notification signal or effect signal). ) Is also referred to as a "draft command". The signal (state signal) transmitted from the sub-sub control board 70B to the sub-main control board 70A is also referred to as a "state command".

On the sub-sub control board 70B, a sub-sub CPU 75 that mainly performs various kinds of arithmetic processing relating to control of image effects and audio effects, a ROM 76 that is a read-only storage device that stores control programs, and information can be written and read. A RAM 77, which is a storage device, is provided, and each drive circuit and the like operate according to a control program stored in the ROM 76 to perform control related to image effects and audio effects. Note that the ROM 76 and the RAM 77 are non-volatile storage devices, and are configured to retain the stored information even when power is not supplied.

The sub-sub CPU 75 receives the notification signal or the effect signal from the sub-main control board 70A via the interface circuit 78, transmits the signal to the display device control circuit 16 and the speaker control circuit 17, and at the same time, the sub-main control board 70A. Is configured to send a status signal to. The display device control circuit 16 is a circuit that controls the image display device 11 to display a predetermined effect image, and the speaker control circuit 17 determines the type and volume of sound generated from speakers such as the upper speakers 15a and 15b. This is the control circuit. The image display device 11 is also configured to function as a push indicator (also referred to as a “sub-side push order indicator”) that displays the operation order (push order) of the stop switches 26a to 26c.

<Design of reels>
In the present embodiment, the symbols displayed by the reels 3a to 3c are arranged as shown in FIG. 3 (“left reel”, “middle reel”, and “right reel” in FIG. 3 are reels 3a, 3b and 3c respectively). That is, each of the reels 3a to 3c has "red seven", "blue seven", "white seven", "bar", "blank", "bell", "watermelon", "cherry", and "replay". A predetermined number of 10 types of symbols are arranged. Hereinafter, the reels 3a, 3b, and 3c are also referred to as a left reel (left-handed drum), a middle reel (middle-handed drum), and a right reel (right-handed drum), respectively.

<Type of player>
In the present embodiment, the symbol combinations stopped and displayed on the reels 3a to 3c are set as shown in FIG. 4, and they are the symbol combinations (corresponding symbols) constituting the gaming combination. As the game combination in the present embodiment, one special combination (BB combination; BB is an abbreviation for big bonus. Also referred to as "1 type BB"), and five re-game combinations of re-game combinations 1 to 5, A total of 11 winning combinations of 5 winning combinations (small winning combinations) of small winning combinations 1 to 5 are set. Symbol combinations (corresponding symbols) for establishing each game combination, the number of payouts of game medals when the game combination is established, and the like are as shown in FIG.

Even if the BB combination is established, the game medal is not paid out, and a predetermined bonus (also referred to as “BB” in the present embodiment) as a special accessory is activated upon the establishment of the combination, and the next game is changed to the normal game. Is a game combination (bonus combination) indicating that a predetermined bonus game (also referred to as “BB game”) executed under different conditions can be started. For the BB combination, the corresponding symbol is "white seven/white seven/white seven" (the names of the symbols constituting the game combination are written in the order of the reels 3a, 3b, 3c. The same applies below). There is. The corresponding symbol of the BB combination is stopped and displayed on the activated line 29 when the symbol “white seven” can be drawn in on each reel by the pushing position of each reel when the BB combination is won. The bonus game that can be started by the establishment of the BB combination ends when a predetermined number of games (for example, 24 games in the present embodiment, but the numerical value can be changed appropriately) is executed (a predetermined mode is a predetermined mode). The number of game medals (for example, 215) may be ended when the game medals are paid out.

In the present embodiment, only the BB combination is provided as a special combination, but as another special combination, an RB combination (RB is an abbreviation for regular bonus) and an MB combination (MB is an abbreviation for middle bonus. Both “2 types BB”) (Referred to) may be provided. Then, when the RB combination is established, it may be set to start the RB game as the bonus game from the next game, and when the MB combination is established, the MB game as the bonus game may be set to be started from the next game. In this case, the RB game is terminated, for example, when a small winning combination is established a predetermined number of times (e.g., 8 times) or when a predetermined number of times (e.g., 12 times) of games are exhausted, and an MB game is executed. For example, it may be ended when a predetermined number (for example, over 200) of game medals have been paid out. Also, a plurality of special combinations (for example, a plurality of types of BB combinations may be provided, or both BB combinations and MB combinations may be provided).

The re-gaming roles 1 to 5 do not pay out game medals when they are established, but perform the next game without reducing the number of game medals held by the player (without inserting new game medals). Is a game role (replay role) that is permitted. Among them, the re-game combination 2 has its establishment as a transition condition from non-RT to RT1 described later, and the re-game combination 3 has its establishment as a transition condition from RT1 to non-RT. .. For this reason, the re-game combination 2 is also referred to as "RT1 transition RP", and the re-game combination 3 is also referred to as "non-RT transition RP". In addition, the re-gaming combination 1 is also referred to as “normal RP”, and the re-gaming combinations 4 and 5 include the symbol “white seven” in the corresponding symbols, and thus are also referred to as “white seven RP”.

As shown in FIG. 3 (reel symbol), the symbol “replay” on each reel of the left reel, the middle reel, and the right reel, which constitutes the re-gaming combination 1, is arranged within each of the five symbols on each reel. There is. As a result, when the re-gaming combination 1 is won, the corresponding symbol “replay/replay/replay” can be stopped and displayed on the activated line 29 (also referred to as “pull-in”) regardless of the pushing order or the pushing position. This is possible (see the description of reel rotation stop control by the reel control means 134 described later). Like the re-game combination 1, a combination capable of drawing the corresponding symbol (one of the plurality of combinations when there is a plurality) onto the activated line 29 regardless of the operation timing of each stop switch is "100. It is also referred to as a "retractable game combination". Note that the replay roles 2 and 3, like the replay role 1, are 100% retractable game roles.

The small winning combinations 1 to 5 are game winning combinations (prize winning combinations) configured to pay out a predetermined number of game medals when they are established. The small wins 1 to 3 are also referred to as "bell wins" because the symbols "bell" are included in the corresponding designs. The small role 1 of the role of bell is also referred to as "bell-matching bell" because its corresponding pattern is "bell-bell-bell" (also referred to as "roll-out A"). Similarly, the small role 2 is also referred to as "replay bell" because its corresponding symbol is "Replay Bell Replay" (also referred to as "Bet B"), and the small symbol 3 has its corresponding symbol "Replay." -Bell watermelon/cherry" (also referred to as "rolled-out C". "/" means "or"), so it is also referred to as "baresque bell". The corresponding design can be changed as appropriate. For example, the corresponding symbol of the small winning combination 2 may be a symbol combination in which a predetermined symbol (for example, "bar") is arranged. All of the small wins 1 to 3 are game wins that can be pulled in 100%.

The small winning combination 4 is also referred to as a "cherry winning combination" because its corresponding symbol is "cherry/ANY/ANY" (ANY indicates an arbitrary symbol). In addition, the winning combination of the small winning combination 4 is also set to be lower than that of the other small winning combinations, and thus is also referred to as a “rare winning combination”. The small winning combination 5 is a winning combination whose corresponding design is "blue seven blank blank". The small winning combination 5 is also referred to as a "single winning combination" because the number of payouts when it is established is set to one.

<Winning items in role determination>
The role determination process (role lottery) is performed once in one game, and one or more winning items are selected as a role determination result (lottery result). FIG. 5 shows the types of winning items selected in the winning combination determination process, and the winning combinations corresponding thereto. In addition, the "role determination number (YK number)" and the "role combination determination number (YYK number)" shown in FIG. 5 are numbers associated with each winning item. In this embodiment, as shown in the figure, 13 winning combination determination numbers (YK numbers) from "1" to "13" and one winning combination winning decision number (YYK number) are set. Note that each winning item or each winning combination included in each winning item is also referred to as a “condition device”. Then, for example, the selection of the re-game C is also referred to as "the condition device of the re-game C operates" or "the condition device of the re-games 1, 2 and 4 operates" or the like. The contents of some winning items will be specifically described below.

The YK numbers 1 to 8 shown in FIG. 5(A) are associated with winning items (re-games A to H) in which the winning combination is a re-gaming combination. In the remarks column of FIG. 5(A), when the winning combination corresponding to each winning item is established, the transition status of the RT state when the winning combination is established, and each RT state (described later) Whether or not selection is possible (non-RT, RT1, RT2, RT3) (○ indicates that selection is possible, × indicates that there is no possibility of selection), etc. are noted (Note in FIG. 5B). The same applies to the columns). Re-game A (YK number 1) is the result of the combination determination that re-game combination 1 is a single winning combination, and when this is selected, re-game combination 1 is always established regardless of the pushing order or the pushing position. Thus, the reel stop control is performed.

Re-games B to D (YK numbers 2 to 4) are associated with a plurality of re-game combinations including a re-game combination 1 and a re-game combination 2 that is an RT1 transition RP, and any one of them is assigned as a duplicate winning combination. Is selected, the following reel stop control is performed. That is, when each stop switch is operated according to a predetermined pressing order (also referred to as "correct answer pressing order") (also referred to as "press order correct answer"), the re-gaming role 2 that is the RT1 transition RP is always established. , When each stop switch is operated without following the correct push order (also referred to as "incorrect push order"), the re-winning combination 1 that is double-winned is always established. These replays B to D are set to be selectable only in non-RT described later, and whether to promote the RT state (whether to shift from non-RT to RT1) or maintain it (non-RT) depending on the pushing order. It is set as the result of winning combination control (winning item). Note that the "left", "middle", and "right" of "left first", "middle first", and "right first" described in the remarks column in the drawing are the stop switches 26a, 26b, 26c. And "first" means the push order for operating the stop switch first. For example, "middle first" indicates that the stop switch 26b is first pressed (the second and subsequent pressing orders do not matter).

Re-games E to G (YK numbers 5 to 7) are associated with a re-game combination 1 and a plurality of re-game combinations including a re-game combination 3 that is a non-RT transition RP. When any one of the re-games E to G is selected, the re-gaming combination 1 is always established when the player's pressing order is the correct answer pressing order, and the re-gaming combination 3 is always formed when the player's pressing order is incorrect. To be controlled. The replays E to G are set to be selectable only in RT1 described later, and depending on the pushing order, the RT state is maintained (remains at RT1) or falls (shifts from RT1 to non-RT). Or) is set as a result of the role determination to be controlled.

In the re-gaming H (YK number 8), the re-gaming combination 1 and the re-gaming combinations 4 and 5 which are the white seven RPs are associated as duplicate winning combinations. When the re-game H is selected, the pressing order by the player is “right→middle→left”, and depending on the pressing positions of the right reel and the middle reel, both the symbols on the right reel and the middle reel are “white seven”. When the player draws in, the re-gaming combination 4 is established, the pushing order by the player is “right→middle→left”, and the symbol “white seven” is drawn in on the right reel, but on the middle reel When the symbol "White Seven" cannot be drawn, and when the player pushes the sequence "Right → Left → Middle", and when the symbol "White Seven" is pulled in on the right reel, the re-play combination 5 Is controlled so that On the other hand, if the player's pushing order is left first or middle first, and if it is the right first pushing order and the symbol "white seven" cannot be drawn in the right reel, the re-gaming player 1 is always Controlled to hold. This re-game H is set to be selectable only in RT1 which will be described later, and when the right first push-order operation is performed when the game is selected, the symbols "white seven" are lined up on the activated line 29. It is set as a result of so-called fan-winning role determination, which is not the case. Note that the replays B to H are also referred to as “push order replay roles” because the replay roles that are established differ depending on the order in which the players press them.

The YK numbers 9 to 13 are associated with winning items (winnings A to D) in which the winning combinations are small winning combinations. In the prize A, the small wins 1 to 3 that are the bell wins are associated with each other as the multiple winning wins. When prize A is selected, small win 1 is always established if the player presses the left first, small win 2 is the middle first, and small win 3 is the right first. To be controlled. In prize B, the small wins 1 to 3 that are the bell wins and the small wins 4 that are the cherry wins are associated with each other as a double winning win. When prize B is selected, the small win 3 is always established if the player presses the left first, small win 1 is the middle first, and small win 2 is the right first. To be controlled. In prize C, the small winning combinations 1 to 3 which are the bell winning combinations, the small winning combinations 4 which are the cherry winning combinations, and the small winning combinations 5 which are the single winning combinations are associated with each other as a double winning combination. When the prize C is selected, the small win 2 is always established if the player presses the left first, the small win 3 if the middle first, and the small win 1 if the right first. To be controlled. In the prize D, the small winning combinations 1 to 5 are associated with each other as a winning combination. When the prize D is selected, as in the case where the prize A is selected, the small win 1 is the first win when the player presses the left first, the small win 2 is the middle first, and the right first. In this case, the small winning combinations 3 are controlled so as to be established. It should be noted that the winning combinations A to D are also referred to as "pushing order small winning combinations" because the small winning combination to be achieved differs depending on the pressing order of the player. Further, the push order re-play combination and the push order small combination are collectively referred to as a “push order combination”.

The winning combination E is associated with the small winning combination 4 that is the cherry winning combination as a single winning combination. When the winning prize E is selected, depending on the pushing position on the left reel, the small winning combination 4 is established when the symbol "cherry" is drawn in on the left reel, and the lost eye is stopped and displayed when it is not drawn in. Controlled by. Winnings A to D can be selected in any RT state (non-RT, RT1, RT2, RT3 described later), and winning E can be selected in non-RT, RT1, RT2 except RT3. ..

In the present embodiment, the winning combination that can be established changes in accordance with the actual pressing order, and the number of game medals awarded accordingly changes, for example, the number of payouts is large in the correct pressing order ( For example, there is no win item (also called “push order bell”) that will result in a bell combination with a small number of payouts (for example, 1 page) when a winning combination of 9 bells is achieved and the wrong pressing order is reached. However, such a push order bell may be provided. The number of choices when selecting the correct answer pushing order may be so-called 3 choices (in this case, the number of corresponding winning items is a multiple of 3) or 6 choices (in this case, the number of corresponding winning items). May be a multiple of 6).

The YYK number 1 shown in FIG. 5B is associated with the winning item (BB1) in which the winning combination is the BB combination. When BB1 (YYK number 1) is selected, when the push position on each reel by the player is the push position at which the symbol "white seven" can be drawn, the BB combination is established, and the push position cannot be drawn. At this time, the lost eyes are stopped and displayed. Note that once the winning combination determination result number 1 is selected, the winning of the winning combination (winning flag information) is carried over to the next game until the winning combination is established. Further, in the state where the winning of the BB combination has been carried over, when the re-gaming combination or the small combination is elected as the winning combination, the corresponding symbol of the re-gaming combination or the small combination is preferentially drawn into the activated line 29. Reel control is performed (the winning of the BB combination may be prioritized). This BB1 (YYK number 1) can be selected only in non-RT and RT1 described later (the winning probability is common to each RT state).

<Position decision probability and setting difference>
In the winning combination determination process, the probability of winning each winning item (winning probability) can be set arbitrarily. Further, the winning combination determination probability can be configured to be changeable according to the above-mentioned set value set by a game shop clerk or the like. In the present embodiment, the setting value configuration has six levels of settings 1 to 6, and the winning item whose role determination probability is changed according to the setting value and the role determination probability are unchanged even if the setting value is changed. The winning items are set. Hereinafter, setting so that the winning combination determination probability is changed according to the set value is referred to as “providing a setting difference”. Whether or not a setting difference is set for each winning item can be arbitrarily determined. As an example, there is no setting difference for the winning item that is the lottery trigger of the lottery that affects the payout rate (ratio of the number of payouts to the number of game medals used for the game) in the slot machine 1,
It may be possible to provide a setting difference or not for a winning item that does not become a lottery trigger.

Next, the characteristic configuration of the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with additional reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.
<Function block>
As shown in FIG. 6, the slot machine according to the present embodiment is mainly described as a bet operation for betting a game medal (for example, a game medal insertion operation into the medal insertion slot 21) from a functional viewpoint. , 1-BET switch 22 or MAX-BET switch 23 pressing operation), and reel rotation start operation for rotating each reel 3a to 3c that is stopped (for example, tilting operation of the start lever 25), a plurality of types of symbols Each reel rotation stop operation (for example, pressing operation of the stop switches 26a, 26b, 26c) for stopping the rotation of the three reels 3a, 3b, 3c that variably display, bet or accumulated (credit) game medals Operation signal output means 95 for outputting a signal (also referred to as "game operation signal") corresponding to each game operation performed by the player, such as a clearing operation for paying out (for example, a pressing operation of the clearing switch 24). , A main control means 100 (corresponding to the main control board 60) that performs main control relating to the progress of the game, and a sub-control means 200 (corresponding to the sub-control board 70) that performs predetermined effect control according to the game situation. ) And are configured.

The main control means 100 is roughly classified into a game state management means 110 which mainly manages a game state, a game progress management means 130 which mainly manages a game progress, and a main communication control which controls communication in the main control means 100. And means 150. Among these, the game state management means 110, the set value control means 111, the RT state control means 112, the re-game operation control means 113, the bonus operation control means 114, the freeze control means 115, the game mode control means 116, and the random number generation/ The capturing means 117 is provided.

Further, the game progress management means 130, the received medal management means 131, the combination determination means 132, the effect group number determination means 133, the reel control means 134, the stop display symbol determination means 135, the payout medal management means 136, the blocker control means 137, The display lamp control means 138, the pushing order management means 139, and the lottery group number determination means 140 are provided, and the main communication control means 150 is provided with a control command transmission means 151 and an outer end signal transmission means 152. Each of the above-mentioned means in the main control means 100 includes a main CPU 61 arranged on the main control board 60 shown in FIG. 2, a ROM 62, a RAM 63, hardware such as an electronic circuit, a control program stored in the ROM 62 and the like. It is a functional representation of what is configured by software.

(Each means constituting the gaming state management means 110)
The set value control unit 111 is configured to control a numerical value (also referred to as a “set value for management”) for internally managing the set value of the combination determination probability (six-step configuration of settings 1 to 6). ing. In the present embodiment, consecutive integer values 1 to 6 (integer values 1 to 6 respectively correspond to settings 1 to 6) are used as setting values for management. The data of the management setting value is stored in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 63, and is referred to when confirming the setting value in the combination determination process, and is set when confirming the setting or changing the setting. The value display (payout amount display lamp 46j) is referred to when the set value is displayed. Further, the management setting value is changed according to the setting changing operation by the game shop staff. Specifically, each time the setting key type switch 83 is operated to the ON state and the setting changing switch 84 is operated in that state, the setting key type switch 83 is updated by one.

As shown in FIG. 7, the RT state control means 112 is configured to control the setting of four RT states of non-RT, RT1, RT2, and RT3. Non-RT is RAM (RAM63)
Is a RT state that is set when is initialized, the probability that the re-game combination is won in the combination determination (re-game A-D selection probability that can be selected in non-RT) is a standard value (abbreviated to "1/7.3")
Is set to. In this non-RT, the condition P1 is satisfied and the condition is shifted to RT1, and the condition P2 is satisfied, and the condition is shifted to RT2. The condition P1 is that the corresponding symbol “Replay/Cherry/Replay” of the RT1 transition RP (replay part 2) is stopped and displayed on the activated line 29. The condition P2 is that the winning item BB1 (YYK number 1) is selected in the winning combination lottery (however, the winning combination is not established).

RT1 has a higher probability that the replay combination will be won (the total of the selection probabilities of replays A, E to H that can be selected in RT1), compared to non-RT (for example, approximately "1/1.5") Is set, and the probability that a loss is selected in the winning combination lottery is set low (there is no loss), and the RT state is set. In this RT1, the condition P2 is satisfied, and the condition is changed to the RT2. When the condition P3 is satisfied, the condition is changed to the non-RT. The condition P3 is that the corresponding symbol “Replay Cherry Bell” of the non-RT transition RP (replay combination 3) is stopped and displayed on the activated line 29.

RT2 is an RT state (also referred to as “inside BB”) that is set when the winning of the BB combination is carried over, and the probability that the re-gaming combination will be won (selection of re-playing A that can be selected in RT2). Probability) is set equal to non-RT. During this RT2, when the condition P4 is satisfied, the process shifts to RT3. The condition P4 is that the BB combination is established.

RT3 is an RT state (also referred to as "BB operation in progress") set from the next game triggered by the establishment of the BB combination, and a bonus game described later can be executed during this RT3. In RT3, the re-game combination is not won, and one of the winning prizes A to D is always won (no loss). Further, during RT3, the condition P5 is satisfied, and the condition is changed to non-RT. The condition P5 is that a prescribed number of games (24 games) are consumed (played) during RT3.

Returning to FIG. 6, the re-game operation control means 113 is allowed to play the next game without betting a game medal owned by the player when the re-play combination is established (“re-play”). It is also configured to be set to "the game operation state"). When the re-game operation state is set, information (also referred to as "re-game operation state flag") indicating that the re-game operation state is set in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 63 (for example, a value "1" is stored). To be done. The re-game operation state flag that has been set is cleared (for example, a value “0” is stored) at a predetermined time until the re-game operation state is resolved.

The bonus operation control means 114 determines when the bonus winning combination (BB winning combination in this embodiment) is won (
A predetermined process is executed during a period from the time of winning the winning item BB1) to the end of the bonus game executed when the BB combination is established. Specifically, when the BB combination (BB1) is won, information (also referred to as "BB winning flag") indicating that the BB combination is won is set in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 63. Further, triggered by the establishment of the BB combination, information (also referred to as “BB operation flag”) indicating that the BB operation state is set in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 63 (at this time, the BB winning flag is cleared). ). Also, the BB operation flag is cleared when the condition for ending the bonus game is satisfied.

The freeze control means 115 delays execution of a control process (for example, a process for accepting a bet operation, a reel rotation start operation, a reel rotation stop operation, or the like) related to the progress of a game for a predetermined time when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Is configured to set.

As shown in FIG. 8, the game mode control means 116 is configured to control the setting of six game modes from game mode 0 to game mode 5. The game mode means a game state (also referred to as “main game state”) mainly related to the setting state of the AT, which is controlled by the main control means side separately from the RT state.

The game mode 0 is a normal (non-advantageous) game state in which the period of staying during the game is longest on average. In the game mode 0, the game mode 1 is shifted to when the condition Q1 is satisfied. The condition Q1 is that the winning prize D (no setting difference is set) is won in the winning combination determination. In addition, when the prize D is won, a lottery (also referred to as “CZ lottery” (CZ is an abbreviation for chance zone)) for determining whether or not to shift to the game mode 1 is performed, and in this CZ lottery, a game is performed. The condition Q1 may be that a lottery result (also referred to as “CZ winning”) that determines to shift to the mode 1 is obtained.

The game mode 1 is a game state of CZ preparation which is shifted from the game mode 0 when the winning D is won in the winning combination determination in the game mode 0. In this game mode 1, the game mode 2 is shifted to when the condition Q2 is satisfied. The condition Q3 is that a predetermined number of games (for example, two times) are played.

The game mode 2 is a game state set as CZ (chance zone), which is shifted from the game mode 1 when the game is played a predetermined number of times in the game mode 1. In the game mode 2, the game mode 3 is shifted to when the condition Q1 is satisfied, and to the game mode 0 when the condition Q3 is satisfied. The condition Q3 is that a predetermined number (for example, 15 times) of games are digested without satisfying the condition Q1. In addition, AT lottery, AT stock lottery, and game mode transition lottery may be performed according to the winning combination determination result in the game mode 2. The AT lottery is a lottery for deciding whether or not to set an AT, and the AT stock lottery is a lottery for deciding whether or not to add the settable number of ATs (the number of stocks) and the number of additions. The game mode transition lottery is a lottery that determines whether or not the game mode 2 can be shifted to another game mode (for example, game mode 3). Although a process of setting a predetermined flag (also referred to as “AT flag”) for identifying that AT is set when the AT lottery is won (set to “1”) is executed, the game is started from the game mode 2. When the mode 0 is entered, the AT flag is cleared (set to "0"). When the AT stock lottery is won, a process of adding the stock number to a predetermined counter (also called "AT stock counter") is executed, but when the game mode 2 is shifted to the game mode 0, it is counted. The value is cleared.

The game mode 3 is a game state of AT preparations to be shifted from the game mode 2 when the prize D is won in the winning combination determination in the game mode 2. In this game mode 3, the game mode 4 is shifted to when the condition Q4 is satisfied. The condition Q4 is that any one of the re-games B, C, and D is won in the winning combination determination, or the RT state is RT1. Further, in this game mode 3, when any one of the re-games B to H is won during the non-RT or RT1 stay, the RP navigation for informing the correct answer order is executed. Therefore, the RT state is easily promoted (non-RT→RT1) (RT1 transition RP is easily established), and the RT state is easily prevented from being demoted (RT1→non-RT). Yes (it is difficult to display the corresponding pattern of re-game part 3).

The game mode 4 is a game state of the AT which is shifted from the game mode 3. When the game mode 3 is shifted to the game mode 4, the value of the AT game number counter for counting the number of games (AT game number) that can be executed as AT (game mode 4) is set to "30". It The value of the AT game number counter is decremented by "1" for each game while staying in the game mode 4. In this game mode 4, the RP navigation described above is executed as in the case of staying in the game mode 3. Therefore, it is easy to stay at RT1 while staying in the game mode 4. Since the probability of winning the re-gaming combination is high and the probability of losing is set low in RT1, the longer the period of staying in RT1, the more advantageous it is for the player. In addition, in accordance with a winning combination determination result in the game mode 4 (for example, winning a prize D), an AT stock lottery or a lottery for adding the AT game number (also referred to as “AT game number plus lottery”) is performed. May be. When the AT game number addition lottery is won, the addition number corresponding to the winning is added to the AT game number counter.

In this game mode 4, the game mode 0 is shifted to when the condition Q5 is satisfied. The condition Q5 is that the game for the number of AT games is exhausted (the value of the AT game number counter becomes “0”). When the AT stock counter manages (stores) the AT stock number, when the value of the AT game number counter becomes “0”, the AT stock number is converted into the AT game number (for example, stock). The number may be subtracted by "1" and the value of the AT game number counter may be set to "30") to continue the AT. Further, it may be determined by lottery whether or not to continue the AT.

The game mode 5 is a bonus game that is advantageous for the player, which is set from the next game when the condition Q6 that the BB combination is established is satisfied while staying in any of the game modes 0 to 4. It is in a state. In this game mode 5, a predetermined bonus game is executed (details will be described later). In the game mode 5, when the condition Q7 is satisfied, the game mode is shifted to any of the game modes 0 to 3 (details will be described later). The condition Q7 is that the game of 24 games is consumed. A game mode 6 may be provided as a game mode for staying while inside the BB.

The above-mentioned five game modes 0 to 5 are divided into a game mode belonging to the normal section and a game mode belonging to the advantageous section. The normal section is a period during which no push navigation (prize navigation, RP navigation, and eye navigation) is performed, and information (YK number, navigation number, etc.) that can determine the push order is supplied from the main control means side to the sub control means side. It is also the period when it is not sent to. Further, the normal section is also a period in which a lottery (for example, a CZ lottery) for determining whether or not to shift to the advantageous section can be performed. The game mode 0 corresponds to the game mode belonging to the normal section.

The advantageous section is a period during which push navigation can be performed, and is also a period during which information for determining the push order may be transmitted from the main control unit side to the sub control unit side. In the advantageous section, a lottery for changing the performance of the advantageous section (for example, a game mode transition lottery) or a process for increasing the number of games in the advantageous section (for example, AT stock lottery, lottery for adding AT games) is performed. It is also a period that can be done. The game modes 1 to 5 correspond to the game modes belonging to the advantageous section. Further, in the advantageous section, a section indicator (for example, a DP segment lamp other than the 7-segment lamp in the payout amount display lamp 46j) for notifying the player of the advantageous section may be turned on. During the stay in the advantageous section, the winning navigation may be performed at least once (in this case, if the winning navigation has not been performed even once, it is not possible to shift to the normal section). Good).

Further, an upper limit (for example, 1500 games) that allows continuous stay in the advantageous section may be set. Further, when the upper limit is reached and the advantageous section is ended, all information related to the advantageous section (for example, information such as AT flag, AT game number counter value, AT stock number counter value, etc.) is cleared. In addition, when reaching the upper limit and ending the advantageous section, the winning navigation may not be performed even once during the stay in the advantageous section. In addition, when a lottery for determining whether or not to shift to the advantageous zone and a lottery for changing the performance of the advantageous zone are performed based on the winning combination determination result (winning item), a winning item that does not have a setting difference is selected. The lottery may be performed only for a limited time, and in particular, the lottery for changing the performance of the advantageous section may be performed based on conditions other than the winning combination determination result. Then, in that case, it may be performed without referring to the set value.

In the present embodiment, an advantage zone clear counter is provided to keep track of the number of games that are continuously staying in the advantage zone, and the value of this advantage zone clear counter is set to "1500" when the normal zone is shifted to the advantage zone. set. Then, each time the game is consumed in the advantageous section, the value of the advantageous section clear counter is decremented by 1, and when the value of the counter becomes "0", it is forcibly shifted to the normal section. Further, when the advantageous section clear counter shifts to the normal section before the value of the advantageous section clear counter becomes “0”, the value of the advantageous section clear counter is cleared (set to “0”), and the normal section returns to the advantageous section again. The value of the advantageous section clear counter is reset to "1500" when the process shifts to. Instead of the upper limit of the number of games, an upper limit of the difference number may be set. Specifically, a difference sheet counter for counting the difference sheets is provided, and the counter value is set to "0" at the start of the advantageous section (may be set to "0" at the end of the advantageous section), and thereafter The counter value is updated according to the game and the result of the game. In the update, when the difference sheet number is less than 0, the counter value is corrected to be “0”, and when the difference sheet number is a positive value, it is accumulated and updated as it is. Then, when the accumulated difference number exceeds 2400, the normal section may be forcibly shifted. Further, a counter for managing the upper limit of the number of games (first advantageous section clear counter) and a counter for managing the upper limit of the difference number (second advantageous section clear counter) are provided, and the value of either one of the counters is set. When the upper limit is reached, the advantageous section may be ended and the normal section may be started.

Returning to FIG. 6, the random number generating/capturing means 117 is composed of the CPU 61, the clock pulse generator 64, the frequency divider 65, the random number generator 66, and the random number capturing circuit 67, and generates random numbers used in various lottery. Generate and capture. In this embodiment, four 16-bit random number means (4ch: ch is an abbreviation for "channel") capable of generating a random number sequence in the numerical range of "0 to 65535" at the maximum and "0 to 255" at the maximum. It has four (4ch) 8-bit random number means capable of generating a random number sequence in the numerical range up to and each of them can independently generate a random number sequence. Since the random numbers generated by these 16-bit random number means or 8-bit random number means are updated based on the clock signal generated by the clock pulse generator 64, they are also called hardware random numbers (hard random numbers). Although not shown, in the present embodiment, a random number generating unit different from the random number generating/acquiring unit 118 is provided. The random number generating means is composed of the CPU 61 and the RAM 63 described above, and has a random number means capable of generating a random number sequence within a predetermined numerical range as a random number used for winning combination determination and the like. Since this random number is updated based on the program, it is also called a software random number (soft random number).

(Each means constituting the game progress management means 130)
The reception medal management means 131 is a game medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 21 (also referred to as "insertion game medal"), which is actually received (detected by the insertion medal sensor 28b guided to the reception passage). A game medal, which is also referred to as a "reception game medal", is configured to control whether the game medal is directly bet or the credited game medal. In the present embodiment, when the bet number has not reached the maximum bet allowable number (the bet number required to execute the game (the specified number "3")), the game medal to be directly bet the accepting game medal When the bet number has reached the maximum allowable bet number and the credit number has not reached the maximum allowable credit number (for example, “50”), the received game medal is set as the credited game medal. ing.

Further, the reception medal management means 131, in the game set to the re-game operation state, the automatic bet processing (without reducing the number of game medals held by the player, the same number of bets as the bet number in the previous game is Processing for setting the bet state). Even in the re-game operation state, if the number of credits does not reach the maximum credit allowable number, the inserted game medal is accepted as a credited game medal (may not be accepted). When the bet number has reached the maximum bet allowable number and the credit number has reached the maximum credit allowable number, the inserted game medal is not accepted and is returned.

The winning combination determination means 132 is triggered by the start lever 25 being operated (the operation of the starting lever 25 being effectively accepted), and a plurality of winning items based on a preset winning combination determination probability (lottery selection number). It is configured to perform a winning combination determination process (internal drawing) for selecting at least one winning item from (winning result determination). This winning combination determination process is performed using a random number generated by the above 16-bit random number means. Specifically, when the start lever 25 is operated, the random number generated by the 16-bit random number means is fetched. Then, when performing the winning combination determination process, the read random number is read, a predetermined soft random number is added to the read random number, and the winning item is selected using the added random number. The winning item may be selected by using the read random number without adding the predetermined soft random number.

The winning combination determination process is performed by referring to a predetermined winning combination determination table (not shown). The winning combination determination table has a configuration in which lottery placement number data corresponding to each winning item is stored for each set value in a predetermined storage area (a plurality of addresses) in the ROM 62. When one or a plurality of winning items are selected in the winning combination determination process, the gaming combination corresponding to the selected winning item becomes a winning combination winning combination in the game. The information of the selected winning item (winning combination) is stored in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 63, but the information of the winning item stored in one game is information related to the winning of a small winning combination or a re-playing combination. Is cleared (reset to "0") after the end of the game, regardless of whether or not these small wins and re-game wins are established. On the other hand, when the winning combination of the BB combination is not established, the information about the winning of the BB combination is stored and retained without being cleared until the winning combination of the BB combination is established.

The effect group number determination means 133 is configured to perform a process of generating effect group number information from information of the winning item (YK number) selected in the winning combination determination process. This production group number (for example, the production group number from "0" to "10" is used) is associated with each YK number selected by the winning combination determination process, and in particular, depending on the difference in the pressing order, the game is played. One production group number is associated with a group of YK numbers that have the above advantages and disadvantages (influence on payout), and that the number of game medals paid out (the number of wins) varies. It has become.

On the other hand, the YK number corresponding to the winning of the re-playing combination that does not affect the advantage or disadvantage in the game due to the difference in the push order (there is no effect on the payout) and the number of game medals paid out due to the difference in the push order YK number corresponding to the winning of a small winning combination (winning combination) with no difference in the number), YK number corresponding to the winning of a small winning combination with a small number of game medals itself that can be obtained (for example, a specified number of bets or less) For example, one effect group number may be associated with a plurality of YK numbers, or one effect group number may not be associated with a plurality of YK numbers. If not associated, for example, an effect group number having the same value as the YK number may be associated.

The reel control means 134 confirms that the minimum game time has elapsed with the start lever 25 being operated (the operation of the start lever 25 being effectively accepted), and then the reels 3a to 3c. After the start of rotation, all the reels that have started rotation are in a constant speed rotation state, and then the stop switches 26a, 26b, and 26c are sequentially operated (each operation of the stop switches 26a to 26c is effectively accepted). ), the corresponding reels 3a to 3c are sequentially stopped from rotating.

The rotation stop control of each reel 3a to 3c is based on each stop table (not shown) that is set (set) according to the winning combination determination result selected by the winning combination determination process. Order, operation timing, etc.). The reels 3a to 3c are stopped so that the reels 3a to 3c stop within a predetermined stop allowable time (for example, 190 milliseconds) from the timing when the stop switches 26a, 26b, and 26c are operated (in the present embodiment, The maximum number of sliding frames is 5).

In other words, as a result of the winning combination determination process, when a predetermined game combination is selected as the establishment allowable combination, the corresponding symbols of the selected game combination are stopped on the activated line 29 as long as possible within the stop allowable time. As shown, in the case of losing, the stop control of the reels 3a to 3c is performed so that the corresponding symbols of any game combination are not stopped and displayed on the activated line 29. In addition, when there is a case where a re-playing role or a small role is won while a special role is being carried over, or when a special role and a re-playing role or a small role are double-winned, a re-playing role, a special role, or a small role The reel rotation stop control of the re-game combination priority (the priority of the small combination may be higher than that of the special combination) which is preferentially established in this order may be performed.

The stop display symbol determining means 135 determines which symbol the symbols stopped and displayed by the reels 3a to 3c are based on the timing at which the stop switches 26a to 26c are operated, and is stopped and displayed on the activated line 29. It is configured to determine whether or not the game combination is established, based on the symbol combination determined to have been determined (may be different from the symbol combination actually stopped and displayed).

The payout medal management unit 136 adds the number of game medals corresponding to the small winning combination that has been established when the small winning combination has been established, to the credit number when the credit number has not reached the maximum credit allowable number. Thus, when the number of credits has reached the maximum allowable number of credits, the actual payout for driving the hopper 50 via the hopper drive circuit 52 is performed. In addition, the payout medal management means 136, when the clearing operation (pressing operation of the clearing switch 24) is effectively accepted, the number of betted game medals or the number of credited game medals is set in the hopper 50. It is designed to be driven and refunded.

The blocker control means 137 outputs a blocker signal for controlling the blocker 48 described above, and switches the blocker 48 between an ON state (game medal acceptable state) and an OFF state (game medal unacceptable state). Is configured. When the blocker 48 is turned off, the game medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 21 are guided to the return passage and returned. However, the insertion of a game medal is detected by the insertion medal sensor 28a.

The display lamp control means 138 includes the above-mentioned various display lamps (MAX-BET display lamp 46a, BET lamp 46b, throwable display lamp 46c, game start display lamp 46d, re-game display lamp 46e, state display lamp 46f, number of times. The display lamp 46g, the CRE lamp 46h, and the payout amount display lamp 46j) are configured to be controlled via the display lamp control circuit 47 with respect to turning on and off. When the payout amount display lamp 46j is made to function as the main-side push order indicator, the push order management means 139 controls the payout amount display lamp 46j.

The push order management means 139 selects a navigation number (for example, one of “0” to “9”) corresponding to the push order to be notified according to the role determination result (winning item) selected by the role determination process. It is supposed to do. The navigation number 0 is selected when the pressing order is not notified, and the navigation numbers 1 to 9 are selected when the pressing order is desired to be notified. In the present embodiment, the pressing order (also referred to as “corresponding pressing order”) associated with each of the navigation numbers 1 to 9 is set as shown in FIG. 9, for example. Specifically, for example, the corresponding push order of the navigation number 1 is "left center right", the corresponding push order of the navigation number 3 is "middle left and right", and the corresponding push order of the navigation number 7 is "left first." , And the corresponding push order of the navigation number 9 is set to “right first”.

Further, the push order management means 139 is also configured to perform the push navigation (main side push navigation) by causing the payout amount display lamp 46j to function as a main side push order notification device and notifying the selected navigation number. There is. This push navigation uses two 7-segment lamps (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as “7 segment”) provided on the payout amount display lamp 46j to notify the navigation number. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, “=” is displayed in the left 7-segment and a numerical value of the navigation number (for example, “2” in the case of the navigation number 2) is displayed in the right 7-segment. The “=” displayed on the left 7-segment is for distinguishing from the case where the payout amount is displayed on the payout amount display lamp 46j. When the navigation number 0 is selected, the payout amount display lamp 46j is not displayed, but as another aspect, “=” is displayed on the left 7-segment and “0” is displayed on the right 7-segment. It may be displayed, "0" may be displayed on both the left 7-segment and the right 7-segment, or "0" may be displayed on only one of the left and right 7-segments.

Returning to FIG. 6, the lottery group number determination means 140 determines the lottery group number used to select the winning value in various types of lottery, according to the winning item (YK number) selected by the winning combination determination process. It is configured. For example, as the lottery group number, 10 numbers from the lottery group number 0 to the lottery group number 9 are provided, and the YK numbers determined corresponding to the winning combination determination result are divided into 10 groups (in which group YK numbers that are not included may be provided), and any of the lottery group numbers may be associated with each of the groups. Although the method of associating can be arbitrarily determined, for example, a lottery group number, a lottery group number with no setting difference (for example, lottery group numbers 1 to 8) and a lottery group number with a setting difference (for example, The lottery group numbers having no setting difference are associated with groups consisting only of YK numbers corresponding to winning items having no setting difference, and lottery groups having setting differences. The numbers may be associated with groups including YK numbers corresponding to winning items for which setting differences are provided. Also, the association is changed based on the game mode state and the RT state, and in the normal state, many types of lottery group numbers are set, and the lottery probability for AT acquisition is finely set according to the role lottery result. In the middle, the number of lottery group numbers may be set to be small and the winning probability of the additional lottery may be roughly set.

(Each means constituting the main communication control means 150)
The control command transmitting means 151 is configured to transmit a control command including various kinds of information regarding the game at a predetermined timing. For example, as the control command transmitted before the start lever 25 is operated, a control command including information indicating which game mode is set (also referred to as “game mode command”), which RT state is set There is a control command (also referred to as "RT command") including information indicating whether or not, and a control command (also referred to as "operation state command") including information indicating the operation state of the replay. In addition, as the control command transmitted when the start lever 25 is operated, for example, a control command including information on a navigation number (also referred to as “navi number command”), a control command including information on a winning combination determination result ( There is also a control command (also referred to as a "production group number command") including information on a performance group number) (a production group number command is not transmitted, and a production group number command is used as a combination determination result). It may be sent as a control command containing information). In addition to this, a control command including information on a set value, a control command including information on the value of various counters such as an AT game number counter, a control command including information for instructing contents of effects to be executed by the sub control means, and a bonus described later. A control command or the like including information to be transmitted in the game may be transmitted before the start lever 25 is operated, when the start lever 25 is operated, or other times.

In addition, the control command transmission unit 151 is triggered by the confirmation that the minimum game time has elapsed, and before the rotation of all reels is started, a control command including information indicating that all reels are started to rotate (“ (Also referred to as a "full-body rotation start command"). Further, triggered by the reception of the first stop operation (operation of the stop switch for stopping the first reel), a control command including information indicating that the first stop operation has been received (“first stop reception”). (Also referred to as a "command"), and a control command (also referred to as a "first stop command") including information about the first-time barrel stop triggered by the first-time barrel stop (stop of the reel corresponding to the first stop operation). Send). Similarly, when a second stop operation (operation of a stop switch for stopping the second reel) is received, a control command including information indicating that the second stop operation has been received (“second stop operation”). (Also referred to as a "reception command"), and a control command ("second stop command") that includes information about the second cylinder stop triggered by the second cylinder stop (stop of the reel corresponding to the second stop operation). (Also referred to as)) is transmitted. Similarly, when a third stop operation (operation of a stop switch for stopping the third reel) is accepted, a control command including information indicating that the third stop operation is accepted (“third stop acceptance”) is received. (Also referred to as a "command"), and a control command (also referred to as a "third stop command") including information about the third time cylinder stop triggered by the third time cylinder stop (stop of the reel corresponding to the third stop operation). Send). Furthermore, before making a stop symbol determination, a control command including information on all-time trunk stop (also referred to as "all stop command"), after determining a stop symbol, a control command including information on the number of payouts of game medals ("payout" (Also referred to as “several commands”). Communication between the main control unit 100 and the sub control unit 200 (sub main control unit 200A) is possible only in one direction from the former to the latter.

The outer end signal transmitting means 152 is configured to transmit an outer end signal to a data counter, a hall computer or the like when a predetermined game state is entered. For example, a BB signal may be transmitted as the outer end signal. The BB signal is turned on when shifting from the normal section to the advantageous section, and turned off when shifting from the advantageous section to the normal section.

On the other hand, the sub-control unit 200 mainly controls the lamp effect, the image effect, and the sound effect (sub-main control unit (also referred to as “first sub-control unit”) 200A, and mainly performs the image effect and the sound effect. And a sub-sub control unit (also referred to as a "second sub control unit") 200B for controlling (executing).

The sub-main control unit 200A roughly includes an effect management unit 210 and a sub-main communication control unit 230. The effect management unit 210 includes a game effect management unit 211, a notification effect management unit 212, and a lamp effect control unit 213. The sub-main communication control unit 230 includes a control command receiving unit 231, an effect command transmitting unit 232, and a state command. The reception means 233 is provided. The above-mentioned respective units in the sub-main control unit 200A are the sub-main CPU 71 arranged on the sub-main control board 70A shown in FIG. It is a functional representation of what is configured by software such as.

(Each means constituting the production management means 210)
The game effect management means 211 mainly controls the execution timing of the effect (also referred to as "game effect") by the image and sound executed by the sub-sub control means 200B mainly for the purpose of improving the interest of the game and enhancing the playability. It is configured to manage based on a control command from the means 100. The game effects include, for example, continuous effects, single-shot effects, and assist effects.

The continuous effect is an effect that is continuous over a plurality of game periods, and mainly uses the image display device 11 to display images that form a series of stories over a plurality of game periods, An example is one that displays an effect image or the like that symbolizes that the player is staying in a predetermined game mode (for example, game mode 5). In addition, when performing the continuous production or the single-shot production described below, the production using the production lamps 12, 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b and the decorative lamps 32a, 32b is performed, or the speakers 15a, 15b, 44a, 44b are used. You may combine the performances that you had.

The one-shot effect is an effect that is executed once when a specific situation occurs in the course of the game. For example, an effect of displaying an image, which indicates the expected winning degree of the game combination, on the image display device 11 when each reel is rotated may be mentioned. Further, triggered by the addition of the AT game number in the main control means 100, the value of the added AT game number (for example, a character such as "+30") is displayed on the display screen 11a of the image display device 11. Production is also given as an example of one-off production.

The assist effect is an effect for supporting the player, and in the present embodiment, the push navigation effect is mainly performed according to the information of the navigation number transmitted by the navigation number command from the main control means 100. In this push navigation effect (sub side push navigation), the image display device 11 is used as a sub side push order display, and the push order (correct answer push order) corresponding to the navigation number is displayed to the player on the display screen 11a. It is a one-shot effect displayed on. In the present embodiment, the RP navigation effect corresponding to the above-mentioned RP navigation (sub-side RP navigation), the prize navigation effect corresponding to the prize navigation (sub-side prize navigation), and the push navigation effect corresponding to the push navigation ( Sub side push navigation) is designed to be executed.

As a specific mode of the push navigation effect (RP navigation effect, winning navigation effect) that notifies the push order, a mode in which a number indicating the corresponding push order is displayed (for example, in the case of the "left first" push order, When "1" is displayed in the lower left part of the display screen 11a and the pressing order is "middle → left → right", the numbers indicating the pressing order are displayed in the order of "2, 1, 3" at the lower part of the display screen 11a. An example is a mode in which the information is arranged and reported from the left side. When displaying from the first pressing order to the third pressing order, when the player operates the first stop switch according to the displayed first pressing order, the display of the first pressing order is erased and the second pressing order is displayed. When the player operates the second stop switch according to the pressing order, the display of the second pressing order is erased, and according to the displayed third pressing order, the third pressing order is displayed when the player operates the third stop switch. The display may be turned off.

Further, when the player operates the stop switch in an order different from the displayed pressing order, the pressing order navigation effect may be immediately ended. Furthermore, when displaying the pressing order, the voices “naka”, “hidari”, and “migi” are output from the speakers 15a, 15b and the like in association with the operation to be performed next. May be. Furthermore, the effect lamp 13a may be associated with "left", the effect lamp 12 may be associated with "middle", and the effect lamp 13b may be associated with "right", and may be caused to emit light or blink in association with the operation to be performed next.

The notification effect management means 212 mainly indicates the execution time of the effect (hereinafter, referred to as “information effect”) by the image or voice executed by the sub-sub control means 200B mainly for the purpose of informing the player of information about the game. It is configured to perform management based on a control command from the control means 100. As the notification effect, for example, an error notification effect of notifying that an error has occurred with text information such as "error occurrence", or that an image is being prepared when the power is restored is called "image preparation" An example of the effect is to notify by character information. In addition, in order to prevent the player from being overly absorbed in (playing into) the game, an effect that displays an image (also referred to as an "alert image") containing character information to call the player's attention is also announced. Taken as an example of production.

The lamp effect control means 213 is configured to control various illumination effects using the effect lamps 12, 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b, the decorative lamps 32a, 32b, and the back lamps 38a to 38d.

(Each means configuring the sub-main communication control means 230)
The control command receiving unit 231 is configured to receive the control command from the main control unit 100 and store the control command in a predetermined storage area such as the RAM 73 (for example, a command buffer for the received control command).

The effect command transmission unit 232 is configured to transmit an effect command including various information regarding effects (for example, an effect command including image information) to the sub-sub control unit 200B based on the control command from the main control unit 100. ing.

The state command receiving unit 233 receives the state command from the sub-sub control unit 200B (for example, the state command including the information that the reception error of the effect command has occurred), and the predetermined storage area in the RAM 73 or the like (for example, the received state command). Command buffer for status commands).

The sub-sub control means 200B is roughly provided with the performance execution control means 250 and the sub-sub communication control means 270 with respect to the sub-main control means 200A configured as described above. The effect execution control means 250 includes a game effect execution control means 251 and a notification effect execution control means 252, and the sub-sub communication control means 270 includes an effect command receiving means 271 and a state command transmitting means 272. Note that the above-mentioned respective units in the sub-sub control unit 200B are the sub-sub CPU 75 arranged on the sub-sub control substrate 70B shown in FIG. It is a functional representation of what is configured by wear.

(Each means constituting the production execution control means 250)
The game effect execution control means 251 is configured to control the image display device 11, the speakers 15a, 15b, etc. based on the effect command from the sub-main control means 200A, and execute the above-mentioned game effect.

The notification effect execution control unit 252 is configured to control the image display device 11, the speakers 15a, 15b, and the like based on the effect command from the sub-main control unit 200A, and execute the above-described notification effect.

(Each of the sub-sub communication control means 270)
The effect command receiving means 271 is configured to receive the effect command from the sub-main control means 200A and store it in a predetermined storage area such as the RAM 77 (for example, a command buffer for the received effect command).

The status command sending means 272 is configured to send the above-mentioned status command to the sub-main control means 200A.

The transmission of the control command from the control command transmission unit 151, the transmission of the production command from the production command transmission unit 232, and the transmission of the state command from the state command transmission unit 272 are all performed by a serial communication method (parallel. The communication method may be used). Further, each of the transmitting means 151, 232, 272 has a similar configuration, and has a command buffer (“CB”) as a storage area for temporarily storing a command to be transmitted.
(Also referred to as "), a command processing unit that performs processing such as writing and reading of a command to be transmitted, and a command transmitting unit that transmits a command by serial communication.

The CB has a plurality of storage areas distinguished by respective addresses, and is configured to be able to store 1-byte command data in each storage area. The command processing unit generates command data to be transmitted, writes the command data in the address area indicated by the write pointer of the CB, reads previously written command data from the address area indicated by the read pointer of the CB, and outputs the command data to the command area. It is configured to write to TDR (transmission data register) of the transmission unit. The command transmitting unit is configured to move the command data written in the TDR to a TSR (transmission shift register), serial-convert it there, and transmit it.

When the parallel communication method is used, the previously written command data is read from the address area indicated by the read pointer of the CB, and the command data is output to a predetermined output port (output port for transmitting to the sub control unit). It is configured to send by writing to. One command in this embodiment usually has a 2-byte structure (the checksum has a 1-byte structure). The communication system is an asynchronous system (asynchronous system), and has 1 bit of stop bit and 1 bit of parity bit (even parity) (the communication system and command configuration can be changed as appropriate).

<Bonus game>
In the present embodiment, as described above, when the BB combination is established, the BB operation state is entered, the game mode 5 (RT3) is entered, and the bonus game (BB game) can be executed. The contents of the bonus game will be described below with additional reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 10A, a period of all 24 games is set as a bonus game period. The period of the first 8 games is set as the introduction period, the period of the next 12 games is set as the push order selection game period, and the period of the last 4 games is set as the result notification period. The bonus game is a general term for games played over an introduction period, a push order selection game period, and a result notification period. Among the bonus games, a game executed in the period for the push order selection game (executed at least 3 times and at most 12 times) is referred to as a push order selection game (details will be described later). Further, a specific period during which the push order selection game is executed is referred to as a push order selection game execution period, and a non-specific period during which the push order selection game is not executed is referred to as a push order selection game non-execution period. All of the introduction period and the result notification period are the push order selection game non-execution period. On the other hand, the entire push-order selection game period may be the push-order selection game execution period, but in the middle of the period, the push-order selection game execution period is switched to the push-order selection game non-execution period. In some cases.

The period of the bonus game is the same as the stay period of RT3, and one of the prizes A to D is surely won in the winning combination determined in each game. The number of winning prizes A to D is set, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, one of the prizes A to C is approximately 1/
It is set with a probability of 3 that the prize D is selected when none of the prizes A to C is won.

In the bonus game period, a bell-aligned navigation or a winning navigation may be performed by the main control unit 100 and the sub-control unit 200 as a push navigation peculiar to the bonus game period, depending on the winning combination determination result and the like. The bell-aligned navigation notifies the push order for establishing the small winning combination 1 which is a bell-aligned bell (stops the roll-out result A) when any of the winning prizes A to D is selected by the winning combination determination. This is push navigation, and is performed during the non-execution period of the push order selection game. FIG. 12A shows an example of a mode of bell-aligning push navigation (also referred to as "bell-aligning push navigation effect") performed by the sub-control unit 200 (of the bell-alignment push navigation effect when the prize A is selected in the winning combination determination). One example) is shown. Specifically, in the lower left of the display area, the number "1" circled is displayed, whereby the "left first" push order operation for establishing the small winning combination 1 when winning A is selected. I urge you to do. When the bell-aligned push navigation effect is performed as in this example, "=7" is displayed on the payout amount display lamp 46j on the main control means 100 side in order to notify the pushing order of "left first". It The bell-aligned navigation is executed every game during the introduction period and the result notification period. Also, in the push order selection game period, after the push order selection game ends (after the value of the star counter described later becomes “0” and the push order selection game execution period switches to the push order selection game non-execution period) Alignment navigation is executed every game. Since the bell-alignment navigation is executed during the non-execution period of the push order selection game, it is possible for the player to easily understand that the push order selection game is not played. Winning navigation will be described later.

In the introduction period, before or after the start of the first game, the BB counter is set to "24" and the star counter is set to "3" (the star counter may be set in the second game or later). In addition, a game level lottery is held. The BB counter is a counter for counting the number of remaining bonus games, and "1" is subtracted each time a game is played. The star counter is a counter for counting the player's points (the number of stars) in the push order selection game, and whether the value is incremented by "1" each time according to the result of each push order selection game. "1" is subtracted or maintained as it is. The game level lottery is a lottery that determines a game level (difficulty level) that affects the probability that the winning value of 1 will be selected in the winning navigation lottery described below. The winning value and the winning number in the game level lottery are set, for example, as shown in FIG. 11(B). That is, four winning values of 0 to 4 are set, and the value of the winning number assigned to each winning value is set to decrease as the winning value increases. When one winning value is selected in the game level lottery, a game level having a value corresponding to the winning value is set (for example, when the winning value 2 is selected, the game level is set to “2”). ).

These processes in the introduction period are performed by the main control means 100, and the sub-control means 200 is notified of information such as a lottery result. The sub-control unit 200 uses the image display device 11 or the like to perform an effect that informs or suggests that the push order selection game will soon start, or an effect that informs or suggests the game level determined by the game level lottery. To do.

The push order selection game is executed during the push order selection game period. The push order selection game is one of three push orders of "left first", "middle first", and "right first" when one of the winning prizes A to C is selected in the winning combination determination. This is a game that allows the player to select and execute one pressing order. When the player's selected and executed push order is the push order that establishes the small winning combination 2 (stops display of the outcome B), the value of the star counter is incremented by "1" as "win", and the player selects If the executed push order is the press order that establishes the small winning combination 3 (stops the outcome C), the value of the star counter is decremented by "1" and the selected and executed push order is small. In the case of a push order in which the winning combination 1 is established (the outcome A is stopped and displayed), the value of the star counter is maintained (±0) as a “draw”. The push order selection game period is basically set as a push order selection game execution period unless the value of the star counter is "0", and the push order selection game is continuously executed within that period. However, when the value of the star counter becomes “0”, after that, the push-order selection game is not executed, and the push-order selection game is not executed within that period (as another aspect, a specific condition is satisfied). May be re-executable by. Note that the probability of winning, the probability of losing, and the probability of drawing are approximately one-third in one push-order selection game.

In such a push order selection game, push navigation is not performed unless winning navigation is performed. That is, on the main control means 100 side, the display for informing the pushing order is not performed on the payout amount display lamp 46j. On the side of the sub-control unit 200 as well, the push navigation effect is not performed, but as an alternative effect, a push order selection effect for encouraging the player to select the press order is performed. FIG. 12(B) shows an example of a mode of this push order selection effect. Specifically, a card with the letters "left" (also called "left card"), a card with the letters "middle" (also called "middle card"), and a letter "right" This is a mode in which the card marked with (also referred to as “right card”) and the character “Select!” are displayed in the display area. This makes it possible to select one of the three cards. Urging. When such a push order selection effect is performed, when the player executes the left first press order, it means that the left card is selected in the effect, and when the middle first press order is executed, the effect is in the middle. It means that the card is selected, and when the right first pressing order is executed, the right card is selected in terms of performance.

In the push order selection game, as shown in FIG. 10B, the winning navigation lottery is performed after the operation of the start lever 25 is accepted. The winning navigation lottery is a lottery for deciding whether or not to execute the winning navigation. The winning value and the number of winning prizes in the winning navigation lottery are set, for example, as shown in FIG. 11(C). That is, two winning values of 0 and 1 are set, and the number of winnings assigned to each winning value differs depending on the value of the game level. Specifically, the higher the game level value, the higher the probability that the winning value 1 will be selected. When the winning value 0 is selected in the winning navigation lottery, the winning navigation flag is set to "0" and the winning navigation is not executed. On the other hand, when the winning value 1 is selected in the winning navigation lottery, the winning navigation flag is set to "1" and the winning navigation is executed.

The winning navigation is a push navigation that informs the push order for establishing the small winning combination 2 that is a replay bell (stops displaying the outcome B), and is performed during the push order selection game execution period. FIG. 12C shows an example of an example of winning navigation (also referred to as "winning navigation effect") performed by the sub-control unit 200 (an example of winning navigation effect when winning A is selected in the winning combination determination). .. Specifically, it is a mode in which three cards, a left card, a middle card, and a right card, and an arrow pointing to the middle card are displayed in the display area, so that the small win 2 is established when the prize A is selected. It urges you to choose the first push order in. When the winning navigation effect as in this example is performed, "=7" is displayed on the payout amount display lamp 46j on the main control means 100 side in order to select the middle first pressing order. The winning navigation is performed when the winning value 1 is selected in the winning navigation lottery and when the winning prize D is selected in the winning combination determination. That is, when the winning D is selected, the winning navigation flag is set to "1" regardless of the result of the winning navigation lottery, and the winning navigation is executed.

Further, in the push order selection game, as shown in FIG. 10B, the star counter is updated after all the cylinders have stopped. Specifically, as described above, in the push-order selection game, if the push order selected and executed by the player is the push order that establishes the small winning combination 2, the value of the star counter is incremented by "1", When the selected and executed push order is the press order that establishes the small win 3, the value of the star counter is decremented by “1”, and when the selected and executed push order is the press order that establishes the small win 1. Keeps the value of the star counter (±0). In the final game (12th game) of the push order selection game period, the value of the star counter is increased by "1" depending on the result of the push order selection game, and the value of the star counter after the addition is changed to "2". When it becomes, "1" is further added (total "2" is added).

If the winning navigation flag is set to "1" and the winning navigation is executed, the value of the star counter is displayed even if the pressing order operation selected and executed by the player is not the pressing order operation that establishes the small winning combination 2. Is incremented by "1". For example, when winning A or winning D is selected in the winning combination in the push order selection game, and as a result of the winning navigation lottery, the winning navigation flag is set to "1" and winning navigation is executed, in the winning navigation at that time, The middle first pressing order for establishing the small winning combination 2 is notified. At that time, if the player selects and executes the left first push-order operation, the small winning combination 1 is established, but even in that case, the value of the star counter is incremented by "1". .. As another aspect, even if the winning navigation is performed, if the player does not follow the winning navigation and the small winning combination 2 is not established, the value of the star counter is not added, and is subtracted or maintained. May be. Further, when the winning navigation is performed, the reel stop control for always establishing the small winning combination 2 may be performed regardless of the pressing order by the player. Further, when the winning D is selected, the value of the star counter may be incremented by “1” on the condition (without setting the winning navigation flag or the like).

When the value of the star counter is updated, the sub-control means 200 performs a game result notification effect for notifying the result. FIG. 12D shows an example of the mode of the game result notification effect (an example of the game result notification effect when the value of the star counter is added). Specifically, the character "win!", the mark "☆:", and the following mathematical expression "3+1=4" are displayed in the display area, whereby the star counter is added. , The value of the star counter before updating is “3”, the added value is “1”, and the value of the star counter after updating is “4” (the mode can be changed as appropriate). Similarly, FIG. 12E shows an example of a game result notification effect when the value of the star counter is subtracted, and FIG. 12E shows an example of a game result notification effect when the value of the star counter is maintained. F) (explanation omitted).

Further, in the push order selection game, as shown in FIG. 10(A), a privilege is given in the last push order selection game executed in the push order selection game period (the last game in the push order selection game execution period). Is done. Specifically, as a result of the last push order selection game, if the value of the star counter is 3 or more, a privilege is given as a win in the push order selection game. In the present embodiment, the privilege to be given is AT (may be another privilege). That is, if the value of the star counter is 3 or more, the AT flag is set to "1", whereby after the bonus game period ends, the game mode 5 (bonus) shifts to the game mode 3 (AT preparation). It is controlled so as to shift to the game mode 4 (AT). It should be noted that in the final push order selection game, the player may be informed of the condition for giving the privilege. For example, when the value of the star counter is “2” at the start of the last push order selection game, it means that the privilege is awarded if the last push order selection game is won. When the value of the star counter is "3" at the time, the sub-control means 200 uses the image display device 11 or the like to inform the player that the privilege is awarded if the last push order selection game is won or drawn. May be notified. Such notification is not limited to the final game of the pressing order selection game period, and may be performed two games before or three games before. Since it is determined whether or not the privilege is awarded in the game in which the notification is given, the player can recognize that the game is an important game.

When the value of the star counter is "3" and AT is given, the value of the AT game number counter is set to "30". On the other hand, when the value of the star counter is 4 or more and AT is given, the value of the AT game number counter is set by adding “30” to the number of additions according to the value of the star counter. Specifically, the numerical value obtained by multiplying the numerical value of the star counter value exceeding “3” by “10” is set as the number to be added. For example, if the value of the star counter is “12”, the number of additions is “90 (=(12−3)×10)”, so the value of the AT game number counter is set to “120 (=30+90)”. To be done.

As described above, in the push order selection game, the privilege is provided when the value of the star counter updated according to the result of the push order selection game is the initial value “3” or more at the end of the push order selection game period. Granted. Therefore, even if the value of the star counter deviates from the initial value in the early stage of the push order selection game period, the value of the star counter will increase or decrease after that, and at the end of the push order selection game period, it will be equal to or greater than the initial value. If there is a possibility that it will be less than the initial value, it will not be decided at that time whether or not the privilege will be granted. Whether or not the privilege can be granted is determined during the push-order selection game period, no matter how the star counter value increases or decreases thereafter, the star counter value at the end of the push-order selection game period will be the initial value. It is the time when there is no possibility of becoming greater than the value, or conversely, there is no possibility of becoming less than the initial value.

In one push-order selection game, the probabilities of winning, losing, and drawing are almost equal, so the probability that the star counter value will deviate significantly from the initial value due to continued winning or losing is not high. .. Therefore, whether or not to grant the privilege is not fixed at an early stage of the pressing order selection game period, and it often happens that the privilege is delayed until the end of the pressing order selection game period. Further, unlike the case where it is decided that the privilege is awarded when the value of the star counter reaches a predetermined value, whether or not the privilege is awarded is internally confirmed during the push order selection game period. However, if the relationship between the value of the star counter and the number of remaining games at that time is not sufficiently grasped, it becomes difficult for the player to recognize that the granting of the privilege has been confirmed. For example, when the value of the star counter is "7", the privilege grant will be confirmed if the number of remaining games is "4" or less, but if this is not clearly understood, the privilege I cannot recognize that the grant has been finalized. Therefore, it is difficult for the player to know whether or not the privilege is given until the end of the push order selection game period. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the playability of the push order selection game during the push order selection game period.

In the present embodiment, when the value of the star counter decreases to "0" in the middle of the push order selection game period, it is determined that the privilege is not granted (except for the case of granting a privilege by a later-described lottery). Therefore, the player will proceed with the push-order selection game while being harassed so that the value of the star counter does not become "0", so that the playability of the push-order selection game can be further enhanced. It should be noted that even if the star counter value is negative, the push order selection game may be continued even when the star counter value becomes "0" or less. In that case, since the value of the star counter becomes "0" at an early stage of the push order selection game period and it is not decided that the privilege is not given, it does not occur. It becomes possible to improve the game playability of the game.

In addition, in the present embodiment, since the contents (number of AT games) of the privilege to be given differ depending on the result of the push order selection game (final star counter value), the push order selection is performed. It is possible to increase the player's willingness to play the game. Further, in the push order selection game, whether or not the privilege can be given and the content of the benefit are determined by the final value of the star counter, so it is difficult to see ahead (results etc.) in the middle of the push order selection game period. Therefore, it has excellent playability that the player's expectation can be maintained. Therefore, the motivation of the player to play the game can be increased, and the interest of the game can be improved.

When the value of the star counter becomes less than 3 (0 to 2) as a result of the last push order selection game, it is considered that the player has been defeated in the push order selection game, but in this case, a revival lottery is performed. The revival lottery is a lottery for giving the player a chance of granting (acquiring) a privilege when a sufficient result is not obtained in the push order selection game (in the case of defeat). The winning value and the number of winning prizes in the revival drawing are set, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, two winning values of 0 and 1 are set, and the value of the number of winnings assigned to each winning value is set so that the probability of winning the winning value 1 is 1/8. There is. In the revival drawing, when the winning value 0 is selected, the AT flag is set to "0" (AT is not given), and when the winning value 1 is selected, the AT flag is set to "1" (AT is Granted). In this way, even when a sufficient result is not obtained in the push order selection game, there is still a chance of awarding by the resurrection lottery, so that it is possible to continue the player's willingness to play. As another aspect, the selection probability of the winning value 1 in the resurrection lottery may be changed according to the value (0 to 2) of the star counter. For example, the larger the value of the star counter, the higher the probability that the winning value 1 will be selected.

When the value of the star counter becomes "0" in the middle of the push order selection game period, the push order selection game is ended, and from the next game, the push order selection game is not executed from the push order selection game execution period. Switch to the period. Then, until the bonus game period ends, the bell alignment navigation is executed by the main control means 100 and the sub control means 200 from the next game. By performing the bell-alignment navigation, it is possible to obtain an effect that the player can easily identify that the push order selection game is finished. Further, this can prevent the player from being confused without knowing that the push order selection game has ended. When the value of the star counter becomes "0" in the middle of the push order selection game period, the push order selection game is defeated, but the revival lottery is also performed in this case.

Further, when the value of the advantageous section clear counter reaches a predetermined threshold value (for example, “20”, but can be arbitrarily set) during the push order selection game execution period, the result of the push order selection game up to that point may be changed. Without the push order selection game, the push sequence selection game execution period is switched to the push sequence selection game non-execution period from the next game. Then, from the next game, the main control means 100 and the sub-control means 200 execute the bell alignment navigation until the bonus game period ends. Also here, by performing the bell-alignment navigation, it is possible to obtain an effect that the player can easily identify that the push order selection game is finished. Further, this can prevent the player from being confused without knowing that the push order selection game has ended.

Further, in the introduction period, if the value of the advantageous section clear counter reaches the threshold value, the push order selection game is not executed even if the push order selection game period is subsequently entered. In this way, when the value of the advantageous section clear counter reaches the threshold value, the reason why the push order selection game is ended midway or not started from the beginning is that the privilege ( This is because even if the AT flag=1) is added, it is considered that the value of the advantageous section clear counter will soon reach “0” and the privilege information will be cleared. In other words, even if the push order selection game is executed and the privilege is given, it is highly likely that it will not be utilized (useless). If this happens, the player may be discouraged and the interest of the game may be impaired. The selected game is terminated halfway or not started from the beginning.

In the result notification period, the player is informed of the result of the push order selection game or the result of the revival drawing mainly by the sub-control unit 200. For example, the availability of AT setting, the number of AT games, etc. are notified to the player using the image display device 11 or the like. In addition, when the revival lottery is performed, not only the result of the lottery, but also continuous production that enhances the player's expectation that the revival lottery may obtain a privilege. When the value of the advantageous section clear counter reaches the threshold value during the bonus game period, thereafter, an effect for notifying the player that the advantageous section will soon end (also referred to as "advantageous section end effect"). May be performed on the sub-control unit 200 side. This advantageous section end effect is performed when the value of the advantageous section clear counter reaches the threshold value even during a stay other than the bonus game period. It should be noted that, during the stay during the bonus game period and during the stay during other periods, the effect mode of the advantageous section end effect may be changed or the effect mode may be common. Further, if the bonus game period continues even if the value of the advantageous period clear counter reaches “0”, the advantageous period end effect may be continuously executed until the bonus game period ends. On the other hand, in the bonus game period after the value of the advantageous section clear counter reaches "0", the bell alignment navigation by the main control means 100 and the sub control means 200 may not be executed. By not performing the bell-alignment navigation, it is possible to obtain an effect that the player can easily identify the transition from the advantageous section to the normal section.

In the above-mentioned bonus game, 9 game medals can be obtained during each bonus game period regardless of each game and the pushing order, so that the payout rate during the bonus game period is high, which is very advantageous for the player. .. The push order selection game may be executed during a so-called sub-bonus game period, not during the bonus game period in which such a payout rate can be set high. The sub-bonus game is not a bonus game that is executed upon the establishment of a special role, but a game that looks like a bonus game due to a production or the like. For example, when a combination of symbols to be stopped differs depending on the pressing order, the game is played. It is executed during the AT informing the operator of the push sequence that is advantageous. In the case of the sub-bonus game, unlike the bonus game, the winning probability of the small winning combination cannot be increased, so the payout rate may be low. Therefore, even if the push order selection game is played, the number of game medals acquired may not increase, but rather may decrease. Therefore, when the push order selection game is executed in the sub bonus game, the number of games that can be expected to be obtained in the sub bonus game period is equal to or more than a predetermined number of game medals, or to be equal to or more than the predetermined number of game medals. The push order selection game may be started after the game is consumed. By doing so, a situation occurs in which the number of game medals acquired is extremely reduced during or after the execution of the push-order selection game, or the game cannot be continued because the game medals are exhausted. It is possible to prevent the player's willingness to play the game from decreasing.

Further, in the above-mentioned bonus game, the push order selection game is executed by using the winning items (prize A to D) in which the small winning combination that is different depending on the pushing order is used, but the different re-playing combination is realized depending on the pushing order. It is also possible to set a winning item for replay (also referred to as “push order replay”) and use the push order selection game. Further, in the above bonus game, if the value of the star counter is "1" at the start of the last push order selection game, the value of the star counter may be added by "2" in the last game. Although it is configured as described above, “2” may not be added. Then, if the value of the star counter is "1" at the start of the last push order selection game, even if the value of the star counter is added by the result of the last push order selection game, the star after addition is added. Since the value of the counter never reaches “3”, the defeat has already been confirmed at the start of the final push order selection game. Therefore, when the defeat is obtained in this way, even if it is within the period for the push order selection game, the push order selection game is ended and the push order selection game execution period is switched to the push order selection game non-execution period. Good.

In the above aspect, the condition of the privilege grant is that the value of the star counter at the end of the push order selection game execution period is equal to or more than the initial value “3”, but the privilege grant may be changed depending on a value different from the initial value. You may decide whether to accept. Specifically, the initial value is set to "3", but as a condition for granting the privilege, the value of the star counter at the end may be "5" or more, or "1" or more. Good. Further, in the above embodiment, the ratio of winning, losing, and drawing is set to approximately 1:1:1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the selection of the push order may be set to 6 and the numbers displayed for each push order may be set, and the ratio of winning, losing, and drawing may be set to 1:4:1. It is not only necessary to set different ratios, but it is also possible to set only wins and losses and not draws. By doing so, it becomes possible to adjust the difficulty level of the push order selection game.

<Counting and displaying the number of game medals acquired>
In this embodiment, for example, during a bonus or AT, a gaming state expected to be advantageous to the player (for example, the payout rate is higher than usual) (also referred to as “advantageous gaming state”). ), the number of game medals acquired is counted by an acquisition number counter. The acquisition number counter is controlled by the sub-control means 200. However, the main control means 100 controls the acquisition number counter, and the acquisition number counter controlled by the sub-control means 200 and the main control means 100. It is also possible to separately provide an acquisition number counter to be controlled.

In the present embodiment, the number of game medals acquired by the number-of-acquisition counter is counted as follows. That is, in the first game set to the advantageous game state, the counting by the acquisition number counter is started under the condition that the operation of the start lever 25 is accepted (the initial value is "0"). Specifically, the bet number "3" of the game medals in the first game is subtracted from the initial value "0" of the acquisition number counter, and the subtracted value "-3 (=0-3)" is obtained. The payout number of game medals in the first game (for example, "9") is added, and the value after the addition ("6 (=-3+9)" is saved as the number of wins in the first game. If the value of the acquisition number counter becomes a negative value at the end of each game, the acquisition number reset process of resetting the value of the acquisition number counter to “0” is performed. ..

In this way, the value of the acquisition number counter is updated for each game, and the value of the acquisition number counter at the time when the last game in the advantageous game state is finished is displayed as the number of game medals acquired in the advantageous game state. In the present embodiment, the number of game medals acquired is displayed using the image display device 11. Examples of the display are shown in FIGS. 13(A) and 13(B). In the end image (1) shown in FIG. 13A, a predetermined image (here, a ribbon image is used) as information (also referred to as “end notification information”) for notifying that the advantageous gaming state has ended. The characters (which can be changed as appropriate) and the characters (here, “end!!” can be changed as appropriate) are displayed in the center of the screen. Further, the number of game medals acquired in the advantageous game state (here, "452" as an example) is displayed at the bottom of the screen. In addition to the content of the end image (1), the end image (2) shown in FIG. 13(B) is a warning image for preventing the player from being absorbed in the game ("Be careful not to be absorbed." "Pachislot is appropriate. It is a game to enjoy.” is displayed on the upper part of the screen.

The display of the number of acquired game medals may be always displayed regardless of the value of the acquired number. However, when the number of acquisitions is small, there is a possibility that the player's motivation for playing the game when seeing it may be lowered. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the value of the number-of-acquisition counter at the time when the last game in the advantageous game state is finished falls below a predetermined lower limit value (for example, "100", it can be arbitrarily changed), The value of the acquired number counter, that is, the acquired number of game medals in the advantageous game state is not displayed. An example of the display in that case is shown in FIG. The end image (3) shown in FIG. 13(C) is a display example when the value of the acquisition number counter at the time when the last game in the advantageous game state is finished is less than the lower limit value, and is the end image (1). Similar end notification information is displayed in the center of the screen, but the number of game medals acquired is not displayed at all. This makes it difficult for the player to recognize the number of game medals acquired in the advantageous game state. Further, as a result, even though the game is executed in the advantageous game state, the player clearly recognizes that the number of won game medals is small, so that the player is offended and the motivation for the game is lowered. It becomes possible to prevent it.

On the other hand, when the number of game medals acquired in the advantageous game state is very large, displaying the acquired number may cause the player who sees the number to get uplifted and become absorbed in the game. In addition, it may lead to aspiration of the player. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the value of the acquisition number counter at the time when the last game in the advantageous game state is over exceeds a predetermined upper limit value (for example, “2999”, but can be arbitrarily changed), The value of the acquisition number counter (the number of game medals acquired in the advantageous game state) is not displayed. An example of a display in that case is shown in FIG. The end image (4) shown in FIG. 13(D) is a display example in the case where the value of the acquisition number counter at the time when the last game in the advantageous game state ends exceeds the upper limit value, and the end image (2) While displaying the same end notification information and a caution image, the number of game medals acquired is not displayed at all. This makes it difficult for the player to recognize the number of game medals acquired in the advantageous game state. Further, as a result, it is possible to prevent a player, who clearly recognizes that he has obtained a great number of game medals as a result of executing a game in an advantageous game state, from being uplifted and absorbed in the game. .. In addition, the effect of preventing sneaking-in can be improved by not only displaying the acquired number but also displaying the attention image, but the attention image may not be displayed. In addition, the attention image may be displayed in the end image (3). The mode in which the acquired number is not displayed is not limited to the illustrated mode (a mode in which no information about the acquired number is displayed), and the player can imagine the acquired number like “acquired number ??????”. It may be in any mode.

Further, when one advantageous game state ends, immediately after that or after the game in the non-advantageous game state has been executed a predetermined number of times, the advantageous game state is set again, whereby a plurality of advantageous game states are continuously or It may be set to be performed intermittently. In that case, not only the number of game medals acquired in each advantageous game state but also the total number of game medals obtained in a series of multiple advantageous game states may be displayed together. An example of the display in that case is shown in FIG. In the end image (5) shown in FIG. 13(E), the acquired number (“175 pieces” as an example) in the last advantageous game state of the series of advantage game states is displayed and a series of The total number of game medals acquired in the advantageous game state of a plurality of times (“883” as an example) is displayed. A counter for counting the total acquisition number (also referred to as “total acquisition number counter”) is provided separately from the acquisition number counter. In addition, when the game in the non-advantageous game state is executed during the plural advantageous game states, the number of game medals acquired in the non-advantageous game state is also counted by the total number-of-acquisition counter (total number of acquisitions The number of game medals acquired in the non-advantageous game state may not be counted (not included in the total number of acquisitions). Further, with respect to the total acquisition number, a lower limit value or an upper limit value for determining whether to display it may be set.

Further, the number of game medals acquired may be displayed even during the advantageous game state (see FIG. 13(F)). In that case, regardless of the value of the acquired number counter, that value may be displayed as it is as the acquired number, or only when the value of the acquired number counter exceeds the lower limit value, or the value of the acquired number counter shows the lower limit value. Only when it exceeds and is below the upper limit, the value may be displayed as the acquired number. In addition, the display of the acquired number may be updated at the time of betting and payout when the value of the acquired number counter is updated, or may be performed only at the end of each game (at the time of payout).

In addition, if the number of game medals acquired during that period is unlikely to exceed the above-mentioned lower limit, such as RB in which the advantageous game state is single shot, the number of game medals acquired is not uniformly displayed. Alternatively, the end information may not be displayed. However, even in the case of a single-shot RB, when the number of winnings reaches a predetermined value (for example, 8 times) and ends, the end information is displayed, and the number of game medals acquired at the time of the end has the lower limit value. If the number exceeds, the number of game medals acquired may be displayed.

In the present embodiment, as described above, when the value of the acquisition number counter becomes a negative value at the end of each game, the acquisition number reset process of resetting the value of the acquisition number counter to “0” is performed. However, such acquisition number reset processing may not be performed. In that case, the value counted by the acquisition number counter is the difference number of the game medals in the advantageous game state (from the total number of game medals paid out in the advantageous game state, the number of game medals bet in the advantageous game state). Value minus the total number). In this way, the value of the acquisition number counter is updated for each game without performing the acquisition number reset process, and the value of the acquisition number counter at the time when the last game in the advantageous game state ends is obtained as the game medal in the advantageous game state. It may be displayed as a number. In that case, when the value of the number-of-acquisition counter at the time when the last game in the advantageous game state ends, falls below a predetermined lower limit value or exceeds a predetermined upper limit value, the value of the acquisition number counter, That is, the number of game medals acquired in the advantageous game state may not be displayed.

Further, the acquired number of game medals may be displayed even during the advantageous game state based on the value of the acquired number counter counted without performing the acquired number reset process. In that case, regardless of the value of the acquired number counter, that value may be displayed as it is (or even if it is a negative value) as the acquired number, or if the value of the acquired number counter is 0 or more, it may be displayed as it is. In the case of "0
May be displayed as the acquired number. Also, even during the period of the advantageous game state, only when the value of the acquisition number counter exceeds the lower limit value, or only when the value of the acquisition number counter exceeds the lower limit value and less than or equal to the upper limit value, It may be displayed as the acquired number. Further, the display of the acquired number may be updated at the time of betting and payout when the value of the acquired number counter is updated, or may be performed only at the end of each game (at the time of payout).

[Main control processing]
Of the control processing performed by the main control means 100 of the slot machine 1, particularly the game progress control processing and the timer interrupt processing will be described with additional reference to FIGS. 14 to 19. Note that some general CPU registers and flags may be described in the following description. They will be briefly described here. The A register is a dedicated register used for setting data used for calculation and setting the calculation result. The B register, C register, D register, E register, H register, and L register are general-purpose registers that can be used for various purposes, and are also used as pair registers (BC register, DE register, HL register). The R register is a register that stores a predetermined counter value that is sequentially updated. The F register is a register that stores a predetermined condition resulting from the operation, and some of its bits are configured as a carry flag, a zero flag, and a second zero flag. The carry flag is a flag that is set (“1” is stored) when a carry is generated as a result of the operation, and the zero flag is set (“1” is set when the immediately previous operation result is “0”). This is a flag that is stored. Further, the second zero flag is set (“1” is stored) when the data is set to “0” when the data is set in a predetermined register (for example, the A register), and the zero flag is set ( The flag is set ("1" is stored) even when "1" is stored.

<Game progress control processing>
First, with reference to FIG. 14, a basic flow of the game progress control processing will be described. The game progress control process is a process that is repeatedly executed during the game, and as shown in FIG. 14, stands by in that state until the operation of the start lever 25 is accepted (step S1), and when accepted, the winning combination determination process is performed. Perform (step S2). In this winning combination determination process, the winning combination determination result (winning item) is selected based on the random number value generated by the 16-bit random number means. Information on the selected winning combination determination result is stored in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 63.

After performing the winning combination determination process, a common game mode start process is performed (step S3). This game mode common start process is a process that is commonly performed regardless of which game mode the player is staying in (details omitted). After the game mode common start process, the game mode start process is performed (step S4). The start-time process for each game mode is a general term for each start-time process that is performed separately for each set game mode, and is executed during the game mode 0 stay, the game mode 0 start process, and the game mode 4 stay. There is a game mode 4 start process and the like executed during the process (details are omitted).

When the start processing for each game mode is completed, the process proceeds to step S5. In this step S5, it is determined whether or not the freeze flag (a flag for managing whether or not to perform freeze) is ON. If the freeze flag is ON, the freeze is performed for a predetermined set time (step S6), the freeze flag is cleared after the freeze is executed (step S7), and the process proceeds to step S8. On the other hand, when the freeze flag is not ON, the processing of steps S6 and S7 is not performed and the process proceeds to step S8 to perform push navigation processing (processing to execute the push navigation described above according to the winning combination determination result and the like).

After the push-navi process is completed, a cylinder start process is performed (step S9). Specifically, the rotation state from the start of rotation of each reel to the constant speed state is managed. Next, a spinning cylinder stop process is performed (step S10). Specifically, when the operation of the stop switch is accepted, the stoptable position is set according to the received timing (push position or push order) and the winning combination determination result, and the process from the deceleration of the reel to the stop is performed. Performs processing to manage the rotation state. After the spinning cylinder stop process is performed, a process at the end of each game mode is performed (a process performed after each reel is stopped and set for each game mode) (step S11). The end-time process for each game mode is a generic term for each end-time process that is performed separately for each set game mode. The process at the end of game mode 2 and the stay at game mode 4 are executed during the stay in game mode 2. There is a process at the end of the game mode 4 executed during the process (details are omitted). When the game mode end processing is completed, the game mode common end processing (processing that is commonly executed after the reels are stopped regardless of the set game mode) is performed (step S12), and the process returns to step S1.

Next, with reference to FIG. 15, a flow of bonus game set processing executed in the game progress control processing and bonus game lever time processing will be described. The bonus game set process is a process executed in the first game of the introduction period in the bonus game period, and the bonus game lever time process is executed every time the operation of the start lever 25 is accepted in the bonus game period. This is the process executed in the game. The bonus game set process may be performed at the end of the game in which the symbol combinations of the BB combination are complete.

In the bonus game setting process, as shown in FIG. 15(A), the value of the BB counter is set to "24" (step S21), and then the value of the star counter is set to "3" (step S22). After setting, a game level lottery is performed (step S23), a game level is set according to the lottery result (step S24), and the bonus game set process is ended.

In the bonus game lever time process, as shown in FIG. 15B, first, it is determined whether or not the BB is operating (step S31). Here, when the BB operation is not in progress, the bonus game lever time processing is ended as it is, and when the BB operation is in progress, is the value of the BB counter within the numerical range of 5 or more and 16 or less (that is, the push? It is determined whether it is within the period for the forward selection game (step S32). Here, if the value of the BB counter is not within the above numerical range, the bonus game lever time processing is ended as it is, and if the value of the BB counter is within the above range, the value of the star counter is greater than 0. It is determined whether it is larger (step S33). Here, when the value of the star counter is 0 or less, the bonus game lever time processing is ended as it is. On the other hand, when the value of the star counter is greater than 0, the winning navigation lottery is performed (step S34), and the winning navigation flag is set to "0" or "1" according to the lottery result (step S35), and the bonus. The game lever time processing ends.

Next, with reference to FIG. 16, a flow of the push order selection process executed in the game progress control process will be described. The push order selection process is a process that is executed every game after the combination lottery is performed in the bonus game period, and as shown in FIG. 16, first, it is determined whether or not the BB is in operation (step S41). ). Here, if the BB operation is not in progress, the push order selection process is ended as it is, and if the BB operation is in progress, it is determined whether or not the value of the advantageous zone clear counter is 20 or less (step S42). .. Here, if the value of the advantageous section clear counter is 20 or less, the process proceeds to step S45, and if it is not 20 or less, the process proceeds to step S43.

In step S43, it is determined whether or not the value of the BB counter is within the numerical range of 5 or more and 16 or less. Here, if the value of the BB counter is not within the above numerical range, the process proceeds to step S45, and if the value of the BB counter is within the above range, the process proceeds to step S44. In step S44, it is determined whether or not the value of the star counter is 0. Here, if the value of the star counter is 0, the process proceeds to step S45, and if it is not 0, the process proceeds to step S49.

In step S45, the result of the lottery is determined. Here, if the prize A or the prize D has been selected, the navigation number is set to "7" (corresponding to the first push order on the left) (step S46), and if the prize B is selected. , The navigation number is set to "8" (corresponding to the first pressing order in the middle) (step S47), and if the winning C is selected, the navigation number is "9" (corresponding to the first pressing order in the right). Is set (step S48), and after the setting, the push order selection process is ended. The navigation numbers set here correspond to the pressing order in which the outcomes A (“bell, bell, bell”) are aligned, and based on the set navigation numbers, the pressing navigation process of step S8 (see FIG. In (14), the bell alignment navigation is executed.

In step S49, it is determined whether or not the prize D has been selected. Here, if the prize D has been selected, the winning navigation flag is set to "1" (step S50), and then the process proceeds to step S51. If the prize D has not been selected, the process directly goes to step S51. move on. In step S51, it is determined whether or not the winning navigation flag is set to "1". Here, if the winning navigation flag is not set to "1", the pressing order selection process is terminated as it is, and if the winning navigation flag is set to "1", the process proceeds to step S52.

In this step S52, the result of the winning combination lottery is determined. Here, if the prize A or the prize D is selected, the navigation number is set to "8" (corresponding to the first pressing order in the middle) (step S53), and if the prize B is selected. , The navigation number is set to "9" (corresponding to the first pressing order on the right) (step S54), and if the winning C is selected, the navigation number is "7" (corresponding to the first pressing order on the left). Is set (step S55), and after the setting, the push order selection process is terminated. The navigation numbers set here all correspond to the pressing order for aligning the outcome B (“bell replay bell”), and based on the set navigation number, in the pressing navigation processing of step S8, Win Navi is executed.

Next, with reference to FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, the flow of the game mode 5 full-time cylinder stop process executed in the game progress control process will be described. The game mode 5 all-time cylinder stop process is a process that is executed every game after the all-time cylinder stops while staying in the game mode 5, and as shown in FIG. 17, first, is BB operating? It is determined whether or not (step S61). Here, if the BB operation is in progress, the value of the BB counter is decremented by "1" and the process proceeds to step S63. If the BB operation is not in progress, the game mode 5 full-time cylinder stop processing is ended.

In step S63, it is determined whether or not the value of the BB counter is within the numerical range of 4 or more and 15 or less (that is, within the pressing order selection game period). Here, if the value of the BB counter is within the above numerical range, the process proceeds to step S64, and if the value of the BB counter is not within the above range, the process proceeds to step S74. In step S64, it is determined whether the value of the star counter is greater than 0. Here, when the value of the star counter is 0 or less, the game mode 5 all-time cylinder stop processing is terminated as it is, and when the value of the star counter is greater than 0, the process proceeds to step S65, and the game of the subroutine Perform result processing.

In this game result processing, as shown in FIG. 18, first, it is determined whether or not the winning navigation flag is set to "1" (step S81). Here, if the winning navigation flag is set to "1", the winning navigation flag is set to "0" (step S88), and then the process proceeds to step S89, where the winning navigation flag is not set to "1". If so, the process proceeds to step S82. In step S82, it is determined what the outcome (the symbol combination that is stopped and displayed) is. Here, if the result is A (the result of the push order selection game is a tie), the game result processing is terminated and the process returns, and the result is B (the result of the push order selection game is a win). In this case, the process proceeds to step S89, and when the result is C (the result of the push order selection game is lost), the process proceeds to step S83.

In step S83, the value of the star counter is subtracted by "1", and then it is determined whether the value of the star counter is 0 (step S84). Here, when the value of the star counter is 0, a resurrection lottery is performed (step S85), and it is determined whether or not it is won (step S86). Here, if the revival lottery is won, the AT flag is set to "1" (step S87), the game result process is ended, and the process returns. If the value of the star counter is not 0 in the determination in step S84, and if the revival lottery is not won in the determination in step S86, the game result process is terminated and the process is returned.

In step S89, the value of the star counter is incremented by "1", and then it is determined whether the value of the star counter is 2 (step S90). Here, if the value of the star counter is not 2, the game result processing is terminated and returns. If the value of the star counter is 2, the value of the BB counter is 4 (that is, the pushing order selection game). It is determined whether or not it is the last game of the usage period (step S91). Here, when the value of the BB counter is 4, the value of the star counter is incremented by "1" again (step S92), the game result processing is ended and the process returns, and the value of the BB counter is not 4. In this case, the value of the star counter is not re-added and the game result process is terminated and the process returns.

By the return from the game result processing, the process proceeds to step S66 of FIG. In this step S66, it is determined whether or not the value of the BB counter is 4 (the last game in the pressing order selection game period). Here, when the value of the BB counter is not 4, the game mode 5 full-time cylinder stop processing is ended as it is, and when the value of the BB counter is 4, whether or not the value of the star counter is greater than 0 It is determined (step S67). Here, if the value of the star counter is less than or equal to 0, the game mode 5 full-time cylinder stop processing is terminated as it is, and if the value of the star counter is greater than 0, the value of the star counter is greater than 3. It is determined whether or not it is small (step S68).

Here, when the value of the star counter is 3 or more, the AT flag is set to "1" and the number of additions according to the value of the star counter is set (step S73), and the game mode 5 is stopped all times. The time processing ends. On the other hand, when the value of the star counter is smaller than 3, a resurrection lottery is performed (step S71), and it is determined whether or not the prize has been won (step S72). Here, in the case of winning the resurrection lottery, the AT flag is set to "1" (step S73), the game mode 5 all-time cylinder stop processing is ended, and in the case of non-winning in the resurrection lottery, it remains as it is. Game mode 5 The process at the time of all the trunk stop is completed.

In step S74, it is determined whether or not this is the final game of BB. Here, if it is not the final game of BB, the game mode 5 all-time trunk stop processing is ended as it is, and if it is the final game of BB, the game mode before shifting to BB (game mode 5) is It is determined whether or not any one of the game modes 0 to 2 (step S75). Here, when the game mode before the BB transition is not any of the game modes 0 to 2, the game mode 3 (AT preparation) is set (step S78), and the game mode 5 all-time trunk stop processing is ended. .. On the other hand, if the game mode before BB transition is any of the game modes 0 to 2, it is determined whether or not the value of the AT flag is "1" (step S76). Here, when the value of the AT flag is "1", the game mode 3 is set (step S78), and when the value of the AT flag is not "1", the game mode before shifting to BB is set. Then (step S77), the game mode 5 all-time trunk stop processing is ended. When the game mode is set, the next game shifts to the set game mode.

<Timer interrupt processing>
Next, the timer interrupt process will be described. In the present embodiment, processing such as reading of each game operation signal output in response to a game operation such as a bet operation performed by the player, detection (confirmation) of a signal level, transmission of each control command, drive control of reels, etc. Is performed by a timer interrupt process that is performed at preset constant time intervals (for example, 2.235 milliseconds). In this timer interrupt process, as shown in FIG. 19, first, an interrupt initial process (register saving, interrupt prohibition, etc.) is performed (step MT11), and then it is determined whether or not power failure is detected. (Step MT12). Here, if the power-off is detected, the power-off processing is performed (step MT25). In the power-off process, the registers are saved, the stack pointer is saved, and the interrupt status is saved. Further, processing such as holding of information regarding a winning combination determination result and information regarding a gaming state (including information regarding AT) stored in a predetermined storage area and calculation and storage of a checksum are also performed.

On the other hand, if the power failure is not detected, the process of updating the interrupt counter value (subtracting "1") is performed (step MT13), and the timer measurement is further performed (step MT14). This timer measurement is to perform subtraction and addition processing of the timer value of the arbitrary timer set in the game progress control processing described above. Next, the input port is read (step MT15). In the reading of the input port, the reading and storage of the signal level of each game operation signal input to the input port, the determination of the signal level, and the like are performed.

Next, a reel drive control process for controlling the drive of the reels 3a to 3c (acceleration of rotation, deceleration, maintenance of constant speed, maintenance of stop, etc.) is performed (step MT16). In this reel drive control process, a reel drive pulse output indicating the timing of switching the output phase (excitation phase) of the stepping motor according to the reel drive state (stop, reel rotation standby, acceleration, constant speed, deceleration, etc.) Processing such as updating the counter value, acquiring, updating, and outputting reel drive pulse data for driving the stepping motor is performed. In the next step MT17, it is determined whether or not the reel drive control processing has been executed for all reels, and if not executed, the flow returns to step MT16 to perform the reel drive control processing again. On the other hand, when it is executed on all reels, a port output process for exciting output of reels, hoppers, blockers, etc. is performed (step MT18), and further control for transmitting the control command stored in the control command buffer (CB) is performed. Command transmission processing is performed (step MT19).

Next, in step MT20, the outer end signal (external signal) data stored in the predetermined storage area is read and the outer end signal is output. Then, LED display for causing the above-mentioned display lamp to execute a predetermined display is performed (step MT21). In this LED display, for example, the following display is executed on the payout amount display lamp 46j. That is, when an error (excluding E system error) has not occurred, the payout amount "0-9" is displayed based on the payout amount of the game medal, or the numerical value "1-6" is displayed based on the set value. Display it. Furthermore, when notifying the pushing order, the display modes of the navigation numbers “=1” to “=9” are displayed. Further, when an error (excluding the E system error) has occurred, the error display is executed based on the value of the error number.

Next, in step MT22, error management is performed. In this error management, an error check is first performed. In this error check, it is determined whether an H0 error has occurred, a CE error has occurred, a CP error has occurred, a CH error has occurred, C0 It is determined whether an error has occurred, a C1 error has occurred, an E6 error has occurred, an E7 error has occurred, and an E6 error or When an E7 error occurs, processing such as displaying the error on the payout amount display lamp 46j and stopping the execution of the game is performed. When an E-system error occurs, the error can be recovered by executing the above setting change process. After this error check, if an error occurs, the output request set processing at the time of error detection for transmitting error information to the sub control unit 200 is performed. After executing this error management process, a process of updating a random number used for winning combination determination and the like is performed (step MT23), and further an interrupt return process (register return, interrupt permission, etc.) is performed (step MT24), and interrupt return. To do.

《Second slot machine》
Next, a second slot machine (referred to as “slot machine 301”) as another embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described with additional reference to FIGS. 20 to 34. Hereinafter, the characteristic part of the slot machine 301 will be mainly described, but before that, the basic configuration of the slot machine 301 will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 20 to 23. The slot machine 301 is common to the slot machine 1 in many parts such as its structure, game proceeding method, control method, and control contents, and illustration and description thereof are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 20, the slot machine 301 according to the present embodiment is attached to a box-shaped casing 305 (main body member) having a front (front) opening and a front opening of the casing 305 so as to be openable and closable. It has a front door 302. When viewed from the front, the front door 302 is attached to the front opening of the housing 305 so as to be opened and closed laterally by using hinge mechanisms 306a and 306b arranged on the left front portion of the housing 305.

As shown in FIG. 20, a reel unit RU is provided in the center of the housing 305. The reel unit RU is configured to include three reels 303a, 303b, 303c and three stepping motors (not shown) that rotate the reels 303a to 303c, respectively. In the lower part of the housing 305, a medal payout device 900 (first slot machine) for paying out game medals obtained when a predetermined winning mode (symbol combination) is formed on the reels 303a to 303c as a result of the game. (Corresponding to one hopper 50) is provided. A power supply device 380 that supplies electric power to various devices mounted on the slot machine 301 is provided on the left side of the medal payout device 900.

As shown in FIG. 21, an upper panel assembly 310, an intermediate panel assembly 320, a lower panel assembly (not shown), and a saucer assembly 340 are attached to the front surface of the front door 302 in order from the top. An operation panel 330 extending in the left-right direction of the front door 302 is provided in the center of the middle panel assembly 320, and a medal insertion for inserting a game medal (game medium) is provided on the upper surface side of the operation panel 330. A medal insertion slot member 321 having a mouth (not shown) and a back plate 321a (guide wall) for pressing a game medal to be inserted, a 1-BET button 323 for betting one game medal within the credited range. And a bet button unit 322 having a MAX-BET button 324 for betting three coins, an effect button unit 326 for performing an operation related to an effect, and a game information display unit 400 (details described later) for displaying game information. It is installed. A reel window W2, which faces the surfaces of the three reels 303a to 303c arranged side by side in the housing 305, is provided at the center of the middle panel assembly 320. A transparent plate-shaped window panel WP is attached to the reel window W2.

On the front surface side of the operation panel 330, a start lever 325 operated when starting rotation of all reels 303a to 303c, and three stop buttons for individually stopping rotation of each reel 303a, 303b, 303c (see FIG. (Not shown), and a reject button (not shown) for returning the game medals inserted and retained from the medal insertion slot are attached.

Below the medal insertion slot member 321, a passage through which the inserted game medals flow down is provided. This passage is branched into a receiving passage through which the game medal is passed when the inserted game medal is effectively accepted, and a return passage through which the game medal is passed when the inserted game medal is not accepted. A blocker (not shown) is provided at the branch portion. Further, in the passage, there are two medal insertion sensors for detecting the game medals inserted into the medal insertion slot and effectively received, and a medal passage sensor for monitoring the game medals inserted in the medal insertion slot. It is provided. The first medal insertion sensor is a transmissive optical sensor capable of detecting a game medal, and is arranged at a position downstream of the position where the blocker is installed. The second medal insertion sensor is also a transmissive optical sensor capable of detecting a game medal, and is arranged side by side on the downstream side of the first medal insertion sensor. The medal passage sensor is a contact-type sensor that can detect a game medal, and is located at a position closest to the medal insertion slot on the downstream side of the position where the blocker is installed (a position upstream of the two medal insertion sensors). It is arranged.

As shown in FIG. 22, a main control device 500 that performs main control relating to the progress of the game (including drive control of reels 303a to 303c, winning combination determination processing, etc.) is provided in the upper part of the housing 305. .. In addition, a sub-control device (not shown) that performs various effect controls for the purpose of improving the entertainment of the game according to the game situation is provided on the rear surface of the front door 302. The main control device 500 and the sub control device are electrically connected to each other using a cable harness, and information can be transmitted between these devices only in one direction from the main control device 500 to the sub control device. ing.

Main controller 500 includes a main control board 510 (see FIG. 23) having a function as a main control unit, and a main board case 610 that houses main control board 510. As shown in FIG. 22, the main board case 610 has a case body (not shown) and a case lid 621, and the main control board 510 is provided inside the case formed by combining the case body and the case lid 621. It is configured to be stored. The main board case 610 accommodating the main control board 510 inside the case is attached to the upper part inside the housing 305 via the board case attachment mechanism 700. The board case attachment mechanism 700 is configured so that the left base member 710 attached to the left upper portion of the back plate of the housing 305, the right base member 720 attached to the right upper portion of the back plate, and the left base member swingable in the front-rear direction. And a bracket member 730 to be attached.

The main board case 610 faces the front and is mounted inside the bracket member 730. The left end of the bracket member 730 is connected to the left base member 710 so as to be swingable in the front-rear direction. The bracket member 730 is made of a transparent resin material and is formed in a substantially rectangular box shape that is open to the front, and the main board case 610 is mounted in the internal space thereof to support the main board case 610. As a result, the main board case 610 is swingably attached to the upper part of the housing 305 via the board case attachment mechanism 700. On the other hand, the right end portion of the bracket member 730 is configured to be fixed to the right base member 720 using the lock member 760.

In addition to the main board case 610 being mounted on the bracket member 730, a setting changing device 750 can be mounted. Specifically, the setting changing device 750 is attached to the lower right part of the bracket member 730. The setting changing device 750 is a device that is operated when changing a setting value (such as a winning probability of a gaming combination) of the slot machine 301 that determines the degree of advantage for the player. The setting change key (not shown) is inserted into the setting change key cylinder (not shown) provided in the setting change device 750, and the housing 305 is rotated about 90 degrees clockwise (clockwise). When the power switch of the power supply device 380 provided in the lower part of the inside is turned on, the setting change mode (mode in which the set value can be changed) is started. The setting change device 750 switches the above-mentioned set values in 6 stages of 1 to 6 each time the setting change switch (not shown) is pressed, and the set value is displayed on the main control board 510. (See FIG. 23). Then, when the start lever 325 provided on the front surface of the front door 302 is operated, the set value is confirmed, and when the setting change key is returned to the original position, the setting change mode is ended and the mode is changed to the normal mode. Further, the main control board 510 starts the setting confirmation mode when the setting change key inserted in the setting change key cylinder is rotated clockwise (clockwise) about 90 degrees in the normal mode. The current setting value is displayed on the setting display lamp 551 on the main control board 510. Then, when the setting change key is returned to the original position, the setting confirmation mode is ended and the mode is changed to the normal mode.

As shown in FIG. 23, the main control board 510 is also called a control chip 521, a plurality of ICs 531A to 531B, 532A to 532C, 533A to 533K, a monitor lamp 541 also called a monitor LED, and a setting display monitor. Setting indicator lamp 551, an information indicator lamp 556 also called a ratio monitor, a plurality of electric connectors 561 to 565, and a printed board 511 on which these are mounted. The main control board 510 is configured such that each drive circuit and the like operate in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM of the control chip 521 to control the progress of the game in the slot machine 301. Further, although detailed illustration is omitted (a part is illustrated and numbered), a plurality of capacitors 571 to 774, a plurality of transistors 575, and a plurality of diodes 576 are provided in the main control board 510. , A plurality of resistor arrays 577 and a plurality of resistors 578 are mounted on the printed board 511.

Main elements of the control board 521, the plurality of ICs, the monitor lamp 441, the setting display lamp 551, the information display lamp 556 and the like (excluding the electrical connector) mounted on the printed board 511 are the main control board 510. The housing cover 621 of the main board case 610 covers the housing 610. As described above, the main board case 610 is formed using a transparent resin material, and the control chip 621, a plurality of ICs, the monitor lamp 641, the setting display lamp 651, and the information display lamp are arranged from the outside of the case lid 621. 656 and the like are configured to be visible.

The monitor lamp 541 is composed of 20 LED elements 542, each of which has 10 rows arranged on the left and right and two rows arranged on the upper and lower sides. The monitor lamp 541 is turned on and off according to the operating state of each part of the slot machine 301. The monitor lamp 541 is for confirming whether or not there is a failure. For example, some of the 20 LED elements 542 constituting the monitor lamp 541 are switched between lighting and extinguishing according to the operation of the start lever 325 (for example, extinguishing [lighting when the start lever 325 is in a non-operated state [lit. ], and is turned on/off in the operation state). Further, for example, the other part of the 20 LED elements 542 is switched on and off according to the operation of the MAX-BET button 324 (for example, when the MAX-BET button 324 is in the non-operation state, it is off. It is turned on and is turned on [turned off] in the operation state. Further, for example, another part of the 20 LED elements 542 is switched on and off according to the operation of the 1-BET button 323 (for example, it is off when the 1-BET button 323 is in the non-operation state). It is turned on and is turned on [turned off] in the operation state. Further, for example, still another part of the 20 LED elements 542 (for example, predetermined 3 LED elements) has 3 stops for individually stopping the rotation of the reels 303a, 303b, 303c. It is configured to switch between lighting and extinguishing according to the operation of the button (for example, when the corresponding stop button is in the non-operated state, it is unlit [lit] and is lit [unlit] in the operating state). ..

Further, for example, the other part of the 20 LED elements 542 (for example, a predetermined 3 LED elements) is switched between lighting and extinguishing in response to a game medal being inserted through the medal insertion slot. Is configured. For example, one LED element out of the predetermined three LED elements is turned off [lit] when the medal passage sensor is not detecting the game medal inserted from the medal insertion slot, and is in the detection state. It is configured to turn on and off when. Similarly, one LED element of the remaining two of the predetermined three LED elements is turned off when one of the two medal insertion sensors is not detecting a game medal.
The LED element of the other LED element is turned off [lighted] when the game medal is not detected, and the other LED element is turned on when the game medal is not detected. It is configured to turn on [light off] in the detection state.

As described above, the setting display lamp 551 displays the set value of the slot machine 301 that determines the degree of advantage for the player in seven segments. The setting display lamp 551 is configured by using a 7-segment display (8-segment display) capable of displaying a one-digit number. The information display lamp 556 is for displaying information on the ratio of the accessory character in seven segments. The information display lamp 556 is configured by using a 7-segment display (8-segment display) capable of displaying a 4-digit number or the like. As the information on the character ratio, for example, a two-digit identifier symbol indicating the type of character ratio (character ratio, continuous character ratio, advantageous period ratio, etc.) and a two-digit ratio corresponding to the identifier symbol. It is possible to display a four-digit number or the like, which is a combination of the numbers, by the information display lamp 556.

In the main control device 500 configured as described above, in order to confirm each part of the main control board 510 housed in the main board case 610, with the front door 302 opened, the housing is opened from the front or diagonally right front. The main board case 610 mounted inside the 305 is visually recognized. At this time, the set value displayed on the setting display lamp 551 and the information on the accessory ratio displayed on the information display lamp 556 can be confirmed via the case lid 621. Similarly, it is possible to confirm the light emitting state (on/off state) of each LED element 542 which constitutes the monitor lamp 541 through the case lid 621.

<Structure when viewed through the reel window from the back side of the front door>
Hereinafter, as one characteristic configuration of the present embodiment, the configuration of the front surface portion of the front door 302 when viewed through the reel window W2 from the rear surface side of the front door 302 will be described with additional reference to FIGS. The payout number display lamp 410 (PAYOUT lamp), the stored number display lamp 420, and the other seven display lamps 431 to 437 are arranged in the game information display unit 400 provided on the upper surface side of the operation panel 330. ing. Although a transparent cover panel is attached to the upper surface of the game information display unit 400, its illustration is omitted here. The payout amount display lamp 410 is configured to include two 7-segment indicators 411 and 412, and the stored amount display lamp 420 is configured to include two 7-segment indicators 421 and 422. The seven display lamps 431 to 437 are a 1-BET display lamp, a 2-BET display lamp, a 3-BET display lamp, an insertable display (INSERT) lamp, a game start display (START) lamp, and a replay display (REPLAY). ) Lamp, status display (GAME
OVER) lamp and the like. The function of each display lamp is the same as the function of each display lamp in the slot machine 1 described above.

As shown in FIG. 25(A), the two 7-segment indicators 411, 412 in the payout amount display lamp 410 and the two 7-segment indicators 421, 422 in the storage amount display lamp 420 are each one digit. 7 segment LEDs (referred to as A segment LED to G segment LED; see FIG. 25B) capable of displaying numbers and letters, and one segment LED capable of displaying dots (decimal point) ( Although it is referred to as an H segment LED here, it may be referred to as a DP segment LED (see FIG. 25B) (a 7-segment display having such a configuration is displayed as an 8-segment display). Also called a vessel). The stored number display lamp 420 is for displaying the number of game medals stored (credited) in the slot machine 301 while incrementing by one, and is the upper digit (tens place) of the number on the left 7-segment display 421. Is displayed, and the lower-order digit (one's digit) is displayed on the 7-segment display 422 on the right side.

The payout amount display lamp 410 displays the number of game medals to be paid out when the small winning combination is established, incrementing by one, and the upper digit (tens place) of the number on the left 7-segment display 411 is displayed. The 7-segment display 412 on the right side is configured to display the lower digit (one's digit). As an example, FIG. 25C shows a mode in which "12" is displayed. The payout amount display lamp 410 is also configured to display, when an abnormality (error) occurs in the slot machine 301, a character (alphabet) or a number indicating the type of the error. As an example, FIG. 25D shows a mode in which "HE" (hopper empty error) is displayed. Furthermore, the payout amount display lamp 410 also has a function as an instruction monitor that displays a navigation number that indicates the operation order (push order) of the stop button. As an example, FIG. 25E shows a mode in which “=3” (navi number 3) is displayed. The H-segment LED of the 7-segment display 412 may be turned on when staying in the advantageous section.

Further, the payout amount display lamp 410 is configured to be turned on in a predetermined manner so that it can be known that the set value is being changed when the setting is switched (work to change the set value). .. For example, as shown in FIG. 26A, all the eight segment LEDs in the 7-segment display 411 and all the eight segment LEDs in the 7-segment display 412 are turned on. As described above, by setting all the segment LEDs in the payout amount display lamp 410 to the lighting state (also referred to as “segment LED all lighting state”), all the segment lamps can be turned on (turned off due to a failure). It can be understood that it is not left as it is) and that the setting value is being changed. The H segment LED for dot display may not be turned on, but only the seven segment LEDs of the A segment LED to the G segment LED may be turned on.

As described above, the setting value changing operation is performed by operating the setting changing device 750 outside the business hours of the game arcade. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 20, by opening the front door 302, inserting the setting change key into the setting change key cylinder provided in the setting change device 750, and operating the power switch in that state. The setting change device 750 is operated, and the setting change switch is operated to change the set value. The setting value to be changed is confirmed by the setting display lamp 551 provided on the main control board 510. When the setting change device 750 is operated, the payout amount display lamp 410 is in the segment LED full lighting state shown in FIG.

In the slot machine 301, when the front door 302 is open, an operator who is behind the front door 302 displays a display state on the game information display unit 400 through the reel window W2, for example, 7-segment display on the payout amount display lamp 410. The lighting states of the containers 411 and 412 can be visually recognized (see FIGS. 20 and 21). Therefore, the operator who changes the set value can check the lighting state of the payout amount display lamp 410 from the back side of the front door 302 while the front door 302 is open, which allows the 7-segment display. Since it is possible to easily confirm whether or not the devices 411 and 412 are out of order or are lit so that it can be seen that the set value is being changed, the work efficiency is good. On the other hand, when the lighting state of the payout amount display lamp 410 cannot be confirmed from the back side of the front door 302, the operator does not touch the front side of the front door 302 while the front door 302 is open. It is necessary to check the lighting state of the payout amount display lamp 410 by looking into it, moving to the front side of the front door 302, or closing the front door 302 once, which is troublesome.

The mode in which the payout amount display lamp 410 is turned on so that it can be seen that the set value is being changed is not limited to the above-described one, but various changes can be made. For example, as shown in FIG. 26(B), a mode in which only the H segment LED for dot display in the 7-segment display 411, 412 is turned on, or as shown in FIG. 26(C), the 7-segment display 411, A mode in which only the three segment LEDs of A segment LED, D segment LED, and G segment LED in 412 are turned on (only one of the 7 segment indicators 411 and 412 is set as such a mode, and the other is different). Mode (including all extinguishing)) and the like.

In the present embodiment, while the setting value is being changed, the setting display lamp 551 provided on the main control board 510 displays the setting value to confirm the setting value. The set value may be displayed and confirmed on 410 (for example, 7-segment display 412). Even in this case, the operator who changes the set value can visually recognize the set value displayed on the payout amount display lamp 410 from the back side of the front door 302 through the reel window W2 in the state where the front door 302 is open. Therefore, the work efficiency of changing the set value is improved. When it is not possible to confirm the lighting state of the payout amount display lamp 410 from the back side of the front door 302, the worker opens and closes the front door 302 each time the set value is changed, Alternatively, it is necessary to check the set value displayed on the payout amount display lamp 410 while moving between the front side and the back side of the front door 302, which is very troublesome.

When the set value displayed on the payout amount display lamp 410 is viewed from the back side of the front door 302 through the reel window W2 in the state where the front door 302 is open, the operator sets the set value upside down. You will see. Therefore, it is possible to misunderstand that "9" is displayed even though "6" is displayed. Therefore, when displaying the set value on the payout amount display lamp 410, it is preferable that it is understood that the user is looking upside down. For example, as shown in FIG. 26D, a mode is displayed in which the set value is displayed on the 7-segment display 412 and the H-segment LED for dot display in the 7-segment display 412 is turned on (7-segment display 411, 412). Both H segment LEDs may be turned on). If the set value is displayed in this manner, the operator can easily recognize that the side on which the H segment LED is located is below the number. As another mode, as shown in FIG. 26(E), a mode in which the set value is displayed on the 7-segment display 412 and the D segment LED of the 7-segment display 411 is turned on, and FIG. 26(F) are shown. As described above, a mode in which the set value is displayed on the 7-segment display 412 and the D segment LED and the E segment LED of the 7-segment display 411 are turned on is also mentioned, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

In the operation of changing the set value, as described above, it is necessary to operate the start lever 325 to confirm the changed set value. In the slot machine 301, with the front door 302 opened, an operator behind the front door 302 can see the position of the start lever 325 (particularly the spherical portion at the tip) through the reel window W2. (See FIGS. 20 and 21). Therefore, the operator who changes the set value stays on the back side of the front door 302 with the front door 302 being opened, confirms the position of the start lever 325 through the reel window W2, and from the back side of the front door 302. Since it is possible to operate the start lever 325 by turning the hand to the front side, the work efficiency of setting change is good. On the other hand, when the position of the start lever 325 cannot be confirmed from the back side of the front door 302, the operator does not check the position of the start lever 325 well, If the user tries to operate the start lever 325 by turning his/her hand, there is a risk that his/her hand may come into contact with a decorative frame or the like provided on the front surface of the front door 302, resulting in injury. Therefore, the operator checks the position of the start lever 325 by looking into the front side of the front door 302, moving to the front side of the front door 302, or closing the front door 302 once with the front door 302 open. It is necessary and time consuming.

As described above, in the slot machine 301, the monitor lamp 541 including 20 LED elements 542 is mounted on the main control board 510. Check the lighting state of the LED elements 542 in the monitor lamp 541. Indicates that the start lever 325 has been operated, the 1-BET button 323 has been operated, the MAX-BET button 324 has been operated, or that a game medal has been inserted from the medal insertion slot. It is designed to check whether the car is properly recognized. Such inspection work is performed with the front door 302 open and the start levers 325 and 1 so that the operator can confirm the display state of the monitor lamp 541 outside or during business hours of the game arcade. The player actually operates the -BET button 323 and the MAX-BET button 324, or the player actually inserts a game medal into the medal insertion slot.

As described above, in the slot machine 301, when the front door 302 is open, an operator behind the front door 302 can visually recognize the position of the start lever 325 through the reel window W2 (FIG. 20). , See FIG. 21). Therefore, an operator who inspects the start lever 325 stays on the back side of the front door 302 with the front door 302 open, and confirms the position of the start lever 325 through the reel window W2 while checking the back side of the front door 302. Since it is possible to turn the hand to the front side to operate the start lever 325 and to check the lighting state of the LED element 542 in the monitor lamp 541 at the time of the operation, the work efficiency of inspection is good. On the other hand, when the position of the start lever 325 cannot be confirmed from the back side of the front door 302, the operator looks into the front side of the front door 302 with the front door 302 open. After moving to the front side of the front door 302 or once closing the front door 302, the position of the start lever 325 is confirmed, and the start lever 325 is ready to be operated with hands, and then the monitor lamp 541 is further turned on. It is very troublesome to open the front door 302 so that it can be confirmed.

Further, in the slot machine 301, with the front door 302 open, the operator behind the front door 302 can visually recognize the positions of the 1-BET button 323 and the MAX-BET button 324 through the reel window W2. (See FIGS. 20 and 21). Therefore, the operator who inspects the 1-BET button 323 or the MAX-BET button 324 stays behind the front door 302 while the front door 302 remains open, and the 1-BET button 323 or the MAX through the reel window W2. -While confirming the position of the BET button 324, turn the hand from the back side of the front door 302 to the front side to operate the 1-BET button 323 or the MAX-BET button 324, and at the same time, operate the LED element 542 in the monitor lamp 541. Since it is possible to check the lighting state of, the work efficiency of inspection is good. On the other hand, when the positions of the 1-BET button 323 and the MAX-BET button 324 cannot be confirmed from the back side of the front door 302, the operator can move the front door 302 in the open state. Check the position of the 1-BET button 323 or the MAX-BET button 324 by looking into the front side of the door 302, moving to the front side of the front door 302, or closing the front door 302 once, and then confirming the position of the 1-BET button 323 or After preparing to operate the MAX-BET button 324 with a hand, it is necessary to open the front door 302 so that the monitor lamp 541 can be checked, which is very troublesome.

Further, in the slot machine 301, with the front door 302 open, the operator behind the front door 302 can visually recognize the position of the medal slot member 321 through the reel window W2 (FIG. 20). , See FIG. 21). Therefore, the operator who performs the inspection work for detecting the inserted medals stays behind the front door 302 with the front door 302 being opened, confirms the position of the medal insertion port member 321 through the reel window W2, and checks the front door 302. It is possible to turn the hand from the back side to the front side to insert a game medal into the medal insertion slot of the medal insertion slot member 321, and confirm the lighting state of the LED element 542 in the monitor lamp 541 at the time of insertion. Therefore, the inspection work efficiency is good. On the other hand, when the position of the medal slot member 321 cannot be confirmed from the back side of the front door 302, the operator looks into the front side of the front door 302 with the front door 302 open. After preparing for inserting the game medal into the front side of the front door 302, closing the front door 302 once, checking the position of the medal slot member 321, and inserting the game medal held in the hand into the medal slot. Further, it is necessary to open the front door 302 so that the monitor lamp 541 can be confirmed, which is very troublesome.

For comparison, a conventional slot machine will be briefly described with reference to FIG. In the conventional slot machine, a medal slot member 1321 (see FIG. 28A) and a MAX-BET button 1324 (FIG. 28B) are provided on the upper surface side of the operation panel 1330 arranged on the front surface of the front door 1302. ) And a start lever 1325 on the front side of the operation panel 1330 are known. There is also known one in which a transparent plate-shaped window panel WP2 is attached to the reel window. However, in the conventional slot machine, even when the front side of the front door 1302 is viewed from the back side of the front door 1302 through the window panel WP2, the positions of the medal slot member 1321, the MAX-BET button 1324, and the start lever 1325 are set. I can't see it. Some conventional slot machines are provided with an instruction monitor (not shown) on the upper surface side of the operation panel 1330 for displaying information such as numbers indicating the pressing order. However, the back surface side of the front door 1302 is also provided. Therefore, even if the front of the front door 1302 is viewed through the window panel WP2, the display on the instruction monitor cannot be visually recognized.

This is because, in the case of the start lever 1325, the start lever 1325 is provided at a relatively low position. On the other hand, as a reason for including the MAX-BET button 1324 and the instruction monitor, there are many types in which the edge portion of the window panel WP2 is configured as an opaque area UC for decoration or the like, and therefore, the window panel WP2 is used. Has a narrow field of view, or there are many types in which a relatively large sub-control unit SU provided with a sub-control board or the like is provided above the window panel WP2 on the back side of the front door 1302. The reason is that the sub-control unit SU gets in the way and the face cannot be brought close to the upper part on the back surface side of the window panel WP2, and the downward field of view is narrowed. Although the edge portion of the window panel WP of the slot machine 302 of the present embodiment is also decorated, the window panel WP has a start lever 325 and a 1-BET through an area that is not decorated. The positions of the button 323, the MAX-BET button 324, etc. can be visually recognized, and the lighting state of the payout amount display lamp 410, etc. can be visually recognized. Needless to say, the window panel WP may be provided with no decoration or the like at the edge portion (particularly, the lower edge portion) to further widen the field of view through the window panel WP.

The configuration of the front door 302 as viewed from the rear surface side through the reel window W2 has been described above, but the configuration illustrated in FIG. 27 may be employed as a modification. In this modification, the medal slot member 321 provided on the upper surface side of the operation panel 330 includes the back plate portion 321a and the medal slot 321b as a whole, and slightly on the left side of the front door 302 (shown in FIG. The door 302 is configured to face the central axis C side). With such a configuration, when confirming the position of the medal slot 321 from the back side of the front door 302, it becomes easier to directly visually recognize the position of the medal slot 321b. It becomes easier to insert a game medal into the medal insertion slot 321b. It should be noted that the back plate portion 321a may have a short height in order to make the position of the medal insertion slot 321b more visible.

In the present embodiment, three stop buttons for individually stopping the rotation of the reels 303a, 303b, 303c are arranged on the front side of the operation panel 330, and the front door 302 is opened when the front door is opened. The operator on the back side of 302 cannot directly see the position of each stop button through the reel window W2. However, since each stop button is provided at the same height position as the start lever 325, it is easy to estimate the position of each stop button based on the position of the start lever 325 that can be visually recognized. Therefore, even when the inspection work similar to the MAX-BET button 324 or the like is performed on each stop button, the work efficiency can be improved. Of course, like the MAX-BET button 324 and the like, the respective stop buttons are arranged on the upper surface side of the operation panel 330 and the like. The position of each stop button may be configured to be visible through.

As a modification, an area different from the reel window W2 is provided on the front door 302, and a medal slot member 321, a 1-BET button 323, a MAX-BET button 324, and a start are provided from the back side of the front door 302 through the other area. The position of the lever 325 or the like and the display state of the payout amount display lamp 410 may be visually recognized. Further, the reel window W2 is configured to be openable and closable, and the medal slot member 321, the 1-BET button 323, the MAX-BET button 324, the start lever 325, and the like in a state where the reel window W2 is opened from the back side of the front door 302. May be configured so that the position and the display state of the payout amount display lamp 410 can be visually recognized.

In the present embodiment, the setting display lamp 551 is provided on the main control board 110, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be provided on the rear surface side (back surface side) of the front door 302. Further, in the present embodiment, main controller 500 is attached to the inner surface side of housing 305, but the present invention is not limited to this, and main controller 500 may be attached to the rear surface side (rear surface side) of front door 302. .. Further, in the present embodiment, the monitor lamp 541 is provided on the main control board 110, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be provided on the rear surface side (back surface side) of the front door 302. By arranging the monitor lamp 541 on the rear surface side of the front door 302, a person who works on the back side of the front door 302 in an open state in order to inspect the start lever 325 and the like can be operated by a person who works through the reel window W2. It is possible to operate the 325 or the like while visually recognizing the position and to check the lighting state of the monitor lamp 541 (LED element 542) at the time of the operation without moving the line of sight. Therefore, it is possible to improve the work efficiency as compared with the case where the monitor lamp 541 is disposed on the housing 305 side (the movement of the line of sight when checking the lighting state of the monitor lamp 541 becomes large).

<Positional relationship between reel unit and medal payout device>
Hereinafter, as another characteristic configuration of the present embodiment, the configuration of the positional relationship between the reel unit RU and the medal payout device 900 will be described with additional reference to FIGS. 29 to 34. As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, a reel base 860 as a pedestal part is provided in the center of the housing 305 so as to be bridged over the left and right side plates of the housing 305. The reel unit RU is mounted on. The reel base 860 is formed in a plate shape as a whole by using a metal material, and a plate-like coupling flange portion 861 facing forward is formed on the lower front side of the reel base 860.

The reel unit RU includes a first reel module 801 having a reel 303a, a second reel module 802 having a reel 303b, a third reel module 801 having a reel 303c, and a reel module mounting member 810. R. The reel module mounting member 810 is made of a resin material and is formed into a box shape having front and right sides opened, and is configured to be capable of accommodating the first to third reel modules 801 to 803 arranged side by side. A front plate-shaped upper flange portion 811 is formed on the front upper side of the reel module mounting member 810, and a front lower plate-shaped flange portion 812 is formed on the front lower portion of the reel module mounting member 810. Has been formed.

The first reel module 801 has a reel bracket 804, and a plate-shaped upper bracket coupling portion 804a facing forward is formed on the upper front side of the reel bracket 804, and on the lower front side of the reel bracket 804. Has a plate-shaped lower bracket coupling portion 804b facing forward. In the first reel module 801, the upper bracket connecting portion 804a is connected to the left side of the middle portion of the upper flange portion 811 by using a connecting member 809a such as a screw (screw) or a bolt, and the lower bracket connecting portion 804b is the same. It is joined to the left side of the intermediate portion of the lower flange portion 812 by using the joining member 809b.

The second reel module 802 has a reel bracket 805, and a plate-shaped upper bracket coupling portion 805a facing forward is formed on the upper front side of the reel bracket 805, and on the lower front side of the reel bracket 805. Has a plate-shaped lower bracket coupling portion 805b facing forward. In the second reel module 802, the upper bracket connecting portion 805a is connected to the right side of the middle portion of the upper flange portion 811 by using a connecting member 809c such as a screw (screw) or a bolt, and the lower bracket connecting portion 805b is the same. Is coupled to the right side of the intermediate portion of the lower flange portion 812 by using the coupling member 809d.

The third reel module 803 has a reel bracket 806, and a plate-shaped upper bracket coupling portion 806 a facing the front is formed on the upper front side of the reel bracket 806, and on the lower front side of the reel bracket 806. Has a plate-shaped lower bracket coupling portion 806b facing forward. In the third reel module 802, the upper bracket connecting portion 806a is connected to the vicinity of the right end portion of the upper flange portion 811 by using a connecting member 809e such as a screw (screw) or a bolt, and the lower bracket connecting portion 805b is the same. The connecting member 809f is used to join the lower flange portion 812 in the vicinity of the right end portion.

The reel unit RU thus configured is placed on the reel base 860 and fixed to the reel base 860. Specifically, the lower flange portion 812 of the reel module mounting member 810 accommodating and holding the first to third reel modules 801 to 803 is different from the coupling flange portion 861 formed on the lower front side of the reel base 860. The reel unit RU is detachably held by the reel base 860 by being coupled using the coupling members 809b, 809d, and 809f. The coupling members 809b, 809d, and 809f are used as dedicated coupling members (locking components) for coupling the first to third reel modules 801 to 803 and the reel module mounting member 810, and the reel unit RU and the reel. You may make it couple|bond with the base 860 using another coupling member or a coupling mechanism (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 30, a medal payout device 900 is installed below the reel unit RU, and a medal auxiliary tank 960 (the auxiliary storage box 85 of the first slot machine 1 is provided at a position near the right of the medal payout device 900. Equivalent to) is installed. The medal payout device 900 is configured to have a hopper tank 910, a hopper mechanism portion 920, and a hopper base portion 930.

The hopper tank 910 has a funnel-shaped medal storage portion 911 that opens upward, and a cylindrical tank bottom portion 912 that extends diagonally downward left from the lower portion of the medal storage portion 911, and stores game medals. It is configured as a main tank member. As shown in FIG. 29, inside the medal storage portion 911, there is provided a main slope portion 913 that is formed in a downward slope toward the right, and the game medals stored in the medal storage portion 911 are The main slope portion 913 leads to the tank bottom portion 912. A rectangular opening 915 is formed on the right side surface 914 of the medal storage portion 911, and a guide slope portion 916 and a partition wall portion 917 are provided near the opening 915. The guide slope portion 916 is provided at a position above the main slope portion 913 in a downward slope toward the opening 915 (and the medal auxiliary tank 960), and allows the game medals overflowing from the medal storage portion 911 to be opened. It is designed to be discharged from 915. The partition wall portion 917 is configured to separate a space portion on the tank bottom portion 912 side and a space portion on the opening portion 915 side.

The hopper mechanism section 920 has a rotor disk (not shown) that is rotationally driven, a hopper motor (not shown) that rotationally drives the rotor disk, and the like. By rotating the rotor disk, the game in the medal storage section 911 is played. The medals are ejected one by one from the medal ejection port 921. The hopper base portion 930 supports the hopper mechanism portion 920 and the medal storage portion 911, and is fixed to the inner bottom surface portion of the housing 305.

The medal auxiliary tank 960 is a bottomed box-shaped resin container that opens upward, and is configured as an auxiliary tank member for retracting the surplus game medals stored in the hopper tank 910. The medal auxiliary tank 960 is installed at a position where the game medals discharged from the opening 915 of the medal storage portion 911 fall into the medal auxiliary tank 960 and are stored therein. On one side surface portion of the medal auxiliary tank 960 (a side surface portion located on the back side when installed in the housing 305), an electrode support portion 965 provided on the inner rear surface portion of the housing 305 (see FIG. 31). ), a hole (not shown) through which two electrode pins 961 and 962 (see FIG. 32A) as a full detection member are inserted is formed. The two electrode pins 961 and 962 enter into the medal auxiliary tank 960.

As shown in FIG. 32(B), the two electrode pins 961 and 962 are arranged to be separated from each other in the left-right direction by a predetermined length at the upper position in the installed medal auxiliary tank 960. As shown in FIG. 32C, when many game medals (indicated by a two-dot chain line) are stored in the medal auxiliary tank 960, they are electrically connected to each other through the stored game medals. ing. The two electrode pins 961 and 962 are connected to a storage state signal circuit (not shown). When the two electrode pins 961 and 962 are not electrically connected to each other, this storage state signal circuit outputs a storage state signal of level 0 (for example, low level) indicating that, and outputs the two electrode pins 961 and 961. When the 962s are electrically connected to each other, a level 1 (for example, high level) storage state signal indicating that is output.

The main control means of the slot machine 301 (corresponding to the main control means 100 of the slot machine 1) refers to the level of the storage state signal output from the storage state signal circuit every predetermined time (for example, 2.235 milliseconds). However, when the storage state signal is at level 1 continuously for a predetermined number of times (for example, 8 times) or more, it is determined that the medal auxiliary tank 960 is full. As described above, by determining the full state of the medal auxiliary tank 960 when the storage state signal level continuously becomes the level 1 for the predetermined number of times or more, the medal auxiliary tank as shown in FIG. When a game medal dropped in 960 is rolled and the two electrode pins 961 and 962 are temporarily conducted, it is possible not to prematurely determine that the medal auxiliary tank 960 is full. Has become.

When it is determined that the medal auxiliary tank 960 is in a full state, it is detected as a full error through a predetermined process, and a full error process for eliminating the full error is executed. The detection of the full error is not performed at any time during the game, for example, from the end time of one game (for example, at the time of accepting the third stop operation of the spinning drum) to the start time of the next game (for example, , Bet operation acceptance). In the full error processing, an error display indicating that a full error has occurred on the payout amount display lamp 410, a full error from the main control means to the sub control means (corresponding to the sub control means 200 of the slot machine 1) The error notification request for notifying that the occurrence of the event has occurred, the game stop for stopping the progress of the game, and the like. Among them, the error display process and the error notification request process are stopped when the full state of the medal auxiliary tank 960 is canceled, and the game stop process is stopped when a reset operation is performed by a game shop clerk or the like. To be done.

The number and positions of the conductive pins arranged in the medal auxiliary tank 960 can be set arbitrarily. For example, as shown in FIG. 32(E), an electrode pin 963 as a third fullness detection member may be provided below the two electrode pins 961 and 962. In this case, when all the three electrode pins 961, 962, 963 are electrically connected to each other, it is determined that the medal auxiliary tank 960 is in a completely full state, and among the three, the electrode pin 961 and the electrode pin 963. When and are conducted or when the electrode pin 962 and the electrode pin 963 are conducted, it is possible to determine that the game medals are unevenly stored in the medal auxiliary tank 960.

As shown in FIG. 30, a reel unit RU is installed above the medal payout device 900. As described above, the reel unit RU includes a plurality of coupling members 809a to 809f (which will be referred to as "coupling members 809" unless otherwise specified), but the coupling members 809 fall during the game. There are also things to do. The cause of falling may be forgetting to retighten the loosened coupling member 809 or leaving the removed coupling member 809 on the reel base 860 during maintenance and inspection work. In addition, recently, there are also gaming machines that generate large vibrations such as resonating heavy bass sounds. When such gaming machines are arranged nearby, vibrations from the gaming machine are transmitted to the coupling member 809, It is also possible that the coupling member 809 comes loose. It is also conceivable that vibration generated when the rotating drum rotates or stops, or vibration generated when opening and closing the front door 302 is transmitted to the coupling member 809, and the coupling member 809 loosens. In particular, the coupling member 809f installed at the position closest to the side on which the front door 302 is opened and closed (the side opposite to the side on which the hinge mechanisms 306a and 306b are provided, and hereinafter also referred to as the "door tip side") is Since the vibration at the time of opening and closing the front door 302 is easily transmitted through the reel base 860 and the like, the vibration is more likely to be loosened due to the influence of the vibration than the other coupling members 809a to 809e, and the possibility of dropping during the game is relatively high. High

When the loose coupling member 809 during the game falls into the hopper tank 910 during the game or when the game is not performed, and when it is guided to the rotor disc of the hopper mechanism section 920, the coupling member 809 is attached to the rotor disc. There is a possibility that the rotor disc will not operate normally due to being pinched and the game medal cannot be paid out. If this happens, the game must be interrupted, and in the worst case, there is a possibility that the game cannot be continued. If such a situation occurs when the player's mood is heightened, especially during execution of the above-mentioned bonus game (push order selection game), the player's mood is extremely offended, and The interest will be greatly reduced.

In consideration of such circumstances, in the slot machine 301, even if the most loosely loosened coupling member 809f falls out, the coupling member 809f is guided to the medal auxiliary tank 960. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, the guide slope portion 916 of the hopper tank 910 (medal storage portion 911) is arranged vertically below the coupling member 809f. By adopting such a configuration, the connecting member 809f that has fallen out first enters the medal storage portion 911 and falls onto the guide slope portion 916, as shown by the arrow K1 in the figure, and then the arrow As indicated by the line K2, the guide sloping portion 916 is guided to the opening 915 and discharged from the opening 915, and further falls into the medal auxiliary tank 960 as indicated by the arrow K3. Note that the connecting member 809d (see FIG. 30) located closer to the center than the connecting member 809f also falls onto the guide slope portion 916 in the medal storage portion 911 when it comes off, and is connected to the connecting member 809f. The route may be guided to the medal auxiliary tank 960 by following the same route. Further, the guide slope portion 916 may be configured to project from the opening 915 and extend to a position above the medal auxiliary tank 960.

When the coupling member 809 is formed of a conductive metal member, the coupling member 809 that has dropped into the medal auxiliary tank 960 causes the two electrode pins 961 and 962 to conduct, and the state is erroneously detected as a full error. May occur. For example, the dropped connecting member 809 is caught over the two electrode pins 961 and 962, or the dropped connecting member 809 is caught on one of the electrode pins 961 and the game medal in the medal auxiliary tank 960 is used. It may be possible that the electrode pin 962 is electrically connected. Even if the full error is erroneously detected, the full error process is executed, and the game is interrupted. In particular, when a false detection of such a full error occurs and the game is interrupted during execution of a bonus game (push order selection game), the player's mood is offended, and the interest of the game is greatly reduced. Will end up.

In view of such circumstances, in the slot machine 301, even if the connecting member 809 drops in the medal auxiliary tank 960, it is possible to prevent the full error from being erroneously detected due to the connecting member 809. ing. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 33, the length in the longitudinal direction of the coupling member 809 (the length from the upper surface of the head HD of the coupling member 809 to the tip of the shaft portion AX) L1 (FIG. The distance L3 (see FIG. 6B) between the two electrode pins 961 and 962 is longer than that of the reference electrode (see FIG. 7B) (this configuration is also referred to as “configuration P”). Referred to). Further, the two electrode pins 961 and 962 are formed in a cylindrical shape. Further, the length of the portion of the head HD of the coupling member 809 protruding outward from the shaft portion AX (the distance between the outer peripheral surface of the head HD and the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion AX in the horizontal direction in the figure). L2 is configured to be shorter than the lateral width of the electrode pin 961 (the same as the diameter in the case of the present example where the electrode pin 961 is formed in a cylindrical shape) L4 (this configuration is referred to as “configuration Q”). Also called).

By adopting such a configuration, even if the joining member 809 falls into the medal auxiliary tank 960, the joining member 809 is caught over the two electrode pins 961 and 962, or the joining member 809 is dropped. Can be prevented from being caught on one of the electrode pins 961. Further, as a result, the two electrode pins 961 and 962 are directly conducted through the coupling member 809, or conducted through the coupling member 809 and the game medal housed in the medal auxiliary tank 960. Thus, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection as a full error. The electrode pin is not limited to the columnar one, and may be a prismatic column or a plate. Even in that case, the same effect can be obtained by adopting the configuration P and the configuration Q.

Although the configuration of the positional relationship between the reel unit RU and the medal payout device 900 has been described above, the configuration shown in FIG. 34 may be adopted as a modification. In this modification, the medal payout device 900A and the medal auxiliary tank 960A are used instead of the medal payout device 900 and the medal auxiliary tank 960 described above. In the medal payout device 900A, the hopper tank 910 (medal storage portion 911) is not arranged vertically below the joining member 809f, but the medal auxiliary tank 960 is arranged vertically below the joining member 809f. Therefore, when the connecting member 809f falls off, the connecting member 809f does not enter the medal storage portion 911 but directly drops into the medal auxiliary tank 960 as indicated by an arrow K21.

On the other hand, a medal storage portion 911 and a guide slope portion 916 provided inside the medal storage portion 911 are disposed vertically below the coupling member 809d disposed closer to the center than the coupling member 809f. Therefore, when the connecting member 809d falls out, first, as shown by the arrow K11 in the figure, it first enters the medal storage portion 911 and falls on the guide slope portion 916, and then as shown by the arrow K12. Is guided to an opening (corresponding to the opening 915, not shown) along the guide slope 916, discharged from the opening, and further dropped into the medal auxiliary tank 960A as indicated by arrow K13. It is supposed to do. It should be noted that the medal storage portion 911 is configured so as not to be located vertically below the coupling member 809b arranged on the left side of the coupling member 809d, and when the coupling member 809f falls out, the coupling member 809b will be Instead of entering the inside of the 911, it may be dropped outside the medal storage portion 911.

Further, in the reel unit RU described above, three reel modules (first to third reel modules 801 to 803) are accommodated side by side in the accommodation member (reel module mounting member 810), and the accommodation member Although it is configured to be mounted and fixed on the reel base 860), it is not limited to such a configuration. For example, it is possible to use a reel unit in which three reel modules are fixed to the pedestal portion directly without interposing the accommodating member or through an intermediate member different from the accommodating member.

Further, in the above description, the locking component (coupling member 809f) exemplified as being easily pulled out is configured to couple the reel module and the accommodation member together to the pedestal portion, but is not limited to such a configuration. .. For example, a locking component configured to fix the reel module directly or via an intermediate member other than the accommodating member to the pedestal may be used. Further, the number of reels may be other than three, and four and five reels may be provided. Further, the device is not limited to the reel and may be a movable device for performance.

The notification effect management unit 212 may manage the game standby effect and the menu effect, and the sub-main control unit 200A may include a sub button that can be operated by the player. The game standby effect is an effect that introduces the gaming machine, etc., which is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the final stop operation of the stop button or the sub button was operated, or after the settlement process performed at the end of the game, and the menu effect is It is an effect that can be shifted based on the player's operation of sub-buttons, and the payout table display, effect custom setting, volume setting, power consumption setting, etc. are performed according to the operation in the menu effect. It is a production.

In the normal state (game mode 0), the menu effect is executed based on the sub button operation in a state where no bet is placed, and the game standby effect is executed when a predetermined time has elapsed from the last operation of the sub button. On the other hand, in the AT (game mode 4), the bonus game (game mode 5), the chance zone (game mode 2), etc., which is advantageous for the player, the sub button operation is performed in the same state as the normal state where no bet is placed. Based on the menu effect, the elapsed time from the last sub-button operation is measured. Then, after a lapse of a predetermined time, not the game standby effect, but the effect that was being executed before the menu effect was executed or an effect corresponding to the game state (in the case of AT, an effect indicating AT is being executed) is executed. By doing so, when you leave the seat with the menu screen open in an advantageous game state, when you return to the seat, the production corresponding to the original advantageous game state is executed instead of the game standby production. Since it is easy to recognize one's own seat and it is easy to recognize that it is in an advantageous state, it is possible to prevent the game from being stopped. Also, it is possible to appeal to others that the game is in an advantageous state or that there is a player playing the game.

In addition, whether or not to perform the original effect after the menu effect is not determined according to the game state, but when a specific effect (for example, a continuous effect or an effect that announces a bonus winning) is being executed in the normal state. After the menu effect is displayed, the effect that was executed before the menu effect was executed or the effect according to the game state may be executed. By doing so, when you leave the seat and return to your seat, such as during an AT or bonus game, it is easy to recognize that your own seat may be in an advantageous state and you can stop playing. Can be prevented. Also, it is possible to appeal to others that the game is in an advantageous state or that there is a player playing the game.

The embodiments (first slot machine, second slot machine) according to the present invention and the modifications thereof have been described above, but the configurations of the respective parts shown in the embodiments may be appropriately combined and used. Further, in the above embodiment, as an example of a gaming machine to which the present invention is applied, a slot machine (spindle type gaming machine) using gaming medals has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the same effect can be obtained by applying the present invention to a spinning drum type game machine using a game ball, a sparrow ball game machine, an arrange ball machine, a pachinko machine, and the like.

1,301 Slot machine 2,302 Front door 3a, 3b, 3c, 303a, 303b, 303c Reel 25, 325 Start lever 26a, 26b, 26c Stop switch 60, 510 Main control board 70 Sub control board 70A Sub main control board 70B Sub-sub control board 100 Main control means 200 Sub control means 200A Sub main control means 200B Sub sub control means 321 Medal insertion slot member 321b Medal insertion slot 323 1-BET button 324 MAX-BET button 410 410 Payout amount display lamps 411, 412, 421, 422 7-segment display 420 Storage number display lamp 541 Monitor lamp 551 Setting display lamp 750 Setting changing device 809a to 809f Coupling member 810 Reel module mounting member 900 Medal payout device 910 Hopper tank 915 Opening 916 Guide slope part 960 Medal auxiliary tank 961 ~963 electrode pin W2 reel window WP window panel RU reel unit

Claims (1)

It comprises a main control means for performing a lottery, and a sub-control means for controlling a predetermined effect,
A gaming machine capable of executing an advantageous game that is advantageous to a player,
As a winning combination selected in the winning combination lottery, a pressing order winning combination that enables different symbol combinations to be displayed according to the pressing order by the player,
As a period in which the advantageous game is played, has a specific period and a non-specific period,
In the specific period, when the push order combination is selected, a push order selection game for allowing the player to select a push order is executed,
In the non-specific period, when the pressing order combination is selected, the pressing order selection game is not executed, and a pressing order notification for informing the player of a predetermined pressing order is given to the main control means and the sub-device. Both with the control means,
In the advantageous game, the value of a predetermined counter is set to a predetermined initial value by the start of the specific period, and the set value of the counter is updated so as to be increased or decreased according to the result of the push order selection game. The gaming machine, wherein a predetermined privilege is given when the value of the counter at the end of the specific period is equal to or more than the initial value.