JP7018266B2 - Pachinko machine - Google Patents

Description

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

In this type of gaming machine, when the initialization condition is satisfied at the time of startup, after initializing the control state, the game shifts to the main process for advancing the game, and the game is advanced in the main process. It has been proposed that a game is advanced by detecting a signal (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-129555

In the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, some errors cannot be fundamentally solved unless work such as clogging of medals is performed, and the initialization condition is satisfied at startup with the error occurring. As a result, if the error is also initialized, and then the signal for advancing the game is detected and the game progresses after the initialization, there is a risk that the game will proceed without the error being resolved.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of advancing a game in a state where an error is surely resolved.

In order to solve the above problems, the gaming machine according to claim 1 of the present invention is
In a gaming machine that plays games
A storage means having a storage area that can store a program,
A control means that controls based on a program stored in the storage means,
A slot where game media can be inserted, and
A charging detection means that outputs a detection signal when the gaming medium loaded in the slot is passing through, and
Withdrawal means that can pay out game media,
A payout detection means that outputs a detection signal when the game medium paid out from the payout means is passing through, and a payout detection means.
Equipped with
The control means is
A detection determination means for determining whether or not a game progress signal for advancing a game has been detected, and
An input determination means for determining the input of the game medium, and
An input abnormality flag setting means that determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred based on the detection signal output from the input detection means and sets an input abnormality flag when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred.
A payout abnormality flag setting means that determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred based on the detection signal output from the payout detection means and sets a payout abnormality flag when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred.
An abnormality determining means for determining whether or not the input abnormality flag is set and whether or not the payout abnormality flag is set, and
A disabling state control means for controlling the progress of the game to a disabling state when it is determined by the abnormality determining means that at least one of the input abnormality flag and the payout abnormality flag is set.
When the initialization condition is satisfied, the initialization means for initializing the control state regarding the progress of the game including the disabled state, and the initialization means.
Including
The abnormality determination means is
After the control state regarding the progress of the game is initialized by the initialization means, and before it is determined whether or not the game progress signal is first detected by the detection determination means, the input abnormality flag is set. It is determined whether or not the payout abnormality flag is set, and whether or not the payout abnormality flag is set.
Whether or not the input abnormality flag is set and the payout abnormality flag after the disabling state is released and before the detection determination means first determines whether or not the game progress signal is detected. Judges whether or not is set,
The storage area of the storage means is
The first program area where the first program is stored and
A second program area in which the second program called by the first program is stored, and
Including
In the first program, the first detection process for detecting the passage of the game medium is performed based on the detection signal output from the input detection means.
In the second program, a second detection process for detecting the passage of the game medium is performed based on the detection signal output from the input detection means.
The input determination means determines whether or not the passage of the game medium is detected by the second detection process in the first program, and when it is determined that the passage of the game medium is detected by the second detection process, the input determination means determines. The first detection process is performed, and when the passage of the game medium is detected by the first detection process, the input of the game medium is determined.
It is characterized by that.
The gaming machine of means 1 of the present invention is
In a gaming machine (slot machine 1) that plays games
Detection determination means (medal insertion signal processing, operation input reception processing) for determining whether or not a game progress signal (medal insertion signal, detection signal of MAXBET switch 6) for advancing the game is detected,
Specific error determining means (medal insertion / withdrawal error check processing) for determining whether or not a specific error (abnormality in which the payout sensor 34c detects medals, etc. outside the payout period) has occurred, and
Disabling state control means (error processing) that controls the disabling state (error state) that disables the progress of the game when it is determined that a specific error has occurred,
When the initialization condition is satisfied, the initialization means (initialization process at the time of setting change) that initializes the control state related to the progress of the game including the disabled state, and
Equipped with
The specific error determination means is specified after the control state regarding the progress of the game is initialized by the initialization means and before it is determined whether or not the game progress signal is first detected by the detection determination means. It is characterized by determining whether or not an error has occurred.
According to this feature, it is controlled to the disabled state when a specific error occurs, and even if the initialization condition is satisfied without eliminating the cause of the specific error, the control state related to the game is initialized. However, even in such a case, after the control state related to the game is initialized, before it is first determined whether or not the game progress signal is detected. , Whether or not a specific error has occurred is determined, and if it is determined that a specific error has occurred, the game progress signal is detected and controlled to the disabled state again before the game progresses. Therefore, the game does not proceed even though the cause of the specific error has not been resolved, and the game can be played in a state where the error is surely resolved.

The gaming machine of the means 2 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to the means 1.
The initialization means (initialization process at the time of setting change) is related to whether or not a specific error (an abnormality in which the payout sensor 34c detects a medal or the like outside the payout period) occurs when the initialization condition is satisfied. Instead, it is characterized by initializing the control state related to the progress of the game.
According to this feature, most of the errors are eliminated by initializing the control state related to the progress of the game. Therefore, when the initialization condition is satisfied, the game is played regardless of whether or not a specific error has occurred. By initializing the control state related to the progress of the above, the control related to the initialization can be simplified.

The gaming machine of the means 3 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to the means 1 or 2.
The specific error is characterized by an error (an abnormality in which the payout sensor 34c detects a medal or the like outside the payout period) caused by an event that needs to be physically resolved.
According to this feature, the game does not proceed even though the cause of the specific error is not physically eliminated, and the game can be advanced in a state where the error is surely resolved.

The gaming machine of the means 4 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of the means 1 to 3.
A periodic processing execution means (main control unit 41) that executes periodic processing (timer interrupt processing) at regular intervals is provided.
The periodic process includes a process of acquiring the detection status of the detection means provided in the gaming machine (slot machine 1).
The specific error determining means (medal insertion / withdrawal error check process) waits for at least one periodic process to be executed, and then a specific error (an abnormality in which the payout sensor 34c detects a medal or the like outside the payout period) occurs. It is characterized by determining whether or not it is.
According to this feature, the detection status of the detection means can be acquired, and it can be determined whether or not a specific error has occurred in the latest state.

The gaming machine of the means 5 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to the means 4.
Every time the periodic process (timer interrupt process) is executed, a specific error (an abnormality in which the payout sensor 34c detects a medal or the like outside the payout period) occurs by the specific error determination means (medal insertion / withdrawal error check process). It is determined whether or not the game progress signal (medal insertion signal, detection signal of the MAXBET switch 6) is detected by the detection determination means (medal insertion signal processing, operation input reception processing). It is characterized by the fact that it is.
According to this feature, every time the detection status of the detection means is acquired and updated to the latest state, it is possible to determine whether or not a specific error has occurred and whether or not a game progress signal has been detected. can.

The gaming machine of the means 6 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of the means 1 to 5.
The specific error determination means (medal insertion / withdrawal error check processing) is first performed by the detection determination means (medal insertion signal processing, operation input reception processing) after the disabling state (error state) by the disabling means is released. A specific error (an abnormality in which the payout sensor 34c detects a medal or the like outside the payout period) occurs before it is determined whether or not the game progress signal (medal insertion signal, detection signal of the MAXBET switch 6) is detected. It is characterized by determining whether or not it is done.
According to this feature, it is controlled to the disabled state with the occurrence of a specific error, and when the disabled state is canceled without eliminating the cause of the specific error, the game can be played even if the specific error is not resolved. It is possible to proceed, but even in such a case, whether or not a specific error has occurred after the disabled state is released and before it is first determined whether or not the game progress signal is detected. If it is determined and it is determined that a specific error has occurred, the game progress signal is detected and controlled to the disabled state again before the game progresses, and the cause of the specific error has been eliminated. The game does not progress even though there is no error, and the game can be progressed in a state where the error is surely resolved.

The gaming machine of the means 7 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of the means 1 to 6.
A storage means (ROM41b) having a storage area capable of storing a program, and
A control means (main CPU 41a) that performs control based on a program stored in the storage means, and
Equipped with
The storage area of the storage means (ROM41b) is
A game program area in which a game program related to the progress of the game is stored, and
A non-game program area that is a program called by the game program and stores a non-game program that is not related to the progress of the game, and a non-game program area.
Including
When the first condition (input data ON → OFF of the inserted medal sensor) is satisfied in the game program, the first detection process (medal insertion signal processing) for detecting the passage of the game medium (medal) is performed.
In the non-game program, the second detection process (medal sensor check process) for detecting the passage of the game medium is performed when the second condition (medal detection and normal passage) is satisfied.
In the game program, when the passage of the game medium is detected by both the first detection process (medal insertion signal processing) and the second detection process (medal sensor check process), the passage of the game medium is determined. It is a feature.
According to this feature, a game program area in which a game program related to the progress of a game is stored, a non-game program area in which a non-game program that is called by the game program and is not related to the progress of the game is stored, and a non-game program area. Is separately assigned, the first detection process for detecting the passage of the game medium when the first condition is satisfied in the game program, and the detection of the passage of the game medium when the second condition is satisfied in the game program. Since the passage of the game medium is determined when the passage of the game medium is detected in both of the second detection processes, the passage of the game medium can be appropriately determined without increasing the capacity of the game program.

The present invention may have only the invention-specific matters described in the claims of the present invention, and has a configuration other than the invention-specific matters together with the invention-specific matters described in the claims of the present invention. It may be a thing.

It is a front view of the slot machine of the Example to which this invention was applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a slot machine. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the gaming area and the non-gaming area in the RAM mounted on the main control unit. It is a flow diagram which shows the control content of the initial setting process performed by the main control unit. It is a flow diagram which shows the control content of the main processing performed by the main control unit. It is a flow diagram which shows the control content of the game start waiting process performed by the main control unit. It is a flow diagram which shows the control content of the medal insertion signal processing performed by a main control unit. It is a timing chart for demonstrating the state transition of the medal insertion signal which determines the normal passage of a medal in the medal insertion signal processing. It is a flow diagram which shows the control content of a timer interrupt process (main) performed by a main control unit.

A mode for carrying out the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described below based on examples.

An embodiment of a slot machine, which is a gaming machine to which the present invention is applied, will be described with reference to the drawings. Inside the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, reels 2L, 2C, and 2R (hereinafter, left reel, middle reel, right reel) in which a plurality of types of symbols that can be distinguished from each other are arranged in the same number in a predetermined order. Are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction, and as shown in FIG. 1, three consecutive symbols among the symbols arranged on the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are provided substantially in the center of the front surface of the slot machine 1. In the see-through window 3, they are displayed in the upper, middle, and lower three stages, respectively, and are arranged so as to be visible from the player side.

Although the configuration using three reels is illustrated in this embodiment, a configuration using only one reel, a configuration using two reels, and a configuration using four or more reels may be used. .. Further, in the present embodiment, the variable display unit for variably displaying the symbols by the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is configured, but the variable display unit may be other than the reel, for example, a plurality of symbols on the outer peripheral surface. It is also possible to change the design by moving the belt on which the reels are placed. Further, in this embodiment, the variable display unit is configured by a physical reel, but the variable display unit may be configured by an image display device such as a liquid crystal display.

As shown in FIG. 1, on the front of the slot machine 1, there are a medal insertion section 4 in which medals can be inserted, a medal payout exit 9 in which medals are paid out, and credits (number of medals stored as game value owned by the player). ) Is used to set the MAXBET switch 6, the medals and bets stored as credits, which are operated when setting the maximum bet number among the specified number of bets determined according to the gaming state within the range. Settlement switch 10 operated when paying the medals used for setting (returning the medals used for setting the credit and bet number), start switch 7 operated when starting the game, reel 2L The stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, which are operated when the rotations of the 2C, 2R, and 2R are stopped, are provided so as to be operable by the player.

Further, on the front of the slot machine 1, as shown in FIG. 1, a credit display 11 displaying the number of medals stored as credits, the number of medals paid out due to the occurrence of a prize, and the contents when an error occurs. Game auxiliary display 12, which displays an error code indicating an error code, etc., 1BETLED14 which notifies by lighting that the bet number is set to 1, 2BETLED15 which notifies by lighting that the bet number is set to 2, and the bet number is 3 3BETLED16 that notifies by lighting that it is set, insertion request LED17 that notifies by lighting that a medal can be inserted, and start that notifies by lighting that the game start operation by operating the start switch 7 is effective. Effective LED 18, weighting LED19 that notifies by lighting that the wait (a state of waiting for the start of rotation of the reel because a certain period has not passed since the previous game start) is in progress, lighting that the replay game is in progress. A game display unit 13 is provided with an LED 20 during replay to be notified by.

Inside the MAXBET switch 6, a BET switch effective LED21 (see FIG. 2) is provided to notify by lighting that the setting operation of the bet number by the operation of the MAXBET switch 6 is effective, and the stop switches 8L, 8C, Inside the 8R, there are left, middle, and right stop effective LEDs 22L, 22C, and 22R (see FIG. 2) that notify by lighting that the operation to stop the reel by the corresponding stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is effective. It is provided.

Inside the slot machine 1, there is a reset switch 23 that detects a reset operation for canceling an error state described later from the outside of the slot machine 1 by a predetermined key operation, and the setting value described later is being changed or the setting value is being confirmed. The hopper tank (not shown) side or the medal, which will be described later, is provided inside the slot machine 1 so that the flow path of the medal inserted from the set value display 24 and the medal insertion unit 4 on which the set value at that time is displayed is displayed. A medal selector having a flow path switching solenoid 30 for selectively switching to either one of the payout outlets 9 and a medal selector 31a to 31c for detecting medals inserted from the medal insertion unit 4 and flowing down to the hopper tank side. It is provided.

Inside the slot machine 1, reel sensors 33L, 33C, 33R that can detect the reel reference positions of the above-mentioned reels 2L, 2C, 2R, reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R, reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, respectively (FIG. 2), a hopper tank (not shown) for storing medals inserted from the medal insertion unit 4, and a hopper motor 34b for discharging medals stored in the hopper tank from the medal payout outlet 9 (FIG. 2). A hopper unit including a payout sensor 34c (see FIG. 2) for detecting medals paid out by driving a hopper motor 34b is provided.

An overflow tank 35 for storing medals overflowing from the hopper tank is provided on the side of the hopper unit 34. Inside the overflow tank 35, a full tank sensor 35a for detecting that the stored medals are full is provided.

Further, inside the slot machine 1, it functions as a setting key switch 37 for switching to a setting change state or a setting confirmation state, and a reset switch for canceling an error state in a normal state, and will be described later in the setting change state. A reset / setting switch 38 that functions as a setting switch for changing the set value of the winning probability (ball output rate) of the internal lottery is provided.

The setting key switch 37 and the reset / setting switch 38 are provided inside the slot machine 1 and cannot be operated unless the door that can be opened is opened by a predetermined key operation. Only the clerk who owns it can operate it. In particular, since the setting key switch 37 requires further key operation, only the clerk who has the key to operate the setting key switch 37 can be operated among the clerk of the game store. Further, the reset switch 23 does not need to open the door, but requires a key operation using a predetermined key, so that only a store clerk who possesses the predetermined key can operate the reset switch 23.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the slot machine 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 1 is provided with a game control board 40 and an effect control board 90. The game control board 40 controls the game, and the effect control board 90 responds to the game state. The production is controlled.

The game control board 40 includes the MAXBET switch 6, the start switch 7, the stop switch 8L, 8C, 8R, the settlement switch 10, the reset switch 23, the input medal sensors 31a to 31c, the reel sensors 33L, 33C, 33R, and the payout sensor. A 34c, a full tank sensor 35a, a setting key switch 37, and a reset / setting switch 38 are connected, and detection signals of these connected switches are input. Further, on the game control board 40, the above-mentioned credit display 11, game auxiliary display 12, 1 to 3 BETLED 14 to 16, input request LED 17, start effective LED 18, wait LED 19, replay LED 20, BET switch effective LED 21, left. , Middle, right stop effective LED 22L, 22C, 22R, set value display 24, flow path switching solenoid 30, reel motor 32L, 32C, 32R, hopper motor 34b are connected, and these electric parts are the game control board 40. It is driven based on the control of the main control unit 41 mounted on the vehicle.

The game control board 40 is composed of a microcomputer provided with a main CPU 41a, ROM 41b, RAM 41c, and I / O port 41d, and has a main control unit 41 that controls the game.

The main control unit 41 performs various controls for advancing the game in response to the detection of an operation accompanying the progress of the game, and transmits various commands to the sub control unit 91. The command transmitted from the main control unit 41 to the sub control unit 91 is sent in only one direction, and the command is not sent from the sub control unit 91 to the main control unit 41.

Further, as will be described later, the main control unit 41 repeatedly loops the processing according to the control state until the detection state of the various switches connected to the game control board 40 changes as the main processing, and the various switches. Execute the process of gradual transition according to the change of the detection state. Further, the main control unit 41 executes the timer interrupt process at regular time intervals (about 0.56 milliseconds in this embodiment). The execution interval of the timer interrupt process is set to be longer than the total time of the time in which the process repeated according to the control state in the main process completes and the execution time of the timer interrupt process. The process of repeating according to the control state always completes at least one cycle with the next timer interrupt process.

A liquid crystal display 51 (see FIG. 1), a reel LED (not shown), and other effect devices are connected to the effect control board 90, and these effect devices are mounted on the effect control board 90. It is driven based on the control by. The sub control unit 91 can receive a command transmitted from the main control unit 41 and perform various controls for performing the effect.

The slot machine 1 of this embodiment has a configuration in which the medal payout rate changes according to the set value. Specifically, the medal payout rate is changed by using the winning probability according to the set value in the lottery that affects the advantage to the player such as the internal lottery. The set value consists of 6 stages from 1 to 6, with 6 having the highest payout rate, and the smaller the value in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 the lower the payout rate. That is, when 6 is set as the set value, the advantage is highest for the player, and the smaller the value in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 is, the lower the advantage is.

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

In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, a specified number of bets that can be set according to the gaming state is determined, and the game is provided on the condition that the specified number of bets is set according to the gaming state. Can be started. In this embodiment, the winning line LN is activated when a predetermined number of bets are set according to the gaming state.

The winning line is a line set to determine whether the combination of symbols displayed on the perspective windows 3 of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is a combination of winning symbols. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, only the winning line LN set across the symbols arranged horizontally in the middle stage of the reel 2L, the middle stage of the reel 2C, and the middle stage of the reel 2R, that is, the middle stage, wins a prize. It is defined as a line. In this embodiment, only one winning line is applied, but a plurality of winning lines may be applied.

Then, in this embodiment, the winning line that is activated when all the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are stopped (in the case of this embodiment, the winning line LN is always enabled, so that it is enabled in the following. The winning line LN is simply called the winning line), and a winning combination is obtained when a combination of symbols called a role is aligned. The combination may be a combination of the same symbols or a combination including different symbols.

When playing a game on the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, first, a medal is inserted from the medal insertion unit 4, or a MAXBET switch 6 is operated to set a bet number using credits. When the specified number of bets determined according to the game state is set, the winning line LN (see FIG. 1) becomes valid, and the operation of the start switch 7 is valid, that is, the game can be started. Become. If more than the maximum number of medals are inserted out of the specified number corresponding to the gaming state, the amount will be added to the credit.

When the start switch 7 is operated while the game can be started, the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are rotated, and the symbols of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are continuously changed. When any of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is operated while the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are rotated, the rotation of the corresponding reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is stopped, and the design of the reel is the see-through window 3. It is derived and displayed as a display result.

When all reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are stopped, one game ends, and a predetermined combination of symbols (hereinafter, also referred to as a combination) on the winning line LN is displayed for each reel 2L, 2C, and 2R. If the game is stopped as a result, a prize will be awarded, and a number of medals determined according to the prize will be given to the player and added to the credit. Further, when the credit reaches the upper limit (50 in this embodiment), the medal is directly paid out from the medal payout exit 9 (see FIG. 1). Further, when the combination of symbols accompanied by the transition of the gaming state stops on the winning line LN as a display result of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R, the combination of symbols is shifted to the gaming state according to the combination of symbols. ..

The type of winning combination is determined according to the game status, and for the player, a small role that involves paying out medals, a replaying role that allows the next game to be started without the need to set the number of bets, and a player. There is a special role that accompanies the transition to a favorable gaming state. In the following, the small role and the replaying role are collectively referred to as the general role. In order for each winning combination determined according to the gaming state to be won, it is necessary to win the internal lottery and set the winning flag for the winning combination. In the internal lottery, whether or not the main control unit 41 allows the winning of each of the above-mentioned combinations is before the display results of all reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are derived (specifically, the start switch 7). It is determined by using a random number at the time of detection).

In this embodiment, the game starts when the operation of the start switch 7 is detected while the operation of the start switch 7 is valid, and the game ends when all the reels are stopped. In addition, one unit of control for executing the game (game control) starts when all the controls associated with the end of the previous game are completed, and when all the controls associated with the end of the game are completed. finish.

[About the memory area and program of the main control unit]
As described above, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment includes the ROM 41b and the RAM 41c, and the memory area of the ROM 41b includes a program / data area in which a program and fixed data are stored in advance, and the memory area of the RAM 41c includes a program / data area. Includes a usable area that can be used as a work, and an internal function register area in which a group of registers for controlling each function mounted on the main control unit 41 is stored.

The program / data area in the ROM 41b stores a game program area in which a game program related to the progress of the game is stored, a game data area in which the game data used by the game program is stored, and a non-game program not related to the progress of the game. It includes a non-game program area to be played and a non-game data area in which non-game data used by the non-game program is stored.

The progress of the game is to proceed with a series of processes constituting the game, and if it is a slot machine, the stage where the bet number is set and the game can be started, the game is started and the reel is rotated. The stage of causing the reel to be stopped, the stage of deriving the display result, and the stage of giving the value of a medal or the like according to the display result are advanced.

The usable area of the RAM 41c includes a game RAM area used as a work by the game program and a non-game RAM area used as a work by the non-game program, and the game RAM area includes a special work, an important work, and an important work. The general work and the game stack area in which the game program saves data are included, and the non-game RAM area includes an area in which the game program can be referred, an area in which the game program cannot be referred, and a non-game program. A non-game stack area for saving data and a non-game stack area are included. In this embodiment, the game stack area and the non-game stack area are individually provided in different areas, but a configuration in which one stack area shared by the game program and the non-game program may be provided may be provided.

In the following, the game program area, the game data area, and the game RAM area may be collectively referred to as a game area, and the non-game program area, the non-game data area, and the non-game RAM area may be collectively referred to as a non-game area. ..

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the main CPU 41a of the main control unit 41 calls the non-game program in the process based on the game program, executes the process based on the non-game program, and ends the process based on the non-game program. After that, it returns to the processing based on the game program.

As shown in FIG. 3, when executing the process based on the game program in principle, the main CPU 41a executes the process based on the game program with reference to the game data in the game data area, and uses the game RAM area as a work. However, it is possible to refer to and update the contents of the game RAM area. Further, in principle, when the main CPU 41a executes the process based on the non-game program, the main CPU 41a executes the process based on the non-game program with reference to the game data in the non-game data area, and uses the non-game RAM area as a work. , It is possible to refer to and update the contents of the non-gaming RAM area.

Further, the main CPU 41a does not refer to the non-game data area and does not update the non-game RAM area when executing the process based on the game program, but it is possible to refer to the non-game RAM area. Yes, in executing the process based on the non-game program, the game data area is not referred to and the game RAM area is not updated, but the game RAM area can be referred to.

Further, in the processing based on the game program, only a specific area required for the game program (for example, an error flag setting area indicating abnormality detection) can be referred to in the non-game RAM area, and the non-game program can be used. The processing based on the game RAM area can be referred only to a specific area required for the non-game program (for example, an internal winning flag setting area, a game state setting area, an RT setting area, etc.).

Next, the control contents of various processes performed by the main control unit 41 by executing the game program and the non-game program will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9.

[About startup setting processing and initial setting processing executed by the main control unit 41]
The startup setting process and the initial setting process performed by the main control unit 41 will be described with reference to FIG. The startup setting process and the initial setting process are subroutines included in the game program.

When the power supply to the slot machine 1 is started, the main control unit 41 starts up in a state where the timer interrupt is set to be disabled due to the occurrence of a reset, and performs various processes according to the program stored in the ROM 41b. After starting, first, the startup setting process included in the game program is performed to initialize all the output ports, and the internal register provided in the main control unit 41 is initially set in the predetermined area of the ROM 41b. Initialize based on the conversion table. Then, after terminating the startup setting process, the initial setting process included in the game program is started with the timer interrupt set to be disabled.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the initial setting process, first, a RAM diagnostic process for diagnosing whether or not the RAM 41c is normal is performed based on the parity of a predetermined area of the RAM 41c (Sa1).

In the RAM diagnosis process, there is an abnormality in the RAM 41c based on the parity of the predetermined area of the RAM 41c and the fixed data for RAM destruction diagnosis set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c when the power supply to the slot machine 1 was stopped last time. Judge whether or not. Then, the diagnosis result data that can specify the result of the determination is set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c, and the RAM diagnosis process is terminated.

After performing the RAM diagnostic processing in the step of Sa1, it is determined whether or not the setting key switch 37 is in the ON state with reference to a predetermined input port (Sa2). When it is determined that the setting key switch 37 is not in the ON state, it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in the RAM 41c based on the diagnosis result data set by the RAM diagnosis process in the step of Sa1 (Sa3), and the RAM 41c is determined. If it is determined that there is no abnormality in, a return process is performed (Sa4).

In the recovery process, the process of clearing the output buffer for outputting the external output signal from the external output board, the process of returning the stack pointer to the state at the time of power failure, and the detection signals of various switches input to the parallel input port 511. Input status data related to input status such as (input data indicating the current input status of various switches, confirmed data indicating that the previous and current input data are in the same state, edge indicating that the confirmed data has changed from the previous time. The process of updating the data), the process of transmitting a return command indicating that the control state before the power failure has been restored to the sub-control unit 91, and the like are performed.

After performing the return processing in the step of Sa4, the timer interrupt is set to enable (Sa5), the initial setting processing is terminated, the process is shifted to the timer interrupt processing (main), and then the power to the slot machine 1 is supplied. It returns to the processing in the main processing that was executed before the supply was stopped.

On the other hand, if it is determined in the step of Sa3 that there is an abnormality in the RAM 41c, the timer interrupt is set to enable (Sa6), and then the process proceeds to error processing (Sa7).

In the error processing, the error state that makes the progress of the game impossible is controlled. Further, an error code that can specify the type of the error that has occurred is transmitted to the sub control unit 91, and the error code is controlled to be displayed on the game auxiliary display 12. Then, the error state is controlled until it is specified that the error state release condition according to the type of the error occurring is satisfied. In the error processing that was migrated because it was determined that there was an error in the RAM in the initial setting processing, the setting was shifted to the setting change state by starting the power supply to the slot machine 1 with the setting key switch 37 turned on. By initializing all the storage areas of the RAM 41c, it is possible to surely eliminate the abnormality of the data of the RAM 41c and cancel the error state. On the other hand, when the power supply to the slot machine 1 is started without turning on the setting key switch 37, the abnormality of the RAM 41c is detected again, and the error state is reached again.

If it is determined in the step of Sa2 that the setting key switch 37 is in the ON state, the setting value change process is started to shift to the setting change state (Sa8).

In the setting value change process, the setting value is changed to a setting change state in which the setting value can be changed on the playground side. Then, in the setting change state, the reset / setting switch 38 and the start switch 7 are operated in a predetermined procedure to fix the set value, and it is detected that the setting key switch 37 is turned off, so that the setting is made. End the value change process.

In the step of Sa8, after the setting change processing is performed, the initialization processing at the time of setting change is performed (Sa9). In the initialization process at the time of setting change, all the memory areas of the RAM 41c except the predetermined area in which the determined setting value is stored are all along with the setting change processing being performed and the setting value being determined. Initialize the available area. By initializing the usable area, predetermined data including the control state regarding the progress of the game by the main control unit 41 is reset (initialized) to a predetermined predetermined initial value. The control state related to the progress of the game includes an error state that is controlled when an error is detected in each process such as the game start waiting process described later.

Then, in the step of Sa9, after the initialization process at the time of setting change is performed, the process is shifted to the main process, and each process is sequentially performed from the process of the first step of the main process (the process of waiting for the game start in the step of Sb1). Let me.

As described above, in the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment, the setting key switch 37 is in the ON state in the initial setting processing setting by starting the power supply to the slot machine 1 in the ON state. When it is determined that, the setting change process is performed.

Then, when the initialization condition is satisfied by shifting to the setting change processing and performing the setting change operation, the initialization processing at the time of setting change is performed, and the setting value confirmed by the setting change processing is stored. By initializing all the usable areas except the predetermined area, the control state regarding the progress of the game including the error state stored in the RAM 41c is initialized.

Further, after shifting to the setting change process and initializing the control state related to the progress of the game including the error state, the process is shifted to the first process of the main process.

Further, in the initial setting process, the initialization condition is satisfied by shifting to the setting change process and performing the setting change operation, and the RAM 41c is set regardless of whether or not an abnormality related to the insertion or withdrawal of medals has occurred. The control state regarding the progress of the stored game is initialized.

[About main processing]
The control content of the main process performed by the main control unit 41 will be described with reference to FIG. The main process is repeatedly executed for each unit of game. And one cycle of the main process corresponds to one unit of the game. Further, the main process is included in the game program and includes a plurality of processes. Hereinafter, processes not particularly indicated to be included in the non-game program are included in the game program. Some of the game programs called by the game program call non-game programs.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the main processing, a game start waiting process (Sb1) that waits until the game is started, an internal lottery process (Sb2) that performs an internal lottery with the start of the game, a reel 2L, Reel control process (Sb3) that controls the rotation and stop of 2C and 2R, and game end setting process (Sb4) that makes various settings when all reels 2L, 2C and 2R are stopped and the game ends. However, it is executed repeatedly in sequence.

In the main process, the command storage process that generates a command and sets it in the command queue according to the progress of the game is executed as appropriate, and the set command is the command executed in the subsequent timer interrupt process (main). It is configured to be transmitted to the sub-control unit 91 by the transmission process.

[About the game start waiting process]
Next, the control content of the game start waiting process performed by the main control unit 41 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The game start waiting process is included in the game program and is a subroutine called in the main process included in the game program.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the game start waiting process, first, the medal insertion number display process is performed (Sc1), and 1 to 3 BETLEDs 14 to 16 according to the number of medals already inserted into the slot machine 1 are turned on (lighting state). To control. After that, an error code (E1) that can identify that the hopper tank is full is prepared in a predetermined register (Sc2), and with reference to a predetermined port input buffer, based on the confirmed data of the full tank sensor 35a. It is determined whether or not the hopper tank is full (Sc3).

If it is determined in the step of Sc3 that the hopper tank is full, error processing is performed (Sc4). In error processing, control is performed in an error state in which the progress of the game is disabled. Further, an error command capable of specifying an error code (E1) prepared in a predetermined register is transmitted to the sub-control unit 91, and the error code (E1) can be referred to in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c by other processing. Set as an error flag. Further, the error code (E1) is controlled to be displayed on the game assist display 12. After that, the error state is controlled until it is specified that the error state release condition corresponding to the error code (E1) prepared in the predetermined register is satisfied. When the error code (E1) is set in the register and the state shifts to the error state, the process waits until the confirmed data of the full tank sensor 35a is turned off, and the confirmed data of the full tank sensor 35a is turned off. , An error command (cancellation) to cancel the error state is transmitted to the sub control unit 91, the error processing is terminated, and the process proceeds to the Sc5 step.

When it is determined in the Sc3 step that the hopper tank is not full, or when the error processing in the Sc4 step is completed, the value of the replay medal counter set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c is set to a predetermined register. Read into (Sc5). In the re-game medal counter, a value corresponding to the result of the previous game is set by the setting process at the end of the previous game in the main process, and the re-game combination wins the re-game in the previous game. Is given, when a numerical value (for example, 3) corresponding to the specified number of bets required to play the game is set, but the re-game is not given in the previous game. Is set to 0.

After that, the replay medal counter of the RAM 41c is cleared (Sc6), and it is determined whether or not the value of the replay medal counter read in the step of Sc5 is larger than 0, that is, whether or not the replay is granted. (Sc7) If a replay is granted, a medal insertion execution process is performed (Sc8). In the medal insertion execution process, the value of the medal counter for replay is set as the bet number, and the 1 to 3 BETLEDs 14 to 16 are set to the ON state (lighting state) and the specified number of bets (3 in this embodiment). Notifies that is set. Further, a command for the number of inserted medals that can specify the number of medals used to set the number of bets is transmitted to the sub-control unit 91.

When it is determined that the value of the medal counter for replay is 0 in the step of Sc7, that is, the replay is not given, and after the medal insertion execution process is performed because the replay is given in the step of Sc8. Performs a medal care permission setting process (Sc9). In the medal care permission setting process, the value of the credit set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c is referred to, and when the value of the credit does not reach the maximum value (50 in this embodiment), the medal insertion unit 4 starts. A medal care permission flag indicating that the medal of the above is permitted to be inserted is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c.

After performing the medal care permission setting process in the step of Sc9, the process of waiting for one interrupt is performed (Sc10). By performing one interrupt wait processing, timer interrupt processing (main) is performed and the detection status of various switches, the lighting status of LEDs, various timers, etc. are updated, and the detection status of these various switches is updated. Is updated, and subsequent processing (for example, medal insertion / withdrawal error check processing, medal insertion signal processing, operation input reception processing, which will be described later) is performed.

After the interrupt wait process is performed once in the Sc10 step and the timer interrupt is performed once, whether or not an abnormality related to medal insertion from the medal insertion unit 4 or an abnormality related to medal payout from the hopper is detected. Performs medal insertion / withdrawal error check processing (Sc11).

In the medal insertion / withdrawal error check process, is there an abnormality related to the insertion / withdrawal of medals based on whether or not the insertion error flag and the withdrawal error flag are set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c by the timer interrupt processing described later? If it is determined whether or not an error has occurred regarding the insertion of a medal, an error code (E5) indicating that an abnormality has occurred regarding the insertion of a medal is prepared in a predetermined register, and an error occurs. An error execution flag that can specify that the process is executed is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c, and the error process is performed. If it is determined that an abnormality related to medal payout has occurred, an error code (E4) indicating that an abnormality related to medal payout has occurred is prepared in a predetermined register, and error processing is executed. An error execution flag that can specify the effect is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c, and error processing is performed.

The insertion error flag is a flag indicating that an abnormality related to the insertion of medals has occurred, and is a period during which the medal care permission flag described later is not set by the sensor monitoring process described later, that is, the medal from the medal insertion unit 4. Based on the detection of medals (medals, foreign objects, etc.) by the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c outside the period during which the insertion of medals is permitted, the timer interrupt process sets the RAM 41c to a predetermined area. Further, the payout error flag is a flag indicating that an abnormality related to medal payout has occurred, and the payout sensor 34c detects the medal or the like outside the payout period when the medal is paid out by the sensor monitoring process described later. Based on this, it is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c by the timer interrupt process.

After performing the medal insertion / withdrawal error check process in the Sc11 step, whether or not the error process is executed in the medal insertion / withdrawal error check process based on whether or not the error execution flag is set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c. Is determined (Sc12).

If it is determined in the error check process that the error process has been executed in the step of Sc12, the process returns to the step of Sc10, and each process of the steps Sc10 to Sc12 is performed again. After that, each process of the steps Sc10 to Sc12 is performed in a state where an abnormality related to the insertion and withdrawal of medals is not detected, so that the process of the step Sc12 is performed in a state where the error execution flag is not set. Become.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the error execution flag is not set in the step of Sc12, the medal insertion signal processing is performed (Sc13). In the medal insertion signal processing, the medal insertion status is determined based on the transition of the medal insertion signal. Then, when a normal medal insertion is detected, the medal is accepted for the setting of the bet number and the credit, and the medal insertion signal processing is terminated. On the other hand, when an abnormal medal insertion is detected, an error code (E5) is prepared and error processing is performed. After that, the error state is cleared and the error processing is completed, so that the medal insertion signal processing is completed.

After performing the medal insertion signal processing in the step of Sc13, the operation of the various switches is enabled, and the operation of the switched is performed, so that the operation of the switch is accepted. (Sc14).

In the operation input acceptance process, when the medal is not passing based on the transition of the medal insertion signal and the credit set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c is 1 or more, the operation is accepted by the MAXBET switch 6. Activate. Further, when the number of bets set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c is a specified number when the medal is not passing based on the transition of the medal insertion signal, the acceptance of the operation by the start switch 7 is enabled. Further, when the medal is not passing based on the transition of the medal insertion signal, the acceptance of the operation by the settlement switch 10 and the setting key switch 37 is enabled.

Further, in the operation input reception process, when the operation by the start switch 7 is valid and the operation of the start switch 7 is detected, a start flag indicating that the start switch 7 has been operated is set in the predetermined register. After that, the flow path switching solenoid 30 is turned off and the flow path of the medal is switched to the medal payout outlet 9 side. Further, when the operation by the setting key switch 37 is detected while the operation by the setting key switch 37 is enabled, the setting value display process for displaying the set value on the setting value display 24 is performed. Further, when the operation by the settlement switch 10 is detected while the operation by the settlement switch 10 is valid, the settlement process of returning the medals stored in the credit to the player is performed. Further, when the operation by the MAXBET switch 6 is enabled and the operation by the MAXBET switch 6 is detected, the number of medals up to the specified number is set as the bet number within the possible range based on the credit, and the bet number is set. Performs the process of subtracting the set number of medals from the credit. After performing the processing according to the switches for which the operation is detected, the operation input acceptance processing is terminated.

After performing the operation input acceptance process in the step of Sc14, it is determined whether or not a valid operation by the start switch 7 is detected based on the start flag (Sc15). If it is determined that the start flag is not set in the predetermined register and the effective operation by the start switch 7 is not detected, the process proceeds to the Sc16 step and the LED display process for controlling the lighting state of the start effective LED 18 is performed. ..

In the LED display process, the start valid LED 18 is turned on when the operation of switches other than the reset switch 23 is not detected in the state where the operation by the start switch 7 is effectively set by the operation input reception process of the step of Sc14. When the operation of switches other than the reset switch 23 is detected in the state where the operation by the start switch 7 is enabled under the control of (lighting state), and the operation by the start switch 7 is enabled. If not, the start valid LED 18 is controlled to the OFF state (off state), and it is notified whether the operation by the start switch 7 is valid or invalid depending on the lighting state of the start valid LED 18.

In the step of Sc15, when the start flag is set in the predetermined register and it is determined that the effective operation by the start switch 7 is detected, the random number value for the internal lottery is acquired from the random number circuit and the predetermined value of the RAM 41c is determined. Set in the area (Sc17). After that, the medal insertion state data that can specify the set number of bets is set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c (Sc18), the start valid LED 18 is set to the OFF state (off state) (Sc19), and the medal care permission flag is set. It is cleared from the predetermined area of the RAM 41c (Sc20), controlled to clear the display of the number of payouts on the game auxiliary display 12 (Sc21), the game start waiting process is terminated, and the process returns to the main process. After that, in the main process, an internal lottery is performed using the random number value acquired in the step of Sc17, and the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is started according to the detection of the operation of the start switch 7. Then, one game will be started.

As described above, the main control unit 41 is configured to perform medal insertion signal processing and operation input reception processing in the game start waiting process. Then, in the medal insertion signal processing, it is possible to determine whether or not the medal insertion signal indicating normal medal insertion is detected by the insertion medal sensors 31a to 31c. Further, in the operation input reception process, it is possible to determine whether or not a signal indicating the operation status of the switches such as the MAXBET switch 6 is detected.

Further, the main control unit 41 is configured to perform a medal insertion / withdrawal error check process in the game start waiting process, and whether or not an abnormality related to medal insertion / withdrawal has occurred in the medal insertion / withdrawal error check process. When an abnormality has occurred, error processing is executed to control the error state that makes the progress of the game impossible.

Further, as described above, in the initial setting process, after initializing the control state related to the progress of the game, the process shifts to the first process of the main process, that is, the game start waiting process. , The medal insertion signal processing and the operation input reception processing for determining whether or not the signals of various sensors and switches such as the insertion medal sensors 31a to 31c, the payout sensor 34c, and the MAXBET switch 6 for advancing the game are detected first. Before this is done, a medal insertion / withdrawal error check process is executed to determine whether or not an abnormality related to medal insertion / withdrawal has occurred.

Further, the abnormality related to the insertion of medals is that, for example, medals or the like are clogged within the detection range of the insertion medal sensors 31a to 31c arranged in the medal selector 29, so that the medals are inserted from the medal insertion unit 4. When medals (medals, foreign objects, etc.) are detected by the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c outside the permitted period, it is determined that the abnormality has occurred, and the detection range of the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c. It can be solved by physically removing the medals and the like that are stuck inside.

Further, an abnormality related to medal payout is caused by, for example, a medal or the like being clogged within the detection range of the payout sensor 34c, and the medal or the like (medal or foreign matter) is used by the payout sensor 34c outside the period during which the medal payout control is performed. Etc.) is detected, it is determined that the abnormality has occurred, and the problem can be solved by physically removing the medals or the like that are clogged within the detection range of the payout sensor 34c.

Further, in the game start waiting process, after executing the interrupt once wait process and waiting for the timer interrupt process to be executed at least once, the medal insertion / withdrawal error check process is executed to insert medals. It is designed to determine whether or not an abnormality related to payout has occurred.

Further, in the game start waiting process, the medal insertion / withdrawal error check process, the medal insertion signal process, and the operation input acceptance process are executed every time the interrupt one-time wait process is executed and the timer interrupt process is executed once. Then, in the medal insertion / withdrawal error check process, it is determined whether or not an abnormality related to the insertion / withdrawal of the medal has occurred, and in the medal insertion signal processing and the operation input acceptance processing, the insertion medal sensors 31a to 31c, which advance the game. It is designed to determine whether or not signals of various sensors such as the payout sensor 34c and the MAXBET switch 6 and switches are detected.

Further, in the game start waiting process, a medal insertion / withdrawal error check process is executed, and in the medal insertion / withdrawal error check process, it is determined whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the medal insertion / withdrawal, and an abnormality occurs. If so, error processing is executed to control the error state that disables the progress of the game. Then, by canceling the error state, after the medal insertion / withdrawal error check processing is completed, the signals of various sensors and switches that first advance the game are detected by the medal insertion signal processing and the operation input reception processing. Before it is determined whether or not the medal is inserted or withdrawn, the medal insertion / withdrawal error check process is executed again to determine whether or not an abnormality related to the insertion or withdrawal of the medal has occurred.

[About medal insertion signal processing]
Next, the control content of the medal insertion signal processing called from the game start waiting process by the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The medal insertion signal processing is included in the game program, and is a subroutine called in the game start waiting process included in the game program.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the medal insertion signal processing, first, in the above-mentioned medal maintenance permission setting process of the game start waiting process, a medal care permission flag indicating that the medal insertion from the medal insertion unit 4 is permitted is set. It is determined whether or not it is (Sd1). If the medal care permission flag is not set, the medal insertion signal processing is terminated and the process returns to the caller's game start waiting process. On the other hand, when the medal care permission flag is set, the medal insertion signal state transition data set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c is referred to (Sd2). The medal insertion signal state transition data is data that can identify the state transition of the detection signals (hereinafter, may be referred to as medal insertion signals) of the insertion medal sensors 31a to 31c, and is the medal sensor check included in the non-game program. By the processing, it is updated at a predetermined timing based on the input data and the like of the input medal sensors 31a to 31c, and is set in the predetermined area of the non-gaming RAM area of the RAM 41c.

Then, based on the medal insertion signal state transition data referred to in the step of Sd2, whether or not the medal inserted from the medal insertion unit 4 is passing through the detection range of the insertion medal sensors 31a to 31c in the medal selector 29. Is determined (Sd3). When it is determined that the medal is not passing through the detection range of the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c, the flow path switching solenoid 30 is controlled to the ON state (Sd4), and the medal inserted from the medal insertion unit 4 is the medal selector 29. The flow path of medals inserted from the medal insertion unit 4 is provided on the hopper tank side inside the slot machine 1 so as to flow down the medal inflow flow path 29a and the medal receiving flow path 29b and be guided to the hopper tank. Control to switch to. After that, the insertion request LED 17 indicating that the medal can be inserted is controlled from the medal insertion unit 4 to the ON state (Sd5), and the medal insertion signal ignore timer is cleared (Sd6).

Here, when the medal insertion signal ignoring timer is set to the OFF state, at least the output of the control signal for turning the flow path switching solenoid 30 to the OFF state is set, and then the flow path switching solenoid 30 is set. The elapse of the switching time until the 30 is activated and the flow path of the medal inserted from the medal insertion unit 4 is actually switched to the medal payout outlet 9 side is timed, and during the time of the switching time, the medal is processed in a predetermined process. It is a timer for controlling to ignore the input signal. When the output of the control signal of the flow path switching solenoid 30 is set for switching the flow path of the medal in the medal insertion signal ignore timer, at least the output of the control signal of the flow path switching solenoid 30 is set before the actual operation. A predetermined time (504 milliseconds in this embodiment) until the flow path of the medal is switched to is set. After that, the medal insertion signal ignore timer is subtracted and updated by the timer interrupt process (main), and when it becomes 0, it is possible to specify that the switching time has elapsed.

Among the registers provided in the main control unit 41, when it is determined that the medal is passing through the detection range of the insertion medal sensors 31a to 31c in the step of Sd3, and after the medal insertion signal ignore timer is cleared in the step of Sd6. After saving the value of the flag register in which the calculation result is stored by storing it in the game stack area of the game RAM area in a predetermined order (Sd7), the timer interrupt is set to disabled (Sd8), and the non-game program. After performing the medal sensor processing included in (Sd9), the timer interrupt is set to enable (Sd10), and the values of the registers saved in the step of Sd7 are sequentially set from the game stack area in the reverse order of saving. By reading it out and setting it in the flag register, the flag register is restored to the state before the winning information output process is performed (Sd11).

In the medal sensor processing, first, the value of the address indicated by the stack pointer SP used by the calling game program is stored in a predetermined area of the non-game RAM area and saved. After that, the stack pointer SP is set for the non-game program by setting a predetermined address of the non-game stack area (the address stored at the end of the previous non-game program) as the value of the stack pointer SP. Then, the values of all the registers included in the main control unit 41 are stored in the non-game stack area in a predetermined order to save them.

After that, it is determined whether or not the medal insertion signal state transition data is normal. When the medal insertion signal state transition data is normal, the medal passing state reference data (normal passage) indicating that the medal has normally passed the detection range of the insertion medal sensors 31a to 31c or the medal is the insertion medal sensor. The medal passing state reference data (medal detection) indicating that it has started to pass through the detection range of 31a to 31c, and the passing state of medals in the detection range of the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c have changed from the previous judgment. The medal passing state reference data (no change) indicating that the medal has not been passed is set in a predetermined area of the non-gaming RAM area of the RAM 41c. After that, the medal insertion signal state transition data is updated based on the input data of the insertion medal sensors 31a to 31c. On the other hand, when there is an abnormality in the medal insertion signal state transition data, the medal-related error data that can identify the error code (E5) indicating that the abnormality related to the medal insertion signal has been detected is set in a predetermined area of the non-gaming RAM area. Perform processing such as setting. Further, by detecting that the medal has started to pass through the detection range of the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c, it is set to newly start the time counting by the medal passing time timer set in the non-game RAM area. By detecting that the medal has normally passed the detection range of the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c, the time counting by the medal passing time timer is set to end.

Then, the values of the registers saved when the medal sensor processing is started are sequentially read from the non-game stack area, and all the registers are restored to the state when the medal sensor processing is started. After that, by setting the value of the stack pointer SP saved in the predetermined area of the non-gaming RAM area to the stack pointer SP when the medal sensor processing is started, the stack pointer SP is set to the state when the medal sensor processing is started. Is restored to end the medal sensor processing.

After the register is restored in the step of Sd11, the medal-related error data is read into the predetermined register (Sd12) with reference to the predetermined area of the non-gaming RAM area, and whether or not the error code (E5) is set is determined. Judgment (Sd13). Then, when the error code (E5) is set, that is, when the medal-related error data is read into the predetermined register and the error code (E5) is prepared in the predetermined register, error processing is performed. (Sd14), the error state that makes the progress of the game impossible is controlled.

In error processing, in error processing, control is performed in an error state in which the progress of the game is disabled. Further, an error command capable of specifying an error code (E5) prepared in a predetermined register is transmitted to the sub-control unit 91, and the error code (E5) can be referred to a predetermined area of the RAM 41c in other processing. Set as an error flag. Further, the error code (E5) is controlled to be displayed on the game assist display 12. After that, the error state is controlled until it is specified that the error state release condition corresponding to the error code (E5) prepared in the predetermined register is satisfied. When the error code (E5) is prepared in a predetermined register and the state shifts to the error state, the detection state of the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c is the OFF state and the reset / setting switch is set as the condition for canceling the error state. Until it is established that the 38 or the reset switch 23 is turned on, the player waits without controlling the progress of the game. Then, when the release condition is satisfied, an error command (release) to cancel the error state is transmitted to the sub control unit 91, the error processing is terminated, and the medal insertion signal processing is returned.

When it is determined that the error code (E5) is not set as the medal-related error data in the step of Sd13, and after the error processing of the step of Sd14 is completed, the error code (E5) is set in a predetermined area of the non-gaming RAM area of the RAM 41c. With reference to the medal passing state reference data (Sd15), the content of the medal passing state reference data is determined (Sd16, Sd17).

If it is determined in the step of Sd16 that the medal passing state reference data (no change) is set, the medal insertion signal processing is terminated and the game return to the game start waiting processing. On the other hand, if it is determined that the medal passing state reference data (no change) is not set in the step of Sd16, and it is determined that the medal passing state reference data (medal detection) is set in the step of Sd17, it is determined. If it is determined in the step of Sd17 that the medal passing state reference data (normal passing) is set and the medal passing state reference data (medal detection) is not set, the process proceeds to the step of Sd18, and the step of Sd21. Proceed to.

When it is determined that the medal passing state reference data (medal detection ) is set in the step of Sd17, the insertion status determination process is performed (Sd18). In the input status determination process, the credit counter that counts the current number of credits set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c is referred to, and the value of the credit counter is the maximum value of the credit of the slot machine 1 (50 in this embodiment). It is determined whether or not the situation is one less, that is, the next accepted medal is the final medal that can be added to the credit. Then, a final acceptance flag that can specify whether or not the next medal to be accepted is the final medal that can be added to the credit is set in a predetermined register, and the insertion status determination process is terminated.

After the insertion status determination process is performed in the step of Sd18, if it is determined that the next medal to be accepted is the final medal that can be added to the credit based on the final acceptance flag set in the predetermined register. By performing the medal blocker off process (Sd20) and setting the flow path switching solenoid 30 to the OFF state, the flow path of the medal inserted from the medal insertion unit 4 is switched from the hopper tank side to the medal payout outlet 9. Then, the medals inserted into the medal insertion unit 4 after the medals detected by the insertion medal sensor 31c are controlled to be returned from the medal payout outlet 9 via the medal return flow path 29c.

Further, in the medal blocker off processing, after the flow path switching solenoid 30 is set to the OFF state, the detection range of the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c is determined by referring to the medal insertion signal state transition data set in the game RAM area. It is determined whether or not the medal is passing, and if the medal is passing through the detection range, a predetermined value (in this embodiment, a value corresponding to 504 milliseconds) is set in the above-mentioned medal insertion signal ignore timer. Set and start the time counting of the predetermined time by the medal insertion signal ignore timer. As a result, in the sensor monitoring process described later for a predetermined time after the end of the medal blocker off process, an abnormality of the medal insertion signal is determined and sensor error reference data (inserted medal sensor) is set regardless of the state of the medal insertion signal. It is designed so that it will not be done.

After performing the medal blocker off processing in the step of Sd20, the medal insertion signal processing is terminated and the process returns to the game start waiting processing. On the other hand, if it is determined based on the final reception flag that the next medal to be accepted is not the final medal that can be added to the credit, the medal insertion signal processing is terminated without performing the medal blocker off processing, and the game start waiting processing is performed. Return to.

When it is determined that the medal passing state reference data ( medal detection ) is set in the step of Sd17 and the medal passing state reference data (normal passing) is not set, the predetermined area of the port input buffer is referred to. , The confirmed data of the input medal sensor 31b is acquired (Sd21), and it is determined whether or not the confirmed data is in the ON state (Sd22). Then, when it is determined that the confirmed data of the inserted medal sensor 31b is in the ON state, the input data of the inserted medal sensor 31c is acquired by referring to the predetermined area of the port input buffer (Sd23), and the input data is turned OFF. It is determined whether or not it is in a state (Sd24).

When it is determined that the confirmed data of the inserted medal sensor 31b is not in the ON state in the step of Sd19, and the confirmed data of the inserted medal sensor 31b is in the ON state, and the input data of the inserted medal sensor 31b is in the step of Sd20. If it is determined that the state is not OFF, that is, if the medal is passing through the medal receiving flow path 29b or if there is no medal in the medal receiving flow path 29b, the medal insertion signal processing is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined in the step of Sd22 that the confirmed data of the inserted medal sensor 31b is in the ON state, and in the step of Sd24, it is determined that the input data of the inserted medal sensor 31b is in the OFF state, that is, the medal acceptance flow path. When the medal has passed the detection position where the inserted medal sensor 31c can detect the medal in 29b, the medal insertion process is performed (Sd25).

In the medal insertion process, it is determined whether or not a predetermined number of bets is set by referring to the currently set number of bets stored in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c. Then, when the specified number of bets is not set, 1 is added to the current bet number, and when the specified number of bets is already set, 1 is added to the credit counter.

After the medal insertion process is performed in the step of Sd25, the medal care permission setting process is performed (Sd26), and the credit value does not reach the maximum value (50 in this embodiment) based on the credit counter. , A medal care permission flag indicating that the medal insertion from the medal insertion unit 4 is permitted is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c.

If the medal care permission flag is not set after the medal care permission setting process is performed in the step of Sd26, a predetermined value predetermined in the medal insertion signal ignore timer (in this embodiment, 504 milliseconds is supported). After setting the value) and starting the time counting of the predetermined time by the medal insertion signal ignore timer (Sd28), the medal insertion signal processing is terminated. On the other hand, when the medal care permission flag is set, the medal insertion signal processing is terminated without setting the medal insertion signal ignore timer. The medal insertion signal ignore timer is decremented every predetermined time after a predetermined value (value corresponding to 504 milliseconds in this embodiment) is set in the step of Sd28, and the predetermined time (predetermined time) ( In this embodiment, it becomes 0 when 4.1 seconds) has elapsed, and it is possible to determine whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed based on whether or not the medal insertion signal ignore timer is 0. ing.

[Determination of medal insertion signal transition state in medal sensor processing]
As shown in FIG. 8, in determining whether or not the medal insertion signal state transition in the medal sensor processing included in the non-game program is correct, the insertion medal sensors 1 to 3 (insertion medal sensors 31a to 31c) are used to determine whether or not the insertion medal signal state transition is correct. When it is detected that the medal has begun to pass through the detection range of 1 to 3, the insertion medal sensor 1 (insertion medal sensor 31a) is changed from the OFF state to the ON state, and then the insertion medal sensor 2 (insertion medal) A medal when the transition from the OFF state to the ON state of the sensor 31b) and then from the OFF state to the ON state of the insertion medal sensor 3 (insertion medal sensor 31b) is specified based on the medal insertion signal transition state data. The input signal state transition is determined to be correct.

Further, when it is detected by the inserted medal sensors 1 to 3 that the medal has passed the detection range of the inserted medal sensors 1 to 3, the inserted medal sensor 1 is changed from the ON state to the OFF state, and then the inserted medal. When the transition from the ON state to the OFF state of the sensor 2 and then from the ON state to the OFF state of the insertion medal sensor 3 is specified based on the medal insertion signal transition state data, and when the insertion medal sensor 1 is from the ON state. When the transition from the ON state to the OFF state of the inserted medal sensor 3 and then from the ON state to the OFF state of the inserted medal sensor 2 is specified based on the medal insertion signal transition state data. , The medal insertion signal state transition is determined to be correct.

Then, in the medal sensor processing, it is determined that the medal insertion signal transition state data is correct, and it is determined that any of the insertion medal sensors 1 to 3 is in the ON state, so that the medal passing state reference data (detection) is obtained. ) Will be set. That is, when the inserted medal sensor 1 of the inserted medal sensors 1 to 3 first changes from the OFF state to the ON state, it is determined that the medal insertion signal transition state data is correct, so that the medal insertion signal transition state data is correct. And when the inserted medal sensor 1 is turned on, the medal passing state reference data (detection) is set.

Further, the medal passing state reference data (normal passing) is set by determining that the medal insertion signal transition state data is correct and that all of the insertion medal sensors 1 to 3 are in the ON state. It will be. That is, when the inserted medal sensor 2 of the inserted medal sensors 1 to 3 finally changes from the ON state to the OFF state, and when the inserted medal sensor 3 finally changes from the ON state to the OFF state, the medal insertion signal transitions. Since it is determined that the status data is correct, when the medal insertion signal transition status data is determined to be correct and the inserted medal sensors 2 and 3 are in the OFF state, the medal passing status reference data (normal passage) is displayed. It will be set.

In the above-mentioned medal insertion signal processing included in the game program, after it is determined that the medal passage status reference data (normal passage) is set by the steps Sd16 and Sd17, the insertion medal sensors 1 to 3 are determined by the steps Sd21 to Sd24. When it is specified that the input data of the above is changed from the ON state to the OFF state, the process proceeds to the subsequent medal insertion process or the like. That is, when the medal passing state reference data (normal passing) is set by the medal sensor check process, the falling of the inserted medal sensor 2 or 3 from the ON state to the OFF state is detected, so that the normal medal The input is detected.

[Timer interrupt processing]
The control content of the timer interrupt process (main) performed by the main control unit 41 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The timer interrupt process (main) is a subroutine included in the game program.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the timer interrupt processing (main), first, after exchanging all the front registers and the back registers (Se1), the timer interrupt is set to prohibit (Se2), and a power failure occurs. Performs a power failure determination process to determine whether or not it is present (Se3). In the power failure determination process, a state in which the output voltage output from the power supply box for supplying electric power to each electric device included in the slot machine 1 is lower than a predetermined threshold value is set for a predetermined predetermined period. It is determined whether or not the output voltage is continued over the above, and the state in which the output voltage is lower than the predetermined threshold is continued for a predetermined period (in this embodiment, a period in which two consecutive timer interrupts are performed). If it is determined that the power supply to the slot machine 1 is stopped and a power failure has occurred, a power failure flag indicating that effect is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c, and the power failure determination is made. End the process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the state in which the output voltage of the power supply box has dropped below a predetermined threshold value has not continued for a predetermined period (in this embodiment, a period in which two consecutive timer interrupts are performed), the slot machine is used. Since the power supply to 1 is normally continued, the power failure determination process is terminated without setting the power failure flag.

After performing the power failure determination process in the step of Se3, it is determined whether or not the RAM 41c is set in the predetermined area (Se4), and if it is determined that the power failure flag is set, the power failure process is performed. I do.

In the power interruption process, the values of all the registers included in the main control unit 41, the current address of the game stack area indicated by the stack pointer SP, and the contents of the predetermined area of the game RAM area are backed up by the backup power supply. It is saved by storing it in a predetermined area of the area. In the game RAM area backed up by the backup power supply, even if the power supply to the slot machine 1 is stopped, the stored contents of the game RAM area are saved as long as the power is supplied by the backup power supply. ing.

Then, the parallel output ports provided in the main control unit 41 are sequentially initialized in a predetermined order to turn off the output state. Further, the destruction diagnosis data and the parity adjustment data of the RAM 41c are set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c in the predetermined area of the game RAM area backed up by the backup power supply. After that, the access to the RAM 41c is set to be prohibited, and the loop processing is started. In this state, when the output voltage of the power supply box becomes lower than the voltage required for the operation of the main control unit 41, the main control unit 41 is internally stopped.

When the power supply to the slot machine 1 is stopped, the power interruption process is executed, the value of the register before the power interruption is saved, and the backup power is also supplied to the contents of the predetermined area of the game RAM area of the RAM 41c. By holding the power supply to the slot machine 1, it is possible to return to the control state before the power failure in the initial setting process executed when the power supply to the slot machine 1 is restarted.

If it is determined in the Se4 step that the power failure flag is not set, processing for performing various controls according to the progress stage of the game controlled by the main processing (for example, input data of various sensors and switches). Port input processing related to updating, etc., sensor monitoring processing to determine whether there is an abnormality in the transition of the detection signals of the input medal sensors 31a to 31c and the payout sensor 34c, medal passage time timer update processing to update the medal passage time timer , LED dynamic display processing for dynamically lighting a display such as various LEDs connected to an output port (for example, a credit display 11 or the like) is sequentially executed.

In the timer interrupt process, for example, port input process (Se6), sensor monitoring process, medal passage time timer update process, LED dynamic display process, etc. are executed as one of a plurality of processes performed in the timer interrupt process. ..

In the port input process, input data, confirmation data, and input data for each sensor and switch are based on the detection status of various sensors and switches input from the input port when the timer interrupt process (main) is performed. Edge data (ON edge data and OFF edge data) are generated respectively, and each data is set in a predetermined area of a port input buffer provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c. The input data, confirmation data, and edge data of various sensors and switches set in the port input buffer are referred to in various processes such as the operation input reception process performed in the game start wait process of the above-mentioned main process, and the sensors are used. Processing related to the progress of the game will be performed according to the input status of the switches and switches.

The sensor monitoring process is included in the non-game program, and the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c are included in the period in which the above-mentioned medal care permission flag is not set, that is, outside the period in which the medal insertion from the medal insertion unit 4 is permitted. It is determined whether or not a medal or the like has been detected, and when a medal or the like is detected by the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c, the sensor error reference data indicating that an abnormality related to the insertion of the medal has occurred is stored in the non-gaming RAM. Set to a predetermined area of the area. Further, it is determined whether or not the medal or the like is detected by the payout sensor 34c outside the period during which the payout control for paying out the medal is performed according to the winning of the small winning combination by the game end setting process executed by the above-mentioned main process. When the determination is made and a medal or the like is detected by the payout sensor 34c, sensor error reference data indicating that an abnormality related to the payout of the medal has occurred is set in a predetermined area of the non-gaming RAM area.

The sensor error reference data set by the sensor monitoring process is referred to by a predetermined process included in the game program performed in the timer interrupt process after the end of the sensor monitor process, and the sensor error reference data set by the predetermined process. The input error flag and the payout error flag are set in a predetermined area of the game RAM area according to the abnormality identified based on the above. The insertion error flag and the payout error flag are referred to in the above-mentioned medal insertion / withdrawal error check process, and when the insertion error flag and the payout error flag are set, they are controlled to the corresponding error states. Become.

In the medal passing time timer update process, the medal passing time timer is set for a period from the time when it is set to start the time counting by the medal passing time timer by the above-mentioned medal sensor processing until the time when it is set to end the time counting. Each time the update process is executed, the update is performed by adding a predetermined value to the value of the medal passing time timer.

In the LED dynamic display processing, various LEDs and other indicators connected to the output port (credit display 11, game auxiliary display 12, 1 to 3 BETLED 14 to 16, input request LED 17, start effective LED 18, wait LED 19, replaying). A lighting signal for dynamically lighting the lighting state of the LED 20 and the like according to the setting by each process such as the main process is set, and control is performed so as to transmit to indicators such as various LEDs. As a result, indicators such as various LEDs are controlled to a predetermined lighting mode.

In the step of Se4, it is determined that the power interruption flag is not set, and after all the plurality of processes performed in the timer interrupt process are completed, all the front registers and the back registers are exchanged (Se7), and the timer interrupt is interrupted. Is set to allow (Se8), the timer interrupt processing is terminated, and the process returns to the main processing when the timer interrupt processing is started.

In this way, the main control unit 41 acquires the detection status of various sensors and switches such as the input medal sensors 31a to 31c, the payout sensor 34c, and the MAXBET switch 6 connected to the game control board 40 in the timer interruption process. Then, the port input process for updating the input data, the definite data, and the edge data of these various sensors and switches is executed. As a result, the interrupt one-time wait process in the above-mentioned game start wait process is performed, and the input data, confirmation data, and edge data of various sensors and switches are updated each time the timer interrupt process is performed. It has become.

[About action and effect]
In the conventional gaming machine, when the initialization condition is satisfied at the time of startup, after initializing the control state, it shifts to the main process for advancing the game, and a signal for advancing the game in the main process is output. There is a configuration that allows the game to proceed by being detected.

In such a configuration, some errors cannot be fundamentally resolved unless work such as medal jamming is performed, and errors can also occur if the initialization conditions are satisfied at startup with the error occurring. If it is initialized, after the initialization, if a signal for advancing the game is detected and the game progresses, there is a possibility that the game will proceed without eliminating the error.

On the other hand, the slot machine 1 which is the gaming machine of the present embodiment includes a main control unit 41 that controls the game, and the main control unit 41 advances the game by executing the medal insertion signal processing. It is possible to determine whether or not the medal insertion signal indicating normal medal insertion is detected by the insertion medal sensors 31a to 31c as the game progress signal for the game, and by executing the operation input acceptance process. , It is possible to determine whether or not a signal indicating the operation status of switches such as the MAXBET switch 6 is detected as the game progress signal for advancing the game, and the medal insertion / withdrawal error check process is executed. By doing so, it is possible to determine whether or not an abnormality related to the insertion or withdrawal of medals has occurred, and when an abnormality has occurred, execute error processing that controls an error state that makes the progress of the game impossible. Yes, by executing the initial setting process, the process shifts to the setting change process, and when the initialization condition is satisfied by performing the setting change operation, control regarding the progress of the game including the error state stored in the RAM 41c. The configuration is such that the state can be initialized, and the main control unit 41 initializes the control state related to the progress of the game in the initial setting process, and then performs the medal insertion signal processing and the operation input reception process of the game start waiting process. Before it is determined whether or not the game progress signal is detected, the medal insertion / withdrawal error check process is executed to determine whether or not a specific error has occurred.

According to this configuration, the error state is controlled when a specific error occurs, and even if the initialization condition is satisfied without eliminating the cause of the specific error, the control state related to the game is initialized. The error state will also be initialized, but even in such a case, it is determined whether or not the game progress signal is detected first after the control state related to the game is initialized in the initial setting process. Before, by executing the medal insertion / withdrawal error check process, it is determined whether or not a specific error has occurred, and if it is determined that a specific error has occurred, a game progress signal is detected. Before the game progresses, error processing is executed again and the error state is controlled, and the game does not proceed even though the cause of the specific error has not been resolved, and the specific error occurs. The game can be advanced in a state where it is surely resolved.

In this embodiment, the main control unit 41 detects medals and the like by the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c in the medal insertion / withdrawal error check process outside the period in which the insertion of medals from the medal insertion unit 4 is permitted. If a medal is detected or a medal or the like is detected by the payout sensor 34c outside the period during which the medal payout control is performed, it is determined that an abnormality related to the insertion or payout of the medal has occurred, and an error state is established. In the medal insertion / withdrawal error check process, the medal selector 29 is clogged with medals, etc., and the insertion medal sensors 31a to 31c continue to detect the medals, etc. for a predetermined time or longer. Based on this, there is a configuration in which it is determined that an abnormality related to the insertion of medals has occurred, medals or the like are clogged near the medal payout exit 9, and the payout sensor 34c detects the medals or the like for a period of a predetermined time or longer. Is related to the insertion of medals based on the configuration in which it is determined that an abnormality related to the payout of medals has occurred based on the continuation of the above, and the abnormality is detected in the transition of the detection signals of the insertion medal sensors 31a to 31c. It may be configured to determine that an abnormality has occurred, or to determine that an abnormality related to medal payout has occurred based on the detection of an abnormality in the transition of the detection signal of the payout sensor 34c.

In the initial setting process, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment shifts to the setting change process and performs the setting change operation, so that whether or not a specific error has occurred when the initialization condition is satisfied. Regardless of this, the configuration is such that the control state regarding the progress of the game stored in the RAM 41c is initialized.

According to this configuration, most of the errors are resolved by initializing the control state related to the progress of the game. Therefore, when the initialization condition is satisfied, the game is played regardless of whether or not a specific error has occurred. By initializing the control state related to the progress of the above, the control related to the initialization can be simplified.

The main control unit 41 of this embodiment initializes the control state related to the progress of the game in the initial setting process, and then first performs the game progress signal by the medal insertion signal process and the operation input reception process executed in the game start waiting process. Is configured to execute a medal insertion / withdrawal error check process to determine whether or not a specific error has occurred before it is determined whether or not is detected. In the medal insertion / withdrawal error check process, a specific error is determined. As a result, it is possible to determine whether or not an abnormality related to medal payout has occurred, and if an abnormality has occurred, it is possible to execute error processing that controls an error state that makes the progress of the game impossible. The error related to the payout of medals can be resolved by physically removing the medals and the like that are clogged within the detection range of the payout sensor 34c.

According to this configuration, when an abnormality related to the payout of medals occurs as a specific error, the cause of the specific error is physically removed by physically removing the medals and the like that are clogged within the detection range of the payout sensor 34c. After initializing the control state related to the progress of the game in the initial setting process, the medal insertion / withdrawal error check process is executed before it is first determined whether or not the game progress signal is detected. Since it is determined whether or not a specific error has occurred, the game does not proceed even though the cause of the specific error has not been physically resolved, and the error is definitely resolved. The game can be advanced.

The main control unit 41 of this embodiment has a main process that gradually shifts according to a change in the detection state of various switches, and a predetermined time interval (about 0.56 milliseconds in this embodiment). It is possible to execute a timer interrupt process for processing, and in the timer interrupt process, execute a port input process for acquiring the detection status of the input medal sensors 31a to 31c and the payout sensor 34c connected to the game control board 40. Then, in the game start waiting process included in the main process, the interrupt once wait process is executed, the timer interrupt process is waited to be executed at least once, and then the medal insertion / withdrawal error check process is executed. , It is a configuration to determine whether or not a specific error has occurred.

According to this configuration, after the latest detection status of the input medal sensors 31a to 31c and the payout sensor 34c is acquired by the port input process of the timer interrupt process performed by executing the interrupt once wait process, the medal insertion / withdrawal is performed. By executing the error check process, it is possible to determine whether or not a specific error has occurred in the latest state.

The main control unit 41 of this embodiment can execute the main process and the timer interrupt process, and in the timer interrupt process, the input medal sensors 31a to 31c, the payout sensor 34c, and the MAXBET connected to the game control board 40. A port input process for acquiring the detection status of switches such as the switch 6 is executed, and in the game start wait process included in the main process, one interrupt wait process is executed and one timer interrupt process is executed. Each time, the medal insertion / withdrawal error check process, the medal insertion / withdrawal signal process, and the operation input acceptance process are executed, and it is determined whether or not an abnormality related to the medal insertion / withdrawal has occurred in the medal insertion / withdrawal error check process. It is configured to determine whether or not a game progress signal is detected in the medal insertion signal processing and the insertion operation input reception processing.

According to this configuration, the timer interrupt processing is executed and the detection status of the switches such as the input medal sensors 31a to 31c, the payout sensor 34c, and the MAXBET switch 6 is acquired by the port input processing and updated to the latest state. It is possible to determine whether or not a specific error has occurred and whether or not a game progress signal has been detected.

The main control unit 41 of the present embodiment can determine whether or not a game progress signal for advancing the game is detected in the medal insertion signal processing and the operation input reception processing, and the medal insertion / withdrawal error. By executing the check process, it is determined whether or not an abnormality related to the insertion or withdrawal of medals has occurred, and if an abnormality has occurred, an error process for controlling the error state that makes the progress of the game impossible is executed. It is a configuration that can be performed, and after the error state by the disabling means is cleared, before it is determined whether or not the game progress signal is first detected by the medal insertion signal processing and the operation input reception processing. The medal insertion / withdrawal error check process is executed to determine whether or not a specific error has occurred.

According to this configuration, the error state is controlled when a specific error occurs, and if the error state is canceled without eliminating the cause of the specific error, the game can proceed even if the specific error is not resolved. However, even in such a case, after the error state is cleared and before it is first determined whether or not the game progress signal is detected, the medal insertion / withdrawal error check process is executed and a specific error is executed. If it is determined that a specific error has occurred, the game progress signal is detected and the error state is controlled again before the game progresses. The game does not proceed even though the cause of the error has not been resolved, and the game can be played in a state where the error is definitely resolved.

In the conventional gaming machine, a game program area in which a game program related to the progress of the game is stored and a non-game program area in which a non-game program not related to the progress of the game are stored are separately assigned to the ROM. There is a composition. In such a configuration, the non-game program detects fraudulent passage of medals, but the game program determines only the passage of inserted medals, so that the non-game program does not operate normally. In that case, there is a risk that the passage of the medal will be determined even if the fraud is committed.

On the other hand, the slot machine 1 which is the gaming machine of the present embodiment has a ROM 41b having a storage area capable of storing a program, and a main control unit 41 which controls based on the program stored in the ROM 41b. The storage area of the ROM 41b is a game program area in which a game program related to the progress of the game is stored, and a non-game program area in which a non-game program not related to the progress of the game is stored, which is a program called by the game program. As the first condition in the game program, the confirmation data of the input medal sensor 31b or 31c is in the ON state, and the input data is in the OFF state, that is, the input data has changed from the ON state to the OFF state. When the fact is established, the first detection process (medal insertion signal processing) for detecting the passage of the medal, which is the game medium, is performed, and the second condition in the non-game program is based on the detection state of the insertion medal sensors 31a to 31c. The passage of the medal, which is a game medium, is detected when it is established that the medal insertion signal state transition data specified by the above is normal and the confirmation data of the insertion medal sensor 31b or 31c has changed from the ON state to the OFF state. The second detection process (medal sensor check process) is performed, and in the game program, when the passage of the game medium is detected in both the first detection process and the second detection process, the game medium to be added to the bet number and the credit is passed. It is a configuration to determine that it has been done.

In such a configuration, a game program area in which a game program related to the progress of the game is stored, a non-game program area in which a non-game program that is a program called by the game program and is not related to the progress of the game is stored, and a non-game program area. In the configuration in which is separately assigned, the first detection process for detecting the passage of the game medium when the first condition is satisfied in the game program, and the detection of the passage of the game medium when the second condition is satisfied in the game program. Since the passage of the game medium is determined when the passage of the game medium is detected in both of the second detection processes, the passage of the game medium can be appropriately determined without increasing the capacity of the game program.

In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, as the first condition, it is established that the confirmed data of the inserted medal sensor 31b or 31c is in the ON state and the input data is in the OFF state, so that the medal that is the game medium can be used. The first detection process (medal insertion signal processing) for detecting passage is performed, and as the second condition, the medal insertion signal state transition data specified based on the detection states of the insertion medal sensors 31a to 31c is normal and insertion. A second detection process (medal sensor check process) for detecting the passage of a medal, which is a game medium, is performed by establishing that the confirmed data of the medal sensor 31b or 31c has changed from the ON state to the OFF state. The two conditions are configured to be satisfied based on the state transition of the medal insertion signal containing more information than the first condition. With such a configuration, it is possible to eliminate fraud related to the passage of the game medium without increasing the capacity of the game program.

In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, in the medal sensor check process, which is a non-gaming program, the medal insertion signal state transition data specified based on the detection states of the insertion medal sensors 31a to 31c is normal as the second condition. In addition, the second detection process (medal sensor check process) for detecting the passage of the medal, which is the game medium, is performed by establishing that the confirmed data of the inserted medal sensor 31b or 31c has changed from the ON state to the OFF state. There is a configuration in which a medal-related error reference data (E5) is set by determining an abnormality when the passage of the game medium is not normally detected by the second detection process. With such a configuration, fraud related to the passage of the game medium can be detected without increasing the capacity of the game program.

In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, as the first condition, it is established that the confirmed data of the inserted medal sensor 31b or 31c is in the ON state and the input data is in the OFF state, so that the medal that is the game medium can be used. The first detection process (medal insertion signal processing) for detecting passage is performed, and as the second condition, the medal insertion signal state transition data specified based on the detection states of the insertion medal sensors 31a to 31c is normal and insertion. A second detection process (medal sensor check process) for detecting the passage of a medal, which is a game medium, is performed by establishing that the confirmed data of the medal sensor 31b or 31c has changed from the ON state to the OFF state. In the 1st detection process and the 2nd detection process, the passage of the game medium is detected by using the common input medal sensors 31a to 31c. In such a configuration, since the passage of the game medium is detected in both the game program and the non-game program by targeting a common sensor, it is possible to appropriately determine the passage of the game medium without increasing the capacity of the game program. can.

The slot machine 1 of the present embodiment can acquire the detection state of the insertion medal sensors 31a to 31c by the timer interrupt processing (main) that executes the periodic processing at regular intervals, and as the first condition, the insertion medal sensor 31b Alternatively, when it is established that the confirmed data of 31c is in the ON state and the input data is in the OFF state, the first detection process (medal insertion signal process) for detecting the passage of the medal, which is the game medium, is performed, and the first is performed. As two conditions, the medal insertion signal state transition data specified based on the detection state of the insertion medal sensors 31a to 31c is normal, and the confirmation data of the insertion medal sensor 31b or 31c has changed from the ON state to the OFF state. The second detection process (medal sensor check process) for detecting the passage of the medal, which is the game medium, is performed when is satisfied. In the first detection process and the second detection process, the same timer interrupt process (main) is used. The configuration is such that the passage of the game medium is detected by using the detection states of the input medal sensors 31a to 31c acquired in the above steps. In such a configuration, the passage of the game medium is detected in both the game program and the non-game program by using the detection states of the input medal sensors 31a to 31c acquired by the same timer interrupt process (main). It is possible to appropriately determine the passage of the game medium without increasing the capacity.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the present invention and is included in the present invention even if there are changes or additions within the range not deviating from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a slot machine in which a bet number is set by using medals and credits as a game value has been described, but a slot in which a bet number is set by using a game ball as a game value has been described. It may be applied to machines or fully credited slot machines that set the number of bets using only credits as a gaming value. When the game ball is used as the game value, for example, one medal can be associated with five game balls, and when the bet number is set to 3 in the above embodiment, 15 game balls are used. Corresponds to setting the number of bets using.

Further, the value is not limited to one using only one of a plurality of types of game values such as medals and game balls, and for example, a plurality of types of game values such as medals and game balls can be used together. It may be. That is, it is possible to set the number of bets and play a game by using any of a plurality of types of game values such as medals and game balls, and a plurality of types of games such as medals and game balls are generated depending on the occurrence of a prize. You may apply a slot machine that can pay out any value.

Further, in the above-mentioned Examples and Modifications, an example in which the present invention is applied to the slot machine 1 which is an example of a gaming machine has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. This is an example, and can be applied to a pachinko gaming machine or the like that plays a game by launching a gaming ball into the gaming area.

1 Slot machine 2L, 2C, 2R reel 6 MAXBET switch 7 Start switch 8L, 8C, 8R Stop switch 41 Main control unit 91 Sub control unit

Claims (1)

In a gaming machine that plays games
A storage means having a storage area that can store a program,
A control means that controls based on a program stored in the storage means,
A slot where game media can be inserted, and
A charging detection means that outputs a detection signal when the gaming medium loaded in the slot is passing through, and
Withdrawal means that can pay out game media,
A payout detection means that outputs a detection signal when the game medium paid out from the payout means is passing through, and a payout detection means.
Equipped with
The control means is
A detection determination means for determining whether or not a game progress signal for advancing a game has been detected, and
An input determination means for determining the input of the game medium, and
An input abnormality flag setting means that determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred based on the detection signal output from the input detection means and sets an input abnormality flag when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred.
A payout abnormality flag setting means that determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred based on the detection signal output from the payout detection means and sets a payout abnormality flag when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred.
An abnormality determining means for determining whether or not the input abnormality flag is set and whether or not the payout abnormality flag is set , and
A disabling state control means for controlling the progress of the game to a disabling state when it is determined by the abnormality determining means that at least one of the input abnormality flag and the payout abnormality flag is set .
When the initialization condition is satisfied, the initialization means for initializing the control state regarding the progress of the game including the disabled state, and the initialization means.
Including
The abnormality determination means is
After the control state regarding the progress of the game is initialized by the initialization means, and before it is determined whether or not the game progress signal is first detected by the detection determination means, the input abnormality flag is set. It is determined whether or not the payout abnormality flag is set, and whether or not the payout abnormality flag is set .
Whether or not the input abnormality flag is set and the payout abnormality flag after the disabling state is released and before the detection determination means first determines whether or not the game progress signal is detected. Judges whether or not is set,
The storage area of the storage means is
The first program area where the first program is stored and
A second program area in which the second program called by the first program is stored, and
Including
In the first program, the first detection process for detecting the passage of the game medium is performed based on the detection signal output from the input detection means.
In the second program, a second detection process for detecting the passage of the game medium is performed based on the detection signal output from the input detection means.
The input determination means determines whether or not the passage of the gaming medium is detected by the second detection process in the first program, and when it is determined that the passage of the gaming medium is detected by the second detection process, the input determination means determines. A gaming machine that performs the first detection process and determines that the gaming medium is loaded when the passage of the gaming medium is detected by the first detection process .

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