JP7134275B2 - game machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine for playing games.

The game machine includes a slot machine in which a predetermined number of bets is set and a plurality of types of identification information are variably displayed on the basis of a start operation, and a game area in which a game medium such as a game ball is ejected by a shooting device. There is a pachinko game machine that variably displays a plurality of types of identification information when a game medium wins in a starting area such as a prize winning opening provided in the game area.

Conventionally, as an example of this type of game machine, there is a game machine that displays an error on a liquid crystal display when an error occurs (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-194093 A

According to the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, the error display is not sufficient, and there is room for further improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been devised in view of such circumstances, and its object is to provide a gaming machine capable of further improving error display.

(A) In a gaming machine capable of playing games,
a game control means for controlling the progress of a game;
Production control means for controlling execution of production;
A game control side error display means controlled by the game control means and capable of executing an error display corresponding to the error when an error occurs;
Controlled by the production control means, and when an error occurs, a production control side error display means capable of executing an error display corresponding to the error,
The production control side error display means is
displaying a specific image when a first type of error occurs and displaying a first portion of the specific image in a specific manner;
displaying the specific image when a second type of error occurs and displaying a second portion of the specific image in the specific mode;
The game control means is
error state control means capable of controlling an error state in which the progress of the game is disabled when an error occurs;
Specific display processing means for performing processing for displaying an error in the game control side error display means in the error state;
a canceling operation receiving means capable of receiving a canceling operation for canceling the error state in the error state;
a return means for returning to the state before the power supply is stopped when the power supply is started;
delay means for executing delay processing for delaying the start of acceptance of the cancellation operation ;
An error command transmission means for transmitting an error command that can specify that an error has occurred in the effect control means when an error occurs ,
In order to display an error in the game control side error display means by the specific display processing means when the power supply is stopped in the error state and the error state is restored when the power supply is started. After the processing of 1 is resumed, the delay processing is executed, and it is determined whether or not the release operation is performed after execution of the delay processing.
(1) In a gaming machine (for example, a slot machine 1) that performs a game,
Error display means (for example, , a liquid crystal display 51),
The error display means can use an image (for example, the housing image 63) representing at least a part of the gaming machine to display an error that can identify a location to be operated to cancel the error that has occurred. (For example, as shown in FIG. 17(b), the door key image 63b operated to cancel the hopper error is displayed in a different color. As shown in FIG. 18(b), the selector error is canceled. The color of the reset switch image 63d to be operated for this purpose is changed and displayed).

According to such a configuration, since an image representing at least a part of the gaming machine is used, it is possible to accurately indicate the location where the error has been resolved.

(2) In a gaming machine (for example, slot machine 1) that performs a game,
Error display means (for example, , a liquid crystal display 51),
The error display means can execute an error display capable of specifying an error occurrence location using an image (eg, housing image 63) representing at least a part of the gaming machine (eg, FIG. 17(a)). ), the color of the hopper image 63a indicating the location where the hopper error has occurred is changed, and the color of the selector image 63c indicating the location of the selector error is changed, as shown in FIG. do).

According to such a configuration, since an image representing at least part of the gaming machine is used, it is possible to accurately indicate the error occurrence location.

(3) In the game machine of (1) or (2) above,
The image representing at least part of the gaming machine is a photographed image (for example, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the housing image 63 is a photographed image of the slot machine 1).

According to such a configuration, since the image representing at least part of the gaming machine is a photographed image, the error display for the error is easy to understand.

(4) In any of the gaming machines (1) to (3) above,
When a plurality of errors occur, the error display means can collectively execute error display corresponding to the plurality of errors (as shown in the modified example, a plurality of errors such as hopper errors and selector errors can be displayed). (When an error occurs, the error message is displayed all at once).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to collectively execute error display corresponding to a plurality of errors, so that a plurality of errors can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner.

(5) In any of the gaming machines (1) to (3) above,
When a plurality of errors occur, the error display means can execute error display corresponding to the errors in order from the error that occurred earlier among the plurality of errors (as shown in the modification, When multiple errors such as a hopper error or a selector error occur, the errors are displayed in order from the error that occurred earlier).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to display errors corresponding to the errors in order from the error that occurred first among the plurality of errors, so that the plurality of errors can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner.

(6) In any of the gaming machines (1) to (3) above,
When a plurality of errors occur, the error display means can execute error display corresponding to the errors in order from the error that occurred later among the plurality of errors (as shown in the modified example, the hopper When multiple errors such as an error or a selector error occur, the errors are displayed in order from the error that occurred later).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to execute the error display corresponding to the error in order from the error that occurred later among the plurality of errors, so that the plurality of errors can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner.

(7) In any of the gaming machines (1) to (3) above,
When a plurality of errors occur, the error display means can execute error display corresponding to the errors in order of priority based on a predetermined criterion among the plurality of errors (modification example As shown, when a plurality of errors such as a hopper error and a selector error occur, errors are displayed in order from the highest priority error based on FIG. 15).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to execute the error display corresponding to the error in order from the error with the highest priority based on the predetermined criteria among the plurality of errors, so that the plurality of errors are displayed in an easy-to-understand manner. be able to.

1 is a front view of a slot machine of an embodiment to which the present invention is applied; FIG. It is a figure which shows the pattern arrangement|sequence of a reel. It is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the slot machine. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a slot machine; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining types of small wins, symbol combinations of small wins, and technical matters related to small wins; FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the types of replaying hands, symbol combinations of replaying hands, and technical matters related to replaying hands; FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a symbol combination of transitional numbers and technical matters related to the transitional numbers. It is a figure for demonstrating the transition of a game state. It is a figure which shows the outline|summary of a game state. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a combination of lottery-targeted hands read out as a lottery-targeted hand for each game state; FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a combination of lottery-targeted hands read out as a lottery-targeted hand for each game state; FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a combination of winnings allowed by a lottery target winning combination. It is a diagram for explaining the reel control when a plurality of replay combinations are won. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining reel control when a plurality of bells are won; It is a figure which shows the alerting|reporting aspect by error alerting|reporting. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an error display screen; FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a modification of the error display screen; FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a modification of the error display screen; It is a figure for demonstrating an explanatory effect screen. It is a figure for demonstrating an explanatory effect screen. It is a figure for demonstrating a promotion display screen. 4 is a flow chart showing the control contents of start-up processing (main) executed by a main control unit at start-up. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing control contents of game processing executed by a main control unit after setting change processing; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing details of control of error notification processing executed by a main control unit; 5 is a flow chart showing the control contents of timer interrupt processing (main) executed by a main control unit at regular intervals; 5 is a flow chart showing the control contents of timer interrupt processing (main) executed by a main control unit at regular intervals; 7 is a flow chart showing the control contents of power-off processing executed by the main control unit after setting change processing; 5 is a flow chart showing control details of timer interrupt processing (sub) executed by a sub control unit at regular intervals; FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the state of each display and each operation when power failure occurs during an error state and the power failure is restored; FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the slot machine and promotion display screen of a modification.

A mode for carrying out the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described below based on an embodiment. In the following embodiments, an example in which the present invention is applied to a slot machine will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the overall structure of a slot machine 1 according to this embodiment. The slot machine 1 includes a housing 1a with an open front surface, and a front door 1b rotatably pivoted on a side end of the housing 1a. A liquid crystal display 51 is provided in the upper center of the front door 1b. The liquid crystal display 51 has a display area 51a, and a transmission area 51b corresponding to the see-through window 3 is transmissive. As a result, a predetermined effect can be executed in the display area 51a, and the transmission area 51b of the display area 51a transmits the reels 2L and 2C arranged side by side inside the housing 1a through the see-through window 3. , 2R (hereinafter also referred to as left reel, middle reel, and right reel) become visible. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the pattern arrangement of each reel. The reels 2L to 2R have a plurality of identifiable symbols arranged in a predetermined order. Note that the number of reels is not limited to three, and may be one or two or more. Also, although the variable display section is configured by a physical reel, it may be configured by an image display device such as a liquid crystal display.

A medal insertion part 4 into which medals can be inserted is provided at the lower right of the liquid crystal display 51, and a medal payout port 9 through which medals are paid out and speakers 53 and 54 are provided at the lower part of the front door 1b.

Also, on the front door 1b, as an example of operation means, a prescribed number of bets determined according to the gaming state is set within the range of the credits stored as the game value (the number of medals) owned by the player. MAXBET switch 6 operated when playing, settlement switch 10 operated when credits and the set number of bets are settled and returned, start switch 7 operated when starting the game, reels 2L to 2R There are provided stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R that are operated when each rotation is stopped, and a production switch 56 for use in production.

The front door 1b is provided with a game display unit 13 for notifying information about a game, as an example of notification means. The game display unit 13 includes a credit display 11 that displays the number of medals stored as credits, a game auxiliary display 12 that displays the number of medals to be paid out, an error code in the event of an error, and a set bet. 1 BET LED 14, 2 BET LED 15, and 3 BET LED 16 for notifying the number, insertion request LED 17 for notifying that medals can be inserted, start effective LED 18 for notifying that the game can be started by operating the start switch 7, start switch After the operation of 7, a waiting LED 19 for notifying that it is in a waiting state (waiting for the start of rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R because a certain period of time has not passed since the start of the previous game), after winning a replay A replaying LED 20 is provided for notifying that the replay game is in progress.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the slot machine 1. As shown in FIG. On the inside of the front door 1b, there are reset switches 23 for detecting a reset operation for canceling an error state and a stop state (a state in which the progress of the game is restricted until a reset operation is performed), a reset switch 23 for changing set values, a A set value display 24 for displaying the set value at that time during confirmation of the set value, a stop switch 36a for selecting valid/invalid of the stop function for controlling the stop state, and stored as credits. An automatic checkout switch 36b for selecting enable/disable of an automatic checkout function that automatically settles (returns) medals without the player's operation, and the flow path of the medals inserted from the medal inserting section 4 are provided in the housing. A channel switching solenoid 30 for selectively switching to either the hopper tank 34a side provided inside 1a or the medal payout port 9 side, and the medals thrown from the medal insertion part 4 and flowing down to the hopper tank 34a side. A medal selector 29 having an inserted medal sensor 31 for detection and a door open detection switch 25 (see FIG. 4) for detecting the open state of the front door 1b are provided.

The inserted medal sensor 31 includes a plurality of sensors (for example, three) capable of detecting medals, and the plurality of sensors can detect inserted medals in a predetermined order (in order from the sensor on the upstream side). is configured to The main control unit 41, when the detection result by these sensors becomes the detection result when the medals inserted from the medal insertion unit 4 are detected in a predetermined order (also called proper detection result), It is determined that the inserted medal sensor 31 detects the inserted medal or detects the passing of the inserted medal. Conversely, the main control section 41 determines an error when the medals inserted from the medal insertion section 4 are not detected in the predetermined order.

Further, inside the housing 1a, there are a reel unit 2, an external output board 1000 for outputting an external output signal, a hopper tank 34a for storing medals inserted from the medal inserting section 4, and medals stored in the hopper tank 34a. A hopper unit 34 consisting of a hopper motor 34b for dispensing medals from the medal dispensing port 9, a dispensing sensor 34c for detecting the medals dispensed by driving the hopper motor 34b, and a power supply box 100 are provided (see FIG. 4). .

At the side of the hopper unit 34, an overflow tank 35 is provided in which medals overflowing from the hopper tank 34a are stored. Inside the overflow tank 35, there is provided a full tank sensor 35a (see FIG. 4) consisting of a pair of electrically conductive members spaced apart from each other to the left and right, provided at a height at which a predetermined amount of stored tokens can be detected. When the electrically conductive member contacts with the medals stored in the overflow tank 35 and conducts electricity, the amount of medals stored inside becomes a predetermined amount or more, that is, the overflow tank is full. is detected.

On the front of the power supply box 100, there is a setting key switch 37 for switching to the setting change state or the setting confirmation state. A reset/setting switch 38 functioning as a setting switch for changing the set value of the winning probability (ball payout rate) of the internal lottery, and a power switch 39 operated when the power is turned on/off are provided.

The stop switch 36a, the automatic settlement switch 36b, the setting key switch 37, the reset/setting switch 38, and the power switch 39 inside the housing 1a cannot be operated unless the front door 1b is opened by key operation. Therefore, those switches inside the housing 1a can be operated only by the staff of the game hall, and cannot be operated by the players.

When playing a game on the slot machine 1, first, a prescribed number of bets (eg, 3) is set by inserting medals into the medal inserting portion 4 or operating the MAXBET switch 6 or the like. As a result, the winning line LN becomes valid, the operation of the start switch 7 becomes valid, and the game can be started. If medals are inserted with the number of bets already set, the amount will be added to the credits.

A winning line is a line for judging whether a combination of symbols displayed in the see-through windows 3 of the reels 2L to 2R is a combination of winning symbols. In this embodiment, an example in which only one pay line LN is provided will be described, but a plurality of pay lines may be provided. Also, invalid lines LM1 to LM4 are provided to make it easier to recognize that the combination of symbols constituting a prize has been aligned on the prize line LN. The invalid lines LM1 to LM4 are not the lines on which winning is determined, but when a specific combination of winning symbols (so-called breakout) is aligned on the winning line LN, a predetermined symbol is placed on any of the invalid lines LM1 to LM4. Aligning the combination (for example, Bell-Bell-Bell) makes it easy to recognize that the winning line LN has a combination of symbols constituting a specific winning.

When the start switch 7 is operated in a state where the game can be started, the reels 2L to 2R are rotated to display symbols, and when the stop switches 8L to 8R are operated, the rotation of the corresponding reel is stopped. , three patterns are derived and displayed on the upper, middle and lower stages of the transparent window 3 as display results. When the combination of winning symbols stops on the winning line LN and a winning occurs, a predetermined number of medals are given to the player according to the winning, and the credits are added or the credits reach the upper limit (50). If so, the medals are paid out from the medal payout port 9.例文帳に追加

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a functional configuration example of the slot machine 1. As shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 4, a game control board 40 that controls the progress of the game and outputs various commands according to the progress of the game, an effect control board 90 that controls a predetermined effect according to the command, and a drive power supply for the electric parts and an external output board 1000 for outputting a signal according to the progress of the game to the outside.

The game control board 40 advances the game based on detection signals from switches such as various operation means and detection means (illustrated on the left side of the game control board 40 in FIG. 4), and notifying means (game control in FIG. 4). (illustrated on the left side of the substrate 40) and other display devices are driven and controlled. Also, the game control board 40 drives and controls the reel motors 32L to 32R based on the signals from the reel sensors 33L to 33R.

The game control board 40 is equipped with a circuit configuration such as a main control unit 41 (illustrated in the game control board 40 in FIG. 4). The main control unit 41 performs processing related to the progress of the game, and directly or indirectly controls components mounted on or connected to the game control board 40 . The main control unit 41 is a 1-chip microcomputer and includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, I/O port, and the like.

The production control board 90 is connected to the production switch 56, and drives and controls a production device such as the liquid crystal display 51 (illustrated on the left side of the production control board 90 in FIG. 4). The effect control board 90 is equipped with a circuit configuration such as a sub-control section 91 (illustrated in the effect control board 90 in FIG. 4). The sub-control unit 91 receives a command transmitted from the game control board 40 and performs processing for effecting, and directly or indirectly controls the configuration mounted on or connected to the effect control board 90 . The sub-controller 91 is a one-chip microcomputer and includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, I/O port, and the like. The circuit configuration of sub-controller 91 includes, for example, a clock device 97 (hereinafter also referred to as RTC) for measuring at least one of the date and time. The sub-control unit 91 can execute production control according to at least one of the date and time measured by the RTC 97, the detection signal from the production switch 56, and the like. The power supply board 101 is connected to the hopper motor 34b, various operating means, detection means (illustrated on the right side of the power supply board 101 in FIG. 4), and the like.

5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining types of winning combinations, symbol combinations for winning combinations, and technical matters related to winning combinations. The name column shows the name of the winning combination, and the symbol combination column shows the combination of symbols that will win the winning combination. In addition, in the combination column of symbols aligned on the invalid line, a combination of symbols which stop on the invalid line when the winning symbol combination stops on the winning line and which is easy for the player to recognize is indicated. there is The column of the number of payouts shows the value (medal payout, replay award) given at the time of winning. BB1 and BB2 are winning combinations accompanied by a transition to an advantageous state of bonus. The column of payout numbers of BB1 and BB2 indicates conditions for terminating the bonus that is transferred by winning a prize. Each bonus ends when a predetermined number of medals or more are paid out. For example, the bonus controlled by winning/winning BB1 ends in a game in which the number of medals paid out during the bonus reaches 351 or more.

In addition, the game state column in FIG. 6 shows the game state to be shifted to when winning a prize. Also, "/" indicates "or". For example, in the fall replay of FIG. 6, the combination of symbols is "Bell-Replay-Bell", and when a prize is won, it is controlled to RT1, and the given value is replay. Further, when the falling replay symbol combination stops on the winning line, "replay/plum-replay-replay/plum" stops on the invalid line. Further, when the special replay symbol combination stops on the winning line, "black BAR/white BAR-black BAR/white BAR-black BAR/white BAR" stops on the invalid line. "Black BAR/White BAR-Black BAR/White BAR-Black BAR/White BAR" can be stopped on the invalid line only when the special replay is won, and when the special replay is not won, It is a symbol combination that does not stop even on the line of

Further, a replay combination (replay) is a combination that gives a replay. Here, replay means that the next game can be played without using the game value (for example, credits) owned by the player. In other words, replay means that the variable display section can perform variable display without using the game value owned by the player. In this embodiment, when a replay combination is won, a prize is won regardless of the operation procedure (at least one of the operation order and operation timing) of the derivation operation means. As a modification, the replay combination may be a combination that does not win a prize (that is, a combination that may be lost) depending on the operation procedure of the derivation operation means even if the winning combination is won.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the symbol combination of the transition roll and technical matters related to the transition roll. As for the transition numbers, left bells 1 to 4, middle bells 1 to 4, and right bells 1 to 4 shown in FIG. This is a result that is aligned with the winning line LN when the winning upper bell is missed. During RT0, 2, 3, when the transition roll stops on the winning line LN, the transition to RT1 is made.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the transition of the game state controlled by the main control section 41, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an outline of the game state. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the replay is won with a predetermined winning probability (see the numerical values in the replay combination column in the upper diagram of FIG. 9) RT0 to RT4, and the winning probability of the small combination is between RT0 and RT4. The player is controlled to one of the game states (shown along the arrow in FIG. 8) from when the start condition is met until when the end condition is met. Refer to the winning combination or outcome, and the start condition/end condition column in the upper diagram of FIG. 9).

When either BB1 or BB2 is won, it is controlled to RT4. The winning flag set when either BB1 or BB2 wins is carried over until the winning BB wins. Also, RT4 is continuously controlled from BB win to occurrence of BB win. During RT4, the probability of winning the replay is lower than during RT0 and RT2, and is the same probability as during RT1 and RT3 (see the numerical values in the replay hand column in the upper diagram of FIG. 9). It should be noted that the replay probability in RT4 is set to a probability that the payout rate does not exceed 1 even if the prize can be won without missing a winning small combination. In other words, the replay probability in RT4 is that the total number of medals paid out when winning a prize without missing any small wins won during RT4 is the number of medals or credits used to set the bet amount during RT4. It is set to the probability that the total number of medals will not be exceeded and the number of medals will not increase. If a BB win occurs during RT4, the bonus is controlled by paying out the number of medals equal to or more than the number of medals described in FIG. The types of replays to be internally selected are determined for each type of RT (round marks in the lower drawing of FIG. 9 indicate replays to be selected).

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are diagrams showing the combination of the lottery winning combination read out as the lottery winning combination (hereinafter also referred to as winning combination) for each gaming state. The lottery target role column indicates the name of the lottery target role, and the game state column indicates that the lottery target role is the lottery target for each type of RT with a circle. The number of judgment values involved is shown. For example, Bell is a lottery winning combination of 360/65536 in any of the states RT0 to RT3. During RT4, there is no bonus lottery. For weak watermelons, an internal lottery will be conducted with the number of judgment values shown in parentheses.

As shown in FIG. 11, the special replay is determined to be a lottery target combination only when RT2 is controlled. Further, in the bonus, for example, the middle bell is set as a lottery target combination, and is determined to be won with an extremely high probability (64000/65536). Also, the middle bell is a combination that can generate a prize regardless of the operation timing. Therefore, during the bonus, regardless of the operation timing and operation procedure, it is possible to generate the middle bell winning prize with an extremely high probability, and the number of medals can be efficiently increased. Therefore, the bonus is in an advantageous state for the player.

12A and 12B are diagrams for explaining the combinations of winnings allowed by the lottery target winnings. For example, a weak cherry is a lower cherry. Weak watermelons include downward-sloping watermelons, upper-tier watermelons, and middle-tier watermelons. Therefore, when the weak watermelon is won in the internal lottery, it means that the right-sloping watermelon, the upper watermelon, and the middle watermelon are won.

Bonus 1 to Bonus 12 of the lottery target combinations are combinations that can be won by simultaneously reading predetermined winning combinations such as BB1 or BB2 and low cherry or bell. Also, as shown in FIG. 10, bonuses 1 to 12 have different numbers of determination values. For this reason, bonuses 6, 12, and the like include the degree of advantage for the player, which is the rate at which BB1 or BB2 is actually simultaneously won when the simultaneous winning combination is won (hereinafter also referred to as the degree of reliability). The number of determination values is determined so that the middle cherry, which is the highest, is the highest, followed by the strong cherry, the strong watermelon, the weak cherry, and the weak watermelon, and the bell (hereinafter also referred to as the middle bell) is the lowest.

13 and 14 are diagrams for explaining reel control when a plurality of winning combinations are won simultaneously. For each winning lottery object combination, reel control is performed to stop the symbol combination of the winning combination shown in the right symbol combination to be stopped on the winning line LN when the stopping operation is performed in the pressing order shown in the pressing order column. For example, when replay GR1 is won, if the pressing order is left-center-right, promotion replay 1 is derived, and if the pressing order is other than left-center-right, normal replay is derived. Further, for example, when the left bell is won, if the pressing order is the left first stop, the right falling bell is derived, and if the pressing order is other than the left first stop, the upper bell or the transition result is derived.

Further, when a simultaneous winning combination is won, different reel control can be performed than when the simultaneous winning combination is not won. For example, when a weak watermelon is won, the reel control is performed such that the lower watermelon or the upper watermelon is preferentially drawn onto the winning line over the middle watermelon. Reel control is performed such that the middle stage watermelon is preferentially drawn onto the winning line over both the watermelon and the upper stage watermelon. In addition, when weak cherries or strong cherries are won, reel control is performed to pull the lower cherries onto the pay line, and when middle cherries are won, reel control is carried out to pull the middle cherries onto the pay line. . As a result, it is possible to estimate whether it is a cherry or a watermelon, whether it is weak or strong, or whether it is a middle stage cherry or not, based on the combination of symbols when the reels 2L to 2R are stopped. can let

A "game" in the slot machine 1, in a narrow sense, means the period from when the start switch 7 is operated to when the reels 2L to 2R are stopped. , payout of medals and transition of the game state are also performed after the reels 2L to 2R are stopped.

Further, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the payout rate of medals changes according to the set value. More specifically, the payout rate of medals is changed by determining the winning probability used in an internal lottery, which will be described later, according to the set value. The fact that the winning probability changes according to the set value is called "set difference", and the fact that the winning probability does not change according to the set value is called "no set difference". The set value consists of 6 stages from 1 to 6, with 6 being the highest payout rate, and 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 decreasing the value in order, lowering the payout rate. That is, when 6 is set as the set value, the degree of advantage for the player is the highest, and as the value decreases in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1, the degree of advantage decreases stepwise. However, among multiple types of lottery target combinations, the section in which the degree of advantage for the player is high (high probability state of AT lottery called CZ, state of net increase number such as AT described later, etc.) There is no set difference in the lottery target combination that is the target of the advantageous zone activation lottery that determines whether or not to move. On the other hand, among the plurality of types of lottery-targeted hands, the lottery-targeted hands that are not subject to the advantageous zone activation lottery may have different settings. In order to change the setting values, the administrator operates an operation unit (not shown) provided inside the slot machine 1 to shift to a setting change state in which the setting values can be changed. Also, in order to confirm the setting values, the administrator should perform a predetermined operation to shift to a setting confirmation state in which the setting values can be confirmed.

In addition, the probability of winning the internal lottery is changed according to the setting of the set value, the probability of winning the advantageous zone operation lottery is changed according to the setting of the set value, and the winning probability of the internal lottery is changed according to the setting of the set value. Either of changing the probability and changing the winning probability of the advantageous section operation lottery may be performed.

[Game processing]
The main control unit 41 performs game control processing to control one game. In the game control process, first, BET processing for setting the number of bets, credit settlement, and settlement of the number of bets is performed.

After setting the number of bets, when the start switch 7 is operated, a random number is extracted from a predetermined random number circuit, and based on the extracted random number, it is determined whether or not to allow the occurrence of a prize (internal lottery). internal lottery processing (see FIGS. 10 to 12, etc.) is performed. The random number circuit updates numerical values within a predetermined numerical range (0 to 65535) according to predetermined update rules. The main control unit 41 extracts the numerical value updated by the random number circuit when the start switch 7 is operated as a random number. When a winning combination is won in the internal lottery, the winning flag of the winning combination included in the lottery combination is set in a predetermined area of the RAM. For example, when BB1 is won, a BB1 winning flag is set, and when a strong cherry is won, a lower cherry winning flag and a one-card winning flag are set. The winning flags of BB1 and BB2 are carried over until the winning BB is won, while the winning flags corresponding to the winning combinations other than BB1 and BB2 are set when the winning game ends regardless of whether or not a winning occurs. erased to

When the internal lottery process ends, the reel rotation process is performed. In the reel rotation process, on condition that a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) has elapsed since the start of reel rotation in the previous game, the reels 2L to 2R are started to rotate, and then the stop switches 8L to 8R are activated. The rotation of the reel is stopped according to the stop operation (see FIGS. 13, 14, etc.). In the reel rotation process, when a predetermined freeze condition is satisfied, a freeze effect is executed to delay the progress of the game for a predetermined period (delay the activation of the stop operation of each of the stop switches 8L to 8R). After executing the freeze effect processing, the stop switches 8L to 8R are activated to shift to the normal game.

When the reel rotation process ends with the reels 2L-2R stopped, a winning determination process (see FIGS. 5 to 7, etc.) is performed to determine whether or not a winning has occurred based on the combination of symbols on the winning line. . In addition, the state shown in FIG. 8 is controlled according to the symbol combination on the winning line.

After the winning determination process is completed, the payout process is performed. In the payout process, medals are paid out or credits are added according to the occurrence of winning, and various processes unrelated to winning (for example, processing related to bonus end control by counting the number of medals paid out during a bonus, winning without carrying over) Elimination of flags (eligible flags for small wins, replay wins, etc.) is performed. Also, when it is determined that either BB1 or BB2 has won, the winning flag of the BB that has won is erased. In the game end processing, processing for setting the game state in preparation for the next game (see FIGS. 8, 9, etc.) is executed. As a result, the game control processing for one game ends, and the game control processing for the next one game starts.

[Processing related to AT]
The main control unit 41 can control AT (assist time) in addition to advantageous states such as bonus and RT2. The main control unit 41 executes an AT lottery to determine whether or not to control to AT. In addition, the main control unit 41 can specify the operation procedure (push order) for controlling to AT when it is determined to control to AT in the AT lottery, and to stop the symbol combination advantageous to the player on the winning line LN. A process for executing a navigation effect is executed.

During non-AT, the main control unit 41 wins a specific lottery target combination (Bell, Weak Watermelon, Strong Watermelon, Weak Cherry, Strong Cherry, Middle Cherry, BB1, BB2 shown in FIG. 12 in this embodiment). If so, AT lottery processing is performed to determine whether or not to control to AT. The AT lottery process may be executed, for example, after the internal lottery is performed in the internal lottery process, and may be executed at a predetermined timing during the progress of one game. Note that the specific lottery target combination will be BB1, BB2, and a simultaneous winning combination in the internal lottery, but it is not limited to this, and may include a part of the simultaneous winning combination. It may include a winning combination that cannot be won simultaneously with BB2.

In the AT lottery process, it is determined whether or not to control to AT, and when it is determined to control to AT, the number of AT games is determined from a plurality of types of game numbers (50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300). . The number of AT games is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM of the main control section 41 . Also, the main control unit 41 draws lots for the timing to start AT. The main control unit 41, for example, determines to start the AT (timing to start the AT) after 0 to 32 games have passed since the AT winning game by lottery of random numbers.

The degree of advantage for the player, the reliability determined to control to the AT in the AT lottery, and the expected value of the number of AT games determined when controlling to the AT (average number of games to be won) are determined by the specific lottery target. For example, middle cherry is the highest, followed by strong cherry, strong watermelon, weak cherry, and weak watermelon, and the AT lottery is performed so that the bell is the lowest. done. In addition, the reliability determined to control to AT in the AT lottery and the expected value of the number of AT games determined when controlling to AT are the same even when the same specific lottery target role is won. , when the specific lottery target role is simultaneously won with BB1 or BB2 (for example, when BB1 + strong cherry is won) than when BB1 or BB2 is not simultaneously won (for example, when strong cherry is won) An AT lottery is held so that the .

When the simultaneous winning combination is won in the internal lottery and the AT lottery is performed, the sub-control part 91 performs a process for executing a winning suggestion performance suggesting whether or not the BB win and the AT win are made at a predetermined timing. . As the win suggestion effect, for example, an effect of displaying a predetermined image on the liquid crystal display 51 is provided. The effect of displaying a predetermined image includes, for example, a character A effect, a character B effect, a button effect, a repeated hit effect, and the like. The effect of displaying such a predetermined image is performed together with control for outputting a predetermined sound effect from the speakers 53 and 54 and control for lighting the effect LED 52, the reel LED 55, and the like. Any one of the controls may be performed alone, or two or more of them may be combined (for example, a predetermined image and sound are performed, and the LED lighting is not performed, etc.). .

The character A effect is an effect for displaying the character A. The character B effect is a effect in which the character B is displayed. The button effect is a effect in which a button image is displayed to prompt the operation of the effect switch 56, and a predetermined image indicating the reliability of the BB win or AT win is displayed according to the operation of the effect switch 56. . The continuous hit effect is a BB winning by prompting the continuous hitting operation on the effect switch 56, increasing a predetermined meter image according to the repeated hitting operation on the effect switch 56 within a predetermined operation period, and reaching MAX. Alternatively, it is a production that suggests that the AT has been won. It should be noted that the button effects and repeated hitting effects may be executed using other operation means such as the MAXBET switch 6 instead of the effect switch 56 .

The sub-control unit 91 performs a winning suggesting effect at a different rate depending on whether the BB win and AT win are made, whether only one of the BB win or AT win is made, or whether neither the BB win nor the AT win is made. and execution of winning suggestion performance lottery processing for determining which type of winning suggestion performance is to be executed.

In the winning suggestion performance lottery processing, it is determined that the winning suggestion performance is always executed at least when the BB win or AT win is made, and even when neither the BB win nor the AT win is made, the winning suggestion performance is executed at a predetermined ratio. decide. The predetermined percentage is set to a higher percentage, for example, when the reliability of winning the BB is high and the winning is a minor winning combination. As a result, the win suggesting effect is executed not only when the BB win or AT win is made, but also when neither the BB win nor the AT win is made.

In the lottery processing for winning suggestion performance, when it is decided to execute the winning suggestion performance, the type of winning suggestion performance is determined at a different ratio depending on whether at least BB winning or AT winning is won or neither is won. Concretely, the degree of advantage for the player, which is the degree of reliability of winning the BB or AT when executed, is in the order of continuous hit effect, button effect, and character B effect, and character A effect is the lowest. The ratio is determined so that the type of winning suggestion effect is determined. Incidentally, the effect to be executed is not limited to the determination of one winning suggestion effect, and a plurality of winning suggestion effects may be determined.

The sub-control unit 91 uses an internal winning command and an AT lottery time command, which will be described later, to specify that a specific lottery target role has been won, that AT has been won, that AT has been won or not, the number of AT games, and the AT start timing. . The predetermined timing for executing the win suggesting effect is the game before the AT start timing determined by lottery for AT start timing (lottery for starting AT after 0 to 32 games have passed since the AT winning game). For example, if the AT start timing is determined to be after 0 games, the winning suggestion effect is executed in the game (AT winning is notified in the AT winning game). If the AT start timing is determined to be after the lapse of 32 games, the premonitory performance (performance to encourage AT win) is executed during the 31 games, and the win suggesting performance is executed in the 32nd game to inform AT win.

Here, even when the sub-control part 91 specifies that the AT has not been won by the AT lottery command, the sub-control part 91 executes the win-suggestion performance (the performance for notifying that the AT has not been won) as a fake performance. For example, the sub-control unit 91 can determine that a specific lottery target role is won by an internal winning command, and that AT lottery is not won by an AT lottery command. Not determined in part 41 . In such a case, the sub-control unit 91 performs a lottery for the number of games in which the false win suggestion effect is executed from games 0 to 32, and determines the number of games for the false win suggestion effect.

The main control unit 41 sets an AT flag and controls to AT when AT start timing comes when AT is won without winning BB. On the other hand, the main control unit 41 sets the AT flag when the BB wins and the bonus ends when the BB wins and the AT wins, and controls to AT from the next game after the bonus ends. Here, for example, if the AT start timing is determined to be 10 games, the AT may be controlled at the timing when 10 games become 0 games, or when 0 games are reached. It may be controlled at the timing of the next game.

The AT flag is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM of the main control unit 41 and cleared when the number of AT games reaches zero. The main control unit 41 identifies whether or not AT is in progress based on the AT flag. During AT, as a result of the execution of a navigation effect as will be described later, it becomes possible to control to RT2. The subtraction of the number of AT games after the start of AT starts, for example, from the next game in which the special replay is won at RT0 (the subtraction start opportunity is established). The same is true for AT started after the BB ends. As a result, the main control unit 41 can control AT+RT2 over the determined number of AT games.

During AT, when a special lottery target combination (in this embodiment, special replay) is won, the main control unit 41 performs an extra lottery to determine whether or not to add the number of AT games. The additional lottery may be executed, for example, after the internal lottery is performed in the internal lottery process, as long as it is executed at a predetermined timing during the progress of one game.

In the addition lottery, it is decided whether or not to add the number of AT games, and when it is decided to add, the number of AT games is added from multiple types of game numbers (50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300). Decide on the number of games. The determined number of additional games is added to the number of AT games stored in a predetermined area of the RAM of the main control section 41 . Thereby, the main control unit 41 adds the number of games to be controlled to the AT.

The sub-control part 91 performs a process for executing, at a predetermined timing, an additional suggestion performance suggesting whether or not an additional lottery is won when an additional lottery is performed. Any effect such as displaying a predetermined image on the liquid crystal display 51 may be used as the additional suggestion effect.

[About various commands]
The main control unit 41 transmits to the sub-control unit 91 a command capable of specifying the progress of the game and the processing result according to the execution of the processes exemplified above. The sub-controller 91 performs various processes based on commands from the main controller 41 .

In this embodiment, the main control unit 41 sends to the sub control unit 91 an internal winning command, a pressing order command, a stop switch and start switch operation command, a game state command, an AT lottery command, an AT during AT game, and an AT game. Send multiple types of commands, including number commands, demo commands, error start commands, error release commands, etc.

The internal winning command is a command capable of specifying the group to which the lottery target combination won according to the result of the internal lottery belongs. The internal winning command is transmitted when the start switch 7 is operated and the game is started. By receiving the internal winning command, the sub-control section 91 can specify the operation of the start switch 7 and the group to which the winning lottery combination belongs.

The pushing order command is a command capable of specifying an operation procedure (also called a correct answer procedure) for stopping a symbol combination that is advantageous to the player according to the lottery target combination won in the internal lottery. The push order command is transmitted when the start switch 7 is operated and the game is started. During AT, a push order command capable of specifying the correct procedure is transmitted, while during non-AT, a push order command capable of specifying the correct procedure is not transmitted. Therefore, the sub-control unit 91 can specify the correct procedure by receiving the pressing order command during AT, but cannot specify the correct procedure during non-AT.

A stop switch or start switch operation command is a command indicating that the stop switch or start switch has been operated, and is transmitted at each operation. The game state command is transmitted when the game state is changed. Specifically, it is transmitted when RT shifts or is controlled to a bonus.

The AT lottery time command is transmitted when the AT lottery is held, and indicates whether or not the AT lottery was won, how many AT games were won, and what game the AT start timing is (AT winning). It is a command that can specify the number of the game from the starting point).

The command during AT is a command that is transmitted when a game is started and can specify whether or not the game is a game during AT. For example, if the AT flag is not set and AT is not started even if the number of AT games is given, a command capable of specifying a non-AT is transmitted, and the number of AT games is given and the AT flag is set. When set and the AT is initiated, AT specific commands are sent.

The AT game number command is a command capable of specifying the number of AT games managed by the main control unit 41, and is transmitted when the game starts. For example, when the number of AT games is 0, a command capable of identifying 0 is transmitted, and when the number of AT games is 100, a command capable of identifying 100 is transmitted.

A demo command is a command that can specify that control has been performed in a demo state. When the sub-controller 91 receives a demo command from the main controller 41, the sub-controller 91 controls the game to a demo state and executes a demonstration effect if the number of bets is not set.

The error start command is a command that indicates the start of error processing and the type of error, and is sent when error processing is started. The error cancellation command is a command that indicates the end of error processing. Sent when the state is cleared.

When the sub-control part 91 determines that the winning suggestion performance is to be executed and the type thereof by the winning suggestion performance lottery, after executing the winning suggestion performance corresponding to the result of the BB lottery/AT lottery at the start of the next game, The results of the BB lottery and AT lottery are reported.

As a result of the BB lottery and the AT lottery, when neither of them has been won, an effect is executed to display a message such as "Sorry!" is displayed on the liquid crystal display 51, and when the AT is won, a message such as "AT confirmed!" and a message such as "100 games won!" The effect displayed on 51 is executed, and when both BB and AT are won, the number of AT games won can be specified such as "AT over 100 games after BB!" along with the message "BB/AT confirmed!" A message is displayed on the liquid crystal display 51. Incidentally, when the BB win is won in the BB win game, the sub-control unit 91 does not execute the win suggesting effect for notifying the BB win.

In addition, based on the AT game number command, the sub control unit 91 calculates not only the number of AT games, but also the number of AT games won by AT winning or additional winning by calculating the difference from the number of AT games received last time. Identify and execute an additional suggestion production.

In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the sub-control unit 91 controls the predetermined notification means to execute the background image effect, the navigation effect, the winning suggestion effect, and the additional suggestion effect according to the state. However, in place of or in addition to the control of these sub-controllers 91, a notification connected to the main control unit 41 is provided for effects using a background image according to the state, a navigation effect, a winning suggestion effect, an additional suggestion effect, and the like. The means may be executed under the control of the main control section 41 . For example, the effect of the background image corresponding to the state may be executed by displaying information corresponding to the state using the game auxiliary display 12 shown in FIG. Further, the navigation effect may be executed by lighting only the LED corresponding to the stop switch to be stopped using the left/middle/right stop effective LEDs 22L to 22R shown in FIG. The left/middle/right stop effective LEDs 22L to 22R are provided inside the stop switches 8L, 8C and 8R, and the stop operation of the reel by the corresponding stop switches 8L, 8C and 8R is normally effective. It is an LED that notifies the effect by lighting. In addition, regarding the winning suggestion effect and the additional suggestion effect, information corresponding to the lottery result is displayed using the game auxiliary display 12 shown in FIG. A number may be displayed.

[Game flow]
Here, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 again, the flow of the game will be summarized. First, the flow of the game in RT0 to RT3 other than RT4 and bonus will be described. In RT0-3, depending on whether AT is in progress or not, the game flow will be as described below. First, the flow of the game during non-AT will be described.

After the setting change state is completed, it is controlled to RT3. Since it becomes non-AT by being controlled to the setting change state, it is not controlled by AT in RT3, and the navigation effect is not executed. In this way, since no navigation effect is executed in RT3, if any of the bells such as the left bell 1 to 4 is won in RT3, the transition result may vary depending on the timing of the second stop and the third stop. is derived (see FIG. 14). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of the inconvenience that the transition roll is not derived forever and is not shifted to RT1.

In RT1, it shifts to RT0 by winning a promotion replay. In order to win the promotion replay, as shown in FIG. 13, it is necessary to win one of the replays GR1 to GR6 and perform a stop operation in the operation procedure for winning the promotion replay.

Moreover, even when controlled to RT0, it is set so that it is difficult to maintain the control to the RT0. That is, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, in RT0, there is a possibility of winning replay GR11 to GR13, and in this case, the drop replay wins with a probability of 2/3 and falls to RT1.

Furthermore, when any one of the bells such as the left bell 1 to 4 is won at RT0, the reels other than the predetermined reel (reel for winning the right falling bell or the middle bell shown in FIG. 14) are first stopped. Occasionally, depending on the timing of the second and third stops, a transition roll is derived and falls to RT1. Also, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, at RT0, there is a possibility of winning the replay GR21 to GR23. When the first stop is made, there is a possibility that a special replay will be won and controlled to RT2. However, even under the control of RT2, when one of the bells such as the left bell 1 to 4 is won, the reels other than the predetermined reel (reel for winning the right falling bell or the middle bell shown in FIG. 14) are displayed. When the first stop is made, depending on the timing of the second stop and the third stop, the transition result is derived and the player falls to RT1. As a result, most of the game during non-AT is completed in RT1.

Next, the flow of the game during AT will be described. In RT1, when one of the replays GR1-GR6 is won, a navigation effect for specifying the operation procedure for winning the promotion replay can be executed. Therefore, by performing the stop operation according to the navigation effect, it is possible to shift to RT0 by winning the promotion replay. At RT0, when one of the replays GR11 to GR13 is won, a navigation effect for specifying the operation procedure for winning the normal replay can be executed. Therefore, by performing the stop operation according to the navigation effect, it is possible to maintain RT0 by winning the normal replay prize. Also, in RT0, when one of the left bells 1 to 4, middle bells 1 to 4, and right bells 1 to 4 is won, to specify the operation procedure for winning the falling right bell or the middle bell. navigation effect is executed. Therefore, by performing the stop operation according to the navigation presentation, it is possible to avoid the derivation of the transition result and maintain RT0. Furthermore, at RT0, when one of the replays GR21 to GR23 is won, a navigation effect for specifying an operation procedure for winning a special replay can be executed. Therefore, by performing a stop operation according to the navigation effect, it is possible to shift to RT2 by winning a special replay prize.

In RT2, when one of left bells 1 to 4, middle bells 1 to 4, and right bells 1 to 4 is won, the navigation for specifying the operation procedure for winning the right falling bell or the middle bell A performance is performed. Therefore, by performing the stop operation according to the navigation effect, it is possible to avoid derivation of the transition result and maintain RT2.

Thus, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, during the AT, the navigation effect is executed so as to be controlled by the RT2 and to maintain the RT2. Most of the game will be completed in RT2. Note that AT ends when the number of AT games reaches zero. The number of AT games can be controlled to RT2+AT (in the present embodiment, the state in which AT is controlled at RT2, which is advantageous for the player, is particularly referred to as an assist replay time (hereinafter referred to as ART)). The count starts from the game next to the game that has become possible, that is, the game following the game in which any one of the replays GR21 to GR23 has been won at RT0 and the special replay can be won. As a result, the AT ends when the ART has played the number of AT games. ART ends when AT ends.

After the ART ends, the navigation effect is no longer executed, but the control to RT2 is maintained until the transition result is derived. However, during RT2 after the end of ART, since AT is not in progress, reels other than the predetermined reels (reels for winning the falling bell or middle bell shown in FIG. 14) are first stopped. be. As a result, during RT2 after the end of ART, the transition roll is stopped at an extremely early stage after the end of ART, thereby shifting to RT1.

Next, the flow of the game after winning BB1 or BB2 will be described. Regardless of which RT is controlled, when winning BB1 or BB2, as shown in FIG. 8, it is controlled to RT4. In the next game after the end of the BB winning game, the winning suggesting performance is executed to inform the player that the BB has been won, so that the player can know that BB1 or BB2 has been won. When a BB prize is generated, the game is shifted to a corresponding bonus, and when a predetermined final number of sheets is paid out, the game ends and shifts to RT3. Here, when BB wins simultaneously with another lottery object combination, the reels are controlled so that the lottery object combination other than BB wins preferentially. Therefore, when the probability of winning a small combination or a replay combination in RT4 is high, the BB prize is unlikely to occur, and the transition to the bonus is difficult. Therefore, in RT4, the probability of winning a replay role is set to be lower than in RT0 or RT2 (see FIG. 9). Furthermore, in RT0 to RT4, the probability of winning a minor combination that is a lottery target combination other than a replay combination is set to remain the same. Therefore, in RT4, it is set so that it is easy to win the BB alone, and it is difficult for the game to be unable to shift to the bonus for a long time.

[About errors]
When an error is detected during the progress of the game, the main control unit 41 stores a predetermined error code (E1 to E8, see FIG. 15) corresponding to the type of error in a predetermined area of the RAM of the main control unit 41. , and when a predetermined error display condition is satisfied (in this embodiment, when an error is detected during reel rotation control, all reels are stopped, and during reel rotation control If an error is detected at a time other than the error detection time, the error display data including the error code set in the RAM of the main control unit 41 is transferred to the output buffer of the auxiliary game display device 12. set to

15A and 15B are diagrams showing notification modes by error notification. As shown in FIG. 15, when setting the error display data, the main control unit 41 turns on each segment of the game auxiliary display 12 so as to display the alphabetic characters and numbers of the error code, and turns on the other segments. is turned off in the output buffer, the game auxiliary display 12 is controlled to display an error code capable of identifying the type of error detected. Then, when a predetermined error cancellation condition (see FIG. 15) is satisfied, the output buffer is initialized and the display of the error code on the game auxiliary display 12 is terminated. In the error display data, by lighting the segment corresponding to the character "E" on the left side of the auxiliary game display 12, the character "E" is displayed, and the segment on the right side of the auxiliary game display 12 indicates an error. While lighting the segment corresponding to the number of the code, other segments of the game auxiliary display 12 are turned off. As a result, when the error code is displayed on the game auxiliary display 12, the lighting mode is changed so that the game auxiliary display 12 displays the letter "E" which is not displayed in the navigation notification or the payout number display. Therefore, the lighting mode when notifying the error code is different from the lighting mode for navigation notification and the lighting mode for notification of the number of paid out medals, and the error code is notified by the game auxiliary display 12. It is designed so that there is no misunderstanding as to whether the number of medals to be dispensed is being notified, or whether the navigation notification and the number of medals to be paid out are being notified.

Also, as shown in FIG. 15, eight types of errors may be detected. The eight types of errors are payout error 1, payout error 2, payout error 3, full tank error, throwing error 1, throwing error 2, throwing error 3, and RAM abnormality error. A payout error 1 indicates that the medals in the hopper are empty (also called a hopper error). A payout error 2 indicates that the medals are in a staying state at the medal payout port. A payout error 3 indicates that a foreign object has been thrown into the medal payout opening. A full error indicates that the overflow tank is full. Throw-in error 1 indicates that medals are in a stagnant state within the medal selector. Throw-in error 2 indicates that a foreign object remains in the medal selector (also referred to as a selector error). Throw-in error 3 indicates that a foreign object is in a state of retention between the medal slot and the hopper. A RAM abnormal error indicates that a program error has occurred in the main controller.

Note that other errors may be detected. For example, an error may be detected when medals are paid out (the medals are paid out from the hopper tank 34a to the medal payout opening 9) at timing different from the regular timing. Here, the regular timing is the timing at which the payout process is executed. Such an error is an error that can occur when a fraudulent player tries to illegally take out medals from the medal payout port in some way, and occurs when there is a possibility that a fraudulent act has been carried out. Also, an error may be detected when a medal passes through the medal selector 29 at a timing different from the normal timing (when a medal enters the hopper tank 34a from the medal insertion section 4). Here, the regular timing means a state in which there is an empty credit (for example, the number of credited medals is less than 50) or a state in which the bet number has not reached the maximum value (for example, the number of bets is 3). less than one sheet) and the reel is not rotating. Normally, when medals are inserted from the medal inserting section 4 at a timing different from the normal timing, the flow path on the side of the medal payout port 9 is selected by the flow path switching solenoid 30 as the medal flow path. Therefore, the medals are paid out from the medal payout port 9 without entering the hopper tank 34a. In other words, when medals flow down from the medal insertion unit 4 toward the hopper tank 34a at a timing different from the normal timing and an insertion error occurs, there is a possibility that the fraudulent person has committed some kind of fraudulent act. be.

Then, for each type of error, the error code ("E1" to "E8") displayed on the game auxiliary display 12, the conditions for canceling the error notification ("door key operation", "reset operation", "setting change operation") , and error priority ("high", "medium", and "low") are defined. The error priority differs depending on the content of the error. For example, an error that causes medals to be stuck, such as when medals are stuck, has a low priority, and an error that prevents the game from progressing, such as an empty medal in the hopper, has a medium priority. (For example, a fraudulent device enters the medal selector to make it think that a coin has been inserted even though no coin has actually been inserted.) actions.) are given higher priority. The priority of error notification may be set or changed by the manufacturer of the game machine, or by the staff or manager of the game arcade. Also, the priority may have only one level, or may be set in multiple levels.

For example, payout error 1 is an error with a "medium" priority. When it is detected that the medals in the hopper are empty, the game auxiliary display 12 displays an error code "E1". Information about payout error 1 is transmitted from the main control section 41 to the sub-control section 91 . When receiving the information regarding payout error 1, the sub-control section 91 performs control to display the information regarding payout error 1 in the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51. FIG. The error display indicating the information about the error displayed on the display area 51a of the game auxiliary display 12 and the liquid crystal display 51 is erased by operating the door key.

Similar processing is performed for other errors. For example, input error 2 is a "high" priority error. When it is detected that a foreign object remains in the medal selector, an error code "E6" is displayed on the auxiliary game display 12.例文帳に追加Also, the information on the input error 2 is transmitted from the main control section 41 to the sub-control section 91 . When receiving the information about the input error 2, the sub-controller 91 performs control to display the information about the input error 2 on the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51. FIG. The error display indicating the information about the error displayed on the display area 51a of the game auxiliary display 12 and the liquid crystal display 51 is erased by operating the reset/setting switch 38. FIG.

[Error handling]
In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when an error such as that described above occurs, the main control section 41 detects the occurrence of the error through timer interrupt processing. When detecting an error, the main control section 41 sets an error code in a register within the RAM 41c. When the error code is set, the main control unit 41 executes start waiting error processing. In the waiting-for-start error process, an error process that disables the progress of the game is executed.

Specifically, the main control unit 41 displays an error code on the game auxiliary display 12 in the error processing. Further, the main control section 41 transmits an error start command to the sub-control section 91 in error processing. Upon receiving the error start command, the sub-controller 91 displays an image indicating that an error has occurred on the screen of the liquid crystal display 51 and outputs an error notification sound from the speakers 53 and 54 . Thus, when the error process is executed, an error code is displayed on the auxiliary game display 12, so that the number of payouts and the information that can identify the stop order of the reels by the navigation notification are not displayed, and the game progresses. becomes impossible. Further, when error processing is executed, an image indicating that an error has occurred is displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display 51, and an error notification sound is output from the speakers 53 and 54. It is not displayed, and the progress of the game becomes impossible. Furthermore, when an error is detected, the path switching solenoid is turned off. Therefore, even if medals are inserted, the medals are guided to the medal payout port 9 side, making it impossible to proceed with the game. Further, when an error is detected, even if the start switch 7 or the stop switch is operated, the processing based on the operation is not performed until the error is canceled, so the reel rotates or stops. It is impossible to proceed with the game.

The error cancellation condition is established by operating the reset/setting switch 38 (also referred to as reset operation) or by operating the reset switch 23 . The error may be canceled by twisting the setting key switch 37 to turn it on. The main control unit 41 clears the display of the error code on the game auxiliary display 12 when receiving the reset operation. In addition, the main control section 41 transmits to the sub-control section 91 an error cancellation command indicating that the error processing is to be terminated. When the sub-controller 91 receives the error cancellation command, it clears the display of the error image on the liquid crystal display 51 and stops outputting the error notification sound from the speakers 53 and 54 . Further, when the error canceling condition is satisfied, the main control unit 41 switches the channel switching solenoid from off to on, thereby guiding the medals to the hopper tank 34a side. Further, when the error cancellation condition is established, the main control unit 41 executes processing based on the operation of the start switch 7 or the stop switch. In this way, when the error is canceled, the game can be progressed.

[Error display screen]
FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an error display screen. As shown in FIG. 16, when an error occurs in the slot machine 1, an error is displayed in the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51. FIG. In FIG. 16, a case will be described in which payout error 1 indicates that the medals in the hopper are empty.

As shown in FIG. 16, when a middle bell win occurs and there are no medals to be paid out during the payout of eight medals (payout error 1), the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51 is displayed. A call image 61a is displayed above and below the call image 61a with the words "Please call the person in charge". Also, on the left and right sides of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51, a hopper error image 62a indicating that there is a hopper error is displayed with characters "E1 hopper error". An error display is performed using a character that appears in the performance during actual execution of the game.

When an error occurs, the player has to call the staff of the game parlor and have the error cleared. To call an attendant, a call button set on a data display capable of displaying data such as the number of bonuses and the number of games installed on the top of the slot machine can be pressed. When an error occurs, an error display prompting the player to operate a call button is executed using a character appearing in the presentation. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, a character image 60 using a character appearing in the effect of a call button installed in a data display image 64 displayed above a housing image 63 showing the slot machine 1 is displayed. Shows the action of pressing .

In this way, the error display prompting the player to operate the call button is executed using the character image 60 appearing in the presentation, thereby improving the player's interest and the actions that the player should perform. can be shown. In particular, by using the character image 60 that appears in the production, it is possible to improve the interest over a monotonous error screen such as only characters.

Note that the character image 60 may be a mascot character unique to the manufacturer instead of a character used for presentation. Also, a player or a game clerk may be allowed to select a character when an error occurs from a plurality of characters. Also, if a function is provided that allows the player to set a favorite character, an error display may be performed using the set character.

In addition, the housing image 63 when the error is displayed may be an image showing the actual housing of the slot machine 1 (for example, a photograph of the housing), or another imitation of a slot machine that can be identified as a slot machine. It may be an image. In addition, the layout of the data display, slot machine, and the medal space displayed between them can be changed from among multiple images so that it corresponds to the actual layout of the game hall. good too.

[Modified example of error display screen]
17 and 18 are diagrams for explaining modifications of the error display screen. FIG. 17 shows a case where payout error 1 indicates that the medals in the hopper are empty. Also, FIG. 18 shows a case where the insertion error 2 indicates that foreign objects are in a staying state in the medal selector.

As shown in FIG. 17(a), when payout error 1 occurs, a calling image 61a is displayed above and below the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51 with the words "Please call the attendant." Also, a hopper error image 62a indicating that a hopper error has occurred is displayed on the left and right sides of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51 with the characters "E1 hopper error". Also, in the center of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51, a housing image 63, which is a photographed image of the housing of the slot machine 1 with the front door opened, is displayed. Also, a hopper image 63a indicating the hopper unit (hopper tank) where the error occurred is displayed in a conspicuous color (for example, red) different from the color of other portions.

After several seconds (for example, 3 seconds) from the state of FIG. 17(a), the error display changes to the display shown in FIG. 17(b). The display of (b) is repeated. When the error display is displayed as shown in FIG. 17(b), the words "Please operate the door key to clear the error" are displayed above and below the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51, and the door key must be operated. A door key operation image 62b is displayed to indicate that the error is canceled with . In addition, hopper error images 62a indicating that a hopper error has occurred are continuously displayed on the left and right sides of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51 with the characters "E1 hopper error". In addition, in the center of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51, a housing image 63, which is a photographed image of the housing of the slot machine 1 with the front door opened, is displayed. A door key image 63b indicating the door key to be displayed is displayed in a conspicuous color (for example, red) different from the color of other portions. The door key image 63b is enlarged and displayed so that the release position is displayed in an easy-to-understand manner.

As described above, in the housing image 63, which is a photographed image of the housing of the slot machine 1 as a gaming machine that is actually used, the hopper image 63a indicating the location where the hopper error occurs has a different color from the other portions. Displayed in a prominent color (eg, red). Therefore, it is possible to accurately indicate the location of the hopper error. Further, in the housing image 63, which is a photographed image of the housing of the slot machine 1 as the gaming machine that is actually used, the door key image 63b operated to cancel the hopper error is different in color from the other parts. Displayed in a prominent color (eg, red). Therefore, it is possible to accurately indicate the location where the hopper error is resolved.

Next, FIG. 18 will be described. As shown in FIG. 18(a), when the input error 2 occurs, a call image 61a is displayed above and below the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51 with the words "please call the staff". A selector error image 62c indicating that a selector error has occurred is displayed on the left and right sides of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51 with the characters "E6 selector error". Also, in the center of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51, a housing image 63, which is a photographed image of the housing of the slot machine 1 with the front door opened, is displayed. Also, the selector image 63c indicating the medal selector where the error has occurred is displayed in a conspicuous color (for example, red) different from the color of the other portions.

After several seconds (for example, 3 seconds) from the state of FIG. 18(a), the error display changes to the display shown in FIG. 18(b). The display of (b) is repeated. When the error display is displayed as shown in FIG. 18(b), the characters "Please operate the reset switch to cancel the error" are displayed above and below the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51, and the reset switch is operated. A reset switch operation image 62d indicating that the error is canceled by doing so is displayed. In addition, selector error images 62c indicating that a selector error has occurred are continuously displayed on the left and right sides of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51 with the characters "E6 selector error". In addition, in the center of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51, a housing image 63, which is a photographed image of the housing of the slot machine 1 with the front door opened, is displayed. A reset switch image 63d indicating the reset switch (reset/setting switch 38) to be set is displayed in a conspicuous color (for example, red) different from the color of other portions. The reset switch image 63d is enlarged and displayed so that the release position is displayed in an easy-to-understand manner. An image showing the reset switch 23 may be displayed.

As described above, in the housing image 63, which is a photographed image of the housing of the slot machine 1 as a gaming machine that is actually used, the selector image 63c indicating the location where the selector error occurs has a different color from the other portions. Displayed in a prominent color (eg, red). Therefore, it is possible to accurately indicate the location where the selector error has occurred. In addition, in the case image 63, which is a photographed image of the case of the slot machine 1 as a gaming machine that is actually used, the reset switch image 63d operated to cancel the selector error is different from the color of the other parts. Displayed in a different, prominent color (eg, red). Therefore, it is possible to accurately indicate the location where the selector error is eliminated.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the housing image 63 is a photographed image of the slot machine 1, so the error display for the error can be made easy to understand. As shown in FIGS. 17(b) and 18(b), the case where only the error cancellation portion is enlarged is shown. You may make it expand and display. In addition, it is possible that both the error-free portion and the error-occurring portion remain unenlarged.

Also, the housing image 63 is an image showing the entire slot machine 1 , but may be an image showing a part of the slot machine 1 . Also, the housing image 63 may change from the whole to a part. Further, the housing image 63 may be an image in which the front door is closed, or an image that changes from the closed state to the open state. A part of the casing image 63, which is a photographed image, may be made transparent to make it easier to see an error-free portion and an error-occurring portion.

Also, an error-free portion and an error-occurring portion may be displayed in a manner surrounded by a thick frame as a highlight display. The location where the error has been canceled and the location where the error has occurred may be highlighted and zoomed in over time.

[About multiple error displays]
Next, a case where multiple errors occur will be described. When a plurality of errors occur, error displays corresponding to the errors are displayed in descending order of priority among the plurality of errors based on a predetermined criterion. For example, it is conceivable that a plurality of errors, such as hopper errors and selector errors, may occur during a period of overlap. In such a case, it is possible to display a plurality of errors in an easy-to-understand manner by executing error display in order of priority based on FIG. 15 . In other words, based on FIG. 15, an error that has a high priority and needs to be reported quickly is displayed first. If errors with the same priority occur at the same time, the errors may be displayed in order from the error that occurred first among the plurality of errors. Further, the priority shown in FIG. 15 may be finely set from 1 to 8, and the errors may be displayed in descending order of priority.

Also, when errors with the same priority occur at the same time, the error that occurred earlier among multiple errors may be displayed in order, or the error that occurred later among multiple errors may be displayed in order. , or multiple errors may be displayed collectively.

[Regarding variations of multiple error displays]
Further, when multiple errors occur, error displays corresponding to the multiple errors may be collectively displayed. For example, it is conceivable that a plurality of errors, such as hopper errors and selector errors, may occur during a period of overlap. In such a case, by collectively displaying the error display, a plurality of errors can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner. When a plurality of error displays are collectively displayed, it is desirable to change the color for each error so that the location where the error has been resolved or the location where the error has occurred can be distinguished.

Further, when a plurality of errors occur, error displays corresponding to the errors may be displayed in order from the error that occurred earlier among the plurality of errors. For example, it is conceivable that a plurality of errors, such as hopper errors and selector errors, may occur during a period of overlap. In such a case, by executing the error display in order from the error that occurred earlier, it is possible to display the multiple errors in an easy-to-understand manner. In other words, the oldest errors can be notified in order.

Also, when a plurality of errors occur, the error displays corresponding to the errors may be displayed in order from the error that occurred later among the plurality of errors. For example, it is conceivable that a plurality of errors, such as hopper errors and selector errors, may occur during a period of overlap. In such a case, by executing the error display in order from the error that occurred later, it is possible to display the multiple errors in an easy-to-understand manner. In other words, the most recent errors can be notified in order.

[Explanation screen]
19 and 20 are diagrams for explaining the explanation effect screen. The slot machine 1 of the present embodiment shifts to a demonstration state (hereinafter also simply referred to as a demonstration state) when a predetermined time elapses in the non-game state. When controlled to the demonstration state, the sub-controller 91 executes a demonstration effect. In the demonstration effect, for example, an explanation effect showing the game method of the slot machine 1 in the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51, characters and story contents appearing in the effect of the slot machine 1, BB and AT wins executed during the game. A video explaining the high expectations of the production will flow. The demonstration state has a period, and as the demonstration effect, an effect corresponding to one period of the demo state is prepared. The demonstration state in this embodiment is one cycle for about one minute. For this reason, the interval of the demonstration effect is about 1 minute.

In this embodiment, when the player performs a checkout operation, the game is controlled to the demo state. Also, when the period of time elapsed in the non-game state from the end of the previous game to the start of the next game reaches a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds), the game is controlled to the demo state. Furthermore, when the effect setting screen ends, the display is controlled to the demo state. The demo state is canceled when the player sets the number of bets again by operating the 1-BET switch 5, operating the MAXBET switch 6, or inserting medals into the medal inserting unit 4. FIG. Also, when a replay win is made, an automatic bet is made, so even if a predetermined period of time elapses in a non-gaming state, the state does not shift to a demo state.

As shown in FIG. 19( a ), in the explanation effect during the demonstration, a housing image 63 that is a photographed image of the housing of the slot machine 1 is displayed in the center of the display area 51 a of the liquid crystal display 51 . Also, a demonstration image 64c is displayed superimposed on the housing image 63 to indicate that the demonstration is being performed. Also, on the left side of the housing image 63, an explanation character image 64a using a character used in the presentation is displayed. An explanation image 64b is displayed above the explanation character image 64a to indicate that the explanation effect is about to start.

After FIG. 19A is displayed, a part of the housing image 63 is enlarged and displayed in the center of the display area 51 a of the liquid crystal display 51 . Also, a demonstration image 64c is displayed superimposed on the housing image 63 to indicate that the demonstration is being performed. Also, on the right side of the housing image 63, an explanation character image 64a using a character used in the presentation is displayed. An explanation image 64d is displayed above the explanation character image 64a to indicate that the game is started by inserting three or more medals into the medal insertion portion 4 and operating the start switch 7. FIG.

FIG. 20(a) shows a menu screen that is displayed when the effect switch 56 is operated during the demonstration. It shows the screen after selection and determination with the production switch). In addition to the presentation switch 56, an operation means such as a cross key for selecting items may be provided. As shown in FIG. 20( a ), a portion of the housing image 63 is enlarged and displayed in the center of the display area 51 a of the liquid crystal display 51 . At the upper right of the housing image 63, a description character image 64a using characters used in the production is displayed. On the left side of the explanation character image 64a, an explanation image 64e is displayed to indicate which symbol is usually aimed first when playing the game. In this embodiment, by aiming the black BAR symbol at the left reel 2L and operating the stop switch 8L, it is possible to stop the symbol at a timing when a cherry or the like is won. The player can understand from the explanatory image 64e that the black BAR symbol is aimed at the left reel 2L.

After FIG. 20(a) is displayed, as shown in FIG. 20(b), a part of the housing image 63 is enlarged and displayed in the center of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51. . At the upper right of the housing image 63, a description character image 64a using characters used in the production is displayed. On the left side of the explanation character image 64a, an explanation image 64f is displayed showing that the player can expect to win a bonus or an AT by stopping the cherry symbol. The player can understand from the explanation image 64f that there is a high possibility that it will be advantageous to derive the cherry symbol.

As shown in FIG. 19, an explanation effect for explaining the game method is executed during the demonstration using a partial image of the housing. Further, as shown in FIG. 20, an explanation effect for explaining the game method is executed by the operation of the player during non-game using an image of a part of the housing. In this manner, the explanation effect is executed using the housing image 63, which is a photographed image of the housing of the slot machine 1, so that the explanation of the game method can be conveyed to the player in an easy-to-understand manner.

19(a) showing the entirety of the slot machine 1 and an image showing a part of the slot machine 1 shown in FIG. Therefore, the explanation of the game method can be conveyed to the player in an easy-to-understand manner. It should be noted that the housing image 63 representing the entire slot machine 1 may be displayed when the explanation effect is selected by the operation on the menu screen of FIG. Also, the same presentation effect may be provided during the demonstration and during the operation on the menu screen. In addition, as in the present embodiment, during the demonstration, explanation effects that are easy for beginners to understand, and during operations on the menu screen, explanation effects that are easy for those who have experience playing the slot machine 1 for the first time to understand, are provided. Even during the same non-game, if the scene is different, the content of the explanation effect may be different.

[Promotion display screen]
FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining the promotion display screen. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start switch 7 was operated, a stop promotion display screen prompting the operation of the stop switches 8L to 8R to stop the spinning reels 2L to 2R is displayed. , the stop promotion image 65a is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 21(a), in the stop promotion image 65a, a part of the casing image 63, which is a photographed image of the casing of the slot machine 1, is enlarged in the center of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51. Is displayed. In addition, as a stop promotion display screen, the characters "Please press the stop button and stop the reel" are displayed to prompt the operation of the stop switches 8L to 8R, and a part of the housing including the stop switch and its vicinity. is displayed as the stop promotion image 65a.

In addition, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when an effect using operating means such as a button effect is executed, the effect prompting image 65b is displayed as the effect prompting display screen prompting the operation of the effect switch 56.

As shown in FIG. 21(b), when the character "Press!" Is displayed. Also, a portion of a casing image 63, which is a photographed image of the casing of the slot machine 1, is enlarged and displayed on the right side of the explanation character image 64a. The image that is enlarged and displayed as the effect promotion image 65b is an image of a part of the housing including the effect switch 56 and its vicinity.

As shown in FIG. 21, the stop promotion image 65a and the effect promotion image 65b are executed using an image representing a part of the slot machine 1, so the promotion display can be preferably displayed. Here, the button effect can also be executed with the MAXBET switch 6 other than the effect switch 56. - 特許庁However, when the button effect is executed, the operation of the effect switch 56 is prompted. Therefore, the image that is enlarged and displayed as the effect promotion image 65b is an image of a part of the housing including the effect switch and its vicinity. In this way, as shown in FIG. 21(b), the effect promotion image 65b is displayed which allows specifying which switch to operate. can be conveyed in an easy-to-understand manner.

Further, as shown in FIG. 21(a), since the stop promotion image 65a in the range including the stop switches 8L to 8R, the start switch 7, the MAXBET switch 6, and the production switch 56 is displayed, any operation means can be operated. It is possible to easily tell the player whether or not the game should be started, and to preferably display a prompting display for prompting the operation of the stop switch.

Further, as shown in FIG. 21, an image representing the entire slot machine 1 is not used for the stop promotion image 65a and the effect promotion image 65b. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the image of the housing image 63 of the slot machine 1 from becoming too large to make the promotion display difficult to see.

The stop promotion image 65a and the effect promotion image 65b may be displayed in the entire display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51, or may be displayed in a part of the display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51. can be Further, as the operating means, at least a part of a panel provided on the lower side of the housing 1a of the slot machine 1 may be operated by pressing. In such a case, when the button effect is executed, an image indicating that all or part of the lower panel can be operated may be displayed as the effect promoting image 65b. Further, the operation means is not limited to the lower panel, and the operation means (for example, accessories) provided at any position of the housing 1a of the slot machine 1 (for example, the upper part or left and right of the housing 1a) can be operated by the player. It may be operable. In such a case, an image including the character object and the housing 1a may be displayed as the effect promoting image 65b. Further, when a sensor such as a touch sensor is set in the housing as the operation means, an image indicating the position of the touch sensor may be displayed.

Next, various control contents executed by the main control unit 41 in the present embodiment will be described.
[Startup process (main)]
When the system reset signal is input from the reset circuit 49, the main control unit 41 performs start-up processing (main) shown in the flowchart of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 22, the main control unit 41 first initializes built-in devices, peripheral ICs, interrupt modes, stack pointers, etc. (Sa2), and then initializes the values of the I and IY registers (Sa3). ). By initializing the I and IY registers, the I register is set with the address of the interrupt table to be referenced when an interrupt occurs, and the IY register is set with the reference address for referring to the storage area of the RAM 41c. . These values are fixed values and are always initialized at startup.

Next, access to the RAM 41c is permitted (Sa4), and RAM parity of all storage areas (including unused areas and unused stack areas) of the RAM 41c is calculated (Sa5).

At step Sa6, it is determined whether or not the RAM parity calculated at step Sa5 is zero. If the power failure interrupt process (main) is normally performed, the RAM parity should be 0. If the RAM parity is not 0 in step Sa6, the data stored in the RAM 41c is not normal. In this case, after executing initialization 1 for initializing all the storage areas of the RAM 41c except for the stack area in use and the important work (Sa19), it is determined whether or not the setting key switch 37 is on. is determined (Sa20), and if the setting key switch 37 is on, a setting command indicating the start of setting is generated (Sa16), and the generated setting changing command is stored in the command buffer (Sa17), which will be described in FIG. (Sa18) setting change processing for changing the winning probability of the winning combination by allowing the interrupt of the timer interrupt processing (main) executed by the main control unit 41 at regular intervals (intervals of 0.56 ms); That is, it shifts to the setting change state. When the setting change process ends, the game process shown in FIG. 23 is started.

If the setting key switch 37 is off in step Sa20, an error code indicating RAM abnormality is set in the register (Sa21), an error command indicating RAM abnormality is generated (Sa22), and the generated error command is stored in the command buffer. store (Sa23), and allow the interrupt of the timer interrupt process (main) executed at regular intervals (0.56 ms intervals) by the main control unit 41 described in FIG. Transition to RAM abnormal error state. Then, for example, when the reset/setting switch 38 is operated by a game clerk to cancel the RAM abnormality error state, the game process shown in FIG. 23 is started.

If the RAM parity is 0 in step Sa6, it is further determined whether or not the destruction diagnostic data is normal (Sa7). If the power failure processing (main) is performed normally, the destruction diagnosis data should have been set. Also in cases other than 5A(H) which is executed), the data in the RAM 41c is not normal, so the process moves to step Sa19 to execute initialization 1, and then in step Sa20, even if the setting key switch 37 is on. For example, the processes of Sa16 to Sa18 described above are performed, and the setting change process, that is, the setting change state is entered. Also, if the setting key switch 37 is off in step Sa20, the processes of Sa21 to Sa24 described above are performed, and the error process, that is, the RAM abnormality error state is entered. Then, when the RAM abnormality error state is canceled, the game process shown in FIG. 23 is started.

If it is determined in step Sa7 that the destruction diagnosis data is normal, the data in the RAM 41c is normal. After performing initialization 3 for initializing the used stack area (Sa9), it is determined whether or not the setting key switch 37 is on (Sa10), and if the setting key switch 37 is on, initialization 1 is executed. (Sa15) The processing of Sa16 to Sa18 described above is performed, and the setting change processing, that is, the setting change state is entered. When the setting change process ends, the game process shown in FIG. 23 is started.

If the setting key switch 37 is off in step Sa10, each register is restored to the state before power failure, that is, the state saved in the stack (Sa11), a return command is generated (Sa12), and a command buffer is generated. (Sa13), set a power failure recovery flag for identifying that the power failure occurred during the setting change state and returned to the setting change state in the RAM 41c (Sa14a), and the main control unit described in FIG. 41 permits the timer interrupt process (main) to be executed at regular intervals (0.56 ms intervals) (Sa14b), and returns to the last process executed before the power failure. If any of the game processing shown in FIG. 23 was performed before the power failure, the game processing is restarted based on the value of the program counter (PC) restored at Sa11 and the backup data in the backup RAM. Among the processes Sd1 to Sd7, the process that was performed before the power failure is returned to. Also, for example, if any of the processes in the timer interrupt process shown in FIG. Then, among the processes Sk1 to Sk26 of the timer interrupt process, the process that was performed before the power failure is resumed.

If the setting key switch remains on and the setting key switch is turned on when the power is restored from the power failure, the setting key switch is turned on at Sa10. is on, and the setting change process is executed from the first process Sc1. However, when the setting key switch is turned off during the power failure and the power failure is restored, the installation change processing is performed based on the value of the program counter (PC) restored at Sa11 in FIG. 22 and the backup data in the backup RAM. Among the processes of Sc1 to Sc28, the process that was performed before the power failure is returned to. Whether or not the setting was being changed before the power failure can be identified by determining whether or not there is a power failure recovery flag set at Sa14a in FIG. In addition, when the setting change state is restored by power failure recovery, the display states of the game auxiliary display 12 and the set value display 24 are also restored to the display states before the power failure based on the backup data in the backup RAM.

Further, if an error state exists before power failure, an error detection flag set at Sk26 in FIG. 26 is stored in the backup RAM. Therefore, since it is determined that the error detection flag is set when the power is restored, the error notification process is restarted from the beginning (Sb1 in FIG. 24).

[Game processing]
FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing the control contents of the game process executed by the main control section 41. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 23, in the game process, the BET process (Sd1), the internal lottery process (Sd2), the reel rotation process (Sd3), the prize determination process (Sd4), the payout process (Sd5), the game end process (Sd6 ) and an error notification process (Sd7), and when the game end process is completed, the BET process is performed again.

In the BET process in the step Sd1, a process of waiting in a state in which the number of bets can be set is set, a specified number of bets corresponding to the gaming state is set, and the game is started when the start switch 7 is operated. .

In the internal lottery process in step Sd2, the winning of each combination described above is permitted based on the internal lottery random number latched at the same time as the game is started by detecting the start switch 7 in step Sd1. (whether or not to permit the derivation of the result). In this internal lottery process, a winning flag is set in the RAM 41c based on each lottery result. In addition, when a special combination (BB) is won by an internal lottery, a special combination carrying over flag is set. Then, as described above, by determining the presence or absence of the special role carryover flag, the presence or absence of the carryover of the special role is determined, and the winning role according to the presence or absence of the carryover (special role is excluded from the internal lottery during the carryover of the special role is performed) is determined.

In the reel rotation process in step Sd3, the reels 2L, 2C and 2R are rotated in response to the operation of the start switch 7, the result of the internal lottery in step Sd2, and the stop switches 8L, 8C and 8R by the player. When the operation is detected, a process of stopping rotation of the corresponding reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is executed.

In the winning determination process in step Sd4, when it is determined in step Sd3 that all the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R have stopped rotating, winning is determined according to the display results drawn to the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R. A process for determining whether or not an error has occurred is executed. Incidentally, when the special combination is won, the special combination carry-over flag is cleared in this process.

In the payout process in step Sd5, when it is determined in step Sd4 that a prize has been won, processing such as addition of credits and payout of medals is performed based on the number of payouts corresponding to the win.

In the game end processing in step Sd6, processing for setting the game state in preparation for the next game is executed.

In the error notification process in step Sd7, a process of notifying that an error has occurred and the type of error is executed. When the occurrence of an error is detected during the processing of Sd1 to Sd6, the main control unit 41 interrupts each processing and executes this processing. Then, when the error is cleared, the process before the interruption is resumed.

Also, in the game processing, a command is generated according to progress control of the game, set in the command buffer, and transmitted to the sub-controller 91 .

[Error notification process]
FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing the control details of the error notification process executed by the main control unit 41 in Sd7 of FIG. As described above, when an error is detected during execution of the processing of Sd1 to Sd6 in FIG. 23, the processing being executed at that time is interrupted and this processing is executed. The error is detected by the error detection process (Sk26 in FIG. 26) of the timer interrupt process (main) executed by the main controller 41 shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 at regular intervals.

In the error notification process, first, an error is detected in the error detection process (Sk26 in FIG. 26) of the timer interrupt process (main) shown in FIGS. Sb1). If the error detection flag is not set, the process ends.

If the error detection flag is set, the current display state of the game auxiliary display 12 is saved in the stack (Sb2). Then, an error state display indicating that the game is being controlled to an error state and an error code display (error type display) indicating the error code stored in the register are displayed on the game auxiliary display 12 (Sb3). Specifically, the first digit of the auxiliary game display 12 indicates "E", which is an error state display, and the second digit indicates a number indicating an error code (for example, "E 1").

Next, a count value is set in an operation delay counter that counts the time until the reset/setting switch 38 or the reset switch 23 starts accepting an error cancellation operation (Sb4). A value corresponding to, for example, 3 seconds is set as the count value of the operation delay counter.

Next, it is determined whether or not the error code is a RAM abnormal error (Sb5), and if the error code indicates a RAM abnormal error, a transition is made to loop processing in which no processing is performed.

If it is determined in step Sb5 that the error code does not indicate an abnormal RAM error, the count value of the operation delay counter set in step Sb4 is decremented by "1" each time a clock is input to the CPU 41a. (Sb6). Then, it is determined whether or not the count value of the operation delay counter has become "0" (Sb7). When the count value is not "0", the subtraction of the count value is repeated.

When the count value becomes "0", acceptance of an error cancellation operation by the reset/setting switch 38 and the reset switch 23 is started. In other words, it is in a state of waiting for detection of a change from off to on of the reset/setting switch 38 and the reset switch 23 . In this way, when the count value of the operation delay counter becomes "0" after the display of the error state and the error code display by the game auxiliary display 12 in Sb3, the reception of the error cancellation operation is started. The timing of the error state display and the error code display by is earlier than the timing of starting to accept the error cancellation operation.

When the count value of the operation delay counter becomes "0", an error command indicating the occurrence of an error state and its type is generated, stored in the command buffer (Sb8), the command storing process is performed, and the command is stored in the command buffer. Store (Sb9).

Next, it is determined whether or not a change from off to on of the reset/setting switch 38 has been detected (Sb10). It is determined whether or not a change from off to on is detected (Sb11), and if a change from off to on of the reset switch 23 is not detected, the process returns to step Sb10. That is, until the change from off to on of the reset/setting switch 38 or the reset switch 23 is detected, it waits in a state in which the progress of the game is disabled.

Then, when a change from off to on of the reset/setting switch 38 is detected in step Sb10, or when a change from off to on of the reset switch 23 is detected in step Sb11, the detection state of the switch is Edge data indicating a change from off to on or a change from on to off (a rising edge is called a change from off to on, and a falling edge is a change from on to off). clear (Sb12), clear the error code stored in the register (Sb13), return the display state of the game auxiliary display 12 to the display state saved in the stack in step Sb1 (Sb14), and An error command indicating that the error has been canceled is generated (Sb15), command storage processing is performed to store the error command in the command buffer (Sb16), the error detection flag is cleared (Sb17), and the original processing is resumed. return.

As described above, in the error processing, if the error processing is due to something other than a RAM abnormality, the reset/setting switch 38 or the reset switch 23 is operated to cancel the error state and return to the original processing. In the case of error processing due to an abnormality, even if the reset/setting switch 38 or the reset switch 23 is operated, the error state is canceled and the original state is not restored.

The determination at Sb10 as to whether or not the reset/setting switch 38 has changed from off to on is based on the fact that the reset/setting switch 38 has changed from off to on continuously a predetermined number of times due to timer interrupt processing (main). is detected or not. As a result, it is detected that the reset/setting switch 38 has changed from off to on due to the operation, not due to noise or the like. The number of detections is counted using a detection number counter. When each operation in Sb10 is detected but the number of times of detection does not reach a predetermined number and power interruption occurs, the count value of the detection number counter is initialized when the power is restored. This prevents an unintended operation from being detected. A similar effect can be obtained by detecting that the time for which the reset/setting switch 38 has changed from off to on has reached a predetermined time. It should be noted that whether or not the reset switch 23 has changed from off to on is also determined in Sb11 in the same manner.

Further, when power is interrupted in an error state and the power is restored, the processing is resumed from Sb1, so when the power is restored, the display during the error state and the error code display by the processing of Sb3 are resumed. Then, after the processing of Sb6 and Sb7 is performed again, acceptance of the error cancellation operation is resumed. Therefore, when a power failure occurs during an error state and the error state is restored by power failure recovery, the reception of the error cancellation operation resumes at the timing when the display during the error state and the error code display by the game auxiliary display 12 are resumed. sooner than it should.

It should be noted that it is also possible to configure such that when a power failure occurs during an error state, the process that was interrupted due to the power failure is resumed when the power failure is restored. In this case, a process is added to determine whether or not the power failure recovery flag is set before and after the error cancellation operation. It is sufficient to reset the value and return to the processing of Sb6. This configuration can also obtain the effects of the present invention.

[Timer interrupt processing (main)]
25 and 26 are flow charts showing the control contents of the timer interrupt processing (main) that the main control unit 41 executes by interrupting the startup processing and game processing at regular intervals (intervals of 0.56 ms). Note that other interrupts are automatically prohibited during execution of timer interrupt processing (main).

As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, in timer interrupt processing (main), registers in use are first saved in the stack area (Sk1).

Next, power failure determination processing is performed (Sk2). In the power failure determination process, it is determined whether or not a voltage drop signal has been input from the power failure detection circuit 48. If a voltage drop signal has been input, whether or not a voltage drop signal has been input in the previous power failure determination process. If a voltage drop signal was also input in the previous power failure determination process, it is determined that a power failure has occurred, and a power failure flag indicating that effect is set.

After the power failure determination process in step Sk2, it is determined whether or not the power failure flag is set (Sk3). If the power failure flag is not set, the process proceeds to Sk4. , it shifts to power interruption processing (main).

In step Sk4, port input processing for inputting detection data of various switches from the input port is performed.

Next, the branch counter for identifying the timer interrupt to be executed in the timer interrupt process (main) from the four types of timer interrupts 1 to 4 is incremented by one (Sk5). In this embodiment, the timer interrupt 1 is a branching process during the timer interrupt that controls the motor to control the start of the reel. is done. Timer interrupt 2 is a branch process during a timer interrupt that performs LED display control, time counter update, door open/close status monitoring, control signal output control, and command and external output signal update. Specifically, processes Sk12 to Sk17, such as an LED dynamic display process to be described later, are performed. Further, the timer interrupt 3 is branch processing during the timer interrupt for detecting the passage of the origin of the reel, monitoring the switch input, and reading the random number value. Processing of Sk20 to Sk22 such as time processing is performed. Further, the timer interrupt 4 is a branch process during the timer interrupt that detects the input of the stop switch and controls the stop of the reel. is done. In step Sk5, when the branch counter value is between 0 and 2, 1 is added, and when the counter value is 3, it is updated to 0. That is, the branch counter value loops in the order of 0→1→2→3→0 . . . each time the timer interrupt process (main) is executed.

Next, the branch counter value is referred to determine whether it is 2 or 3, that is, timer interrupt 3 or timer interrupt 4 (Sk6). 1 or timer interrupt 2, it is checked whether the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R are starting or rotating at a constant speed. For example, motor phase signal output processing for outputting the phase signal data changed in the motor step processing of Sk10 to be described later and the phase signal data changed in the final stop processing of Sk25 to be described later is executed (Sk7).

Next, the branch counter value is referenced to determine whether it is 1, that is, whether it is a timer interrupt 2 or not (Sk8). Reel start processing (Sk9) for controlling step time intervals at the start of reel motors 32L, 32C and 32R, motor step processing (Sk10) for changing phase signal data of reel motors 32L, 32C and 32R, reel motors 32L and 32C , 32R are stopped, the motor phase signal standby process (Sk11) for changing the phase signal to one-phase excitation after a certain period of time has elapsed, and then the process proceeds to step Sk26.

Further, in the case of timer interrupt 2 in step Sk8, LED dynamic display processing (Sk12) for dynamically lighting various displays, control signal output processing for outputting data such as lighting signals for various LEDs to the output port. (Sk13), time counter update processing (Sk14) for updating various time counters, door monitoring processing (Sk15) for monitoring the detection state of the door open detection switch 25, requesting transmission of a door command, etc., After sequentially executing command transmission processing (Sk16) for transmitting various commands such as a setting change command, a return command, and an error command to the sub-controller 91, and an external output signal update processing (Sk17) for updating the external output signal, Sk26 Proceed to step .

If it is timer interrupt 3 or timer interrupt 4 in step Sk6, the branch counter value is further referred to determine whether it is 3 or not, that is, whether it is timer interrupt 4 or not (Sk18). If it is not the interrupt 4, that is, if it is the timer interrupt 3, the passage of the origin of the rotating reels 2L, 2C, and 2R (passage of the reel reference position) is checked to detect the occurrence of a reel rotation error and stop. Check if the preparation is complete (whether the stop preparation completion code is set), and if the stop preparation is complete and is rotating at a constant speed, operate the stop switch corresponding to the spinning reel. Processing when passing the origin to be activated (Sk20), determination of whether or not there has been a change in the detection state of switches such as MAXBET switch 6, start switch 7, stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, request for transmission of operation detection command, etc. After sequentially executing the switch input determination process (Sk21) and the random number reading process (Sk22) of reading numerical data from the random number register R1D and storing it in the random number storage work, the process proceeds to step Sk26.

Further, if the timer interrupt is 4 in the step of Sk18, when the stop operation position is stored in the work of the stop reel with the detection of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R, the stop stored in the work of the stop reel The stop position is determined from the operation position, and the stop switch process (Sk23) calculates the number of steps after which the machine should be stopped. A stop process (Sk24) for starting braking by two-phase excitation and a final stop process (Sk25) for three-phase excitation after a certain period of time from the start of braking in the stop process are sequentially executed, and then the process proceeds to step Sk26.

In step Sk26, an error detection process is executed to detect the occurrence of an error (Sk26). In the error detection process, when one of a plurality of types of errors occurs, an error detection flag indicating the occurrence of an error and the type of error that has occurred is set in the RAM 41c. In addition, in this embodiment, in addition to the RAM abnormal error, inserted medal jam error, medal run-out error, payout error, payout medal jam error, full tank error, reel rotation error, abnormal prize winning error, and door open error are set as errors. However, the type of error can be changed as appropriate.

In step Sk27, the registers saved in the stack area in Sk1 are restored, and the process before the interrupt is returned to (Sk27).

[Power failure processing (main)]
FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing the details of control of the power interruption process (main) executed when the main control unit 41 determines that the power interruption flag is set in the timer interrupt process (main) described above.

In the power-off process (main), first, all registers that may be in use are saved in the stack area (Sm1). Although the values of the I and IY registers described above are used, they are not saved here because the same fixed values are always set with the initialization at startup.

Next, the destruction diagnosis data (5A(H) in this embodiment) is set (Sm2), and all output ports are initialized (Sm3). Next, the RAM parity adjustment data is calculated and set so that the exclusive OR of all storage areas of the RAM 41c (including unused areas and unused stack areas) becomes 0 (Sm4), and access to the RAM 41c is terminated. Prohibit (Sm5).

After that, the voltage drops and the CPU 41a of the main control unit 41 is shifted to a standby state. If the voltage drops in this standby state, the operation is stopped internally. Therefore, the operation of the main control unit 41 is reliably stopped when the power is cut off.

[Timer interrupt processing (sub)]
Next, the timer interrupt processing (sub) executed by the sub control unit 91 (CPU 91a) at intervals of 1.12 seconds based on the count value of the internal clock will be described.

As shown in FIG. 28, in the timer interrupt process (sub), the sub-controller 91 first saves the registers in use to the stack area (Sp1). Next, power failure determination processing is performed (Sp2). In the power failure determination process, it is determined whether or not a voltage drop signal has been input from the power failure detection circuit 48. If a voltage drop signal has been input, whether or not a voltage drop signal has been input in the previous power failure determination process. If a voltage drop signal was also input in the previous power failure determination process, it is determined that a power failure has occurred, and a power failure flag indicating that effect is set.

After the power failure determination process in step Sp2, it is determined whether or not the power failure flag is set (Sp3), and if the power failure flag is set, the power failure process (sub) is performed. In the power-off processing (sub), the backup flag used in determining the startup processing (sub) is set after the backup data is created, and the checksum used in determining the startup processing (sub) is calculated by the exclusive OR of the backup data. and perform processing such as calculation.

If the power failure flag is not set, command analysis processing is executed (Sp4). In the command analysis process, it is determined whether or not a command is stored in the command buffer, and if the command is stored in the command buffer, the command is acquired from the command buffer. Then, it executes processing according to the acquired command.

In the step of Sp5, the sub-controller 91 executes a notification process during the setting change state (Sp5). In the setting change state informing process, an image indicating that the setting change state is in progress is displayed on the liquid crystal display 51 upon receiving a setting command indicating the start of setting from the main control unit 41 . Then, in response to the setting command indicating the end of setting, the liquid crystal display 51 ends the display indicating that the setting is being changed. Note that the liquid crystal display 51 is also used to display an effect image when the effect is executed.

In the step of Sp6, the sub-controller 91 executes the in-error notification process (Sp6). In the error state informing process, an error command (see Sb8 in FIG. 24) indicating that an error state is in effect is received from the main control unit 41, and an image indicating that an error state is in effect is displayed on the liquid crystal display 51. do. Then, an error command (Sb15 in FIG. 24) indicating cancellation of the error state is received, and the display of the fact that the error state is in progress on the liquid crystal display 51 ends. Note that the liquid crystal display 51 is also used to display an effect image when the effect is executed.

Further, when the power failure occurs before the process of Sb8 in FIG. 24, the processes of Sb6 and Sb7 are performed after the power failure is restored. And an error command is transmitted in the processing of Sb9. Then, when the sub-controller 91 receives an error command, it displays an image indicating that it is in an error state after a certain period of time has passed since the reception. Therefore, the timing of resuming acceptance of the error cancellation operation when the power is restored is earlier than the timing of displaying the image indicating that the error state is in progress.

[Regarding specific examples of the present invention]
Next, a specific example of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 29 is a specific example of a case where a power failure occurs during an error state.

As shown in FIG. 29, when an error occurs and an error is detected (when Y is determined in Sb1 in FIG. 24), an error code is displayed (“Error code display” in the figure) when the state shifts to an error state. ) and a display indicating that the game is in an error state ("display in error state" in the drawing) are displayed by the game auxiliary display 12 (see Sb3 in FIG. 24). Then, the acceptance of the error cancellation operation is delayed (see Sb6 in FIG. 24), and the error cancellation operation is accepted after a certain period of time has elapsed since each display was started (when it is determined as Y in Sb7 in FIG. 24). , the part proceeding to Sb10 and Sb11). In addition, after a certain period of time has passed since the start of acceptance of each operation, a display indicating that the setting is being changed is displayed on the liquid crystal display 51 ("Information during setting change" in the figure) (Sp5 in FIG. 28). reference).

When the power failure occurs during the error state and the power is restored, first, the display of the error code display and the error state display is restarted (see Sb3 in FIG. 24). When a certain period of time elapses after each display is resumed, acceptance of the error resetting operation is resumed (the part where Sb6 of FIG. 24 is performed and when Y is determined in Sb7, Sb10 and Sb11 are proceeded to). In addition, after a certain period of time has passed since the reception of each operation was started, notification during the setting change state is performed on the liquid crystal display 51 (see Sp5 in FIG. 28).

As described above, the timing at which the error code display and the display during the error state are resumed after the power failure is restored is earlier than the timing at which the reception of the error cancellation operation is resumed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from mistakenly performing an error resetting operation without checking each display.

[Summary of Figures 22 to 29]
Error state control means (for example, the part that performs the processing of Sk26 in FIG. 26) for controlling an error state to stop the progress of the game when a predetermined event predetermined as an error occurs;
error canceling operation means (for example, reset switch 23, reset/setting switch 38) operated to cancel the error state and restart the progress of the game;
Error canceling means for canceling the error state and resuming the progress of the game from the state before the occurrence of the error state when the error canceling operation means is operated (for example, the part that performs the processing of Sb17 in FIG. 24) )When,
error state-related display means (for example, a game auxiliary display 12) that displays information about the error state in the error state;
backup storage means (for example, RAM 41c) capable of holding backup data for a predetermined period even if power supply is stopped;
a restoring means (for example, a portion that performs the processing of FIG. 22) for restoring the state before the power supply is stopped based on the backup data held by the backup storage means when the power supply is started;
When the power supply is stopped in the error state and the error state is restored by the restoration means based on the backup data when the power supply is started, an operation of the error cancellation operation means is accepted. The display by the error state related display means is resumed at a timing earlier than the timing at which it becomes possible (for example, when Sb5 in FIG. 24 is performed and then Sb6 is performed and Y is determined part proceeding to Sb10 and Sb11). According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation from being performed.

The error state control means controls the error state so as to start accepting the operation of the error canceling operation means after the display by the error state related display means is started (in this example, Sb5 in FIG. 24). After performing the processing, the processing of Sb6 is performed, and when Y is determined in Sb7, the process proceeds to Sb10 and Sb11). According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation from being performed.

The error state-related display means includes error state display means (for example, the game auxiliary display 12) that performs error state display indicating that the error state is controlled as a display related to the error state, and the error state display means. Error type display means (for example, game auxiliary display 12) that displays the type of error that has occurred as a display regarding
The recovery means accepts an operation of the error cancellation operation means when the power supply is stopped in the error state and the error state is recovered based on the backup data when the power supply is started. is restarted at a timing earlier than the timing for restarting (for example, when Sb5 in FIG. 24 is executed and then Sb6 is executed and Y is determined in part proceeding to Sb10 and Sb11). According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation from being performed.

Provided with production execution means (for example, liquid crystal display 51) used for execution of production,
The effect executing means also executes an error state notification indicating that the error state is controlled,
When the power supply is stopped in the error state and the error state is restarted based on the backup data when the power supply is started, the recovery means restarts the notification during the error state. Acceptance of the operation of the error canceling operation means is resumed at an earlier timing (for example, see Sb8 and Sb9 in FIG. 24 and Sp6 in FIG. 28). According to this configuration, it is possible to validate the operation of the error canceling means when the minimum required display is restored.

a detecting means for detecting that the operation of the error canceling operation means is performed when a predetermined operation is performed for a predetermined period of time;
When the power supply is stopped while the predetermined operation is performed, and when the predetermined operation is not performed for a predetermined period when the power supply is stopped, the operation status of the predetermined operation when the power supply is started and data initialization means for initializing data related to
The restoring means restores the state before stopping the power supply based on the initialized data (for example, when power is cut off during determination of Sb10 or Sb11 in FIG. The part that initializes the counter used in judgment). According to this configuration, unintended operation can be prevented.

FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining a slot machine and promotion display screen of a modification. In the slot machine 1, a panel presentation button 200 that can be operated by the player is provided on a lower panel provided on the lower side of the housing 1a of the slot machine 1. As shown in FIG. When the button effect is executed, either the effect switch 56 or the panel effect button 200 can be operated. In such a case, it is desirable to be able to easily recognize which button should be operated among the two buttons located far apart when the button presentation is executed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 30, when the characters "Press!" A photographed image of the housing of the slot machine 1 including the effect button 100 and its vicinity is displayed. Note that the effect switch 56 and the panel effect button 200 may both be operable when the button effect is executed. The image should be displayed.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible. Modifications of the above embodiments applicable to the present invention will be described below.

[Regarding variations of the slot machine]
As the above embodiment, a slot machine that pays out game media to the player's hand in accordance with the occurrence of winning has been described. An enclosed slot machine that adds game points (scores) may be employed. The board and the drum can be distributed, and the housing is common, and the board alone or the board and the drum are called a game machine. In addition, the slot machine includes a game area in which game balls can be shot and played, and the number of bets can be set according to the game balls passing through a predetermined area provided in the game area. may

[About game machines]
As the above embodiment, an example in which various technical matters are applied to a slot machine, which is an example of a gaming machine, has been described. may apply.

[Example of application to a pachinko machine]
For example, when an error occurs in the pachinko game machine, as in the first embodiment, an error display prompting the player to operate the call button may be executed using a character image appearing in the effect. . Further, as in the second embodiment, when an error occurs in the pachinko game machine, the error cancellation location and the error occurrence location may be highlighted on the screen. Also, as in the third embodiment, an image representing the pachinko game machine may be used to execute the explanation effect during non-game play. Further, as in the fourth embodiment, the promotion display screen may be displayed using an image representing the pachinko gaming machine.

[About non-playing state]
In the above-described embodiment, the non-playing state is the state in which the reels are not rotating. However, other states are possible. For example, the non-gaming state may be a state in which no BET operation is performed, or a state in which the player is playing by detecting that the player is not in the seat (detecting the presence or absence of the player by a sensor or the like). It may be in a state without

[About winning suggestion performance]
In the above-described embodiment, instead of the sub-control section 91 determining the winning suggestion effect, the main control section 41 may determine the winning suggesting effect. For example, when the simultaneous winning combination is won in the internal lottery and the AT lottery is performed, the main control unit 41 executes, at a predetermined timing, a winning indication effect indicating whether or not the BB and AT wins have been made. may be performed. As the win suggestion effect, for example, a freeze effect that delays the progress of the game for a predetermined period when the start switch 7 is operated may be provided. During the freeze effect, a pseudo game is executed in which the reels 2L to 2R are rotated in a predetermined manner and a specific symbol combination is temporarily stopped. The pseudo game can be executed multiple times during the freeze effect. Note that the freeze effect is not limited to being executed when the start switch 7 is operated, but when the first stop operation or the third stop operation is performed, the display result is derived and one game ends. It may be executed occasionally.

In addition, the degree of reliability of BB winning or AT winning is highest in the freezing effect, followed by repeated hit effect, button effect, and character B effect in order, and character A effect is the lowest. A ratio may be defined so that the type is determined. Incidentally, the effect to be executed is not limited to the determination of one winning suggestion effect, and a plurality of winning suggestion effects may be determined. In addition, the predetermined timing for executing the winning suggestion effect is not limited to this, and is determined by the main control unit 41 from a plurality of timings (more specifically, the main control unit 41 notifies the result of the AT winning suggestion effect. The timing may be determined by a random number lottery or the like as to which game (for example, one of 0 to 32 games) from the game in which a specific lottery target role is won. The main control unit 41 outputs a command for specifying the type of the winning suggestion effect to the sub-control unit 91 at a predetermined timing for executing the winning suggestion effect, and if the winning suggestion effect is a freeze effect, it You may make it perform the process for freeze effects. It should be noted that the winning suggestion effect other than the freeze effect may be determined by the sub-controller 91 as described in the above embodiment.

[About benefits]
In the above example, as the benefits, values that directly affect the payout rate of medals and pachinko balls, such as BB wins, AT wins, and the number of AT games that can be controlled by AT, are exemplified. However, the benefit may be a value that improves the degree of advantage for the player, and may be, for example, a value that does not directly affect the payout rate of medals. Concretely, when the AT lottery is provided with a high-probability state in which the AT is won with a higher probability than usual, execution of the probability-suggestion effect for suggesting whether the current state is the high-probability state or not. , execution of a premium effect with voice on the liquid crystal display 51 (appearance of a special character, execution of a special effect during a bonus during the next bonus, etc.), execution of a setting value suggesting effect for suggesting a set value, A two-dimensional code is displayed on a liquid crystal display by collecting a certain number of points to give points that can be exchanged for a service determined by the game store where the slot machine 1 is installed, and to download privilege images and privilege information from a predetermined website. It may be displayed on the device 51 or the like.

Also, although the number of AT games has been exemplified as an example of the privilege, the privilege related to AT is not limited to this. good. Further, when determining the number of times the navigation effect can be executed to execute the navigation effect and controlling the AT until the navigation effect is executed for the determined number of times the navigation effect can be executed, the number of times the navigation effect can be executed may be used as a benefit. good. Further, for example, when the upper limit grant amount is determined and AT is controlled until the given game value (the number of medals to be paid out) reaches the determined upper limit grant amount, the upper limit grant amount may be used as a privilege. In addition, when the AT is controlled until the predetermined AT end condition is satisfied after the predetermined AT start condition is satisfied, and the continuation lottery is performed to determine whether or not to continue the AT when the AT end condition is satisfied, the continuation The continuation probability determined to continue in the lottery may be used as a benefit.

[About favorable conditions]
In the above example, as an advantageous state, a big bonus (BB) or AT, in which the probability of winning a small combination is higher than that in a predetermined state, is exemplified for a slot machine. If there is, it is not limited to this, and an example of a slot machine will be described below.

Advantageous states are, for example, a regular bonus (RB) or replay time (RT) where the winning probability of a predetermined winning combination is high, a concentrated state of a small combination, or a drawable range of at least one reel that is larger than normal. The challenge time (CT) becomes narrower and allows the occurrence of all small wins in each game, and the operation procedure for winning the winning small win does not change the winning probability of the winning role. It may be a pseudo-bonus or the like that is notified over a period of time (for example, until 50 games are played). In addition, the probability of being controlled to these advantageous states may be a high probability state, and the state of a high probability of being controlled to a frozen state, the number of games such as the number of AT games is a high probability Advantageous states different from the above-described embodiment may be set, such as a state in which an additional game is added, a state in which the number of games played by the AT is likely to be increased, or the like. In addition, there are indirect advantages for players, such as a high probability of fulfillment of conditions for obtaining benefits on the communication network and conditions for executing premium effects (freeze effects, premium effects, etc.). It may be a special privilege or a state that improves the interest of the game. Further, the permission determining means for determining whether or not to permit the transition to an advantageous state is not limited to the internal lottery process, and may be means for determining regardless of the winning combination.

In addition, for example, in a privilege grant lottery that determines whether or not to grant a privilege, an advantageous state means “probability of granting a privilege” and “when it is decided that a privilege will be granted. At least one of "the value of the privilege (or the expected value of the privilege amount)" may be higher than the normal state (state different from the advantageous state). Also, the advantageous state may be a state in which the number of execution opportunities for the privilege provision lottery is greater than in the normal state. Also, the advantageous state may be a state in which the number of games required to be completed in order to award the privilege is less than in the normal state.

For example, if the privilege is the number of AT games, the advantageous state is "AT winning probability in AT lottery" and "AT awarded when AT winning in AT lottery" than normal state. At least one of "the value of the number of games" may be higher than the normal state. Also, the advantageous state may be one in which the number of AT lottery execution triggers is greater than in the normal state. For example, if the AT lottery execution opportunity in the normal state is winning the 1st role and winning the 2nd role, the AT lottery execution opportunity in the advantageous state is winning the 1st role and winning the 2nd role. In addition to , it may be possible to win the third role.

[Regarding production and notification]
In the above-described example, the liquid crystal display 51 is used to provide effects and notifications. ), transmissive liquid crystal display arranged on the front side of the reel (liquid crystal display configured so that the reel can be seen), lamps and LEDs attached to the front door 1b, etc., vibration of the stop switch, surroundings of the stop switch Effect may be executed by means different from the above-described embodiment, such as air blowing from, change in temperature of stop switch.

[About AT]
In the example of the slot machine described above, the main control unit 41 executes AT-related control, but the AT-related control executed by the main control unit 41 includes execution of an AT lottery. The AT lottery may include determination of winning or not winning the AT lottery, determination of whether or not to stock the number of AT games, determination of the number of AT games, addition lottery for the number of AT games, and the like. In addition, AT lottery high probability state control is exemplified as control related to AT. Control of the high-probability state of the AT lottery includes control to increase the probability of winning the AT lottery, control to shorten the period until the AT is controlled according to the result of the internal lottery, the winning probability of the additional lottery, and the game. Control that gives preferential treatment to numbers is included. Further, as a control related to AT, there is a control to AT when a prescribed number of games have been completed. The time when the prescribed number of games has been completed includes the time when the ceiling number of games is reached and the time when the number of games determined by lottery is reached. Further, as control related to AT, there is control for setting a precursor period. The control for setting the precursor period includes control for executing, for example, 0 to 32 games during the precursor period before the start of AT. Moreover, as a control related to AT, there is a control for giving a penalty. The control of giving penalties includes determination of penalty content and determination or setting of penalty period. Further, as control related to AT, the main control unit 41 performs lighting control of a lamp or LED indicating that AT is being performed.

Further, as control related to AT, the main control unit 41 performs lighting control of lamps and LEDs for executing navigation effects. Further, the sub-control unit 91 may execute the navigation effect in conjunction with the main control unit 41 executing the navigation effect. Furthermore, when the lottery probability is improved, for example, when the AT lottery is controlled to a high-probability state, the main control unit 41 notifies the fact by lighting control of a lamp or an LED (for example, the game auxiliary display 12, etc.). You may do so. More specifically, the main control unit 41 may notify that the AT lottery is controlled to a high-probability state by executing the navigation effect a predetermined number of times through the game auxiliary display 12 . Alternatively, the main control unit 41 may notify that the sub-control unit 91 is caused to execute the navigation effect a predetermined number of times, thereby controlling the AT lottery to be in a high probability state.

When the main control unit 41 executes control related to AT, it is preferable that the processing of the main control unit 41 is executed by a control unit subordinate to the main control unit 41 and subordinate to the main control unit 41. . For example, the reel stop control may be executed by a control section provided on a board other than the game control board, and the main control section 41 may transfer the operation signal of the stop switch to the control section. In this way, by causing the lower controller to control the main controller 41, it is possible to prevent insufficient capacity of the ROM 41b and RAM 41c and insufficient processing capability of the main CPU 41a when performing AT-related control.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the main control section 41 executes the above-described AT control, but the sub-control section 91 may execute the control. For example, the sub control unit 91 performs AT lottery processing and additional lottery processing based on the internal winning command from the main control unit 41, and according to the result, performs processing for controlling AT and navigation effect. Processing or the like may be performed.

[Setting change status and setting confirmation status]
With respect to the setting change state, the setting change state may be shifted to under the conditions of "power ON" + "setting key switch ON" + "front door open detection". As a result, unauthorized setting changes can be prevented while the front door is not open. In addition, once the setting change state is entered, the setting change state is maintained regardless of whether the front door is open or closed until the termination condition (setting key switch is turned OFF after the setting value is determined) to end the setting change state is met. You may make it As a result, even if the front door is closed during the setting change state, the setting change state is not terminated, so that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of troublesome transition to the setting change state again.

Further, regarding the setting confirmation state, it is also possible to shift to the setting confirmation state under the condition of "setting key switch ON" + "front door open detection". As a result, it is possible to prevent unauthorized confirmation of settings when the front door is not opened. In addition, once the state is shifted to the setting confirmation state, the setting confirmation state is maintained regardless of whether the front door is open or closed until the termination condition (the setting key switch is turned OFF) to end the setting confirmation state is established. good too. As a result, even if the front door is closed during the setting confirmation state, the setting confirmation state is not terminated, so that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of time and effort for shifting to the setting confirmation state again.

In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of reels capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identifiable symbols are provided. A slot machine in which a prize can be awarded according to a combination of reel display results has been described. In other words, a plurality of variable display units capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identifiable identification information are provided, and after variably displaying the variable display units, the variably displaying of the variable display units is stopped to derive display results. A slot machine in which a prize can be won according to a combination of display results of a plurality of variable display units has been described. However, a display result is derived by providing a variable display section capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information each identifiable, and after variably displaying the variable display section, by stopping variably displaying the variable display section. Any slot machine that can win a prize according to the display results is not limited to those equipped with three reels, but slot machines equipped with only one reel, and slot machines equipped with a plurality of reels other than three. good too.

It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of the claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and range of equivalents of the scope of the claims.

1 slot machine, 2L, 2C, 2R reels, 8L, 8C, 8R stop switch, 40 game control board, 41 main control unit, 41a main CPU, 41b ROM, 41c RAM, 42 random number circuit, 43 pulse oscillator, 51 liquid crystal display Device, 56 effect switch, 90 effect control board, 91 sub control unit, 91a sub CPU, 91b ROM, 91c RAM.

Claims (1)

In a game machine that can play games,
a game control means for controlling the progress of a game;
Production control means for controlling execution of production;
A game control side error display means controlled by the game control means and capable of executing an error display corresponding to the error when an error occurs;
Controlled by the production control means, and when an error occurs, a production control side error display means capable of executing an error display corresponding to the error,
The production control side error display means is
displaying a specific image when a first type of error occurs and displaying a first portion of the specific image in a specific manner;
displaying the specific image when a second type of error occurs and displaying a second portion of the specific image in the specific mode;
The game control means is
error state control means capable of controlling an error state in which the progress of the game is disabled when an error occurs;
Specific display processing means for performing processing for displaying an error in the game control side error display means in the error state;
a canceling operation receiving means capable of receiving a canceling operation for canceling the error state in the error state;
a return means for returning to the state before the power supply is stopped when the power supply is started;
delay means for executing delay processing for delaying the start of acceptance of the cancellation operation ;
An error command transmission means for transmitting an error command that can specify that an error has occurred in the effect control means when an error occurs ,
In order to display an error in the game control side error display means by the specific display processing means when the power supply is stopped in the error state and the error state is restored when the power supply is started. and executing the delay processing after the processing of is resumed, and determining whether or not the release operation is performed after the execution of the delay processing.

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