JP7457375B2 - gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines, and in particular to slot machines.

Gaming machines such as slot machines include medalless slot machines that do not use real medals. For example, Patent Document 1.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-116297

However, since such medalless slot machines do not use real medals, medals are more likely to remain inside the gaming machine than in conventional slot machines that use real medals.
To address this, it is necessary to include a function to clear the medals inside the gaming machine, but there is still room for improvement regarding the clearing function.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a medalless slot machine that improves various problems related to the function of clearing medals remaining inside the gaming machine.

According to the present invention, it is possible to start a game using game media, provide game media according to the result of the game, store the provided game media, and electrically connect the stored game media. It is a medalless gaming machine that can perform a setting change process to set one setting value from a plurality of setting values with different advantages, and can control the progress of the game. A main control means for controlling, a game medium management means for managing the game media, a stored number storage means for storing the number of stored game media, and a bet number storage means for storing the number of game media used in the game. , a first operating means, and a second operating means, and the main control means is configured to operate when the power is turned on with an operation on the first operating means and without an operation on the second operating means. is capable of executing the setting change process that involves clearing the number of game media stored in the bet number storage means, the game media management means is configured to be able to communicate with the external device, and the second At least in part when the power is turned on with an operation on the operation means and without an operation on the first operation means, the number of gaming media stored in the storage number storage means is cleared, and the number of game media stored in the storage number storage means is cleared, and the external In some cases, the number of game media stored in the stored number storage means may be cleared without sending a specific command to the device and turning on the power accompanied by an operation on the second operation means; At least in part when the specific command is transmitted from the game medium management means to the external device and the power is turned on with an operation on the second operation means and without an operation on the first operation means, the Even if the number of game media stored in the storage number storage means is zero, the number of game media is cleared, and the specific command is transmitted from the game media management means to the external device , and the first If the power is turned on with an operation on the operating means but without an operation on the second operating means, the number of game media stored in the stored number storage means is maintained, and the number of game media stored in the stored number storage means is If the power is turned on with an operation and without an operation on the first operating means, the number of game media stored in the bet number storage means is maintained, and the operation on the first operating means and the When the power is turned on accompanied by an operation on the second operation means, the number of game media stored in the bet number storage means and the number of game media stored in the stored number storage means are Both are configured to be clearable, further comprising a notification means and a notification control means for controlling the notification means, wherein the notification control means accompanies the operation on the first operation means and the second operation means. If the number of game media stored in the bet number storage means is cleared based on the power being turned on without any operation, a first notification is executed and an operation is performed on the second operation means. When the number of game media stored in the stored number storage means is cleared based on the power being turned on without any operation on the first operation means, the first notification is Game media stored in the stored number storage means based on a different second notification being executed and power being turned on with an operation on the second operation means and without an operation on the first operation means. is cleared and the number of gaming media stored in the number of bets storage means exceeds zero, a fourth notification may be executed, and the notification mode of the fourth notification is based on the number of bets. To provide a game machine characterized in that the number of game media stored is constant regardless of the number of game media stored .
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to start a game using game media, provide game media according to the result of the game, store the provided game media, and use the stored game media electrically. It is a medalless gaming machine that can perform a setting change process to set one setting value from multiple levels of setting values with different advantages, and is A main control means for controlling the progress, a game medium management means for managing the game media, a stored number storage means for storing the number of stored game media, and a bet number for storing the number of game media used in the game. The main control means includes a storage means, a first operation means, and a second operation means, and the main control means is powered on with an operation on the first operation means and without an operation on the second operation means. In this case, the setting change process that involves clearing the number of gaming media stored in the bet number storage means can be executed, and the gaming media management means is configured to be able to communicate with the external device, and the gaming media management means is configured to be able to communicate with the external device, At least in part when the power is turned on with an operation on the second operation means and without an operation on the first operation means, the number of gaming media stored in the stored number storage means is cleared, and In some cases, the number of game media stored in the stored number storage means may be cleared without sending a specific command to the external device and turning on the power accompanied by an operation on the second operation means; In at least a part of the case where the specific command is transmitted from the game medium management means to the external device and the power is turned on with an operation on the second operation means and without an operation on the first operation means. , even if the number of game media stored in the storage number storage means is zero, the number of game media is cleared, and the specific command is transmitted from the game media management means to the external device; If the power is turned on with an operation on the first operation means and without an operation on the second operation means, the number of game media stored in the stored number storage means is maintained, and the second operation If the power is turned on with an operation on the means and without an operation on the first operating means, the number of game media stored in the bet number storage means is maintained, and the number of game media stored in the bet number storage means is and when the power is turned on accompanied by an operation on the second operation means, the number of game media stored in the bet number storage means and the number of game media stored in the stored number storage means are The number is configured such that both numbers can be cleared, and further includes a notification means and a notification control means for controlling the notification means, and the notification control means accompanies an operation on the first operation means and a notification control means for controlling the notification means. When the number of gaming media stored in the bet number storage means is cleared based on the power being turned on without any operation on the operating means, the first notification is executed, and the second operating means When the number of game media stored in the storage number storage means is cleared based on the power being turned on with an operation on the first operation means and without an operation on the first operation means, the first notification is stored in the bet number storage means based on the fact that the power is turned on with an operation on the first operation means and without an operation on the second operation means. If the number of game media is cleared and the number of game media stored in the stored number storage means exceeds zero, a third notification different from either the first notification or the second notification is executed. The third notification may be made in the first case where the number of game media stored in the stored number storage means is a predetermined number or more, and in the second case where the number of game media is less than the predetermined number. The notification mode is different depending on the case, and the notification mode of the third notification in the first case and the notification mode of the third notification in the second case are both different from the storage number storage means. To provide a game machine characterized in that the number of game media stored in the game machine is constant regardless of the number of game media stored in the game machine.

According to the present invention, there is provided a medalless slot machine that improves various problems related to the function of clearing medals remaining inside the gaming machine.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the gaming machine 10. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a hand region II shown surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 1. FIG. It is a figure showing the back side of front door 20. It is a diagram showing the gaming machine 10 with the front door 20 removed. It is a diagram showing the arrangement of symbols on the reel 65 in a two-dimensionally developed manner. 13 is a diagram showing the types of symbols displayed on a reel 65. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of a gaming machine 10. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a gaming machine 10. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the main flow in the main board 100. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the main flow in the main board 100. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the main flow in the main board 100. FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a flow of transitions between gaming states. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the types of roles that can be internally won, the symbol combinations corresponding to each role, and the payout for each role. FIGS. 13 and 14 are diagrams showing the types of winning combinations that can be won internally, the symbol combinations corresponding to each winning combination, and the payouts for each winning combination. FIG. 15(a) schematically shows a lottery table used in an internal lottery during MB non-internal winning, and FIG. 15(b) schematically shows a lottery table used in an internal lottery during MB internal winning. . 16(a) to 16(c) are diagrams schematically showing details of some of the winning combinations in FIG. 15(a) or 15(b). FIG. 16(b) schematically shows the details of the part corresponding to the strong chance, and FIG. 16(c) schematically shows the details of the part corresponding to the weak chance. . FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the flow of changing game modes. FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the operation condition notification control process. It is a flowchart of the main flow in the medal number control board 300. FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the medal number control board initial setting process. FIG. 21 is a diagram summarizing whether or not the number of medals is cleared according to the operating state when the power is turned on. FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the sub-board effect control process. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a timing chart when both the bet number clear notification and the credit clear notification are executed when the power is turned on. FIG. 24 is a flowchart of the credit remaining notification control process. FIG. 25 is a flowchart of the remaining bet number notification control process.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, in all the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same components, and the explanation is omitted as appropriate. In the following explanation, "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", and "bottom" refer to the front side of the gaming machine 10 (the player's side) as shown in FIG. 1, unless otherwise specified. ). In addition, in the following explanation, "advantageous (advantageous degree)" refers to being advantageous to the player, and furthermore, unless otherwise specified, medals (game media ) refers to being advantageous in terms of acquisition.

<About the features of the present invention>
Before explaining the details of the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment, the features of the invention (present invention) described in this embodiment will be explained.
In explaining the features, the configuration in parentheses is an example of the configuration of this embodiment corresponding to the immediately preceding configuration, and in the description of the gaming machine 10 that follows, the configuration in parentheses will be used for the same purpose. The configuration may be described in

The present invention relates to
A medal-less gaming machine capable of starting a game using a gaming medium, awarding gaming media according to the result of the game, storing the awarded gaming medium, and transmitting the stored gaming medium to an electrically connected external device (a dedicated unit 1000) for settlement, and capable of executing a setting change process for setting one setting value from a plurality of setting values with different degrees of advantage,
A main control means (main board 100) for controlling the progress of the game;
A game media management means (a medal number control board 300) for managing game media;
A storage number storage means (RAM 302) for storing the number of stored game media;
A bet number storage means (RAM 102) for storing the number of gaming media used in a game;
A first operating means (setting key switch 48a);
A second operation means (a medal number clear button 81);
Equipped with
the main control means is capable of executing the setting change process accompanied by clearing the number of gaming media stored in the bet number storage means when power is turned on with an operation on the first operation means and without an operation on the second operation means;
The game media management means includes:
A device configured to be able to communicate with the external device,
In at least some cases where power is turned on with an operation on the second operating means and without an operation on the first operating means, the number of game media (credits) stored in the number storage means is cleared, and a specific command (credit clear command) is transmitted to the external device;
There may be a case where the number of game media stored in the reserved number storage means is cleared without power-on involving an operation on the second operation means, and even in such a case, the specific command is transmitted from the game media management means to the external device,
In at least some cases where power is turned on with an operation on the second operation means and without an operation on the first operation means, even if the number of game media stored in the reserved number storage means is zero, the number of game media is cleared, and the specific command is transmitted from the game media management means to the external device.
This is a gaming machine characterized by the above.

According to the present invention, regardless of the trigger for clearing the number of gaming media stored in the stored number storage means, the control related to the specific command is simplified in the target control unit to which the specific command is transmitted. Can be done.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, this effect can be enhanced.

Furthermore, when the power is turned on with an operation on the first operation means and without an operation on the second operation means, the main control means controls the game media stored in the bet number storage means. It is possible to execute the setting change process that involves clearing the number of , and when executing the process, it is not necessary to refer to the operation state of the second operation means at the time of power-on.

Furthermore, with regard to "(the gaming medium management means), in at least some cases where power is turned on with an operation on the second operation means but not with an operation on the first operation means, clears the number of gaming media (credits) stored in the accumulated number storage means and transmits a specific command (credit clear command) to the external device," it is not necessary to refer to the state of operation on the first operation means at the time of power-on when executing this process.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, which will be described later, the main board 100 corresponding to the main control means and bet number storage means and the medal number control board 300 corresponding to the game media management means and stored number storage means are provided on separate boards. However, the board for realizing the main control means and the bet number storage means and the board for realizing the game medium management means and the stored number storage means may be the same board. That is, the game media management means, the stored number storage means, the game media management means, and the stored number storage means may be implemented on one board (for example, the main board 100).

The gaming machine 10 having the above features will be specifically described based on the following embodiments.

<Structure of gaming machine 10>
First, the structure of the gaming machine 10 will be explained using FIGS. 1 to 6. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine 10, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hand area II enclosed by a broken line in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the back side of the front door 20. , FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the front of the gaming machine 10 excluding the front door 20, FIG. is a diagram showing the types of symbols placed on the reel 65.

The gaming machine 10 includes a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped outer frame 90 with an open front, a front door 20 that is rotatably supported on the left edge of the outer frame 90, and a gaming machine main body 60. . More specifically, three hinge parts 96 (96a, 96b, 96c) are provided on the left edge side of the outer frame 90, and the front door 20 is pivotally supported by the upper hinge part 96a and the lower hinge part 96c. The gaming machine main body 60 is pivotally supported by the upper hinge portion 96a and the middle hinge portion 96b.

On the front side of the front door 20, as shown in FIG. 1 or 2, an upper panel 21, a lower panel 22, a bet button 23, a menu selection button 24, a status display LED 25, a start lever 26, A stop button 27, a medal number display LED 28, a payment button 32, a medal counting button 33, a door lock 34, a decorative LED 36, and a speaker port 38 are provided.
In particular, the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment is a so-called medalless slot machine that allows games to be played without using real medals. Therefore, the gaming machine 10 does not have a structure necessary for using real medals, such as a medal slot and a medal outlet, which conventional slot machines that use real medals are equipped with as standard. Furthermore, in the following description, the term "medal" refers to something that is handled as electronic information, rather than the actual medal used in the past.

Also, on the back side of the front door 20, as shown in FIG. 3, there are provided a decorative LED board 41, a status display LED board 42, a stop button board 43, a start lever sensor 44, a bet button board 45, a menu selection button board 46, a setting change device 48, a speaker 49, a medal number display LED board 50, and a medal count button board 51.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the gaming machine 10 includes a power supply device 91 and a medal number control board 300 on the gaming machine main body 60 side.

In addition, in order to open the front door 20, it is necessary to insert a door key (not shown) into the door lock 34 and release a locking mechanism (not shown) that locks the front door 20 and the outer frame 90. When the front door 20 is opened, as shown in FIG. 4, the power supply device 91 and the medal number control board 300 provided below the gaming machine main body 60 can be confirmed. In this embodiment, an open door sensor (not shown) for determining whether or not the front door 20 is opened is provided on the right edge side of the outer frame 90.

The power supply device 91 is a device for supplying power to each component of the gaming machine 10, and starting or stopping is controlled by operating a power switch 92 provided in the device. Therefore, when playing a game, it is necessary to operate the power switch 92 to start the power supply device 91 with the front door 20 open. In this embodiment, even if the power supply from the power supply device 91 is OFF, the main board 100, the sub-board 200, and the medal number control board 300, which will be described later, are in a state where the power supply is OFF. It has a function to maintain the information held before the

The medal number control board 300 is a board for managing credits, which will be described later, and includes a medal number operation board 52.
The medal number operation board 52 is a board equipped with a medal number clear button 81, an error release button 82, and an operation board cover 53. Although not shown in FIG. 4, the board further includes medals. A medal number clear button sensor 52a and an error release button sensor 52b are provided to detect an operation on the medal number clear button 81 and an error release button sensor 52b, and the medal number control board 300 detects when the medal number clear button 81 or the error release button 82 is operated. It is configured so that it can be detected. The details of the process executed by the medal number control board 300 when these buttons are operated will be described later. Furthermore, the operation board cover 53 is a cover that covers the medal number clear button 81 and the error release button 82, and by sliding this, it becomes possible to operate these buttons.

The setting change device 48 provided on the back side of the front door 20 is a device for performing a setting change process for changing a setting value and a setting confirmation process for confirming a setting value that has already been set, and is configured to include a setting key switch 48a, a setting change switch 48b, a setting display LED 48c, and a setting key cover 48d. The setting change process and the setting confirmation process will be described in detail later.
The setting display LED 48c is an LED that displays the setting value being changed in the setting change process and displays the setting value that has already been set in the setting confirmation process, and in this embodiment is configured as a 7-segment display.
The setting key cover 48d is a cover that covers the setting key switch 48a, and by sliding the setting key cover 48d, a setting key (not shown) can be inserted into the setting key switch 48a for operation. Note that Fig. 3 illustrates a state in which the setting key cover 48d covers the setting key switch 48a.
Here, the setting value is a different ball payout rate that indicates the expected number of medals paid out relative to the number of medals used in a game, and in this embodiment, there are six levels, from 1 to 6. The larger the setting value that is set, the higher the ball payout rate tends to be, and similarly in this embodiment, the ball payout rate increases as the setting value increases from 1 to 6. In the following explanation, a setting value of 1 will be referred to as setting value 1, and similarly a setting value of 2 will be referred to as setting value 2, a setting value of 3 as setting value 3, a setting value of 4 as setting value 4, a setting value of 5 as setting value 5, and a setting value of 6 as setting value 6.

The front door 20 also has an upper panel 21 and a lower panel 22 on the front side.
Since the upper panel 21 is formed of a transparent material, a player positioned in front of the gaming machine 10 can see the gaming machine main body 60 located on the back side of the upper panel 21 through the upper panel 21.
The lower panel 22 has the model name of the gaming machine 10 and characters related to the model written on its surface, and the model name and other information written thereon can be easily seen by turning on a backlight (not shown) installed at the rear.

Furthermore, the gaming machine main body 60 includes main components that control the games played by the gaming machine 10, and specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, an effect display area 62 is formed at the upper front surface thereof. A reel frame 64 is formed at the lower front surface thereof.

The performance display area 62 is the display screen of the performance display device 63 built into the gaming machine main body 60, and can display performances and information related to the game of the gaming machine 10. Note that the performance display device 63 can be, for example, a liquid crystal display type display device, and the performances displayed in the performance display area 62 are linked to the audio output from the speaker 49 and the illumination of the decorative LEDs 36, so as to appropriately arouse the interest of the player.

The reel frame 64 is a window frame formed on the front side of the reels 65 (65L, 65C, 65R) built into the gaming machine main body 60, and is divided into an internal area and an external area. The internal area of the reel frame 64 is formed by a cavity or a transparent member, and each part of the reel 65 can be visually recognized through the internal area. Further, the external area of the reel frame 64 is formed of an opaque member (including a translucent member or a colored transparent member), making it difficult to visually recognize the reel 65 through the external area.

Here, the reel 65 includes a reel 65L, a reel 65C, and a reel 65R, and these reels are configured to be rotatable by a stepping motor. When the reel 65 in this embodiment rotates, in principle, the reel 65 rotates from top to bottom. Sometimes referred to as "the opposite direction".
In addition, each of the reels 65 is decorated with a plurality of types of symbols, and by rotating the reels 65, the symbols displayed on the reels 65 change and are displayed, and by stopping the rotating reels 65, the symbols stop. indicate.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the outer periphery of each reel 65 is equally divided into 21 pieces, and each piece is decorated with one symbol. In the following explanation, each piece placed on reel 65L will be referred to as LZ00 to LZ20, each piece placed on reel 65C will be referred to as CZ00 to CZ20, and each piece placed on reel 65R will be referred to as RZ00 to RZ20. There is.

Next, the types of symbols depicted on the outer periphery of each reel 65 will be described with reference to FIG.
The symbol shown in Fig. 6(a) is a blue symbol that resembles the number "7," and is referred to as the "blue 7 symbol" in the following description. The blue 7 symbol is arranged in LZ18, CZ18, and RZ18, and can be said to be a symbol that is arranged in excess of the maximum number of pull-in frames (to be described later) on each of the reels 65 (depending on the timing of the operation of the stop button 27, it may be impossible to stop the symbol on an active line).
The symbol shown in Fig. 6(b) is a red symbol that resembles the number "7", and is referred to as the "Red 7 symbol" in the following description. The Red 7 symbol is arranged in LZ10, CZ10, and RZ10, and can be said to be a symbol arranged in excess of the maximum number of pull-in frames on each reel 65, just like the above-mentioned "Blue 7 symbol."
The symbol shown in Fig. 6(c) is a symbol marked "BAR" and will be referred to as "BAR symbol" in the following description. Note that the BAR symbol is arranged on LZ03, CZ03, RZ03, etc., and can be said to be a symbol arranged on each reel 65 in excess of the maximum number of pull-in frames, similar to the above-mentioned "Blue 7 symbol."
The symbol shown in Fig. 6(d) is a symbol labeled "REPLAY" meaning a replay, and will be referred to as a "replay symbol" in the following description. Note that the replay symbols are arranged on LZ04, CZ01, RZ02, etc., and can be said to be symbols that are not arranged in excess of the maximum number of pull-in frames on each reel 65 (i.e., symbols that can be stopped on an active line regardless of the operation timing of the stop button 27).
The symbol shown in Fig. 6(e) is a symbol that resembles a bell, and will be referred to as a "bell symbol" in the following description. Note that the bell symbol is arranged on LZ00, CZ02, RZ01, etc., and can be said to be a symbol that is not arranged in excess of the maximum number of pull-in frames on each reel 65, similar to the above-mentioned "replay symbol."
The symbol shown in Fig. 6(f) is a symbol imitating a cherry, and will be referred to as a "cherry symbol" in the following description. Note that the cherry symbol is arranged at LZ02, CZ08, RZ00, etc., and can be said to be a symbol arranged on each reel 65 in excess of the maximum number of pull-in frames, similar to the above-mentioned "blue 7 symbol."
The symbol shown in Fig. 6(g) is a symbol that resembles a watermelon, and will be referred to as a "watermelon symbol" in the following description. Note that the watermelon symbol is arranged at LZ01, CZ00, RZ11, etc., and can be said to be a symbol arranged on each reel 65 in excess of the maximum number of reel-in frames, similar to the above-mentioned "blue 7 symbol."
The symbol shown in Fig. 6(h) is a symbol marked "BLANK" and will be referred to as a "blank symbol" in the following description. Note that the blank symbol is arranged on LZ07, CZ05, RZ05, etc., and can be said to be a symbol arranged on each reel 65 in excess of the maximum number of reel-in frames, similar to the above-mentioned "Blue 7 symbol."

Further, each of the reels 65 has a detection piece (not shown) that moves as the reel rotates at a position corresponding to a reference position (LZ00, CZ00, RZ00 in this embodiment) (movement in a brake control state described later). A reel sensor 66 that does not move with the rotation of the reel and detects the detection piece is also provided. Specifically, a reel sensor 66L is provided for the reel 65L, a reel sensor 66C is provided for the reel 65C, and a reel sensor 66R is provided for the reel 65R. The system is configured so that it can be detected.

Furthermore, a reel lighting board 67 (67L, 67C, 67R) is provided inside the reel 65, and each symbol displayed on the reel 65 can be visually recognized by lighting the LEDs mounted on the reel lighting board 67. It's easy. That is, the LED mounted on the reel illumination board 67 functions as a backlight for symbol display by the reels 65.

The start lever 26 can receive a player's operation as an opportunity to start a game. Here, the operation of the start lever 26 by the player means to tilt the start lever 26, which is provided substantially perpendicularly to the front door 20 in the initial state, in any direction.
The start lever sensor 44 can detect whether the start lever 26 is in an on state or an off state. More specifically, the start lever sensor 44 detects the start lever 26 that is substantially perpendicular to the front door 20 as being in the off state, and detects the start lever 26 that is tilted in either direction as being in the on state. .

In this embodiment, if the number of medals used in the game (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "number of bets", this number being stored in the RAM 102 described later) is one or less, the game will not start even if the start lever 26 is operated. That is, in this embodiment, the game can be started only when the number of bets is the maximum number (three in this embodiment) or two. Therefore, in order to reach the maximum number of bets, it is necessary to increase the number of bets by deducting the medals stored in the medal number control board 300 of the gaming machine 10 by pressing the bet button 23.
Here, storing medals refers to a function of storing a numerical value (credits) corresponding to the medals owned by the player inside the gaming machine 10 (particularly the RAM 302 described later). Furthermore, medals are stored (credits are added) when, for example, medals are loaned from the dedicated unit 1000 described later, or when a winning combination with a payout is won. In the following explanation, loaning medals from the dedicated unit 1000 includes not only the transfer (movement) of the medals to the medal count control board 300 after the dedicated unit 1000 converts bills into medals, but also the transfer of stored medals stored in a membership card or the like to the medal count control board 300.
Furthermore, if a replay role is won in the previous game, a replay is activated in that game, the number of bets in the previous game is set as the number of bets in the current game, and a game can be started by pressing the bet button 23 without setting new medals as the number of bets.

Furthermore, the gaming machine 10 has a maximum bet button 23a and a single bet button 23b as the bet buttons 23 described above, and an operation on each button is detected by a sensor provided on the bet button board 45. More specifically, a maximum bet button sensor 45a is provided for the maximum bet button 23a, and a single bet button sensor 45b is provided for the single bet button 23b, and these sensors individually detect operations on each button. be done.
The maximum bet button 23a subtracts credits by the maximum number of bets (in this embodiment, 3) in one operation, and adds the subtraction to the number of bets, thereby increasing the number of bets to the maximum. The single bet button 23b is a button that subtracts 1 from the credit and adds 1 to the number of bets in one operation. Note that if the number of bets has reached the maximum number, no matter which of the bet buttons 23 is operated, credits cannot be subtracted and the number of bets cannot be added.

In addition to being used as a bet button to increase the number of bets by subtracting credits according to the operation as described above, the maximum bet button 23a may also be used as an opportunity to perform a performance (a performance button). be. When the maximum bet button 23a is used as a bet button, it is limited to a state in which the number of bets can be added; however, when the maximum bet button 23a is used as a production button, it is not limited to this state, and for example, when a game Any state may be adopted, such as during a replay operation before the start of the game, or during a game.
Note that the bet button board 45 is provided with a push button sensor 45c that detects the press of the maximum bet button 23a when the maximum bet button 23a is used as an effect button, and is distinguished from the detection by the maximum bet button sensor 45a. be done. Specifically, the difference is that the maximum bet button sensor 45a is directly connected to the main board 100, whereas the push button sensor 45c is directly connected to the sub board 200.

Further, the settlement button 32 is operated to transfer the number of bets before being used for a game to credits, and the operation of the settlement button 32 is detected by a settlement button sensor (not shown). Note that when the settlement button 32 is operated, the entire bet amount is transferred to credits by one operation of the settlement button 32, regardless of the current value of the bet amount.

The medal counting button 33 is operated to transfer part or all of the credits stored in the medal number control board 300 to the dedicated unit 1000, and the medal counting button 33 is operated to transfer part or all of the credits stored in the medal number control board 300 to the dedicated unit 1000. An operation on the medal counting button 33 is detected by the button sensor 51a.
When the medal counting button 33 is pressed briefly, one credit is transferred to the dedicated unit 1000, and when the medal counting button 33 is pressed and held for a certain period of time (this implementation In this example, every 500 ms), 50 credits (or the value if the value of credits is less than 50) are transferred to the dedicated unit 1000.

The gaming machine 10 also includes a menu selection button 24 on the left side of the bet button 23 described above. The menu selection button 24 includes a cross key button 24a mounted on the menu selection button board 46, and a decision button 24b located at the center of the cross key button 24a.

The menu selection button 24 is a component that accepts operations related to the menu screen. Here, the menu screen refers to a screen that is displayed in the performance display area 62 and shows how to operate the gaming machine 10, game explanation information, and the like.
The player can view the menu screen by operating the menu selection button 24. For example, when the enter button 24b is pressed in the standby state, a list of menus and a cursor are displayed in the effect display area 62. By operating the cross key button 24a, the player moves the cursor to a position indicating an arbitrary menu, and when the cursor indicates one of the menus, when the player presses the enter button 24b, the menu is displayed as an effect. displayed in area 62.

The menu selection button board 46 is provided with a cross key button sensor 46a and a decision button sensor 46b. It is possible to detect whether the button is pressed in either the left or right direction. Further, the decision button sensor 46b can detect that the decision button 24b has been pressed. The cross key button sensor 46a and the decision button sensor 46b are directly connected to the sub-board 200, similar to the push button sensor 45c described above.

The gaming machine 10 also includes a status display LED 25 on the right side of the bet button 23, which displays information regarding the gaming machine 10, such as the number of bets. The status display LED 25 is composed of a plurality of LEDs or a 7-segment display mounted on the status display LED board 42, and is composed of the following eight types of LEDs.
The first bet number display LED 25a is composed of three LEDs, and each time the bet number increases by one, the number of LEDs that light up increases by one.
The second medal number display LED 25b is composed of two 7-segment displays, and numerically represents the number of medals obtained by winning.
The third instruction display LED 25c is composed of two 7-segment displays, and is displayed in a manner that allows specifying operating conditions (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "operating conditions") related to the stop button 27, which will be described later. Can be lit.
The fourth replay display LED 25d is composed of one LED, and lights up when the replay is stopped and displayed in the game.
The fifth game start display LED 25e is composed of one LED, and the lighting of the LED indicates that the conditions for starting the game are satisfied.
The sixth input possibility display LED 25f is composed of one LED, and lighting of the LED indicates that the number of bets can be set.
The seventh advantageous mode display LED 25g is composed of one LED, and lights up in accordance with the game mode.

Further, the gaming machine 10 includes a medal number display LED 28 on the right side of the status display LED 25, which displays the number of credits. The medal number display LED 28 is constituted by five 7-segment displays mounted on the medal number display LED board 50, and is configured to be able to display the number of medals from 0 to 99999 on the display.

The stop button 27 receives from the player an operation (stop operation) that causes the rotating reels 65 to stop. Note that the stop button 27 can accept a stop operation (is activated) when a stoppable condition is satisfied after the reel 65 starts rotating.
The player's operation on the stop button 27 is to press the stop button 27. In addition, the stoppable condition is a precondition for performing a stop display in a game, and specifically, the rotational speed of all the reels 65 (65L, 65C, 65R) reaches a predetermined speed, and the reel 65 This is a condition that is satisfied when the reference position in each is detected.
In addition, in the following explanation, the operation on the first stop button in one game will be referred to as the "first stop operation," the operation on the next stop button will be referred to as the "second stop operation," and the operation on the last stop button will be referred to as the "second stop operation." 3 stop operation".

Each of the stop buttons 27 (27L, 27C, 27R) is mounted on the stop button board 43, and one is provided for each of the reels 65. Specifically, the stop button 27L accepts a stop operation to stop the reel 65L, the stop button 27C accepts a stop operation to stop the reel 65C, and the stop button 27R accepts a stop operation to stop the reel 65R. Accepts stop operations.
Further, the stop button board 43 is provided with a stop button sensor 43a that individually detects that the stop button 27L, stop button 27C, and stop button 27R are pressed. Control is performed for each of 65 to stop rotation. That is, the stop button 27 and the stop button sensor 43a detect a stop operation that causes the reel control unit 112, which will be described later, to stop the rotation of the reel 65.

Further, the stop button 27 in this embodiment includes a stoppable display LED 27a, and its periphery is covered with a light-transmissive member. The stop button 27 is designed to notify the player whether or not the stoppable condition is satisfied by the lighting color of the stoppable display LED 27a. In this way, since it is possible to determine whether or not the stoppable condition is satisfied based on the color of the stop button 27, the player can smoothly perform stop operations in sequence.

In addition, in this embodiment, the stop position of the reel 65 is determined based on the position of the reel 65 when the stop button 27 is pressed, up to the maximum number of frames drawn in (sometimes referred to as the maximum drawn range, in this embodiment, 4). Can be moved. Here, the control from when the stop button 27 is pressed until the reels 65 stop is generally referred to as pull-in control.

The internal area of the reel frame 64 corresponding to each reel 65 has a size of three frames in the vertical direction. Furthermore, each of the reels 65 is controlled to stop so that three symbols fit in the vertical direction of the internal area of the reel frame 64, and the player can visually recognize the three symbols through the internal area of the reel frame 64. It has become. In other words, the reels 65 have three reels arranged in the left and right direction, so when the reels 65 are stopped, the player can see 3 symbols x 3 reels = 9 symbols. There is.

Here, the approximate straight lines (shown by dashed lines in FIG. 1) formed by the upper, middle, and lower internal regions of each of the reels 65 are referred to as line L1, line L2, and line L3, respectively. Furthermore, the approximate straight line (shown by dashed lines in FIG. 1) formed by the upper internal region of the reel 65L, the middle internal region of the reel 65C, and the lower internal region of the reel 65R is referred to as line L4, and the approximate straight line (shown by dashed lines in FIG. 1) formed by the lower internal region of the reel 65L, the middle internal region of the reel 65C, and the upper internal region of the reel 65R is referred to as line L5.
In this embodiment, only substantially straight lines are used as lines in the internal area, but not limited to straight lines, curved lines may be used. Also, lines formed including non-adjacent areas (for example, the upper part of the reel 65L and the lower part of the reel 65C) may be used. In other words, any lines may be used as long as they are formed by arbitrarily selecting an internal area of one symbol from each of the reels 65.

The only valid line in this embodiment is line L2. Here, the active line is a line on which a winning determination, which will be described later, is made for the symbol combinations stopped on the line.
Specifically, when a combination of symbols corresponding to a winning prize is stopped and displayed on the active line, a predetermined number of medals will be awarded for the winning prize. When the combination of symbols corresponding to the replay is stopped and displayed on the active line, the replay is activated in the next game. When the combination of symbols corresponding to the accessory or the accessory continuous operating device is stopped and displayed on the activated line, the accessory or the accessory continuous operating device is activated in the next game. Details of the symbol combinations corresponding to each role will be described later.
Note that the effective line may be a single line as in this embodiment, or may be a plurality of lines.

While the reels 65 are spinning (while the game is being played), various effects are displayed, such as images displayed in the effect display area 62, sounds output from the speaker 49, or the lighting or extinguishing of the decorative LEDs 36, in order to attract the player's attention and arouse his/her interest in the game.

A speaker port 38 is provided in front of each speaker 49.
More specifically, a speaker port 38a is provided in front of a speaker 49a located at the upper right (upper left in FIG. 3) when viewed from the front of the gaming machine; A speaker port 38b is provided in front of the speaker 49b located in the upper right corner of the gaming machine, and a speaker port 38c is provided in front of the speaker 49c located in the lower left corner (lower right corner in FIG. 3) when viewed from the front of the gaming machine. A speaker port 38d is provided in front of the speaker 49d located at the lower right (lower left in FIG. 3) when viewed from the front of the gaming machine. Note that each speaker port 38 is provided with a large number of cavities, so that the sound output from the speaker 49 can be appropriately output.

The decorative LEDs 36 are arranged so as to surround the effect display area 62 or the reel frame 64.
More specifically, on the upper right side of the effect display area 62, a decorative LED 36a mounted on the decorative LED board 41a and a decorative LED 36b mounted on the decorative LED board 41b are arranged. Decorative LEDs 36c mounted on a decorative LED board 41c are arranged on the lower side. Further, a decorative LED 36d mounted on a decorative LED board 41d is arranged on the lower right side of the reel frame 64, and a decorative LED 36e mounted on a decorative LED board 41e is arranged on the lower left side of the reel frame 64. , Decorative LEDs 36f mounted on the decorative LED board 41f are arranged on the lower left side of the effect display area 62, and decorative LEDs 36g and 36f mounted on the decorative LED board 41g are arranged on the upper left side of the effect display area 62. A decorative LED 36h mounted on the board 41h is arranged. Note that each decorative LED 36 may be lit in a single color or may be lit in multiple colors.

<Electrical configuration and functional configuration of gaming machine 10>
Next, the electrical configuration and functional configuration of the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment will be explained using FIGS. 7 and 8. However, the components illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 described above will also be mentioned, so please refer to them as appropriate. Note that FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the gaming machine 10, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10.

The gaming machine 10 has as its main components a main board 100, a sub-board 200, and a medal count control board 300. In FIG. 7, the main board 100, the sub-board 200, and the medal count control board 300 are illustrated as if they were a single electronic board, but they do not necessarily have to be a single electronic board. In other words, the main board 100, the sub-board 200, and the medal count control board 300 may each be realized by combining multiple electronic boards.

Electronic components such as a CPU 101, a RAM 102, a ROM 103, and a random number circuit 104 are mounted on the main board 100, and the connections with other electronic components such as a sensor and a board are as shown in FIG. The main board 100 mainly implements control related to the progress of the game by executing processing based on data and control signals exchanged between these electronic components, various sensors 40a, etc.
Here, the various sensors 40a include the above-mentioned start lever sensor 44, stop button sensor 43a, maximum bet button sensor 45a, single bet button sensor 45b, reel sensor 66, etc.
In addition to the main board 100, a medal number control board 300 (to be described later) has a limited ROM capacity and RAM capacity in order to increase security against fraudulent acts such as unauthorized modification. On the other hand, the sub-board 200 is not provided with similar restrictions.

Furthermore, electronic components such as a CPU 201, a RAM 202, a ROM 203, and a random number circuit 204 are mounted on the sub-board 200, and the connection status with other electronic components such as a sensor and a board is as shown in FIG. . The sub board 200 is connected to the main board 100 by one-way communication, controls the decorative LED board 41, the speaker 49, the effect display device 63, etc. based on the control commands sent from the main board 100, and mainly controls the game. Control of such effects (including control related to menu screens) is realized.
Here, the various sensors 40b include a push button sensor 45c, a cross key button sensor 46a, a decision button sensor 46b, and the like.

Furthermore, electronic components such as a CPU 301, a RAM 302, and a ROM 303 are mounted on the medal number control board 300, and the connection status with other electronic components such as a sensor and a board is as shown in FIG. The medal number control board 300 is connected to the main board 100 and a dedicated unit 1000 located outside the gaming machine 10 through two-way communication, and the medals can be moved through communication between these. In addition, the sub-board 200 is connected to the sub-board 200 by one-way communication (not shown) from the medal number control board 300, and various information regarding the medal number control board 300 (for example, credit value, The content of each process executed on the medal number control board 300) can be acquired.
Here, the dedicated unit 1000 is different from the dedicated unit 1000 described later, and accepts cards such as membership cards that can store information, and accepts medals transferred from the medal number control board 300 (the medals transferred from the medal number control board 300). The system is configured such that the counted credits can be stored in a member card or the like as stored medals and can be discharged.

Next, the functional configurations of the main board 100 and the sub board 200 will be described using FIG. 8. Note that the following functional configurations and the functions each functional configuration has are examples, and you may have functional configurations that are not listed below, or each functional configuration may have functions that are not listed below. You can leave it there. Note that, for convenience of explanation, electronic components other than the main board 100 and the sub-board 200, such as the sensor and the board shown in FIG. 7, are also shown in the figure.

First, the functional configuration of the main board 100 can be roughly divided into a game progress management section 110 that manages the progress of the game, a state management section 120 that manages the state related to the game, and a main communication section 130.
Further, the game progress management section 110 includes an internal lottery section 111, a reel control section 112, a winning determination section 113, a medal management section 114, and a status display LED control section 115, and the status management section 120 includes a setting change management section. 121, a gaming state management section 122, a gaming mode management section 124, and a main error management section 125. The main communication section 130 is composed of a control command transmission/reception section 131 and an external signal transmission section 132.

The internal lottery unit 111 determines by lottery a winning combination (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "internal winning combination") from a plurality of types of winning combinations when a game is started.
More specifically, the internal lottery unit 111 obtains the random number (in this embodiment, a 2-byte random number is used, and the range is 0 to 65535) that is updated in the random number circuit 104 when the game is started. , the lottery values in the internal lottery table (details will be described later) stored in the ROM 103 are sequentially added to the obtained random numbers, and the winning combination corresponding to the lottery value in which a carry occurred is determined as the internal winning combination. Note that "the internal winning combination is determined by lottery" in the internal lottery unit 111 may be simply expressed as "the internal winning combination is derived."

Taking the start of a game as an opportunity, the reel control unit 112 sets a predetermined delay time, a so-called wait time (this embodiment Then, each reel 65 starts rotating after waiting for 4.1 s), and thereafter, each time a stop operation is performed, the reel corresponding to the stop operation among the reels 65 is stopped. Control rotation individually.

More specifically, the reel control unit 112 changes the reel control state (acceleration control state, constant speed control state, pull-in control state, brake control state, stop control state) to each of the reels 65 according to the progress of the game. The reel motor 68 (stepping motor) controls the reel motor 68 (stepping motor) to obtain an excitation pattern corresponding to the currently set reel control state from the excitation pattern stored in the ROM 103, and output a pulse signal according to the obtained excitation pattern. The rotation of the reel 65 is individually controlled by controlling each of the reels 65.

Furthermore, to specifically explain the reel control state, the acceleration control state is a control state in which a pulse signal is outputted according to an excitation pattern for accelerating the reel to a predetermined speed after rotation has started. The constant speed control state is a control state from the end of the acceleration control state until a stop operation is performed, and in this control state, a pulse signal is output according to an excitation pattern for maintaining a predetermined speed. The pull-in control state is a control state in which the corresponding reel is rotated to the stop position after a stop operation is performed, and in this control state, like the constant speed control state, pulses are generated according to the excitation pattern to maintain a predetermined speed. A signal is output. The brake control state is a control state in which a pulse signal is output according to an excitation pattern for stopping the corresponding reel after reaching the stop position. The stop control state is a control state in which the corresponding reel is maintained at the current position.
Note that the switching of the reel control state is performed in the main flow of the main board 100, which will be described later, and the output of the pulse signal is performed by a timer that is performed at predetermined intervals (approximately 2 ms in this embodiment) on the main board 100. This is performed in interrupt processing (not shown).

In addition, when stopping each of the reels 65 (switching from the pull-in control state to the brake control state), the reel control unit 112 derives (or reads) candidate symbol numbers to be stopped from the stop data stored in the ROM 103. ), one symbol number from among the symbol number candidates within the maximum pull-in range (four frames in this embodiment) from the position of the reel (symbol number on the reference line) at the timing when the stop operation was performed is set as the stop position. decide.
Here, the symbol number on the reference line on each reel 65 changes to the symbol number at the reference position (in this embodiment, RZ00, CZ00, LZ00) every time a detection piece is detected by the reel sensor 66 in the timer interrupt process. It is corrected and updated according to the number of times the pulse signal is switched thereafter.
Furthermore, in the constant speed control state, the reel control unit 112 controls the reference line until a predetermined time has elapsed (until the pulse signal has been switched a predetermined number of times) after the symbol number on the reference line was last corrected. If the symbol number on the line is not corrected, it is determined that the corresponding reel is out of step (hereinafter referred to as out of step check), the reel control state is set to acceleration control state, and the reel is accelerated again. let

The winning determination unit 113 performs a winning determination for determining whether a winning combination has been achieved based on a combination of symbols that have been stopped and displayed on a pay line (in this embodiment, the line L2) in the game.
In addition, when determining whether a winning combination has been achieved, in addition to determining whether the combination of symbols stopped and displayed on the winning line matches the winning combination obtained in the game, a determination may also be made as to whether the winning combination has been achieved.

The medal management unit 114 manages the increase/decrease in the number of bets mentioned above and controls the exchange of medals with the medal number control board 300.

The status display LED control unit 115 controls the status display LED 25 described above.

The setting change management unit 121 performs setting change processing and setting confirmation processing.
Specifically, the setting change process is performed when the power supply from the power supply device 91 changes from an OFF state to an ON state (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "power on"). The process starts when the setting key switch 48a is operated (the change from the state to the OFF state is sometimes expressed as a "power outage"), and the setting value is changed each time the setting change switch 48b is operated. The start lever is changed according to a certain order (in this embodiment, setting value 1, setting value 2, setting value 3, setting value 4, setting value 5, setting value 6, setting value 1, setting value 2, etc.). 26 is operated as the current setting value. In the setting change process, a process of displaying the setting value being changed on the setting display LED 48c is also performed.
Furthermore, when the setting change process is executed, all of the information held by the main board 100 before the power supply was turned off is initialized. In particular, the information includes the number of bets. Furthermore, the timing at which the number of bets is cleared when executing the setting change process is before the start of the game start process (step S103 described later) that is executed after the power is turned on and the setting change process related to the power is turned on. , any timing is acceptable.

The setting confirmation process is started by operating the setting key switch 48a while the power supply is ON, and causes the setting display LED 48c to display the setting values that have already been set. In the following explanation, unless otherwise specified, the "setting values that have already been set" will be simply referred to as "setting values". In the setting confirmation process, the information held by the main board 100 is maintained.
In this embodiment, the opening of the front door 20 by the door-opening sensor may be added to the conditions for starting the setting change process and the conditions for starting the setting confirmation process. In this way, unauthorized changes to setting values and unauthorized confirmation of setting values can be prevented.

The gaming state management unit 122 performs control to shift the gaming state among a plurality of types of gaming states according to transition conditions. Note that details of the types of gaming states and transition conditions will be described later.

The gaming mode management unit 124 controls shifting the gaming mode among a plurality of types of gaming modes according to shifting conditions. Although the details of the types of gaming modes and transition conditions will be described later, in this embodiment, the degree of advantage varies depending on the gaming mode in which you stay, and in particular, in a specific gaming state (in this embodiment, during MB internal winning described later) A game mode that is highly advantageous can be set.

The main error management unit 125, in addition to determining whether or not to enter the various error states described above, also determines whether or not to enter an error state using the detection results of various sensors 40a, etc., and if it decides to enter an error state, it stops the progress of the game as necessary and places the gaming machine 10 in an error state.
In addition, when an error state is reached, preparations for sending a control command indicating the occurrence of the error state may be made, the control command transmitting/receiving unit 131 may be caused to transmit the control command, and the occurrence of the error state may be notified using a performance device (performance display area 62, decorative LED 36, speaker 49, etc.).

The control command transmitting/receiving unit 131 performs a process of transmitting a control command prepared for transmission to the sub-board 200 and the medal number control board 300, and a process of receiving the control command from the medal number control board 300.
Here, the control commands sent to the sub board 200 include control commands sent in the event of an error state, as well as control commands sent as the game progresses.
In addition, the control commands sent to the medal number control board 300 include a control command indicating that the bet button 23 has been operated, a control command sent when medals are awarded due to winning, and a settlement button 32. There are control commands and the like that are transmitted when the number of bets is settled by operation. Further, the control commands received from the medal number control board 300 include a control command indicating that the number of bets is to be added.
Further, each control command transmitted and received by the control command transmitting/receiving unit 131 has information corresponding to the type in addition to information that allows identification of the type of the control command. Furthermore, in the following description, preparing to transmit a control command and causing the control command transmitting/receiving unit 131 to transmit the control command may be simply referred to as transmitting the control command. Note that the same applies to each control command transmitted or received by the control command receiving section 211 and the control command transmitting/receiving section 310, which will be described later.

The external signal transmitting unit 132 is different from the dedicated unit 1000 described above, and indicates the internal state of the gaming machine 10 to an external device (for example, a hall computer or a data display) outside the gaming machine 10. Send a signal (outer end signal).
To specifically explain the information transmitted by the outer end signal, the information includes information indicating that a game has started, information indicating that the AT mode (described later) has started, or information indicating that the AT mode is being stayed. information indicating that an error has occurred, and information indicating that an error has occurred.

Next, the functional configuration of the sub board 200 can be roughly divided into a sub communication section 210 and a production management section 220 that manages production related to the game.
Furthermore, the sub communication section 210 is composed of a control command receiving section 211, and the production management section 220 is composed of a production control section 221, a production display control section 222, an audio control section 223, and a decoration LED control section 224. Details of these functional configurations are as follows.

The control command receiving unit 211 receives control commands transmitted from the main board 100 and the medal number control board 300, analyzes the received control commands, and uses the information included in the control commands to store the control commands in the RAM 202. Update the information you have.

The performance control unit 221 determines the contents of the performance to be performed by the performance devices (the performance display area 62, the decorative LED 36, the speaker 49, etc.) based on the control commands etc. transmitted from the main board 100 and the medal number control board 300. Perform processing.

When there is a performance to be performed by the performance display device 63, the performance display control unit 222 reads device data corresponding to the performance from the ROM 203, and causes the performance display device 63 to perform the performance using the device data.

If there is a performance to be performed by the speaker 49, the audio control unit 223 reads device data corresponding to the performance from the ROM 203, and causes the speaker 49 to perform the performance using the device data.

When there is an effect to be performed on the decorative LED board 41, the decorative LED control unit 224 reads device data corresponding to the effect from the ROM 203, and causes the decorative LED board 41 to perform the effect using the device data.

Next, the functional configuration of the medal number control board 300 includes a control command transmitting/receiving section 310, a credit management section 320, and a medal error management section 330. Details of these functional configurations are as follows. Note that details of some of the processes executed by these functional configurations will be described later.

The control command transmitting/receiving unit 310 transmits and receives control commands to and from the main board 100 and the dedicated unit 1000, analyzes the received control commands, and stores the commands in the RAM 302 using the information included in the control commands. Update information.
Further, the control command transmitting/receiving section 310 transmits a control command to the sub-board 200.

The credit management unit 320 controls credit values such as addition and subtraction based on control commands transmitted from the main board 100 or the dedicated unit 1000 or operations on the medal count button 33 or medal number clear button 81. Perform processing.
Note that in this embodiment, the credit value is managed using 2-byte data. Therefore, in the data, it is possible to store up to 65536 as a credit value, but in this embodiment, the upper limit of the credit value is set to 16383, and the system is configured so that values exceeding the upper limit are not stored. There is.

The medal error management unit 330 checks the connection with the main board 100 and the dedicated unit 1000, and if there is an abnormality in the connection, it sets the state to a connection error state, and checks whether there are any abnormalities in the information stored in the RAM 302, such as the credit value, and if there is an abnormality in the check, it sets the state to a RAM error state.

<Main flow related to game progress>
Next, the main flow related to the game progress in this embodiment will be explained using FIGS. 9 to 11. However, the components shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8 described above are also mentioned, so please refer to them as appropriate. In particular, in the following description, the function shown in FIG. 8 may be cited as an entity that performs processing, but the processing is not necessarily realized only by the entity.

9 to 11 are flowcharts showing the main flow of the main board 100 related to the progress of the game in this embodiment, and the processing related to the flow is the processing that is executed when the power is turned on.
The main board 100 can play one game while performing a series of processes from step S103 to step S145 shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, and can repeatedly play a game by repeatedly performing the series of processes.
Note that each process shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 is a specific example, and processes other than those listed here may be performed by the main board 100.

First, steps S101 to S119 will be explained using FIG.
In the first step S101, initial setting processing regarding the main board 100 is performed.
The initial setting process related to the main board 100 is performed when the power supply is started, and once it is performed, the process is not performed until the power supply is cut off and the power supply is started again. be.
More specifically, in this process, if the setting key switch 48a is operated, the backup information held at the time of power outage (including information specifying the number of bets) is discarded (cleared), and the above-mentioned The setting change process is performed, and then the process advances to step S103. In this embodiment, a settings change start command is sent to the sub board 200 at the timing when the settings change process is started, and a settings change end command is sent to the sub board 200 at the timing when the settings change process is finished. be done.
On the other hand, if the setting key switch 48a is not operated, the process checks that there is no abnormality in the backup information held at the time of power outage (in this embodiment, the checksum value is normal). In accordance with the conditions, a process is performed to return to the state at the time of the power outage (if the state at the time of the power outage is during a game involving rotation of the reels, the game is in progress), and then the process proceeds to step S103. At this time, a power failure recovery command related to the main board 100 is transmitted to the sub board 200. Note that if there is an abnormality in the backup information, the player will be in a state where it is impossible to return to the game (RAM error state), so the execution of the above-mentioned setting change process will be awaited. Then, at this time, a RAM error command that can specify that the abnormality has occurred is transmitted to the sub-board 200.

In step S103, game start processing necessary in advance to start the next game is performed. In the game start process, there is a process for saving various information related to the previous game, and a process for clearing information indicating the respective stop positions of the reels 65 stopped in the previous game and the combinations of symbols stopped on the active line. , processing to obtain setting values, etc.
In step S105, a medal acceptance start process is performed, which is a preparatory process for setting the number of bets for the next game. In the medal acceptance start process, information related to the number of bets can be accepted from the medal number control board 300, and if the player has won a replay role in the previous game, the number of bets that is the same as the number of bets set in the previous game can be accepted. Processing such as setting the number of bets is performed.
In step S107, it is determined whether re-gaming is activated, and if the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S111; if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S109.

In step S109, medal management processing, which is processing related to medals, is performed based on the detected operation or the state of the gaming machine 10. In the medal management process, when the press of the bet button 23 is detected, the process of requesting the medal number control board 300 for the number of medals corresponding to the pressed bet button 23, and the process of requesting the medal number control board 300 for medals transferred from the medal number control board 300. A process of adding to the number of bets and a process of transferring the entire number of bets that can be settled to the medal number control board 300 when the press of the settlement button 32 is detected are performed.

In step S111, a reel rotation start check is performed to check whether the game start conditions are satisfied. In the reel rotation start check, for example, it is checked whether the number of bets has reached the maximum number on the premise that the operation of the start lever has been detected.
In step S113, it is determined whether or not the game start condition is satisfied in the reel rotation start check. If the condition is satisfied, the process advances to step S115, and if the condition is not satisfied, step S107 Return to
In step S115, an internal lottery is performed using an internal lottery table to determine an internal winning combination. Note that details of the internal lottery in this embodiment will be described later.
In step S117, a winning combination flag is set to store the internal winning combination derived in step S115 or the loss in the case of non-winning in the corresponding area of the RAM 102.

In step S119, a game mode management process is performed at the start of the game. In this process, for example, a process is performed in which the instruction display LED 25c is controlled in a lighting manner that allows the operating conditions to be specified.
Furthermore, in the game mode management process at the start of the game, a process of transmitting an internal winning command to the sub-board 200 is also performed. The internal winning command includes at least information that can identify the derived internal winning combination, the gaming state during the stay, and the gaming mode during the stay, and thereby allows the device managed by the sub-board 200 (main In the embodiment, the effect display device 63) enables notification that allows specifying the operating conditions. In addition, in this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the operating conditions specified by the instruction display LED 25c in one game and the notification executed by the device managed by the sub-board 200 in the one game are specified. The operating conditions are the same.

From now on, steps S121 to S135 will be explained using FIG. 10.
In step S121, it is determined whether or not the wait time has elapsed. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S123, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process returns to step S121.
In step S123, the reel control state of each reel 65 (if the process is performed due to the occurrence of step-out, the rotating reel, that is, the reel set to the constant speed control state) is changed to the acceleration control state. and starts the rotation of the reels set in the acceleration control state. In this way, when returning to the determination in step S121, the rotation of the reel 65 is not started, so the reel control unit 112 waits for the wait time to elapse before the rotation of the reel 65 is started.

In step S125, it is determined whether the rotational speeds of all the reels set in the acceleration control state among the reels 65 have reached a predetermined speed (the output of the pulse signal has ended according to the excitation pattern corresponding to the acceleration control state). If the condition is satisfied, the process advances to step S127, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process returns to the beginning of step S125. In addition, in this determination, when the rotational speed of the reel set in the acceleration control state reaches a predetermined speed, the acceleration control state is sequentially switched to the constant speed control state. Furthermore, in this determination, after all of the reels have been switched to the constant speed control state, the process does not proceed to step S127 until the sensor corresponding to the reel among the reel sensors 66 detects all of the respective detection pieces, and the process is made to wait. After the standby, all stop buttons corresponding to the reels are activated, and the process proceeds to step S127.

In step S127, the above-mentioned step-out check is performed on the reel 65 that is set to the constant speed control state.
In step S129, it is determined by the step-out check whether synchronization has occurred. If the condition is satisfied, the process returns to step S123, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S131. In this way, when it is determined that step-out has occurred with respect to the rotating reel of the reels 65, the process of step S123 (reel restart) is performed again on the rotating reel.
In step S131, it is determined whether or not there is an operation (stop operation) on the enabled stop button. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S135; if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S135. Return to S127.

In step S133, reel stop processing is performed. The reel stop process disables the stop buttons other than the stop button on which the stop operation was performed, and as described above, switches the reel corresponding to the stop button on which the stop operation was performed from the constant speed control state to the retraction control state, and sets the reel to the stop position. This is a process in which a symbol number is derived, and when the symbol position of the reel advances to the derived stop position, the reel is switched from the pull-in control state to the brake control state and the reel is stopped. Note that after the output of the pulse signal is finished according to the excitation pattern corresponding to the brake control state, the state is switched to the stop control state, and the reel is held at the stop position.
In addition, in the reel stop process, a process in which a stop command is sent to the sub communication unit 210 via the control command transmitting/receiving unit 131 is also performed, and the control command includes the types of stopped reels (reel 65L, reel 65C, The reel 65R) and the position at which the reel is stopped (symbol number) are at least included.

In step S135, it is determined whether all the reels 65 are stopped, and if the condition is satisfied, the process advances to step S137, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process returns to step S127. In this way, if all the reels 65 are not stopped, the processes from step S127 to step S135 are repeated.

From here, steps S137 to S145 will be explained using FIG. 11.
In step S137, the above-mentioned winning determination is performed, and the winning combination is determined.
In step S139, a state transition process for shifting the gaming state is performed. Note that details regarding the transition of the gaming state will be described later.

In step S141, game end game mode management processing is performed.
The details of the game mode management process at the end of the game will be described later, but in this process, a process to shift the game mode, a process to control the lighting state of the advantageous mode display LED 25g, etc. are performed.
In addition, in the game end game mode management process, a process to send a game end command to the sub-board 200 is also performed, and the control command includes the combination determined to be a winning prize, the updated game state, and the updated game state. It includes information that can specify the game mode.

In step S143, the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination is awarded. Note that the medals awarded in step S143 are transferred to the medal number control board 300 and stored and stored in credits.

<About gaming status and internal lottery>
Next, details of the gaming states and the internal lottery for each gaming state in this embodiment will be explained using FIGS. 12 to 16.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a flow of transitions between gaming states.
FIGS. 13 and 14 are diagrams showing the types of winning combinations that can be won internally, the symbol combinations corresponding to each winning combination, and the payouts for each winning combination.
FIG. 15(a) schematically shows a lottery table used in an internal lottery during MB non-internal winning, and FIG. 15(b) schematically shows a lottery table used in an internal lottery during MB internal winning. .
16(a) to 16(c) are diagrams schematically showing details of some of the winning combinations in FIG. 15(a) or FIG. 15(b). 16(b) schematically shows the details of the part corresponding to the strong chance, and FIG. 16(c) schematically shows the details of the part corresponding to the weak chance. . Note that these lottery tables are used in an internal lottery in a game where the number of bets is 3, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 65,535.

As shown in FIG. 12, there are three types of gaming states in this embodiment: MB non-internal winning, MB internal winning, and MB in progress. Note that during MB internal winning, the MB is a gaming state in which the MB, which will be described later, has not been internally won, and while MB is internally winning, it is a gaming state in which the MB is internally winning. During MB is a gaming state that changes by winning an internally won MB.
During MB non-internal winning, when an MB is internally won and the prize is not won in the MB, the game shifts to MB internal winning, and when the MB is internally won and the prize is won in the MB, the game shifts to MB.
During MB internal winning, if the MB that is internally winning wins, it will move to MB, but the winning is configured so that it can be won in a game where the number of bets is 2, and when the number of bets is 3. It is configured so that no prizes are won in the game of 10 pieces. Further, once an MB has been internally won, it is not cleared even if a power failure is restored with RAM clearing processing such as a setting change process, and the gaming state of MB internally winning is maintained.
In MB, when a specified number of medals (200 in this embodiment) are paid out, the process shifts to MB non-internal winning mode. Although the details will be omitted, in the MB, only a game in which the number of bets is 2 can be executed is possible, and in this game, a prize is always won in a combination with a payout of 2 coins.
Further, unlike the present embodiment described later, it may be configured such that MB is not internally won in a game where the number of bets is 3, but MB is internally won in a game where the number of bets is 2. Furthermore, in this case, the MB that is internally won in a game where the number of bets is 2 is configured to be able to win in a game where the number of bets is 2, but it is configured such that it is not possible to win in a game where the number of bets is 3. It is preferable to do so.

Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the winning combinations that can be derived as internal winning combinations include MB, Replay, Weak Cherry, Strong Cherry, Watermelon, Strong Chance 1 to Strong Chance 3, and Weak Chance 1 to Weak Chance 3. , Bell 1 to Bell 6, Chance Spill 1 to Chance Spill 4, and Bell Spill 1 to Bell Spill 3.

As mentioned above, the MB is a winning combination that moves to the MB gaming state when won, and the symbol combination corresponding to the MB is "Blue 7 symbol - BAR symbol - Red 7 symbol". Once the MB is derived by the internal lottery unit 111, the derived state is maintained (carried over) until a prize is won, and if the state is maintained, the gaming state during the MB internal winning Move to.
Replay is a winning combination that allows you to play the next game without using new medals, and the symbol combination corresponding to replay is "replay symbol - replay symbol - replay symbol".
Weak cherry, strong cherry, watermelon, strong chance 1 to strong chance 3, weak chance 1 to weak chance 3, bell 1 to bell 6, chance spill 1 to chance spill 4, and bell spill 1 to bell spill 3 will win prizes. This is a small role that pays out medals.

The weak cherry is a winning combination in which one payout is made at the time of winning, and the symbol combination corresponding to the weak cherry is "cherry symbol-ANY-replay symbol". ANY refers to any design.
The strong cherry is a winning combination in which three pieces are paid out at the time of winning, and the symbol combination corresponding to the strong cherry is “cherry symbol-ANY-bell symbol”.
The watermelon is a winning combination in which 5 pieces are paid out at the time of winning, and the symbol combination corresponding to the watermelon is "watermelon symbol - watermelon symbol - watermelon symbol".

Strong Chance 1 to Strong Chance 3 are roles in which one payout is made when winning a prize, and the symbol combination corresponding to Strong Chance 1 is "Replay symbol - Replay symbol - Red 7 symbol", which corresponds to Strong Chance 2. The symbol combination that occurs is "Replay symbol - BAR symbol - Replay symbol", and the symbol combination corresponding to strong chance 3 is "Blue 7 symbol - Replay symbol - Replay symbol".

Weak Chance 1 to Weak Chance 3, like Strong Chance 1 to Strong Chance 3, are combinations in which one coin is paid out when a win occurs, and the symbol combination that corresponds to Weak Chance 1 is "replay symbol - replay symbol - watermelon symbol," the symbol combination that corresponds to Weak Chance 2 is "replay symbol - watermelon symbol - replay symbol," and the symbol combination that corresponds to Weak Chance 3 is "watermelon symbol - replay symbol - replay symbol."

Bell 1 to Bell 6 are the roles in which 15 pieces are paid out at the time of winning, and the symbol combination corresponding to Bell 1 is "Bell symbol - Bell symbol - Blue 7 symbol", and the symbol combination corresponding to Bell 2 is "Bell symbol - Bell symbol - Blue 7 symbol". "Bell symbol - Bell symbol - Red 7 symbol", the symbol combination corresponding to bell 3 is "Bell symbol - blue 7 symbol - bell symbol", and the symbol combination corresponding to bell 4 is "bell symbol - red 7 symbol". The symbol combination corresponding to Bell 5 is "Blue 7 symbol - Bell symbol - Bell symbol", and the symbol combination corresponding to Bell 6 is "Red 7 symbol - Bell symbol - Bell symbol". be.

Chance Spill 1 is a winning combination in which 15 pieces are paid out at the time of winning, and the symbol combination corresponding to Chance Spill 1 is "bell symbol - bell symbol - bell symbol".
On the other hand, Chance Spill 2 to Chance Spill 4 are the roles in which one payout is made when winning a prize, and the symbol combination corresponding to Chance Spill 2 is "Replay symbol - Replay symbol - Bell symbol", and Chance Spill 3 is the symbol combination corresponding to Chance Spill 2. The corresponding symbol combination is "replay symbol - bell symbol - replay symbol", and the symbol combination corresponding to chance spill 4 is "bell symbol - replay symbol - replay symbol".

Bell Spill 1 to Bell Spill 3 are roles in which one payout is made when winning a prize, and the symbol combination corresponding to Bell Spill 1 is "Bell Symbol - Bell Symbol - Replay Symbol", which corresponds to Bell Spill 2. The symbol combination is "bell symbol - replay symbol - bell symbol", and the symbol combination corresponding to the spilled bell 3 is "replay symbol - bell symbol - bell symbol".

Note that the above-mentioned replay and small roles are roles that, unlike MB, do not maintain their derived state even if no prize is won when derived by the internal lottery unit 111, and these roles are collectively referred to as "general winnings". It is sometimes referred to as a role. Furthermore, although it does not exist in the winning combinations in this embodiment, it is a combination in which only the next game in which a prize is won will be in an advantageous gaming state, and that will not be carried over if the derived game does not win (a so-called single bonus). ) may be treated as a general role.

Next, as shown in FIG. 15(a), the internal winning roles derived by internal lottery during non-MB internal play include MB, replay, weak cherry, strong cherry, watermelon, operation condition bell, common bell, strong chance, and weak chance, and the probability of deriving these internal winning roles is constant regardless of the set value.
More specifically, in the internal lottery during non-MB internal play, the following probability is derived: MB with a probability of 9208/65536, replay with a probability of 8192/65536, weak cherry with a probability of 794/65536, strong cherry with a probability of 256/65536, watermelon with a probability of 512/65536, operation condition bell with a probability of 43752/65536, common bell with a probability of 512/65536, strong chance with a probability of 462/65536, and weak chance with a probability of 1848/65536.

As shown in FIG. 15(b), internal winning combinations derived by internal lottery during MB internal winning include replay, weak cherry, strong cherry, watermelon, operating condition bell, common bell, strong chance, and weak chance. , the probability that these internal winning combinations are derived does not depend on the setting value, similar to MB non-internal winning combinations.
More specifically, in the internal lottery within MB, there is a probability of 8192/65536 for replay, a probability of 794/65536 for weak cherry, a probability of 256/65536 for strong cherry, and a probability of 512/65536 for watermelon. However, the operating condition bell has a probability of 43752/65536, the common bell has a probability of 512/65536, the strong chance has a probability of 462/65536, and the weak chance has a probability of 1848/65536, and these probabilities are , is the same as in MB non-internal. In addition, in the internal lottery within MB, the probability of losing is 9208/65536.

As shown in FIGS. 16(a) to 16(c), the operating condition bell, strong chance, and weak chance are divided into multiple types of internal winning combinations with different attraction control contents.
Specifically, the operating condition bells are blue bell LCR, red bell LCR, blue bell LRC, red bell LRC, blue bell CLR, red bell CLR, blue bell CRL, red bell CRL, blue bell RLC, red bell RLC, It is divided into Blue Bell RCL and Red Bell RCL, and both of these internal winning combinations are derived with a probability of 3646/65536, and this probability is constant regardless of the setting value.
In particular, the blue bell LCR and the blue bell CLR are configured to include bell 1 and bell spills 1 to 3. Furthermore, the Blue Bell LCR and the Blue Bell CLR are distinguished by using a control small winning combination (not shown) that does not win a prize, and by using different combinations of winning combinations that constitute the respective internally winning winning combinations. This is the same for the other operating conditions Bell, Strong Chance, and Weak Chance, and Red Bell LCR and Red Bell CLR are configured to include Bell 2, Bell Spilled 1 to Bell Spilled 3. In addition, Blue Bell LRC and Blue Bell RLC are configured to include Bell 3 and Bell Koboshi 1 to Bell Koboshi 3, and Red Bell LRC and Red Bell RLC are configured to include Bell 4 and Bell Koboshi 1 to Bell Koboshi 3. be done. Furthermore, the blue bell CRL and the blue bell RCL are configured to include the bell 6 and the bell spills 1 to 3, and the red bell CRL and the red bell RCL are configured to include the bell 5 and the bell spills 1 to 3. be done.

In this embodiment, in a game in which an operation condition bell (one of blue bell LCR to red bell RCL) is derived, the stop buttons 27 are operated in the correct operation order, and the stop buttons 27 (in this embodiment, the last If the reel (which is stopped at the reel) is operated at the correct operation timing, the combination in which 15 coins are paid out (any one of Bell 1 to Bell 6) is stopped on the active line. On the other hand, in the game, if the stop buttons 27 are operated in the correct operation order, and the stop buttons 27 are operated at a timing different from the correct operation timing, and the stop buttons 27 are operated in a different order than the correct operation timing. When the operations are performed in the order of operations, the combination in which one payout is made (any of Bell Spill 1 to Bell Spill 3) is stopped on the active line.

In addition, in this embodiment, the correct operation order related to the operation condition bell is the operation order of left, middle, right in red bell LCR, and the operation order of left, right, middle in blue bell LRC and red bell LRC. , for blue bell CLR and red bell CLR, the operation order is middle, left, right; for blue bell CRL and red bell CRL, the operation order is middle, right, left; for blue bell RLC and red bell RLC, the operation order is right, left, In the case of the middle operation order, the blue bell RCL and the red bell RCL, the operation order is right, middle, left.
Furthermore, the correct operation timing regarding the operation condition bell is the line L2 with respect to the reel that is stopped last in the correct operation order in Blue Bell LRC, Blue Bell CLR, Blue Bell CRL, Blue Bell RLC, and Blue Bell RCL. This is the timing when there are 7 blue symbols within the maximum pull-in range based on This is the timing when the red 7 symbol is within the maximum pull-in range with respect to the reel to be stopped based on line L2.
In particular, in this embodiment, the 7 blue symbols and the 7 red symbols are arranged beyond the maximum pull-in range (4 frames in this embodiment) on both reels 65, and 15 symbols are placed on each of the operating condition bells. There is no method of operating the stop button 27 that simultaneously satisfies the operation conditions of the stop button 27 for winning the winning combination (Bell 1 to Bell 6) in which pieces are paid out.
Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to win any of Bells 1 to 6 more frequently than the frequency at which one internal winning combination of the operation condition Bells is derived (3646/65536), it is necessary to It is necessary to perform notification that allows at least part of the operating conditions (correct operating order and correct operating timing) to be specified.

Strong chance is divided into strong chance LCR, strong chance LRC, strong chance CLR, strong chance CRL, strong chance RLC, strong chance RCL, and these internal winning combinations are all derived with a probability of 77/65536, The probability is also constant regardless of the set value. Note that this probability is lower than the probability that one of the weak chances described below will be an internal winner.
In particular, strong chance LCR and strong chance CLR are composed of strong chance 1 and chance spilled 1 to chance spilled 4, and strong chance LRC and strong chance RLC are configured to include strong chance 2 and chance spilled 1 to chance spilled 4. The strong chance CRL and the strong chance RCL include strong chance 3 and chance spill 1 to chance spill 4.

Weak chances are divided into weak chance LCR, weak chance LRC, weak chance CLR, weak chance CRL, weak chance RLC, and weak chance RCL, and these internal winning combinations are all derived with a probability of 308/65536, The probability is also constant regardless of the set value.
In particular, Weak Chance LCR and Weak Chance CLR include Weak Chance 1 and Chance Spill 1 to Chance Spill 4, and Weak Chance LRC and Weak Chance RLC include Weak Chance 2 and Chance Spill 1 to Chance Spill 4. The weak chance CRL and the weak chance RCL include weak chance 3 and chance spill 1 to chance spill 4.

In this embodiment, in a game in which a strong chance (any of Strong Chance LCR to Strong Chance RCL) has been derived, if the stop button 27 is operated in a predetermined operation sequence and the stop button 27 (in this embodiment, the reel that is stopped last) is operated at a predetermined operation timing, a role that will result in a payout of one coin (any of Strong Chance 1 to Strong Chance 3) will be stopped on an active line. Similarly, in a game in which a weak chance (any of Weak Chance LCR to Weak Chance RCL) has been derived, if the stop button 27 is operated in a predetermined operation sequence and the stop button 27 (in this embodiment, the reel that is stopped last) is operated at a predetermined operation timing, a role that will result in a payout of one coin (any of Weak Chance 1 to Weak Chance 3) will be stopped on an active line.

Further, the common bell includes all of Bell 1 to Bell 6 and the Chance Spill Bell 1, and no matter which operating condition the stop button 27 is operated, one of these winning combinations will be won. However, if any of the bells 1 to 6 and the chance spill bell 1 can be stopped on the valid line, the bells 1 to 6 are stopped on the valid line preferentially.

<About game mode>
Next, details of the game mode in this embodiment will be explained using FIG. 17.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the flow of changing game modes.

As shown in FIG. 17, the gaming modes in this embodiment are roughly divided into a non-AT mode and an AT mode which is more advantageous than the non-AT mode, and these gaming modes are set during the above-mentioned MB internal winning. can be done. The difference in advantages between the non-AT mode and the AT mode is due to the fact that the frequency with which notification of the operation conditions related to the stop button 27 is executed in the AT mode is higher than the same frequency in the non-AT mode. Realized.
Furthermore, the non-AT mode consists of normal mode 1, normal mode 2, chance mode, and special mode, and the AT mode consists of AT mode 1 and AT mode 2. In the present embodiment, in normal mode 1, normal mode 2, special mode, and AT mode 1, the number of medals tends to decrease, that is, the payout rate becomes negative. On the other hand, in AT mode 2 and chance mode, the number of medals tends to increase, that is, the payout rate becomes positive. This is due to whether or not an operating condition notification related to an operating condition bell, which will be described later, is executed. Note that AT mode 1 may be configured to have a positive ball payout rate similarly to AT mode 2.

There are three routes for transitioning from a non-AT mode to an AT mode (particularly, AT mode 1): a route from a chance mode, a route from a normal mode 2, and a route from a non-AT mode (particularly, normal mode 1 or normal mode 2). Details of the transition conditions for these routes will be described later. In particular, when transitioning to an AT mode, there are cases where a special mode is passed through, and in such cases, AT mode 2 is set instead of AT mode 1.
The mode is configured to be able to transition from normal mode 1 to normal mode 1, normal mode 2, or chance mode, and to transition from normal mode 2 to AT mode 1. Furthermore, the mode is configured to be able to transition from the chance mode to AT mode 1, normal mode 1, or normal mode 2.

In addition, AT mode 1 is a game mode that continues until 10 games are played, and in this game mode, either weak cherry, strong cherry, watermelon, bell 1 to bell 6, or chance spill 1 is played. When a prize is won, the game shifts to AT mode 2 when 10 games are completed, and when the game is played 10 times without winning, the game shifts to non-AT mode. Note that when shifting to the non-AT mode, the mode shifts to normal mode 1 or normal mode 2, and does not shift to chance mode or special mode.

AT mode 2 continues until 15 games have been played, and then shifts to AT mode 1. Details will be described later, but if AT mode 2 is set via special mode, , the total number of additional games determined in the special mode is added to the initial value of 15 times.

<Notification of operation conditions>
Next, the operation condition notification according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
18 is a flowchart of the operation condition notification control process, which is a process for determining whether or not to execute the operation condition notification and the notification contents, and is executed by the sub-board 200 when the above-mentioned internal winning command is received. Note that the operation condition notification is a notification that can specify the operation method of the stop button 27, and the notification prompts the operation of the stop button 27 according to the operation method that can be specified by the notification.

As shown in FIG. 18, in the first step S201 of the operation condition notification control process, it is determined whether or not the operation condition bell has been internally won in the current game, and if the condition is satisfied, the process advances to step S203. , if the condition is not satisfied, the process advances to step S207.
In step S203, it is determined whether the current gaming mode is AT mode 2 or chance mode, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S205, and if the condition is not satisfied, the operation condition The notification control process ends.

In step S205, among the operating conditions for winning Bell 1 to Bell 6, the operating condition corresponding to the type of bell that has been internally won this time (hereinafter simply referred to as "operating condition for winning Bell 1 to Bell 6") (sometimes expressed as ) to execute an operation condition notification that can be specified.
For example, when the current game mode is AT mode 2 or chance mode, if the internally won operation condition bell this time is the blue bell LCR, press the stop button 27 in the left, middle, right operation order ( It is possible to specify the operating conditions for operating the stop button 27R according to the above-mentioned correct operation order) and at the operation timing when the blue 7 symbol is within the maximum pull-in range with respect to the stop button 27R (the above-mentioned correct operation timing). Operation condition notification is executed in the effect display area 62 of the effect display device 63.

In step S207, it is determined whether or not there is an internal winning with a strong chance in the current game, and if the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S208, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S213. .
In step S208, it is determined whether the current gaming mode is normal mode 1 or normal mode 2, and if the condition is satisfied, the process advances to step S209, and if the condition is not satisfied, step Proceed to S211.
In step S209, an operating condition notification is executed that can specify the operating condition corresponding to the type of strong chance that has been internally won this time among the operating conditions for winning a strong chance.
In step S211, an operating condition notification is executed that allows specifying the operating condition corresponding to the type of strong chance that has been internally won this time among the operating conditions for winning Chance Spill 1.
In step S213, it is determined whether or not a weak chance has been internally won. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S215, and if the condition is not satisfied, the operation condition notification control process is ended. .
In step S215, it is determined whether the current gaming mode is normal mode 1 or normal mode 2, and if the condition is satisfied, the process advances to step S217, and if the condition is not satisfied, step Proceed to S219.
In step S217, an operating condition notification that can specify the operating condition corresponding to the type of weak chance that has been internally won this time among the operating conditions for winning a weak chance is executed, and then the operating condition notification control process is ended. .
In step S219, an operating condition notification is executed that can specify the operating condition corresponding to the type of weak chance that is internally won this time among the operating conditions for winning Chance Spill 1, and then the operating condition notification control process is terminated. do.

For example, when the current game mode is normal mode 1 or normal mode 2, if the strong chance that has been internally won this time is a strong chance LCR, and if the weak chance that has been internally won this time is a weak chance LCR, an operation condition notification that can specify the operation condition to operate the stop button 27 in the operation order of left, center, right (a predetermined operation order) and at an operation timing (part of a predetermined operation timing) where the red 7 symbol is within the maximum pull-in range with line L2 as the reference for stop button 27R (more precisely, within a range of three frames less than the maximum pull-in range with line L2 as the reference for stop button 27R), is executed in the performance display area 62 of the performance display device 63.

As explained above, the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment is a medalless slot machine in which the game can be played without using the actual medals used in conventional slot machines. From a player's perspective, there are benefits such as reducing fixed costs such as personnel costs, and from a player's perspective, it is easier to check the number of medals they own and to move the gaming machine they play on. There are other benefits.
However, when using such a medalless slot machine, since the medals handled are electronic information, the medals stored as the number of bets and credits are less It is easy to leave things unnoticed by those involved.
To address such problems, the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment has a function that makes it difficult for medals stored as bet numbers and credits to be left unattended. The details of this function will be explained below.

<About the main flow of the medal number control board>
First, the main flow of the medal number control board 300 will be explained using FIG. 19.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the main flow of the medal number control board 300, and the processing related to this flow is a process executed when the power is turned on, that is, when the power is turned on to the medal number control board 300. be.

As shown in FIG. 19, in the first step S301 in the main flow of the medal number control board 300, an initial setting process related to the medal number control board 300 is executed.
In the initial setting process related to the medal number control board 300, for example, a process is executed in which credits are cleared according to the operation state of the medal number clear button 81 when the power is turned on, and the details of this process will be described later. .

In step S303, it is determined whether or not there is lending information, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S305, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S307. Here, the lending information is information indicating medals transmitted from the dedicated unit 1000 outside the gaming machine 10.
In step S305, a credit addition process related to the lending information is executed, and in this process, the number of medals specified by the lending information is added to the credit. Note that, in the dedicated unit 1000, when the credit addition process is completed, the number of medals stored in the dedicated unit 1000 is subtracted by the number of medals related to the credit addition process.
In addition, in this embodiment, the upper limit of the credit is set to 16,383, and if this upper limit may be exceeded by receiving rental information, a control command indicating this is sent to the dedicated unit 1000 so as not to execute the credit addition process related to the rental information.

In step S307, it is determined whether there is medal request information. If the condition is satisfied, the process advances to step S309; if the condition is not satisfied, the process advances to step S311.
In step S309, a credit subtraction process is executed, and in this process, the number of medals specified by the medal request information is transmitted to the main board 100, and the number of medals is subtracted from the credits.
Note that in this embodiment, if the credits are less than the number of medals specified by the medal request information, the credit subtraction process is not executed. However, in this case, it may be configured such that all of the current credits are transmitted to the main board 100 and the transmitted number of medals is subtracted from the credits.

In step S311, it is determined whether there is credit addition information. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S313; if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S315. Here, the credit addition information is information sent from the main board 100 when the number of bets stored on the main board 100 is settled or when it is determined that a winning combination with a payout has been won by the winning determination. It is.
In step S313, a credit addition process related to the credit addition information is executed, and in this process, the number of medals specified by the credit addition information related to the process is added to the credit. In particular, on the main board 100, the bet number is cleared and becomes zero upon completion of the credit addition process related to the bet number.

In step S315, it is determined whether or not the count button has been operated. If the condition is satisfied, the process advances to step S317; if the condition is not satisfied, the process returns to step S303.
In step S317, a credit counting process is executed, and in this process, part or all of the current credits are transmitted to the dedicated unit 1000, and the credits are subtracted by the amount of transmitted medals.
More specifically, when the counting button is single-pressed, if the credits at that time are 50 or less, all of the current credits are transferred toward the dedicated unit 1000, while If the number of credits is 50 or more, 50 credits are transferred to the dedicated unit 1000. Furthermore, when the counting button is pressed for a long time, the same process as when the counting button is pressed once is performed every time a certain period of time (in this embodiment, 1 s) is pressed. is executed until it ends or the credits after subtraction become zero.

In this way, in this embodiment, the main board 100 and the medal number control board 300 are configured to be able to communicate with each other, and the medal number control board 300 and the dedicated unit 1000 are configured to be able to communicate with each other. The medalless slot machine described above is realized.
Also, although not shown, in the timer interrupt processing in the medal number control board 300, mutual communication between the main board 100 and the medal number control board 300, and mutual communication between the medal number control board 300 and the dedicated unit 1000 are normally performed. If there is an abnormality in any of these mutual communications, the error cancellation button 82 is operated and the error is determined to be resolved by the process executed by the operation. Progress of the main flow of the medal number control board 300 is stopped. Note that execution of the timer interrupt process is permitted upon completion of the initial setting process related to the medal number control board 300.
Furthermore, in the timer interrupt processing, control is also executed to turn on the medal number display LED 28 so as to display the current credit value, thereby allowing the player to specify the current credit value.

<About the initial setting process related to the medal number control board>
Next, details of the medal number control board initial setting process, which is the initial setting process related to the medal number control board 300, will be described using FIG. 20.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the medal number control board initial setting process.

As shown in FIG. 20, in the first step S401 in the medal number control board initial setting process, it is determined whether the medal number clear button 81 was operated when the power was turned on, and if the condition is satisfied, The process advances to step S405, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process advances to step S403.

In step S403, it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in the return information. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S405; if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S409.
Here, the return information refers to information stored in the RAM 302 of the medal number control board 300. Determining whether or not there is an abnormality in the recovery information means determining whether or not the power outage flag that is set to ON in the power outage processing that is executed when the medal number control board 300 is out of power is ON. , a judgment is made as to whether or not the sum value of the data saved in the backup area of the RAM 302 during the power outage process matches the sum value in the area after the power is turned on (so-called checksum). If there is an abnormality in any of the determinations, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the restoration information in determining whether or not there is an abnormality in the restoration information.

In step S405, the credit value is cleared by setting the credit to zero. Note that in this embodiment, this determination is performed regardless of the value of the credit.
In step S407, a credit clear command that can specify that the credit value has been cleared is transmitted. Note that the control command is transmitted to the sub-board 200 and the dedicated unit 1000, and the medal number control board initial setting process is completed.

In step S409, the credit is restored to the value before the power cut.
In step S411, a power failure recovery command related to the medal number control board 300 is transmitted, and the medal number control board initialization process is ended. Note that the control command includes information that can specify the current credit value, and is sent to the sub-board 200.

In this way, in this embodiment, credits are cleared when the number of medals clear button 81 is operated when the power is turned on, and credits are cleared when there is an abnormality in the recovery information when the power is turned on. Also, the same control command (credit clear command) is transmitted to the sub-board 200 and the dedicated unit 1000.
According to this, it is possible to simplify the control related to the command in the target control unit to which the credit clear command is transmitted, regardless of the trigger for clearing the credit.
In order to achieve this effect, the factors related to the latter case, that is, the factors that cause credits to be cleared other than when the medal number clear button 81 is operated when the power is turned on, do not matter.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the main control means (main board 100) can execute a setting change process that clears the number of gaming media stored in the bet number storage means (RAM 102) when the power is turned on with the operation of the first operation means (setting key switch 48a) and without the operation of the second operation means (medal number clear button 81), and the gaming media management means (300) is configured to be able to communicate with an external device (dedicated unit 1000), and in at least some cases when the power is turned on with the operation of the second operation means and without the operation of the first operation means, the number of gaming media (credits) stored in the reserved number storage means (RAM 302) is cleared and a specific command (credit clear command) is sent to the external device, and in other words, there are cases where the number of gaming media stored in the reserved number storage means is cleared without the power being turned on with the operation of the second operation means (backup abnormality in RAM 302), and even in such cases, a specific command is sent from the gaming media management means to the external device.

As described above, in this embodiment, the processes in steps S405 and S407 are executed regardless of the credit value when the medal count control board initial setting process is executed. That is, even if the credit value is zero, the process of sending a credit clear command is executed. Then, when the command is sent, the sub-board 200 executes a credit clear notification, which will be described later.
According to this, when the credit is not set to 0 but the credit is cleared and the credit clear notification is executed, the notification can be easily recognized.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, when power is turned on with the operation of the second operating means (medal number clear button 81) and without the operation of the first operating means (setting key switch 48a), even if the number of gaming media (credits) stored in the accumulated number storage means (RAM 302) is zero, a process of clearing the number of gaming media can be executed, and in other words, when the process is executed, a second notification (credit clear notification) is executed.

In addition, in at least part of the case where the gaming machine 10 is powered on with an operation on the second operation means (the medal number clear button 81) and without an operation on the first operation means (the setting key switch 48a), Even if the number of game media stored in the storage number storage means (RAM 302) is zero, the number of game media is cleared, and the number of game media is cleared from the game media management means (medal number control board 300) to the external device (dedicated unit In other words, a specific command (credit clear command) is sent to 1000).

<About clearing the number of medals in gaming machines>
As explained above, in this embodiment, clearing of the number of bets and credits is determined individually according to the operating state of the setting key switch 48a and the operating state of the medal number clear button 81 when the power is turned on, and clearing of the number of bets and credits is determined individually. In this case, the target number of medals is cleared. The details will be explained below using FIG. 21.
FIG. 21 is a diagram arranging whether or not the number of medals is cleared according to the operating state when the power is turned on.

As shown in FIG. 21, if the setting key switch 48a is OFF and the medal number clear button 81 is OFF when the power is turned on, both the bet number and credits are not cleared and the state returns to the state at the time of power outage. . Here, in any of the operating units, an ON state refers to a state in which the operating unit is operated, and an OFF state refers to a state in which the operating unit is not operated.
If the setting key switch 48a is OFF and the medal number clear button 81 is ON when the power is turned on, the number of bets is not cleared and the state returns to the state at power cut, while the credits are cleared.
If the setting key switch 48a is ON and the medal number clear button 81 is OFF when the power is turned on, the number of bets will be cleared as the setting change process is executed, but the credits will not be cleared, and when the power is turned off, the number of bets will be cleared. The state will be restored.
When the setting key switch 48a is ON and the medal number clear button 81 is ON when the power is turned on, the number of bets is cleared and the credits are also cleared as the setting change process is executed.
In addition, regarding the number of medals control board 300, if there is an abnormality in the above-mentioned recovery information when the power is turned on, the handling is the same as when the number of medals clear button 81 is ON.

As described above, in the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, when the setting key switch 48a is ON and the medal number clear button 81 is OFF when the power is turned on, the number of bets is changed according to the execution of the setting change process. is cleared. Further, if the setting key switch 48a is OFF and the medal number clear button 81 is ON when the power is turned on, the credits are cleared.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the main control means (main board 100) is capable of turning on the power without operating the first operating means (setting key switch 48a) and without operating the second operating means (total number clear button 81). If this is done, it is possible to execute a setting change process that involves clearing the number of gaming media stored in the bet number storage means (RAM 102), and the gaming media management means (medal number control board 300) When the power is turned on with an operation on the second operation means and without an operation on the first operation means, the number of game media (credits) stored in the stored number storage means (RAM 302) can be cleared. , it can be said in other words.

In particular, in the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment, if the setting key switch 48a is ON and the medal number clear button 81 is OFF when the power is turned on, the number of bets is cleared as the setting change process is executed, but the credits are not cleared and the state returns to the state at the time of power outage.
Furthermore, when the setting key switch 48a is OFF and the medal number clear button 81 is ON when the power is turned on, the credits are cleared but the bet number is not cleared and the state returns to the state at the time of power failure.
Furthermore, when the setting key switch 48a is ON and the medal number clear button 81 is ON when the power is turned on, both the bet number and the credits are cleared.
According to this, by turning on the power once, it is possible to individually manage whether the number of bets and the credits are cleared depending on whether the setting key switch 48a and the medal number clear button 81 are operated at the time of turning on the power.

Therefore, in the case where the gaming machine 10 is powered on with an operation on the first operation means (setting key switch 48a) and without an operation on the second operation means (total number clear button 81), the stored number memory is The number of game media (credits) stored in the means (RAM 302) is maintained, and when the power is turned on with an operation on the second operation means and without an operation on the first operation means, the number of bets is stored. The number of game media stored in the means (RAM 102) is maintained, and when the power is turned on accompanied by an operation on the first operation means and an operation on the second operation means, the number of game media is stored in the bet number storage means. In other words, both the number of game media stored in the storage means and the number of game media stored in the stored number storage means are configured to be clearable.

Further, in the present embodiment, in determining whether or not the number of bets is cleared and whether or not credits are cleared, the opening/closing state of the front door 20 at the time of power-on is not referred to, but the opening/closing state may be referred to.
More specifically, regarding whether or not to clear the number of bets and whether to clear credits shown in FIG. 21, if the setting key switch 48a is ON when the power is turned on and the front door 20 is closed, If the switch 48a is treated as OFF and the medal number clear button 81 is ON when the power is turned on and the front door 20 is closed, the medal number clear button 81 may be treated as OFF.

<Notification when the number of medals on a gaming machine is cleared>
Next, in this embodiment, when the number of medals is cleared, a clear notification capable of specifying that the number of medals has been cleared is executed by the sub-substrate 200. Hereinafter, the clear notification will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 22 and 23 .
Fig. 22 is a flow of the sub-board performance control process, and this process is executed when a control command transmitted from the main board 100 or the medal number control board 300 is received. Fig. 23 is a diagram showing a timing chart when both the bet number clear notification and the credit clear notification are executed when the power is turned on.

As shown in FIG. 22, in the first step S501 in the sub-board performance control process that controls the performance related to the sub-board 200, it is determined whether the number of bets has been cleared, and if the condition is satisfied, step S503 If the condition is not satisfied, the process advances to step S505.
In the present embodiment, this determination is made based on whether or not the above-described configuration change end command is received, but the determination may also be determined based on whether or not a configuration change start command is received.

In step S503, effect data for a bet clear notification that can specify that the bet has been cleared is set, whereby the bet clear notification is executed.
Here, the bet number clear notification is a notification in which the characters "The bet number has been cleared" are displayed in the effect display area 62 and a voice "The bet number has been cleared" is output by the speaker 49. Note that the notification mode of the notification is not limited to the notification mode of this embodiment, and the content of the notification is not important as long as it is possible to specify that the bet number has been cleared.

In step S505, it is determined whether the credits have been cleared, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S507, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S509. In this embodiment, this determination is made based on whether or not the credit clear command described above is received.
In step S507, performance data related to credit clear notification that can specify that credits have been cleared is set. As a result, credit clear notification is executed.
Here, the credit clear notification is a notification in which the text "Credit has been cleared" is displayed in the effect display area 62 and a voice saying "Credit has been cleared" is output from the speaker 49. It is. Note that the notification mode related to the notification is different from the bet number clear notification. Similarly to the bet number clear notification, the notification mode related to the credit clear notification is not limited to the notification mode of this embodiment, and the content thereof is not limited as long as it is possible to specify that the credit has been cleared.

In step S509, processing for setting performance data related to other notifications and the like is executed, and the sub-board performance control process ends.
Note that other notifications include credit remaining notification and bet remaining notification, which will be described later, and the details of these notifications will be described later.

In this way, in this embodiment, the bet number clear notification and credit clear notification are configured to be executable, and by executing these notifications, it is possible to identify that the corresponding clear has been performed. This leads to preventing the occurrence of an event in which each clear is not performed unintentionally.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the notification control means (sub-board 200) is powered on when the first operation means (setting key switch 48a) is operated and the second operation means (total number clear button 81) is not operated. If the number of game media stored in the bet number storage means (RAM 102) is cleared based on the number of bets stored in the bet number storage means (RAM 102), the first notification (bet number clear notification) is executed, and the operation on the second operation means is performed. When the number of game media (credits) stored in the stored number storage means (RAM 302) is cleared based on the power being turned on without any operation on the first operation means, the first In other words, a second notification (credit clear notification) different from the notification is executed.

In particular, in this embodiment, as described above, if the power is interrupted during play and the setting key switch 48a is not operated when the power is subsequently turned on, the game will return to play based on the backup information, provided that there is no abnormality in the backup information held at the time of the power interruption.
Therefore, if the power is cut off during a game and the setting key switch 48a is OFF and the medal number clear button 81 is ON when the power is turned on thereafter, the credits are cleared and the game returns to the previous mode.
According to this, even if the credits are cleared when the power is restored after a power outage during play, the credits can be restored to the state of play at the time of the power outage.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, when a power outage occurs during the execution of a game, an operation on the second operating means (the medal number clear button 81) and an operation on the first operating means (the setting key switch 48a) is required after the power outage. In other words, if the power is turned on without this, the number of game media (credits) stored in the stored number storage means (RAM 302) is cleared, and the game that was being executed thereafter is returned to. .

In addition, in this embodiment, the conditions for executing the bet number clear notification and the credit clear notification are independent, so the execution of these notifications may overlap when the power is turned on. Below, we will explain the details of the execution status of each notification in such a case using Figure 23.

As shown in FIG. 23, both the bet number clear notification and the credit clear notification are executed by the effect display area 62 and the speaker 49, and during the period when these notifications overlap, in the effect display area 62, both notifications are performed. executed in parallel. On the other hand, during this period, the speaker 49 does not issue a credit clear notice, but instead issues a bet number clear notice.
According to this, when both the number of bets and the credits are cleared with one power-on, it is possible to easily recognize whether or not the number of bets has been cleared.
In order to achieve this effect, the credit clear notification may not be executed in both the effect display area 62 and the speaker 49 during the period when the bet number clear notification and the credit clear notification overlap. That is, it is sufficient that the bet number clear notification is executed with priority over the credit clear notification during the period.
Here, for the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the fact that the number of bets remains across business days of the hall allows us to infer that the setting change process has not been executed, and it is possible to infer whether or not the number of bets has been cleared. Making it easier to recognize leads to preventing the occurrence of the event.

Furthermore, in the example of FIG. 23, when the execution of bet number clear notification and credit clear notification overlap, it is shown that the credit clear notification is executed by the speaker 49 in a period other than the period in which the execution of these notifications overlaps. However, it is not limited to this. That is, in this case, the credit clear notification may not be executed by the speaker 49 even during a period other than the period in which these notifications overlap.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 23, in the present embodiment, when the execution of the bet number clear notification and the credit clear notification overlap, the execution start timing of the bet number clear notification and the execution start timing of the credit clear notification coincide; The execution start timings are not limited to this, and may be different as long as the execution periods of these notifications can overlap.

Therefore, in other words, in the gaming machine 10, when the number of gaming media stored in the bet number storage means (RAM 102) and the number of gaming media (credits) stored in the reserve number storage means (RAM 302) are both cleared based on a power-on that involves both an operation of the first operating means (setting key switch 48a) and an operation of the second operating means (medal number clear button 81), the notification control means (sub-board 200) executes the first notification of the first notification (bet number clear notification) and the second notification (credit clear notification).

In particular, in this embodiment, when the bet number clear notification and the credit clear notification are executed at the same time, the bet number clear notification is executed with priority over the credit clear notification, but the credit clear notification itself, which has a lower priority, is also executed.
As shown in FIG. 23, the bet number clear notification is terminated after a predetermined time (30 s) has elapsed, whereas the credit clear notification is terminated when the first game after power-on related to the execution of the notification is completed.
According to this, when the bet number clear notification and the credit clear notification are executed at the same time, there may be a period in which the bet number clear notification is not executed but the credit clear notification is executed, making it easier to recognize whether the bet number has been cleared while also making it easier to recognize whether the credits have been cleared.
In order to achieve this effect, the end condition of the credit clear notification is not limited to that according to this embodiment, and may be an end condition for the credit clear notification that is satisfied after the end of the first game after the power is turned on, with another condition added to the end of the first game, or the end of a predetermined number of games two or more times after the power is turned on. Furthermore, a combination of the conditions according to these modified examples may be used as the end condition for the credit clear notification.

In other words, when the gaming machine 10 is powered on with both an operation of the first operating means (setting key switch 48a) and an operation of the second operating means (medal count clear button 81), the first and second notifications (credit clear notification) are both executed while the execution of the first notification (bet count clear notification) is given priority, and when both the first and second notifications are executed, the first notification ends when time passes or when the operation of the first operating means ends, while the second notification continues until at least one game has been played after the power is turned on to execute the second notification.

<About the remaining notification regarding the number of medals when the power is turned on>
In this embodiment, when the number of medals remains when the power is turned on, a remaining notification that can specify that the number of medals remains is executed. Details of the remaining notification will be described below using FIGS. 24 and 25.
FIG. 24 is a flowchart of the remaining credit notification control process, which is executed when the above-mentioned power failure recovery command is received from the medal number control board 300. FIG. 25 is a flowchart of the remaining bet amount notification control process, and this process is executed when the above-mentioned power failure recovery command is received from the main board 100. Note that these control processes are processes executed in the above-mentioned other performance data setting process (step S509 in FIG. 22).

First, in this embodiment, the remaining information includes a credit remaining notification that makes it possible to specify that credits remain when the power is turned on, and a bet number that makes it possible to specify that the number of bets remains when the power is turned on. There is a residual notification. The remaining credit notification is determined by the credit remaining notification control process shown in FIG. 24 to determine whether or not to execute the notification and the notification mode, and the remaining bet amount notification is determined by the remaining bet amount notification control process shown in FIG. 25. Whether or not such execution is to be performed is determined.

As shown in FIG. 24, in the first step S601 in the remaining credit notification control process, it is determined whether or not the credit value exceeds 0. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S603, and if the condition is not satisfied, the remaining credit notification control process is terminated.
In step S603, it is determined whether or not the credit value is 50 or more. If this condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S605, and if this condition is met, the process proceeds to step S607.

In step S605, the effect data for the remaining credit notification in the notification mode A is set, and the remaining credit notification control process ends. As a result, the remaining credit notification in the notification mode A is executed.
In this embodiment, the remaining credit notification in notification mode A is a notification in which a voice saying "You have remaining credit" is output from the speaker 49.

In step S607, performance data related to credit remaining notification according to notification mode B is set, and the credit remaining notification control process is ended. As a result, credit remaining notification of notification mode B is executed.
Here, the credit remaining notification of notification mode B is a notification in which a voice saying "a large amount of credits remains" is output from the speaker 49, and the volume of the voice is determined by the current volume. First, the volume is configured to be louder than the volume of the audio related to notification mode B.
Furthermore, the sound related to the credit remaining notification in notification mode A is a sound that is output at a volume that depends on the result of the volume adjustment related to the sub board 200, while the credit remaining notification in notification mode B is a sound that is output at a volume that depends on the result of the volume adjustment related to the sub board 200. This is the volume at which the sound is output at an independent volume. Note that the volume adjustment related to the sub-board 200 is performed using an operation unit (not shown) provided in the gaming machine 10.

Thus, in this embodiment, if the medal number clear button 81 is not operated when the power is turned on and the credits are not cleared, and if the credits exceed 0, i.e., if there are remaining credits, a remaining credit notification is executed, and the notification has a different notification mode from both the bet number clear notification and the credit clear notification described above.
This makes it easier for the player to recognize that he or she has remaining credits when the power is turned on.
In order to achieve this effect, the notification mode for the remaining credit notification is not limited to the notification mode of this embodiment, and any notification mode is acceptable as long as it is possible to identify that there are remaining credits. For example, the notification mode may be a notification that prompts the player to operate the medal number clear button 81 or the medal count button 33.
In addition, if the remaining credit notification is executed when there is credit remaining when the power is turned on, but is not executed when there is no credit remaining when the power is turned on, the notification may be executed when another execution condition is satisfied.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the notification control means (sub-board 200) is powered on when the first operation means (setting key switch 48a) is operated and the second operation means (total number clear button 81) is not operated. Based on this, the number of game media stored in the bet number storage means (RAM 102) is cleared and the number of game media (credits) stored in the stored number storage means (RAM 302) becomes zero. In other words, if the number exceeds the number, third notification (remaining credit notification) that is different from both the first notification (bet number clear notification) and the second notification (credit clear notification) can be executed.

Particularly, in this embodiment, as described above, the reporting mode of the remaining credit notification differs depending on whether the value of the remaining credits is 50 or more and when the value is less than 50.
According to this, when there is a large amount of credits remaining when the power is turned on, it is possible to easily recognize that clear credits remain.
In order to achieve this effect, the threshold value related to step S603 is not limited to 50, but may be an integer value of 2 or more, and more preferably, as in this embodiment, the number of coins paid out in one winning combination. The value is greater than or equal to the maximum value of (15 in this embodiment).

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the third notification (remaining credit notification) is when the number of gaming media (credits) stored in the stored number storage means (RAM 302) is a predetermined number or more, and when the number of gaming media is In other words, the notification mode is different depending on the case where the number is less than the predetermined number.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the credit remaining notification ends after a predetermined time (30 seconds) has elapsed. However, the termination condition for the notification is not limited to the content of this embodiment, and any termination condition may be adopted.

Next, as shown in FIG. 25, in the first step S701 in the remaining bet amount notification control process, it is determined whether the value of the number of bets exceeds 0, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S703. If the condition is not satisfied, the remaining bet number notification control process is terminated.
In step S703, performance data related to the remaining bet amount notification is set, and the remaining bet amount notification control process is ended. As a result, the remaining number of bets is notified.
In the present embodiment, the remaining bet number notification is a notification in which a voice saying "The number of bets remaining" is output from the speaker 49.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the setting key switch 48a is not operated when the power is turned on and the number of bets is not cleared, if the number of bets exceeds 0, that is, the number of bets remains. In this case, the remaining bet number notification is executed, and the notification mode is different from any of the above-mentioned bet number clear notification, credit clear notification, and credit remaining notification.
According to this, it is possible to easily recognize that the number of bets remaining when the power is turned on.
In order to achieve this effect, the notification mode related to the remaining bet number notification is not limited to the notification mode of this embodiment, and the content thereof is not limited as long as it is possible to specify that the number of bets remaining.
Also, similar to the credit remaining notification, the remaining bet number notification is executed when there are credits remaining when the power is turned on, but if it is not executed when there are no credits remaining when the power is turned on, the The notification may be executed when another execution condition is satisfied.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the notification control means (sub board 200) is powered on when the second operation means (the medal number clear button 81) is operated and the first operation means (the setting key switch 48a) is not operated. Based on this, the number of game media (credits) stored in the stored number storage means (RAM 302) is cleared, and the number of game media stored in the bet number storage means (RAM 102) becomes zero. In other words, if the number exceeds the number of bets, a fourth notification that is different from any of the first notification (bet number clear notification), second notification (credit clear notification), and third notification (credit remaining notification) can be executed. .

Particularly, in this embodiment, the remaining number of bets notification is different from the remaining credit notification, and has a fixed notification mode regardless of the value of the remaining number of bets.
According to this, both the remaining credit notification and the remaining bet number notification can be configured to be executable, and the remaining credit notification can be made easier to recognize than the remaining bet number notification.

In addition, in this embodiment, the execution period of the bet number clear notification and the execution period of the remaining credit notification may overlap. In this case, it is preferable to give priority to one of these notifications, and in that case, it is more preferable to give priority to the remaining credit notification.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the execution period of the credit clear notification and the execution period of the remaining bet number notification may overlap, but even in this case, it is preferable to give priority to one of these notifications, and in such a case, it is more preferable to give priority to the credit clear notification.

<Other Modifications>
Modifications not mentioned in the above description are listed below.

First, regarding each notification according to the present invention, the expression that the notification can be executed means that the notification is executed at least in some cases when the execution conditions for the notification are satisfied, This includes the fact that the notification is not executed in some cases.

In addition, regarding the probability, proportion, frequency, and number of times in this embodiment, as long as each relationship is guaranteed, the smaller value may be 0, and the larger value may be the maximum value. It may be. In particular, with respect to the above-mentioned levels of each ratio, as long as the phenomenon is ensured, the control for realizing the level of each ratio does not matter.
Moreover, each lottery value in the lottery table illustrated in this embodiment is an example, and as long as the magnitude relationship between the lottery tables is maintained, each lottery value may adopt any value within the range.

The present invention described above is not limited to the above description, but includes various modifications, improvements, and other aspects as long as the object of the present invention is achieved.

<Additional Notes>
The present embodiment encompasses the following technical idea.
(1)
A medal-less gaming machine capable of starting a game using a gaming medium, providing gaming media according to the result of the game, storing the provided gaming media, and transmitting the stored gaming media to an external device electrically connected thereto for settlement, and capable of executing a setting change process for setting one setting value from a plurality of setting values with different degrees of advantage,
A main control means for controlling the progress of a game;
A gaming medium management means for managing gaming media;
A storage number storage means for storing the number of stored game media;
a bet number storage means for storing the number of gaming media used in a game;
A first operating means;
A second operating means;
Equipped with
the main control means is capable of executing the setting change process accompanied by clearing the number of gaming media stored in the bet number storage means when power is turned on with an operation on the first operation means and without an operation on the second operation means;
The game media management means includes:
A device configured to be able to communicate with the external device,
clearing the number of game media stored in the reserved number storage means and transmitting a specific command to the external device in at least some cases where power is turned on with an operation on the second operating means and without an operation on the first operating means;
There may be a case where the number of game media stored in the reserved number storage means is cleared without power-on involving an operation on the second operation means, and even in such a case, the specific command is transmitted from the game media management means to the external device,
in at least some cases where power is turned on with an operation on the second operating means and without an operation on the first operating means, even if the number of game media stored in the reserved number storage means is zero, the number of game media is cleared, and the specific command is transmitted from the game media management means to the external device;
A gaming machine characterized by:
(2)
The gaming machine according to (1) above,
When the power is turned on with an operation on the first operating means and without an operation on the second operating means, the number of game media stored in the reserved number storage means is maintained;
When the power is turned on with an operation on the second operating means and without an operation on the first operating means, the number of gaming media stored in the bet number storage means is maintained;
When power is turned on with both an operation on the first operation means and an operation on the second operation means, both the number of gaming media stored in the bet number storage means and the number of gaming media stored in the reserved number storage means are cleared.
A gaming machine characterized by:
(3)
The gaming machine according to (2) above,
A notification means;
A notification control means for controlling the notification means;
Further equipped with
The notification control means
when the number of gaming media stored in the bet number storage means is cleared based on the fact that the power is turned on with an operation on the first operating means and without an operation on the second operating means, a first notification is executed;
when the number of game media stored in the reserved number storage means is cleared based on a power-on that involves an operation on the second operation means and does not involve an operation on the first operation means, a second notification different from the first notification is executed;
when the number of gaming media stored in the bet number storage means and the number of gaming media stored in the reserved number storage means are both cleared based on power-on accompanied by an operation on both the first operation means and an operation on the second operation means, execute the first notification with priority out of the first notification and the second notification;
A gaming machine characterized by:
(4)
The gaming machine according to (3) above,
When power is turned on with both an operation on the first operating means and an operation on the second operating means, both the first and second notifications are executed while the execution of the first notification is given priority;
In a case where both the first notification and the second notification are being executed, the first notification ends when a time elapses or an operation on the first operating means ends, while the second notification continues until at least one game is executed after the power is turned on to execute the second notification.
A gaming machine characterized by:
(5)
The gaming machine according to (3) or (4) above,
the notification control means, when the number of gaming media stored in the bet number storage means is cleared and the number of gaming media stored in the reserved number storage means exceeds zero, based on power-on involving an operation on the first operation means and not involving an operation on the second operation means, executes a third notification different from either the first notification or the second notification;
A gaming machine characterized by:
(6)
The gaming machine according to (5) above,
the third notification has a different notification manner depending on whether the number of game media stored in the reserved number storage means is equal to or greater than a predetermined number or whether the number of game media is less than the predetermined number;
A gaming machine characterized by:
(7)
The gaming machine according to any one of (3) to (6) above,
the notification control means, when the number of gaming media stored in the reserved number storage means is cleared based on a power-on involving an operation on the second operation means and not involving an operation on the first operation means, and when the number of gaming media stored in the bet number storage means exceeds zero, executes a fourth notification;
A gaming machine characterized by:

10 Gaming machine 20 Front door 21 Upper panel 22 Lower panel 23 Bet button 23a Maximum bet button 23b Single bet button 24 Menu selection button 24a Cross key button 24b Decision button 25 Status display LED
25a Input number display LED
25b Acquired number display LED
25c Instruction display LED
25d Replay display LED
25e Game start display LED
25f Loading possible display LED
25g Advantageous mode display LED
26 Start lever 27 (27L, 27C, 27R) Stop button 27a Stop possible display LED
28 Medal number display LED
32 Payment button 33 Medal counting button 34 Door lock 36 (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36e, 36f, 36g, 36h) Decorative LED
38 (38a, 38b, 38c, 38d) Speakers 40a, 40b Various sensors 41 (41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e, 41f, 41g, 41h) Decorative LED board 42 Status display LED board 43 Stop button board 43a Stop button sensor 44 Start lever sensor 45 Bet button board 45a Maximum bet button sensor 45b Single bet button sensor 45c Push button sensor 46 Menu selection button board 46a Cross key button sensor 46b Determination button sensor 48 Setting change device 48a Setting key switch 48b Setting change switch 48c Setting display LED
48d Setting key cover 49 (49a, 49b, 49c, 49d) Speaker 50 Medal number display LED board 51 Medal counting button board 51a Medal counting button sensor 52 Medal number operation board 52a Medal number clear button sensor 52b Error release button sensor 53 Operation board Cover 60 Gaming machine main body 62 Production display area 63 Production display device 64 Reel frame 65 (65L, 65C, 65R) Reel 66 (66L, 66C, 66R) Reel sensor 67 (67L, 67C, 67R) Reel lighting board 68 Reel motor 81 Clear number of medals button 82 Error release button 90 Outer frame 91 Power supply 92 Power switch 96 Hinge part 96a Upper hinge part 96b Middle hinge part 96c Lower hinge part 100 Main board 101, 201, 301 CPU
102, 202, 302 RAM
103, 203, 303 ROM
100 Main board 110 Game progress management unit 111 Internal lottery unit 112 Reel control unit 113 Winning determination unit 114 Medal management unit 115 Status display LED control unit 120 Status management unit 121 Setting change management unit 122 Game status management unit 124 Game mode management unit 125 Main error management section 130 Main communication section 131 Control command transmission/reception section 132 External signal transmission section 200 Sub board 210 Sub communication section 211 Control command reception section 220 Production management section 221 Production control section 222 Production display control section 223 Audio control section 224 Decoration LED Control unit 300 Medal number control board 310 Control command transmission/reception unit 320 Credit management unit 330 Medal error management unit 1000 Dedicated unit L1 to L5 line

Claims (2)

It is possible to start a game using game media, gives game media according to the result of the game, stores the given game media, and transmits the stored game media to an electrically connected external device. A medalless gaming machine that can perform a setting change process to set one setting value from a plurality of setting values with different advantages,
a main control means for controlling the progress of the game;
a gaming media management means for managing gaming media;
stored number storage means for storing the number of stored game media;
bet number storage means for storing the number of game media used in the game;
a first operating means;
a second operating means;
Equipped with
When the power is turned on with an operation on the first operation means and without an operation on the second operation means, the main control means controls the number of game media stored in the bet number storage means. It is possible to execute the setting change process that involves clearing,
The gaming media management means includes:
configured to be able to communicate with the external device,
At least in part when the power is turned on with an operation on the second operation means and without an operation on the first operation means, the number of game media stored in the stored number storage means is cleared, and , sending a specific command to the external device;
The number of game media stored in the stored number storage means may be cleared without powering on the second operation means, and even in such a case, the external The specific command is sent to the device,
At least in part when the power is turned on with an operation on the second operation means and without an operation on the first operation means, the number of gaming media stored in the stored number storage means is zero. Even if the number of game media is cleared, the specific command is transmitted from the game media management means to the external device ,
When the power is turned on with an operation on the first operation means and without an operation on the second operation means, the number of game media stored in the stored number storage means is maintained;
When the power is turned on with an operation on the second operation means and without an operation on the first operation means, the number of game media stored in the bet number storage means is maintained;
When the power is turned on accompanied by an operation on the first operation means and an operation on the second operation means, the number of game media stored in the bet number storage means and the stored number storage means are Both the number of stored game media can be cleared,
Notification means;
Notification control means for controlling the notification means;
Furthermore,
The notification control means includes:
When the number of game media stored in the bet number storage means is cleared based on the power being turned on with an operation on the first operation means and without an operation on the second operation means; , execute the first notification,
When the number of game media stored in the storage number storage means is cleared based on the power being turned on with an operation on the second operation means and without an operation on the first operation means; , execute a second notification different from the first notification,
Based on the fact that the power is turned on with an operation on the second operation means and without an operation on the first operation means, the number of game media stored in the stored number storage means is cleared, and the bet is If the number of game media stored in the number storage means exceeds zero, a fourth notification may be executed;
The notification mode of the fourth notification is constant regardless of the number of gaming media stored in the number of bets.
A gaming machine characterized by: It is possible to start a game using game media, gives game media according to the result of the game, stores the given game media, and transmits the stored game media to an electrically connected external device. A medalless gaming machine that can perform a setting change process to set one setting value from a plurality of setting values with different advantages,
a main control means for controlling the progress of the game;
a gaming media management means for managing gaming media;
stored number storage means for storing the number of stored game media;
bet number storage means for storing the number of game media used in the game;
a first operating means;
a second operating means;
Equipped with
When the power is turned on with an operation on the first operation means and without an operation on the second operation means, the main control means controls the number of game media stored in the bet number storage means. It is possible to execute the setting change process that involves clearing,
The gaming media management means includes:
configured to be able to communicate with the external device,
At least in part when the power is turned on with an operation on the second operation means and without an operation on the first operation means, the number of game media stored in the stored number storage means is cleared, and , sending a specific command to the external device;
The number of game media stored in the stored number storage means may be cleared without powering on the second operation means, and even in such a case, the external The specific command is sent to the device,
At least in part when the power is turned on with an operation on the second operation means and without an operation on the first operation means, the number of gaming media stored in the stored number storage means is zero. Even if the number of game media is cleared, the specific command is transmitted from the game media management means to the external device ,
When the power is turned on with an operation on the first operation means and without an operation on the second operation means, the number of game media stored in the stored number storage means is maintained;
When the power is turned on with an operation on the second operation means and without an operation on the first operation means, the number of game media stored in the bet number storage means is maintained;
When the power is turned on accompanied by an operation on the first operation means and an operation on the second operation means, the number of game media stored in the bet number storage means and the stored number storage means are Both the number of stored game media can be cleared,
Notification means;
Notification control means for controlling the notification means;
Furthermore,
The notification control means includes:
When the number of game media stored in the bet number storage means is cleared based on the power being turned on with an operation on the first operation means and without an operation on the second operation means; , execute the first notification,
When the number of game media stored in the storage number storage means is cleared based on the power being turned on with an operation on the second operation means and without an operation on the first operation means; , execute a second notification different from the first notification,
Based on the fact that the power is turned on with an operation on the first operation means and without an operation on the second operation means, the number of game media stored in the bet amount storage means is cleared and the number of game media stored in the storage If the number of game media stored in the number storage means exceeds zero, a third notification different from both the first notification and the second notification may be executed;
The third notification includes a first case in which the number of gaming media stored in the stored number storage means is a predetermined number or more, and a second case in which the number of gaming media is less than the predetermined number. The notification mode is different,
The notification mode of the third notification in the first case and the notification mode of the third notification in the second case both depend on the number of game media stored in the stored number storage means. is constant regardless of
A gaming machine characterized by:

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