JP2005118171A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of lowering the operation load of a player. <P>SOLUTION: Reels 42L, 42M, 42R visible through display windows 31L, 31M, 31R start to rotate when a start lever 71 disposed at a substantially center left portion of a front face door 12 is operated. Further, the reels 42L, 42M, 42R corresponding to respective switches 72 to 74 stop when the stop switches 72-74 are operated. The game machine is constituted such that it becomes easy to stop a specific pattern at the time of stopping the real in the specific condition, and a token are payed out and the player can win the right of replaying in which the player can execute the play of the next game without casting a token when the specific pattern stops. Consequently, the operation load of the player is lowered, since the player can win the token and need not to cast the token for the next game when the specific pattern stops. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

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

  An example of a gaming machine that stops after rotating an endless belt such as a reel is a slot machine. In the slot machine, a plurality of symbols are given to the outer periphery of the reel, and a part of the symbols given to the reel is visible through the display window. Then, when the player inserts a medal and operates the start lever, the reel starts to rotate, and when the stop switch is operated or the predetermined time elapses, the reel stops. The Inside the slot machine, a lottery is performed on condition that the medal is inserted and the start lever is operated, and the result of the lottery is winning and the symbol that the player has won on the preset active line is stopped. As a condition, a predetermined number of medals are awarded, or a special game state advantageous to a player called a big bonus game is given (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  Here, as described above, a medal insertion operation is indispensable as a starting condition for each game. Since the game time of one game is only a few seconds in terms of the performance of the gaming machine, the frequency of the medal insertion operation is calculated once every few seconds, in other words, several times to several tens of times per minute. Become. Then, the medal insertion operation is complicated for the player, and the repeated medal insertion operation increases the burden in a sense different from the game.

  A game machine having a so-called credit function is known as a device aiming at such a burden reducing effect (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The credit function means that a predetermined number of medals to be paid out to the player or excessively inserted by the player are stored and stored as virtual medals instead of being returned as actual medals, and the virtual medals are inserted using the bet button. To do. When a virtual medal is inserted by a bet button, the number of stored memories is reduced accordingly. As a result, as long as there are virtual medals, the player is considered to have inserted medals by operating the bet button without directly inserting medals. In comparison, the burden is reduced.

  Nevertheless, from the player's standpoint, either the actual insertion of medals or the operation of the bet button is essential, and the burden of the medals insertion operation is imposed every game. The current situation is. Such a problem is particularly serious for a player who intends to continue playing for a long time.

The above problem is not limited to the slot machine, and a plurality of endless belts are rotated, and then the rotation of the endless belt is stopped based on the player's operation. This is also a problem in other gaming machines configured to throw the gaming ball using the.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-174739

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can reduce the operation burden on the player.

  Hereinafter, effective means for solving the above-described problems will be described while showing effects and the like as necessary. In the following, for easy understanding, the corresponding configuration in the embodiment of the invention is appropriately shown in parentheses, but is not limited to the specific configuration shown in parentheses.

Means 1. A plurality of endless belts (reels 42L, 42M, 42R) having a plurality of kinds of patterns attached in the circumferential direction;
Display windows (display windows 31L, 31M, 31R) that allow some of the patterns to be visually recognized with respect to the endless belts;
An insertion device (injection medal) that performs an insertion process of a game medium (medal) based on an insertion operation by a player (a medal insertion operation from the medal insertion slot 75 or a credit medal insertion operation by operating the credit insertion switches 77 to 79). Detection sensor 75a, credit insertion detection sensors 77a to 79a, main controller 131),
A start operation means (start lever 71) which is operated to start rotation of each endless belt, and the operation is made effective by performing a game medium input process by the input device;
A driving means (stepping motor 61) provided for each of the endless belts for rotating the endless belts;
Stop operation means (stop switches 72 to 74) operated to stop the rotation of each endless belt;
The drive means is controlled to start rotation of the endless belts based on the operation of the start operation means and stop rotation of the endless belts based on the operation of the stop operation means. Drive control means (main control device 131);
When each of the endless belts stops, a privilege granting unit (main control device) for granting a privilege (medal payout, big bonus, etc.) to the player according to the type of the pattern stopped at the effective position visible from the display window 131, a hopper device 91, and a remaining number display unit 35),
The privilege granting means
On the condition that the pattern stopped at the effective position is a specific pattern (combination of “youth”, “replay”, and “replay”), the next game consisting of a part of the bonus game is processed by the input device. A re-playing privilege (replay game) that can be started without delay, and a medium granting privilege that consists of the remainder of the privilege and pays out the game medium to the player (virtual medal with credit by the main control device 131 and the remaining number display unit 35) A gaming machine characterized by comprising a compound privilege granting means for granting a compound privilege including granting or medal payout by driving of the hopper device 91).

  According to the means 1, the privilege given on the condition that the picture stopped at the effective position is a specific picture can be started without performing the game medium input processing by the input device. The game privilege is distributed to a game privilege and a medium grant privilege for paying out a game medium to the player. As a result, in the case where all of the benefits to be granted are performed by the media grant privilege, the player's effort to execute the throw-in operation again for the next game is essential, but according to this means, the effort is omitted. As a result, the operation burden on the player is reduced.

Mean 2. A plurality of endless belts (reels 42L, 42M, 42R) having a plurality of kinds of patterns attached in the circumferential direction;
Display windows (display windows 31L, 31M, 31R) that allow some of the patterns to be visually recognized with respect to the endless belts;
An insertion device (injection medal) that performs an insertion process of a game medium (medal) based on an insertion operation by a player (a medal insertion operation from the medal insertion slot 75 or a credit medal insertion operation by operating the credit insertion switches 77 to 79). Detection sensor 75a, credit insertion detection sensors 77a to 79a, main controller 131),
A start operation means (start lever 71) which is operated to start rotation of each endless belt, and the operation is made effective by performing a game medium input process by the input device;
A driving means (stepping motor 61) provided for each of the endless belts for rotating the endless belts;
Stop operation means (stop switches 72 to 74) operated to stop the rotation of each endless belt;
The drive means is controlled to start rotation of the endless belts based on the operation of the start operation means and stop rotation of the endless belts based on the operation of the stop operation means. Drive control means (main control device 131);
When each of the endless belts stops, a privilege granting unit (main control device) for granting a privilege (medal payout, big bonus, etc.) to the player according to the type of the pattern stopped at the effective position visible from the display window 131, a hopper device 91, and a remaining number display unit 35),
The privilege granting means
On the condition that the picture stopped at the effective position is a specific picture (combination of “youth”, “replay”, and “replay”), the next game is started without performing the game medium input processing by the input device. Replay privilege (replay game) that can be played, and medium grant privilege that pays out game media to the player (virtual medal grant by credit by the main control device 131 and the remaining number display unit 35, or medal payout by driving the hopper device 91) A gaming machine characterized by comprising a complex privilege granting means for granting a complex privilege including:

  According to the means 2, on the condition that the picture stopped at the effective position is the specific picture, the re-game privilege that allows the next game to be started without performing the game medium input process by the input device, and the game The medium grant privilege for paying out the medium to the player is executed simultaneously. As a result, when the privilege to be granted is only the media grant privilege, the player's effort to execute the throw-in operation again for the next game is essential, but according to this means, the effort is omitted. As a result, the operation burden on the player is reduced.

  Means 3. In the above means 1 or 2, the first state which is the normal gaming state is switched between the second state (small part time) which is more advantageous to the player than the first state and continues until the end condition is satisfied. Comprising state switching means (main control device 131 for switching between normal game and small play time), wherein the drive control means is adapted to stop the specific picture at the effective position during the second state and A gaming machine characterized in that during the first state, each drive means is drive-controlled so that the specific picture does not stop.

  According to the means 3, in the 1st state which is a normal game state, as a result of being controlled so that a specific picture does not stop at an effective position, a compound privilege cannot be obtained. On the other hand, when the game is switched to the second state, control is performed so that the specific picture can be stopped at the effective position in the game until the end condition is established, and as a result, a composite privilege is obtained by stopping the specific picture. Therefore, when the second state advantageous to the player is generated by switching between the first state and the second state, a composite privilege is easily obtained, and the burden on the player is reduced.

  Means 4. In the above means 1 or 2, the first state which is the normal gaming state and the second state (small role time) which is different from the first state and the privilege grant contents according to the design and continues until the end condition is established State switching means (main control device 131 that switches between the normal game and the small part time), and the specific design is set as a composite privilege granting design only in the second state. A gaming machine characterized by that.

  According to the means 4, even if the specific picture stops at the valid position in the first state which is the normal gaming state, it is not a target for providing the composite privilege. On the other hand, when the state is switched to the second state, a composite privilege is given when the specific pattern stops at the effective position in the game until the end condition is established. Therefore, when a second state advantageous to the player is generated by switching between the first state and the second state, a combined privilege can be given, and the burden on the player can be reduced.

  Means 5. The above means 3 or 4 includes second state lottery means (small part time lottery) for internal lottery to determine whether or not the second state is to be generated, on condition that the second state lottery means has been won. A gaming machine that can be switched to the second state.

  According to the means 5, the presence / absence of the second state is determined by internal lottery. As a result, for example, the uncertainties are increased and the player can be strongly attracted to the game as compared with the case where the mode is set so that the mode is generated every hundreds of games. .

  Means 6. In any one of the above means 3 to 5, when an opportunity pattern (a combination of “youth”, “youth”, and “youth”) formed by the pattern is established at an effective position visible from the display window, the second A game machine characterized by generating a state.

  According to the means 6, it is possible to detect that the player can be switched to the second state as a result of notifying the trigger of the transition to the second state by establishing the trigger picture at the effective position where the player watches. There is no inconvenience that the game is stopped without noticing the transition to the second state. In the case of the combination of the means 5 and the means 6, it is a condition that the winning of the second state is first obtained by the internal lottery, and then the opportunity picture is established. In this case, the winning result may be maintained until the game times when the opportunity picture is established, and the second state is obtained because it is not possible to stop the opportunity picture even though the winning prize is configured in this way. The problem of not being disappears.

  Mean 7 A gaming machine according to any one of the above means 3 to 6, wherein a notifying means (auxiliary display portion 15) for notifying that the vehicle is in the second state is provided separately from the endless belt.

  According to the means 7, since the player is informed that the player is in the second state, an unexpected disadvantage that the player stops the game without noticing that the player is in the second state occurs. Can be prevented.

Means 8. A plurality of endless belts with a plurality of kinds of patterns attached in the circumferential direction;
A display window that allows some of the patterns to be visually recognized for each endless belt;
An input device that performs input processing of game media based on an input operation by the player;
Start operation means that is operated to start rotation of each endless belt, and the operation is validated by performing a game medium input process by the input device;
A driving means provided for each of the endless belts, for rotating the endless belts;
Stop operation means operated to stop the rotation of each endless belt;
The drive means is controlled to start rotation of the endless belts based on the operation of the start operation means and stop rotation of the endless belts based on the operation of the stop operation means. Drive control means;
In the gaming machine provided with a privilege granting means for granting a privilege to the player according to the type of the pattern stopped at the effective position visible from the display window when each endless belt is stopped,
Comprising lottery means for performing an internal lottery of the pattern to be stopped at the effective position, and the drive control means drives and controls each of the driving means to stop the picture selected by the lottery means at the effective position;
The stop timing is set such that the control state of the drive control means can be excluded from the effective position when the stop operation means is operated at the timing when the non-winning picture not won by the lottery means is arranged at the effective position. The first state (normal game state, four-frame sliding) that can be delayed, and the second state (small role time, one frame) where at least a specific endless belt can delay the stop timing to such an extent that it can be excluded. Slip)) and a state switching means for switching to
In the second state, when the single specific picture is stopped at the effective position in the specific endless belt, a single privilege for paying out the game medium to the player is given, and together with the single specific picture, the predetermined picture on the other endless belt and When the combination specific picture configured as a combination of the above is stopped at the valid position, a re-game privilege that can be started without performing the game medium input processing by the input device is provided in combination with the single privilege. A gaming machine characterized by

  According to the means 8, each endless belt is controlled to stop so that the non-winning pattern is excluded from the effective position in the first state, whereas in the second state, at least a specific endless belt is not selected. Even if it is a pattern, a case where the non-winning pattern is not excluded from the effective position occurs. As a result, in the second state, even if it is a non-winning picture, a specific picture is stopped and a profit such as acquisition of game media can be obtained. In this state, only the medium acquisition is realized when the single specific picture is stopped at the effective position, and both the medium acquisition and the replay acquisition are realized simultaneously when the combination specific picture is stopped at the effective position. As a result, when it is possible to stop at the combination specific picture, the insertion operation for the next game is not required while acquiring the medium, and the burden on the player in the progress of the game is reduced.

Means 9. A plurality of endless belts with a plurality of kinds of patterns attached in the circumferential direction;
A display window that allows some of the patterns to be visually recognized for each endless belt;
An input device that performs input processing of game media based on an input operation by the player;
Start operation means that is operated to start rotation of each endless belt, and the operation is validated by performing a game medium input process by the input device;
A driving means provided for each of the endless belts, for rotating the endless belts;
Stop operation means operated to stop the rotation of each endless belt;
The drive means is controlled to start rotation of the endless belts based on the operation of the start operation means and stop rotation of the endless belts based on the operation of the stop operation means. Drive control means;
In the gaming machine provided with a privilege granting means for granting a privilege to the player according to the type of the pattern stopped at the effective position visible from the display window when each endless belt is stopped,
Comprising lottery means for performing an internal lottery of the pattern to be stopped at the effective position, and the drive control means drives and controls each of the driving means to stop the picture selected by the lottery means at the effective position;
The stop timing is set such that the control state of the drive control means can be excluded from the effective position when the stop operation means is operated at the timing when the non-winning picture not won by the lottery means is arranged at the effective position. State switching means for switching between a first state (normal game state) that can be delayed and a second state (small part time) in which the stop timing can be delayed only to the extent that the specific endless belt can be excluded. Prepared,
In the second state, when the single specific picture is stopped at the effective position in the specific endless belt, a single privilege for paying out the game medium to the player is given, and together with the single specific picture, the predetermined picture on the other endless belt and When the combination specific picture configured as a combination of the above is stopped at the valid position, a re-game privilege that can be started without performing the game medium input processing by the input device is combined with the single privilege to be given To configure
A re-game lottery means for performing a lottery to determine whether or not to perform the re-game, and when the re-game is won in the second state and the single specific design is stopped at the valid position, the combination specific design is valid The other endless belt is driven and controlled by the drive control means so as to be stopped at a position,
Further, as the second state, a first mode (small role time A) having a high probability of winning a regame by the replay lottery means and a second mode (small role time B) having a low probability are selected. A gaming machine characterized by being configured as described above.

  According to the means 9, each endless belt is controlled to be stopped so that the non-winning pattern is excluded from the effective position in the first state, whereas at least a specific endless belt is not selected in the second state. Even if it is a pattern, a case where the non-winning pattern is not excluded from the effective position occurs. As a result, in the second state, even if it is a non-winning picture, a specific picture is stopped and a profit such as acquisition of game media can be obtained. In this state, only the medium acquisition is realized when the single specific picture is stopped at the effective position, and both the medium acquisition and the replay acquisition are realized simultaneously when the combination specific picture is stopped at the effective position. As a result, when it is possible to stop at the combination specific picture, the insertion operation for the next game is not required while acquiring the medium, and the burden on the player in the progress of the game is reduced.

  In addition, when the first mode having a high winning probability in the replay lottery is set as the second state, a state in which a composite privilege combining a single privilege and a replay privilege is easily provided is maintained, so that the medium is acquired. Combined with the combined benefit of no need for a throw-in operation for re-playing, not only can the expected value of the number of acquired media be increased, but also the effect of reducing the burden on the player can be increased by eliminating the trouble of the throw-in operation. On the other hand, in the second mode, the input operation burden for replay is not reduced as much as in the first mode, but the profit of media acquisition is not excluded. Thus, the game can be inflected by setting a plurality of modes in which the degree of granting the re-game privilege is changed as the second state.

  The re-game winning probability is preferably 90% or more in the first mode, and conversely, it is preferably 20% or less in the second mode.

  Further, in the above means 8 or means 9, technical means such as means 5 to means 7 described above may be adopted. Further, the means 8 is preferably configured so as to draw lottery between the first mode and the second mode.

  In addition, as a gaming machine to which each of the above means can be applied, in addition to a slot machine or a similar gaming machine, “a picture string composed of a plurality of pictures (specifically, a reel with a figure) is variably displayed (specifically In particular, it includes variable display means (specifically, a reel unit) for confirming and stopping display of the pattern sequence after the reel has been rotated), and the pattern is caused by the operation of the start operating means (specifically, the start lever). The change of the pattern is stopped due to the operation of the operation means for stop (specifically, the stop button) or after the lapse of a predetermined time, and the fixed pattern at the time of the stop is the specific pattern As a necessary condition, a special gaming state (bonus game, etc.) that is advantageous to the player is given a privilege, etc., and a ball receiving tray (top plate, etc.) is provided and a game ball is taken in from the ball receiving tray. I do A gaming machine comprising an insertion device and a payout device for paying out a game ball to the ball tray, and the operation of the starting operation means is made effective when the game ball is inserted by the input device. There is also a type of gaming machine that combines a slot machine and a pachinko machine.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in the case of application to a spinning cylinder type gaming machine which is a kind of gaming machine, specifically, a slot machine will be described in detail based on the drawings. 1 is a front view of the slot machine 10, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the slot machine 10 with the front door 12 closed, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the slot machine 10 with the front door 12 opened, and FIG. 5 is a rear view of the door 12, and FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the slot machine 10 includes a housing 11 that forms an outer shell thereof. The casing 11 includes a top plate 11a, a bottom plate 11b, a back plate 11c, a left plate 11d, and a right plate 11e formed in a wooden plate shape, and the adjacent plates 11a to 11e are fixed by a fixing means such as adhesion. Thus, it is formed in a box shape with the front surface opened as a whole. In addition, each board 11a-11e may be comprised with a synthetic resin panel or a metal panel other than being comprised with a wooden panel, or it is comprised by forming in the box shape integral with a synthetic resin material or a metal material. May be. The casing 11 configured as described above is attached by, for example, driving nails against a so-called island facility at the time of installation in the game hall.

  A front door 12 as a front open / close door is attached to the front side of the housing 11 so as to be openable and closable. That is, the left side plate 11d of the housing 11 is provided with a pair of upper and lower support shafts 25a and 25b. Each of the support shafts 25a and 25b includes a tapered shaft portion that protrudes upward. On the other hand, the front door 12 is provided with support fittings 26a and 26b having insertion holes into which the shaft portions of the support shafts 25a and 25b are inserted corresponding to the support shafts 25a and 25b. Then, the support brackets 26a and 26b are arranged above the support shafts 25a and 25b, and the front door 12 is lowered, whereby the shaft portions of the support shafts 25a and 25b are inserted into the insertion holes of the support brackets 26a and 26b. It is assumed that it was done. Thereby, the front door 12 is supported so as to be rotatable about an opening / closing axis extending in the vertical direction connecting the both support shafts 25a and 25b with respect to the housing 11, and the front opening side of the housing 11 is opened by the rotation. It can be closed or closed.

  The front door 12 is brought into a locked state that cannot be opened by a locking device provided on the rear surface. Further, a key cylinder 20 serving as an unlocking operation unit is provided at the upper right side of the front door 12. The key cylinder 20 is integrated with a locking device, and is configured such that the locked state is released by a predetermined key operation on the key cylinder 20. Therefore, an outline of the lock mechanism including the locking device will be described.

  On the right end side of the front door 12, that is, on the opposite side of the opening / closing axis of the front door 12, a locking device is provided on the back surface. The locking device extends vertically and is fixed to the front door 12, a key cylinder 20 provided so as to extend from the upper part of the base frame to the front of the front door 12, and moves vertically with respect to the base frame. It is provided with a long interlocking rod 21 assembled as possible. And only the key cylinder 20 is provided in the state which protruded ahead of the front door 12 among the locking devices. The position where the key cylinder 20 is provided is the thin upper portion of the front door 12, and as a result, a versatile key cylinder 20 having a short overall length can be employed. In the present embodiment, Omlock (trade name) having a high function of preventing unauthorized unlocking is used as the key cylinder 20. The interlocking rod 21 is moved downward by operating the key inserted into the key cylinder 20 clockwise. The interlocking saddle 21 is provided with a pair of upper and lower saddle fittings 22 having a bowl shape. When the front door 12 is closed with respect to the casing 11, the saddle fitting 22 is supported on the casing 11 side. Is locked. In addition, the urging member 22 is provided with an urging member such as a coil spring for urging to the side maintaining the locked state. When the key is operated clockwise with respect to the key cylinder 20, the interlocking rod 21 moves downward, and the saddle fitting 22 is moved against the biasing force of the biasing member. The locked state with the support fitting 23 is released, and the locked state of the front door 12 with respect to the housing 11 is released.

  A game panel 30 for notifying the player of the game state is provided above the center of the front door 12. In the game panel 30, three vertically long display windows 31L, 31M, 31R are formed side by side. The display windows 31L, 31M, 31R are made of a transparent or translucent material, and the inside of the slot machine 10 is visible through the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R. The display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R may be combined into a single display window.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the inside of the housing 11 is vertically divided into two by a partition plate 40, and a reel unit 41 constituting variable display means is attached to the upper portion of the partition plate 40. The reel unit 41 includes a left reel 42L, a middle reel 42M, and a right reel 42R each formed in a cylindrical shape (annular shape). The reels 42L, 42M, and 42R may be configured as at least an endless belt, and are not limited to a cylindrical shape (annular shape). Each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R is rotatably supported so that the central axis thereof is the rotation axis of the reel. The rotation axes of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are arranged on the same axis extending in the substantially horizontal direction, and the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R correspond to the display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R on a one-to-one basis. . Accordingly, a part of the surface of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R is visible through the corresponding display windows 31L, 31M, 31R. Further, when the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are rotated forward, the surfaces of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are projected as if moving from top to bottom through the display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R.

  Each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R is coupled to the stepping motors 61L, 61M, and 61R, and each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R is individually, that is, independently, driven by the stepping motors 61L, 61M, and 61R. Thus, it can be rotationally driven. Since these reels 42L, 42M, and 42R have the same configuration, here, the left reel 42L will be described as an example with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an assembled perspective view of the left reel 42L.

  The left reel 42L includes a cylindrical skeleton member 50 that forms a cylindrical cage, and a belt-like belt wound endlessly on the outer peripheral surface thereof. And it is affixed on the cylindrical skeleton member 50 through a pair of seal parts formed along the both sides of the long side of the belt so as to maintain the wound state. A large number of symbols as identification information are printed at equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the belt. A boss 51 is formed at the center of the cylindrical skeleton member 50, and is attached to the drive shaft of the left reel stepping motor 61L via a disc-shaped boss reinforcing plate 52. Accordingly, when the drive shaft of the left reel stepping motor 61L is rotated, the cylindrical skeleton member 50 is rotated around the drive shaft so that the left reel 42L circulates along the annular reel surface. It has become.

  The left reel stepping motor 61L is fixed to the side surface of the motor plate 53 arranged in an upright state in the reel unit 41 (FIG. 3) with screws 54. The motor plate 53 is provided with a reel index sensor (rotational position detection sensor) 55 in which a light emitting element 55a and a light receiving element 55b are held at a predetermined interval. On the other hand, the base end portion 56b of the sensor cut bun 56 extending in the radial direction is fixed to the boss reinforcing plate 52 integrated with the left reel 42L with a screw 57. The front end portion 56a of the sensor cut bun 56 is bent at a substantially right angle and is positioned so as to pass between both elements 55a and 55b of the reel index sensor 55. Each time the left reel 42L makes one rotation, the reel index sensor 55 detects the passage of the front end portion 56a of the sensor cut bun 56, and a detection signal is output to the main controller 131 described later each time the detection is made. Therefore, main controller 131 can confirm and correct the angular position of left reel 42L for each rotation based on this detection signal.

  The stepping motor 61L is set to rotate once by giving, for example, a drive signal of 504 pulses (also referred to as an excitation signal or an excitation pulse; the same applies hereinafter), and the rotation position of the stepping motor 61L, that is, left The rotational position of the reel 42L is controlled.

  On each belt of each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R, a plurality of, specifically, 21 symbols are drawn in the long side direction (circumferential direction). Therefore, 24 pulses (= 504 pulses ÷ 21 symbols) are required to switch from one symbol to the next symbol at a predetermined position. Based on the number of pulses from the time when the detection signal of the reel index sensor 55 is output, it is possible to recognize which symbol is visible from the display window 31L, or to visually recognize an arbitrary symbol from the exposure window 31L. It is possible to perform control to achieve a proper state.

  Of the symbols attached to the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R, the number of symbols that can be visually recognized through the display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R is mainly determined by the vertical lengths of the display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R. Is limited to a predetermined number. In this embodiment, three reels are provided. For this reason, when all the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are stopped, 3 × 3 = 9 symbols are visible to the player.

  Here, the symbols attached to the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R will be described. FIG. 7 shows a symbol arrangement drawn on the belt wound around each of the left reel 42L, the middle reel 42M, and the right reel 42R. As shown in the figure, each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R is provided with 21 symbols in a row. Although numbers 1 to 21 are assigned to the respective reels 42L, 42M, and 42R, these are given for convenience of explanation, and are not actually attached to the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R. . However, in the following description, the number is used for explanation.

  As a symbol, there is a “7” symbol (for example, the 20th left belt) as a first special symbol for shifting to the big bonus game. In addition, there is a “BAR” symbol (for example, the 14th left belt) as the second special symbol for shifting to the regular bonus game. Further, there is a “replay” symbol (for example, the eleventh left belt) as a third special symbol for shifting to the replay game. In addition, there is a “youth” symbol (for example, the 19th belt on the left) for shifting to the small part time. In addition, a “watermelon” symbol (for example, the left belt ninth), a “bell” symbol (for example, the left belt eighth), and a “cherry” symbol (for example, left) as the small character symbols from which the small character is paid out. Belt 4th). As shown in FIG. 7, the number of various symbols and the arrangement order are completely different in the belt wound around each reel 42L, 42M, 42R.

  Each reel 42L, 42M, 42R of the reel unit 41 is an example of variable display means for variably displaying identification information, and constitutes a main display unit. However, the variable display means may have other configurations. For example, other mechanical reel configurations such as a type in which the belt is rotated instead of rotating may be used, and instead of or in addition to the mechanical reel configuration, a liquid crystal display or a dot matrix display It is also possible to provide a display that variably displays the identification information by electrical display such as, and in this case, it is possible to provide a variety of display forms.

  A total of five combination lines are attached to the game panel 30 so as to connect the display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R, three in parallel in the horizontal direction and two in the diagonal direction. Of course, the maximum number of combination lines may be 6 or more, or less than 5, and the maximum number of combination lines may be changed according to a predetermined condition. Corresponding to each of these combination lines, effective line display sections 32, 33, and 34 are provided on the left side when viewed from the front of the display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R. The first effective line display unit 32 is notified by lighting or the like when the central horizontal line (center line) of the combination lines is activated. The second effective line display unit 33 is notified by lighting or the like when the upper and lower horizontal lines (upper line and lower line) of the combination lines are activated. The third effective line display unit 34 is notified by lighting or the like when a pair of diagonal lines (a right-down line and a right-up line) among the combination lines is enabled. Then, when the symbols are stopped in a predetermined combination on the activated combination line, that is, on the activated line, a winning is made, and a predetermined medal payout process, a transition process to a specific game, and the like are executed.

  Here, the payout number regarding each symbol when winning is explained. Regarding the small role design, when the “Watermelon” design is aligned with the left, middle and right on the active line, 15 medals are paid out. When the “Bell” design is aligned with the left, middle and right on the effective line Pays out 8 medals, and when the “cherry” symbol on the left reel 42L stops on the active line, 2 medals are paid out. That is, the “cherry” symbols of the middle reel 42M and the right reel 42R are irrelevant to the medal payout. In addition, for the “cherry” symbol, the medal payout is performed regardless of the combination with other symbols, and therefore, a plurality of effective lines of the left reel 42L overlap (specifically, the upper or lower row) with “ When the “cherry” symbol is stopped, medals are paid out by multiplying the number of overlapping active lines. As a result, in this embodiment, four medals are paid out.

  For other symbols, if the “7” symbol, which is a combination of the first special symbol (big bonus symbol), is aligned with the left, middle and right on the active line in the same symbol, 15 medals will be paid out. Also, when the “BAR” symbol which is a combination of the second special symbol (regular bonus symbol) is aligned with the left, middle and right on the active line, 15 medals are paid out. In the present embodiment, for example, a case where the “7” symbol and the “cherry” symbol are established simultaneously may occur, but in this case, 15 medals are paid out. This is because the upper limit number for one medal payout is set to 15.

  Further, when the “replay” symbols, which are combinations of the third special symbols, are aligned with the left, middle, and right on the active line, the medal payout is not performed, but the replay can be performed. In other cases, that is, when the “cherry” symbol of the left reel 42L does not stop on the active line and the same symbols as the left, middle, and right are not aligned on the active line, no medal payout is performed. Furthermore, when the “Youth” symbol is aligned with the left, middle, and right on the active line, the medal is not paid out, but shifts to the small role time (hereinafter also referred to as “KT”) between the predetermined games after the next game. To do. The small part time will be described later.

  On the lower left side of the game panel 30, a start lever 71 is provided that is operated to start rotation of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R all at once (not necessarily simultaneously). The start lever 71 constitutes start operation means or start operation means operated to start rotation of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R, that is, to start variable display. The start lever 71 is a lever that is pushed by the hand when the player starts the game, and automatically returns to the original position after the hand is released. When the start lever 52 is operated while a medal is inserted, the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R start to rotate all at once.

  On the right side of the start lever 71, button-like stop switches 72, 73, 74 that are operated to individually stop the rotating reels 42L, 42M, 42R are provided. Each of the stop switches 72, 73, 74 is arranged directly below the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R corresponding to the reels 42L, 42M, 42R to be stopped. The stop switches 72, 73, 74 constitute stop operation means operated to stop variable display based on the rotation of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R. Each of the stop switches 72, 73, 74 can be stopped when each of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R is rotated at a constant speed, and a stop operation is performed by lighting a lamp (not shown) during such a state. It is notified that this is possible, and is turned off when the rotation stops.

  On the lower right side of the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R, there is provided a medal slot 75 for inserting a medal as an investment value. The medal slot 75 constitutes an input means for inputting the investment value. If attention is paid to the point that the medal insertion slot 75 is accompanied by an operation of directly inserting a medal by the player, it can be said that the medal insertion slot 75 constitutes a direct input means for directly inputting the investment value.

  The medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 75 are guided to either the storage passage 81 or the discharge passage 82 by the selector 84 as passage switching means provided on the back surface of the front door 12. That is, the selector 84 is provided with a medal path switching solenoid 83, which is set to the discharge path 82 side when the medal path switching solenoid 83 is not excited, and switched to the storage path 81 side when excited. The medal guided to the storage passage 81 is guided to the hopper device 91 housed in the housing 11. On the other hand, the medal guided to the discharge passage 82 is guided to the medal tray 18 from the medal discharge port 17 provided in the lower front portion of the front door 12 and returned to the player.

  A hopper device 91 as a payout means for giving a medal to a player is composed of a storage tank 92 for storing the medal and a payout device 93 for paying out the medal to the player. The payout device 93 rotates a medal payout rotating plate (not shown) to discharge the medal to the opening 94 provided in the central right part of the discharge passage 82 and to the medal tray 18 through the discharge passage 82. To come out. Further, a reserve tank 95 is provided on the right side of the hopper device 91 in order to avoid storing a predetermined amount or more of medals in the storage tank 92. A guide plate 96 for discharging medals from the storage tank 92 to the reserve tank 95 is provided inside the storage tank 92 of the hopper device 91. Therefore, when medals are stored more than the height at which the guide plate 96 is provided, the medals are stored in the reserve tank 95.

  A button-like return switch 76 is provided below the medal slot 75. The return switch 76 is a switch that is pressed when a medal inserted into the medal slot 75 is jammed in the selector 84. When this switch is pressed, the selector 84 is mechanically operated to operate the selector 84. The medals packed in 84 are returned from the medal discharge port 17.

  On the lower left side of the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R, there is provided a button-like first credit insertion switch 77 for inserting three virtual medals credited as investment values at a time. Further, on the left side of the first credit insertion switch 77, a second credit insertion switch 78 and a third credit insertion switch 79 are provided as button switches smaller than the switch 77. The second credit insertion switch 78 is for inserting two credited virtual medals at a time, and the third credit insertion switch 79 is for inserting one virtual medal. Each of the credit insertion switches 77 to 79, together with the medal insertion slot 75, constitutes an input means for inputting an investment value. Further, if the medal insertion slot 75 is accompanied by an operation of directly inserting a medal by the player, each credit insertion switch 77 to 79 is only accompanied by an operation of inserting a virtual medal based on the storage memory. It can also be said that it constitutes an indirect input means for indirectly inputting the investment value.

  The first credit insertion switch 77 has a built-in lamp as a light emitting member (not shown) to urge that the maximum number of medals that can be inserted per game (three) has not been reached. The lamp is turned on when the switch operation of the first credit insertion switch 77 is valid and prompts the operation of the switch 77. However, when there is no credited virtual medal or three medals have already been inserted. It is turned off under the circumstances. Here, instead of the above-described lighting, the player may make it easier to understand the prompt for medal insertion by blinking.

  A button-like changeover switch 80 is provided on the left side of the start lever 71. The change-over switch 80 is configured to be a toggle type that is turned on when pressed once, turned off when pressed again, and turned on / off every time the pressing operation is performed. The changeover switch 80 is operated to change the handling format of inserted medals inserted into the medal slot 75 more than necessary, or acquired medals returned to the player as a result of a predetermined game.

  When the change-over switch 80 is in the ON state, the “credit mode” is set so that surplus inserted medals up to a predetermined maximum value (for example, 50 medals) and winning medals are stored and stored as credit medals. " When the changeover switch 80 is in the OFF state, the “direct mode” is set so that surplus inserted medals and winning medals are paid out as actual medals. If there is a credit medal when the credit mode is switched to the direct mode, the corresponding credit medal is paid out as an actual medal. Thus, the player can execute the game in a format according to his / her preference by switching between the credit mode and the direct mode. The changeover switch 80 constitutes a changeover operation means for changing over the input value and game value handling formats. Further, if paying attention to the function of paying out a credited virtual medal as an actual medal, it can be said that the changeover switch 80 constitutes a settlement operation means for actually paying out the stored game value. In addition to being configured to switch between the “credit mode” and the “direct mode” by operating the changeover switch 80, the virtual medal stored and stored is paid out when the changeover switch 80 is operated by always setting the “credit mode”. It may be made to function as only a settlement switch.

  Below the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R of the gaming panel 30, there are a remaining number display section 35 for displaying the number of medals activated and stored in the credit mode, and in a special gaming state such as a big bonus or a regular bonus. For example, a game number display unit 36 for displaying the number of remaining games and an acquired number display unit 37 for displaying the number of acquired medals are provided. Although these display parts 35-37 are comprised by the 7 segment display, it is naturally possible to substitute by a liquid crystal display etc. FIG.

  Here, a procedure for betting medals will be described. In both the direct mode and the credit mode, a bet is made when a medal is inserted from the medal slot 75 at the start of the game.

  That is, when the first medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 75, the first effective line display section 32 is turned on, and the corresponding center line becomes the effective line, and the second medal is the medal insertion slot. When the number 75 is inserted, the second effective line display section 33 is turned on, and a total of three combination lines including the upper line and the lower line corresponding to the second effective line display section 33 become effective lines, respectively, and the third medal is a medal. When it is inserted into the insertion port 75, the third effective line display unit 34 is further turned on, and a total of five combination lines including a pair of diagonal lines corresponding thereto become effective lines.

  When four or more medals are inserted into the medal slot 75, the surplus medals exceeding three are switched to the discharge passage 82 by the selector 84 if the current mode is the direct mode. It is returned from the outlet 17 to the medal tray 18. On the other hand, in the credit mode, it is stored inside the slot machine, and the number of stored sheets is displayed on the remaining number display unit 35. An upper limit number is determined for the number of stored sheets (for example, 50), and when a medal exceeding the number is inserted, it is returned from the medal discharge port 17 to the medal tray 18.

  In addition, when a game is played in the credit mode and the number of stored items is displayed on the remaining number display unit 35, the virtual number is displayed even when any of the first to third credit insertion switches 77 to 79 is pressed. A medal is inserted and a bet is placed.

  When the third credit insertion switch 79 is pressed, the numerical value displayed on the remaining number display section 35 is decremented by one as a virtual medal is inserted, and the first effective line display section 32 is displayed. Illuminates and the center line becomes the active line. When the second credit insertion switch 78 is pressed, two numerical values displayed on the remaining number display unit 35 are decremented as two virtual medals are inserted, and the first valid line display unit 32 and The second effective line display section 33 is lit and a total of three combination lines become effective lines. When the first credit insertion switch 77 is pressed, three numerical values displayed on the remaining number display unit 35 are decremented as three virtual medals are inserted, and all the effective line display units 32 to 32 are decremented. 34 lights up and a total of five combination lines become effective lines.

  In addition, when the virtual medal to be inserted when any of the first to third credit insertion switches 77 to 79 is pressed is not stored, for example, when the display of the remaining number display unit 35 is 2, the first For example, when the credit insertion switch 77 is pressed, all the values in the remaining number display section 35 are decremented to 0, and a bet is made for the amount of virtual medals that can be inserted.

  On the upper part of the front door 12, there are an upper lamp 13 that lights up or flashes as the game progresses, and a pair of left and right sounds that make various sound effects as the game progresses and inform the player of the game state Speaker 14 and an auxiliary display unit 15 for giving various information to the player. In the present embodiment, the auxiliary display unit 15 is configured by a liquid crystal display for the purpose of diversifying display contents and increasing the display effect. However, other displays such as a dot matrix display may be used. Good. The auxiliary display unit 15 is for executing various display effects as the game progresses, and it can be considered that the game by the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R is caused by the main display unit. This is referred to as an auxiliary display unit 15. On the back surface of the auxiliary display unit 15, an upper lamp 13, a speaker 14, and a display control device 111 for driving the auxiliary display unit 15 are provided. The positions and numbers of the upper lamp 13 and the speakers 14 are not limited to those described above.

  Above the medal tray 18, a lower plate 16 on which a model name, a character related to a game, and the number of medals to be paid out when winning a prize is displayed. In addition, an ashtray 19 that can be reversed to the lower side on the front side is provided on the left side of the medal tray 18.

  A power supply box 121 is provided on the left side of the hopper device 91 inside the housing 11. The power supply box 121 includes a power switch 122, a reset switch 123, a setting key insertion hole 124, and the like. The power switch 122 is a start switch for supplying power to each unit including the main controller 131.

  The reset switch 123 is a switch for resetting various states of the slot machine 10. This slot machine 10 has a backup function for various data, and even if a power failure occurs, it retains the state at the time of the power failure and returns to the state at the time of the power failure at the time of recovery from power failure (power recovery). It can be done. Therefore, for example, when the power supply is shut down by a normal procedure, such as when the game hall is closed, the state before the power shut-off is stored, but if the power switch 122 is turned on while pressing the reset switch 123, the backup data is reset. It has become so. If the reset switch 123 is pressed while the power switch 122 is on, the error state is reset.

  The setting key insertion hole 124 is used by a hole manager or the like to adjust the appearance of medals. That is, the setting state (winning probability setting process) of the slot machine 10 can be changed from “setting 1” to “setting 6” by operating the hole manager or the like by inserting the setting key into the setting key insertion hole 124. It has become.

  A main controller 131 is attached to the back plate 11 c of the housing 11 above the reel unit 41. The main control device 131 includes a CPU that controls the main control, a ROM that stores a game program, a RAM that temporarily stores necessary data according to the progress of the game, a port that communicates with various devices, time counting and synchronization. A main board including a clock circuit and the like used in the case of planning is provided, and the main board is accommodated in a board box as an encapsulating means made of a transparent resin material or the like. The board box includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box base and a box cover that covers an opening of the box base. The box base and the box cover are connected to each other so as not to be opened by a sealing unit as a sealing means, whereby the substrate box is sealed. In addition, it is good also as a structure which connects a box base and a box cover so that opening is impossible using a key member.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the slot machine 10 will be described based on the block diagram of FIG.

  The main control device 131 is equipped with a microcomputer centering on a CPU 151 as arithmetic processing means. In addition to the power supply device 161 provided in the power supply box 121, the CPU 151 is connected to a clock circuit 154 that outputs a rectangular wave having a predetermined frequency, an input / output port 155, and the like via an internal bus. The main control device 131 functions as a main base incorporated in the slot machine 10.

  On the input side of the main controller 131, there are a start detection sensor 71a for detecting the operation of the start lever 71, stop detection sensors 72a, 73a, 74a for individually detecting the operations of the stop switches 72, 73, 74, and a medal slot. The inserted medal detection sensor 75a for detecting a medal inserted from 75, the credit insertion detection sensors 77a, 78a, 79a for individually detecting the operations of the respective credit insertion switches 77, 78, 79, and the switching for detecting the operation of the changeover switch 80. Detection sensor 80 a, reel index sensor 55 that individually detects the rotational position (origin position) of each reel 42, payout detection sensor 91 a that detects medals paid out from the hopper device 91, and reset detection sensor that detects the operation of the reset switch 123 123a, set to setting key insertion hole 124 Chromatography are connected various sensors such as setting the key detection sensor 124a for detecting that it has been inserted, the signals from these various sensors are outputted to the CPU151 through the input and output ports 155.

  The inserted medal detection sensor 75a is actually composed of a plurality of sensors. That is, the storage passage 81 extending from the medal insertion slot 75 to the hopper device 91 is configured such that medals can pass in one row. The storage passage 81 is provided with a first sensor, and the second sensor and the third sensor are close to each other on the downstream side more than the width of the medal. The inserted medal detection sensor 75a is constituted by each of the first to third sensors. The main control device 131 monitors the time from the first sensor to the second sensor, and if the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time, the main control device 131 considers that there has been a medal clogging or fraud and makes an error. If an error occurs, an error notification is performed and an operation by the player until the error is canceled is invalidated. The main controller 131 also monitors the order in which the second sensor and the third sensor are turned on and off, both the second and third sensors are off, only the second sensor is on, and both the second and third sensors are on. Only when the third sensor is turned on, both the second and third sensors are turned off, and when the time for switching to each on / off switching is within a predetermined time, it is determined that the medal has been normally taken in. Otherwise, an error is assumed. The reason for this is to prevent injustice that the medal is reciprocated in the vicinity of the inserted medal detection sensor 75a and misidentified as the medal inserted in addition to the clogging of the medal in the storage passage 81.

  Further, a power failure monitoring circuit 161 b provided in the power supply device 161 is connected to the input side of the main control device 131 via the input / output port 155. The power supply device 161 includes a power supply unit 161 a that supplies driving power to the electronic devices of the slot machine 10 including the main control device 131, the power failure monitoring circuit 161 b described above, and the like.

  The power failure monitoring circuit 161b is for monitoring the power-off state and generating a power failure signal not only at the time of power failure but also at the time of power-off by the power switch 122. For this reason, the power failure monitoring circuit 161b monitors the stabilized drive voltage of 12 VDC in this example output from the power supply unit 161a, and determines that the power supply is shut off when the drive voltage drops below, for example, 10 volts. Power outage signal is output. The power failure signal is supplied to each of the CPU 151 and the input / output port 155, and the CPU 151 recognizes this power failure signal and executes a power failure process described later.

  The power supply unit 161a is configured to output a stabilized voltage of 5 volts used as a drive voltage in a control system such as the main controller 131 even when the output voltage is reduced to less than 10 volts. As the time during which the stabilization voltage is output, sufficient time is secured to execute the power failure process by the main controller 131.

  On the output side of the main control device 131, each active line display section 32, 33, 34, remaining number display section 35, game number display section 36, acquired number display section 37, and each reel 42L, 42M, 42R are rotated. Stepping motors 61 (61L, 61M, 61R), a medal path switching solenoid 83 provided in the selector 84, a hopper device 91, a display control device 111, an external concentration terminal plate 171 capable of transmitting information to a hall management device (not shown), etc. Are connected via the input / output port 155.

  The display control device 111 is a control device for driving the upper lamp 13, the speaker 14, and the auxiliary display unit 15, and includes a substrate in which a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like for driving these are integrated. Then, after receiving a signal from the main control device 131, the display control device 111 independently drives and controls the upper lamp 13, the speaker 14, and the auxiliary display unit 15. Therefore, the display control device 111 is a sub-base that executes auxiliary control in relation to the main control device 131 that is a main base that manages and manages games. In other words, the sub-base is provided for voice, lamp, and display related to indirect games, thereby reducing the burden on the main base. In addition, it is good also as a structure which the display control apparatus 111 controls the various display parts 32-37.

  The CPU 151 described above stores various control programs executed by the CPU 151 and a ROM 152 storing fixed value data, and temporarily stores various data when the control program stored in the ROM 152 is executed. In addition to the RAM 153 for securing the area, although not shown, various processing circuits necessary for the slot machine 10 such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit, as well known, and a credit counter for counting the number of credits are known. Various counters such as are built-in. The ROM 152 and the RAM 153 constitute a main memory as storage means, and a program for executing the processes shown in various flowcharts shown in FIG. 9 and subsequent figures is stored in the ROM 152 described above as a part of the control program.

  The RAM 153 has a configuration in which a backup voltage is supplied from the power supply device 161 provided in the power supply box 121 and data can be held (backed up) even after the power of the slot machine 10 is cut off. In addition to a memory and an area for temporarily storing various data and the like, a backup area is provided.

  In the backup area, when the power is shut down due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the values of the stack pointer, each register, I / O, etc. when the power is shut down (including power shutdown by operating the power switch 122; the same applies hereinafter) When the power failure is resolved (including power-on by operating the power switch 122. The same applies hereinafter), the slot machine 10 is in the state before power-off based on the backup area information. It is possible to return to the state. Writing to the backup area is executed when the power is cut off by the power failure process (see FIG. 11), and the restoration of each value written in the backup area is executed in the main process (see FIG. 12) when the power is turned on. Note that a power failure signal from the power failure monitoring circuit 161b is input to the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the CPU 151 when the power is interrupted due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. NMI interrupt processing as flag generation processing is immediately executed.

  Subsequently, each control process executed by the CPU 151 in the main controller 131 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The processing of the CPU 151 is broadly divided into a main processing that is started when the power is turned on, a timer interrupt processing that is started periodically (in a cycle of 1.49 msec in the present embodiment), and an NMI terminal (non-maskable terminal). For convenience of explanation, the NMI interrupt process and the timer interrupt process will be described first, and then the main process will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the NMI interrupt process. When the power is shut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the power failure monitoring circuit 161b of the power supply device 161 generates a power failure signal and outputs it to the main controller 131. In the main controller 131 that has received the power failure signal via the NMI terminal, NMI interrupt processing is executed.

  In the NMI interrupt processing, first, in step S 101, the data of the used register provided in the CPU 151 is saved in the backup area provided in the RAM 153. Subsequently, in step S102, the power failure flag is set in a power failure flag storage area provided in the RAM 153. Thereafter, the data saved in the backup area of the RAM 153 in step S103 is restored to the use register of the CPU 151 again. With this return processing, the NMI interrupt processing ends. If the power failure flag can be set without destroying the data in the register used by the CPU 151, the saving and restoring processing to the backup area can be omitted.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a timer interrupt process periodically executed by the main controller 131. A timer interrupt is generated by the CPU 151 of the main controller 131 every 1.49 msec, for example.

  First, in the register saving process shown in step S201, the values of all the registers in the CPU 151 used in the normal process described later are saved in the backup area of the RAM 153. In step S202, it is confirmed whether or not a power failure flag is set. If the power failure flag is set, the process proceeds to step S203, and a power failure process is executed.

  Here, the power failure process will be described with reference to FIG. Since the power failure process is performed immediately after the register saving process in the timer interrupt process, other interrupt processes can be executed without interruption. Therefore, for example, during the process of transmitting various commands, during the process of reading the switch state (on / off), the process at the time of power failure is not executed by interrupting each process. It is no longer necessary to create a power failure processing program that also takes into account This simplifies the processing program for power failure processing and reduces the program capacity. This also applies to a processing program for power recovery processing described later.

  In step S301, it is determined whether command transmission has been completed. If the transmission has not been completed, the process is terminated and the process returns to the timer interrupt process to terminate the command transmission. In this way, it is determined whether or not the command transmission is completed at the initial stage of the power failure process, the transmission process is prioritized when the transmission is incomplete, and the power failure process is executed after the unit command transmission process is completed. By doing so, it is no longer necessary to construct a power failure processing program that takes into account that power failure processing is executed during command transmission. As a result, the power failure processing program can be simplified and the ROM 152 can be reduced in capacity.

  If step S301 is YES, that is, if the command transmission is completed, the process proceeds to step S302, and the value of the stack pointer of the CPU 151 is stored in the backup area in the RAM 153. Thereafter, in step S303, a RAM determination value, which will be described later, is cleared as a stop process, and the output state of the output port in the input / output port 155 is cleared, and all actuators not shown are turned off. In step S304, a RAM determination value is calculated and stored in the backup area. The RAM determination value is specifically a 2's complement of the checksum at the work area address of the RAM 153. By storing the RAM determination value in the backup area, the checksum of the RAM 153 becomes zero. By setting the checksum of the RAM 153 to 0, subsequent RAM access is prohibited in step S305. Thereafter, an infinite loop is entered in preparation for the power supply being completely shut down and the processing being impossible. In consideration of, for example, the case where the power failure flag is set erroneously due to noise or the like, it is confirmed whether or not a power failure signal is output until the infinite loop is entered. If the power failure signal is not output, the power failure state is restored, so that writing to the RAM 153 is permitted, the power failure flag is reset, and the process returns to the timer interrupt process. If the power outage signal is continuously output, the infinite loop is entered.

  The power supply unit 161a of the power supply device 161 holds the output of the stabilization voltage (5 volts) used as the drive voltage for the control system for a time sufficient to execute the above-described NMI interrupt processing and power failure processing. It is comprised so that. In the present embodiment, the drive voltage is continuously output for 30 msec.

  Returning to the description of the timer interrupt process, if the power failure flag is not set in step S202, various processes after step S204 are performed.

  That is, in step S204, a watchdog timer clearing process for initializing the value of the watchdog timer for monitoring the occurrence of malfunction is performed. In step S205, an interrupt end declaration process for giving an interrupt permission to the CPU 151 itself is performed. In step S206, in order to rotate the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R, a stepping motor control process for driving the stepping motors 61L to 61R, which are the respective rotary drive motors, is performed. In step S207, sensor monitoring processing is performed to monitor the state of various sensors (see FIG. 8) connected to the input / output port 155. In step S208, timer calculation processing for subtracting the value of each counter or timer is performed. In step S209, a counter process for outputting the bet number of medals and the result of counting the number of payouts to the external concentration terminal board 171 is performed.

  In step S210, command output processing for transmitting a command or the like to the display control apparatus 111 is performed. In step S211, a segment data setting process for setting segment data displayed on the remaining number display unit 35, the game number display unit 36, and the acquired number display unit 37 is performed. In step S212, segment data set processing in the segment data setting processing is supplied to the display units 35 to 37, and segment data display processing for displaying corresponding numbers, symbols, and the like is performed. In step S213, port output processing for outputting data corresponding to the I / O device from the input / output port 155 is performed. In step S214, the value of each register saved in the backup area in the previous step S201 is restored to the corresponding register in the CPU 151. Thereafter, in step S215, an interrupt permission process for permitting the next timer interrupt is performed, and this series of timer interrupt processes is terminated.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a main process in the main controller 131 executed after the power is turned on. The main process is executed when the power is turned on by recovery from a power failure or by turning on the power switch 122.

  First, in step S401, as initialization processing, the value of the stack pointer is set in the CPU 151, and an interrupt mode that permits interrupt processing is set. Thereafter, various settings for the register group in the CPU 151, the I / O device, and the like are set. And so on.

  When these initialization processes are completed, it is next determined in step S402 whether or not the reset switch 123 has been turned on. If the reset switch 123 has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S403, and all data stored in the RAM 153 is cleared as a RAM clear process.

  After confirming that the reset switch has not been operated in step S402 or performing a RAM clear process in step S403, it is determined in step S404 whether or not a setting key has been inserted into the setting key insertion hole 124. To do. If the setting key has been inserted, the process proceeds to step S405 to perform setting change processing. As the setting change process, first, all data stored in the RAM 153 is cleared. Then, after determining which setting state is selected from the six preset setting states (“Setting 1” to “Setting 6”), internal processing corresponding to the selected setting state is executed. .

  In step S406, it is confirmed whether or not a power failure flag is set. When the power failure flag is not set, that is, when the data in the RAM 153 is cleared in the previous step S403 or step S405, the process proceeds to a normal process in step S407 to be described later, and this process ends.

  When the power failure flag is set in step S406, the process proceeds to the power recovery process shown in step S408 and thereafter. The fact that the power failure flag is set means that subroutine processing such as RAM clear processing in step S403 and setting change processing in step S405 is not executed at all. Therefore, the data in the RAM 153 is not rewritten at all, and the power recovery process requires confirmation processing such as whether or not the data in the RAM 153 is normal.

  For this purpose, first, in step S408, it is confirmed whether or not the RAM determination value is normal. Specifically, the value of the checksum in the RAM 153 is checked to check whether the value is normal, that is, whether the value of the checksum including the RAM determination value is 0. If the checksum value including the RAM determination value is 0, it is determined that the data in the RAM 153 is normal.

  If the RAM determination value is abnormal in step S408, that is, if the checksum value is not 0, there is a high possibility that the data in the RAM 153 has been destroyed. Therefore, in such a case, an error display process is performed in step S409. As error display processing, interrupt processing is first prohibited and all output ports in the input / output port 155 are cleared to control all actuators connected to the input / output port 155 to an off state. Thereafter, an error display for notifying the occurrence of an error to the hall manager or the like is performed, and this state is maintained until the reset switch 123 is turned on.

  If it is determined in step S408 that the RAM determination value is normal, the process proceeds to step S410, the stack pointer value stored in the backup area is written to the stack pointer of the CPU 151, and the stack state before the power is shut off is written. Return to the state. Next, in step S411, a power recovery command that tells execution of power recovery processing is transmitted to the display control device 111. Thereafter, in step S412, the game state is stopped and automatic settlement setting storage processing is performed. In step S413, various sensors such as the start detection sensor 71a are initialized. After the above processing is completed, the power failure flag is reset in step S414, and the processing returns to the address before the power is shut off. Specifically, the process returns to the timer interrupt process described above, and the watchdog timer clear process (step S204) is executed.

  Next, normal processing for performing main control related to the game will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S501, it is determined whether or not a medal is bet. If a medal is bet, it is subsequently determined in step S502 whether the start lever 71 has been operated. If both step S501 and step S502 are YES, the lottery process in step S503, the reel control process in step S504, the medal payout process in step S505, and the special game state process in step S506 are executed in order, and the process returns to step S501. On the other hand, if no medal is bet in step S501 or the start lever 71 is not operated in step S502, the process returns to step S501.

  Next, the lottery process in step S503 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S601, the random number table for determination of success / failure is selected based on the current setting state of the slot machine 10, the number of medals bet, and the small / probable combination probability. Here, the setting state of the slot machine 10 is any one of “setting 1” to “setting 6” set using a setting key (not shown), and the random number having the lowest winning probability of the combination when “setting 1” is set. A table is selected, and when “setting 6” is selected, the random number table having the highest winning probability of the combination is selected. The number of medals bet is any one of 1 to 3, and a random number table is selected such that as the number of bets increases, the winning probability of winning combination increases. For example, the winning probability of a winning combination when three bets are higher than the winning probability of winning when a single bet is three times. In addition, there are two types of small role probabilities: a random number table with a high small role winning probability is selected when the current payout rate is lower than the predetermined expected value, and small when the current winning rate is higher than the predetermined expected value. A random number table with a low winning probability is selected.

  In step S602, a random number table selected in this way is used for lottery in light of the random numbers latched by the random number counter when the start lever 71 is operated. In step S603, it is determined whether or not any of the winning combinations has been won. If any of the winning combinations has not been won, the process is terminated. If any of the winning combinations is won, the process proceeds to step S604, where a winning flag corresponding to the winning combination is set and an effective line to be aligned is determined. In this embodiment, since two types of small role times are set as the small role times, when the winning role is the small role time of the “Youth” design, which small role time is generated? And the selected winning flag is set in the small role time flag storage area of the RAM 153. In step S605, a slip table for reel stop control is determined and stored in the slip table storage area of the RAM 153. Here, when the symbols on the predetermined effective line at the timing when the stop switches 72 to 74 are pressed are different from the symbols to be stopped on the effective line, the slip table is a predetermined symbol to be stopped. It is a table that defines how much the reel slides so as to stop on the active line.

  Next, the reel control processing in step S504 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In the reel control process, first, a wait process is performed in step S701. This wait process is a process of waiting without starting the reel rotation in the current game until a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) elapses from the time when the reel rotation is started in the previous game. Therefore, even if the player bets a medal and operates the start lever 71, the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R may not immediately rotate. Following the wait process, the reel rotation process in step S702 is performed to rotate the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R. Then, it progresses to step S703 and it is confirmed whether the said game is in the small part time. If it is not during the small combination time, the process proceeds to step S704, and it is determined whether or not any of the stop switches 72 to 74 is pressed to generate a reel stop command. If no stop command has been issued, the process proceeds to step S705 to determine whether or not a predetermined maximum rotation time (for example, 40 seconds) of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R has elapsed. If the maximum rotation time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S704. If the maximum rotation time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S706 to perform a forced stop process for forcibly stopping all the rotating reels.

  On the other hand, if any of the stop switches 72 to 74 is pressed down in step S704 and a stop command is generated, the process proceeds to step S707 to perform reel stop processing. In this reel stop process, the reel corresponding to the pressed stop switch is stopped. If a winning combination is won in the winning lottery and the winning flag is set, the reel is stored in the sliding table storage area of the RAM 153. With reference to the sliding table, control is performed so that the winning combinations are arranged on a predetermined effective line as much as possible. For example, when the “watermelon” symbol is lined up on the lower line and the stop switch is pressed at the timing when the “watermelon” symbol stops on the upper line, the symbol 2 is set so that it stops on the lower line. Slide the reel as much as you can. However, since the range that can be slid is determined in advance (for example, up to four symbols), the “watermelon” symbol may not stop on the lower line depending on the timing of pressing the stop switch. Even in the forced stop processing in step S706, if the winning flag is set, the same processing is performed.

  Subsequently, in step S708, it is determined whether or not the current stop command is the first stop command, that is, whether or not the stop switch has been pressed when all three reels are rotating. In the case of the first stop command, the process proceeds to step S709, and the slip table changing process is performed. In this slide table change process, for example, it is determined whether or not a combination of combinations occurs when trying to align a combination on the selected active line, and when a combination of combinations does not occur, the process proceeds to the next step as it is. When a combination of combinations occurs, the selected effective line is changed to another effective line, and after changing to a sliding table suitable for the changed effective line, the process proceeds to the next step. Here, “combination of a combination” means that, for example, when a “watermelon” symbol is arranged on the upper line, a “cherry” symbol appears on the lower line when the “cherry” symbol appears on the lower line. Refers to cases. The slip table changing process may be performed other than when avoiding the combination of the combinations.

  On the other hand, when the current stop command is not the first stop command in step S708, the process proceeds to step S710, whether or not the second stop command is received, that is, one of the three reels is stopped and the two reels are rotating. It is determined whether or not the stop switch has been pressed. If it is the second stop command, the process proceeds to step S711 to perform stop eye determination processing. In this stop eye determination process, when two reels are stopped, it is determined whether or not the two are aligned with a bonus symbol such as “7” symbol. If they are not aligned, the process proceeds to the next step as it is. When sound effects are generated from the speaker 14, the process proceeds to the next step. In the stop eye determination process, it may be determined whether another condition other than two bonus symbols is satisfied, or an effect using the auxiliary display unit 15 may be performed in addition to the sound effect.

  Then, after the forced stop process in step S706, after the slip table change process in step S709, when the current stop command is not the second stop command in step S710, or the stop eye determination process in step S711 is performed. Thereafter, in step S712, it is determined whether or not all rotations of the left, middle, and right reels 42L, 42M, and 42R have stopped. If step S712 is NO, the process returns to step S704. If YES, the payout determination process is performed in the subsequent step S713, and then the process ends. In the payout determination process, it is determined whether or not the winning combination is arranged on the effective line. When the winning combination is not aligned on the effective line, 0 is set in the payout number storage area of the RAM 153, and the winning combination is aligned on the effective line. When it is, it is determined whether or not the winning combination matches the winning combination, and if not, an error is displayed by the upper lamp 13 or the like and 0 is set in the scheduled payout number storage area. If they match, the number of payouts corresponding to the combinations arranged in the payout amount storage area is set. If step S703 is YES, that is, if the game is in the small role time, the process proceeds to step S714 to perform the small role time process. The small part time processing will be described later.

  Next, the medal payout process in step S505 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In the medal payout process, first, it is determined whether or not the payout number counted by the payout number counter in step S801 matches the planned payout number stored in the payout planned number storage area. If the number of payouts does not match the planned payout number, it is determined in step S802 whether or not the game is being performed in the credit mode. If it is in the credit mode, it is determined in step S803 whether or not the count value of the credit counter has reached the upper limit (the number of stored medals is 50). If the upper limit is not reached, the count value of the credit counter and the number of payouts are each incremented by 1 in step S804. Accordingly, the remaining number display unit 35 and the acquired number display unit 37 are each incremented by one.

  On the other hand, when the game is performed in the direct mode, or when the count value of the credit counter reaches the upper limit, the medal payout rotary plate is driven in step S805 and the medal is discharged from the hopper device 91 to the medal discharge port. 17 through the medal tray 18. At this time, in step S806, the number of payouts is incremented by 1 according to the medal detection signal of the payout detection sensor 91a attached to the hopper device 91. As a result, the number of acquired number display section 37 is incremented by one. Then, after the payout number is incremented by 1 in step S804 or step S806, the process returns to step S801 again. When the number of payouts and the planned number of payouts match in step S801, the medal payout rotating plate of the hopper device 91 is stopped in step S807, and this process is terminated. The payout number / acquired number display section 37 is reset when the start lever 71 is operated next time.

  Next, the special game state process of step S506 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  Prior to the description of the special game state process, the bonus game will be described. The regular bonus (hereinafter referred to as “RB”) game is composed of 12 JAC games. The JAC game is a game in which only one bet is allowed, and is a game with a very high probability that the JAC symbols (replay symbols in this case) are aligned on the active line, that is, the probability of establishment of the JAC symbols. When a JAC symbol is established in a JAC game, the maximum number (15 in this case) of medals is paid out. When the JAC symbol is established 8 times, the RB game is ended even before the JAC game reaches 12 times. On the other hand, the big bonus (hereinafter referred to as “BB”) game is composed of 30 small role games and 3 JAC ins. A small role game is a game in which a small role is won with a high probability (“Bell” symbols etc. are on the active line), and JAC in means entering the JAC game 12 times. When JAC symbols are aligned on the active line, JAC in is established. The JAC game is the same as that of the RB game. Also, when the JAC game by the third JAC in is finished, the BB game is finished even before the small role game reaches 30 times, and before the JAC in reaches 3 times after the 30 small role games are finished. Even if there is, the BB game ends.

  In the special game state process, first, in step S901, it is determined whether or not the game state is a bonus game. If it is not during the bonus game, the process proceeds to step S902, and bonus symbol determination processing is performed.

  In this bonus symbol determination process, as shown in FIG. 18, it is first determined in step S1001 whether or not the RB winning flag is set. If it is set, the process proceeds to step S1002, and the RB symbol on the current effective line is determined. It is determined whether or not (for example, “BAR” symbols) are aligned, and if the RB symbols are not aligned, this processing is terminated. On the other hand, when the RB symbols are aligned on the active line this time, in step S1003, the RB winning flag is reset and the RB setting flag is set to set the RB game as one type of bonus game, and the RB game initial setting process shown in FIG. To finish this processing. If the RB winning flag is not set in step S1001, it is determined whether or not the BB winning flag is set in step S1004. If it is not set, the process is terminated. When the BB winning flag is set, the process proceeds to step S1005, where it is determined whether or not the BB symbol (for example, symbol “7”) is aligned on the current effective line, and when the BB symbol is not aligned, this processing is terminated. . On the other hand, when the BB symbols are aligned on the active line this time, in step S1006, the BB winning flag is reset and the BB setting flag is set to set the BB game as one type of bonus game, and the BB game initial setting process shown in FIG. Execute this to finish this process.

  19 and 20, the remaining small role game counter represents the remaining number of small role games (also referred to as the remaining small role game number), and the remaining JAC in counter represents the remaining number of remaining JAC in (remaining JAC in number). The remaining JAC establishment counter represents the remaining number of times that the JAC symbol can be established (also referred to as the number of remaining JAC formations), and the remaining JAC game counter represents the number of remaining JAC games (also referred to as the number of remaining JAC games). Represent. The number of remaining small role games, the number of remaining JAC ins, the number of remaining JACs established, and the number of remaining JAC games are displayed on the game number display unit 36 as appropriate. By the way, if a small role winning flag or replay winning flag is set by winning a small role or replay in the role lottery, those winning flags will not be aligned on the active line in the game. Will be reset, but if the RB winning flag or the BB winning flag is set by winning the RB or BB in the winning lottery, even if the RB symbol or BB symbol cannot be aligned on the active line in the game The winning flag will be carried over to the next time. In the lottery process in the next game that carries over the BB or RB winning flag, a lottery regarding whether or not a small role or replay is won is performed, but a lottery regarding BB or RB is not performed. In addition, when a small combination or replay is won in a state where the BB or RB winning flag is carried over, a slide table is stored so that the small combination or replay is preferentially aligned.

  Now, returning to FIG. 17, when the gaming state is a bonus game in step S901, it is determined in step S903 whether the bonus game is a JAC game. If it is not a JAC game, it means that the BB game is in the small role game, so the process proceeds to step S904, and it is determined whether or not the JAC symbols are aligned on the active line. When the JAC symbols are aligned on the active line, the JAC game is started in step S905 and the JAC game initial setting process during the BB game shown in FIG. 20B is performed, and this process ends. On the other hand, when the JAC symbols are not aligned on the active line in step S904, the small role game has been consumed, so in step S906 the remaining small role game number is decremented by 1, and in step S907. It is determined whether or not the number of remaining small role games has become zero. When the remaining small role game number is not 0, the present process is terminated. When the remaining small role game number is 0, the process proceeds to step S908, and a special game state end process for appropriately resetting various setting flags, BB setting flags, various counters, etc. or performing an ending process. To end this process.

  When the gaming state is a JAC game in step S903, the process proceeds to step S909 to determine whether or not the JAC symbols are aligned on the active line. When the JAC symbols are aligned on the active line, the number of remaining JACs established is determined in step S910. Decrement by one. After that, or when the JAC symbols are not aligned on the active line in step S909, one JAC game has been consumed, so the number of remaining JAC games is decremented by 1 in step S911. Subsequently, in step S912, it is determined whether or not any of the remaining number of JACs or the number of remaining JAC games has become 0. If neither is 0, that is, the JAC symbol has not yet been established 8 times. If the JAC game has not been digested 12 times, the process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if any of them is 0, that is, if the JAC symbol is established 8 times or the JAC game is digested 12 times, the JAC in is digested once, so in step S913 the remaining JAC in The number of times is decremented by 1, and in the subsequent step S914, it is determined whether or not the number of remaining JAC in is zero. When it is 0, the special gaming state termination process of step S908 described above is performed, and this process is terminated. Incidentally, if the bonus game is an RB bonus, the initial remaining JAC in number is 1 (see FIG. 19), so it becomes 0 in step S913, and an affirmative determination is made in step S914, and the special game in step S908 The RB setting flag is reset in the state end process.

  On the other hand, when the number of remaining JAC ins is not zero in step S914, that is, when the JAC in has not been digested three times in the BB game, after performing the JAC game end processing for resetting the JAC game setting flag in step S915, When the player enters the game, one of the small role games is digested, so the number of remaining small role games is decremented by 1 in step S906, and then whether or not the remaining small role game number has become 0 in step S907. If it is determined that the number of remaining small role games is 0, the special game state ending process in step S908 described above is performed, and this process is ended. On the other hand, when the remaining small-combination game number is not 0, the small-combination game in the BB bonus has not reached 30 times and the JAC in has not reached 3 times.

  Here, the small part time will be described. In the normal time, the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are controlled by the slip process so that the winning combination in the lottery process can be stopped on the active line. The left reel 42L stops at the timing when the player depresses the stop switch 72 except when the “replay” symbol is won. In other words, the player can stop the target symbol on the active line except when the “replay” symbol is won. Therefore, the player can receive a medal payout regardless of the lottery result.

  In this embodiment, when the “youth” symbol is aligned with the left, middle, and right on the active line, the game shifts to the small role time, and when 50 games are played from the next game, When the net increase number exceeds 200, or when the big bonus or the regular bonus is won in the lottery process, the small part time ends.

  The difference in game between the normal time and the small role time will be described. As shown in FIG. 21, when “7” symbols or “BAR” symbols are arranged on the active line, the point of shifting to the BB game or the RB game with 15 payouts is the same in both the normal time and the small role time. is there. The same applies to the point that the replay can be performed when the “replay” symbols are arranged on the active line. However, during the small combination time, medals are not paid out regardless of whether the “bell” symbol, “watermelon” symbol, or “cherry” symbol is aligned on the active line. Also, when the “Youth” symbol stops on the active line of the left reel 42L, three medals are paid out during the small role time, and “Youth / Replay / Replay” is displayed on the effective line. If the symbols are arranged, it is possible to play again. In other words, when you play side-by-side with “Youth / Replay / Replay”, you can replay with 3 medals. Furthermore, if the “youth” symbol stops on the upper line or the lower line and is aligned with “youth / replay / replay”, it is possible to play again with 6 medals paid out. In the auxiliary display unit 15, when the shift to the small role time is made, the fact that it is the small role time and which small role time has been transferred to is notified, and the remaining number of games and the small role time are obtained during the small role time. The number of acquired medals is displayed.

  In the lottery of the lottery process, when the small part time is won, a lottery to determine which of the two types of small part time is generated is performed and the selected winning flag is set in the small part time flag storage area of the RAM 153 To do. Each small role time is selected with a probability of one half. When winning a small combination time A in the small combination time, a random number table having a very high probability of winning a “replay” symbol is selected as a random number table for determining whether or not there is a small combination time. In the random number table selected at normal time, the winning probability of the “replay” symbol is about 1 / 7.3, but in the case of the random number table for the small role time A, the winning probability of the “replay” symbol is about 1 .1 / 2. Therefore, if the player operates the stop switch 72 aiming at the “youth” symbol on the left reel 42L, it is possible to replay with almost 3 or 6 payouts, and the net increase in the number of medals per game Will be 3 or 6. On the other hand, when the small combination time B of the small combination times is won, the same random number table as that in the normal time is selected as the random number table for determining whether or not during the small combination time. Therefore, when the player shifts to the small role time B, if the player operates the stop switch 72 aiming at the “young man” symbol on the left reel 42L, it is possible to receive approximately 3 or 6 payouts. A game can only be played in about 1 / 7.3, resulting in a net increase in medals of 0 or 3 per game. Therefore, if the selected small part time is the small part time A, it is possible to easily obtain a net increase of 200 sheets or more. However, if the small part time is B, it is very easy to acquire a net increase of 200 sheets. It becomes difficult. Furthermore, if the small role time is A, it is possible to perform the next game with almost no work for betting medals. There is a need to do. In any of the small role times, when the big bonus or regular bonus is won in the lottery process, the small role time ends, and the bonus symbol corresponding to the auxiliary display unit 15 is displayed and the small role time is displayed. The end of is notified. In addition, when the small role time is won again during the small role time, this win is invalidated and the small role time is continued as it is.

  Next, the reel control during the small combination time will be described. In FIG. 15, if step S703 is YES, that is, if the game is in the small role time, the process proceeds to step S714 to perform the small role time process. In the small part time process, first, it is determined whether or not the stop command is the first stop command, that is, whether or not the stop switch has been pressed when all three reels are rotating. In the case of the first stop command, it is confirmed whether or not the stop command is a stop command for the left reel 42L. If the stop command is for the left reel 42L, the left reel 42L is released when the player depresses the stop switch 72. Stop. However, when the stop switch 72 is pressed at a position where the symbol deviates from the effective line, or when the stop switch 72 is pressed at a timing when the winning “youth” symbol is one symbol above the upper line. The left reel 42L is slid and stopped within the range of a maximum of one symbol. In the case of the second stop command or the third stop command, referring to the slide table stored in the slide table storage area of the RAM 153, if the “replay” symbol is selected, “youth / replay / replay” is arranged. Control the remaining reels. Further, when the “7” symbol, the “BAR” symbol, and the like are pressed at the timing when they are aligned on the effective line, the remaining reels are controlled so that they are not aligned on the effective line. If the first stop command is issued for a reel other than the left reel 42L, the corresponding reel is stopped at the timing when the player presses the stop switch. At this time, only when the stop switch 72 is pressed at a position where the symbol deviates from the effective line, the corresponding reel is slid and stopped within the range of one symbol at the maximum. Further, in the second stop command or the third stop command, the reels are controlled so that the “replay” symbols are not arranged on the effective line between the middle reel 42M and the right reel 42R. When the rotation of all the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R is stopped, the process proceeds to step S713, and a payout determination process is performed. When it is during the small combination time, it is determined whether or not the combination is arranged on the effective line, and when the combination is not arranged on the effective line, 0 is set in the payout number storage area of the RAM 153. When the winning combinations are arranged on the effective line, the payout number corresponding to the winning combinations arranged in the payout planned number storage area of the RAM 153 is set. In other words, during the small part time, it is not determined whether or not the combination on the active line matches the winning combination.

  According to the embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects are obtained.

  By providing a small role time, players can aim to win big bonuses and regular bonuses while maintaining or increasing their medals by pressing the stop switch while aiming at the “Youth” symbol during the small role time. Thus, it is possible to enhance the interest of the game.

  By providing a plurality of small role times and providing a clear difference in the degree of advantage of the player between the small role time A and the small role time B, it is possible to give an inflection to the game. As a result, even if the player wins the small role time, he / she will be relieved depending on which of the small role times is won, and it is possible to enhance the interest of the game.

  In the small role time A, when “Youth / Replay / Replay” is lined up on the active line, it is possible to control the player's burden by adopting a configuration in which replay can be performed with payout of 3 or 6 cards. . In other words, in the normal game, except for the case where the “replay” symbol stops on the active line, it is necessary to bet medals every time the game is played. This is because it becomes unnecessary. Further, in a normal game, even if a replay can be performed when the “replay” symbol is stopped, the number of possessed medals cannot be increased. Therefore, there is a possibility that the player may feel that the replay with the “replay” design is playing the game mischievously. However, during the small role time A, the above-mentioned impression is made in order to enable replay while paying out medals. There is no concern for players. As a result, the player can play the game comfortably while expecting to win a big bonus or a regular bonus.

  By arranging the “Youth” symbols on the active line to the left, middle, and right, it is possible to clearly tell the player to shift to the small role time, It is possible to enhance the interest of the game. In addition, a lottery process similar to the big bonus and regular bonus can be performed in the lottery process, so that the small role time can be randomly generated, and the player can play the small role in addition to the occurrence of the big bonus and regular bonus. The game is played while expecting the occurrence of time, and it is possible to enhance the interest of the game.

  By shifting to the small role time, a configuration in which the type of the small role time won, the number of remaining games, and the number of acquired medals is displayed on the auxiliary display unit 15 allows the player to play the game comfortably. This is because if the player does not notify the player of information related to the small role time, the player himself / herself needs to count the number of medals and the number of remaining games, so that the player may not be immersed in the game.

  In addition, it is not limited to the description content of embodiment mentioned above, For example, you may implement as follows.

  (A) In the above embodiment, the small role time A and the small role time B are selected on a one-to-one basis. However, the ratio is not limited to this, and either small role time is won. It is good also as a structure which preserve | saves these in RAM153 and associates small part time. Specifically, an area for storing a flag is provided in the RAM 153 when the small role time A is won, and 7: 3 if the small role time is won in a state where the flag is stored in this area. In this case, the small combination time A is selected, and when the small combination time is won in a state where no flag is stored in this area, the small combination time A is selected in a 3 to 7 configuration. With such a configuration, the player plays the game while eagerly wishing to win the small role time A, and it is possible to suitably enhance the interest of the game. Needless to say, the small combination time A and the small combination time B may be simply selected as 3 to 7.

  (B) In the above embodiment, the medal payout is not performed even if the “bell” symbol, the “watermelon” symbol, etc. are aligned on the active line during the small part time, but the medal payout is performed. The second stop reel and the third stop reel may be controlled so that these symbols are not aligned on the effective line.

  (C) In the above embodiment, the medal is paid out and the replay can be performed if the left, middle, and right and “Youth / Replay / Replay” symbols are arranged on the active line. Is not to be done. For example, the medal may be paid out when any of the “cherry” symbol, “bell” symbol, and “watermelon” symbol of the left reel 42L stops on the active line. In such a case, since the player can receive the medal payout by pressing the stop switch 72 of the left reel 42L at an arbitrary position, it is possible to reduce the labor of stopping by aiming at the player's symbol. Become. Further, if the above-described symbol and the “replay” symbol of the middle reel and the right reel are arranged, the game can be played more comfortably. In such a case, there is a possibility that a plurality of symbols may be established at the same time. However, if the number of medals to be paid out is set to 15 in advance, for example, it is possible to avoid a problem that a large number of medals are paid out at once. It becomes. Or you may give the symbol arrangement | positioning which stops a predetermined symbol on an active line to the left reel 42L even if a player does not aim. In this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained. In this case, if the payout number of the predetermined symbol is different between the normal time and the small part time, it is possible to make the advantage at the small part time stand out.

  (D) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which two types of the small combination time A and the small combination time B are set as the small combination time has been described, but only the small combination time A may be set. This is because if the small role time A is set, it is possible to reduce the chance that the player bets medals.

  (E) In the above embodiment, the left reel 42L is stopped when the player presses it, and the middle reel 42M and the right reel 42R are configured to perform reel control. However, the reel control is performed only for the middle reel. Alternatively, the reel control may be performed only on the right reel.

  (F) In the above embodiment, the “youth” symbol is arranged to shift to the small role time regardless of the small role time A and the small role time B by aligning the left, middle and right on the active line. It is good also as a structure which transfers by aligning the symbol corresponding to a small part time. For example, when the “youth” symbol is aligned, it shifts to the small role time A, and when the “BAR” symbol is aligned, it shifts to the small role time B. In such a case, it becomes possible for the player to identify from which symbols the transition to the small combination time is made.

  (G) In the above embodiment, the auxiliary display unit 15 is configured to notify various information related to the small role time. However, the small display time is shifted to a part of the front door (for example, the upper right of the right display window 31R). Then, it is good also as a structure which provides the lamp which lights, and alert | reports to a player.

  (H) In the above embodiment, a slot machine having three reels arranged in parallel and having five lines as effective lines has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, five reels are arranged in parallel. It may be a slot machine provided or a slot machine having seven effective lines. Further, the present invention is not limited to the so-called A type slot machine, but can be applied to any slot machine such as B type, C type, A type and C type composite type, and B type and C type composite type. In any case, it is obvious that the same effects as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  (I) The symbols of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are not limited to pictures, numbers, characters, and the like, but may be geometric lines or figures. In addition, the design can be configured by light, color, or the like, the design can be configured by a three-dimensional shape or the like, and the design can be configured by combining these. That is, it is sufficient that the symbol has a function as identification information (identification information).

  (J) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the slot machine 10 is embodied has been described. However, the present invention may be applied to a gaming machine in which a slot machine and a pachinko machine are combined. That is, in the slot machine, instead of the medal insertion and medal payout functions, a gaming machine having a ball insertion and ball payout function such as a pachinko machine may be used. If such a gaming machine is used in place of a slot machine, only a ball can be handled as a gaming value in the gaming hall. Therefore, the gaming value seen in the current gaming hall in which pachinko machines and slot machines are mixed is used. Problems such as the burden on equipment due to the separate handling of medals and balls and restrictions on the location of the gaming machine can be solved.

The front view of the slot machine in one embodiment. The perspective view of the slot machine which shows the state which closed the front door. The perspective view of the slot machine which shows the state which opened the front door. The rear view of a front door. The front view of a housing | casing. The assembly perspective view of a left reel. FIG. 3 is a development view of a belt-like belt constituting each reel. The block circuit diagram of a slot machine. The flowchart which shows a NMI interruption process. The flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. The flowchart which shows the process at the time of a power failure. The flowchart which shows a main process. The flowchart which shows a normal process. The flowchart which shows a lottery process. The flowchart which shows a reel control process. The flowchart which shows medal payout processing. The flowchart which shows special game state processing. The flowchart which shows a bonus symbol determination process. Explanatory drawing which shows the counter setting at the time of RB game initial setting process. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the counter setting at the time of a BB game initial setting process, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the counter setting at the time of a JAC game initial setting process in BB game. Explanatory drawing which shows the difference between the time of normal time, and the time of small part time.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Slot machine as a gaming machine, 11 ... Housing which comprises a part of gaming machine body, 12 ... Front door which constitutes a part of gaming machine body or opening / closing member of gaming machine body, 15 ... Auxiliary display part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 42 ... Reel which comprises a rotating drum or an endless belt, 61 ... Stepping motor as a drive means, 71 ... Start lever as a starting operation means, 72-74 ... Stop switch as a stop operation means, 111 ... As sub control means , 131... Main controller constituting various control means such as main control means, 151... CPU constituting various control means such as main control means, 152 and 153... ROM, RAM, 161 as storage means. ... power supply.

Claims (1)

A plurality of endless belts with a plurality of kinds of patterns attached in the circumferential direction;
A display window that allows some of the patterns to be visually recognized for each endless belt;
An input device that performs input processing of game media based on an input operation by a player;
Start operation means that is operated to start rotation of each endless belt, and the operation is validated by performing a game medium input process by the input device;
A driving means provided for each of the endless belts, for rotating the endless belts;
Stop operation means operated to stop the rotation of each endless belt;
The drive means is controlled to start rotation of the endless belts based on the operation of the start operation means and stop rotation of the endless belts based on the operation of the stop operation means. Drive control means;
In the gaming machine provided with a privilege granting means for granting a privilege to the player according to the type of the pattern stopped at the effective position visible from the display window when each endless belt is stopped,
The privilege granting means
On the condition that the picture stopped at the effective position is a specific picture, the re-game privilege that can be started without performing the process of inserting the game medium by the input device consisting of a part of the privilege, A gaming machine characterized by comprising a composite privilege granting means for granting a composite privilege including a media grant privilege that consists of the remainder of the privilege and pays out game media to the player.

Images