JP6854068B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a game machine.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-33743

In a gaming machine equipped with a rotating cylinder such as a slot machine, when a player inserts a medal into a medal insertion slot and operates a start lever, the rotating cylinder is started to rotate accordingly. Then, when the player presses the stop button, the rotating cylinder is stopped with a symbol corresponding to the timing.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new gaming machine that has never existed before.

The gaming machine according to the present invention includes a control means for controlling the game and a storage means accessible to the control means, and the storage means is used for a game progress process, which is a process related to the progress of the game operation. a used area in which the data used by the program and the recreation development processing is stored, and used outside the area in which the data and is stored for use by the program and the fraud detection process of the fraud detection process for detecting the defined abuse When the control means detects a fraudulent activity by executing the fraud detection process called from the process of the used area by using a plurality of sensors, the fraud monitoring flag common to the non-used area is set to fraud . After setting the indicated value, the processing of the unused area returns to the processing of the used area, the processing of the used area performs a predetermined error processing with reference to the value of the fraud monitoring flag, and the processing of the used area is performed. When no fraudulent activity is detected by executing the fraud detection process called from the process using the plurality of sensors, the non-use area without setting a value indicating fraud in the common fraud monitoring flag. The process returns to the process of the used area, and the game operation is advanced by executing the process of the used area.

This eliminates the need to place the program for fraud countermeasure processing in the first memory area, expands the program capacity that can be stored in the area, and enhances the processing content by the program in the area. It is possible to provide no new game machines.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a new gaming machine that has never existed before.

It is a front view of a game machine. It is a plan view (FIG. 2A) and a right side view (FIG. 2B) of the game machine. It is a rear view of the front panel provided in the game machine. It is a front view of the main body case provided in a game machine. It is a schematic block diagram of the control configuration inside a game machine. It is a figure which showed the circuit structure of the main control board provided in the game machine. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of a medal selector. Similarly, it is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the medal selector. It is a figure which showed typically the various sensors related to medal detection. It is explanatory drawing about the structure which concerns on origin detection. It is explanatory drawing about the stepping motor. It is explanatory drawing about the symbol formed on the rotary reel (rotary cylinder). It is explanatory drawing about the area set in the memory of a main control board. It is explanatory drawing about the regulation defined in each area. It is a flowchart of a start process. It is a flowchart of power return processing. It is a flowchart of a setting change process. It is a flowchart of power-off processing. It is a flowchart of a main process. Similarly, it is a flowchart of the main process. It is a flowchart of the stop control processing in the main processing. It is explanatory drawing about the stop processing possible position. It is a flowchart of the payout process of the winning medal in the main process. It is a flowchart of timer interrupt processing. It is a flowchart of LED display data creation processing in timer interrupt processing. It is a flowchart of error cancellation determination processing in timer interrupt processing. It is a flowchart of the medal insertion process. Similarly, it is a flowchart of the medal insertion process. It is explanatory drawing about the detection method of the insertion medal error. It is explanatory drawing about the exception case of the insertion medal error. It is a flowchart of transition and stay check processing in medal insertion processing. It is a timing chart which showed the outline of max bet processing. It is explanatory drawing of the operation when the medal is inserted during the max bet processing. It is explanatory drawing of the operation when the max bet button is operated during medal insertion. It is a flowchart of the settlement process of the stored medal in the timer interrupt process. It is a flowchart of medal payout processing in timer interrupt processing. It is a flowchart of rotation rotation control processing in timer interrupt processing. It is explanatory drawing about the various flags for showing the status which concerns on the rotation / stop of a rotating cylinder. It is a figure which showed the example of the start-up timetable.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in the following order. In the embodiment, a slot machine will be taken as an example.
<1. Mechanical configuration of rotating game machine ＞
<2. Control configuration of rotating game machine>
<3. Configuration related to medal insertion>
<4. Configuration related to rotation of the rotating cylinder and rotating reel>
<5. Memory area>
<6. Start process>
<7. Power off processing>
<8. Power recovery process>
<9. Setting change process>
<10. Main processing>
[10-1. Main processing]
[10-2. Stop control processing]
[10-3. Prize-winning medal payout processing]
<11. Timer interrupt processing>
[11-1. Timer interrupt processing]
[11-2. LED display data creation process]
[11-3. Error cancellation judgment processing]
[11-4. Medal insertion process]
[11-5. Settlement process for stored medals]
[11-6. Medal payout process]
[11-7. Rotation control process]
<12. Summary of embodiments>
<13. Summary and modification examples>

<1. Mechanical configuration of rotating game machine ＞
First, the appearance configuration of the slot machine of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
1 is a front view of the slot machine, FIG. 2A is a plan view, FIG. 2B is a right side view, FIG. 3 is a rear view of the front panel 2, and FIG. 4 is a front view of the main body case 1.

In the slot machine of the present embodiment, as can be seen from FIG. 2, a rectangular box-shaped main body case 1 and a front panel 2 to which various game members are mounted are connected via a hinge mechanism (not shown), and the front panel. 2 is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the main body case 1.

As shown in FIG. 4, a symbol rotating unit 3 including three rotating reels (rotating reels) 4a, 4b, and 4c is arranged substantially in the center of the main body case 1. Further, a medal payout device 5 is arranged below the medal payout device 5.
On each of the rotating reels 4a, 4b, 4c, various symbols described later, for example, symbols for BB (big bonus) and RB (regular bonus), various fruit symbols, replay symbols, and the like are drawn.
The medal payout device 5 has a medal tank 5a for storing medals. Further, the payout motor 75, the payout connection board 73, the hopper board 74, the medal payout sensor 76, and the like, which will be described later in FIG. 5, are housed in the payout case 5b.
The medals stored in the medal tank 5a are led out from the payout outlet 5c toward the front of the drawing based on the rotation of the payout motor 75. The medals stored in excess of the limit amount are configured to fall into the auxiliary tank 6 through the excess medal lead-out unit 5d.
The auxiliary tank 6 is provided with an overflow sensor for detecting that the storage medals in the auxiliary tank 6 have reached the limit amount.

The power supply board 41 is arranged adjacent to the medal payout device 5. Further, the main control board 40 is arranged above the symbol rotation unit 3, and the rotating cylinder setting board 71 is arranged adjacent to the main control board 40.
Further, inside the symbol rotating unit 3, a rotating cylinder LED (Light Emitting Diode) relay board 56 and a rotating cylinder relay board 53 shown in FIG. 5 are provided, and an external centralized terminal plate 70 is adjacent to the symbol rotating unit 3. Have been placed.

Further, in the main body case 1, a door opening sensor 35 for detecting the opening of the front panel 2 (opening of the door) is provided on the side of the symbol rotating unit 3.

As shown in FIG. 1, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) unit 7 is arranged on the upper part of the front panel 2. Various characters are displayed on the LCD unit 7 in order to excite the game operation.
Further, at the lower part of the LCD unit 7, a display window 8 for displaying the rotary reels 4a, 4b, 4c is formed. Through the display window 8, about three symbols can be seen in each of the rotation directions of the rotary reels 4a, 4b, and 4c. Then, for example, a total of nine symbols in the horizontal direction (or three) and two in the diagonal direction serve as virtual stop lines.

Inside the symbol rotating unit 3, the rotating cylinder LED is arranged at a position where each of the nine symbols visually recognized when the rotating reels 4a, 4b, and 4c are stopped can be irradiated from the inside (not). Illustrated). Each rotating cylinder LED is turned on and off according to the rotating state and the stopped state of each rotating reel 4, or various effects.

Below the display window 8, an LED group 9 indicating a game state, a payout display unit 10 for displaying the number of medals to be paid out as a game result, and a storage number display unit 11 are provided.
The LED group 9 includes, for example, an LED indicating the number of medals inserted in the game, an LED indicating the replay state, and an LED indicating that the rotating cylinder is ready to rotate (a predetermined number of LEDs required for the game of the game). It is composed of an LED indicating that the insertion of medals has been completed: a so-called start lamp), an LED indicating the acceptance status of insertion of medals, and the like.
The payout display unit 10 is configured by connecting two 7-segment LEDs in succession, and functions as an error display for specifying the number of payout medals and displaying the contents of the abnormality when an abnormal situation occurs.
The storage number display unit 11 displays the number of medals stored as credits.

LED effect units 15a, 15b, and 15c are provided above, left, and right of the display window 8. The LED effect units 15a, 15b, and 15c are provided with a predetermined pattern and design, and are configured so that the effect by light is executed by the LEDs arranged inside. The effects executed by the LED effect units 15a, 15b, and 15c include, for example, an effect indicating that the BB and RB have been won, an effect indicating the state of AT (assist time), ART (assist replay time), and the like, and during AT. And assist production during ART.
Although individual description is omitted, various other LEDs are arranged on the front panel 2 as LEDs for presenting the effect and the operating state.

A medal insertion slot 12 for inserting medals is provided on the right side of the center of the front panel 2, and a return button 13 for returning medals packed in the medal insertion slot 12 is provided in the vicinity of the medal insertion slot 12. A keyhole for inserting a dedicated key is provided on the right side of the return button 13. With the front panel 2 closed with respect to the main body case 1, the front panel 2 is unlocked by turning the key inserted in the keyhole to the right (hereinafter referred to as "unlocking operation"), and the main body of the front panel 2 is unlocked. The case 1 can be opened and closed. In addition, by turning the key inserted in the keyhole to the left, the canceled state of the game due to a stop or an error is canceled (hereinafter referred to as "stop canceling operation").
Further, on the left side of the center of the front panel 2, there is a credit settlement button 14 for paying out medals in the credit state (medals stored as credits), and a max bet button 16 for inserting three pseudo medals in the credit state. Is provided.

Further, the front panel 2 has a start lever 17 for starting the rotation of the rotary reels 4a, 4b, 4c, and stop buttons 18a, 18b, 18c for stopping the rotating rotary reels 4a, 4b, 4c. It is provided.
When the player operates the start lever 17, normally, the three rotary reels 4a, 4b, and 4c start rotating in the positive direction. However, in the case where all or part of the rotating reels 4a, 4b, and 4c rotate irregularly (so-called "effect rotation") and then start rotating in the positive direction in order to produce a reel that announces the internal winning state. There is also.
Various specific contents can be considered as the reel effect, for example: -Slow effect that rotates extremely slowly in the forward direction (forward rotation) and stands still-After repeating forward rotation and reverse rotation, it rotates in the reverse direction for a predetermined time and stands still. Reverse rotation effect ・ First swing effect that stops after repeating forward rotation and reverse rotation for the first predetermined time ・ Second swing that stops after repeating forward rotation and reverse rotation for the second predetermined time Dynamic effect ・ Slow rocking effect that stops after repeating forward rotation and reverse rotation for the second predetermined time, and then stops after repeating forward rotation extremely slowly ・ After repeating forward rotation and reverse rotation for the second time There are also swinging reverse rotation effects that stand still and then rotate in the reverse direction for a predetermined time, and then rotate in the forward or reverse direction at a predetermined speed and then stand still in line with a predetermined pattern. At the time of such a reel effect, all or part of the character effect in the LCD unit 7, the lamp effect for blinking the LED lamp, and the sound effect for driving the speaker are appropriately selected and executed.

Below the front panel 2, a horizontally long saucer 19 for storing medals and a medal discharge port 20 communicating with the payout outlet 5c of the payout device 5 are provided.
Speakers 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d are arranged on the upper left and right and the lower left and right of the front panel 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, on the back side of the front panel 2, a medal selector 21 for selecting medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 12 shown in FIG. 1 and medals determined to be inappropriate by the medal selector 21 are medals. A return passage 22 that guides the discharge port 20 is provided.
A substrate case 23 is arranged on the upper part of the back side of the front panel 2. The substrate case 23 houses the effect control board 42, the effect interface board 43, the liquid crystal control board 44, the liquid crystal interface board 45, and the like described in FIG.
Further, on the side of the medal selector 21, a game relay board 60 (described later in FIG. 5) that relays signals between various game members shown in FIG. 1 and a main control board 40 is provided.

In the slot machine of the present embodiment, the number of bets can be set by inserting medals through the medal insertion slot 12 or operating the max bet button 16. In the slot machine, the game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets (“3”, which is the same number as the number of rotating reels 4 in this example) for one game, and the display mode can be changed. One game ends when the display result of the possible variable display device (design rotation unit 3 in this example) is derived and displayed, and a prize can be generated according to the display result of the variable display device.

<2. Control configuration of rotating game machine>
Next, the configuration of the control system of the slot machine of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of the control configuration inside the slot machine. The control configuration of the slot machine of the present embodiment is centered on the main control board 40.
The main control board 40 is equipped with a circuit for a microcomputer and an interface equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc., and is used for all game operations of the slot machine. Perform comprehensive control related to this. For example, the main control board 40 controls the operation of various gaming members including the rotary reels 4a, 4b, and 4c, and grasps the operation status. In addition, the production is executed according to the game operation.
The main control board 40 has various signals (commands) between the power supply board 41, the effect interface board 43, the rotating cylinder relay board 53, the game relay board 60, the external centralized terminal board 70, the rotating cylinder setting board 71, and the payout connection board 73. And detection signals, etc.) are exchanged.

The power supply board 41 receives AC24V and rectifies and smoothes it to obtain a DC voltage. Then, the power supply board 41 includes a converter circuit to generate a power supply voltage required for each part. The figure shows the main control power supply voltage V1 given to each part via the main control board 40 and the effect control power supply voltage V2 given to each part via the effect interface board 43.
Further, the power supply board 41 is also provided with a power supply monitoring circuit for detecting a power supply cutoff state, a backup power supply circuit for supplying a backup power supply voltage to the main control board 40, and the like.

The effect control board 42 is equipped with a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., a circuit for an interface, and the like, and controls the effect operation of the slot machine.
The effect control board 42 receives a command from the main control board 40 via the effect interface board 43. For example, the main control board 40 controls the effect control board 42 to realize a sound effect by the speaker 30 (30a to 30d), a lamp effect by an LED lamp or a cold cathode ray tube discharge tube, and a design effect by the LCD unit 7. The command is output, and the effect control board 42 performs the effect control process according to the control command.
Further, in the effect control board 42, when a control command (game start command) for specifying the internal lottery result is received from the main control board 40, an AT lottery for whether or not to enter the assist time winning state is executed in response to the internal lottery result. ..
In the game (during AT) a predetermined number of times after winning the AT lottery on the effect control board 42, the stop order of the three rotating reels 4 is changed so that the symbols can be aligned with the stop line in the small winning combination winning state. Notify the person.
Further, when the effect control board 42 receives a control command indicating the reel effect execution from the main control board 40, the effect control board 42 starts the effect operation corresponding to the reel effect executed by the main control board 40.
For the effect control operation as described above, the effect control board 42 performs necessary communication with each part through the effect interface board 43.

The effect control board 42 is connected to the liquid crystal control board 44 via the effect interface board 43 and the liquid crystal interface board 45.
The liquid crystal control board 44 controls the effect of displaying an image on the LCD unit 7. The liquid crystal control board 44 is equipped with a VDP (Video Display Processor), an image ROM, a VRAM (Video RAM), a liquid crystal control CPU, a liquid crystal control ROM, a liquid crystal control RAM, and the like.
The VDP controls overall video output processing such as image development processing and image drawing.
The image ROM stores image data (effect image data) for which VDP performs image development processing.
The VRAM is an image memory area that temporarily stores the image data developed by the VDP.
The liquid crystal control CPU outputs control data necessary for the VDP to perform display control.
The liquid crystal control ROM stores a program that describes the display control operation procedure of the liquid crystal control CPU and various data necessary for the display control.
The liquid crystal control RAM functions as a work area or a buffer memory.
Such a liquid crystal control board 44 receives a command related to a display effect from the effect control board 42, and generates a display drive signal accordingly. Then, a display drive signal is supplied to the LCD unit 7 via the liquid crystal interface board 45 to execute image display.

Further, the effect control board 42 controls the speaker relay board 47 via the effect interface board 43, and causes the sound effect using the speakers 30a to 30d to be executed.
Further, the effect control board 42 realizes a lamp effect by various LEDs via the effect interface board 43 and the LED board 48 and the rotating cylinder LED relay board 56.
On the LED substrate 48, for example, LEDs as LED effect units 15a, 15b, 15c shown in FIG. 1 are arranged.
The rotating cylinder LED relay board 56 relays LED drive signals from the effect control board 42 for the first cylinder LED substrate 50a, the second cylinder LED substrate 50b, and the third cylinder LED substrate 50c.
On the first cylinder LED substrate 50a, a rotating cylinder LED that irradiates the design of the rotary reel 4a from the inside is arranged. On the second cylinder LED substrate 50b, a rotating cylinder LED that irradiates the design of the rotary reel 4b from the inside is arranged. Further, on the third cylinder LED substrate 50c, an LED for rotating cylinder that irradiates the design of the rotary reel 4c from the inside is arranged.

The main control board 40 is connected to various game members of the slot machine as shown in FIG. 5 via the game relay board 60.
The game display board 61 is equipped with an LED group 9 indicating a game state, a payout display unit 10 having a 7-segment LED, and a storage number display unit 11 also having a 7-segment LED. The main control board 40 controls the game display board 61 to transmit a control command via the game relay board 60 to execute the display according to the game state.

The start switch board 62 is equipped with a start switch that is turned on in response to an operation of the start lever 17.
The stop switch board 63 is equipped with a stop switch that is turned on in response to the operation of the stop buttons 18a, 18b, and 18c. Further, although not shown, the stop switch board 63 of this example is also provided with a stop button LED provided for each of the stop buttons 18a, 18b, and 18c to make the corresponding stop button 18 emit light. There is.
The storage medal insertion switch board 64 is equipped with an input switch that is turned on in response to an operation of the max bet button 16. Further, although not shown, the storage medal insertion switch board 64 of this example is also equipped with a max bet LED for causing the max bet button 16 to emit light.
The settlement switch board 65 is equipped with a settlement switch that is turned on in response to an operation of the settlement button 14.
The main control board 40 receives the detection signal of the player operation by the switches of these boards (61, 62, 63, 64, 65) via the game relay board 60.

The door sensor 66 is a sensor provided for the above-mentioned keyhole on the front panel 2. The door sensor 66 makes it possible to recognize the above-mentioned cancellation / canceling operation of the game.
The selector sensor 67 and the insertion medal-related sensor 68 are provided to detect medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 12. The selector sensor 67 and the input medal-related sensor 68 will be described later.
The main control board 40 receives the detection signals of these sensors (66, 67, 68) via the game relay board 60. Further, the main control board 40 detects the insertion time and the passing direction of the inserted medals by the detection signal of the received sensor, and accepts the inserted medals as the inserted medals only when the predetermined regulations are met, and inserts the medals in other cases. Treat as a medal error.
The blocker solenoid 69 drives the blocker ON / OFF to prevent the passage of illegal medals. The main control board 40 controls the blocker solenoid 69 via the game relay board 60.

Further, the main control board 40 has three stepping motors 54 (1st cylinder stepping motor 54a, 2nd cylinder stepping motor 54b) that rotate the rotary reels 4a, 4b, 4c via the rotating cylinder relay board 53. It is connected to the third body stepping motor 54c).
Further, the main control board 40 has three index sensors 55 (first cylinder index) for detecting the origin positions (origin positions 101 described later) of the rotary reels 4a, 4b, and 4c via the rotating cylinder relay board 53. It is connected to the sensor 55a, the second cylinder index sensor 55b, and the third cylinder index sensor 55c).
The main control board 40 realizes the rotation operation of the rotary reels 4a, 4b, 4c and the stop operation at the target position by driving or stopping the stepping motors 54a, 54b, 54c. Further, the main control board 40 can detect the origin position of the rotary reels 4a, 4b, 4c based on the detection signals of the index sensors 55a, 55b, 55c.

The main control board 40 is also connected to a device unit for paying out medals via a payout connection board 73. As a device unit for medal payout, a hopper board 74 for controlling medal payout, a payout motor 75, and a medal payout sensor 76 are provided.
The hopper board 74 rotates the payout motor 75 based on a control command from the main control board 40 to pay out a predetermined amount of medals.
The medal payout sensor 76 detects the passage of the payout medal. The detection signal by the medal payout sensor 76 is used to detect an abnormal payout state such as an insufficient number of medal payouts or a payout operation not being performed.

Further, the main control board 40 is connected to the external centralized terminal board 70. The external centralized terminal board 70 is connected to, for example, a hall computer, and the main control board 40 outputs the number of medals inserted and the number of medals paid out to the hall computer through the external centralized terminal board 70.

The main control board 40 is also connected to the rotating cylinder setting board 71. The rotating cylinder setting board 71 is provided with a setting key switch 72a that is turned ON / OFF according to the operation of the setting key and a reset switch 72b that is turned ON / OFF according to the operation of the reset button. The rotating cylinder setting board 71 outputs a signal indicating a set value vd set by a staff member using the above setting key or reset button.
Here, the set value vd is a value indicating a stage regarding the winning probability of the lottery process executed in the slot machine, in other words, the probability of winning the gaming state advantageous to the player. It is set appropriately based on the sales strategy of the game hall. In this example, the winning probability stages are set to 6 stages, and the set value vd can be set to a value representing any stage among the 6 stages from the setting "1" to the setting "6". At this time, "0" to "5" are assigned as the value of the set value vd itself.
In this example, the winning probability is increased in the order of setting "1" to setting "6".

The staff in the hall can change the set value vd by a predetermined operation. Specifically, when changing the set value vd, first, open the front panel 2 and turn on the power while keeping the setting key switch 72a ON (in this example, keep turning the setting key to the right). To do. Then, the setting value (any of "1" to "6") indicating the stage currently set is displayed on the display provided for the rotating cylinder setting board 71, and the reset button is pressed in this state. The display value is incremented by 1 each time (the reset switch 72b is turned on) (the display value "6" is then returned to "1"). Further, after selecting the value by such a reset button, by operating the start lever 17, the set value vd is fixed to the value corresponding to the selected value, and then the setting key switch 72a is turned off (in this example). By turning the setting key to the left), the change of the set value vd is completed.

Subsequently, the circuit configuration of the main control board 40 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in the figure, the main control board 40 includes a controller 80 by a one-chip microcomputer, an I / O port circuit 83 for inputting / outputting 8-bit parallel data, a counter circuit 81, and an interface unit between each unit. ing.

The controller 80 includes a CPU 80a, a ROM 80b, a RAM 80c, an interrupt controller 80d, a CTC (Counter / Timer Circuit) 80e, and the like. The CTC80e is a circuit that integrates an 8-bit counter and a timer, and provides a periodic interrupt in the processing of the CPU 80a, a pulse output creation function (bit rate generator) of a fixed period, and a time measurement function. In this example, the CTC80e is used to interrupt the CPU80a with a timer at a time interval of 1.49 ms (milliseconds).

The counter circuit 81 is a circuit that generates a random number value in terms of hardware. The controller 80 (CPU 80a) performs a lottery process using a random number value generated by the counter circuit 81.

The main control board 40 is provided with an interface between the controller 80 and each board shown in FIG.
The power supply interface 82 is an interface with the power supply circuit of the power supply board 41.
The game interface 84 is an interface with the game relay board 60. The controller 80 inputs detection signals of various switches and sensors via the game interface 84, and transmits commands for LED control and blocker solenoid control.
The rotating cylinder motor drive unit 85 is an interface with the rotating cylinder relay board 53. The controller 80 outputs motor drive signals (excitation data φ1 to φ4 described later) to the stepping motors 54a, 54b, 54c by the rotating cylinder motor driving unit 85, and is input via the rotating cylinder motor driving unit 85. The detection signals from the index sensors 55a, 55b, 55c are acquired.
The effect control interface 86 is an interface for the controller 80 to transmit a command to the effect control board 42 via the effect interface board 43. Specifically, for example, it is an 8-bit parallel port.
The payout connection interface 87 is an interface with the payout connection board 73.

The external interface 88 is an interface with the hall computer via the external centralized terminal plate 70.
The rotating cylinder setting interface 89 is an interface with the rotating cylinder setting board 71.

<3. Configuration related to medal insertion>
Subsequently, the configuration related to medal insertion will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9.
7A and 8A are cross-sectional views showing the structure of the medal selector 21 provided in the slot machine of this embodiment, FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 7A, and FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 8A. It is a figure.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the medal selector 21 has an insertion flow path 21a through which medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 12 flow down and a take-in side flow path that guides medals flowing down the insertion flow path 21a to the medal tank 5a. 21b is formed. Further, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, below the input flow path 21a, the flow path switching plate 21d and the input flow path 21a that swing around the shaft 21da as a fulcrum due to the excitation of the blocker solenoid 69 described above have fallen. A discharge side flow path 21c for guiding the medal to the medal discharge port 20 is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the flow path switching plate 21d has an upper end portion 21db housed in a recess 21e provided in the medal selector 21 main body in a state where the blocker solenoid 69 is not excited. Then, since the input flow path 21a and the discharge side flow path 21c are in communication with each other, the medal flowing down the input flow path 21a falls into the discharge side flow path 21c and is discharged from the medal discharge port 20.
Further, in the flow path switching plate 21d, in a state where the blocker solenoid 69 is excited, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the upper portion of the flow path switching plate 21d is in the left direction (arrow direction) in the drawing with the shaft 21da as a fulcrum. Since the upper end portion 21db of the flow path switching plate 21d protrudes from the recess 21e, the medal flowing down the input flow path 21a is taken in along the upper end portion 21db of the flow path switching plate 21d. It flows down into the side flow path 21b and is guided to the medal tank 5a.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, the intake side flow path 21b is provided with a first insertion medal sensor 68a and a second insertion medal sensor 68b for detecting the passage of medals flowing down the intake side flow path 21b. Has been done. The first inserted medal sensor 68a and the second inserted medal sensor 68b are provided as the above-mentioned inserted medal-related sensor 68 (see FIG. 5).
As shown in the figure, the first insertion medal sensor 68a is provided on the intake side flow path 21b on the upstream side of the second insertion medal sensor 68b, and passes through the disk-shaped medal flowing down the intake side flow path 21b. It is possible to detect in the order of 1 inserted medal sensor 68a → 2nd inserted medal sensor 68b.
In these first inserted medal sensor 68a and second inserted medal sensor 68b, only the first inserted medal sensor 68a is ON when one medal passes, and both the first inserted medal sensor 68a and the second inserted medal sensor 68b are turned on. Is ON, and only the second inserted medal sensor 68b is arranged in close proximity so that the state changes in the order of ON.
Further, since the first inserted medal sensor 68a and the second inserted medal sensor 68b are arranged so as to detect the end portion of the medal (the upper end portion of the medal in this example), one medal is inserted when the medals are continuously inserted. After the eye medal passes through the second inserted medal sensor 68b and the second inserted medal sensor 68b is turned off, the subsequent medals pass through the first inserted medal sensor 68a and the first inserted medal sensor 68a It is set to be ON, which makes it possible to reliably detect individual medals that have been continuously inserted.

FIG. 9 schematically shows various sensors related to medal detection provided in the flow path from the medal insertion slot 12 to the medal tank 5a, including the first insertion medal sensor 68a and the second insertion medal sensor 68b. There is.
Although not shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a selector sensor 67 is provided in the insertion flow path 21a of the medal selector 21. Further, a post-passing sensor 68c is provided as one of the above-mentioned inserted medal-related sensors 68 in the medal flow path that communicates the take-in side flow path 21d and the medal tank 5a in the medal selector 21.

The selector sensor 67, the post-passing sensor 68c, the first input medal sensor 68a, and the second input medal sensor 68b are composed of, for example, a photo sensor, and each includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, respectively, and the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. The passage of the medal is detected by the light receiving unit detecting the blocking of light from the light emitting unit when the medal passes between the and.
In the following description, the first inserted medal sensor 68a and the second inserted medal sensor 68b may be referred to as "sensor 1" and "sensor 2", respectively.

<4. Configuration related to rotation of the rotating cylinder and rotating reel>
The configuration for rotating the rotary reel 4 and the relationship between the symbol formed on the rotary reel 4 and the step position will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration related to origin detection for the rotary reels 4a, 4b, and 4c. The origin detection is the detection of a specific position provided on each rotary reel 4a, 4b, 4c, that is, the origin position 101.
Since the configuration related to the origin detection is the same for each of the rotary reels 4a to 4c, only one rotary reel (denoted as the rotary reel 4) is shown here as a representative. FIG. 10A shows a configuration related to origin detection by a perspective view, and FIG. 10B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the relationship between the detected portion 410d formed on the rotary reel 4 and the origin position 101.

In FIG. 10A, the central axis (denoted as “rotary axis Ra”) of the rotor 54r included in the stepping motor 54 that rotationally drives the rotary reel 4 is shown by a alternate long and short dash line. The rotary reel 4 has a reel drum 401 that is rotationally driven around the axis of the rotary shaft Ra, a backlight portion 402 arranged inside the reel drum 401, and a base that directly or indirectly supports the reel drum 401. It has a body 403 and.

The base body 403 has, for example, a base plate 403b made of synthetic resin and formed in a substantially plate shape, and a protruding portion 403t protruding from the base plate 403b in a direction along the rotation axis Ra. The base plate 403b is arranged along one side (here, the right side) in the left-right direction of the reel drum 401. The stepping motor 54 is fixed to one side (here, the left side) of the base body 403 in a state where the rotor 54r (rotation axis Ra) is directed to one side (here, the left side) in the left-right direction.
In this case, the protruding portion 403t protrudes from the base plate 403b in the leftward direction.

The reel drum 401 includes two reel frames 410 and 411 and a strip-shaped reel sheet 420 mounted on the outer periphery of the reel frames 410 and 411 in a cylindrical shape. The reel frames 410 and 411 are made of, for example, a black synthetic resin having no light transmittance or extremely low light transmittance, and their outer peripheral portions are formed as rim portions 410r and 411r, respectively. The rim portion 410r of the reel frame 410 and the rim portion 411r of the reel frame 411 are formed in an annular shape along the left and right edges of the reel seat 420, respectively.
The reel frame 410 has a hub portion 410h that is detachably fixed to the rotor 54r of the stepping motor 54, and a plurality of spoke portions 410s that connect the rim portion 410r and the hub portion 410h in the radial direction. ..

Here, in the case of this example, the reel frame 411 is not directly connected to the reel frame 410, and the rim portion 411r of the reel frame 411 is connected to the rim portion 410r of the reel frame 410 via the reel seat 420. (Of course, the rim portion 411r and the rim portion 410r can be integrally connected, for example, at one or a plurality of points in the circumferential direction).

The reel sheet 420 is formed in a strip shape having a constant width by, for example, a colorless and transparent synthetic resin sheet, is wound around the rim portions 410r and 411r of the reel frames 410 and 411, and is attached by, for example, an adhesive. Although not shown in this figure, a plurality of symbols are printed on the reel sheet 420.
The symbol forming region of the reel sheet 420 has a relatively high light transmittance, and when the LED in the backlight portion 402 is turned on, the light emitting region emits bright light.

The index sensor 55 is composed of, for example, a transmissive photo sensor, and is attached to the tip of a protruding portion 403t protruding from the base plate 403b to the reel drum 401 in this example as shown in the figure. The index sensor 55 has a light emitting unit 551 and a light receiving unit 552 arranged so that the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface face each other in the radial direction of the reel frame 410.

In the case of this example, the predetermined spoke portion 410s of the reel drum 410 is formed with a detected portion 410d that protrudes in a direction facing the index sensor 55. The detected portion 410d is formed at a position where it passes through the space between the light emitting portion 551 and the light receiving portion 552 of the index sensor 55 as the reel drum 401 rotates.

With such a configuration, depending on the index sensor 55 as a transmissive photo sensor, the detected unit 410d is placed between the light emitting unit 551 and the light receiving unit 552 once for each rotation of the reel drum 401 (rotating reel 4). A detection signal in which an ON pulse appears as the reel passes is obtained.

Here, as shown in FIG. 10B, the detected portion 410d has one edge of both edges (ends) in a direction parallel to the rotation direction R (normal rotation direction) positioned at the same rotation angle as the origin position 101. It is positioned to do so. Specifically, the detected portion 410d of this example is positioned so that the edge on the rotation traveling direction side in the forward rotation direction (R) is located at the same rotation angle as the origin position 101.

The configuration for detecting the origin is not limited to that described above. For example, instead of the protrusion-shaped detected portion 410d, a notched portion to be detected may be provided. In this case, if the light emitting unit 551 and the light receiving unit 552 of the index sensor 55 are arranged so that the light emitted by the light emitting unit 551 is received by the light receiving unit 552 when the notch portion arrives with the rotation of the rotating reel 4. Good.
As the index sensor 55, not only a transmissive photo sensor but also a reflective photo sensor can be used.

Subsequently, the stepping motors 54a, 54b, 54c for rotationally driving the rotary reels 4a, 4b, 4c will be described.
In the present embodiment, the stepping motors 54a, 54b, 54c are unipolar driven stepping motors, and each has two center-tapped drive windings. In the case of the present embodiment, the stepping motors 54a, 54b, 54c are driven by 1-2 phase excitation in which 1-phase excitation and 2-phase excitation are alternately repeated.

FIG. 11A is a diagram showing the relationship between the two stators of the stepping motors 54a, 54b, and 54c, the drive winding wound around each stator, and the rotation position (arrow) of the rotor. .. As shown in the figure, in a unipolar drive stepping motor, the drive winding is center-tapped, and in one drive winding, each winding portion formed separately with the center tap as a boundary is divided into a winding portion A and a winding portion A bar. Notated as. Further, each winding portion formed separately with the center tap as a boundary in the other drive winding is referred to as a winding portion B and a winding portion B bar.

FIG. 11B shows a drive signal φ (drive current) given to the winding portions A, A bar, B, and B bar in 1-2 phase excitation. As shown in the figure, the drive signal of the winding portion B bar is referred to as φ1, the drive signal of the winding portion A bar is referred to as φ2, the drive signal of the winding portion B is referred to as φ3, and the drive signal of the winding portion A is indicated as φ4.
As shown in FIG. 11B, in the 1-2 phase excitation, eight steps 0 to 7 in the figure are repeated for the driving mode by the driving signals φ1 to φ4. Specifically, ・ 0th step: φ1 = on, φ2 = off, φ3 = off, φ4 = off
・ First step: φ1 = on, φ2 = off, φ3 = off, φ4 = on
・ Second step: φ1 = off, φ2 = off, φ3 = off, φ4 = on
・ Third step: φ1 = off, φ2 = off, φ3 = on, φ4 = on
・ Fourth step: φ1 = off, φ2 = off, φ3 = on, φ4 = off
・ Fifth step: φ1 = off, φ2 = on, φ3 = on, φ4 = off
・ Sixth step: φ1 = off, φ2 = on, φ3 = off, φ4 = off
・ 7th step: φ1 = on, φ2 = on, φ3 = off, φ4 = off
Is repeated. Thus, in 1-2 phase excitation, the step (0, 2, 4, 6) in which the two drive windings are simultaneously driven (that is, the two stators are simultaneously excited) and one drive winding The steps (1, 3, 5, 7) in which only one is driven (only one stator is excited) are repeated alternately.

Due to the 1-2 phase excitation as described above, the rotor intermittently moves to the position of 0 → 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → 7 → 0 as shown in FIG. 11A. The step angle can be halved as compared with the case of two-phase excitation, that is, intermittent movement to the position of 0 → 2 → 4 → 6 → 0. Specifically, the step angle of the stepping motors 54a, 54b, 54c is 360 ° ÷ 8 = 45 °.

As can be understood from the above description, the "step" referred to here can be rephrased as the minimum rotational drive amount of the stepping motors 54a, 54b, 54c.

FIG. 11C is an explanatory diagram of an excitation data table referred to for realizing 1-2 phase excitation as described above.
In the excitation data table, 0 to 7 of the excitation pointer (excitation phase pointer) PT correspond to the above steps 0 to 7, respectively, and for each of the excitation pointer PT 0 to 7, the drive signals φ1 to φ1 4-bit excitation data representing φ4 on / off is associated with it. Note that FIG. 11C also shows the hexadecimal notation of each excitation data and the distinction between 2-phase excitation and 1-phase excitation corresponding to each of the excitation pointers PT 0 to 7.
Hereafter, with respect to each of the drive signals φ1 to φ4, each 1-bit data representing on / off of each drive signal φ is referred to as “excitation data”. Further, the excitation data for the drive signal φ1 is referred to as “excitation data φ1”, and the excitation data for the drive signal φ2 is referred to as “excitation data φ2”. Similarly, the excitation data for the drive signal φ3 is referred to as “excitation data φ3”, and the excitation data for the drive signal φ4 is referred to as “excitation data φ4”.

As will be described later, the CPU 80a of the main control board 40 performs drive control of the stepping motors 54a, 54b, 54c based on the result of referring to such an excitation data table. Specifically, stepping is performed based on the excitation data φ1 to φ4 corresponding to the current value of the excitation pointer PT while circulating the excitation pointer PT in the order of 0 → 1 → 2 → ... → 7 → 0 → ... Control is performed so that the motors 54a, 54b, 54c are driven.
The shortest update cycle of the excitation pointer PT is a cycle for each timer interrupt process (FIG. 24) that is started every 1.49 ms.
The excitation data table is stored in a storage means such as a ROM 80b that can be read by the CPU 80a.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the symbols formed on the rotary reels 4a, 4b, and 4c.
In this example, 21 frames of symbols are arranged along the rotation direction on the surfaces of the rotary reels 4a, 4b, and 4c. In each of the rotary reels 4a, 4b, and 4c, there are, for example, 10 types of symbols (red 7, white 7, bar, character, cherry, watermelon, bell, replay, off 1, off 2), and these are predetermined. They are arranged in order. In the figure, the 21 frames of the symbols formed on the rotary reel 4a are represented as symbols 4a1, 4a2, ..., 4a21, respectively. Similarly, the 21-frame symbols formed on the rotary reel 4b are represented as symbols 4b1, 4b2, ..., 4b21, and the 21-frame symbols formed on the rotary reel 4c are represented as symbols 4c1, 4c2, ..., 4c21. ing. The number added to the end of the code of each symbol represents the number of the symbol.

In the rotary reels 4a, 4b, and 4c, the symbols are arranged at equal intervals, and the break positions of the symbols are indicated by broken lines in the drawing. In the rotary reels 4a, 4b, 4c, a predetermined symbol cut position is set as the origin position 101. The origin position 101 in this example is set at a symbol break position between the first symbol, the symbol 4a1, 4b1, 4c1, and the 21st symbol, the symbols 4a21, 4b21, 4c21, respectively.

The arrow R in the figure represents the rotation direction of the rotary reels 4a, 4b, 4c during steady rotation (during forward rotation). As can be understood from this, the numbers assigned to each symbol represent the order in which the symbols transition during steady rotation starting from the origin position 101.

Here, in this example, the stepping motors 54a, 54b, 54c and the rotary reels 4a, 4b, 4c rotate 1/63, respectively, when the stepping motors 54a, 54b, 54c make one rotation. The rotation ratio between and is set. In other words, in order to rotate the rotary reels 4a, 4b, 4c once, it is necessary to rotate the stepping motors 54a, 54b, 54c 63 times.
Therefore, in this example, the number of drive steps of the stepping motors 54a, 54b, 54c required to rotate the rotary reels 4a, 4b, 4c once is 8 × 63 = 504.

Since 21 frames of symbols are formed at equal intervals on the rotary reels 4a, 4b, and 4c in this example, the number of steps per symbol frame is 504/2=24 steps.
According to this, for each symbol, a total of 24 positions can be detected as step positions. Here, the step position in the symbol can be detected by decrementing (-1) the number of symbol steps for each timer interrupt by the process of step S1511 described later in FIG. 37. That is, the number of step positions that can be detected in each symbol is 24 from No. 24 (first step position) to No. 1 (final step position). At this time, in the process of FIG. 37, when the number of symbol steps = 0, that is, when the final step position of the symbol is reached, the number of symbol steps = "24" is immediately set in the subsequent process of step S1513. Therefore, the 0th step position is synonymous with the 24th step position in the next symbol.

Further, for each symbol, a predetermined step position among the step positions 24 (0) to 1 is defined as a position (stop permission step position) for permitting the stop of the symbol. Specifically, the 7th step position is defined as the stop permission step position of the symbol. When the rotary reel 4 is stopped, the stop symbol is determined, and the rotary reel 4 is stopped at the stop symbol. However, at this time, the position where the rotary reel 4 is stopped may not be any step position in the stop symbol, and is number 7. It is stipulated to allow the stop when the step position of is reached.

<5. Memory area>
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an area (memory area) set in the memory on the main control board 40. Specifically, it is explanatory drawing about the area set in the memory accessible to CPU 80a as ROM 80b and RAM 80c.

A first memory area and a second memory area are set in the memory accessible to the CPU 80a. The first memory area is defined as an area for arranging a predetermined program and data used by the CPU 80a in the progress of the game operation (game). The second memory area is defined as an area for arranging programs and data permitted to be arranged outside the first memory area.
In this example, the allocation to the second memory area is permitted for the program and data for taking measures against fraudulent acts (so-called goto). Specifically, for example, there are programs and data for detecting illegal insertion and withdrawal of medals, programs and data for detecting abnormalities of set values vd and random numbers, and the like.
Each of the first memory area and the second memory area has a control area for storing a program, a data area for storing data used by the program, and various flags and timer values generated in the process of processing by the program. An R / W area (Read / Write area) for rewritably storing the data and the like is set.
The first memory area and the second memory area can retain the stored information even after the power is cut off by the common backup power supply provided on the power supply board 41.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of regulations defined for a first memory area and a second memory area.
In each of the first and second memory areas, the program in the control area is permitted to refer to and update (record) the data in the R / W area in its own area. On the other hand, in each of the first and second memory areas, the program in the control area is permitted only to refer to the data in the R / W area in the other memory area, and is not permitted to update. For example, regarding the flag recorded in the R / W area in the second memory area by the program in the second memory area, the program in the first memory area can only be referred and updated. Can not.
Although not shown, only programs in the same memory area are allowed to refer to the data in the data area. That is, the program in the first memory area refers to the data in the data area in the second memory area, and the program in the second memory area refers to the data in the data area in the first memory area. Is not allowed.

<6. Start process>
Hereinafter, various processes executed by the CPU 80a of the main control board 40 will be described.
First, the start process executed in response to the start-up (power-on) of the slot machine will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
This start process is executed by the CPU 80a in response to a reset signal generated at each of the time when the power is turned on and the time when the watchdog timer (WDT) in the controller 80 times out. That is, the start process is executed at the time of starting the controller 80 when the power of the slot machine is turned on and at the time of restarting when the operation of the controller 80 is stagnant for a predetermined time or more due to some trouble.

In FIG. 15, the CPU 80a executes a process of setting the built-in register in step S101. That is, the value to be set in the built-in register at the time of start processing is read from, for example, ROM 80b and set in the built-in register.

In the following step S102, the CPU 80a sets the stack initial value in the stack pointer, and in step S103, confirms the state (ON / OFF state) of the power failure signal from the power supply board 41. If the power failure signal is ON, the CPU 80a returns to step S101 to set the built-in register and the stack pointer again.
On the other hand, if the power failure signal is OFF, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S104, sets to allow access to the RAM 80c, and then in step S105 whether the power failure keyword is a predetermined value (for example, "5AA5h"). Judge whether or not. The power failure keyword is set in the process of step S404 (FIG. 18) described later at the time of power failure. When the power failure keyword is a predetermined value, it means that the data is surely saved in the RAM 80c at the time of power failure (see step S402 in FIG. 18).

If the power failure keyword is a predetermined value, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S106 and confirms the state (ON / OFF state) of the setting key switch 72a. If the setting key switch 72a is OFF, the CPU 80a shifts to the power recovery process (FIG. 16) described later.
On the other hand, when the setting key switch 72a is ON, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S107 and determines whether or not the door (front panel 2) is in the open state based on the detection signal by the door open sensor 35. If the door is not in the open state, the CPU 80a shifts to the power restoration process.
If the door is in the open state, the CPU 80a shifts to the setting change process described later.
As understood from the above description, even if the setting key switch 72a is ON in step S106, the setting change process is not performed unless the door is in the open state in step S107. That is, the setting key operation in this case is treated as invalid. By invalidating the setting key operation when the door is not opened in this way, fraudulent acts of falsifying the set value vd are prevented (the same applies to steps S109 and S110 described later).

Further, in the previous step S105, if the power interruption keyword is not a predetermined value, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S108, and performs a process of initializing all the storage areas of the RAM 80c, for example, as a RAM clear process. Since the RAM is cleared in the setting change process (see FIG. 17) when the power is turned on next, the RAM clear process in step S108 can be omitted.
When the RAM clear process of step S108 is executed, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S109, confirms the state of the setting key switch 72a in the same manner as in the previous step S106, and if the setting key switch 72a is ON, the previous step in step S110. Similar to S107, it is determined whether or not the door is in the open state. If the door is in the open state, the CPU 80a shifts to the setting change process.

On the other hand, in each of the case where the setting key switch 72a is OFF in step S109 and the case where the door is not in the open state in step S110, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S111 and performs a process of setting a RAM error, and is in an infinite loop state. Move to. When a RAM error is set in this RAM error set processing, processing for error notification is performed on the timer interrupt processing side, which will be described later. From the infinite loop state, the game can be started by setting a new set value vd after turning the power on again.

<7. Power recovery process>
FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the power recovery process.
In FIG. 16, the CPU 80a executes a process of clearing the power failure keyword in step S201, and performs a process of returning the stack pointer at the time of power failure in step S202. That is, the value of the stack pointer (see step S403 in FIG. 18) stored in the work area of the RAM 80c at the time of power interruption is read out and reset (this setting) to the stack pointer.

In the following step S203, the CPU 80a determines whether or not the rotary reel 4 is starting or rotating. That is, it is determined whether or not at least one of the activation flag FG1 and the rotation flag FG2 (see FIG. 38), which will be described later, is "1" indicating activation and rotation, respectively. The process of step S203 is sequentially performed on one of the three rotary reels 4 (4a to 4c), which is the target rotary reel 4. When a negative result is obtained in step S205, which will be described later, the target rotary reel 4 is switched.

In step S203, when the rotary reel 4 is being activated or rotating, the CPU 80a sets the sensor non-passing flag Fmt in step S204 (sets “1” indicating that the rotary reel 4 has not passed), and then steps S205. Proceed to processing. The sensor non-passing flag Fmt is a flag for indicating whether or not the origin position 101 has not been detected by the index sensor 55 described above. By setting the sensor non-passing flag Fmt in step S204 in this way, the rotary reel 4 is restarted by the timer interrupt process described later.
On the other hand, if the rotary reel 4 is not starting or rotating, the CPU 80a passes step S204 and proceeds to step S205.

In step S205, the CPU 80a determines whether or not the determination process of step S203 (and the flag setting process of step S204 if necessary) has been executed for all the rotary reels 4, and has not been executed for all the rotary reels 4. If so, the process returns to step S203, and if executed, the process proceeds to step S206.

In step S206, the CPU 80a executes a process of setting a power return command in a predetermined area in the RAM 80c as a power return command set process. This power return command is a command indicating that the state has returned to the state when the power was turned off, and the set command is output to the effect control board 42 side in the timer interrupt process described later in FIG. 24 (see step S816).

In the following step S207, the CPU 80a performs a process of returning the register state to the state immediately before the power cutoff process (FIG. 18) is executed as a process of returning all registers. That is, a process of reading the value of each register (see step S402) stored in the register save area in the RAM 80c at the time of power interruption and resetting to each register is performed.
Then, in the following step S208, the CPU 80a sets the interrupt permission and ends the power recovery process shown in FIG.
After that, as a result of the CPU 80a executing the control program based on the stack pointer and the register after the resetting, the slot machine returns to the state when the power is turned off.

<8. Setting change process>
FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the setting change process.
In FIG. 17, the CPU 80a executes the RAM clear process when the setting is changed in step S301. That is, the process of clearing the area (excluding the storage area of the set value vd) defined corresponding to the setting change in the RAM 80c is performed.
In the following step S302, the CPU 80a sets a setting flag to indicate whether or not the setting is being changed (sets "1" indicating that the setting is being changed), and is stored in the RAM 80c in the subsequent step S303. Get the set value vd that is set.

When the set value vd is acquired in step S303, the CPU 80a performs a process of clearing the set value vd to 0 in step S304 if the set value vd is out of the range of "0" to "5". This is because when the set value vd exceeds "5" due to the set value vd being incremented by 1 in response to the reset button operation in step S309 described later, the set value vd becomes "0" (set to "1"). It is a process to be returned to the corresponding value).

In the following step S305, the CPU 80a executes a process for displaying the set value vd in 7-segment display. That is, for displaying a value (any of "1" to "6") corresponding to the current set value vd on the display (7-segment display) provided for the rotating cylinder setting board 71 described above. Perform processing. The current set value vd referred to here means a set value vd acquired in step S303 and after undergoing the process of step S304.

In the next step S306, the CPU 80a performs standby processing (1.49 ms × 2) for two timer interrupts. Interrupt processing is permitted during this standby processing.

In the following step S307, the CPU 80a confirms the state (ON / OFF state) of the start lever 17 (start switch). This corresponds to confirming the presence or absence of the confirmation operation of the set value vd.
If the start lever 17 is OFF, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S308 to check the state of the reset switch 72b (ON / OFF state), that is, the presence or absence of the feed operation of the set value vd, and if the reset switch 72b is OFF, the step. The process returns to the 2-interrupt standby process of S306.
As a result, the standby process of step S306 is repeated until either the confirmation operation of the set value vd by the start lever 17 or the feed operation of the set value vd by the reset button is performed.

If the reset switch 72b is ON in step S308, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S309, increments (+1) the set value vd, and then returns to the previous step S304.

If the start lever 17 is ON in step S307, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S310 to store (store) the current set value vd in a predetermined area of the RAM 82c.

When the set value vd is stored in the RAM 82c in step S310, the CPU 80a turns on the set value confirmation LED in step S311, that is, turns on the LED for indicating the set value confirmation provided on the rotating cylinder setting board 71. Perform processing.

Then, in the following step S312, the CPU 80a executes a process for waiting for the change end operation of the set value vd. That is, the state of the setting key switch 72a is confirmed, and if it is ON, the process returns to step S312.

If the setting key switch 72a is OFF, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S313 and performs a process of setting a setting value command. The set value command is a command for notifying the effect control board 42 side of the set value vd saved in the RAM 80c in step S310. The set command is output to the effect control board 42 side in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 24) (step S816).
The CPU 80a ends the setting change process shown in FIG. 17 in response to executing the command set process in step S313.
The CPU 80a shifts to the main process shown in FIG. 19 in response to the completion of the setting change process.

<9. Power off processing>
FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the power off processing.
This power off processing is an interrupt processing that occurs in response to an input of a power off signal (so-called INT interrupt). The priority of interrupts is "timer interrupt> INT interrupt".

In FIG. 18, the CPU 80a confirms the state of the power cutoff signal from the power supply board 41 in step S401. When the power off signal is OFF, the CPU 80a ends the power off process.

If the power off signal is ON, the CPU 80a executes a process of saving the values of all the registers to the register save area in the RAM 80c in step S402, and in step S403, the stack pointer (see the previous step S102) is moved to the work of the RAM 80c. It is set in the area, and the predetermined value described above is set as the power interruption keyword in step S404.

Further, the CPU 80a is set to prohibit access to the RAM 80c in the following step S405, clears all the output ports in the step S406, and shifts to the infinite loop state.

<10. Main processing>
[10-1. Main processing]
FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the main process.
The main process is an infinite loop process that is repeatedly executed for each game. In this example, the period of one game is the period until the rotary reel 4 is rotated and stopped in a stop mode based on the lottery result.

In the main process, the CPU 80a sets the game state command in step S501. The game state command is a command for notifying the effect control board 42 of the current game state such as the RB state and the RT state.

In the following step S502, the CPU 80a confirms the state (ON / OFF state) of the overflow sensor provided for the auxiliary tank 6, and if the overflow sensor is ON, an error indicating that the stored medal is in the overflow state. The flag is set and the process returns to step S502. That is, as long as it is in the overflow state, the process loops in steps S502 → S503 → S502 ... And the progress of the main process is interrupted.

On the other hand, if the overflow sensor is OFF, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S504, performs various setting processes corresponding to the start of the game as the initial setting at the start of the game, and then confirms the re-game flag in step S505. The re-game flag is a flag indicating whether or not the re-game has been won (winning) in the immediately preceding game.
When the re-game flag is ON (for example, "1") indicating winning of the re-game, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S506, and automatically medals for setting a predetermined number of bets as the automatic insertion process of the re-game. The input process (pseudo input process) is performed, and the process proceeds to step S507.
On the other hand, when the re-game flag is OFF (for example, "0") indicating the non-winning of the re-game, the CPU 80a passes the process of step S506 and proceeds to step S507.

In step S507, the CPU 80a executes an interrupt standby process for a predetermined time (for example, 1.49 ms), and in a subsequent step S508, executes a setting confirmation process. The setting confirmation process is performed on the display for confirming the set value vd according to the fact that the reset button is operated while the door is opened and the setting key is ON while the power of the slot machine is ON. This is a process for displaying a value corresponding to the set value vd. Specifically, in the setting confirmation process, the CPU 80a sets a value corresponding to the current set value vd when the confirmation conditions (in this example, the door sensor 66, the setting key switch 72a, and the reset switch 72b are ON) are satisfied. Set the information to be displayed on the above display. Specifically, the setting confirmation flag is turned ON. In response to the setting confirmation flag being turned ON, the process for displaying the set value vd is performed in the LED data creation process (step S802: see FIG. 25) in the timer interrupt process described later.

Further, in the following step S509, the CPU 80a turns on both the settlement button valid flag Fas and the input enable flag Fai. The settlement button valid flag Fas is a flag for indicating whether or not the acceptance of the settlement button 14 is valid, and the insertion possible flag Fai indicates whether or not the acceptance of medals via the medal insertion slot 12 is possible / impossible. It is a flag to represent. The reception of the inserted medal and the reception of the settlement button 14 are performed by the timer interrupt processing described later.

In the next step S510, the CPU 80a determines whether or not the number of inserted medals (number of bets) is the maximum number of inserted medals (predetermined number: "3" in this example as described above). For example, if the automatic charging process in step S506 is performed, it is determined in step S510 that the maximum number of sheets is charged. Further, even when three medals are inserted through the medal insertion slot 12 or when the max bet button 16 is operated while the number of credits is 3 or more, the maximum number of inserted medals is obtained in step S510. Is determined to be.
When the CPU 80a determines in step S510 that the number of sheets is not the maximum number of inserted sheets, the CPU 80a returns to the previous step S507 and re-executes the standby process of S507, the confirmation process of S508, and the flag setting process of S509. That is, these processes are repeated until the maximum number of sheets is determined.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the maximum number of sheets is input, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S511 to execute the process for lighting the start lamp (LED in the LED group 9) described above, and confirms the state of the start lever 17 in step S512. To do. Specifically, the state of the detection signal by the start switch provided on the start switch board 62 described above and turned on in response to the operation of the start lever 17 is confirmed. The ON edge detection of the detection signal of the start switch is executed by the timer interrupt process (see S804).
If the detection signal of the start switch is in the OFF state, the CPU 80a returns to step S511, and if the detection signal is an ON edge, the acquisition of a random number (random number value generated by the counter circuit 81) is completed in step S513. Judge whether or not.
If the random number acquisition is not completed in step S513, the CPU 80a returns to step S511. That is, even if the ON of the start lever 17 is detected, if the random number acquisition is not completed, the device waits until the start lever 17 is turned ON again. The random value of the counter circuit 81 is latched each time the start lever 17 is turned on. The random number value latched when the latest start lever 17 is turned on is used for the winning combination lottery in the lottery process (S518) described later.

On the other hand, if the random number acquisition is completed in step S513, the CPU 80a determines whether or not the medal is being inserted in step S514. Whether or not the medal is being inserted is determined by whether or not, for example, either the first inserted medal sensor 68a (sensor 1) or the second inserted medal sensor 68b (sensor 2) described above is detecting a medal. Can be determined based on. If the medal is being inserted, the CPU 80a returns to step S511. That is, even if the start lever 17 is turned on while the medal is being inserted, the ON operation is treated as invalid, and the player waits until the start lever 17 is turned on again.

On the other hand, when the medal is not being inserted, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S515 to turn off both the settlement button valid flag Fas and the insertable flag Fai. By turning off these flags, the acceptance of the settlement button 14 and the acceptance of inserted medals on the timer interrupt processing side is prohibited.
Further, the CPU 80a sets the number of input sheets in the input signal counter in the following step S516. The input signal counter is a counter used to notify the hall computer of the number of inserted medals (set number of bets) through the external centralized terminal plate 70.

In the following step S517, the CPU 80a executes a process of setting a game start command for issuing a notification corresponding to the game start to the effect control board 42 side, and proceeds to the process in step S518 shown in FIG.

In step S518 shown in FIG. 20, the CPU 80a executes a lottery process (design lottery process) based on the above-mentioned random number value. In the lottery process, it is determined whether or not the bonus symbol is won, whether or not the small winning combination symbol is won, and whether or not the replay symbol indicating the replay is won, and a control command indicating the determined lottery result is produced. It is set in the transmission buffer of the control interface 86 and transmitted to the effect control board 42 side by the timer interrupt process described later. Examples of small role symbols include "cherry symbol" (4a10, 4b3, 4c9), "bell symbol" (4a4, 4b5, 4c3, etc.), "watermelon symbol" (4a9, 4b12, 4c1, etc.). can do.

In the following step S519, the CPU 80a executes a reel effect lottery process for determining whether or not to execute the reel effect. The effects that can be selected in the reel effect lottery process are determined according to the result of the internal lottery process. For example, if a predetermined symbol such as "watermelon symbol" is internally won, a predetermined reel effect such as "slow effect that rotates extremely slowly in the positive direction and stands still" can be selected based on the predetermined winning probability. Become.

Further, the CPU 80a executes a reel effect corresponding process in the next step S520. In the reel effect corresponding process, various setting processes for rotating the rotating reels 4a, 4b, and 4c are executed in response to the case where the reel effect lottery is won. If the reel effect is not won, the setting process is passed.

It can be inferred that when the reel effect is executed, the player has internally won a predetermined symbol according to the type of the reel effect. The player performs a stop operation so that the target symbols are aligned on the stop line based on such reasoning. Only when the reasoning is correct and the stop timing is appropriate, the internal winning state is activated and the player is given the game value.

In response to the execution of the reel effect corresponding process, the CPU 80a executes the 4.1 second standby process in step S521, and executes the 4.1 second set process in the subsequent step S522. 4.1 seconds is the minimum time interval between games. By setting the minimum interval as the interval between games in this way, it is possible to prevent the player from consuming excessive medals.
In the standby process of step S521, the wait process waits until the value of the wait timer for 4.1 seconds set by the set process of step S522 executed one game before becomes “0”. The value of the wait timer is sequentially decremented (subtracted) by the timer interrupt process described later.
Here, 4.1 seconds is an example, and the minimum time interval between games can be changed as appropriate.

In response to the execution of the set process in step S522, the CPU 80a performs a process in step S523 to set the rotation start command in the transmission buffer in the effect control interface 86. The rotation start command is a command for notifying the effect control board 42 side of the information corresponding to the rotation start of the rotation reels 4a to 4c.

In the following step S524, the CPU 80a executes the start setting process for the rotary reels 4a to 4c. The start setting process is a process of setting information required for starting the rotary reels 4a to 4c in the rotation cylinder control process (see FIG. 37) in the timer interrupt process. Specifically, in the activation setting process, at least the sensor non-passing flag Fmt and the activation request flag Frr are set for all the rotating reels 4 (“1” representing ON is set).
The start request flag Frr is a flag for requesting the timer interrupt process (rotation control process) side to start (rotate start) the rotary reel 4.

Further, in the next step S525, the CPU 80a executes a standby process of 759.9 ms. This standby process corresponds to 510 timer interrupt wait processes.
When the start request flag Frr is set as described above, the start processing of the rotary reels 4a to 4c is started by the rotation control process in the timer interrupt process. The standby process in step S525 functions as a process for waiting until the rotary reels 4a to 4c are in the rotating state by such a rotating cylinder control process on the timer interrupt side. The waiting time in step S525 is not limited to the above time.

In the following step S526, the CPU 80a executes a process of waiting until the sensor non-passing flag Fmt or the error flag is turned ON, and in the next step S527, the stop button LEDs for all reels (that is, the stop button) A process for turning on each LED) for causing 18a to 18c to emit light is executed.
Here, in the slot machine, after the rotary reel 4 starts rotating, the corresponding stop button 18 is permitted on condition that the origin position 101 of the rotary reel 4 is detected by the corresponding index sensor 55. Has been made. Therefore, when the sensor non-passing flag Fmt is ON in step S526, the process is not advanced to the ON processing of the stop button LED in step S527, and the process is set to wait until the sensor non-passing flag Fmt is turned OFF. There is.

Further, as can be understood from the above description, at the time when the process of step S526 is executed, the rotation of the rotary reels 4a to 4c is started (the rotation state before the operation of the stop button 18 is performed). The standby process in step S526 also functions as a process for dealing with an error that occurs while the rotary reels 4a to 4c are rotating. That is, in the standby process of step S526, when an error is recognized while the rotary reels 4a to 4c are rotating (when the error flag is ON), the game operation is performed while the rotation of the rotary reels 4a to 4c is maintained. It functions as a process for stopping the progress of the game and restarting the progress of the game operation when the error is cleared.
The error flags targeted in step S526 include at least a main board error (error of the main control board 40), an RWM error (error related to RAM 80c), an insertion medal error (error related to medal insertion), and no payout medal. There are flags related to error, payout sensor error (error of medal payout sensor 76), unfair winning error, overflow error, and door open error.

In step S528 following step S527, the CPU 80a waits until either the sensor non-passing flag Fmt or the error flag is ON and then turned OFF. At this time, the stop button LED is turned off during standby. The significance of the standby process in step S528 will be described later.

In response to the execution of the process of step S528, the CPU 80a determines whether or not a valid stop button operation has been performed in step S529. That is, it is determined whether or not an effective stop button operation of pressing one of the stop buttons 18a to 18c is performed.
If no valid stop button operation has been performed, the CPU 80a returns to the previous step S528. Here, as a case where an error occurs while the rotary reel 4 is rotating, it is conceivable that an error occurs between the execution of the process of step S528 and the start of the process of step S529. When an error occurs at such a timing, if it is determined in step S529 that a valid stop button operation has not been performed, the process returns to step S528 and a wait is performed until the error flag is turned off. That is, the acceptance of the stop button operation in step S529 is interrupted.
As can be understood from this point, the process of step S528 functions as a process for interrupting the operation reception of the stop button 18 and waiting for the error to be released when an error occurs during rotation.

On the other hand, if a valid stop button operation is performed, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S530 to set the stop information bit (stop information bit of the reel), and turns off the stop button LED of the reel in the next step S531. Perform the processing for. Here, the reel means a rotary reel 4 on which an effective stop button operation has been performed.
In the following step S532, the CPU 80a sets the stop order data. The stop order data is data for expressing the stop order of the rotary reels 4a to 4c according to the stop operation.

Further, in the next step S533, the CPU 80a executes the stop control process. The stop control process in step S533 is to set the stop position (stop symbol) of the rotary reel 4 in consideration of the maximum number of sliding frames, or to stop the rotation of the reel by the rotating cylinder control process on the timer interrupt processing side. Processing such as setting necessary information is performed, and details will be described later with reference to FIG. 21.

In response to the execution of the stop control process in step S533, the CPU 80a determines in step S534 whether or not all the rotary reels 4 have stopped. If it is determined that all the rotating reels 4 have not stopped, the CPU 80a returns to the previous step S528.

Here, according to the provision of the standby process in step S528, after an effective stop button operation is detected (S529) for a certain rotary reel 4, the rotation of the rotary reel 4 is stopped by the stop control process in step S533. If an error is found before the error is cleared, the progress of the main process is interrupted until the error is cleared (the error flag is turned off). At this time, with respect to the rotary reel 4 on which the stop operation has been performed, the stop control process is executed in step S533 regardless of whether or not the error has occurred, so that the rotation of the rotary reel 4 is stopped.
As can be understood from this point as well, in the standby process of step S528, when an error is found between the time when the rotation of the rotary reel 4 is stopped after the effective stop button operation is performed on the rotary reel 4 and the time when the rotation of the rotary reel 4 is stopped. In addition, the rotary reel 4 is stopped without interrupting the stop control, the progress of the game operation is interrupted after the rotary reel 4 is stopped, and the progress of the game operation is restarted according to the cancellation of the error. It functions as a process for.

If it is determined in step S534 that all the rotating reels 4 have stopped, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S535 to execute the winning determination process after the stop. In the winning determination process, it is determined whether or not the winning symbols (winning combinations) are aligned on the stop line, and the number of winnings (the number of medals to be given to the player according to the winning) is calculated according to the determination result. To do.
In the winning determination process, the winning information command is transmitted on the effect control interface 86 in order to transmit the control command (winning information command) indicating the determination result of whether or not the winning symbols are aligned on the stop line to the effect control board 42. The process of setting in the buffer is also performed.

In response to the execution of the prize determination process in step S535, the CPU 80a executes the prize medal payout process in step S536. The details of the payout process will be described later with reference to FIG.

In the following step S537, the CPU 80a executes information management processing corresponding to the RB state, the CB (chance bonus) state, and the RT (replay time) state as a state management process, if necessary.

The CPU 80a returns to step S101 shown in FIG. 19 in response to executing the state management process of step S537. In this way, the main process is a loop-shaped process.

[10-2. Stop control processing]
FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the stop control process (step S533). As can be understood from the above description, the stop control process in step S533 is performed on the rotary reel 4 in which a valid stop button operation is detected in step S529.

In FIG. 21, the CPU 80a sets a stop command in step S601. The stop command is a command for notifying the effect control board 42 that at least the stop operation has been accepted, and the CPU 80a sets the stop command in the transmission buffer of the effect control interface 86.

In the following step S602, the CPU 80a performs the initial setting at the start of the stop control. As the initial setting at the start of stop control, the value of the shortest stop interval timer is set, the value of the number of frames to be drawn in is cleared, the maximum number of sliding frames (4 frames) is set, and the like. The shortest stop interval defines the shortest interval from the operation of a certain stop button 18 until the operation of another stop button 18 can be accepted. In this example, it is used as the value of the shortest stop interval timer. Set the value (for 141 timer interrupts) according to 210.09 ms.

In response to the initial setting in step S602, the CPU 80a determines whether or not the step position can be stopped in step S603.
In this example, when the symbol step position is the symbol step position of No. 5 or less, the current symbol is not set as the symbol at the time of the stop operation (the symbol when the stop operation is performed), and the next symbol is stopped. It is a design at the time of operation. Therefore, the CPU 80a determines in step S603 whether or not the current symbol step position is the step position 24 to 6 where stop processing is possible (hereinafter referred to as "stop processing possible position"), and at the stop processing possible position. If not, the process of step S603 is executed again, and if the stop process is possible, the process proceeds to step S604.
The current symbol step position (number of symbol steps) is acquired based on the value of the step counter described later. The value of the step counter is counted by the rotation control process (see FIG. 37) in the timer interrupt process.

For confirmation, the concept of the stop processing possible position will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in the figure, in this example, the 24th to 6th step positions are defined as stop processing possible positions, and the 5th to 1st step positions are defined as stop processing impossible positions. If the symbol step position when the stop button operation is detected by the process of step S603 described above is the stop processable position, the current symbol is set as the stop operation symbol, and if the stop button operation is not possible, the current symbol is the current symbol. The symbol next to is set as the symbol at the time of stop operation.
In this example, when the current step position is the 5th to 1st non-stop processing position, the current symbol is not used as the symbol during the stop operation and the next symbol is used as the symbol during the stop operation, as described below. This is to prevent a situation in which an unintended symbol may be stopped when the process of determining the number of sliding frames (S604) to be performed takes a relatively long processing time.

In this example, the 7th step position is the above-mentioned stop permission step position. On the timer interrupt processing side, when the current symbol reaches the stop symbol described below (the symbol specified by "the symbol at the time of stop operation + the number of sliding frames"), the step position reaches No. 7. Brake control is permitted (see the rotating cylinder control process in FIG. 37).

Returning to FIG. 21, in step S604, the CPU 80a performs a process for determining the number of sliding frames. That is, the number of sliding frames is determined based on the current symbol position (symbol at the time of stop operation) and the lottery result of the symbol lottery process. The symbol specified by adding the number of sliding frames determined here to the symbol number of the symbol during the stop operation is the symbol (stop symbol) at which the target rotating reel 4 should be stopped.
The current symbol position is acquired based on the value of the symbol counter described later. The value of the symbol counter is also counted by the rotation control process in the timer interrupt process.

In the following step S605, the CPU 80a determines whether or not the stop symbol has been reached. That is, based on the value of the symbol counter, it is determined whether or not the current symbol position matches the symbol position as the stop symbol.
If the stop symbol has not been reached, the CPU 80a executes the process of step S605 again, and if the stop symbol is reached, the process proceeds to step S606.

In step S606, the CPU 80a turns on the stop request flag Frs corresponding to the reel (sets "1"). As will be described later, when the stop request flag Frs is turned ON, the brake control of the reel (rotary reel 4 on which the stop button operation is performed) is started in the rotation cylinder control process in the timer interrupt process.

In the following step S607, the CPU 80a executes standby processing for one timer interrupt. This standby process functions as a process of waiting until the process of turning on all phases of the stepping motor 54 (brake process) is started on the timer interrupt process side (rotation control process).

Further, in the next step S608, the CPU 80a confirms the state (ON / OFF state) of the second stop processing flag FG4. As will be described later, the second stop processing flag FG4 is a flag that is turned on when all phases of the stepping motor 54 are turned on in the rotation control process in the timer interrupt process (that is, whether or not all phases are excited). Flag).

If the second stop processing flag FG4 is OFF in step S608, the CPU 80a returns to step S607. That is, the standby processing for one timer interrupt is repeated until the stop processing flag FG4 is turned ON.

If the second stop processing flag FG4 is ON, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S609 and executes a process for transmitting a stop position command for notifying the stop position (stop symbol) of the reel to the effect control board 42 side. In the following step S610, it is determined whether or not the value of the shortest stop interval timer (set in the previous step S602) is "0". If the value of the shortest stop interval timer is not "0", the CPU 80a again executes the determination process of step S610.
On the other hand, if the value of the shortest stop interval timer is "0", the CPU 80a ends the stop control process in step S533.

[10-3. Prize-winning medal payout processing]
FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of the winning medal payout process (step S536).
First, in step S701, the CPU 80a determines whether or not the number of winnings is "0". As described above, the number of winnings is set in the winning determination process of step S535. If the number of winning medals is "0", the CPU 80a ends the process of paying out the winning medals.

If the number of winnings is not "0", the CPU 80a proceeds to step S702 and determines whether or not an error is occurring. The errors targeted in step S702 are various errors that can be detected by the slot machine, and at least the above-mentioned main board error, RWM error, inserted medal error, no payout medal error, payout sensor error, and unfair winning error. , Overflow error, door open error included.
If it is determined in step S702 that an error is occurring, the CPU 80a executes the determination process of step S702 again. That is, the progress of the main process (progress of the game) is interrupted until the error is cleared.

On the other hand, if it is determined that an error is not occurring, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S703 and executes a process of setting a payout start command in the transmission buffer for notifying the effect control board 42 side of the start of payout.

In the following step S704, the CPU 80a performs the execution wait processing of the timer interrupt processing. This wait process is intended to prevent the timer interrupt process from being inserted during the credit addition process described below.

In response to the execution of the wait process in step S704, the CPU 80a determines in step S705 whether or not the credit value is MAX (maximum value: "50" in this example). If the credit value is not MAX, the CPU 80a increments the credit value (+1), increments the payout signal counter value, and increments the payout display number by the processing of steps S706, S707, and S708, respectively, and then performs the next step. After performing the standby process for 90 ms in S709, the process of decrementing (-1) the value of the number of winning sheets is performed in step S710.
In step S707, the payout signal counter is a counter used to notify the hall computer of the number of medals to be paid out, that is, to notify the player of the number of medals given to the player in response to winning (including replay). In the main processing, the value of the payout signal counter is sequentially incremented within the range of the number of winning sheets as described above, while in the “input and payout signal output processing” (step S809) on the timer interrupt processing side described later, the payout signal counter Corresponding to the case where the value of is other than "0", the process for decrementing the value of the payout signal counter and outputting the payout signal bit to the hall computer is performed. In the hall computer, the number of slot machines to be paid out can be managed based on the number of times the payout signal bits are output.
Further, in step S708, the payout display number means the payout number in the game to be displayed on the payout display unit 10 described above. In this example, since the number of sheets displayed in the payout display unit 10 is performed in a manner of incrementing the value each time the winning number is given in units of one, the value of the payout display number is sequentially incremented in step S708. ing. Although the description by illustration is omitted, the CPU 80a resets the value of the number of payout display sheets to "0" at a predetermined timing until the start of the next game, such as the timing of inserting a medal or turning on the start lever 17 (that is, the payout display). The number display in part 10 is sequentially incremented from "0" to "winning number" and then cleared by the next game start timing). It should be noted that the value of the number of payout display sheets may be reset to 0 according to the passage of a predetermined time without inserting medals or turning on the start lever 17.

In response to decrementing the value of the number of winnings in step S710, the CPU 80a determines whether or not the number of winnings is "0" in step S711. If the value of the number of winning sheets is not "0", the CPU 80a returns to the previous step S704. That is, if the medal granting process for the number of winning medals is not completed, the execution waiting process of the timer interrupt process is performed, and then the credit MAX determination process of step S705 is executed again. If the credit value is not MAX, the above steps S706 to S711 are executed again.

On the other hand, if the value of the number of winnings is "0" in step S711, the CPU 80a executes a process of setting a payout end command in the transmission buffer for notifying the effect control board 42 side of the payout end in step S715, and wins a prize. The medal payout process (S536) is completed.

Further, in the previous step S705, if the credit value is MAX, the CPU 80a turns on the payout request in step S712.
Here, when the value of the credit is MAX, the medal is paid out using the medal payout device 5 (medal payout through the medal discharge port 20) instead of adding the credit. The control process for medal payout using such a medal payout device 5 is executed on the timer interrupt process side (see the medal payout process in FIG. 36), and the payout request requests the execution of the control process. is there.

In the following step S713, the CPU 80a executes the execution waiting process of the timer interrupt process, and determines in step S714 whether or not the value of the number of winning sheets is "0". As will be understood from the later description, in the medal payout process in the timer interrupt process, the value of the number of winning cards is decremented for each medal payout.

If the value of the number of winnings is not "0" in step S714, the CPU 80a returns to step S712.
On the other hand, if the value of the number of winning medals is "0", the CPU 80a executes the command set processing of the previous step S715 and finishes the processing of paying out the winning medals.

<11. Timer interrupt processing>
[11-1. Timer interrupt processing]
Next, timer interrupt processing that is started every predetermined time (every 1.49 ms in this example) will be described.
FIG. 24 is a flowchart of timer interrupt processing.
In FIG. 24, the CPU 80a first saves the register value in step S801 (register save processing), and then executes the LED data creation process in step S802. The LED data creation process involves a 7-segment LED as a payout display unit 10 and a stored number display unit 11 mounted on the game display board 61, and various LEDs provided as the LED group 9, that is, the number of inserted medals. Information display by LED indicating, LED indicating the replay status, LED as a start lamp, LED indicating the acceptance status of inserting medals (permission / disapproval of insertion), and 7-segment LED for displaying the set value. It is a process to create the data required to realize. The details of the creation process will be described later with reference to FIG.

In the following step S803, the CPU 80a executes a process of creating data of various commands and setting them in the transmission buffer of the effect control interface 86 as a command creation process. The set command is output to the effect control board 42 side in the output process (S816) described later.

Further, the CPU 80a performs the input port reading process in the next step S804. That is, the data of the input port that receives various switch signals and sensor signals is acquired and stored in a predetermined area of, for example, the RAM 80c. The sensor signals include the selector sensor 67, the input medal-related sensor 68, the index sensor 55 of the first cylinder index sensor 55a, the second cylinder index sensor 55b, the third cylinder index sensor 55c, the door sensor 66, and the like. The detection signal from is included.
In the reading process of step S804, ON edge and OFF edge data of the switch signal and the sensor signal are created and stored in the RAM 80c.

In the following step S805, the CPU 80a subtracts the value of a predetermined timer such as a demo timer or a wait timer as the timer subtraction process, and executes the medal payout process in step S806. The medal payout process is a process for paying out medals in response to a settlement request (turned on in step S814 described later based on the operation of the settlement button 14) and a payout request (see step S712 above) described later. However, the details will be described later with reference to FIG. 36.

In response to executing the medal payout process in step S806, the CPU 80a executes a process of incrementing (+1) the timer interrupt counter in step S807, and the value of the timer interrupt counter is set to a predetermined value in the following step S808 (in this example, "42". ”) Whether or not it is determined. If the value of the timer interrupt counter is a predetermined value, the CPU 80a executes the input and payout signal output processing of step S809 and proceeds to step S810. If the value of the timer interrupt counter is not a predetermined value, the CPU 80a performs step S809. Pass and proceed to step S810.

The insertion and payout signal output processing in step S809 is a process for outputting information (input signal bit, payout signal bit) for notifying the number of inserted medals and the number of payouts in the slot machine to the hall computer. ..
By providing the process of step S808, the output process of step S809 is executed at intervals of 42 timer interrupt processes (62.58 ms in this example).
Although not shown, the value of the timer interrupt counter is reset to 0 in the output process of step S809 (that is, it is reset to 0 every time "42" is reached).

The error release determination process in step S810 is a process for determining whether or not the error state has been released in response to the occurrence of an error for various errors such as a throw-in medal error, a payout sensor error, and a door open error. .. The details of the error cancellation determination process will be described later with reference to FIG.

In response to the execution of the error cancellation determination process in step S810, the CPU 80a performs error flag set processing and external output terminal output processing according to the error type in step S811 and subsequent step S812, respectively. Specifically, in step S811, the CPU 80a sets the door open error flag when the generated error is a door open error, and outputs a signal via the corresponding external output terminal on the external centralized terminal plate 70. Executes the processing of. Further, in step S812, when the generated error is any one of the main board error, the RWM error, the inserted medal error, the payout sensor error, and the unjust winning error, the CPU 80a sets the corresponding error flags and concentrates on the outside. A process for outputting a signal via the corresponding external output terminal on the terminal plate 70 is executed.

In response to the execution of the process of step S812, the CPU 80a executes the medal insertion process in step S813. The medal insertion process is a process of updating the number of inserted medals and the value of credits in response to the insertion of medals through the medal insertion slot 12 and the operation of the max bet button 16, and the details will be described later with reference to FIG. 27.

In the following step S814, the CPU 80a executes the settlement process of the stored medals. The settlement process of the stored medals is a process for determining various conditions such as whether or not the settlement button 14 is operated and turning on the settlement request. Details will be described later with reference to FIG. 35.

Further, the CPU 80a executes the rotation cylinder control process in step S815 following step S814. In the rotating cylinder control process, a process related to drive control of the stepping motor 54 for rotating / stopping the rotary reel 4 is performed, and the details will be described later with reference to FIG. 37.

The CPU 80a executes the output process in step S816 in response to the execution of the rotation control process in step S815. In this output process, processing for outputting various set data to the corresponding output destination is performed. The data to be output includes various commands (commands for the effect control board 42) described above and data for driving the stepping motor 54 (excitation data φ1 to φ4 described above).

In response to the execution of the output process of step S816, the CPU 80a executes a process of restoring the value of the register saved in the previous process of step S801 as the register return process of step S817, and ends the timer interrupt process.

[11-2. LED display data creation process]
FIG. 25 is a flowchart of the LED display data creation process (S802).
As described above, the process of creating the LED display data includes the 7-segment LEDs of the payout display unit 10 and the stored number display unit 11, the LED indicating the number of inserted medals provided as the LED group 9, and the replay state. This is a process of creating data for displaying an LED indicating the above, an LED as a start lamp, an LED indicating permission / non-permission of inserting a medal, and a 7-segment LED for displaying a set value.

In this example, these LEDs are lit and controlled by so-called dynamic control. Specifically, in this example, the first-digit 7-segment LED (hereinafter, "the number of payouts, first digit") and the second-digit 7-segment LED (hereinafter, "the number of payouts, second digit") in the payout display unit 10 are stored. The 1st digit 7-segment LED (hereinafter "credit 1st digit"), the 2nd digit 7 segment LED (hereinafter "credit 2nd digit"), and the 3 LEDs indicating the number of inserted medals (hereinafter "credit 1st digit") in the number display unit 11 "Number of inserts 1 to 3"), LED indicating the re-game status (hereinafter "re-game"), LED as a start lamp (hereinafter "start LED"), LED indicating permission / non-permission of medal insertion (hereinafter "start LED") "INSERT") and the 7-segment LED for displaying the set value (hereinafter referred to as "setting display") are classified as common 0 to common 6 as follows.
Common 0 ... Number of payouts 1st digit Common 1 ... Number of payouts 2nd digit Common 2 ... Credit 1st digit Common 3 ... Credit 2nd digit Common 4 ... Number of inserts displayed 1-3
Common 5 ... INSERT, replay, start LED
Common 6 ... Setting display Then, a control method is adopted in which the display data is output in common to the commons 0 to 6 while the commons 0 to 6 are turned on in order in the timer interrupt cycle. That is, only the common LED that is turned on is lit and controlled according to the common output display data.

Based on the above assumptions, the process of FIG. 25 will be described.
In FIG. 25, the CPU 80a first determines whether or not an error is occurring in step S901. If an error is occurring, the CPU 80a sets the error display code corresponding to the error type in the set area for displaying the number of payouts in the work of the RAM 82c, and proceeds to step S903.
On the other hand, if no error is occurring, the CPU 80a passes the set process of step S902 and proceeds to step S903.

In step S903, the CPU 80a sets the data for which the common is designated this time in a predetermined area (common designation data set area) in the work of the RAM 82c. That is, for example, if the common to be the target of the lighting control this time is common 0, the data for designating the common 0 as the common this time is set.

In the following step S904, the CPU 80a sets the output data corresponding to the common number this time in a predetermined area (output data set area) in the work of the RAM 82c.
If the common number is common 0 or common 1 (the first or second digit of the number of payouts) and the determination result that an error is occurring is obtained in the previous step S901, the set processing of step S904 is performed. Then, the output data corresponding to the error display code set in the previous step S902 is set.

Further, in the next step S905, the CPU 80a confirms the state of the setting checking flag (see the previous step S508), and if the setting checking flag is ON, proceeds to step S906 and outputs the output corresponding to the current set value vd. The data is set in the output data set area in the work of the RAM 82c, and the LED data creation process is completed.
On the other hand, if the setting confirmation flag is OFF, the CPU 80a passes the process of step S906 and finishes the LED data creation process.

The signal output to the LED side based on the common designation data and the output data (display control data) set in the work in the above process is performed in the output process (step S816) shown in FIG. 24.

Here, when an error occurs, an error display (error notification) is performed using the 7-segment LED as the first and second digits of the number of payouts, based on the above LED data creation process. At this time, error detection (ON edge detection of the detection signal) is executed by timer interrupt processing (see step S804 “input port reading processing”), and timer interrupt processing (LED data) is also used as error notification in response to error detection. It is done based on the creation process of. Therefore, the error notification is executed immediately when an error occurs.

[11-3. Error cancellation judgment processing]
FIG. 26 is a flowchart of the error release determination process (S810).
In FIG. 26, the CPU 80a determines in step S1001 whether or not an error is occurring based on the error flag. If no error is occurring, the CPU 80a ends the error release determination process.

On the other hand, if an error is occurring, the CPU 80a determines in step S1002 whether or not the error has been cleared. As described above, the types of errors include main board error, RWM error, input medal error, payout medal no error, payout sensor error, unfair winning error, overflow error, and door open error. In step S1002, an error cancellation determination is made for these errors based on the following cancellation conditions.
Main board error ... Replacement of main control board 40 RWM error ... Execution of setting change process (Fig. 17) Input medal error ... ON of reset switch 72b
Error without payout medal ... ON of reset switch 72b and door sensor 66 (detection of stop release operation described above)
Payout sensor error ... Reset switch 72b ON
Injustice winning error ... Reset switch 72b ON
Overflow error: ON of reset switch 72b and door sensor 66 (detection of stop release operation described above)
Door open error ... Door sensor 66 (Detection of stop release operation described above)
Regarding the main board error and the RWM error, it is impossible to cancel the error based on the reset switch 72b and the door sensor 66.

If the error is not cleared in step S1002, the CPU 80a ends the error clearing determination process.

On the other hand, if the error is cleared, the CPU 80a executes a process for clearing the error display in step S1003. Specifically, a process for clearing (for example, not lighting) the error display using the 7-segment LED as the first digit of the number of payouts and the second digit of the number of payouts described above is executed.

In the following step S1004, the CPU 80a executes a process for clearing the error flag, and in a subsequent step S1005, executes a process for restoring the payout number display, and ends the error release determination process.

[11-4. Medal insertion process]
27 and 28 are flowcharts of the medal insertion process (S813).
In FIG. 27, the CPU 80a executes the transition and retention check processing in step S1101. The transition and retention check processing is a process for detecting fraud related to medal insertion, and is the above-mentioned selector sensor 67, insertion medal-related sensor 68 (first insertion medal sensor 68a, second insertion medal sensor 68b), and after passing. It is a process of determining whether or not the passing mode of the medal with respect to the sensor 68c corresponds to a predetermined abnormal passing mode, and setting (turning on) the insertion error monitoring flag Fei according to the recognition of the abnormality. ..

Prior to the description of the transition and retention check processing, first, the method of detecting the inserted medal error in this example will be described with reference to FIG. 29.
In FIG. 29A, the selector sensor 67, the first inserted medal sensor 68a (sensor 1), the second inserted medal sensor 68b (sensor 2), and the passage when one medal is normally inserted through the medal insertion slot 12. The transition of the detection signal of the rear sensor 68c is shown. As described with reference to FIG. 9, these sensors are arranged in the above order from the upstream side in the medal passage path from the medal insertion port 12 to the take-in side flow path 21b.

When the medals are normally inserted, the selector sensor 67, the sensor 1, the sensor 2, and the sensor 68c after passing are turned on in the same order. At this time, the arrangement interval between the selector sensor 67 and the sensor 1 is set so that the sensor 1 is turned ON after the selector sensor 67 is turned from ON to OFF. Further, the arrangement interval between the sensor 1 and the sensor 2 is set so that the sensor 2 is turned on during the period when the sensor 1 is turned on, and the OFF timing of the sensor 1 comes within the ON period of the sensor 2. .. Further, the arrangement interval between the sensor 2 and the sensor 68c after passing is set so that the sensor 68c after passing turns ON after the OFF timing of the sensor 2.
Here, as shown in the figure, the time point when the selector sensor 67 turns ON is the time point t1, the time point when the sensor 1 turns ON is the time point t2, the time point when the sensor 1 turns ON is the time point t3, and the time point when the sensor 2 turns ON is the time point t4. The time point when 1 turns OFF is referred to as time point t5, the time point when sensor 2 turns OFF is referred to as time point t6, the time point when sensor 68c turns ON after passing is referred to as time point t7, and the time point when sensor 2 turns OFF is referred to as time point t8.

In the method of detecting the inserted medal error in this example, from the viewpoint of whether or not the order in which the medals pass through the sensor 1 and the sensor 2 is a predetermined order, the selector sensor 67, the sensor 1, the sensor 2, and the sensor 68c after passing are used. The insertion medal error is detected based on the viewpoint of whether or not the intervals between the edges of the detection signals are within a predetermined time.

FIG. 29B shows the order of changes in the ON / OFF states of the sensor 1 and the sensor 2 when the medals are normally inserted.
Depending on the normal insertion of medals, the order of "sensor 1 = OFF, sensor 2 = OFF" is "0" → the order of "sensor 1 = ON, sensor 2 = OFF" is "1" → "sensor 1" The ON / OFF state of the sensor 1 and the sensor 2 transitions in the order of "2" in the order of "= ON, sensor 2 = ON" → the state of "3" in the order of "sensor 1 = OFF, sensor 2 = ON". To do.
Therefore, if the order of change of the ON / OFF state of the sensor 1 and the sensor 2 does not match the order of “0” → “1” → “2” → “3”, it is treated as a inserted medal error.

However, when the inserted medals are ejected through the discharge side flow path 21c, as shown in FIG. 30A, the inserted medals are ejected after being detected by the sensor 1 (first inserted medal sensor 68a). It may fall to the side flow path 21c side. In this case, the order of changing the ON / OFF state of the sensor 1 and the sensor 2 does not match the above order, and the error is detected as a inserted medal error.
Specifically, in this case, the order of changing the ON / OFF state of the sensor 1 and the sensor 2 is as shown in FIG. 30B, “both sensors 1 and 2 are OFF” → “sensor 1 = ON, sensor 2 = OFF” → “ According to the order of "OFF for both sensors 1 and 2," that is, according to the above order notation, the changes are made in the order of "0" → "1" → "0", so that the sensor is targeted for error detection.
In the slot machine, the case where the medal is ejected through the ejection side flow path 21c is not a case that should be regarded as a special error. Therefore, the detection as the insertion medal error as described above is the appropriateness of the insertion medal error detection. It is not desirable to keep.

Therefore, in this example, when the order of changing the ON / OFF state of the sensor 1 and the sensor 2 is “0” → “1” → “0”, the order does not match the regular order shown in FIG. 29B. However, it is exceptionally not detected as an input medal error.
As a result, the appropriateness of detecting the inserted medal error is ensured.

Further, in this example, the first monitoring timer, the second monitoring timer, and the third monitoring timer are used to detect the insertion medal error based on the time between the edges of the detection signals of the selector sensor 67, the sensor 1, the sensor 2, and the sensor 68c after passing. A monitoring timer, a fourth monitoring timer, a medal passing first counter, a medal passing second counter, and a post-passing sensor ON timer are used.
The method for detecting the inserted medal error using these various timers and counters is as follows when described in light of each time point t shown in FIG. 29A. Each timer is subtracted (-1) for each timer interrupt.
[Time point t1]
-Set a predetermined value (for example, the number of timer interrupts equivalent to 402 ms) in the first monitoring timer.
When the first monitoring timer becomes 0, an insertion medal error occurs (an error occurs because the continuous ON time of the selector sensor 67 is excessive).
[Time point t2]
-Clear 0 for the first medal passage counter-Set a predetermined value (for example, the number of timer interrupts equivalent to 250 ms) to the second monitoring timer.
When the second monitoring timer becomes 0, an insertion medal error occurs (an error occurs because the time from passing the selector sensor 67 to turning on the sensor 1 is excessive).
[Time points t3 to t5]
-Set a predetermined value (for example, the number of timer interrupts equivalent to 101 ms) in the third monitoring timer.
When the third monitoring timer becomes 0, an insertion medal error occurs (an error occurs because the continuous ON time of the sensor 1 or the sensor 2 is excessive).
[Time point t6]
-Set a predetermined value (for example, the number of timer interrupts equivalent to 150 ms) in the 4th monitoring timer.
When the 4th monitoring timer becomes 0, a throw-in medal error occurs (an error occurs because the time from passing sensors 1 and 2 to passing sensor 68c after passing is excessive).
・ The first counter for passing medals and the second counter for passing medals are increased by +1 respectively.
When the first medal passing counter becomes "5", an input medal error occurs (an error occurs when the difference between the number of passed medals of the selector sensor 67 and the number of passed medals of sensors 1 and 2 reaches 5).
When the second counter for passing medals becomes "5", an input medal error occurs (an error occurs when the difference between the number of passed medals of the sensor 68c and the number of passed medals of the sensors 1 and 2 reaches 5 after passing).
Error detection based on the number of passed medals assumes the case where medals are continuously inserted. In this example, the selector sensor 67 and the sensor 68c after passing may continuously turn on the detection signal when medals are continuously inserted, whereas the sensors 1 and 2 detect each medal even if medals are continuously inserted. It is configured so that it can be done.
[Time point t7]
-While the sensor 68c is ON after passing, the sensor ON timer is incremented by 1 after passing.
When the sensor ON timer reaches a predetermined value (for example, the number of timer interrupts equivalent to 101 ms) after passing, an insertion medal error occurs (an error occurs because the continuous ON time of the sensor 68c after passing is excessive).
[Time point t8]
・ Clear the second counter for passing medals to 0.

Based on the above description, the transition and retention check process (S1101) will be described with reference to FIG. 31.
In FIG. 31, the CPU 80a executes a process of saving the values of all the registers to the register save area in the RAM 80c in step S1201, and executes a process of clearing the input error monitoring flag Fei in step S1202.

Here, the transition and retention check processing in step S1101 is a processing for taking measures against fraudulent activities, and the program and data for realizing the transition and retention check processing are the above-mentioned second memory area (the above-mentioned second memory area ( It is stored in FIGS. 13 and 14). Since the input error monitoring flag Fei in step S1202 is a flag (data) to be updated by the transition and retention check processing, the input error monitoring flag Fei is also set to the second memory area (R / of the second memory area). It is stored in the W area). In addition, the above-mentioned first monitoring timer, second monitoring timer, third monitoring timer, fourth monitoring timer, medal passing first counter, medal passing second counter, and post-passing sensor ON timer are also updated by transition and retention check processing. Since it is data to be stored, it is stored in a second memory area (also R / W area).

When the input error monitoring flag Fei is cleared in step S1202, the CPU 80a executes the sensor time monitoring process in step S1203. That is, the values of the first monitoring timer, the second monitoring timer, the third monitoring timer, the fourth monitoring timer, and the sensor ON timer after passing, which are the time-based input medal error detection conditions, reach the predetermined values described above, respectively. Determine if it has been done.
In the following step S1204, the CPU 80a determines whether or not there is an error based on the result of the monitoring process in step S1203. That is, it is determined whether or not any of the values of the first monitoring timer, the second monitoring timer, the third monitoring timer, the fourth monitoring timer, and the sensor ON timer after passing has reached the corresponding predetermined value.
If it is determined in step S1204 that an error occurs, the CPU 80a sets the input error monitoring flag Fei in step S1205 and proceeds to step S1206.
If it is determined that there is no error, the CPU 80a passes step S1205 and proceeds to step S1206.

In steps S1206 to S1209, processing for detecting a inserted medal error based on the order of ON / OFF state changes of the sensors 1 and 2 is performed.
In step S1206, the CPU 80a determines whether or not the detection signals input from the sensors 1 and 2 have changed. That is, it is determined whether or not the ON edge or the OFF edge is detected in the detection signal of either the sensor 1 or the sensor 2. If there is no change in the detection signals of the sensors 1 and 2, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1210 described later.

On the other hand, if there is a change in the detection signals of the sensors 1 and 2, the CPU 80a matches whether or not the order of change is normal in step S1207, that is, the order of "0", "1", "2", and "3" described above. Determine whether or not to do so. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the order of changing the ON / OFF state of the sensors 1 and 2 so far matches the order of "0"->"1"->"2"->"3".
If the order of change is normal, the CPU 80a passes the flag setting process of step S1209 and proceeds to step S1210.

On the other hand, if the order of change is not normal, the CPU 80a corresponds to the order of change "1"-> "0" ("0"-> "1"-> "0") in step S1208, that is, the order of the exceptions described above. Judge whether or not. If the order of change corresponds to "1" → "0", the CPU 80a passes the flag setting process of step S1209 and proceeds to step S1210. As a result, it is possible to prevent the ejection of medals from being mistakenly detected as an inserted medal error, and to ensure the appropriateness of the inserted medal error detection.

If the order of change does not correspond to "1" → "0" in step S1208, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1209, sets the input error monitoring flag Fei, and proceeds to step S1210.

In steps S121 to S1218, processing for detecting a medal error based on the values of the first medal passing counter and the second medal passing counter described above is performed.
First, in step S1210, the CPU 80a determines whether or not the detection signal of the selector sensor 67 is an OFF edge, and if it is an OFF edge, clears the value of the medal passing first counter to 0 in step S1211 and proceeds to step S1212. If it is not an OFF edge, the process passes step S1211 and proceeds to step S1212.

In step S1212, the CPU 80a determines whether or not the sensors 1 and 2 have passed normally. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the medal has normally passed the sensors 1 and 2 in terms of both the time element monitored in step S1203 and the order element monitored in step S1207.
Since the timing when the medal passes through the sensor 2 is the timing when the detection signal of the sensor 2 is turned OFF, the detection signal of the sensor 2 is turned OFF when it is determined in step S1212 that the medal has passed normally. It is only in the timer interrupt processing executed at the timing when it turns (OFF edge is detected).

If it is determined in step S1212 that the sensors 1 and 2 have passed normally, the CPU 80a increments (+1) the respective values of the medal passing first counter and the medal passing second counter in step S1213, and proceeds to step S1214. If it is determined that the sensors 1 and 2 have not passed normally, the process passes through step S1213 and proceeds to step S1214.

In step S1214, the CPU 80a determines whether or not the value of the medal passing first counter is 5 or more, and if it is not 5 or more (if it is 4 or less), the value of the medal passing second counter is 5 or more in step S1215. Is determined.
In steps S1214 and S1215, if the value of the medal passage first counter and the value of the medal passage second counter are 5 or more, the CPU 80a sets the insertion error monitoring flag Fei in step S1216, and proceeds to step S1217.
Further, if the value of the medal passing second counter is not 5 or more in step S1215, the CPU 80a passes step S1216 and proceeds to step S1217.

In step S1217, the CPU 80a determines whether or not the detection signal of the sensor 68c is the OFF edge after passing, and if it is the OFF edge, clears the value of the medal passing second counter to 0 in step S1218 and clears all the registers in step S1219. After executing the return processing of, the transition and retention check processing is completed. On the other hand, if the detection signal of the sensor 68c is not the OFF edge after passing, the CPU 80a passes step S1218, executes the return processing of all registers in step S1219, and finishes the transition and retention check processing.

The explanation returns to the medal insertion process (FIGS. 27 and 28).
After completing the transition and retention check processing in step S1101, the CPU 80a checks the state (ON / OFF state) of the input error monitoring flag Fei in step S1102. If the closing error monitoring flag Fei is ON, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1123 and sets the closing error flag Ferr (turns it ON). Then, in the following step S1124, the CPU 80a turns off the blocker solenoid and the "INSERT" LED (LED indicating permission / non-permission of medal insertion in the above-mentioned LED group 9) in response to the case where the insertion medal error occurs. (Update processing of the corresponding value in the work of the RAM 80c) is executed, and the medal insertion processing is completed.

Here, as understood from the above description, in the medal insertion process, a new insertion error flag Ferr is set based on the insertion error monitoring flag Fei set in the transition and retention check processing (program in the second memory area). It is set.
The processes other than the "transition and retention check process" in the medal insertion process do not correspond to the program for taking measures against fraudulent activities, and therefore the program for realizing these processes is stored in the first memory area. Has been done.
As described above, the program in the first memory area can refer to and update the data in the R / W area in the first memory area, but is stored in the R / W area in the second memory area. The data can only be referenced and updates are not permitted. That is, in the medal insertion process (excluding the transition and retention check process), it is possible to refer only to the insertion error monitoring flag Fei stored in the R / W area of the second memory area, but it is permitted until it is updated. Not done.
Therefore, in this example, based on the result of referring to the input error monitoring flag Fei stored in the R / W area of the second memory area in step S1102, the input error flag Ferr is set to R of the first memory area in step S1123. It is set in the / W area. That is, the program in the first memory area is set again as a flag that can be updated by itself.

The input error flag Ferr is referred to in determining whether or not an error is occurring by the program in the first memory area, such as step S901 in FIG. 25 and step S1001 in FIG. 26, and the error cancellation determination in FIG. 26. In the process, it is cleared (OFF) in step S1004 according to the cancellation of the error. As can be understood from this, regarding the error flag related to fraud detection, it is required that the program in the first memory area can be updated, and the processing in steps S1102 and S1123 described above is performed. Such a program in the first memory area realizes an updatable flag.

Here, since the storage capacity of the first memory area is finite, it is difficult to store all the programs in the first memory area in order to cope with the recent enhancement of the processing contents of the slot machine. In some cases, it is required that a predetermined type of program, especially a program for anti-fraud processing, be placed outside the area.
The slot machine of this example realizes the cooperation between the out-of-area flag and the in-area flag required by placing the anti-fraud processing program outside the area in this way, so that the anti-fraud processing program We are trying to cope with placing the. In other words, the realization of such flag linkage eliminates the need to place the program for fraud countermeasure processing in the first memory area, and expands the program capacity that can be stored in the area. , It is possible to enhance the processing contents by the program in the area.

By the way, as described above, after the error flag for the region (input error flag Ferr) is set by the program in the region (S1123), the error cancellation processing by the program in the region also responds to the detection of error cancellation. (S1004), but there is no process to clear the error monitoring flag for outside the area (input error monitoring flag Fei) in response to the detection of error cancellation.
Therefore, in the transition and retention check processing (FIG. 31) by the program outside the region, the error monitoring flag is cleared every time the processing is started (S1202). As a result, the appropriateness of error detection can be ensured.

In the above, the error flag related to the insertion error is illustrated as an example of the error flag related to fraud countermeasures, but other error flags such as main board error, RWM error, insertion medal error, no payout medal error, and payout sensor error, Similarly, regarding the error flags related to the unjust winning error, overflow error, and door opening error, the program in the second memory area sets the error monitoring flag in the R / W area of the second memory area according to the error detection. The corresponding error flag may be set in the R / W area of the first memory area based on the result that the program of the first memory area refers to the error monitoring flag.

The explanation is returned to FIG. 27 again.
When the insertion error monitoring flag Fei is OFF in step S1102, the CPU 80a updates the number of inserted medals (number of bets) and credit value according to the normal insertion of medals, and the max bet button by the processing after step S1103. The number of inserted sheets (number of bets) and the value of credits are updated according to the operation of 16.

At this time, the bet counter and the bet timer are used in the input processing (max bet processing) corresponding to the operation of the max bet button 16.
FIG. 32 is a timing chart showing an outline of the max bet processing of this example performed by using these bet counters and bet timers.
In the max bet process of this example, a predetermined value (the number of timer interrupts equivalent to 50 ms in this example) is set in the bet timer according to the fact that the max bet button 16 is turned on, and the value of the bet timer is consumed. When it becomes "0", the input process (+1) for setting the bet number is executed. The bet counter is a counter for defining the number of times the betting process is executed with the bet timer = 0 in this way. In this example, when the max bet button 16 is turned on, the bet counter value is set within the range allowed by the credit value. Specifically, if the credit value is "3" or more, "3" is set, and if the credit value is "2" or less, the same value as the credit value is set.
The max bet button 16 can be turned on even when the number of inserted sheets is "1" or more, and in that case, the inserted processing should not be performed as many times as the credit value allows (upper limit of the number of bets). = Because it is "3"). In the medal insertion process (S813) of this example, even if the value of the bet counter is set based only on the credit value as described above, the number of inserted sheets by the max bet process is devised so as not to exceed the upper limit of the number of bets. However, this will be described later.

Based on the above description, the processes after step S1103 in FIG. 27 will be described.
In step S1103, the CPU 80a determines whether or not the medal is being inserted, specifically, whether or not the medal is passing through either the sensor 1 or the sensor 2.
If the medal is being inserted, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1111 described later.

On the other hand, if the medal is not being inserted, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1104 and determines whether or not the value of the bet counter is "0". The bet counter value is set in step S1129 in response to the detection of the ON edge of the max bet button 16 in step S1128, which will be described later, and the bet counter value is set to "0" in step S1104. If it is not, it means that the max bet is being processed.

If the value of the bet counter is "0" in step S1104 (that is, the max bet process is not in progress), the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1111.
On the other hand, if the bet counter value is not "0" (if max bet processing is in progress), the CPU 80a decrements (-1) the bet timer value in step S1105, and the bet timer value is "0" in step S1106. It is determined whether or not it is. This corresponds to determining whether or not the input process (+1) should be executed according to the bet timer = "0".

If the value of the bet timer is "0", the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1107 to execute the process related to the input process.
Specifically, the CPU 80a first decrements the value of the bet counter in step S1107 (that is, consumes one input count).

Then, in the following step S1108, the CPU 80a determines whether or not the number of input sheets is "3". This corresponds to determining whether or not the input processing by the max bet is unnecessary. Specifically, due to the influence of medal insertion through the medal insertion slot 12, the number of insertion processing by max bet reaches "3" when the number of insertion processing by max bet is less than "3", so that the insertion processing by max bet becomes unnecessary. This is to determine whether or not this is the case.
Since the determination process of step S1108 is provided, it is permissible to set a value based only on the credit value (a value that does not consider the number of inserted sheets) as the value of the bet counter as described above.

If the number of input sheets is "3", the CPU 80a proceeds with the process in step S1111, which will be described later. That is, the input process by max bet (step S1110 described below) is not executed.
On the other hand, if the number of inserted sheets is not "3", the CPU 80a sets the bet timer in step S1109, and in the following step S1110, decrements the credit value (-1), increments the number of inserted sheets, and sets the input sound command. , Step S1111 proceeds with the process. The input sound command is a command for instructing the effect control board 42 side to output a sound effect to be output when a medal is inserted.

The processes of steps S1111 to S1118 are processes for controlling ON / OFF of the "INSERT" LED in the blocker solenoid 69 and the LED group 9 based on the results of performing various condition determinations.
First, the CPU 80a determines in step S1111 whether or not an error has occurred (whether or not at least one of various errors has occurred), and if an error has occurred, the blocker solenoid 69 and the "INSERT" LED are turned off in step S1118. (Process for updating the corresponding value in the work of RAM 82c) is executed. That is, depending on the occurrence of an error, the medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 12 are ejected from the medal ejection port 20, and the player is not permitted to insert medals by turning off the "INSERT" LED. Is notified (a state in which medal insertion is not permitted).

On the other hand, if no error is occurring, the CPU 80a confirms the enablement flag Fai (confirms ON / OFF) in step S1112. The insertable flag Fai is a flag that is turned on at the timing when the main processing side should start accepting medals and turned off based on the operation of the start lever 17 (see FIG. 19).
If the turnable flag Fai is OFF, the CPU 80a executes the process of step S1118 described above. That is, if the insertable flag Fai is OFF, the medal insertion is prohibited.

Further, if the insertable flag Fai is ON, the CPU 80a determines in step S1113 whether or not the medal is being paid out. Whether or not the payment is in progress can be determined by, for example, whether or not any of the payment request and the settlement request, which will be described later, is ON.
If the medal is being paid out, the CPU 80a executes the process of step S1118 described above to disallow the medal insertion, and if the medal is not being paid out, the process proceeds to step S1114.

In step S1114, the CPU 80a determines whether or not the bet is 3 (inserted number = "3") and the credit is 50. If there are 3 bets and 50 credits, the CPU 80a executes the process of step S1118 described above to disallow medal insertion, and if the medals are not being paid out, the process proceeds to step S1115.

In step S1115, the CPU 80a determines whether or not the state of 3 bets and 50 credits is obtained in consideration of the passing medals. Specifically, it is determined whether or not it is currently in the state of 2 bets and 50 credits, and it is determined in the previous step S1103 that a medal is being inserted (passing through either sensor 1 or sensor 2). .. This corresponds to determining whether or not either the sensor 1 or the sensor 2 is detecting a medal in the pre-reception state in which the reception of medals is prohibited when one more medal is taken in. To do.

In step S1115, if the number of bets is 3 and the number of credits is 50 in consideration of the passing medals, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1116 and performs a process for turning on the blocker solenoid 69 and the "INSERT" LED. Execute. That is, in this case, the insertion of medals is permitted.

On the other hand, when the number of bets is 3 and the number of credits is 50 in consideration of the passing medals, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1117, and performs a process for turning off the blocker solenoid 69 and turning on the "INSERT" LED. Execute. That is, if either the sensor 1 or the sensor 2 is detecting a medal before the medal acceptance is prohibited, the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 12 is ejected from the medal ejection port 20. Then, as the notification by the "INSERT" LED to the player, the notification that the medal insertion is permitted is performed.

Here, in the slot machine of this example, the processing is set so that the OFF of the blocker solenoid 69 and the invalidation of the reception of the max bet button 16 are linked. Specifically, in the storage medal settlement process (see S814 and FIG. 35) in the timer interrupt process, a process for turning off the max bet LED is executed when the blocker solenoid 69 is OFF (S1303 → S1307). ). Then, in response to the OFF of the Max Bet LED, the reception of the Max Bet button 16 is invalidated by the process of step S1125 (FIG. 28) described later. Specifically, since the process for confirming the ON edge detection of the max bet button 16 in step S1128 is passed, the operation reception of the max bet button 16 is invalidated.
As a result, in the slot machine of this example, when either the sensor 1 or the sensor 2 is detecting a medal before the medal acceptance is prohibited, the max bet button is linked to the OFF of the blocker solenoid 69. The operation reception of 16 is invalidated.

On the other hand, according to the processes of steps S1103 and S1115-S1117 described above, the sensor 1 and the sensor are in a state other than the state before the prohibition of acceptance of medals (a state other than the state of 2 bets and 50 credits). Regardless of whether any of 2 is detecting a medal, the blocker solenoid 69 is not turned off, and the operation reception of the max bet button 16 is not invalidated (however, during an error (S1111), the insertable flag Fai). = OFF (S1112), paying out (S1113), and medal acceptance prohibited state (S1114) are excluded). In other words, in a state other than the state before the prohibition of acceptance of medals, the operation acceptance of the max bet button 16 is not invalidated even if either the sensor 1 or the sensor 2 is detecting the medal.

As described above, in the slot machine of this example, when one of the sensors 1 and the sensor 2 is detecting a medal in the state before the acceptance prohibition in which the acceptance of the medal is prohibited when one more medal is taken in. Invalidates the operation reception of the max bet button 16, while in a state other than the state before the reception prohibition, even if either the sensor 1 or the sensor 2 is detecting a medal, the operation reception of the max bet button 16 is received. Is being processed so as not to invalidate.
If the operation reception of the max bet button 16 is enabled when either sensor 1 or sensor 2 is detecting medals in the state before the medals are prohibited, so-called medal swallowing (medals are not detected and returned). It may be taken in without being taken in).
In the slot machine of this example, the medals are prevented from being swallowed by the above processing.

In FIG. 27, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1119 shown in FIG. 28 in response to executing the process of step S1116, S1117 or S1118 described above.

The processes of steps S1119 to S1129 shown in FIG. 28 mainly increment the number of inserted medals or the value of credits according to the normal passage of medals, and the above-mentioned bet counter or bet timer according to the operation of the max bet button 16. This is the process for setting the value.

First, in step S1119, the CPU 80a determines whether or not the sensor 1 and the sensor 2 have normally passed. The process of step S1119 is the same as the process of step S1212 (FIG. 31) described above, and the determination of "normally passing" is the timing when it is detected that the detection signal of the sensor 2 has turned OFF. Only in the timer interrupt processing executed in. In other words, when it is determined in step S1119 that the medal has not "passed normally", the case where the medal is passing through either the sensor 1 or the sensor 2 is also included.

If it is determined in step S1119 that the sensors 1 and 2 have passed normally, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1120, confirms ON / OFF of the "INSERT" LED, and if the "INSERT" LED is OFF, the above description will be given. The process proceeds to step S1123 (FIG. 27). That is, in response to the case where it is determined in the previous step S1119 that the sensor 1 and the sensor 2 have passed normally but the input is not permitted, the input error flag Ferr is set. (S1123), the medal insertion is prohibited (S1124).

On the other hand, if the "INSERT" LED is ON, the CPU 80a increments the input number or credit value in step S1121 and executes a process of setting the input sound command. In step S1121, the value of the number of inserted sheets is incremented when the value of the number of inserted sheets is "2" or less, and the value of the credit value is incremented when the value of the number of inserted sheets is "3".

In the following step S1122, the CPU 80a executes the update process of the display LED data. That is, if the corresponding display LED data in the work of the RAM 82c, that is, the increment of the input number is incremented according to the increment of the input number or credit value in step S1121, the above-mentioned common 4 (insertion number display 1-3: FIG. The data to be set as common 2 and 3 is updated if the credit is incremented.
When the update process of step S1122 is executed, the CPU 80a finishes the medal insertion process (S813).

If the CPU 80a determines in step S1119 that the sensors 1 and 2 have not passed normally, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1125.
In step S1125, the CPU 80a confirms ON / OFF of the max bet LED, and if the max bet LED is OFF, the medal insertion process is completed. That is, as described above, the process (S1128) for confirming the ON edge detection of the Max Bet button 16 is not executed in conjunction with the OFF of the Max Bet LED, and the operation reception of the Max Bet button 16 is invalidated. Is.

On the other hand, if the max bet LED is ON, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1126 and determines whether or not the value of the number of inserted sheets is "3". If the value of the number of inserted sheets is "3", the CPU 80a finishes the medal insertion process. This is because if the value of the number of inserted sheets is "3", the max bet processing is unnecessary.

If the value of the number of inserted sheets is not "3", the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1127, determines whether or not the bet counter is "0", and ends the medal insertion process if the bet counter is not "0". .. If the bet counter is not "0", it means that the max bet process is in progress. In that case, the ON edge detection confirmation (S1128) of the max bet button 16 and the bet counter and the bet timer are set (S1129). Since no processing is required, the medal insertion process is completed by passing these processes.

If the bet counter is "0", the CPU 80a determines whether or not the ON edge of the max bet button 16 (the ON edge of the detection signal by the insertion switch on the storage medal insertion switch board 64 described above) is detected. If the ON edge of the max bet button 16 is not detected, the CPU 80a ends the medal insertion process.

On the other hand, if the ON edge of the max bet button 16 is detected, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1129 and executes a process of setting the bet counter and the bet timer if the credit can be inserted. Specifically, when the credit value is "2" or less, the same value as the credit value is set in the bet counter and the bet timer is set, and when the credit value is "3" or more, a bet is made. Set "3" to the counter and set the bet timer.
The CPU 80a finishes the medal insertion process in response to executing the process of step S1129.

When the bet counter and the bet timer are set in response to the ON operation of the max bet button 16 as described above, in the medal insertion process in the timer interrupt process executed thereafter, in the previous step S1104 (FIG. 27). It is determined that the bet counter is not "0", and the bet timer is consumed in step S1105. Then, in response to the bet timer becoming "0" (S1106), the processes after step S1107 described above are executed, and the credits are input (S1110: credits are -1, the number of inserted sheets is +1). Is realized.

Here, according to the medal insertion processing shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, in the slot machine of this example, the insertion of medals through the medal insertion slot 12 is permitted even during the max bet processing. This is clear from the fact that the number of inserted cards or credits can be incremented in step S1121 even when the bet counter is determined not to be "0" in step S1104.

In the medal insertion process of this example, when a medal is inserted during the max bet process, the max bet process is interrupted while either the sensor 1 or the sensor 2 is detecting the medal, and the medal is inserted. The max bet process is restarted after it is determined that the bet has been normally inserted. Further, when the number of inserted sheets reaches "3" (predetermined number) during the interruption of the max bet processing, the max bet processing is terminated.

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram of an operation when a medal is inserted during the max bet process.
In FIG. 33, immediately after one bet is placed (the value of the bet counter is consumed by “1”) during the max bet processing in which the bet counter = “3” is set when the number of inserted sheets = “0”. The operation when the medal insertion is detected (either the sensor 1 or the sensor 2 detects the medal) is illustrated.

While the medal inserted through the medal insertion slot 12 is detected by either the sensor 1 or the sensor 2, it is determined in step S1103 shown in FIG. 27 that the medal is being inserted. Therefore, the processes of steps S1105 to S1110 are performed. Is not executed and the bet timer value and bet counter value are not consumed. That is, the max bet process is interrupted. In the example of FIG. 33, it is shown that the subtraction of the bet timer is interrupted during the period during which the medal is passing immediately after betting for one bet.

When the medals have passed through the sensors 1 and 2, the bet timer subtraction is restarted (S1105), and when the bet timer = "0" (S1106), the bet counter value is subtracted (S1107) and the number of inserted sheets is ". If it does not reach "3" (S1108), the bet timer is set (S1109) and then the credit is inserted (S1110).

At this time, after the max bet processing is restarted by resuming the subtraction of the bet timer, the number of inserted sheets may reach "3" even though the value of the bet counter has not reached "0". Specifically, in the example of FIG. 33, the medal is inserted via the medal insertion slot 12 between the first and second insertions by the max bet processing, so that the second insertion is performed. At the time of this, the number of inserted sheets reaches "3" even though the value of the bet counter has not reached "0".
In such a case, in the medal insertion process shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, at the start timing of inserting the second card, that is, at the timing when the bet timer = "0" with the bet counter = "2". After transitioning from step S1106 to S1107 and reducing the bet counter to "1", it is determined in S1108 that the number of inserted sheets is not "3" (at this point, the number of inserted sheets = "2"), and the bet timer in S1109. Is set, and in step S1110, the credit is input (the number of input reaches "3").
After the next timer interrupt, the value of the bet timer is gradually consumed by the process of step S1105 in the state where the bet counter = "1" and the number of inserted sheets is "3". Then, when the bet timer = "0" is consumed, the process transitions from step S1106 to S1107, the bet counter is reduced from "1" to "0", and the number of inserted sheets = "3" is determined in S1108. To. That is, the input from the credit (S1110) is not executed.

As a result of the above processing, after the second bet is inserted by the max bet process (insertion number = "3" is inserted), as shown in FIG. 33, the bet set according to the second bet is inserted. Although the timer is consumed, the number of inserted sheets is not added even if the bet timer reaches "0".

Further, according to the medal insertion process shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, if the number of inserted sheets = "3" while the max bet process is interrupted due to the medal insertion, the max bet process is completed. ..
This point will be described by taking as an example a case where one medal is normally inserted with the number of inserted medals = "2", the bet counter = "1", and the bet timer ≠ "0".
First, when the medals are normally inserted (S1119), the number of inserted medals = "3" by the process of step S1121. In the subsequent timer interrupt, since it is not determined that the medal is being inserted (S1103), the bet timer is consumed (S1105). Then, when the bet timer = "0", the process transitions from S1106 to S1107, and the bet counter changes from "1" to "0". In this case, since it is determined in step S1108 that the number of inserted sheets = "3", the bet timer is not set (S1109) and the input from the credit (S1110) is not performed.
Further, in the timer interrupt after that, since the bet counter = "0" is determined in step S1104, the processing of steps S1105 to S1110 is not performed, and the max bet processing ends.

Here, as can be understood from the above description, in the slot machine of this example, the medal insertion acceptance via the medal insertion slot 12 is valid even during the max bet processing, and either of the sensors 1 and 2 is enabled. If a medal is being detected, the max bet process is interrupted, the max bet process is restarted after it is determined that the medal has been inserted, and the number of inserted sheets is a predetermined number (“3”” during the interruption of the max bet process. ) Is reached, the max bet processing is terminated.
This prevents the medals from being swallowed.

Further, according to the medal insertion process shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, in the slot machine of this example, the operation of the max bet button 16 is accepted even during the insertion of medals through the medal insertion slot 12.
This is clear from the fact that the ON edge detection confirmation process in step S1129 can be performed even when it is determined in step S1103 that the medal is passing through any of the sensors 1 and 2.

In the medal insertion process of this example, when the max bet button 16 is operated during the medal insertion, the max bet process is performed after it is determined that the medal has been inserted normally.

FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram of an operation when the max bet button is operated during medal insertion.
In addition, in FIG. 34, it is assumed that the medals are inserted in the state where the number of inserted medals = “0”.

First, when a medal is passing through either of the sensors 1 and 2, in the medal insertion process shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the process transitions from step S1103 to S1111. Therefore, the max bet button 16 is set in step S1128. Even if the ON edge of is confirmed, the initial setting at the time of max bet operation in step S1129 is executed, but the processes of steps S1106 to S1110 are not executed and the max bet process is not started (the bet set in step S1129). The timer is not consumed).
If it is determined in step S1119 that the medals have passed normally from this state, the number of inserted medals is added (S1121), and the number of medals is changed from “0” to “1”. Then, in the timer interrupt from the next time onward, it is determined in step S1103 that the medal is not being inserted due to the passage of the inserted medal, so that the bet timer consumption (S1105) is started. That is, the max bet process is started.

After that, by the started max bet processing, the bet counter is subtracted (S1107), the bet timer is set (S1109), and the credit is input (S1110) at the timing of the bet timer = "0". When the number of inserted sheets reaches "3" as in the above, the input from the credit is not performed by the process of step S1108.
In this case, the value of the bet counter reaches "1" in step S1107, and the second insertion is performed as the insertion from the credit in step S1110, so that the number of insertions reaches "3". In such a case, as described above, according to the processes shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the bet timer set in response to the second insertion is consumed, but the bet timer is "0". Even if it reaches, the number of input sheets is not added.

In the slot machine of this example, the operation of the max bet button 16 is accepted during the medal insertion as described above, and further, when the max bet button 16 is operated while either the sensor 1 or 2 is detecting the medal. Is set to perform the max bet process after it is determined that the medal has been normally inserted.
This prevents the medals from being swallowed.

[11-5. Settlement process for stored medals]
FIG. 35 is a flowchart of the storage medal settlement process (S814).
As described above, the settlement process of the stored medals is a process for turning on the settlement request by determining various conditions such as whether or not the settlement button 14 is operated.
In FIG. 35, the CPU 80a determines in step S1301 whether or not the settlement button valid flag Fas is ON. The settlement button valid flag Fas is a flag that is turned on at the timing when the reception of the credit settlement button 14 should be enabled on the main processing side described above, and is turned off based on the operation of the start lever 17 (see FIG. 19).
If the settlement button valid flag Fas is not ON, the CPU 80a finishes the settlement process of the stored medals.

On the other hand, if the settlement button valid flag Fas is ON, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1302. The processes of steps S1302 to S1307 are processes for controlling ON / OFF of the Maxbet LED according to various condition determinations.
First, in step S1302, the CPU 80a confirms ON / OFF of the max bet button 16, and if the max bet button 16 is ON, executes a process for turning off the max bet LED in step S1307. That is, the max bet LED is turned off while the max bet button 16 is pressed.

In the above description, it was mentioned that the operation of the max bet button 16 is invalidated according to the max bet LED = OFF (see S1125), but as can be seen with reference to FIG. 24, the timer interrupt processing Then, since the medal insertion process is executed before the settlement process of the stored medals, when the max bet button 16 is operated, the max bet LED is turned off in S1307 before the max bet LED is turned off in S1128. The ON edge detection of the bet button 16 is confirmed. Therefore, even if the process is transitioned from S1302 to S1307 as described above, there is no problem in starting the max bet process in response to the operation of the max bet button 16.

When the max bet button 16 is OFF in step S1302, the CPU 80a confirms ON / OFF of the blocker solenoid 69 in step S1303, and if the blocker solenoid 69 is OFF, the MAX bet LED is turned off in step S1307 described above. Execute. As described in FIG. 27 (medal insertion process) above, the blocker solenoid 69 has 3 bets and 50 credits (S1117), taking into account the fact that the blocker solenoid 69 is being inserted, when various errors occur, and when the insertable flag Fai is OFF. , When paying out, when there are 3 bets and 50 medals (S1118), and when there is an insertion error (S1124), the max bet LED is turned off (that is, the operation of the max bet button 16). The reception is invalid).

When the blocker solenoid 69 is ON in step S1303, the CPU 80a determines whether or not the credit = "0" in step S1304, and if the credit = "0", executes the OFF process of the max bet LED in step S1307. .. That is, if the number of credits is 0, there is nothing to insert, so the operation reception of the max bet button 16 is invalidated.

If the credit = "0" in step S1304, the CPU 80a determines in step S1305 whether or not the number of inserted sheets = "3", and if the number of inserted sheets = "3", the max bet LED in step S1307 is turned off. Execute. That is, when the number of inserted sheets reaches the maximum number of inserted sheets, the operation reception of the max bet button 16 is invalidated.

If the number of input sheets is not "3" in step S1305, the CPU 80a executes a process for turning on the max bet LED in step S1306. That is, when each of the conditions of steps S1302 to S1305 is satisfied, the operation reception of the max bet button 16 is enabled.

The CPU 80a proceeds to step S1308 in response to executing the process of step S1306 or S1307. Each of the determination processes in steps S1308 to S1315 is various condition determination processes for whether or not to turn on the settlement request.
First, in step S1308, the CPU 80a determines whether or not an error has occurred, and if an error has occurred, the CPU 80a ends the settlement process of the stored medals. That is, during the error, the settlement button ON / OFF determination process in step S1312 and the settlement request ON process in step S1316 are not executed, so that the settlement button 14 is invalidated and the settlement is not permitted.

On the other hand, if no error is occurring, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1309 and determines whether or not the medal is being inserted (determination of whether or not the sensor 1 or 2 is being passed as in the previous step S1103). If the medal is being inserted, the settlement process of the stored medal is completed. That is, when any of the sensors 1 and 2 is detecting a medal, the settlement button 14 is invalidated.

Here, if any of the sensors 1 and 2 is detecting medals and the medal settlement process (medal payout process according to the checkout request) is started, the number of medals to be paid out is being detected. There is a risk that the detected medal will be swallowed by inducing a situation in which it is uncertain whether or not the medal is included.
Therefore, in the slot machine of this example, when either the sensor 1 or 2 is detecting a medal as described above, the settlement button 14 is invalidated to prevent the medal from being swallowed.

When the CPU 80a determines in step S1309 that the medal is not being inserted, whether or not the bet counter ≠ "0" in step S1310, that is, the medal insertion process shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 is in the process of max betting. Judge whether or not.
If the bet counter ≠ “0” in step S1310, the CPU 80a finishes the settlement process of the stored medals. That is, the settlement button 14 is invalidated when the max bet process is being executed.

Here, if the medal settlement process is executed while the max bet process is being executed, it induces a situation in which it is uncertain whether or not the number of medals to be paid out includes the medals inserted in the max bet process. There is a risk of swallowing medals.
Therefore, in the slot machine of this example, the settlement button 14 is invalidated when the max bet process is being executed as described above to prevent the medals from being swallowed.

If it is determined in step S1310 that the bet counter ≠ "0", the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1311 and determines whether or not the payout (settlement) is in progress. Whether or not the payout is in progress can be determined by whether or not the payout control signal whose ON / OFF is managed in the medal payout process (S806: see FIG. 36) described later is ON.
If it is determined in step S1311, that the payout is in progress, the CPU 80a finishes the settlement process of the stored medals. That is, the settlement button 14 is invalidated, and the settlement is not permitted.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1311 that the payout is not in progress, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1312 to determine whether or not the settlement button 14 is ON, and if the settlement button 14 is not ON, the settlement process of the stored medal is completed.

If the settlement button 14 is ON, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1313 to determine whether or not the credit is ≠ "0", and if the credit is not ≠ "0", the CPU 80a determines whether or not the game is being replayed in step S1314. , If the game is being replayed, the settlement process of the stored medals is completed. That is, when the credit = "0" and the game is being replayed (that is, the actual number of inserted medals = "0"), it means that the number of medals to be paid out is "0", so the settlement button 14 is turned on. Even if it is said, the settlement request is not turned on.

Further, if the replay is not in progress in step S1314, the CPU 80a determines in step S1315 whether or not the number of inserted medals = "0", and if the number of inserted medals = "0", the settlement process of the stored medals is completed.

In each of the case where the number of input sheets is not "0" in step S1315 and the case where the credit ≠ "0" in the previous step S1313, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1316 and turns on the settlement request.
Then, in the following step S1317, the settlement command is set, and the settlement process of the stored medals is completed. The settlement command is a command for notifying the effect control board 42 side that at least the payment by settlement is performed.

[11-6. Medal payout process]
FIG. 36 is a flowchart of the medal payout process (S806).
The medal payout process is a process for driving and controlling the payout motor 75 in the medal payout device 5 in response to the above-mentioned payout request (request for medal payout by winning a prize: see FIG. 23) or a settlement request.

In FIG. 36, the CPU 80a determines in step S1401 whether or not the timer passing through the medal sensor = “0”. The medal sensor passing timer is a timer that measures the time for detecting the error that the medal payout sensor 76 keeps turning on, and is described later in step S1412 according to the change of the medal payout sensor 76 to ON. The predetermined value is set with. The initial value of the medal sensor passing timer is "0", and therefore, before the payout motor 75 is driven in response to the payout request or the settlement request, the medal sensor passing timer = "0".

If the medal sensor passing timer = "0", the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1402 to determine whether or not the payout request or settlement request is ON, and if the payout request or settlement request is ON, in step S1403. Determine if an error is occurring (other than a door error). That is, it is determined whether or not any of the various errors other than the door error is occurring.
If it is determined in step S1403 that no error is occurring, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1405 and confirms ON / OFF of the medal payout sensor 76. When it is determined that the payout request or the settlement request is ON, the medal payout sensor 76 is OFF because the payout control signal (signal instructing the drive of the payout motor 75) to be described later is not yet turned ON. Is.

If the medal payout sensor 76 is OFF in step S1405, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1406 and confirms ON / OFF of the payout busy flag Fbe. Since the payout busy flag Fbe is a flag that is turned on in conjunction with the ON of the payout control signal (see step S1407), the payout busy flag Fbe is OFF in the timer interrupt immediately after the payout request or the settlement request is changed to ON. ..

When the payout busy flag Fbe is OFF in step S1406, the CPU 80a turns on the payout control signal and turns on the payout busy flag Fbe in step S1407. Then, in the following step S1408, a predetermined value (in this example, the number of timer interrupts corresponding to 2.5 seconds) is set in the timer without the hopper medal, and the process proceeds to step S1409.
The hopper medal-less timer is a timer for measuring the time during which the payout control signal is turned on and the payout motor 75 is driven but the medal is not paid out, and the medal is placed in the medal tank 5a. It functions as a timer to detect the absence. Specifically, as will be described below, an error without a payout medal is set when the value of the hopper medalless timer is consumed up to "0" (see step S1411).

If the payout busy flag is ON in step S1406, the CPU 80a passes the above steps S1407 and S1408 and proceeds to step S1409.

In step S1409, the CPU 80a decrements (-1) the value of the hopper medalless timer, and in the following step S1410, determines whether or not the hopper medalless timer = "0". If the timer without hopper medal = "0", the CPU 80a finishes the medal payout process.
On the other hand, if the hopper medalless timer = "0", the CPU 80a sets the payout medalless error in step S1411.

In response to setting the payout medal no error in step S1411, the CPU 80a turns off the payout control signal in step S1426, turns off the payout busy flag Fbe in step S1427, and clears the medal sensor passing timer in step S1428. And finish the medal payout process.
In the medal payout process executed by the timer interrupt after the payout medal no error is set, the process goes through steps S1401 → S1402 → S1403, and it is determined in S1403 that an error is occurring. Therefore, the CPU 80a is in step S1404. Check the ON / OFF of the payout busy flag Fbe with. Since the payout busy flag Fbe is turned OFF (S1427) in response to the setting of the payout medal no error as described above, the payout busy flag Fbe is determined to be OFF in step S1404, and the process proceeds to step S1426. .. As can be understood from this point, after the payout medal no error is set, the process for driving the payout motor 75 is passed, and the medal payout process is stopped.
If the payout busy flag Fbe is ON in step S1404, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1405 described above.

In the above, it has been explained that the payout control signal is turned ON (S1407) in response to the payout request or the settlement request, but when one medal is paid out by the payout motor 75 in response to the payout control signal ON, the medal is paid out. The sensor 76 is turned on.
If it is determined in step S1405 that the medal payout sensor 76 is ON, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1412, sets a predetermined value (in this example, the number of timer interrupts equivalent to 98.34 ms) in the timer passing through the medal sensor, and steps S1413. Proceed to.
In step S1413, the CPU 80a confirms ON / OFF of the medal payout sensor 76 (that is, confirms whether the payout medal is passing / completed passing the sensor), and if the medal payout sensor 76 is ON (passing), the process proceeds to step S1423. To proceed.

Here, by setting a predetermined value in the medal sensor passing timer, in the medal payout process executed by the subsequent timer interrupt, it is determined in the previous step S1401 that the medal sensor passing timer is not "0". The process proceeds to step S1413. At this time, if the medal payout sensor 76 continues to be ON, the process proceeds to step S1423.

The processes of steps S1423 to S1425 are processes for detecting an error in which the medal payout sensor 76 continues to be ON for a predetermined time or longer.
Specifically, in step S1423, the CPU 80a decrements (-1) the value of the medal sensor passing timer, and in the following step S1424, determines whether or not the medal sensor passing timer = "0". If the medal sensor passing timer = "0", the payout sensor error is set in step S1425, and the process proceeds to step S1426 described above.
In this case as well, the flow of processing after the error is set is the same as the flow after the error without payout medal is set, so duplicate explanation is avoided.

On the other hand, if the timer passing through the medal sensor is not "0", the CPU 80a finishes the medal payout process. That is, while the ON duration of the medal payout sensor 76 is within the normal range, the error set process of step S1425 is not executed, and in the next timer interrupt, if the medal payout sensor 76 continues to be ON, the process is S1401. → S1413 → S1423 → S1424, and it is determined again whether or not the value of the timer passing through the medal sensor after subtraction is “0”. According to the flow of such processing, the ON duration (time detected as passing the medal) of the medal payout sensor 76 is monitored.

When there is no abnormality in the medal payout sensor 76 and the payout medal has passed through the medal payout sensor 76, it is confirmed in the previous step S1413 that the medal payout sensor 76 is OFF, and the process proceeds to step S1414.
The processes of steps S1414 to S1421 are processes for updating the value to be updated according to the payout of medals, corresponding to the case where the request type is a payout request and the case where the request is a settlement request.
First, in step S1414, the CPU 80a determines whether or not the request confirmed in step S1402 is a payout request. If it is a payout request, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1415, and if it is not a payout request (that is, if it is a settlement request), it proceeds to step S1418.

In step S1415, the CPU 80a increments the value of the payout signal counter, increments the value of the payout display number, and decrements the value of the winning number. The processing of incrementing the value of the payout signal counter, incrementing the value of the number of payout display sheets, and decrementing the value of the number of winning sheets is the same as the processing of steps S707, S708, and S710 in FIG. 23 above. Therefore, avoid duplicate explanations.

In response to the execution of the process of step S1415, the CPU 80a determines in step S1416 whether or not the payout is completed. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the number of winnings = "0".
If the payout is not completed, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1420 to determine whether or not an error is occurring (other than a door error). After clearing 0, the medal payout process is completed.
When one medal is paid out and the corresponding value is updated in this way, the payout busy flag Fbe is turned off and the timer passing through the medal sensor is cleared. As a result, in the next timer interrupt, the process proceeds in steps S1401 → S1402 → S1403 → S1405 → S1406, the payout busy flag Fbe is determined to be OFF in the S1406, and the payout control signal and the payout busy flag Fbe are turned ON in S1407. Will be done. As a result, the payout of medals and the update of the corresponding value in step S1415 are repeated until the number of winnings = "0".

If it is determined in step S1420 that an error is occurring, the process proceeds to step S1426. Since the processing flow after proceeding to step S1426 according to the error being in progress has already been explained, duplicate explanations will be avoided.

On the other hand, if the payout is completed in step S1416, the CPU 80a turns off the payout request in step S1417 and proceeds to step S1426.
Since the payout request is turned off and the process proceeds to step S1426 in this way, in the next timer interrupt, the process proceeds from step S1401 to S1402, and it is determined in step S1402 that the payout request or the settlement request is not ON. Then, the CPU 80a proceeds with the process in step S1422, and confirms ON / OFF of the medal payout sensor 76.
If the medal payout sensor 76 is ON in step S1422 (that is, the medal payout sensor 76 is ON even though the payout request and the settlement request are OFF), the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1425 to set the payout sensor error. , Step S1426 proceeds with the process.
On the other hand, when the medal payout sensor 76 is OFF in step S1422, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1426 without setting the payout sensor error. That is, in this case, in the timer interrupt from the next time onward, the processing is executed in steps S1401 → S1402 → S1422 → S1426 to S1428 until the payout request or the settlement request is turned ON.

Further, when it is determined in the previous step S1414 that the payment request is not made (that is, when it is determined that the payment request is made), the CPU 80a decrements (-1) the value of the credit or the number of inserted sheets in the step S1418. That is, for example, if the number of inserted sheets ≠ "0", the value of the number of inserted sheets is decremented, and if the number of inserted sheets = "0", the value of the credit is decremented.
Since the number of input sheets due to the re-game is not subject to settlement, the number of input sheets is not decremented after the re-game even if the number of input sheets is ≠ "0".

In the following step S1419, the CPU 80a determines whether or not the settlement has been completed, that is, whether or not the settlement of the number of medals that can be settled has been completed. If the settlement is not completed, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1420 described above. Since the flow of each process when it is determined in step S1420 that an error is occurring or when it is determined that an error is not occurring has already been explained, duplicate explanation is avoided. If it is not determined in S1420 that an error is occurring, in the case of a settlement request, the payout of medals and the update of the corresponding value in step S1418 are repeated until the settlement is completed.

When it is determined in step S1419 that the settlement is completed, the CPU 80a turns off the settlement request in step S1421 and sets the settlement end command, and proceeds to the process in step S1426. That is, even when the payout by settlement is completed, the processing is subsequently executed in steps S1401 → S1402 → S1422 → S1426 to S1428 until the payout request or the settlement request is turned ON.
The settlement end command is a command for notifying the effect control board 42 side that at least the payout process by settlement has been completed.

[11-7. Rotation control process]
FIG. 37 is a flowchart of the rotation control process (S815) in the timer interrupt process.
First, prior to the explanation of the specific processing contents, various flags indicating the status of the rotary reel 4 used in the rotating cylinder control processing will be described. Specifically, there are the following seven flags.
-Start request flag Frr
-Starting flag FG1
・ Sensor not passed flag Fmt
・ Rotating flag FG2
-Stop request flag Frs
・ First stop processing flag FG3
-Second stop processing flag FG4
These seven flags are provided for each rotary reel 4, and the CPU 80a can grasp the status of each rotary reel 4.

FIG. 38 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the status related to the rotation / stop of the rotary reel 4 and the various flags.
First, the start request flag Frr in the figure is set on the main processing side described above in response to the start lever 17 being turned on (see FIGS. 19 and 20). When the start request flag Frr is set on the main processing side, the start flag FG1 is set by the subsequent timer interrupt (S1502), and the start rotation of the rotary reel 4 is started.
In this example, the start-up rotation (acceleration rotation) of the rotary reel 4 is performed for a time specified in the start-up timetable described later, and when the start-up rotation is completed, the rotary reel 4 maintains a constant speed rotation (constant rotation described above). The rotating flag FG2 is set according to the end of the start rotation (S1507). The rotating flag FG2 functions as a flag indicating whether or not the rotating reel 4 is in the status after starting constant speed rotation.

The sensor non-passing flag Fmt is a flag set together with the start request flag Frr on the main processing side in response to the start lever 17 being turned ON, and the sensor non-passing flag Fmt is in the set state after activation. Indicates that the origin position 101 of the rotary reel 4 in the above has not passed the corresponding index sensor 55. When the origin position 101 of the rotary reel 4 after startup passes through the corresponding index sensor 55, the sensor non-passing flag Fmt is cleared (set to "0"), and the current symbol position by the symbol counter and the step counter is set accordingly. , The counting of the number of symbol steps is started (S1510, S1511), respectively.

The stop request flag Frs is a flag set on the main processing side in response to the operation of the stop button 18 (see FIGS. 20 and 21). Specifically, the stop request flag Frs is set to the corresponding rotary reel 4 (rotation in which the stop button 18 is operated) after the number of sliding frames is determined according to the operation of the stop button 18 (S604) as described above. The reel 4) is set (S606) in response to reaching the stop symbol (S605).

The first stop processing flag FG3 is a flag that is set after the stop request flag Frs is set (that is, after the stop symbol is reached) and when a predetermined stop step condition is satisfied. Specifically, in this example, the first stop processing flag FG3 is conditioned on the condition that the current symbol step position is 7 (the above-mentioned stop permission step position) or less and the excitation state of the stepping motor 54 is a two-phase excitation state. Is set as (S1517 to S1519).
In this example, when the current symbol step position reaches the stop permission step position, the brake control by turning on all phases is not immediately started, and the two-phase ON hold state corresponding to the predetermined number of timer interrupts is set. After maintaining it, brake control by turning on all phases is started. As a result, the rotary reel 4 is stopped smoothly. Specifically, it is possible to prevent unnatural operation such as the rotary reel 4 becoming stuttered at the initial stage of stopping.

The second stop processing flag FG4 is a flag set in response to the completion of the above-mentioned two-phase ON hold (S1523). When the second stop processing flag FG4 is set, the brake control by turning on all phases of the corresponding stepping motor 54 is started (S1524). This all-phase ON state is continued for a predetermined time, after which the excitation state of the stepping motor 54 transitions to the all-phase OFF state.
In this example, the start request flag Frr excluding the sensor non-passing flag Fmt, the start flag FG1, the rotating flag FG2, the stop request flag Frs, the first stop processing flag FG3, and the second stop processing flag FG4 Each flag of is cleared all at once at the timing when the above-mentioned all-phase OFF is started (see S1529).

Based on the above description, the rotation control process of FIG. 37 will be described.
First, the CPU 80a confirms the status of the target reel (rotating reel 4 to be processed) in step S1501. That is, the status of the target reel is the start request state (start request flag Frr = "1"), the start state (starting flag FG1 = "1"), the rotating state (rotating flag FG2 = "1"), and the first. 1 Stop processing state (1st stop processing flag FG3 = "1"), 2nd stop processing state (2nd stop processing flag FG4 = "1"), or all flags are OFF. Check if.
Specifically, in step S1501, whether or not the flag = "1" in the order of the second stop processing flag FG4, the first stop processing flag FG3, the rotating flag FG2, the starting flag FG1, and the starting request flag Frr. Are sequentially determined, and when the determination is "1", the status corresponding to the flag determined to be "1" is set as the current status. Alternatively, if the last determined activation request flag Frr is "0", a determination result is obtained that the status corresponds to the status of all flags OFF.

Here, in this example, regarding the determination of the status from the start of the rotating cylinder to the second stop processing, the flags are confirmed in the reverse order of the processing order from the start processing to the second stop processing as described above. The status corresponding to the flag confirmed to be ON is determined as the current status.
As a status determination method, for example, a method of confirming whether or not only the target flag is "1" (for example, determining whether or not it is in the activation state is determined by only the activation flag FG2 is "1". However, in that case, it is necessary to clear the flag of the previous status according to the transition of the status. According to the above-mentioned status determination method, there is an advantage that the sequential clearing process of the previous status flag corresponding to such a status transition can be omitted.

If all flags are OFF in step S1501, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1533 to set all-phase OFF data as excitation data φ1 to φ4, and sets the excitation data φ1 to φ4 in the output buffer in step S1531. Then, the process proceeds to step S1532, which will be described later. That is, the stepping motor 54 is maintained in the OFF state for the rotary reel 4 in the status of all flags OFF.

Further, in step S1501, if the status of the target reel is the activation request state (in the figure, the activation request flag = "1"), the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1502 to set the activation flag FG1 and clear the symbol counter. Then, the process proceeds to step S1505.

In step S1505, the CPU 80a sets the value of the phase update timer based on the startup timetable. The start-up time table is a table that stores time information for realizing the start-up rotation of the rotary reel 4.

FIG. 39 shows an example of a startup timetable.
As shown in the figure, the start-up time table is set as table information in which timer values to be set in the phase update timer are stored for each index value. The CPU 80a sequentially acquires timer values in ascending order of index values (acquired each time the phase update timer value becomes "0": refer to S1504), and sets the acquired timer values in the phase update timer. The initial value of the index value is "0".

In FIG. 37, the process of step S1505 is a process of acquiring the corresponding timer value from the start time table according to the current index value of the target reel and setting the acquired timer value in the phase update timer.

Here, the value of the phase update timer is set after the timer value corresponding to the index = "0" is set from the startup timetable in step S1505 after the startup flag FG1 is set in step S1502 as described above. It is decremented in step S1503. That is, the phase update timer value is sequentially decremented for each timer interrupt.
As can be understood from this point, the timer value stored in the start-up time table represents the time information in the timer interrupt unit (1.49 ms unit in this example).

In the start-up time table, the time information in such timer interrupt units stored for each index functions as information that defines the maintenance time of each of the two-phase excitation state and the one-phase excitation state of the stepping motor 54 at the time of start-up. ..
Specifically, as described with reference to FIG. 11 above, the stepping motor 54 of this example is driven by 1-2 phase excitation, and the specific excitation mode is an excitation pointer (excitation phase pointer). ) It is indicated cyclically by the value of PT. As will be clarified later, the value of the excitation pointer PT is a timer interrupt in which the activation flag FG1 is turned ON in step S1502 (that is, "1" corresponding to the index = "0" in the activation timetable in step S1505. In the timer interrupt in which is set), the value for one-phase excitation (any of 1, 3, 5, and 7) is first set in steps S1530 and S1531. After that, in the timer interrupt during startup (starting flag FG1 is ON), the value of the excitation pointer PT is sent to the next value every time the value of the phase update timer becomes "0" in step S1504 (S1530). .. That is, every time the value of the phase update timer becomes "0" in step S1504, the excitation data φ1 to φ4 are alternately set as data for 2-phase excitation → data for 1-phase excitation → data for 2-phase excitation. Will be done.

As can be understood from this point, the timer value corresponding to the even index (including "0") in the startup timetable represents the maintenance time of the one-phase excitation state, and the timer value corresponding to the odd index is It represents the maintenance time of the two-phase excited state.

In FIG. 37, the CPU 80a determines in step S1506 whether or not the phase update timer value = “0” in response to the execution of the timer value setting process in step S1505. This corresponds to determining whether or not the timer value set in the immediately preceding step S1505 is "0".
In the start-up timetable of this example, "0" is stored as a timer value corresponding to the final index ("19" in this example), and the "0" indicates the end of the start-up process. Therefore, when the index value reaches "19" and the timer value set in step S1505 becomes "0", it is determined in step S1506 immediately after that that the phase update timer value = "0".
When it is determined in step S1506 that the phase update timer value = "0", the CPU 80a sets the rotating flag FG2 in step S1507 and proceeds to step S1508.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1506 that the phase update timer value is not "0", the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1530, increments (+1) the excitation pointer PT, and acquires excitation data φ1 to φ4 corresponding to the excitation pointer PT. In the subsequent step S1531, the excitation data φ1 to φ4 are set in the output buffer.
By increasing the excitation pointer PT by +1 in step S1530, the excitation state at startup can be started from the one-phase excitation state (as described later, in this example, the excitation pointer PT at stop is changed to the two-phase excitation state. Because it is considered to be the corresponding value).

In response to the execution of the setting processing of the excitation data φ1 to φ4 in step S1531, the CPU 80a determines in step S1532 whether or not all reels are finished. That is, in this timer interrupt, it is determined whether or not the processing from step S1501 has been executed for all the rotating reels 4 (4a to 4c). If not all reels are finished, the CPU 80a sets the target reel to the next rotating reel 4 and returns to step S1501. If all reels are finished, the rotating cylinder control process is finished.

According to the processing flow described above, the activation flag FG1 was turned ON in response to the activation request flag Frr ON, and the timer value corresponding to the start timetable index = "0" was set in the phase update timer in step S1505. In the timer interrupt, the excitation data φ1 to φ4 corresponding to the one-phase excitation are set, and the activation of the target reel is started from the one-phase excitation state.

In the timer interrupt immediately after the start-up flag FG1 is turned ON, it is confirmed in the status confirmation process of step S1501 that the start-up state is in progress, and the process proceeds to step S1503. In step S1503, the CPU 80a decrements (-1) the value of the phase update timer, and in the subsequent step S1504, determines whether or not the phase update timer value = "0".
Since the phase update timer value = "1" is set in the timer interrupt in which the activation flag FG1 is turned ON, it is determined in step S1504 that the phase update timer value = "0" in the timer interrupt immediately after that.
When it is determined in step S1504 that the phase update timer value = "0", the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1505 described above. As a result, the timer value corresponding to the value of the next index in the start-up time table is newly set in the phase update timer.

In the following step S1505, it is determined whether or not the timer value set in S1505 is "0" as described above, and if it is not "0", the process proceeds to step S1530 as described above. As a result, in the timer interrupt immediately after the activation flag FG1 is turned on, the excitation state of the stepping motor 54 is changed from the one-phase excitation state to the two-phase excitation state.

Further, in the subsequent timer interrupts during startup, the process transitions in steps S1501 → S1503 → S1504 → S1532 until the phase update timer value after decrementing in step S1503 becomes “0”. That is, as a result, the excited state of the stepping motor 54 is maintained in the excited state corresponding to the excitation data φ1 to φ4 set in step S1531 for a time length corresponding to the timer value set in the phase update timer.
Further, when the phase update timer value = "0" is determined in step S1504 in the timer interrupt after the excitation state is maintained for a long time corresponding to the set timer value in this way, the process proceeds to step S1505. The timer value corresponding to the value of the next index is set in the phase update timer, and thereafter, the stepping motor 54 corresponds to the set timer value according to the new excitation state of the 1-phase excitation state and the 2-phase excitation state. Driven over a long period of time.
In this way, the start rotation of the target reel is realized by alternately repeating the one-phase excitation state / two-phase excitation state of the stepping motor 54 a predetermined number of times according to the stored information in the start-up timetable.

At the end of the start rotation of the target reel, the process proceeds in the order of steps S1501 → S1503 → S1504 → S1505 → S1506 → S1507 → S1508. The processes (S1508 to S1515 and S1530 to S1532) after step S1508 are the processes corresponding to the constant speed rotation.

First, in step S1508, the CPU 80a determines whether or not the stop request flag Frs is ON. If the stop request flag Frs is not ON, the CPU 80a determines in step S1509 whether or not the ON edge of the index sensor 55 (for the target reel) is detected.
If the ON edge of the index sensor 55 is detected, the CPU 80a clears the sensor non-passing flag Fmt, clears the symbol counter (sets “1”), and sets “25” (24 + 1) to the step counter in step S1510. Make a set.
The value of the step counter set to "25" becomes "24" by being decremented in step S1511 following step S1510. Therefore, the value of the symbol counter becomes "1" and the value of the step counter becomes "24" according to the passage of the origin position 101. That is, the 24th symbol step position of the 1st symbol is pointed out.

On the other hand, if the ON edge of the index sensor 55 is not detected, the CPU 80a passes step S1510 and proceeds to step S1511.

In step S1511, the CPU 80a decrements (-1) the value of the step counter, and in the next step S1512, determines whether or not the value of the step counter = "0". That is, it is determined whether or not the value of the step counter set to "24" according to the passage of the origin position 101 is subtracted in step S1511 for each timer interrupt and reaches "0".

In step S1512, if the value of the step counter is not "0" (that is, it is not the symbol break position), the CPU 80a executes the processes after step S1530 described above. As a result, the stepping motor 54 is driven in a mode in which the one-phase excitation state and the two-phase excitation state are alternately repeated even during constant speed rotation. However, during constant speed rotation, the switching cycle of the one-phase excitation state and the two-phase excitation state is the timer interrupt cycle (switching for each timer interrupt).

If the step counter value = "0" in step S1512, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1513, sets "24" in the step counter, and increments (+1) the value of the symbol counter. In step S1514, it is determined whether or not the value of the symbol counter is "22" or more. This corresponds to determining whether or not the symbol counter shows an abnormal value (the number of symbols in the rotating reel 4 is "21").
If the value of the symbol counter is "22" or more, the CPU 80a performs a process for restarting the rotary reel 4 in step S1515. Specifically, the sensor non-passing flag Fmt and the start request flag Frr for the target reel are set, and the rotating flag FG2 and the starting flag FG1 are cleared. As a result, in the next timer interrupt, the process is executed via steps S1501 → S1502, and the target reel is restarted.
When the process of step S1515 is executed, the CPU 80a proceeds to the process of step S1530.

On the other hand, if the value of the symbol counter is not "22" or more in step S1514, the CPU 80a passes the process of step S1515 corresponding to the abnormality and executes the processes of step S1530 and subsequent steps.

The process for restarting in step S1515 is executed when it is determined in step S1508 that the stop request flag Frs is OFF. As can be understood from this point as well, in the slot machine of this example, the rotary reel 4 is not restarted after the start of the process for stopping.

Next, the processing executed after the stop request flag Frs is set on the main processing side will be described. In other words, it is a process that is executed after the arrival of the stop symbol is detected.
In the timer interrupt immediately after the stop request flag Frs is set, it is determined in step S1508 that the stop request flag Frs = "ON", and the processing after step S1516 is executed.

First, in step S1516, the CPU 80a decrements the value of the step counter, and then determines in step S1517 whether or not the value of the step counter is less than "8". This is whether or not the current step position has reached the symbol step position (step position whose step number is 7 or less) after the above-mentioned "stop permission step position" (7th step position in this example) in the stop symbol. Is equivalent to judging.
If the value of the step counter is not less than "8", the CPU 80a executes the processes after step S1530. That is, in this case, the target reel is maintained in a constant speed rotation state.
On the other hand, if the value of the step counter is less than "8", the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1518 and executes the process for stopping described later.

Here, in the process of step S1517, it was confirmed that the stop request flag Frs = ON was set in step S606 shown in FIG. 21 (in other words, the stop symbol was reached in step S605). It is executed according to the above. At this time, if the symbol step position at the time when the process transitions from step S602 to step S603 (when the stop operation is performed) is sufficiently before No. 7 (larger in terms of step number), or 5 If the number is lower than the number and the process of step S603 waits until the next symbol, or if the number of sliding frames determined in step S604 is 1 or more, the stop symbol is reached in step S606. The symbol step position when is confirmed is sufficiently in front of No. 7. Therefore, in these cases, the symbol step position at the time when the process transitions from step S1516 to step S1517 is No. 7 or higher.
On the other hand, if the symbol step position at the time when the process transitions from step S602 to step S603 is No. 6 and the number of sliding frames determined in step S604 is "0", the symbol stops in step S606. Since the symbol step position when the arrival of is confirmed is No. 6, the symbol step position at the time when the process transitions from step S1516 to step S1517 is No. 6 or less.
Therefore, the start timing of the brake is basically set to the symbol step position of No. 7 or less in the stop symbol, but in the latter case, that is, the symbol step position at the time of the stop operation is No. 6 and the number of sliding frames is "0". In the case of "", the symbol step position is 6 or less.

In step S1518, the CPU 80a determines whether or not the value of the excitation pointer PT is an odd number. This corresponds to determining whether or not the exciting state of the stepping motor 54 for the target reel is the two-phase exciting state (see FIG. 11C). As described with reference to FIG. 38, in this example, when the rotary reel 4 is stopped, the determination process of step S1518 is provided in order to maintain the two-phase excitation state for a predetermined time and then apply the brake by all-phase excitation.

If the value of the excitation pointer PT is not odd in step S1518, the CPU 80a executes the processes after step S1530 (that is, the constant speed rotation state is maintained).
On the other hand, if the value of the excitation pointer PT is odd, the CPU 80a sets the first stop processing flag FG3 in step S1519, and then sets the phase update timer in step S1520. Specifically, in this example, the number of timer interrupts (“2”) corresponding to 2.98 ms is set in the phase update timer as the time for maintaining the two-phase excitation state.

In the following step S1521, the CPU 80a decrements the phase update timer value, and in step S1522, determines whether or not the phase update timer value = "0". If the phase update timer value is not "0", the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1532. That is, this maintains (holds) the two-phase excited state.
On the other hand, when the phase update timer value = "0", that is, when the hold of the two-phase excited state for the two timer interrupts is completed, the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1523 and sets the second stop processing flag FG4. Further, in the following step S1524, the CPU 80a sets the data corresponding to all-phase ON as excitation data φ1 to φ4, sets the timer value for all-phase ON to the phase update timer, and proceeds to step S1531. As a result, brake control by turning on all phases of the target reel is started.
In this example, the timer value set in step S1524 for all-phase ON hold is set to "255". That is, the time length of all-phase ON hold is about 380 ms.

In the timer interrupt after all-phase ON is set as described above, the process proceeds in steps S1501 → S1525 according to the setting of the second stop processing flag FG4. In step S1525, the CPU 80a decrements the phase update timer value, and in step S1526, determines whether or not the phase update timer value = "0". If the phase update timer value is not "0", the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1532. That is, the all-phase ON state is maintained until the phase update timer value = "0".

On the other hand, if the phase update timer value = "0", the CPU 80a proceeds to step S1527 and adds a predetermined value to the value of the excitation pointer PT. Specifically, in this example, "4" is added. The significance of adding a predetermined value to the value of the excitation pointer PT after the brake control by all-phase excitation is completed will be described again.

Then, in step S1528, the CPU 80a sets data corresponding to all-phase OFF as excitation data φ1 to φ4, and in step S1529, the status is cleared, specifically, the start request flag Frr, the start flag FG1, and the rotation are in progress. The process of clearing the flag GF2, the stop request flag Frs, the first stop processing flag FG3, and the second stop processing flag FG4 is executed, and the excitation data set processing of step S1531 is executed. As a result, the excitation state of the stepping motor 54 is shifted to the all-phase OFF state according to the end of the brake control by all-phase excitation, and various flags related to the start / stop of the rotary reel 4 are switched to OFF. By turning off these various flags, the excited state of the stepping motor 54 is maintained in the state where all phases are turned off (see the path of S1501 → S1533 → S1531).

Here, even if the brake control for the stepping motor 54 is started, the rotary reel 4 does not stop at the step position where the brake is applied, but stops at a step position advanced to some extent. Specifically, in the slot machine of this example, the rotary reel 4 stops at a step position four steps ahead of the step position where the brake is applied (the step position where all phases are turned ON) (when stopped from steady rotation).
Therefore, in this example, the value of the excitation pointer PT is set to "+4" after the rotary reel 4 has stopped in response to the brake control. Specifically, according to the process of step S1527 described above, the value of the excitation pointer PT is set to "+4" at the timing when the all-phase ON hold for a predetermined time is completed.

As a result, the position of the excitation pointer PT can be advanced according to the deviation between the step position where the brake is applied and the step position where the rotary reel 4 is actually stopped, and accurate reel control can be realized.

In the above example, the timing for updating the position of the excitation pointer PT to the position advanced by a predetermined number is set as the end time of the all-phase ON hold, but the timing is the timing after the next start rotation of the target reel is updated. The timing may be set so as to start with reference to the position of the excitation pointer PT, and other timings such as the timing of step S1502 may be used.

<12. Summary of embodiments>
As described above, the gaming machine (slot machine) of the embodiment has a take-in route (take-in side flow path 21b) for taking in medals inserted from the medal insertion slot (12) and insertion from the medal insertion slot. A flow path switching means for switching the return route (discharge side flow path 21c) for returning the medal and the flow path of the medal inserted from the medal insertion port to either the return route or the flow path of the intake route. (Flow path switching plate 21d, blocker solenoid 69), the first inserted medal sensor (68a) arranged in the intake path, and the second inserted medal sensor arranged downstream of the first inserted medal sensor in the intake path. The insertion medal sensor (68b) and an error determination means (CPU80a) for determining an error regarding medal insertion based on a medal detection mode by the first insertion medal sensor and the second insertion medal sensor are provided.
Then, in the error determining means, the medal detection mode is the first state (in order "0") in which both the first and second inserted medal sensors do not detect medals, and the first inserted medal sensor detects medals. The second state (order "1") in which the second inserted medal sensor does not detect medals, the third state (order "2") in which both the first and second inserted medal sensors detect medals. When the detection mode is such that the first inserted medal sensor does not detect the medal and the second inserted medal sensor detects the medal in the fourth state (order "3"), the medal has passed normally. On the other hand, the detection order determination means includes a detection order determination means for determining an error when the detection mode is a state transition different from the above order, and the detection order determination means transitions to the first state after the second state. If so, it is determined that there is no error (see FIG. 31 and the like).

As a result, the appropriateness of the inserted medal error detection is ensured, and the appropriate medal insertion error determination can be performed.

Further, the gaming machine of the embodiment is a variable display device (symbol rotation unit 3) capable of starting a game by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game and changing the display mode. ) Is derived and displayed, one game is completed, and a prize can be generated according to the display result of the variable display device. The medal inserted from the medal slot is bet. An import route for importing for use in setting the number, a first inserted medal sensor arranged in the import route, and a second inserted medal arranged downstream of the first inserted medal sensor in the import route. A sensor, a betting operation means (max bet button 16) for instructing the medals taken in through the medal slot and stored as credits to be used for setting the number of bets, and an operation reception of the bet operation means. It is provided with an operation reception control means (CPU80a) for controlling valid or invalid.
Then, when the operation reception control means is detecting a medal by either the first or second inserted medal sensor in the state before the reception prohibition in which the reception of the medal is prohibited when one more medal is taken in. While invalidating the operation reception of the bet operation means, in a state other than the state before the reception prohibition, even if either the first or second inserted medal sensor is detecting a medal, the operation reception of the bet operation means is received. Is not invalidated (see FIG. 27, etc.).

As a result, it is possible to prevent the medal from being swallowed.

Further, the gaming machine of the embodiment has a take-in route for taking in medals inserted from the medal insertion slot, a plurality of insert medal sensors arranged along the take-in route, and medals stored as credits. It is provided with a medal settlement operation means (payment button 14) for instructing settlement and a settlement processing means (CPU80a) for performing processing for medal settlement based on an operation on the medal settlement operation means.
Then, the settlement processing means invalidates the medal settlement operation means when any one of the plurality of inserted medal sensors is detecting a medal (see FIG. 35 and the like).

As a result, it is possible to prevent the medal from being swallowed.

Further, in the gaming machine of the embodiment, the game can be started by setting a predetermined number of medals for one game, and the display result of the variable display device capable of changing the display mode is derived. This is a gaming machine in which one game is completed by being displayed and a prize can be generated according to the display result of the variable display device, and the medals inserted from the medal slot are used for setting the number of bets. A take-in route for taking in, a first put-in medal sensor arranged in the take-in route, a second put-in medal sensor arranged on the downstream side in the take-in route from the first put-in medal sensor, and a first put-in. Insertion determination means (CPU80a) for determining that a medal has been inserted when the detection mode of the medal by the medal sensor and the second insertion medal sensor is normal, and insertion determination means when the number of bets is less than a predetermined number. The inserted medal betting processing means (CPU80a) that performs processing to increase the number of bets according to the determination that medals have been inserted and the medals stored as credits are used to set a predetermined number of bets. Max bet to increase the number of bets until the number of medals stored as credits reaches a predetermined number based on the max bet operation means for instructing the user and the operation on the max bet operation means. It is provided with a max bet processing means (CPU80a) for processing.
Then, when the max bet operating means is operated while either the first or second inserted medal sensor is detecting the medal, the max bet processing means determines that the medal has been inserted by the insertion determining means. , Max bet processing is performed (see FIG. 34 and the like).

As a result, it is possible to prevent the medal from being swallowed.

Further, in the gaming machine of the embodiment, the game can be started by setting a predetermined number of medals for one game, and the display result of the variable display device capable of changing the display mode is derived. This is a gaming machine in which one game is completed by being displayed and a prize can be generated according to the display result of the variable display device, and the medals inserted from the medal slot are used for setting the number of bets. The import route for importing medals, the max bet operation means for instructing the medals acquired through the medal slot and stored as credits to be used for setting a predetermined number of medals, and the number of medals. When the max bet operating means is operated in a state where the number is less than the predetermined number, max bet processing is performed to increase the number of bets until the predetermined number is reached within the allowable range of the number of medals stored as credits. It is provided with a max bet processing means, a medal settlement operating means for instructing the settlement of medals stored as credits, and a settlement processing means for performing processing for medal settlement based on an operation on the medal settlement operating means. There is.
Then, the settlement processing means invalidates the medal settlement operation means when the max bet processing means is executing the max bet processing (see FIG. 35 and the like).

As a result, it is possible to prevent the medal from being swallowed.

Further, in the gaming machine of the embodiment, the game can be started by setting a predetermined number of medals for one game, and the display result of the variable display device capable of changing the display mode is derived. This is a gaming machine in which one game is completed by being displayed and a prize can be generated according to the display result of the variable display device, and the medals inserted from the medal slot are used for setting the number of bets. A take-in route for taking in, a first put-in medal sensor arranged in the take-in route, a second put-in medal sensor arranged on the downstream side in the take-in route from the first put-in medal sensor, and a first put-in. The medal is inserted by the insertion determination means for determining that the medal has been inserted when the detection mode of the medal by the medal sensor and the second insertion medal sensor is normal, and the insertion determination means when the number of bets is less than the predetermined number. An input medal bet processing means that performs a process of increasing the number of bets according to the determination that the medal has been made, and an instruction to instruct the medals stored as credits to be used for setting the predetermined number of bets. Max bet processing that performs max bet processing to increase the number of bets until the number of medals stored as credits reaches a predetermined number based on the max bet operation means and the operation on the max bet operation means. It has the means.
Then, the inserted medal bet processing means enables acceptance of medal insertion through the medal insertion slot even while the max bet processing means is executing the max bet processing, and the max bet processing means is the first inserted medal sensor or the second inserted medal sensor. If any of the inserted medal sensors is detecting a medal, the max bet process is interrupted, the max bet process is restarted after the insertion determination means determines that the medal has been inserted, and the number of bets is increased during the interruption. When the predetermined number is reached, the max bet processing is completed (see FIGS. 27 and 28, etc.).

As a result, it is possible to prevent the medal from being swallowed.

Further, in the gaming machine of the embodiment, a rotating cylinder (rotating reel 4) in which a plurality of symbols are displayed along the rotation direction and a motor having a plurality of exciting phases are used to minimize a predetermined step angle of the rotating cylinder. It includes a rotation driving means (stepping motor 54, rotating cylinder motor driving unit 85) that rotationally drives as a rotation unit, and a control means (CPU80a) that executes a process for advancing a game operation.
Then, the control means are a spinning top starting means for performing a starting process for activating the spinning spinning top to gradually accelerate in response to a rotation start command for the spinning spinning top, and a steady rotating means for rotating the spinning spinning top in a steady manner after the starting processing. In response to the effective rotation stop operation of the rotating cylinder during steady rotation, the stop position is determined within a predetermined maximum sliding top range based on the symbol position when the rotation stop operation is performed. A stop position determining means for stopping and a stopping means for starting stop control for stopping the spinning top when a specific stop step position of a symbol corresponding to the determined stop position is reached. Including.
Further, the rotating cylinder starting means and the steady rotation means use an exciting phase pointer (exciting pointer PT) that cyclically points to the exciting data to be set for each exciting phase of the motor, and the excitation data pointed to by the exciting phase pointer is used. Based on the drive signal, the drive signal is sequentially output to the motor to rotate the rotating cylinder.
Further, the control means further includes a pointer position update means for updating the position of the exciting phase pointer to a position advanced by a predetermined number from the position at the time when the stop control is started after the stop means starts the stop control. , The rotating cylinder starting means starts the starting process with reference to the position of the exciting phase pointer updated by the pointer position updating means (see FIG. 37 and the like).

As a result, the position of the exciting phase pointer can be advanced according to the deviation between the step position where the brake is applied and the step position where the rotating cylinder is actually stopped, and accurate reel control can be realized.

Further, the gaming machine of the embodiment includes a plurality of rotating cylinders in which a plurality of symbols are displayed along the rotation direction, a plurality of rotational driving means provided for each rotating cylinder and rotationally driving the corresponding rotating cylinders. It is provided with a control means for executing a process for advancing the game operation.
Then, the control means are a spinning top starting means for performing a starting process for activating the spinning spinning top to gradually accelerate in response to a rotation start command for the spinning spinning top, and a steady rotation for steady rotation of the spinning spinning top after the starting processing. In response to the means and the effective rotation stop operation of the rotating cylinder during steady rotation, the stop position is set within a predetermined maximum sliding top range based on the symbol position when the rotation stop operation is performed. It includes a stop position determining means for determining, and a stop means for performing stop control for stopping the rotating cylinder at a symbol position corresponding to the stop position determined by the stop position determining means.
Further, in the timer interrupt processing, an error monitoring means that monitors an error and sets an error flag according to the presence or absence of an error, and an error notification means that executes a process for error notification according to the error flag in the timer interrupt processing. And include.
Further, based on the error flag, when an error is observed while the rotating cylinder is rotating, the progress of the game operation is stopped while the rotation of the rotating cylinder is maintained, and the error is cleared. Stop control when an error is found between the time when the rotation stop operation is performed and the time when the corresponding rotating cylinder is stopped, based on the first game progress control means that restarts the progress of the game operation and the error flag. With a second game progress control means that stops the rotating cylinder without interrupting, interrupts the progress of the game operation after the rotating cylinder is stopped, and resumes the progress of the game operation according to the error being cleared. (See FIGS. 20, 24, 25, 27, 31, etc.).

According to the above configuration, if an error occurs during the rotation of the rotating cylinder, the game operation is interrupted while the rotation of the rotating cylinder is maintained. On the other hand, if an error occurs between the acceptance of the stop operation and the stop of the rotating cylinder (during sliding), the rotating cylinder is stopped without interrupting the stop control, and the game operation is interrupted after the rotation is stopped. To. Then, in any of the above cases, when the error is cleared, the game operation is restarted, and an error notification is immediately performed in response to the occurrence of the error (both the error flag setting and the error notification are timer interrupt processing). To be done).
As a result, it is possible to realize appropriate error handling according to the rotation state of the rotating cylinder.

Further, in the above-mentioned game machine, the first game progress control means stops accepting the rotation stop operation for instructing the rotation stop of the rotating cylinder as the stop of the progress of the game operation (see S526 and S529). , The second game progress control means interrupts the acceptance of the rotation stop operation of the rotating cylinder other than the stopped rotating cylinder as the interruption of the progress of the game operation (see S528 and S529).

By stopping and interrupting the acceptance of the rotation stop operation as the stop and interruption of the progress of the game operation as described above, the progress of the game operation (progress of the game) can be reliably stopped and interrupted.

Further, in the gaming machine of the embodiment, the game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game, and the display result of the variable display device capable of changing the display mode is derived. A game machine in which one game is completed by being displayed and a prize can be generated according to the display result of the variable display device, and a control means (CPU80a) for executing a process for advancing the game. , Information can be read / written by the control means, and includes a storage means having a first area (first memory area) and a second area (second memory area).
Then, the control means monitors the error and sets the error monitoring flag in the second area in the storage means according to the presence or absence of the error, and when the error monitoring flag is read and the error is recognized, the control means reads the error monitoring flag. It includes a confirmation means for setting an error flag in the first area of the storage means and a notification means for executing a process for error notification according to the error flag (FIGS. 13, 14, 27, 31). Etc.).

This eliminates the need to place the program for fraud countermeasure processing in the first memory area, expands the program capacity that can be stored in the area, and enhances the processing content by the program in the area. Not new gaming machines can be offered.

<13. Summary and modification examples>
By the processing of the CPU 80a described above, the progress of the game operation can be efficiently realized while reducing the control load. In addition, the memory capacity required for the progress of the game operation can be reduced.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the examples given in the embodiments, and various modifications and application examples can be considered.
For example, in the above, an example in which the present invention is applied to a slot machine is shown, but the present invention can be widely and suitably applied to a game machine.

Further, in the above, the max bet button 14 is illustrated as an operation means for instructing the setting of the bet number, but a bet button capable of instructing the setting of the bet number in units of one sheet may be provided. The invention is suitably applicable.

1 ... Main body case 2 ... Front panel 3 ... Design rotating unit 4a-4c ... Rotating reel (rotating reel)
5 ... Medal payout device 5a ... Medal tank 5b ... Payout case 5c ... Payout exit 5d ... Excess medal lead-out unit 6 ... Auxiliary tank 9 ... LED group 10 ... Payout display section 11 ... Stored number display section 12 ... Medal slot 13 ... Return Button 14 ... Settlement button 16 ... Max bet button 17 ... Start lever 18a-18c ... Stop button 19 ... Recipient 20 ... Medal discharge port 21 ... Medal selector 21a ... Input flow path 21b ... Intake side flow path 21c ... Discharge side flow path 21d ... Flow path switching plate 21da ... Shaft 21db ... Upper end 21e ... Recessed 22 ... Return passage 40 ... Main control board 54a ... 1st cylinder stepping motor 54b ... 2nd cylinder stepping motor 54c ... 3rd cylinder stepping motor 54r ... Rotor 55a ... 1st cylinder index sensor 55b ... 2nd cylinder index sensor 55c ... 3rd cylinder index sensor 67 ... Selector sensor 68 ... Inserted medal related sensor 68a ... 1st inserted medal sensor 68b ... 2nd inserted medal sensor 68c ... After passing sensor 69 ... Blocker solenoid 75 ... Payout motor 76 ... Medal payout sensor 80 ... Controller 80a ... CPU
80b ... ROM
80c ... RAM
85 ... Rotating cylinder motor drive 101 ... Origin position

Claims (1)

Control means for controlling the game and
The control means includes a storage means accessible to the control means.
The storage means
A used area in which the data and is stored for use by the program and the recreation development processing of game progress processing is processing according to the progress of a game operation, used in the program and the fraud detection process of the fraud detection process for detecting fraudulent activity The unused area where data is stored is defined,
The control means
When detecting fraudulent activity by executing with a plurality of sensors the fraud detection process called from the processing of the used area, after setting a value indicating fraud in common fraud monitoring flag in the used area outside , The processing of the unused area returns to the processing of the used area, and the processing of the used area performs a predetermined error processing with reference to the value of the fraud monitoring flag.
When the fraud detection process called from the processing of the used area is executed by using the plurality of sensors and no fraudulent activity is detected, the common fraud monitoring flag is not set to a value indicating fraud. A gaming machine that returns from the processing of the unused area to the processing of the used area and advances the game operation by executing the processing of the used area.

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