JP7680920B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine capable of playing games.

Conventionally, there are gaming machines that can be controlled to a jackpot gaming state that is advantageous to the player, such as gaming machines that, after a power supply cutoff, retain the gaming state before the power supply was stopped, and resume the gaming state that was retained when the power supply is restarted.

Among such gaming machines, there is known a gaming machine that displays a "preparation" image indicating that preparation for display control is being made when the power supply is resumed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2019-092833 A

According to the gaming machine of Patent Document 1, it is possible to restore the gaming machine from a state where the power supply is stopped, based on the gaming state before the power supply was stopped. However, for example, depending on the gaming state, music may be output, and it is anticipated that the music may continue to play even when the machine is in the process of restoring, which may prevent the outside world from recognizing that the machine is in the process of restoring, leaving room for further improvement.

The present invention was conceived in light of this situation, and its purpose is to provide a gaming machine with improved control over the display of the recovery image.

A gaming machine (e.g., a slot machine 1) capable of playing a game,
A game progress operation means that is operated to progress a game ;
a return operation means, which is different from the game progress operation means and is operated to return the game value to the player;
a sound output means (for example, a speaker 53) capable of outputting sound;
A backup means (e.g., a RAM 41c) capable of retaining a game state before the power supply to the gaming machine is stopped when the power supply to the gaming machine is stopped;
A display means (for example, a liquid crystal display 51) capable of displaying an image,
The game state includes a normal state (for example, a normal advantageous zone) and a specific state different from the normal state (for example, an AT state),
The sound output means is capable of outputting a specific musical sound corresponding to the specific state in the specific state (for example, outputting a musical sound during AT in FIG. 30(f) ),
The backup means holds the gaming state when the power supply to the gaming machine is stopped (for example, the RAM 41c holds that the gaming state when the power supply is stopped is the AT state),
The display means is
When the power supply to the gaming machine is stopped and then resumed, and the game is resumed in the game state held by the backup means, a recovery image (e.g., a recovery screen including a recovery preparation screen and a game recovery screen) is displayed (e.g., the sub-control unit 91 displays the recovery screen as shown in FIG. 30 ),
When the return image is not being displayed, a demonstration image can be displayed based on the return operation means being operated,
When the image during recovery is being displayed, even if the return operation means is operated, the image during recovery is continuously displayed without displaying the demonstration image;
The sound output means, while the recovery image is being displayed,
Even if the game state held by the backup means is the specific state, the specific musical sound (for example, a musical sound during an AT) is not output,
Sound effects are output based on the operation of the game progress operation means (for example, as shown in Figures 30 (c) to (e), no music is output during the AT).

1A and 1B are a front view and a diagram showing an example of a main internal configuration of a slot machine. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the slot machine. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of symbols on each reel. 13 is a diagram for explaining the transition of the game state. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the types of winning combinations, the symbol combinations of winning combinations, and the awarding of prizes when a prize is won. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the types of winning combinations, the symbol combinations of winning combinations, and the awarding of prizes when a prize is won. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the types of winning combinations, the symbol combinations of winning combinations, and the awarding of prizes when a prize is won. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the types of winning combinations, the symbol combinations of winning combinations, and the awarding of prizes when a prize is won. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining combinations of winning roles that are read out as roles to be selected for each game state. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the lottery target roles arranged for each flag category. This is a diagram to explain reel control when the push order role is won. 13 is a diagram showing a game start command transmitted from the main control unit to the sub-control unit when the start switch is operated. FIG. This shows the game end command that the main control unit sends to the sub-control unit at the third stop. 4 is a flowchart showing the control content of a main process performed by a main control unit. 13 is a flowchart showing a process in which the main control unit increments a value of a lottery counter. 13 is a flowchart showing a process in which a sub-control unit adds a value of a prompting counter and a value of a display counter. A diagram showing the screen transition of the LCD display during the normal advantageous zone. 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating an example of a screen transition on a liquid crystal display after power is turned on. 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating an example of a screen transition on a liquid crystal display after power is turned on. 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating an example of a screen transition on the liquid crystal display after a setting change is made. 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating an example of a screen transition on a liquid crystal display after power is turned on. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining volume settings and a menu screen. 11 is a diagram for explaining a specific sound that is output when a setting is changed. FIG. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a door-opening sound output when the front door is open. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing screen transitions when the front door is opened while the volume setting display is being displayed. A figure showing an example in which the display of the menu screen is terminated based on a first termination condition while a song is being output during the first AT. A figure showing an example in which the display of the menu screen is terminated based on a second termination condition while a song is being output during the first AT. A figure showing an example of displaying a menu screen in the second state of the advantageous zone. 13 is a flowchart showing a return process performed by a sub-control unit. 13A to 13C are diagrams showing the screen transition of the liquid crystal display when power supply is stopped during the AT state. 13A to 13C are diagrams showing the screen transition on the liquid crystal display after the power supply is stopped during a game in which a navigation notification is being provided. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a screen transition to a demo screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the return operation in the AT state. This is a screen transition diagram when the settlement switch is pressed during recovery. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a screen transition when an error occurs during recovery. 13 is an example of a screen transition when a condition for ending the display of the returning screen is based on the passage of a predetermined period of time. FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an example of a screen transition when the settlement switch 10 is operated in a case where the display termination condition of the recovery screen shown in FIG. 36 is applied. A figure showing an example of a screen transition when returning from an AT state when the display termination condition for the return screen shown in Figure 36 is applied. FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing the sequence of start-up modes of a slot machine. FIG. 1 is a first diagram for explaining the start-up mode of the slot machine. FIG. 2 is a second diagram for explaining the start-up mode of the slot machine. FIG. 3 is a third diagram for explaining the start-up mode of the slot machine. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a reel motor. 4 is a timing chart showing a method of controlling a reel motor. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a set value L. This is a diagram to explain the variation in the number of balls dispensed during the period from the start of the AT to the end of the AT when the setting value L is set. A diagram to explain the variation in the number of balls dispensed over the entire period when the setting value L is set. A figure showing an example of special suggestion control that suggests that a setting value L has been set in a non-play state. A diagram showing a slot machine 1 in which normal setting values other than the setting value L in a non-play state are set. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the order in which setting values are stored. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a shutter effect. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the rate at which the shutter effect is executed. A figure showing an example of special suggestion control using shutter effects. A diagram to explain an example of a setting value suggestion presentation. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the execution rate of the result screen for each setting value. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the control contents of an initial setting process performed by a main control unit. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the control contents of a setting change process performed by a main control unit. 13 is a flowchart showing the control content of a payout process executed by a main control unit in the game process. 13 is a flowchart showing the control content of a payout number subtraction process executed by a main control unit. 10 is a flowchart showing the control content of a time counter update process executed by a main control unit. 13 is a flowchart showing the control contents of a gaming machine information calculation process executed by a main control unit. 13 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the ceiling game number counting process executed by the main control unit. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining how the lighting state of the BET LED changes every time the 1 BET switch is pressed. 13 is a flowchart showing the control contents of a bet amount setting process executed by a main control unit. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of a point map. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a point update presentation. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a point acquisition lottery process. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a table for the privilege lottery process. A figure showing an example in which a point update effect is executed based on normal operation. A figure showing an example in which a point update effect is not executed based on an irregular operation. This is a diagram illustrating an example of a point suggestion presentation when a strong cherry is won. A diagram illustrating an example of a point suggestion presentation when a watermelon is won. A figure showing a table of life gain lottery in the first state of the advantageous zone and the specialized zone. A figure showing tables for the life number lottery, specialized zone lottery, and one-hit victory lottery in the first and second states of the advantageous zone. A figure showing an example of a bonus lottery process during AT. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a life-granting suggestion display when a watermelon is won. This is a diagram illustrating an example of a life-granting suggestion display when a strong cherry is won. A diagram showing the process in which a sub-control unit executes navigation performance. A diagram showing a command transmission process at the start of a game in the main control unit. A diagram showing the processing in the sub-control unit 91 when a game start command or a game end command is received. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a liquid crystal display in a state where error notification control is performed. A diagram showing the timing for canceling an error notification based on receiving a game end command. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of canceling an error notification in the next game. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the processing executed in the game state. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a set value H. This is a diagram to explain the variation in the number of balls dispensed during the period from the start of the AT to the end of the AT when the setting value H is set. A diagram to explain the variation in the number of balls dispensed over the entire period when the setting value H is set. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the shutter effect. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing modified examples of the volume setting display when the front door is open.

[Embodiment]
As a gaming machine according to the present embodiment, a slot machine will be described based on the following example. The slot machine according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[Configuration of Slot Machine]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a slot machine 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the slot machine. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the arrangement of symbols on each reel. As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 1 has a front door 1b pivotally supported on a side end of a housing 1a whose front is open. Inside the slot machine 1, reels 2L, 2C, and 2R (hereinafter, left reel, center reel, and right reel) on which multiple types of symbols that can be distinguished from one another are arranged in a predetermined order and in equal numbers are arranged in a horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 3, three consecutive symbols among the symbols arranged on these reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are displayed in three rows, top, middle, and bottom, respectively, through a transparent area 3 that constitutes a part of the liquid crystal display of the liquid crystal display 51, and are arranged so that they can be seen from the player's side. That is, the liquid crystal display 51 can be made transparent or non-transparent. The transparent area 3 that is a part of the liquid crystal display 51 can be made transparent or non-transparent. Further, the image display area 72 other than the transparent area 3 on the liquid crystal display is not transparent during play, and is used as an area for displaying images such as images for presentation purposes and images displayed when an error occurs.

The reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are disposed inside the slot machine 1, and the liquid crystal display 51 is disposed so as to be exposed to the outside of the slot machine 1. In other words, the liquid crystal display 51 is provided on the player's side relative to the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R. The liquid crystal display 51 has a liquid crystal display having a polarizing plate and a liquid crystal layer, and a liquid crystal backlight. The liquid crystal backlight irradiates light onto the liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal layer composed of liquid crystal molecules.

By applying a voltage to the liquid crystal display, the liquid crystal display 51 can change the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, making the liquid crystal display transparent or opaque. This allows the slot machine 1 to make the transparent area 3, which constitutes part of the liquid crystal display, transparent, allowing the player to see the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R arranged on the rear side of the liquid crystal display 51. On the other hand, when power is not being supplied to the slot machine 1, the liquid crystal display 51 is in a state in which the player cannot or has difficulty seeing the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R through the transparent area 3.

In this embodiment, a configuration using three reels is exemplified, but a configuration using only one reel, a configuration using two reels, or a configuration using four or more reels may also be used. Also, in this embodiment, the variable display unit is configured to variably display the patterns displayed in the transparent area 3 by rotating the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, but it is not limited to reels and may be configured, for example, to variably display the patterns by moving a belt on the outer periphery of which multiple patterns are arranged. Also, in this embodiment, the variable display unit is configured with physical reels, but the variable display unit may also be configured with an image display device such as a liquid crystal display.

1, on the front of the slot machine 1, there are provided a medal insertion section 4 into which medals can be inserted, a medal payout outlet 9 from which medals are paid out, a MAXBET switch 6 operated to set the maximum bet number among the prescribed number (3 in this embodiment) determined according to the game state within the range of credits (the number of medals stored as the game value owned by the player), a 1BET switch 65 operated to set the bet number to one medal, a start switch 7 operated to start the game, stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R operated to stop the rotation of reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, respectively, a performance switch 56 operated by the player during performance, a cross key 70, and a settlement switch 10, each of which can be operated by the player. The cross key 70 includes a left switch 70L, a right switch 70R, an up switch 70U, and a down switch 70D, and is a switch operated to display a volume setting image (described later) on the liquid crystal display 51 and to select each option on the menu screen. The left switch 70L and the right switch 70R are also collectively referred to as the left and right keys, and the up switch 70U and the down switch 70D are also referred to as the up and down keys.

In the following, the operation of the start switch 7 (e.g., pressing the start switch 7 by hand) is referred to as the "start operation," the operation of the stop switch to stop the rotation of the first reel (e.g., pressing the stop switch by hand) is referred to as the "first stop operation," the operation of the stop switch to stop the rotation of the second reel (e.g., pressing the stop switch by hand) is referred to as the "second stop operation," and the operation of the stop switch to stop the rotation of the third reel (e.g., pressing the stop switch by hand) is referred to as the "third stop operation" or "final stop operation." The first stop operation, second stop operation, and third stop operation are also collectively referred to as the "stop operations." Furthermore, the release of the press of the first stop switch (first stop operation) (e.g., releasing the stop switch) is called the "first stop release", the release of the press of the second stop switch (second stop operation) (i.e., releasing the stop switch) is called the "second stop release", and the release of the press of the third stop switch (third stop operation) (i.e., releasing the stop switch) is called the "third stop release" or "final stop release". The order in which the player operates reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is also called the "operation procedure". Each of stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R has a stop switch lamp inside that indicates that stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R can be operated.

On the front of the slot machine 1, side lamps 27 consisting of a plurality of LEDs are provided next to the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R. In addition, reel backlights 28L, 28C, and 28R (hereinafter simply referred to as "reel backlights 28") are provided near the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, respectively, and are provided corresponding to the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, respectively, and irradiate the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R with light from the back or side of the reels. Furthermore, a speaker 53 that outputs sound is provided above the liquid crystal display 51. In addition, a lower panel 55 is provided below the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R. The lower panel 55 is configured to be able to light up or blink. The lower panel 55 is a notification means that uses the largest area among the notification means provided in the slot machine 1 to notify predetermined information. For example, the notification means provided in the slot machine 1 include the liquid crystal display 51, the speaker 53, the side lamps 27, and the reel backlights 28, but the lower panel 55 can notify predetermined information using a larger area than any of these notification means. The lower panel 55 is configured so that the entire area that constitutes the lower panel 55 emits light. The manner in which the light is emitted includes flashing and lighting.

1, the front of the slot machine 1 is provided with a game display unit 13 having a credit indicator 11 that displays the number of medals stored as credits, a game support indicator 12 that displays the number of medals paid out when a winning prize is won and an error code indicating the content of the error, a 1BET LED 14 that lights up to indicate that the bet number is set to 1, a 2BET LED 15 that lights up to indicate that the bet number is set to 2, a 3BET LED 16 that lights up to indicate that the bet number is set to 3, an insertion request LED 17 that lights up to indicate that it is possible to insert medals, a start valid LED 18 that lights up to indicate that the start operation of the game by operating the start switch 7 is valid, a status LED 19 that lights up to indicate that the game is controlled to a state such as an advantageous zone AT, which will be described later, and a replay in progress LED 20 that lights up to indicate that a replay game is being performed. When an error is detected, the slot machine 1 displays an error occurrence screen that displays an error code indicating the content of the error that has occurred. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the maximum bet (3 coins) is set and the 1 BET switch 65 is pressed, the bet of 2 coins is cancelled. In other words, the bet is set to 1 medal. Hereinafter, the process of cancelling the bet of 2 coins in this way will be referred to as the "bet cancellation process."

2(a) is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a slot machine, and FIG. 2(b) is a block diagram of an example of the main internal structure of a slot machine. On the inside of the front door 1b, as shown in FIG. 2(a), there are a reset switch 23 for detecting a reset operation to release an error state or a stop state without opening the front door 1b by a predetermined key operation, a setting value display 24 for displaying the setting value at the time when the setting value is being changed or confirmed as described below, a stop switch 36a for selecting whether to enable or disable a stop function that controls the game to a stop state (a state in which the progress of the game is restricted until a reset operation is performed) at a predetermined opportunity, and an automatic settlement process (settlement (return) of medals stored as credits without the player's operation) at a predetermined opportunity. There are also provided an automatic settlement switch 36b for selecting whether to enable or disable the automatic settlement function that controls the automatic settlement function (processing for controlling the automatic settlement function to automatically settle the amount of money received by the machine), a flow path switching solenoid for selectively switching the flow path of the medals inserted from the medal insertion portion 4 to either the hopper tank 34a side or the medal payout outlet 9 side provided inside the housing 1a, an inserted medal sensor that detects medals inserted from the medal insertion portion 4 and flowing down to the hopper tank 34a side, a medal selector 29 having an insertion port sensor that detects the insertion of foreign objects upstream of the inserted medal sensor, and a door open detection switch that detects the open state of the front door 1b.

Inside the housing 1a are the reel unit 2, which is made up of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R mentioned above, a reel motor, a reel sensor capable of detecting the reel reference position of each of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, an external output board for outputting an external output signal, a hopper tank 34a for storing medals inserted from the medal insertion portion 4, a hopper motor for paying out the medals stored in the hopper tank 34a from the medal payout outlet 9, a hopper unit 34, which is made up of a payout sensor for detecting medals paid out by the drive of the hopper motor, and a power supply box 100.

An overflow tank 35 is provided on the hopper unit 34 side to store medals that overflow from the hopper tank 34a. Inside the overflow tank 35, there is a full tank sensor that detects when the stored medals are full.

2(a), the front of the power supply box 100 is provided with a setting key switch 37 for switching to a setting change state or a setting confirmation state, a reset/setting switch 38 that functions as a reset switch for releasing an error state or a stop state under normal circumstances and functions as a setting switch for changing the set value of the medal payout rate (also called the award rate or payout rate) such as the winning probability of the internal lottery in the setting change state, and a power switch 39 that is operated when turning the power ON/OFF. Hereinafter, changing the setting is also referred to as a setting change process. The setting change process is a process that involves restarting the slot machine 1 by stopping the supply of power to the slot machine 1 and turning the power on again. The slot machine 1 executes an initial setting process after the power is turned on. The main control unit 41 judges whether the setting key switch is on when executing the initial setting process. If the setting key switch is on, the main control unit 41 executes the setting change process. During the setting change process, the main control unit 41 changes the setting value based on the operation of the reset/setting switch. Furthermore, during the setting change process, the main control unit 41 ends the setting change process when the start switch 7 is operated with the setting key switch in the OFF state. Note that the setting change process also includes cases where the same setting value as the already set setting value is set (i.e., the setting value is not changed).

The power supply box 100 is provided inside the housing 1a, and the front door 1b can be opened by a specific key operation carried by a store clerk or the like. Therefore, the setting key switch 37, reset/setting switch 38, and power switch 39 provided on the front of the power supply box 100 can only be operated by store clerks or the like who have a key, and cannot be operated by players. The same is true for the reset switch 23, which is detected by a specific key operation. In particular, the setting key switch 37 requires a further key operation after the front door 1b has been opened by key operation, and therefore can only be operated by store clerks who have a key to operate the setting key switch 37.

As shown in FIG. 2(a), a board case 200 housing a game control board is provided on the upper inner surface of the cabinet 1a. The game control board is provided with a main control unit 41 that controls the progress of the game and outputs various commands according to the progress of the game. As shown in FIG. 2(b), the main control unit 41 includes a main CPU 41a that performs various controls related to the progress of the game, and a ROM 41b and a RAM 41c that store various data related to the progress of the game.

In the front door 1b, a performance control board 90 is provided above the transparent area 3. A performance switch 56 is connected to the performance control board 90, and a detection signal from the performance switch 56 is input. In addition, performance devices such as a liquid crystal display 51 and a speaker 53 are connected, and these performance devices are driven based on the control of a sub-controller 91 mounted on the performance control board 90. As shown in FIG. 2(b), the sub-controller 91 controls the performance in response to a command from the main control unit 41. The sub-controller 91 includes a sub-CPU 91a that performs various controls related to the performance, and a ROM 91b and a RAM 91c that store various data related to the performance. Based on a command from the main control unit 41, the sub-controller 91 controls the display of images on the liquid crystal display 51, the sound output from the speaker 53, and the lighting/extinguishing of the side lamp 27 and the reel backlight 28. Performance data used for the image display of the liquid crystal display 51, the lighting and blinking of the lower panel 55, and the sound output from the speaker 53 is stored in the RAM 91c. Furthermore, the sub-controller 91 detects operation of the performance switch 56, and controls the image display on the liquid crystal display 51, the lighting and blinking of the lower panel 55, and the sound output from the speaker 53 according to the detected operation.

The main control unit 41 detects the operation of the MAXBET switch 6, 1BET switch 65, start switch 7, and stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R, etc., as well as the insertion of medals into the medal insertion unit 4, and performs control related to the progress of the game, such as spinning/stopping the reels 2L, 2C, 2R, operating the settlement switch 10, and turning on/off each LED in the game display unit 13, depending on the detected operation.

Operations of the MAXBET switch 6, 1BET switch 65, start switch 7, and stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R, etc., and the operation of inserting medals into the medal insertion unit 4 are operations for progressing the game. Operations of the MAXBET switch 6 and 1BET switch 65 are called bet number setting operations, operations of the start switch 7 are called start operations, operations of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R are called stop operations, operations of inserting medals into the medal insertion unit 4 are called insertion operations, and operations of the settlement switch 10 are called return operations.

When the MAXBET switch 6 and the 1BET switch 65 are pressed, the main control unit 41 sends a BET operation command to the sub-control unit 91. When the main control unit 41 detects the insertion of a medal into the medal insertion unit 4, it sends a medal insertion command to the sub-control unit 91. When the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are pressed, the main control unit 41 sends a stop switch command to the sub-control unit 91. When the settlement switch 10 is pressed, the main control unit 41 sends a settlement start command to the sub-control unit 91. When the start switch 7 is pressed, the main control unit 41 sends a game start command to the sub-control unit 91.

The main CPU 41a has multiple registers used to perform various calculations. These registers include an accumulator register (A register), a flag register (F register), general-purpose registers (B register, C register, D register, E register, H register, L register), index registers (IX register, IY register), interrupt register, refresh register, program counter, and other registers. The main CPU 41a executes various instructions, such as calculation instructions and read instructions, contained in the program, to update the value of a specified register, or to update a value (data) stored in a memory area of the RAM 41c specified by the value (address) of a specified register.

In addition, the flag register among the registers is configured so that its state changes to indicate the result of a calculation performed by an instruction executed by the main CPU 41a, and the change in the state of the flag register can be used to cause the main CPU 41a to perform processing according to the result of a calculation performed by the previous instruction.

The main control unit 41 can also store information related to the game status and the game in the RAM 41c as backup data. Specifically, even when the power supply to the slot machine 1 is stopped (a power outage occurs) and the power is turned on again, the RAM 41c stores the backup data.

When power supply to the slot machine 1 is started, the main control unit 41 determines whether control of the game progress can be resumed based on the backup data stored in the RAM 41c before the power supply was stopped. If the main control unit 41 determines that control of the game progress can be resumed based on the backup data, it sends a return command including backup information to the sub-control unit 91. The return command is a command indicating that the main control unit 41 has returned to the state before the power was cut off, and by receiving the return command, the sub-control unit 91 can determine that the main control unit 41 has returned to the state before the power was cut off. The return command includes information regarding the game status and the game.

When playing a game on the slot machine 1, the player inserts a medal into the medal insertion section 4 or operates the 1BET switch 65 or the MAXBET switch 6 to set a specified number of bets. This activates the winning line LN, and the operation of the start switch 7 is activated, making it possible to start the game. The winning line LN is a line for determining whether the combination of symbols on the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R displayed in the transparent area 3 matches the winning combination of symbols. In this embodiment, so-called small hill lines, such as the lower row of reel 2L, the middle row of reel 2C, and the lower row of reel 2R, are defined as the winning lines. Note that the winning lines are not limited to small hills, and may be provided horizontally in the middle row, such as the middle row of reel 2L, the middle row of reel 2C, and the middle row of reel 2R, and may be provided in multiple winning lines instead of a single line. In addition, an invalid line may be provided to make it easier to recognize that the combination of symbols that constitute a winning prize is aligned on the winning line LN.

The main control unit 41 stores the gaming value in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c. The main control unit 41 also settles the gaming value stored in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c based on the operation of the settlement switch 10. The operation of the settlement switch 10 is also referred to as the "return operation."

Specifically, the gaming value is settled when the player operates the settlement switch 10. By performing the return operation, the gaming value stored in a specified area of the RAM 41c is cleared (set to 0), and the gaming value is paid back to the player.

When the settlement switch 10 is operated, the main control unit 41 sends a settlement start command to the sub-control unit 91. The settlement start command is a command that can identify that settlement has started. When the credits reach the upper limit (50), medals are paid out from the medal payout outlet 9. When the settlement switch 10 is operated, the medals stored as credits and the medals used to set the bet amount are settled (the medals used to set the credits and the bet amount are returned).

When the start switch 7 is operated in a state in which the game can be started, the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R spin. At this time, an internal lottery is performed by the main control unit 41. The internal lottery is a process for determining the symbol combinations (display result combinations) that are allowed to be derived.

Specifically, in the internal lottery process, the main control unit 41 judges whether each lottery target role has won in a predetermined order. For example, in the internal lottery process, the main control unit 41 obtains a random number from integers within a predetermined range (0 to 65535). Each lottery target role is assigned a judgment value number from the integers within a predetermined range (0 to 65535) according to the game state in advance. The main control unit 41 adds the judgment value number of each lottery target role to the obtained random number in a predetermined order, and when the addition result overflows (exceeds 65535), the lottery target role that was the subject of addition at that time is determined to be the winning role. When a lottery target role wins through the internal lottery, it is permitted to derive a pattern combination corresponding to that lottery target role.

The administrator can change the probability of winning the internal lottery by changing the settings. Specifically, the payout rate of medals is changed by determining the winning probability used in the internal lottery according to the setting value set by the administrator. The setting values are 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and L, with 6 being the highest payout rate, and the payout rate decreasing as the value decreases in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and L. In other words, when the setting value is set to 6, the player has the highest advantage, and the advantage decreases stepwise as the value decreases in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and L. The setting value L is set to comply with the type test, and will be explained in detail later. Hereinafter, the setting value L is referred to as the "special setting value." Furthermore, the setting values 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 are collectively referred to as the "normal setting values."

When the stop switch 8L, 8C, or 8R is operated, the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch stops spinning. This causes a symbol combination to be derived and displayed in the transparent area 3. When a symbol combination that matches a winning symbol combination stops on the winning line LN, a win corresponding to the winning symbol occurs.

The roles that can result in a win include special roles (bonuses), small roles, and replay roles. A special role (bonus) is a role that, when won, controls the game state to a bonus state in which the probability of winning a small role is higher than in a non-bonus state. Special roles (bonuses) include first-class special roles such as RB (regular bonus) and BB (big bonus), and second-class special roles such as CB (challenge bonus). In this embodiment, BB is provided as a special role. A small role is a role that, when won, awards medals. A replay role (replay) is a role that, when won, allows the player to start the next game without consuming medals owned by the player.

For each role determined according to the game state to win, it is necessary to win the internal lottery and set the winning flag for that role. The internal lottery is determined by the main control unit 41 using random numbers before the display results of all reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are derived (specifically, when the start switch 7 is detected) to determine whether or not to allow each of the above-mentioned roles to win.

Of the winning flags for each role, the winning flags for the small role and the replay role are only valid in the game in which the flag is set and are invalid in the next game, but the winning flag for the special role is valid until the combination of roles permitted by the flag is achieved and is invalid in the game in which the combination of roles permitted by the flag is achieved. In other words, once a winning flag for a special role is won, even if the combination of roles permitted by the flag is not achieved, the winning flag is not invalidated and is carried over to the next game.

In addition, in the internal lottery, when a stop operation is performed in a predetermined operation mode (for example, operation procedure (push order), operation timing), a small role or a replay role (hereinafter also referred to as a "push order role") that is more advantageous than when the stop operation is performed in another operation mode can be won. Push order roles include, for example, roles that result in a stop mode that is more advantageous when the stop operation is performed in a predetermined operation mode than when the stop operation is performed in another operation mode, and roles that result in a higher rate of advantageous stop modes when the stop operation is performed in a predetermined operation mode than when the stop operation is performed in another operation mode. In addition, advantageous stop modes include not only stop modes that involve the awarding of medals, but also stop modes that involve a transition to an advantageous game state, and stop modes that avoid a transition to an unfavorable game state.

In slot machine 1, the procedure for operating stop switch 8L first in one game is also called the "normal procedure," and the procedure for operating stop switch 8C or stop switch 8R first is also called the "irregular procedure." In other words, the "normal procedure" includes the procedure for operating stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the order of stop switch 8L, stop switch 8C, and stop switch 8R (left, center, right order), and the procedure for operating stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the order of stop switch 8L, stop switch 8R, and stop switch 8C (left, center, right order). The "irregular procedure" includes a procedure of operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the order of stop switch 8C, stop switch 8L, and stop switch 8R (in the order of center, left, and right); a procedure of operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the order of stop switch 8C, stop switch 8R, and stop switch 8L (in the order of center, right, left); a procedure of operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the order of stop switch 8R, stop switch 8L, and stop switch 8C (in the order of right, left, and center); and a procedure of operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the order of stop switch 8R, stop switch 8C, and stop switch 8L (in the order of right, center, left). Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the "normal procedure" is also referred to as "normal operation," and operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the "irregular procedure" is also referred to as "irregular operation."

The main control unit 41 can execute navigation to notify the player of navigation information corresponding to the operation mode of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R that is advantageous to the player when the push order role is won by the internal lottery. Hereinafter, the notification of navigation information may be referred to as "navigation notification" or "navigation performance." Specifically, the main control unit 41 can control the assist time (advantageous section), which is the notification period during which navigation notification can be executed to notify the player of the operation mode of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R that is advantageous to the player according to the internal lottery results by the lighting mode of the game assistance display 12.

When a predetermined lottery condition is met in the normal zone, the main control unit 41 performs a lottery to determine whether or not to control the zone to a favorable zone, and by winning the lottery, starts control in the favorable zone. Winning the lottery to transition to a favorable zone is also called "winning the favorable zone". In the favorable zone, when the main control unit 41 wins the push order role, it executes a navigation notification, notifies the player of the operation mode of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R that is advantageous to the player using the game auxiliary display 12, and transmits a command (the command "instruction number" described later) that can identify the operation mode that is advantageous to the player to the sub-control unit 91, thereby executing a navigation performance that notifies the operation mode using the liquid crystal display 51 and the speaker 53, etc. On the other hand, a game in which the operation mode is not notified using the liquid crystal display 51 and the speaker 53, etc., is hereinafter referred to as a "game in which the navigation performance is not executed". In other words, a game in which the navigation effect is not executed is a game in which the operation mode is not notified using the LCD display 51, speaker 53, etc., regardless of whether the advantageous zone is normal or in the AT state.

In a game in which a push order role is won, when the player's operation pattern matches the operation pattern corresponding to the winning push order role (hereinafter also referred to as the "correct sequence"), the player will win a role advantageous to the player (in this embodiment, the plum role).

By following the navigation and operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the correct sequence, the player can win the role that pays out the most medals among the roles included in the push order roles. Alternatively, by following the navigation and operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the correct sequence, the player can win the role that is unlikely to miss out on a win among the roles included in the push order roles. Note that among the roles included in the push order roles, roles that can win when the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are operated in the correct sequence are called "main roles," and roles that can win when the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are operated in an incorrect sequence that differs from the correct sequence are called "sub roles."

By operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the operation mode notified by the navigation notification and navigation performance, the main role included in the push order role won by the internal lottery can be reliably won.

[state transition]
4 is a diagram for explaining the transition of the game state. As shown in FIG. 4, the states managed by the main control unit 41 include game states related to the payout rate.

Game play states include not in the internal state, in the internal state, and BB. In the internal state, the game can proceed and the medal payout rate is guaranteed based on a predefined design value. Note that in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, most games are played by the player in the internal state.

On the other hand, during the non-internal period, the player does not play, or if they do, the time spent playing is extremely short. During the non-internal period, if a BB is won and the BB does not win, the game state transitions to the internal period from the next game. In other words, during the internal period, the BB win is carried over.

In both non-internal and internal play, a game in which BB can be won (hereinafter also referred to as a "BB winning game") may be played. Specifically, in non-internal play, if the BB symbol combination can be derived in response to the operation of stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in a game in which BB has been won, BB will be won. In this case, the game state will be controlled to BB from the next game. In other words, in non-internal play, the game in which BB has been won will be a BB winning game.

Inside, the BB win is carried over. Here, when the BB and the small role are won at the same time, the reel control is performed so that the symbol combination of the small role is preferentially derived. Furthermore, if the small role is a role with no misses, in a game in which the BB and the small role are won at the same time, the small role will always win regardless of the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, and the BB cannot win. Similarly, when the BB and the replay role are won at the same time, the replay role is controlled so that the symbol combination of the replay role is preferentially derived. Since the replay role is generally a role with no misses, in a game in which the BB and the replay role are won at the same time, the replay role will always win regardless of the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, and the BB cannot win. Therefore, during the internal process, only in games that result in a loss in the internal lottery (games that do not win any prizes), if the BB symbol combination can be derived by operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, the BB will be won. In this case, the game state will be controlled to BB from the next game. In other words, during the internal process, games that result in a loss in the internal lottery become games in which the BB can be won.

During a BB, the BB game is played for a specified number of games (for example, 60G), but since the payout rate during a BB is approximately 101%, the net increase in number of coins hardly increases at all. Therefore, for the player, a BB is merely a state in which a specified number of games (for example, 60G) is played. When the BB ends, the game state transitions back to non-internal.

The internal states include normal zones and advantageous zones. Normal zones are states in which navigation is not executed, and are non-notification states in which navigation information cannot be notified. Advantageous zones are states in which navigation can be executed, and are notification states in which navigation information can be notified. In this embodiment, among the advantageous zones, navigation is not executed in the normal advantageous zone, but navigation can be executed in the first state, the second state, and the ending state. Note that navigation may also be executed in the normal advantageous zone, but in the first state, the second state, and the ending state, the probability of executing navigation to make the main character win when the push order role is won is higher than in the normal advantageous zone. In this way, in the AT state in advantageous zones such as the first state, the second state, and the ending state, navigation is executed with a higher probability than in the advantageous zone or the normal advantageous zone.

In the normal zone, when the lottery for transition to the advantageous zone is won (winning the advantageous zone), the state is controlled to the advantageous zone. Note that in this embodiment, the condition for winning the advantageous zone is the winning of most of the roles that can be won during normal play, so the duration of play during normal play is approximately 1G. Note that the condition for winning the advantageous zone may be met when any of the roles that can be won during normal play is won.

During the normal period, navigation is not performed in the game in which the push order role is won, so the net increase in the number of coins a player can win per game will be 0 or a negative number, taking into account the number of medals used to set the bet amount. Note that the net increase in the number of coins per game is the number of medals paid out per game minus the number of medals used to set the bet amount per game. In this embodiment, the normal payout rate is set to 40%. Thus, normally, the payout rate is 1 or less (100% or less) or less than 1 (less than 100%).

The advantageous zone includes the normal advantageous zone, the first state, the second state, and the ending state. Hereinafter, the first state, the second state, and the ending state will be collectively referred to as the "AT state." In the normal advantageous zone, navigation is not executed in the game in which the push order role is won, so the net increase in the number of coins that a player can win per game will be 0 or negative, taking into account the number of medals used to set the bet amount. In this embodiment, the payout rate in the normal advantageous zone is set to 40%. Thus, in the normal advantageous zone, the payout rate is 1 or less (100% or less) or less than 1 (less than 100%).

In the normal advantageous zone, an AT successive effect is executed, which indicates a transition to the first state. The AT successive effect continues for 3 to 5 consecutive games from the start, and notifies the player whether or not a transition to the first state will occur in the final game.

In the first state of the advantageous zone, the number of games (hereinafter also referred to as the AT game number) is fixed. For example, in this embodiment, the number of AT games in the first state is predetermined to 30G or 50G. In the first state of the advantageous zone, a life-specialized continuous performance is executed, which suggests a transition to a life-specialized zone. The life-specialized continuous performance is a performance that continues for 3 to 5 games from the start, and is a performance that notifies the player whether or not to transition to the life-specialized zone in the final game. The life-specialized zone indicates a state in which there is a high possibility of acquiring a life, which will be described later. The 3 to 5 games of the life-specialized continuous performance in the first state are included in the AT game number that is predetermined when transitioning to the first state. In other words, the life-specialized continuous performance is executed within the AT game number of 30 games or 50 games. Hereinafter, the AT continuous performance and the life-specialized continuous performance may be collectively referred to simply as "continuous performance".

When a predetermined number of AT games have been played in the first state, the state transitions from the first state to the second state (hereinafter also referred to as the second AT state). In the second state, the number of AT games is indefinite. Specifically, in the second state, an ally character battles an enemy character, and when the ally character wins the battle, the state transitions to the first state, whereas when the ally character loses the battle, the AT state ends and the state transitions to a non-AT state.

In order for an ally character to battle an enemy character in the second state, a life is required as the right to do so. In this embodiment, a life can be acquired in the first state, but a life cannot be acquired in the second state. That is, the player acquires a life while staying in the first state, and the ally character can battle an enemy character by consuming the life acquired in the first state in the second state. In the second state, a battle can be conducted as many times as the number of lives possessed, and even if an ally character is defeated by an enemy character in a battle, if the ally character has remaining lives, the ally character can battle the enemy character again. If the ally character has no remaining lives at the time of being defeated by an enemy character, the AT state ends and the state transitions to a non-AT state. In this embodiment, a life acquisition lottery is executed to determine whether or not a life is granted. The AT state is extended by granting a life through the life acquisition lottery.

If an ally character defeats an enemy character in the second state and the state transitions to the first state, the player can gain life again in the first state. Therefore, as long as there is life remaining, it is possible to continue to transition between the first and second states repeatedly, and during that time, navigation is performed when the push order bell (such as the 213-choice role A described below) is won, and the player can increase the net increase in the number of medals by operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R according to that navigation.

The first state also includes a first section and a second section, which are sections with different net increases in the number of medals. The first section is the first half of the first state in which the number of AT games is fixed (for example, 1G to 15G if the first state is 30G). The first section is a section in which navigation is performed less frequently than the second section, and in which the net increase in the number of medals is lower than the second section. For example, the net increase in the number of medals per 1G in the first section is 1 medal.

On the other hand, the second section is the latter section in the first state where the number of AT games is fixed (for example, 16G to 30G if the first state is 30G). The second section is a section where navigation is performed more frequently than the first section, and where the net increase in the number of medals is higher than the first section. For example, the net increase in the number of medals per 1G in the second section is 5 medals. In this way, even in the AT state, navigation is performed with a higher probability in the second section than in the first section.

In this way, the first section in the first state has a lower net increase in the number of medals than the second section. This makes it more advantageous for the player to stay in the second section, since they can earn more medals.

In the second state, as in the second section, navigation occurs more frequently than in the first section, and the net increase in the number of medals is higher. For example, the net increase in the number of medals per game in the second state is 5 medals, as in the second section in the first state. Therefore, the player can win more medals during a battle in the second state. In this way, even in the AT state, when in the second state, navigation occurs with a higher probability than when in the first section in the first state.

In this embodiment, the player's advantage increases when certain symbols (watermelon, strong cherry) are won. Specifically, in the first section of the first state, when a strong cherry is won, a life is confirmed to be awarded, and in the second state, when a strong cherry is won, it is confirmed that an ally character will win the battle.

In the normal advantageous zone, processing such as a lottery related to control to the first state is carried out. Specifically, in the normal advantageous zone, the main control unit 41 carries out a point acquisition lottery, which will be described later. The points updated by the point acquisition lottery are managed by the main control unit 41. The main control unit 41 includes an internal point counter (not shown) for counting points. In addition, when the value of the point counter reaches a specified value, the main control unit 41 executes an AT lottery, which will be described later.

In the favorable zone, the ending state is controlled when the total number of medals generated by winning during the favorable zone, which is updated based on the progress of the game, reaches a predetermined ED transition number. The ED transition number is updated during the favorable zone, and is not updated during the normal zone or BB. The ending state is a state in which it is determined that control to the favorable zone state will continue until the total value of the net increase in the number of medals reaches the upper limit number (for example, 2400 medals) or the number of games played during the favorable zone reaches the upper limit number of games (for example, 1500G). In the ending state, as in the second state and the second zone, navigation is performed more frequently than in the first zone, and the net increase in the number of medals is high. In this way, even in the AT state, when the ending state is in the first zone, navigation is performed with a higher probability than when it is in the first zone in the first state. The ED transition number is set when the normal zone is transitioned to the favorable zone. The ED transition number may be determined by lottery or may be determined in advance. The ED transition number is managed by the main control unit 41. That is, the RAM 41c of the main control unit 41 stores the number of ED transitions. The main control unit 41 cumulatively counts the number of ED transitions and ends the advantageous period according to the counting process.

When the limiter condition is met in the favorable zone, the favorable zone is switched to the normal zone. Specifically, when the number of sheets in the favorable zone (the number of sheets with a net increase during the favorable zone) reaches 2400 sheets, the favorable zone ends and the zone is switched to the normal zone. The number of sheets in the favorable zone is counted by a favorable zone number counter stored in RAM 41c. In other words, when the number of sheets in the favorable zone reaches the upper limit, it is said that the "limiter condition" is met. Alternatively, in the favorable zone, when the total number of games played (number of favorable zone Gs), which is updated based on the progress of the game, reaches a predetermined upper limit G (for example, 1500 G), the favorable zone ends and the zone is switched to the normal zone. The number of favorable zone Gs is counted by a net increase counter stored in RAM 41c.

When the game is controlled from the favorable zone to the normal zone, the total number of games played and the net increase in coins counted in the favorable zone, as well as the points that can be earned during play, are initialized. The number of Gs in the favorable zone and the net increase in coins during the favorable zone are updated not only during the favorable zone but also during BBs, and are not updated in the normal zone.

If the setting is changed during the advantageous zone, it will be controlled to the normal zone. At this time, the total number of games played and the net increase in coins counted during the advantageous zone, as well as the points that can be acquired during play, are also reset. In this embodiment of the slot machine 1, the medal payout rate changes according to the setting value. In more detail, the medal payout rate is changed by varying the probability of winning in a specified lottery, such as the point acquisition lottery described below, according to the setting value (for example, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, L). A staff member at the gaming facility can change this setting value by changing the setting.

In this way, the conditions for transitioning from the advantageous zone to the normal zone include limiter conditions and optional ending conditions that are met based on the progress of the game, as well as a condition for a setting change.

In addition, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, an upper limit of the number of games in the normal advantageous zone is set. When the upper limit of the number of games in the normal advantageous zone is reached, an AT right is granted to forcibly transition to the AT state regardless of the reached points. The upper limit of the number of games in the normal advantageous zone is, for example, 1280 games. The upper limit of the number of games is called the "ceiling". The main control unit 41 has a lottery counter in the RAM 41c to determine whether the ceiling has been reached. That is, the main control unit 41 stores the number of games played in the normal advantageous zone in the lottery counter in the RAM 41c. The main control unit 41 adds the value of the lottery counter each time a game is played in the normal advantageous zone. For example, if the upper limit of the number of games in the normal advantageous zone is set to 700 games, when the value of the lottery counter reaches 700, the main control unit 41 grants the AT right. The upper limit of the number of games in the normal advantageous zone is not limited to 700 games, and may be, for example, 1280 games.

[Winning Role]
5 to 8 are diagrams for explaining the types of winning combinations, winning combinations, and the awarding of prizes. The name column of each of the winning combinations in Fig. 5 to 8 shows the name of the winning combination, and the combination of the patterns that will win the winning combination is shown in the pattern combination column. The award column also shows the value (number of medals paid out, replay award, etc.) that will be awarded when the winning combination is won.

As shown in FIG. 5, the replay roles include lip 1 to lip 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the special role includes BB. As shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, the minor roles include plum 1 to 6, watermelon, and 1-coin role 1 to 33. Plum 1 to 6 are main roles that can be won when the push order role is won, and when they are won, 9 medals are paid out, which is more than the number of medals used in the bet (3 medals). Plum 1 to 6 are collectively referred to as "plum roles." 1-coin roles 1 to 33 are sub roles that can be won when the push order role is won, and when they are won, 1 medal is paid out, which is less than the number of medals used in the bet (3 medals). 1-coin roles 1 to 33 are collectively referred to as "1-coin roles."

As shown in FIG. 7, among the symbol combinations that will result in a 1-coin winning combination 22, when "Character-Character-Black 7" is derived on reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, three character symbols are arranged in a row on the reels. Specifically, character symbols are derived on the bottom row of the left reel 2L, the middle row of the middle reel 2C, and the top row of the right reel 2R, and the character symbols are arranged in a row going up to the right. The arrangement of character symbols in a row is also referred to as "character alignment."

As shown in FIG. 8, among the symbol combinations that will result in a 1-coin winning combination 23, when "Chara-Chara-Plum" or "Chara-Plum-Plum" is derived on reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, three 7 symbols are arranged in a row on the reels. Specifically, when a 7 symbol is derived on the top row of the left reel 2L, the top row of the middle reel 2C, and the top row of the right reel 2R, three 7 symbols are arranged in a row on the top row. Note that the arrangement of 7 symbols in a row is also referred to as "7-match."

[Role to be selected]
9 is a diagram for explaining the combination of winning roles read out as the lottery target roles for each game state. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the lottery target roles arranged by flag category. The role number column of FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 shows the role number determined for each lottery target role, the flag category column shows the flag category assigned to each type of lottery target role, the lottery target role column shows the name, the game state column shows that the lottery target role is a lottery target role with a circle for each game state, and the advantageous zone winning column shows whether or not the advantageous zone is won. Also, the winning role combination column in FIG. 9 shows the combination of winning roles included in each lottery target role.

As shown in FIG. 9, BB is provided as a special role that can be selected. The roles that can be selected for the replay role are normal lip, 7-match lip, 7-mismatch lip, character match lip, and character mismatch lip. The roles that can be selected for the minor role are common plum, 213-choice role A-D, 231-choice role A-D, 312-choice role A-D, 321-choice role A-D, watermelon, 7-match 1, 1, 2, character match 1, weak cherry, strong cherry, and chance eye A, B. The minor roles in BB are BB medium small role and BB medium 1. The 213-choice roles A-D, 231-choice roles A-D, 312-choice roles A-D, and 321-choice roles A-D are roles that can execute navigation when won, and are therefore types of push order roles. The 213-choice roles A-D, 231-choice roles A-D, 312-choice roles A-D, and 321-choice roles A-D are collectively referred to as "push order bells." Additionally, 7-matching 1-1 and 2-1 are collectively referred to as "7-matching 1-1."

When not inside the draw, all roles except for BB small/medium and 1 BB can be won, but when inside the draw, the BB win has already been carried over, so BB, BB small/medium and 1 BB cannot be won.

Each role is assigned a common flag category for non-internal, internal, and BB. Also, while role numbers are determined for each role to be drawn, flag categories are assigned for each type of role to be drawn. For this reason, the number of flag categories is smaller than the number of role numbers. Also, the point acquisition lottery in the normal advantageous zone and the bonus lottery in the advantageous zone (hereinafter collectively referred to as "lotteries related to AT control") are both conducted based on the flag category. For this reason, the processing burden can be reduced compared to conducting lotteries related to the control of these AT states based on role numbers.

In this embodiment, flag categories are also assigned to misses and BBs, and BBs are assigned FC1, the same as other roles such as regular replies. Common plums are assigned FC4, the same as watermelons.

[Reel control of push order role]
11 is a diagram for explaining reel control when the push order role is won. As described above, in this embodiment, in a game in which the push order role is won in an advantageous zone, navigation is executed and the correct procedure is notified to the player. The player can win a winning role (main role) that is advantageous to the player by operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the correct procedure according to the navigation.

For example, as shown in FIG. 11, in a game in which any of the 213-choice roles A-D, 231-choice roles A-D, 312-choice roles A-D, and 321-choice roles A-D is won, the main role of plum is won when the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are operated in the correct sequence, while the secondary role of 1 coin is won when the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are operated in the incorrect sequence. Note that if the secondary role of 1 coin is not won when the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are operated in the incorrect sequence, no win may occur.

As shown in FIG. 11, the "normal procedure" is not set as the "correct procedure", while the "irregular procedure" can be set as the "correct procedure". In other words, in a game in which the player wins any of the 213-choice roles A-D, 231-choice roles A-D, 312-choice roles A-D, and 321-choice roles A-D, as long as the player operates the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the normal procedure, the main role of the plum cannot be won. This may be a factor that induces the player to operate the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the irregular procedure, but as will be described later, in this embodiment, if the player operates the stop switches in the irregular procedure in a game in which navigation is not executed, a penalty that is disadvantageous to the player is imposed on the player. Therefore, the player is encouraged to operate the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the normal procedure in a game in which navigation is not executed.

Figure 12 is a diagram showing game start commands that the main control unit 41 sends to the sub-control unit 91 when the start switch 7 is operated. When the start switch 7 is operated (start operation), the main control unit 41 executes an internal lottery process, and sends a group of commands including predetermined information to the sub-control unit 91 depending on the result of the internal lottery process. Hereinafter, the group of commands No. 1 to No. 13 shown in Figure 12 will be simply referred to as "game start commands". The main control unit 41 sends each command in the order of No. 1 to No. 13 as a game start command. Each command is assigned a serial number as a "set serial number" with the same number as the number. Each command stores various information managed by the main control unit 41.

For example, the command No. 2 "instruction number" stores information related to navigation. That is, the command No. 2 stores information that can identify the order in which to press the start switch 7 in a game in which the start switch 7 is operated. Specifically, the command "instruction number" stores information that indicates the order in which to press the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R. When the sub-control unit 91 receives the command No. 2 "instruction number", it executes a navigation effect on the liquid crystal display 51 based on the operation procedure that can be identified from the command "instruction number". The sub-control unit 91 also causes the speaker 53 to output a sound that notifies the player of the operation procedure based on the operation procedure that can be identified from the command "instruction number".

For example, the command "small role type" of No. 3 stores information that can specify whether the role won by the internal lottery is a small role, a replay role, or a special role. In addition, the command "section state" of No. 6 stores information that can specify which of the internal states shown in FIG. 4 the game in which the start switch 7 is operated is in. Specifically, the command "section state" of No. 6 stores information indicating whether the currently controlled state is a normal section, an advantageous section, and further whether, among the advantageous sections, the advantageous section is normal, the first section of the first state, the second section of the first state, the second state, or the ending state. The sub-control unit 91 can specify which section state the game in which the start switch 7 is operated is in based on receiving the command "section state" of No. 6. In addition, the command "ball output state" of No. 4 can also store information that can specify the game state of the game in which the start switch 7 is operated. Command No. 9 "ART Premonition G Count" stores the number of games in the AT continuous performance. Command No. 10 "Points" in the game start command stores the number of points acquired in the previous game. Additionally, command No. 11 "Winning Number" stores information that can identify the role number of the role that was won by the internal lottery.

When the main control unit 41 transmits a game start command, it stores information indicating that a medal has been bet in the command No. 12 "insert medal". When information indicating that a medal has been bet is stored in the command No. 12 "insert medal", the sub-control unit 91 can determine that the game start command has been received.

Figure 13 shows game end commands sent by the main control unit 41 to the sub-control unit 91 at the third stop. The main control unit 41 sends the command group No. 1 to No. 13 to the sub-control unit 91 in the order of No. 1 to No. 13 not only when the start switch is operated but also at the third stop of the stop switch. Hereinafter, the command group No. 1 to No. 13 shown in Figure 13 will be simply referred to as "game end commands". Note that, among the commands sent at the third stop, command No. 11 is different from command No. 11 sent when the start switch 7 is operated. No. 11 is a command that stores information about winning. In other words, at the third stop, the main control unit 41 sends information about winning, not information about the winning number.

In the command "points" of No. 10 in the game end command, the number of points acquired in the point acquisition lottery process at the third stop, which will be described later, is stored. In addition, when the main control unit 41 transmits a game end command, it stores information indicating that the reel is stopped in the command "stop reel" of No. 13. When information indicating that the reel is stopped is stored in the command "stop reel" of No. 13, the sub-control unit 91 can determine that the game end command has been received. That is, the sub-control unit 91 determines whether the received command group is a game start command or a game end command based on the command "insert medal" of No. 12 and the command "stop reel" of No. 13. When the main control unit 41 transmits a game start command, it does not need to transmit the command "stop reel" of No. 13, and when it transmits a game end command, it does not need to transmit the command "insert medal" of No. 12.

[Main processing]
The control contents of the main processing performed by the main control unit 41 will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a flow chart showing the control contents of the main processing performed by the main control unit 41. The main processing is repeatedly executed for each unit of play. One cycle of the main processing corresponds to one unit of a game. In this embodiment, the main processing is also referred to as basic processing.

As shown in FIG. 14, the main control unit 41 first performs a game start waiting process (S1) to carry out the process from the end of control of the previous game to the start of the next game. In the game start waiting process, a process is carried out to set the number of bets in response to the insertion of medals, etc., and when the operation of the start switch 7 is detected with the specified number of bets set, a process is carried out to start the next game.

Next, when the game starts, an internal lottery process (S2) is performed to determine whether or not a winning is allowed to occur (internal lottery). In the internal lottery process, an internal lottery is performed to determine whether or not a winning is allowed to occur (i.e., whether or not derivation of a display result is allowed) based on a preset setting value (1-6) in the slot machine 1 and a random number value for the internal lottery obtained simultaneously with the start of the game by detection of the start switch 7. Then, the winning number (general role) corresponding to the winning combination is stored in the winning number setting area of RAM 41c so that the winning result of the internal lottery can be identified. In addition, if a special role is won, the winning number (special role) corresponding to the winning special role is stored in the winning number setting area of RAM 41c.

Next, a favorable zone transition flag generation process (S3) is performed to convert the winning number (general role) into a favorable zone transition flag, and a lottery flag generation process (S4) is performed to convert the winning number (general role) into a lottery flag. In the favorable zone transition flag generation process, the favorable zone transition flag conversion table is used to obtain the value of the favorable zone transition flag corresponding to the winning number (general role), and this is stored in a specified area of RAM 41c. In addition, in the lottery flag generation process, the lottery flag conversion table is used to obtain the values of lottery flags 1 to 3 corresponding to the winning number (general role), and these are each stored in a specified area of RAM 41c.

Next, a ball payout control process (S5) is performed at the start of the game, which performs processing related to the advantageous zone, processing related to the navigation notification, and processing related to the AT state when the game is started. In the processing related to the advantageous zone, a process for transitioning to the advantageous zone is performed when a role that transitions to the advantageous zone is won in the normal zone, and in the processing related to the navigation notification, a process for setting the navigation number and a process related to the management of the advantageous zone state are performed, and in the processing related to the AT state, a process for transitioning to the AT state is performed according to the winning role in the normal advantageous zone. In the process for setting the navigation number, if a role that is the target of the navigation notification is won and the navigation notification is performed, a navigation number of "1" to "13" is set in the navigation number setting area of RAM 41c according to the operation mode to be notified, and if a role that is the target of the navigation notification is won and the navigation notification is not performed, or if a role that is not the target of the navigation notification is won, "0" is set in the navigation number setting area of RAM 41c.

Next, interruption is prohibited (S6), and an operation signal setting process is performed (S7). In the operation signal setting process, a process is performed to transmit an operation signal capable of identifying the recommended stop operation mode to the test device.

Next, after the operation signal setting process, the interrupt permission is set (S8), and the game start command transmission process (S9) shown in FIG. 12 is performed to specify that one game has started. A control state command group including multiple commands that can specify various control states at the start of one game is set in a command queue and transmitted sequentially to the sub-control unit 91.

Next, after the game start command transmission process, a freeze process (S10) is performed to control the freeze state that delays the progress of the game for a predetermined period of time. In the freeze process, it is determined whether or not it has been decided to control the game to the freeze state when the start switch 7 is operated to start the game, and if it is determined that it has been decided to control the game to the freeze state, the progress of the game is delayed for a predetermined period of time. In addition, when a reel effect that changes the reels is performed in the freeze state, a process is performed to change the reels in a change mode according to the type of reel effect.

Next, after the freeze process is completed, interrupts are prohibited (S11), and a game start setting process (S12) is performed to set the predetermined time when the reels will start spinning. In the game start setting process, the reels start spinning process associated with the start of the game is performed, and the reels start spinning toward a constant speed.

Next, after the game start setting process, the device is set to interrupt permission (S13), and a rotation start external signal process (S14) is performed to output an external output signal at the start of rotation (such as a medal IN signal indicating the number of medals used in the game) from a specified output port to external devices such as a call lamp, hall computer, or test device. Below, the external output signal at the start of rotation may be referred to as the "start external signal."

Next, after external signal processing at the start of rotation, a reel stop process (S15) is performed to control the stopping of the reels. In the reel stop process, if a navigation notification is performed, the game aid display 12 displays the navigation number set in the navigation number setting area to notify the operation mode. In addition, if all reels are rotating at a constant speed, acceptance of a stop operation for the rotating reels is enabled, and the system waits until the player performs a reel stop operation. Then, when a valid stop operation is detected for a reel for which a stop operation is enabled, reel stop control is performed to stop the reel for which a valid stop operation has been performed. This reel stop control is repeated for the rotating reels, and the reel stop process is terminated when the rotation of all reels is stopped.

Next, after the reel stopping process, a winning search process (S16) is performed. In the winning search process, a winning symbol combination is searched for based on the symbol combination stopped on reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, and a winning flag indicating whether or not a win has been made and the number of medals to be paid out in response to the win are set in a specified area of RAM 41c.

Next, interruption is prohibited (S17), and a gaming machine information calculation process (S18) is performed to calculate the gaming history used when calculating the gaming machine information to be displayed on the gaming machine information display 50.

Next, after the gaming machine information calculation process, the interrupt is permitted (S19), and a special gaming state end check process (S20) is performed. In the special gaming state end check process, if the special gaming state is controlled, it is determined whether or not the end condition is met. Next, a gaming state setting process (S21) is performed. In the gaming state setting process, the gaming state of the next game is set based on the winning data set by the winning search process and the results of the special gaming state end check process.

Next, at the timing when the game ends, processing related to the advantageous zone and processing related to the navigation notification are performed, and a ball output control process at the end of the game (S22) is performed in which a lottery process for winning points, a lottery process for winning lives, and a lottery process for one-hit win are performed based on predetermined conditions. In the processing related to the advantageous zone, it is determined whether or not the end condition of the advantageous zone is met in the advantageous zone, and if the end condition of the advantageous zone is met, a processing for setting an advantageous zone end flag is performed, and in the processing related to the navigation notification, processing related to management of the advantageous zone state is performed. The lottery process for winning points, the lottery process for winning lives, and the lottery process for one-hit win are explained in detail below.

Next, the game end command transmission process (S23) shown in FIG. 12 is performed, and a group of control state commands including a number of commands that can specify various control states at the end of one game is set in the command queue and sequentially transmitted to the sub-control unit 91.

Next, after the game end command transmission process, a payout process is performed (S24) to award a number of medals according to the winnings that have occurred as a result of the game, based on the number of payout medals set in a predetermined area of RAM 41c by the winning search process (S16). In the payout process, a predetermined number of medals is awarded to the player for each winning that has occurred, and the number of medals awarded is added to the credits. When the credits reach the upper limit (50 in this embodiment), the medals that have not been added to the credits are paid out from the medal payout opening 9.

Next, after the payout process, an end-of-game external signal process (S25) is performed, which outputs an external output signal at the end of the game (such as a medal OUT signal indicating the number of medals awarded) from a specified output port to external devices such as a call lamp, hall computer, or test device. Hereinafter, the external output signal at the end of the game may be referred to as the "end-of-game external signal."

Next, a game end setting process is performed (S26). In the game end setting process, it is determined whether or not the replay symbol combination has stopped on reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, and if the replay symbol combination has stopped, the process of setting the number of bets to replay in the next game, setting the replay flag in a specified area of RAM 41c, controlling the replay LED 20 to the ON state (lighted state), etc. is performed.

Next, favorable zone end processing is performed (S27). In the favorable zone end processing, it is determined whether or not a favorable zone end flag indicating the end of the favorable zone is set in a specified area of RAM 41c, and if it is determined that the favorable zone end flag is set, favorable zone data initialization processing is performed to initialize a favorable zone related area in the storage area of RAM 41c in which data related to the control of the favorable zone is stored, and to end the favorable zone. In the favorable zone data initialization processing, the favorable zone in-progress flag indicating that the vehicle is in the favorable zone and the navigation number set in the navigation number setting area are initialized, and the favorable zone in-progress signal buffer for outputting the fact that the vehicle is in the favorable zone to an external device such as a test device is turned OFF.

Next, after the favorable zone end processing, favorable zone signal control processing (S28) is performed. In the favorable zone signal control processing, if the favorable zone flag is set in RAM 41c, control is performed to turn on the favorable zone signal buffer in RAM 41c.

Next, after the favorable zone signal control process, the favorable zone notification end process (S29) is performed. In the favorable zone notification end process, it is determined whether the favorable zone signal buffer in RAM 41c is OFF or not, and if it is determined that the favorable zone signal buffer is OFF, the zone display LED 19 is controlled to be turned off.

Next, after the advantageous zone notification end process, the game end initialization setting process (S30) is performed. In the game end initialization setting process, the area of RAM 41c to be initialized in the game is set in the initialization process described below. Except when the special game state ends, the size of the area to be initialized at the end of every game is set, and when the special game state ends, the size of the area to be initialized at the end of the special game state is set.

Next, interrupts are prohibited (S31), and initialization processing (S32) is performed. In the initialization processing, an area of the size set in the game end initialization setting processing is initialized from the initialization end address of the game RAM area allocated to RAM 41c, thereby initializing the area that is initialized at the end of every game except at the end of a special game state, and initializing the area that is initialized at the end of a special game state at the end of a special game state. Then, after the initialization processing, interrupts are permitted (S33), and the processing returns to the initialization processing described below.

Then, the processes of S1 to S33 are repeated. When the main process is completed, the process related to the control of one unit of game is completed, and the main process is repeatedly executed for each unit of game.

[Counters related to game numbers]
The counter related to the number of games will be described below. Each of the main control unit 41 and the sub-control unit 91 has a counter related to the number of games. The main control unit 41 has a lottery counter. The lottery counter is realized using a part of the area in the RAM 41c. The sub-control unit 91 has a display counter and a provocation counter. The display counter and the provocation counter are realized using a part of the area in the RAM 91c. The lottery counter is a counter for determining whether or not the ceiling has been reached. The display counter is a counter for displaying the number of games played on the liquid crystal display 51. The provocation counter is a counter for executing a provocation effect suggesting that an AT right will be granted in a game before the ceiling is reached.

The lottery counter possessed by the main control unit 41 will be described below. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, an upper limit is set on the number of games that can be played in the normal advantageous zone. This upper limit on the number of games is known as the "ceiling." The main control unit 41 counts the value of the lottery counter each time a game is played in the normal advantageous zone to determine whether the ceiling has been reached.

The main control unit 41 controls the game to enter an AT state when the lottery counter value reaches a specific value (for example, 700). That is, the main control unit 41 increments the lottery counter value as the game is played, and grants an AT right when the lottery counter value reaches a specific value. This allows the player to focus on the number of games played, increasing the interest of the game. That is, the main control unit 41 counts the number of games played during the normal advantageous zone using the lottery counter, and determines whether the ceiling has been reached. The lottery counter does not count the number of games played in the normal zone. Also, the lottery counter value is returned to the initial value (0) when the game state transitions to the normal zone.

Next, the display counter and the provocation counter of the sub-control unit 91 will be described. First, the provocation counter related to the lottery counter of the main control unit 41 will be described. The provocation counter is a counter for executing a provocation effect that suggests that AT rights will be granted in the game before the ceiling is reached.

When the ceiling is reached, the main control unit 41 grants AT rights. At this time, the sub-control unit 91 executes a provocative effect such as a continuous effect in the game before the AT rights are granted. In order to execute the provocative effect at the appropriate timing, the sub-control unit 91 needs to know the timing of reaching the ceiling. The sub-control unit 91 obtains the timing of reaching the ceiling by synchronizing the provocative counter with the lottery counter of the main control unit 41.

Specifically, the main control unit 41 includes the lottery counter value in the start command described in FIG. 12 and sends it to the sub-control unit 91. The sub-control unit 91 synchronizes the provocation counter value with the lottery counter value based on the received start command. This allows the sub-control unit 91 to obtain the timing of reaching the ceiling game number, i.e., the timing of when the AT right is granted, based on the provocation counter value, and execute the provocation performance at the appropriate timing. In other words, since the provocation counter is synchronized with the lottery counter, the provocation counter counts the number of games during the normal advantageous zone, and does not count the number of games executed in the normal zone. In addition, the provocation counter value is returned to the initial value (0) when the game state transitions to the normal zone.

Next, the display counter of the sub-control unit 91 will be described. The display counter is a counter for displaying the number of games that have been played on the liquid crystal display 51. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the sub-control unit 91 counts the value of the display counter except for a predetermined period. The predetermined period is a period during which a store clerk or the like at the gaming facility checks the operation, and will be described in detail later. The value of the display counter is returned to its initial value (0) when the power supply to the slot machine 1 is stopped and then resumed. The value of the display counter is also returned to its initial value (0) when the gaming state transitions to the normal zone.

[Lottery counter addition process flow of main control unit]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the process in which the main control unit 41 adds the value of the lottery counter. The main control unit 41 executes the flowchart shown in FIG. 15 based on the operation of the start switch 7. The main control unit 41 judges whether the advantageous zone is normal or not (step SM1). If the advantageous zone is not normal (NO in step SM1), the main control unit 41 ends the process without adding the value of the lottery counter. If the advantageous zone is normal (YES in step SM1), the main control unit 41 adds the value of the lottery counter (step SM2). After that, the main control unit 41 transmits the value of the lottery counter after the addition to the sub-control unit 91 (step SM3). That is, in order to synchronize the provocation counter and the lottery counter, the main control unit 41 transmits the value of the lottery counter to the sub-control unit 91 by including it in the game start command shown in FIG. 12. This allows the main control unit 41 to count the number of games executed in the advantageous zone normal, manage the ceiling game number, and synchronize the value of the lottery counter with the provocation counter.

[Increment process flow of the tilt counter and the display counter of the sub-control unit]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the process in which the sub-control unit 91 adds the value of the provocation counter and the value of the display counter. The sub-control unit 91 executes the flowchart of FIG. 16 based on the operation of the start switch 7. The sub-control unit 91 judges whether the game state is in the normal advantageous zone (step SS1). If the game state is in the normal advantageous zone (YES in step SS1), the sub-control unit 91 synchronizes the value of the provocation counter with the value of the lottery counter (step SS2). Next, the sub-control unit 91 judges whether the game state is in the predetermined period (step SS3). If the game state is not in the predetermined period (NO in step SS3), the sub-control unit 91 adds the value of the display counter (step SS4) and ends the process. If the game state is in the predetermined period (YES in step SS3), the sub-control unit 91 does not add the value of the display counter and ends the process. The predetermined period will be described in detail later.

In this way, the lottery counter, display counter, and incentive counter are incremented based on the operation of the start switch 7, but the lottery counter and incentive counter are not incremented unless the player is in a normal advantageous zone, and the display counter is not incremented if it is for a specified period of time. In other words, if the period during which the lottery counter value is not counted and the period during which the display counter value is not counted are the same period of time, the lottery counter value and the display counter value will be the same value. Figure 17 below shows an example in which the display counter value and the lottery counter value become the same value and the game progresses.

[Screen transition showing the number of games played]
Fig. 17 is a diagram showing the screen transitions on the liquid crystal display 51 in the normal advantageous zone. In Fig. 17, the screen transitions on the liquid crystal display 51 in the normal advantageous zone are shown together with the actions of the player. The screen transitions on the liquid crystal display 51 are controlled by a sub-control unit 91 that controls the presentation. Fig. 17 shows the progress of the game when the advantageous zone is normal and not in a specified period. That is, in Fig. 17, when the start switch 7 is operated, the values of the lottery counter, the display counter, and the instigation counter are each incremented.

In FIG. 17(a), the number of games displayed 54, a character 57, and a background image 58 are displayed on the liquid crystal display 51. The background image 58 is an image including clouds, mountains, and the sun. The character 57 is displayed superimposed on the background image 58. The background image 58 and the character 57 are images used for effects. Hereinafter, the background image 58 and the character 57 are collectively referred to as "images for effects". The screen on which the images for effects are displayed is also referred to as a screen for effects. The sub-control unit 91 displays the number of games displayed 54 on the liquid crystal display 51, superimposed on the image for effects. The number of games displayed 54 is a display for informing the player of the number of games that have been played. The sub-control unit 91 causes the value of the display counter to be displayed on the number of games displayed 54.

Figure 17(a) shows the display screen of the liquid crystal display 51 after 21 games have already been played in the normal advantageous zone. Therefore, the game count display unit 54 displays "21G", which means the 21 games that have been played. The sub-control unit 91 transitions the display screen of the liquid crystal display 51 from Figure 17(a) to Figure 17(b) based on the operation of the start switch 7. As shown in Figure 17(b), the sub-control unit 91 changes the display mode of the character 57 based on the operation of the start switch 7, and adds 1 to the number of games displayed by the game count display unit 54. In other words, the number of games displayed by the game count display unit 54 is updated from "21G" to "22G".

In this way, the sub-control unit 91 counts the number of games displayed on the game count display unit 54 based on the operation of the start switch 7. This allows the slot machine 1 of this embodiment to inform the player of the games that have been played in the normal advantageous zone. As explained above, FIG. 17 shows an example of a case where the display counter value and the lottery counter value are the same value. Therefore, when the start switch 7 is operated from the state shown in FIG. 17(a), the values of all counters, the lottery counter, the display counter, and the teasing counter, are updated from "22 games" to "23 games".

Furthermore, the main control unit 41 transmits a start external signal based on the operation of the start switch 7. The start external signal is an external output signal (such as a medal IN signal indicating the number of medals used in the game) at the start of rotation that is transmitted from a specified output port to external devices such as a call lamp, hall computer, or test device. The start external signal corresponds to the signal output in the start of rotation external signal processing (S14) in FIG. 14.

Figure 17(c) shows the display screen of the liquid crystal display 51 after a first stop operation is performed from the state shown in Figure 17(b). Figure 17(d) shows the display screen of the liquid crystal display 51 after a second stop operation is performed from the state shown in Figure 17(c). In the example of Figure 17, the sub-control unit 91 does not change the display mode of the performance image even when the first stop operation and the second stop operation are performed, but the display mode of the performance image may be changed each time a stop operation is performed.

Figure 17 (e) is the display screen of the liquid crystal display 51 after the third stop operation has been performed. As shown in Figure 17 (e), the sub-controller 91 changes the display mode of the performance image based on the fact that the third stop operation has been performed. In addition, the main control unit 41 transmits an end external signal based on the fact that the third stop operation has been performed. The end external signal is an external output signal at the end of the game (such as a medal OUT signal indicating the number of medals awarded) that is output from a specified output port to an external device such as a call lamp, hall computer, or test device after the payout process. The end external signal corresponds to the signal output in the game end external signal processing (S25) in Figure 14.

In this way, in the slot machine 1, one game is started by operating the start switch 7, and the one game is ended by performing the third stop operation. That is, the period of one game in the slot machine 1 is the period from when the start switch 7 is operated to when the third stop operation is performed. One game is also called a "unit game". The player plays the slot machine 1 by repeating the unit game. As shown in FIG. 17(f), the sub-control unit 91 switches the display screen of the liquid crystal display 51 again based on the player operating the start switch 7 again. In FIG. 17(f), as in FIG. 17(b), the sub-control unit 91 changes the display mode of the character 57 and updates the number of games displayed by the game number display unit 54 from "22G" to "23G". In addition, the main control unit 41 transmits a start external output signal based on the operation of the start switch 7. Additionally, the values of all counters, including the lottery counter, display counter, and teasing counter, are updated from "23 games" to "24 games."

[Regarding the specified period]
The following describes the predetermined period during which the value of the display counter is not counted. The predetermined period is a period provided for a store clerk or the like to check the operation of the game. The sub-control unit 91 does not count the value of the display counter even if a game is executed until the predetermined period has elapsed since the slot machine 1 was powered on.

In the slot machine 1, even if a store clerk operates the start switch 7 to check the operation after the slot machine 1 is powered on after the opening of the arcade, the number of games played between the time the slot machine 1 is powered on and the time a specified period of time has elapsed is not counted in the display counter and is not reflected in the game count display unit 54. If the number of games played by the store clerk is displayed to check the operation after the arcade opens, it would display that a game has already been played on the slot machine 1, which should not have been played by anyone just after opening, and this could confuse players. Therefore, by not counting the value of the display counter even if a store clerk checks the operation during the specified period of time, it is possible to prevent players from becoming confused.

The start and end of the specified period can be determined at various times by the sub-control unit 91. Two examples are shown below: one in which the end of the specified period is based on the end of the game, and the other in which the end of the specified period is based on preparations being completed for controlling the presentation.

An example of a predetermined period during which the display counter value is not counted will be described using FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a screen transition on the liquid crystal display 51 after the power is turned on. In the example of FIG. 18, the predetermined period is the period from when the slot machine 1 is turned on until one game is executed. In other words, the predetermined period ends when the game ends. Note that the predetermined period is not limited to the period from when the power is turned on until one game is executed, but may be, for example, the period until two or three games are executed. In this way, the period during which the number of times a game is executed is not counted for display purposes can be the period from when the slot machine 1 is turned on until a unit game is executed a predetermined number of times.

Figure 18 shows an example in which the power supply is cut off after the first to third stop operations are performed from the state shown in Figure 17(f) and the 23rd game is completed. Figure 18 also shows an example in which the setting change process is not performed when the power is turned on. After the power to the slot machine 1 is restored, the store clerk plays one game to check the operation.

In FIG. 18(a), the power supply to the slot machine 1 is stopped, and no image is displayed on the LCD 51. The slot machine 1 in the state shown in FIG. 18(a) is powered on by a store attendant, and transitions to the state shown in FIG. 18(b). When the power is turned on to the slot machine 1, the sub-control unit 91 displays a return preparation image indicating that display data to be used in the presentation is being loaded in preparation for presentation control. As shown in FIG. 18(b), the return preparation image is an image containing the words "preparing for return". Hereinafter, the screen of the LCD 51 when the return preparation image is displayed is referred to as the "return preparation screen".

The sub-control unit 91 resets the value of the display counter to the initial value (0) when the power is turned on. This allows the sub-control unit 91 to display the number of times the game has been played, which is counted after the slot machine 1 is turned on. The sub-control unit 91 starts a predetermined period when the power is turned on.

After that, the sub-controller 91 switches the display on the liquid crystal display 51 from the return preparation screen to a game return image based on receiving a return command from the main controller 41. As shown in FIG. 17(c), the game return image is an image including the words "returning to game". In the following, the screen of the liquid crystal display 51 in the state where the game return image is displayed is referred to as the "game return screen". In the following, the "return preparation image" and the "game return image" are collectively referred to as the "returning image", and the screen of the liquid crystal display 51 in the state where the returning image is displayed is referred to as the "returning screen". As shown in FIG. 17(f), before the power supply is stopped, the game state is in the normal advantageous zone, so the return command includes information indicating that the game has returned to the normal advantageous zone.

Next, after the game return screen is displayed in FIG. 17(c), the store clerk operates the start switch 7 to check the operation. When the start switch 7 is operated after the sub-control unit 91 receives the return command, it ends the display of the return screen. That is, the sub-control unit 91 switches from the game return screen to a screen displaying an image for presentation. In FIG. 18(c), the value of the lottery counter held by the main control unit 41 does not return to its initial value even when the power is turned on, but retains the value in FIG. 17(f), and therefore remains at "23". The value of the provocation counter, which is synchronized with the lottery counter value, also remains at "23".

In FIG. 17(c), the presentation image and the game count display unit 54 are displayed on the liquid crystal display 51. The value of the display counter has been returned to the initial value (0), so "0G" is displayed on the game count display unit 54. At this time, since the sub-control unit 91 is in a predetermined period, it does not update the number of games displayed by the game count display unit 54 from "0G" to "1G". In other words, the number of games displayed by the game count display unit 54 is maintained at the initial value of "0G". Meanwhile, the main control unit 41 updates the value of the lottery counter from "23" to "24" based on the start switch 7 being operated during the normal advantageous zone. Based on the increment of the lottery counter value, the sub-control unit 91 synchronizes the value of the provocation counter with the lottery counter value of "24". Therefore, as shown in FIG. 18, after the power is turned on and the start switch 7 is operated, the lottery counter value becomes "24G", the display counter value becomes "0G", and the instigation counter value becomes "24G".

The main control unit 41 also transmits a start external output signal even if the start switch 7 is operated within the specified period. In other words, the main control unit 41 outputs a start external output signal when a unit game is executed, regardless of whether a specified period has passed since the slot machine 1 was powered on. This allows the main control unit 41 to cause an external device, etc. to count the number of times a unit game has been executed based on the output signal, regardless of whether a specified period has passed since the slot machine 1 was powered on.

After the start switch 7 is operated by the store clerk, the first to third stop operations are performed as a confirmation of operation, as shown in FIG. 18(d). Based on the fact that the third stop operation has been performed, the sub-controller 91 changes the display mode of the presentation image, as shown in FIG. 18(e). In addition, the main control unit 41 transmits an end external signal based on the fact that the third stop operation has been performed within a predetermined period. Based on the fact that the third stop operation has been performed and the game has ended, the sub-controller 91 ends the predetermined period during which the value of the display counter is not counted.

As shown in FIG. 18, after the power is turned on, a game played by a store clerk to check operation is not displayed as the number of times played by the game count display unit 54. In this way, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, even if a store clerk plays a game to check operation before the arcade opens, the sub-control unit 91 does not display the game played to check operation on the game count display unit 54, preventing confusion for the player.

Next, FIG. 18 shows an example in which a game is started by the player, not by a store clerk. After the operation check is completed in FIG. 18(e), the player operates the start switch 7 on the slot machine 1. At this time, as shown in FIG. 18, the predetermined period ends when the third stop operation is performed in FIG. 18(d). Therefore, the sub-control unit 91 updates the value of the display counter from "0" to "1" based on the start switch 7 being operated by the player. As a result, the game count display unit 54 displays "1G" as shown in FIG. 18(f). In this way, in the slot machine 1, the game count display unit 54 displays the number of games played since the game started by the player, allowing a natural game count display for the player.

In addition, because the start switch 7 is operated by the player during the normal advantageous period, the main control unit 41 updates the value of the lottery counter from "24" to "25," and the sub-control unit 91 synchronizes the value of the provocation counter with the value of the lottery counter.

The sub-control unit 91 also displays the same presentation mode, including presentation images, between the time when the slot machine 1 is powered on and the time when the predetermined period has elapsed, and after the predetermined period has elapsed. This prevents the player from feeling uncomfortable, since the presentation mode does not change before and after the predetermined period has elapsed, even if the player plays within the predetermined period.

Next, an example in which the end of a predetermined period is based on the receipt of a restore command will be described with reference to FIG. 19. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the screen transition on the liquid crystal display 51 after the power is turned on. Like FIG. 18, FIG. 19 shows an example in which the power is turned off after the first to third stop operations are performed from the state shown in FIG. 17(f) and the 23rd game is completed. In FIG. 19 as well, after the power is restored to the slot machine 1, the store attendant plays a game to check the operation.

In FIG. 19(a), the supply of power to the slot machine 1 is stopped, and no image is displayed on the LCD 51. The sub-control unit 91 resets the display counter value to its initial value (0) when the power is turned on. As explained above, when the power is turned on to the slot machine 1, the sub-control unit 91 reads display data and the like in order to control the presentation. As shown in FIG. 19(b) to (d), while preparing to control the presentation, the sub-control unit 91 displays the words "Preparing to return" on the LCD 51.

In the example shown in FIG. 19, the predetermined period is the period until the return command is received. In other words, the predetermined period is the period from when the slot machine 1 is powered on until the return command is received. The period from when the slot machine 1 is powered on until the return command is received may be, for example, 1 to 2 seconds, or 10 to 20 seconds.

As shown in FIG. 19, even if the start switch 7 is operated by the store clerk between FIG. 19(b) and FIG. 19(c), the display counter value is not incremented and remains at its initial value of "0". On the other hand, because the start switch 7 is operated during the normal advantageous zone, the main control unit 41 updates the lottery counter value from "23" to "24", and the sub-control unit 91 synchronizes the value of the incentive counter. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19, after the start switch 7 is operated after power is turned on, the lottery counter value becomes "24G", the display counter value becomes "0G", and the incentive counter value becomes "24G".

At this time, the main control unit 41 transmits a start external signal based on the start switch 7 being operated within a predetermined period. Also, as shown in FIG. 19(d), the main control unit 41 transmits an end external signal based on the third stop operation being performed within a predetermined period. That is, the main control unit 41 outputs an end external signal when a unit game ends, regardless of whether a predetermined period has passed since the slot machine 1 was powered on. This makes it possible to have an external device, etc., tally up data related to game results based on the output signal, regardless of whether a predetermined period has passed since the slot machine 1 was powered on.

As shown in FIG. 19(e), the sub-control unit 91 ends the display of the return preparation screen when the predetermined period ends, and displays the game return screen. Based on the start switch 7 being operated after the game return screen is displayed, the sub-control unit 91 ends the game return screen of FIG. 19(e) and switches to the performance image shown in FIG. 19(f). As shown in FIG. 19(f), the value of the display counter is updated from "0" to "1" when the start switch 7 is operated by the player. That is, the game number display unit 54 displays "1G". Thus, in the example of FIG. 19, the predetermined period is the period from when the slot machine 1 is powered on until a specific time has elapsed during which the sub-control unit 91 reads display data, etc. As a result, the period during which the number of games executed is not counted for display purposes can be the period from when the slot machine 1 is powered on until the sub-control unit 91 reads display data, etc. In the example of FIG. 19, unlike the example of FIG. 18, the number of games to check operation is not limited to a predetermined number of games (for example, one game as in the example shown in FIG. 18). Therefore, if the start switch 7 is operated within the period until the specific time has elapsed, the store clerk can play any number of games as an operation check. In this way, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the end of the predetermined period may be based on the end of the game as in FIG. 18, or it may be based on the completion of preparations for controlling the presentation, or both may be adopted, and the end of the predetermined period may be the earlier of the two.

[Settings change process]
Fig. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a screen transition on the liquid crystal display 51 after a setting change has been made. In the example shown in Fig. 20, an example will be described in which a predetermined period of time starts based on the setting of a setting change process. In the example shown in Fig. 20, the predetermined period of time is a period from when the setting change has been made until one game has been played. Note that the predetermined period of time in Fig. 20 may be a period from when the setting change has been made until a specific time has elapsed.

As explained above, the main control unit 41 transitions the game state to the normal zone when the setting is changed. Hereinafter, the transition of the game state to the normal zone is also referred to as "initialization of the game state." After at least one game has been played in the normal zone, the main control unit 41 transitions the game state from the normal state to the advantageous zone (normal). As a result, the game state is initialized when the setting value is set, so that a state advantageous to the player does not continue and it is possible to prevent the player from becoming overly advantageous.

After the setting change has been made, the sub-control unit 91 causes the LCD display 51 to display the words "Setting change in progress" as shown in FIG. 20(a). After the setting change process is complete, the sub-control unit 91 starts a predetermined period during which the display counter value is not counted. In addition, after the setting change is complete, the sub-control unit 91 causes the presentation image and the game count display unit 54 to be displayed.

Since the setting has been changed, the main control unit 41 transitions the game state to the normal zone. Based on the transition of the game state to the normal zone, the main control unit 41 returns the value of the lottery counter to the initial value (0). As a result, the value of the sub-control unit 91's provocation counter is also synchronized to the initial value. As described above, the setting change process is a process that involves restarting the device by stopping the supply of power and then turning the power back on. Therefore, the sub-control unit 91 returns the value of the display counter to the initial value (0). Therefore, in FIG. 20(b), the game count display unit 54 displays "0G". That is, after being controlled to the advantageous zone, the sub-control unit 91 counts the value of the display counter from the initial value. As a result, in the slot machine 1, the game count display unit 54 can display the number of games played counted during the advantageous zone.

After the screen shown in FIG. 20(b) is displayed, the store clerk operates the start switch 7 to check the operation. At this time, since the sub-control unit 91 is in a predetermined period, it does not increment the display counter value and keeps it at its initial value of "0". Also, since the start switch 7 is operated in a normal zone that is not a normal advantageous zone, the main control unit 41 does not increment the lottery counter value and keeps it at its initial value of "0". Also, the value of the provocation counter is synchronized to its initial value of "0". Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20(c), after the setting change process is performed and the start switch 7 is operated, the value of the lottery counter becomes "0G", the value of the display counter becomes "0G", and the value of the provocation counter becomes "0G".

As shown in FIG. 20(c), the predetermined period ends when the start switch 7 is operated and then the third stop operation is performed. The main control unit 41 sets a flag for transitioning to the advantageous zone from the next game depending on the winning result. FIG. 20 shows an example in which a winning result for transitioning to the advantageous zone is derived and a flag for transitioning to the advantageous zone from the next game is set in the third stop operation after the screen shown in FIG. 20(c).

With the screen in the state shown in FIG. 20(d), the player operates the start switch 7. Because the flag for transitioning to the advantageous zone is set, when the player operates the start switch 7, the main control unit 41 controls the game state from the normal zone to the normal advantageous zone. Since the predetermined period has already ended in the state of the screen shown in FIG. 20(d), the sub-control unit 91 updates the value of the display counter from "0" to "1" and displays "1G" on the number of games display unit 54. In addition, since the advantageous zone is being controlled to be normal, the main control unit 41 updates the value of the lottery counter from "0" to "1", and the teasing counter is synchronized with the value of the lottery counter.

In this way, in the example of FIG. 20, the sub-control unit 91 does not count the value of the display counter until a predetermined period of time has passed since the setting change process. This prevents players from becoming confused because the game played by the store clerk to check the operation is not counted even after the setting change process.

[Power supply cut off during gameplay]
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a screen transition of the liquid crystal display 51 after the power is turned on. FIG. 21 shows an example in which the power supply is cut off before the first and second stop operations are performed from the state shown in FIG. 17(f) and the 23rd game is completed. FIG. 21(a) differs from FIG. 18(a) in that the power supply is cut off before the third stop operation is performed in FIG. 21 and the power supply is cut off after the third stop operation is performed in FIG. 18. That is, the example in FIG. 21 shows a state after the power supply is stopped midway without completing the 23rd game. In FIG. 21 as well, after the power of the slot machine 1 is restored, the store clerk plays a game to check the operation.

When the power is turned on by a store attendant, the slot machine 1 in the state shown in FIG. 21(a) transitions to the state shown in FIG. 21(b). When the power is turned on, the reels corresponding to the stop switches for which the third stop operation has not yet been performed start to spin. The sub-control unit 91 reads display data and the like used for the presentation, and causes the LCD display 51 to display a return preparation screen. As shown in FIG. 17(f), the game state before the power supply is stopped is the normal advantageous zone, so in FIG. 21 as well, the main control unit 41 starts the game state from the normal advantageous zone.

In addition, if the power supply to the slot machine 1 is stopped after a unit game has started but before the unit game ends, the sub-control unit 91 counts the number of unit games following that unit game from the initial value. That is, as shown in FIG. 17(b), the sub-control unit 91 resets the value of the display counter to the initial value (0) when the power is turned on. This makes it possible to reset the number of executions counted by the display counter to the initial value if the power supply to the slot machine 1 is stopped during a unit game and the unit game is not performed normally.

When the sub-control unit 91 finishes reading the display data and receives a return command, it displays the game return screen as shown in Figures 21(c) and (d). As described above, the return command includes information such as the game state before the power supply was stopped. Specifically, the return command includes the contents of the 23rd game shown in Figure 17(f).

In this way, the sub-control unit 91 displays the game return screen when the power supply to the slot machine 1 is stopped before the unit game ends, and then the power supply to the slot machine 1 is restarted and a return command is received. This allows the outside world to recognize that the power supply to the gaming machine has stopped during a unit game and the unit game is not being played normally.

The store clerk stops the reels that started spinning when the power was turned on by the third stop operation to check the operation. If the power supply to the slot machine 1 is stopped after the unit game shown in FIG. 17(f) has started but before the unit game is finished, the sub-control unit 91 does not count the value of the display counter even if the unit game is finished. That is, even if the performance image and the game number display unit 54 are displayed after the game return screen is finished, the game number display unit 54 becomes "1G" as shown in FIG. 21(f). In other words, the sub-control unit 91 does not update the value of the display counter from the initial value "0" to "1" because the previous game was continued after the power supply was resumed. As a result, when the power supply to the slot machine 1 is stopped during a unit game, the sub-control unit 91 can set the display of the game number display unit 54 to "1G" based on the first operation of the start switch 7 after the power is turned on, as shown in FIG. 21(f), not including the unit game that was not played normally.

[Volume settings and menu screen]
Fig. 22 is a diagram for explaining the volume setting and menu screen. Fig. 22(a) is a screen showing a display example of a setting operation display 330. Fig. 22(b) is a screen showing a display example of a volume setting display 340. Fig. 22(c) is a screen showing a display example of a menu screen 350.

In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the player can set the volume for the effects. As shown in FIG. 22(a), the sub-control unit 91 notifies the player that the volume can be set by displaying the setting operation display 330 on the liquid crystal display 51. As shown in FIG. 22, the upper part of the setting operation display 330 displays the words "Go to volume setting" together with an image showing the cross key 70. In addition, the lower part of the setting operation display 330 displays the words "Go to menu screen" together with an image showing the effect switch 56. In the slot machine 1, the setting operation display 330 is displayed to allow the player to recognize that the volume can be set by operating the cross key 70, and that the menu screen 350 can be displayed by operating the effect switch 56.

The sub-control unit 91 displays the setting operation display 330 based on the establishment of a specific condition. The specific condition is, for example, a condition in which a period during which no operation from the player is accepted continues for a predetermined time. Alternatively, the specific condition may be the sub-control unit 91 accepting an instruction from the player to display the setting operation display 330. In the example of FIG. 22, an example is shown in which the setting operation display 330 is displayed in the normal advantageous zone, but the setting operation display 330 may also be displayed during the AT state.

When the cross key 70 is operated, the sub-control unit 91 switches the screen of the liquid crystal display 51 from FIG. 22(a) to FIG. 22(b). In FIG. 22(b), the liquid crystal display 51 displays a volume setting display 340 instead of the setting operation display 330. The volume setting display 340 is an image including a volume bar 341. The sub-control unit 91 displays the volume setting display 340 for, for example, five seconds. In the example of FIG. 22, a volume bar that can set the volume to up to six levels is displayed. The sub-control unit 91 executes performance control at a volume that corresponds to the volume level that has been set. Note that the number of levels at which the volume can be set on the volume bar is not limited to six levels.

The sub-control unit 91 lowers the set volume by one step in response to receiving operation of the left switch 70L or the down switch 70D of the cross key. The sub-control unit 91 raises the set volume by one step in response to receiving operation of the right switch 70R or the up switch 70U of the cross key. In addition, the sub-control unit 91 can display the volume setting display 340 by operating the cross key 70 even when the setting operation display 330 is not displayed.

In response to the operation of the performance switch 56, the sub-control unit 91 switches the screen of the liquid crystal display 51 from FIG. 22(a) to FIG. 22(c). In FIG. 22(c), the liquid crystal display 51 displays a menu screen 350 instead of the setting operation display 330. The menu screen 350 is a screen including a plurality of selection items. In the example of FIG. 22, the menu screen 350 includes the selection items of a payout table 351, a game history 352, a login 353, and an end 354. The player can select one of the selection items by operating the cross key 70 while the menu screen 350 is displayed.

When payout table 351 is selected, sub-control unit 91 displays a table showing the correspondence between game results and the awarding of game value. When game history 352 is selected, sub-control unit 91 displays game history such as the number of times advantageous states were controlled and the total number of game values awarded. When login 353 is selected, sub-control unit 91 displays a screen that prompts the player to log in. When end 354 is selected, sub-control unit 91 ends the display of menu screen 350. In addition, even when setting operation display 330 is not displayed, sub-control unit 91 displays menu screen 350 when performance switch 56 is operated.

In the example of FIG. 22, an example was described in which the menu screen 350 is displayed by operating the performance switch 56, and the volume setting display 340 is displayed by operating the cross key 70, but the volume setting display 340 may be displayed by operating the performance switch 56 and the menu screen 350 may be displayed by operating the cross key 70, or the volume setting display 340 and the menu screen 350 may be displayed based on other operations.

[About the setting change sound]
Fig. 23 is a diagram for explaining a specific sound outputted when changing settings. In Fig. 23, the setting change sound is displayed together with a screen transition after the setting change process. The main control unit 41 causes the speaker 53 to output the setting change sound as a specific sound during the setting change process and for a specific period of time after the setting change process is completed.

The setting change sound is a specific sound that indicates that a setting change is being made. In the slot machine 1, the setting change sound is output to make the store attendant aware that there is a slot machine in the arcade whose setting has been changed, and this prevents unauthorized setting changes. The main control unit 41 outputs the setting change sound for, for example, 10 seconds after the setting change is completed.

As shown in FIG. 23(c), when a setting change sound, which is a specific sound, is being output, the sub-control unit 91 does not set the volume even if it receives an operation of the cross key 70. In addition, the sub-control unit 91 does not display the setting operation display 330 when a setting change sound is being output. Furthermore, the main control unit 41 does not change the volume of the setting change sound when it is output.

After the state shown in FIG. 23(c) is reached, the output of the setting change sound stops. Thereafter, the sub-control unit 91 displays the setting operation display 330 as shown in FIG. 23(d) based on the fact that a period during which no operation from the player is accepted has continued for a predetermined time. The sub-control unit 91 also displays the volume setting display 340 as shown in FIG. 23(e) in response to the player operating the cross key 70. Furthermore, the sub-control unit 91 changes the display of the volume bar 341 as shown in FIG. 23(f) in response to the player operating the right switch 70R of the cross key 70. At this time, the sub-control unit 91 outputs a volume confirmation sound.

In this way, the main control unit 41 can output a setting change sound as a specific sound. This allows a specific sound to be output depending on the situation, making it possible to clearly recognize that a setting change has been made. In other words, in the slot machine 1, the store attendant can recognize the state of the slot machine 1 depending on which specific sound is being output.

[Door opening sound]
FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining the door-opening sound output when the front door 1b is open. FIG. 24(a) shows the display screen of the liquid crystal display 51 when the game state is in the normal advantageous zone. FIG. 24(a) shows the setting operation display 330. From FIG. 24(a), the front door 1b of the slot machine 1 is in the open state. The main control unit 41 outputs the door-opening sound based on the fact that the front door 1b is open. Furthermore, the main control unit 41 can continue the game even while the door-opening sound is being output.

24(b) and (c), the sub-control unit 91 does not set the volume when it accepts an operation of the cross key 70 while the door-opening sound is being output. This prevents the volume of the door-opening sound from being changed by setting the volume while the door-opening sound is being output in the slot machine 1. Furthermore, the sub-control unit 91 does not display the setting operation display 330 even if a period during which no operation from the player is accepted continues for a predetermined time while the door-opening sound is being output. This prevents the player from misunderstanding that the volume can be set while the door-opening sound is being output in the slot machine 1. Furthermore, the main control unit 41 does not change the volume of the door-opening sound when it outputs the door-opening sound. This allows the door-opening sound to be appropriately notified at a constant volume.

In addition, when the sub-control unit 91 receives an operation of the cross key 70 while the door-opening sound is being output, the sub-control unit 91 does not output the volume confirmation sound. This makes it possible to prevent the output of the door-opening sound from being hindered by the volume confirmation sound being output when the door-opening sound is being output in the slot machine 1.

25 is a diagram showing the screen transition when the front door 1b is opened while the volume setting display 340 is displayed. In FIG. 25(a), the setting operation display 330 is displayed. In FIG. 25(b), the volume setting display 340 is displayed based on the operation of the cross key 70. As described above, the sub-control unit 91 displays the volume setting display 340 for 5 seconds. When the volume setting display 340 is displayed, the main control unit 41 causes the speaker 53 to output a door opening sound based on the opening of the front door 1b. As shown in FIG. 25(c), the sub-control unit 91 ends the display of the volume setting display 340 based on the start of output of the door opening sound while the volume setting display 340 is displayed. As a result, in the slot machine 1, even if the volume setting display 340 is displayed before the door opening sound is output, the display of the volume setting display 340 is ended, so that the player is not misled into thinking that the volume setting can be performed.

The sub-control unit 91 also displays the words "Door Open" based on the fact that the front door 1b is open. This allows the slot machine 1 to easily recognize that the door is open. As shown in Figures 25(e) and (f), when the front door 1b is closed after the door opening sound has started to be output and the display of the volume setting display 340 has ended, the liquid crystal display 51 displays the volume setting display 340 based on the operation of the cross key 70. This allows the volume setting display 340 to be displayed by operating the cross key 70 again after the front door 1b is closed.

[About specific songs (AT songs)]
FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example in which the display of the menu screen 350 ends based on the first end condition during the output of the first AT music. FIG. 26 shows the display screen of the liquid crystal display 51 when the game state is the first state of the advantageous zone. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the sub-control unit 91 outputs a specific music corresponding to a specific game state to the speaker 53 when the game state is in the specific game state. The specific music is, for example, an AT music (BGM) that flows only during the AT state. For example, the sub-control unit 91 outputs a first AT music corresponding to the first state in the first state of the advantageous zone shown in FIG. 26 to the speaker 53. The sub-control unit 91 outputs the first AT music in the first output mode when the performance image is displayed. The performance image in the first state is an image including a character 57 and a background image 58 including planets and stars. The first output mode is a mode in which the performance sound is output at a volume larger than the volume of the performance sound output in the normal advantageous zone.

As shown in FIG. 26(a), the sub-control unit 91 displays the setting operation display 330. As shown in FIG. 26(b), the sub-control unit 91 displays the menu screen 350 in response to the operation of the performance switch 56. The sub-control unit 91 changes the output mode of the music during the first AT based on the display of the menu screen 350. Specifically, the sub-control unit 91 changes from the first output mode to the second output mode. The second output mode is a mode in which the music is output at a lower volume than the volume when it is output in the first output mode. In this way, by outputting at a lower volume when the menu screen 350 is displayed, the player's operation of the menu screen 350 is not hindered.

As described in FIG. 22, when End 354 is selected from among the selection items included in the menu screen 350, the sub-control unit 91 ends the display of the menu screen 350. Hereinafter, the selection of End 354 is referred to as the "end operation."

In addition, when the start switch 7 is operated while the menu screen 350 is displayed, the sub-control unit 91 ends the display of the menu screen 350. This allows the slot machine 1 to skip the end operation and directly start spinning the reels while the menu screen 350 is displayed.

Furthermore, the sub-control unit 91 ends the display of the menu screen 350 when a predetermined time has elapsed since the menu screen 350 began to be displayed. As a result, in the slot machine 1, for example, if the player leaves his/her seat while the menu screen 350 is displayed, the display screen of the liquid crystal display 51 can be returned to a playable screen after the predetermined time has elapsed. The predetermined time is, for example, three minutes.

In this way, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the display of the menu screen 350 is terminated based on the performance of an end operation, an advance operation, and the passage of a predetermined time. When an end operation or an advance operation is performed, the slot machine 1 is accepting some operation, and therefore the player has intentionally terminated the display of the menu screen 350. On the other hand, when the display of the menu screen 350 is terminated based on the passage of a predetermined time, the display of the menu screen 350 may end against the player's intention.

In the following, the condition that the player intentionally performs an ending operation or a progress operation to end the display of the menu screen 350 is referred to as the "first ending condition." On the other hand, the condition that a predetermined time has elapsed, which ends the display of the menu screen 350 regardless of the player's intention, is referred to as the "second ending condition."

FIG. 26 shows an example in which the display of the menu screen 350 is terminated due to the first termination condition. When the display of the menu screen 350 is terminated due to the first termination condition, which is a condition in which an end operation or a progress operation is performed, the sub-control unit 91 changes the output mode of the music during the first AT to compensated dating. Specifically, the sub-control unit 91 changes from the second output mode to the first output mode.

Figure 27 is a diagram showing an example in which the display of the menu screen 350 ends based on the second end condition while a music piece is being output during the first AT. The example shown in Figure 27 differs from the example shown in Figure 26 in that the display of the menu screen 350 ends when a predetermined time has elapsed. When the display of the menu screen 350 ends based on the second end condition that is unrelated to the player's intention, the sub-control unit 91 does not change the output mode of the music piece during the first AT. In other words, the sub-control unit 91 maintains the second output mode and outputs the music piece during the first AT. This prevents the player from being surprised, since the output mode of the music piece during the first AT is not changed, even if the display of the menu screen 350 ends unintentionally by the player.

Also, as shown in FIG. 26(c) and FIG. 27(c), when the sub-control unit 91 ends the display of the menu screen 350, the effect images shown in FIG. 26(a) and FIG. 27(a) that were displayed before the menu screen 350 was displayed are displayed. This allows the slot machine 1 to conveniently recognize that the display of the menu screen 350 has ended.

Figure 28 is a diagram showing an example of displaying the menu screen 350 in the second state of the advantageous zone. Figure 28 shows the display screen of the liquid crystal display 51 when the game state is in the second state of the advantageous zone. The sub-control unit 91 outputs a second AT song corresponding to the second state in the second state of the advantageous zone shown in Figure 28 (a). In other words, the specific song includes a first AT song and a second AT song. Hereinafter, the specific song may be simply referred to as an "AT song". The sub-control unit 91 outputs the second AT song in the first output mode when a performance image is displayed. As shown in Figure 28 (a), the performance image in the second state is an image in which character 57 and character 59 face each other.

As shown in FIG. 28(b), the sub-control unit 91 displays the menu screen 350 in response to the operation of the performance switch 56. Based on the display of the menu screen 350, the sub-control unit 91 changes the output mode of the music during the second AT from the first output mode to the second output mode. In this way, in the slot machine 1, in either the first or second state, if the menu screen 350 screen is displayed, the output mode of the music during the second AT can be changed.

Next, in the slot machine 1, Login 353 is selected from the selection items on the menu screen 350. In response to the selection of Login 353, the sub-control unit 91 outputs a response sound. That is, when the menu screen 350 is displayed and a specific operation, such as an operation that selects Login 353 that is different from the end operation, is received, the sub-control unit 91 outputs a response sound. This allows the slot machine 1 to conveniently notify the player that the operation has been received normally.

In FIG. 28(c), the sub-control unit 91 displays a login screen 355. The login screen 355 prompts the player to input a login ID. The specific operation may include an operation of inputting a login ID. In other words, the sub-control unit 91 outputs a response sound each time the player inputs a character of the login ID.

[About the output of music and sound effects during AT during recovery]
As described above, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment displays a screen during recovery after the power supply is resumed. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment outputs music during AT at a volume higher than the performance volume during the normal advantageous zone during the AT state. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment outputs sound effects based on an operation for progressing the game. For example, a start sound is output in response to the operation of the start switch 7. The following describes the output of music and sound effects during AT when the screen during recovery is displayed in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment. FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a recovery process by the sub-control unit 91. The sub-control unit 91 executes the flowchart shown in FIG. 29 based on the start of the power supply. The sub-control unit 91 displays a recovery preparation screen on the liquid crystal display 51 (step SP1). As described above, the recovery preparation screen is a screen indicating that display data and the like used for performance are being read.

The sub-control unit 91 determines whether or not a return command has been received (step SP2). As described above, a return command is a command that indicates that the main control unit 41 has returned to the state before the power outage. The return command includes information about the game state and gameplay in the state before the power outage. In other words, if the power supply is stopped during the AT state, the return command includes information indicating the AT state. If the sub-control unit 91 does not receive a return command (NO in step SP2), it repeats the processing of step SP2.

When the sub-control unit 91 receives a return command (YES in step SP2), it causes the LCD 51 to display a game return screen (step SP3). That is, the sub-control unit 91 switches the display screen of the LCD 51 from the return preparation screen to the game return screen. Next, the sub-control unit 91 determines whether or not a BET operation command has been received (step SP4). As described above, the BET operation command is a command sent from the main control unit 41 to the sub-control unit 91 when the MAX BET switch 6 and the 1 BET switch 65 are operated.

When a BET operation command is received (YES in step SP4), the sub-control unit 91 outputs a BET sound from the speaker 53 (step SP5). The BET sound is a sound effect indicating that the 1 BET switch 65 or the MAX BET switch 6 has been operated effectively, and is, for example, an electronic sound lasting 0.5 seconds. After outputting the BET sound, or if the sub-control unit 91 does not receive a BET operation command (NO in step SP4), it determines whether or not a medal insertion command has been received (step SP6).

As described above, the medal insertion command is a command sent from the main control unit 41 to the sub-control unit 91 based on the insertion of a medal into the medal insertion unit 4. When the medal insertion command is received (YES in step SP6), the sub-control unit 91 outputs a medal insertion sound from the speaker 53 (step SP7). The medal insertion sound is a sound effect indicating that the medal inserted into the medal insertion unit 4 has been validly accepted, and is, for example, an electronic sound lasting 0.5 seconds. The medal insertion sound may be a sound effect similar to the BET sound. After outputting the medal insertion sound, or if the medal insertion command is not received (NO in step SP6), the sub-control unit 91 determines whether or not a stop switch command has been received (step SP8).

As described above, the stop switch command is a command sent from the main control unit 41 to the sub-control unit 91 based on the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R. When the stop switch command is received (YES in step SP8), the sub-control unit 91 outputs a stop sound from the speaker 53 (step SP9). The stop sound is a sound effect indicating that one of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R has been effectively operated, and is, for example, an electronic sound lasting 0.5 seconds. The sub-control unit 91 may output the stop sound immediately after receiving the stop switch command, or may output the stop sound when it receives a command including information indicating that the reels have stopped spinning. After outputting the stop sound, or if the sub-control unit 91 does not receive the stop switch command (NO in step SP8), it determines whether or not a settlement start command has been received (step SP10).

As described above, the settlement start command is a command sent from the main control unit 41 to the sub-control unit 91 based on the operation of the settlement switch 10. When the settlement start command is received (YES in step SP10), the sub-control unit 91 outputs a return sound from the speaker 53 (step SP11). The return sound is a sound effect indicating that the settlement switch 10 has been operated validly. The return sound includes a settlement start sound, a dispensing sound, and a settlement completion sound. The settlement start sound is, for example, an electronic sound lasting one second.

The payout sound is a sound effect output while the gaming value is being paid out from the medal payout outlet 9. The settlement completion sound is a sound indicating that all gaming value stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c has been paid out as medals from the medal payout outlet 9 by the return operation. The settlement completion sound may be, for example, a sound saying "Settlement has been completed." The sub-control unit 91 may output the settlement start sound, the payout sound, and the settlement completion sound consecutively. Alternatively, the sub-control unit 91 may start outputting the payout sound after a predetermined period has elapsed since the output of the settlement start sound has ended, or may start outputting the settlement completion sound after a predetermined period has elapsed since the output of the payout sound has ended. After outputting the return sound, or if the sub-control unit 91 does not receive a settlement start command (NO in step SP10), the sub-control unit 91 determines whether or not a game start command has been received (step SP12).

As described above, the game start command is a command sent from the main control unit 41 to the sub-control unit 91 based on the operation of the start switch 7. If the sub-control unit 91 has not received the game start command (NO in step SP12), the process returns to step SP2. That is, after displaying the game return screen (step SP3), the sub-control unit 91 repeats steps SP4 to SP11 until it receives the game start command (step SP12). Note that the order in which the process for outputting the BET sound in step SP4 and step SP5, the process for outputting the medal insertion sound in step SP6 and step SP7, the process for outputting the stop sound in step SP8 and step SP9, and the process for outputting the return sound in step SP10 and step SP11 are executed is not limited to the order shown in FIG. 29, and may be executed in any order.

When a game start command is received (YES in step SP12), the sub-control unit 91 outputs a start sound from the speaker 53 (step SP13). The start sound is a sound effect indicating that the start switch 7 has been operated effectively. The start sound is, for example, a one-second electronic sound that is output when the reels start to spin. After outputting the start sound, the sub-control unit 91 ends the display of the game return screen (step SP14). That is, the sub-control unit 91 switches from the game return screen to a presentation screen that corresponds to the game state included in the return command. The sub-control unit 91 determines whether the game state included in the return command is an AT state (step SP14).

If the game state included in the return command is the AT state (YES in step SP15), the sub-control unit 91 outputs AT music (step SP16) and ends the process. If the game state included in the return command is not the AT state (NO in step SP15), the sub-control unit 91 outputs music corresponding to the game state (step SP17) and ends the process. For example, if the game state to be returned to is the normal advantageous zone, the sub-control unit 91 outputs the normal advantageous zone music that is output during the normal advantageous zone.

In this way, after the power supply is resumed, the sub-control unit 91 does not output AT music or other music until it receives the game start command in step SP12 and ends the display of the recovery screen. In other words, while the recovery screen is being displayed, the sub-control unit 91 does not output AT music from the speaker 53 even if the game state stored in the RAM 41c is the AT state.

On the other hand, sound effects based on operations for progressing the game, such as inserting a medal into the medal insertion unit 4, operating the 1BET switch 65 or the MAXBET switch 6 to set the number of bets, operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R to stop, operating the settlement switch 10 to return, and operating the start switch 7 to start, are output even during the return period. Operations for progressing the game are not limited to the examples shown in FIG. 29, and may include other operations.

As a result, when the power supply to the slot machine 1 is resumed and the recovery screen is displayed and the slot machine 1 is controlled to the AT state, a specific song is not output, making it possible to clearly communicate to the outside that a recovery is in progress. Furthermore, even during recovery, when an operation is performed to progress the game, a sound effect based on that operation is output, making it possible to clearly communicate to the outside that a game is being played. The recovery process of the sub-control unit 91 will be described in more detail below using Figures 30 and 31.

[Screen transition when power supply is stopped during AT state]
Fig. 30 is a diagram showing the screen transition of the liquid crystal display 51 when the power supply is stopped during the AT state. Fig. 30 shows the screen transition when the power supply is restarted after the power supply is stopped during the AT state. The screen transition of the liquid crystal display 51 is controlled by the sub-control unit 91 that controls the presentation.

As shown in FIG. 30(a), the liquid crystal display 51 displays a presentation screen when the game state is the first state in the AT state. As shown in FIG. 30(a), AT music corresponding to the AT state is output from the speaker 53.

As shown in FIG. 30(b), because the power supply has been stopped, no images are displayed on the LCD display 51, and no music or sound effects are output from the speaker 53.

When the power supply to the slot machine 1 is resumed, the sub-control unit 91 displays a return preparation screen as shown in FIG. 30(c). At this time, the sub-control unit 91 does not output music during the AT in FIG. 30(c).

As shown in FIG. 30(d), after displaying a return preparation screen, the sub-control unit 91 receives a return command and switches to the game return screen. Next, in FIG. 30(d), the player inserts a medal into the medal insertion unit 4. The main control unit 41 transmits a medal insertion command to the sub-control unit 91 based on the insertion of a medal into the medal insertion unit 4. Based on receiving the medal insertion command, the sub-control unit 91 causes the speaker 53 to output a medal insertion sound. At this time, no music is being output during the AT, and only the medal insertion sound is output from the speaker 53. The medal insertion sound is output at the volume that was set before the power supply was stopped.

Next, as shown in FIG. 30(e), the main control unit 41 transmits a game start command based on the start switch 7 being operated. The main control unit 41 also transmits a start external signal based on the start switch 7 being operated. The sub-control unit 91 outputs a start sound from the speaker 53 based on receiving the game start command. At this time, no music is being output during the AT, and only the start sound is output from the speaker 53. The start sound is output at the volume that was set before the power supply was stopped.

The sub-control unit 91 then ends the display of the recovery screen and causes the LCD display 51 to display a presentation screen corresponding to the game state included in the recovery command. As shown in FIG. 30(a), the game state before power supply is the first state in the AT state, so the sub-control unit 91 displays a presentation screen corresponding to the first state. At this time, the sub-control unit 91 starts outputting music during the AT in FIG. 30(f). Output of the music during the AT may start from the beginning of the music, or may start from the point that was being output when power supply was stopped.

As described above, music during AT is usually output at a louder volume than the volume of the sound effects output during the normal advantageous zone. Therefore, if the power supply to the slot machine 1 is stopped due to fraud or an error and AT music is played during recovery, it may be difficult for store clerks to recognize that the slot machine 1 is recovering. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, AT music is not played during recovery, so it is possible to easily communicate to the outside that the slot machine 1 is recovering. Furthermore, sound effects based on operations related to the progress of the game are output even during recovery. Therefore, it becomes easier for store clerks to recognize that the game is progressing during recovery.

In this way, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, even if the power supply to the slot machine 1 is resumed and the recovery screen is displayed while the slot machine 1 is controlled to the AT state stored in RAM 41c, the AT music corresponding to the AT state is not output, so that it is possible to clearly communicate to the outside that a recovery is in progress. Also, in the slot machine 1, even during recovery, when an operation is performed to progress the game, including inserting a coin, a sound effect based on the operation is output, so that it is possible to clearly communicate to the outside that a game is being played.

Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, even during recovery, when a bet number is set by inserting a medal into the medal insertion section 4, a medal insertion sound based on the insertion of a medal into the medal insertion section 4 is output, so that it is possible to clearly notify the outside that a bet number is being set. Also, in the slot machine 1, even during recovery, when a start operation is performed to start the rotation of the reels, a start sound based on the operation of the start switch 7 is output, so that it is possible to clearly notify the outside that a start operation is being performed to start the rotation of the reels.

The sub-control unit 91 may output a recovery sound indicating that a recovery is in progress while the recovery screen shown in Figures 30(c) to (d) is being displayed. The recovery sound is a recovery song that is output only while the recovery screen is being displayed. By outputting the recovery sound, the slot machine 1 can easily communicate to the outside that a recovery is in progress. The recovery sound may be an electronic sound instead of a song.

[Screen transition after power supply is cut off during a game with a navigation notification]
An example will be described in which a navigation notification is given in a game being played when the power supply is stopped. As described above, the navigation effect is an effect in which the operation mode of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R that is advantageous to the player is notified using the liquid crystal display 51 and the speaker 53, etc. Figure 31 is a diagram showing the screen transition of the liquid crystal display 51 when the power supply is stopped after the start of a game in which a navigation notification is given. Figure 31 shows an example in which the power supply is stopped in a game in which a navigation notification is given, after the start switch 7 is operated, without any of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R being operated.

Figure 31 (a) shows the screen of the liquid crystal display 51 after the power supply is stopped during a game in which a navigation notification is being issued. As shown in Figure 31 (b), when the power supply is resumed, the sub-control unit 91 displays a return preparation screen. Next, in Figure 31 (c), the sub-control unit 91 switches to a game return screen when a return command is received.

The return command received by the sub-control unit 91 includes information to return to the game in which the navigation performance is being performed. Therefore, the sub-control unit 91 executes the navigation performance as shown in FIG. 31(c). That is, the sub-control unit 91 outputs the navigation sound from the speaker 53 and displays the navigation image 71.

The navigation sound is a sound effect for notifying the user of the operating procedure, such as "go right," "go in the middle," or "go left." In the example of FIG. 31(c), the navigation notification is executed to prompt the user to operate the stop switch 8C, the stop switch 8L, and the stop switch 8R in that order. When the sub-control unit 91 receives a return command, it outputs from the speaker 53 a sound such as "go in the middle" as the navigation sound to prompt the user to operate the stop switch 8C. The navigation sound may be output in a changed output mode to indicate whether or not the control is being made to an advantageous state, or may be output in a constant output mode during return.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 31(c), the sub-control unit 91 displays a navigation image 71 superimposed on the game return screen. The navigation image 71 is an image that displays the numbers 1 to 3 in positions corresponding to each of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R. By displaying the navigation image, the player can recognize the operating procedure for the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R.

Next, based on the operation of the stop switch 8C as the first stop operation, the sub-controller 91 causes the speaker 53 to output a stop sound and a voice such as "turn left" as a navigation sound. In the example of FIG. 31, the sub-controller 91 outputs the navigation sound and the stop sound simultaneously, but for example, the navigation sound may be output after the output of the stop sound has ended. Also, based on the operation of the stop switch 8C as the first stop operation, the sub-controller 91 changes the display mode of the navigation image 71.

That is, the sub-control unit 91 hides the image showing "1" corresponding to the stop switch 8C from the navigation image 71 shown in FIG. 31(c). The navigation image 71 becomes an image showing only "2" and "3" which correspond to the stop switches 8L and 8R. In FIG. 31, the liquid crystal display 51 after the first stop operation has been performed is not shown.

Next, the sub-controller 91 outputs a stop sound and a navigation sound such as "turn right" to the speaker 53 based on the operation of the stop switch 8L as the second stop operation. Also, the sub-controller 91 changes the display mode of the navigation image 71 as shown in FIG. 31(d) based on the operation of the stop switch 8L as the second stop operation.

Then, the sub-controller 91 outputs a payout sound, a winning sound, and a stop sound based on the operation of the stop switch 8R as the third stop operation. The winning sound is a sound effect indicating that a winning combination has occurred. The main controller 41 transmits an end external signal based on the operation of the stop switch 8R as the third stop operation. The sub-controller 91 ends the display of the navigation image 71 based on the operation of the stop switch 8R. That is, as shown in FIG. 31(e), only the game return screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display 51.

Then, the sub-controller 91 causes the speaker 53 to output a BET sound based on the player operating the MAXBET switch 6 as a bet amount setting operation. Furthermore, the sub-controller 91 causes the speaker 53 to output a start sound based on the start switch 7 being operated as a start operation. The main controller 41 transmits a start external signal based on the start switch 7 being operated. Furthermore, the sub-controller 91 switches to a performance screen corresponding to the AT state, and starts outputting AT music from the speaker 53.

In this way, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, even during recovery, when a stop operation is performed in which any of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is operated to stop the rotation of the reels, a stop sound based on the stop operation is output, making it possible to clearly communicate to the outside that a stop operation is being performed to stop the rotation of the reels. Also, in the slot machine 1, even during recovery, a navigation image 71 is displayed that suggests the operation procedure for the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, making it possible for the player to recognize the operation procedure for the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, and ensuring that the operation mode is suggested.

Furthermore, in slot machine 1, even during recovery, when a stop operation is performed to stop the rotation of the reels, a navigation sound based on the stop operation is output, allowing the player to recognize the operation mode of stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R, and ensuring that the operation mode is indicated. Also, in slot machine 1, regardless of whether the recovery screen is displayed or not, an external end signal is sent based on a stop operation, and an external start signal is sent based on a start operation, thereby making it possible to output to the outside that a game is being played.

[About the demonstration screen]
The following describes the demonstration screen displayed based on the return operation. The demonstration screen is a screen displayed during a period when no game is being played. Below, the demonstration screen may be simply referred to as a "demo screen." Figure 32 is a diagram for explaining the screen transition to the demo screen.

Figure 32 (a) shows a presentation screen corresponding to the normal advantageous zone. During the normal advantageous zone, the sub-control unit 91 causes the speaker 53 to output music during the normal advantageous zone. After that, the settlement switch 10 is operated as a return operation. As a return process, the main control unit 41 pays out medals corresponding to the gaming value from the medal payout outlet 9. The sub-control unit 91 determines that the game has ended due to the return process being performed, and displays a demo screen as shown in Figure 32 (b).

The sub-control unit 91 also outputs a return sound to the speaker 53 based on the operation of the settlement switch 10. The return sound includes a settlement start sound, a payout sound, and a settlement completion sound. The sub-control unit 91 stops output of music during the normal advantageous period based on the switch to the demo screen.

In this way, in the slot machine 1, the demo screen is displayed based on the operation of the settlement switch 10 during the normal advantageous period. Note that the slot machine 1 may display the demo screen not only based on the return operation, but also based on the fact that no operation from the player has been accepted for a predetermined period of time.

Figure 33 is a diagram for explaining the return operation in the AT state. Figure 33 (a) shows a screen corresponding to the AT state. In the AT state, the sub-control unit 91 outputs AT music to the speaker 53. In Figure 33, as in Figure 32, the settlement switch 10 is operated as a return operation. The main control unit 41 pays out medals corresponding to the gaming value from the medal payout opening 9.

In FIG. 33, the sub-control unit 91 outputs a return sound as in FIG. 32. On the other hand, the sub-control unit 91 does not switch from the presentation screen corresponding to the AT state to the demo screen. The AT state is a more advantageous state for the player than the normal advantageous zone. Therefore, even if a return operation is performed in the AT state, the player is more likely to continue playing than if the return operation was performed in the normal advantageous zone. Therefore, even after the settlement switch 10 is operated, the sub-control unit 91 does not switch to the demo screen, but continues to display the presentation screen corresponding to the AT state, and also continues to output the AT music. While the return sound is being output, the AT music may be output in the second output mode.

[About returning during recovery]
FIG. 34 is a screen transition diagram when the settlement switch 10 is pressed during recovery. As shown in FIG. 34(a), a presentation screen corresponding to the normal advantageous zone is displayed on the liquid crystal display 51. In FIG. 34(a), the sub-control unit 91 outputs music to the speaker 53 during the normal advantageous zone. From the state shown in FIG. 34(a), the power supply to the slot machine 1 is stopped. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 34(b), no image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 51, and no sound effects, music (BGM), or voices are output from the speaker 53.

Then, power supply to the slot machine 1 is resumed, and a return preparation screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display 51, as shown in FIG. 34(c). Next, as shown in FIG. 34(d), the screen is switched to the game return screen, and then the settlement switch 10 is operated. The sub-control unit 91 outputs a return sound to the speaker 53, but does not switch to the demo screen, and continues to display the game return screen. Next, as shown in FIG. 34(e), the cross key 70 is operated. The sub-control unit 91 does not display the volume setting display 340 shown in FIG. 22.

When the start switch 7 is operated, the sub-control unit 91 displays a presentation screen corresponding to the AT state, as shown in FIG. 34(f). In addition, when the start switch 7 is operated, the sub-control unit 91 outputs a start sound and music during the normal advantageous zone to the speaker 53. The main control unit 41 transmits an external signal at the start.

In addition, in FIG. 34(f), the sub-control unit 91 may not switch from the game return screen to a presentation screen corresponding to the normal advantageous zone, but may switch from the game return screen to a demo screen if a return operation is performed during the return.

In this way, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, even if a return operation is performed during recovery, the demo screen is not displayed, making it possible to clearly communicate to the outside that a recovery is in progress. Also, in the slot machine 1, even if a return operation is performed during recovery, a return sound based on the return operation is output, making it possible to clearly communicate to the outside that a return operation is being performed. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, even if the cross key 70 is operated while the recovery screen is displayed, the volume setting display 340 is not displayed, thereby preventing the user from mistakenly thinking that volume setting is possible during recovery.

[Errors occurring during recovery]
Below, using Fig. 35, a screen transition when an error occurs during recovery will be described. Fig. 35 is a diagram showing the screen transition when an error occurs during recovery. The main control unit 41 detects various errors such as a medal jam error at the payout outlet, an error indicating that the hopper tank is full, and an error indicating an abnormality in the reel rotation. When the main control unit 41 detects an error, it causes the liquid crystal display 51 to display an error occurrence screen together with an error code corresponding to each type of error.

Figure 35(a) shows a presentation screen corresponding to the AT state. As shown in Figures 35(a) to (c), the power supply to the slot machine 1 is stopped, and after transitioning to the screen shown in Figure 35(b), the power supply is resumed. As shown in Figures 35(c) and (d), the sub-control unit 91 switches from the return preparation screen to the game return screen based on receiving a return command.

As shown in FIG. 35(e), an error occurs in the slot machine 1, and the main control unit 41 detects the error. Based on the detection of the error, the main control unit 41 displays an error occurrence screen on the liquid crystal display 51 and outputs an error sound to the speaker 53. The background color of the error occurrence screen displayed in FIG. 35(e) is a color different from the background color of the recovery screen. For example, the background color of the error occurrence screen may be low-brightness black, and the background color of the recovery screen may be high-brightness black. Alternatively, the background of the error occurrence screen may display characters such as "CAUTION" or "ERROR" to call attention. Based on the resolution of the error, the main control unit 41 transmits a command to the sub-control unit 91 to display a game recovery screen, as shown in FIG. 35(f).

In this way, even during recovery, slot machine 1 can clearly communicate to the outside world that an error has occurred by displaying an error screen in a different color from the recovery screen.

[Conditions for ending the display of the recovery screen]
29 to 31, the sub-control unit 91 ends the display of the recovery screen based on the operation of the start switch 7. However, the condition for ending the recovery screen is not limited to the operation of the start switch 7. Below, with reference to Figs. 36 to 38, an example will be described in which the condition for ending the recovery screen is based on the passage of a predetermined period of time.

Figure 36 shows an example of a screen transition when the condition for ending the display of the recovery screen is based on the passage of a predetermined period of time. The screens shown in Figures 36(a) and (b) are similar to the screens shown in Figures 34(a) and (b), and therefore will not be described again. In Figure 36(c), when power supply is resumed, the sub-control unit 91 displays a recovery preparation screen. Thereafter, the sub-control unit 91 continues to display the recovery screen from the time when power supply is resumed until a predetermined period of time has passed, and when it determines that the predetermined period of time has passed, it displays a presentation screen corresponding to the normal advantageous zone shown in Figure 36(f).

In the example of the slot machine 1 in Figures 29 to 35, the display of the recovery screen is terminated when the start switch 7 is operated, and a presentation screen is displayed for the game following the game that was being executed before power was supplied. In contrast, in the example of the slot machine 1 in Figure 36, the display of the recovery screen is terminated when a predetermined period of time has elapsed, and a screen corresponding to the game that was being executed before power was supplied is displayed. In other words, the game shown in Figure 31(a) and the game shown in Figure 31(f) are the same game.

In the slot machine 1 of the example of FIG. 36, the return command includes information such as the game state before the power supply was stopped and the presence or absence of a navigation notification, as well as the content of the presentation in the game before the power supply was stopped. This allows the sub-control unit 91 to display a presentation screen corresponding to the game that was being executed before the power supply was stopped. The specified period is at least a period of time sufficient for the sub-control unit 91 to read the content of the presentation in the game before the power supply was stopped, and is, for example, 20 to 30 seconds. The sub-control unit 91 may also determine that the specified period has ended when it has finished reading the content of the presentation in the game before the power supply was stopped.

Figure 37 is a diagram showing an example of a screen transition when the settlement switch 10 is operated when the display end condition of the recovery screen shown in Figure 36 is applied. The screens shown in Figures 37(a) to (c) are similar to the screens shown in Figures 36(a) to (c), and therefore the description will not be repeated. In Figure 37(d), unlike Figure 36(d), the settlement switch 10 is operated. In Figure 37, the sub-control unit 91 also outputs a return sound to the speaker 53 based on the operation of the settlement switch 10. Also, as in Figure 34(d), the sub-control unit 91 does not display a demo screen because recovery is in progress. On the other hand, in Figure 37, as shown in Figure 37(f), when the sub-control unit 91 ends the display of the recovery screen based on the passage of a predetermined period, it switches to a demo screen. At this time, the sub-control unit 91 does not output any music from the speaker 53.

In this way, when applying the condition for ending the display of the recovery screen based on the passage of a predetermined period of time, the sub-control unit 91 remembers that the settlement switch 10 was operated during recovery, and displays the demo screen when the recovery screen ends. In other words, the sub-control unit 91 internally switches to the demo screen when the settlement switch 10 is operated in FIG. 37(d).

Figure 38 is a diagram showing an example of a screen transition when returning from the AT state when the display termination condition of the return screen shown in Figure 36 is applied. As shown in Figures 38(a) to (c), power supply to the slot machine 1 is stopped during the AT state and then resumed. As shown in Figure 38(d), the settlement switch 10 is operated in the same way as in Figure 37(d). The sub-control unit 91 also outputs a return sound based on the operation of the settlement switch 10 in the same way as in Figure 37(d).

On the other hand, in FIG. 38, which is an example in which the power supply is stopped during the AT state, as shown in FIG. 38(f), when the sub-control unit 91 finishes displaying the recovery screen, it displays a presentation screen corresponding to the AT state instead of a demo screen. That is, unlike FIG. 37, the sub-control unit 91 does not internally switch to a demo screen even if the settlement switch 10 is operated. As explained in FIG. 33, since the AT state is advantageous to the player, there are cases in which play continues even if the power supply is stopped once. Therefore, even after the settlement switch 10 is operated, the sub-control unit 91 does not switch to a demo screen, but starts displaying a presentation screen corresponding to the AT state and outputting music during the AT.

[Start-up Mode of Slot Machine 1]
39 is a conceptual diagram showing the sequence of start-up modes of the slot machine 1. In FIG. 39, the execution sequence of operations, modes, etc. of the configuration of the slot machine 1 after power is supplied to the slot machine 1 is shown.

After the slot machine 1 starts to be supplied with power, it turns on the LCD backlight of the LCD 51 to display an image on the LCD 51. Then, the slot machine 1 makes the transparent area 3 of the LCD 51 transparent. Then, the slot machine 1 outputs the display data stored in the RAM 41c. Then, the slot machine 1 displays the area of the LCD 51 other than the transparent area 3 with a black background color.

The slot machine 1 then lights up the lower panel 55. The slot machine 1 then displays a return preparation screen in the area of the liquid crystal display 51 other than the transparent area 3. The slot machine 1 then lights up the LEDs in the game display unit 13. After the reels start to spin, the slot machine 1 then lights up the stop switch lamps inside the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the configuration of the slot machine 1 changes in the order shown in FIG. 39. The slot machine 1 also starts up in the order shown in FIG. 39, regardless of the game state held in the RAM 41c.

The start-up mode of the slot machine 1 will be explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 40 to 42. Figure 40 is the first diagram for explaining the start-up mode of the slot machine 1. Figure 40(a) shows the state of the slot machine 1 with no power being supplied. Therefore, in the state of Figure 40(a), all of the lamps on the slot machine 1 are turned off.

Figure 40 (b) shows the state of the slot machine 1 immediately after power is supplied. The main control unit 41 turns on the LCD backlight when power supply to the slot machine 1 begins. This applies a voltage to the liquid crystal layer of the LCD device 51 and adjusts the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules so that the LCD backlight is projected onto the LCD display, allowing any image to be displayed on the LCD device 51.

Then, as shown in FIG. 40(b), the main control unit 41 applies a voltage so that the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules corresponding to the transparent area 3 of the liquid crystal display 51 becomes transparent through the liquid crystal display. This makes the transparent area 3 transparent, and the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R become visible to the player through the transparent area 3. Next, the main control unit 41 displays an image in the image display area 72 using display data stored in the image display data area in the RAM 41c. At this time, the data stored in the image display data area at the time when power supply started is used, regardless of the contents of the data stored in the image display data area in the RAM 41c. The data stored in that data area is displayed in FIG. 40(b).

In FIG. 40(b), the main control unit 41 temporarily displays the data stored in the display data on the liquid crystal display 51 regardless of the content of the data. In this way, immediately after power supply is started, the main control unit 41 displays the data stored in the display data, thereby making it possible to determine whether or not an error has occurred in the display process of the liquid crystal display 51. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, the display data can be displayed as soon as power supply is started. The period for which the data stored in the display data is displayed when power supply is started is, for example, 0.1 seconds.

In FIG. 40(c), the main control unit 41 rewrites the display data in the RAM 41c to a black image. As a result, as shown in FIG. 40(c), the image displayed in the image display area 72 is switched from the image corresponding to the data stored in the display data at the start of power supply to an image showing the color black. Next, as shown in FIG. 40(c), the main control unit 41 turns on the lower panel 55.

Figure 41 is a second diagram for explaining the start-up mode of the slot machine 1. As shown in Figure 41 (d), the sub-control unit 91 displays a return preparation screen in the image display area 72. Next, as shown in Figure 41 (e), the main control unit 41 lights up the game display unit 13 based on the backup data stored in the RAM 41c. In other words, the main control unit 41 lights up the game display unit 13 in the same manner as the game display unit 13 was lit in the game before the power supply was stopped.

In the example of FIG. 41(e), the credit indicator 11 displays "50" as the number of medals, and the game aid indicator 12 displays "00." Additionally, the 1BET LED 14, 2BET LED 15, 3BET LED 16, status LED 19, and start valid LED 18 are all lit. Because the start valid LED 18 is lit, the start switch 7 shown in FIG. 41(e) is in a valid operable state.

Figure 41 (f) shows the state immediately after the start switch 7 is operated and the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R start to spin. As the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R spin, the 1BET LED 14, 2BET LED 15, 3BET LED 16, and start enable LED 18 are turned off.

Figure 42 is the third diagram for explaining the start-up mode of the slot machine 1. As shown in Figure 42 (g), the stop switch lamps inside the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are lit. The main control unit 41 turns on the stop switch lamps after the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R have rotated. This allows the player to recognize that the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R can be operated.

In this manner, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the slot machine 1 starts up in the order shown in Figures 39 to 42. In the slot machine 1, the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are visible through the transparent area 3 until the return preparation screen shown in Figure 41 (d) is displayed. This makes it possible to display the states of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R when the power supply to the slot machine 1 is resumed and before the return preparation screen is displayed.

In addition, in the slot machine 1, the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are visible through the transparent area 3 until the start enable LED 18 shown in FIG. 41(e) lights up. This allows the state of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R to be recognized externally when the power supply to the slot machine 1 is resumed and before the operation of the start switch 7 for game progress can be accepted.

Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are visible through the transparent area 3 until the status LED 19 shown in FIG. 41(e) lights up. This allows the status of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R to be recognized externally before the game status is indicated when the power supply to the slot machine 1 is resumed.

In addition, in the slot machine 1, the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are visible through the transparent area 3 until the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R start to rotate, as shown in FIG. 41(f). This allows the state of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R before they start to rotate to be recognized from the outside when the power supply to the slot machine 1 is resumed.

Furthermore, the slot machine 1 executes the start-up sequence shown in FIG. 39 regardless of which game state the RAM 41c holds. This allows the state of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R to be recognized externally before the recovery screen is displayed, regardless of which game state the RAM 41c holds when power supply to the slot machine 1 is started.

In addition, in the slot machine 1, as shown in Figures 40(c) to 42(g), when the power supply is resumed, the background color of the image display area is displayed as black. This makes the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R stand out in the slot machine 1, allowing the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R to be easily recognized.

Furthermore, when the power supply is resumed in the slot machine 1, the lower panel 55 emits light before the recovery screen is displayed. This allows the slot machine 1 to easily make it clear to the outside that the power supply has been resumed.

[Configuration of reel motor]
Next, the configuration of the reel motor and the control method for exciting the reel motor will be described with reference to FIGS.

Figure 43 shows the configuration of reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R. Figure 44 is a timing chart showing a method of controlling the reel motors. Reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R are, for example, hybrid stepping motors, and are composed of a stator 32b and a rotor 32a facing it. Rotor 32a has a number of gear-shaped salient poles (not shown), and a permanent magnet magnetized in the same direction as the rotation shaft is incorporated in it. These reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R receive pulse signals output from a motor drive circuit under the control of main CPU 41a, and each excitation phase φ1 to φ4 of stator 32b is excited according to a predetermined procedure, causing rotor 32a to rotate a predetermined angle (one step) each time one pulse is received.

Figure 43(a) is a timing chart showing a control method at the start of reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R. In Figure 43, φ1 to φ4 indicate each excitation phase, "ON" indicates the excited state, and "OFF" indicates the demagnetized state. When starting reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R, main CPU 41a starts excitation in the rotation direction from a state in which only the stopped phase is excited, starting from the stopped phase with a 1-2 phase excitation method described later. In more detail, for example, when the stopped phase is (φ3), from a state in which only (φ3) is excited, φ1 to φ4 are excited alternately in the order of 2 phase, 1 phase, 2 phase in the order of (φ3, φ4), (φ4), (φ4, φ1) ....

If excitation were to begin at a phase other than the stop phase, the permanent magnet of the rotor 32a would be rapidly attracted to the excitation phase, causing the reel to vibrate when rotation begins. In this embodiment, however, excitation begins at the stop phase, so the reel, which is integrally connected to the rotor 32a, starts smoothly.

Figure 44 (b) is a timing chart showing the control method for reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R while they are rotating and when they are stopped.

First, during rotation, i.e., until the conditions for stopping the reels are met, the reel motor is driven in a 1-2 phase excitation method to rotate the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R. For example, a pulse signal indicating excitation of φ1 to φ4 is turned ON/OFF at the timing shown in FIG. 44(b), and φ1 to φ4 are excited alternately in each step in the order of (φ4, φ1), (φ1), (φ1, φ2), (φ2, φ3), (φ3), (φ3, φ4), (φ4), (φ4, φ1)... along the rotation direction of the rotor 32a, and the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are rotated by rotating the rotor 32a.

Next, when the condition for stopping the reel during rotation is met, that is, when the rotor 32a steps out of step by an overshoot amount described below, and reaches an angular position (target stop angular position) at which the symbol selected by the stop operation (target symbol) can be derived and displayed, the process transitions from a state in which two phases are excited to a state in which the reel is stopped. For example, when the condition for stopping the reel is met during the period shown in FIG. 44(b) as the step in which the stop condition is met, the process waits until the time Ta at which the two phases transition to an excited state, and then transitions to stop control.

Reel stop control is performed in two stages, as shown by T1 and T2 in Figure 44 (b). The control performed in T1 is called two-phase excitation stop control, and the control performed in T2 is called three-phase excitation stop control.

When the reel motors are driven using the 1-2 phase excitation method, the 2-phase excitation stop control is initiated at the time Ta when the state transitions from one-phase excitation to two-phase excitation, and the 2-phase excitation state is maintained for a predetermined hold time T1. For example, as shown in FIG. 44(b), from the time when the state transitions from (φ1) excitation to (φ1, φ2) excitation, the (φ1, φ2) excitation state is maintained for the hold time T1. This causes the rotor 32a of each reel motor, which had been rotating at high speed, to be suddenly braked.

The hold time T1 is determined according to the amount of overshoot that will cause step-out, and varies depending on the magnitude of the holding torque of the reel motor, the inertia of the rotor 32a, the spring constant, etc. In this embodiment, the amount of overshoot is assumed to be four steps of the stepping motor, and the hold time T1 is set as the time required for the reel motor to drive three steps. The target stop angle position of the rotor 32a is then set to three steps ahead from the stage at which the two-phase excitation stop control is initiated, in accordance with the hold time T1.

Therefore, at time Tb when the hold time T1 has elapsed, the rotor 32a is in a position immediately before the target stop angle position, and its rotation speed is braked. Therefore, at time Tb, the excitation pattern is switched to start three-phase excitation stop control. That is, φ1 is demagnetized, and the stop phase φ3 corresponding to the target stop angle position and the two brake phases φ2 and φ4 located in opposite positions across the stop phase are excited for a predetermined time T2. As a result, the rotor 32a stops at the holding torque stable point of the stop phase φ3, i.e., the target stop angle position, while being braked by the brake phases φ2 and φ4. As a result, the reel, which is integrally connected to the rotor 32a, stops accurately and without vibration at the target stop position where the target pattern can be derived and displayed.

After the three-phase excitation stop control is executed for T2 (Tc), the brake phases φ2 and φ4 are demagnetized, and the motor voltage is changed from H to L while maintaining the excitation state of the stop phase φ3. The excitation state of the stop phase φ3 is maintained even after the rotor 32a stops in order to prevent the rotor 32a from deviating from the holding torque stable point of the stop phase φ3 due to deviations caused by the phase difference between the holding torque and the detent torque and the effects of friction. This prevents the reel from moving slightly after it has stopped, and prevents the angular position of the rotor 32a the next time the reel motor is started from deviating from the angular position at the time of stopping.

The excitation state of the stop phase φ3, which is maintained even after the rotor 32a stops, is released when a predetermined time (30 seconds in this embodiment, the same timing as the transition to a standby state (demo performance)) has passed (Td) without the start operation of the next game being performed. In other words, if a predetermined time has passed after the rotor 32a stops without the start operation of the next game being performed, φ1 to φ4 are all demagnetized. For this reason, for example, the components that make up the stepping motor are not burdened with heat generated by the excitation phase being continuously excited for a long time, and deterioration of these components can be prevented. In addition, in this embodiment, the excitation state is released at the timing when the state where the start operation of the next game is not performed continues for a predetermined time and transitions to a standby state (demo performance) can be performed, so that the symbols arranged on the reels can be kept in a state where they are unlikely to shift while the player is playing, while the load on the components of the stepping motor can be reduced in a state where the player is unlikely to be playing.

As described above, in order to smoothly start rotating the reel, it is necessary to specify the exact stop position of the rotor 32a when the reel motor starts rotating. In this embodiment, the reel motor is stopped by using a combination of two-phase excitation stop control and three-phase excitation stop control. The two-phase excitation stop control rapidly brakes the rotation of the rotor 32a while guiding it to the target stop angle position. Then, the three-phase excitation stop control brakes the rotor 32a by exciting the two brake phases that are located in opposite positions on either side of the stop phase of the target stop angle position, and the rotor 32a is stopped at the target stop angle position by exciting the stop phase. This allows the rotor 32a to be stopped at the target stop angle position without vibrating during rotation. Furthermore, since the rotor 32a stops at the target stop angle position, the exact stop position of the rotor 32a is specified, allowing the reel to rotate smoothly when it starts rotating.

In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the medal payout rate changes according to a set value. In more detail, the medal payout rate is changed by using the winning probability according to the set value in the internal lottery described below.

To change the setting value, it is necessary to turn on the slot machine 1 after turning on the setting key switch 37. When the setting key switch 37 is turned on and the power is turned on, the setting value display 24 displays 1 as the initial setting value, and the slot machine 1 enters a setting change mode in which the setting value can be changed by operating the reset/setting switch 38. When the reset/setting switch 38 is operated in the setting change mode, the setting value displayed on the setting value display 24 is updated by 1 (when the reset/setting switch 38 is operated again from setting 6, the setting value returns to L). When the start switch 7 is operated, the setting value is confirmed, and the confirmed setting value is stored in the RAM 41c of the main control unit 41. When the setting key switch 37 is turned off, the slot machine 1 enters a state in which gameplay can proceed.

Next, the initialization of the RAM 41c of the main control unit 41 will be described. The storage area of the RAM 41c of the main control unit 41 is divided into important work, general work (BB work, AT work), special work, setting value work, stop phase work, non-saved work, unused area, and stack area.

The important work is a work in which display data for various displays and LEDs, input/output data for I/O port 41d, a timing counter for game time, etc. are stored. The general work is a work in which the stop control table, stop patterns, number of medals paid out, winning flags (minor roles, replays, single bonuses (1)-(3)) that are initialized at the end of each game, and winning flags are stored. The general work includes BB work and AT work. The BB work includes data that can be initialized at the end of a BB, such as the total number of medals paid out during a BB. In other words, the AT work, in which data related to bonuses is stored in the BB work, includes the number of games played during the AT, the number of lives, etc. In other words, data related to the AT state is stored in the AT work. The special work is a work in which data for sending commands to the performance control board 90, various software random numbers, and other data that are initialized only before the start of the setting, a winning flag (big bonus (1) to (3)) that is not cleared at the end of each game and is initialized when a prize is won, and a game state flag for identifying the game state of the next game is stored. The set value work is a work in which a set value used when performing a lottery in the internal lottery process is stored, and after 0 is stored in the initialization before the start of the setting (before the transition to the setting change mode), it is corrected to 1, and the newly set set value is stored at the end of the setting (at the end of the setting change mode). The stop phase work is a work in which data indicating the stop phase of the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R is stored, and data indicating the stop phase when the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R are stopped is stored. The non-storage work is a work that holds the state of various switches, and a value is always set regardless of whether the data in the RAM 41c is destroyed at the time of startup. The unused area is an unused area of the storage area of the RAM 41c, and will be initialized if any one of the multiple initialization conditions described below is met. The stack area is an area where data saved from the registers of the main CPU 41a is stored, and the unused stack area, like the unused area, will be initialized if any one of the multiple initialization conditions described below is met, but the stack area in use will not be initialized in order for the program to continue.

In this embodiment, the main CPU 41a performs six types of initialization with different areas initialized depending on the six initialization conditions that are met: at startup with both the setting key switch 37 and the reset/setting switch 38 in the ON state, at startup with only the setting key switch 37 in the ON state, at the end of a BB, at startup with both the setting key switch 37 and the reset/setting switch 38 in the OFF state and when the data in the RAM 41c is not destroyed, at the end of one game, and when a RAM abnormality error occurs.

Initialization 0 is an initialization performed when both the setting key switch 37 and the reset/setting switch 38 are ON at startup and the setting change mode is terminated. In initialization 0, all areas (including unused areas and unused stack areas) of the storage area of RAM 41c are initialized except for the setting value work, the stop phase work, and the stack area in use, which are included in the general work. In other words, in initialization 0, both the AT work and the BB work are initialized. Initialization 1 is an initialization performed when only the setting key switch 37 is ON at startup and the setting change mode is terminated. In initialization 1, all areas (including unused areas and unused stack areas) of the storage area of RAM 41c are initialized except for the BB work, the setting value work, the stack area in use, and the stop phase work, which are included in the general work. In other words, in initialization 1, the BB work is not initialized, and the AT work is initialized. In this way, in the slot machine 1, it is possible to suitably select which of the AT work and BB work areas included in the RAM 41c should be initialized based on the operation state of the setting key switch 37 and the reset/setting switch 38. Initialization 2 is an initialization performed at the end of BB, and in this initialization, the general work, unused area, and unused stack area of the storage area of the RAM 41c are initialized. Initialization 3 is an initialization performed when both the setting key switch 37 and the reset/setting switch 38 are in the OFF state at the time of startup and the data of the RAM 41c is not destroyed, and in this initialization, the unsaved work, unused area, and unused stack area are initialized. Initialization 4 is an initialization performed at the end of one game, and in this initialization, the unused area and unused stack area of the storage area of the RAM 41c are initialized. Initialization 5 is an initialization performed when a RAM abnormality error occurs, and in this initialization, all areas (including the unused area and unused stack area) of the storage area of the RAM 41c except the stack area in use are initialized.

In this embodiment, initialization 0 and initialization 1 are performed when the setting change mode ends, but they may also be performed before switching to the setting change mode.

As mentioned above, in order to ensure that the reels start to rotate smoothly, it is necessary to determine the exact stopping position of the rotor 32a when the reel motor starts to rotate. However, if the data in RAM 41c, which contains data indicating the stopping phase of the reel motor, is initialized when the settings are changed as in the past, it is impossible to determine the exact stopping position of the rotor 32a after the settings are changed. When the reel motor is rotated for the first time, the permanent magnet of the rotor 32a is suddenly attracted to the excitation phase, causing the reel to vibrate when it starts to rotate, resulting in an unsightly rotation pattern of the reel and the problem that the player can easily tell that the settings have been changed.

In contrast, in this embodiment, data indicating the stop phase when the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R are stopped (0, 1, 2, and 3 indicate φ1, φ2, φ3, and φ4, respectively) is set in the stop phase work assigned to the RAM 41c, making it possible to identify the exact stop position of the rotor 32a. At startup, the stop phase work is not initialized in initialization 1 and initialization 0, and the data indicating the stop phase of the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R stored in the stop phase work is maintained even in the game state after the setting is changed. Therefore, even when the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R are rotated for the first time after the setting is changed, it is possible to identify the exact stop position of these rotors 32a, and it is possible to start rotating the reels smoothly even in such a situation. This prevents the reels from vibrating when rotating the reels for the first time after the setting is changed, and prevents the player from noticing that the setting has been changed.

[Regarding the setting value L]
FIG. 45 is a diagram for explaining the set value L. As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to set six levels of values, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and L, as the set value. In a general slot machine, set values 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are set, but in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to set the set value L instead of the set value 3. The set value that replaces the set value L is not limited to the set value 3, and may be any of the set values 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6. In FIG. 45, the expected value of balls paid out in the entire period, the expected value of balls paid out in an advantageous state, and the base and AT winning probability are shown for each of the six set values.

The expected value of balls paid out in the entire period means the expected value of the number of balls (number of medals) paid out when a predetermined number of games (for example, 175,000 games) are played, regardless of the period in which the game is played. More specifically, it is the expected value of the number of medals paid out when a predetermined number of games are played in the non-internal, internal, and BB shown in FIG. 4. The expected value of balls paid out in the advantageous state means the expected value of the number of medals paid out when playing the slot machine 1 in the period from the start of the AT state to the end of the AT state. Note that the expected value of balls paid out in the advantageous state may be the expected value of the number of medals paid out not only in the period from the start of the AT to the end of the AT, but also in the BB period or the period including the AT and the BB. The base means the average number of games that can be played when a predetermined number of medals are inserted in the advantageous zone normal. The probability of winning the AT state is the probability of winning the AT state per game. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, a lottery is held to determine whether or not to transition to the AT state when points are added. For example, the probability of winning the AT state per game may be varied by varying the probability of receiving high points according to a set value.

As shown in FIG. 45, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the setting value 1 is set, the expected value of balls in the entire period is A1, the expected value of balls in the advantageous state is B1, the base is C1, and the probability of winning the AT is D1. When the setting value 2 is set, the expected value of balls in the entire period is A2, the expected value of balls in the advantageous state is B2, the base is C2, and the probability of winning the AT is D2. When the setting value 4 is set, the expected value of balls in the entire period is A4, the expected value of balls in the advantageous state is B4, the base is C4, and the probability of winning the AT is D4. When the setting value 5 is set, the expected value of balls in the entire period is A5, the expected value of balls in the advantageous state is B5, the base is C5, and the probability of winning the AT is D5. When the setting value 6 is set, the expected value of balls in the entire period is A6, the expected value of balls in the advantageous state is B6, the base is C6, and the probability of winning the AT is D6. When the set value L is set, the expected number of balls dispensed during the entire period is AL, the expected number of balls dispensed in an advantageous state is BL, the base is CL, and the probability of winning the AT is designed to be DL.

The expected value of balls to be paid out during the entire period of each setting value is the smallest for AL and the largest for A6, and the relationship is AL<A1<A2<A4<A5<A6. In other words, the setting value L is the setting value with the smallest expected value of balls to be paid out in all games, including games in an advantageous state, among the setting values 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and L. In addition, the expected value of balls to be paid out in an advantageous state of each setting value is the smallest for BL and the largest for B6, and the relationship is BL<<B1<B2<B4<B5<B6. In other words, the setting value L is the setting value with the smallest expected value of balls to be paid out in an advantageous state among the setting values 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and L. In addition, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is designed so that the difference between BL and B1 is larger when comparing the difference between BL and B1 with the difference between B1 and B2. For example, when the time from the start of the AT state to the end of the A state is 100 games, if the expected value B1 is 900 coins (net increase of 6 coins) and the expected value B2 is 910 coins (net increase of 6.1 coins), the expected value BL may be 310 coins (net increase of 0.1 coins). In other words, the difference between B1 and B2 is 10 coins, while the difference between BL and B1 is 590 coins. Similarly, the difference between BL and B1 is greater than the difference between B2 and B4, the difference between B4 and B5, and the difference between B5 and B6. In other words, the set value L is a set value at which the number of medals paid out during the period from the start of the AT state to the end of the AT state is extremely small compared to other set values.

Furthermore, the base of each set value is CL, which is the smallest, and C6, which is the largest, and the relationship CL<C1<C2<C4<C5<C6 holds. In other words, the set value L is the set value with the smallest base among the set values 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and L. Note that the set value L does not have to be the smallest set value for the base. In addition, the AT winning probability of each set value is D1, which is the smallest, and D6, which is the largest, and the relationship D1<D2<D4<DL<D5<D6 holds. In terms of the AT winning probability, the set value L is not designed to be the lowest among the set values 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and L, and transitions to the AT state with a relatively high probability. However, as mentioned above, the set value L has an extremely small expected value for the number of medals paid out during the period from the start of the AT state to the end of the AT state, so the relationship of the variation in the number of balls paid out holds as shown below.

Figure 46 is a diagram for explaining the variation in the number of balls dispensed during the period from the start of the AT to the end of the AT when the setting value L is set. Below, we will first explain the variation in the number of balls dispensed during the period from the start of the AT to the end of the AT. Figure 46 illustrates a normal distribution showing the variation in the number of balls dispensed (number of medals) paid out during the period from the start of the AT state to the end of the AT state when the setting value 1 and the setting value L are set. In other words, Figure 46 illustrates the probability distribution of the number of medals paid out during the period from the start of the AT state to the end of the AT state. Since the expected value of balls dispensed for the setting value 1 paid out during the period from the start of the AT state to the end of the AT state is B1, the apex of the normal distribution for the setting value 1 indicates the number of balls dispensed with the expected value B1. Since the expected value of balls dispensed for the setting value L paid out during the period from the start of the AT state to the end of the AT state is BL, the apex of the normal distribution for the setting value 1 indicates the number of balls dispensed with the expected value BL.

The width SD1N of the normal distribution for setting value 1 indicates the variation (standard deviation) in the number of medals paid out, and the width SD1L of the normal distribution for setting value L indicates the variation (standard deviation) in the number of medals paid out. In other words, the wider the width SD1N and width SD1L are, the more variation there will be in the number of medals paid out at each setting value from when the AT state starts to when the AT state ends. As shown in Figure 46, width SD1L is narrower than width SD1N.

In other words, the variation in the number of medals paid out when the setting value L is set during the period from the start of the AT to the end of the AT is smaller than the variation in the number of medals paid out when the setting value 1 is set during the period from the start of the AT to the end of the AT. In other words, the probability that the number of medals paid out from the start of the AT state to the end of the AT when the setting value L is set will be close to the expected value BL is higher than the probability that the number of medals paid out from the start of the AT state to the end of the AT when the setting value 1 is set will be close to the expected value B1.

Figure 47 is a diagram for explaining the variation in the number of paid balls during the entire period when the setting value L is set. In Figure 47, a normal distribution showing the variation in the number of paid balls (number of medals) during a predetermined number of games (for example, 17,500 games) when the setting value 1 and the setting value L are set is illustrated. In other words, when the setting value 1 and the setting value L are set, the probability distribution of the number of medals paid during a predetermined number of games is shown. With reference to Figure 45, since the expected value of paid balls during a predetermined number of games for the setting value 1 is A1, the peak of the normal distribution for the setting value 1 indicates the number of paid balls of the expected value A1. The width SD2N of the normal distribution for the setting value 1 indicates the variation (standard deviation) of the number of medals paid when the setting value 1 is set. Since the expected value of paid balls during a predetermined number of games for the setting value L is AL, the peak of the normal distribution for the setting value L indicates the number of paid balls of the expected value AL. The width SD2L of the normal distribution for the setting value L indicates the variation (standard deviation) of the number of medals paid when the setting value L is set. Width SD2L is narrower than width SD2N.

That is, referring to FIG. 47, the variation in the number of medals paid out when the setting value L is set is smaller than the variation in the number of medals paid out when the setting value 1 is set. In other words, the probability that the number of medals paid out during a predetermined number of games when the setting value L is set is close to the expected value AL is higher than the probability that the number of medals paid out during a predetermined number of games when the setting value 1 is set is close to the expected value A1. In other words, with the setting value L, the variation in the number of medals paid out during a predetermined number of games is small. This is realized by the design of the expected value of balls paid out in an advantageous state and the probability of winning the AT, as explained in FIG. 45. That is, BL, which is the expected value of balls paid out in an advantageous state of the setting value L, is extremely small compared to other setting values. Therefore, with the setting value L, the number of medals paid out is small even when the AT state is transitioned to. On the other hand, in terms of the probability of winning the AT, the setting value L is not designed to be the lowest among the setting values 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and L, and transitions to the AT state are made with a relatively high probability.

At the setting value L, the AT state is entered with a high probability, so the period of playing in the favorable zone does not continue, and the AT state is entered stably. However, even if the AT state is entered, the expected value of the number of medals to be paid out is low. As a result, as shown in FIG. 47, in the entire period not related to the favorable state, when a predetermined number of games are played, the variation in the number of medals to be paid out can be made smaller than that of other setting values. In FIG. 47, only the setting value 1 and the setting value L are compared, but the setting value L is designed to be the setting value with the smallest variation in the number of medals to be paid out in the predetermined number of games among the setting values 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and L. As a result, when the type test is performed with the setting value L set, the number of medals paid out is stable, making it easier to comply with the type test. Note that the expected value of the number of medals paid out in the favorable state of the setting value L does not have to be extremely small compared to other expected values. In this case, the AT winning probability is designed to be the smallest. In other words, the difference between BL and B1 may be designed to be equal to the difference between B1 and B2, and the relationship of AT winning probabilities may be designed to be DL<D1<D2<D4<D5<D6.

As described above, by adjusting the expected number of balls paid out in an advantageous state and the probability of winning the AT, the setting value L is designed to be the setting value that minimizes the variation in the number of payouts over a specified number of games. However, the method of reducing the variation in the number of payouts is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to adjust the number of payouts per game in an advantageous state. In other words, the setting value L fixes the number of payouts per game in an advantageous state, and the normal setting value makes the number of payouts per game in an advantageous state variable.

More specifically, when the set value L is set, if one game is played in an advantageous state, the payout is designed to be 7 coins with a 100% probability. On the other hand, when the normal set value is set, if one game is played in an advantageous state, the payout number is designed to be 0 coins with a 50% probability, and 15 coins with a 50% probability. This allows a difference in the variation in the payout number per game in an advantageous state between the set value L and the normal set value, so the set value L can be set to a setting value that has a smaller variation in the payout number for all games, including games in an advantageous state, than any of the normal set values. Note that the payout number for one game in an advantageous state when the set value L is set is not fixed, and may be smaller than the variation in the payout number for one game in an advantageous state when the normal set value is set. For example, the setting value L is designed to have a 50% probability of 7 coins being paid out and a 50% probability of 8 coins being paid out, while the normal setting value is designed to have a 50% probability of 0 coins being paid out and a 50% probability of 15 coins being paid out.

The length of the period controlled to the advantageous state may also be adjusted. The period controlled to the advantageous state is, for example, the number of games from the start to the end of the AT state. With the setting value L, the period controlled to the advantageous state is fixed, and with the normal setting value, the period controlled to the advantageous state is variable.

More specifically, when the set value L is set, the number of games from when the AT state starts to when it ends is fixed at 200 games. On the other hand, when the normal set value is set, the period from when the AT state starts to when it ends is designed to be variable, for example, 100 games or 1000 games, based on an internal lottery. This makes it possible to create a difference in the length of the period controlled to the advantageous state between the set value L and the normal set value, and the set value L can be set to a set value in which the variation in the payout numbers for all games, including games in the advantageous state, is smaller than any of the normal set values. Note that the period controlled to the advantageous state when the set value L is set is not fixed, and it is sufficient that the variation in the length of the period controlled to the advantageous state is smaller than the variation in the length of the period played in the advantageous state when the normal set value is set.

In this way, by adjusting various conditions, the set value L can be set to the set value that has the smallest variation in the payout numbers for all games, including games in an advantageous state, among the set values 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and L. These conditions can be used in combination. For example, by adjusting both the payout number for one game in an advantageous state and the period during which the game is played in the advantageous state, the variation in the payout numbers for the set value L can be set to the smallest among the set values 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and L. Furthermore, the expected number of balls paid out in an advantageous state, the probability of winning the AT, the payout number for one game in an advantageous state, and the period during which the game is played in the advantageous state can be adjusted to design the set value L so that the variation in the payout numbers is the smallest among the set values 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and L.

Below, an example of special suggestion control that suggests that a setting value L has been set will be described with reference to Figures 48 and 49. Figure 48 is a diagram showing an example of special suggestion control that suggests that a setting value L has been set in a non-play state. Figure 49 is a diagram showing a slot machine 1 in which a normal setting value other than the setting value L in a non-play state is set.

Figures 48 and 49 show the slot machine 1 in a non-play state. A non-play state means a state in which no bets have been placed, the reels are stopped, and no game is being played. If no play has been played for a certain period of time since the slot machine entered the non-play state, a demo screen will be displayed on the LCD display 51 of the slot machine 1.

As shown in FIG. 48, when the setting value L is set, the telop 120 is displayed superimposed on the demo screen. Also, when the setting value L is set, the lower panel 55 blinks. Note that the lower panel 55 may be lit instead of blinking. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 49, when a setting value other than the setting value L is set, the telop 120 is not displayed on the liquid crystal display 51. Also, the lower panel 55 does not light up or blink. In this way, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the setting value L is set and no game is being played, the telop 120 is displayed and the lower panel 55 blinks, thereby executing the special suggestion control. The special suggestion control is a control that suggests to the player that the setting value L has been set.

In the example of FIG. 48, the special suggestion control is that the caption 120 is displayed and the lower panel 55 is flashing. Note that the special suggestion control may be performed in other ways as long as the suggestion can be distinguished between when a setting value other than the setting value L is set and when the setting value L is set. In this way, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the player can be made aware that the setting value L has been set even when he is not playing, and it is possible to prevent the player from playing when the setting value L is set. Also, by performing the special suggestion control using the lower panel 55, which has the largest area used for notification, it is possible to make the administrator and the player easily aware that the setting value L has been set.

In this way, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to set one of the setting values 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and L. Among the setting values 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and L, the setting value L is the setting value with the smallest expected value of the number of medals that can be awarded in all games, including games in an advantageous state when the setting value L is set, and among the setting values 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and L, the setting value with the smallest expected value of the number of medals that can be awarded in an advantageous state when the setting value L is set, and among the setting values 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and L, the setting value with the smallest variation in the gaming value that can be awarded in an advantageous state when the setting value L is set.

As a result, by conducting type testing using the set value L, the variation in the number of medals that can be awarded in an advantageous state is reduced, and play is carried out as designed, making it easier to pass the type testing. On the other hand, if the set value L is set in the market, it will be disadvantageous to the player because the expected number of medals that can be awarded in all games, including games in an advantageous state, will be reduced, or the expected number of medals that can be awarded in an advantageous state will be reduced; however, by indicating that the set value L has been set, it is possible to make the player aware that the set value L has been set in an appropriate manner.

Figure 50 is a diagram for explaining the order in which the setting values are stored. As described above, a reset/setting switch 38 that functions as a setting switch for changing the payout rate in the setting change state is provided inside the slot machine 1. When the power is turned ON in the setting change state, the currently set setting value is displayed on the credit indicator 11 or the game auxiliary display 12. For example, when a setting value of 1 is set, as shown in Figure 50 (a), the number "1" is displayed as 7 segments by the credit indicator 11 or the game auxiliary display 12, indicating that a setting value of 1 is set.

When the reset/set switch 38 is operated in the state shown in FIG. 50(a), the main control unit 41 causes the credit indicator 11 or the gaming aid indicator 12 to display "2" as a seven-segment display, as shown in FIG. 50(b). Furthermore, when the reset/set switch 38 is operated, the main control unit 41 causes the credit indicator 11 or the gaming aid indicator 12 to display the setting values in the order of "4", "5", "6", "L", "1", "2", ..., as shown in FIG. 50(c) to (h). In this way, the main control unit 41 reads out the setting value data stored in ROM 41b in the order of setting values 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, L, and causes the credit indicator 11 or the gaming aid indicator 12 to display them.

More specifically, the correspondence between the setting value and the data stored in ROM 41b or RAM 41c will be described. When "0" is stored as a data value in ROM 41b or RAM 41c, it corresponds to setting value 1. When "1" is stored as a data value, it corresponds to setting value 2, when "2" is stored as a data value, it corresponds to setting value 4, when "3" is stored as a data value, it corresponds to setting value 5, when "4" is stored as a data value, it corresponds to setting value 5, when "5" is stored as a data value, it corresponds to setting value 6, and when "6" is stored as a data value, it corresponds to setting value L. In addition, the specific data associated with the setting value in ROM 41b or RAM 41c includes not only the data value indicating the setting value itself, but also a numerical value for determining the process determined for each setting value. For example, the numerical value for determining the process is a winning rate determined for each role.

That is, ROM 41b stores multiple specific data corresponding to each of the setting values 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and L consecutively in the storage area. Furthermore, among the multiple specific data corresponding to each of the setting values 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and L, the specific data corresponding to the setting value L is stored at the end of the order in the storage area of ROM 41b. That is, the order is "1, 2, 4, 5, 6, L." Note that the specific data corresponding to the setting value L may be stored at the beginning of the order in the storage area of ROM 41b. When stored first, the order is "L, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6." This makes it easier to distinguish between the setting value L and the setting values 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6, which are normal settings.

The set value L, which is set to comply with the type test, is displayed using the letter "L" rather than a number. On the other hand, the normal set value to be set in the market is displayed using numbers. This makes it easier for the administrator of the slot machine 1 to distinguish between the set value L and normal set values other than the set value L, and to recognize that the set value L has been set.

[Shutter effect]
FIG. 51 is a diagram for explaining a shutter performance. FIG. 51 shows an example of a shutter performance executed using a liquid crystal display 51. The shutter performance is a performance in which the entire area displayed by the liquid crystal display 51 is covered once by closing a shutter, a sliding door, or the like, and then the shutter or sliding door opens, and the area displayed by the liquid crystal display 51 is exposed again. The image displayed on the liquid crystal display 51 before and after the shutter or sliding door is closed may be changed in part or in whole. Also, the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 51 before and after the shutter or sliding door is closed may not be changed. Furthermore, the shutter performance may be used when the stage is changed. This makes it possible to preferably display that the stage is changed.

For example, in the example of FIG. 51(a), the second section stage of the first state is displayed on the liquid crystal display 51. When the shutter effect is executed, the display area of the liquid crystal display 51 is gradually covered with a shutter, as shown in FIG. 51(b). The shutter may be a physical shutter provided separately from the liquid crystal display 51, or may be an image displayed by the liquid crystal display 51. When the shutter is an image, the liquid crystal display 51 gradually superimposes the shutter on the image of the second section stage of the first state shown in FIG. 51(a). In FIG. 51(c), the display area of the liquid crystal display 51 is covered with the shutter, and the second section stage of the first state cannot be seen.

In FIG. 51(d), the shutter gradually begins to open, and in FIG. 51(e), the shutter finishes opening. As shown in FIG. 51(e), after the shutter effect is performed, an image is displayed showing a state in which the player is battling an enemy corresponding to the second state. Next, a method of using the shutter effect to indicate to the player that the setting value L has been set will be described.

Figure 52 is a diagram showing the rate at which the shutter effect is executed. As shown in Figure 52, the frequency with which the shutter effect is executed varies depending on the set value and the situation. When the normal setting value is set, the shutter effect is not executed in the first situation. The first situation is a situation that indicates a normal section, a normal advantageous section, and an AT continuous performance. Also, when the normal setting value is set, the shutter effect is executed in the second situation with a probability of 1/50. That is, in the second situation when the normal setting value is set, the shutter effect is executed on average once every 50 games. When the setting value L is set, the shutter effect is executed with a probability of 1/2 in the normal advantageous section and during the AT continuous performance in the first situation. That is, the shutter effect is executed on average once every two games. When the setting value L is set, the shutter effect is not executed in the normal section, the first state, and the second state.

Figure 53 is a diagram showing an example of special suggestion control using a shutter effect. As shown in Figure 53, in this embodiment, when the setting value L is set, the shutter effect is executed with a probability of 1/2 in the normal advantageous zone. At this time, stage changes or effects related to the shutter effect when the shutter opens are not executed. This causes images of the shutter opening and closing to be displayed frequently, giving the player a sense of discomfort.

Note that, although the second situation has been described as an example in which the first and second situations are advantageous states, the second situation is not limited to being in an advantageous state. For example, the first situation may be the normal advantageous zone state, and the second situation may be the AT consecutive performance. In this case, for example, when the setting value L is set, the shutter performance may be executed with a 1/2 probability in the first situation, which is the normal advantageous zone state, and when the normal setting value is set, the shutter performance may be executed at least once during the second situation, which is the AT consecutive performance.

In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the normal setting value is set, the shutter effect is executed at a rate of 1/50 in the first and second advantageous states. On the other hand, when the setting value L is set, the shutter effect is executed more frequently in the normal advantageous zone and during the AT continuous performance compared to when the normal setting value is set. As a result, in the slot machine 1, the shutter effect, which would only be executed in the AT state if the setting value L was not set, is executed more frequently in the normal advantageous zone, making it possible to make the player feel uncomfortable. This suggests to the player that the setting value L has been set.

In this way, the main control unit 41 executes special suggestion control that suggests that the set value L has been set, using the liquid crystal display 51, which is capable of executing effects used in the game. This configuration allows the player to recognize that the set value L has been set while playing the game, and prevents the player from continuing to play with the set value L set.

In this way, the sub-control unit 91 can cause the liquid crystal display 51 to execute a shutter effect, and as a special suggestion control, the execution rate of the shutter effect is different when the setting value L is set from among the setting values 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and L, and when the normal setting value is set. This allows the player to recognize that the setting value L is set based on the frequency with which the shutter effect is executed.

When the normal setting value is set, the sub-control unit 91 does not execute a shutter effect in the first situation, which indicates the normal section, the normal advantageous section, or the AT continuous performance, but executes a shutter effect in the second situation, which indicates the first state and the second state. In addition, when the setting value L is set, the main control unit 41 executes a shutter effect in the first situation using the liquid crystal display 51 as a special suggestion control. In this way, by executing a shutter effect in the first situation, it is possible to make the player aware that the setting value L is set.

The shutter effect is an effect in which an image of a shutter or an obstruction such as a sliding door is displayed over the entire display area of the liquid crystal display 51. The area in which the shutter effect is displayed is not limited to the entire display area of the liquid crystal display 51, and may be displayed, for example, only in the effect area 510 described below. This allows the player to easily recognize that the setting value L has been set by displaying an obstruction such as a shutter or a sliding door over the entire display area.

The main control unit 41 can execute navigation to notify the player of navigation information corresponding to the operation mode of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R that is advantageous to the player when the push order role is won by the internal lottery. In addition, the shutter effect is executed in a state in which the navigation is not executed. In other words, the shutter effect is not executed in a state in which the navigation is executed. This ensures that the display of the navigation effect is not hindered by the execution of the shutter effect.

[Setting value suggestion effect]
The following describes the setting value suggestion effect that suggests the set setting value. Figure 54 is a diagram for explaining an example of the setting value suggestion effect. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, setting values 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 can be set as normal setting values, and setting value L can be set as a special setting value.

When executing a presentation, the sub-control unit 91 can execute a setting value suggestion presentation that suggests the setting value set in the slot machine 1. The sub-control unit 91 acquires a command indicating the setting value from the main control unit when the design is changed. The sub-control unit 91 executes the setting value presentation based on the acquired setting value. The setting value suggestion presentation can be executed at various times and in various ways. Figure 54 explains an example in which the setting value suggestion presentation is executed together with a result screen that is displayed when the AT state ends. The result screen is a screen for notifying the number of medals paid out in the AT state, the number of games played, etc.

Below, the four types of result screens shown in FIG. 54 will be described with reference to FIG. 55. FIG. 55 is a diagram showing the execution rate of result screens for each setting value. FIG. 54(a) is the character 1 result screen on which character Ch1 is displayed. Referring to FIG. 55, the character 1 result screen is displayed with a probability of 90% when the normal setting value is set. Also, the character 1 result screen is displayed with a probability of 100% when setting value L is set. In other words, when setting value L is set, the character 1 result screen is always displayed when the AT state ends and the result screen is displayed.

Figure 54 (b) shows the character 2 result screen on which character Ch2 is displayed. The character 2 result screen is a result screen that suggests an odd number setting. Referring to Figure 55, the character 2 result screen is displayed with a 10% probability when setting value 1 or setting value 5 is set. The character 2 result screen is not displayed when setting values 2, 4, 6, or L are set. In this way, by displaying the character 2 result screen, the slot machine 1 can suggest that either setting value 1 or 5 has been set.

Figure 54 (c) shows the character 3 result screen on which character Ch3 is displayed. The character 3 result screen is a result screen that suggests an even number setting. Referring to Figure 55, the character 3 result screen is displayed with a 10% probability when setting value 2 or setting value 4 is set, and with an 8% probability when setting value 6 is set. The character 3 result screen is not displayed when setting values 1, 5, or L are set. In this way, by displaying the character 3 result screen, the slot machine 1 can suggest that one of the setting values 2, 4, or 6 has been set.

Figure 54 (d) is a character 4 result screen that displays character Ch4. The character 4 result screen is a result screen that suggests that the setting value is set to 6. Referring to Figure 55, the character 4 result screen is displayed with a probability of 2% when the setting value is set to 6. The character 4 result screen is not displayed when the setting values are set to 1, 2, 4, 5, or L. In this way, the slot machine 1 can suggest that the setting value is set to 6 by displaying the character 4 result screen. A setting suggestion that suggests the setting value that is set, rather than suggesting that multiple setting values are set, as in the character 4 result screen, is called an individual setting suggestion. An individual setting suggestion may be performed for a setting value of 5, for example, but is preferably suggested for a setting with a payout rate of more than 100%.

In this way, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, four types of result screens are displayed. When the character 2 result screen, character 3 result screen, and character 4 result screen are displayed, it is easy for the player to guess which of the setting values 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and L has been set, but when the character 1 result screen is displayed, it is difficult to guess which setting value has been set. This is because, as explained above, the setting value L is a setting value intended for use in type testing, and with normal setting values intended for use in the market, the character 1 result screen is displayed with a uniform probability of 90%. Therefore, the character 1 result screen is the result screen in which it is most difficult to recognize which setting value has been set. Hereinafter, the setting suggestion for which the character 1 result screen is displayed is referred to as the normal setting suggestion.

Using Figures 54 and 55, it has been explained that the setting value is suggested by changing the type of character displayed on the result screen that is displayed when the AT state ends. The setting value suggestion effect may not only be achieved by changing the type of character displayed, but may also be achieved, for example, by changing the background color or pattern displayed on the result screen. Furthermore, the timing at which the setting value suggestion effect is executed is not limited to the end of the AT state, but may be executed in various states and timings, such as during the normal advantageous zone effect, during consecutive AT effects, and during the ending state effect.

In this way, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to execute a setting suggestion to suggest which of the setting values has been set. On the other hand, when setting value L is set, the setting suggestion is not executed. In other words, when setting value L is set, the character 2 result screen, character 3 result screen, and character 4 result screen are not displayed, and only the default character 1 result screen is displayed. In this way, when setting value L is set, it is possible to prevent confusion among the player by only suggesting that setting value L has been set, and not suggesting that the normal setting value has been set.

In addition, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the normal setting value is set, on the result screen at the end of the AT state, it is possible to execute the normal setting suggestion, odd setting suggestion, even setting suggestion, and setting value 6 confirmed suggestion, which are the most difficult to recognize as to which setting value is set. When setting value L is set, the character 2 result screen, character 3 result screen, and character 4 result screen other than the normal setting suggestion are not displayed, while the character 1 result screen is displayed. This makes it possible to prevent confusion for the player caused by setting suggestions other than the normal setting suggestion when setting value L is set.

Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the setting value 6 is set among the setting values 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and L, an individual setting suggestion that suggests that the setting value 6 is set can be executed. On the other hand, when the setting value L is set, the individual setting suggestion of setting value 6 is not executed. This makes it possible to prevent the player from becoming confused by suggesting that one of the normal setting values is set even when the setting value L is set, and further makes it possible to prevent the player from becoming confused by an individual setting suggestion that individually suggests that the setting value L is set being displayed on the result screen.

Figure 56 is a flow diagram showing the control contents of the initial setting process performed by the main control unit 41. In the following, to explain the setting value change process in more detail, the startup process and initial setting process performed by the main control unit 41 will be explained based on Figure 56. The startup process and initial setting process are subroutines included in the game program.

When power supply to the slot machine 1 is started, the main control unit 41 starts up in a state where timer interrupts are set to prohibited due to a reset, and performs various processes according to the programs stored in the ROM 41b. After starting up, the main control unit 41 first performs a startup setting process included in the game program to initialize all output ports 0 to 9, and performs an initial setting process included in the game program to initialize the internal registers of the main control unit 41 based on a built-in register initialization table that is preset in a specified area of the ROM 41b.

The initial setting process starts with timer interrupts prohibited. In the initial setting process, first, a predetermined area of the input port is referenced (Sa1) to determine whether the power interruption detection signal output from the power interruption detection circuit is ON (Sa2). If the power interruption detection signal is ON, the process waits until the power interruption detection signal is OFF. After that, when the power supply voltage of the slot machine 1 becomes normal and the power interruption detection signal is OFF, the parity of a predetermined area of the RAM 41c is calculated (Sa3) and a predetermined initial address is set in the stack pointer (Sa4). Then, it is determined whether the parity calculated in step Sa3 is normal (Sa5). If the parity is normal, fixed data for RAM destruction diagnosis set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c at the time of power interruption is obtained (Sa6), and based on the fixed data for RAM destruction diagnosis, it is diagnosed whether the memory contents of the RAM 41c have been destroyed (Sa7).

If it is determined in step Sa5 that the parity is normal, and if the contents stored in RAM 41c are diagnosed in step Sa7, it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in RAM 41c based on the RAM parity calculated in step Sa3 and the result of the diagnosis in Sa7 (Sa8). Note that there is an abnormality in RAM 41c when the parity is not normal, or when the parity is normal but the stored contents are diagnosed as abnormal.

If there is an abnormality in the RAM 41c, the values of the flag registers in which the calculation results are stored among the registers provided in the main control unit 41 are saved by storing them in a predetermined order in the game stack area of the game RAM area (Sa9), and then a non-game RAM area initialization process included in the non-game program is called and performed (Sa10). Then, in the non-game RAM area initialization process, the non-game RAM area of the RAM 41c is initialized, and then the process returns to the initial setting process. Then, when the process returns to the initial setting process, the values of the flag registers saved in the game stack area in step Sa9 are read out from the game stack area in the reverse order to when they were saved, and set in the flag registers, thereby restoring the flag registers to the state they were in before the RAM area initialization process was performed (Sa11).

In the non-game RAM area initialization process, first, the value of the current address of the game stack area indicated by the stack pointer SP used by the calling game program is stored in a specified area of the non-game RAM area and saved. After that, the stack pointer SP is set to a specified value of the non-game stack area (the value stored in a specified area of the non-game RAM area as the address indicated by the stack pointer SP at the end of the previous non-game program) as the value of the stack pointer SP, thereby setting the stack pointer SP for the non-game program. Then, the values of all registers provided in the main control unit 41, including the above-mentioned flag register, are saved in a specified order in the non-game stack area of the non-game RAM area specified by the stack pointer SP and saved. Then, the start address (the first address of the unused area 4) and the end address (the last address of the non-game RAM area) of the RAM to be initialized are specified, and the start address is used as the initial value of the specified address, and the data of the specified address is cleared, and the specified address is updated to the next address. This process is repeated until the specified address becomes the end address, thereby initializing the area from the start address to the end address of the RAM to be initialized (in this embodiment, the area from the beginning of the unused area 4 to the end of the non-game RAM area). Then, the register values that were stored and saved in the non-game stack area when the non-game RAM area initialization process was started are read out from the non-game stack area in the reverse order to when they were saved, and set in the registers corresponding to the order, thereby restoring all registers to the state when the non-game RAM area initialization process was started. Then, the value of the stack pointer SP saved in a predetermined area of the non-game RAM area when the non-game RAM area initialization process was started is set in the stack pointer SP, thereby restoring the stack pointer SP to the state when the non-game RAM area initialization process was started, and the non-game RAM area initialization process is terminated.

In addition, in the non-game RAM area initialization process, the capacity of the RAM to be initialized may be calculated by specifying the start address and end address of the RAM to be initialized, and the RAM area of that capacity may be sequentially cleared from the start address of the RAM to be initialized, thereby initializing the area from the start address to the end address of the RAM to be initialized.

If it is determined in step Sa8 that there is no abnormality in the RAM 41c, and if the register is restored in step Sa11, the fixed data for RAM destruction diagnosis set in the RAM 41c is cleared (Sa12), and a RAM destruction initialization start address is set (Sa13) to specify the address of the game RAM area that is the target for initialization processing if there is an abnormality in the RAM 41c. Then, input port 2 is referenced to determine whether the setting key switch 37 is in the ON state (Sa14).

If it is determined in step Sa14 that the setting key switch 37 is ON, a setting change process is performed. In the setting change process, the reset/setting switch 38 and the start switch 7 are operated in a predetermined procedure to confirm the setting value, and when it is detected that the setting key switch 37 has been turned OFF, the setting change process is terminated and the game is allowed to proceed. In addition, in the setting change process, when the setting change process is started, a setting command (start) indicating that the setting change process is to be started is sent to the sub-control unit 91, and when the setting change process is ended, a setting command (end) indicating that the setting change process is to be ended is sent. In addition, in the setting change process, when the setting change process is ended, the first address of the RAM area to be initialized at the time of the setting change is specified, and the process returns to the main process step. Then, by performing the RAM initialization process in the main process step, the area from the first address of the RAM area to be initialized at the time of the setting change to the end address of the game RAM area, i.e., all game RAM areas, are initialized. Note that it is also possible to initialize all game RAM areas except for the stack area in use in the RAM 41c.

If it is determined in step Sa14 that the setting key switch 37 is not ON, it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in the RAM 41c based on the RAM parity calculated in step Sa3 and the diagnosis result in Sa7 (Sa15), and if it is determined that there is no abnormality in the RAM 41c, an initialization process is executed (Sa151). The initialization process in Sa151 corresponds to the initialization 3 described in FIG. 44. Then, the output buffer for outputting the external output signal is cleared (Sa16). In addition, a reel error counter that is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c and that counts the number of times a reel rotation error is detected in the main process described later is cleared (Sa17). Then, the stack pointer SP is set to the address at the time of power failure based on the memory contents of the RAM 41c, thereby returning the stack pointer to the state at the time of power failure (Sa18), and the port input process is executed twice in succession (Sa19, Sa20).

The port input process is a process for updating input state data (input data indicating the current input state of various switches, final data indicating that the previous and current input data are the same, and edge data indicating that the final data has changed since the previous) related to the input state of the detection signals of various switches input to the parallel input port 511. In a predetermined area of the game RAM area of the RAM 41c, port input buffers 0 to 2 for storing the input state data of various switches are provided, and the input state data of various switches updated by the port input process is stored in a predetermined bit of the port input buffer that is predetermined for each type. In the port input process, the detection state (ON state or OFF state) of various switches set to input ports 0 to 2 of the parallel input port 511 is stored as input data in a predetermined bit of the port input buffer. In addition, the detection state (ON state or OFF state) in the previous and current port input processes is compared, and if the current and previous input data are in the same state, the final data is updated to indicate the detection state of the current input data, while if the current and previous input data are in different states, the previous final data is maintained. In addition, by comparing the current and previous confirmed data, if the confirmed data changes from an OFF state to an ON state, ON edge data indicating that the confirmed data has changed from an OFF state to an ON state is stored in a predetermined bit of port input buffers 0 to 2, and if the confirmed data changes from an ON state to an OFF state, OFF edge data indicating that the confirmed data has changed from an ON state to an OFF state is stored in a predetermined bit of port input buffers 0 to 2. The input data, confirmed data, and edge data of the various switches stored in the port input buffers can be referenced from game programs and non-game programs.

In addition, by performing the port input process twice in succession in the initial setting process, when the port input process is performed thereafter, input state data related to the input state of the detection signals of the various switches is created based on the input state of the various switches after the initial setting process, i.e., the input state of the various switches after the power supply to the slot machine 1 is resumed, so that it is possible to prevent unintended input situations from being identified. In addition, the port input process may be configured to create finalized data based on input data acquired by three or more port input processes (for example, input data from the current, previous, and previous-to-previous times). In such a configuration, by performing the port input process in the initial setting process one consecutive time less than the number of port input processes required to create finalized data, when the port input process is performed after the initial setting process, input state data can be created based on the input state of the various switches after the initial setting process.

After the port input process is performed in steps Sa19 and Sa20, a specific input port is referenced (Sa21) to determine whether the reset/setting switch 38 is ON (Sa22), and if the reset/setting switch 38 is ON, status data indicating that the reset/setting switch 38 is ON is set in a specific area of RAM 41c (Sa23).

If it is determined in step Sa22 that the reset/setting switch 38 is not ON, and after the status data is set in step Sa23, a recovery command indicating that the control state before the power outage has been restored is sent to the sub-control unit 91 (Sa24), and then in the command sending process of the timer interrupt process (main), a door command sending flag indicating that a door command indicating the detection state of the door open detection switch 25 is to be sent is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c (Sa25). In the command sending process, a door command is normally sent when the detection state of the door open detection switch 25 has changed, but if the door command sending flag is set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c, a door command indicating the detection state of the door open detection switch 25 is sent regardless of whether the detection state of the door open detection switch 25 has changed.

After setting the door command transmission flag in step Sa25, all registers are restored to the state before the power outage stored in RAM 41c (Sa26), the timer interrupt is set to enabled (Sa27), the initial setting process is terminated and a transition is made to timer interrupt process (main), and then the process returns to the main process that was being executed before the power supply to the slot machine 1 was cut off.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step Sa15 that there is an abnormality in RAM 41c, a game RAM initialization process is performed (Sa28) to initialize the area from the RAM destruction initialization start address set in step Sa13 to the end of the game RAM area of RAM 41c. The game RAM area initialization process in Sa28 corresponds to initialization 5 described in FIG. 44. Then, similar to the process in steps Sa9 to Sa11, the value of the flag register in which the flag is set is saved to the game stack area of the game RAM area (Sa29), and the non-game RAM area initialization process included in the non-game program is called (Sa30), and all non-game RAM areas of RAM 41c are initialized, and the process returns to the caller and restores the registers saved in step Sa29 (Sa31).

After the registers are restored in step Sa31, the door command transmission flag is set (Sa32), the timer interrupt is enabled (Sa33), a RAM abnormality error code (E8) indicating that there is an abnormality in the RAM 41c is prepared in a specified register (Sa34), the initial setting process is terminated, and the process moves to error processing.

In the error processing, the error state is controlled to be an error state in which the progress of the game is disabled. In addition, an error command capable of identifying an error code (E8) prepared in a specified register is sent to the sub-control unit 91, and the error code (E8) is set in a specified area of the RAM 41c as an error flag that can also be referenced in other processes (for example, the sensor monitoring process described later). In addition, the error code (E8) is controlled to be displayed on the game auxiliary display 12. After that, the error state is controlled until it is identified that the release condition of the error state corresponding to the error code (E8) prepared in the specified register has been established. When the RAM abnormality error code (E8) is prepared in the specified register and the error state is entered, the setting key switch 37 is turned ON and the power switch 39 is turned ON to enter the setting change state and initialize all the game RAM areas, so that the abnormality of the data in the RAM 41c can be reliably eliminated and the error state can be released. On the other hand, if the power switch 39 is turned ON without turning the setting key switch 37 ON, the abnormality of the RAM 41c is detected again and the error state is entered again.

In this way, the main control unit 41 first performs the initial setting process after the power supply to the slot machine 1 is started. In the initial setting process, depending on the state of the main control unit 41 when the power supply to the slot machine 1 is started, the main control unit 41 transitions to one of the timer interrupt process (main), setting change process, and error process. When transitioning to these processes, a command capable of identifying the type of process to transition to is sent to the sub-control unit 91. When transitioning to the timer interrupt process (main), that is, when the control state before the power supply to the slot machine 1 was stopped is restored, a return command is sent to the sub-control unit 91. When starting the setting change process and transitioning to the setting change state, a setting command (start) is sent to the sub-control unit 91. When starting the error process and transitioning to the error state due to an abnormality in the RAM 41c, an error command is sent to the sub-control unit 91.

After transitioning from the initial setting process to the setting change process, the main control unit 41 passes through the setting change state and returns to a state in which the game can be progressed. When returning to the state in which the game can be progressed, the main control unit 41 sends a setting command (end) to the sub-control unit 91 that can specify that the setting change state has ended, but does not send a return command. Also, after transitioning to error processing due to an abnormality in the RAM 41c, transition is made to the setting change process as described above, the error state is cleared, and the state in which the game can be progressed is returned to. Even when the error processing is terminated and the state in which the game can be progressed is returned to, a return command is not sent to the sub-control unit 91.

In this way, the main control unit 41 starts up when power supply to the slot machine 1 is started, and performs the startup setting process included in the game program, initializing all output ports 0 to 9 through this startup setting process.

After performing the startup setting process, the main control unit 41 performs the initial setting process included in the game program. Then, in the initial setting process, if it is determined that there is an abnormality in the RAM 41c, it calls the non-game RAM area initialization process included in the non-game program to initialize a predetermined area of the non-game RAM area of the RAM 41c. Also, in the initial setting process, it calls the RAM initialization process included in the game program to initialize a predetermined area of the game RAM area of the RAM 41c, so that the game RAM area is initialized by the game program and the non-game RAM area is initialized by the non-game program.

[Specific increment processing during setting change processing]
57 is a flow diagram showing the control contents of the setting change processing performed by the main control unit 41. The main control unit 41 transmits a setting command (S112) and transitions to a setting change state (S113). By transitioning to the setting change state, it becomes possible to change the setting. The main control unit 41 stores the current setting value in the A register (S114). The A register is an accumulator register provided in the main CPU 41a. Thereafter, the main control unit 41 converts the value of the A register into a display value (S115).

Specifically, if "0" is stored as the setting value in the RAM 41c, it is converted to "1", which is a numeric value for display. If "1" is stored as the setting value in the RAM 41c, it is converted to "2", which is a numeric value for display. If "2" is stored as the setting value in the RAM 41c, it is converted to "4", which is a numeric value for display. If "3" is stored as the setting value in the RAM 41c, it is converted to "5", which is a numeric value for display. If "4" is stored as the setting value in the RAM 41c, it is converted to "6", which is a numeric value for display. If "5" is stored as the setting value in the RAM 41c, it is converted to the letter "L" for display. As shown in FIG. 60, the main control unit 41 causes the credit indicator 11, which is the setting value indicator, to display the converted setting value (S116). Thereafter, it is determined whether the reset/setting switch 38 has been operated (S117).

When the main control unit 41 determines that the reset/setting switch 38 has been operated (YES in S117), the main control unit 41 executes a specific increment process. The specific increment process is a process that includes an addition process, a judgment process, and a regression process, and is a process in which an interrupt process is not executed even if an interrupt inhibition process is not executed based on an interrupt inhibition command during the period in which the specific increment process is being executed. In other words, the main control unit 41 inhibits the execution of a timer interrupt even if a specified time for the timer interrupt to occur is reached or the conditions for the interrupt to occur are met during the execution of the specific increment process. The specific increment process is also used for various purposes, and in the example of FIG. 57, it is used to add a set value.

Specifically, the main control unit 41 executes an addition process to add a value indicating the set value stored in the A register (S118). After that, the main control unit 41 executes a judgment process to judge whether the value indicating the set value stored in the A register is the same as a specific value (S119). The specific value is a value determined according to the application for which the specific increment process is used, and is stored in the ROM 41b. The specific value in the specific increment process used for adding the set value is 6. In addition, in the specific judgment process, the specific value 6 is subtracted from the set value after addition, and by judging whether the subtraction result is 0, it is judged whether the set value after addition is the same as the specific value. In addition, more specifically, if the subtraction result is 0, the main control unit 41 sets the carry flag C included in the flag register to "1".

If the result of the determination process is that the subtraction result is 0, the main control unit 41 executes a regression process to correct the set value stored in the A register to 0 (S120). The regression process is executed when the value stored in the A register is "6". The set values 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and L set in this embodiment are associated with "0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5" as data values stored in the RAM 41c or ROM 41b. In other words, no set value is provided that corresponds to the data value "6". Therefore, the main control unit 41 executes a regression process to cause the data value stored in the A register to regress to "0". As a result, when the addition process is performed on the data value "5" indicating the set value L, it can be corrected to the data value "0" indicating the set value 1. After executing the regression process, the main control unit 41 returns the process to S116. Also, if the subtraction result is not 0, the main control unit 41 does not execute the regression process and returns the process to S116.

More specifically, when the value stored in the carry flag C is "1", the main control unit 41 calculates an exclusive OR between all bits contained in the A register and the value stored in each of those bits. In other words, since an exclusive OR is calculated between all bits and the same value, the value of all bits in the A register becomes "0".

In this way, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the execution of the specific increment process prevents the value of the A register from becoming a numerical value equal to or greater than a specific value. This allows the credit display 11 to appropriately switch the display as shown in FIG. 60(f) to FIG. 60(g). Furthermore, when executing the specific increment process, the main control unit 41 inhibits interrupt processing even if interrupt inhibition processing based on an interrupt inhibition command has not been executed. In other words, the main control unit 41 automatically inhibits interrupt processing based on the execution of the specific increment process. This makes it possible to automatically prevent the set value from being updated to an unintended value as a result of the execution of the interrupt process.

If the reset/setting switch 38 is not operated in S117 (NO in S117), the main control unit 41 judges whether the start switch 7 is operated (S121). If the start switch 7 is not operated (NO in S121), the process returns to S117. If the start switch 7 is operated (YES in S121), the main control unit 41 judges whether the setting key switch is OFF (S122). If the setting key switch is not OFF (NO in S122), the main control unit 41 repeats the process of S122. If the setting key switch is OFF (YES in S122), the main control unit 41 judges whether the reset/setting switch 38 was ON at the start of the setting change process (S1231). That is, the main control unit 41 judges whether the reset/setting switch 38 was operated in addition to the setting key switch 37 at the time of Sa14 in FIG. 56. If the reset/setting switch 37 is ON (YES in S1231), the main control unit 41 executes initialization 0 described in FIG. 44 (S1232). That is, if both the setting key switch 37 and the reset/setting switch 38 are operated, both the AT work and the BB work are initialized. On the other hand, if the reset/setting switch 38 is not ON (NO in S1231), the main control unit 41 executes initialization 1 described in FIG. 44 (S1233). That is, if only the setting key switch 37 is operated, only the BB work is initialized.

After the initialization process is completed, the main control unit 41 converts the value of the A register into a setting value and stores it (S124), sends a setting end command (S125), and sets the standby command transmission timer (S126). After setting the standby command transmission timer, the main control unit 41 ends the setting change state (S127).

[Specific decrement processing during payout processing]
In the above, an example in which a specific increment process is executed in a setting change process has been described. Next, an example in which a specific decrement process is executed during a payout process will be described. Fig. 58 is a flowchart showing the control content of the payout process executed by the main control unit in the game process. The payout process in Fig. 58 is a process executed in S18 of the main process.

As a result of the winning determination, the number of medals awarded that was set when it was determined that a winning had occurred is compared with the number of medals already paid out, indicating the number of medals already paid out, to confirm whether or not the payout has been completed (Si1). If the payout has not been completed, it is determined whether or not an insertion error has occurred (an error that is determined when the insertion of a medal is detected outside the period in which the insertion of medals is permitted) has occurred (Si11), and if it is determined that no error has occurred in step Si11, the process proceeds to step Si2. If it is determined that an insertion error has occurred in step Si11, an error code indicating an insertion error during the payout process is set in a register (Si12), and the process proceeds to step Si2.

In step Si2, it is checked whether the credit can be added based on whether the credit has reached the upper limit (Si2), and if the credit can be added, the system waits for the credit payout interval (Si3) and then adds 1 to the credit (Si4). After processing Si3, the system adds 1 to the value of the medal OUT signal output counter, which indicates the remaining number of medal OUT signal outputs (Si5), executes payout number subtraction processing (Si6), and then returns to step Si1.

If the credits cannot be added in step Si2, one medal is paid out (Si7), the medal OUT signal output counter value is incremented by one (Si8), and the process proceeds to step Si9, where the number of medals paid out is subtracted, and the process returns to step Si1.

In the single medal payout process in step Si7, the hopper motor is driven to control the payout of one medal, and the process proceeds to step Si8 only if the payout sensor detects that one medal has been successfully paid out. In addition, the process monitors whether the medals are jammed or out of medals, and when it is determined that the medals are jammed or out of medals, it stops the hopper motor, sets a payout error in the register, and moves to error processing. After the payout error is cleared, the process returns to the main processing.

If the payout is complete in step Si1, the hopper motor is stopped (Si10) and the process moves to the end time process. In this way, in the payout process, the value of the medal OUT output counter is incremented by 1 each time the payout sensor detects the payout of one medal by the single medal payout process or each time the credit is incremented by 1.

Figure 59 is a flow chart showing the control contents of the payout number subtraction process executed by the main control unit. The one-coin payout process in Figure 59 is a process executed in Si7 and Si9 in Figure 58. The payout number subtraction process corresponds to the specific decrement process. The specific decrement process is a process that includes a subtraction process, a determination process, and an update process, and is a process in which an interrupt process is not executed even if an interrupt inhibition process is not executed based on an interrupt inhibition command during the period in which the specific decrement process is executed. In other words, the main control unit 41 prohibits the execution of a timer interrupt during the execution of the specific decrement process, even if the specified time for the timer interrupt to occur is reached or the conditions for the interrupt to occur are met. In addition, the specific decrement process is used for various purposes, and in the example of Figure 59, it is used for the process of subtracting the payout number.

The main control unit 41 stores the address of RAM 41c stored in the HL register in the A register (SD1). The HL register refers to two registers, the H register and the L register, which are auxiliary registers. In the HL register, when it is determined that a bonus has been won during the winning determination process, the address of RAM 41c in which the remaining number of medals to be paid out by the bonus is stored is stored. That is, for example, if the specified number of medals to be paid out in BB is 345, data indicating 345 medals is stored in the address of RAM 41c immediately after the BB wins. After that, when 15 medals are paid out, the data stored in the address is subtracted to 310 medals by the method shown below. The data stored in the address is hereinafter referred to as the "remaining payout value". The specified number of medals to be paid out is not limited to 345 medals, and may be, for example, 17 medals. The main control unit 41 stores the remaining payout value stored in the address indicated by the HL register in the A register, and then executes a specific decrement process.

Specifically, the main control unit 41 executes a subtraction process to subtract 1 from the value indicating the remaining payout value stored in the A register (SD1). At this time, if the values of all bits of the A register are "0", the subtraction process causes all bits of the A register to have a value indicating "F". In other words, a borrow occurs, and as a result of the borrow, the value of the carry flag C in the flag register (F register) becomes "1". If a borrow does not occur, the value of the carry flag C in the flag register is "0".

The main control unit 41 executes a judgment process to determine whether the value of the carry flag in the flag register is "1" (SD3). If the result of the judgment process is that the value stored in the carry flag is "1", the main control unit 41 executes an update process to correct the set value stored in the A register to 0 (SD4). The case in which the update process is executed is when a borrow occurs and the value stored in all bits of the A register becomes "F". When a borrow occurs, the main control unit 41 can correct the value of the A register to "0" by the update process. After executing the update process, the main control unit 41 stores the value of the A register in the HL register (SD5).

In this way, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the execution of the specific decrement process prevents the value of the A register from entering a state after a carryover occurs. Furthermore, when the main control unit 41 executes the specific decrement process, it inhibits the interrupt process even if the interrupt inhibition process based on the interrupt inhibition instruction has not been executed. In other words, the main control unit 41 automatically inhibits the interrupt process based on the execution of the specific decrement process. This automatically prevents the remaining payout value from being updated to an unintended value as a result of the execution of the interrupt process.

[Specific decrement process in time counter update process]
In the above, an example of the specific decrement process during the payout process has been described. Next, an example of the specific decrement process during the time counter update process will be described. A timer counter for measuring a time interval used by the main control unit 41 for controlling the progress of the game will be described.

The main control unit 41 sets an initial value corresponding to the measured time as the timer value of the timer counter assigned to the RAM 41c, and periodically subtracts the timer value in the timer interrupt process (main) to determine that the measured time has elapsed when the timer value becomes 0. More specifically, when a condition for starting timing is met in the main process, the main control unit 41 sets an initial value of the timer value corresponding to the measured time in the area assigned to the timer counter corresponding to that condition.

The set timer value is decremented by 1 approximately every 2.24 ms until it reaches 0 in the time counter update process of the timer interrupt process (main). In the main process, the address of the corresponding timer counter is obtained, the obtained value is read, and it is determined whether the read value is not 0. If it is determined that the read value is 0, it is determined that the measured time has elapsed. In this embodiment, multiple timer counters can be used. For example, a 1-byte timer with an initial value of 1 byte or less, or a 2-byte timer with an initial value of more than 1 byte and 2 bytes or less can be used.

The timer counters used in this embodiment include 1-byte timer A, 1-byte timer B, and 1-byte timer C, whose initial values are 1 byte or less, and 2-byte timers, whose initial values are greater than 1 byte and 2 bytes or less. Note that the timer counter may include multiple 2-byte timers.

A 1-byte timer is a timer for measuring a relatively short period that can be measured with a timer value of 1 byte or less. Examples of such timers include an external output signal timer that measures the output period of an external output signal, an LED update timer that measures the output update period of an LED, a stop invalidation timer that measures the period from when a stop operation is detected until another stop operation is enabled, a payout wait timer that measures the period from when the reels stop until the start of medal payout, an insertion detection timer that measures the period from when the inserted medal sensor is detected to be ON, an insertion port detection timer that measures the period from when the insertion port sensor is detected to be ON, a payout detection timer that measures the period from when the payout sensor is detected to be ON, and a start timer that measures the period from when the reels start to spin until the stop operation is enabled.

Two-byte timers are timers for measuring relatively long periods that cannot be measured with timer values of one byte or less. Examples include a one-game time timer that measures the specified time required for one game (approximately 4.1 seconds), a security signal timer that measures the minimum output period of a security signal among external output signals, a standby time timer that measures the period from the end of a game, and a hopper empty timer that measures the period during which the payout sensor is not detected after the hopper motor is driven.

The 1-byte timers A, B, and C are assigned one byte each to a continuous 3-byte area of RAM 41c. The 1-byte timers A, B, and C are assigned to a continuous area of RAM 41c. The 2-byte timer is assigned to a continuous 2-byte area of RAM 41c. Below, the area to which the 1-byte timers are assigned is referred to as the 1-byte timer group. That is, the 1-byte timer group is set in an area to which consecutive addresses are assigned according to a predetermined rule. Note that an area to which consecutive addresses are assigned according to a predetermined rule is, for example, an area to which a starting address and addresses that are incremented by N (N is a natural number) from the starting address are assigned.

Figure 60 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the time counter update process executed by the main control unit. In the time counter update process, first, the number of 1-byte timer counters to be updated (3 in this embodiment) is set as the number of 1-byte processing times (ST1), and the first address of the 1-byte timer group is stored in the HL register (ST2). In other words, by storing the first address of the 1-byte timer group in the HL register, a pointer is set to the first address of the 1-byte timer group.

The main control unit 41 stores the value stored at the address indicated by the HL register in the A register (ST3). That is, the count value stored at the first address of the 1-byte timer group is stored in the A register. The main control unit 41 executes specific decrement processing in ST4, 5, and 7. The specific decrement processing is processing that includes subtraction processing, determination processing, and update processing, and is processing in which interrupt processing is not executed even if interrupt inhibition processing is not executed based on an interrupt inhibition instruction during the period in which the specific decrement processing is being executed.

The main control unit 41 subtracts 1 from the value of the A register as a subtraction process within the specific decrement process (ST4). At this time, if the values of all bits of the A register are "0", the subtraction process causes all bits of the A register to have a value indicating "F". In other words, a borrow occurs, and as a result of the borrow, the value of the carry flag C in the flag register (F register) becomes "1". If a borrow does not occur, the value of the carry flag C in the flag register is "0".

The main control unit 41 executes a judgment process to determine whether the value of the carry flag in the flag register is "1" (ST5). If the result of the judgment process is that the value stored in the carry flag is "0", the main control unit 41 stores the value of the A register in the address indicated by the HL register (ST6). If the result of the judgment process is that the value stored in the carry flag is "1", the main control unit 41 executes an update process to correct the setting value stored in the A register to 0 (ST7). After executing the update process, the main control unit 41 stores the value of the A register in the address indicated by the HL register (ST6).

The main control unit 41 determines whether the number of processes after the subtraction is 0 or not (ST9). If the number of processes after the subtraction is not 0 in step ST9, that is, if the updating of all 1-byte timers has not been completed, the address indicated by the HL register is incremented by 1 (ST10) and the process returns to step ST4. In other words, the pointer is incremented and the referenced address is advanced. This moves the pointer to the address of the unprocessed 1-byte timer, and if the value of 1 byte at the specified address is not 0, it is decremented.

In this way, the specific decrement process can also be used for the time counter update process. This prevents the value of the A register from being in a state after a carryover has occurred. Furthermore, when executing the specific decrement process, the main control unit 41 inhibits interrupt processing even if interrupt inhibition processing based on an interrupt inhibition instruction has not been executed. In other words, the main control unit 41 automatically inhibits interrupt processing based on the execution of the specific decrement process. This automatically prevents the count value (measurement result) of the 1-byte timer from being updated to an unintended value due to the execution of interrupt processing.

Furthermore, as described above, in this embodiment, multiple 1-byte timers are provided, and to simplify processing, counting (subtraction processing) is performed on all of the multiple 1-byte timers. The main control unit 41 does not necessarily use all of the multiple 1-byte counters all the time. For example, it may be possible that the main control unit 41 wishes to use only 1-byte counter A out of 1-byte counter A, 1-byte counter B, and 1-byte counter C. At this time, if a time counter update process is executed, subtraction processing will also be performed on 1-byte counter B and 1-byte counter C.

However, in this embodiment, by providing the subtraction process as a specific decrement process, even if the subtraction process is performed on 1-byte counter B and 1-byte counter C and the counter becomes "0", no carryover occurs. This makes it possible to prevent the count value of the 1-byte timer from becoming an abnormal value while performing subtraction processes on multiple 1-byte timers in the time counter update process.

[Specific increment processing in ceiling game count processing]
In the following, an example in which the specific increment process is used in the ceiling game number count process will be described. As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, an upper limit of the number of games is set in the normal advantageous zone. When the upper limit of the number of games set in advance is reached in the normal advantageous zone, the game is forcibly shifted to the AT state regardless of the point reached. A ceiling game number count value for determining whether or not the ceiling has been reached is stored in the RAM 41c. The main control unit 41 adds the ceiling game number count value using the specific increment process each time a game is executed in the normal advantageous zone. The main control unit 41 determines whether or not to shift to the AT state based on whether or not the ceiling game number count value has reached the ceiling. That is, the ceiling game number count value is a value for selecting data, and is also referred to as a data selection value below.

An example in which the specific increment process is used in the ceiling game count process will be described in more detail. The ceiling game count process is executed within the gaming machine information calculation process (S18) in the main process of FIG. 14. FIG. 61 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the gaming machine information calculation process executed by the main control unit 41. As shown in FIG. 61, in the gaming machine information calculation process, first, the values of all registers are saved to a stack (SF1). Then, after executing the ceiling game count process (SF2), the register values saved in SF1 are restored (SF3), and the gaming machine information calculation process is terminated and a return is made to the main process.

Figure 62 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the ceiling game count process executed by the main control unit 41. In the ceiling game count process, first, the address of RAM 41c where the ceiling game count value is stored is stored in the HL register (SI1). In other words, by storing the address of RAM 41c in the HL register, a pointer is set to the address where the ceiling game count value is stored.

The main control unit 41 stores the value stored at the address indicated by the HL register in the A register (SI2). In other words, the ceiling game number count value is stored in the A register. The main control unit 41 executes specific increment processing in SI3, 4, and 6. The specific increment processing is processing that includes an addition process, a judgment process, and a regression process. During the period in which the specific increment processing is being executed, the interrupt processing is not executed even if the interrupt prohibition processing is not performed based on an interrupt prohibition command.

The main control unit 41 adds 1 to the value of the A register as an addition process in the specific increment process (SI3). That is, assuming that a game has been played in the normal advantageous zone, the main control unit 41 adds that game to the ceiling game number count value. After that, the main control unit 41 executes a determination process to determine whether the ceiling game number count value stored in the A register is the same as a specific value (SI4). The specific value in the ceiling game number count process is the upper limit game number for games in the normal advantageous zone, for example, 700 games. That is, the main control unit 41 determines whether the ceiling game number count value has reached 700.

In a more specific determination process, a specific value of 700 is subtracted from the value of the A register after the addition, and it is determined whether the result of the subtraction is 0, thereby determining whether the ceiling game number count value and the specific value are the same. If the result of the subtraction is 0, the main control unit 41 sets the carry flag C included in the flag register to "1."

If the result of the judgment process is that the subtraction result is 0, the main control unit 41 executes a regression process to correct the set value stored in the A register to 0 (SI5). The regression process is executed when the ceiling game number count value reaches the upper limit game number. Therefore, the main control unit 41 transitions to the AT state. When the AT state ends and transitions to the normal advantageous zone, the main control unit 41 starts adding to the ceiling game number count value again. At this time, the ceiling game number count value has already been corrected to "0" by the regression process of the ceiling game number count process.

In this way, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the execution of the specific increment process prevents the value of the A register from becoming a numerical value equal to or greater than the specific value. This makes it possible to prevent the ceiling game count from starting from an abnormal value. Furthermore, when executing the specific increment process, the main control unit 41 prohibits interrupt processing even if interrupt prohibition processing based on an interrupt prohibition command has not been executed. In other words, the main control unit 41 automatically prohibits interrupt processing based on the execution of the specific increment process. This makes it possible to automatically prevent the ceiling game count value from being updated to an unintended value as a result of the execution of the interrupt process.

[Specific increment processing in bet number setting processing]
In the following, an example in which the specific increment process is used in the bet amount setting process will be described. As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the maximum bet amount (3 coins) is set and the 1-bet switch 65 is pressed, the bet amount of 2 coins is canceled. In other words, the bet amount is set to 1 medal. The bet amount is stored in the RAM 41c.

Figure 63 is a diagram for explaining that the lighting state of the BET LED changes each time the 1 BET switch 65 is pressed. As shown in Figure 63 (a), when no medals have been bet, none of the 1 BET LED 14, 2 BET LED 15, and 3 BET LED 16 are lit. When the 1 BET switch 65 is pressed, a state in which one medal has been bet is achieved. That is, as shown in Figure 63 (b), the 1 BET LED 14 is lit. When the 1 BET switch 65 is pressed again, a state in which two medals have been bet is achieved. That is, as shown in Figure 63 (c), the 1 BET LED 14 and the 2 BET LED 15 are lit.

When the 1BET switch 65 is pressed again, three medals are bet. That is, as shown in FIG. 63(d), the 1BET LED 14, the 2BET LED 15, and the 3BET LED 16 light up. When the 1BET switch 65 is pressed again, two medals are bet from the three medals bet, and the 1BET LED 14 light up.

The main control unit 41 adds the bet amount stored in the RAM 41c using a specific increment process each time the 1BET switch 65 is pressed. The main control unit 41 determines whether or not to execute a bet amount cancellation process depending on the number of bets stored in the RAM 41c. In other words, the bet amount stored in the RAM 41c is a value for determining whether or not to execute the bet amount cancellation process, and is hereinafter also referred to as the process determination value.

An example in which the specific increment process is used in the bet number setting process will be described in more detail. The bet number setting process is executed by the main control unit 41. FIG. 64 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the bet number setting process executed by the main control unit 41. The main control unit 41 first judges whether or not pressing of the 1 BET switch 65 has been detected (SR1). If pressing of the 1 BET switch 65 is not detected, the main control unit 41 returns the process to SR1. The main control unit 41 stores the address of the RAM 41c where the bet number is stored in the HL register (SR2). In other words, by storing the address of the RAM 41c in the HL register, a pointer is set to the address where the bet number is stored.

The main control unit 41 stores the value stored at the address indicated by the HL register in the A register (SR3). In other words, the A register stores the bet amount. The main control unit 41 executes specific increment processing in SI3, 4, and 6. The specific increment processing is processing that includes an addition process, a judgment process, and a regression process. During the period in which the specific increment processing is being executed, even if the interrupt prohibition processing is not performed based on an interrupt prohibition command, the interrupt processing is not executed.

The main control unit 41 adds 1 to the value in the A register as an addition process within the specific increment process (SR4). That is, it adds to the bet amount. The main control unit 41 then executes a determination process to determine whether the bet amount stored in the A register is the same as a specific value (SR5). The specific value in the bet amount setting process is 4 because the maximum bet amount is 3 coins. That is, the main control unit 41 determines whether the 1 BET switch 65 has been pressed when the maximum bet amount of 3 coins has been set.

In a more specific determination process, a specific value of 4 is subtracted from the value of the A register after the addition, and by determining whether the result of the subtraction is 0 or not, it is determined whether the bet amount is the same as the specific value. If the result of the subtraction is 0, the main control unit 41 sets the carry flag C included in the flag register to "1".

If the result of the determination process is that the subtraction result is 0, the main control unit 41 executes a regression process to correct the bet amount stored in the A register to 1 (SR6). Here, the regression process corresponds to a bet amount cancellation process. Therefore, the main control unit 41 performs control so that one medal is bet.

In this way, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the execution of the specific increment process prevents the value of the A register from becoming a numerical value equal to or greater than a specific value. This makes it possible to prevent the bet number from becoming an abnormal value. Furthermore, when executing the specific increment process, the main control unit 41 prohibits interrupt processing even if interrupt prohibition processing based on an interrupt prohibition instruction has not been executed. In other words, the main control unit 41 automatically prohibits interrupt processing based on the execution of the specific increment process. This makes it possible to automatically prevent the bet number from being updated to an unintended value as a result of the execution of the interrupt process.

[Point Map]
With reference to FIG. 65, an example of a point map used in the normal advantageous zone will be described. FIG. 65 is a diagram for explaining an example of a point map. As shown in FIG. 65(a), the display area in the liquid crystal display 51 includes a performance area 510 in which a performance image related to the game such as a background image is displayed, and a map area 520 in which a point map is displayed. The performance area 510 is located near the center on the screen of the liquid crystal display 51 and is a display area that occupies most of the display area. The map area 520 is located at the top end of the screen of the liquid crystal display 51 (in this embodiment, the bottom and right end of the screen), and is a display area smaller than the performance area 510.

In the point map of the map area 520, an update image 520a that displays the update value of points accumulated based on the game, reach icon images 520c, 520d, and 520e that decorate the reach point that is the target of the accumulated points, a final icon image 520f that decorates the final point, and a moving image 520b consisting of a character (hereinafter also referred to as a "moving character") that moves toward the reach point corresponding to the accumulated points are displayed integrally. In this embodiment, multiple points such as 100p, 300p, and 600p are set as the reach point, and 1000p is set as the final point. Since the reach point is not displayed in the update image 520a, the player will pay attention to the reach point decorated by the reach icon image as well as the update value in the update image 520a.

In the normal advantageous zone, when points are awarded in the point acquisition lottery, the update value is updated by the awarded points, and the number corresponding to the updated points is reflected in the update image 520a. The point acquisition lottery is executed by the main control unit 41 based on a table described later. Furthermore, the moving character moves to a position according to the update value, thereby approaching the target arrival point. Since the number of the arrival point and the arrival icon are always displayed while the moving character is moving, it is easy for the player to recognize the number of points until the arrival point is reached based on the distance between the moving character and the moving character's target position. When the moving character reaches the arrival point, an AT lottery is held, and the player may transition to the first state (AT win) based on the lottery.

As shown in FIG. 65(b), when the current update value is 50p, the moving character is stopped at position 50p on map 520m. As shown in FIG. 65(c), when 10p is subsequently added, the update value is updated to 60p, and the moving character moves to position 60p on map 520m. As shown in FIG. 65(d), when a further 50p is subsequently added, the update value is updated to 110p, and the moving character moves to position 110p on map 520m. In this case, since the moving character has reached position 100p, an AT lottery is held.

[Point renewal production]
FIG. 66 is a diagram for explaining an example of a point update effect. The point update effect is an effect for showing the number of points awarded to the player by the point acquisition lottery. As shown in FIG. 66, a text image PI indicating the number of points awarded is displayed near the center of the liquid crystal display 51. Such a point update effect is executed at the timing when the start switch 7 is pressed in the game following the game in which the point acquisition lottery was held. In other words, the sub-control unit 91 executes an update effect suggesting that the value of the point counter has been updated when the game following the game in which the point acquisition lottery was held is started.

Figure 67 is a diagram showing an example of a point acquisition lottery process. In Figure 67, the point acquisition lottery process executed by the main control unit 41 is explained using a flowchart. The point acquisition lottery process is executed during the normal advantageous zone shown in Figure 4. In the ball output control process at the end of the game (S22) shown in Figure 14, the main control unit 41 can execute the point acquisition lottery process. The main control unit 41 judges whether the stop switch 8L (left stop switch) has been operated as the first stop operation in the reel stop process (S15) (step Sp1). That is, it judges whether the stop switch 8L was pressed as a normal operation. If the operation is performed in an irregular procedure (NO in step Sp1), the main control unit 41 sets a penalty (step Sp2). The penalty setting in the normal advantageous zone is a process of changing the lottery probability of the bonus lottery process in the next game. For example, the main control unit 41 sets the point acquisition probability in the point acquisition lottery process executed in the next game to be lower than the point acquisition probability when the penalty setting is not set. This reduces the probability of points being awarded only in the next game, which is unfavorable to the player. In this way, the penalty setting may be set to provide control that is unfavorable to the player, but it is also possible to have no setting at all. In other words, not executing the point acquisition lottery process shown in step Sp3 itself is a penalty for that game.

When the stop switch 8L (left stop switch) is operated as the first stop operation (YES in step Sp1), the main control unit 41 executes the point acquisition lottery process shown in the table shown in FIG. 68 (step Sp3). FIG. 68 is a diagram showing a table of the bonus lottery process. As shown in FIG. 68(a), the main control unit 41 executes the point acquisition lottery process based on the flag category. FIG. 68(a) shows the proportion of points that are awarded for each flag category: 0 points, 1 point, 10 points, 50 points, and 100 points. As shown in FIG. 68(a), when the flag category FC4 is won, the expected value of points acquired by the point acquisition lottery is calculated as 10 points x (179/256) + 50 points x (64/256) + 100 points x (13/256), which is about 25 points. Additionally, if flag category FC6 is selected, the expected number of points to be acquired through the point acquisition lottery is calculated as 50 points x (51/256) + 100 points x (205/256), which is approximately 90 points.

As shown in FIG. 68(b), the main control unit 41 executes an AT lottery process based on the reached points. FIG. 68(b) shows the percentage of AT wins awarded for each reached point. It also shows the percentage of AT wins when the ceiling game is reached.

If the operation is performed using the irregular procedure (NO in step Sp1), the main control unit 41 ends the ball payout control process at the end of the game shown in FIG. 14 without executing the point acquisition lottery process. In other words, the main control unit 41 does not update the value of the point counter when the operation is performed using the irregular procedure.

For example, if the flag category of the winning combination in the internal lottery process in step S2 of the main process shown in FIG. 14 is FC0, there is a 125/256 probability that no points are awarded, a 76/256 probability that 1 point is awarded, a 51/256 probability that 10 points are awarded, and a 3/256 probability that 50 points are awarded. Also, if the flag category of the winning combination in the internal lottery process in step Sp1 is FC7, there is a 51/256 probability that 50 points are awarded, and a 204/256 probability that 100 points are awarded, but the awarded points are never determined to be 0 points. Returning to FIG. 67, the main control unit 41 determines whether or not points have been awarded in the point acquisition lottery process in step Sp4 (step Sp4). If the main control unit 41 determines that points have been acquired (YES in step Sp4), it executes the point awarding process (step Sp5). The point granting process is a process in which the main control unit 41 updates the points stored in the RAM 41c and stores the number of points acquired in the "points" command in the game end command sent to the sub-control unit 91 at the third stop.

The main control unit 41 executes the point granting process (step Sp5) and then ends this process. If no points have been acquired (NO in step Sp4), the main control unit 41 ends this process without executing the point granting process.

In this manner, in this embodiment, the main control unit 41 executes the point acquisition lottery process only when a normal operation is performed. In other words, when an irregular operation is performed, the main control unit 41 does not execute the point acquisition lottery process. In other words, when an irregular operation is performed, the fact that the point acquisition lottery process is not executed is a penalty for the player. In this way, when the stop switch is operated in a normal operation, the point value for control to the first state is updated, while when it is operated in an irregular procedure, a penalty can be imposed that the point value is not updated, so that the player can be encouraged to operate in a normal operation. Also, regardless of the result of the internal lottery process, a penalty is imposed when it is operated in an irregular procedure, so that the player can be encouraged to operate in a normal manner.

Figure 69 is a diagram showing an example in which a point update effect is executed based on a normal operation. Figure 69 shows the relationship between (a) the player's operation, (b) the processing of the main control unit 41, and (c) the processing of the sub-control unit 91 at timings t1 to t7. As shown in Figure 69, at timing t1, the player operates the start switch 7. Based on the operation of the start switch 7, the main control unit 41 executes an internal lottery process. After the start switch 7 is operated, at timing t2, the stop switch 8L is operated as the first stop operation. That is, a normal operation is performed. The main control unit 41 detects that the stop switch operated as the first stop operation at timing t2 is the stop switch 8L. The main control unit 41 transmits to the sub-control unit 91 that the stop switch 8L has been operated as the first stop operation. At timing t3, the stop switch 8L is operated as the second stop operation. The main control unit 41 detects that the stop switch operated as the second stop operation at timing t3 is the stop switch 8C. The main control unit 41 transmits to the sub-control unit 91 that the stop switch 8C has been operated as the second stop operation. At timing t4, the stop switch 8L is operated as the third stop operation. The main control unit 41 detects that the stop switch operated as the third stop operation at timing t4 is the stop switch 8R. The main control unit 41 transmits to the sub-control unit 91 that the stop switch 8R has been operated as the third stop operation. Based on the fact that the third stop operation has been performed after normal operations have been performed, the main control unit 41 executes a point acquisition lottery process. In the example of FIG. 69, the points acquired in the point acquisition lottery process are one or more points. After executing the point acquisition lottery process, the main control unit 41 executes a point granting process at timing t5.

At timing t5, the points are awarded and the main control unit 41 sends a game end command to the sub-control unit 91. That is, in the point acquisition lottery process at timing t4, the command "points" is sent to the sub-control unit 91, which can specify the number of points acquired (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as acquired points). Here, at timing t5, the sub-control unit 91 waits without executing the point update presentation shown in FIG. 66, such as displaying the acquired points on the LCD display 51. After the winning determination process, at timing t6, the main control unit 41 counts the number of medals awarded based on the occurrence of a winning as the ED transition number and the number of medals in the advantageous zone.

Furthermore, at timing t6, the main control unit 41 counts the number of medals awarded by winning as data to be displayed on a role ratio monitor (not shown). The role ratio monitor usually displays a numerical value indicating the performance of the slot machine (hereinafter also referred to as "role ratio information"). The numerical value indicating the performance of the slot machine is, for example, the instruction-inclusive role payout ratio to the total cumulative payout number, the consecutive role payout ratio for the past 6000 games, the role payout ratio for the past 6000 games, the consecutive role payout ratio to the total cumulative payout number, the role payout ratio to the total cumulative payout number, and the role etc. state ratio to the total cumulative payout number. The main control unit 41 stores the number of medals awarded by winning in the RAM 41c in order to display the role ratio information on the role ratio monitor. Therefore, the main control unit 41 adds the number of medals awarded by the winning determination process at timing t5 to the data stored in the RAM 41c as role ratio information. In other words, the main control unit 41 updates the role ratio information. This ends the game that started at time t1.

At timing t7, the start switch 7 is pressed again. That is, a new next game is started. Here, the sub-control unit 91 executes a point update effect for the acquired points received at timing t5. That is, the sub-control unit 91 indicates through the point update effect that the value of the point counter was updated in the game prior to the game in which the point update effect is executed.

Figure 70 is a diagram showing an example in which a point update effect is not executed based on an irregular operation. The example of Figure 35 is different from Figure 69 in that the stop switch 8L is not operated as the first stop operation at timing t2. That is, Figure 70 shows an example in which an irregular operation is performed at timing t2. The main control unit 41 detects that the stop switch operated as the first stop operation at timing t2 is the stop switch 8R or the stop switch 8C. The main control unit 41 transmits to the sub-control unit 91 that the stop switch 8R or the stop switch 8C has been operated as the first stop operation. The sub-control unit 91 executes a stop effect based on receiving that the stop switch 8R or the stop switch 8C has been operated as the first stop operation. The stop effect is an effect indicating that the point acquisition lottery process has not been executed due to an irregular operation that is not a normal operation, and is an effect in which an effect that displays an image suggesting a winning role is stopped, etc. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the effect of darkening the display of the liquid crystal display 51 executed by the sub-control unit 91 corresponds to the stop effect. The stop effect may not only be a darkening effect, but may also be an effect that displays a text image such as "Please press the left stop switch first." Alternatively, it may be an effect that ends the execution of the point suggestion effect that is currently being executed and returns to the normal image before the point suggestion effect was executed.

In addition, because an irregular operation has been performed, the main control unit 41 does not execute the point acquisition lottery process at timing t4, and does not execute the point granting process at timing t5. Therefore, the sub-control unit 91 does not receive the acquired points, and does not execute the point update presentation at timing t7, which is the start of the next game. On the other hand, even if an irregular operation has been performed, the main control unit 41 updates the ED transition number, the advantageous zone number, and the role ratio information at timing t5.

As explained using Figures 68 and 69, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the point update effect is executed when the start switch 7 of the next game is operated only if normal operations have been performed in a specified game and points have been acquired. This makes it possible to indicate to the player that the point counter was updated in the previous game by the point update effect at the start of the next game, and also makes it possible to ensure consistency between whether the point counter is updated and whether the point update effect is executed, since the point counter is not updated if an irregular operation has been performed in the previous game and the point update effect is not executed in the next game.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 70, even if an irregular operation is performed, the main control unit 41 executes a process of updating the role ratio information and the limiter at timing t6 after the winning determination process. In other words, the main control unit 41 counts the medals when medals are awarded based on the occurrence of a winning operation, regardless of whether the operation is a normal operation or an irregular operation.

As a result, not only in the case of normal operation but also in the case of irregular operation, the accumulated number of medals is counted, so that it is possible to prevent distinction between advantageous and unadvantageous depending on the procedure of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R, and to prevent excessive advantage from being gained by irregular operation. Also, not only in the case of normal operation but also in the case of irregular operation, the accumulated number of medals is counted and the accumulated result is displayed, so that the medal payout history of the slot machine 1 can be appropriately shown to the outside as role ratio information.
[Point suggestion performance]
71 is a diagram for explaining an example of a point suggestion effect when a strong cherry is won. The point suggestion effect is an effect that is performed when a specific combination is won, and is an effect that suggests a winning combination to a player to predict the points that will be awarded. The point suggestion effect is performed in the normal advantageous zone.

As shown in FIG. 71(a), when the start operation is performed, a point suggestion effect is executed on the liquid crystal display 51, where an image showing a cherry and an image showing a question mark are displayed. Because the image showing a cherry is displayed, the player is prompted to operate the device to win a cherry. Furthermore, because the flag category of a strong cherry is FC6, the player hopes that 50 or more points will be awarded if a cherry wins, as shown in FIG. 68. In other words, the point suggestion effect is an effect that suggests that a large number of points have been awarded, and is executed based on the operation of the start switch 7.

In FIG. 71, the case where a normal operation is performed and the case where an irregular operation is performed after the point suggestion performance are performed are described. FIG. 71(b1), (c1), and (d1) are diagrams for explaining the case where a normal operation is performed. FIG. 71(b2), (c2), (d2), (b3), (c3), and (d3) are diagrams for explaining the case where an irregular operation is performed. In FIG. 71(b1), the stop switch 8L is operated as the first stop operation. That is, in FIG. 71(b1), a normal operation is performed. At this time, the image showing the cherry and "?" displayed as the point suggestion performance remains displayed. After that, in FIG. 71(c1), the stop switch 8C is operated as the second stop operation. The image showing the cherry and "?" displayed as the point suggestion performance remains displayed. Finally, in FIG. 71(d1), the stop switch 8R is operated as the third stop operation. As a result, a strong cherry will be awarded on the reels, and an image indicating that a strong cherry has been awarded will be displayed on the LCD display 51. When the start switch 7 for the next game is operated, the points awarded as a result of the strong cherry being awarded will be displayed as a point update effect.

In Fig. 71 (b2) and (b3), the stop switch 8L is not operated as the first stop operation, and an irregular operation is performed. As a result, the main control unit 41 detects that the stop switch operated as the first stop operation is the stop switch 8R or the stop switch 8C. The main control unit 41 transmits to the sub-control unit 91 that the stop switch 8R or the stop switch 8C has been operated as the first stop operation. Based on receiving that the stop switch 8R or the stop switch 8C has been operated as the first stop operation, the sub-control unit 91 executes a stop effect in which the liquid crystal display 51 goes dark, as shown in Fig. 71 (b2) and (b3). In addition, the image showing a cherry and the image showing a "?" that were displayed as the point suggestion effect disappear. In other words, the sub-control unit 91 ends the execution of the point suggestion effect when an irregular operation is performed. Thereafter, in both cases where the second stop operation is performed (FIGS. 71(c2) and (c3)) and where the third stop operation is performed (FIGS. 71(d2) and (d3)), the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 51 remains in the state it was in when the stop performance was executed.

As a result, even if a point suggestion effect suggesting that the point counter will be updated with 50 or more points is executed at the start of a game in which a strong cherry is won, and then an irregular operation is performed and the point counter value is not updated, the execution of the point suggestion effect will end. This prevents a player who has performed an irregular operation from misunderstanding that the point counter will be updated with a large value. Note that the point suggestion effect may not only be an image showing a cherry or an image showing a "?", but may also be a text image that directly suggests the acquisition of points, such as "Earn points?". In other words, the point suggestion effect may be anything that suggests the possibility of points being awarded to the player.

Figure 72 is a diagram illustrating an example of a point suggestion effect when a watermelon is won. The point suggestion effect is also executed when a role other than a strong cherry role is won in the internal lottery. Figure 72 shows an example of a case where a watermelon role is won in the internal lottery.

As shown in FIG. 72(a), when a start operation is performed, a point suggestion effect is executed in which an image of a watermelon and an image of a question mark are displayed on the liquid crystal display 51. Because an image of a watermelon is displayed, the player is prompted to operate the device so that the watermelon will win. Furthermore, because the flag category of the watermelon is FC4, the player expects that 10 or more points will be awarded if the watermelon wins, as shown in FIG. 68. FIG. 72(b1)-(d1) show the point suggestion effect when a normal operation is performed. FIG. 72(b2)-(d2) and (b3)-(d3) show examples in which a stop effect is executed when an irregular operation is performed. The form of the effect is the same as that of FIG. 72, so it will not be repeated.

In this way, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, if irregular control is performed regardless of the winning combination in the internal lottery, the point acquisition lottery process is not performed and a stop effect is executed, so that the player is prompted to perform normal operations.

[AT Bonus Lottery]
Fig. 73 is a diagram showing a table of the life acquisition lottery in the first state of the advantageous zone and the specialized zone. The life acquisition lottery is a lottery for determining whether or not a life is granted. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, if a life is granted as a result of the life acquisition lottery, the number of lives lottery shown in Fig. 74 is executed.

The life acquisition lottery is conducted based on different ratios for the first section of the AT first state, the second section in the AT first state, and the specialized zone. Figure 73(a) shows the life acquisition lottery in the first section of the AT first state. The life acquisition lottery is conducted when a combination with a flag category of FC4, 5, 6, or 7 is won. Also, as shown in Figure 73(a), the probability of life being granted differs for each setting value in the life acquisition lottery. For example, when a combination with a flag category of FC4 or 5 is won, if the setting value is set to 1, there is a 45% probability that life will be granted (with life) and a 55% probability that life will not be granted (without life). Figure 73(a) also specifies the probability of life being granted for other setting values and flag categories.

Also, FIG. 73(b) shows the life acquisition lottery in the second section of the AT first state, and FIG. 73(c) shows the life acquisition lottery in the specialized zone. As shown in FIG. 73(a)-(c), regardless of whether it is the first section, the second section, or the specialized zone of the AT first state, or which flag category is won, when the set value L is set, the probability of life being granted is 0%. That is, when the normal set value is set, life is granted, while when the set value L is set, life is not granted. This makes it easier to design the grant of life in an advantageous state, since life is not granted uniformly when the set value L is set. Note that the probability of life being granted when the set value L is set is not limited to 0%, and may be, for example, uniformly 5%.
(Life Count Lottery, Specialized Zone Lottery, and One-Hit Victory Lottery)
FIG. 74 is a diagram showing a table of the life number lottery, the specialized zone lottery, and the one-hit win lottery in the first and second states of the advantageous zone. Even if a life is acquired, it may be consumed in the second state and it may not be possible to move from the second state to the first state, whereas the one-hit win is a process that determines the transition from the second state to the first state. Therefore, winning the one-hit win is a control that is more advantageous for the player than acquiring a life. In the following, the first state is referred to as the "AT first state", and the second state is referred to as the "AT second state". In addition, the life acquisition lottery and the one-hit win lottery are collectively referred to as the "privilege lottery during the AT".

Life can be granted based on a life acquisition lottery executed by the main control unit 41 during the AT first state. FIG. 74(a) shows a life number lottery table referenced in the life acquisition lottery in the first section during the AT first state. The life number lottery table in FIG. 74(a) is a table referenced when the grant of life (with life) is determined in the life acquisition lottery table in the first section during the AT first state shown in FIG. 73(a). As shown in FIG. 74(a), in the life acquisition lottery in the first section, the expected value of life granted per 1G differs when a role with a flag category of FC4 or FC5 is won, when a role with a flag category of FC6 is won, and when a role with a flag category of FC7 is won. Unlike the life acquisition lottery, the life number lottery is drawn at the same rate for all set values. In other words, after the grant of life is determined in the life acquisition lottery, a common control is performed regardless of the set value. The common control is the life number lottery. This makes it easier to design when performing life count lotteries.

Specifically, when a role with a flag category of FC4 or FC5 is won, there is a 50% chance of one life being awarded, and a 50% chance of two lives being awarded. When a role with a flag category of FC6 is won, there is a 100% chance of two lives being awarded. When a role with a flag category of FC7 is won, there is a 60% chance of one life being awarded, and a 40% chance of two lives being awarded.

In the first section of the first AT state, if a life is awarded in response to the winning of a role with a flag category of FC6, reverse push navigation is executed in the game in which the role with a flag category of FC6 is won. Therefore, when the player operates stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in accordance with the reverse push navigation, a BAR lip is won. In other words, in the first section of the first AT state, the winning of a BAR lip suggests to the player that a life will be awarded.

Figure 74(b) shows a life number lottery table referenced in the life acquisition lottery in the second section of the first AT state. The life number lottery table in Figure 74(b) is a table referenced when the grant of life (with life) is determined in the life acquisition lottery table in the second section of the first AT state shown in Figure 73(b). As shown in Figure 74(b), when a role with a flag category of FC4 or FC5 is won, there is a 90% probability that one life is granted, and a 10% probability that two lives are granted. In addition, when a role with a flag category of FC6 is won, there is a 60% probability that one life is granted, and a 40% probability that two lives are granted. In addition, when a role with a flag category of FC7 is won, there is a 75% probability that one life is granted, and a 25% probability that two lives are granted.

In addition, the first section is a section in which navigation is performed less frequently than the second section. In other words, the probability of notifying navigation in the second section is higher than the probability of notifying navigation in the first section.

(Life Specialized Zone)
The life specialization zone is a state to which the player can move from the AT 1 state based on the specialization zone lottery. Fig. 74(c) shows a specialization zone lottery table referred to in the specialization zone lottery during the AT 1 state. As shown in Fig. 74(c), in the specialization zone lottery during the AT 1 state, the probability of entering the specialization zone differs when a combination of FC4 or FC5 flag categories is won, when a combination of FC6 flag categories is won, and when a combination of FC7 flag categories is won.

Specifically, when a role with a flag category of FC4 or FC5 is won, there is a 10% probability of entering the specialized zone. Also, when a role with a flag category of FC6 is won, there is a 50% probability of entering the specialized zone. Furthermore, when a role with a flag category of FC7 is won, there is a 30% probability of entering the specialized zone.

FIG. 74(d) shows a life number lottery table referred to in the life acquisition lottery in the specialized zone. The life number lottery table in FIG. 74(d) is a table referred to when the grant of life (with life) is determined in the life acquisition lottery table in the specialized zone shown in FIG. 74(c). As shown in FIG. 74(d), when a combination of FC4 or FC5 in the flag category is won, one life is granted with a 50% probability, and two lives are granted with a 35% probability. When a combination of FC6 in the flag category is won, two lives are granted with a 100% probability. When a combination of FC7 in the flag category is won, one life is granted with a 35% probability, and two lives are granted with a 50% probability.
(One-hit win lottery)
A one-hit win in a battle can be awarded based on a one-hit win lottery executed by the main control unit 41 during the AT second state. Fig. 74(e) shows a one-hit win lottery table referenced in the one-hit win lottery during the AT second state. As shown in Fig. 74(e), in the one-hit win lottery during the AT second state, the probability of one-hit win differs when a role with a flag category of FC4 or FC5 is won, when a role with a flag category of FC6 is won, and when a role with a flag category of FC7 is won.

Specifically, when a role with a flag category of FC4 or FC5 is won, there is a 50% chance of a one-hit win. Also, when a role with a flag category of FC6 is won, there is a 100% chance of a one-hit win. Furthermore, when a role with a flag category of FC7 is won, there is a 50% chance of a one-hit win.

In this way, during the second AT state, the probability of a one-hit win is higher for a role with a flag category of FC6 than for rare roles such as roles with a flag category of FC4 or FC5, or roles with a flag category of FC7, among the lottery conditions. Note that during the second AT state, if a one-hit win is awarded as a result of a role with a flag category of FC6 being won, reverse push navigation is executed in the game in which a role with a flag category of FC6 is won. Also, the first state is an interval in which navigation is performed less frequently than the second state. In other words, the probability of navigation being announced in the second state is higher than the probability of navigation being announced in the first state.

Figure 75 is a diagram showing an example of a bonus lottery process during the AT. In Figure 75, the bonus lottery during the AT executed by the main control unit 41 is explained using a flowchart. The bonus lottery acquisition lottery process during the AT can be executed in the game end ball output control process (S22) in the first state, second state, and ending state shown in Figure 4. After the third stop operation is performed in the game end ball output control process (S22) shown in Figure 14, the main control unit 41 determines whether the game state is in the ending state (step Sb1). If it is in the ending state (YES in step Sb1), the main control unit 41 ends the process. In other words, if it is in the ending state, the main control unit 41 does not execute the life acquisition lottery process and the one-hit win lottery process described later.

If the game is not in an ending state (NO in step Sb1), the main control unit 41 determines whether or not the game is one in which navigation is notified (step Sb2). The main control unit 41 determines whether or not the game is one in which navigation is notified based on the role number of the winning role in the internal lottery process (S2) shown in FIG. 14. A game in which navigation is notified is one in which the sub-control unit 91 executes a navigation performance. If the game is one in which navigation is notified (YES in step Sb2), the main control unit 41 executes the process shown in step Sb5. If the game is not one in which navigation is notified (NO in step Sb2), the main control unit 41 determines whether or not the stop switch 8L (left stop switch) has been operated as the first stop operation (step Sb3). That is, the main control unit 41 determines whether a normal operation or an irregular operation has been performed in step Sb4. If the stop switch 8L has not been operated as the first stop operation (NO in step Sb3), a penalty is set (Sb4) and the process ends. The penalty setting in the AT state is a process of changing the lottery probability of the life acquisition lottery process and the one-hit win lottery process in the next game. For example, the main control unit 41 sets the probability of winning a life or one-hit win in the life acquisition lottery process and the one-hit win lottery process executed in the next game to be lower than the probability of winning when the penalty setting is not set. This reduces the probability of granting a life or one-hit win only in the next game, resulting in control that is disadvantageous to the player. In this way, the penalty setting may be set to perform control that is disadvantageous to the player, but it is also possible to not perform any setting. This is because not executing the life acquisition lottery process shown in step Sp6 and the one-hit win acquisition lottery process shown in step Sp9 is a penalty in the game. In addition, since an irregular operation has been performed, the sub-control unit 91 executes a stop effect. The stop effect is the same effect as the stop effect described in the point acquisition lottery process described above, and is an effect in which the screen goes dark. The abort effect here does not indicate that the point acquisition lottery process was not executed due to an irregular operation, but rather that the life acquisition lottery process or the one-hit win lottery process was not executed. The abort effect is not limited to a darkening effect, but may be an effect that displays a text image such as "Please press the left stop switch first." In other words, when an irregular operation is performed during the AT, the main control unit 41 does not execute the life acquisition lottery process or the one-hit win lottery process as a penalty to the player.

When it is determined that the stop switch 8L has been operated as the first stop operation (YES in step Sb3), the main control unit 41 determines whether the game state is in the first state (step Sb5). When it is in the first state (YES in step Sb5), the main control unit 41 executes a life lottery process (step Sb6). The life lottery process is a process that includes a life acquisition lottery and a life number lottery. The life number lottery is executed when it is determined that a life is to be granted in the life acquisition lottery. That is, the main control unit 41 determines whether or not to grant a life according to the table shown in FIG. 73 and the result of the internal lottery process. After the life lottery process, the main control unit 41 determines whether or not a life has been acquired in step Sb10 (step Sb7). When a life has not been acquired (NO in step Sb7), the main control unit 41 ends the process.

If a life has been acquired (YES in step Sb7), the main control unit 41 executes a life-granting process (step Sb8). The life-granting process is a process in which the main control unit 41 updates the number of lives stored in the RAM 41c and stores the acquired number of lives in the game end command sent to the sub-control unit 91 at the third stop. After executing the life-granting process, the main control unit 41 ends the process.

Next, returning to step Sb5, the case where the game is not in the first state will be described. If the game is not in the first state (NO in step Sb5), the main control unit 41 executes a one-hit win lottery process (step Sb9). At this time, since it was determined in step Sb1 that the game state is not in the ending state and it was determined in step Sb5 that the game state is not in the first state, the main control unit 41 determines that the game state is in the second state. Since normal operations are being performed in the second state, the main control unit 41 executes a one-hit win lottery.

That is, the main control unit 41 performs a lottery for a one-hit win based on the table shown in FIG. 74(e) and the result of the internal lottery process. After the one-hit win lottery process, the main control unit 41 determines whether or not a one-hit win has been won (step Sb10). If the main control unit 41 determines that a one-hit win has not been won (NO in step Sb10), it ends the process. If the main control unit 41 determines that a one-hit win has been won (YES in step Sb10), it executes a one-hit win granting process (step Sb11). The one-hit win granting process is a process in which the main control unit 41 executes a process in response to winning a one-hit win, and stores the fact that a one-hit win has been won in the game end command sent to the sub-control unit 91 at the third stop.

In this way, in a game in the first or second state where no navigation notification is given, the main control unit 41 performs control to execute the life acquisition lottery process or the one-hit win award process when a normal operation is performed, but performs control not to execute the life acquisition lottery process or the one-hit win award process when an irregular operation is performed. Control not to execute the life acquisition lottery process or the one-hit win award process is control that is disadvantageous to the player. In other words, the slot machine 1 can impose a penalty on the player when an irregular operation is performed. In this way, the slot machine 1 can encourage the player to operate normally.

On the other hand, the main control unit 41 performs common control during a game in the ending state, whether a normal operation is performed or an irregular operation is performed. This prevents a decrease in interest in the game in the ending state, which is the last state executed during the AT, by not giving a penalty even if an irregular operation is performed during the ending state.

[Life Granting Suggestion]
76 is a diagram illustrating an example of a life-granting suggestion effect when a watermelon is won. The life-granting suggestion effect is an effect that is performed when a specific combination is won, and suggests to the player that a life may be granted by suggesting a winning combination. The life-granting suggestion effect is executed in the first state. Since the first state is during AT, the liquid crystal display 51 displays a remaining game image 51a indicating the number of remaining games and a life image 51b indicating the number of lives.

As shown in FIG. 76(a), when the start switch 7 is operated, an image showing a treasure chest is displayed on the liquid crystal display 51. The image showing the treasure chest has a watermelon drawn on it, suggesting that the watermelon role has been won. The image showing the treasure chest may also have no watermelon drawn on it and be green, suggesting that the watermelon role has been won. In other words, when the image showing the treasure chest is displayed, the player hopes that the watermelon role has been won. In addition, the watermelon role with a flag category of FC4 is a role for which a life acquisition lottery process will be executed. In other words, the life grant suggestion effect is an effect that suggests the possibility of a life being granted, and is executed based on the operation of the start switch 7.

In FIG. 76, the case where a normal operation is performed and the case where an irregular operation is performed after a life-granting suggestion performance is performed are described. FIG. 76(b1), (c1), and (d1) are diagrams for describing the case where a normal operation is performed. Also, FIG. 76(b2), (c2), (d2) and (b3), (c3), and (d3) are diagrams for describing the case where an irregular operation is performed. In FIG. 71(b1), the stop switch 8L is operated as the first stop operation. That is, in FIG. 71(b1), a normal operation is performed. At this time, the image showing the treasure chest displayed as the life-granting suggestion performance remains displayed. After that, in FIG. 76(c1), the stop switch 8C is operated as the second stop operation. The image showing the treasure chest displayed as the life-granting suggestion performance remains displayed. Finally, in FIG. 76(d1), the stop switch 8R is operated as the third stop operation. As a result, a watermelon appears on the reels, and the liquid crystal display 51 displays an image indicating that a life has been awarded in response to the winning watermelon role. In addition, as a life has been awarded, the sub-control unit 91 updates the life image 51b.

In Fig. 76 (b2) and Fig. 76 (b3), an example is shown in which the stop switch 8L is not operated as the first stop operation, but an irregular operation is performed. As a result, the main control unit 41 detects that the stop switch operated as the first stop operation is the stop switch 8R or the stop switch 8C. The main control unit 41 transmits to the sub-control unit 91 that the stop switch 8R or the stop switch 8C has been operated as the first stop operation. Based on receiving that the stop switch 8R or the stop switch 8C has been operated as the first stop operation, the sub-control unit 91 executes a stop effect in which the liquid crystal display 51 goes dark, as shown in Fig. 76 (b2) and Fig. 76 (b3). In addition, the image showing the treasure chest that was displayed as the life-granting suggestion effect disappears. That is, the sub-control unit 91 ends the execution of the life-granting suggestion effect when an irregular operation is performed. In both cases where the second stop operation is performed in Fig. 76 (c2) and Fig. 76 (c3), and where the third stop operation is performed in Fig. 76 (d2) and Fig. 76 (d3), the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 51 remains in the state it was in when the stop performance was executed.

In this way, in a game where the watermelon role is won, if an irregular operation is performed, the life acquisition lottery is not executed, and no control is performed to extend the AT state due to the life acquisition. This makes it possible to encourage the player to perform normal operations.

Figure 77 is a diagram illustrating an example of a life-granting suggestion effect when a strong cherry is won. As shown in Figure 77 (a), when the start switch 7 is operated, an image showing a treasure chest is displayed on the liquid crystal display 51. The image showing the treasure chest has a cherry drawn on it, suggesting that the cherry role has won. The image showing the treasure chest may also have no cherry drawn on it and be red, suggesting that the cherry role has won. In other words, when the image showing the treasure chest is displayed, the player hopes that the cherry role has won. In addition, a strong cherry role with a flag category of FC6 is a role for which a life-granting lottery process is executed. The form of the effect is the same as that of Figure 76, so it will not be repeated.

In this way, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, if irregular control is performed, regardless of whether the winning combination in the internal lottery is a watermelon combination or a strong cherry combination, the life acquisition lottery process is not performed and a stop effect is executed, so that the player can be prompted to perform normal operations.

Figure 78 is a diagram showing the process in which the sub-control unit 91 executes the navigation effect. The following describes the process when the sub-control unit 91 receives a game start command. The sub-control unit 91 receives the game start command from the main control unit 41 (step Sc1). As described above, information related to navigation can be stored in the command No. 2 "instruction number" included in the game start command. In other words, the command No. 2 stores information that can identify the push order in a game in which the start switch 7 is operated. The sub-control unit 91 determines whether or not information that can identify the push order is stored in the command No. 2 "instruction number" (step Sc2).

If the No. 2 command "instruction number" contains information that can identify the push order (YES in step Sc2), the sub-control unit 91 executes a navigation effect (step Sc3) and ends the process. On the other hand, if the No. 2 command "instruction number" does not contain information that can identify the push order (NO in step Sc2), the sub-control unit 91 ends the process without executing a navigation effect. In other words, the sub-control unit 91 uses the No. 2 command "instruction number" to determine whether or not to execute a navigation effect. Here, the sub-control unit 91 does not refer to any commands other than the No. 2 command "instruction number" contained in the game start command when determining whether or not to execute a navigation effect.

In other words, the sub-control unit 91 executes the navigation effect when information regarding navigation is stored in the command No. 2 "instruction number", regardless of the information contained in the commands received from the main control unit 41 at the start of play, including commands that store information regarding the winning role, such as the commands "minor role type" and "winning number", and commands that store information that can identify the game state, such as "interval state" and "ball output state". As a result, regardless of whether or not a role has been won and the game state, if information regarding navigation is stored in the command No. 2 "instruction number", the sub-control unit 91 executes the navigation effect, so that the player can be appropriately notified of the operation procedure.

That is, for example, even if the game state is in a favorable zone, but the main control unit 41 stores information indicating that it is a normal zone in the command "zone information" due to an error or the like and sends this information to the sub-control unit 91, the sub-control unit 91 can determine whether or not to execute a navigation performance based on the command No. 2 "instruction number". Similarly, even if a role accompanied by a navigation notification is won, but the main control unit 41 stores information indicating that a role not accompanied by a navigation notification is won in the command "winning number" due to an error or the like and sends this information to the sub-control unit 91, the sub-control unit 91 can determine whether or not to execute a navigation performance based on the command No. 2 "instruction number".

Figure 79 is a diagram showing the game start command transmission process in the main control unit. The following describes the process when the main control unit 41 transmits the game start command. After the start switch 7 is operated, the main control unit 41 executes the game start command transmission process as shown in step S9 of the main process. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the main control unit 41 changes the content of the command to be transmitted as the game start command according to the winning combination. After the game start command transmission process is started, the main control unit 41 judges whether the winning combination number is any of combination numbers 8 to 23 (step Sd1). The combinations of combination numbers 8 to 23 are combinations that, when the stop operation is performed in a predetermined push order, are more advantageous than when the stop operation is performed in another push order. Hereinafter, the combinations of combination numbers 8 to 23 are simply referred to as "push order combinations".

If the winning combination is a push order combination (YES in step Sd1), the main control unit 41 sends the commands "minor combination type" and "winning number" without including them in the game start command (step Sd2). That is, the main control unit 41 does not send the command "minor combination type" of No. 3 and the command "winning number" of No. 11 among the game start commands, but sends the commands No. 1, 2, 4 to 10, 12, and 13 to the sub-control unit 91. Hereinafter, the order of the game start commands No. 1, 2, 4 to 10, 12, and 13 is referred to as the special order. That is, if the winning combination is a push order combination (YES in step Sd1), the main control unit 41 sends the game start commands in the special order (step Sd2) and ends the process.

If the winning combination is not a push order combination (NO in step Sd1), the main control unit 41 stores information about the winning combination in the commands "minor combination type" and "winning number" (step Sd3). The main control unit 41 transmits the game start command including the commands "minor combination type" and "winning number" (step Sd4). That is, the main control unit 41 transmits the game start command No. 1 to 13 to the sub-control unit 91. Hereinafter, the order of the game start commands No. 1 to 13 is referred to as the "specific order". That is, if the winning combination is not a push order combination (NO in step Sd1), the main control unit 41 transmits the game start command in the specific order (step Sd2) and ends the process.

In this way, when a push order role is won, the main control unit 41 transmits the game start command in a special order that does not include the commands "minor role type" and "winning number" in the game start command. At this time, the main control unit 41 transmits the game start command in a special order regardless of whether information regarding navigation is stored in the command "instruction number". In other words, even when a push order role that does not execute a navigation performance is won in the AT state, the main control unit 41 transmits the game start command in a special order.

As a result, the main control unit 41 does not transmit the command "minor role type" and the command "winning number" in which information about the winning role is stored, in a game in which the navigation performance is not executed in the AT state. This prevents the sub-control unit 91 from recognizing that the push order role has been won based on the game start command received from the main control unit 41.

In addition, the game start command sent in a specific order includes the command "minor role type" and the command "winning number", while the game start command sent in a special order does not include the command "minor role type" and the command "winning number". This allows the sub-control unit 91 to recognize whether the push order role has been won based on whether the command "minor role type" and the command "winning number" are included.

In addition, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the order in which the commands shown in No. 1 to 13 are sent in the game end command is also referred to as the "specific order." In the following, to distinguish between the specific order in the game start command and the specific order in the game end command, the specific order in the game start command may be referred to as the "first specific order," and the specific order in the game end command may be referred to as the "second specific order."

As described above, FIG. 79 illustrates an example in which the main control unit 41 transmits the game start command in a special order. On the other hand, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the main control unit 41 transmits the game end command including the command "minor role type". As a result, when the game has already ended, the sub-control unit 91 can determine whether or not the push order role has been won based on the command "minor role type" included in the game end command.

The main control unit 41 may also transmit the game end commands in a special order, transmitting commands No. 1, 2, 4 to 10, 12, and 13 among the game end commands. In this case, to distinguish between the special order in the game start commands and the special order in the game end commands, the special order in the game start commands is referred to as the "first special order," and the special order in the game end commands is referred to as the "second special order."

Figure 80 is a diagram showing the processing in the sub-control unit 91 when a game start command or a game end command is received. In this embodiment, the sub-control unit 91 changes the processing to be executed depending on the order of the game start command and the game end command received from the main control unit 41. The sub-control unit 91 determines whether or not a game start command or a game end command has been received from the main control unit 41 (step Se1).

If the sub-controller 91 has not received a game start command or a game end command from the main controller 41 (NO in step Se1), the sub-controller 91 repeats the process of step Se1. If the sub-controller 91 has received a game start command or a game end command from the main controller 41 (YES in step Se1), the sub-controller 91 judges whether the received command is in a specific order (step Se2). If the received command is not in a specific order (NO in step Se2), the sub-controller 91 judges whether the received command is in a special order (step Se3). If the received command is not in a special order (NO in step Se3), the sub-controller 91 performs error notification control (step Se4). As described above, the specific order is an order in which the game start command and the game end command include all of the commands No. 1 to 13 without any omissions. Also, the special order is an order in which the game start command and the game end command include all of the commands No. 4 and No. 5 among the commands No. 1 to 13. This is the order in which 11 commands are missing, and means that the push order role has been won. In other words, the specific order and special order are predetermined orders in the slot machine 1. If the received command is neither a specific order nor a special order, the sub-control unit 91 can determine that an error or the like has occurred. Therefore, in step Se4, the sub-control unit 91 starts notifying an error. Hereinafter, an order that is neither a specific order nor a special order will be referred to as a "special order." If the numerical information contained in the command is outside a specified range, the sub-control unit 91 may determine that an error has occurred and that it is a special order.

The sub-control unit 91 performs error notification control (step Se4) and ends the process. FIG. 81 is a diagram showing the liquid crystal display 51 in a state in which error notification control has been performed. Returning to step Se2, if the received command is a specific sequence (YES in step Se2), the sub-control unit 91 performs control according to the received game start command or game end command (step Se5) and proceeds to step Se7. Also, in step Se3, if the received command is a special sequence (YES in step Se3), the sub-control unit 91 performs control in the case where the push order role is won (step Se6) and proceeds to step Se7. Note that, if the command received by the sub-control unit 91 is a game end command, in step Se3, the sub-control unit 91 may determine whether to perform control in the case where the push order role is won (step Se6) or error notification control (step Se4) based on both the game start command and the game end command. In other words, the sub-control unit 91 may recognize that a push order role has been won based on the fact that the command at the start of a game in a unit game is the first special order, and further, the command at the end of a game is also the second special order.

In step Se7, the sub-control unit 91 determines whether or not error notification control is being performed (step Se7). That is, it determines whether or not the state in which error notification control was performed in step Se4 remains maintained. If error notification control is being performed (YES in step Se7), the sub-control unit 91 cancels the error notification control (step Se8) and ends the process. If error notification control is not being performed (NO in step Se7), the sub-control unit 91 ends the process.

In this way, the main control unit 41 may transmit the start-of-game command in a special or specific order, and transmit the end-of-game command in a specific order. When the sub-control unit 91 receives the start-of-game command or the end-of-game command from the main control unit 41 in a specific order, it performs control according to the received command. When the sub-control unit 91 receives the start-of-game command from the main control unit 41 in a special order, it performs control in the case where the push order role is won. When the sub-control unit 91 receives the start-of-game command or the end-of-game command from the main control unit 41 in a special order that is neither a specific order nor a special order, it performs error notification control. As a result, as shown in FIG. 80, the sub-control unit 91 can perform different controls depending on the order in which the multiple commands included in the start-of-game command or the end-of-game command are received from the main control unit 41.

Figure 82 is a diagram showing the timing of canceling an error notification based on receiving a game end command. Figure 82 shows the relationship between (a) the player's operation, (b) the processing of the main control unit 41, and (c) the processing of the sub-control unit 91 at timings t1 and t2. As shown in Figure 82, at timing t1, the player operates the start switch 7. Based on the operation of the start switch 7, the main control unit 41 transmits a game start command to the sub-control unit 91. Here, the sub-control unit 91 receives the game start command in a special order that is neither a specific order nor a special order. As a result, the sub-control unit 91 starts an error notification. That is, the sub-control unit 91 displays the error occurrence screen shown in Figure 81 on the liquid crystal display 51. The player stops the reels according to the display shown in Figure 81.

At timing t2, the player performs a third stop operation. Based on the third stop operation, the main control unit 41 sends a game end command to the sub-control unit 91. At this time, the sub-control unit 91 receives the game end command in a specific order. The sub-control unit 91 cancels the error notification. This makes it easy to cancel minor communication errors that occur when sending a game start command.

In this way, when the start switch 7 is operated, the sub-control unit 91 starts the error notification when it receives a game start command in a special order from the main control unit 41. Furthermore, after the error notification has started, the sub-control unit 91 ends the error notification if it receives a game end command in the second specific order from the main control unit 41 at the third stop. As a result, even if an error such as a missing command occurs in the game start command sent when the start switch 7 is operated within one game and an error notification is initiated, the error notification can be ended as long as no error such as a missing command occurs at the subsequent third stop. Therefore, with the slot machine 1, minor errors such as missing commands can be easily resolved within one game.

Figure 83 is a diagram showing an example of canceling an error notification in the next game. Figure 83 shows the relationship between (a) the player's operation, (b) the processing of the main control unit 41, and (c) the processing of the sub-control unit 91 at timings t1, t2, and t3. As shown in Figure 83, at timing t1, the player operates the start switch 7. Based on the operation of the start switch 7, the main control unit 41 transmits a game start command to the sub-control unit 91. Here, the sub-control unit 91 receives the game start command in a special order that is neither a specific order nor a special order. As a result, the sub-control unit 91 starts an error notification. That is, the sub-control unit 91 causes the liquid crystal display 51 to display the error occurrence screen shown in Figure 81. The player stops the reels according to the display of the error occurrence screen shown in Figure 81.

At timing t2, the player performs a third stop operation. Based on the third stop operation, the main control unit 41 transmits a game end command to the sub-control unit 91. Here, the sub-control unit 91 receives the game end command in a special order different from the specific order. Therefore, the sub-control unit 91 does not cancel the error notification. At timing t2, the sub-control unit 91 may change the error occurrence screen shown in FIG. 81 to a screen that displays "Please operate the start switch." or the like. At timing t3, the player operates the start switch 7 again. Based on the operation of the start switch 7, the main control unit 41 transmits a game start command to the sub-control unit 91. At this time, the sub-control unit 91 receives the game start command in the specific order. The sub-control unit 91 cancels the error notification. This makes it easy to cancel minor communication errors that occur at timings t1 and t2.

In this way, when the start switch 7 is operated, the sub-control unit 91 starts the error notification when it receives the game start command from the main control unit 41 in a special order that is neither a specific order nor a special order. Also, after the error notification has started, when the start switch 7 in the next game is operated, the sub-control unit 91 ends the error notification when it receives the game start command from the main control unit 41 in the first specific order. As a result, even if the error notification is started due to an error such as a missing command that occurred in the game start command transmitted based on the start switch 7 being operated, if there is no missing command in the game start command transmitted based on the start switch 7 being operated in the next game, the error notification ends. Therefore, in the slot machine 1, minor missing commands such as static electricity can be easily eliminated in the next game.

Originally, the bonus lottery process was executed when the start switch 7 was operated. However, the slot machine 1 in this embodiment determines whether or not to execute the bonus lottery process depending on whether the first stop operation is a normal operation or an irregular operation. If the bonus lottery process were executed when the start switch 7 was operated as in the past, it would be necessary to discard the result of the bonus lottery process that was already executed when the start switch 7 was operated after the irregular operation, which would make the process complicated. This is because the timing of the first stop operation for determining whether or not to give a penalty in a unit game is later than the timing of the start switch 7 being operated. Therefore, in the slot machine 1 in this embodiment, the bonus lottery process itself is executed when the third stop operation is performed, which is later than the timing of the first stop operation. As a result, even if an irregular operation is performed, the bonus lottery process has not yet been executed at the timing of the first stop operation, so there is no need to discard the result of the executed bonus lottery process.

Figure 84 is a diagram explaining the processing executed in the game state. Figure 84 explains and compares the processing executed in the period in which the "normal stage" and "continuous performance" are executed in the normal advantageous zone, the period in which the "first zone stage" and "continuous performance" are executed in the first state, the period in which the "second zone stage" and "continuous performance" are executed in the second state, the specialized zone stage, the second state stage in the second state, and the ending stage in the ending state.

As mentioned above, a "consecutive effect" is an effect that suggests a transition in the game state, and is executed continuously for 3 to 5 games. A continuous effect in the normal advantageous zone is an effect that suggests whether or not there will be a transition to the first state. A continuous effect in the first state is an effect that suggests whether or not there will be a transition to the specialized zone of the first state. A continuous effect is, for example, an effect in which the story progresses with each game, and whether or not the game state will transition is announced in the final game.

When stop switch 8L is operated as the first stop operation during normal stages and continuous performances in the normal advantageous zone, the point acquisition lottery process is executed. On the other hand, when stop switch 8C or stop switch 8R is operated as the first stop operation during normal stages and continuous performances in the normal advantageous zone, the point acquisition lottery process is not executed as a penalty. Furthermore, in states other than the normal advantageous zone, the point acquisition lottery process is not executed.

If stop switch 8L is operated as the first stop operation in the first section stage, second section stage, continuous performance, or specialized zone stage of the first state, a life acquisition lottery process is executed. On the other hand, if stop switch 8C or stop switch 8R is operated as the first stop operation in the first section stage, second section stage, continuous performance, or specialized zone stage of the first state, the life acquisition lottery process is not executed as a penalty. Furthermore, in states other than the first state, the life acquisition lottery process is not executed.

If the stop switch 8L is operated as the first stop operation in the second state stage of the second state, the one-hit win lottery process is executed. On the other hand, if the stop switch 8C or the stop switch 8R is operated as the first stop operation in the second state stage of the second state, the one-hit win lottery process is not executed as a penalty. Furthermore, in states other than the second state, the one-hit win lottery process is not executed.

When the stop switch 8L is operated as the first stop operation in a state other than the ending state, the stop effect is not executed. On the other hand, when the stop switch 8C or stop switch 8R is operated as the first stop operation in a state other than the ending state, the stop effect is not executed. In all states, the number of advantageous zones and the role ratio information are updated for each game.

Next, the processing in the next game after the start switch 7 is pressed will be explained. If the stop switch 8L is operated as the first stop operation in the normal stage and continuous performance of the normal advantageous zone, the point update performance will be executed in the next game. On the other hand, if the stop switch 8C or stop switch 8R is operated as the first stop operation in the normal stage and continuous performance of the normal advantageous zone, the point update performance will not be executed in the next game. Furthermore, in states other than the normal advantageous zone, the point update performance will not be executed.

Next, the updating of the continuous performance will be described. As described above, the continuous performance is a performance that is executed continuously for 3 to 5 games. In the following, an example will be described in which the continuous performance is 5 games. A different performance is executed in each of the 5 games included in the continuous performance. For example, the first stimulating performance is executed in the first game, the second stimulating performance is executed in the second game, the third stimulating performance is executed in the third game, the fourth stimulating performance is executed in the fourth game, and the result notification performance is executed in the fifth game. Here, updating the continuous performance means that after a performance in the continuous performance is executed, a performance corresponding to the next game is executed. In other words, if the second stimulating performance is executed in the game after the first stimulating performance is executed in the first game, the continuous performance is updated. On the other hand, if the first stimulating performance is executed again in the game after the first stimulating performance is executed in the first game, the continuous performance is not updated.

When the stop switch 8L is operated as the first stop operation during a continuous performance in each state, the continuous performance is updated in the next game. In other words, the continuous performance progresses.

If stop switch 8C or stop switch 8R is operated as the first stop operation during a continuous performance in the normal advantageous zone, the continuous performance will not be updated. For example, if stop switch 8C is operated as the first stop operation during the second game of a continuous performance, the second teasing performance will be executed again in the next game. In other words, during the normal advantageous zone, the continuous performance will not be updated as a penalty.

In contrast, in the continuous performance in the first state, even if the stop switch 8C or the stop switch 8R is operated as the first stop operation, the continuous performance is updated. In other words, in the first state, which is advantageous to the player, if the continuous performance is executed again without being updated, the advantageous state for the player will continue. Therefore, even if an irregular operation is performed, the control is not disadvantageous to the player, and no penalty is imposed. Therefore, in the slot machine 1, in the continuous performance in the first state, the continuous performance is not updated even if irregular control is performed.

The effect lottery process is explained. The effect lottery process is a process that determines the type of effect to be executed. If the stop switch 8L is operated as the first stop operation in the normal stage of the normal advantageous zone, the first zone stage, the second zone stage of the first state, or the second state stage of the second state, the effect lottery process for the next game is executed. On the other hand, if the stop switch 8C or the stop switch 8R is operated as the first stop operation in the normal stage of the normal advantageous zone, the first zone stage, the second zone stage of the first state, or the second state stage of the second state, the effect lottery process for the next game is not executed as a penalty. In other words, the game progresses without any effects. The period during which effects are not executed is not limited to one game, but may be three games.

[Main components]
The slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment has been described above. The main configuration of the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment will now be described.

(1) A gaming machine (e.g., a slot machine 1) capable of playing a game,
a sound output means (for example, a speaker 53) capable of outputting sound;
A backup means (e.g., a RAM 41c) capable of retaining a game state before the power supply to the gaming machine is stopped when the power supply to the gaming machine is stopped;
A display means (for example, a liquid crystal display 51) capable of displaying an image,
The game state includes a normal state (for example, a normal advantageous zone) and a specific state different from the normal state (for example, an AT state),
The sound output means is capable of outputting a specific musical sound corresponding to the specific state in the specific state (for example, outputting a musical sound during AT in FIG. 30(f) ),
The backup means maintains the gaming state when power supply to the gaming machine is stopped,
the display means displays an image during a return (for example, a return screen including a return preparation screen and a game return screen) when the power supply to the gaming machine is resumed after the power supply to the gaming machine has been stopped and the game is resumed in the game state held by the backup means;
The sound output means does not output the specific music sound (e.g., a specific music piece) while the recovery image is being displayed, even if the game state held by the backup means is the specific state (for example, as shown in Figures 30 (c) to (e) , AT music is not output during recovery).

Specifically, when the power supply to the slot machine 1 is resumed and the recovery screen is displayed, even if the machine is controlled to the held AT state, the AT music corresponding to the AT state is not output, so that the fact that recovery is in progress can be clearly communicated to the outside.

(1A) The machine further includes operation means (for example, a medal insertion portion 4, a 1-bet switch 65, and a start switch 7) that are operated to progress a game,
The sound output means outputs sound effects (such as the insertion of a medal into the medal insertion portion 4, the sound of setting the bet amount based on the MAXBET switch 6, the start sound based on the start switch 7, etc.) based on the operation of the operating means while the return screen is displayed (for example, as shown in Figure 30 (d), it outputs sound effects such as the sound of inserting a medal based on operations related to the progress of the game, such as the operation of inserting a medal during return).

Specifically, even during a return, when an operation is performed to progress the game, a sound effect based on that operation is output, making it easy for outsiders to understand that the game is still in progress.

(1B) The operation means includes a bet amount setting operation means (for example, a medal insertion portion 4, a MAX BET switch 6, or a 1 BET switch 65, etc.) that is operated to set a bet amount,
The sound output means outputs a bet number setting sound (e.g., the medal insertion sound in FIG. 30, the bet number setting sound in FIG. 31, etc.) based on the operation of the bet number setting operation means while the return screen is being displayed (for example, as shown in FIG. 30, a medal insertion sound is output based on the medal insertion operation during return, and as shown in FIG. 31, a BET sound is output based on the operation of the MAXBET switch 6).

Specifically, even during recovery, when a bet is set, a bet setting sound based on the bet setting operation is output, making it easy to understand to the outside that a bet is being set.

(1C) The operation means includes a start operation means (for example, a start switch 7) that is operated to start the variation of the variable display,
The sound output means outputs a start sound (for example, the start sound in Figure 30) based on the operation of the start operation means while the recovery screen is displayed (for example, as shown in Figures 30 (e) and (f), the start sound is output based on the operation of start switch 7 during recovery).

Specifically, even during recovery, when an operation is performed to start the rotation of reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, a start sound based on the operation of start switch 7 is output, so that it is possible to clearly communicate to the outside that an operation is being performed to start the rotation of reels 2L, 2C, and 2R.

(1D) The operation means includes a stop operation means (e.g., stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R) that is operated to stop the fluctuation of the variable display,
The sound output means outputs a stop sound (for example, the stop sound in Figure 31) based on the operation of the stop operation means while the recovery screen is displayed (for example, as shown in Figures 31 (c), (d), and (e), the stop sound is output based on the operation of stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R).

Specifically, even during recovery, when an operation is performed to stop the rotation of reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, a stop sound based on the operation of stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is output, so that it is easy to understand to the outside that an operation is being performed to stop the rotation of reels 2L, 2C, and 2R.

(1E) The operation means includes a stop operation means (e.g., stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R) that is operated to stop the fluctuation of the variable display,
The sound output means outputs an operation suggestion sound (e.g., the navigation sound in Figure 31) indicating the operation mode of the stop operation means based on the operation of the stop operation means while the recovery screen is being displayed (for example, as shown in Figures 31 (c) and (d), a navigation sound is output based on the operation of stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R).

Specifically, even during recovery, when an operation is performed to stop the rotation of reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, a navigation sound based on the operation of stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is output, so the player can recognize the operation mode of stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, and it is guaranteed that the operation mode is suggested.

(1F) When the display means is displaying the recovery screen and the operation mode of the stop operation means is suggested, the display means displays an operation suggestion image (for example, navigation image 71 in FIG. 31) suggesting the operation mode of the stop operation means (for example, as shown in FIG. 31(c) and (d), navigation image 71 is displayed based on the operation of stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R).

Specifically, even during recovery, the navigation image 71 of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is displayed, so that the player can recognize the operation mode of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, and it is guaranteed that the operation mode is suggested.

(1G) the operation means includes a return operation means (e.g., an adjustment switch 10) that is operated to return gaming value to a player,
The sound output means outputs a return sound (e.g., a settlement sound, a payout sound, a settlement completion sound) indicating that gaming value will be returned to the player based on operation of the return operation means while the return screen is displayed (e.g., a return sound is output as shown in Figure 34 (d)).

Specifically, even during recovery, when an operation is performed to return the bicycle, a return sound based on the operation of the settlement switch 10 is output, so that it is possible to clearly inform the outside that a return operation is being performed.

(1H) The display means is
When the return screen is not being displayed, a demonstration screen (for example, the demo screen of FIG. 32(b)) is displayed based on the game value being returned to the player by the operation of the return operation means, while
While the return screen is being displayed, the demonstration screen is not displayed (for example, the demonstration screen is not displayed in Figure 34 (d)) even if gaming value is returned to the player by operating the return operation means.

Specifically, while the device is recovering, the demonstration screen is not displayed even when a return operation is performed, making it easy to understand to outside parties that the device is recovering.

(1I) The sound output means outputs a recovery sound (e.g., recovery music) indicating that recovery is in progress while the recovery screen is displayed (e.g., outputting recovery music while the recovery screen shown in Figures 30(c) to (d) is displayed).

Specifically, by outputting a recovery sound during recovery, it is possible to clearly communicate to the outside world that recovery is in progress.

(1J) The display means is
While the recovery screen is being displayed, an error screen (for example, an error occurrence screen shown in FIG. 35( e)) is displayed, which indicates that an error (for example, a hopper error) has occurred in the progress of a game on the gaming machine;
The error screen and the recovery screen are displayed in different colors (for example, an error occurrence screen is displayed as shown in FIG. 35(e)).

Specifically, even during recovery, the screen that indicates when an error occurs can be displayed in a different color from the screen that indicates when the error occurs, making it easy for outsiders to understand that an error has occurred.

(1K) Further comprising a volume setting unit (for example, a volume setting process by the sub-control unit 91 shown in FIG. 22 when the cross key 70 is pressed) that changes the volume based on the volume setting operation when the volume setting operation (for example, pressing the cross key 70) is performed,
When the volume setting operation is performed while the recovery screen is being displayed, the volume setting means does not change the volume based on the volume setting operation (for example, as shown in FIG. 34(e), the volume setting display 340 is not displayed and the volume is not changed).

Specifically, this prevents the user from mistakenly thinking that volume settings are possible during recovery.

(1L) Further comprising a signal output means for outputting a signal regarding the execution of a unit game (for example, a process for outputting an external signal at the start and an external signal at the end by the main control unit 41);
The signal output means outputs a signal (e.g., a start external output signal, an end external signal) regardless of whether the recovery screen is displayed or not (for example, as shown in Figures 31 (d), (e), and (f), a start external signal and an end external signal are output by the main control unit 41 regardless of whether the recovery screen is displayed or not).

Specifically, regardless of whether the recovery screen is displayed or not, the fact that the game is being played can be output to the outside based on the output signal.

(2) The game device further includes a variable display unit (e.g., reels 2L, 2C, and 2R) capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identifying information, each of which is identifiable;
The display means includes a display area (for example, a liquid crystal display of the liquid crystal display 51) provided on the front surface of the variable display unit,
the display area includes a transparent area (e.g., a transparent area 3) that is transparent so that the variable display unit can be visually recognized by a player, and an area other than the transparent area (e.g., an image display area 72);
The display means is
When power is not being supplied to the gaming machine, the variable display unit is made invisible or difficult to be seen by a player through the transparent area,
When power supply to the gaming machine is resumed, the variable display section becomes visible to the player through the transparent area before the return screen is displayed in the other area (for example, as shown in Figures 40 and 41, the transparent area 3 becomes transparent in Figure 40(b) before the return preparation screen is displayed in Figure 41(d)).

Specifically, when the power supply is resumed, the state of the variable display section can be displayed before the recovery screen is displayed.

(2A) When power supply is resumed, the display means is in a state in which the player can view the variable display section through the transparent region before the operation of the operating means becomes available (for example, as shown in Figs. 40 and 41, the transparent region 3 becomes transparent in Fig. 40(b) before the operation of the start switch 7 becomes effective in Fig. 41(e)).

Specifically, when the power supply is resumed, the state of reels 2L, 2C, and 2R can be recognized externally before the start operation for game progress can be accepted.

(2B) When power supply is resumed, the display means is in a state in which the player can view the variable display unit through the transparent region before a game status indication (such as the lighting of the status LED 19) is given to indicate the game status (for example, as shown in Figures 40 and 41, the transparent region 3 becomes transparent in Figure 40(b) before the status LED 19 lights up in Figure 41(e)).

Specifically, when the power supply is resumed, the state of reels 2L, 2C, and 2R can be recognized externally before indicating the game state.

(2C) When power supply is resumed, the display means is in a state in which the player can view the variable display section through the transparent region before the variable display section starts to change (for example, as shown in Figs. 40 and 41, the transparent region 3 becomes transparent in Fig. 40(b) before reels 2L, 2C, and 2R start to rotate in Fig. 41(f)).

Specifically, when the power supply is resumed, the state of reels 2L, 2C, and 2R before they changed can be recognized externally.

(2D) When power supply is resumed, the display means is in a state where the player can view the variable display section through the transparent area before the recovery screen is displayed in the other area, regardless of which game state the backup means is holding (for example, as described in FIG. 40, the transparent area 3 becomes transparent in FIG. 40(b) before the recovery screen is displayed in FIG. 41(d), regardless of the game state held in RAM 41c).

Specifically, when power supply is started, regardless of the game state held by RAM 41c, the state of reels 2L, 2C, and 2R can be recognized externally before the recovery screen is displayed.

(2E) When power supply is resumed, the display means displays the background color of the other areas as black (for example, as shown in FIG. 40(c), the background color of the image display area 72 is black).

Specifically, reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are made to stand out, making them easy to recognize.

(2F) Further provided with a light-emitting section (e.g., lower panel 55) that emits light when power supply is resumed and before the recovery screen is displayed (e.g., as shown in Figs. 40 and 41, lower panel 55 lights up in Fig. 40(c) before the recovery screen is displayed in Fig. 41(d)).

Specifically, it is possible to easily let the outside world know that the power supply has been resumed.

(2G) When power supply is resumed, the display means displays the display data before displaying the image data corresponding to the game status stored in the RAM 41c (for example, as shown in FIG. 41(b), the display data at the time when power supply started is displayed in the image display area 72).

Specifically, when power supply starts, the display data can be displayed as soon as possible.

(3) A data storage means (e.g., RAM 41c) having a plurality of types of storage areas including a first storage area (e.g., an AT work area) and a second storage area (e.g., a BB work area);
and a setting change state control means (for example, a process for controlling the setting change state by the main control unit 41) for controlling a setting change state to a selected value selected from a plurality of types of setting values having different advantageous degrees for a player when the power is turned on with the setting operation means (for example, the setting key switch 37) being operated,
When a specific operation means different from the setting operation means (e.g., reset/setting switch 38) is not operated and the setting operation means is operated and the setting change state is entered, the first storage area of the first storage area and the second storage area is initialized (for example, initialization 1 described in FIG. 44 is executed in step Sa1233 of FIG. 57),
When the specific operation means and the setting operation means are operated and the setting change state is entered, the first memory area and the second memory area are initialized (for example, the initialization 0 described in FIG. 44 is executed in step Sa1232 of FIG. 57).

Specifically, based on the operation state of the setting key switch 37 and the reset/setting switch 38, it is possible to suitably select which of the areas contained in the RAM 41c to initialize.

(3A) The specific state includes a first advantageous state (e.g., an AT state) and a second advantageous state (e.g., a bonus),
The first memory area stores data regarding the first advantageous state (for example, as described in FIG. 44, data regarding the AT state is stored in the AT work),
The second memory area stores data relating to the second advantageous state (for example, as described in FIG. 44, data relating to a bonus is stored in the BB work).

Specifically, based on the operation state of the setting key switch 37 and the reset/setting switch 38, it is possible to suitably select which area of the areas in RAM 41c that contain data relating to advantageous states to initialize.

(3B) the data storage means further includes a third storage area in which excitation phase data relating to an excitation phase is stored,
The third storage area (for example, a stop phase work) may include:
When the specific operation means is not operated and the setting operation means is operated, power supply to the gaming machine is resumed and the gaming machine is controlled to the setting change state.
When the specific operation means and the setting operation means are operated, the power supply to the gaming machine is resumed and the gaming machine is controlled to the setting change state, and the stop phase work is not initialized either (for example, in initializations 0, 1, and 3 described in Figure 44, the stop phase work is not initialized).

Specifically, even if the reels are controlled to a setting change state, by storing the excitation phase data, it is possible to prevent the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R from detecting that the reels have been controlled to a setting change state from their movements.

(3C) when the power supply is resumed, checking the stored contents of the data storage means, and when it is determined that there is an abnormality, controlling to an error state;
The first storage area, the second storage area, and the third storage area are
When the device is controlled to the setting change state after being controlled to the error state,
When the specific operation means is not operated and the setting operation means is operated, power supply to the gaming machine is resumed and the gaming machine is controlled to the setting change state.
Initialization is performed in either case when the specific operation means is operated and when the setting operation means is operated, power supply to the gaming machine is resumed and the gaming machine is controlled to the setting change state (for example, initialization 5 described in Figure 44 is executed in step Sa28 of Figure 56).

Specifically, when an abnormality occurs in RAM 41c, each area contained in RAM 41c can be initialized.

(3D) The first storage area, the second storage area, and the third storage area
When the power supply is resumed, if the setting is not changed, initialization is not performed (for example, initialization 3 described in FIG. 44 is executed in step Sa151 in FIG. 56).

Specifically, when power supply is started, it is possible to perform control to return to the state before power supply was started.

[Modification]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible. Modifications of the above-described embodiment that can be applied to the present invention will be described below.

[Regarding the setting value H]
As described above, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the set value L is configured to be settable.

In the slot machine 1 of the modified example, the setting value H can be set in addition to the setting value L. FIG. 85 is a diagram for explaining the setting value H. As described above, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the setting value can be set to six levels: 1, 2, 5, 6, H, and L. In the present embodiment, an example in which the setting values 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and L are generally set has been described, but in the modified example, the setting value H can be set instead of the setting value 4. The setting value that replaces the setting value H is not limited to the setting value 4, and may be any of the setting values 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6. In FIG. 85, the expected value of balls paid out during the entire period for each of the six setting values, the expected value of balls paid out in an advantageous state, and the base are shown.

As shown in FIG. 85, when the setting value H is set, the expected value of balls to be dispensed during the entire period is AH, the expected value of balls to be dispensed during the advantageous state is BH, the base is CH, and the probability of winning the AT is designed to be DH. The expected value of balls to be dispensed during the entire period of each setting value is AL, which is the smallest, and AH, which is the largest, and the relationship AL<A1<A2<A5<A6<AH holds. In other words, the setting value H is the setting value that has the largest expected value of balls to be dispensed during all games, including games in an advantageous state, among the setting values 1, 2, 5, 6, H, and L. In addition, the expected value of balls to be dispensed during the advantageous state of each setting value is BL, which is the smallest, and BH, which is the largest, and the relationship BL<B1<B2<B5<B6<BH holds. In other words, the setting value H is the setting value that has the largest expected value of balls to be dispensed during the advantageous state among the setting values 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and L. Furthermore, the bases of the set values are CL, which is the smallest, and CH, which is the largest, and the relationship CL<C1<C2<C5<C6<CH holds. In other words, the set value H is the set value with the largest base among the set values 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and L. Furthermore, the AT winning probability of each set value is DL, which is the smallest, and DH, which is the largest, and the relationship DL<D1<D2<D5<D6<DH holds. In the modified example, the AT winning probability is different from the slot machine 1 of this embodiment in that the set value L is designed to be the lowest among the set values 1, 2, 5, 6, H, and L, and the set value H is designed to be the highest among the set values 1, 2, 5, 6, H, and L.

Figure 86 is a diagram for explaining the variation in the number of balls dispensed during the period from the start of the AT to the end of the AT when the setting value H is set. Figure 86 is a diagram similar to Figure 46, so the same explanation will not be repeated. Figure 86 also illustrates a normal distribution showing the variation in the number of medals paid out during the period from the start of the AT state to the end of the AT state when the setting value H is set. The width SD1H of the normal distribution in Figure 86 indicates the variation (standard deviation) in the number of medals paid out during the period from the start of the AT state to the end of the AT state when the setting value H is set.

Referring to FIG. 86, the variation in the number of medals paid out when setting value H is set is the second smallest among setting values 1, 2, 5, 6, H, and L, after the variation in the number of medals paid out when setting value L is set. In other words, width SD1H is narrower than width SD1N and wider than width SD1L. Also, while FIG. 86 only compares setting value 1, setting value H, and setting value L, the variation in setting value H is designed to be greater than setting value L and smaller than any of setting values 1, 2, 5, and 6.

Figure 87 is a diagram for explaining the variation in the number of balls dispensed over the entire period when the setting value H is set. Figure 87 is a diagram similar to Figure 47, so the same description will not be repeated. Figure 72 similarly illustrates a normal distribution showing the variation in the number of medals paid out over the entire period when the setting value H is set. The width SD2H of the normal distribution in Figure 87 indicates the variation (standard deviation) of the number of medals paid out when a specified number of games are played over the entire period when the setting value H is set.

Referring to FIG. 87, the variation in the number of medals paid out when a predetermined number of games are played when the setting value H is set is the second smallest among the setting values 1, 2, 5, 6, H, and L, after the variation in the number of medals paid out when a predetermined number of games are played when the setting value L is set. That is, the width SD2H is narrower than the width SD2N and wider than the width SD2L. Also, while FIG. 87 only compares the setting value 1, the setting value H, and the setting value L, the variation in the setting value H is designed to be greater than the setting value L and smaller than any of the setting values 1, 2, 5, and 6. This makes it easier to comply with both the type test using the setting value L, which has the smallest expected value, and the type test using the setting value H, which has the largest expected value.

[About the base]
In FIG. 45, it has been explained that the set value L is the set value with the smallest expected value and base for each state. However, in a modified example, the base of the set value L does not have to be the smallest. For example, even if the base of the set value L is designed to be the largest among the set values 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and L, it is sufficient that the set value L is designed to have a lower probability of transitioning to the AT state compared to the other set values. This allows the relationship AL<A1<A2<A4<A5<A6 shown in FIG. 45 to be established.

[About the covered area of the shutter effect]
Fig. 88 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the shutter effect. As shown in Fig. 88, the liquid crystal display 51 may include a performance area 52a and an information display area 52b. The sub-control unit 91 mainly changes the image displayed in the performance area 52a to perform the performance, and fixes and displays information related to the progress of the game in the information display area 52b.

In the modified shutter effect, only the effect area 52a is covered by the obstruction. That is, as shown in Figures 88(B) and (C), the information display area 52b remains displayed even after the shutter effect has started. In other words, the information display area 52b is displayed superimposed on the shutter effect. This makes it possible to prevent information related to the progress of the game from being covered, even when the shutter effect is being performed.

[Specific increment processing and specific decrement processing]
In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the value to be added or subtracted is stored in the A register. However, in a modified example, the specific increment process and the specific decrement process may be executed using a register other than the A register.

Specific increment processing can also be used, for example, in processing when stage changes are made in a circular fashion between stages A, B, and C in the normal advantageous zone. RAM 41c stores information indicating which stage the player is currently in. For example, RAM 41c stores "0" at a specified address if the player is in stage A, "1" if the player is in stage B, and "2" if the player is in stage A.

When changing stages, the main control unit 41 uses a specific increment process to add a value stored at a specific address in RAM 41c. This automatically prevents the value corresponding to the stage from being updated to an unintended value when an interrupt process is executed. In this way, the specific increment process can be used for any type of cyclical control.

[Number of games played during a specified period]
In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the predetermined period during which the sub-control unit 91 does not count the value of the display counter is one game. However, the predetermined period does not have to be one game, and the number of games may be set by the store clerk. For example, a configuration is conceivable in which the number of games for the predetermined period can be set in a menu for store clerks, such as a setting change processing screen.

Also, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the predetermined period during which the sub-control unit 91 does not count the value of the display counter is a period from when the power is turned on until a specific time has passed. Similarly, the specific time may be set by a store clerk. Furthermore, for example, the predetermined period may end when a specific operation is received from the store clerk. In this way, the predetermined period is not a period with a predefined upper limit, and the predetermined period can end at any timing when the store clerk considers that the operation check has been completed.

[Volume setting display]
Fig. 89 is a diagram showing a modified example of the volume setting display 340 when the front door 1b is open. In the present embodiment, the sub-control unit 91 does not display the volume setting display 340 when the door-opening sound is being output. However, as shown in Fig. 89, the volume setting display 340 may be displayed even when the door-opening sound is being output.

In other words, the liquid crystal display 51 displays the volume setting display 340, which indicates the volume after the volume has been set, for five seconds, for example, based on the operation of the cross key 70, regardless of whether the door opening sound is being output or not. This makes it possible to display the volume setting display 340 even when the door is open, thereby improving convenience for the player.

As shown in Figures 89(b) and (c), the sub-control unit 91 changes the display of the volume bar 341 in response to the operation of the cross key 70. Specifically, the sub-control unit 91 raises the meter indicated by the volume bar 341 by one level. When the operation of the cross key 70 is accepted to set the volume in a state in which a specific sound or door-opening sound is not being output, the sub-control unit 91 outputs a volume confirmation sound such as an electronic sound. On the other hand, since the door-opening sound is being output in Figure 89, the sub-control unit 91 does not output the volume confirmation sound. This makes it possible to prevent the output of the door-opening sound from being hindered by the volume confirmation sound being output when the door-opening sound is being output in the slot machine 1.

[Output mode of specific music]
In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, an example in which the sub-control unit 91 outputs a specific song in the first output mode and the second output mode has been described. Also, an example in which the first output mode is a mode in which the performance sound is output at a volume higher than the volume of the performance sound output in the normal advantageous zone, and the second output mode is a mode in which the performance sound is output at a volume lower than the volume when it is output in the first output mode has been described. In a modified example, an example in which the second output mode is muted will be described.

That is, the sub-control unit 91 outputs the specific music piece in a muted state based on the display of the menu screen 350. The sub-control unit 91 returns the volume of the specific music piece when the display of the menu screen 350 ends based on the first end condition. At this time, the sub-control unit 91 can resume the specific music piece from either the beginning or any partway through the specific music piece. This allows the slot machine 1 to resume the specific music piece in an optimal manner.

[Application to Pachinko Machines]
Furthermore, in the above embodiment and modified example, an example of applying the present invention to a slot machine 1, which is an example of a gaming machine, has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to any gaming machine that performs a specified game, such as a pachinko gaming machine in which a game is played by firing a gaming ball into a game area, and further, general gaming machines other than slot machines and pachinko gaming machines.

In particular, in Figures 25 and 26, an example in which the front door 1b of the slot machine 1 is opened has been described, but in the case of a pachinko machine, the open state of the front door 1b corresponds to the pachinko machine body being separated from its installation location in the game arcade. Unlike a slot machine, a pachinko machine is installed so that the pachinko machine body is fitted into its installation location in the game arcade. In Figures 25 and 26, an example in which the slot machine 1 outputs a door opening sound when the front door 1b is opened has been described, but when the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine, it is applied to a case in which the opening sound is output when the pachinko machine is opened from a state in which it is fitted into its installation location.

[Application to medal-less gaming machines]
The slot machine 1 may be an enclosed type gaming machine in which gaming medals are enclosed and points are awarded based on the occurrence of winning. The awarded points are added and stored in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 41c, and the stored points are settled by operating the counting button (the points are counted and converted into owned medals that can be stored in a membership card or the like).

[About the recovery screen]
In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, an example has been described in which the sub-control unit 91 does not output music during the AT while the recovery screen is displayed. Also, an example has been described in which the sub-control unit 91 outputs music during the recovery screen while the recovery screen is displayed.

However, the sub-control unit 91 may change the output mode of the AT music while the recovery screen is displayed, and output the AT music. For example, the sub-control unit 91 may output the AT music in the second output mode while the recovery screen is displayed. Alternatively, the sub-control unit 91 may output the AT music in a third output mode, which outputs the music at a lower volume than when it is output in the second output mode.

Also, in FIG. 29, an example has been described in which the music during the AT starts to be output based on the sub-control unit 91 receiving a game start command. However, the music during the AT may start to be output in a muted (volume is "0") mode based on the sub-control unit 91 receiving a return command, and may be output at the volume of the first output mode based on the game start command being received.

[Regarding the transmissive area 3 of the liquid crystal display 51]
In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the liquid crystal display 51 has the transparent area 3. An example has been described in which the transparent area 3 is disposed in an area overlapping the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R when the liquid crystal display is viewed in a plan view.

However, the transparent area 3 may be located in an area other than the area overlapping with the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R. For example, a device may be placed inside the slot machine 1, and the transparent area may be transparent to allow the player to see the device inside the slot machine 1.

Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and it goes without saying that modifications and additions that do not deviate from the spirit of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

1 slot machine, 2L, 2C, 2R reels, 7 start switch, 8L, 8C, 8R stop switches, 51 liquid crystal display, 41 main control unit, 91 sub control unit.

Claims (1)

A gaming machine capable of playing a game,
A game progress operation means that is operated to progress a game ;
a return operation means, which is different from the game progress operation means and is operated to return the game value to the player;
A sound output means capable of outputting a sound;
a backup means for maintaining a gaming state before the power supply to the gaming machine is stopped when the power supply to the gaming machine is stopped;
A display means capable of displaying an image,
The game state includes a normal state and a specific state different from the normal state,
the sound output means is capable of outputting, in the specific state, a specific musical sound corresponding to the specific state,
The display means is
displaying a recovery image when power supply to the gaming machine is resumed after the power supply to the gaming machine has been stopped and when a game is resumed in the gaming state maintained by the backup means;
When the return image is not being displayed, a demonstration image can be displayed based on the return operation means being operated,
When the image during recovery is being displayed, even if the return operation means is operated, the image during recovery is continuously displayed without displaying the demonstration image;
The sound output means, while the recovery image is being displayed,
Even if the game state held by the backup means is the specific state, the specific musical sound is not output,
A gaming machine that outputs sound effects based on the operation of the game progress operation means.

Images