JP7837910B2 - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a gaming machine capable of providing gaming experiences.

Examples of gaming machines include slot machines that can be connected to a card unit that manages the gaming value held by the player. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-187772 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) describes a counting process that transfers the gaming value (number of credits) stored within the slot machine to the card unit.

The gaming machine described in Patent Document 1 has a credit indicator for displaying the number of credits.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-187772

In the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, there was room for improvement regarding the control of the credit display during the counting process.

This invention was conceived in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a gaming machine with improved control of the credit display during counting.

In a gaming machine (for example, machine S2 in Figure 1),
A value storage means capable of storing the game value owned by the player (for example, the RAM 171c of the medal count control board 17 in Figure 2),
A value control means (for example, the CPU 171a of the medal count control board 17 in Figure 2) that can update the amount of game value stored in the value storage means when the update conditions are met,
It includes a value display means capable of displaying the amount of game value owned by the player (for example, the credit display 11 in Figures 1 and 2),
The value control means repeatedly performs a comparison process (for example, step S302 in Figure 76) that compares the amount of game value stored by the value storage means with the amount of game value displayed by the value display means.
In the comparison process, if the amount of game value stored by the value storage means and the amount of game value displayed by the value display means are different (for example, NO in step S302 of Figure 76), the amount of game value displayed by the value display means is updated by one unit to bring it closer to the amount of game value stored by the value storage means (for example, in steps S305, S309, S314, S318 of Figure 76),
The time interval between the completion of the comparison process and the execution of the next comparison process varies depending on whether the difference between the amount of game value stored in the value storage means and the game value displayed by the value display means exceeds n (for example, the period set as the waiting time differs depending on the branch in step S313 of Figure 76. More specifically, if the difference between the number of RAMs and the number of credits exceeds n, a waiting time of 10 ms may be set, while if the difference between the number of RAMs and the number of credits does not exceed n, a waiting time of 30 ms is set) .
The aforementioned n is the maximum amount of game value that can be awarded when a prize is won.

This is a front view of the card unit and slot machine. This is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a card unit and a slot machine. This is a diagram showing the arrangement of symbols on the reels. This is a diagram to explain the transitions in the game state. This diagram explains the types of winning combinations, the symbol combinations for each winning combination, and the prize awarded upon winning. This diagram explains the types of winning combinations, the symbol combinations for each winning combination, and the prize awarded upon winning. This diagram explains the types of winning combinations, the symbol combinations for each winning combination, and the prize awarded upon winning. This diagram explains the types of winning combinations, the symbol combinations for each winning combination, and the prize awarded upon winning. This diagram explains the combinations of winning combinations that are read out as target combinations for the lottery for each game state. This diagram illustrates the reel control when a winning combination is achieved through a specific button sequence. This diagram shows the game start command that the main control unit sends to the performance control unit when the start switch is operated. This indicates the game end command that the main control unit sends to the performance control unit when the third stop occurs. This diagram shows the types of commands that the main control board sends to the medal count control board. This is a diagram explaining the commands for providing information about the installation of gaming machines. This is a diagram showing the detailed characteristics of a gaming machine. This diagram shows the configuration of the special feature information command. This diagram shows the details of the mechanism's operation information. This diagram shows the configuration of the advantageous interval information command. This diagram shows the details of the advantageous period information. This diagram shows the configuration of the input command. This diagram shows the configuration of the settlement command. This diagram shows the configuration of the startup commands. This diagram shows the configuration of the termination command. This diagram shows the configuration of the payout pulse command. This diagram shows the structure of the jackpot command. This diagram shows the details of the hall computer signal. This diagram shows the configuration of one command for illegally operating a gaming machine. This diagram shows the details of the configuration information. This diagram shows the configuration of the two commands for illegally operating a gaming machine. This diagram shows the details of the door information. This diagram shows the configuration of the three commands for illegally operating a gaming machine. This diagram shows the configuration of the main control status command. This diagram shows the configuration of error commands on the main control board. This is a diagram showing a list of errors on the main control board. This diagram shows the configuration of the gaming machine performance information (backup) command. This diagram shows a list of commands sent from the medal count control board to the main control board. This diagram shows the structure of the response command. This diagram shows the configuration of the frame-side information command. This figure shows an example of communication between the main control board and the medal count control board. This is a diagram illustrating the communication of information commands on the frame side. This flowchart shows the process when the main control board receives a command. This diagram shows the communication flow between the main control board and the medal count control board from the moment the power is turned on. This figure shows an example of communication when the serial number is correct. This figure shows an example of communication when a serial number mismatch error occurs. This diagram shows an example of communication that occurs when an error related to game tokens occurs. This diagram illustrates an example of communication occurring before the sending and receiving of gaming machine installation information commands. This figure shows an example of a timeout during power-on. This diagram illustrates the betting amount setting and settlement operations. This figure shows an example where a new betting order is set after the initial betting order setting operation, but before a response command is received. This diagram illustrates an example where a new settlement operation was performed before a response command was received after the previous settlement operation. This figure shows an example where a settlement operation was performed after the bet amount setting operation but before a response command was received. This figure shows an example where a new bet setting operation was performed after a settlement operation but before a response command was received. This diagram illustrates a sequential numbering error during the betting amount setting operation. This diagram illustrates a serial number error in the settlement process. This diagram explains the display control for the number of coins dispensed. This is a diagram showing the ratio monitor. This figure shows an example of the display on the role ratio monitor. This is a diagram illustrating the initialization process of the role ratio information. This figure shows the first example of the process when the connection to the CU is disconnected. This figure shows a second example of the process when the connection to the CU is disconnected. This figure shows a third example of the process when the connection to the CU is disconnected. This figure shows a fourth example of the process when the connection to the CU is disconnected. This is a diagram illustrating the specific type of performance. This is the address map of the memory area used by the main control unit. This diagram illustrates the register bank included in the CPU of the main control unit. This is a flowchart showing the startup process of the main control unit. This diagram illustrates the initial setup process performed by the main control board. This diagram illustrates the control details of the main processing performed by the main control board. This diagram illustrates the control process for RT information output processing performed by the main control board. This diagram illustrates the control process related to safety devices performed by the main control board. This is a diagram to explain the unit counting operation. This is a diagram to explain batch counting operations. This diagram shows an example of the state of each configuration when batch counting operations are performed consecutively. This is a diagram to explain the update display. This diagram shows an example of the state of each configuration when the connection to the CU is disconnected while batch counting operations are being performed continuously. This is a flowchart explaining the process for updating the credit indicator. This figure shows an example of the settings confirmation screen. This diagram illustrates the process that occurs when the connection to the CU is lost while the settings confirmation screen is being displayed. This diagram illustrates the process that occurs when the connection to the CU is lost while the settings confirmation screen is being displayed. This figure shows an example of the menu screen display. This diagram illustrates the process that occurs when the connection to the CU is lost while the menu screen is displayed. This figure shows an example of the settings change screen. This diagram illustrates the process that occurs when the connection to the CU is lost while the settings change screen is displayed.

An example of a slot machine, which is an example of a gaming machine according to the present invention, will be described below based on an embodiment.

Embodiment 1.
[Slot machine configuration]
Figure 1 is a front view of the card unit and slot machine.

Referring to Figure 1, each of the multiple gaming islands (not shown) arranged within the gaming hall is fitted with a slot machine (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as S-machine) 2. A card unit (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as CU), an example of a gaming device, is installed on a predetermined lateral position to each S-machine 2, corresponding to it on a one-to-one basis. The card unit is also referred to as a "gaming token dispensing device."

Machine S2 is a gaming machine in which players do not need to pick up tokens and insert them into a slot, nor are tokens dispensed to the player. Therefore, the game value is directly added to the credits (game points usable in the game (hereinafter also referred to as "game tokens" or simply "tokens")) in accordance with operations such as token dispensing.

Furthermore, unlike conventional slot machines, it not only lacks a coin slot and payout opening, but it also doesn't require devices to control inserted coins, such as coin selectors or hoppers. Such slot machines that require no coins at all are called "managed gaming machines" or "coinless slot machines."

Figure 1 shows the S-unit 2 as viewed from the front. Inside the S-unit 2, reels 2L, 2C, and 2R (hereinafter also referred to as the left reel, middle reel, and right reel) are arranged horizontally, each with multiple patterns arranged around its outer edge. Three consecutive patterns from these reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are positioned to be visible through the transparent window 3W.

Each reel, 2L, 2C, and 2R, is rotated by corresponding reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R, as shown in Figure 2. This causes the patterns on each reel (2L, 2C, and 2R) to be continuously displayed in the transparent window 3W. Furthermore, by stopping the rotation of each reel (2L, 2C, and 2R), three consecutive patterns are displayed in the transparent window 3W as the display result.

Inside reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, reel LEDs 55, as shown in Figure 2, are provided. The reel LEDs 55 illuminate reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, as shown in Figure 1, from the back. Furthermore, the reel LEDs 55 consist of 12 LEDs corresponding to the three consecutive patterns on reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, allowing each pattern to be illuminated independently.

The display area of the liquid crystal display 51 is positioned on the front side (player side) of each reel 2L, 2C, and 2R. The liquid crystal display 51 allows the player to see each reel 2L, 2C, and 2R through the transparent area and the transparent window 3W corresponding to the display area's transparent window 3W.

Figure 3 shows the arrangement of symbols on the reels. As shown in Figure 3, each reel has multiple types of recognizable symbols ("Character," "Black 7," "White 7," "BAR," "Replay," "Plum," "Cherry," "Watermelon," "Moon," and "Orange") arranged in a predetermined order.

The protruding portion 94 extends toward the front side of the S-unit 2. Because the protruding portion 94 extends toward the front side of the S-unit 2, an upper surface 95 is formed on the protruding portion 94. The upper surface 95 of the protruding portion 94 is provided with a game information display unit 90, a bet clear switch 21, a 1BET switch 20, a MAXBET switch 6, a performance switch 56, a credit indicator 11, and a counting button 10. Furthermore, a start switch 7 and stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are provided on the front side of the protruding portion 94. Note that the upper surface 95 may be an inclined surface that slopes gently from the back to the front, starting from a position below the transparent window 3W.

The start switch 7 is used to start the reels spinning after the bet amount has been set. The stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are used to stop the reels while they are spinning; 8L corresponds to the left reel, 8C to the middle reel, and 8R to the right reel. The counting button 10 is used to count the number of credits (game tokens) and convert them into the number of tokens held. Specifically, when the counting button 10 is pressed, the credits managed by machine S 2 are converted into tokens managed by machine CU 3.

Inside the front door of machine S2, a door open detection switch 25, as shown in Figure 2, is provided. The door open detection switch 25 detects the open state of the front door. Furthermore, a power supply box is provided inside the machine. On the front of the power supply box, a setting key switch 37 and a reset/setting switch 38, as shown in Figure 2, are provided. The setting key switch 37 switches between the setting change state and the setting confirmation state. In the setting change state, the setting change screen is displayed; in the setting confirmation state, the setting confirmation screen is displayed. The reset/setting switch 38 normally functions as a reset switch to clear error states and stop states, and in the setting change state, it functions as a setting switch to change the setting value of the winning probability (payout rate) of the internal lottery.

In this embodiment, of the three reels 2L, 2C, and 2R that begin to rotate, the first reel to stop is referred to as the first stop reel, and its stopping is referred to as the first stop. Similarly, the second reel to stop is referred to as the second stop reel, and its stopping is referred to as the second stop. The third reel to stop is referred to as the third stop reel, and its stopping is referred to as the third stop, final stop, or all reels stop.

Next, we will explain the game flow on S-machine 2. To play on S-machine 2, first, you must perform a dispensing operation on CU3 to secure credits (game tokens). This dispensing operation corresponds to the two-step operation in conventional token-paying slot machines: "dispensing tokens" and "manually inserting the dispensed tokens into the slot."

When the MAXBET switch 6 is operated while credits are available, the number of bets is increased to the maximum possible within the credit limit, and the number of credits is reduced by that amount. Once the bet is set, the winning lines L1 to L5, determined according to the bet and game state, become active, and the start switch 7 becomes active, meaning the game can be started.

Here, the winning line is a line set to determine whether the combination of symbols displayed in the transparent window 3W of each reel 2L, 2C, and 2R is a winning combination. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, five types of winning lines are defined: L1, which spans the symbols arranged in the middle row of each reel 2L, 2C, and 2R; L2, which spans the symbols arranged in the upper row of each reel 2L, 2C, and 2R; L3, which spans the symbols arranged in the lower row of each reel 2L, 2C, and 2R; L4, which spans the symbols arranged diagonally downwards to the right (upper row of reel 2L, middle row of reel 2C, and lower row of reel 2R); and L5, which spans the symbols arranged diagonally upwards to the right (lower row of reel 2L, middle row of reel 2C, and upper row of reel 2R).

When the game is ready to start, operating the start switch 7 causes reels 2L, 2C, and 2R to rotate, and the symbols on each reel change continuously. In this state, operating any of the stop switches 8L, 8C, or 8R stops the rotation of the corresponding reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, and the display result is shown in the transparent window 3W.

A game ends when all reels 2L, 2C, and 2R stop. A win occurs if a predetermined combination of symbols lands on any of the activated winning lines L1-L5 as the display result on reels 2L, 2C, and 2R. When a win occurs, the player is awarded points corresponding to that win. These points are added to the player's credits.

As described above, credits are counted and converted into tokens by operating the counting button 10. By converting them to tokens, players can record their token balance on a card at the end of the game.

In this embodiment, when the counting button 10 is pressed once, the number of credits counted varies depending on the duration of the button press. More specifically, for example, if the button is pressed for 500ms (0.5 seconds) or longer, 50 credits are counted. On the other hand, for example, if the button is pressed for less than 500ms (0.5 seconds), 1 credit is counted. The counting operation that counts 50 credits is called a "batch counting operation," and the counting operation that counts 1 credit is called a "single counting operation." Batch counting operations and single counting operations will be explained in detail later. The threshold for distinguishing between "batch counting operations" and "single counting operations" may be a time other than 500ms (0.5 seconds), for example, 300ms (0.3 seconds) or 700ms (0.7 seconds).

The top of the LCD display 51 is equipped with a credit display segment 7S and speakers 53 and 54. The credit display segment 7S is composed of five 7-segment units and displays the number of credits held by the player. Because the credit display segment 7S is located above the S machine 2, it can display the number of credits stored by the S machine 2 to players other than the one playing on the S machine 2, or to store staff. Speakers 53 and 54 emit sound effects and other sounds in accordance with the game's presentation.

As described above, the MAXBET switch 6 is used to set the bet to the maximum number. In other words, the MAXBET switch 6 is used to advance the game. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the MAXBET switch 6 is also used for visual effects. Specifically, when the same operation is performed on the MAXBET switch 6, the processing performed changes depending on whether the operation is valid or invalid. Thus, the MAXBET switch 6 is used for both game progression and visual effects.

The following explains the activation and deactivation operations of the MAXBET switch 6. Activating the MAXBET switch 6 is an operation performed on the MAXBET switch 6 in a situation where the number of bets can be set. A situation where the number of bets can be set is, for example, a period during which bets can be accepted, where "there is at least one credit remaining and a bet of less than three is set" or "there is at least one credit remaining and no bet has been set." When the MAXBET switch is operated in the situation where "there is at least one credit remaining and a bet of less than three is set on the BET counter," the number of bets will be set up to a maximum of three, equal to the remaining credits. When the MAXBET switch is operated in the situation where "there is at least one credit remaining and no bet has been set," the number of bets will be set up to a maximum of three, equal to the remaining credits. Thus, the MAXBET switch 6 is used as a switch for the progress of the game, where the number of bets is set when activated in a situation where the number of bets can be set.

On the other hand, an invalid operation of the MAXBET switch 6 is an operation performed on the MAXBET switch 6 in a situation where setting the number of bets is impossible. The situation where setting the number of bets is impossible includes "the period from the start to the end of the game." That is, during the period when the reels are spinning and the game is being played, operations on the MAXBET switch 6 are invalid operations. In this embodiment, on machine S 2, an operation prompting image encouraging the invalid operation of the MAXBET switch 6 may be displayed during the period when the reels are spinning. At this time, when the player invalidates the MAXBET switch 6, a performance is triggered that displays an image suggesting the degree of advantage. Thus, in this embodiment, the MAXBET switch 6 is used as a trigger for displaying a performance image when it is invalidated in a situation where setting the number of bets is impossible. In other words, the MAXBET switch 6 is used for the progress of the game during the period when valid operations are accepted, and for performances during the period when invalid operations are accepted. Furthermore, the display of images or other visuals suggesting the degree of advantage may be triggered not by the disabling operation of the MAXBET switch 6, but by the activation of the visual effect switch 56, or by the activation of either the disabling operation of the MAXBET switch 6 or the activation of the visual effect switch 56.

[Card Unit Configuration]
Referring to Figure 1, the configuration of the CU3 according to this embodiment will be explained. This CU3 accepts visitor cards (also called general cards), which are prepaid game storage media issued to general players who have not registered as members, and member cards, which are game storage media issued to member players who have registered as members at the game arcade. Visitor cards and member cards are made of IC cards.

The CU3, upon receiving these cards, has the function of converting the game value owned by the player (e.g., prepaid balance, number of balls or tokens, or stored balls/tokens) identified by the card's stored information into credits (number of game balls or tokens).

The front of the CU3 is equipped with a banknote slot 302 for inserting banknotes, a protruding section 305 that extends forward from the front of the device, and a card insertion/extraction slot 309 for inserting membership cards and visitor cards. Membership cards and visitor cards inserted into the card insertion/extraction slot 309 are received by a card reader/writer (not shown), and the information recorded on the card is read.

In the aforementioned protruding section 305, the side facing the player is provided with a display unit 312, a replay button 319 for performing a replay game using the member card ID (also simply called card ID or C-ID) recorded on the member card and the number of stored tokens (stored balls) identified by the member card ID, and an IR photosensitive unit 320 that receives infrared signals from a remote control (not shown) held by the arcade staff, converts them into electronic signals, and outputs them.

The display unit 312 can display the prepaid balance (also called the card balance or simply the balance), the number of tokens held, the number of credits (number of game tokens), and various other information recorded on the inserted game recording medium (card). Its surface is a transparent touch panel. Various operations can be input by touching the various display items on the display unit 312 with a finger.

When the "Hold Medal" button 324 is operated, a portion of the number of medals recorded on the inserted card is deducted and converted into credits (game medals). When the "Replay" button 319 is operated, if the inserted card contains a record of the player's acquired medals, a portion of those medals is deducted and converted into credits, allowing the player to play on machine S 2 based on the converted credits. Hereafter, the operation of the "Hold Medal" button 324 and the "Replay" button 319 will be referred to as "loan operations."

On the other hand, if the inserted card is a membership card and the number of tokens held is not stored, and the stored tokens are stored in the hall's management computer, then a portion of those stored tokens will be withdrawn and converted into credit, allowing gameplay on machine S2. In other words, if both stored tokens and held tokens are stored in association with the inserted card, the held tokens will be withdrawn preferentially. Furthermore, a separate button for withdrawing held tokens may be provided in addition to the replay button 319, making the replay button 319 a dedicated button for withdrawing stored tokens.

Here, "Credit Count (Number of Game Tokens)" refers to data that can be used to set the bet amount and can also be converted to "Number of Tokens Held." "Credit Count" is generated in exchange for deducting the balance from a prepaid card, the number of tokens held, or stored tokens.

"Number of tokens held" refers to the number of credits (game tokens) acquired by a player as a result of playing games on the gaming machine. This "number of tokens held" is stored specifically on the player's card. Alternatively, the number of tokens held may be managed by a token management device installed in the gaming facility.

"Stored medals (stored tokens)" refers to the number of medals a player has deposited at the arcade. The number of medals a player earns through gameplay is managed as their "held medals" for the day, but from the following day onward, it is managed as "stored medals." In other words, the number of credits (game medals) earned and counted by a player at the arcade on a given day is called their "points," while the number of medals earned by a player on previous days and deposited at the arcade is called their "stored medals." This "stored medal count" is generally managed by a hall management computer or other management computer installed at the arcade.

The conversion directions for the above data—"Balance," "Number of Stored Medals," "Number of Medals Held," and "Number of Credits (Number of Playing Medals)"—can be represented by arrows as follows: "Balance, Number of Stored Medals, Number of Medals Held" → "Number of Credits" → "Number of Medals Held" → "Number of Stored Medals."

In this embodiment, the number of stored tokens is not directly recorded on the member card, but is stored in a higher-level server, such as a hall management computer, in association with the member card number. The system is configured to allow retrieval of the corresponding number of stored tokens based on the member card number. On the other hand, the number of tokens held is directly recorded on the card.

However, both systems may store the card number and associated information on a higher-level server. In the case of visitor cards, the number of medals held is recorded directly on the visitor card. However, the number of medals held may also be stored on a higher-level server, associated with the card number. When storing this information on the higher-level server, data that identifies the time the information was stored on the higher-level server may be written to the card (member card, visitor card) before it is dispensed. Furthermore, the prepaid balance is written directly to the card (member card, visitor card) before it is dispensed.

The timing for storing the number of medals held on the card (member card, visitor card) or in the higher-level server is, for example, when the counting button 10 is operated and the counting process is performed. However, instead, the number may be stored all at once when the card is returned.

Furthermore, when a player finishes playing and returns their card from the CU3, the tokens they had stored in the CU3 may be temporarily stored as tokens in the hall server. If the player inserts the card again into the same or a different CU3 on the same day they received the card back, only the tokens they had for that day (which were temporarily stored as tokens) may be stored again in that CU3. Credits may then be added within the limits of those tokens, allowing the player to continue playing.

Banknotes inserted into the banknote slot 302 are taken in by a currency identifier (not shown) and their authenticity and type are identified.

On the front of the CU3, there is also a card return button 322. The card return button 322 is operated when the player finishes playing, and it stores the final number of tokens held at the end of the game (number of tokens held at the time of card insertion - number of tokens converted to credits + number counted by the counting operation) on the inserted card before ejecting it.

As explained above, according to the S-machine 2 of this embodiment, the number of tokens held, as identified by the card, is converted into credits (number of game tokens), and furthermore, the number of credits can be used to set the bet amount. Therefore, it is possible to provide a new type of slot machine (managed game machine) that does not use tokens, without confusing players who are accustomed to conventional slot machines where tokens are lent, those tokens are inserted to secure credits, and then the bet amount is set using those credits.

[Internal configuration of the card unit and slot machine]
Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the card unit and slot machine. Referring to Figure 2, the schematic of the control circuit between CU3 and S machine 2 will be explained.

The CU3 is equipped with a CU control board 32, which in turn houses a CU control unit 323 composed of a microcomputer and other components. This CU control unit 323 is the main control function unit of the CU3 and includes a CPU as the control center, ROM for storing programs and control data necessary for the CPU's operation, RAM for functioning as the CPU's work area, and input/output interfaces for maintaining signal consistency with peripheral devices.

The CU control unit 323 is equipped with an external output terminal (not shown) for communication with the hall management computer and the hall server for security management. The CU 3 transmits its status and the gaming machine status information received from the S machine 2 to external devices such as the hall management computer and the hall server for security management via the external output terminal. The CU control unit 323 communicates with the medal count control board 17 and the main control board 16 of the S machine 2 via the communication control IC 325. Communication between the communication control IC 325 and the medal count control board 17 is performed via asynchronous serial communication through the connection terminal board 1000. Similarly, communication between the communication control IC 325 and the main control board 16 is performed via asynchronous serial communication through the connection terminal board 1000.

The main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17 each receive a signal from the CU control board 32 to determine that the S-unit 2 and CU 3 are connected. Furthermore, if the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17 do not receive a signal from the CU control board 32 for a predetermined period, they each determine that the S-unit 2 and CU 3 are not connected. Hereafter, the state in which the S-unit 2 and CU 3 are not connected may be referred to as the "disconnected state." In this way, the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17 each receive a signal that allows them to determine the connection status of the S-unit 2 and CU 3. Therefore, in this embodiment, the fact that CU 3 is not connected to the S-unit 2 can be quickly detected by both the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17.

Communication between the CU control unit 323 and the medal count control board 17 is bidirectional, exchanging loan information (information regarding the operation to withdraw the balance stored on the inserted card and use it for gameplay on the S machine 2) and loan response information (response information to the loan information). Other information, such as counting information (information regarding the counting process from credit to held medals) and game machine information, is communicated unidirectionally from the medal count control board 17 to the CU control unit 323. Therefore, the S machine 2 does not recognize whether the CU 3 has received the counting information and game machine information. The CU 3 has a connection to the S machine 2, and the S machine 2 has a connection to the CU 3. These connection parts are, for example, made up of connectors.

The CU control unit 323 manages and stores the player's tokens while they are playing. The display unit 312 displays images corresponding to data such as the balance or number of tokens output from the CU control unit 323. Furthermore, when the player operates the touch panel on the surface of the display unit 312, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323. When the player performs a token dispensing operation, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323. When the player operates the card return button 322, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323.

Machine S2 is equipped with a main control board 16 that controls the progress of gameplay on Machine S2, a medal count control board 17 that controls the credits owned by the player, an effect control board 15 that controls the effects according to the game state, and a power supply board 101. The power supply board 101 generates the power to drive the electrical components that make up Machine S2 and supplies it to each part.

The power supply board 101 is supplied with AC 100V power from an external source. This AC 100V power supply generates the DC voltage necessary to drive the electrical components constituting the S unit 2, which is then supplied to the main control board 16, the medal count control board 17, and the performance control board 15.

The medal count control board 17 is equipped with a medal count control unit 171, which is a microcomputer for payout control. The medal count control unit 171 includes a CPU 171a as the control center, a ROM 171b that stores programs and control data for the operation of the CPU 171a, a RAM 171c that functions as a work area for the CPU 171a, and input/output interfaces to maintain signal consistency with peripheral devices.

The medal count control board 17 is connected to a RAM clear switch 293 for erasing information stored in the RAM 171c, and a door open detection switch 25. Detection signals from these connected switches are input to the board. Additionally, a counting button 10 is connected to the medal count control board 17, and a detection signal from the counting button 10 is input to the board.

In this embodiment, the counting button 10 is configured such that, when the CU 3 and the S unit 2 are not connected, it does not output a signal to the medal count control board 17 even if it receives an operation from the player. The hardware configuration of the counting button 10 is such that power can only be supplied from the power supply board 101 when the CU 3 and the S unit 2 are connected. More specifically, for example, power is supplied to the counting button 10 only when the appropriate terminal is connected to the connector provided on the S unit 2 for connecting to the CU 3 and when signals are being exchanged. This allows the counting button 10 to be quickly disabled when the CU 3 and the S unit 2 become disconnected. In other words, it is possible to prevent, from a hardware perspective, from incorrect counting processing occurring when the counting button 10 is operated while disconnected.

The medal count control board 17 is connected to a payout ratio monitor 89, and its display is controlled by the medal count control unit 171. Furthermore, the medal count control board 17 is connected to a backup memory 294, which backs up the payout ratio information that the medal count control board 17 displays on the payout ratio monitor 89.

The payout ratio monitor 89 typically displays numerical values indicating the performance of the slot machine (hereinafter also referred to as "payout ratio information"). These numerical values include, for example, the payout ratio of bonus items (including instructions) to the total cumulative payout, the payout ratio of consecutive bonus items over the past 6000 games, the payout ratio of bonus items over the past 6000 games, the payout ratio of consecutive bonus items to the total cumulative payout, the payout ratio of bonus items to the total cumulative payout, and the payout status ratio of bonus items to the total cumulative payout. Further details regarding this information will be explained later.

The main control board 16 is equipped with a game control microcomputer, which is the main control unit 161. The main control unit 161 includes a CPU 161a as the control center, a ROM 161b that stores programs and control data for the operation of the CPU 161a, a RAM 161c that functions as the work area for the CPU 161a, and input/output interfaces to maintain signal consistency with peripheral devices.

The main control board 16 is connected to reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R, which are driven based on the control of the main control unit 161. The main control board 16 is also connected to a setting key switch 37, a reset/setting switch 38, and a start switch 7, and receives detection signals from these connected switches. Furthermore, the main control board 16 is connected to a game assistance display 12, whose display is controlled by the main control unit 161.

Furthermore, the main control board 16 is connected via the relay board 1100 to the following switches: a bet clear switch 21, a 1-BET switch 20, stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, a MAXBET switch 6, and a door open detection switch 25. Detection signals from these connected switches are input to the main control board 16. Additionally, the 1-3 BET LEDs 14-16 are connected to the main control board 16 via the relay board 1100, and their display is controlled by the main control unit 161. If the main control unit 161 detects that the MAXBET switch 6 has been operated during the period for accepting invalidation operations of the MAXBET switch 6, it sends an operation command indicating that the MAXBET switch 6 has been invalidated to the performance control unit 151.

The performance control board 15 is equipped with a performance control unit 151, which is a performance control microcomputer. The performance control unit 151 includes a CPU 151a as the control center, a ROM 151b that stores programs and control data for the operation of the CPU 151a, a RAM 151c that functions as the work area for the CPU 151a, and input/output interfaces to maintain signal consistency with peripheral devices.

The performance control board 15 is connected to a performance switch 56, and receives detection signals from the performance switch 56. Furthermore, the performance control board 15 is connected to various performance devices, including a liquid crystal display 51, performance effect LEDs 52, speakers 53 and 54, reel LEDs 55, and credit display segments 7S. These performance devices are driven based on control from the performance control unit 151.

Furthermore, a light intensity/volume adjustment board 111 is connected to the performance control board 15. Switches for adjusting light intensity and volume are connected to the light intensity/volume adjustment board 111, and detection signals from these switches are input to the performance control board 15 via the light intensity/volume adjustment board 111.

The main control unit 161 transmits various commands to the performance control unit 151. Commands transmitted from the main control unit 161 to the performance control unit 151 are sent in one direction only; no commands are sent from the performance control unit 151 back to the main control unit 161. The performance control unit 151 receives the commands transmitted from the main control unit 161 and performs various controls necessary for the performance.

The medal count control unit 171 transmits various commands to the main control unit 161. The main control unit 161 also transmits various commands to the medal count control unit 171. In other words, communication between the medal count control unit 171 and the main control unit 161 is bidirectional. Furthermore, the medal count control board 17 supplies backup power to the main control board 16.

The medal count control unit 171 stores the credits in a predetermined area of the RAM 171c. Specifically, the number of credits is stored in the credit counter. During credit addition or subtraction processing, the medal count control unit 171 updates the credits stored in the predetermined area of the RAM 171c.

The set bet amount is stored in a designated area of RAM 161c. Specifically, the set bet amount is stored as a BET counter. The game becomes ready to start when the value stored in the BET counter is "3". Hereafter, the value stored in the BET counter may simply be referred to as the "bet amount".

As described above, a medal-less slot machine, which does not require tokens, is equipped with a token count control board 17. The functions related to token insertion and payout, which are typically found in conventional slot machines, are centralized on this board. Furthermore, while conventional slot machines that require tokens need to include devices related to token insertion and payout, such as token selectors and hoppers, such devices are unnecessary in a medal-less slot machine.

Furthermore, by configuring a coinless slot machine as in this embodiment, it is possible to share components with conventional slot machines. Specifically, since the function of updating credits (functions related to inserting and dispensing medals) is concentrated on the medal count control board 17, a conventional slot machine can be configured by replacing the medal count control board 17 of the coinless slot machine. When configuring a conventional slot machine, the medal count control board 17 should be equipped with functions related to inserting and dispensing medals, and devices related to inserting and dispensing medals, such as medal selectors and hoppers, should be connected to the medal count control board 17. This configuration allows for compatibility with conventional slot machines, and the commonality of components can reduce costs in the design and manufacturing of slot machines.

When the main control unit 161 receives a detection signal from the start switch 7, it rotates the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R and simultaneously conducts a lottery for the winning combination.

The types of winning combinations are determined according to the game state, but they can be broadly categorized into special combinations that lead to a transition to a Big Bonus (BB) or Regular Bonus (RB), minor combinations that result in a payout of medals, and replay combinations that allow the next game to start without requiring a bet setting.

The main control unit 161 draws the winning combinations, drives the reels to rotate, and then waits for the player to stop the reels. When any of the stop switches 8L, 8C, or 8R are operated, the main control unit 161 stops the rotation of the reel corresponding to that stop switch 8L, 8C, or 8R. The main control unit 161 stops the three symbols and performs a winning combination determination process to determine whether a winning combination has been achieved. If a winning combination is determined, the player is awarded a number of credits corresponding to the type of winning combination. The power supply board 101 is connected to a power-on switch 102, and the detection signal from the power-on switch 102 is input to it.

In this embodiment, "game" refers to the period from when the start switch 7 is operated until reels 2L, 2C, and 2R stop. The period from when the start switch 7 is operated until reels 2L, 2C, and 2R stop may be referred to as a "unit game" or "one game." Furthermore, during gameplay, the bet amount is set before operating the start switch 7, and after reels 2L, 2C, and 2R stop, medal payouts and transitions to game states also occur; therefore, these incidental processes are also broadly included in the definition of "game."

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the operation of the MAXBET switch 6 and the 1BET switch 20 may be referred to as "betting amount setting operation," the operation of the start switch 7 may be referred to as "unit game start operation," the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R may be referred to as "stop operation," the operation of the counting button 10 may be referred to as "counting operation," the operation of the retained token button 324 and the replay button 319 may be referred to as "lending operation," and the operation of the card return button 322 may be referred to as "return operation."

Furthermore, machine S2 has a configuration where the payout rate of medals changes depending on the setting value. Specifically, the payout rate of medals changes by using the winning probability corresponding to the setting value in the internal lottery, which affects the player's advantage. The setting value consists of six levels, from 1 to 6, with 6 having the highest payout rate, and the payout rate decreasing in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 as the value decreases. In other words, when the setting value is 6, the player has the greatest advantage, and the advantage decreases in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 as the value decreases.

To change the setting value, the setting key switch 37 must be turned ON before turning on the power to unit S 2. When the setting key switch 37 is turned ON and the power is turned ON, the setting value read from RAM 161c is displayed on the setting value indicator, and the system transitions to a setting change state where the setting value can be changed by operating the reset/setting switch 38. In the setting change state, when the reset/setting switch 38 is operated, the displayed value on the setting value indicator is updated by 1 (if the value is changed from setting value 6, it returns to setting value 1). Then, when the start switch 7 is operated, the displayed value is confirmed as the setting value. When the setting key switch 37 is turned OFF, the confirmed displayed value (setting value) is stored in the RAM 161c of the main control unit 161, and the system transitions to a state where gameplay can proceed. Furthermore, setting the setting key switch 37 to a specific state transitions the system to a setting confirmation state where the setting value can be checked.

[state transition]
Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the transitions in game states. As shown in Figure 4, the states managed by the main control unit 161 include game states related to the payout rate.

The game states include non-internal state, internal state, and Big Bonus (BB). The internal state is a state where the game can proceed and the payout rate of medals based on predetermined design values is guaranteed. In this embodiment, machine S2 is designed to allow players to play most games in the internal state.

On the other hand, the "non-internal" state is a state where the player does not play, or if they do play, the duration is extremely short. In the non-internal state, if a player wins a Big Bonus (BB) and fails to claim the BB prize, the game state transitions to the "internal" state from the next game. In other words, the "internal" state is a state where the BB win has been carried over.

In both non-internal and internal modes, games in which a Big Bonus (BB) can be won (hereinafter also referred to as "BB-winning games") may occur. Specifically, in non-internal modes, if the BB symbol combination can be derived in a game where a BB is won by operating stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, a BB is won. In this case, the game state is controlled to BB mode from the next game onward. In other words, in non-internal modes, a game in which a BB is won becomes a BB-winning game.

Internally, the BB win is carried over. If a BB and a minor win occur simultaneously, the reel control prioritizes the minor win symbol combination. Furthermore, if the minor win is a win that cannot be missed, in a game where a BB and a minor win occur simultaneously, regardless of the operation of stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, the minor win will always be awarded, and the BB cannot be awarded. Similarly, if a BB and a re-spin win occur simultaneously, the reel control prioritizes the re-spin symbol combination. Generally, re-spin wins are wins that cannot be missed, so in a game where a BB and a re-spin win occur simultaneously, regardless of the operation of stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, the re-spin win will always be awarded, and the BB cannot be awarded. Therefore, within the internal system, only games that result in a loss in the internal lottery (games where no winning combination is achieved) will result in a BB (Big Bonus) win if the combination of symbols for BB can be derived by operating stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R. In this case, the game state will be controlled to BB from the next game onward. In other words, within the internal system, games that result in a loss in the internal lottery become games where a BB win is possible.

During a Big Bonus (BB), the BB game continues for a predetermined number of games (for example, 60 games). However, since the payout rate during the BB is approximately 101%, the net increase in tokens is minimal. Therefore, for the player, the BB is simply a state where they complete a predetermined number of games (for example, 60 games). Once the BB ends, the game returns to a non-internal state.

The internal states include a normal section and an advantageous section. The normal section is a state where navigation is not performed and navigation information cannot be notified (non-notification state). The advantageous section is a state where navigation can be performed and navigation information can be notified (notification state). In this embodiment, within the advantageous section, navigation is not performed during the normal advantageous section, but navigation can be performed during the high probability state, AT1 state, AT2 state, and ending state. While navigation may also be performed during the normal advantageous section, the probability of navigation being performed to award the main character upon winning a specific combination is higher in the high probability state, AT1 state, AT2 state, and ending state than in the normal advantageous section. Thus, navigation is performed with a higher probability in the high probability state, AT1 state, AT2 state, and ending state than in the normal advantageous section.

In the normal section, the game state is controlled to the advantageous section when the advantageous section transition lottery is won (advantageous section win). In this embodiment, since winning most of the possible winning combinations during normal play is a condition for winning the advantageous section, the duration of normal gameplay is approximately 1 game. Note that the condition for winning the advantageous section may also be met when any of the possible winning combinations during normal play are won.

In the normal section, since no navigation is performed in games where a button sequence is won, the net increase in tokens that the player can earn per game will be 0 or negative, considering the number of tokens used to set the bet. The net increase in tokens per game is the number of tokens paid out per game minus the number of tokens used to set the bet per game. In this embodiment, the normal payout rate is set to 40%. Thus, under normal circumstances, the payout rate is 1 or less (100% or less) or less than 1 (less than 100%).

The advantageous period includes the normal advantageous period, high probability state, AT1 state, AT2 state, and ending state. In the normal advantageous period, since navigation is not performed in games where a button sequence is won, the net increase in tokens per game that the player can acquire will be 0 or negative, considering the number of tokens used to set the bet. In this embodiment, the payout rate in the normal advantageous period is set to 40%. Thus, in the normal advantageous period, the payout rate is 1 or less (100% or less) or less than 1 (less than 100%).

In this embodiment, the AT1 state ends after a predetermined number of games have been played. That is, as shown in the figure, the game transitions to the normal section. The predetermined number of games in the AT1 state can increase by winning specific symbols (for example, watermelon or strong cherry). In other words, in this embodiment, winning specific symbols (watermelon or strong cherry) increases the player's advantage.

During the normal advantageous period, processes such as lotteries related to control to the high probability state and AT1 state are performed. During the normal advantageous period, the main control unit 161 performs a lottery for AT1 state through a point acquisition lottery. Points updated through the point acquisition lottery are managed by the main control unit 161. The main control unit 161 is equipped with an internal point counter (not shown) for counting points. Furthermore, when the value of the point counter reaches a predetermined value, the main control unit 161 performs an AT lottery to determine whether or not to control to the AT1 state. The main control unit 161 may also perform an AT lottery based on the winning of a specific symbol (watermelon, strong cherry) without using points. The high probability state is a state in which the number of points awarded is greater than during the normal advantageous period. In other words, the high probability state is a state in which it is easier to transition to the AT1 state than during the normal advantageous period.

Control to the AT2 state can occur when in the normal or high-probability advantageous zone. The AT2 state is a so-called pseudo-bonus where the player can increase the net number of coins they can acquire by following the navigation. A win that directly controls the AT2 state from the normal or high-probability advantageous zone without going through the AT1 state is also called a "direct pseudo-bonus win." Similarly, a win that controls the AT2 state from the AT1 state is also called a "pseudo-bonus win." In a pseudo-bonus, navigation is performed in the game in which the button sequence is won, so the net number of coins the player can acquire per game will be positive, even considering the number of coins used to set the bet.

During the advantageous period, the game is controlled to the ending state when the total number of medals acquired during the advantageous period reaches a predetermined number of medals required for the ending transition. The number of acquired medals is the number of medals awarded to the player during the advantageous period minus the number of medals used by the player. In this embodiment, the number of acquired medals is counted using a difference count value, which will be explained in detail later. The number of acquired medals during the advantageous period is the value obtained by subtracting the number of medals used by the player from the number of medals awarded to the player through winning, from the start of control to the advantageous period. The ending state is a state in which it is confirmed that control to the advantageous period will continue until the total number of acquired medals during the advantageous period reaches the upper limit (for example, 2400 medals).

The number of ED transition tokens is set when transitioning from the normal section to the advantageous section. The number of ED transition tokens may be determined by lottery or predetermined. The number of ED transition tokens is managed by the main control unit 161. Specifically, the RAM 161c of the main control unit 161 stores the number of ED transition tokens. The main control unit 161 cumulatively counts the number of ED transition tokens and terminates the advantageous section according to the counting process.

When the limiter condition is met during the advantageous period, the game switches from the advantageous period back to the normal period. More specifically, when the number of medals acquired during the advantageous period reaches 2400, the advantageous period ends and the game switches back to the normal period. The number of medals acquired during the advantageous period is counted by a counter stored in RAM 161c. The "limiter condition" is referred to as meeting the limiter condition when the number of medals acquired during the advantageous period reaches the upper limit.

Thus, the advantageous period includes an ending state that is favorable to the player. The main control unit 161 controls the game to enter the ending state when it determines that the number of acquired medals is greater than 2300. This makes it easier to continue the advantageous period when the number of acquired medals exceeds 2300.

When the game switches from the advantageous period to the normal period, the number of medals earned during the advantageous period, as well as the points that can be earned during gameplay, are reset. The number of medals earned during the advantageous period is updated not only during the advantageous period but also during Big Bonus (BB), but not during the normal period.

In this embodiment, machine S2 changes the payout rate of medals according to a set value. Specifically, the payout rate of medals changes by varying the winning probability in predetermined lotteries, such as point acquisition lotteries, according to the set value (for example, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6). Employees of the amusement parlor can change this set value by changing the settings.

Thus, the conditions for transitioning from the advantageous period to the normal period include limiter conditions and arbitrary termination conditions that are met based on the progress of the game, as well as the condition of a setting change.

Furthermore, in the S-machine 2 of this embodiment, an upper limit on the number of games is set during the normal advantageous period. Upon reaching the predetermined upper limit of games during the normal advantageous period, AT rights are granted, which forcibly transition to AT1 state regardless of the reached point. The upper limit of games during the normal advantageous period is, for example, 1280 games. This upper limit is referred to as the "ceiling." The main control unit 161 has a lottery counter in the RAM 161c to determine whether the ceiling has been reached. That is, the main control unit 161 stores the number of games played during the normal advantageous period in the lottery counter within the RAM 161c. The main control unit 161 increments the value of the lottery counter each time a game is played during the normal advantageous period. For example, if the upper limit of games during the normal advantageous period is set to 700 games, when the value of the lottery counter reaches 700, the main control unit 161 grants AT rights. The upper limit of games during the normal advantageous period is not limited to 700 games; for example, it may be 1280 games.

[Award winners]
Figures 5 to 8 are diagrams illustrating the types of winning combinations, the symbol combinations for those combinations, and the rewards given upon winning. The name column in Figures 5 to 8 shows the name of the winning combination, and the symbol combination column shows the symbol combination that results in that winning combination. The reward column shows the value given upon winning (number of medals dispensed, number of replays granted, etc.).

As shown in Figure 5, the replay bonus features are Replay 1 to Replay 6. As shown in Figure 6, the special bonus feature is Big Bonus (BB). As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the minor bonus features are Plum 1 to 6, Watermelon, and Single Coin Bonus 1 to 33. Plum 1 to 6 are the main bonus features that can be won when a specific button sequence is achieved, and when won, 9 coins are paid out, which is more than the number of coins used in the bet (3 coins). Plum 1 to 6 are collectively referred to as the "Plum Bonus." Single Coin Bonus 1 to 33 are secondary bonus features that can be won when a specific button sequence is achieved, and when won, 1 coin is paid out, which is less than the number of coins used in the bet (3 coins). Single Coin Bonus 1 to 33 are collectively referred to as the "Single Coin Bonus." Note that, as shown in Figures 5 to 8, the maximum number of coins awarded upon winning is 8, but other numbers such as 15 coins may also be awarded.

As shown in Figure 7, when the "Character-Character-Black 7" combination, which results in a single-coin payout (22), is generated on reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, three character symbols are arranged in a row on the reels. Specifically, when a character symbol is generated in the lower position of the left reel 2L, the middle position of the middle reel 2C, and the upper position of the right reel 2R, the character symbols are arranged in an upward-sloping pattern. This arrangement of character symbols is also referred to as a "character alignment."

As shown in Figure 8, when the combination of symbols that results in a single-coin payout of 23 is "Character-Character-Plum" or "Character-Plum-Plum" on reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, three 7 symbols are arranged in a row on the reels. Specifically, when a 7 symbol is derived in the upper row of the left reel 2L, the upper row of the middle reel 2C, and the upper row of the right reel 2R, three 7 symbols are arranged in a row on the upper row. This arrangement of three 7 symbols is also called a "7-of-a-kind."

[Eligible for drawing]
Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the combinations of winning combinations that are read out as eligible combinations for each game state. In Figure 9, the combination number column shows the combination number assigned to each eligible combination, the flag category column shows the flag category assigned to each type of eligible combination, the eligible combination column shows its name, the game state column indicates with a circle that the eligible combination is eligible for the draw for each game state, and the advantageous section win column shows whether or not an advantageous section has been won. In addition, the winning combination combination column in Figure 9 shows the combinations of winning combinations included in each eligible combination.

As shown in Figure 9, Big Bonus (BB) is included as a target for special bonus draws. The target for replay draws are regular replays, 7-aligned replays, 7-unaligned replays, character-aligned replays, and character-unaligned replays. The target for minor bonus draws are common plum, 213-choice draws A-D, 231-choice draws A-D, 312-choice draws A-D, 321-choice draws A-D, watermelon, 7-aligned 1-coin 1, 2, character-aligned 1-coin, weak cherry, strong cherry, and chance symbols A, B. During BB, minor bonuses include BB minor bonuses and BB 1-coin. Note that 213-choice draws A-D, 231-choice draws A-D, 312-choice draws A-D, and 321-choice draws A-D are types of push-order draws because navigation may be executed when they are won. The combinations 213-choice A-D, 231-choice A-D, 312-choice A-D, and 321-choice A-D are collectively referred to as "ordered bells." Also, the combinations 1 and 2 of the "7-of-a-kind" are collectively referred to as "7-of-a-kind."

In non-internal states, all winning combinations except for minor BB wins and single BB wins are possible. However, in internal states, since the BB win has already been carried over, BB, minor BB wins, and single BB wins are impossible to win.

Flag categories are assigned to each role in all three states: non-internal, internal, and BB. While role numbers are determined for each role being drawn, flag categories are assigned to each type of role being drawn. Therefore, the number of flag categories is less than the number of role numbers. Furthermore, point acquisition lotteries in the normal advantageous section and bonus lotteries in the advantageous section (hereinafter collectively referred to as "lotteries related to AT control") are both conducted based on flag categories. This reduces the processing burden compared to conducting these AT state control lotteries based on role numbers.

In this embodiment, flag categories are assigned to both misses and Big Bonuses (BB). BB is assigned FC1, the same as other symbols like regular replays. The common plum is assigned FC4, the same as the watermelon.

[Reel control for button press sequence]
Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating the reel control when a specific combination of buttons is won. As mentioned above, in this embodiment, when a specific combination of buttons is won in the advantageous section, a navigation system is executed and the correct procedure is notified to the player. By operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the correct procedure according to the navigation system, the player can win a prize that is advantageous to them (the main prize).

For example, as shown in Figure 10, in a game where one of the 213-choice combinations A-D, 231-choice combinations A-D, 312-choice combinations A-D, or 321-choice combinations A-D is won, the main prize, the plum, is awarded when stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are operated using the correct procedure, while the secondary prize, the single-coin combination, is awarded when stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are operated using the incorrect procedure. Note that if the single-coin combination is missed when stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are operated using the incorrect procedure, no prize may be awarded at all.

The "normal procedure" is not set as the "correct procedure," while the "irregular procedure" can be set as the "correct procedure." That is, in games where the player wins one of the 213-choice roles A-D, 231-choice roles A-D, 312-choice roles A-D, or 321-choice roles A-D, as long as the player operates the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R using the normal procedure, they will not be able to win the main prize, the plum role. This could potentially encourage the player to operate the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R using the irregular procedure, but in this embodiment, operating the irregular procedure in games where no navigation is performed will result in an unfavorable penalty for the player. Therefore, the player is encouraged to operate the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R using the normal procedure in games where no navigation is performed.

Figure 11 shows the game start commands that the main control unit 161 sends to the performance control unit 151 when the start switch 7 is operated. When the start switch 7 is operated (start operation), the main control unit 161 executes an internal lottery process and, according to the result of the internal lottery process, sends a set of commands containing predetermined information to the performance control unit 151. Hereafter, the command group No. 1 to No. 13 shown in Figure 11 will simply be referred to as the "game start commands." The main control unit 161 sends each command as a game start command in the order of No. 1 to No. 13. Each command is assigned a serial number, similar to its No., as a "setting serial number." Each command stores various information managed by the main control unit 161.

For example, command No. 2, "Instruction Number," stores information related to navigation. Specifically, command No. 2 stores information that allows for the identification of the button press order during gameplay when the start switch 7 is operated. More precisely, command "Instruction Number" stores information indicating the order in which stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are pressed. When the performance control unit 151 receives command No. 2, "Instruction Number," it executes a navigation display on the liquid crystal display 51 based on the operation procedure identifiable from the command "Instruction Number." Furthermore, the performance control unit 151 outputs a sound from speaker 53 to inform the player of the operation procedure identifiable from the command "Instruction Number."

For example, the command No. 3, "Minor Role Type," stores information that allows for the identification of whether the role won by the internal lottery is a minor role, a re-play role, or a special role. Furthermore, the command No. 6, "Section State," stores information that allows for the identification of which of the internal states shown in Figure 4 the game in which the start switch 7 was operated is currently in. Specifically, the command No. 6, "Section State," stores information indicating whether the currently controlled state is a normal section, an advantageous section, and further, within the advantageous section, whether it is a normal advantageous section, a high probability state, an AT1 state, an AT2 state, or an ending state. Based on receiving the command No. 6, "Section State," the performance control unit 151 can identify which section state the game in which the start switch 7 was operated is in. Also, the command No. 4, "Payout State," may also store information that allows for the identification of the game state of the game in which the start switch 7 was operated. Command No. 9, "ART Pre-announcement Game Count," stores the number of games in the AT continuous performance. Command No. 10, "Points," in the commands at the start of the game, stores the number of points earned in the previous game. Furthermore, command No. 11, "Winning Number," stores information that identifies the winning number of the role won through internal lottery.

Furthermore, when the main control unit 161 transmits a game start command, it stores information indicating that a medal has been bet in command No. 12, "Insert Medal". If information indicating that a medal has been bet is stored in command No. 12, "Insert Medal," the performance control unit 151 can determine that it has received a game start command.

Figure 12 shows the game end command that the main control unit 161 transmits to the performance control unit 151 when the machine stops for the third time. The main control unit 161 transmits the command group from No. 1 to No. 13 to the performance control unit 151 in the order of No. 1 to No. 13, not only when the start switch 7 is operated, but also when the stop switch stops for the third time. Hereafter, the command group from No. 1 to No. 13 shown in Figure 12 will simply be referred to as the "game end command." Note that among the commands transmitted at the third stop, No. 11 differs from the command No. 11 transmitted when the start switch 7 is operated. No. 11 is a command that stores information related to winning a prize. That is, at the third stop, the main control unit 161 transmits information related to winning a prize, not information related to the winning number.

In the game end command, command No. 10, "Points," stores the number of points acquired in the point acquisition lottery process at the third stop, which will be described later. Furthermore, when the main control unit 161 transmits the game end command, it stores information indicating that the reels have stopped in command No. 13, "Stop Reels." If command No. 13, "Stop Reels," contains information indicating that the reels have stopped, the performance control unit 151 can determine that it has received the game end command. That is, the performance control unit 151 determines whether the received command group is a game start command or a game end command based on command No. 12, "Insert Coins," and command No. 13, "Stop Reels." When the main control unit 161 transmits a game start command, it does not need to transmit command No. 13, "Stop Reels," and when transmitting a game end command, it does not need to transmit command No. 12, "Insert Coins."

[Transmission and reception methods between the main control board and the medal count control board]
The transmission and reception methods between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17 will now be described. Command-based communication takes place between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17. The main control board 16 sends a predetermined command to the medal count control board 17 each time an event occurs. Events include the start switch 7 being pressed, the 1BET switch 20 or MAXBET switch 6 being pressed, and all reels stopping.

The medal count control board 17 transmits a response command to the main control board 16 if the command transmitted from the main control board 16 requires a predetermined response. For example, when machine S 2 is installed in the gaming hall and electrically connected, and the power is turned on, the main control board 16 transmits a gaming machine installation information command, including the main chip ID (main control chip ID), to the medal count control board 17. Even after that, when the power is turned on, the main control board 16 transmits gaming machine installation information, including the main chip ID (main control chip ID), to the medal count control board 17. In other words, when the power to machine S 2 is turned on, the main control board 16 transmits a gaming machine installation information command, which allows the main chip ID (a unique piece of information held by the main control board 16) to the medal count control board 17.

Both the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17 transmit commands with a "serial number" attached. Both the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17 also store the received "serial numbers." In machine S 2, attaching a "serial number" to commands prevents unauthorized operation by those attempting to illegally acquire medals (hereinafter referred to as "fraudulents"). Unauthorized operation refers to, for example, an operation that alters the commands transmitted and received between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17, or an operation in which the fraudulent person controls the main control board 16 or the medal count control board 17. A fraudulent person might perform unauthorized operation, for example, by connecting a device that executes unauthorized operation (hereinafter referred to as an unauthorized device) to the main control board 16 or the medal count control board 17.

The initial and increment values of the "serial number" are determined by the medal count control board 17 and the main control board 16, respectively. The medal count control board 17 determines the initial and increment values of the "serial number" based on the game machine installation information command received from the main control board 16. The main chip ID included in the game machine installation information command contains a 4-byte chip-specific number register. Each byte in the main chip ID stores a hexadecimal chip-specific value. The medal count control board 17 calculates a total value by adding the hexadecimal values stored in each byte of the main chip ID. The medal count control board 17 determines the initial value of the "serial number" by converting the value indicated by the lower two bytes of the calculated total value into a decimal number.

For example, if the total value is "189h" (the "h" at the end indicates that "189" is a hexadecimal number), the initial value in the serial number will be the decimal representation of "89h". That is, the initial value in the "serial number" will be "137".

Furthermore, the medal count control board 17 divides the initial value by a predetermined number. If the predetermined number is, for example, "5," the remainders resulting from the division will be of four types: "0," "1," "2," "3," and "4." The medal count control board 17 stores predetermined addition values corresponding to these four types of remainders. For example, the medal count control board 17 stores "7" for "0," "11" for "1," "13" for "2," "19" for "3," and "23" for "4." After dividing the initial value by the predetermined number, the medal count control board 17 uses the stored value corresponding to the remainder of the division as the addition value.

For example, when the initial value "137" is divided by 5, the remainder is "2". As mentioned above, the medal count control board 17 stores "13" corresponding to the remainder "2" from the division. Therefore, the medal count control board 17 determines the added value in the serial number to be "13". In this way, the medal count control board 17 generates the initial value and added value of the serial number to determine whether the command transmitted from the main control board 16 is valid, based on the main chip ID identified from the game machine installation information command. The main control board 16 also generates the initial value and added value by performing a similar calculation. As a result, the same initial value and added value are stored in both the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17.

As described above, in this embodiment, the main control board 16 transmits a predetermined command to the medal count control board 17 when an event occurs. The main control board 16 assigns a serial number to this predetermined command. For example, let's describe an example where a game machine installation information command is transmitted to the medal count control board 17, and after both the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17 have determined the initial value and the added value for the serial number, a predetermined event A occurs.

Based on the occurrence of a predetermined event A, the main control board 16 transmits command A to the medal count control board 17. At this time, the main control board 16 assigns an initial serial number to the first command A transmitted after the game machine installation command. Specifically, the main control board 16 transmits command A with the serial number "137".

The medal count control board 17 stores "137" as its initial value. Since the serial number assigned to command A, which is received for the first time after receiving the game machine installation command, is "137," the board determines that communication is normal.

Next, when a new event B occurs, the main control board 16 sends command B to the medal count control board 17. At this time, the main control board 16 sends command B with a value added to the previously sent serial number. That is, the main control board 16 adds the value "13" to the previously sent "137" and sends command B with the value "150". Before receiving command B, the medal count control board 17 calculates in advance that the serial number to be assigned to the next command will be "150". Since the serial number assigned to the received command B is "150" and matches the previously calculated serial number, the medal count control board 17 determines that communication with the main control board 16 is normal.

In other words, the main control board 16 assigns a serial number to each command by adding a value to the serial number transmitted in the previous transmission. The medal count control board 17 also stores the initial value and the added value, allowing it to pre-calculate the serial number value to be assigned to the next received command. Therefore, it can determine whether the serial number is correct each time a command is received. If the serial number assigned to a received command does not match the calculated serial number value, the medal count control board 17 determines that a communication error has occurred between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17.

The main control board 16, if the value obtained by adding a value to the previously transmitted serial number exceeds 255, will subtract 255 and transmit the result as the serial number. If the main control board 16 receives a response command from the medal count control board 17 indicating an error, it will not add a value to the serial number of the command transmitted after the response command, but will instead assign the same serial number again and transmit it.

[Commands sent from the main control board to the medal count control board]
Figure 13 shows the types of commands that the main control board 16 transmits to the medal count control board 17. In this embodiment, as shown in the command name column of Figure 13, the main control board 16 transmits the following commands to the medal count control board 17: game machine installation information command, bonus information command, advantageous section information command, insert command, settlement command, end command, start command, payout pulse command, jackpot command, game machine fraud 1 command, game machine fraud 2 command, game machine fraud 3 command, main control status command, main control board error command, and game machine performance information (reserve) command. The number column shows the command number that is pre-set for each command. Furthermore, the message length column shows the message length, i.e., the byte length, of each command.

The bidirectional column indicates whether the medal count control board 17 needs to send a response command after the main control board 16 sends a command. For example, when the medal count control board 17 receives a start command from the main control board 16, it does not send a response command in response to that start command. That is, the main control board 16 controls the reel rotation, etc., without waiting for a response command from the medal count control board 17.

On the other hand, when the medal count control board 17 receives an insert command, a settlement command, or an end command from the main control board 16, it sends a response command to the main control board 16 in response to receiving these commands. The insert command, settlement command, and end command directly affect the number of credits managed by the medal count control board 17. Therefore, after sending the insert command, settlement command, and end command, the main control board 16 performs the next control only after receiving a response command from the medal count control board 17. The commands sent from the main control board 16 to the medal count control board 17 will be explained below using Figures 14 to 35.

Figure 14 illustrates the gaming machine installation information command. As shown in Figure 14, the gaming machine installation information command is a 22-byte command. The first byte stores the message length of the gaming machine installation information command. The second byte transmits the serial number. Since the gaming machine installation information command is transmitted after power-on and before the medal count control board 17 determines the initial and increment values of the serial number, the serial number is fixed and stored as "0". The third to sixth bytes store values indicating the command number, gaming machine characteristics, gaming machine type, and identification code, respectively. The seventh to tenth bytes store the values of the first to fourth bytes of the unique number register of the main chip ID. The medal count control board 17 uses the main chip ID values in the seventh to tenth bytes to determine the initial and increment values of the serial number.

Bytes 11 through 13 store the manufacturer code. Bytes 14 through 21 store the product code. Byte 22 stores a checksum to determine whether there were any errors in the information transmitted in bytes 1 through 21.

Figure 15 shows the details of the gaming machine characteristics. Below, we will explain the details of the gaming machine characteristics shown in the fourth byte of the gaming machine installation information command. The gaming machine characteristics are a one-byte data set from the 0th to the 7th bit. The 0th bit indicates whether or not S-machine 2 is equipped with an RB (Regular Bonus). If S-machine 2 is equipped with an RB, the 0th bit will be "1"; if S-machine 2 is not equipped with an RB, the 0th bit will be "0".

The first bit indicates whether S-machine 2 is equipped with a Big Bonus (BB). If S-machine 2 is equipped with a BB, the first bit will be "1". If S-machine 2 is not equipped with a BB, the first bit will be "0". The second bit indicates whether S-machine 2 is equipped with a Challenge Time (CT). If S-machine 2 is equipped with a CT, the second bit will be "1". If S-machine 2 is not equipped with a CT, the second bit will be "0". The third bit indicates whether S-machine 2 is equipped with a Challenge Bonus (CB). If S-machine 2 is equipped with a Challenge Bonus (CB), the third bit will be "1". If S-machine 2 is not equipped with a Challenge Bonus (CB), the third bit will be "0".

The fourth bit indicates whether S-machine 2 is equipped with an SB (Single Bonus). If S-machine 2 is equipped with an SB, the fourth bit will be "1". If S-machine 2 is not equipped with an SB, the fourth bit will be "0". The fifth bit indicates whether S-machine 2 is equipped with an instruction function. If S-machine 2 is equipped with an instruction function, the fifth bit will be "1". If S-machine 2 is not equipped with an instruction function, the fifth bit will be "0". The sixth bit indicates the instruction type of S-machine 2. If the instruction type of S-machine 2 is 7P type, the sixth bit will be "1". If the instruction type of S-machine 2 is 7U type, the sixth bit will be "0". The seventh bit is not used and stores "0".

Figure 16 shows the configuration of the bonus item information command. The bonus item information command is a command used by the medal count control board 17 to update the game machine performance information and the bonus item ratio monitor information. The bonus item information command is sent to the medal count control board 17 after the termination command has been sent.

The special feature information command consists of 5 bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the special feature information command. The second byte stores the serial number. The third byte stores a value indicating the command number. As shown in Figure 13, the command number for the special feature information command is "1".

The fourth byte stores information about the activation of a special feature. This information indicates whether or not a bonus has currently been won. The fifth byte stores a checksum to determine whether or not there were any errors in the information transmitted in bytes 1 through 4.

Figure 17 shows the details of the bonus feature activation information. The bonus feature activation information is data stored in the fourth byte of the bonus feature information command. The bonus feature activation information consists of one byte of data from the 0th to the 7th bit. The 0th bit stores "Type 1" information indicating whether RB is active. The 1st bit stores "Type 1 consecutive" information indicating whether BB is active. The 2nd bit stores "Type 2" information indicating whether CT is active. The 3rd bit stores "Type 2 consecutive" information indicating whether CB is active. The 5th bit stores "Normal Bonus" information indicating whether SB is active. The 4th, 6th, and 7th bits are not used and "0" is stored.

Figure 18 shows the configuration of the advantageous section information command. The advantageous section information command is a command used by the medal count control board 17 to update the game machine performance information and the payout ratio monitor information. The advantageous section information command is sent after the end command has been sent.

The advantageous section information command consists of 5 bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the bonus information command. The second byte stores the serial number. The third byte stores a value indicating the command number. As shown in Figure 13, the command number for the advantageous section information command is "2".

The fourth byte stores information about the advantageous period. This information includes data related to replays and instructions during the advantageous period. The fifth byte stores a checksum to determine whether there were any errors in the information transmitted in bytes 1 through 4.

Figure 19 shows the details of the advantageous period information. The advantageous period information is data stored in the fourth byte of the advantageous period information command, and it indicates information about the game played before the advantageous period information command was sent.

The advantageous period information consists of one byte of data from bit 0 to bit 7. Bit 0 stores information indicating whether the game played before the advantageous period information command was sent was within the advantageous period. If it was, bit 0 stores "1". Bit 1 stores information indicating whether instruction information was given in the game played before the advantageous period information command was sent. If instruction information was given, bit 1 stores "1". Bit 4 stores information indicating whether a re-play symbol combination was displayed in the game played before the advantageous period information command was sent. If a re-play symbol combination was displayed, bit 4 stores "1". Bits 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 are not used and store "0".

Figure 20 shows the configuration of the input command. The input command is transmitted from the main control board 16 to the medal count control board 17 when the 1BET switch 20 or the MAXBET switch 6 is pressed. That is, the main control board 16 transmits the input command to the medal count control board 17 when it receives a bet setting operation to set the number of bets required to start a game. Also, referring to Figure 13, since the input command is a bidirectional command, the medal count control board 17 transmits a response command to the main control board 16 upon receiving the input command. The input command consists of 5 bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the input command. The second byte stores the serial number. The third byte stores a value indicating the command number. As shown in Figure 13, the command number for the input command is "3".

The fourth byte stores the number of tokens inserted. If the 1BET switch 20 is pressed while the bet is 0, 1, or 2 tokens, the number of tokens inserted is 1. If the MAXBET switch 6 is pressed while the bet is 0 tokens, the number of tokens inserted is 3. If the MAXBET switch 6 is pressed while the bet is 1 token, the number of tokens inserted is 2. If the MAXBET switch 6 is pressed while the bet is 2 tokens, the number of tokens inserted is 1. When the re-play activation state is active and the 1BET switch 20 or MAXBET switch 6 is pressed to send an insertion command, no data is stored in the number of tokens inserted. The fifth byte stores a checksum to determine whether there was an error in the information sent in bytes 1 through 4. "Re-play activation state" refers to the state after a re-play win has occurred.

Figure 21 shows the configuration of the settlement command. The settlement command is transmitted from the main control board 16 to the medal count control board 17 when the bet count clear switch 21 is pressed. That is, the main control board 16 transmits the settlement command to the medal count control board 17 when it receives a settlement operation to cancel the bet count required to start a game. Also, referring to Figure 13, since the settlement command is a bidirectional command, the medal count control board 17 transmits a response command to the main control board 16 when it receives the settlement command. The settlement command consists of 5 bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the settlement command. The second byte stores the serial number. The third byte stores a value indicating the command number. As shown in Figure 13, the command number for the settlement command is "4".

The fourth byte stores the number of tokens to be paid out. If the bet count clear switch 21 is pressed while the bet count is 1, the number of tokens paid out will be 1. If the bet count clear switch 21 is pressed while the bet count is 2, the number of tokens paid out will be 2. If the bet count clear switch 21 is pressed while the bet count is 3, the number of tokens paid out will be 3. The fifth byte stores a checksum to determine whether there were any errors in the information transmitted in bytes 1 through 4.

Figure 22 shows the configuration of the start command. The start command is transmitted from the main control board 16 to the medal count control board 17 when the start switch 7 is pressed. That is, the main control board 16 transmits the start command to the medal count control board 17 when starting a game. The start command is also transmitted if the start switch 7 is pressed while the game is in re-play mode. The start command is a command that does not directly affect the number of credits managed by the medal count control board 17. Therefore, when the medal count control board 17 receives the start command, it does not transmit a response command to the start command to the main control board 16, but instead performs control corresponding to the start command. Control corresponding to the start command includes, for example, processing to control the game to a waiting state for completion, or processing to prepare for receiving the completion command. After transmitting the start command, the main control board 16 performs the next control without waiting for a response from the medal count control board 17. The next control is, for example, driving the reels.

The initial command consists of five bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the initial command. The second byte stores the serial number. The third byte stores a value indicating the command number. As shown in Figure 13, the command number for the initial command is "6".

The fourth byte stores the number of input pulses (1-3) to be sent to the hall computer. Even in the re-play activation state, the specified number of input pulses are sent. The fifth byte stores a checksum to determine whether there were any errors in the information sent in bytes 1-4.

Figure 23 shows the configuration of the end command. The end command is transmitted from the main control board 16 to the medal count control board 17 when all reels have stopped, i.e., when the third reel stops. In other words, the main control board 16 transmits the end command to the medal count control board 17 when ending a game. The end command includes the number of medals to be paid out, determined according to the combination of symbols derived. When medals are paid out to the player, the number of credits increases. Therefore, the end command is a command that directly affects the number of credits managed by the medal count control board 17. Thus, when the medal count control board 17 receives the end command, it transmits a response command to the main control board 16. Furthermore, after transmitting the end command, the main control board 16 performs the following control, conditional on receiving the response command. This next control includes processes such as updating the data displayed on the game assistance display 12.

In short, when the medal count control board 17 receives an end command, it transmits a response command to the main control board 16 in response to the end command and performs control according to the end command. This control according to the end command is, for example, adding the number of dispensed medals to the credit count.

The termination command consists of 5 bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the termination command. The second byte stores the serial number. The third byte stores a value indicating the command number. As shown in Figure 13, the command number for the termination command is "5".

The fourth byte stores the number of tokens dispensed. The maximum number of tokens dispensed is eight. If a combination of symbols for a re-play is derived, or if there are no tokens dispensed, "0" is stored in the fourth byte. In other words, the end command is a command that identifies the game value awarded to the player based on the result of a game when the game ends. The fifth byte stores a checksum to determine whether there were any errors in the information transmitted in bytes 1 through 4.

Figure 24 shows the configuration of the payout pulse command. The payout pulse command is transmitted from the main control board 16 to the medal count control board 17 when all reels stop, i.e., when the third reel stops. The payout pulse command is a pulse signal used to transmit the number of medals awarded to the player according to their winnings to a hall computer (not shown) connected to the medal count control board 17. After receiving the payout pulse command, the medal count control board 17 transmits a payout pulse signal to the hall computer (not shown). This allows the hall computer to store the number of medals paid out on machine S 2. The payout pulse command is also transmitted to the medal count control board 17 when the machine is in a re-play mode. After transmitting the payout pulse command, the main control board 16 performs the next control without waiting for a response from the medal count control board 17.

A payout pulse command consists of five bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the payout pulse command. The second byte stores the serial number. The third byte stores a value indicating the command number. As shown in Figure 13, the command number for the payout pulse command is "7".

The fourth byte stores the number of payout pulses to be sent to the hall computer. The maximum number of payout pulses is 15. If a re-play symbol combination is derived, or if there are no payout tokens, "0" is stored in the fourth byte. The fifth byte stores a checksum to determine whether there were any errors in the information sent in bytes 1 through 4.

Figure 25 shows the configuration of the jackpot command. The jackpot command is transmitted from the main control board 16 to the medal count control board 17 at the start and end of a jackpot. Furthermore, the jackpot command is transmitted from the main control board 16 to the medal count control board 17 even when the machine is in a hot start state upon power-on. This allows machine S2 to restore the hall computer signal without needing to back it up.

A jackpot command consists of five bytes of data. The first byte stores the length of the jackpot command message. The second byte stores the serial number. The third byte stores a value indicating the command number. As shown in Figure 13, the command number for the jackpot command is "8".

The fourth byte stores the hall computer signal. This signal notifies the hall computer of the jackpot information for machine S2. It stores the jackpot type, such as RB, BB, or AT. The fifth byte stores a checksum to determine whether there were any errors in the information transmitted in bytes 1 through 4.

Figure 26 shows the details of the hall computer signal. The hall computer signal is data stored in the fourth byte of the jackpot command. The hall computer signal consists of one byte of data from bit 0 to bit 7. Bit 0 stores information indicating that the jackpot type is RB (Regular Bonus). Bit 1 stores information indicating that the jackpot type is BB (Big Bonus). Bit 2 stores information indicating that the jackpot type is AT (Attack Bonus). Bits 3 through 7 are not used and store "0".

Figure 27 shows the configuration of the Gaming Machine Fraud Command 1. The Gaming Machine Fraud Command 1 is transmitted from the main control board 16 to the medal count control board 17 at the start and end of setting changes and setting confirmations.

The "Gaming Machine Illegal Command 1" consists of 5 bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the Gaming Machine Illegal Command 1. The second byte stores the serial number. The third byte stores a value indicating the command number. As shown in Figure 13, the command number for Gaming Machine Illegal Command 1 is "9".

The fourth byte stores configuration information. This configuration information includes details about configuration changes and confirmations, as well as whether or not any irregularities were detected. The fifth byte stores a checksum to determine whether or not there were errors in the information sent in bytes 1 through 4.

Figure 28 shows the details of the setting information. The setting information is data stored in the fourth byte of the 1st command for the gaming machine's fraudulent activity. The setting information consists of one byte of data from bit 0 to bit 7. Bit 0 stores data indicating whether or not a setting change is in progress. Bit 1 stores data indicating whether or not a setting check is in progress. Bits 2 to 4 store data indicating whether or not a manufacturer-defined fraud has been detected. Bits 6 and 7 are not used and store "0".

Figure 29 shows the configuration of the Gaming Machine Fraud Command 2. The Gaming Machine Fraud Command 2 is an unused command in Machine S 2. In Machine S 2, the door open detection switch 25 is connected to the medal count control board 17. Therefore, the main control board 16 does not need to transmit door information to the medal count control board 17. For this reason, the fourth byte stores "0".

Figure 30 shows the details of the door information. Since the medal count control board 17 detects whether the door is open or closed, all bits included in the door information are not used and "0" is stored.

Figure 31 shows the configuration of the Gaming Machine Illegal 3 command. The Gaming Machine Illegal 3 command is unused in machine S 2. The Gaming Machine Illegal 3 command is an expansion command and will be used in the future if it becomes necessary to send a new command from the main control board 16 to the medal count control board 17.

Figure 32 shows the configuration of the main control status command. The main control status command is a command that indicates the status of the main control board 16. The main control status command is transmitted from the main control board 16 to the medal count control board 17 at a predetermined timing. By receiving the main control status command, the medal count control board 17 can acquire the status of the main control board 16 or the S-unit 2.

The main control status command consists of five bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the main control status command. The second byte stores the serial number. The third byte stores a value indicating the command number. As shown in Figure 13, the command number for the main control status command is "12". The fourth byte stores the game machine status signal. The fifth byte stores a checksum used to determine whether there were any errors in the information transmitted in bytes 1 through 4.

Figure 33 shows the configuration of the main control board error command. The main control board error command indicates the type of error that occurred on the main control board 16. The main control board error command is transmitted from the main control board 16 to the medal count control board 17 when an error occurs on the main control board 16, and when the error is resolved.

The main control board error command consists of five bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the main control status command. The second byte stores the serial number. The third byte stores a value indicating the command number. As shown in Figure 13, the command number for the main control board error command is "13". The fourth byte stores the error number. The error number indicates the type of error occurring on the main control board 16. The fifth byte stores a checksum used to determine whether or not there was an error in the information transmitted in bytes 1 through 4.

Figure 34 shows the main control board error list. The error numbers shown in Figure 34 are the error numbers stored in the fourth byte of the main control board error command. E6 is an error number indicating a reel rotation error. The main control board 16 determines that a reel rotation error has occurred if it cannot detect input from the origin sensor three times in a row. When a reel rotation error occurs, the main control board 16 transmits the value of the fourth byte of the main control board error command as "E6". The main control board 16 determines that the error has been resolved when an error clear switch (not shown) is pressed. Even after the error has been resolved, the main control board 16 transmits the main control board error command.

E7 is an error number indicating a game token count overflow error. The main control board 16 determines that a game token count overflow error has occurred when the number of game tokens exceeds 16383. When a game token count overflow error occurs, the main control board 16 transmits the value of the 4th byte of the main control board error command as "E7". The main control board 16 determines that the error has been resolved when an error clear switch (not shown) is pressed. Even after the error has been resolved, the main control board 16 transmits the main control board error command.

E8 is an error number indicating a backup error. The main control board 16 determines a backup error has occurred if, during the RAM check after power-on, the value does not match the RAM value backed up before the power cut. When a backup error occurs, the main control board 16 transmits the value of the 4th byte of the main control board error command as "E8". The main control board 16 determines that the error has been resolved when the power to unit S 2 is cut off and the settings are changed again. Even after the error is resolved, the main control board 16 transmits the main control board error command.

E9 is an error number indicating a communication error. The main control board 16 determines a communication error has occurred if it does not receive a response command from the medal count control board 17 within 40 ms after sending a command requiring a response command. 1 ms represents 0.001 seconds. When a communication error occurs, the main control board 16 sends the value of the fourth byte of the main control board error command as "E9". The main control board 16 determines that the error has been resolved when an error clear switch (not shown) is pressed. Even after the error has been resolved, the main control board 16 sends the main control board error command.

Figure 35 shows the configuration of the Gaming Machine Performance Information (Reserve) command. Gaming machine performance information is information intended for the aggregation of performance data. Gaming machine performance information outputs results calculated based on gameplay.

The game machine performance information (reserve) command consists of 28 bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the game machine performance information (reserve) command. The second byte stores the serial number. The third byte stores a value indicating the command number. As shown in Figure 13, the command number for the game machine performance information (reserve) command is "14". Bytes 4 through 27 may store game machine performance information. In this embodiment, "0" is stored in this reserve area. The 28th byte stores a checksum to determine whether or not there was an error in the information transmitted in bytes 1 through 27.

Figure 36 shows a list of commands sent from the medal count control board 17 to the main control board 16. The medal count control board 17 sends two types of commands to the main control board 16.

A response command is a command used to respond to a command received from the main control board 16. For example, when the medal count control board 17 receives an end command, it sends a response command because this end command affects the number of credits. In other words, the response command is a bidirectional command because it responds only when it is received. Response commands can be assigned command numbers from 3 to 5. The message length of a response command is 4 bytes.

The frame-side information command is a command that transmits system information, including connection information between the medal count control board 17 and the CU3. The medal count control board 17 transmits the frame-side information command to the main control board 16 every 300 ms (0.3 seconds). Note that the predetermined period during which the frame-side information command is transmitted may be other than 300 ms. The main control board 16 does not respond to the frame-side information command. Therefore, the frame-side information command is a command that is continuously transmitted unidirectionally from the medal count control board 17 to the main control board 16, without bidirectional communication. The command number for the frame-side information command is "81h," and the message length is 4 bytes.

Figure 37 shows the structure of a response command. A response command consists of four bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the response command. The second byte stores a value indicating the command number. The command number in the response command is the command number of the received command that is being responded to. When sending a response command to an input command, the medal count control board 17 stores "3" as the command number. When sending a response command to a settlement command, the medal count control board 17 stores "4" as the command number. When sending a response command to an end command, the medal count control board 17 stores "5" as the command number.

The third byte stores information indicating the result of receiving the response command. The third byte includes a data area of 1 to 4 bits. If the 0th bit in the data area of the third byte is "1", the response command indicates "Received OK". "Received OK" indicates that the received command received by the medal count control board 17 is normal. Hereafter, a response command in which the 0th bit in the data area of the third byte is "1" may be referred to as a "response command indicating received OK". In other words, the response command is a command that notifies the main control board 16 that the received command has been received successfully. The received command is the command sent from the main control board 16 that was the target of the response command. If the 1st bit in the data area of the third byte is "1", the response command indicates "Serial number mismatch". "Serial number mismatch" indicates that the received command received by the medal count control board 17 is not normal. Hereafter, a response command in which the 1st bit in the data area of the third byte is "1" may be referred to as a "response command indicating serial number mismatch". In other words, the response command indicates that the serial number of the received command that was the target of the response did not match the serial number calculated by the medal count control board 17.

If the second bit in the third byte's data area is "1", the response command indicates "insufficient number of game tokens". When the token count control board 17 receives an input command as a received command and requests a reduction in the number of credits, but the number of credits is insufficient, a response command with "1" stored in the second bit is sent.

If the third bit in the third byte's data area is "1", the response command indicates "game token count overflow". When the token count control board 17 receives a settlement command as a received command, and the number of credits (game tokens) is at its upper limit, a response command with "1" stored in the third bit is sent. The fourth byte stores a checksum to determine whether there were any errors in the information sent in bytes 1 through 3.

Figure 38 shows the configuration of the frame-side information command. As described above, the frame-side information command is transmitted from the medal count control board 17 to the main control board 16 every 300 ms (0.3 seconds).

The frame-side information command consists of four bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the frame-side information command. The second byte stores the command number. The command number for the frame-side information command is "81h". The third byte stores information indicating the system status of the medal count control board 17. This includes information such as whether the counting button was pressed and whether the CU3 and the medal count control board 17 are properly connected. The fourth byte stores a checksum to determine whether there were any errors in the information transmitted in bytes 1 through 3.

[Regarding communication between the main control board and the medal count control board]
Figure 39 shows an example of communication between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17. Serial communication is used for communication between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17. As shown in Figure 39, the main control board 16 sends a betting command when a bet setting operation is performed. A bet setting operation includes pressing the 1BET switch 20 or the MAXBET switch 6.

The medal count control board 17 measures the elapsed time using a counter when it receives a command from the main control board 16. If the reception of the command is not completed within 10 ms from the time the command is received from the main control board 16, the medal count control board 17 determines that a timeout error has occurred in the communication between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17. In the example in Figure 39, the input command was received by the medal count control board 17 before 10 ms had elapsed from the time it was received, so no timeout error occurred.

The medal count control board 17 transmits a response command upon receiving an insertion command. When the main control board 16 receives a command from the medal count control board 17, it measures the elapsed time using a counter. If the reception of the command is not completed within 2.24 ms from the time the command is received from the medal count control board 17, the main control board 16 determines that a timeout error has occurred in the communication between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17. In the example shown in Figure 39, the response command is received before 2.24 ms have elapsed since the main control board 16 received it, so no timeout error occurs.

Furthermore, when the main control board 16 transmits a command requiring a response from the medal count control board 17, such as an insert command, it measures the elapsed time since the bet amount setting operation that triggered the insertion command was performed, using a counter.

If the response command from the medal count control board 17 is not received within 40 ms after an event such as a bet setting operation occurs, the main control board 16 determines that a timeout error has occurred in the communication between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17. In the example in Figure 39, the response command is received before 40 ms have elapsed since the bet setting operation, so no timeout error occurs.

The main control board 16, after receiving a response command to the input command, starts control corresponding to the betting amount setting operation.

Next, the player presses the start switch 7 on machine S 2. Based on the press of the start switch 7, the main control board 16 sends a start command to the medal count control board 17. As mentioned above, the start command does not require a response command from the medal count control board 17. Therefore, the medal count control board 17 does not send a response command.

Finally, when the player performs the third stop operation, all reels stop. Based on the fact that all reels have stopped, the main control board 16 sends an end command to the medal count control board 17. In this example, although the end command is a command that requires a response command, the medal count control board 17 does not send a response command. Therefore, the main control board 16 determines that a timeout error has occurred because it has not received a response command within 40 ms after all reels have stopped.

Figure 40 illustrates the communication of frame-side information commands. As shown in Figure 40, the medal count control board 17 transmits frame-side information commands to the main control board 16 every 300 ms. The main control board 16 determines that a timeout error has occurred if more than 2.24 ms elapses between the start of receiving frame-side information commands and the completion of reception.

Figure 41 is a flowchart showing the processing when the main control board 16 receives a command. As shown in Figure 36, the medal count control board 17 sends two types of commands to the main control board 16: a response command and a frame-side information command.

Referring to Figure 41, the main control board 16 receives a command from the medal count control board 17 (step S10). The main control board 16 determines whether the received command is a frame-side information command (step S11). If the received command is a frame-side information command (YES in step S11), the main control board 16 checks whether the frame-side information command contains error information (step S12). This error information indicates whether CU3 is properly connected to S-machine 2. If the frame-side information command contains error information (YES in step S12), the main control board 16 transmits this error information to the performance control board 15 and terminates processing. As a result, the performance control board 15 can display on the liquid crystal display 51 that an error has occurred indicating that CU3 is not connected to S-machine 2. If the frame-side information command does not contain error information (NO in step S12), processing terminates.

If the received command is not a frame-side information command (NO in step S11), that is, if the received command is a response command, the main control board 16 executes processing corresponding to the response command and terminates the process.

Figure 42 shows the communication flow between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17 from the moment the power is turned on. When the power-on switch 102 is pressed and power is supplied to the main control board 16, the main control board 16 transmits a game machine installation information command. Subsequently, in response to the betting quantity setting operation, the main control board 16 transmits an input command. Since the input command requires a response command, the medal count control board 17 transmits a response command to the main control board 16 based on its receipt of the input command. For example, if there are sufficient game medals, the medal count control board 17 sets the 0th bit of the 3rd byte of the response command to "1" (received OK); if the serial numbers do not match, it sets the 1st bit of the 3rd byte of the response command to "1" (serial number mismatch); and if there are insufficient game medals, it sets the 2nd bit of the 3rd byte of the response command to "1" (insufficient game medals).

Next, the main control board 16 sends a settlement command to the medal count control board 17 based on the settlement operation being performed. The settlement operation is an operation indicating that the bet count clear switch 21 has been pressed. This executes the process of returning the bet count to the credit count. Since the settlement command requires a response command, the medal count control board 17 sends a response command to the main control board 16 based on the receipt of the settlement command. For example, if there are sufficient game medals, the medal count control board 17 sets the 0th bit of the 3rd byte of the response command to "1" (received OK); if the serial numbers do not match, it sets the 1st bit of the 3rd byte of the response command to "1" (serial number mismatch); and if the game medal count overflows, it sets the 3rd bit of the 3rd byte of the response command to "1" (game medal count overflow).

In Figure 42, the bet amount setting operation is performed again, and communication based on this bet amount setting operation takes place. Subsequently, based on the press of the start switch 7, the main control board 16 sends a start command to the medal count control board 17. After sending the start command, the main control board 16 performs control to advance the game, such as driving the reels, without waiting for a response from the medal count control board 17. Upon receiving the start command from the main control board 16, the medal count control board 17 controls itself to a game end waiting state, as this is the control corresponding to the start command. Since the start command does not require a response command, the medal count control board 17 does not send a response command.

Based on the fact that all reels have stopped, the main control board 16 sends an end command to the medal count control board 17. The medal count control board 17, upon receiving the end command, sends a response command to the main control board 16. For example, if the end command is normal, the medal count control board 17 sets the 0th bit of the 3rd byte of the response command to "1" (received OK). If the serial numbers do not match, it sets the 1st bit of the 3rd byte of the response command to "1" (serial number mismatch). Subsequently, the main control board 16 sends the following commands to the medal count control board 17 in the order of bonus information command, advantageous section command, and payout pulse command.

Thus, when the main control board 16 starts a game, since it does not affect the number of credits, it sends a start command and then executes the next control without waiting for a response from the medal count control board 17. When ending a game, since it may affect the number of credits, it sends an end command and then executes the next control only after receiving a response command from the medal count control board 17. By improving the communication between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17, the main control board 16 can proceed with the game while monitoring the status of the medal count control board 17.

[Example of processing in sequential numbering]
As described above, the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17 communicate using serial numbers. That is, the medal count control board 17 performs a process to check if the serial numbers match in order to determine whether the command sent from the main control board 16 is valid. Below, examples of processing using serial numbers will be explained using Figures 43 to 45. Figure 43 is a diagram showing an example of communication when the serial numbers are valid.

Upon power-on, the main control board 16 transmits a game machine installation information command to the medal count control board 17. As explained above, the serial number assigned to the game machine installation information command is "0". The medal count control board 17 determines the initial value and increment value of the serial number based on the main chip ID included in the game machine installation information command. In the example in Figure 43, the medal count control board 17 determines the initial value of the serial number to be "137" and the increment value to be "13". The main control board 16 uses a similar calculation method to determine the initial value of the serial number to be "137" and the increment value to be "13" based on the main chip ID.

After sending the game machine installation information command, the betting amount setting operation is performed, and the main control board 16 sends an insert command. This insert command is the first command sent to the medal count control board 17 after the game machine installation information command has been sent. Therefore, the main control board 16 assigns the initial value "137" as a serial number to this insert command and sends it. The medal count control board 17 sends a response command to this insert command. At this time, since the communication was successful, the medal count control board 17 sends a response command to the main control board 16 indicating that it has been received. In other words, when the medal count control board 17 determines that the insert command sent from the main control board 16 is normal by checking whether the serial numbers match, it sends a response command to the main control board 16 indicating that the insert command is normal in response to the insert command.

Next, when the start switch 7 is pressed, the main control board 16 transmits a start command. At this time, the main control board 16 adds the value "13" to the previously transmitted serial number "137" and transmits it. That is, the main control board 16 transmits "150" as the serial number for the start command.

The medal count control board 17, upon receiving an input command with serial number "137," calculates that the serial number of the next command to be received will be "150" based on the sum of the previous values. When the medal count control board 17 receives the start command, it checks whether the serial number value calculated before reception matches the serial number value actually assigned to the received start command. Since the serial numbers match, the medal count control board 17 determines that communication is normal.

Figure 44 shows an example of communication when a serial number mismatch error occurs. The process up to the point where the main control board 16 receives the response command corresponding to the bet setting operation is the same as in Figure 42, so the explanation will not be repeated. As described above, the medal count control board 17 calculates that the serial number assigned to the next command to be received is "150" at the time it receives the insert command.

In the example shown in Figure 44, fraudulent activity occurs after the bet setting operation has been performed. As mentioned above, fraudulent activity refers to operations such as modifying the commands transmitted and received between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17, or operations in which the fraudster controls the main control board 16 or the medal count control board 17. In Figure 44, the main control board 16 is controlled by the fraudster, causing the main control board 16 to send an end command even though all reels have not stopped. In other words, in Figure 44, fraudulent activity is performed with the aim of causing the medal count control board 17 to execute a payout process even though no winnings have occurred. However, the fraudster cannot obtain the initial value and increment value of the serial number determined based on the main chip ID of the main control board 16, nor the number of times commands have been transmitted and received, and therefore cannot know the value of the serial number that should be assigned to the next command. Therefore, in the example shown in Figure 44, the fraudster sends the termination command with the serial number "78" attached. However, the medal count control board 17 determines that a serial number mismatch error has occurred because the calculated serial number "150" does not match the actually received serial number "78". It then sends a response command to the main control board 16 indicating that the serial number mismatch occurred. In other words, when the medal count control board 17 determines that the termination command sent from the main control board 16 is not valid through a process that checks whether the serial numbers match, it sends a response command to the main control board 16 indicating that the termination command is not valid. Upon receiving the response command indicating a serial number mismatch, the main control board 16 does not execute the payout control that would normally be performed after the termination command. This prevents fraudulent operations.

Unauthorized manipulation includes not only the sending of an end command to the main control board 16 even though no prize has been awarded, as shown in Figure 44, but also the unauthorized manipulations described below.

For example, as a form of fraudulent operation, it is conceivable to send a bet cancellation command to the main control board 16 even though the bet amount set in the BET counter of the RAM 161c on the main control board 16 is 0. This allows the fraudster to increase the number of credits stored in the medal count control board 17, even though no bet amount has been set.

Furthermore, as a form of fraudulent operation, it is conceivable to modify the response command sent by the medal count control board 17 in response to the input command sent by the main control board 16. For example, a fraudster could cause the medal count control board 17 to send a response command indicating acceptance to the main control board 16, even though the number of credits is "0". This would allow the fraudster to set a bet amount even though the number of credits is "0".

Thus, fraudulent operations can include forging commands transmitted by the main control board 16 and forging commands transmitted by the medal count control board 17. In machine S 2 of this embodiment, all of the above-described fraudulent operations can be prevented by using a "serial number".

Next, a start command with the serial number "150" is sent to the medal count control board 17. The serial number "150" assigned to the start command matches the serial number calculated previously by the medal count control board 17. Because of this match, the medal count control board 17 determines that the serial number mismatch error has been resolved and sends a response command indicating receipt OK to the main control board 16. In this way, in machine S 2, the medal count control board 17 can easily determine that the serial number mismatch error has been resolved.

As shown in Figures 43 and 44, when the medal count control board 17 receives a command transmitted from the main control board 16, it uses the initial value and increment value of the serial number to determine whether the command transmitted from the main control board 16 is valid. That is, when the medal count control board 17 receives a command requiring a response, it sends a response command. Furthermore, since the response command includes information indicating whether the communication is valid or not, the main control board 16 can proceed with the game while monitoring the status of the medal count control board 17.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 44, the possibility of fraudulent operation can be detected due to the mismatch in serial numbers, thereby enhancing security in the communication between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17.

Figure 45 shows an example of communication when an error related to game tokens occurs. The process up to the point where the token count control board 17 receives the start command is the same as in Figure 42, so the explanation will not be repeated. After sending the start command, the main control board 16 sends an end command with the serial number "163" based on the fact that all reels have stopped. At this time, the end command includes the number of tokens to be paid out, but since the number of credits is at the upper limit, an error related to game tokens occurs. Therefore, the token count control board 17 sends a response command indicating a game token count overflow to the main control board 16. As a result, the main control board 16 does not execute the payout process.

Subsequently, based on the operation of the counting button 10, the credit count is reduced, and the medal count control board 17 becomes ready to accept the payout medals. In other words, the error related to the game medals is resolved. Afterward, the main control board 16 sends another termination command, assigned serial number "163," to the medal count control board 17. In response, the medal count control board 17, having found no errors related to the game medals, sends a response command indicating acceptance.

[Communication before sending and receiving gaming machine installation information commands]
Figure 46 shows an example of communication occurring before the sending and receiving of the gaming machine installation information command. As explained above, the main control board 16 sends the gaming machine installation information command to the medal count control board 17 after the power is turned on.

In the example shown in Figure 46, the main control board 16 sends an termination command to the medal count control board 17 after power-on and before sending the game machine installation information command. If the medal count control board 17 receives a command from the main control board 16 before receiving the game machine installation information command, it discards the command regardless of its type or assigned serial number. In other words, the medal count control board 17 does not execute any processing in response to commands other than the game machine installation information command from the main control board 16 until it receives the game machine installation information command.

As a result, the medal count control board 17 does not communicate with the main control board 16 when communication has not been established based on the gaming machine installation information command. Therefore, security regarding communication between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17 can be enhanced. In other words, fraudulent operations performed before receiving the gaming machine installation information command can be prevented.

In the example shown in Figure 46, after the termination command is discarded, the game machine installation information command A is transmitted to the medal count control board 17 in response to power-on. Based on receiving the game machine installation information command A, the medal count control board 17 determines the initial value and the increment value in the serial number.

Next, in Figure 46, the medal count control board 17 receives the game machine installation information command B from the main control board 16. At this time, since the medal count control board 17 has already received the game machine installation information command A, it does not update the initial value and increment value of the serial number based on the game machine installation information command B. In other words, even if the main control board 16 transmits another game machine installation information command after the medal count control board 17 receives the game machine installation information command, it does not execute any processing corresponding to that command.

This allows the medal count control board 17 to prevent, for example, impersonation of the main control board 16 by unauthorized boards other than the main control board 16 connected to the medal count control board 17. In other words, it prevents the initial value and increment value of the serial number from being illegally rewritten.

[Timeout during power-on]
Figure 47 shows an example of a timeout during power-on. The main control board 16 transmits a gaming machine installation information command based on the power-on. The main control board 16 measures the elapsed time since power-on using a counter.

If the main control board 16 does not complete the transmission of the game machine installation information command within 5000ms from the time the main control board 16 is powered on, the main control board 16 determines that an error has occurred in the communication between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17. In other words, the medal count control board 17 controls to an abnormal state if it fails to receive the game machine installation information command within 5000ms after the power of machine S 2 is turned on. In the example shown in Figure 47, since the game machine installation information command was not transmitted within 5000ms from the time the main control board 16 was powered on, the medal count control board 17 determines that a communication error has occurred. The medal count control board 17 displays a message indicating that a communication error has occurred on the display unit 312 of the CU 3.

This allows the medal count control board 17 to notify an external party of a communication error if it is unable to establish communication with the game machine after the power to machine S 2 is turned on, based on the game machine installation information command.

The medal count control board 17 is connected to the CU control board 32. Even if a communication error occurs in the main control board 16, the medal count control board 17 can communicate with the CU control board 32.

The communication error that occurred in the main control board 16 is resolved when the power is restarted, the game machine installation information command is successfully transmitted within 5000 ms from the time the main control board 16 is powered on, and a response command indicating receipt is sent from the medal count control board 17.

[Regarding setting the number of bets and settlement procedures]
Figure 48 illustrates the betting amount setting operation and the settlement operation. As described above, the main control board 16 sends a betting amount setting operation to the medal count control board 17 when the 1BET switch 20 or MAXBET switch 6 is pressed. The main control board 16 also sends a settlement command to the medal count control board 17 when the betting amount clear switch 21 is pressed.

As shown in Figure 48, the main control board 16 transmits an insert command to the medal count control board 17 based on the bet setting operation. The insert command includes the number of medals to be inserted. The medal count control board 17 reads the number of medals inserted included in the received insert command and performs the bet setting process. Specifically, it subtracts the number of inserted medals from the number of credits managed by the medal count control board 17 and adds the number of inserted medals to the bet. For example, if the bet before the bet setting process was executed was 0 medals, and the MAXBET switch 6 was activated as the bet setting operation, the medal count control board 17 subtracts 3 medals from the number of credits and adds 3 medals to the bet. Based on the receipt of the insert command, the medal count control board 17 transmits a response command to the main control board 16.

Next, the main control board 16 transmits a settlement command to the medal count control board 17 based on the settlement operation. The settlement command includes the number of medals to be settled. The medal count control board 17 reads the number of medals to be settled included in the received settlement command and performs a bet cancellation process. Specifically, it subtracts the number of medals to be settled from the number of bets managed by the medal count control board 17 and adds the number of medals to the credits. For example, if the number of bets before the bet cancellation process was executed was 3, and the bet clear switch 21 was pressed, the medal count control board 17 subtracts 3 from the number of bets and adds 3 to the credits. Based on the receipt of the settlement command, the medal count control board 17 transmits a response command to the main control board 16.

Here, the medal count control board 17 sends a common response command to both the insert command and the settlement command. That is, the medal count control board 17 sends a common response command to the main control board 16 when it receives an insert command and when it receives a settlement command. Specifically, the medal count control board 17 sends a response command to the main control board 16 in both cases: when it receives an insert command and when it receives a settlement command. Here, since the medal count control board 17 does not perform the process of adding credits (number of game medals) when it receives an insert command, a game medal overflow cannot occur. Therefore, the medal count control board 17 does not store "1" in the third bit of the third byte of the response command to the insert command and send it.

Furthermore, the medal count control board 17 does not perform any processing to subtract the credit count when it receives a settlement command; therefore, a shortage of game medals cannot occur. Consequently, the medal count control board 17 does not store and transmit a "1" in the second bit of the third byte of the response command to the insert command.

In this way, the medal count control board 17 notifies the main control board 16 of insufficient or overflowing game medals by using different data stored in the third byte depending on whether it receives an insert command or a settlement command. This allows the medal count control board 17 to unify its response commands for both bet setting operations and bet cancellation operations, thereby reducing its processing burden.

Figure 49 shows an example where a new bet setting operation is performed after the previous bet setting operation but before a response command is received. As shown in Figure 49, the main control board 16 transmits a bet input command based on bet setting operation A. The main control board 16 controls the system to complete the transmission of the input command before 40 ms elapses from the start of transmission, to prevent a timeout error. The medal count control board 17 transmits a response command upon receiving the input command.

In the example shown in Figure 49, a new bet setting operation B is performed after receiving bet setting operation A, but before receiving a response command for the insertion command based on bet setting operation A. The main control board 16 does not accept bet setting operation B. That is, after transmitting the insertion command to the medal count control board 17, the main control board 16 does not accept any new bet setting operations until it receives a response command from the medal count control board 17. This prevents the acceptance of a new bet setting operation B while the processing corresponding to bet setting operation A has not yet been finalized in the medal count control board 17.

Figure 50 shows an example where a new settlement operation is performed after a settlement operation but before a response command is received. As shown in Figure 50, the main control board 16 transmits a settlement command based on settlement operation A. The main control board 16 controls the system to complete the transmission of the settlement command before 40 ms elapses from the start of transmission, to prevent a timeout error. The medal count control board 17 transmits a response command upon receiving the settlement command.

In the example shown in Figure 50, a new settlement operation B is performed after settlement operation A is received, but before a response command for the insertion command based on settlement operation A is received. The main control board 16 does not accept settlement operation B. That is, after the main control board 16 transmits the settlement command to the medal count control board 17, it does not accept any new settlement operations until it receives a response command from the medal count control board 17. This prevents the acceptance of a new settlement operation B while the processing corresponding to settlement operation A has not yet been finalized in the medal count control board 17.

Figure 51 shows an example where a settlement operation is performed after the bet amount setting operation but before a response command is received. As shown in Figure 51, the main control board 16 transmits an insert command based on the bet amount setting operation. The medal control board 17 transmits a response command upon receiving the insert command.

In the example shown in Figure 51, a new settlement operation is performed after the bet setting operation is received, but before the response command for the insertion command based on that bet setting operation is received. The main control board 16 does not accept this settlement operation. That is, after the main control board 16 transmits the insertion command to the medal count control board 17, it does not accept any new settlement operations until it receives a response command from the medal count control board 17. This prevents the acceptance of a new settlement operation when the processing corresponding to the bet setting operation has not yet been finalized in the medal count control board 17.

Figure 52 shows an example where a new bet setting operation is performed after a settlement operation but before a response command is received. As shown in Figure 52, the main control board 16 transmits an insertion command based on the settlement operation. The medal count control board 17 transmits a response command upon receiving the insertion command.

In the example shown in Figure 52, a new bet setting operation is performed after receiving a settlement operation but before receiving a response command for the settlement command based on that settlement operation. The main control board 16 does not accept this bet setting operation. That is, after the main control board 16 transmits the settlement command to the medal count control board 17, it does not accept a new bet setting operation until it receives a response command from the medal count control board 17. This prevents the acceptance of a new bet setting operation when the processing corresponding to the settlement operation has not yet been finalized in the medal count control board 17.

[Setting the number of bets and serial numbering]
Figure 53 illustrates a serial number error in the betting number setting operation. As shown in Figure 53, the medal count control board 17 determines the initial value of the serial number to "137" based on the receipt of the gaming machine installation information command.

Subsequently, the bet amount setting operation is performed on machine S2. The main control board 16 transmits an insertion command based on the bet amount setting operation. This insertion command is assigned the serial number "78". That is, the serial number assigned to this insertion command does not match the initial value of the serial number. Therefore, the medal count control board 17 transmits a response command indicating a serial number mismatch to the main control board 16. From the moment the main control board 16 receives the response command indicating a serial number mismatch, it will not accept any new bet amount setting operations. In other words, if the main control board 16 receives a response command indicating an abnormality, it will not resume accepting bet amount setting operations.

Figure 54 illustrates a serial number error during the settlement operation. As shown in Figure 54, the medal count control board 17 determines the initial value of the serial number to "137" based on the receipt of the gaming machine installation information command.

Subsequently, the bet amount setting operation is performed on machine S2. The main control board 16 transmits an insertion command based on the bet amount setting operation. This insertion command is assigned the serial number "137". That is, the serial number assigned to this insertion command matches the initial value of the serial number. Therefore, the medal count control board 17 transmits a response command indicating acceptance to the main control board 16. Based on receiving the response command indicating acceptance, the main control board 16 accepts the bet amount setting operation and performs the following control.

Next, in Figure 54, a settlement operation is performed. The main control board 16 transmits a settlement command based on the settlement operation. This settlement command is assigned the serial number "78". That is, the serial number assigned to this settlement command does not match the serial number calculated by the medal count control board 17. Therefore, the medal count control board 17 transmits a response command indicating a serial number mismatch to the main control board 16. Based on receiving the response command indicating a serial number mismatch, the main control board 16 does not accept any new settlement operations. In other words, if the main control board 16 receives a response command indicating an abnormality, it does not resume accepting settlement operations.

Referring to Figures 53 and 54, the main control board 16 can prevent a new bet setting operation or bet cancellation operation from being accepted when the processing corresponding to the bet setting operation or settlement operation in the medal count control board 17 has not yet been finalized.

[Regarding the display of the number of payouts]
Figure 55 illustrates the display control of the number of payouts. After all reels have stopped, the main control board 16 sends an end command to the medal count control board 17. The end command shown in Figure 55 is a command that involves the payout of at least one medal. Based on the receipt of the end command, the medal count control board 17 sends a response command. The medal count control board 17 also adds credits, etc., according to the number of medals to be paid out indicated by the end command. After receiving the response command, the main control board 16 displays the number of payouts on the game assistance display 12. That is, after sending the end command, the main control board 16 displays the number of payouts on the game assistance display 12, provided that it has received the response command. This allows the main control board 16 to display the number of payouts on the game assistance display 12 while checking the status of the medal count control board 17.

The main control board 16 transmits a response command, followed by a special feature information command, a favorable section command, and a payout pulse command. Specifically, after transmitting the termination command, and based on the receipt of the response command, the main control board 16 transmits a special feature information command and a favorable section command to the medal count control board 17, which can determine whether or not the game is controlled to a state where a special feature has been awarded. This allows the main control board 16 to inform the medal count control board 17 whether or not the game is controlled to a favorable section, etc., while monitoring its status. Therefore, the main control board 16 can output to the medal count control board 17 the percentage of the payout amount granted during the favorable section, etc., while monitoring the status of the medal count control board 17.

[About the role comparison monitor]
Figure 56 shows the payout ratio monitor 89. Figure 56 shows the payout ratio monitor 89 when it is turned off. As shown in Figure 56, the payout ratio monitor 89 consists of five payout ratio information displays 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, and 50e, which can turn on/off the first segment A, second segment B, third segment C, fourth segment D, fifth segment E, sixth segment F, seventh segment G, and eighth segment DP, respectively. The medal count control board 17 is a display that can display various information by turning on or off the first to eighth segments A to DP by setting display data for each of the payout ratio information displays 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, and 50e.

Figure 57 shows an example of the display on the payout ratio monitor 89. The medal count control board 17 displays the following on the payout ratio monitor 89 in the order of (1) to (6): (1) the payout ratio of instructed prizes to the total cumulative payout, (2) the payout ratio of consecutive prizes over the past 6000 games, (3) the payout ratio of prizes over the past 6000 games, (4) the payout ratio of consecutive prizes to the total cumulative payout, (5) the payout ratio of prizes to the total cumulative payout, and (6) the payout status ratio of prizes, etc. to the total cumulative payout. Hereafter, the information shown in (1) to (6) may be referred to as the display content.

The bonus payout ratio indicates the ratio of bonus payouts when a special bonus (BB) is won to the total number of coins paid out during a predetermined period. The consecutive bonus payout ratio indicates the ratio of bonus payouts when a special bonus (RB) is won to the total number of coins paid out during a predetermined period. Furthermore, the bonus payout ratio including instructions indicates the ratio of bonus payouts to the total number of coins paid out during a predetermined period, when the number of payouts when instructions (navigation) occur is included in the bonus payout. In other words, it is the ratio of the cumulative number of coins paid out when navigation is announced and the number of coins paid out by BB or RB to the total cumulative number of coins paid out. The bonus state ratio indicates the ratio of the number of games played when a special bonus (BB, RB, CB, and SB) is won to the number of games played during a predetermined period. In other words, the bonus ratio monitor 89 outputs the ratio of the number of payouts given when a special bonus was won to the total number of payouts given. The information displayed on the payout ratio monitor 89 is calculated by the medal count control board 17.

The medal count control unit 171, when switching the display content at predetermined intervals in the display order shown in Figure 57 and (1) to (6) above, restricts updating these values to new values even if the game progresses and these values could be updated during the period until each display cycle is complete, and instead uses the original values to complete the display cycle.

More specifically, if the game progresses and these values can be updated to new values within a period until these displays have completed one cycle, the new values are calculated and stored in RAM 171c. However, instead of setting the new values in the output buffer for displaying the content on the ratio monitor 89, the original values are set. The display on the ratio monitor 89 is then cycled using the original values set in the output buffer. After the cycle is complete, the new values are set in the output buffer, and the display is then performed using the new values. Alternatively, if these values can be updated to new values within a period until these displays have completed one cycle, the calculation to determine the new values may be restricted. The display on the ratio monitor 89 is then cycled, and after the cycle is complete, the calculation to determine the new values is performed, and the display on the ratio monitor 89 is then performed using these new values. This prevents the display content on the ratio monitor 89 from having values calculated at different times mixed together during the period until one cycle is completed.

Furthermore, the medal count control board 17 displays the continuous payout ratio for prizes over the past 6000 games, or the ratio of continuous payouts to the total cumulative payout, in a different display manner than usual (for example, if the normal display is always lit, the top two digits of the payout ratio monitor 89 will flash). Also, the medal count control board 17 displays the payout ratio for prizes over the past 6000 games, or the ratio of payouts to the total cumulative payout, in a different display manner than usual (for example, if the normal display is always lit, the top two digits of the payout ratio monitor 89 will flash).

In this way, when the continuous payout ratio or the payout ratio exceeds the specified percentage, it is displayed in a different format than usual, serving as a warning that the machine may be controlled to a highly speculative state.

Furthermore, when the medal count control board 17 displays the continuous payout ratio for the past 6,000 games and the payout ratio for the payout ratio on the payout ratio monitor 89, if the total number of games played since power-on has not reached 6,000 games, it controls the display to a different mode than usual, for example, by flashing all the digits of the payout ratio monitor 89, so that it can recognize that the total has not reached 6,000 games. In other words, in the process of calculating the display content to be shown on the payout ratio monitor 89, the medal count control board 17 flashes all the digits of the payout ratio monitor 89 if the period of 6,000 games has not elapsed since the start of data accumulation used in the process. Alternatively, the medal count control board 17 may flash some of the digits of the payout ratio monitor 89 if the period of 6,000 games has not elapsed since the start of data accumulation used in the process of calculating the display content to be shown on the payout ratio monitor 89. This allows the system to recognize the possibility of bias in the displayed percentages and ratios, and the medal count control board 17 can notify an external party if there is a risk of insufficient data when displaying the continuous prize payout ratio and prize payout ratio on the prize ratio monitor 89.

Furthermore, the medal count control board 17 may display "00" in the lower two digits of the payout ratio monitor 89 when 6000 games have not been reached, and may display the percentage or ratio that should be displayed in the lower two digits of the payout ratio monitor 89 when 6000 games have been reached or later. In other words, it is preferable to configure the display mode of the lower two digits of the payout ratio monitor 89 to be different from the display mode when 6000 games have not been reached. With such a configuration, when 6000 games have not been reached, it can be recognized that the total of the continuous payout ratio, etc., which is identified by the display of the upper two digits of the payout ratio monitor 89 (for example, "1C"), has not reached 6000 games, and the possibility of a bias in the displayed percentage or ratio can be recognized. Furthermore, by configuring the system to display "00" in the lower two digits of the payout ratio monitor 89 when 6000 games have not been reached, data will always be displayed in the lower two digits of the payout ratio monitor 89 when 6000 games have not been reached. For example, if data is not displayed in one of the lower two digits of the payout ratio monitor 89, it can be used to recognize an abnormality in the payout ratio monitor 89.

Furthermore, when the medal count control board 17 displays the ratio of consecutive payouts to the total cumulative payout on the payout ratio monitor 89, if the number of past games has not reached a predetermined number of games (for example, 175,000 games) at which the consecutive payout ratio converges to the design value of the slot machine, the board controls the display to a different mode than usual, for example, by flashing the top two digits of the payout ratio monitor 89. This allows the user to recognize that the number of games at which the consecutive payout ratio converges to the design value of the slot machine has not reached, and to recognize the possibility of a bias in the displayed percentage or ratio.

Furthermore, when the medal count control board 17 displays the payout ratio of prizes to the total cumulative payout on the payout ratio monitor 89, if the number of past games has not reached a predetermined number of games (for example, 175,000 games) at which the payout ratio converges to the design value of the slot machine, the board controls the display to a different mode than usual, for example, by flashing the top two digits of the payout ratio monitor 89. This allows the user to recognize that the payout ratio has not reached a predetermined number of games at which it converges to the design value of the slot machine, and to recognize the possibility of a bias in the displayed percentage or ratio.

Furthermore, when the medal count control board 17 displays the payout ratio of the instructed prize to the total cumulative payout on the prize ratio monitor 89, if the number of past games has not reached a predetermined number of games (for example, 175,000 games) at which the instructed prize payout ratio converges to the design value of the slot machine, the board controls the display to a different mode than usual, for example, by flashing the top two digits of the display on the prize ratio monitor 89. This allows the user to recognize that the instructed prize payout ratio has not reached the predetermined number of games at which it converges to the design value of the slot machine, and to recognize the possibility of a bias in the displayed percentage or ratio.

Furthermore, the medal count control board 17 determines whether the data used to calculate the continuous payout ratio and payout ratio for the past 6000 games is normal. If it determines that the data is abnormal (for example, if the stored value is in a certain data format (such as a repetition of 01)), it initializes the abnormal data and related data, and displays an indication of the detected abnormality on the payout ratio monitor 89 (for example, "FFFF") to notify the user, allowing them to recognize that the calculation of this data is not being performed correctly.

Furthermore, when initializing data that has been determined to be abnormal and related data, for example, if either the consecutive payout ratio of bonus items or the bonus item payout ratio over the past 6000 games is determined to be abnormal, the data related to all of these may be initialized, or only some of the data may be initialized.

Furthermore, the system may determine whether the data used to calculate the continuous bonus payout ratio, bonus payout ratio, and bonus payout ratio (including instructions) relative to the total cumulative payout over the past 6000 games is normal. If an abnormality is detected, the system will notify the user of this fact, and then initialize the data in question by performing a predetermined operation (for example, operating switches such as the start switch 7, stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R, and setting key switch 37 in a predetermined procedure).

Furthermore, in notifying that an abnormality has been detected, as described above, the performance ratio monitor 89 may display an indication that an abnormality has been detected (for example, "FFFF"), or, when an abnormality is detected, a command that can identify the abnormality may be sent to the performance control unit 151, causing the performance control unit 151 to notify that an abnormality has been detected via the liquid crystal display 51 or the like.

In this embodiment, during the period from power-on until power supply is cut off, the following are displayed in a predetermined cycle: the ratio of payouts including instructed bonus items to the total cumulative payout, the ratio of consecutive bonus item payouts over the past 6000 games, the bonus item payout ratio over the past 6000 games, the ratio of consecutive bonus item payouts to the total cumulative payout, the bonus item payout ratio to the total cumulative payout, and the bonus item status ratio to the total cumulative payout. However, these may be displayed only when the front door 1b is detected to be open, only when a predetermined operation switch (e.g., reset/setting switch 38) is detected to be operated, only when not in game mode, only during setting change or setting confirmation, or only for a predetermined period after power-on. Furthermore, instead of automatically switching at predetermined intervals, the display content may be changed each time a predetermined operation is performed.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the system is configured to notify the user via the role ratio monitor 89 when a data anomaly has been detected or when there is insufficient data for calculating the display content. Alternatively, a command that can identify this fact may be sent to the performance control unit 151, allowing confirmation on the liquid crystal display 51 and performance device controlled by the performance control unit 151.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the payout ratio of bonus items with instructions relative to the total cumulative payout, the payout ratio of consecutive bonus items over the past 6000 games, the payout ratio of bonus items over the past 6000 games, the payout ratio of consecutive bonus items relative to the total cumulative payout, the payout ratio of bonus items relative to the total cumulative payout, and the payout ratio of bonus item status relative to the total cumulative payout are displayed on the payout ratio monitor 89. In addition to these displays, the payout ratio monitor 89 may also display information that allows the user to recognize when the RAM 171c has been initialized due to a setting change, or when a disconnection in the wiring (such as the backup power supply wiring) of the S-machine 2 has been detected.

In particular, if the settings are changed during a bonus round, during an advantageous period, or while a bonus is being carried over, causing the bonus or advantageous period to be forcibly terminated; if a carried-over bonus is cleared; if the game continues for more than the specified number of rounds while a bonus is being carried over; or if an operation is performed to intentionally terminate the advantageous period, that is, if the game is intentionally shifted from a relatively advantageous state to an unfavorable state for the player; or if a disconnection or other issue is detected in the payout ratio monitor 89, the system will provide a clearly identifiable notification. This allows the system to recognize the possibility that the system has been tampered with to prevent the display of correct information such as the payout ratio, continuous payout ratio, and payout ratio including instructions.

Furthermore, in configurations that initialize total cumulative data such as the total cumulative number of games played or total cumulative payouts to avoid overflow, it is preferable to notify the system in a manner distinct from cases where the system may have been fraudulently manipulated to prevent the display of correct information such as the aforementioned payout ratio for bonus items, the continuous payout ratio for bonus items, or the payout ratio including instructions. This allows the system to recognize that the total cumulative number of games played or total cumulative payouts have been initialized by the overflow avoidance process, separately from initialization caused by fraudulent manipulation to prevent the display of correct information such as the payout ratio for bonus items.

Furthermore, if there is a possibility that the system has been tampered with in a way that prevents the display of correct information such as the payout ratio for special items, the payout ratio for consecutive special items, and the payout ratio including instructions, the system may detect this and record the history of the detection on the medal count control board 17. Without issuing a notification at the time of detection, the system may then make this history verifiable through a display on the medal count control board 17 (e.g., the payout ratio monitor 89), a display on the performance control unit 151 (e.g., the liquid crystal display 51), or an external display on the S-machine 2 (e.g., the display 312) after a predetermined operation.

Furthermore, the display and performance devices controlled by the performance control unit 151 may be configured to allow confirmation of the possibility that settings have been changed, a disconnection has been detected, a connection failure has occurred in the payout ratio monitor 89, resulting in incorrect display of payout ratios, consecutive payout ratios, and payout ratios including instructions, as well as the possibility that the system has been tampered with in a way that prevents correct information from being displayed, as described above. Additionally, the performance control unit 151 may record a history of instances where settings were changed during a bonus, during an advantageous period, or while a bonus was being carried over, resulting in the bonus or advantageous period being forcibly terminated, or a carried-over bonus being cleared, potentially leading to the detection of tampering that prevents correct information from being displayed, such as payout ratios, consecutive payout ratios, and payout ratios including instructions. This history may then be made available for confirmation through a predetermined operation.

[Initialization process for role ratio information]
Figure 58 is a diagram illustrating the initialization process of the role ratio information. As shown in Figure 58, after power is turned on, the main control board 16 transmits the game machine installation information command A to the medal count control board 17. Subsequently, as the game is played repeatedly, the main control board 16 transmits the advantageous section command and the payout pulse command to the medal count control board 17.

The medal count control board 17 performs a backup process to store the payout ratio information in the backup memory 294 based on the receipt of a payout pulse command. The payout ratio information is data used to calculate the data displayed on the payout ratio monitor 89, and is included in the payout information command, the advantageous section command, and the payout pulse command. The medal count control board 17 may store the payout ratio information in the backup memory 294 each time it receives a command containing this information.

In the example shown in Figure 58, an unauthorized operation is performed on the main control board 16 after the backup process has been executed. As described above, "unauthorized operation" refers to an operation that alters the commands exchanged between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17, or an operation that illegally controls the main control board 16 or the medal count control board 17. In the example shown in Figure 44, due to the unauthorized operation, the main control board 16 is controlled by an illegally connected device, and the main control board 16 transmits the game machine installation information command B to the medal count control board 17. At this time, the medal count control board 17, based on having received the game machine installation information command again, performs backup initialization to initialize the payout ratio information stored in the backup memory 294. That is, if the main chip ID identified from the game machine installation information command is different from the main chip ID identified from the previously received game machine installation information command, the medal count control board 17 initializes the data used for displaying the payout ratio monitor 89.

This ensures that the medal count control board 17, based on the main chip ID of the main control board 16, initializes the data used for displaying the payout ratio information if the main control board 16 is not legitimate, thereby guaranteeing that the correct payout ratio corresponding to each slot machine is output.

[Regarding the procedures when connecting and disconnecting S unit 2 and CU 3]
In the following, we will explain the processes that occur when the connection between CU3 and S-unit 2 is disconnected, dividing them into four cases based on the timing of the disconnection.

<Example 1 of processing when the connection between S unit 2 and CU3 is disconnected>
Figure 59 shows a first example of the process when the connection with CU3 is disconnected. Figure 59 describes an example in which the connection between S-machine 2 and CU3 is disconnected after power has been turned on to S-machine 2 and while it is in a state where it can accept betting number setting operations.

After power-on, the performance control board 15, the main control board 16, and the medal count control board 17 start up normally. The normally started main control board 16 controls the system to a state where it can accept betting quantity setting operations. In other words, the main control board 16 controls the state of machine S 2 to a state where the player can start a unit game. Furthermore, at power-on, CU 3 and machine S 2 are properly connected. Therefore, after power-on, the medal count control board 17 transmits a frame-side information command every 300ms indicating that the connection between CU 3 and machine S 2 is normal.

Subsequently, the connection between S-machine 2 and CU3 is disconnected. That is, the connection status between S-machine 2 and CU3 becomes "disconnected." Because the connection between S-machine 2 and CU3 is disconnected, the CU control board 32 stops transmitting signals to the medal count control board 17. In other words, communication between the CU control board 32 and the medal count control board 17 stops. Due to the cessation of communication, the medal count control board 17 determines that the connection between S-machine 2 and CU3 has been disconnected. Based on the disconnection of the connection between CU3 and S-machine 2, the medal count control board 17 invalidates the acceptance of counting operations. That is, even if the player presses the counting button 10 while the acceptance of counting operations is invalid, the medal count control board 17 will not perform the counting process.

As explained in Figure 2, the hardware configuration of the counting button 10 is such that power can be supplied from the power supply board 101 only when the CU 3 and S unit 2 are connected. Therefore, when the connection between CU 3 and S unit 2 is disconnected, the acceptance of counting operations is automatically disabled. However, the medal count control board 17 may also disable counting operations in software. That is, if the medal count control board 17 receives a switch signal from the counting button 10 while the connection between CU 3 and S unit 2 is disconnected, it discards the switch signal. Thus, in this embodiment, counting operations are disabled using both hardware and software functions. Note that in certain situations, counting operations may be disabled using only one of either the hardware or software functions.

Furthermore, based on the disconnection of the connection between CU3 and S-unit 2, the medal count control board 17 transmits a frame-side information command to the main control board 16 indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the connection between CU3 and S-unit 2.

Based on receiving a frame-side information command from the medal count control board 17 indicating an abnormality in the connection between CU3 and S-unit 2, the main control board 16 transmits a disconnection notification command to the performance control board 15. The disconnection notification command is a command transmitted from the main control board 16 to the performance control board 15, instructing the performance control board 15 to notify that CU3 and S-unit 2 are disconnected. Upon receiving the disconnection notification command, the performance control board 15 performs a disconnection notification. This notification, for example, involves using speakers 53, 54 or the liquid crystal display 51 to announce that the devices are disconnected.

Furthermore, the main control board 16, upon receiving a frame-side information command from the medal count control board 17 indicating an abnormality in the connection between CU3 and S-machine 2, disables the acceptance of bet amount setting operations. Even if a player attempts to set the bet amount while the acceptance of bet amount setting operations is disabled, the main control board 16 will not perform the bet amount setting process. In this way, if the connection to CU3 is disconnected before a unit game begins, the main control board 16 prevents a new game from starting with the connection to CU3 disconnected by not accepting the bet amount setting operation.

<Second example of processing when the connection between S unit 2 and CU3 is disconnected>
Figure 60 shows a second example of the process when the connection with CU3 is disconnected. Figure 60 describes an example in which the connection between S machine 2 and CU3 is disconnected after the betting amount setting operation has been performed but before the start switch 7 is operated.

After power-on, the performance control board 15, the main control board 16, and the medal count control board 17 start up normally, and the S machine 2 and CU 3 are connected normally. After the bet setting operation is performed as shown in the diagram, the connection between the S machine 2 and CU 3 is disconnected. Based on the disconnection of the connection between CU 3 and S machine 2, the medal count control board 17 disables acceptance of counting operations. Furthermore, based on the disconnection of the connection between CU 3 and S machine 2, the medal count control board 17 sends a frame-side information command to the main control board 16 indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the connection between CU 3 and S machine 2.

Based on receiving a frame-side information command from the medal count control board 17 indicating an abnormality in the connection between CU3 and S-machine 2, the main control board 16 transmits a disconnection notification command to the performance control board 15. Furthermore, based on receiving the frame-side information command from the medal count control board 17 indicating an abnormality in the connection between CU3 and S-machine 2, the main control board 16 disables the acceptance of the unit game start operation via the start switch 7. Even if the player operates the start switch 7 while the acceptance of the unit game start operation is disabled, the main control board 16 will not perform the unit game start process. In this way, if the connection to CU3 is disconnected after the betting amount setting operation but before the start switch 7 is operated, the main control board 16 prevents a new game from starting with the connection to CU3 disconnected by disabling the start switch 7 operation.

<Third example of processing when the connection between S unit 2 and CU3 is disconnected>
Figure 61 shows a third example of the process when the connection with CU3 is disconnected. Figure 61 describes an example in which the connection between S unit 2 and CU3 is disconnected after the start switch 7 has been operated but before the stop operation has been performed.

After power-on, the performance control board 15, the main control board 16, and the medal count control board 17 start up normally, and the S unit 2 and CU 3 are connected normally. As shown in the diagram, after the start switch 7 is operated, the connection between S unit 2 and CU 3 is disconnected. Based on the disconnection of the connection between CU 3 and S unit 2, the medal count control board 17 disables acceptance of counting operations. Furthermore, based on the disconnection of the connection between CU 3 and S unit 2, the medal count control board 17 sends a frame-side information command to the main control board 16 indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the connection between CU 3 and S unit 2.

In the example shown in Figure 61, the main control board 16 receives a frame-side information command indicating an abnormality in the connection between CU3 and S-machine 2, and then, based on the fact that a stop operation has been performed, transmits a disconnection notification command to the performance control board 15. That is, the main control board 16 does not transmit a disconnection notification command after receiving the frame-side information command until a stop operation is performed. Furthermore, based on the fact that a stop operation has been performed, the main control board 16 invalidates the acceptance of the bet amount setting operation.

Thus, if the connection between S-machine 2 and CU3 is disconnected after the start switch 7 has been operated but before the stop operation is performed, the main control board 16 accepts the stop operation without invalidating it, and then invalidates the start of the next unit game after the stop operation is performed. More specifically, if the connection between S-machine 2 and CU3 is disconnected while a unit game is being played, the main control board 16 accepts the stop operation, and after the display result is derived by the stop operation, it invalidates the acceptance of the bet setting operation for starting the next unit game. Therefore, in this embodiment, if the connection to CU3 is disconnected during the execution of a unit game, the game can continue to progress until the unit game ends, thereby suppressing a decline in the enjoyment of the game.

Furthermore, as shown in Figures 59 to 61, the medal count control board 17 disables acceptance of counting operations when it determines that the connection with CU3 has been disconnected. More specifically, the medal count control board 17 disables acceptance of counting operations when it determines that the connection with CU3 has been disconnected, regardless of whether it is in the state where it is possible to accept a bet setting operation as shown in Figure 59, the state after a bet setting operation has been accepted but unit play has not started as shown in Figure 60, or the state where unit play is being executed as shown in Figure 61. This prevents counting operations from being performed when the connection between machine S 2 and CU3 is disconnected.

Furthermore, as shown in Figures 59 and 60, if the connection between CU3 and S-machine 2 is disconnected before the unit game starts, the main control board 16 receives a frame-side information command from the medal count control board 17 indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the connection between CU3 and S-machine 2, and then transmits a disconnection notification command to the performance control board 15. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 61, if the connection between CU3 and S-machine 2 is disconnected during the execution of the unit game, the main control board 16 receives a frame-side information command from the medal count control board 17 indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the connection between CU3 and S-machine 2, and then, based on the fact that a stop operation has been performed, transmits a disconnection notification command to the performance control board 15.

More specifically, the main control board 16, when the connection between S-machine 2 and CU3 is disconnected while the betting amount setting operation is active or after the betting amount setting operation has been accepted but unit game has not started, will initiate a notification to the performance control board 15 indicating that CU3 is disconnected. On the other hand, if the connection between S-machine 2 and CU3 is disconnected while unit game is being executed, the main control board 16 will initiate a notification to the performance control board 15 indicating that CU3 is disconnected after the display result is derived by the stop operation. Therefore, in this embodiment, if the connection to CU3 is disconnected during unit game execution, the game can be allowed to proceed to the player until the unit game ends, and then the disconnection can be notified at the time the unit game ends.

<Fourth example of processing when the connection between S unit 2 and CU3 is disconnected>
Figure 62 shows a fourth example of the process when the connection with CU3 is disconnected. Figure 62 describes an example in which the connection between S machine 2 and CU3 is disconnected while a specific performance is being executed. A specific performance is a performance that is executed during a unit of gameplay and prompts the player to operate the performance switch 56 after the third stop operation has been performed. More specifically, in a specific performance, the performance result is announced when the performance switch 56 is pressed after the third stop operation has been performed. A specific example of a specific performance is explained in Figure 63.

As shown in Figure 62, when the start switch 7 is operated and a specific performance is being executed, the connection between the S unit 2 and the CU 3 is disconnected. Based on the disconnection of the connection between the CU 3 and the S unit 2, the medal count control board 17 transmits a frame-side information command to the main control board 16 indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the connection between the CU 3 and the S unit 2.

In the example shown in Figure 62, the main control board 16 receives a frame-side information command indicating an abnormality in the connection between CU3 and S-unit 2. Based on the fact that a stop operation has been performed and all reels have stopped, the main control board 16 transmits a disconnection notification command to the performance control board 15. Upon receiving the disconnection notification command, the performance control board 15 displays a disconnection notification. In the example in Figure 62, since a specific performance is executed before all reels stop, the performance control board 15, based on receiving a termination command from the main control board 16, displays a performance switch prompt image to encourage pressing the performance switch 56. The performance switch prompt image is, for example, an image showing the performance switch 56 along with the text "Press the performance switch."

The player presses the performance switch 56 after seeing the image prompting the player to press the performance switch. Based on the press of the performance switch 56, the performance control board 15 executes a specific performance result notification process, which notifies the result of a specific performance.

Figure 63 is a diagram illustrating the characteristics of a specific performance. Figure 63(A) shows the normal screen during the advantageous period. When the player presses the start switch 7, the specific performance begins, as shown in Figure 63(B). In the specific performance, at the start of the unit game, character 57 is shown to be undertaking some kind of challenge. The challenge may include, for example, whether or not the player can jump over a mountain, or whether or not they can fight and defeat an enemy character, and includes a variety of challenges.

In the example shown in Figure 63, an image containing the text "Challenge Start!" is displayed, as shown in Figure 63(B). After the execution of a specific performance begins and the image containing the text "Challenge Start!" is displayed, the connection between S-machine 2 and CU3 is disconnected. Afterward, the main control board 16 maintains a state where it can accept stop operations. As shown in Figure 63(D), the player performs the first stop operation, the second stop operation, and the third stop operation. After the third stop operation, the performance switch prompt image Hy1 is displayed, as shown in Figure 63(E). As described above, the performance switch prompt image Hy1 is displayed based on the performance control board 15 receiving the termination command. Furthermore, after the third stop operation, the disconnection notification image Un1 is displayed, as shown in Figure 63(E). The disconnection notification image Un1 is displayed by the performance control board 15 based on the performance control board 15 receiving the disconnection notification command.

As shown in Figure 63(F), when the player presses the performance switch 56, the display of the performance switch prompt image Hy1 ends, and the specific performance result image Rs1 is displayed. In the example in Figure 63(F), the specific performance result image Rs1 includes the words "Challenge Successful!". The specific performance result image Rs1 may also include words such as "Victory!" or "You did it!". Furthermore, the specific performance result image Rs1 may also include words such as "Challenge Failed," "Loss," or "Too bad."

As explained in Figures 62 and 63, even if the connection between S machine 2 and CU 3 is disconnected during the execution of a specific performance, the specific performance result image Rs1 can be displayed without interrupting the progress of the specific performance. More specifically, in a unit game, the performance control board 15 prompts the player to operate the performance switch 56 after the display result is derived by a stop operation, and based on the operation of the performance switch 56, it can notify the performance result of the specific performance. If the connection between S machine 2 and CU 3 is disconnected while a specific performance is being executed and the display result has not yet been derived by a stop operation, the main control board 16 disables the bet setting operation while enabling the operation of the performance switch 56 after the display result has been derived by a stop operation. Based on the operation of the performance switch 56, the main control board 16 causes the performance control board 15 to notify the specific performance result image Rs1. This allows the game to notify the player of the outcome of a specific animation even if the connection to CU3 is lost during that animation, thus preventing a decrease in the enjoyment of the game during that animation.

[Regarding game programs and non-game programs]
In this embodiment, the main control unit 161 of machine S 2 executes game programs and non-game programs. A game program is a program that describes commands related to the progress of the game, such as internal lottery processing. A non-game program is a program that describes commands that are not directly related to the progress of the game, such as outputting data to the payout ratio monitor. If data is unintentionally mixed between game programs and non-game programs, malfunctions may occur. For example, if data in the non-game RAM area is overwritten by a command in the game program when it should be overwritten by a command in the game RAM area, this may result in a program malfunction. To prevent such malfunctions, the main control unit 161 distinguishes between game programs and non-game programs, executes the programs accordingly, and proceeds with the game.

The following section will explain the memory areas where non-game programs and game programs are stored, using Figure 64. Figure 64 is an address map of the memory area used by the main control unit 161. As shown in Figure 64, the memory area used by the main control unit 161 includes the memory area allocated to ROM 161b (0000H to EFFFH) and the memory area allocated to RAM 161c (F000H to FFFFH).

The memory area of ROM 161b consists of a program/data area where the program and fixed data are stored, an unused area where access is prohibited, and other areas. The other areas include a ROM comment area where arbitrary data such as the program title and version can be set, a vector table area where the higher addresses of the CALLV instruction subroutines and the starting address of the timer interrupt processing (main) are set, a hardware parameter area where parameters for hardware-configuring the internal functions of the main control unit 161 are set, and an unused area where access is prohibited.

The memory area of RAM 161c consists of a usable area (F000H to F400H) that can be used as work data and other areas (F401H to FFFFH). The other areas include an internal function register area (FE00H to FEACH) where registers for controlling the various functions installed in the main control unit 161 are stored. The various functions installed in the main control unit 161 include, for example, the functions of the serial communication circuit described later. That is, the internal function register area of RAM 161c includes a storage area for setting the functions of the serial communication circuit.

The program/data area in ROM 161b includes a game program area where game programs related to the progress of the game are stored, a game data area where game data used by the game programs is stored, an unused area 1, a non-game program area where non-game programs not related to the progress of the game are stored, a non-game data area where non-game data used by the non-game programs is stored, and an unused area 2.

Furthermore, the progression of the game refers to the continuation of a series of processes that constitute the game. In the case of a slot machine, this includes the stages of setting the bet amount and making the game start, starting the game and spinning the reels, stopping the reels and deriving the display result, and assigning value such as tokens according to the display result.

In the above, "before" and "after" of a memory area refer to the relative sizes of the address values assigned to those memory areas; a smaller address is considered "before," and a larger address is considered "after." Therefore, a memory area assigned "after" a memory area is one with a larger address value than that memory area, and a memory area assigned "before" a memory area is one with a smaller address value than that memory area.

RAM 161c includes a game RAM area used by the game program as work, an unused area 3, a stack area where the game program saves data, a non-game RAM area used by non-game programs as work, an unused area 4, and a stack area where non-game programs save data.

The game RAM area is composed of areas A through D. Here, areas A through D are called the "total initialization area," areas B through D are called the "initialization area at the end of setting changes," areas C through D are called the "initialization area at the end of bonus rounds (BB)," and area D is called the "initialization area at the end of each game." The total initialization area is the area that is initialized when a RAM error occurs and a predetermined operation is performed. The area at the end of setting changes is the area that is initialized when setting changes are completed. The area at the end of bonus rounds is the area that is initialized when a bonus round ends. The area at the end of each game is the area that is initialized each time a game ends.

In the following, the game program area, game data area, and game RAM area may be collectively referred to as the "game area," while the non-game program area, non-game data area, and non-game RAM area may be collectively referred to as the "non-game area."

The non-game RAM area consists of areas E and F. Here, area E is called the area to be initialized at the end of each game, and area F is called the area to be initialized when the power is turned on. The area to be initialized at the end of each game (area E) in the non-game RAM area is initialized each time a game ends, similar to the area to be initialized at the end of each game (area D) in the game RAM area. The area to be initialized when the power is turned on again after a power outage in machine S2. Area F stores variables used in the safety device processing described later. Area E stores the stop flag used in the safety device processing described later.

[Instructions used in programs]

The program executed by the main control unit 161 includes a main routine that manages the progress of the entire program, and subroutines that are called while other programs are running.

The main control unit 161 includes an LD instruction as an instruction for reading data stored in the program/data area. The LD instruction is an instruction that reads 1-byte data stored at a specified address in the main routine or subroutine into a specified register. The main control unit 161 reads the data stored at the address specified by the LD instruction and stores the read data in the register specified by the LD instruction.

The LD instruction includes both the standard LD instruction and the special LD instruction, the LDQ instruction. The standard LD instruction specifies both the upper and lower addresses, and reads data stored in a specific area of ROM 161b or RAM 161c using these specified addresses. In contrast, the LDQ instruction specifies only the lower address, and uses the upper and lower addresses pre-set in a special register (Q register) within the internal function register area of RAM 161c to identify the address, read data stored in a specific area of ROM 161b or RAM 161c, and store the read data in the specified register. Compared to the standard LD instruction, this allows for storing predetermined data in a predetermined register with a smaller amount of data.

When reading data stored in a specific area of ROM161b or RAM161c within the main routine or subroutine, the LDQ instruction, a special LD instruction, allows you to read data from a specific area by specifying only the lower part of the address, rather than specifying the entire address (upper and lower parts). Using the LDQ instruction allows you to read data with less data than with a normal LD instruction that specifies both the upper and lower addresses, thus reducing the program's wasted effort in specifying addresses when reading data.

Furthermore, by storing frequently used game data from the game RAM area of RAM 161c in a region of the game RAM area whose starting address is a specific value, and setting this specific value as the upper address of the game data in a special register (Q register), and then using the LDQ instruction to specify only the lower address when the main control unit 161 reads the game data, it becomes possible to read the game data with less data compared to the normal LD instruction which reads the data by specifying both the upper and lower addresses, thereby reducing the program's waste in specifying addresses when reading this game data.

Furthermore, the main control unit 161 can change the value set in the special register (Q register) in the main routine or subroutine. As described later, during the initial setup process performed at startup, a specific value indicating the starting address of frequently used game data is set in the special register (Q register). In this embodiment, the special register (Q register) includes two registers: the first Q register and the second Q register. Hereafter, the first Q register and the second Q register will be collectively referred to simply as the "special register (Q register)." For example, "F0" is stored in the special register (Q register). This ensures that when the game program is running, a specific value indicating the starting address of frequently used game data is set in the special register (Q register), allowing the game program to read frequently used game data using the LDQ instruction.

Furthermore, the configuration may involve setting the higher address used when reading with the LDQ instruction, a special LD instruction, to a predetermined storage area other than a special register (e.g., the Q register), such as the vector table area. In this configuration, a portion of the address is identified using a value stored in a predetermined storage area such as the vector table area, and the remaining portion of the address is specified by the program, thereby allowing the data storage address to be identified. This configuration reduces the program's need to specify the address when reading data. Alternatively, even in a configuration where, for example, an identification value smaller than the address is assigned to each of the multiple areas constituting the vector table area, and the data storage address is set in each of these areas, and the identification value is specified, the storage address of the data stored in the area corresponding to the identification value can be identified using a special LD instruction, this also reduces the program's need to specify the address when reading data.

Furthermore, the main control unit 161 includes a CALL instruction (call instruction) as an instruction to execute a program stored in the program/data area. The CALL instruction is an instruction that calls and executes a subroutine stored at a specified address in the main routine or subroutine. When the main control unit 161 calls a subroutine using a CALL instruction, it stores the caller's address in the stack area and calls and executes the subroutine stored at the specified address. Then, upon completion of the subroutine, it returns to the caller's address stored in the stack area, i.e., the program of the main routine or subroutine that executed the CALL instruction, using a RET instruction (return instruction).

Furthermore, the main control unit 161 includes a CALLEX instruction (call instruction) as an instruction to execute a program stored in the program/data area. The CALLEX instruction, in addition to calling a subroutine stored at a specified address in the main routine or subroutine, also switches register banks. Figure 65 is a diagram illustrating the register banks included in the CPU 161a of the main control unit 161. As shown in Figure 65, the CPU 161a has a first register bank R1 and a second register bank R2.

The first register bank R1 contains ten registers: the first Q register, the first U register, the first A register, the first B register, the first C register, the first D register, the first E register, the first F register, the first H register, and the first L register. Similarly, the second register bank R2 contains ten registers: the second Q register, the second U register, the second A register, the second B register, the second C register, the second D register, the second E register, the second F register, the second H register, and the second L register.

In this embodiment, the main control unit 161 uses the first register bank R1 when executing instructions according to a program described in the game program area, and uses the second register bank R2 when executing instructions according to a program described in the non-game program area. In other words, the main control unit 161 does not use the second register bank R2 when executing instructions according to a program described in the game program area, and does not use the first register bank R1 when executing instructions according to a program described in the non-game program area. This prevents unintended mixing of data between game programs and non-game programs, which could cause malfunctions in the S machine 2 of this embodiment. Hereafter, programs described in the game program area will be simply referred to as "game programs," and programs described in the non-game program area will be simply referred to as "non-game programs."

In other words, when the main control unit 161 is executing the game program as the main routine, it uses the first register bank R1. However, when a non-game program is called as a subroutine by a CALLEX instruction, it switches from the first register bank R1 to the second register bank R2. More specifically, when the main control unit 161 calls a non-game program area as a subroutine by a CALLEX instruction, it stores the caller's address in the stack area, calls and executes the subroutine stored at the specified address. Then, upon completion of the subroutine, it returns to the caller's address stored in the stack area, i.e., the game program that executed the CALLEX instruction, using a RETEX instruction (return instruction), and switches from the second register bank R2 to the first register bank R1. This allows the S-machine 2 in this embodiment to use different register banks when executing the game program and when executing the non-game program, preventing the processing contents of the game program area and the non-game program area from becoming mixed in the registers.

Each register in the first and second register banks is assigned a specific role and function. The first A register and the second A register are general-purpose registers called accumulators, possessing various functions. The first B register, the second B register, and the first C register and the second C register are also general-purpose registers, but they have fewer unique functions than the A registers.

The first and second F registers are called flag registers. The flag registers are configured to change according to the result of an operation. Each of the first and second F registers consists of 8 bits, and the second bit stores a flag to determine whether or not an overflow has occurred. If an overflow occurs as a result of operations in the first register bank R1 and the second register bank R2, "1" is stored in the second bit of the flag register. Hereafter, the storage of "1" in the second bit of the flag register due to an overflow will be referred to as "the flag register being turned on."

Furthermore, overflow includes both overflow due to addition and overflow due to subtraction. Overflow due to subtraction is sometimes referred to as underflow. This allows the main control unit 161 to detect whether or not an overflow has occurred in the calculation result using a flag register. Since this overflow detection process can be performed using the register's functionality, it is faster and less resource-intensive than detecting it programmatically.

[Q Register Settings]
Figure 66 is a flowchart showing the startup process of the main control unit 161. The main control unit 161 is implemented as a control computer, such as a microcontroller. Before the user program is executed, the main control unit 161 performs a startup process to configure settings related to the hardware functions of the microcontroller, for example. The user program is a program for controlling the progress of the game, stored in the ROM 161b, and is designed by the gaming machine manufacturer or the like. On the other hand, the startup process is a process provided in the main control unit 161 itself and is executed automatically when the main control unit 161 is started up.

Based on the supply of power to the main control unit 161, the main control unit 161 executes the startup process shown in Figure 66. In Figure 66, as an example of setting processes related to the hardware functions of the main control unit 161, initial values are set in the first Q register and the second Q register (step Sj1). After the execution of step Sj1, although not shown, the main control unit 161 may perform setting processes related to its hardware functions. These hardware function setting processes may include, for example, setting the functions of a serial communication circuit.

In step Sj1 of this embodiment, the initial value of the first Q register is, for example, "F0," and the initial value of the second Q register is, for example, "F3." This allows the main control unit 161 to reduce the program waste required for specifying addresses when calling the game RAM area, which is frequently referenced and written to during the execution of the game program. Similarly, the main control unit 161 can reduce the program waste required for specifying addresses when calling the non-game RAM area, which is frequently referenced and written to during the execution of non-game programs. As a result, the main control unit 161 of this embodiment can reduce the program capacity required for instruction execution in both the game program and the non-game program.

In step Sj1, the main control unit 161 sets initial values in the first Q register and the second Q register, and then executes the user program (step Sj2). The user program includes the initial setup process (described later in Figure 67) and the main process (described later in Figure 68). Thus, before the user program starts controlling the game, initial values are set in both the first Q register and the second Q register. This allows the main control unit 161 to simplify processing by pre-setting initial values in the first Q register and the second Q register before starting game control. Furthermore, this configuration eliminates the need for the user program to set the values of the first Q register and the second Q register. In other words, it reduces the processing performed by the user program. In this embodiment, the initial values of the first Q register and the second Q register are different, but they may also be set to the same value.

[Regarding the initial setup process of the main control board 16]
Figure 67 illustrates the initial setup process performed by the main control board 16. The initial setup process is included in the user program and is described in the game program area of ROM 161b.

The main control board 16 starts up when power is supplied to the S unit 2, with timer interrupts disabled due to a reset. It then performs various processes according to the program stored in the ROM 161b of the main control board 16. After starting up, it first initializes all output ports 0-9 and performs the initial setup processing included in the game program.

The initial setup process begins with timer interrupts disabled. As shown in Figure 67, the initial setup process first refers to a predetermined area of the input port (Sa1) to determine whether the power outage detection signal output from the power outage detection circuit is ON (Sa2). If the power outage detection signal is ON, the system waits until the power outage detection signal turns OFF. After the power supply voltage of unit S2 returns to normal and the power outage detection signal turns OFF, the main control unit 161 sets values in the first Q register and the second Q register (Sa2Q). In step Sa2Q, "F0" is set in the first Q register and "F3" is set in the second Q register. In other words, the same process as in step Sj1 in Figure 66 is performed in step Sa2Q. To put it another way, the same values are reset in the first Q register and the second Q register.

Thus, the main control unit 161 sets values in both the first Q register and the second Q register, not only during the startup process but also in the user program. This allows the main control unit 161 to set arbitrary values in the first Q register and the second Q register in the user program. Furthermore, even if an abnormality occurs in the startup process of the main control unit 161 and the initial values are not set for the first Q register and the second Q register in step Sj2, the user program sets values in the first Q register and the second Q register, preventing an abnormality in the user program due to the lack of values in the first Q register and the second Q register. In this embodiment, in the S unit 2, values are set in both the process in step Sj1 in Figure 66 and the process in step Sa2Q in Figure 67. However, the S unit 2 may be configured to perform only one of these processes: the process in step Sj1 in Figure 66 or the process in step Sa2Q in Figure 67.

Next, the main control unit 161 calculates the parity of a predetermined area of RAM 161c (Sa3) and sets a predetermined initial address in the stack pointer (Sa4). Then, it determines whether the parity calculated in step Sa3 is normal (Sa5). If the parity is normal, it acquires fixed data for RAM corruption diagnosis that was set in the predetermined area of RAM 161c during the power outage (Sa6), and diagnoses whether the contents of RAM 161c have been corrupted based on this fixed data (Sa7).

If the parity is determined to be normal in step Sa5, and if the contents of RAM 161c are diagnosed in step Sa7, then, based on the RAM parity calculated in step Sa3 and the diagnosis results in Sa7, it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in RAM 161c (Sa8). An abnormality in RAM 161c is defined as either the parity being abnormal, or the parity being normal but the contents of the memory being diagnosed as abnormal.

If there is an abnormality in RAM 161c, the values of the flag registers in the main control board 16, where calculation results are stored, are saved in a predetermined order in the game stack area of the game RAM area. Then, the non-game RAM area initialization process included in the non-game program is called (Sa10). In other words, the process in step Sa10 is the process of calling a non-game program from the game program. For this reason, the name of the process in step Sa10 is preceded by the phrase "(non-game)". In the initial setup process shown in Figure 67 and the main process shown in Figure 68, the names of the processes that call non-game programs from the game program are preceded by the phrase "(non-game)". Specifically, steps Sa10, SaF1, Sa30 in Figure 67 and steps Sb2, Sb13, Sb36, Sb50 in Figure 68 correspond to the processes of calling non-game programs from the game program. In the following, the process of calling a non-game program from such a game program will be simply referred to as "non-game program call processing." The CALLEX instruction described above may be used for non-game program call processing.

When a non-game program call process, such as the non-game RAM area initialization process shown in step Sa10, is executed, the main control unit 161 performs the following at the beginning of the process corresponding to the non-game program call process: switching the register bank used by the CPU 161a from the first register bank R1 to the second register bank R2, and setting the value of the second Q register. At this time, "F3" is set in the second Q register. That is, in the non-game program call process, the value of the second Q register is reset, similar to step Sj1 in Figure 66 and step Sa2Q in Figure 67.

Thus, before game control begins, the main control unit 161 sets a value in the first Q register in step Sj1 in Figure 66 and step Sa2Q in Figure 67, and sets the value of the second Q register each time a non-game program call process is executed, in which a non-game program is called from the game program. This ensures that in the S machine 2 of this embodiment, even if an unintended value is set in the second Q register of the second register bank R2, the value of the second Q register of the second register bank R2 can be reset each time a non-game program is called, thus preventing malfunctions. However, the main control unit 161 does not need to set the value of the second Q register each time a non-game program is called. That is, as described above, in the S machine 2 of this embodiment, before game progress control is performed, values are already set in the first Q register and the second Q register in the process of step Sj1 in Figure 66 and step Sa2Q in Figure 67, so there is no need to set the value of the second Q register each time a non-game program is called, as a value is already set in the second Q register.

Furthermore, the main control unit 161 may, in the processing of step Sj1 in Figure 66 and the processing of step Sa2Q in Figure 67, set a value only in the first Q register and not in the second Q register, and then set the value of the second Q register when the non-game program is called. In this case, the main control unit 161 may set the value of the second Q register only when the non-game program is called for the first time after power-on. In other words, as described above, in order to ensure the prevention of malfunctions, the processing can be simplified by not resetting the value of the second Q register each time the non-game program is called, but only setting the value of the second Q register when the non-game program is called for the first time after power-on.

Subsequently, the initialization of the non-game RAM area, which is the purpose of the non-game RAM area initialization process, is performed. More specifically, the main control unit 161 specifies the starting address (the first address of the unused area) and ending address (the last address of the non-game RAM area) of the RAM to be initialized. It then clears the data at the specified address, using the starting address as the initial value of the specified address, and updates the specified address to the next address. This process is repeated until the specified address becomes the ending address, thereby initializing the area from the starting address to the ending address of the RAM to be initialized (in this embodiment, the area from the beginning of the unused area to the end of the non-game RAM area). Then, the process of switching the register bank used by the CPU 161a from the second register bank R2 to the first register bank R1 is executed. After initializing the non-game RAM area of RAM 161c, the process returns to the initial setup process.

Furthermore, in the non-game RAM area initialization process, the capacity of the RAM to be initialized can be calculated by specifying the start and end addresses of the RAM to be initialized. The RAM area corresponding to this capacity can then 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 RAM 161c, the fixed data for RAM corruption diagnosis set in RAM 161c is cleared (Sa12), and the RAM corruption initialization start address is set to specify the address of the game RAM area that will be initialized if there is an abnormality in RAM 161c (Sa13).

Next, in the S unit 2 of this embodiment, the area F initialization process, which is a non-game program call process, is executed (SaF1). The area F initialization process is the process of initializing area F, which is included in the non-game RAM area shown in Figure 64. Details of the area F initialization process will be explained later. After that, the input port 2 is referenced to determine whether the setting key switch 37 is in the ON state or not (Sa14).

If it is determined in step Sa14 that the setting key switch 37 is in the ON state, a game machine installation information command is sent to the medal count control board 17 (Sa14a), and the setting change process is performed. In the setting change process, the setting value is determined by operating the reset/setting switch 38 and the start switch 7 in a predetermined procedure, and when it is detected that the setting key switch 37 has been turned OFF, the setting change process is terminated and the system transitions to a state where the game can 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 performance control unit 151, and when the setting change process is terminated, a setting command (end) indicating that the setting change process is to be terminated is sent. In addition, when the setting change process is terminated, the starting address of the RAM area to be initialized at the time of setting change is specified, and the system returns to step Sb47 of the main process which will be described later. Then, in step Sb47, the RAM initialization process is performed, initializing the entire game RAM area, from the starting address of the RAM area to be initialized when the settings are changed to the ending address of the game RAM area. Alternatively, the configuration may be such that all game RAM areas except the stack area currently in use by RAM 161c are initialized.

If, in step Sa14, it is determined that the setting key switch 37 is not in the ON state, then, based on the RAM parity calculated in step Sa3 and the diagnostic result in Sa7, it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in RAM 161c (Sa15). If it is determined that there is no abnormality in RAM 161c, the output buffer for outputting the external output signal is cleared (Sa16). Also, the reel error counter, which is set in a predetermined area of RAM 161c and counts the number of times a reel rotation error was detected in the main processing described later, is cleared (Sa17). Then, the stack pointer SP is restored to its state at the time of power loss by setting the address at the time of power loss based on the contents of RAM 161c (Sa18). After that, a game machine installation information command is sent to the medal count control board 17 (Sa15a), and port input processing is performed twice consecutively (Sa19, Sa20).

Port input processing is the process of updating input status data related to the input state of various switches input to the parallel input port (input data indicating the current input state of various switches, confirmed data indicating that the current input data is the same as the previous input data, and edge data indicating that the confirmed data has changed since the previous input). A predetermined area of the game RAM region of RAM 161c is provided with port input buffers 0 to 2 for storing input status data of various switches. The input status data of various switches updated by port input processing is stored in predetermined bits of the port input buffer, each set for each type of switch. Port input processing is performed on input ports 0 to 2 of the parallel input port.

The detection status (ON or OFF) of various switches is stored as input data in predetermined bits of the port input buffer. Furthermore, the detection status (ON or OFF) from the current port input processing is compared with the previous input data. If the current and previous input data are the same, the confirmed data is updated to reflect the current input data's detection status. If the current and previous input data are different, the previous confirmed data is maintained. Additionally, comparing the current and previous confirmed data, if the confirmed data changes from OFF to ON, ON edge data indicating this change is stored in predetermined bits of port input buffers 0-2. If the confirmed data changes from ON to OFF, OFF edge data indicating this change is stored in predetermined bits of port input buffers 0-2. The input data, confirmed data, and edge data for various switches stored in the port input buffer can be referenced by both the game program and non-game programs.

Furthermore, in the initial setup process, by performing port input processing twice consecutively, when subsequent port input processing is performed, input status data related to the input status of various switches, such as detection signals, is created based on the input status of various switches after the initial setup process, i.e., the input status of various switches after power supply to unit S2 has been resumed. This prevents unintended input conditions from being identified. Alternatively, the port input processing may be configured to create final data based on input data acquired through three or more port input processes (for example, the input data from the current, previous, and the one before that). In such a configuration, by performing port input processing one fewer time consecutively in the initial setup process than the number of port input processes required to create final data, input status data can be created based on the input status of various switches after the initial setup process when port input processing is performed after the initial setup process.

After performing port input processing in steps Sa19 and Sa20, the system refers to a predetermined input port (Sa21) to determine whether the reset/setting switch 38 is in the ON state (Sa22). If the reset/setting switch 38 is in the ON state, status data indicating that the reset/setting switch 38 is in the ON state is set in a predetermined area of RAM 161c (Sa23).

If it is determined in step Sa22 that the reset/setting switch 38 is not in the ON state, and after setting the status data in step Sa23, a recovery command indicating that the control state has returned to the state before the power outage is sent to the performance control unit 151 (Sa24). Then, in the command transmission process of the timer interrupt processing (main), a door command transmission flag indicating that a door command indicating the detection state of the door open detection switch 25 should be transmitted is set in a predetermined area of RAM 161c (Sa25). Normally, in the command transmission process, a door command is transmitted when the detection state of the door open detection switch 25 changes. However, if the door command transmission flag is set in the predetermined area of RAM 161c, a door command indicating the detection state of the door open detection switch 25 is transmitted regardless of whether the detection state of the door open detection switch 25 has changed or not.

Then, after setting the door command transmission flag in step Sa25, all registers are restored to their state before the power outage, as stored in RAM 161c (Sa26), the timer interrupt is enabled (Sa27), the initial setup process is completed, and the process transitions to the timer interrupt process (main). Finally, the process returns to the main process that was running before the power supply to unit S2 was cut off.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step Sa15 that there is an abnormality in RAM 161c, a game machine installation information command is sent to the medal count control board 17 (Sa15b), and game RAM initialization processing is performed (Sa28), initializing the area from the RAM corruption initialization start address set in step Sa13 to the end of the game RAM area of RAM 161c. After that, similar to the processing in Sa10, the main control unit 161 executes the non-game RAM area initialization processing, which is a non-game program call processing (Sa30). That is, at the beginning of the processing, the main control unit 161 executes the process of switching the register bank used by CPU 161a from the first register bank R1 to the second register bank R2, and the process of setting the value of the second Q register. Subsequently, after initializing the non-game RAM area, the main control unit 161 executes the process of switching the register bank used by CPU 161a from the second register bank R2 to the first register bank R1. Next, the main control unit 161 sets the door command transmission flag (Sa32), enables the timer interrupt (Sa33), prepares a RAM error number indicating an abnormality in RAM 161c in a predetermined register (Sa34), and then terminates the initial setup process and proceeds to error handling.

Error handling is the process of controlling the game to an error state that prevents further gameplay. An error command capable of identifying an error number prepared in a predetermined register is sent to the performance control unit 151. This error number is then set as an error flag in a predetermined area of the RAM 161c, accessible by other processes (such as the sensor monitoring process described later). The system is also controlled to display this error number on the game support display 12. Subsequently, the system controls the error state until the conditions for clearing the error state corresponding to the error number prepared in the predetermined register are met. If a RAM abnormality error number is prepared in the predetermined register and the system transitions to an error state, turning on the power switch with the setting key switch 37 ON transitions the system to a setting change state, initializing all game RAM areas. This ensures that the abnormality in the RAM 161c data is reliably resolved and the error state is cleared. On the other hand, if the power switch is turned ON without turning on the setting key switch 37, an abnormality in the RAM 161c is detected again, and the system reverts to an error state.

As described above, after power supply to the S unit 2 is started, the main control board 16 executes the startup process of the main control unit 161 shown in Figure 66, and then performs a user program including an initial setup process. During the initial setup process, depending on the state of the main control board 16 when power supply to the S unit 2 is started, it transitions to either timer interrupt processing (main), setting change processing, or error processing. When transitioning to these processes, a command that specifies the type of processing to transition to is sent to the performance control unit 151. If transitioning to timer interrupt processing (main), i.e., returning to the control state before power supply to the S unit 2 was stopped, a return command is sent to the performance control unit 151. If setting change processing is started and the system transitions to the setting change state, a setting command (start) is sent to the performance control unit 151. If error processing is started due to a RAM 161c abnormality and the system transitions to an error state, an error command is sent to the performance control unit 151.

Furthermore, after transitioning from the initial setup process to the setting change process, the main control board 16 returns to a state where the game can proceed after passing through the setting change state. When returning to this state where the game can proceed, it sends a setting command (end) to the performance control unit 151, which specifies that the setting change state has ended, but does not send a return command. Also, after transitioning to error processing due to a RAM 161c abnormality, the system returns to a state where the game can proceed by transitioning to the setting change process as described above and clearing the error state. Even when error processing is completed and the system returns to a state where the game can proceed, it does not send a return command to the performance control unit 151.

As described above, the main control board 16 of this embodiment starts up when power is supplied to the S unit 2 and initializes all output ports 0 to 9. After initializing output ports 0 to 9, the main control board 16 performs the initial setup processing included in the game program. During the initial setup processing, if an abnormality is detected in RAM 161c, the non-game RAM area initialization processing included in the non-game program is called to initialize a predetermined area of the non-game RAM area of RAM 161c. Furthermore, the initial setup processing also calls the RAM initialization processing included in the game program to initialize a predetermined area of the game RAM area of RAM 161c. Thus, the game RAM area is initialized by the game program, and the non-game RAM area is initialized by the non-game program.

[Regarding safety device handling]
In machine S2 of this embodiment, a safety device process is executed throughout the day to limit the number of medals awarded to players by setting an upper limit on the increase in the number of medals awarded, thereby restricting players from acquiring an excessive amount of medals. The number of medals awarded in the safety device process refers to the value indicating the number of medals awarded to the player through winning.

The main control unit 161 determines whether the number of awarded medals has begun to increase, for example, by whether the number of awarded medals within a predetermined number of games (for example, 50 games) is above a threshold. The main control unit 161 may also determine whether the number of awarded medals has begun to increase by other methods. The safety device processing executed by the main control unit 161 is a process that disables the game when the number of awarded medals reaches a limit after the number of games has begun to increase. By executing the safety device processing, it is possible to prevent the number of medals awarded to the player from increasing excessively. This prevents the S machine 2 in this embodiment from being excessively dispensed with medals due to fraudulent operation. Furthermore, an increase in the number of awarded medals can lead to a state that excessively stimulates gambling tendencies. Therefore, by setting an upper limit and restricting the number of awarded medals, it is possible to suppress the S machine 2 from becoming excessively stimulating gambling tendencies. The safety device processing is executed within the safety device-related processing of the main processing.

Figure 68 illustrates the control content of the main processing performed by the main control board 16. The main processing is repeatedly executed for each unit of gameplay (1 game). One cycle of the main processing corresponds to one unit of gameplay. Furthermore, the main processing is included in the game program and contains multiple processes. As explained above, in the main processing shown in Figure 68, the processing name of the process corresponding to the non-game program call process has the words "(non-game)" appended to the beginning.

As shown in Figure 68, the main control unit 161 first performs RT information output processing included in the non-game program (Sb2). Based on the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the previous game, the main control unit 161 outputs RT information to a test board or the like. Figure 69 is a diagram illustrating the control content of the RT information output processing performed by the main control board 16. As described above, in the non-game program call processing, the first actions performed are register bank switching (SQ4, SQ6) and setting the value of the second Q register (SQ2).

The main control unit 161 sets the stack pointer in the non-game RAM area (step Si2) and obtains the RT status (step Si3). Specifically, it refers to information regarding the game state (RT status) of machine S 2, which is set in a predetermined area of the game RAM area, and sets the system to output the information regarding that game state (for example, the RT status) as an external output signal from the output port.

In other words, in step Si3, the number of the external output signal to be output is read into a register, and external output signal processing is performed to output the external output signal to external devices such as call lamps and hall computers. The external output signal includes, for example, a signal indicating whether or not the machine is controlled in a favorable period. This allows external devices such as the test board and hall computer to be notified whether or not the machine is controlled in a favorable period. Furthermore, in the main processing, this external output signal processing for outputting RT information is executed before the multiple interrupt waiting process (Sbw1) described later. Also, when the main control unit 161 transmits RT information to the test board, it transmits the RT information to the test board as a test signal.

Next, the main control unit 161 initializes the stop flag (step Si4). Afterward, it switches the register bank to the first register bank R1, and the RT information output processing ends. Then, the main control unit 161 executes a multiple interrupt wait process (Sbw1). This multiple interrupt wait process is executed to ensure the output time of the information output during the RT information output process. In other words, the main control unit 161 executes the multiple interrupt wait process to delay the game progress for a predetermined period. This multiple interrupt wait process is also called delay processing. As a result, the main control unit 161, after generating a test signal when the previous game ends, enters a waiting state for a predetermined period, ensuring that external devices, such as a test board, reliably receive the test signal, and preventing information discrepancies between the external device and the main control unit 161.

Subsequently, the main control unit 161 performs a game start waiting process (Sb5), which will be explained later, and performs the processing from the end of control of the previous game until the start of the next game. In the game start waiting process, it begins accepting bet setting requests, sets the bet amount according to the bet setting operation, and, when the operation of the start switch 7 is detected with the specified number of bets set, it starts the next game.

Next, the main control unit 161 performs a pre-processing step (SbPre) to control the payout at the start of the game. This pre-processing step is for controlling the payout within the advantageous period. Further details will be explained later.

Then, an internal lottery process is performed to determine whether or not to allow a prize to be awarded (internal lottery) (Sb6). In the internal lottery process, an internal lottery is conducted to determine whether or not to allow a prize to be awarded (i.e., whether or not to allow the display result to be derived) based on the pre-set values (1-6) in machine S2 and the random values for internal lottery acquired simultaneously with the start of the game by detecting the start switch 7.

After the AT lottery and other processes are executed, the following are performed sequentially: performance control processing (Sb12), test signal generation processing (Sb13), control state command group transmission processing (Sb14), and freeze control execution processing (Sb16). In the performance control processing, the performance flags that the main control board 16 refers to when performing performance control are set. The test signal generation processing corresponds to the non-game program call processing. In the test signal generation processing, a test signal is transmitted so that information indicating the control state of machine S 2 can be confirmed by a test device installed outside the game machine. The information indicating the control state of machine S 2 includes the lottery result of the internal lottery processing in step Sb6. In the control state command group transmission processing, a control state command group including multiple commands that can identify various control states at the start of a game is transmitted to the performance control unit 151. That is, the main control unit 161 outputs information regarding the results of the internal lottery and information regarding the game state to the performance control unit 151. In the freeze control execution process, regarding freeze control, which delays the progress of the game until a predetermined termination condition is met, the system checks whether there is a request to perform said freeze control. If a request is received, the type of freeze control and the timing of its execution are set in a predetermined area of RAM 161c.

Based on the type of freeze control and the timing of its execution set in RAM 161c, a freeze execution process is performed to execute the freeze control (Sb16). In the freeze execution process, if it is set in step Sb13 to perform freeze control at the start of the game, the freeze control is executed to delay the game control for a predetermined period. Furthermore, if a type of freeze control that includes a performance using reels 2L, 2C, and 2R (hereinafter referred to as reel performance) is set as the type of freeze control, a performance acceleration pattern (for example, an acceleration pattern that rotates the reels in a different direction from the rotation of the reels in the game, an acceleration pattern that starts rotating in the same direction as the rotation of the reels in the game at a slower speed than the rotation of the reels in the game, an acceleration pattern that vibrates the reels, etc.) is set in a predetermined area of RAM 161c as an excitation pattern for exciting the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R, and the reel performance is controlled to be performed during the period in which the freeze control is being performed. After that, the main control unit 161 performs a multiple interrupt waiting process (Sbw2). The multiple interrupt wait processing is performed to ensure the output time of the information output during the test signal generation process. Specifically, the main control unit 161 executes the multiple interrupt wait processing to delay the game progress for a predetermined period. The multiple interrupt wait processing in Sbw2 and the multiple interrupt wait processing in Sbw1 are common processes. That is, the main control unit 161 executes the same multiple interrupt wait processing when the start switch 7 is operated and the reels begin rotating, and when the game ends due to the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R. By commonizing the delay processing performed at the start and end of the game, memory capacity can be reduced. In this embodiment, the execution of the multiple interrupt wait processing in Sbw2 results in a delay of approximately 130 ms (0.13 seconds).

Furthermore, the main control unit 161 does not perform a determination process to determine whether or not to control the state of S-unit 2 to an error state during the commonly executed multiple interrupt waiting process. The determination process to determine whether or not to control to an error state is, for example, the error transition process shown in Sb32. This prevents the main control unit 161 from being controlled to an error state during the delay process, thus preventing a discrepancy between the test signal information transmitted to the test board and the information of S-unit 2, which has entered an error state.

After performing the interrupt waiting process multiple times in step Sbw2, the main control unit 161 refers to the game time management timer set in a predetermined area of RAM 161c to measure the elapsed time from the start of reel rotation in the previous game (Sb18), and determines whether the prescribed time for one game (4.1 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed from the start of reel rotation in the previous game based on the game time management timer (Sb19). At this time, the main control unit 161 determines whether the prescribed time for one game (4.1 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed, taking into consideration that the interrupt waiting process multiple times is performed in Sbw2. Depending on the timing of the operation of the start switch 7, the main control unit 161 executes the multiple interrupt waiting process at the timing when the interrupt waiting process finishes before the prescribed time for one game (4.1 seconds) has elapsed. More specifically, if the start switch 7 is operated at a timing that allows for the execution of multiple interrupt waiting processes before 3.97 seconds have elapsed since the start of reel rotation in the previous game, the main control unit 161 will start executing the multiple interrupt waiting processes at least before 3.97 seconds have elapsed.

This allows for accurate determination of whether 4.1 seconds have elapsed, without including the 0.13 seconds caused by the delay process, in the specific time period from the start of reel rotation in the previous game until the start of reel rotation in the next game. In short, the main control unit 161 executes the reel rotation start command transmission process 4.1 seconds after the operation of the start switch 7 in the game preceding the predetermined game. Furthermore, after executing the delay process, the main control unit 161 performs step Sb19, which determines whether the prescribed time for a game has elapsed. That is, the main control unit 161 executes the delay process so that it finishes before the end of the prescribed time for a game.

Then, if it is determined that the prescribed time for one game has not elapsed, the system waits until the prescribed time for one game has elapsed based on the game time management timer. After the prescribed time for one game has elapsed based on the game time management timer, the system sets a predetermined value (in this embodiment, a value corresponding to 4.1 seconds) to the game time management timer, starts measuring the elapsed time from the start of reel rotation (Sb20), controls the weight lamp 93 to the OFF state (off state) (Sb21), and performs a reel rotation start command transmission process to send a reel rotation start command to the performance control unit 151 that specifies that the rotation control of reels 2L, 2C, and 2R should be started (Sb22). On the other hand, if it is determined in step Sb19 that the prescribed time for one game has elapsed, the system immediately performs the processes in steps Sb20 to Sb22. Furthermore, after a predetermined value is set in step Sb20, the timer for managing the duration of a single game is decremented at predetermined intervals until it reaches 0 when the prescribed duration of a single game (4.1 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed from the start of reel rotation during gameplay. This allows for determination of whether the prescribed duration of a single game has elapsed based on whether the timer is at 0 or not.

Thus, in this embodiment, the main control unit 161 executes the test signal generation process in Sb13, and then executes the multiple interrupt waiting process in Sbw2, which delays the game's progress for a predetermined period. Furthermore, the main control unit 161 executes the reel rotation start process shown in Sb24, which starts the reel rotation after the predetermined delay caused by the multiple interrupt waiting process in Sbw2. This ensures that external devices, such as a test board, reliably receive the test signal after generating the test signal at the start of the game, thereby preventing information discrepancies between the external devices and the main control unit 161.

Furthermore, the main control unit 161 executes a control state command group transmission process in Sb14, which outputs information regarding the internal lottery result and the game state to the performance control unit 151, and then executes the reel rotation start process shown in Sb24. This allows the main control unit 161 to generate a test signal at the start of the game, output information regarding the internal lottery result to the performance control unit 151, and then enter a predetermined waiting state. This ensures that, for example, external devices including a test board reliably receive the test signal, and that the performance control unit 151 reliably receives information regarding the internal lottery result, thereby preventing information discrepancies between the external devices, the main control unit 161, and the performance control unit 151.

After sending the reel rotation start command in step Sb22, a normal acceleration pattern for controlling the reel rotation at a predetermined speed for gameplay is set in a predetermined area of RAM 161c as the excitation pattern for exciting the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R (Sb23). The reel start process is then performed to start the reel rotation by exciting the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R based on the excitation pattern set in RAM 161c (Sb24). The main control unit 161 performs external signal processing to transmit information such as the game machine status to external devices such as the hall management computer (hall computer) or the hall server for security management (Sb24a).

Then, the navigation notification process is performed (Sb25). During the navigation notification process, AT control is performed. If a target role for notification is won in the internal lottery, the system controls the display of a navigation number on the game support display 12 that identifies a stop pattern advantageous to the player, corresponding to the target role. Conversely, if AT control is not performed, the system controls the display of the navigation number on the game support display 12.

The system performs a reel stop initial setup process (Sb26) to set various information necessary for reel stop control according to the RT state and the results of the internal lottery. Then, it performs a freeze control process (Sb27), and if it is set to perform freeze control at that timing, it performs the set type of freeze control.

After performing the freeze control process in step Sb27, a reel stop control process is performed to control the stopping of the reels (Sb28). In the reel stop control process, it is determined whether the reels under rotation control are rotating at a predetermined constant speed. If there are any reels that are not rotating at a constant speed, a reel error is detected, and an excitation pattern is set to accelerate the corresponding reel to a constant speed, thereby controlling all reels under rotation control to rotate at a constant speed. On the other hand, if all reels under rotation control are rotating at a constant speed, the acceptance of stop operations for the reels under rotation control is enabled, and the system waits until a stop operation is performed using a stop switch. Then, when a valid stop operation is detected for a reel for which a stop operation has been enabled (ON edge data is detected for a stop switch for which a stop operation is enabled), reel stop control is performed to stop the reel at a predetermined stop position based on the information set in the reel stop initial setting process. This reel stop control is repeated for the reels under rotation control until the rotation of all reels is stopped, thereby terminating the reel stop process.

After the reel stop process is completed, a freeze control process is performed (Sb29). If the system is configured to perform a freeze control at that time, the configured type of freeze control is performed.

Subsequently, an RT state check process (Sb30) and a prize entry determination process (Sb31) are performed. The RT state check process determines whether a combination of RT transition symbols that triggers an RT state transition is stopped on the reels. If such a combination is stopped, the current RT state set in a predetermined area of RAM 161c is updated to the RT state corresponding to that combination of RT transition symbols. The prize entry determination process determines whether an unauthorized prize has been awarded based on the internal lottery results and the symbol combinations stopped on reels 2L, 2C, and 2R.

Then, after the prize-winning determination process in step Sa31, an input/dispensing error check process is performed (Sb32), and data processing for the payout ratio monitor corresponding to the non-game program call process is performed (Sb36).

In the data processing for the payout ratio monitor, first, similar to the RT information output processing described above, the register bank used by the calling game program is switched and the value of the 2nd Q register is set. The state count processing included in the non-game program is then performed to update the data regarding the number of medals paid out during predetermined periods (for example, the period from the current game to 6000 games prior, the period from the current game to 175000 games prior, or a period controlled to be advantageous to the player (advantageous period)).

Next, the main control unit 161 performs post-distribution control processing (SbPos) to control the number of balls dispensed at the end of the game. This post-distribution control processing is for controlling the number of balls dispensed within the advantageous period. Further details will be explained later.

Subsequently, the replay LED is controlled to the OFF state (off state) (Sb39), the replay flag indicating that a replay is in progress is cleared (Sb40), the navigation number display on the game assistance display unit 12 is cleared (Sb41), an end command is sent to the medal count control board 17 (Sb42a), a freeze control process is performed (Sb43), and if freeze control is set to be performed at this timing, the set type of freeze control is performed.

Then, a special item information command is sent to the medal count control board 17 (Sb43a), and a favorable section command is sent (Sb43b). After that, a game end setting process is performed (Sb44), determining whether the symbol combination for the re-play bonus has stopped on reels 2L, 2C, and 2R. If the symbol combination for the re-play bonus has stopped, the system performs processes such as setting the number of bets for re-playing in the next game (in this embodiment, the re-play medal counter set in a predetermined area of RAM 161c is set to 3 as the number of medals for re-playing), setting a re-playing flag in a predetermined area of RAM 161c, and controlling the replay LED to the ON state (lit state). In the game end setting process, it is determined whether the number of medals acquired during the favorable section has reached 2400 (limiter condition). At this time, if the number of medals acquired during the favorable section has reached 2400, the main control unit 161 terminates the favorable section and controls the system to the normal section. Furthermore, the main control unit 161 performs external signal processing (Sb43c) to transmit information such as the status of the gaming machines to external systems such as the hall management computer (hall computer) and the hall server that performs security management.

Then, a payout pulse command is sent to the medal count control board 17 (Sb44a), and a jackpot command is sent (Sb44b). After that, the starting address of the RAM 161c area to be initialized at the end of the game is set (Sb46), and the RAM initialization process is performed (Sb47), initializing the area from the starting address to the end of RAM 161c.

Then, after clearing the winning flag, which is set in a predetermined area of RAM 161c and indicates the result of the internal lottery in the game (Sb48), a game end command transmission process is performed to send a game end command, which can identify that a game has ended, to the performance control unit 151 (Sb49).

Specifically, in Sb49, the main control unit 161 outputs information regarding the results of the internal lottery and information regarding the game state to the performance control unit 151 based on the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, indicating that the game has ended. After the game end command transmission process in Sb49 is executed, the main control unit 161 executes a multiple interrupt waiting process in step Sw1, which delays the game progress for a predetermined period. After the predetermined delay caused by the multiple interrupt waiting process in step Sw1, the main control unit 161 executes a game start waiting process to begin accepting bet setting. This ensures that, for example, external devices reliably receive the test signal and the performance control unit 151 reliably receives the information regarding the results of the internal lottery, preventing information discrepancies between external devices, the main control unit 161, and the performance control unit 151.

Then, as the final process of the main processing, the main control unit 161 executes the safety device-related processing (Sb50). Figure 70 is a diagram illustrating the control content of the safety device-related processing performed by the main control board 16. The safety device-related processing corresponds to the non-game program call processing. Therefore, the main control unit 161 executes register bank switching processing in steps SQ7 and SQ9, and sets the value of the second Q register in step SQ8. After executing the processing in step SQ8, the main control unit 161 executes the safety device processing (Sk1).

The main control unit 161 determines, during safety device processing, whether the number of medals awarded to the player has begun to increase. Specifically, the main control unit 161 determines whether the system has been controlled to the AT1 state. If the main control unit 161 determines that the system is not controlled to the AT1 state, it terminates the safety device processing. If the main control unit 161 determines that the system is controlled to the AT1 state, it obtains the number of medals the player has acquired since being controlled to the AT1 state.

The main control unit 161 determines whether the number of medals acquired since the AT1 state was activated exceeds a predetermined number (for example, 19,000 medals). If the number of medals acquired since the AT1 state was activated does not exceed the limit (for example, 19,000 medals), the main control unit 161 terminates the safety device processing. If the number of medals acquired since the AT1 state was activated exceeds the predetermined number (for example, 19,000 medals), the main control unit 161 turns on the stop flag and terminates the safety device processing.

The main control unit 161 determines whether the stop flag is ON or OFF (Sk3). That is, the main control unit 161 determines whether the stop flag has been updated to ON in the safety device processing Sg21. If the stop flag is not ON (NO in Sk3), the main control unit 161 returns the register bank to the first register bank R1 (SQ9) and terminates the safety device-related processing. If the stop flag is ON (YES in Sk3), the RWM abnormality release flag is turned OFF (Sk4). The RWM abnormality release flag is a flag used to determine whether or not to allow a RAM clear when a RAM clear process is executed. If the RWM abnormality release flag is OFF, the main control unit 161 cannot clear the RAM even if a RAM clear process is executed. Therefore, by turning OFF the RWM abnormality release flag when the stop flag is ON and restricting the RAM clear process, it is possible to prevent the stop flag, which was turned ON in Sg21, from being updated to OFF due to a malfunction or error.

Next, the main control unit 161 sets the stop error number (Sk5) and then executes error processing (Sk6). By executing the error processing, the main control unit 161 controls the state of machine S 2 to a state where gameplay is impossible. That is, referring to the main processing in Figure 68, the process of disabling gameplay due to the number of acquired medals reaching the limit since the machine was controlled to AT1 state is performed in the safety device-related processing (step Sb50).

As shown in Figure 68, the safety device-related processing (step Sb50) is performed at the end of all other processes, including the external output signal processing (step Sbw3) that notifies external devices such as the hall computer whether or not the game is controlled to be in a favorable period, and the game end setting processing (step Sb44) that determines whether or not the number of medals acquired during the favorable period has reached 2400 (limiter condition).

Thus, because the safety device-related processing (Sb50), which can disable gameplay when the number of acquired medals reaches the limit since the game was controlled to AT1 state, is performed at the end of the main processing, the game end setting processing is performed before the game is controlled to a state where gameplay is disabled. Therefore, when the limiter condition is met, the game can be controlled to the normal section and then to a state where gameplay is disabled.

Furthermore, since external output signal processing is performed in step Sb2 before controlling the game to a state where game progression is impossible, the system can notify external devices whether or not the game is controlled to the advantageous section before controlling the game to a state where game progression is impossible. In this way, even when the game progression is disabled because the number of acquired medals since being controlled to the AT1 state has reached the limit, the main control unit 161 can disable the game progression after appropriately processing information related to the advantageous section. This prevents inconsistencies in information related to the advantageous section from occurring after the game progression is disabled.

[Regarding numerical processing]
The following describes the counting process performed by the medal count control board 17 when a counting operation (pressing the counting button 10) is performed. As described above, in this embodiment, either batch counting or single counting is performed depending on the duration for which the counting button 10 is pressed.

The medal count control board 17 performs a batch counting process based on a batch counting operation performed by the player. A batch counting operation is an operation in which the counting button 10 is continuously pressed for 500ms (0.5 seconds) or more. When a batch counting operation is performed, the medal count control board 17 moves 50 credits to CU3. Furthermore, the medal count control board 17 performs a single counting process based on a single counting operation performed by the player. A single counting operation is an operation in which the counting button 10 is pressed for a period of less than 500ms (0.5 seconds). When a single counting operation is performed, the medal count control board 17 moves 1 credit to CU3.

Figure 71 is a diagram illustrating the single-count operation. The horizontal axis in Figure 71 represents time. The vertical axis represents the pressing state of the counting button 10. The pressing state of the counting button 10 is distinguished into ON and OFF states. When the counting button 10 is in the ON state, it means the counting button 10 is being pressed by the player's fingers or other means. When the counting button 10 is in the OFF state, it means the player's fingers or other means have been released from the counting button 10 and it is no longer being pressed.

At timing Tm01, the counting button 10 is pressed and turns ON. At timing Tm02, before 500ms have elapsed from timing Tm01, the player stops operating the counting button 10. That is, the counting button 10 turns OFF. In this way, when the counting button 10 is pressed for a period of less than 500ms, the medal count control board 17 performs a single counting process to count one credit.

Figure 72 is a diagram illustrating the batch counting operation. Similar to Figure 71, at timing Tm01, the counting button 10 is pressed and turns ON. Timing Tm03 is 500ms after timing Tm01. The player finishes operating the counting button 10 at timing Tm04, which follows timing Tm03. In the example in Figure 72, the counting button 10 is operated by the player for 500ms. When the medal count control board 17 determines that the counting button 10 has been operated by the player for 500ms, it executes a batch counting process to count 50 credits.

As shown in Figures 71 and 72, the counting operation includes single counting and batch counting. Batch counting moves 50 credits from machine S 2 to CU 3. More specifically, 50 credits are subtracted from the number of credits stored in the RAM 171c of the medal count control board 17, and 50 credits are added to the number of medals held, which is managed by the memory of the CU control board 32. Batch counting is used when moving a large number of credits (for example, 1000) to CU 3, as it allows multiple credits to be moved to CU 3 in a short time. When performing batch counting for more than 1000 credits, the batch counting operation is performed continuously by holding down the counting button 10. Specifically, since 50 credits can be moved with one batch counting operation, 20 batch counting operations are performed consecutively to move 1000 credits. At this time, the number of credits stored in the RAM 171c inside the medal count control board 17 is deducted by 50 every 500ms. The credit indicator 11 displays the number of credits stored in the RAM 171c. The update method of the credit indicator 11 in this embodiment will be explained below using Figures 73 and 74.

Figure 73 shows an example of the state of each configuration when a batch counting operation is performed continuously. Figure 73 shows the state of speakers 53 and 54 controlled by the performance control board 15, the state of the credit display 11 controlled by the medal count control board 17, the number of credits stored in the RAM 171b, the pressed state of the counting button 10, and the state of the display 312 controlled by the CU control board 32, all in chronological order. The vertical axis in Figure 73 represents the passage of time.

At timing Tm1, the credit display 11 shows that the player has "1000" credits, and the RAM 171c also stores that the player has "1000" credits. Also at timing Tm1, the display 312 on the CU3 side shows that the player has "0" tokens. At timing Tm1, no sound effects are output from speakers 53 and 54.

At timing Tm1, the player holds 1000 credits on machine S2, and no tokens are held on CU3. When ending the game, the player operates the counting button 10 to transfer the 1000 credits to CU3. Timing Tm2 occurs 500ms after timing Tm1. The player continues operating the counting button 10 from timing Tm1 to timing Tm2. In other words, the player performs a batch counting operation.

The medal count control board 17 detects that a batch counting operation has been performed at timing Tm2 and executes the batch counting process. Specifically, the medal count control board 17 sends a command to the CU3 to subtract 50 medals from the number of credits stored in RAM 171c and increase the number of medals held by 50. As a result, as shown in Figure 73, at timing Tm2, the number of credits stored in RAM 171c becomes "950 medals". Also at timing Tm2, the number of medals held displayed on the display 312 on the CU3 side becomes "50 medals". The 50 credits on machine S 2 have been converted into 50 medals held by CU3. In this way, 50 game values are transferred from machine S 2 to CU3.

In this embodiment, at timing Tm2, the credit display 11 still shows "1000 coins". In this embodiment, the medal count control board 17 causes the credit display 11 to gradually change its display to indicate that the credit count has been reduced from "1000 coins" to "950 coins".

Figure 74 is a diagram illustrating the update display. Figure 74 shows the state of the credit indicator 11 from timing Tm2 to timing Tm3 in Figure 73. At timing Tm2, "1000" is displayed on the credit indicator 11. At timing Tm201, 10 ms after timing Tm2, "999" is displayed on the credit indicator 11. Subsequently, at timing Tm202, another 10 ms after timing Tm201, "998" is displayed on the credit indicator 11.

In this way, the medal count control board 17 controls the credit display 11 so that the number of credits displayed on the credit display 11 is reduced by one every 10ms. The medal count control board 17 continues to update the display by reducing the number of credits by one every 10ms until timing Tm3. At timing Tm248, 480ms after timing Tm2, the credit display 11 displays "952". At timing Tm249, 10ms after timing Tm248, the credit display 11 displays "951". At timing Tm3, 10ms after timing Tm249, the credit display 11 displays "950". Although not shown in the diagram, between timing Tm202 and timing Tm248, the credit display 11 reduces the number of credits by one every 10ms and displays it. In the following, the process of sequentially switching and updating the display of the 50 credits counted in the batch counting process will be referred to as batch update display process Ar1. In Figure 74, the period during which batch update display process Ar1 is performed is indicated by arrows.

Returning to Figure 73, at timing Tm3, the credit display 11 shows "950 coins". At timing Tm3, the counting button 10 remains pressed in the ON state. In other words, the player continues to operate the counting button 10 during the period from timing Tm2 to timing Tm3. Based on the fact that the counting button 10 was operated during the period between timing Tm2 and timing Tm3, i.e., a period of 500ms, the medal count control board 17 performs the batch counting process again.

As a result, at timing Tm3, the number of credits stored in RAM 171c will be "900". Also at timing Tm3, the number of medals displayed on the CU3 display 312 will be "100". Based on the batch counting operation during the period from timing Tm2 to timing Tm3, the medal count control board 17 executes batch update display processing Ar1 during the period from timing Tm3 to timing Tm4. Furthermore, as the player continues to operate the counting button 10, the medal count control board 17 executes batch update display processing Ar1 during the period from timing Tm4 to timing Tm5, based on the batch counting operation during the period from timing Tm3 to timing Tm4. In this way, the medal count control board 17 repeatedly detects batch counting operations and performs batch update display processing Ar1, counting 1000 credits.

In this embodiment, the threshold period for determining whether a batch counting operation or a single counting operation is being performed is 500 ms. The medal count control board 17 controls the credit display 11 so that one credit is deducted every 10 ms. That is, it takes 500 ms for the credit display 11 to deduct 50 credits. In this embodiment, the period required to perform a batch counting operation and the period required to switch the display of the number of credits counted by the batch counting operation are set to be the same. As a result, as shown in Figure 73, even when batch counting operations are performed continuously, the interval at which the display on the credit display 11 switches does not change. That is, in the example in Figure 73, the credit display 11 switches and deducts the number of credits from 1000 to 850 in steps every 10 ms.

More specifically, the medal count control board 17 performs a process to subtract 50 from the credits stored in RAM 171c based on the counting operation performed by the player over a period of 500ms. After the process of updating RAM 171c is completed, the medal count control board 17 causes the credit display unit 11 to perform a batch update display process Ar1, which updates the 50 credits one unit at a time in stages. This makes it easy for the player to understand how the game value is transferred between S machine 2 and CU 3.

Furthermore, as described above, the batch update display process Ar1 is completed within the same period as the 500ms required to detect the batch counting operation, from the start of the batch update display process Ar1 until the end of that period. This allows the player to easily understand how the game value is transferred between the S machine 2 and the CU 3, even when counting operations are performed continuously.

In other words, even when continuous batch counting operations are performed, the display on the credit indicator 11 is switched every 10ms. Since the player can recognize that the display on the credit indicator 11 is switching at the same interval without interruption, they can recognize from the updated display on the credit indicator 11 that the counting process is being performed without any problems. If the update interval of the credit indicator 11 were irregular, or if the update occurred at unnecessarily long intervals, the player might harbor doubts about whether there was a problem with the counting process, or even whether the counting process was working at all. In this embodiment, as described above, the update display on the credit indicator 11 is performed in stages at the same interval (10ms) throughout the entire period during which continuous batch counting operations are performed, making it possible to recognize that the counting process is being performed without causing the player to harbor such doubts.

Returning to Figure 73, let's explain the specific sounds output by speakers 53 and 54. As shown in Figure 73, speakers 53 and 54 output specific sounds during the period when the batch update display process Ar1 is being executed. More specifically, speakers 53 and 54 output a first specific sound from timing Tm2 to timing Tm4. Figure 73 shows the first specific sound output process Ar2. The first specific sound indicates that credits are being moved to the CU3 side by the batch counting process. This allows the player to recognize, through sound, that game value is being transferred through the counting operation.

Furthermore, the specific sounds output by speakers 53 and 54 change from the first specific sound to the second specific sound at timing Tm4. Figure 73 shows the second specific sound output process Ar3. The performance control board 15 outputs the second specific sound based on whether a predetermined number of credits have been moved consecutively, or whether the first specific sound has been continuously output for a predetermined period. In the example in Figure 73, the predetermined number is 100. In some situations, the predetermined number may be a number other than 100, for example, 300, 500, 1000, 5000, or 9999. The performance control board 15 may also change from the second specific sound to the third specific sound depending on the number of credits counted. This allows for a special feeling to be given to the player when more than the predetermined number of credits are moved to CU3.

Figure 75 shows an example of the state of each configuration when the connection to CU3 is disconnected while batch counting operations are being performed continuously. The state of each configuration between timing Tm1 and timing Tm2 in Figure 75 is the same as the state of each configuration between timing Tm1 and timing Tm2 in Figure 73. In Figure 75, at timing Tm21, the connection between S-unit 2 and CU3 is disconnected. As described above, the disconnection of the connection between S-unit 2 and CU3 disables the counting button 10 by at least one of the hardware and software functions. The medal count control board 17 maintains the execution of the batch update display process Ar1 even when the connection to CU3 is disconnected. In other words, the medal count control board 17 does not stop the execution of the batch update display process Ar1 when the connection to CU3 is disconnected.

More specifically, the medal count control board 17, when S-machine 2 is not connected to CU3, does not perform any new credit transfers between RAM 171c and CU3 even if a counting operation is detected. However, if the connection between S-machine 2 and CU3 is disconnected while batch update display processing Ar1 is being executed, the batch update display processing Ar1 is continued. This allows the player to perceive the transfer of game value between S-machine 2 and CU3 even when the connection between them is disconnected.

Furthermore, the performance control board 15 maintains the execution of the first specific sound output process Ar2 on speakers 53 and 54 even when the connection between S unit 2 and CU 3 is disconnected. In other words, the performance control board 15 does not stop the execution of the first specific sound output process Ar2 due to the disconnection of the connection between S unit 2 and CU 3. Even when the connection between S unit 2 and CU 3 is disconnected while the second specific sound is being output, the performance control board 15 maintains the execution of the second specific sound output process Ar3 on speakers 53 and 54.

More specifically, the medal count control board 17, when S-machine 2 is not connected to CU3, does not perform any new credit transfers between RAM 171c and CU3 even if a counting operation is detected. Meanwhile, speakers 53 and 54 continue to output the first specific sound even if the connection between S-machine 2 and CU3 is disconnected while the update display is running. This allows the player to recognize the transfer of credits between S-machine 2 and CU3 through the output of the specific sound, even when the connection to CU3 is disconnected.

[Regarding the process to which the update display process is applied]
In the above description, the fact that the credit indicator 11 is updated in stages, one unit at a time, was explained using "counting processing." However, in this embodiment, the fact that the credit indicator 11 is updated in stages, one unit at a time, also applies to processes other than "counting processing." In this embodiment, other processes other than "counting processing" refer to processes in which the display of the credit indicator 11 changes, and include lending processing, betting amount setting processing, and payout processing.

The lending process is executed based on the player's operation of the "Hold Tokens" button 324 and the "Replay" button 319. The lending process involves transferring, for example, 1 to 50 tokens to the credits of machine S 2. That is, the number of credits stored in RAM 171c increases as a result of the lending process. The bet setting process is executed based on the player's operation of the MAXBET switch 6 and the 1BET switch 20. The bet setting process involves subtracting 1 to 3 credits to set the bet amount. That is, the number of credits stored in RAM 171c is reduced as a result of the bet setting process. The payout process is executed based on the player's stop operation resulting in a win. The payout process involves adding, for example, 1 to 8 game value as credits. That is, the number of credits stored in RAM 171c increases as a result of the payout process.

The number of credits stored in RAM 171c increases or decreases as counting, lending, betting amount setting, and payout processes are executed. Hereafter, this process of increasing or decreasing the number of credits stored in RAM 171c will be referred to as the "RAM 171c update process." The medal count control board 17 executes the RAM 171c update process when predetermined update conditions are met.

In other words, the predetermined update conditions are those under which counting, lending, betting amount setting, and payout processes are executed by the medal count control board 17. More specifically, the medal count control board determines whether the player has pressed the counting button 10 and performed a batch counting or single counting operation. The medal count control board 17 also determines whether it has received a command from the CU control board 32 indicating that the player has performed a lending operation. Furthermore, the medal count control board 17 determines whether it has received a command from the main control board 16 indicating that the player has performed a betting amount setting operation. Finally, the medal count control board 17 determines whether it has received a command from the main control board 16 indicating that a winning combination has occurred.

The medal count control board 17 executes the update process for RAM 171c when these update conditions are met. The medal count control board 17 also executes the update process for the credit indicator 11 along with the RAM 171c update process. The credit indicator 11 update process is a process that updates the number of credits displayed by the credit indicator 11 to be closer to the number of credits stored in RAM 171c. The medal count control board 17 executes the RAM 171c update process and the credit indicator 11 update process every 2ms. More specifically, the medal count control board 17 checks every 2ms whether the RAM 171c update conditions have been met. If they have been met, it updates the number of credits stored in RAM 171c, and then executes the credit indicator 11 update process.

Thus, the medal count control board 17 uses the following as conditions for updating the RAM 171c: a lending operation where the medals stored in the CU3 are moved to the RAM 171c; a counting operation where the credits stored in the RAM 171c are moved to the CU3; the occurrence of a winning combination where game value (credits) is awarded; and a bet setting operation where credits are set as the bet amount. When the conditions for updating the RAM 171c are met, the medal count control board 17 updates the number of credits stored in the RAM 171c. This allows the number of credits stored in the RAM 171c to be updated at a suitable timing in this embodiment.

Figure 76 is a flowchart illustrating the update process for the credit display unit 11. By executing the flowchart shown in Figure 76 by the medal count control board 17, the step-by-step update of the credit display unit 11 can be applied not only to the "counting process" but also to the lending process, bet setting process, and payout process.

The medal count control board 17 determines whether the set waiting time has elapsed (step S301). The waiting time in Figure 76 is the waiting time required to stop the update of the credit display 11, and is a value set in steps S306, S310, S315, and S319. The memory area for counting this waiting time may be included in the RAM 171c of the medal count control board 17. When the power is turned on, for example, 2ms is stored as the initial value of the waiting time.

The medal count control board 17 executes the flowchart in Figure 76 every 2ms. Therefore, the medal count control board 17 determines that the waiting time has elapsed immediately after power-on (YES in step S301). If it determines that the waiting time has not elapsed (NO in step S301), the medal count control board 17 terminates the update process of the credit display 11, determines whether the above-mentioned update conditions for RAM 171c have been met, and if they have been met, executes the update process for RAM 171c.

If the waiting time has elapsed (YES in step S301), the medal count control board 17 determines whether the number of credits displayed by the credit indicator 11 is the same as the number of credits stored in the RAM 171c (step S302). Hereafter, the number of credits displayed by the credit indicator 11 may be referred to as the "number of credits displayed," and the number of credits stored in the RAM 171c may be referred to as the "number of RAM credits." Step S302 is a comparison process that compares the number of credits displayed and the number of RAM credits.

If the number of credits displayed and the number of RAMs are the same (YES in step S302), the medal count control board 17 does not need to update the credit display 11, so it terminates the update process for the credit display 11 and determines whether the above-mentioned update conditions for RAM 171c are met. If they are met, it performs the update process for RAM 171c. If the number of credits displayed and the number of RAMs are not the same (NO in step S302), the medal count control board 17 determines whether the number of RAMs is greater than the number of credits displayed (step S303). In other words, in step S303, the medal count control board 17 determines whether the number of RAMs has increased or decreased. When counting and betting amount setting processes are executed, the number of credits stored in RAM 171c is decreased, so the number of RAMs becomes smaller than the number of credits displayed. When payout and lending processes are executed, the number of credits stored in RAM 171c increases, so the number of RAMs becomes larger than the number of credits displayed.

The medal count control board 17, when the number of RAM chips is less than the number of credit chips displayed (NO in step S303), determines whether the difference between the number of RAM chips and the number of credit chips displayed exceeds n chips (3 chips) (step S304). In this embodiment, n chips in step S304 is 3 chips. By executing the process in step S304, the medal count control board 17 determines whether the reason for the reduction in the number of RAM chips is the "batch counting process" or the "betting amount setting process".

The difference between the number of RAM chips and the number of credits displayed in step S304 is the value obtained by subtracting the number of RAM chips from the number of credits displayed, and it is an absolute value. The medal count control board 17 determines that a batch counting process has been performed if the number of credits displayed is greater than n chips (3 chips) than the number of RAM chips. Steps S305 to S308 below describe how the credit display 11 is updated when a batch counting process is performed. In the bet setting process, only a maximum of 3 credits can be subtracted from the number of RAM chips 171c. Therefore, if the difference between the number of credits displayed and the number of RAM chips is 4 or more, the medal count control board 17 determines that the number of RAM chips has been reduced by 50 chips at once through the batch counting process, and proceeds to step S305.

The medal count control board 17 subtracts 1 from the displayed credit count (step S305) if the difference between the number of RAM chips and the number of credits displayed exceeds n chips (3 chips) (YES in step S304). At this point, even if the difference between the number of RAM chips and the number of credits displayed is 4 or more, the medal count control board 17 subtracts only 1 from the number displayed on the credit indicator 11. Afterward, the medal count control board 17 sets a first waiting period and starts a timer count to determine whether the waiting period has elapsed (step S306). In this embodiment, the first period is 10 ms. The first period is the update interval of the credit indicator 11 during the counting process.

Next, the medal count control board 17 determines whether the first specific sound is being output by speakers 53 and 54 (step S307). If the medal count control board 17 determines that the first specific sound is not being output by speakers 53 and 54 (NO in step S307), it starts outputting the first specific sound (step S308). That is, the medal count control board 17 sends a command to the performance control board 15 to start outputting the first specific sound. The first specific sound, as explained in Figure 73, is a sound that indicates that the credits have been moved to the CU3 side by the batch counting process. The first specific sound is output continuously for a period of 500 ms. After starting to output the first specific sound, the medal count control board 17 finishes updating the credit display 11. Thereafter, every 2 ms, the medal count control board 17 repeats the execution of the RAM 171c update process and the credit display 11 update process shown in Figure 76.

For example, after a batch counting operation is performed and the number of RAM chips becomes 50 less than the number of displayed credits, when the medal count control board 17 performs the update process for the credit display 11 shown in Figure 76 for the first time, as described above, in step S305, the number of displayed credits is reduced by 1, and a waiting time of 10 ms is set. After 2 ms has elapsed, the medal count control board 17 performs the update process for the credit display 11 shown in Figure 76 again, but since the 10 ms waiting time has not yet elapsed, the update process for the credit display 11 is terminated in step S301 because the waiting time has not elapsed.

The medal count control board 17 determines in step S301 that the waiting time has not elapsed until 10 ms has passed, and therefore does not update the displayed credit count. After the 10 ms waiting time has elapsed, the medal count control board 17 performs the process in step S305 as described above, and again subtracts one credit from the displayed credit count. This allows the medal count control board 17 to subtract one credit every 10 ms, as explained in Figure 74.

During the batch update display process Ar1, if the first specific sound has already been output, there is no need to re-output it. Therefore, the medal count control board 17 does not re-output the first specific sound in step S307. In this embodiment, by setting a waiting time of 10ms, the medal count control board 17 can deduct one credit from the displayed number for each waiting time.

Next, steps S309 to S312 will be used to explain how the number of credits displayed will be updated when the bet setting process is executed. If the difference between the number of RAM coins and the number of credits displayed does not exceed n coins (3 coins) (NO in step S304), the medal count control board 17 assumes the bet setting process has been executed and subtracts 1 coin from the number of credits displayed (step S309). Afterward, the medal count control board 17 sets a second waiting period and starts a timer count to determine whether the waiting period has elapsed (step S310). In this embodiment, the second period is 10 ms, similar to the first period, but it may be a different period. For example, the second period may be 2 ms or 20 ms.

Next, the medal count control board 17 determines whether or not the first specific sound is currently being output (step S311). If the medal count control board 17 determines that the first specific sound is not currently being output (NO in step S311), it starts outputting the bet setting sound (step S312). That is, the medal count control board 17 sends a command to the performance control board 15 to start outputting the bet setting sound. The bet setting sound indicates whether or not the bet setting has been performed.

When the batch counting process described above is performed, the difference between the number of credits displayed and the number of RAM credits decreases every 10ms. That is, even in the update of the credit display 11 during the batch counting process, the processes in steps S309 to S311 are performed last. Therefore, if the medal count control board 17 is outputting the first specific sound in step S311, it assumes that the batch counting process is being executed and does not output the bet setting sound. Whether to output the first specific sound or the bet setting sound may be managed by a flag (not shown).

Next, we will explain the case where the number of RAM tokens increases in steps S313 to S321. If the number of RAM tokens is greater than the number of credit tokens displayed (YES in step S303), the medal count control board 17 determines whether the difference between the number of RAM tokens and the number of credit tokens displayed exceeds n tokens (8 tokens) (step S313). In this embodiment, n tokens in step S313 is 8 tokens. Note that n tokens in step S313 corresponds to the maximum number of tokens awarded upon winning. If the maximum number of tokens awarded upon winning on machine S2 is 15 tokens, then n tokens in step S313 will be 15 tokens. By executing the process in step S313, the medal count control board 17 determines whether the increase in the number of RAM tokens is due to "loan processing" or "payout processing".

The difference between the number of RAM chips and the number of credits displayed in step S313 is the absolute value obtained by subtracting the number of credits displayed from the number of RAM chips. The medal count control board 17 determines that a lending process has been performed if the number of RAM chips is greater than n chips (8 chips) than the number of credits displayed. Steps S314 to S315 below describe how the credit display 11 is updated when a lending process is performed. In the payout process, only a maximum of 8 credits are added to the number of RAM chips 171c. Therefore, if the difference between the number of credits displayed and the number of RAM chips is 9 or more, the medal count control board 17 determines that 50 credits have been added to the number of RAM chips at once due to the lending process, and proceeds to step S314.

The medal count control board 17 adds 1 to the displayed credit count (step S314) if the difference between the number of RAM chips and the number of credits displayed exceeds n chips (8 chips) (YES in step S313). At this time, even though the difference between the number of RAM chips and the number of credits displayed is 9 or more, the medal count control board 17 adds only 1 to the number displayed on the credit indicator 11. The medal count control board 17 sets a third period as a waiting time and starts a timer count to determine whether the waiting time has elapsed (step S316). In this embodiment, the third period is 10 ms, the same as the first period which is the update interval for the counting process.

Next, the medal count control board 17 determines whether the third specific sound is currently being output (step S316). The third specific sound indicates that the medals held by CU3 have been moved to S-machine 2 as credits through the lending process. If the medal count control board 17 determines that the third specific sound is not already being output (NO in step S316), it starts outputting the third specific sound (step S317). That is, the medal count control board 17 sends a command to the performance control board 15 to start outputting the third specific sound. After starting to output the third specific sound, the medal count control board 17 finishes updating the credit indicator 11. Thereafter, the medal count control board 17 repeats the execution of the RAM 171c update process and the credit indicator 11 update process shown in Figure 76 every 2ms.

Similar to the batch counting operation, when the medal count control board 17 performs the update process for the credit display 11 shown in Figure 76 for the first time during the lending operation, as described above, the number of displayed credits is increased by one in step S314, and a waiting time of 10 ms is set. After 2 ms has elapsed, the medal count control board 17 performs the update process for the credit display 11 shown in Figure 76 again. However, since the 10 ms waiting time has not yet elapsed, the update process for the credit display 11 is terminated in step S301, indicating that the waiting time has not elapsed.

The medal count control board 17 does not update the displayed credit count until 10ms has elapsed, as it determines in step S301 that the waiting time has not elapsed. When the 10ms waiting time has elapsed, the medal count control board 17 performs the process in step S314 as described above, and adds one credit to the displayed credit count again. This allows the medal count control board 17 to add the displayed credit count one by one in stages, even during the lending process. If the third specific sound has already been output, there is no need to re-output it; therefore, the medal count control board 17 does not re-output the third specific sound in step S316. Thus, in this embodiment, by setting the waiting time to 10ms, the medal count control board 17 can add one credit to the displayed credit count at each waiting time.

Next, steps S318 to S321 will be used to explain how the displayed credit count is updated when a payout process is executed. If the difference between the number of RAM coins and the displayed credit count does not exceed n coins (8 coins) (NO in step S313), the medal count control board 17 assumes that the payout process has been executed and adds 1 coin to the displayed credit count (step S318). Afterward, the medal count control board 17 sets a fourth waiting period and starts a timer count to determine whether the waiting period has elapsed (step S319). In this embodiment, the fourth period is 30 ms.

Next, the medal count control board 17 determines whether or not the third specific sound is currently being output (step S320). If the medal count control board 17 determines that the third specific sound is not currently being output (NO in step S320), it starts outputting the payout sound (step S321). That is, the medal count control board 17 sends a command to the performance control board 15 to start outputting the payout sound. The payout sound indicates whether or not the payout process is being executed. The payout sound may change depending on the winning combination.

When the lending process described above is performed, the difference between the number of credits displayed and the number of RAM credits decreases every 10ms. That is, even in the update of the credit display 11 during the lending process, the processing in steps S318 to S320 is performed at the end. Therefore, if the third specific sound is being output in step S320, the medal count control board 17 assumes that the lending process is being executed and does not output the payout sound.

The medal count control board 17 starts outputting the first specific sound and then finishes updating the credit indicator 11. After that, the medal count control board 17 repeats the RAM 171c update process and the credit indicator 11 update process shown in Figure 76 every 2ms.

For example, after a batch counting operation is performed and the number of RAM chips becomes 50 less than the number of displayed credits, when the medal count control board 17 performs the update process for the credit display 11 shown in Figure 76 for the first time, as described above, in step S305, the number of displayed credits is reduced by 1, and a waiting time of 10 ms is set. After 2 ms has elapsed, the medal count control board 17 performs the update process for the credit display 11 shown in Figure 76 again, but since the 10 ms waiting time has not yet elapsed, the update process for the credit display 11 is terminated in step S301 because the waiting time has not elapsed.

As described above, in step S302, the medal count control board 17 of this embodiment performs a comparison process. If the number of RAM medals and the number of credits displayed differ as a result of the comparison process, the display of the game value (credits) is switched one unit (one medal) at a time. More specifically, the medal count control board 17 performs a comparison process in step 302, which compares the number of credits stored in RAM 171c with the number of credits displayed by the credit indicator 11. If, in the comparison process of step 302, the number of credits stored in RAM 171c differs from the number of credits displayed by the credit indicator 11, the medal count control board 17 updates the number of credits displayed by the credit indicator 11 by one unit to bring it closer to the number of credits stored in RAM 171c. This allows for optimal updating of the credit indicator 11 in this embodiment. In other words, in this embodiment, the stepwise updating of the credit indicator 11 by one unit can be applied to all processes: counting, betting amount setting, lending, and payout.

Furthermore, as shown in steps S306, S310, S315, and S319 of Figure 76, if the number of credits displayed and the number of RAMs are not the same, a waiting time is set to one of the values of the first to fourth periods. The medal count control board 17 does not execute the comparison process in step S302 until the set waiting time has elapsed. More specifically, the medal count control board 17 repeatedly executes the update process of the credit display 11, including the comparison process, every 2ms. The time interval from the end of the comparison process in step S302 until the execution of the next step S302 is shorter when the number of RAMs and the number of credits displayed match than when they do not match. For example, if the number of RAMs and the number of credits displayed do not match, a waiting time longer than 2ms is set in steps S306, S310, S315, and S319, but if the number of RAMs and the number of credits displayed match, no waiting time is set and the process in step S302 is executed after 2ms. This allows for the rapid detection of any discrepancy between the number of credits stored in RAM 171c and the number of credits displayed by the credit indicator 11.

Furthermore, since the medal count control board 17 updates the displayed credit count one by one in stages after a waiting time longer than 2ms, when a RAM 171c update process occurs that increases the difference between the RAM count and the displayed credit count, such as a batch counting process, it takes time to bring the difference between the RAM count and the displayed credit count to zero. Specifically, updating the credit display 11 for 50 medals requires 500ms. On the other hand, the medal count control board 17 performs the RAM 171c update process every 2ms. That is, during the update of the 50 credit display 11, a new update condition for RAM 171c may be met, causing the RAM count to change further.

In this embodiment, even if the update conditions for RAM 171c are newly met and the number of RAM chips changes further during the update of the credit display 11, the updated number of RAM chips and the number of credits displayed can be compared in step S302. More specifically, when the number of credits stored in RAM 171c and the number of credits displayed by the credit display 11 do not match, and the update conditions for RAM 171c are met, the medal count control board 17 updates the number of credits stored in RAM 171c and performs the comparison process in step S302 using the updated number of credits stored in RAM 171c. This allows the value display to update and display in accordance with the update if the amount of game value stored in the value storage means is further updated, even during the batch update display process Ar1.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 76, the fourth period, which is the waiting time during the payout process, is longer than the first and second periods. That is, the time interval between the completion of one comparison process and the execution of the next comparison process differs depending on whether the number of credits stored in RAM 171c increased or decreased after the comparison process. This allows the player to recognize whether the number of credits stored in RAM 171c increased or decreased due to the payout process, based on the manner in which the credit indicator 11 is updated. More specifically, when the number of credits increases, the update of the credit indicator 11 is performed more slowly than when the number of credits decreases, making it easier for the player to understand that the number of credits has increased.

Furthermore, as shown in step S313, the waiting time varies depending on the difference between the number of RAM chips and the number of credits displayed. That is, the time interval until the next comparison process is executed depends on whether the difference between the number of credits stored in RAM 171c and the number of credits stored in the credit display 11 exceeds n chips during the comparison process. As a result, the update pattern of the credit display 11 changes according to the difference between the number of credits stored in RAM 171c and the number of credits stored in the credit display 11, allowing the player to recognize the difference in the number of credits from the update pattern of the credit display 11.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 76, the medal count control board 17 changes the command it sends to the performance control board 15 according to the difference between the number of RAM coins and the number of credits displayed. Specifically, the medal count control board 17 outputs a first specific sound and changes the sound output to the performance control board 15 depending on whether the difference between the number of credits stored in RAM 171c and the number of credits displayed by the credit indicator 11 exceeds n coins. This allows the player to recognize whether the difference in the number of credits exceeds n based on the sound output from speakers 53 and 54. Specifically, when the first specific sound is output, the player can recognize that counting is being performed. When the bet setting sound is output, the player can recognize that bet setting is being performed. When the third specific sound is output, the player can recognize that lending is being performed. When the payout sound is output, the player can recognize that payout is being performed.

[Regarding the display of the settings confirmation screen and disconnection from CU3]
As described above, in the S machine 2 of this embodiment, when the setting key switch 37 is set to a specific state while no unit game is being played, it transitions to a setting confirmation state in which the set value can be checked. The specific state is a state in which the rotation angle of the setting key switch 37 is held at a predetermined angle. The setting key switch 37 can be operated by the staff of the gaming parlor. Therefore, the S machine 2 is configured so that it can only be transitioned to the setting confirmation state by the staff of the gaming parlor. Hereinafter, the operation of setting the state of the setting key switch 37 to a specific state will be referred to as the "setting confirmation start operation," and the operation of changing the state of the setting key switch 37 from a specific state to another state will be referred to as the "setting confirmation end operation."

Figure 77 shows an example of the display of the settings confirmation screen. Figure 77(A) shows the liquid crystal display 51 in a state where the advantageous section is normal and no unit game has started. In Figure 77(A), the liquid crystal display 51 displays character 57. In the state shown in Figure 77(A), the arcade staff performs the setting confirmation start operation. This displays the settings confirmation screen 350 on the liquid crystal display 51. The settings confirmation screen 350 is displayed superimposed on the normal advantageous section screen, including character 57. The settings confirmation screen 350 includes display areas 351 to 354. Display area 351 displays the setting value being set. Display area 352 displays the error history. Display area 353 displays the volume detailed settings. Display area 354 displays the performance settings. In Figure 77, the illustration of the contents of each of the display areas 351 to 354 is omitted.

If not omitted in the diagram, for example, display area 351 will display a number from 1 to 6. Display area 352 will display the type of error that occurred in the past, the date and time of occurrence, etc. Display area 353 will display the maximum output value from speakers 53 and 54 of machine S 2, etc. Display area 354 will display the frequency of occurrence set for each type of performance. Employees of the amusement parlor can check various information set for machine S 2 from the settings confirmation screen. Furthermore, when the setting confirmation is completed by the employee of the amusement parlor, the liquid crystal display 51 returns to the state shown in Figure 77(A).

As described above, the settings confirmation screen 350 displays the occurrence frequency and other information set for each type of effect in the display area 354. The occurrence frequency for each type of effect can be set by the staff of the amusement parlor. The settings confirmation screen 350 allows the staff of the amusement parlor to perform the effect settings. Therefore, in machine S 2, the state in which the settings confirmation screen 350 is displayed is sometimes referred to as the effect setting state. That is, the setting confirmation start operation may correspond to the effect setting start operation, and the setting confirmation end operation may correspond to the effect setting end operation.

Thus, the main control board 16 displays the setting confirmation screen 350 when it detects that the setting confirmation start operation has been performed, and terminates the display of the setting confirmation screen 350 when it detects that the setting confirmation end operation has been performed. More specifically, the main control board 16 starts displaying the setting confirmation screen 350 to confirm the setting value set on machine S 2, based on the fact that the setting confirmation start operation has been performed in a non-game state, as shown in Figure 77(A), where no unit game is being played. Furthermore, the main control board 16 terminates the display of the setting confirmation screen 350 when the setting confirmation end operation has been performed while the setting confirmation screen 350 is being displayed.

Figure 78 illustrates the process that occurs when the connection to CU3 is disconnected while the settings confirmation screen is displayed. Figure 78(A) shows the LCD display 51 in a state similar to Figure 77(A), where the advantageous section is normal and unit gameplay has not yet started. As shown in Figure 78, the connection between machine S 2 and CU3 is disconnected. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 78(B), the disconnection notification image Un1 is displayed. The disconnection notification image Un1 is displayed by the performance control board 15, which received the disconnection notification command.

As shown in Figure 78(B), after the disconnection notification image Un1 is displayed, the arcade staff initiates the setting confirmation operation. In this embodiment, when the connection to CU3 is disconnected, the main control board 16 does not display the setting confirmation screen 350 even if the setting confirmation operation is initiated. That is, when the main control board 16 is in a non-game state where no unit game is being played and the connection between S machine 2 and CU3 is disconnected, it does not display the setting confirmation screen 350 even if the setting confirmation operation is initiated. This prevents setting confirmation from being performed when CU3 is not connected.

Figure 79 illustrates the process that occurs when the connection to CU3 is disconnected while the setting confirmation screen 350 is being displayed. Figure 79(A) shows the liquid crystal display 51 in a state similar to Figure 77(A), where the advantageous section is normal and no unit game has started. As shown in Figure 79, the setting confirmation start operation is performed by a staff member of the gaming parlor. As shown in Figure 79(B), the main control board 16 displays the setting confirmation screen 350 in response to the setting confirmation start operation. Subsequently, the connection between machine S 2 and CU3 is disconnected. As shown in Figure 79(C), the disconnection notification image Un1 is displayed. The disconnection notification image Un1 is superimposed on the setting confirmation screen 350.

Subsequently, when the setting confirmation completion operation is performed, the display of the setting confirmation screen 350 ends, as shown in Figure 79(D), and only the disconnection notification image Un1 is displayed. Furthermore, if the setting confirmation start operation is performed again in the state shown in Figure 79(D), the setting confirmation screen 350 will not be displayed, as explained in Figure 78. In other words, if the connection between the S machine 2 and the CU 3 is disconnected while the setting confirmation screen 350 is displayed, the main control board 16 terminates the display of the setting confirmation screen 350 and controls the machine to a non-game state, based on the fact that the setting confirmation completion operation has been performed. Subsequently, even if the setting confirmation start operation is performed after the machine has been controlled to a non-game state, the main control board 16 will not display the setting confirmation screen 350. This prevents the S machine 2 from becoming uncontrollable if the connection to the CU 3 is disconnected while the S machine 2 is in a state different from its normal state, such as the setting confirmation screen 350.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 79(C), if the connection between CU3 and S-unit 2 is disconnected while the setting confirmation screen 350 is displayed, the main control board 16 will notify that CU3 is disconnected. This allows the player to understand that CU3 is disconnected even when the setting confirmation screen 350 is displayed.

[Regarding the display of the menu screen and disconnection from CU3]
In the S machine 2 of this embodiment, the menu screen 360 is displayed when the performance switch 56 is operated while no unit game is being played. Figure 80 shows an example of the display of the menu screen 360. More specifically, if no operation is performed on the S machine 2 for a predetermined period while no unit game is being played, the performance control board 15 displays image 330. Image 330 is an image that suggests how the menu screen 360 is displayed. After image 330 is displayed, the performance switch 56 is pressed by the player, and the menu screen 360 shown in Figure 80(B) is displayed. The menu screen 360 is a screen where the player can set various performance settings, and is also called the performance setting screen.

Figure 80(A), similar to Figure 77(A), shows the liquid crystal display 51 in a state where the advantageous period is normal and no unit game has started. In the state shown in Figure 80(A), the player operates the performance switch 56. This displays the menu screen 360 on the liquid crystal display 51. The menu screen 360 is superimposed on the normal advantageous period screen, which includes the character 57. The menu screen 360 includes display areas 361-363 and a button 364. Display area 361 displays the payout table. Display area 362 displays volume information. Display area 363 displays login information. Button 364 is used to exit the menu screen 360. The volume information displayed in display area 362 is information related to the volume that can be changed by the player, and is different from the information related to the volume that can be changed by the arcade staff in display area 353.

Figure 81 illustrates the process that occurs when the connection to CU3 is disconnected while the menu screen 360 is being displayed. Figure 81(A) shows the liquid crystal display 51 in a state similar to Figure 80(A), where the advantageous section is normal and unit gameplay has not yet started. As shown in Figure 81, the connection between machine S 2 and CU3 is disconnected. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 81(B), the disconnection notification image Un1 is displayed. The disconnection notification image Un1 is displayed by the performance control board 15, which received the disconnection notification command.

As shown in Figure 81(B), after the disconnection notification image Un1 is displayed, the arcade staff initiates the setting confirmation operation. In this embodiment, even when the connection to CU3 is disconnected, the main control board 16 displays the menu screen 360 based on the operation of the performance switch 56. This allows players to set information that can be configured even when CU3 is not connected.

Thus, the performance control board 15 can display the menu screen 360 based on the player's operation in a non-game state where no unit game is being played, as shown in Figure 80(A). In a non-game state, if the connection between CU3 and S-machine 2 is disconnected, the performance control board 15 displays the menu screen 360 based on the player's operation. On the other hand, the main control board 16, in a non-game state where the connection between CU3 and S-machine 2 is disconnected, does not control the machine to the performance setting state even if the performance setting start operation is performed. This prevents S-machine 2 from being controlled to a performance setting state that requires control based on the operation of a store employee when CU3 is not connected.

[Regarding the display of the settings change screen and disconnection from CU3]
As described above, in the S machine 2 of this embodiment, the setting change state is controlled by turning on the setting key switch 37 when no unit game is being played, and then turning on the power to the S machine 2. Since the setting key switch 37 can be operated by the staff of the gaming parlor, the S machine 2 is configured so that it can only be switched to the setting change state by the staff of the gaming parlor. Hereinafter, the operation of turning on the power with the setting key switch 37 in the ON state will be referred to as the "setting change start operation," and the operation of turning off the setting key switch 37 will be referred to as the "setting change end operation."

Figure 82 shows an example of the display of the settings change screen. Figure 82(A) shows the LCD display 51 in a state where no information is displayed because the power to machine S 2 is not turned on. In the state shown in Figure 82(A), the store employee performs the setting change start operation. This displays the settings change screen 370 on the LCD display 51. The settings change screen 370 shows, for example, the current setting value and how to change the setting value, but this is omitted from the illustration in Figure 82.

Thus, when the main control board 16 detects that a setting change start operation has been performed, it displays the setting change screen 370. Furthermore, when the main control board 16 detects that a setting confirmation end operation has been performed, it terminates the display of the setting change screen 370 and transitions to a non-game state as shown in Figure 77(A).

Figure 83 illustrates the process that occurs when the connection to CU3 is disconnected while the settings change screen 370 is displayed. Figure 83(A) shows the liquid crystal display 51 in the same state as Figure 82(A), where the S-unit 2 is not powered on. Furthermore, in the state shown in Figure 83(A), the connection between the S-unit 2 and CU3 has already been disconnected. That is, in Figure 83(A), the S-unit 2 is not powered on and is not connected to CU3. As shown in Figure 83, the arcade employee performs the settings change operation. Specifically, the arcade employee turns the setting key switch 37 to the ON state and then starts supplying power to the S-unit 2.

As a result, the main control board 16 controls the state of machine S 2 to the setting change state. Therefore, as shown in Figure 83(B), the setting change screen 370 is displayed. Furthermore, since the connection between machine S 2 and CU 3 is disconnected, the main control board 16 causes the performance control board 15 to display the disconnection notification image Un1. That is, the main control board 16 transmits a disconnection notification command to the performance control board 15. Afterward, the setting change completion operation is performed by the arcade staff. As shown in Figure 83(C), a screen is displayed in which the disconnection notification image Un1 is superimposed on the normal screen of the advantageous section in the non-game state.

Thus, when a setting change start operation is performed, the main control board 16 controls the system to the setting change state, and when a setting change end operation is performed while in the setting change state, it terminates control of the setting change state. Furthermore, even if the CU3 and S-unit 2 are not connected when power is supplied to S-unit 2, the main control board 16 controls the system to the setting change state when a setting change operation is performed. Moreover, even if the CU3 and S-unit 2 are not connected when a setting change end operation is performed, the main control board 16 terminates control of the setting change state. This allows setting changes to be performed even when the CU3 and S-unit 2 are not connected.

Furthermore, if CU3 and S-unit 2 are not connected when the settings have been changed, the main control board 16 will notify the performance control board 15 that CU3 is not connected. This allows the staff of the amusement parlor to be aware that CU3 and S-unit 2 are not connected even when the settings have been changed.

[Main components]
The S-stand 2 according to this embodiment has been described above. The main configuration of the S-stand 2 according to this embodiment will be described below.

(A (Figures 71, 72))
In a gaming machine (for example, machine S2 in Figure 1),
A value storage means capable of storing the game value owned by the player (for example, the RAM 171c of the medal count control board 17 in Figure 2),
A unit capable of storing the game value owned by the player (for example, CU3 in Figure 1), and a value control means for moving the game value between the value storage means (for example, the CPU 171a of the medal count control board 17 in Figure 2),
The system includes a value display means (for example, a credit display 11 in Figures 1 and 2) that displays the amount of game value stored by the value storage means,
The aforementioned value control means is
Based on the fact that a specific operation (for example, a counting operation on the counting button 10 in Figures 1 and 2, or a lending operation on the retained token button 324 of CU3 in Figure 1) has been performed by the player over a specific period (for example, 500 ms as shown in Figures 71 and 72), an update process (for example, an update process for RAM 171c) is performed to increase or decrease the amount of game value stored in the value storage means by a specific number (for example, 50 tokens).
After the update process is completed, the value display means is instructed to perform an update display (for example, the batch update display process Ar1 in Figure 74) that updates the specified number of game value amounts one unit at a time.

This allows players to easily understand and recognize how game value is transferred between the gaming machine and the unit.

(A1 (Figures 73, 74))
The update display will end within the same period as the specified period from the start of the update display (for example, as shown in Figures 73 and 74, the update display for 50 pages will end within 500 ms).

According to this, even when counting operations are performed continuously, the process of transferring game value between the gaming machine and the unit can be easily understood and recognized by the player.

(A2 (Figure 73))
The system further includes sound output means (speakers 53, 54),
The sound output means outputs a specific sound based on the execution of the update display (for example, a first specific sound is output by speakers 53 and 54 as shown in Figure 73).

According to this, the game's value can be transferred through counting operations, and this can be made known to the player through outputs such as electronic sounds.

(A3 (Figure 73))
The sound output means changes the characteristics of the specific sound according to the duration of the execution of the update display (for example, as shown in Figure 73, the output of speakers 53, 5 changes from a first specific sound to a second specific sound).

According to this, when transferring a number of game-use values greater than a predetermined amount, it is possible to give the player a sense of exclusivity.

(A4 (Figure 75))
The aforementioned value control means is
If the gaming machine is not connected to the unit, even if the specific operation (for example, the batch counting operation in Figure 72) is detected, the game value will not be transferred between the value storage means and the unit (for example, the counting button will be disabled as shown in Figure 75).
Even if the connection between the gaming machine and the unit is disconnected while the update display is being executed, the update display will continue (for example, the batch update display process Ar1 will be executed as shown in Figure 75).

According to this, even if the connection to CU3 is lost, the player can be made to perceive the transfer of game value between the gaming machine and CU3.

(A5 (Figure 75))
The aforementioned value control means is
If the gaming machine is not connected to the unit, even if the specific operation is detected, the game value will not be transferred between the value storage means and the unit (for example, the counting button will be disabled as shown in Figure 75).
The sound output means is
Even if the connection between the gaming machine and the unit is disconnected while the update display is being executed, the output of the specific sound will continue (for example, the first specific sound output process Ar2 will be executed as shown in Figure 75).

According to this, even if the connection to the unit is disconnected, the player can be made to perceive, through sound, the transfer of game value between the gaming machine and the unit.

(B (Figure 76))
The aforementioned value control means is
A comparison process (for example, step S302 in Figure 76) is performed to compare the amount of game value stored by the value storage means with the amount of game value displayed by the value display means.
In the comparison process, if the amount of game value stored by the value storage means and the amount of game value displayed by the value display means are different (for example, NO in step S302 of Figure 76), the amount of game value displayed by the value display means is updated by one unit to bring it closer to the amount of game value stored by the value storage means (for example, steps S305, S309, S314, and S318 of Figure 76).

This allows for the appropriate updating of value indications.

(B1 (Figure 76))
The aforementioned value control means is
The update conditions include a lending operation in which the game value stored in the unit is transferred to the value storage means, a counting operation in which the game value stored in the value storage means is transferred to the unit, the occurrence of a prize for which game value is awarded, and a bet setting operation in which game value is set as the bet amount.
When the update conditions are met (for example, when the process proceeds to NO in step S302 of Figure 76), the amount of game value stored in the value storage means is updated.

According to this, the amount of game value stored in the value memory means can be updated at an appropriate time.

(B2 (Figure 76))
The value control means repeatedly executes the comparison process,
The time interval between the completion of the comparison process and the execution of the next comparison process is shorter when the game value amounts match than when they do not match (for example, if the answer in step S302 in Figure 76 is NO, waiting times are set in steps S306, S310, S315, and S319, so the time interval between repeating step S302 is shorter than when the answer in step S302 in Figure 76 is YES).

According to this, it is possible to quickly detect a discrepancy between the amount of game value stored in the value storage means and the amount of game value displayed by the value display means.

(B3 (Figures 74, 76))
The aforementioned value control means is
When the update condition is met while the amount of game value stored in the value storage means and the amount of game value displayed by the value display means do not match, the amount of game value stored in the value storage means is updated, and the comparison process is executed using the updated amount of game value. (For example, even in the batch update display process Ar1 shown in Figure 74, if the update condition for RAM 171c is met, the comparison process is performed using the number of credits after RAM 171c has been newly updated.)

According to this, even while an update display is in progress, if the amount of game value stored in the value storage means is updated, the update display of the value display means can be executed in accordance with that update.

(B4 (Figure 76))
The time interval between the completion of the comparison process and the execution of the next comparison process differs depending on whether the amount of game value stored in the value storage means has increased or decreased after the comparison process (for example, the period set as the waiting time differs depending on the branch in step S303 of Figure 76. More specifically, if the number of RAMs is greater than the number of credits, a waiting time of 30 ms may be set, while if the number of RAMs is less than the number of credits, a waiting time of 10 ms may be set).

According to this, the amount of game value stored in the value memory means can be made to recognize whether it has increased or decreased by the manner in which the value display means is updated.

(B5 (Figure 76))
The time interval between the completion of the comparison process and the execution of the next comparison process depends on whether the difference between the amount of game value stored in the value storage means and the game value stored in the value display means exceeds n units (for example, the waiting time set differs depending on the branch in step S313 of Figure 76. More specifically, if the difference between the number of RAM units and the number of credit units exceeds n units, a waiting time of 10 ms may be set, while if the difference between the number of RAM units and the number of credit units does not exceed n units, a waiting time of 30 ms is set).

According to this, the mode of updating the value display means is changed according to the difference between the amount of game value stored in the value storage means and the game value stored in the value display means. Therefore, the difference in game value can be recognized by the player based on the mode of updating the value display means.

(B6 (Figure 76))
The sound output means outputs a specific sound based on the execution of the update display, and outputs the specific sound in a different manner depending on whether the difference between the amount of game value stored in the value storage means and the game value displayed by the value display means exceeds n units (for example, the specific sound output differs depending on the branch in step S304 of Figure 76. More specifically, if the difference between the number of RAM units and the number of credit units exceeds n units, a first specific sound is output, while if the difference between the number of RAM units and the number of credit units does not exceed n units, a bet setting sound is output).

According to this, it is possible to make the player recognize whether the difference in the amount of game value exceeds n, based on the characteristics of a specific sound.

(C (Figures 59, 60, 61))
The system further includes a game control means (for example, the main control board 16 in Figure 2) for controlling the progress of the game.
The aforementioned game control means is
If the connection between the gaming machine and the unit is disconnected while the betting amount setting operation is available (for example, disconnection of CU3 as shown in Figure 59), the acceptance of the betting amount setting operation is disabled (for example, the betting amount setting operation is not accepted as shown in Figure 59),
If the connection between the gaming machine and the unit is disconnected after the betting amount setting operation has been accepted but before the unit game has started (for example, disconnection of CU3 as shown in Figure 60), the acceptance of the operation to start the unit game will be invalidated (for example, the operation of the start switch will not be accepted as shown in Figure 60),
If the connection between the gaming machine and the unit is disconnected while a unit game is being played (for example, the CU connection is disconnected as shown in Figure 61), a stop operation is accepted, and after the display result is derived by the stop operation, the acceptance of the bet setting operation for starting the next unit game is invalidated (for example, after the stop operation is accepted as shown in Figure 61, the bet setting operation is invalidated).

According to this, if the CU connection is interrupted during a unit game, the player can continue playing until the unit game ends.

(C1 (Figures 59, 60, 61))
The aforementioned value control means is
If the connection between the gaming machine and the unit is disconnected in any of the following states: when the bet setting operation can be accepted (for example, the state before the connection with CU3 shown in Figure 59 is disconnected), when the bet setting operation has been accepted but the unit game has not started (for example, the state before the connection with CU3 shown in Figure 60 is disconnected), or when the unit game is being executed (for example, the state before the connection with CU3 shown in Figure 61 is disconnected), the acceptance of the counting operation will be invalidated (for example, the counting operation will not be accepted as shown in Figures 59, 60, and 61).

According to this, it is possible to prevent counting operations from being performed when the connection between CU3 and the gaming machine is disconnected.

(C2 (Figures 59, 60, 61))
The aforementioned game control means is
If the connection between the gaming machine and the unit is disconnected while the acceptance of the betting amount setting operation is active and after the acceptance of the betting amount setting operation but before the unit game has started, the unit will start sending a notification that it is disconnected (for example, as shown in Figures 59 and 60, a command will be sent to start sending a notification that it is disconnected based on the fact that the connection of CU3 has been disconnected).
If the connection between the gaming machine and the unit is disconnected while a unit game is being played, the unit will start notifying the user that it is disconnected after the display result has been derived by the stop operation (for example, as shown in Figure 61, a command is sent to start notifying the user that it is disconnected after the third stop operation).

According to this, if the CU connection is lost during a unit game, the game can be allowed to continue until the unit game ends, at which point the player will be notified that the connection has been lost.

(C3 (Figures 62, 63))
The system further includes a performance control means for controlling the performance (for example, the performance control board 15 in Figure 2),
The aforementioned performance control means, in a unit game, after the display result is derived by a stop operation, prompts the player to operate the performance operation unit (for example, the performance switch 56 in Figure 2), and based on the operation of the performance operation unit, can notify the player of the performance result of a specific performance.
The aforementioned game control means is
If the connection between the gaming machine and the unit is disconnected while the aforementioned specific performance is being executed and no display result has been derived by a stop operation (for example, disconnection of CU3 as shown in Figure 62), after the display result has been derived by the stop operation, the bet setting operation is disabled, while the operation of the performance operation unit is enabled, and the performance control means is notified of the performance result of the specific performance (for example, the specific performance result image Rs1 in Figure 63) based on the operation of the performance operation unit (for example, the specific performance result notification shown in Figure 62).

According to this, even if the connection with CU3 is lost during a specific animation sequence, the result of that sequence can still be notified, thus preventing a decrease in the enjoyment of the game during that sequence.

(C4 (Figure 2))
The game control means controls the acceptance of the betting amount setting operation, the unit game start operation, and the stop operation,
The value control means controls the acceptance of the counting operation,
Each of the game control means and the value control means receives a signal that can identify the connection status between the game machine and the unit (for example, as shown in Figure 2, information indicating the connection status with CU3 is input to the medal count control board 17 and the main control board 16, respectively).

According to this, the disconnection of CU3 from S-machine 2 can be quickly detected by both the game control means and the value control means.

(C5 (Figure 2))
The operation button that accepts the aforementioned specific operation is configured not to output a signal when it receives an operation from a player if the unit and the gaming machine are not connected (for example, the counting button shown in Figure 2 is configured so that it cannot output a signal by a hardware function when the connection with CU3 is disconnected).

According to this, if CU3 becomes disconnected, the counting button 10 can be quickly disabled.

(D (Figures 77, 78))
The aforementioned game control means is
In a non-game state where no unit game is being played (for example, the state shown in Figure 77(A)), based on the operation to start setting confirmation, the display of the setting confirmation screen for checking the setting values set in the game machine is started (for example, transitioning from Figure 77(A) to Figure 77(B)).
While the aforementioned settings confirmation screen is displayed, based on the operation to end the settings confirmation, the display of the settings confirmation screen is terminated (for example, transitioning from Figure 77(B) to Figure 77(A)),
In a non-game state where no unit game is being played, if the connection between the game machine and the unit is disconnected (for example, disconnection from CU3 as shown in Figure 78), the setting confirmation screen will not be displayed even if the setting confirmation start operation is performed (for example, the setting confirmation screen will not be displayed as shown in Figure 78(C)).

This prevents the system from performing a configuration check when CU3 is not connected.

(D1 (Figures 77, 79))
The aforementioned game control means is
In a non-game state where no unit game is being played (for example, the state shown in Figure 77(A)), based on the operation to start setting confirmation, the display of the setting confirmation screen for checking the setting values set in the game machine is started (for example, transitioning from Figure 77(A) to Figure 77(B)).
While the aforementioned settings confirmation screen is displayed, based on the operation to end the settings confirmation, the display of the settings confirmation screen is terminated (for example, transitioning from Figure 77(B) to Figure 77(A)),
If the connection between the gaming machine and the unit is disconnected while the setting confirmation screen is displayed (for example, disconnection of the CU connection as shown in Figure 79), the display of the setting confirmation screen is terminated and the system is controlled to the non-gaming state based on the fact that the setting confirmation termination operation has been performed (for example, the transition from Figure 79(C) to Figure 79(D)). After the system is controlled to the non-gaming state, even if the setting confirmation start operation is performed, the setting confirmation screen will not be displayed (for example, the setting confirmation screen will not be displayed as shown in Figure 79(E)).

According to this, it is possible to prevent the game machine from becoming uncontrollable if the CU connection is disconnected while the game machine is in a state different from its normal state, such as the settings confirmation screen.

(D2 (Figure 79))
If the game control means is displaying the setting confirmation screen and the connection between the unit and the game machine is disconnected (for example, disconnection from CU3 shown in Figure 79), it will notify that the unit is disconnected (for example, disconnection notification image Un1 shown in Figure 79(C)).

According to this, even when the settings confirmation screen is displayed, the player can be informed that CU3 is not connected.

(D3 (Figures 77, 80))
The aforementioned performance control means is
In a non-game state where no unit game is being played (for example, the state shown in Figure 80(A)), the performance setting screen (for example, the menu screen 360 in Figure 80(B)) can be displayed based on the player's operation.
The aforementioned game control means is
In a non-game state where no unit game is being played,
Based on the operation to initiate the performance settings by the staff of the amusement parlor (for example, the operation to initiate the setting confirmation in Figure 77), the performance settings can be controlled to a state in which the performance settings can be changed (for example, the state in which the display area 354 of the setting confirmation screen in Figure 77(B) is displayed).
Based on the pachinko parlor employee's operation to end the performance settings (for example, the operation to end the setting confirmation in Figure 77), control to the performance setting state is terminated (for example, the transition from Figure 77(B) to Figure 77(A) and the state in which the display area 354 is no longer displayed),
When the connection between the unit and the gaming machine is disconnected during the non-game state, the aforementioned performance control means displays the performance setting screen at the player's operation (for example, as shown in Figure 81, the menu screen 360 is displayed in Figure 81(C)).
If the connection between the unit and the gaming machine is disconnected during the non-game state, the game control means will not control the game to the performance setting state even if the performance setting start operation is performed (for example, the setting confirmation screen will not be displayed as shown in Figure 79(E)).

According to this, it is possible to prevent the system from being controlled to a performance setting state that can be controlled based on the store clerk's operation when CU3 is not connected.

(D4 (Figures 82, 83))
The aforementioned game control means is
When the setting change start operation is performed when the power is turned on to the aforementioned gaming machine, the machine is controlled to enter the setting change state (for example, YES in step Sa14 of Figure 67).
If the setting change termination operation is performed in the aforementioned setting change state, control of the setting change state is terminated.
Even if the unit and the gaming machine are not connected when the power is turned on to the gaming machine, when the setting change operation is performed, the system is controlled to the setting change state (for example, the setting change screen 370 is displayed as shown in Figure 83(B)).
Even if the unit and the gaming machine are not connected when the aforementioned setting change termination operation is performed, control to the setting change state is terminated (for example, the display of the setting change screen 370 ends as shown in Figure 83(C)).

According to this, settings can be changed even when the CU3 and the gaming machine are not connected.

(D5 (Figure 83))
If the game control means is not connected to the unit in the setting change state, it notifies that the unit is not connected (for example, the disconnection notification image Un1 shown in Figure 83(B)).

According to this, even when the settings have been changed, the staff can be made aware that the CU3 and the gaming machine are not connected.

[Variations]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and applications are possible. Below, we will describe some modifications of the above embodiments applicable to the present invention.

[Application to pachinko gaming machines]
In this embodiment, the method of gradually decreasing and displaying the number of credits was applied to slot machine S2, but it can also be applied to pachinko machines.

[Application to credit display segment 7S]
In this embodiment, in addition to the credit indicator 11, a credit display segment 7S is provided to display the number of credits. The batch update display process Ar1 described above may also be applied to the credit display segment 7S. More specifically, the medal count control board 17 sends a command to the performance control board 15 at predetermined intervals indicating the number of credits stored in the RAM 171c. If there is a difference between the number of credits in the RAM 171c stored in the command and the number of credits displayed in the credit display segment 7S, the performance control board 15 updates the number of displayed credits in the credit display segment 7S one by one to bring it closer to the number of credits in the RAM 171c.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and it goes without saying that modifications and additions that do not depart from the spirit of the invention are also included in the present invention.

The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims are intended to be included.

2 S-type reels, 2L, 2C, 2R reels, 6 MAXBET switch, 7 Start switch, 8L, 8C, 8R Stop switch, 51 LCD display, 15 Performance control board, 16 Main control board, 17 Coin count control board.

Claims (1)

In a gaming machine,
A value storage means capable of storing the game value owned by the player,
A value control means capable of updating the amount of game value stored in the value storage means when the update conditions are met,
It comprises a value display means capable of displaying the amount of game value owned by the player ,
The value control means repeatedly performs a comparison process that compares the amount of game value stored by the value storage means with the amount of game value displayed by the value display means.
In the comparison process, if the amount of game value stored by the value storage means and the amount of game value displayed by the value display means are different, the amount of game value displayed by the value display means is updated by one unit to bring it closer to the amount of game value stored by the value storage means.
The time interval between the completion of the comparison process and the execution of the next comparison process depends on whether the difference between the amount of game value stored in the value storage means and the game value displayed by the value display means exceeds n in the comparison process .
The aforementioned n is the maximum amount of game value that can be awarded when a prize is won, in this gaming machine.