JP2005288028A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine not giving a player the impression that he lost the profit which he can naturally get as much as possible even in the case that there is the upper limit of the number of game media which are paid out during a special game condition, and by which the player can keep his superiority complex during a course of the special game condition, and continuously play toward the next special game condition. <P>SOLUTION: Reels 42L, 42M, 42R visible through indicating windows 31L, 31M, 31R start rotating when a start lever 71 arranged in a slot machine 10 is operated. The reels 42L, 42M, 42R corresponding to respective switches 72 to 74 stop when the stop switches are operated. A bonus game is generated when a bonus pattern is established on an effective line at the time of stop of the reels. This bonus game is shifted to one JAC game when JAC patterns are arranged in a small role game. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

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

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

  Here, the special game state is generated on condition that the combination of the first specific symbols such as 777 stops on the active line after the winning result that the state is generated is obtained by the internal lottery. .

  Conventionally, the special game state is continued until, for example, 30 games are completed or until a bonus state called a jack game is satisfied, for example, until 3 games are completed. Further, the bonus state is generated on the condition that the combination of the second specific symbol such as the jack-in symbol stops on the active line after the winning result that the state is generated is obtained by the internal lottery.

  The bonus state is continued until, for example, 12 games are completed or until one of the conditions is satisfied, for example, until the combination of the third specific pattern such as the jack pattern is aligned on the active line, for example, eight times. Then, for example, 15 medals are paid out when the combinations of the third specific patterns are aligned on the effective line.

  Due to the progress of such a special gaming state, the player can acquire many medals at a time. Therefore, the player waits for the occurrence of such a special game state to proceed with the game, and when the special game state is obtained, the player continues the game with a sense of superiority.

  However, in recent years, the number of medals that can be acquired during the special game state has increased, and even those that can acquire 700 or more medals in one special game state have appeared. Such a type of gaming machine capable of acquiring a large number of medals may hinder the management of a healthy gaming hall as a result of encouraging the player to be happy.

In view of this, an upper limit has been set for the number of medals to be paid out in one special game state, and laws and regulations have been imposed so as not to give the player a sense of happiness. As a result, it is expected that the number of medals obtained by the occurrence of one special gaming state is reduced, and a healthy game can be provided.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-174739

  As a measure for preventing the number of medals to be paid out during the special gaming state from exceeding a predetermined upper limit value, the present inventor has a special game when a predetermined number of medals less than the upper limit value are paid out. Recalling that the state is forcibly terminated. This is because it is possible to reliably prevent the upper limit from being exceeded regardless of the progress of the game during the special game state.

  However, if the special gaming state is forcibly terminated when the number of medals paid out reaches a predetermined number, the following new problem may occur. That is, if the number of medals paid out at the stage of entering the bonus state during the special gaming state as described above is close to a predetermined number, the third specific symbol is originally arranged eight times as described above and a large amount of medals are paid out. Although it should be, it is conceivable that the predetermined number will be reached in the middle of the process, for example, when the third specific symbol is arranged three times.

  In such a case, the profit will not actually be lost, but the opportunity to arrange the remaining 3rd specific symbols will be canceled, so the player is expected at the stage of entering the bonus state. You will have the impression that you missed the benefits of having the 8th 3rd specific symbol.

  Then, despite the fact that the player has gained the special gaming state at the corner, the impression that the player has been deprived of his profits remains strong, and the situation is directly linked to the end of the special gaming state. Even the intention to continue playing games may be diminished.

  As described above, when the strategy of forced termination of the special gaming state based on the number of paid-out medals is executed with an emphasis on the soundness of the game, which limits the number of paid-out medals in the special gaming state and suppresses gambling There is a risk that the player's sense of superiority and profit in a special gaming state may be impaired.

  The above problems are not limited to slot machines, and are configured to rotate a plurality of endless belts, and then stop the rotation of the endless belts based on the player's operation, and generate a special gaming state as described above. This is a problem that applies to other gaming machines that are configured so that the game medium is not limited to a medal, and even if a ball is used, there is a similar problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and intends to satisfy both the soundness of the game and the player's sense of superiority and profit in the special game state.

  That is, according to the present invention, even when an upper limit is set for the number of game media to be paid out during the special game state, the special game can be provided without giving the player the impression that the profit that should be originally obtained has been lost. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine in which a player can maintain a sense of superiority as the state progresses and can continue to play toward the next special gaming state.

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

Means 1. A plurality of endless belts (reels 42L, 42M, 42R) having a plurality of kinds of patterns attached in the circumferential direction;
Display windows (display windows 31L, 31M, 31R) that allow some of the patterns to be visually recognized with respect to the endless belts;
Start operation means (start lever 71) operated to start rotation of each endless belt;
A driving means (stepping motor 61) provided for each of the endless belts for rotating the endless belts;
Stop operation means (stop switches 72 to 74) operated to stop the rotation of each endless belt;
The drive means is controlled to start rotation of the endless belts based on the operation of the start operation means and stop rotation of the endless belts based on the operation of the stop operation means. Drive control means (main control device 131);
When each of the endless belts stops, a payout means (hopper device 91, main control) for paying out a number of game media (game medals) corresponding to a combination of stop pictures at an effective position (effective line) visible from the display window Device 131),
A game configured to give a special game state (big bonus game) that continues until a predetermined end condition is satisfied, on the condition that the combination of the stop symbols is a combination of the first specific symbols (big bonus symbols) In the machine
It is determined whether or not the number of game media paid out by the payout means from the start of the special gaming state has reached a predetermined number (450), and if it reaches the predetermined number, the special game An end determination means (main control device 131) for determining that the end condition of the state is satisfied,
In the special gaming state, a winning that the third specific design (JAC design) stops at the effective position occurs on the condition that the combination of the stop design is a combination of the second specific design (JAC design). The bonus state (JAC game) to be obtained is generated, and the bonus state is continued until a predetermined number of games are executed or until a predetermined number of winnings in which the third specific picture is stopped is performed. A gaming machine characterized in that the number is one.

  According to the means 1, when the combination of the second specific pattern is stopped at the valid position in the special gaming state, the bonus state is generated. In the bonus state, the process ends when a predetermined number of third specific symbols are stopped within a predetermined number of games. When the third specific picture is stopped at the valid position, the game medium is paid out by the payout means. When the bonus state is over, the special game state for obtaining the next bonus state is continued again.

  Here, when it is determined that the number of game media paid out by the payout means has accumulated from the start of the special game state and has reached a predetermined number, the end determination means determines that the special game state end condition is satisfied. . As a result of this determination, the special gaming state will be terminated, so that an upper limit can be placed on the number of game media to be paid out during the special gaming state, and the player's gambling can be suppressed, ensuring the soundness of the game. Can do.

  On the other hand, it is assumed that when the special game state is forcibly terminated by giving an upper limit to the number of game media payouts, the third specific picture can be stopped at the effective position many times in the bonus state. In such a case, if there are many remaining stop opportunities for the third specific pattern in the bonus state at the time of forced termination, the player is given an impression that the remaining stop opportunities have been deprived. In this regard, according to the present means, since the third specific picture is stopped once in the bonus state, there is almost no impression that the player has been deprived of the above stopping opportunity. Even if the special gaming state is terminated based on the number of payouts, there is no possibility that the player's sense of superiority or profit will be impaired.

  As described above, according to this means, it is possible to satisfy both of the soundness of the game and the player's sense of superiority and profit in the special game state.

  Mean 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined number of game media are paid out by the paying-out means even when the combination of the second specific patterns is stopped at an effective position in the special gaming state.

  In the means 2, a predetermined number of game media can be acquired when the combination of the second specific pattern, which is a trigger for entering the bonus state, is stopped at the effective position. Even if the end determination is made in this case, since the player expects that the player will be obtained by entering the bonus state only for one stop of the third specific pattern, the player's disadvantage is minimized. It can be suppressed.

  In the special game state, when the combination of the second specific picture is stopped at the valid position, the game medium is not paid out, and only the entry into the bonus state is meant. Since the opportunity to stop the third specific pattern at once is surely visited, the above disadvantage can be completely eliminated.

  Means 3. The means 2 is configured such that the game medium is paid out by the payout means even when the combination of the second specific picture is stopped at the valid position during the special gaming state, and further, the combination of the second specific picture A game machine characterized in that the combination of the third specific design and the third specific design is the same.

  According to the means 3, since the combination of the second specific symbol that triggers the entry into the bonus state and the combination of the third specific symbol that triggers the game medium payout in the bonus state are the same, the special game In the game flow during the state, the player is less aware of the difference between the second specific design and the third specific design. Moreover, since the game medium is paid out both when the combination of the second specific design is stopped and when the combination of the third specific design is stopped, the situation becomes remarkable. Therefore, even if the special gaming state is terminated in the state of entering the bonus state where the combination of the second specific patterns is stopped, it is possible to further prevent a situation in which the player's sense of superiority or profit is impaired.

  In addition, when the number of game media to be paid out by the payout means is the same when the combination of the third specific picture is stopped at the effective position in the bonus state, the above effect becomes more remarkable. Become.

  Means 4. Any one of the above means 1 to 3 includes bonus entry lottery means for performing appearance permission lottery for the appearance of the second specific picture in the special gaming state, and when the bonus entry lottery means is won, The combination is permitted to stop at the effective position, and further includes a bonus lottery means for performing the appearance permission lottery of the third specific picture in the bonus state, and the third lottery means when the bonus lottery means wins. A gaming machine characterized in that a combination of specific pictures is permitted to stop at the effective position.

  According to the means 4, since the lottery process is executed for the bonus entry and the game medium payout opportunity during the bonus, there is an advantage that the game situation in the special gaming state can be given an inflection.

  Means 5. A gaming machine characterized in that the winning probability in the bonus entry lottery means and the winning probability in the bonus lottery means are substantially the same in means 4 (however, including the requirements of means 3).

  According to the means 5, the effect of the means 3 can be made more remarkable. In other words, only when the endless belt is stopped, it is unclear whether the player is paying out the game medium based on the bonus state entry or the game medium payout during the bonus state. This is because there is no sense of incongruity even if it is finished. In addition, it is preferable that these winning probabilities exceed at least 50% from the viewpoint of eliminating discomfort by the player.

  Means 6. In any one of the means 1 to 5, the end determination means is configured such that, during the special gaming state, a predetermined number of times (a “bell” symbol) from which a game medium is paid out is preset at the effective position ( A gaming machine characterized in that it is determined that the termination condition of the special gaming state is satisfied even if it is stopped only twice.

  According to the means 6, in the special gaming state, stopping at the fourth specific picture is a situation that is originally pleasing to the player in the sense that the game medium is paid out. However, due to the condition setting that the stop at the fourth specific picture will lead to the end of the special game state, the player wants to receive the payout of the game medium and the side that does not want to end the special game state. This will give the game a new fun.

Mean 7 A plurality of endless belts (reels 42L, 42M, 42R) having a plurality of kinds of patterns attached in the circumferential direction;
Display windows (display windows 31L, 31M, 31R) that allow some of the patterns to be visually recognized with respect to the endless belts;
Start operation means (start lever 71) operated to start rotation of each endless belt;
A driving means (stepping motor 61) provided for each of the endless belts for rotating the endless belts;
Stop operation means (stop switches 72 to 74) operated to stop the rotation of each endless belt;
The drive means is controlled to start rotation of the endless belts based on the operation of the start operation means and stop rotation of the endless belts based on the operation of the stop operation means. Drive control means (main control device 131);
When each of the endless belts stops, a payout means (hopper device 91, main control) for paying out a number of game media (game medals) corresponding to a combination of stop pictures at an effective position (effective line) visible from the display window Device 131),
A game configured to give a special game state (big bonus game) that continues until a predetermined end condition is satisfied, on the condition that the combination of the stop symbols is a combination of the first specific symbols (big bonus symbols) In the machine
It is determined whether or not the number of game media paid out by the payout means from the start of the special gaming state has reached a predetermined number (450), and if it reaches the predetermined number, the special game An end determination means (main control device 131) for determining that the end condition of the state is satisfied,
A character pattern ("Bell" design) having a meaning of simply paying out a predetermined number of game media according to a stop pattern, without having a set of game states (JAC games) over a plurality of games in the special game state. Only a combination of small symbols (such as small role symbols) is set as a stop pattern.

  According to the means 7, only the combination of the role pictures having the meaning of paying out a predetermined number of game media is set as the stop pictures as the pictures advantageous to the player in the special game state. That is, a gaming situation based on the premise that a plurality of games such as the bonus state shown in the means 1 are set as a set is not created. As a result, during the special game state, only game media payout based on the combination of the role picture combination being stopped at the effective position is expected.

  When determining that the number of game media paid out by the payout means has accumulated from the start of the special game state and has reached a predetermined number, the end determination means determines that the special game state end condition is satisfied. As a result of this determination, the special gaming state will be terminated, so that an upper limit can be placed on the number of game media to be paid out during the special gaming state, and the player's gambling can be suppressed, ensuring the soundness of the game. Can do.

  In addition, in this special gaming state, a gaming situation based on the premise that a plurality of games such as the bonus state shown in the above-mentioned means 1 is set is not created. No longer ends, and even if the special gaming state is ended based on the number of payouts, there is no possibility that the player's sense of superiority or profit will be impaired.

  As described above, according to this means, it is possible to satisfy both of the soundness of the game and the player's sense of superiority and profit in the special game state.

  Means 8. In the above means 7, the end determination means may be provided on condition that, during the special gaming state, a predetermined combination of the combination of character patterns is stopped a predetermined number of times set in advance at the effective position. A gaming machine, characterized in that it is determined that an end condition for the special gaming state is satisfied.

  According to the means 8, in the special gaming state, stopping with the role picture is a situation that is originally pleasing to the player in the sense that the game medium is paid out. However, due to the condition setting that the stop with a predetermined role picture will lead to the end of the special game state, the player wants to receive payout of the game medium and does not want to end the special game state. It will be an image of both sides, giving the game a new fun.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  As the symbols, “7” symbol (for example, the 14th left belt), “youth” symbol (for example, the 10th left belt) and “BAR” for shifting to a big bonus (hereinafter also referred to as “BB”) game. There is a design (for example, left belt 4th). In addition, there is a “replay” symbol (for example, the third left belt) for shifting to a replay game. In addition, the “watermelon” symbol (for example, the 18th left belt), the “bell” symbol (for example, the 16th left belt), and the “cherry” symbol (for example, the left) as the small character symbols from which the small character is paid out. Belt 9th). As shown in FIG. 7, the number of various symbols and the arrangement order are completely different in the belt wound around each reel 42L, 42M, 42R.

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

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

  Here, the payout number regarding each symbol when winning is explained. Regarding the small role design, when the “Watermelon” design is aligned with the left, middle and right on the active line, 6 medals will be paid out. When the “Bell” design is aligned with the left, middle and right on the active line If nine medals are paid out and the “cherry” symbol on the left reel 42L is stopped on the active line, four medals are paid out. That is, the “cherry” symbols of the middle reel 42M and the right reel 42R are irrelevant to the medal payout. In addition, for the “cherry” symbol, the medal payout is performed regardless of the combination with other symbols, and therefore, a plurality of effective lines of the left reel 42L overlap (specifically, the upper or lower row) with “ When the “cherry” symbol is stopped, medals are paid out by the amount multiplied by the number of overlapping active lines. As a result, in this embodiment, eight medals are paid out.

  As for other symbols, “7” symbol, “Youth” symbol, or “BAR” symbol, which is a combination of big bonus symbols, is 15 when the same symbol is aligned with the left, middle and right on the active line. A medal is paid out. In the present embodiment, for example, there may be a case where the “youth” symbol and the “cherry” symbol are established simultaneously, but in this case, 15 medals are paid out. This is because the upper limit number for one medal payout is set to 15.

  Further, when the “replay” symbol is aligned with the left, middle, and right on the active line, no medal is paid out. In other cases, that is, when the “cherry” symbols of the left reel 42L do not stop on the active line and the same symbols as the left, middle, and right are not aligned on the active line, no medal payout is performed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  A lower plate 16 on which a model name, a character related to a game, and the like are displayed is mounted above the medal tray 18. In addition, an ashtray 19 that can be reversed to the lower side on the front side is provided on the left side of the medal tray 18.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  In step S601, a random number table for determining success / failure is selected based on the current setting state and gaming state of the slot machine 10 and the number of medals bet. Here, the setting state of the slot machine 10 is any one of “setting 1” to “setting 6” set using a setting key (not shown), and the random number having the lowest winning probability of the combination when “setting 1” is set. A table is selected, and when “setting 6” is selected, the random number table having the highest winning probability of the combination is selected. Here, the outline of the random number table will be described. In the present embodiment, the BB winning probability is formed so as to be different in the random number table in each setting state. For example, the winning probability of BB is about 1/300 in the random table of “setting 1” and about 1/240 in the random table of “setting 6”. On the other hand, the other small role probabilities are formed so as to have the same probability in each of the random number tables. For example, the role corresponding to the “Watermelon” symbol is won by about 1/150, the role corresponding to the “Bell” symbol is won by about 1/9, and the role corresponding to the “Cherry” symbol is selected. About 1/90 will be won, and the role corresponding to the “Replay” symbol will be won in about 1/7. The number of medals bet is any one of 1 to 3, and a random number table is selected such that as the number of bets increases, the winning probability of winning combination increases. For example, the winning probability of a winning combination when three bets are as described above, but the winning probability of winning a combination when one bet is three times or more lower than the winning probability described above. Furthermore, if the gaming state is a BB state described later, a random number table dedicated to the BB game is selected.

  In step S602, a random number table selected in this way is used for lottery in light of the random numbers latched by the random number counter when the start lever 71 is operated. In step S603, it is determined whether or not any of the winning combinations has been won. If any of the winning combinations has not been won, the process is terminated. If any of the winning combinations is won, the process proceeds to step S604, where a winning flag corresponding to the winning combination is set and an effective line to be aligned is determined. In addition, when BB is won, a lottery is performed as to whether a normal BB game or a super BB game is performed as a BB game, and a corresponding BB game setting flag is set. Although details of each BB game will be described later, the probability that each BB game is played, that is, the winning probability of each BB game is ½. In step S605, a slip table for reel stop control is determined and stored in the slip table storage area of the RAM 153. Here, when the symbols on the predetermined effective line at the timing when the stop switches 72 to 74 are pressed are different from the symbols to be stopped on the effective line, the slip table is a predetermined symbol to be stopped. It is a table that defines how much the reel slides so as to stop on the active line.

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

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

  On the other hand, if any one of the stop switches 72 to 74 is pressed in step S703 and a stop command is generated, the process proceeds to step S706 to perform reel stop processing. In this reel stop process, the reel corresponding to the pressed stop switch is stopped. If a winning combination is won in the winning lottery and the winning flag is set, the reel is stored in the sliding table storage area of the RAM 153. With reference to the sliding table, control is performed so that the winning combinations are arranged on a predetermined effective line as much as possible. For example, when the “watermelon” symbol is lined up on the lower line and the stop switch is pressed at the timing when the “watermelon” symbol stops on the upper line, the symbol 2 is set so that it stops on the lower line. Slide the reel as much as you can. However, since the range that can be slid is determined in advance (for example, up to four symbols), the “watermelon” symbol may not stop on the lower line depending on the timing of pressing the stop switch. Even in the forced stop process in step S705, if the winning flag is set, the same process is performed.

  Subsequently, in step S707, it is determined whether or not the current stop command is the first stop command, that is, whether or not the stop switch has been pressed when all three reels are rotating. In the case of the first stop command, the process proceeds to step S708, and the slip table changing process is performed. In this slide table change process, for example, it is determined whether or not a combination of combinations occurs when trying to align a combination on the selected active line, and when a combination of combinations does not occur, the process proceeds to the next step as it is. When a combination of combinations occurs, the selected effective line is changed to another effective line, and after changing to a sliding table suitable for the changed effective line, the process proceeds to the next step. Here, the combination of combinations means that a plurality of combinations are generated at the same time, for example, when the “Cherry” symbol appears on the lower line when the “Bell” symbols are aligned on the upper line. Refers to cases. The slip table changing process may be performed other than when avoiding the combination of the combinations.

  On the other hand, if the current stop command is not the first stop command in step S707, the process proceeds to step S709 to determine whether the second stop command is present, that is, one of the three reels is stopped and the two reels are rotating. It is determined whether or not the stop switch has been pressed. If it is the second stop command, the process proceeds to step S710 and a stop eye determination process is performed. In this stop eye determination process, when the two reels stop, it is determined whether or not the two are aligned with the BB symbol such as “7” symbol. If they are not aligned, the process proceeds to the next step as it is. When sound effects are generated from the speaker 14, the process proceeds to the next step. In the stop eye determination process, it may be determined whether another condition other than two bonus symbols is satisfied, or an effect using the auxiliary display unit 15 may be performed in addition to the sound effect.

  Then, after the forced stop process in step S705, after the slip table change process in step S708, when the current stop command is not the second stop command in step S709, or the stop eye determination process in step S710 is performed. Thereafter, in step S711, it is determined whether or not all rotations of the left, middle, and right reels 42L, 42M, and 42R have stopped. If step S711 is NO, the process returns to step S703. If YES, the payout determination process is performed in the subsequent step S712, and then the process ends. In the payout determination process, it is determined whether or not the winning combination is arranged on the effective line. When the winning combination is not aligned on the effective line, 0 is set in the payout number storage area of the RAM 153, and the winning combination is aligned on the effective line. When it is, it is determined whether or not the winning combination matches the winning combination, and if not, an error is displayed by the upper lamp 13 or the like and 0 is set in the scheduled payout number storage area. If they match, the number of payouts corresponding to the combinations arranged in the payout amount storage area is set. Further, when the winnings arranged on the active line are BB symbols such as “7” symbols, a bonus game flag is set, and the subsequent gaming state is set to the BB game state.

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

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

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

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

  Prior to the description of the special game state process, the BB game will be described.

  The BB game is composed of a small role game and a JAC game. A small role game is a game in which a small role or JAC symbol (replay symbol substitute here) is won with a high probability (“Bell” symbols etc. are aligned on the active line), and the JAC symbol is valid during the small character game When aligned on the line, the maximum number (15 in this case) of medals is paid out and the game proceeds to the JAC game. The JAC game is a game that is played only once. When the JAC game is played once, the game returns to the small role game again. During the small-combination game, the lottery is performed based on the random-number table for the small-combination game in the lottery process described above. For example, the “Watermelon” symbol and the corresponding role are won in about 150 times, About 1/9 of the corresponding roles are won, about 1/90 of the “Cherry” symbol and about 1 / 1.6 of the JAC symbol. Win. In other words, during the small role game, the small role winning probability of the “watermelon” symbol or the like is not different from the winning probability during the normal game other than during the BB game, so the small role game is a game that wins the JAC symbol with high probability. It can be said. By the way, when a small role symbol such as a “watermelon” symbol is arranged during the small role game, the same number of medals as that in the normal game are paid out. A JAC game is a game in which only one bet is allowed, and is a game with a very high probability that JAC symbols (in this case, substitutes for replay symbols) are aligned on an active line, that is, the probability of establishment of a JAC symbol. That is, in the above-described lottery process, a winning combination is made based on the random number table for JAC games, and in this embodiment, a winning combination corresponding to the JAC symbol is established in about 1/1. When a JAC symbol is established in a JAC game, the maximum number (15 in this case) of medals is paid out. In this way, the small role game and the JAC game are repeatedly performed, and the total payout number of medals exceeds a predetermined number (450 in this embodiment) or a predetermined symbol (“Bell” symbol in this embodiment) is twice. The BB game ends when they are aligned on the active line. Also, during the BB game, reel control different from that during the normal game is performed, and depending on the order in which the stop switches 72 to 74 are pressed, the combination corresponding to the “bell” symbol is won in the lottery process. There is a case where control that does not stop on the effective line is performed. This is a contrivance for enhancing the throbbing feeling that the player presses the stop switches 72 to 74 in the present configuration in which the BB game ends when the “bell” symbols are aligned on the active line twice. In addition, in this embodiment, a normal BB game and a super BB game are set, and in the case of a super BB game, stop switches 72 to 74 for preventing the “bell” symbols from being aligned on the active line. While the pressing operation order is notified on the auxiliary display unit 15, the pressing operation order is not notified on the auxiliary display unit 15 in the normal BB game. Accordingly, the number of medals paid out during the BB game is larger in the super BB game than in the normal BB game. More specifically, in the normal BB game, it depends on the player's intuition to press the stop switches 72 to 74, while in the super BB game, approximately 450 medals are paid out.

  In the special game state process, first, in step S901, it is determined whether or not the bonus game flag is 1, that is, whether or not the game state is a bonus game. When the bonus game is not being played, this processing is terminated as it is.

  If the gaming state is a bonus game in step S901, it is determined in step S902 whether the bonus game is a JAC game. If it is not a JAC game, it means that a small role game is in progress, and thus the process proceeds to step S903, where it is determined whether JAC symbols are aligned on the active line. When the JAC symbols are aligned on the active line, a value of 15 is added to the total payout number counter for counting the total payout number of medals paid out during the BB game in step S904, and JAC is set in step S905. A JAC game initial setting process for starting the game is performed. In a succeeding step S906, it is determined whether or not the value of the total payout number counter is 450 or more. If the total payout number of medals has not reached 450, this processing is ended as it is.

  If the JAC symbols are arranged during the small role game, the next game will be a JAC game, so an affirmative determination is made in step S902. In this case, it is determined in step S907 whether or not the JAC symbols are aligned. If the JAC symbols are aligned, 15 is added to the value of the total payout number counter and the JAC game is canceled (steps S908 and 909). . If JAC symbols are not prepared (NO in step S907), the process proceeds to step S909 without adding 15 to the value of the total payout number counter, and the JAC game is canceled. Thereafter, in step S906, it is determined whether or not the value of the total payout number counter has reached 450 or more. If the total payout number of medals has not reached 450, this process is terminated.

  If the JAC symbols are not aligned during the small role game (NO in step S903), it is checked in step S910 whether the "bell" symbols are aligned. When the “bell” symbols are prepared, 1 is added to the value of the bell counter for counting the number of “bell” symbols aligned during the BB game in step S911, and the total payout counter is displayed in step S912. Add 9 to the value. Thereafter, in step S913, it is determined whether or not the value of the bell counter is 2. If not, it is determined in step S906 whether or not the value of the total payout number counter is 450 or more, and the total payout number of medals is determined. If the number has not reached 450, the process is terminated.

  If neither the JAC symbol nor the “bell” symbol is available during the small role game (when both steps S903 and S910 are NO), the process proceeds to step S914, and other symbols such as the “watermelon” symbol and the “cherry” symbol are displayed. It is confirmed whether or not they are aligned, and if no symbols are aligned, this processing is terminated as it is. If other symbols are prepared, the corresponding payout number value is added to the value of the total payout number counter in step S915. Thereafter, in step S906, it is determined whether or not the value of the total payout number counter has reached 450 or more. If the total payout number of medals has not reached 450, this process is terminated.

  Various processes are performed as described above, and the value of the total payout number counter becomes 450 sheets or more (when step S906 is YES), or the value of the bell counter becomes 2 (step S913 is YES). In the case), the process proceeds to step S916, where a special game state ending process for appropriately resetting a bonus game flag, a BB setting flag, various counters, etc. or performing an ending process is performed, and this process is ended.

  In addition, as described above, in this embodiment, two types of BB games, a normal BB game and a super BB game, are set. In order to perform these BB games, a small role game process is performed in parallel with the special game state process. Is called. Therefore, the small role game process will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S1001, it is confirmed whether or not a bell flag is set as a winning flag. If it is not set, this processing is terminated. If the bell flag is set, the process advances to step S1002 to perform a push order setting process for setting the push order of the stop switches 72 to 74 to be operated when aligning the “bell” symbols. More specifically, a stop switch that should not be operated first among the three stop switches 72 to 74 is set. Therefore, if the player presses the set stop switch for the first time, the “bell” symbol will be aligned, and if the player presses any other stop switch, the “bell” symbol will not align. It becomes. In the subsequent step S1003, it is confirmed whether or not the bonus game is a super BB game. If the bonus game is a super BB game, the auxiliary display unit 15 notifies the pressing order of the stop switches 72 to 74 to be pressed in step S1004. The push order notification process is performed, and this process ends. If the game is a normal BB game, the process ends without performing the push order notification process. Therefore, in the case of a normal BB game, the “bell” symbols are aligned with a probability of two thirds, while in the case of a super BB game, the “bell” symbols are not aligned as long as the order of pressing that is informed is followed. As a result, in the super BB game, the player can easily receive 450 or more medals.

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

  By setting the number of JAC games to be transferred once when a JAC symbol is established during the small role game, it is possible to ensure the soundness of the game and ensure the player's sense of superiority and profit. In a configuration in which an upper limit is set for the total number of medals to be paid out during the BB game in order to ensure the soundness of the game, and when the JAC game is played until JAC symbols are arranged multiple times, It is conceivable that the total payout number reaches the upper limit. In such a case, the profit is not actually lost, but the player has a strong impression that his profit has been taken away for the end of the BB game in the middle of the JAC game. This is because even if the situation is directly related to the end of the BB game, even the intention to continue to play the game may be reduced.

  In addition to the case where the total number of medals to be paid out is 450 or more, the BB game is completed even when the “bell” symbol is arranged twice, so that the game can be played while ensuring the game soundness. It is possible to improve interest. If the end condition is only when the total number of medals paid out is 450 or more, the BB game becomes a game only for receiving 450 or more medals, so the game in the BB game becomes monotonous. There is a fear. Therefore, by configuring the BB game to end when the “bell” symbols are aligned twice, the player operates the stop switches 72 to 74 while praying that the “bell” symbols are not aligned. This is because, in addition to the superiority with respect to winning the BB, it is possible to have a certain tension in the BB game. Furthermore, by setting the normal BB game and the super BB game as the BB game, the interest of the game can be further improved. It is common for a player to play a game while expecting to receive more medals. Therefore, a player plays a game while expecting to win a super BB game during a normal game that is not in a BB game. In other words, when it becomes a super BB game, it is possible to play the BB game with peace of mind while immersing in the superiority of other players with respect to what was not the normal BB game. In addition, when the normal BB game is reached, the BB game is played while feeling a tension as to how many medals can be paid out during the BB game.

  The player's disadvantage is minimized by adopting a structure in which 15 medals are paid out both when the JAC symbol is established during the small role game and when the JAC symbol is established during the JAC game. It becomes possible. This is because even if the total number of medals to be paid out is 450 or more and the BB game is finished without shifting to the JAC game, it is possible to suppress the impression that one JAC game, that is, a maximum of 15 medals has been taken away. . In addition, by substituting the same symbol (“replay” symbol) for the symbol that shifts from the small role game to the JAC game and the symbol that is arranged during the JAC game, the player's superiority and profitability are further impaired. Can be prevented. This is because in the game flow during the BB game, the player's consciousness about whether the game when the symbols are arranged is a small role game or a JAC game is lowered.

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

  (A) In the above embodiment, when the JAC symbols are aligned with the left, middle and right on the active line in the BB game, 15 medals are paid out at that time, and then one JAC game However, this may be changed. For example, when JAC symbols are aligned with the left, middle, and right on the active line, only 15 medals may be paid out. That is, the structure which does not have the combination which transfers to a JAC game as a winning combination in a BB game may be sufficient. In the above embodiment, when the total payout number exceeds 450 at the stage where the JAC symbols are aligned with the left, middle and right on the active line and 15 medals are paid out during the BB game, the original transition is made. The JAC game that was a habit will not be transferred. In this case, the player has an impression as if he has lost the profit due to the occurrence of the expected JAC game at the stage where the above combination is completed. Then, the player has a strong impression that he has been deprived of his profits despite the acquisition of the BB game, and the situation is directly linked to the end of the BB game. There is a risk that even the intention to continue playing will be diminished. On the other hand, with this configuration, since there is no JAC game, such inconvenience does not occur. Therefore, even if the BB game is terminated based on the total payout number, the player's sense of superiority or profit is not impaired.

  (B) In the above embodiment, one of the end conditions for the BB game is that the “bell” symbols are arranged twice, but this may be changed. For example, instead of the above configuration, it may be a configuration in which the transition to the JAC game a predetermined number of times (for example, 10 times) is one of the BB game end conditions. Further, for example, it may be configured such that a winning combination in the BB game is set as 0 winning combination and that the 0 winning combination is established a predetermined number of times (for example, 5 times) as one of the BB game end conditions. In addition, as a 0-sheet combination, a combination of symbols that is not a winning combination in the above embodiment can be considered. In addition, for example, a combination of symbols that require so-called pressing such as a watermelon role or a cherry role in the above embodiment may be set as one of the end conditions. In this case, the number of acquired medals at the time of the BB game increases or decreases depending on the skill of the player, so that the player who has acquired many medals can be immersed in a sense of superiority. In this case, since it is not necessary to change the reel control during the BB game as in the above embodiment, it is not necessary to prepare data relating to the reel control during the normal time and during the BB game. The processing load on the control device 131 can be reduced. Further, for example, instead of or in addition to the BB game end condition exemplified above, an upper limit may be set for the number of times of the BB game (for example, 50 times is set as the upper limit). Further, for example, a configuration in which the above termination condition is not provided may be employed. In this case, the BB game end condition is only that the total payout number of medals is 450 or more. Even with the configuration as described above, it is possible to obtain substantially the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment.

  (C) In the above embodiment, it is determined whether or not the total payout number of medals in the BB game is 450 or more, and when the number is 450 or more, the BB game ends. However, the total payout number serving as the reference for the determination may be different. For example, when the upper limit of the number of medals to be paid out in one BB game is determined by law and regulation, the total payout number as a criterion for determination is set to be smaller than 300. In this case, the number of medals that can be acquired by a player in one BB game is reduced. However, when the probability of occurrence of a BB game is higher than the probability in the above embodiment, it is given to the player. A decrease in the number of medals can be suppressed. Further, for example, when the upper limit of the number of medals to be paid out in one BB game is determined by law and regulation, the total payout number as a criterion for determination is set to be less than 600. In this case, the number of medals that the player can acquire in one BB game will increase, but by making the occurrence probability of the BB game lower than the probability in the above embodiment, the player's gambling will be reduced. It is possible to suppress crawling excessively.

  (D) In the above embodiment, the number of JAC games in the BB game is one game. However, this may be changed. For example, a configuration in which a plurality of JAC games are set such as two games, three games, or four or more games, and the JAC game is ended when the game of the set number of games is performed or the JAC symbols are arranged once. It is good. In this case, even if the JAC symbols are not aligned with the left, middle, and right on the active line in the first game of the JAC game, the JAC symbols are aligned with the left, middle, and right on the effective line after the next game. A medal is paid out. As a result, it is possible to reduce the chance that the player is disappointed by returning to the small role game without having the JAC symbols even though the game has been shifted to the JAC game.

  (E) In the above embodiment, when a JAC symbol is established, 15 medals are paid out regardless of the small role game and the JAC game. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a medal may be paid out when a JAC symbol is established during a small role game, and 15 medals are paid out when a JAC symbol is established during a JAC game. That is, only the function as a transition to the JAC game is provided to establish the JAC symbol in the small role game. With such a configuration, it is possible to reliably play a JAC game, and thus it is possible to completely eliminate the disadvantage that the player has. However, in this case, another problem arises that the number of medals possessed by the player is difficult to increase despite the BB game.

  (F) In the above embodiment, the game situation is such that the probability of establishment of the JAC symbol is about 1 / 1.6 when the small role game is being played, and about 1 / 1.1 when the JAC game is being played. Depending on the configuration, the configuration may be the same. With such a configuration, it is unclear whether the scene with the JAC symbols is in a small role game or a JAC game, and the player feels uncomfortable at any point when the BB game ends. It will not be. In addition, it is preferable that these winning probabilities exceed at least one-half from the viewpoint of wiping away the player's discomfort.

  (G) In addition to the configuration in the above-described embodiment, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a so-called replay time (hereinafter referred to as RT), in which the probability of establishing a replay role is higher than the probability of normal play for a predetermined number of games. ). For example, the probability of establishment of a replay role in normal times is set to 1 / 7.3, the probability of establishment of a replay role in RT is set to 1 / 2.4, and the number of continued games in RT is set to 100 games. In this case, when RT occurs, a replay combination is established with high probability, so that the player can play a game with almost no reduction in acquired medals during RT.

  Further, the predetermined condition is, for example, when the BB game is finished when the total number of medals paid out is 450 or more, or when the BB game is finished without the total number of medals paid out exceeding 450. It is good also as satisfy | filling either conditions when winning RT drawing lottery. In this case, since the RT is surely generated when the super BB game in the above embodiment occurs, the benefits that the player can enjoy when the super BB game occurs can be increased. Therefore, the player's expectation for the occurrence of the super BB game can be enhanced, and the gaming interest can be improved. Even when a normal BB game occurs, RT occurs when the total payout number of medals exceeds 450. Therefore, the normal BB game is not a game in which medals are simply paid out, and RT is generated. It can be set as the game which gives an opportunity to a player. As a result, the player expects the occurrence of RT during the normal BB game, and can improve the gaming interest. Furthermore, even if the normal BB game is finished without the total payout number of medals exceeding 450, RT is generated when the RT generation lottery is won, so the player generates RT during the normal BB game. A sense of expectation can be maintained until the game ends.

  Further, when a BB combination is established during the RT, a super BB game may be generated. In this case, when a super BB game occurs once, RT occurs after the end of the game, and when a BB combination is established during the RT, a super BB game always occurs. That is, if a super BB game occurs once and a BB combination is established every time during RT, the number of medals possessed by the player will continue to increase. Thereby, when a super BB game occurs, the privilege which a player can enjoy can be increased. Therefore, the player's expectation for the occurrence of the super BB game can be enhanced, and the gaming interest can be improved.

  In the weight process shown in FIG. 15 of the above embodiment, the waiting time without starting the reel rotation may be shorter at the RT time than at the normal time. In this case, the game time at RT can be shortened.

  (H) In the above embodiment, the occurrence probability of the normal BB game and the occurrence probability of the super BB game are the same, but this may be changed. For example, the occurrence probability of the super BB game may be lower than the occurrence probability of the normal BB game.

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

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

  (K) Although the example which actualized the spinning-reel type game machine as the gaming machine, particularly the slot machine 10, is shown, it may be embodied in a pachinko machine having a stop operation function such as a stop switch. Further, the present invention may be applied to a gaming machine of a type in which a slot machine and a pachinko machine are fused. That is, in the slot machine, instead of the medal insertion and medal payout functions, a gaming machine having a ball insertion and ball payout function such as a pachinko machine may be used. If such a gaming machine is used in place of a slot machine, only a ball can be handled as a gaming value in the gaming hall. Therefore, the gaming value seen in the current gaming hall in which pachinko machines and slot machines are mixed is used. Problems such as the burden on equipment due to the separate handling of medals and balls and restrictions on the location of the gaming machine can be solved. However, in the gaming machine, the game medium is not a medal but a game ball. In this case, assuming that five game balls correspond to one medal in order to improve the ball feeling at the time of a BB game, the number of game media to be inserted into the game machine at the start of the game and the combination are established. The number of game media to be paid out sometimes changes. Specifically, when a winning combination for paying out 15 medals is established in the above embodiment, 75 game balls are paid out. In the above embodiment, the BB game is ended when it is determined that the total payout number of medals exceeds 450. In this configuration, the total payout number of game balls is 2250. If it is determined that the number has been exceeded, then the BB game ends.

The front view of the slot machine in one embodiment. The perspective view of the slot machine which shows the state which closed the front door. The perspective view of the slot machine which shows the state which opened the front door. The rear view of a front door. The front view of a housing | casing. The assembly perspective view of a left reel. FIG. 3 is a development view of a belt-like belt constituting each reel. The block circuit diagram of a slot machine. The flowchart which shows a NMI interruption process. The flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. The flowchart which shows the process at the time of a power failure. The flowchart which shows a main process. The flowchart which shows a normal process. The flowchart which shows a lottery process. The flowchart which shows a reel control process. The flowchart which shows medal payout processing. The flowchart which shows special game state processing. The flowchart which shows a small part game process.

Explanation of symbols

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

Claims (1)

A plurality of endless belts with a plurality of kinds of patterns attached in the circumferential direction;
A display window that allows a visual recognition of some of the patterns for each of the endless belts;
Start operation means operated to start rotation of each endless belt;
A driving means provided for each of the endless belts, for rotating the endless belts;
Stop operation means operated to stop the rotation of each endless belt;
The drive means is controlled to start rotation of the endless belts based on the operation of the start operation means and stop rotation of the endless belts based on the operation of the stop operation means. Drive control means;
A payout means for paying out a number of game media according to a combination of stop patterns at an effective position visible from the display window when the endless belts are stopped;
In a gaming machine configured to give a special gaming state that continues until a predetermined end condition is satisfied, on the condition that the combination of the stop pattern is a combination of the first specific pattern,
It is determined whether or not the number of game media paid out by the payout means from the start of the special gaming state has reached a predetermined number, and when the predetermined number has been reached, the end of the special gaming state In addition to ending determination means for determining that the condition is satisfied,
In the special game state, a bonus state in which a winning for stopping the third specific picture at the effective position is generated on the condition that the combination of the stop picture is a combination of the second specific picture. The game is characterized in that the bonus state is continued until a predetermined number of games are executed or a predetermined number of winnings during which the third specific pattern is stopped is performed, and the predetermined number is set once. Machine.