JP2007167380A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control games based on game information just before changing a set value and to make it possible to announce a game condition just before changing the set value to the outside after changing the set value even though set value information is changed. <P>SOLUTION: A game machine has an updating means 120 updating the set value information stored in a temporary storing means 90 to any one of pieces of set value information stored in a game information storing means 80 and holding the the game information without updating the pieces of set value information excepting the set value information stored in the temporary storing means 90 according to the input from the outside, and performance action control means 110 controlling performance actions for announcing the current game condition to the outside based on the game information in the temporary storing means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and in particular, from among a plurality of types of lottery tables prepared in advance among game information necessary for the progress of a game stored in a temporary storage means, a lottery table is used for lottery. The setting information which is such an index can be changed without initializing other game information.

Conventionally, as this type of gaming machine, a plurality of lottery tables that have a winning probability for each of a plurality of types of winning combinations and are set to have different lottery probabilities, and the plurality of lottery tables are selected in advance. There is known a slot machine that uses a lottery table to determine whether or not each winning combination is won and has lottery means for deriving a lottery result, and controls a game based on the result of the lottery means. It was. Such a slot machine has a plurality of types of lottery tables, and has setting value information that is an index for determining which lottery table to use. By changing the setting value information, It was known what could change the table.
JP-A-2005-34261

However, in the conventional gaming machine described above, when the set value information is changed, the game information immediately before the set value change is also initialized, and the game by the game control means controls the game based on the initial game information, There was a problem that the gaming state before the set value change could not be taken over.
Accordingly, each invention described in each claim has been made in view of the problems of the conventional techniques described above, and the object thereof is as follows.
(Claim 1)
That is, the invention according to claim 1 aims at the following points.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, even when the set value information is changed, the game is controlled based on the game information immediately before the set value change, and the game state immediately before the set value change is externally changed even after the set value change. It is intended to provide a slot machine that can be notified to.
(Claim 2)
The second aspect of the invention has the following object in addition to the object of the first aspect of the invention.

That is, the invention described in claim 2 is intended to provide a slot machine capable of playing a game and performing operations in the gaming state immediately before the power is turned off even after the power is turned on again after the power is turned off. .
(Claim 3)
The invention described in claim 3 has the following object in addition to the object of the invention described in claim 1 or claim 2.

That is, the invention described in claim 3 is intended to provide a slot machine capable of playing a game and performing an action in an initial game state based on the initial game information by initializing the game information. .
(Claim 4)
The invention described in claim 4 has the following object in addition to the object of the invention described in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3.

  That is, the invention according to claim 4 is intended to provide a slot machine that executes error processing if the immediately preceding game information or the initial game information is not appropriate for some reason by monitoring the contents of the game information. To do.

Each invention described in each claim has been made to achieve each of the above-mentioned objects, and features of each invention will be described below using embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings. .
In addition, the code | symbol in parenthesis shows the code | symbol used in embodiment of invention, and does not limit the technical scope of this invention.
Also, the drawing numbers indicate the drawing numbers used in the embodiments of the invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.
(Claim 1)
The invention described in claim 1 is characterized by the following points.

  That is, the slot machine includes a plurality of types of lottery tables (73) and set value information corresponding to each of the lottery tables (73), and game information storage means for storing initial game information for controlling the game (80), initial game information stored in the game information storage means (80), and temporary storage means (90) for temporarily storing game information in progress generated along with the progress of the game, and the temporary Game control means (100) for controlling the game based on the initial game information stored in the storage means (90) and the game information in progress generated with the progress of the game, and stored in the temporary storage means (90) Based on the played game information, the presentation operation control means (110) for controlling the presentation action for notifying the current gaming state to the outside, and the set value information stored in the temporary storage means, from the outside According to the input, stored in the game information storage means (80) The update means (120) for holding the game information without updating the game information except for the set value information stored in the temporary storage means (90) and the temporary storage means (90) The lottery table (73) corresponding to the set value information stored in () is selected, the lottery means determines whether or not the winning is performed, and when the set value information is updated by the update means (120), The lottery table selection means (130) for selecting the lottery table (73) corresponding to the updated set value information and causing the lottery means to determine whether or not to win, and the update means (120) set the set value information. And a control recovery means (140) for causing the game control means (100) to control the game based on the game information excluding the stored set value information when updated.

Therefore, according to the slot machine of claim 1, the game information storage means (80) includes a plurality of types of lottery tables (73) and set value information corresponding to the lottery tables (73). The initial game information for controlling the game is stored.
Here, the lottery table (73) is a table in which a range of non-winning and a range belonging to each winning combination is determined in a range that the random number generated from the random number generating means can take. A plurality of lottery tables (73) set to have different lottery probabilities means a plurality of lottery tables (73) (for example, lottery tables 1 to 6) having different ranges or different ranges belonging to any winning combination. Say.

  The set value information refers to an index provided corresponding to each lottery table. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the lottery table 1 corresponds to the set value information 1, and the set value information 2 Corresponds to the lottery table 2, the lottery table 3 corresponds to the set value information 3, the lottery table 4 corresponds to the set value information 4, the lottery table 5 corresponds to the set value information 5, and the set value information 6 corresponds to the lottery table 6.

Furthermore, the game information refers to various information necessary for the progress of the game, and includes the contents of the plurality of types of lottery tables (73) described above and set value information corresponding thereto.
The temporary storage means (90) temporarily stores the initial game information stored in the game information storage means (80) and the game information in progress generated with the progress of the game.
The initial game information refers to game information necessary for starting a game at a stage where the player does not proceed with the game among the game information described above. It means any one of the set value information.

The game information currently in progress refers to information necessary for the progress of the game, which is obtained in the state where the game has progressed from the initial state of the game information, for example, insertion of a game medal, start switch, stop switch Information obtained by an operation by a player or information obtained as a result of a lottery.
The game control means (100) controls the game based on the initial game information stored in the temporary storage means (90) and the game information in progress generated with the progress of the game.

The effect operation control means (110) controls the effect operation for notifying the current game state to the outside based on the game information stored in the temporary storage means (90).
The effect operation is an operation by the slot machine that notifies the possibility that the gaming state has changed, and is performed by blinking a lamp or displaying a specific image. A gaming state is a state in which a big bonus is won as a result of a lottery or a state where a special profit can be given to a player depending on the operation method. That is, a state in which a change in state cannot be directly grasped from the outside.

The update means (120) updates the set value information stored in the temporary storage means to any set value information stored in the game information storage means (80) according to an external input, The game information excluding the set value information stored in the temporary storage means (90) is retained without being updated.
Here, the input from the outside means an operation of a dedicated switch or the like by an administrator such as a slot machine installer or the like, and means that an operation by a player is excluded.

The lottery table selecting means (130) selects the lottery table (73) corresponding to the set value information stored in the temporary storage means (90), and causes the lottery means to determine whether or not the winning is made.
Therefore, for example, when the set value information 1 is stored in the temporary storage means (90), the lottery table 1 is selected, and the lottery means uses the lottery table 1 to determine whether or not it is a win.

Further, the lottery table selecting means (130), when the setting value information is updated by the updating means (120), controls the game based on the game information excluding the held setting value information. Let me do it.
Therefore, even if the setting value information is updated by the updating means (120), the game information excluding the setting value information stored in the temporary storage means (90) is not updated, so the gaming state before the setting value information is updated. Never change.

Further, the effect operation control means (110) controls the effect action for notifying the outside of the current game state based on the game information stored in the temporary storage means (90). Even if the information is updated, it is possible to continue the effect operation before the update.
The control recovery means (140) causes the game control means (100) to control a game based on the game information excluding the held setting value information when the set value information is updated by the update means (120). .
(Claim 2)
The invention described in claim 2 is characterized by the following points in addition to the characteristics of the invention described in claim 1 described above.

  That is, at the time of power-off, the temporary storage means (90) holds the game information immediately before the power-off of the stored game information as the previous game information, and at the time of power-on, the game control means (100 ) Is restored to the control of the game immediately before the power is cut off based on the previous game information, and the lottery table selection means (130) is selected immediately before the power is turned off based on the set value information of the previous game information. The lottery table (73) is selected again, and the production operation control means (110) is restored to the production operation control immediately before the power is turned off based on the immediately preceding game information. To do.

Therefore, according to the second aspect of the invention, when the power supply is stopped, the temporary storage means (90) holds the game information immediately before the power supply is turned off as the immediately previous game information among the stored game information. To do.
When the power is turned on, the control recovery means (140) restores the control of the game immediately before the power is turned on based on the immediately preceding game information when the power is turned on.
(Claim 3)
The invention described in claim 3 is characterized by the following points in addition to the characteristics of the invention described in claim 1 or claim 2 described above.

That is, the temporary storage means (90) performs initialization processing for initializing the stored game information under a specific condition, and stores the initial game information stored in the game information storage means (80). It was made to do.
Under the specific condition means an operation for initialization by an administrator of the gaming machine, and is arranged at a position where an operation by a general player is impossible.

Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 3, the temporary storage means (90) performs an initialization process for initializing the stored game information under a specific condition. The temporary storage means (90) stores the initial game information stored in the game information storage means (80).
(Claim 4)
The invention described in claim 4 is characterized by the following points in addition to the features of the invention described in any one of claims 1-3.

That is, the temporary storage means (90) monitors the content of the immediately preceding game information or the initial game information, and when it is determined that the immediately preceding game information or the initial game information is not appropriate, the monitoring means for stopping the operation of the slot machine (150).
Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 4, the monitoring means monitors the contents of the immediately preceding game information or the initial game information, and determines that the immediately preceding game information or the initial game information is not appropriate. Stop operation.

Since this invention is comprised as mentioned above, there exists an effect as described below.
(Claim 1)
According to invention of Claim 1, there exist the following effects.
That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, even when the set value information is changed, the game is controlled based on the game information immediately before the set value change, and the current game state is notified to the outside. Can be provided.
(Claim 2)
According to invention of Claim 2, there exist the following effects.

That is, according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a slot machine capable of playing a game and performing operations in the gaming state immediately before the power is turned off even after the power is turned off and then turned on again. .
(Claim 3)
According to invention of Claim 3, there exist the following effects.

That is, according to the third aspect of the invention, the game information stored in the temporary information storage means is initialized, and the game information stored in the game information storage means is stored. It is possible to provide a slot machine that can perform a game and a production operation in an initial game state based on new game information without taking over the game information before conversion.
(Claim 4)
According to invention of Claim 4, there exist the following effects.

  That is, according to the invention described in claim 4, by monitoring the content of the game information, for some reason, when the immediately preceding game information or the initial game information is not appropriate, by stopping the operation, It is possible to provide a slot machine that can prevent malfunction.

(Explanation of drawings)
1 to 7 show an example of an embodiment of the present invention, respectively. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the control of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a slot machine as a gaming machine. 3 is a schematic front view of the setting change device, FIG. 4 is a table showing the contents of the lottery table, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the monitoring means.
(Slot machine)
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 10 denotes a slot machine. The slot machine covers a box (not shown) that houses the internal mechanism of the slot machine 10 and a front side of the box. A front panel 11 for performing various displays is provided. This front panel 11 is provided with character information and drawings on the surface of a board made of acrylic or the like, and fulfills various display functions such as game characters, game contents, rules, and the number of medals paid out by these character information and drawings. Yes.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the front panel 11 is provided with three rectangular display windows 12 arranged in parallel in the center of the panel so that the panel is transparent and the inside can be observed. Yes.
A reel unit 20 (FIG. 1) is provided at the back of the display window 12 and inside the box, although not shown. The reel unit 20 includes three reels 21 to 23, which are arranged in parallel from the left as viewed from the player and are arranged in parallel with the left reel 21, the middle reel 22, and the right reel 23. I have. Each of the reels 21 to 23 is formed in a ring shape, and a plurality of winning symbols are displayed on the outer peripheral surface thereof by a method such as direct printing or affixing a reel tape (not shown). In each of the reels 21 to 23, for example, 21 winning symbols are arranged at almost equal intervals, although the arrangement differs for each of the reels 21 to 23.

  The centers of the reels 21 to 23 are connected to stepping motors (not shown), and the reels 21 to 23 are individually rotated by driving the stepping motors. As each reel 21-23 rotates, each reel 21-23 faces the transparent display window 12, as shown in FIG. 2, so that the symbols displayed on the reels 21-23 are displayed by the player. Is displayed while moving in the rotation direction of each reel 21 to 23 (in this embodiment, in the vertical direction).

Further, a back lamp (not shown) is provided inside each reel 21-23 at a position corresponding to the display window 12, and each reel 21-23 is formed of a material having translucency. Therefore, when the back lamp is turned on, the symbols displayed on the reels 21 to 23 receive light and can be clearly recognized from the outside through the display window 12.
In addition, as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 2, the display window 12 has a total of five lines 24 consisting of three horizontal lines of upper, middle and lower lines, and two lines 24 of diagonally downward and leftward lines. It is displayed. Each of the lines 24 is activated according to the number of game medals used for the game, and all five lines 24 at the maximum are valid. In addition, the symbols shown on each of the reels 21 to 23 can be visually recognized from the display window 12 in a state where each of the reels 21 to 23 is normally stopped. A total of nine symbols for all the reels 21 to 23 are positioned on the line 24. Then, it is possible to know whether or not a prize has been won, depending on the combination of the stopped symbols that are stopped and displayed side by side on the activated line 24 among the symbols that are stopped and displayed on the display window 12. It should be noted that the combination of stop symbols includes a plurality of types of single winning symbols that can be a winning combination even if they are stopped and displayed alone on the activated line 24.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the three reels 21 to 23 are rotated and displayed on the front surface of the slot machine 10 through the display window 12 obliquely to the left of the display window 12. There is provided a start switch 25 for moving and displaying a plurality of symbols and outputting a start signal for starting rotation driving of each stepping motor. Then, below each display window 12, a stop signal is output to stop the rotation of the stepping motor of each reel 21-23 at the corresponding position and stop the symbol movement display for each reel 21-23 individually. Three stop switches 26 in the form of first, second and third buttons are provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a medal insertion slot 27 for a player to insert a game medal to be used in the slot machine 10 is provided on the lower right side of the display window 12 as shown in FIG. . A medal sensor 28 (FIG. 1) for detecting one game medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 27 one by one and outputting a medal detection signal is provided in the inner part of the medal insertion slot 27. In addition, game medals inserted from the medal slot 27 are provided directly to the game, or game medals exceeding the number of game medals provided for one game are stored in the plane for use in subsequent games. Credited (stored).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a medal insertion signal for instructing insertion of one or two medals per operation as a game medal is output on the upper left side of the start switch 25 as shown in FIG. A button-like one-sheet or two-sheet insertion switch is provided, and a three-sheet insertion switch 31 is also provided on the right side of the one-sheet or two-sheet insertion switch 30. In addition, on the left side of the one or two-sheet insertion switch 30, when the number of game medals inserted from the medal slot 27 exceeds the number of medals used for one game, the excess game medals are credited into the plane. Or a button-like checkout switch 32 for determining whether or not to return it.

A sub image display device 40 is provided at the upper center of the front panel 11. The sub-image display device 40 uses a liquid crystal display device and displays an image output unidirectionally from the game control device for the purpose of producing effects for notifying the current gaming state.
On the right side of the stop switch 26, there is provided a key device 34 for locking the front of the box with the front panel 11 being closed. This key device 34 is set so that only a limited range of persons such as an administrator of the gaming machine can unlock, and a person without management authority such as a general player cannot touch the inside of the gaming machine. It is like that.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a medal payout outlet 33 for discharging game medals from the inside of the machine is provided on the front surface of the slot machine 10 below the front panel 11, and below the medal payout outlet 29, A medal discharge tray 35 in which medals are collected from the game medals discharged from the medal payout opening 29 is provided.
Further, a setting change device 50 shown in FIG. 3 is provided at an appropriate position inside the slot machine 10.
(Setting change device)
As shown in FIG. 3, the setting change device 50 is provided on the lower left side inside the main body of the slot machine. A power switch 51 for shutting off is provided. On the right side of the power switch 51, an opening 52 for inserting a cylinder key for setting necessary for changing the setting is provided. Below the switch 51, a setting change switch 53 for changing the setting is provided.
(Power switch)
As the power switch 51, a general proximity switch is used. When the upper portion of the power switch 51 is pressed, the power can be turned on. When the lower portion is pressed while the power is turned on, the power can be turned off.
(cylinder)
Although not shown in the drawing, a key cylinder is provided in the opening 52, and only a specific cylinder key can be received and operated. Then, in a state where the cylinder key is inserted into the opening 52, the operation of the setting change switch 53 is accepted by rotating the cylinder key clockwise. Accordingly, the setting cannot be changed even if the setting change switch 53 is operated unless the cylinder key is rotated clockwise. Further, when the rotated cylinder key is returned to the original position, the set value changed by the setting change switch 53 is determined.

On the other hand, if the power is turned on by operating the power switch 51 with the cylinder key turned counterclockwise while the power is cut off, initialization described later can be performed.
(Setting change switch)
As described above, the setting change switch 53 is a switch capable of changing setting information on condition that the cylinder key is rotated clockwise toward the opening 52 with the cylinder key inserted into the opening 52. In this case, the setting information can be sequentially set to the next higher numerical value by one pressing operation, and when the pressing operation is performed again from the state where the setting value reaches the upper limit value, the setting information is returned to the lower limit value again. Can do. For example, when the initial setting value is 1, if the setting change switch 53 is pressed once, the setting value is changed to 2. If the setting change switch 53 is pressed in the state of the upper limit setting value 6, the setting value is changed. It will return to 1. The set value at this time is not shown in the figure, but is displayed at an appropriate position of the slot machine for about 5 seconds after the operation for changing the set value is performed.

The setting change device 50 is housed inside the slot machine via the front door 11, and the front door 11 is locked by the key device 34, so that a person other than the administrator of the gaming machine operates the setting change device 50. I can't do it.
In addition, the setting change or initialization requires two operations, and it is difficult to operate the setting change device 50 from the outside using a wire or the like without opening the front door 11. .
(Slot machine system configuration)
Next, a so-called system configuration such as the internal configuration of the slot machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
(Electronic control device)
An electronic control device 60 for controlling the entire game of the slot machine 10 to which the reel unit 20, the hopper device 36, etc. are connected is provided at appropriate positions inside the slot machine 10.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the electronic control device 60 includes a lottery means 70, a game information storage means 80, a temporary storage means 90, a game control means 100, and an effect operation control means 110. Update means 120, lottery table selection means 130, and control recovery means 140.
(Input stage)
As shown in FIG. 1, a start switch 25, a stop switch 26, a setting change device 50, a settlement switch 32, and a medal sensor 28 are electrically connected to the input stage of the electronic control unit 60, respectively.
(Output stage)
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the output stage of the electronic control device 60 includes a reel unit 20, a hopper device 36, a sub-image display device 40, an effect lamp 37 and an effect speaker 38 used for various effects. Each is electrically connected.
(Lottery means)
As shown in FIG. 1, the lottery means 70 includes a random number generation means 71, a random number extraction means 72, a lottery table 73, and a determination means 74.
(Random number generator)
The random number generating means 71 is a random number used in a lottery for determining a combination of stop symbols on a valid line of a display window in a slot machine game within a predetermined range (for example, a binary number ranging from 0 to 65535). Randomly occurs at the timing. For the generation of random numbers by the random number generating means 71, for example, what generates a so-called hard random number by means of an oscillation device that outputs a pulse signal or a device that counts this, an average sampling method, or addition of prime numbers, Some of them generate a so-called soft random number by causing a CPU to execute a predetermined program.
(Random number extraction means)
The random number extraction means 72 is for extracting random numbers from the random number generation means 71. The random number extraction means 72 is, for example, that a game medal for the game has been inserted or that an insertion switch into which a credited medal has been inserted has been operated, and that the reel unit 20 has not yet started rotating for the game. The random number generated from the random number generation means 71 is extracted with the operation of the start switch 25 as a condition.

In the case where the random number generating means 71 generates a so-called hard random number by a device such as an oscillation device that outputs a pulse signal or a counter that counts this, the numerical value generated by the random number generating means 71 is a continuous value. Strictly, it is not a random number. However, the start switch 25 is always operated by the player, and the operation timing is arbitrary, and the extraction timing can be said to be sufficiently random as compared with the count update timing of the counter. Therefore, the extracted numerical value can be handled as a random number substantially.
(Lottery table)
The lottery table 73 is a range in which the random value generated from the random number generating means 71 can take a predetermined range that is not a prize and that belongs to each winning combination. As shown in FIG. 4, six lottery tables 73 having different ranges or ranges belonging to any winning combination are provided. In addition, each lottery table 73 is associated with six pieces of setting value information 1 to 6 as indexes.

  If the range in the lottery table 73 is wide, the ratio to the whole random number value is large, and the probability that the extracted random number value belongs to the range becomes high. On the contrary, if this range is narrow, the ratio to the whole random number value is small, and the probability that the extracted random number value belongs to the range becomes low. Therefore, it is possible to determine the probability of winning the “losing” of the slot machine and each winning combination depending on the contents of the lottery table 73.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the lottery table 73 of the present invention varies depending on the set value. For example, in the state of the set value 1, the range of “0-15999” is “lost”, “16000-25999”. The range of “Cherry (winning role)”, the range of “2600-33999” is “Bell (winning role)”, the range of “34000 to 38999” is “losing”, the range of “39000-40999” is “replay ( Replay) ”,“ 50000-51999 ”range is set to“ Lose ”,“ 52000-59999 ”range is set to“ Big Bonus (Winning) ”, and“ 60000-65535 ”range is set to“ Lose ” . Furthermore, in the state of setting 2, the range is the same up to “losing”, “cherry (winning combination)”, “bell (winning combination)”, “losing”, “replay (replaying)”, and “losing”. “Big bonus (winning combination)” is set in the range of “52000-60999”, and “Lose” is set in the range of “61000-65535”. Similarly, in setting 3, “Big bonus (winning combination)” is set in the range of “52000-61999”, and “losing” is set in the range of “62000-65535”. In setting 4, “Big bonus (winning combination)” Is set in the range of “52000-62999”, “losing” is set in the range of “63,000-65535”, and in setting 5, “Big Bonus (Winner)” is set in the range of “52000-63999”, The range of “64000 to 65535” is set. In the setting 6, the range of “Big bonus (winning part)” is set to the range of “52000 to 64999”, and the range of “Lose” is set to “65000 to 65535”. In an example of this form, setting 1 is the lowest winning probability, and the winning probability for the big bonus increases as setting 6 increases. It is.

The winning range of each winning combination in the lottery table 73 is not limited to that shown in FIG.
(Judgment means)
The determination means 74 refers to the lottery table 53 to determine which area of the lottery table 53 the random number value extracted by the random number extraction means 72 belongs to each of the range of loses and the range of winning combinations. Judged for each range. In the present embodiment, when the random number extracted by the random number extraction means 72 is “21010”, for example, the random number does not exceed 26000 but is 16000 or more, so it belongs to the cherry (winning combination) range. Is determined to have been won. When it is determined that the cherry (winning winning combination) is won, the symbols displayed on the display window are stopped and displayed side by side on the activated line on condition that the stop switch 26 is operated. The stepping motor of the reel unit 20 is controlled to stop so that the combination of stop symbols is cherry (winning combination).
(Game information storage means)
The game information storage means 80 is incapable of rewriting information for controlling a slot machine, including set value information and information on the plurality of types of lottery tables 73 corresponding to the set value information, in a ROM or the like. It is memorized in the state.
(Temporary storage means)
The temporary storage unit 90 excludes information on the lottery table 73 and information on the lottery table 73 corresponding to the set value information set by operating the setting change switch 53 among the information on the plurality of types of lottery tables 73. In addition to the initial game information stored in the game information storage means 80, and in-progress game information generated with the progress of the game is temporarily stored in a rewritable state, a random access memory ( RAM) is used.

Here, the game information generated with the progress of the game refers to the game information from the time the power is turned on by inserting medals, operating the start switch 25, lottery by the lottery means 70 in addition to the initial game information of the game information. This refers to information about games obtained after the medal has been inserted.
In addition, the temporary storage means 90 retains the game information immediately before the power-off in the stored game information as the immediately previous game information at the time of the power-off. The game information here includes set value information. Specifically, the game information is saved by using a flash ROM that can hold the stored contents without supplying power, or by using a backup power supply (not shown). Even so, there is a method of saving the power supply to the RAM as the temporary storage means 90 so as not to stop.

  On the other hand, when the cylinder key is inserted into the opening of the setting change device 50 and the power is turned off, the cylinder key is turned counterclockwise and the power switch 51 is operated to turn on the power. Processing for initializing the game information stored in 90 can be performed. When the game information is initialized, the temporary storage means 90 stores again the initial game information stored in the game information storage means 80 when the power is turned on.

Further, the temporary storage means 90 includes monitoring means 150 for monitoring the contents of the immediately preceding game information or the initial game information and stopping the operation of the slot machine when it is determined that the immediately preceding game information or the initial game information is not appropriate. I have.
(Game control means)
The game control means 100, in addition to the initial game information stored in the game information storage means 80, except for the information in the lottery table 73 stored in the temporary storage means 90, the progress that has occurred with the progress of the game The game is controlled based on the inside game information and the lottery result derived by the lottery means 70. Specifically, the reel corresponding to the lottery result derived by the lottery means 70 based on the output of the medal insertion sound, the start of the operation of the reel unit 20 by the input of the start switch 25, and the operation of the stop switch 26 of the player. Stop the unit 20 operation.

In addition, the game control means 100 restores the game control immediately before the power is turned off based on the immediately preceding game information stored in the temporary storage means 90 when the power is turned on after the power is turned off. Therefore, when the power is turned on after the power is turned off, the game control is continued based on the game information immediately before the power is turned off, so that the game control at the time of the power cut is continued without change.
(Direction control means)
The production operation control means 110 is generated as the game progresses in addition to the initial game information stored in the game information storage means 80, excluding the lottery table 73 information stored in the temporary storage means 90. The game information currently in progress and the current game state based on the lottery result derived by the lottery means 70 are notified to the outside.

For example, when the lottery result obtained by winning the big bonus in the lottery means 70 is derived, the sub-image display device 40 indicates that the probability of displaying a specific image or displaying a specific image is higher than usual. Or the production lamp blinks in a specific blink pattern or outputs specific music.
Further, the rendering operation control means 110 restores the game control immediately before the power is turned off based on the immediately preceding game information stored in the temporary storage means 90 when the power is turned on after the power is turned off.

For example, as a result of the lottery by the lottery means 70, a lottery result containing the winning of the big bonus is derived, and when the presentation operation control means 110 is controlling the presentation operation based on this, the power supply is shut off, When the power is turned on again, the control of the rendering operation that has been performed is continued.
Therefore, the production operation control means 110 controls the production operation based on the immediately preceding game information when the power is turned off even if the power is turned on again after the power is turned off. Control can be continued without change.
(Update method)
The update means 120 updates the set value information stored in the temporary storage means 90 to any set value information stored in the game information storage means 80 according to the input content of the set value change switch. For example, when the setting value information is changed to “2” by operating the setting change switch 53 in the state where the setting value information is “1”, the setting value information stored in the temporary storage unit 90 is changed from “1”. Change to “2”. At the same time, the game information excluding the set value information stored in the temporary storage means 90 is not updated and is held as it is. Therefore, even if the setting change switch 53 is operated to change the setting value information, the setting value information stored in the temporary storage means 90 is changed, but other information retains the previous information as it is.

  For this reason, the effect operation control means 110 controls the effect operation based on the information stored in the temporary storage means 90 even if the set value information is changed. Therefore, even when the set value information is changed by operating the setting change switch 53 after the end of the operation at the slot machine store, the effect operation control by the effect operation control means 110 is not changed. The fact that the information has been changed is not immediately recognized from the outside.

In the state where the cylinder key is inserted into the opening of the setting change device 50, the power is shut off, the cylinder key is turned counterclockwise, the power is turned on by operating the power switch 51, and the temporary storage means 90 When the stored game information stored in is initialized, the set value information is initialized in the same manner as other game information and updated to the default setting 1 state.
(Lottery table selection means)
The lottery table selecting unit 130 selects a lottery table 73 corresponding to the set value information stored in the temporary storage unit 90 from among a plurality of types of lottery tables 73 stored in the game information storage unit 80. Then, when the random number is extracted, the lottery means 70 refers to the lottery table 73 selected by the lottery table selection means 130 to determine whether or not it is a win.

  When the setting value information is updated by the updating unit 120, the lottery table selecting unit 130 stores the lottery table 73 stored in the game information storage unit 80 in the temporary storage unit 90. The lottery table 73 corresponding to the set value information is selected. Then, when the random number is extracted, the lottery means 70 refers to the lottery table 73 selected by the lottery table selection means 130 to determine whether or not it is a win.

Further, the lottery table selecting means 130 again selects the lottery table 73 selected immediately before the power is turned off based on the set value information of the immediately preceding game information. Then, when the random number is extracted, the lottery means 70 refers to the lottery table 73 selected again by the lottery table selection means 130 to determine whether or not the winning is made.
Therefore, even if the power is shut off, the lottery table 73 referred to by the lottery means 70 is continuously used and is not changed.
(Control recovery means)
When the setting value information is updated by the updating means 120, the control recovery means 140 causes the game control means 100 to control the game based on the stored game information excluding the setting value information.
(Monitoring means)
As shown in FIG. 5, the monitoring unit 150 includes a checksum creation unit 151 that creates a checksum of game information including the set value information, and a checksum of the checksum created by the checksum creation unit 151. A checksum storage unit 152 that stores the contents of the checksum stored in the temporary storage unit 90 at the time of shutoff, and a checksum at the time of power shutdown and a checksum at the time of power on stored in the checksum storage unit 152 A checksum checking unit 153 that compares and checks whether they match or not, and an error processing control unit 154 that executes error processing when the check result by the checksum checking unit 153 does not match. .
(Checksum creation means)
The checksum creation means 151 continuously creates a checksum of game information including setting value information set by operating the setting change switch 53 stored in the temporary storage means 90 after the power is turned on. To do. This checksum is one of the methods to detect whether data is exchanged correctly. For example, a data string is divided into blocks of a certain length, and the sum total of the data strings in the block is obtained. Is done. The game information is stored in the temporary storage means 90, and a checksum is created by the checksum creation means 151 when the power is turned off. When the power is shut off, the power may be shut off by operating the power switch 51, the power may be shut off by force majeure such as a lightning strike, or the power may be intentionally shut off due to fraud.
(Checksum storage means)
The checksum storage means 152 is for storing the checksum created by the checksum creation means 151 when the power is turned off, and the stored checksum is stored even after the power is turned off. The contents are stored using a backup power source.
(Checksum inspection means)
The checksum checking means 153 checks whether or not the checksum created by the checksum creating means 151 matches the stored data read from the temporary storage means 90 when the power is turned on. A RAM sum check is created as a process when the power is turned off, and it is determined whether or not the contents of the temporary storage means 90 at the next power-on match the contents when the power is turned off. For example, when the power supply is stopped for a long time and the battery used for the backup power supply is exhausted, the content stored in the temporary storage means 90 is a noise with additional effect such as a lightning strike. In some cases, the contents are destroyed by intentionally output noise for illegal purposes.
(Error handling control means)
The error processing control means 154 is for controlling the execution of error processing when the check results by the checksum checking means 153 do not match. The error processing control means 154 displays an error display on the sub-image display device 40, causes the lamp to blink in a blinking pattern peculiar to an error, and generates an error warning sound from the speaker. Further, the error processing control means 154 stops the game control by the game control means 100 when the check result by the checksum checking means 153 does not match, stops the progress of the game, and operates the power switch 51. Set to the state of waiting for shutdown. Therefore, the error processing control means 154, when the check result by the checksum check means 153 does not match, the slot machine game is disabled, and the game can be played unless the power is cut off by operating the power switch 51. It cannot return to the state.
(Setting value change procedure)
Next, a procedure for changing the set value of the slot machine having the above configuration will be described.

First, in order to change the set value, with the cylinder key inserted and rotated clockwise, the power switch 51 is operated to shut off the power. In this state, when the power switch 51 is operated again to turn on the power, the operation of the setting change switch 53 becomes effective for the first time.
The setting change switch 53 is operated with the cylinder key rotated in the clockwise direction. Specifically, when the setting change switch 53 is pressed in a state where the cylinder key is rotated in the clockwise direction, in principle, a setting value that is one set higher than the setting value before the operation of the setting change switch 53, that is, the setting change. If the setting value before operation of the switch 53 is “1”, the setting value can be changed to “2” by pressing the setting change switch 53 once. Further, when the setting change switch 53 is pressed again, the set value can be changed to “3”, and when the setting change switch 53 is pressed a total of five times, the set value can be changed to “6”. When the set value is “6”, the set value can be changed to “1” by the next pressing operation of the setting change switch 53.

Then, after operating the setting change switch 53 to set the desired setting value and operating the start switch 25, the changed setting value is confirmed, the cylinder key that has been turned clockwise is returned to the original position, and the opening is opened. When it is removed from the section 52, the change to the desired set value is completed and the game becomes possible.
When the setting value changed by the operation of the setting value change switch 53 is confirmed, the updating unit 120 replaces the setting value information of the setting value already stored in the temporary information storage unit with the setting value information of the changed setting value. Update to

  When the set value information is updated, the lottery table selecting unit 130 selects the lottery table 73 corresponding to the set value information, and determines whether or not the lottery unit 70 is won based on the selected lottery table 73. Make it. Specifically, for example, when the set value information is updated to “1”, the lottery table selecting unit 130 determines whether or not the lottery unit 70 is won based on the lottery table 1 corresponding to “1” of the set value information. To make a decision.

In addition, when the setting value is changed by operating the setting value change switch 53, the updating unit 120 updates the setting value information as described above, but the setting value information stored in the temporary storage unit 90 is updated. The game information other than is updated without being updated.
Then, when the setting value information is updated by the updating means 120, the control recovery means 140 causes the game control means 100 to control the game based on the stored game information excluding the setting value information.

  Therefore, since the game control means 100 controls the game based on the stored game information, even if the set value is changed, there is a difference between the game state before the set value change and the game state after the set value change. There is no change in the points to be played, and the change in the setting value is not grasped by the player because the game state changes. For example, even if the setting value is changed during a special gaming state such as during a big bonus, the gaming information before the setting value is changed and after the setting value is changed, and the special gaming state continues as it is. Even during the special game, the set value can be changed.

Furthermore, the effect operation control means 110 controls the effect operation based on the stored game information. Therefore, even if the set value is changed, the effect operation before the set value is changed and the effect operation after the set value is changed. Since there is no difference between the two, and the production operation is changed, the change of the setting value is not grasped by the player based on the change of the production operation.
(Initialization of game information)
Next, in order to initialize the game information including the set value information stored in the temporary storage means 90, the power switch 51 is operated with the cylinder key inserted into the opening of the setting change device 50. Turn off the power. Then, with the cylinder key turned counterclockwise, the power switch 51 is operated to turn on the power. Now, when the game information is initialized, the temporary storage means 90 again stores the initial game information stored in the game information storage means 80 when the power is turned on.

Therefore, when the game information including the set value information is initialized, the previous game state is not continued, and new game control is performed by the game control means 100.
Further, when the game information including the set value information stored in the temporary storage means 90 is initialized, the lottery table selecting means 130 corresponds to the default set value information by the initialization at the time of lottery. The lottery table 73 is selected, and the lottery means 70 determines whether or not the lottery means 70 is won based on the selected lottery table 73. Specifically, since the default set value information is “1”, the lottery table selecting unit 130 selects the lottery unit based on the lottery table 1 corresponding to “1” of the set value information. 70 will be judged whether or not it is won.

The update unit 120 updates the set value information when the set value is changed by operating the set value change switch, and holds game information other than the set value information stored in the temporary storage unit 90 as it is. However, when the game information including the set value information stored in the temporary storage unit 90 is initialized, the game information other than the set value information stored in the temporary storage unit 90 is not held.
(Processing when power is turned on again)
Further, a recovery process when the power is turned off from the power-on state and turned on again will be described.

When the power source is broken, the temporary storage means 90 holds the game information immediately before the power source is cut off as the previous game information.
When the power is turned on again, the game control means 100 is restored to the control of the game immediately before the power is cut off based on the immediately preceding game information stored in the temporary storage means 90.
Further, the lottery table selecting means 130 selects again the lottery table 73 selected immediately before the power supply is cut off when the lottery means 70 performs the lottery based on the previous game information.

Further, the production operation control means 110 restores the production operation control immediately before the power is turned off based on the immediately preceding game information.
On the other hand, the checksum creation means 151 continuously creates a checksum of game information including setting value information set by operating the setting change switch 53, which is stored in the temporary storage means 90, from the time of power-on. The checksum storage unit 152 stores the checksum created by the checksum creation unit 151 when the power is turned off.

  Then, the checksum checking means 153 checks whether the checksum created by the checksum creating means 151 matches the stored data read from the temporary storage means 90 when the power is turned on. A RAM sum check is created as a process when the power is turned off, and it is determined whether or not the contents of the temporary storage means 90 at the next power-on match the contents at the time of power-off.

If the check result by the checksum checking means 153 does not match, the error processing control means 154 determines that there is an error, displays an error display on the sub-image display device 40, and blinks the lamp with a blinking pattern peculiar to an error. An error warning sound is generated from the speaker.
Further, the error processing control means 154 stops the game control by the game control means 100 when the check result by the checksum check means 153 does not match, stops the progress of the game, and operates the power switch 51. Set to the state of waiting for shutdown.

  Therefore, if the check result by the checksum checking means 153 does not match, the error processing control means 154 disables the slot machine game and allows the game to be played unless the power switch 51 is turned off. Cannot return to.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the control of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a slot machine which is a gaming machine. FIG. 3 shows a schematic front view of the setting change device. FIG. 4 shows a table showing the contents of the lottery table. FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the temporary storage means.

Explanation of symbols

10 Slot machine 11 Front panel
12 Display window 20 Reel unit
21 Left reel 22 Middle reel
23 Right reel 24 lines
25 Start switch 26 Stop switch
27 Medal slot 28 Medal sensor
29 Medal payout exit 30 Single or double switch
31 Three-sheet input switch 32 Checkout switch
34 Key device 35 Medal discharge tray
36 Hopper device 37 Production lamp
38 Production speaker 40 Sub-image display device
50 Setting changer 51 Power switch
52 Opening 53 Setting change switch
60 Electrical control device
70 Lottery means 71 Random number generation means
72 Random number extraction means 73 Lottery table
74 Judgment means
80 Game information storage means 90 Temporary storage means
100 Game control means 110 Production operation control means
120 Update means 130 Lottery table selection means
140 Control recovery means
150 Monitoring means 151 Checksum creation means
152 Checksum storage means 153 Checksum inspection means
154 Error processing control means

Claims (4)

A plurality of lottery tables that have a winning probability for each of a plurality of types of winning combinations and that have different lottery probabilities;
Among the plurality of lottery tables, using a lottery table selected in advance, it is determined whether or not each winning combination is won, lottery means for deriving a lottery result;
In the slot machine that performs control so as to realize a game result corresponding to the lottery result derived by the lottery means,
In the above slot machine,
Game information storage means for storing initial game information for controlling a game, including the plurality of types of lottery tables and set value information corresponding to the lottery tables;
Temporary storage means for temporarily storing the initial game information stored in the game information storage means and the game information in progress generated with the progress of the game;
Game control means for controlling the game based on the initial game information stored in the temporary storage means and the game information in progress generated with the progress of the game;
Based on the game information stored in the temporary storage means, effect operation control means for controlling the effect operation for informing the outside of the current game state,
The setting value information stored in the temporary storage means is updated to any setting value information stored in the game information storage means in accordance with an external input, and the setting value information stored in the temporary storage means Update means for maintaining game information except for,
The lottery table corresponding to the set value information stored in the temporary storage means is selected, and the lottery means determines whether or not it is won, and when the set value information is updated by the update means, the lottery table is updated. A lottery table selection unit that selects a lottery table corresponding to the set value information, and causes the lottery unit to determine whether or not the winner is won;
When the set value information is updated by the update means, a control recovery means for causing the game control means to control the game based on the game information excluding the held set value information,
A slot machine characterized by comprising. When the power is cut off,
Temporary storage means
Of the stored game information, the game information immediately before the power-off is retained as the previous game information,
At power-on,
The game control means
Based on the previous game information, it is restored to the control of the game immediately before the power is cut off,
The lottery table selection means
Based on the set value information of the previous game information, select the lottery table that was selected immediately before the power was turned off,
The production operation control means is
The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the slot machine is restored to the control of the rendering operation immediately before the power is turned off based on the immediately preceding game information. Temporary storage means
Under specific conditions, the initialization process for initializing the stored game information is performed, and the initial game information stored in the game information storage means is stored.
The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that. In the temporary storage means,
The monitoring means for monitoring the contents of the immediately preceding game information or the initial game information and stopping the operation of the slot machine when it is determined that the immediately preceding game information or the initial game information is not appropriate. The slot machine according to claim 2 or 3.

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