JP7481682B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines such as slot machines.

For example, in a slot machine, multiple symbols are attached to the outer periphery of each reel, and some of the symbols attached to each reel can be seen through a display window. When a player inserts a medal, a winning line is set, and then when the player operates the start lever, a lottery is held inside the slot machine for roles such as a big bonus (hereinafter referred to as "BB") role, a small role, and a replay, and each reel starts to spin. After each reel starts to spin, the reels stop one by one by operating the stop switch, and one game ends. When all the reels stop spinning, if a combination of symbols corresponding to the winning role stops on the winning line, it is a win, and the player is given a prize such as a medal payout or a game state change. Here, it is common for a random number to be obtained inside the slot machine by operating the start lever, and the random number is used to draw roles (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-325888 A

However, in slot machines such as those exemplified above, there is still room for improvement in the relationship between the process of checking the signal input status and other processes.

Note that the above problems are not limited to the slot machines exemplified above, but also apply to other gaming machines.

The present invention was made in consideration of the circumstances exemplified above, and aims to provide a gaming machine that can optimally detect predetermined conditions.

In the invention described in claim 1, a gaming machine is provided with lottery means for conducting a lottery, setting operation means operated to set a setting state of a winning probability of the lottery, operation means operated to proceed with a game, and signal output means for outputting an ON signal of the setting operation means when the setting operation means is operated, not outputting the ON signal of the setting operation means when the setting operation means is not operated, outputting the ON signal of the operation means when the operation means is operated, and not outputting the ON signal of the operation means when the operation means is not operated, and The game machine has a start operation means operated by a player to start a game, and a stop operation means operated by a player to stop the cyclical display of the patterns , and the signal output means outputs an ON signal of the start operation means when the start operation means is operated, does not output the ON signal of the start operation means when the start operation means is not operated, outputs an ON signal of the stop operation means when the stop operation means is operated, and does not output the ON signal of the stop operation means when the stop operation means is not operated, and starts the cyclical display of the patterns based on the input of the ON signal of the start operation means after a predetermined amount of game value is bet, and The game machine includes a circulation stop means for stopping the circulating display of the pictures based on an input of an ON signal of the stop operation means after starting the circulating display of the pictures, a periodic process execution means for performing a periodic process including a status confirmation process for periodically confirming a signal input status from the signal output means, a specific process execution means for performing a specific process, a first judgment process execution means for performing a judgment process for determining whether or not the operation means has been operated using a processing result of the status confirmation process when the specific process is completed, and a second judgment process execution means for performing a judgment process for determining whether or not the setting operation means has been operated using a processing result of the status confirmation process when the specific process is completed, and the game start means is The execution means starts the cyclical display of the pictures when it determines that the start operation means has been operated, and the circulation stop means stops the cyclical display of the pictures when the first determination process execution means determines that the stop operation means has been operated, and the specific process execution means has a confirmation process execution means which performs a confirmation process to confirm whether or not the periodic process has been performed after starting the specific process, and a termination means which terminates the specific process when the confirmation process execution means confirms that the periodic process has been performed, and is configured to return to the specified process including a process to confirm the number of game values bet when it determines that the start operation means has not been operated when the specified number of game values has been bet.

The detection of specified conditions can be conveniently used in games.

1 is a front view of a slot machine according to an embodiment. 1 is an oblique view of the slot machine with the front door closed. 1 is an oblique view of the slot machine with the front door open. FIG. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of symbols on each reel. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the symbols visible through the display window and the combination lines. FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between winning modes and benefits provided. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a slot machine. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of a RAM; FIG. 11 is a block diagram relating to detection of start lever operation and acquisition of basic random numbers. 13 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process. 13 is a flowchart showing a sensor monitoring process. 13 is a flowchart showing a main process. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation determination process. 13 is a flowchart showing a winning probability setting process. 13 is a flowchart showing an interrupt waiting process. 13 is a flowchart showing a normal process. 13 is a flowchart showing a start waiting process. 13 is a flowchart showing a delay process. 13 is a flowchart showing a delay counter process. 4 is a time chart showing changes in various signals. 13 is a flowchart showing a lottery process. 13 is a flowchart showing a random number generation process. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a lottery table for a normal state. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a sliding table. 13 is a flowchart showing a reel control process. 13 is a flowchart showing pre-shutdown processing. 13 is a flowchart showing BB state processing.

The gaming machine of the present invention will be categorized into means and explained below while showing effects, etc. as necessary. Note that in the following, for ease of understanding, the corresponding configuration in the embodiment of the invention will be shown in parentheses as appropriate, but the invention is not limited to the specific configuration shown in parentheses.

Means 1. A variable display means (reel unit 31) for variably displaying a picture (design);
A start condition detection means for detecting the establishment of a start condition for starting the variable display of the picture (a function S620 for determining that a start command from the CPU 102 has been generated);
A lottery means (lottery processing function S505 of the CPU 102) for conducting a lottery based on the establishment of the start condition;
A display control means (a reel control processing function of the CPU 102) that starts a variable display of the picture based on the establishment of the start condition and controls the display of the variable display means so that the stop result is based on the lottery result of the lottery means;
In a gaming machine equipped with a bonus granting means (a medal payout processing function S507, a BB state processing function S508, etc. of the CPU 102) for granting a bonus (a medal payout, a transition to a BB state, etc.) to a player when the lottery result of the lottery means is a winning result and a specific stop result (a stop result in which a winning combination of symbols stops on an active line),
a first process execution means (CPU 102) that periodically executes a first process (timer interrupt process) including a first update process (delay counter process in timer interrupt process) that updates a predetermined value (the value of the delay counter 111d);
a second process execution means (CPU 102) that non-periodically executes a second process (pre-start preparation process) including a second update process (S609 in the pre-start preparation process) that updates the predetermined value (the value of the delay counter 111d);
A determination means (S620 in the pre-start preparation process) for determining whether or not a specific condition based on an operation by a player (the occurrence of a start command) is satisfied;
an acquisition process execution means (CPU 102) that performs an acquisition process (basic random number acquisition process S801) for acquiring a random number to be used in the lottery or numerical information (a count value of a basic random number generator 150) as a basic random number that is the source of the random number based on the establishment of the start condition;
a delay processing execution means (CPU 102) for performing a delay processing (delay processing S622 and delay counter processing S117) for delaying an acquisition timing at which the acquisition processing execution means acquires the numerical information from the timing at which the start condition is satisfied based on the predetermined value when the start condition is satisfied,
The second processing execution means is configured to repeatedly execute the second processing at least from the time a second specific condition (performing S602 or S603 in the start waiting processing) is satisfied until the specific condition is satisfied.

According to this means, the process of updating the predetermined value includes a first update process within the first process that is performed periodically, and a second update process that is performed within the second process. The random numbers used in the lottery or the numerical information as the base random numbers that are the source of the random numbers are acquired based on the establishment of the start condition, and are acquired at a timing delayed from the timing of establishment of the start condition based on the predetermined value updated in each update process. With this configuration, even if the numerical information as the random numbers or base random numbers becomes a value that wins the lottery at a certain period and fraud is committed to establish the start condition at that timing, it is possible to prevent the value that wins the lottery from being acquired by delaying the timing of acquisition of the numerical information as the random numbers or base random numbers.

In addition, since the second process is repeated at least from when the second specific condition is met until the specific condition is met, the second update process is also repeated during the above-mentioned period. Here, by configuring the fulfillment of the specific condition to be based on an operation by the player, the time during which the second process can be repeated can be made random, and the number of times the second update process is performed until the specific condition is met can be made random.

Moreover, if the fulfillment of a specific condition is based on an operation by the player, it is possible that the operation may be performed fraudulently so that the time from when the second specific condition is fulfilled until the fulfillment of the specific condition is constant. However, in this configuration, since the second process is performed non-periodically, even if the time from when the second specific condition is fulfilled until the fulfillment of the specific condition is constant, it is difficult to keep the number of times the second process is performed during that period constant. In addition, the predetermined value is updated by a second update process performed within the second process and a first update process performed periodically within the first process. For this reason, it is difficult to keep the predetermined value constant for each game round.

Means 2. The gaming machine according to the above means 1, further comprising a start operation means (start lever 41) that is operated to start the variable display of the image, and the determination means determines that the specific condition is met when the start operation means is operated and the start condition detection means detects that the start condition is met.

According to this means, when the start operation means is operated and the start condition is satisfied, the specific condition is satisfied. With this configuration, it is possible to make the end timing of the repetition of the second process dependent on the operation by the player, and the number of times the second update process is performed can be made random.

Means 3. The gaming machine according to means 2, characterized in that the second specific condition is met when a predetermined process (S602 or S603 in the start waiting process) is performed in a situation where the variable display of the image is stopped.

According to this means, the second process is repeatedly performed from when the predetermined process is performed while the variable display of the image is stopped until the start condition is satisfied. By configuring the second specific condition to be satisfied when the predetermined process is performed while the variable display of the image is stopped, it is possible to make it difficult to grasp the elapsed time since the start of the second process.

Means 4. In the above means 2 or 3, a gaming machine is provided with an acceptance detection means (CPU 102) that performs an acceptance detection process (credit insertion process function S612, insertion determination process function S613) that detects the acceptance of gaming media, and an authorization means (medal acceptance authorization process function S603) that authorizes the acceptance of the gaming media, the start condition detection means is configured to detect the establishment of the start condition when the start operation means is operated after the acceptance of a predetermined number of the gaming media is detected, and the second specific condition is configured to be established when the authorization means authorizes the acceptance of the gaming media.

According to this means, the second process is repeatedly performed from when the reception of game media is permitted until the start condition is met. It is difficult to fix the operation of receiving a predetermined number of game media and the operation of the start operation means to a fixed time during a game that is repeatedly performed. Therefore, the number of times the second update process is performed can be made random.

Means 5. The gaming machine according to means 4, wherein the second process execution means has the acceptance detection means.

According to this method, the acceptance detection process is performed within the second process, so the time from the start to the end of the second process can be made indefinite.

Means 6. A gaming machine comprising any one of means 1 to 5 above, a third process execution means (CPU 102) that periodically executes a third process (timer interrupt process), and the second process execution means is provided with a specific process execution means (CPU 102) that executes a specific process (interrupt waiting process) that repeatedly updates the predetermined value until the third process is executed n times (n is a natural number), and a fourth process execution means (CPU 102) that executes a fourth process (S606, S620 in the start waiting process) using the processing result of the third process when the specific process is completed.

According to this means, in the second process, a specific process is performed in which the predetermined value is repeatedly updated until the third process, which is performed periodically, is performed n times. In this configuration, the time from the start to the end of the specific process changes depending on the start timing of the specific process. Therefore, the time from the start to the end of the second process can be made indefinite. In addition, if the time from the start to the end of the specific process changes, the number of updates of the predetermined value in the specific process also changes, so the number of updates of the predetermined value in the second process can be made random. Furthermore, by making the timing for ending the specific process dependent on the number of times the third process is performed and configuring the fourth process to be performed when the specific process is ended, it is possible to shorten the interval between the end of the third process and the start of the fourth process. As a result, it is possible to perform the fourth process using the processing result of the third process that is in line with the game situation, etc.

Means 7. In the above-mentioned means 6, the third process execution means has a grasping process execution means (CPU 102) that performs a grasping process (sensor monitoring process S107) that grasps the signal input status from the detection means (start detection sensor 41a, stop detection sensors 42a to 44a, etc.) electrically connected to the processing means (main control device 101) having the third process execution means, and the fourth process execution means performs a predetermined judgment using the grasping result of the grasping process execution means as the fourth process.

According to this means, in the fourth process, a predetermined judgment is made using the signal input status from the detection means. In this configuration, the shorter the interval between the end of the third process and the start of the fourth process, the more appropriate the judgment can be in the fourth process based on the game situation, etc. Therefore, by applying this configuration to the configuration of the above-mentioned means 6, it is possible to carry out the fourth process in an optimal manner.

Means 8. A gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 7 above, further comprising a memory operation execution means (CPU 102) that has the lottery means, the display control means, etc., and performs processing related to the progress of the game, and the memory operation execution means is provided with a memory means that stores a predetermined value updated in each of the update processes, the first process execution means, and the second process execution means.

According to this means, the storage calculation execution means, which performs processing related to the progress of the game, is provided with a storage means for storing the predetermined value updated in each update process, a first processing execution means, and a second processing execution means. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the storage means from being changed to an unauthorized storage means that stores only one predetermined value, thereby preventing the delay period from being fixed.

Means 9. A gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 8 above, characterized in that it does not include an initialization means for changing the predetermined value to an initial value when a specific operation (such as turning on a setting key when the power is turned on) is performed.

According to this method, the predetermined value is not changed to the initial value even if a specific operation is performed. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent fraud in which the predetermined value is changed to the initial value and then a random number that wins the lottery is obtained.

Means 10. A gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 9 above, further comprising a stop operation means (stop switches 42 to 44) that is operated to stop the varying display of the patterns, the second specific condition being established when it becomes possible to stop the varying display of the patterns, and the determination means determining that the specific condition is established when the stop operation means is operated in a situation in which it is possible to stop the varying display of the patterns.

According to this means, the second process is repeatedly performed from when it becomes possible to stop the changing display of the image until the stop operation means is operated in a situation where it is possible to stop the changing display of the image. With this configuration, the time when the second process can be performed can be made random, and the number of times the second update process is performed can be made random.

Means 11. In any one of means 1 to 10 above, the delay processing execution means performs, as the delay processing, a process of updating the predetermined value until the predetermined value becomes a specific value (0) that is unrelated to the predetermined value when the start condition is satisfied.

According to this means, when the start condition is satisfied, the specified value is updated until it becomes a specific value that is unrelated to the specified value at that time. With this configuration, the period from when the start condition is satisfied to when numerical information as a random number or a base random number is acquired can be set to a period corresponding to the value obtained by subtracting the specified value at the time when the start condition is satisfied from the specific value, and the period from when the start condition is satisfied to when numerical information as a random number or a base random number is acquired can be made random.

Means 12. In any one of means 1 to 11 above, a gaming machine characterized in that it comprises: a numerical information storage means (counter 150a of basic random number generator 150) for storing numerical information acquired by the acquisition process execution means; a second numerical information storage means (first counter 111a, second counter 111b) for storing second numerical information (count value of first counter 111a, count value of second counter 111b); and a random number creation means (random number creation process S701) for creating a random number using the numerical information and the second numerical information when the acquisition process execution means acquires the numerical information from the numerical information storage means.

According to this method, the random number is created using the numerical information and the second numerical information. With this configuration, even if fraud is committed that targets both the predetermined value and the numerical information, it is possible to change the random number used in the lottery using the second numerical information. As a result, it is possible to make it difficult to fraudulently obtain a random number that will win the lottery.

Means 13. A gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 12 above, characterized in that the time from start to end of the second process is indefinite.

According to this method, since the time from the start to the end of the second process is indefinite, even if the time from when the second specific condition is satisfied to when the specific condition is satisfied is fixed, it can be difficult to make the number of times the second process is performed during that period constant.

Means 14: A start condition detection means for detecting the establishment of a start condition (a function S620 for determining that a start command from the CPU 102 has been generated);
A lottery means (lottery processing function S505 of the CPU 102) for conducting a lottery based on the establishment of the start condition;
A gaming machine equipped with a bonus awarding means (a medal payout processing function S507, a BB state processing function S508, etc. of the CPU 102) that awards a bonus (a medal payout, a transition to a BB state, etc.) based on the lottery result of the lottery means being a winning player,
a first process execution means (CPU 102) that periodically executes a first process (timer interrupt process) including a first update process (delay counter process in timer interrupt process) that updates a predetermined value (the value of the delay counter 111d);
a second process execution means (CPU 102) that non-periodically executes a second process (pre-start preparation process) including a second update process (S609 in the pre-start preparation process) that updates the predetermined value (the value of the delay counter 111d);
A determination means (S620 in the pre-start preparation process) for determining whether or not a specific condition based on an operation by a player (the occurrence of a start command) is satisfied;
an acquisition process execution means (CPU 102) that performs an acquisition process (basic random number acquisition process S801) for acquiring a random number to be used in the lottery or numerical information (a count value of a basic random number generator 150) as a basic random number that is the source of the random number based on the establishment of the start condition;
a delay processing execution means (CPU 102) for performing a delay processing (delay processing S622 and delay counter processing S117) for delaying an acquisition timing at which the acquisition processing execution means acquires the numerical information from the timing at which the start condition is satisfied based on the predetermined value when the start condition is satisfied,
The second processing execution means is configured to repeatedly execute the second processing at least from the time a second specific condition (performing S602 or S603 in the start waiting processing) is satisfied until the specific condition is satisfied.

According to this means, the process of updating the predetermined value includes a first update process in the first process that is performed periodically, and a second update process that is performed in the second process. The random numbers used in the lottery or the numerical information as the base random numbers that are the source of the random numbers are acquired based on the establishment of the start condition, and are acquired at a timing delayed from the timing of establishment of the start condition based on the predetermined value updated in each update process. With this configuration, even if the numerical information as the random numbers or base random numbers becomes a value that wins the lottery at a certain period and fraud is committed to establish the start condition at that timing, it is possible to prevent the value that wins the lottery from being acquired by delaying the timing of acquisition of the numerical information as the random numbers or base random numbers.

In addition, since the second process is repeated at least from when the second specific condition is met until the specific condition is met, the second update process is also repeated during the above-mentioned period. Here, by configuring the fulfillment of the specific condition to be based on an operation by the player, the time during which the second process can be repeated can be made random, and the number of times the second update process is performed until the specific condition is met can be made random.

Moreover, if the fulfillment of a specific condition is based on an operation by the player, it is possible that the operation may be performed fraudulently so that the time from when the second specific condition is fulfilled until the fulfillment of the specific condition is constant. However, in this configuration, since the second process is performed non-periodically, even if the time from when the second specific condition is fulfilled until the fulfillment of the specific condition is constant, it is difficult to keep the number of times the second process is performed during that period constant. In addition, the predetermined value is updated by a second update process performed within the second process and a first update process performed periodically within the first process. For this reason, it is difficult to keep the predetermined value constant for each game round.

Means 15: A start condition detection means for detecting the satisfaction of a start condition (a function S620 for determining that a start command from the CPU 102 has been generated);
A lottery means (lottery processing function S505 of the CPU 102) for conducting a lottery based on the establishment of the start condition;
A gaming machine equipped with a bonus awarding means (a medal payout processing function S507, a BB state processing function S508, etc. of the CPU 102) that awards a bonus (a medal payout, a transition to a BB state, etc.) based on the lottery result of the lottery means being a winning player,
a first process execution means (CPU 102) that periodically executes a first process (timer interrupt process) including a first update process (delay counter process in timer interrupt process) that updates a predetermined value (the value of the delay counter 111d);
a second process execution means (CPU 102) that non-periodically executes a second process (pre-start preparation process) including a second update process (S609 in the pre-start preparation process) that updates the predetermined value (the value of the delay counter 111d);
an acquisition process execution means (CPU 102) that performs an acquisition process (basic random number acquisition process S801) for acquiring a random number to be used in the lottery or numerical information (a count value of a basic random number generator 150) as a basic random number that is the source of the random number based on the establishment of the start condition;
and a delay processing execution means (CPU 102) which, when the start condition is satisfied, performs a delay processing (delay processing S622 and delay counter processing S117) to delay the acquisition timing at which the acquisition processing execution means acquires the numerical information from the timing at which the start condition is satisfied based on the specified value.

According to this means, the process of updating the predetermined value includes a first update process within the first process that is performed periodically, and a second update process within the second process that is performed non-periodically. The random numbers used in the lottery or the numerical information as the base random numbers that are the source of the random numbers are acquired based on the establishment of the start condition, and are acquired at a timing delayed from the timing of establishment of the start condition based on the predetermined value updated in each update process. With this configuration, even if the numerical information as the random numbers or base random numbers becomes a value that wins the lottery at a regular interval and fraud is committed to establish the start condition at that timing, it is possible to prevent the value that wins the lottery from being acquired by delaying the timing of acquisition of the numerical information as the random numbers or base random numbers.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention, which is applied to a reel type gaming machine, which is one type of gaming machine, specifically a slot machine, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 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 open, Fig. 4 is a rear view of the front door 12, and Fig. 5 is a front view of the cabinet 11.

As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the slot machine 10 has a housing 11 that forms its outer shell. The housing 11 is generally formed in a box shape with an open front, and is attached to the so-called island equipment by nailing it when installing it in an amusement hall.

A front door 12 is attached to the front side of the housing 11 so as to be openable and closable. That is, the housing 11 is provided with a pair of upper and lower support shafts 13a, 13b on the left side when viewed from the front, and the front door 12 is provided with bearings 14a, 14b at positions corresponding to the support shafts 13a, 13b. When the support shafts 13a, 13b are inserted into the bearings 14a, 14b, the front door 12 is supported rotatably around an opening and closing axis extending in the vertical direction connecting the support shafts 13a, 13b with respect to the housing 11, and the front open side of the housing 11 can be opened or closed by rotating the front door 12. The front door 12 is locked and cannot be opened by a locking device 20 provided on its back side. A key cylinder 21 integrated with the locking device 20 is provided at the upper right end side of the front door 12, and the locked state is released by a predetermined key operation on the key cylinder 21.

A game panel 25 that notifies the player of the game status is provided at the upper center of the front door 12. The game panel 25 has three vertically long display windows 26L, 26M, and 26R arranged side by side, and the inside of the slot machine 10 can be seen through each of the display windows 26L, 26M, and 26R. The display windows 26L, 26M, and 26R may be combined into one common display window.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inside of the housing 11 is divided into two parts, an upper part and a lower part, by a partition plate 30, and a reel unit 31 constituting a variable display means is attached to the upper part of the partition plate 30. The reel unit 31 is provided with a left reel 32L, a center reel 32M, and a right reel 32R each formed in a cylindrical (annular) shape. Each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R is supported so that it can rotate with its central axis being the axis of rotation of the reel. The axes of rotation of each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R are arranged on the same axis extending in a substantially horizontal direction, and each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R corresponds one-to-one to each display window 26L, 26M, and 26R. Therefore, a part of the surface of each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R is visible through the corresponding display window 26L, 26M, and 26R. Furthermore, when reels 32L, 32M, and 32R rotate forward, the surfaces of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R are displayed through display windows 26L, 26M, and 26R as if they are moving from top to bottom.

Here, we will briefly explain the configuration of the reel unit 31.

Each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is connected to a stepping motor, and each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R can be rotated individually, i.e., independently, by driving each stepping motor. The stepping motor is set to rotate once by giving a drive signal (hereinafter also referred to as an excitation pulse) of, for example, 504 pulses, and this excitation pulse controls the rotational position of the stepping motor, i.e., the rotational position of the reel. In addition, reel index sensors for detecting that the reel has rotated once are installed on each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R in the reel unit 31. When the reel index sensor detects that the reel has rotated once, it outputs a detection signal to the main control device 101 described later. Therefore, the main control device 101 can check and correct the angular position of each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R for each rotation based on the detection signal of the reel index sensor and the number of excitation pulses output until the detection signal is input.

On the outer periphery of each reel 32L, 32M, 32R, multiple symbols are drawn in the long side direction (rotation direction) as identification information. More specifically, 21 symbols are drawn at equal intervals. Therefore, to switch from one symbol to the next symbol at a specified position, it is necessary to output 24 excitation pulses (= 504 pulses ÷ 21 symbols). Furthermore, the main control device 101 can determine which symbols are visible from the display windows 26L, 26M, 26R and stop a specified symbol at a position visible from the display windows 26L, 26M, 26R based on the number of excitation pulses output after the detection signal of the reel index sensor is input.

Next, we will explain the symbols depicted on each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R.

Figure 6 shows the arrangement of symbols on the left reel 32L, center reel 32M, and right reel 32R. As shown in the figure, 21 symbols are arranged in a row on each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. Numbers from 0 to 20 are also assigned to each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R, but these numbers are numbers used by the main control device 101 to identify the symbols that are visible through the display windows 26L, 26M, and 26R, and are not actually assigned to the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. However, these numbers will be used in the following explanation.

There are eight types of symbols: "star" symbol (e.g., 20th on the left reel 32L), "cherry" symbol (e.g., 19th on the left reel 32L), "young man" symbol (e.g., 18th on the left reel 32L), "bell" symbol (e.g., 17th on the left reel 32L), "replay" symbol (e.g., 16th on the left reel 32L), "white 7" symbol (e.g., 15th on the left reel 32L), "watermelon" symbol (e.g., 14th on the left reel 32L), and "red 7" symbol (e.g., 3rd on the left reel 32L). As shown in FIG. 6, the number and arrangement order of the various symbols are completely different on each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R.

Each display window 26L, 26M, 26R is formed so that of the 21 symbols on the corresponding reel, only three symbols are visible in their entirety. Therefore, when each reel 32L, 32M, 32R is stopped, 3 x 3 = 9 symbols are visible through the display window 26L, 26M, 26R.

In this slot machine 10, a total of five combination lines are set, three parallel lines in the horizontal direction and two lines crosswise in the diagonal direction, connecting the positions where these nine symbols are visible. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the horizontal combination lines are set as an upper line L1 connecting the upper symbols of each reel 32L, 32M, 32R, a middle line L2 connecting the middle symbols of each reel 32L, 32M, 32R, and a lower line L3 connecting the lower symbols of each reel 32L, 32M, 32R. In addition, the diagonal combination lines are set as a right-downward line L4 connecting the upper symbols of the left reel 32L, the middle symbols of the middle reel 32M, and the lower symbols of the right reel 32R, and a right-upward line L5 connecting the lower symbols of the left reel 32L, the middle symbols of the middle reel 32M, and the upper symbols of the right reel 32R. When the symbols stop in a specified combination on an activated combination line, i.e., an active line, a winning combination is achieved, and a bonus is awarded in which a specified number of medals, which serve as gaming media, are paid out, or a bonus is awarded in which the gaming state is changed.

Figure 8 shows the winning combinations of symbols and the benefits that will be awarded if a winning combination is achieved.

The minor prizes for which medals are paid out include the bell prize, the watermelon prize, the one-coin prize, and the cherry prize. When the "bell" symbols on each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R stop in a line on the winning line, eight medals are paid out as the bell prize. When the "watermelon" symbols on each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R stop in a line on the winning line, six medals are paid out as the watermelon prize. When the "red 7", "young man", and "white 7" symbols stop in a line on the winning line, one medal is paid out as the one-coin prize. When the "cherry" symbol on the left reel 32L stops on the winning line, two medals are paid out as the cherry prize. In other words, in the case of the cherry prize, the symbols that stop on the winning line on the center reel 32M and the right reel 32R can be any symbols. In other words, when a combination of the "cherry" symbol on the left reel 32L and any symbol on the middle reel 32M and right reel 32R stops on an active line, a cherry win is achieved. Therefore, when the "cherry" symbol stops at a position where multiple active lines on the left reel 32L overlap (specifically, the upper and lower rows), a cherry win is achieved on each active line, and as a result, 4 (= 2 x 2) medals are paid out. In this embodiment, a cherry win is achieved when the "cherry" symbol on the left reel 32L stops on the upper or lower row, so 4 medals are paid out when a cherry win is achieved.

A BB win is an example of a state transition win that only transitions the game state. When the "red 7" symbols on each of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R stop in a line on an active line, a BB win occurs and the game state transitions to a big bonus state (hereafter referred to as the "BB state").

A replay win is a prize that gives a bonus other than a medal payout or a change in game state. When the "replay" symbols on each reel 42L, 42M, and 42R stop in a line on an active line, a replay win is awarded, and although no medal payout or change in game state occurs, the bonus of being able to play the next game without inserting a medal is awarded.

In the following, the combination of symbols corresponding to each winning prize is also referred to as the winning symbol combination. For example, a replay symbol combination is a combination of symbols that results in a replay winning prize, that is, a combination of "replay" symbols, "replay" symbols, and "replay" symbols. In addition, the symbols on each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R that correspond to each winning prize are also referred to as the winning symbols. For example, a one-coin symbol is a "red 7" symbol on the left reel 32L, a "young man" symbol on the middle reel 32M, and a "white 7" symbol on the right reel 32R.

A start lever 41 is provided on the lower left side of the game panel 25, which is operated to start the rotation of each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. The start lever 41 constitutes a start operation means or a start operation means that is operated to start the rotation of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R, i.e., to start the variable display of the symbols. The start lever 41 is a lever that the player pushes with his or her hand when starting a game, and it automatically returns to its initial position after the player releases it. Incidentally, the start lever 41 in this slot machine 10 is configured to take several tens of milliseconds to automatically return to its initial position after the player releases it. When the start lever 41 is operated with a predetermined number of medals inserted, each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R starts to rotate.

On the right side of the start lever 41, there are provided button-shaped stop switches 42-44 that are operated to individually stop each of the rotating reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. Each stop switch 42-44 is located directly below the display window 26L, 26M, and 26R corresponding to the reel 32L, 32M, and 32R to be stopped. That is, when the left stop switch 42 is operated, the left reel 32L stops spinning, when the center stop switch 43 is operated, the center reel 32M stops spinning, and when the right stop switch 44 is operated, the right reel 32R stops spinning. The stop switches 42-44 constitute a stop operation means that is operated to stop the variable display of the symbols based on the rotation of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. The stop switches 42-44 are configured to be in a state where they can be stopped when a predetermined time has passed since the left reel 32L started spinning. Stop switches 42-44 are provided with lamps (not shown) inside, and the lamps are lit when the stop operation is possible, and are turned off when the stop operation is not possible, such as when the reels are stopped.

A medal insertion port 45 for inserting medals is provided on the lower right side of the display windows 26L, 26M, and 26R. The medal insertion port 45 constitutes an input means for inputting game media. In addition, considering that the medal insertion port 45 involves the action of the player directly inserting medals, it can also be said to constitute a direct input means for directly inputting game media.

The medals inserted through the medal insertion port 45 are guided to either the storage passage 47 or the discharge passage 48 by a selector 46, which serves as a passage switching means provided on the back of the front door 12. More specifically, the selector 46 is provided with a medal passage switching solenoid 46a, and when the medal passage switching solenoid 46a is not energized, the medals are guided to the discharge passage 48 side, and when the medal passage switching solenoid 46a is energized, the medals are guided to the storage passage 47 side. The medals guided to the storage passage 47 are guided to a hopper device 51 stored inside the housing 11. On the other hand, the medals guided to the discharge passage 48 are guided to a medal tray 50 from a medal discharge port 49 provided on the lower front surface of the front door 12, and are returned to the player.

The hopper device 51 is composed of a storage tank 52 that stores medals, and a payout device 53 that pays out medals to players. The payout device 53 rotates a medal payout rotating plate (not shown) to discharge medals to an opening 48a provided in the discharge passage 48, and pays out the medals to a medal tray 50 through the discharge passage 48. In addition, a reserve tank 54 is provided to the right of the hopper device 51 to prevent medals from being stored in the storage tank 52 by more than a predetermined amount. Inside the storage tank 52 of the hopper device 51, a guide plate 52a is provided to discharge medals from the storage tank 52 to the reserve tank 54. Therefore, if medals are stored above the height at which the guide plate 52a is provided, the medals will be stored in the reserve tank 54.

A button-shaped return switch 55 is provided below the medal insertion port 45. If the return switch 55 is operated when a medal inserted into the medal insertion port 45 is stuck in the selector 46, the selector 46 is mechanically linked and operated, and the medal stuck in the selector 46 is returned from the medal ejection port 49.

At the lower left side of the display windows 26L, 26M, and 26R, a first credit insertion switch 56 is provided for inserting three credited virtual medals as game media at a time. Also, to the left of the first credit insertion switch 56, a second credit insertion switch 57 and a third credit insertion switch 58 are provided. The second credit insertion switch 57 is for inserting two virtual medals at a time, and the third credit insertion switch 58 is for inserting one virtual medal. Each credit insertion switch 56 to 58, together with the medal insertion slot 45, constitutes an input means for inputting game media. Also, while the medal insertion slot 45 involves the action of the player directly inserting medals, each credit insertion switch 56 to 58 only involves the action of inserting virtual medals based on the stored memory. Considering this, it can also be said that they constitute an indirect input means for indirectly inputting game media. Each credit insertion switch 56 to 58 is provided with a lamp (not shown), which is lit when the insertion operation is possible, and is turned off when the insertion operation is not possible.

A settlement switch 59 is provided to the left of the start lever 41. In other words, this slot machine 10 has a credit function that stores and stores as virtual medals any surplus inserted medals up to a predetermined maximum value (50 medals) or medals paid out when a prize is won, and when the settlement switch 59 is operated while virtual medals are stored and stored, the virtual medals are paid out from the medal discharge port 49 as real medals. In this case, when focusing on the function of paying out credited virtual medals as real medals, the settlement switch 59 can also be said to constitute a settlement operation means for actually paying out the stored and stored game media.

Below the display windows 26L, 26M, and 26R of the game panel 25 are a credit display section 60 that displays the number of credited virtual medals, a remaining payout number display section 61 that displays the number of medals remaining to be paid out until the BB state ends, and a payout number display section 62 that displays the number of medals paid out when a win occurs. These display sections 60 to 62 are made up of seven-segment displays, but can of course be replaced with liquid crystal displays or the like.

Here, the relationship between the number of medals bet and the activated combination lines will be explained using FIG. 7. When a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 45 at the start of a game, it becomes a bet.

When the first medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 45, the bet number becomes 1 and the middle line L2 is activated. When the second medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 45, the bet number becomes 2 and a total of three combination lines are activated, including the middle line L2, the upper line L1 and the lower line L3. When the third medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 45, the bet number becomes 3 and all combination lines L1 to L5 are activated.

When four or more medals are inserted into the medal insertion port 45, if the number of virtual medals stored at that time is less than 50, the surplus medals exceeding three are stored inside the slot machine 10, and the number of virtual medals displayed on the credit display unit 60 is incremented. On the other hand, when the number of virtual medals is 50 or reaches 50, the selector 46 switches from the storage passage 47 to the discharge passage 48, and the surplus medals are returned from the medal discharge port 49 to the medal tray 50.

In addition, when virtual medals are stored and stored, and any of the first to third credit insertion switches 56 to 58 is operated at the start of a game, the virtual medals are inserted and a bet is made. Note that when any of the first to third credit insertion switches 56 to 58 is operated, the process is the same as when medals are inserted through the medal insertion slot 45, except that the number of virtual medals displayed in the credit display unit 60 is subtracted by the number of inserted virtual medals, so a description of this process is omitted.

Incidentally, if the virtual medals to be inserted when any of the first to third credit insertion switches 56 to 58 are operated are not stored, for example, if the first credit insertion switch 56 is operated when the credit display section 60 shows 2, all the values in the credit display section 60 are subtracted to 0, and only the amount of virtual medals that can be inserted is bet.

At the top of the front door 12, there are provided an upper lamp 63 that lights up or flashes as the game progresses, a pair of left and right speakers 64 that play various sound effects as the game progresses and notify the player of the game status, and an auxiliary display unit 65 that gives the player various information. The auxiliary display unit 65 is for executing various display effects as the game progresses, and since the game using each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R can be considered to be performed by the main display unit, it is referred to as the auxiliary display unit 65 in this embodiment. At the back of the auxiliary display unit 65, there is provided a display control device 81 for driving the upper lamp 63, the speaker 64, and the auxiliary display unit 65.

Inside the housing 11, a power supply box 70 is provided to the left of the hopper device 51. The power supply box 70 houses the power supply device 91 inside and is equipped with a power switch 71, a reset switch 72, a setting key insertion hole 73, and the like. The power switch 71 is an activation switch for supplying power to each part including the main control device 101. The reset switch 72 is a switch for resetting an error state of the slot machine 10. The setting key insertion hole 73 is for the hall manager or the like to adjust the medal payout. In other words, the hall manager or the like can set the winning probability of the slot machine 10 by inserting the setting key into the setting key insertion hole 73 and turning it ON. The reset switch 72 is operated not only when resetting an error state but also when changing the winning probability of the slot machine 10.

Above the reel unit 31, a main control device 101 that controls the game is attached to the cabinet 11.

Next, the electrical configuration of the slot machine 10 will be explained based on the block diagram in FIG. 9.

The main control device 101 is equipped with a microcomputer centered on the CPU 102, which is an arithmetic processing means. In addition to the power supply device 91, the CPU 102 is connected via an internal bus to a first clock circuit 103 that outputs a rectangular wave (first clock signal) with a predetermined frequency of 8.000 MHz, an input/output port 104 (specifically, an input/output port composed of a connector, a driver IC, a chip select IC, etc.), a basic random number generator 150 for generating basic random numbers, etc. The main control device 101 functions as the main board built into the slot machine 10.

The input side of the main control device 101 is connected to various sensors, such as the reel unit 31 (more specifically, a reel index sensor that detects when each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R has made one rotation), a start detection sensor 41a that detects the operation of the start lever 41, stop detection sensors 42a to 44a that detect the operation of each of the stop switches 42 to 44, an inserted medal detection sensor 45a that detects medals inserted through the medal insertion slot 45, a payout detection sensor 51a that detects medals paid out from the hopper device 51, credit insertion detection sensors 56a to 58a that detect the operation of each of the credit insertion switches 56 to 58, a settlement detection sensor 59a that detects the operation of the settlement switch 59, a reset detection sensor 72a that detects the operation of the reset switch 72, and a setting key detection sensor 73a that detects when a setting key is inserted into the setting key insertion hole 73 and turned ON. The signals from these various sensors are output to the CPU 102 via the input/output port 104.

The inserted medal detection sensor 45a is actually composed of a plurality of sensors. That is, the storage passage 47 from the medal insertion port 45 to the hopper device 51 is formed so that medals can pass in a single file. The storage passage 47 is provided with a first sensor, and a second sensor and a third sensor are provided downstream of the first sensor, at least the width of a medal, in close proximity (close enough to detect the same medal at the same time at least for a certain period of time). The inserted medal detection sensor 45a is composed of these first to third sensors. The main control device 101 monitors the time from the first sensor to the second sensor, and if the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time, it assumes that a medal has been jammed or that there has been fraud, and an error state is entered. When an error state occurs, an error state is notified, and the player's operation is disabled until the error state is released. The main control device 101 also monitors the order in which the second sensor and the third sensor are turned on and off. Specifically, it is determined that the medals have been taken in normally only when the second and third sensors are both off, only the second sensor is on, both the second and third sensors are on, only the third sensor is on, and both the second and third sensors are off, and the time taken for each on/off switch to occur is within a specified time, otherwise it is determined that an error state has occurred. This is to prevent medals from clogging the storage passage 47, as well as to prevent fraudulent actions such as moving medals back and forth near the inserted medal detection sensor 45a, which may lead to the mistaken belief that a medal has been inserted.

The power supply unit 91 is connected to the input side of the main control unit 101 via the input/output port 104. The power supply unit 91 is equipped with a power supply unit 91a that supplies driving power to the main control unit 101 and each electronic device of the slot machine 10, a power outage monitoring circuit 91b, and the like.

The power failure monitoring circuit 91b monitors the power supply cut-off state and generates a power failure signal not only during a power failure but also when the power supply is cut off by the power switch 71. For this reason, the power failure monitoring circuit 91b monitors the stabilized drive voltage of 12 volts DC in this example output from the power supply unit 91a, and is configured to determine that the power supply has been cut off and output a power failure signal when this drive voltage drops to less than 10 volts, for example. The power failure signal is supplied to both the CPU 102 and the input/output port 104, and the CPU 102 recognizes this power failure signal and executes the power failure processing described below. The power failure signal is also configured to be supplied to the display control device 81.

The power supply unit 91a is configured to output a stabilized voltage of 5 volts to be used as a drive voltage in control systems such as the main control unit 101, even if the output voltage drops below 10 volts. The time for which this stabilized voltage is output is sufficient to allow the main control unit 101 to execute power outage processing.

The output side of the main control device 101 is connected to the reel unit 31 (more specifically, the stepping motor for rotating each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R), the medal passage switching solenoid 46a provided on the selector 46, the hopper device 51, the credit display unit 60, the remaining payout number display unit 61, the payout number display unit 62, the display control device 81, and an external centralized terminal board 121 that can transmit information to a hall management device (not shown), etc., via the input/output port 104. Also, although not shown, the output side of the main control device 101 is connected to lamps provided inside the stop switches 42 to 44 and lamps provided inside the credit insertion switches 56 to 58, etc., via the input/output port 104.

The display control device 81 is a control device for driving the upper lamps 63, speaker 64, and auxiliary display unit 65, and is equipped with a board on which a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. for driving these are integrated. After receiving a signal from the main control device 101, the display control device 81 independently drives and controls the upper lamps 63, speaker 64, and auxiliary display unit 65. Therefore, the display control device 81 is a sub-board that performs auxiliary control in relation to the main control device 101, which is the main board that manages the overall game. Note that the display control device 81 may also be configured to drive and control the various display units 60 to 62.

The above-mentioned CPU 102 is a one-chip CPU, and in addition to a ROM 105 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by this CPU 102, and a RAM 106 that secures a working area for temporarily storing various data when executing the control programs stored in this ROM 105, various processing circuits necessary for the slot machine 10, such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data transmission/reception circuit, etc., which are not shown in the figure, are built in as is well known. The ROM 105 and RAM 106 form a main memory as a storage means, and the programs for executing the various processes shown in the flowcharts from FIG. 12 onwards are stored in the above-mentioned ROM 105 as part of the control program.

10, the RAM 106 includes a winning flag storage area 106a for storing the results of the lottery for winning combinations, a slip table storage area 106b for storing a slip table used for controlling the stop of each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R, a state information storage area 106c for storing game states such as the BB state, a random number storage area 110 for storing random numbers used for the lottery for winning combinations, a counter area 111 having the function of various counters, a sensor information storage area 112 for storing the signal input status from the various sensors described above, and other various areas. The counter area 111 is composed of a first counter 111a and a second counter 111b used for creating random numbers, an update counter 111c used in the interrupt waiting process described later, a delay counter 111d for determining the timing of obtaining the basic random number, and a credit counter (not shown) for storing the number of credits. The sensor information storage area 112 is composed of a reel index detection area, a start detection area, a left stop detection area, a center stop detection area, a right stop detection area, an inserted coin detection area, a payout detection area, a first credit insertion detection area, a second credit insertion detection area, a third credit insertion detection area, a settlement detection area, a reset detection area, a setting key detection area, etc. Each of these detection areas is capable of storing a history of the presence or absence of a signal input from the corresponding detection sensor, and is composed of three memory areas, a first area 112a, a second area 112b, and a third area 112c. Each detection area is composed of one byte, and the lower three bits are associated with each of the above memory areas. More specifically, the lower bits are associated with the first area 112a, the second area 112b, and the third area 112c, in order.

The RAM 106 is also configured to be able to hold (back up) data by receiving backup voltage from the power supply device 91 even after the power supply to the slot machine 10 is cut off, and the RAM 106 is provided with a backup area for holding data. The backup area is an area for storing the value of the stack pointer at the time of power cut (including power cut by operating the power switch 71; the same applies below) when the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like, and when the power outage is resolved (including power on by operating the power switch 71; the same applies below), the state of the slot machine 10 can be restored to the state before the power cut based on the information in the backup area. Writing to the backup area is performed when the power supply is cut off by the power outage processing (see FIG. 12), and the restoration of each value written to the backup area is performed during the main processing (see FIG. 14) when the power supply is turned on.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. 9, the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the CPU 102 is configured to receive a power outage signal from the power outage monitoring circuit 91b when the power is cut off due to a power outage or the like. When the power is cut off, the NMI interrupt process is immediately executed as a power outage flag generation process.

Here, the connection relationship between the base random number generator 150, the start detection sensor 41a, and the CPU 102 will be explained in more detail based on the block diagram in FIG. 11.

The input side of the base random number generator 150 is connected to a second clock circuit 151 that outputs a square wave (second clock signal) with a predetermined frequency of 7.915 MHz, and the CPU 102. The output side of the base random number generator 150 is connected to the CPU 102.

The base random number generator 150 is hardware that has a counter 150a and a latch circuit 150b. The counter 150a is a 16-bit free-running counter that is incremented by one within the range of 0 to 65535 and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (i.e., 65535). The second clock circuit 151 is connected to the counter 150a, and when a second clock signal is input from the second clock circuit 151, the count value of the counter 150a is updated. The latch circuit 150b is configured by combining multiple D flip-flop circuits and is capable of latching (holding) the count value of the counter 150a. The CPU 102 is connected to the latch circuit 150b, and when a latch signal is input from the CPU 102, the count value of the counter 150a at that timing is latched in the latch circuit 150b. The latched count value is then output to an input port built into the CPU 102 as a base random number.

A monitoring circuit 152 for monitoring the second clock circuit 151 is connected to the CPU 102. The monitoring circuit 152 is composed of a D flip-flop circuit. That is, the monitoring circuit 152 has a data terminal (D terminal) and a clock terminal (CLK terminal) as input terminals, and a positive logic output terminal (Q terminal) and a negative logic output terminal (Q bar terminal) as output terminals. The start detection sensor 41a is connected to the D terminal via the waveform shaping circuit 153 and the input/output port 104, and the second clock circuit 151 is connected to the CLK terminal via an inverter 154. The Q terminal is not connected, and the Q bar terminal is connected to an input port built into the CPU 102.

The start detection sensor 41a outputs an operation signal when the start lever 41 is operated. More specifically, the start detection sensor 41a outputs an operation signal when the start lever 41 moves from the initial position, and stops outputting the operation signal when the start lever 41 returns to the initial position. The waveform shaping circuit 153 is composed of a Schmitt trigger circuit. A threshold is set in the waveform shaping circuit 153, and the waveform shaping circuit 153 outputs a detection signal to the monitoring circuit 152 when the operation signal output from the start detection sensor 41a becomes larger than the voltage increase side threshold, and stops outputting the detection signal when the operation signal becomes smaller than the voltage drop side threshold. In other words, the waveform shaping circuit 153 is a circuit for shaping the rounding (rise delay and fall delay) of the operation signal output from the start detection sensor 41a. The waveform shaping circuit 153 may be connected between the input/output port 104 and the monitoring circuit 152, and the waveform shaping circuit 153 may also be provided on the main control device 101.

When an operation signal (more specifically, a detection signal from the waveform shaping circuit 153) is input at the timing when the inverted second clock signal (inverted clock signal) is input to the CLK terminal (more specifically, at the timing of the rising edge of the inverted clock signal), the monitoring circuit 152 outputs a start signal to the CPU 102. The start signal is continuously output until no operation signal is input at the timing when the inverted clock signal is input to the CLK terminal. In other words, the monitoring circuit 152 can be said to hold the input state of the operation signal until the inverted clock signal is input to the CLK terminal.

In addition to the Q-bar terminal of the monitoring circuit 152, the input side of the CPU 102 is connected to the latch circuit 150b of the basic random number generator 150 and the first clock circuit 103 that outputs the first clock signal. The output side of the CPU 102 is also connected to the latch circuit 150b of the basic random number generator 150. The first clock circuit 103 outputs a rectangular wave with a predetermined frequency of 8.000 MHz and is configured not to synchronize with the second clock circuit 151. The CPU 102 is configured to perform various operations when the first clock signal is input. For example, the CPU 102 is configured to determine whether or not a start signal has been input based on the input of the first clock signal, and to output a latch signal to the basic random number generator 150 based on the fact that a start signal has been input. Then, the count value output from the basic random number generator 150 is obtained as the basic random number. To explain in more detail how to determine whether or not a start signal has been input, the CPU 102 is connected to the Q-bar terminal of the monitoring circuit 152, and therefore determines that a start signal has been input when the input signal from the Q-bar terminal switches from H level to L level.

Next, each control process executed by the CPU 102 of the main control device 101 will be described. The CPU 102 performs various processes based on the input of a first clock signal from the first clock circuit 103. The processes of the CPU 102 can be broadly divided into main processing that is started when the power is turned on, timer interrupt processing that is started periodically (every 1.49 msec in this embodiment), and NMI interrupt processing that is started when a power outage signal is input to the NMI terminal. For ease of explanation, the timer interrupt processing will be described first below, followed by the main processing.

Figure 12 is a flowchart of the timer interrupt process that is periodically executed by the main control unit 101, and a timer interrupt is generated by the CPU 102 of the main control unit 101, for example, every 1.49 msec.

First, in the register save process shown in step S101, the values of all registers in the CPU 102 that are used in normal processing, which will be described later, are saved to a backup area in the RAM 106. In step S102, it is confirmed whether the power outage flag is set, and if the power outage flag is set, the process proceeds to step S103, where power outage processing is executed.

Here we will provide an overview of how to handle a power outage.

When the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like, a power outage signal is output from the power outage monitoring circuit 91b of the power supply device 91, and the power outage signal is input to the main control device 101 via the NMI terminal. When the power outage signal is input, the main control device 101 immediately executes an NMI interrupt process and sets a power outage flag in a power outage flag storage area provided in the RAM 106.

In the power failure process, first, it is determined whether the command transmission has been completed, and if the transmission has not been completed, this process is terminated and the process returns to the timer interrupt process, and the command transmission is terminated. If the command transmission has been completed, the value of the stack pointer of the CPU 102 is saved in the backup area of the RAM 106. After that, the output state of the output port in the input/output port 104 is cleared, and all actuators (not shown) are turned off. Then, a RAM judgment value for judging whether the data in the RAM 106 is normal or not when the power failure is resolved is calculated and saved in the backup area. The RAM judgment value is specifically the two's complement of the checksum in the working area address of the RAM 106. By saving the RAM judgment value in the backup area, the checksum of the RAM 106 becomes 0. By setting the checksum of the RAM 106 to 0, subsequent access to the RAM is prohibited. After the above process is performed, an infinite loop is entered in preparation for the power being completely cut off and processing being unable to be executed. In addition, in consideration of the case where the power failure flag is erroneously set due to noise, etc., whether the power failure signal is output or not is confirmed until the infinite loop is entered. If the power outage signal is not being output, this means that the power outage has been restored, and writing to RAM 106 is permitted, the power outage flag is reset, and the process returns to timer interrupt processing. If the power outage signal continues to be output, the process goes into an infinite loop. Incidentally, even in the infinite loop, it is checked whether the power outage signal is being output, and if the power outage signal is no longer being output, the process moves to the main processing.

Returning to the explanation of the timer interrupt process, if the power outage flag is not set in step S102, various processes from step S104 onwards are carried out.

In other words, in step S104, a watchdog timer clear process is performed to initialize the value of the watchdog timer for monitoring the occurrence of malfunctions. In step S105, an interrupt end declaration process is performed to enable the CPU 102 itself to set the next timer interrupt. In step S106, a stepping motor control process is performed to drive the stepping motors that are the reel drive motors for each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R in order to spin each of the reels. In step S107, a sensor monitoring process is performed to read the status of various sensors (see FIG. 9) such as the stop detection sensors 42a to 44a, the inserted coin detection sensor 45a, and the payout detection sensor 51a connected to the input/output port 104.

Here, the sensor monitoring process will be explained based on the flowchart in FIG. 13. First, in step S151, a sensor information transfer process is performed. In the sensor information transfer process, the data stored in the first to third areas 112a to 112c of the detection area to be checked this time is shifted to the upper area side in order. For example, when reading the state of the reset detection sensor 72a, the data in the third area 112c in the reset detection area is first cleared, and then the data in each area is shifted from the second area to the third area, and from the first area to the second area, and so on. In the following step S152, the port to which the sensor to be checked this time is connected is referenced, and the signal input state is read. In step S153, it is determined whether an ON signal has been input. If an ON signal has been input, in step S154, "1" is set in the first area 112a of the corresponding detection area, and if an ON signal has not been input, in step S155, "0" is set in the first area 112a of the corresponding detection area. Then, in step S156, it is determined whether the status of all sensors has been confirmed. If the status of all sensors has been confirmed, this process ends as it is, and if not, the process returns to step S151 to confirm the status of unconfirmed sensors. In this way, in the sensor monitoring process, a process is executed to store "0" or "1" in the first area 112a of the corresponding detection area for each type of sensor connected to the input/output port 104. Note that when reading the status of the start detection sensor 41a, in step S153, if an L level signal is input, it is determined that an ON signal has been input, and if an H level signal is input, it is determined that an ON signal has not been input.

Returning to the explanation of the timer interrupt process, in step S108, a timer calculation process is performed to subtract the values of each counter and timer. In step S109, the value of the update counter 111c is updated by 1. In step S110, a process is performed to output the results of counting the number of medals bet and the number of medals paid out to the external centralized terminal board 121. In step S111, a command output process is performed to send various commands such as a lottery result command to the display control device 81, which will be described later. In step S112, a segment data setting process is performed to set the segment data to be displayed in the credit display unit 60, the remaining number of medals paid out display unit 61, and the number of medals paid out display unit 62. In step S113, a segment data display process is performed to supply the segment data set in the segment data setting process to each display unit 60 to 62 and display the corresponding numbers, symbols, etc. In step S114, a port output process is performed to output data corresponding to the I/O device from the input/output port 104. In step S115, the values of each register saved in the backup area in the previous step S101 are restored to the corresponding register in the CPU 102. In step S116, the value of the first counter 111a for generating a base random number is incremented by 1. The first counter 111a is a 16-bit memory area formed in the RAM 106, and is capable of generating base random numbers from 0 to 65535. In step S117, delay counter processing is performed to increment or decrement the value of the delay counter 111d. Then, in step S118, the next timer interrupt is permitted, and this series of timer interrupt processing is terminated.

Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the main processing in the main control device 101 that is executed after power is turned on. The main processing is executed when power is turned on by recovering from a power outage or by turning on the power switch 71.

First, in step S201, as an initialization process, the value of the stack pointer is set in the CPU 101, an interrupt mode that permits interrupt processing is set, and then various settings are made to the registers in the CPU 101 and to the I/O devices. When these initialization processes are completed, in step S202, it is determined whether the setting key has been inserted into the setting key insertion hole 73 and turned ON. Specifically, the operation determination process shown in FIG. 15 is performed.

In the operation determination process, first in step S251 it is determined whether the current object of determination is the reset switch 72, and in step S252 it is determined whether the current object of determination is any of the first to third credit insertion switches 56 to 58. If the current object of determination is the reset switch 72 or any of the first to third credit insertion switches 56 to 58, then all area reference processing shown in steps S253 to S256 is performed. On the other hand, if the current object of determination is any of the switches other than the above, specifically, if the current object of determination is any of the start lever 41, stop switches 42 to 44, settlement switch 59, or setting key, then one area reference processing shown in steps S257 to S260 is performed.

In the all area reference process, in step S253, the first to third areas 112a to 112c of the sensor information storage area 112 corresponding to the current object to be judged are referenced. In step S254, it is determined whether the reference result is "011", that is, whether "1" is stored in the first area, "1" in the second area, and "0" in the third area. If the reference result is "011", in step S255 it is determined that the current object to be judged has been operated, and this process is terminated. On the other hand, if the reference result is not "011", in step S256 it is determined that the current object to be judged has not been operated, and this process is terminated. In other words, in the all area reference process, it is determined whether the object to be judged has been operated, based on the history of the presence or absence of a signal input from the corresponding detection sensor.

In the one-area reference process, in step S257, only the first area 112a of the sensor information storage area 112 corresponding to the current object to be judged is referenced. In step S258, it is determined whether the reference result is "1", that is, whether "1" is stored in the first area. If the reference result is "1", in step S259 it is determined that the current object to be judged has been operated, and this process is terminated. On the other hand, if the reference result is "0", in step S260 it is determined that the current object to be judged has not been operated, and this process is terminated. In other words, in the one-area reference process, it is determined whether the object to be judged has been operated based on the latest information on the presence or absence of signal input from the corresponding detection sensor.

Returning to the explanation of the main process, in step S202, since the determination target is the setting key, one area reference process is performed. That is, the first area 112a of the setting key detection area is referenced, and if "1" is stored, it is determined that the setting key has been turned on, and if "0" is stored, it is determined that the setting key has not been turned on. If the setting key has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S203, where a forced RAM clear process is performed. In the forced RAM clear process, all data stored in the RAM 106 except for the data (count values) stored in the first counter 111a, the second counter 111b, and the delay counter 111d are cleared. That is, the values of the first counter 111a, the second counter 111b, and the delay counter 111d are not cleared (initialized) even when the RAM is cleared. The values of the first counter 111a, the second counter 111b, and the delay counter 111d are not cleared (initialized) even when the reset switch 72 is operated to recover from an error state.

In step S204, a winning probability setting process is performed. The winning probability setting process will now be described with reference to FIG. 16. The slot machine 10 is provided with six winning probability settings, from "Setting 1" to "Setting 6," and the winning probability setting process is a process for setting which winning probability the internal process is to be based on.

In step S301, the next timer interrupt is permitted. After that, in step S302, the current setting value is read, and in step S303, the current setting value is displayed in the credit display section 60. However, in the process immediately after the setting key is inserted and turned ON, the data in RAM 106 has been cleared by the previous forced RAM clear process, so the setting value displayed in the credit display section 60 is "1".

In step S304, interrupt waiting processing is performed.

In the interrupt waiting process, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 17, a register save process is performed in step S401. In step S402, the next timer interrupt is permitted and the current value of the update counter 111c is obtained. In steps S403 to S407, a counter update process is performed. In the counter update process, first, the next timer interrupt is prohibited in step S403, and then the value of the delay counter 111d is updated by 1 in step S404, and the value of the second counter 111b is updated by 1 in step S405. The delay counter 111d is a 4-bit memory area formed in RAM 106 and is capable of generating count values from 0 to 16. The second counter 111b, like the first counter 111a, is a 16-bit memory area formed in RAM 106 and is capable of generating basic random numbers from 0 to 65535. After updating the delay counter 111d and the second counter 111b, in step S406, the next timer interrupt is permitted, and in step S407, it is determined whether the value of the update counter 111c has changed. Specifically, it is determined whether the value acquired in step S402 and the value of the update counter 111c match. As described above, the value of the update counter 111c is updated in step S109 of the timer interrupt process. Therefore, if the value of the update counter 111c has not changed, it means that the timer interrupt process has not been performed since the process of step S402 was performed. In such a case, the process returns to step S403 and performs counter update process. On the other hand, if the value of the update counter 111c has changed, it means that the timer interrupt process has been performed, so in step S408, register recovery process is performed and this process ends.

When the interrupt waiting process is completed, in step S305, it is determined whether the start lever 41 has been operated. Specifically, as this determination process, the one area reference process of the operation determination process described above is performed. That is, the first area 112a of the start detection area is referenced, and if "1" is stored, it is determined that the start lever 41 has been operated, and if "0" is stored, it is determined that the start lever 41 has not been operated. If the start lever 41 has not been operated, the setting update process shown in steps S306 to S308 is performed. In step S306, the interrupt waiting process described above is performed, and in step S307, it is determined whether the reset switch 72 has been operated. More specifically, the all area reference process of the operation determination process is performed. That is, all areas 112a to 112c of the reset detection area are referenced, and if "011" is stored, it is determined that the reset switch 72 has been operated, and if "011" is not stored, it is determined that the reset switch 72 has not been operated. If the reset switch 72 has not been operated, the process returns to step S303; if the reset switch 72 has been operated, the process updates the setting value by 1 in step S308 and then returns to step S303. In other words, in the setting update process, the setting value is updated by 1 each time it is determined that the reset switch 72 has been operated, and the updated setting value is displayed on the credit display unit 60. Note that if the reset switch 72 is operated when the setting value is "6", the setting value is updated to "1".

If the start lever 41 is operated in step S305, an interrupt waiting process is performed in step S309, and then it is determined in step S310 whether the ON operation of the setting key is still being performed. If the ON operation of the setting key is still being performed, the process returns to step S309, and if the ON operation is terminated, the next timer interrupt is prohibited in step S311. After that, in step S312, the setting value is saved, and in step S313, the data stored in the RAM 106 other than the setting value, the first counter 111a, the second counter 111b, and the delay counter 111d are cleared, and this process ends.

Returning to the explanation of the main process, after the winning probability setting process is performed in step S204, normal processing is executed in step S205, which performs the main control related to the game.

On the other hand, if the setting key has not been turned ON in step S202, the power restoration process shown in step S206 and subsequent steps is performed. The power restoration process is a process for returning the state of the slot machine 10 to the state before the power was cut off. Therefore, in the power restoration process, it is first necessary to check whether the data in the RAM 106 is normal.

Therefore, in step S206, it is determined whether the set value is normal. Specifically, if the set value is any of 1 to 6, it is determined to be normal, and if it is 0 or 7 or greater, it is determined to be abnormal. If the set value is normal, in step S207 it is checked whether the power outage flag has been set. If the power outage flag has been set, in step S208 it is further checked whether the RAM judgment value is normal. Specifically, the value of the checksum in RAM 106 is checked to see whether it is normal, that is, whether the checksum value taking into account the RAM judgment value is 0. If the checksum value taking into account the RAM judgment value is 0, the data in RAM 106 is determined to be normal.

If it is determined in step S208 that the RAM judgment value is normal, the process proceeds to step S209, where the value of the stack pointer stored in the backup area is written to the stack pointer of the CPU 102, and the state of the stack is restored to the state before the power was cut off. Next, in step S210, a power recovery command that notifies the execution of the power recovery process is sent to the display control device 81. After that, in step S211, the game is stopped as the gaming state and the automatic settlement setting save process is performed, and in step S212, various sensors such as the start detection sensor 41a are initialized. After the above process is completed, in step S213, the power outage flag is reset and the address before the power was cut off is returned to. Specifically, the process returns to the timer interrupt process described above, and the watchdog timer clear process (step S104) is executed.

On the other hand, if any of steps S206 to S208 is NO, that is, if the set value is abnormal, the power failure flag that should be set when the power is cut off is not set, or the RAM judgment value is abnormal, it is highly likely that the data in the RAM 106 has been destroyed. In such a case, the operation prohibition process shown in steps S214 to S216 is performed. As the operation prohibition process, first in step S214, the next timer interrupt process is prohibited, and in step S215, all output ports in the input/output port 104 are cleared, thereby controlling all actuators connected to the input/output port 104 to the off state. After that, in step S216, an error notification process is performed to notify the hall manager or the like of the occurrence of an error using the upper lamp 63 or the like. This operation prohibition state is maintained until the above-mentioned winning probability setting process is performed.

Next, the normal processing that performs the main control related to the game will be explained based on the flowchart in Figure 18.

First, in step S501, the next timer interrupt is permitted. In step S502, pre-start processing is performed to enable play. In the pre-start processing, the system waits until the display control device 81 and other devices have finished initializing. When the initialization of the display control device 81 and other devices has finished, the system performs the game management processing shown in steps S503 to S508.

As part of the game management process, in step S503, various game information and other data (e.g., random number values used in the previous game) stored in the RAM 106 are cleared. Then, in step S504, a start wait process is performed.

Here, the start waiting process is explained using the flowchart in Figure 19.

In step S601, it is determined whether or not a replay winning was established in the previous game. If a replay winning was established, an automatic insertion process is performed in step S602. The automatic insertion process is a process in which the same number of virtual medals as the previous bet number are automatically inserted. In the automatic insertion process, virtual medals are inserted without reducing the number of virtual medals displayed in the credit display unit 60. In other words, if a replay winning was established in the previous game, the player can play the current game without reducing the number of medals he owns and without inserting medals. In addition, if a replay winning was established in the previous game, a value equal to the number of bets is first added to and displayed in the credit display unit 60, and the added number is subtracted in the automatic insertion process before inserting virtual medals. If it is determined in step S601 that a replay winning was not established, a medal acceptance permission process is performed in step S603 to permit betting of medals. In the medal acceptance permission process, the medal passage switching solenoid 46a is switched to an excited state to allow insertion of medals. After that, the pre-start preparation process shown in steps S604 to S620 is repeated until a start command is issued to start the game.

First, in step S604, as a pre-start preparation process, an abnormality confirmation process is performed to confirm whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the sensor reading results obtained in the sensor monitoring process step S107 of the timer interrupt process. If the abnormality confirmation process determines that an abnormality has occurred, the slot machine 10 is placed in an error state and abnormality occurrence process is performed to notify the occurrence of the error. This error state is maintained until the reset switch 72 is operated. If the sensor reading results are normal, the process proceeds to step S605 and interrupt waiting process is performed. In step S606, it is determined whether or not the settlement switch 59 or any of the credit insertion switches 56 to 58 has been operated.

Specifically, the operation determination process is performed by referring to one area for the settlement switch 59, and by referring to all areas for each of the credit insertion switches 56 to 58. That is, the first area 112a of the settlement detection area is referred to, and if "1" is stored, it is determined that the settlement switch 59 has been operated, and if "0" is stored, it is determined that the settlement switch 59 has not been operated. If the settlement switch 59 has not been operated, all areas 112a to 112c of the first credit insertion detection area are referred to, and if "011" is stored, it is determined that the first credit insertion switch 56 has been operated, and if "011" is not stored, it is determined that the first credit insertion switch 56 has not been operated. If the first credit insertion switch 56 has not been operated, all areas 112a to 112c of the second credit insertion detection area are referred to, and if "011" is stored, it is determined that the second credit insertion switch 57 has been operated, and if "011" is not stored, it is determined that the second credit insertion switch 57 has not been operated. If the second credit insertion switch 57 has not been operated, all areas 112a-112c of the third credit insertion detection area are referenced, and if "011" is stored, it is determined that the third credit insertion switch 58 has been operated, and if "011" is not stored, it is determined that the third credit insertion switch 58 has not been operated.

If any of the switches 56 to 59 have been operated, or if automatic insertion processing has been performed in step S602, the process proceeds to step S607, where the number of medals to be paid out displayed in the number of medals to be paid out display unit 62 is cleared. After that, or if none of the settlement switch 59 or the credit insertion switches 56 to 58 have been operated, the value of the second counter 111b is incremented by 1 in step S608, and the value of the delay counter 111d is incremented by 1 in step S609. In the following step S610, medal return processing is performed. In the medal return processing, if it is determined in step S606 that the settlement switch 59 has been operated, a process of paying out medals in the same number as the credited virtual medals is performed.

In step S611, it is determined whether or not a medal can be bet based on the state of the medal passage switching solenoid 46a, that is, whether it is in an excited state or a non-excited state. If a medal can be bet, a credit insertion process is performed in step S612, and then the process proceeds to step S613. In the credit insertion process, if it is determined in step S606 that any of the credit insertion switches 56 to 58 has been operated, a process related to the insertion of virtual medals is performed, such as subtracting the number of virtual medals displayed on the credit display unit 60 and setting the effective line. If a bet is not possible, the process proceeds directly to step S613 without performing the credit insertion process. Incidentally, a representative example of a state in which a bet is not possible is when a replay win is established in the previous game and the automatic insertion process is performed in step S602. In step S613, an insertion determination process is performed. In the insertion determination process, it is determined whether or not a medal has been inserted based on the detection signal from the inserted medal detection sensor 45a, and if a medal has been inserted, a process such as setting the effective line is performed.

In step S614, it is determined whether a bet has been made, and if not, a setting display process is performed in step S615. In the setting display process, it is determined whether the setting key has been inserted into the setting key insertion hole 73 and turned on, and if the setting key has been turned on, a process is performed to display the current setting value on the credit display unit 60. In step S616, it is determined whether a demo performance has already started. In this slot machine 10, if a predetermined time (e.g., one minute) has elapsed since the game information in the RAM 106 was cleared in step S503, a demo performance is performed on the auxiliary display unit 65, etc. Therefore, in step S616, it is determined whether the predetermined time has elapsed, and if the predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined whether a demo start command for starting the demo performance has been sent to the display control device 81. If the predetermined time has not elapsed or if the demo start command has not been sent, a performance waiting process is performed in step S617, and then the process returns to step S604. In the effect waiting process, a counter that measures the elapsed time since the game information in RAM 106 was cleared is updated, and if a predetermined time has elapsed, a process of setting a demo start command is performed. However, in the effect waiting process, the demo start command is only set in the ring buffer, and the command is not sent to the display control device 81. The command is sent to the display control device 81 in the command output process S111 of the timer interrupt process described above. If it is determined in step S616 that the demo start command has already been sent, the process returns to step S604 without performing the effect waiting process.

If it is determined in step S614 that a bet has been placed, then in step S618 it is determined whether the number of bets has reached a specified number (3 in this embodiment), and if the number of bets has not reached the specified number, the process returns to step S604. If the number of bets has reached the specified number, then in step S619 an interrupt waiting process is performed, and in step S620 it is determined whether the start lever 41 has been operated, i.e., whether "1" has been set in the first area 112a of the start detection area. If the start lever 41 has not been operated, the process returns to step S604.

On the other hand, when the start lever 41 is operated, this means that a start command has been issued to start play, since the game can be started when the start lever 41 is operated when a specified number of medals have been bet. In such a case, medal acceptance prohibition processing is performed in step S621. In the medal acceptance prohibition processing, the medal passage switching solenoid 46a is switched to a non-energized state, thereby making it impossible to insert (bet) medals. Thereafter, a delay processing is performed in step S622, and this processing ends.

In the delay process, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 20, a delay flag is set in step S631. Here, the delay flag is a flag for changing the update process of the delay counter 111d. To be more specific, in the delay counter process S117 of the timer interrupt process, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 21, it is determined whether or not the delay flag is set in step S651. If the delay flag is not set, the value of the delay counter 111d is incremented by 1 in step S652, and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the delay flag is set, the value of the delay counter 111d is decremented by 1 in step S653, and the process is terminated. In this way, in the timer interrupt process, if the delay flag is not set, the value of the delay counter 111d is periodically incremented by 1, and if the delay flag is set, the value of the delay counter 111d is periodically decremented by 1. Therefore, if the delay flag is set in step S631, the value of the delay counter 111d is periodically decremented by 1 in the subsequent timer interrupt process. Therefore, in step S632, it is determined whether the value of the delay counter 111d has reached 0, and if it is not 0, the process waits. If the value of the delay counter 111d has reached 0, the process proceeds to step S633, where a latch signal is output to the base random number generator 150. More specifically, in step S633, a flag for outputting the latch signal is simply set, and the latch signal is actually output in the timer interrupt process. The latch signal is then output continuously for one interrupt (i.e., 1.49 msec) of the timer interrupt process. After that, in step S634, the delay flag is cleared, and the process ends.

As described above, when a latch signal is input from the CPU 102, the base random number generator 150 latches the count value of the counter 150a at that timing in the latch circuit 150b. Here, the operation of the CPU 102, the base random number generator 150, and the monitoring circuit 152 when a start command is generated will be explained based on the timing chart in FIG. 22.

When the signal output from the second clock circuit 151 rises from L level to H level at timing t1, that is, when the second clock signal switches to an output state (when the signal output from the second clock circuit is H level), the count value of the counter 150a in the base random number generator 150 is updated to n, where n is any value between 0 and 65535. In addition, since the second clock circuit 151 is connected to the CLK terminal of the monitoring circuit 152 via the inverter 154, in the monitoring circuit 152, the signal input to the CLK terminal falls from H level to L level at timing t1, and the inverted clock signal switches to a no-input state.

When the signal output from the second clock circuit 151 falls from H level to L level at timing t2, that is, when the second clock signal switches to a no-output state (when the signal output from the second clock circuit is at L level), in the monitoring circuit 152, the signal input to the CLK terminal rises from L level to H level, and the inverted clock signal switches to an input state. At this time, in the base random number generator 150, the count value of the counter 150a is not updated, and the count value remains at n.

When the inverted clock signal switches to an input state, the monitoring circuit 152 outputs from the Q terminal a signal corresponding to the input state of the operation signal input to the D terminal at that time. Since no operation signal (high-level detection signal) is input at timing t2, no start signal is output from the Q terminal. Note that since the start signal is output from the Q terminal (negative logic output terminal), the start signal is an L level signal rather than an H level signal.

After that, when the second clock signal switches to an output state at timing t3, in the base random number generator 150, the count value of the counter 150a is updated to n+1. In this way, in the base random number generator 150, the count value is updated sequentially at the timing when the second clock signal switches from a no-output state to an output state.

When the start lever 41 is operated at the timing t4, the signal input to the D terminal of the monitoring circuit 152 rises from L level to H level, and the operation signal switches to an input state. However, since the inverted clock signal is not being input at this timing t4, the start signal remains in a non-output state.

When the inverted clock signal switches from a no-input state to an input state at time t5, the monitoring circuit 152 drops the output signal from the Q-bar terminal from H level to L level because an operation signal is input to the D terminal. As a result, the start signal switches from a no-output state to an output state at time t5. At this time, the latch signal output from the CPU 102 remains in a no-output state. In other words, no latch signal is output at time t5 when the start signal is output.

At timing t6, the inverted clock signal switches from an input state to an input no state, but the output state of the start signal does not change and remains in the output state. In other words, even if the inverted clock signal switches from an input state to an input no state, the start signal remains in the output state.

After that, when the inverted clock signal switches from a no-input state to an input state at time t7, a start signal is output according to the input state of the operation signal at that time. Because the operation signal is in an input state at time t7, the start signal continues to be output while maintaining the output state.

Now, when the start signal is switched to the output state at timing t5, the CPU 102 detects the input of the start signal in the sensor monitoring process S107 of the timer interrupt process and sets "1" to the first area 112a of the start detection area. Then, in step S620 of the start waiting process, it is determined that a start command has occurred and performs delay processing. In the delay processing, a latch signal is output at timing td when the value of the delay counter 111d becomes 0. In other words, the CPU 102 switches the latch signal from the no-input state to the input state at timing td after the delay time (specifically, the time obtained by multiplying the value of the delay counter 111d by the timer interrupt period of 1.49 msec) has elapsed since it was determined that a start command has occurred. As a result, a difference of the delay time occurs between the operation timing of the start lever 41 and the timing at which the latch signal is output.

At timing t8 when the second clock signal switches to an output state, the base random number generator 150 updates the count value of counter 150a to m+1. m is any value between 0 and 65535. At this time, a latch signal is input to the base random number generator 150, but the count value is not latched in the latch circuit 150b at this timing. Then, at timing t9 when the second clock signal switches to a non-output state, the base random number generator 150 latches the count value m+1 of counter 150a in the latch circuit 150b. In other words, if the start lever 41 is operated at timing t4, the count value m+1 is obtained as the base random number at timing t9, not timing t4.

Here, in the base random number generator 150, the count value of the counter 150a is updated at the timing (t1, t3, t6, etc.) when the second clock signal switches from a no-input state to a input state, and the count value is latched in the latch circuit 150b at the timing (t9) when the second clock signal switches from a input state to a no-input state. This configuration makes it possible to avoid the timing of updating the count value and the timing of latching the count value being the same, and avoids the problem of the count value not being latched properly when the latch timing arrives while the count value is being updated.

When the start lever 41 returns to the initial position at timing t10, the operation signal input to the monitoring circuit 152 switches from an input state to a non-input state. Timing t10 is the timing when the inverted clock signal switches from an input state to a non-input state, so the output state of the start signal does not change at this timing. Then, at timing t11 when the inverted clock signal switches from a non-input state to an input state, it is detected that the operation signal has not been input, and the start signal switches from an output state to a non-output state. Note that even if the operation signal switches from an input state to a non-input state when the inverted clock signal is in a non-input state (for example, timing t10 < timing t < timing t11), or even if the operation signal switches from an input state to a non-input state when the inverted clock signal is in an input state (for example, timing t9 < timing t < timing t10), the start signal switches from an output state to a non-output state at timing t11.

Incidentally, in the case of a configuration in which the timing of inputting the operation signal is not always grasped but is grasped by the timing of inputting the inverted clock signal, if the operation signal switches to an input state after one inverted clock signal is input, and the operation signal switches to a non-input state before the next inverted clock signal is input, there is a possibility that the operation of the start lever 41 cannot be accurately grasped. However, the start lever 41 in this slot machine 10 is configured to have several tens of milliseconds until it returns to the initial position after the hand is released, and when the start lever 41 is operated, the operation signal is input to the monitoring circuit 152 for at least several tens of milliseconds. In addition, the clock frequency of the second clock signal output from the second clock circuit 151 is 7.915 MHz, and its period is about 126 nsec. In other words, the period in which the inverted clock signal is input to the monitoring circuit 152 is sufficiently short compared to the time interval required from when the operation signal switches to an input state until it switches to a non-input state. This avoids the problem of the monitoring circuit 152 skipping an operation signal even though the operation signal is output from the start lever detection sensor 41a.

In addition, if the latch signal is output from the CPU 102 rather than from the monitoring circuit 152, the CPU 102 and the base random number generator 150 operate based on different clock signals, and so it is possible that the latch signal may be skipped in the base random number generator 150 even though it has been output from the CPU 102. However, the latch signal is configured to be output for one interrupt of the timer interrupt process, i.e., 1.49 msec, and the period of the second clock signal is approximately 126 nsec, as described above. This makes it possible to avoid the problem of the latch signal being skipped in the base random number generator 150 even though it has been output from the CPU 102.

Returning to the explanation of the normal processing, if it is determined that a start command has been generated during the start waiting processing, the lottery processing of step S505, the reel control processing of step S506, the medal payout processing of step S507, and the BB state processing of step S508 are executed in that order, and then the process returns to step S503.

Next, the lottery process in step S505 will be explained based on the flowchart in FIG. 23.

In step S701, a random number creation process is performed to create a random number used when determining whether or not a hand has been won. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 24, in step S801 of the random number creation process, the basic random number generated by the basic random number generator 150 is stored in the random number storage area 110, which is composed of 16 bits. More specifically, the basic random number generator 150 latches the count value at the timing when a latch signal is input from the CPU 102, and outputs the latched count value to the CPU 102. The CPU 102 stores the count value input to the input port built into the CPU 102 as a basic random number in the random number storage area 110. Thereafter, in step S802, the value of the first counter 111a is added to the random number storage area 110, and in step S803, the value of the second counter 111b is added to the random number storage area 110, and the random number creation process is terminated. In other words, in this slot machine 10, a random number is generated by adding the latched count value of the basic random number generator 150, the count value of the first counter 111a, and the count value of the second counter 111b.

Here, the series of steps S108 to S118 in the timer interrupt process are configured so that the time required to perform this series of steps is longer than the time required from when the basic random number generator 150 latches the count value until the latched result is input to the CPU 102. With this configuration, the timing of obtaining the basic random number (the timing of performing the processing of step S801) can be delayed from the timing at which the count value latched in the current game is input to the CPU 102, making it possible to reliably store the count value latched in the current game in the random number storage area 110 as the basic random number.

After generating the random numbers, in step S702, a lottery table is selected to determine whether the winning combination has been achieved. Specifically, the current gaming state of the slot machine 10 is determined, and a lottery table corresponding to the gaming state is selected. This slot machine 10 has two gaming states, broadly classified as a normal state and a BB state, and a lottery table corresponding to each gaming state is selected. In addition, when the setting state is "Setting 1", a lottery table with the lowest expected value of medal payout is selected, and when the setting state is "Setting 6", a lottery table with the highest expected value of medal payout is selected.

The lottery table will be briefly explained. Figure 25 shows a lottery table for the normal state, which is selected in the normal state of "setting 3". In the lottery table, the same number of index values IV as the number of roles to be determined are set, and each index value IV is uniquely associated with a winning role and is also set with a point value PV. In other words, in the normal state of this slot machine 10, six types of roles are determined: replay, bell, watermelon, cherry, one-coin role, and BB.

After the lottery table is selected, in step S703, the index value IV is set to 1, and in the following step S704, a judgment value DV is set to be used when judging whether the hand is a hit or a miss. In this judgment value setting process, the point value PV corresponding to the current index value IV is added to the current judgment value DV to set a new judgment value DV. Note that in the initial judgment value setting process, the random number value created in step S701 is set as the current judgment value DV, and the point value PV corresponding to the current index value IV (1) is added to this random number value to set the new judgment value DV.

After that, in step S705, a win/loss determination is made for the combination corresponding to the index value IV. In determining whether the combination is a win or loss, a determination is made as to whether the determination value DV exceeds 65535. If it exceeds 65535, the process proceeds to step S706, where the win flag for the combination corresponding to the index value IV at that time is set in the win flag storage area 106a of RAM 106. For example, if the determination value DV exceeds 65535 when IV=3, the watermelon win flag is set in the win flag storage area 106a in step S706.

Incidentally, if the winning flag that is set is any of the replay winning flag, bell winning flag, watermelon winning flag, cherry winning flag, and 1-coin winning flag, this winning flag is reset after the game in which the corresponding winning flag is set ends (see S503 in normal processing). On the other hand, if the winning flag is the BB winning flag, the BB winning flag is reset on the condition that a BB win is achieved. In other words, the BB winning flag may be valid over multiple games. In addition, in step S706 in a state in which the BB winning flag is carried over, if the current index value IV is 1 to 5, the winning flag corresponding to the index value IV is set, and if the current index value IV is 6, the BB winning flag is not set. In other words, in a game in which the BB winning flag is carried over, if the replay, bell, watermelon, cherry, or 1-coin winning is won, the corresponding winning flag is set, but if the BB is won, the BB winning flag is not set.

If the judgment value DV does not exceed 65535 in step S705, it means that the hand corresponding to the index value IV has not been won. In this case, the index value IV is incremented by 1 in step S707, and in the following step S708, it is determined whether or not there is a hand corresponding to the index value IV, that is, whether or not there is a target for which a win/loss judgment should be made. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the index value IV incremented by 1 exceeds the maximum value of the index value IV set in the lottery table. If there is a target for which a win/loss judgment should be made, the process returns to step S704, and the judgment of the hand is continued. At this time, in step S704, the judgment value DV used to judge the win/loss of the previous hand (i.e., the current judgment value DV) is added to the point value PV corresponding to the current index value IV to obtain a new judgment value DV, and in step S705, the hand is judged to be a win/loss based on the judgment value DV. Incidentally, when using the lottery table shown in FIG. 25 to determine whether a winning combination is a hit or miss, the winning probability of BB is approximately 1 in 200, the winning probability of replay is approximately 1 in 7.30, the winning probability of bell is approximately 1 in 10.9, the winning probability of watermelon is approximately 1 in 128, the winning probability of cherry is approximately 1 in 73.0, and the winning probability of 1-coin combination is approximately 1 in 128. Also, the probability of not winning any combination is approximately 1 in 1.36.

After the winning flag is set in step S706, or if it is determined in step S708 that there is no target to be judged, this means that the judgment of the winning or losing role has been completed. In such a case, a lottery result command is set in step S709. The lottery result command is a command sent to the display control device 81 to allow the user to know the result of the winning or losing role judgment. Upon receiving the lottery result command, the display control device 81 executes drive control of the upper lamp 63 and auxiliary display unit 65 to indicate, for example, a winning role. However, in normal processing, various commands such as the lottery result command are only set in the ring buffer, and no commands are sent to the display control device 81. The command is sent to the display control device 81 in the command output processing S111 of the timer interrupt processing described above.

Then, in step S710, a slip table setting process is performed to set a slip table (stop table) for reel stop control, and the lottery process is terminated. Here, the slip table is a table that determines how much the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R are allowed to slide (spin) from the timing when the stop switches 42 to 44 are operated before stopping. In other words, the slip table is a group of stop data that can derive the relationship between the reaching symbol (reaching symbol number) that has reached the base position (lower row in this embodiment) when the stop switches 42 to 44 are pressed, and the stop symbol (stop symbol number) that is actually stopped at the base position.

In this slot machine 10, five stop patterns are prepared for each reel 32L, 32M, 32R when the stop switches 42-44 are operated: a stop pattern in which the reaching symbol that has reached the base position is stopped as is, a stop pattern in which the corresponding reel is stopped after sliding for one symbol, a stop pattern in which the reel is stopped after sliding for two symbols, a stop pattern in which the reel is stopped after sliding for three symbols, and a stop pattern in which the reel is stopped after sliding for four symbols. A plurality of slide tables are prepared for each role, each of which is set with one of the five stop patterns for each symbol number of each reel 32L, 32M, 32R.

In this way, by setting the slide table so that each reel 32L, 32M, 32R stops within the specified time (190 msec) from the time the stop switches 42-44 are operated, it is possible to give the player the impression that the arrangement of symbols that stop within the range visible from the display windows 26L, 26M, 26R (hereinafter referred to as the stop result) was determined by the player's operation. Also, by configuring the reels to slide up to four symbols, it is possible to stop the combination of symbols that corresponds to the winning combination on the pay line as much as possible within the specified time, and it is possible to prevent the combination of symbols that corresponds to the winning combination from stopping on the pay line.

Figure 26 is an example of a slip table that is set when the "replay" symbol on the left reel 32L is stopped on an active line. Symbols with a number that has a slip count of 0 are symbols that actually stop on the lower row. For example, if the left stop switch 42 is operated when the No. 14 "watermelon" symbol on the left reel 32L has reached the lower row, the left reel 32L stops as it is without slipping, and the No. 16 "replay" symbol stops on the upper row. Symbols with a number that does not have a slip count of 0 mean that the reel will slide for the number of symbols listed. For example, if the left stop switch 42 is operated when the No. 8 "bell" symbol on the left reel 32L has reached the lower row, the left reel 32L will slide for 4 symbols, and the No. 12 "replay" symbol will stop on the lower row. In this way, the number of slides that will occur when the stop switches 42-44 are operated at the time when the symbols on each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R reach the bottom row is set for each symbol number on the slide table.

Now, in the sliding table setting process, the winning flag set in the winning flag storage area 106a of the RAM 106 is confirmed, and a sliding table that uniquely corresponds to the set winning flag is set in the sliding table storage area 106b of the RAM 106. At this time, in this slot machine 10, the sliding table is set so that the winning symbols of the center reel 32M and the right reel 32R stop in the middle row so that the symbol (hereinafter referred to as the "winning symbol") corresponding to the winning combination of the left reel 32L stops in either the upper row or the lower row. Here, the sliding table is set so that the winning symbol of the left reel 32L stops in either the upper row or the lower row in order to diversify the stop results, taking into consideration that the stop switches 42 to 44 are generally operated to stop the rotation in the order of the left reel 32L → middle reel 32M → right reel 32R.

Here we will briefly explain the symbol arrangement on each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R.

The "replay" symbols are arranged on each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R so that the distance between the first and second symbols on the lower row is four symbols or less. For example, the number 4 "replay" symbol and the number 7 "replay" symbol on the left reel 32L are arranged so that the distance between them is two symbols, and the number 1 "replay" symbol and the number 6 "replay" symbol on the center reel 32M are arranged so that the distance between them is four symbols or less. In this way, the "replay" symbols are arranged on each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R so that the distance between the same symbols is four symbols or less. As described above, the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R can be stopped after sliding a maximum of four symbols from the timing when the stop switches 42 to 44 are operated. Therefore, by arranging the symbols in this way, the "replay" symbol can be stopped at any position when a replay win is achieved, regardless of the timing at which the stop switches 42 to 44 are operated. For example, if the center stop switch 43 is operated when the No. 1 "replay" symbol on the center reel 32M reaches the bottom row, the "replay" symbol can be stopped at the bottom row by stopping the center reel 32M as it is, the No. 6 "replay" symbol can be stopped at the top row by sliding the center reel 32M three symbols and then stopping it, and the No. 6 "replay" symbol can be stopped at the middle row by sliding the center reel 32M four symbols and then stopping it.

In this slot machine 10, in addition to the "replay" symbols, "bell" symbols are also arranged on each reel 32L, 32M, 32R with the spacing between the same symbols being 4 symbols or less. Therefore, no matter when the stop switches 42 to 44 are operated, the "bell" symbols can be stopped at any position when a bell win is achieved.

On the other hand, the "watermelon" symbols are not arranged on each reel 32L, 32M, 32R so that the interval between the same symbols is 4 symbols or less. For this reason, for example, if the left stop switch 42 is operated when the number 3 "red 7" symbol on the left reel 32L has reached the bottom row, the "watermelon" symbol cannot be stopped on the winning line even if the left reel 32L is slid by 4 symbols. Therefore, even if a watermelon is won and the slide table is set so that the "watermelon" symbol stops on the winning line, depending on the timing of the operation of the stop switches 42 to 44, the "watermelon" symbol may not stop on the winning line, resulting in a so-called missed win in which the watermelon prize is not established. In this slot machine 10, in addition to the "watermelon" symbols, the "red 7" symbols are arranged on each reel 32L, 32M, 32R so that a section is formed with a distance of 5 symbols or more between them. Additionally, on the left reel 32L, the "cherry" symbols are arranged to form a section that is 5 symbols or more apart, on the middle reel 32M, the "young man" symbols are arranged to form a section that is 5 symbols or more apart, and on the right reel 32R, the "white 7" symbols are arranged to form a section that is 5 symbols or more apart. For this reason, if you win BB, watermelon, cherry, or one coin, you need to operate the stop switches 42-44 so that the winning symbol stops on the winning line.

Returning to the explanation of the slip table setting process, if the BB winning flag and other winning flags are set, the slip table shown below is set.

When the BB winning flag and the replay winning flag are set, a replay winning slide table is set to prioritize the replay winning. The replay winning slide table is set so that the "replay" symbol on the left reel 32L stops preferentially in the upper or lower row, and the "replay" symbols on the middle reel 32M and right reel 32R stop preferentially in the middle row.

When the BB winning flag and the small role winning flag (i.e., any of the bell winning flag, watermelon winning flag, cherry winning flag, and 1-coin winning flag) are set, a BB priority winning slide table is set to prioritize the BB winning. However, since the BB symbol "red 7" is arranged on each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R so that a section is formed with 5 symbols or more apart as described above, depending on the operation timing of the stop switches 42 to 44, it may not be possible to stop the "red 7" on the active line. Therefore, the BB priority winning slide table is set as follows for each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R. The left reel 32L is set to stop both the "red 7" symbol and the winning minor win symbol on the winning line with priority if both symbols can be stopped on the winning line, to stop the "red 7" symbol on either the upper or lower row with priority if it is possible, and to stop the winning minor win symbol at each of the above positions if it is impossible to stop the "red 7" symbol on the upper or lower row. The center reel 32M and the right reel 32R are set to stop the "red 7" symbol on the middle row with priority if it is possible, and to stop the winning minor win symbol at each of the above positions if it is impossible to stop the "red 7" symbol at each of the above positions.

Next, the reel control process in step S506 will be explained based on the flowchart in FIG. 27.

In the reel control process, first in step S901, a rotation start process is performed to start the rotation of each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R.

In the spin start process, it is checked whether a predetermined wait time (for example, 4.1 seconds) has elapsed since the reels started spinning in the previous game, and if not, it waits until the wait time has elapsed. If the wait time has elapsed, the wait time for the next game is reset, and a motor control initialization process is performed to set spin start information in the motor control storage area provided in the RAM 106. By performing such a process, the stepping motor acceleration process is started in the stepping motor control process S106 of the timer interrupt process, and each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R starts spinning. For this reason, even if the player bets a specified number of medals and operates the start lever 41, each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R may not start spinning immediately. After that, it waits until each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R spins at a constant speed at a predetermined rotation speed, and the spin start process is terminated. In addition, when the rotation speed of each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R reaches a constant speed, the CPU 102 lights up the lamps (not shown) of each of the stop switches 42 to 44 to notify the player that it is possible to issue a stop command.

Following the rotation start process, pre-stop processing is performed in step S902.

In the pre-stop process, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 28, first, in step S1001, interrupt waiting process is performed. In the following step S1002, it is determined whether a start command has been generated, more specifically, whether "1" has been set in the first area 112a of the start detection area. If "1" has been set in the first area 112a of the start detection area, the process returns to the interrupt waiting process of step S1001. In other words, if "1" has been set in the first area 112a of the start detection area, the process does not proceed to step S1003 and subsequent steps until the first area 112a of the start detection area is changed to "0".

Incidentally, possible situations in which it is determined that a start command has been generated in step S1002 include when the start lever 41 remains pressed from the processing timing of step S620 to the processing timing of step S1002, when the start lever 41 is operated again after the processing of step S620 is performed, when some abnormality has occurred in the monitoring circuit 152 or the like, causing the start signal to remain output, etc.

If a start command has not been issued, the process proceeds to step S1003, where it is determined whether any of the stop switches 42 to 44 have been operated. More specifically, the one-area reference process of the operation determination process described above is performed for each of the stop switches 42 to 44. For example, the first area 112a of the left stop detection area is referenced to determine whether the left stop switch 42 has been operated if "1" is stored, and it is determined that the left stop switch 42 has not been operated if "0" is stored. If none of the stop switches 42 to 44 have been operated, the process returns to the interrupt waiting process of step S1001. If it is determined that any of the stop switches 42 to 44 have been operated, the process proceeds to step S1004, where it is determined whether the stop switch corresponding to the reel being rotated has been operated, i.e., whether a stop command has been issued. If a stop command has not been issued, the process returns to the interrupt waiting process of step S1001. If a stop command is issued, the process proceeds to step S1005, where it is determined whether the current stop command is the third stop command, i.e., whether the stop switch was operated when only one reel was spinning. If the current stop command is the third stop command, a positive determination is made in step S1005, and the pre-stop process ends. On the other hand, if the current stop command is the first stop command that is generated when all reels 32L, 32M, and 32R are spinning, or the second stop command that is generated when two reels are spinning, a negative determination is made in step S1005, and the first change process of the slide table is performed in step S1006, and the pre-stop process ends.

The first change process of the slide table is a process of changing the slide table stored in the slide table storage area 106b of the RAM 106 before stopping the reel corresponding to the stop command. In the first change process of the slide table, the slide table is changed when the stop switches 42 to 44 are operated in a different order from the order of operation of the stop switches 42 to 44 assumed when setting the slide table in the slide table storage area 106b, such as when the stop switches 43 and 44 other than the left stop switch 42 are operated to generate the first stop command. By performing such a process, it is possible to diversify the stop results and reduce the frequency of so-called missed wins, in which the winning flag corresponding to the set win flag is invalidated without achieving a winning result.

Returning to the explanation of the reel control process, when the pre-stop process is completed in step S902, this means that the stop switch corresponding to the spinning reel has been operated to allow the game to proceed, and a stop command has been issued. In such a case, the stop control process shown in steps S903 to S909 is performed to stop the spinning reel.

That is, in step S903, the pattern number of the reaching pattern that has reached the lower tier at the timing when the stop switch is operated is confirmed. Specifically, the pattern number of the reaching pattern that has reached the lower tier is confirmed by the number of excitation pulses output from the time when the detection signal of the reel index sensor is input. In the following step S904, the number of slips of the reel to be stopped this time is calculated from the data of the pattern number corresponding to the reaching pattern in the slip table set in the slip table storage area 106b. Then, in step S905, the calculated number of slips is added to the pattern number of the reaching pattern to determine the pattern number of the stopping pattern that is actually stopped in the lower tier. In step S906, it is determined whether the pattern number of the reaching pattern of the reel to be stopped this time and the pattern number of the stopping pattern are equal, and if they are equal, a reel stop process is performed in step S907 to stop the rotation of the reel. Then, in step S908, it is determined whether all reels 32L, 32M, and 32R have stopped. If all reels 32L, 32M, and 32R are not stopped, the second slide table change process is performed in step S909, and the process returns to the pre-stop process in step S902.

The second slip table change process is a process for changing the slip table stored in the slip table storage area 106b of the RAM 106 after the reels have stopped. In the second slip table change process, the slip table is changed based on the winning flag that has been set and the stop result of the stopped reels. For example, when the bell winning flag is set and the "bell" symbol on the left reel 32L stops in the top row, the slip table is changed to one set so that the "bell" symbol on the center reel 32M stops in the top row or middle row. By performing such a process, it is possible to diversify the stop results of the reels that are subsequently stopped according to the stopping results of the reels, and to reduce the frequency of missed wins.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S908 that all reels 32L, 32M, and 32R are stopped, a payout determination process is performed in step S910, and the process ends. The payout determination process is a process for setting the number of medals to be paid out, with one of the conditions being that the winning symbol combination is lined up on an active line.

In the payout determination process, the combination of symbols formed on each active line is derived from the symbol numbers of the symbols stopped on the lower row of each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R, and it is determined whether or not a winning combination is established on the active line. If a winning combination is established, it is further determined whether or not the winning combination matches the winning flag set in the winning flag storage area 106a. If the winning combination matches the winning flag, the winning combination and the payout amount corresponding to the winning combination are set in the payout information storage area provided in the RAM 106. On the other hand, if the winning combination does not match the winning flag, the slot machine 10 is put into an error state and an abnormality occurrence process is performed to notify the occurrence of the error. This error state is maintained until the reset switch 72 is operated. When the payout determination for all active lines has been completed, the payout determination process is terminated.

Next, we will provide an overview of the medal payout process in step S507.

In the medal payout process, it is determined whether the payout number set in the payout information storage area is 0. If the payout number is 0, it means that the previous payout determination process determined that a winning combination that would result in the payout of medals had not been achieved. In such a case, it is determined whether a replay winning combination has been achieved based on the winning combination set in the payout determination process. If a replay winning combination has not been achieved, the medal payout process is terminated as is, and if a replay winning combination has been achieved, a replay setting process is performed to change the game state to a replay state, and the medal payout process is terminated. Note that in the start waiting process S504 described above, if it is determined that the current game state is a replay state, an automatic insertion process is performed.

On the other hand, if the payout number set in the payout information storage area is not 0, the system pays out medals in the same number as the payout number, and ends the medal payout process. Specifically, when the credit counter count value has not reached the upper limit (the number of medals stored is 50), the system adds the payout number to the credit counter count value, and displays the added value on the credit display unit 60. When the credit counter count value has reached the upper limit, or when the count value reaches the upper limit during the addition of the payout number, the system drives the medal payout rotating plate, and pays out medals from the hopper device 51 to the medal tray 50 via the medal discharge port 49. In addition, the medal payout process also performs a process of changing the payout number displayed on the payout number display unit 62 in accordance with the payout of medals. In addition, when the current game state is BB state, the system subtracts the payout number from the value of the remaining payout number counter described later, and subtracts the remaining payout number displayed on the remaining payout number display unit 61.

Next, the BB state processing in step S508 will be explained based on the flowchart in FIG. 29.

Before describing the BB state processing, the BB state will be described. The BB state is composed of multiple RB states. The RB state is composed of 12 JAC games. The JAC game is a game in which the probability of winning (e.g., winning a bell) that gives a medal payout privilege is very high compared to the normal state. If eight wins are made during the JAC game, the RB state ends even before the 12th JAC game has been played. The BB state ends when the number of medals paid out reaches a predetermined number (specifically, 400). In addition, if the number of medals paid out reaches a predetermined number during the RB state, not only the BB state but also the RB state ends. This is a device to suppress the player's gambling spirit by setting an upper limit on the number of medals paid out during the BB state and to ensure the soundness of the game. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the combination of symbols that transitions to the RB state is not set, and the configuration is such that the transition to the RB state occurs immediately after transition to the BB state and immediately after the RB state ends. Therefore, the BB state can also be said to be a game in which the game continues to transition to the RB state until a certain number of medals are paid out.

Now, in the BB state processing, first in step S1101, it is determined whether the current game state is BB state or not. If it is not BB state, the BB determination processing shown in steps S1102 to S1105 is performed.

In the BB determination process, in step S1102, it is determined whether or not the BB winning flag is set. If the BB winning flag is set, the process proceeds to step S1103, and it is determined whether or not a BB winning has been achieved based on the winning combination set in the previous payout determination process. If a BB winning has been achieved, in step S1104, a BB start process is executed to transition the game state to a BB state. Specifically, the BB winning flag is cleared and a BB setting flag is set in the state information storage area 106c of the RAM 106, and the game state is set to a BB state. In addition, a remaining payout counter for counting the number of remaining medals that can be paid out during the BB state, which is provided in the state information storage area 106c, is set to 400, and a process is performed to display 400 on the remaining payout number display unit 61. After that, in step S1105, an RB start process is executed, and the BB state process is terminated. In the RB start process, the RB setting flag is set in the state information storage area 106c of the RAM 106, and the game state is set to the RB state. In addition, the remaining payout/winning/earning counter for counting the number of winnings that have been established in the RB state is set to 8, and the remaining JAC game counter for counting the number of remaining games of the JAC game is set to 12. The remaining payout/winning/earning counter and the remaining JAC winning counter are provided in the state information storage area 106c. In addition, the determination of the current game state in step S1101 etc. is performed based on whether or not the setting flag corresponding to the state information storage area 106c is set, and if none of the setting flags are set, the current game state is determined to be the normal state.

On the other hand, if the BB winning flag is not set (if step S1102 is NO), or if the BB win has not been achieved (if step S1103 is NO), this process ends without executing the BB start process, etc.

If it is determined in step S1101 that the current game state is the BB state, the process proceeds to step S1106, and it is determined whether or not a win has been made based on the winning combination set in the previous payout determination process. If a win has been made, the value of the remaining payout/in/out counter is decremented by 1 in step S1107. After that, or if it is determined in step S1106 that a win has not been made, one JAC game has been played, so the value of the remaining JAC game counter is decremented by 1 in step S1108. Next, in step S1109, it is determined whether or not either the remaining payout/in/out counter or the remaining JAC game counter has become 0. When either of them has become 0, that is, when 8 wins have been made or 12 JAC games have been played, this means that the RB state termination condition has been established, so in step S1110, the RB termination process is performed to clear the values of the remaining payout/in/out counter and the remaining JAC game counter. In the following step S1111, it is confirmed whether or not the count value of the remaining payout counter is 0. If it is not 0, this means that the number of medals paid out during the BB state has not reached the specified number and the conditions for ending the BB state have not been met, so proceed to step S1112, perform the RB start process described above, and then end this process.

In addition, when the value of neither the remaining payout/in/out counter nor the remaining JAC game counter is 0 in step S1109, that is, when eight wins have not been made and 12 JAC games have not been played, proceed to step S1113 to check whether the count value of the remaining payout counter is 0. If it is not 0, it means that the number of medals paid out during the BB state has not reached a predetermined number and the BB state termination condition has not been met, so this process ends. On the other hand, if the count value of the remaining payout counter is 0, it means that the BB state termination condition has been met, so the special game state termination process shown in steps S1114 to S1115 is performed. In the special game state termination process, first in step S1114, the RB termination process described above is performed. After that, in step S1115, the BB setting flag and various counters are appropriately cleared and ending processing is performed, and BB termination processing is performed. Also, if the count value of the remaining payout counter is 0 in step S1111, this means that the BB state termination condition has been met, and so BB termination processing is performed in step S1115. After the BB termination processing is performed, state transition processing is executed in step S1116, and the BB state processing is terminated. Here, the state transition processing is processing for returning the game state to the normal state, and includes, for example, processing for setting an end command to be sent so that the display control device 81 knows that the BB state has ended, and waiting until a predetermined time (for example, the time until the ending display ends) has passed.

The present embodiment described above provides the following excellent advantages:

In slot machines, there is still room for improvement in the relationship between the process of checking the signal input status from the sensor and other processes.
It should be noted that the above problem is not limited to the slot machines exemplified above, but also applies to other gaming machines in which the game progresses based on the detection of a predetermined condition.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a gaming machine in which detection of a predetermined condition can be suitably used in a game.
When the start lever 41 is operated to generate a start command, the count value of the basic random number generator 150 is latched not at the operation timing of the start lever 41 but at a timing after a delay time has elapsed from the operation timing. Since the delay time varies depending on the value of the delay counter 111d, this configuration makes it possible to change the latch timing of the count value of the basic random number generator 150 even if the start lever 41 is operated at a constant cycle. As a result, it becomes difficult to operate the start lever 41 by targeting the count value of the basic random number generator 150 when a winning random number is generated using a sensor or the like, or to attach an illegal board that can output an illegal signal that causes the main control device 101 to erroneously recognize that a start command has been generated at the timing when the count value is generated, and it becomes possible to make it difficult to illegally obtain a winning random number.

The interrupt waiting process is performed in the normal process that is started when the power is turned on and is repeatedly performed, and the interrupt waiting process is terminated when the value of the update counter 111c changes, i.e., when timer interrupt processing is performed. In the interrupt waiting process, the value of the delay counter 111d is repeatedly updated until the value of the update counter 111c changes. With this configuration, the time from the start to the end of the interrupt waiting process can be made random. The timer interrupt process is performed periodically every 1.49 msec, while the timing of starting the interrupt waiting process, more specifically, the timing of acquiring the value of the update counter 111c in step S402, varies depending on other processes performed from power on to the interrupt waiting process. Therefore, if the interrupt wait process is started immediately after the timer interrupt process ends, the delay counter 111d can be updated multiple times by subtracting the time required for the timer interrupt process from 1.49 msec, whereas if the timer interrupt process is performed immediately after step S402, only the time to update the delay counter 111d once can be secured. As a result, the number of updates to the delay counter 111d performed in the interrupt wait process can be made random, and the delay time from when the start command is generated until the CPU 102 outputs the latch signal can be made random.

It is certainly possible to configure the system so that, for example, the start and end timings of the timer interrupt processing are monitored in normal processing, and the delay counter 111d is updated from the end timing of the timer interrupt processing to the start timing of the next timer interrupt processing, that is, the start timing of the interrupt waiting processing depends on the end timing of the timer interrupt processing. Even with such a configuration, the time from the start to the end of the interrupt waiting processing can be made random, as in the above embodiment. However, with such a configuration, since the timer interrupt processing is started every 1.49 msec, a time constraint is created that the start timing of the interrupt waiting processing must be within 1.49 msec from the start timing of the timer interrupt processing. In addition, a constraint is also created that the interval between the start timing of the first interrupt waiting processing and the start timing of the next interrupt waiting processing, that is, the start interval of the interrupt waiting processing, is less than two cycles of the timer interrupt processing, that is, less than 2.98 msec. Therefore, based on these constraints, there is a possibility that the count value of the delay counter 111d may be illegally targeted so that the delay time from the generation of the start command is constant for each game. On the other hand, in the above embodiment, the start timing of the interrupt wait process does not depend on the start timing and end timing of the timer interrupt process, so the above-mentioned constraints do not arise, making it possible to reduce the possibility of the value of the delay counter 111d being illegally targeted.

In normal processing, when the interrupt waiting process is completed, the result of the sensor monitoring process of the timer interrupt process is used to determine whether the start lever 41 (for example, step S620) has been operated. By configuring the above-mentioned determination process to be performed after the interrupt waiting process is completed, it is possible to shorten the interval between the end of the timer interrupt process and the execution of the above-mentioned determination process. In a configuration in which the interrupt waiting process is not performed, the above-mentioned interval is a maximum of 1.49 msec minus the time required for the timer interrupt process, while in a configuration in which the interrupt waiting process is performed, the maximum is 1.49 msec minus the time required for the timer interrupt process, and further minus the time required to perform the processes of steps S403 to S406 once and the time required to perform the process of step S408 after a negative determination in step S407. As a result, it is possible to perform a determination related to the progress of the game, such as whether the start lever 41 has been operated, or the game situation, using the result of the sensor monitoring process performed at a closer timing. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time lag that occurs between the operation of the start lever 41 or the like by the player and the progress of the game or the like that accompanies the operation. As a result, even if the count value of the basic random number generator 150 is latched after a delay time has elapsed since the start command was issued, it is possible to prevent the player from feeling uncomfortable about the time lag.

In addition to performing the interrupt waiting process before the operation determination process that determines whether the start lever 41 (e.g., step S620) or the like has been operated, the interrupt waiting process is configured to be performed within a loop of processes such as steps S303 to S308 of the winning probability setting process and the pre-start preparation process (steps S604 to S620) of the start waiting process. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the slot machine 10 from malfunctioning.

Now, let's consider a configuration in which the above loop processing does not perform interrupt waiting processing.

For example, in the loop process of steps S303 to S308 of the winning probability setting process, it is determined in step S307 whether the reset switch 72 has been operated, and if it is determined that it has been operated, the set value is updated. Since the CPU 102 operates when the first clock signal is input, the period of operation of the CPU 102 is approximately 125 nsec, which is equal to the period of the first clock signal. In addition, since the timer interrupt process is performed every 1.49 msec, the CPU 102 can perform more than 1000 operations (processing operations) between performing the timer interrupt process and performing the next timer interrupt process. Therefore, in a configuration in which the interrupt wait process is not performed in the loop process of the winning probability setting process, for example, if the timer interrupt process is performed immediately before performing the process of step S303, the loop process of steps S303 to S308 can be repeated multiple times before performing the next timer interrupt process.

In the process of determining whether the reset switch 72 has been operated in step S307, all area reference processing is performed. That is, all areas 112a to 112c of the reset detection area are referenced, and if "011" is stored, it is determined that the reset switch 72 has been operated, and if "011" is not stored, it is determined that the reset switch 72 has not been operated. In such a case, in a configuration that does not perform interrupt waiting processing, there is a possibility that the determination processing of step S307 will be performed multiple times when "011" is stored, which will lead to a malfunction in which the setting value is updated multiple times even though the reset switch 72 has been operated only once.

On the other hand, in a configuration in which an interrupt wait process is performed before determining whether the reset switch 72 has been operated, if step S307 is processed while "011" is stored in the reset detection area, the next time step S307 is processed, "110" or "111" will be stored in the reset detection area, and it is possible to avoid repeated positive determinations in step S307 that the reset switch 72 has been operated. As a result, it is possible to avoid malfunctions in which the setting value is updated multiple times in response to a single operation of the reset switch 72, and it is possible for the manager of the amusement facility, etc., to set the setting value of his or her own choice.

Similarly, in the loop processing of pre-start preparation processing S604 to S620, it is determined in step S606 whether or not the credit insertion switch 56 to 58 has been operated, and if it is determined that it has been operated, the credit insertion processing is performed in step S612. Even in such a loop processing, in a configuration in which interrupt waiting processing is not performed, for example, if a timer interrupt processing is performed immediately before the processing of step S604 is performed, it is possible to repeat the loop processing of steps S604 to S620 multiple times before the next timer interrupt processing is performed.

In the process of determining whether the credit insertion switches 56 to 58 in step S606 have been operated, all area reference processing is performed. That is, all areas 112a to 112c of each credit insertion detection area are referenced, and if "011" is stored, it is determined that the corresponding credit insertion switch has been operated, and if "011" is not stored, it is determined that the corresponding credit insertion switch has not been operated. In such a case, in a configuration that does not perform interrupt waiting processing, there is a possibility that the determination processing in step S606 will be performed multiple times when "011" is stored, and there is a possibility that the credit insertion switches 56 to 58 will be determined to have been operated multiple times even though they have only been operated once. This can lead to a malfunction in which, for example, multiple virtual medals are inserted even though the third credit insertion switch 58 is operated to insert only one virtual medal.

On the other hand, in a configuration in which an interrupt wait process is performed before judging whether the credit insertion switches 56-58 have been operated, if step S606 is performed while "011" is stored in the credit insertion detection area, the next time step S606 is processed, "110" or "111" will be stored in the credit insertion detection area, and it is possible to avoid repeated positive judgments in step S606 that the credit insertion switches 56-58 have been operated. As a result, it is possible to avoid a malfunction in which a virtual medal is inserted multiple times in response to a single operation of the credit insertion switches 56-58, and it is possible to insert the virtual medal as intended by the player.

The sensor information storage area 112 of the RAM 106 is composed of three storage areas, the first to third areas 112a to 112c. With this configuration, the history of the presence or absence of a signal input from each detection sensor can be stored, and the history of the presence or absence of a signal input can be used to determine whether or not an operation has been performed. In addition, by configuring the reset switch 72 and the credit insertion switches 56 to 58 to perform all-area reference processing, it is possible to preferably avoid malfunction of the slot machine 10. If the above switches 56 to 58 and 72 are configured to perform one-area reference processing, only the first area 112a of the corresponding detection area will be referenced in step S307 in the loop processing of steps S303 to S308 of the winning probability setting processing and in step S606 in the loop processing of the pre-start preparation processing S604 to S620. As described above, the operating cycle of the CPU 102 is sufficiently fast compared to the time required from the start to the end of the operation of the above switches 56 to 58 and 72. For this reason, if one-area reference processing is performed on the above switches 56-58 and 72, even if an interrupt wait processing is performed, "1" will be repeatedly stored in the first area 112a for a certain period of time, and there is a possibility that a single operation will be determined to have been performed multiple times.

The interrupt wait process is configured to be performed during the pre-start preparation process of the normal process. The pre-start preparation process is a process that is repeatedly performed until a start command is generated, and the time from the end of the previous game until the start command is generated varies depending on the timing at which the player operates the start lever 41. For this reason, the number of pre-start preparation processes performed before the start command is generated is random, and therefore the number of times the interrupt wait process is performed is also random. As a result, the number of updates to the delay counter 111d performed before the start command is generated can be made random.

The delay counter 111d is updated in step S609 of the pre-start preparation process. The pre-start preparation process is repeated until a start command is generated, and the time from the end of the previous game until the start command is generated varies depending on the timing at which the player operates the start lever 41. Therefore, the number of pre-start preparation processes performed before the start command is generated is random, and the number of updates to the delay counter 111d performed before the start command is generated can be made random.

Here, since the timing of the issuance of the start command depends on the operation of the start lever 41 by the player, it is possible that the start lever 41 may be operated fraudulently so that the time from the end of the previous game to the issuance of the start command is constant. However, the time required to perform one pre-start preparation process varies depending on the game situation, etc. For example, even if only the processing time required for betting medals is considered, the time required for the credit insertion process and the time required for the insertion judgment process vary depending on whether the bet is performed by operating the credit insertion switches 56 to 58 or whether medals are actually inserted. For this reason, it is difficult to fix the number of times the pre-start preparation process is performed to a constant value. Furthermore, it is possible to fix the processing time required for betting medals by operating the first credit insertion switch 56 every game, and to make the time from the end of the previous game to the issuance of the start command constant, while also fixing the number of pre-start preparation processes performed within that time. However, in the pre-start preparation process, an interrupt waiting process is performed in steps S605 and S619, and as described above, the time from the start to the end of the interrupt waiting process is random. For this reason, even if the start lever 41 is fraudulently operated so that the time from the end of the previous game until the start command is generated is constant, the number of pre-start preparation processes performed within that time cannot be fixed. As a result, the number of updates to the delay counter 111d in the pre-start preparation process cannot be fixed, making it difficult to fraudulently operate the start lever 41 by targeting the count value of the delay counter 111d so that the delay time from the generation of the start command is constant for each game.

The interrupt waiting process is configured to be performed in steps S1001 to S1004 in the pre-stop process of normal processing, that is, from when it becomes possible to stop the spinning reel until a stop command is issued. The processes of steps S1001 to S1004 are repeated until a stop command is issued, and the time from when it becomes possible to stop the spinning reel until the stop command is issued varies depending on the timing at which the player operates the stop switches 42 to 44. For this reason, the number of times steps S1001 to S1004 are executed before a stop command is issued is random, and accordingly the number of times the interrupt waiting process is executed is also random. As a result, the number of times the delay counter 111d is updated before a stop command is issued can be made random.

A delay counter 111d is provided in the RAM 106 of the CPU 102, and the delay counter 111d is updated by the CPU 102. In other words, the delay period is determined based on the value of the software free counter. This configuration makes it difficult to obtain the winning random number illegally. It is certainly possible to determine the delay period using a count value generated by a hardware counter separate from the CPU 102. However, in this configuration, there is a concern that the hardware counter may be changed to an illegal hardware counter that outputs only a value of 1, and if such a change is made, the delay period will become a fixed period based on the value of 1 for each game. Then, there is a concern that, after setting the delay period to a fixed period, there is a possibility of an illegal operation of the start lever 41 by targeting the count value of the basic random number generator 150 when the winning random number is created using a sensor or the like, or an illegal board that can output an illegal signal that causes the main control unit 101 to erroneously recognize that a start command has been generated at the timing when the count value is generated. On the other hand, in a configuration in which a delay counter 111d is provided in the RAM 106 of the CPU 102 and the CPU 102 updates the delay counter 111d, it becomes possible to make the above-mentioned fraud difficult unless the CPU 102 itself is changed to an unauthorized CPU.

The value of the delay counter 111d is not cleared even when the RAM is cleared. This configuration makes it possible to prevent fraudulent manipulation of the start lever 41 by inputting an illegal signal indicating RAM clear to the CPU 102 to change the value of the delay counter 111d to its initial value, and then targeting the values of the basic random number generator 150, the first counter 111a, and the second counter 111b when the winning random number is generated.

A first counter 111a and a second counter 111b are provided in the RAM 106 of the CPU 102, and in the random number creation process, the count values of these counters 111a and 111b are added to the base random number generated by the base random number generator 150. With this configuration, it is possible to make the random numbers created and the cycle in which winning random numbers are created more random than a configuration in which random numbers are created using the count value of a single counter, making it difficult to obtain winning random numbers illegally.

The first counter 111a and the second counter 111b are provided in the RAM 106 of the CPU 102, and the CPU 102 updates these counters 111a and 111b. In other words, the random numbers are created by adding the value of the software free counter to the value of the hardware counter, the basic random number generator 150. This configuration makes it difficult to obtain winning random numbers illegally. It is certainly possible to use the count value latched by a hardware random number generator such as the basic random number generator 150 as the random number as it is. However, in this case, there is a concern that the hardware random number generator may be changed to an illegal hardware random number generator that always outputs a count value that results in a BB win, and if such a change is made, the gaming facility where the slot machine 10 is installed will suffer great damage. On the other hand, in a configuration in which the first counter 111a and the second counter 111b are provided in the RAM 106 of the CPU 102 and the CPU 102 updates these counters 111a and 111b, even if the hardware random number generator is changed to the above-mentioned fraudulent one, it is possible to change the count values of the first counter 111a and the second counter 111b to a random number that does not result in a BB win by adding them up.

The values of the first counter 111a and the second counter 111b are not cleared even when the RAM is cleared. This configuration makes it possible to prevent fraudulent manipulation of the start lever 41 by inputting an illegal signal indicating RAM clear to the CPU 102 to change the values of the first counter 111a and the second counter 111b to their initial values, and then targeting the values of the basic random number generator 150, the first counter 111a, and the second counter 111b when the winning random number is generated.

Furthermore, if the hardware random number generator is configured to use the latched count value as the random number as is, in addition to the possibility of being changed to an unauthorized hardware random number generator as described above, the following problem is also of concern. In hardware random number generators, an oscillator outputs a clock signal to a counter at regular intervals, and the counter is updated based on the input of this clock signal. For this reason, if the oscillator stops outputting the clock signal due to a malfunction or other reason, the counter will no longer be updated. Therefore, in games after the clock signal is no longer output, the same counter value will always be used to determine whether the hand has been won or lost, and there is a concern that this may cause disadvantages to players or the gaming facilities where the slot machines are installed.

Therefore, the main control device 101 is provided with a monitoring circuit 152 composed of a D flip-flop circuit, and the monitoring circuit 152 has a start detection sensor 41a connected to its D terminal, a second clock circuit 151 connected to its CLK terminal, and a CPU 102 connected to its Q terminal. In this configuration, if the second clock signal is no longer output from the second clock circuit 151 due to a malfunction or the like, or if the second clock signal remains output, the input state of the second clock signal (more specifically, the inverted clock signal) does not change in the monitoring circuit 152, so that a start signal is not output to the CPU 102. Therefore, even if an operation signal is output from the start detection sensor 41a under these circumstances, the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R do not start spinning, and it is possible to avoid any disadvantage to the player or the gaming facility where the slot machine 10 is installed. If the second clock signal is no longer input to the base random number generator 150 or remains input, then in a configuration in which it is possible to play a game, random numbers will always be generated using the same base random number.

In addition, in this configuration, it is possible to notify the player or the manager of the gaming facility where the slot machine 10 is installed that an abnormality has occurred in the slot machine 10 when the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R do not start spinning even when the start lever 41 is operated. This makes it possible to quickly discover that an abnormality has occurred in the second clock circuit 151, and it is possible to preferably avoid the player or the gaming facility where the slot machine 10 is installed suffering any disadvantage due to an abnormality in the second clock circuit 151.

Indeed, even if a monitoring means is provided to monitor whether the second clock circuit 151 is periodically outputting the second clock signal, and if the second clock signal is not periodically output, the CPU 102 performs processing when an abnormality occurs, such as notifying the player of the occurrence of the abnormality, it is possible to notify the player or the manager of the game facility that some abnormality has occurred in the second clock circuit 151. However, with such a configuration, it becomes necessary to store a program for performing processing when an abnormality occurs in the main control device 101 or the CPU 102 itself, which raises concerns about an increase in memory capacity. In addition, if some abnormality occurs in the monitoring means rather than the second clock circuit 151, there is a concern that the abnormality may not be discovered despite the occurrence of an abnormality in the second clock circuit 151, and the game may continue to be played.

On the other hand, in the above embodiment in which the start detection sensor 41a and the CPU 102 are connected via the monitoring circuit 152, it is possible to directly inform the player of the occurrence of an abnormality by the fact that the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R do not start spinning even when the start lever 41 is operated, and there is no need for the CPU 102 to perform processing at the time of the occurrence of an abnormality. Furthermore, if any abnormality occurs in the monitoring circuit 152 itself, the output state of the start signal and the latch signal will not change, so even in such a case, it is possible to directly inform the player of the occurrence of an abnormality by the fact that the game cannot be played thereafter. Therefore, while eliminating the above concerns, it is possible to reduce the opportunity for a player or the gaming facility in which the slot machine 10 is installed to suffer a disadvantage when an abnormality occurs inside the slot machine 10 with a relatively simple configuration.

In the basic random number generator 150, the count value of the counter 150a is updated when the second clock signal switches from a no-input state to a input state, and the count value is latched in the latch circuit 150b when the second clock signal switches from an input state to a no-input state. This configuration makes it possible to avoid the timing of updating the count value and the timing of latching the count value being the same, and to avoid a malfunction in which the count value cannot be latched properly when the latch timing arrives while the count value is being updated.

In the main control device 101, a monitoring circuit 152 is provided separately from the CPU 102, so that an abnormality in the slot machine 10 can be reported without the CPU 102 having to monitor whether the second clock circuit 151 is normal or not. This makes it possible to reduce the processing load on the CPU 102, and eliminates the need for a program for monitoring and controlling the second clock circuit 151, making it possible to prevent the memory capacity of the CPU 102 from increasing.

Furthermore, even if some abnormality occurs in the monitoring circuit 152 itself, not in the second clock circuit 151, the abnormality can be easily found. That is, if some abnormality occurs in the monitoring circuit 152, the output state of the start signal is constant regardless of the input state of the operation signal or the second clock signal. This leads to the occurrence of abnormal events such as the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R not starting to rotate even though the player operates the start lever 41, or the start signal remaining output even though the player does not operate the start lever 41. Therefore, it becomes possible for the player or the manager of the gaming facility to easily find that some abnormality has occurred in the slot machine 10. This makes it possible to avoid problems such as not being able to find an abnormality in the second clock circuit 151 because an abnormality has occurred in the monitoring circuit 152, while reducing the opportunity for the player or the gaming facility in which the slot machine 10 is installed to suffer disadvantages when an abnormality occurs inside the slot machine 10.

The first clock circuit 103, which inputs a clock signal to the CPU 102, and the second clock circuit 151, which inputs a clock signal to the base random number generator 150, are provided separately, and the clock signals output from these clock circuits 103 and 151 are configured not to be synchronized. With this configuration, the timing at which the latch circuit 150b in the base random number generator 150 latches the count value and the timing at which the CPU 102 acquires a random number from the latch circuit 150b are synchronized, making it possible to avoid the problem of the CPU 102 being unable to properly acquire the base random number.

In the reel control process, the presence or absence of a stop command is determined on the condition that a start command has not been generated. In other words, if a start command is generated while the reel is rotating, the stop command is invalidated. With this configuration, if an abnormality occurs in the second clock circuit 151 while the second clock signal is still being output, the abnormality can be quickly discovered. If the abnormality occurs during a game, the corresponding reel cannot be stopped even by operating the stop switch, making it possible to notify the player or the manager of the gaming facility that some abnormality has occurred in the slot machine 10. In addition, if the abnormality occurs when the start lever 41 is not operated and each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R starts rotating, it is possible that the player will operate the stop switches 42 to 44 to end the game, even though he feels uncomfortable. However, it is possible to notify the player or the manager of the gaming facility that some abnormality has occurred in the slot machine 10 by not being able to stop the corresponding reel even by operating the stop switch.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be implemented, for example, as follows.

(1) In the above embodiment, the value of the delay counter 111d is incremented by 1 in the interrupt waiting process and the timer interrupt process, but the process of incrementing the value of the delay counter 111d does not have to be performed. In other words, the value of the delay counter 111d is incremented by 1 only in step S609 of the start waiting process. Even with this configuration, the number of updates to the delay counter 111d in the pre-start preparation process is random, making it difficult to obtain a random number that will result in an illegal win.

In addition, the value of the delay counter 111d may be incremented by 1 during the interrupt wait process performed within the pre-start preparation process, but the value of the delay counter 111d may not be incremented by 1 during other interrupt wait processes.

However, if the value of the delay counter 111d is updated during the interrupt waiting process as in the above embodiment, the number of updates or the update value of the delay counter 111d for each pre-start preparation process can be made indefinite, making it more difficult to obtain a winning random number illegally.

(2) In a configuration in which the value of the second counter is updated in the interrupt wait process performed within the pre-start preparation process, but not updated in other interrupt wait processes, the value of the second counter may be updated between the time when all reels 32L, 32M, 32R have stopped and the time when a start command is generated. For example, instead of or in addition to the pre-start preparation process, the value of the second counter may be updated in the medal payout process. The time from start to finish of the medal payout process varies depending on the number of medals paid out. For this reason, even if the value of the second counter is updated within such a process, it is expected that the same effect as the above embodiment can be achieved.

(3) In the above embodiment, the base random number generator 150, the first counter 111a, and the second counter 111b are provided, and a random number is created by adding the latched count value of the base random number generator 150, the count value of the first counter 111a, and the count value of the second counter 111b. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the count value of the base random number generator 150 may be used as a random number as it is. In such a configuration, the base random number generator 150 generates a winning count value at a constant cycle, so there is a possibility that fraudulent acts may be committed by generating a start command targeting the count value. However, in a configuration in which the count value of the base random number generator 150 is latched after a delay time has elapsed since the generation of the start command, even if the start command is generated at a cycle that is a natural number multiple of the cycle, the timing of latching the count value of the base random number generator 150 can be shifted from the cycle. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult to obtain a winning random number fraudulently.

It goes without saying that a configuration may be adopted in which a random number is created by adding the count value of the first counter 111a and the count value of the second counter 111b without providing a basic random number generator 150, or in which the count value of the first counter 111a is used directly as the random number, or in which the count value of the second counter 111b is used directly as the random number.

(4) In the above embodiment, when a start command is issued, the delay counter 111d is decremented until its value reaches 0. However, the delay counter 111d may be incremented until its value reaches 0. Even in this case, it is clear that the same effect as in the above embodiment can be achieved. In addition, in this case, it is possible to simplify the program configuration for the delay counter processing.

(5) In the above embodiment, the process of decrementing the value of the delay counter 111d until it becomes 0 is configured to be performed by timer interrupt processing, but it may be configured to be performed by normal processing. Specifically, in the delay process of normal processing, the delay flag is set and then the value of the delay counter 111d is decremented by 1, and then it is determined whether the value of the delay counter 111d is 0 or not. If the value of the delay counter 111d is not 0, the decrement process is repeated until the value of the delay counter 111d becomes 0. With such a configuration, it is possible to shorten the delay time. When the decrement process of the delay counter 111d is performed by timer interrupt processing, the decrement process can be performed only every 1.49 msec, but when the decrement process of the delay counter 111d is performed by normal processing, the decrement process can be performed every approximately 125 nsec.

(6) In the above embodiment, when a start command is issued, a latch signal is output after the value of the delay counter 111d becomes 0. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and a latch signal may be output after the value of the delay counter 111d becomes 1, or a latch signal may be output after the value of the delay counter 111d becomes 10. In other words, any configuration may be used as long as a latch signal is output after a specific value unrelated to the value of the delay counter 111d at that time is reached.

(7) In the above embodiment, one delay counter 111d is provided in RAM 106 of CPU 102, and the value of the delay counter 111d is updated in normal processing and timer interrupt processing. However, a delay counter that is updated in normal processing and a delay counter that is updated in timer interrupt processing may be provided separately.

(8) In the above embodiment, a base random number generator 150 is provided, and random numbers are generated by adding the latched count value of the base random number generator 150 to the count value of the first counter 111a and the count value of the second counter 111b. However, it goes without saying that random numbers may also be generated by subtracting these count values.

(9) The location of the interrupt waiting process in normal processing is arbitrary, so long as it is before the process that makes a judgment using the processing result of the timer interrupt processing. Therefore, for example, the interrupt waiting process may be configured to be configured to be configured between steps S1002 and S1003 in the pre-stop processing, or the interrupt waiting process may be configured to be configured to be configured to be configured to be configured to be configured to be configured to be configured to be configured to be configured to be configured to be configured

Also, it may be before the process of making a judgment using the result of the timer subtraction process, rather than before the process of making a judgment using the result of the sensor monitoring process as described above. For example, in the spin start process, it is confirmed whether a predetermined wait time (e.g., 4.1 seconds) has elapsed since the reel started spinning in the previous game. Therefore, if the timer subtraction process is configured to subtract the timer that measures the wait time, the interrupt wait process is performed before confirming whether the wait time has elapsed. Alternatively, in a configuration in which a process is performed to determine whether the output of a specified command has been completed, and if it has not been completed, the process remains on standby, the interrupt wait process may be performed before the judgment process is performed. In these configurations, it is possible to effectively use the wait time as an update time for the delay counter 111d.

(10) In the above embodiment, the interrupt waiting process is terminated when the value of the update counter 111c changes, but the amount of change in the value of the update counter 111c is arbitrary. That is, in step S407, a negative determination may be made when the value of the update counter 111c changes by 3 from the value acquired in step S402, or a negative determination may be made when the value changes by 1. That is, in the above embodiment, when the value of the update counter 111c changes, a negative determination is made and the interrupt waiting process is terminated regardless of the amount of change, but a change amount may be set in advance, and when the value of the update counter 111c changes by the change amount, that is, when the timer interrupt process has been performed a predetermined number of times, a negative determination is made and the interrupt waiting process is terminated.

(11) In the above embodiment, the counters used to create random numbers are a first counter 111a that is updated in timer interrupt processing, and a second counter 111b that is updated in normal processing. However, the value of one counter may be updated in both normal processing and timer interrupt processing.

In addition, when applying the above configuration to a gaming machine that does not have a basic random number generator, the counter value may be used as is as a random number, or the value obtained by performing a specified calculation process, such as inverting the counter value, may be used as a random number.

(12) In the above embodiment, the value of the delay counter 111d is updated by 1 each time the pre-start preparation process is performed, excluding the number of updates of the delay counter 111d during the interrupt wait process. However, the value of the delay counter 111d may be updated by 2, or may be updated by 3 or more. In other words, the number of updates or the update value of the delay counter 111d per pre-start preparation process is arbitrary.

(13) In the above embodiment, the start waiting process is configured to loop the processes of steps S604 to S620, but the processes of steps S601 to S620 may also be configured to loop. However, if the pre-start preparation process is configured to include the processes of steps S601 to S603, it is necessary to determine whether or not this is the first process in the medal acceptance permission process and the automatic insertion process, and if it is the first time, to perform the corresponding process, and if it is not the first time, to proceed to the subsequent processes (steps S604 and S607) without performing the corresponding process. With such a configuration, the time from the start to the end of the pre-start preparation process can be made more variable, and the number of updates of the delay counter 111d performed before the start command is generated can be made more random.

In this way, the pre-start preparation process is a process that starts when the reels are not spinning and ends when a start command is issued, and is repeated until a start command is issued.

(14) In the above embodiment, the update process is configured to add or subtract 1 from the value of the delay counter 111d, but it goes without saying that the update process may be configured to add or subtract two or more values. The same applies to the first counter 111a, the second counter 111b, and the counter 150a of the base random number generator 150.

(15) The position where the delay counter 111d is updated in the pre-start preparation process is arbitrary. That is, the delay counter 111d may be configured to be updated immediately after the abnormality confirmation process, or immediately after the input determination process. Even in these configurations, it is clear that the same effect as the above embodiment can be achieved.

(16) The latch circuit 150b of the base random number generator 150 and the CPU 102 may be connected in a 16-bit inversion configuration.

(17) In the above embodiment, the counter 150a of the base random number generator 150, the first counter 111a, and the second counter 111b are each configured with 16 bits, but they may be configured with 8 bits or 4 bits. Also, the number of bits of each counter may be different. The same is true for the delay counter 111d, which is not limited to a 4-bit configuration, but may be configured with 8 bits or 16 bits. However, if the number of bits of the delay counter 111d is increased, the delay time will be longer accordingly. For this reason, in such a case, it is desirable to take measures such as increasing the number of places where the subtraction process of the delay counter 111d is performed in the timer interrupt process.

(18) In the above embodiment, the values of the first counter 111a, the second counter 111b, and the delay counter 111d are not cleared (initialized) even when the RAM is cleared, but they may be cleared.

(19) In the above embodiment, the base random number generator 150 is configured to be provided outside the CPU 102, but it may also be configured to be built into the CPU 102.

(20) In the above embodiment, the base random number generator 150 latches the count value when a latch signal is input from the CPU 102 and outputs the latched count value to the CPU 102. However, this configuration is changed. For example, the base random number generator 150 is configured to constantly output the count value of the counter 150a via the latch circuit 150b. In other words, the count value of the counter 150a is constantly input to the CPU 102. Then, when the delay time has elapsed, the CPU 102 latches the count value of the counter 150a input to the CPU 102 at that time and obtains it as the base random number. Even with such a configuration, it is clear that the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be achieved.

(21) In the above embodiment, the monitoring circuit 152 is configured with a D flip-flop circuit, but a monitoring circuit configured with a sequential circuit such as an RS flip-flop circuit or a JK flip-flop circuit or various logic circuits may also be provided.

(22) In the above embodiment, the Q terminal of the monitoring circuit 152 is connected to the CPU 102, and the L-level output signal output from the Q terminal is recognized by the CPU 102 as a start signal. However, it is clear that the same effect as the above embodiment can be achieved even if the Q terminal and the CPU 102 are connected via an inverter. Also, if the CPU 102 recognizes an H-level output signal as a start signal, the Q terminal may be connected to the CPU 102, or the Q terminal may be connected to the CPU 102 via an inverter.

(23) In the above embodiment, the waveform shaping circuit 153 and the monitoring circuit 152 are connected via the input/output port 104 of the main control device 102. However, they may be directly connected, and the Q-bar terminal of the monitoring circuit 152 may be connected to the CPU 102 via an input/output port.

(24) In the above embodiment, a monitoring circuit 152 consisting of a D flip-flop circuit is provided to prevent players or the gaming facility from suffering any disadvantage if any abnormality occurs in the second clock circuit 151, but this configuration will be changed.

A watchdog timer that constantly monitors whether the second clock circuit 151 is periodically outputting the second clock signal is connected to the second clock circuit. The watchdog timer is provided with a timer counter that is decremented every predetermined time, and the timer value of the timer counter is set every time the input state of the clock signal changes. The watchdog timer outputs an H-level normal signal when the timer counter is non-zero, and outputs an L-level abnormality occurrence signal when the timer counter is zero. A logical product circuit that calculates the logical product of the operation signal from the start detection sensor 41a and the input signal from the watchdog timer is provided on the output side of the watchdog timer. The output signal from the logical product circuit is inverted by an inverter, and the inverted signal is input to the CPU 102.

In this case, if the second clock circuit 151 periodically outputs the second clock signal, the timer value is repeatedly set in the watchdog timer, and the timer counter never becomes zero. Therefore, the output signal from the watchdog timer is always at H level, and the output signal from the AND circuit is the operation signal from the start detection sensor 41a itself. When an operation signal is being output, the output signal is inverted by the inverter and input to the CPU 102 as a start signal.

On the other hand, if the output state of the second clock signal does not change due to an abnormality occurring in the second clock circuit 151, the timer counter in the watchdog timer becomes zero and its output signal becomes L level. Therefore, the output signal of the AND circuit is always L level regardless of whether an operation signal is input or not. Therefore, even if the start lever 41 is operated and an operation signal is output, a start signal is not output from the AND circuit to the CPU 102. As a result, a situation occurs in which the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R do not start spinning despite the start lever 41 being operated, and it is possible to notify the player or people involved in the game center that some kind of abnormality has occurred inside the slot machine 10.

In addition, a watchdog timer is used to determine whether the second clock signal is being periodically output from the second clock circuit 151, but instead, a duty ratio determination circuit may be provided that detects the duty ratio of the second clock signal and outputs an L-level signal if the duty ratio is not within a predetermined normal range (for example, a range of 25 to 75%).

Generally, a normal second clock signal is a pulse signal with a duty ratio of 50%. In contrast, if some abnormality occurs in the second clock circuit 151 and the output state of the second clock signal does not change, the duty ratio approaches 0% (when constant at L level or high impedance) or 100% (when constant at H level). Therefore, by determining whether the actual duty ratio is within the normal range, it is possible to determine whether the second clock signal is output periodically. In this configuration, if the output state of the second clock signal does not change, an L level signal is output from the duty ratio determination circuit, so that the output signal of the AND circuit is always L level regardless of whether an operation signal is input. Therefore, even if the start lever 41 is operated and an operation signal is output, a start signal is not output from the AND circuit to the CPU 102.

The normal range of the duty ratio of the second clock signal is not limited to the above example, and may be 10-90% or 40-80%, etc., in other words, it may be a range that is acceptable during normal operation. Also, it is not necessary to set it symmetrically around 50% during normal operation, and it may be 10-60% or 40-90%, etc.

(25) In the above embodiment, the base random number generator 150 is configured to update the count value of the counter 150a based on the input of the second clock signal, and latch the count value of the counter 150a at the timing when the latch signal is input into the latch circuit 150b. However, the following configuration may also be used.

The latch circuit 150b is configured to latch the count value of the counter 150a after appropriately rearranging the bit arrangement.

A typical example of such a configuration is one in which the bit arrangement from the lowest to highest bit of the count value of counter 150a is reversed and latched in latch circuit 150b. In such a configuration, the value latched by latch circuit 150b changes irregularly in response to the input of the second clock signal, making it possible to avoid a problem in which a player intentionally obtains a predetermined basic random number.

Also, the bit arrangement of the value latched by the latch circuit 150b may be appropriately rearranged before being output to the CPU 102. Even with such a configuration, the random number input to the CPU 102 will change irregularly with respect to the second clock signal, making it possible to avoid a problem in which a player intentionally obtains a predetermined random number.

Multiple clock circuits are provided that output clock signals of different frequencies, and the count value of counter 150a is updated based on these clock signals.

In this case, a selection circuit is provided that appropriately selects which clock signal is output from which clock circuit to use, and the clock signal selected by the selection circuit is input to the CLK terminal of the monitoring circuit 152. In this configuration, the period in which the counter 150a completes one cycle changes depending on the clock signal selected by the selection circuit, so it is possible to avoid a problem in which a player intentionally obtains a predetermined basic random number.

Instead of counter 150a, a calculator is provided that changes the random number every time the input state of the second clock signal changes.

Typical examples of such calculators include one that uses the previous base random number to determine the current base random number, one that generates the base random number using the average sampling method, and one that generates the base random number by adding prime numbers. Even in these configurations, the value latched by the latch circuit 150b changes in a complex manner based on changes in the input state of the second clock signal, so that it is possible to avoid the problem of a player intentionally obtaining a specific base random number.

(26) In the above embodiment, a second clock circuit 151 for random numbers is provided as a clock source for the hardware basic random number generator 150, separate from the first clock circuit 103 for the CPU 102. However, the first clock circuit 103 may be used as the clock source. In this case, the clock signal of the first clock circuit 103 may be frequency modulated (frequency division, multiplication, etc.). In this case, if an abnormality occurs in the circuit section that performs frequency modulation and the clock signal input to the hardware basic random number generator 150 no longer fluctuates, a problem occurs in which the basic random number always remains constant. However, the abnormality can be found by obtaining the same effect as in the above embodiment.

(27) In the above embodiment, the second clock signal output from the second clock circuit 151 is input to the base random number generator 150 and the monitoring circuit 152 without modulating the frequency of the second clock signal. However, the second clock signal may be frequency modulated (frequency divided, multiplied, etc.) and input. Specifically, a converter that performs frequency modulation may be connected to the second clock circuit 151, and the converter may be connected to the base random number generator 150 and the monitoring circuit 152.

(28) In the above embodiment, the configuration is such that it is determined whether or not a start command has occurred after three medals have been bet, but it goes without saying that it may also be configured to determine whether or not a start command has occurred after one medal has been bet or two medals have been bet. In such a configuration, it is possible to more effectively avoid malfunctioning of the slot machine by performing the interrupt waiting process immediately before the process of determining whether or not the credit insertion switch has been operated (step S606, see FIG. 19) as in the above embodiment. This is because there may be an opportunity for the game to not be started with the number of bets desired by the player.

(29) In the above embodiment, the bonuses awarded include a bonus of changing the game state, a bonus of replay, and a bonus of paying out medals. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and any bonus may be awarded to the player. For example, instead of a bonus of paying out medals, a prize other than medals may be paid out. In addition, in a slot machine that does not have a function for inserting actual medals or paying out medals, and that manages medals owned by the player by credit, an increase in the number of credited medals corresponds to the awarding of a bonus.

(30) In the above embodiment, a slot machine having three reels arranged in parallel and five active lines has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the present invention may be a slot machine having five reels arranged in parallel or a slot machine having seven active lines.

(31) In the above embodiment, a so-called A-type slot machine has been described, but the present invention may be applied to any type of slot machine, such as a B-type, a C-type, a combination of A-type and C-type, a combination of B-type and C-type, or even a type equipped with a CT game, and it is clear that in any case, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned embodiment can be achieved. Note that examples of bonus wins in each of these types include BB win, RB win, SB win, and CT win.

(32) In the above embodiment, a specific example of a slot machine 10 is shown, but the present invention may be applied to a pachinko machine. Also, the present invention may be applied to a gaming machine that combines a slot machine and a pachinko machine. In other words, instead of the medal insertion and medal payout functions of a slot machine, the present invention may be an gaming machine that has a ball insertion and ball payout functions like a pachinko machine.

10...slot machine as a gaming machine, 31...reel unit as a variable display means, 32...reel constituting a circulating display means and as a rotating body, 41...start lever as a start operation means or a starting operation means, 42-44...stop switch as a stop operation means, 56...first credit input switch as a start operation means or an input operation means, 57...second credit input switch as a start operation means or an input operation means, 58...third credit input switch as a start operation means or an input operation means, 63...upper lamp constituting an auxiliary performance section or an auxiliary performance means, 64...speaker constituting an auxiliary performance section or an auxiliary performance means, 65...a speaker constituting an auxiliary performance section or an auxiliary performance means Auxiliary display unit, 81...display control device as sub-control board, 101...main control device as main control board, 102...CPU constituting various control means such as lottery means and main control means, 106...RAM, 111a...first counter, 111b...second counter, 111c...update counter, 111d...delay counter, 150...basic random number generator as random number generation means, 150a...counter as numerical information generation means, 150b...latch circuit as numerical information acquisition means, 151...second clock circuit as clock signal output means, 152...start signal output means, acquisition signal output means, and monitoring circuit as clock signal monitoring device, 153...waveform shaping circuit, 154...inverter as delay means.

Claims (1)

A lottery means for conducting a lottery;
A setting operation means that is operated to set a setting state of the winning probability of the lottery;
An operation means that is operated to progress a game;
a signal output means for outputting an ON signal of the setting operation means when the setting operation means is operated, and not outputting the ON signal of the setting operation means when the setting operation means is not operated, and for outputting an ON signal of the operation means when the operation means is operated, and not outputting the ON signal of the operation means when the operation means is not operated, and for setting a setting state of a winning probability of the lottery or proceeding with a game based on a signal input state from the signal output means,
The operation means includes a start operation means operated by a player to start a game, and a stop operation means operated by a player to stop the cyclical display of the pictures,
the signal output means outputs an ON signal of the start operation means when the start operation means is operated, and does not output the ON signal of the start operation means when the start operation means is not operated, outputs an ON signal of the stop operation means when the stop operation means is operated, and does not output the ON signal of the stop operation means when the stop operation means is not operated,
a game start means for starting the cyclic display of the symbols based on an ON signal of the start operation means being input after a predetermined amount of game value has been bet;
and a circulation stop means for stopping the circulating display of the patterns based on an ON signal of the stop operation means being input after the circulating display of the patterns is started,
a periodic processing execution means for periodically performing periodic processing including a status confirmation process for confirming a signal input status from the signal output means;
A specific process execution means for performing a specific process;
a first determination process execution means for performing a determination process for determining whether or not the operation means has been operated using a processing result of the status confirmation process when the identification process is completed;
a second determination process execution means for performing a determination process for determining whether or not the setting operation means has been operated using a processing result of the status confirmation process when the identification process is completed,
The game start means starts cyclic display of the pictures when the first determination process execution means determines that the start operation means has been operated, and the circulation stop means stops cyclic display of the pictures when the first determination process execution means determines that the stop operation means has been operated,
The specific process execution means includes:
a confirmation process execution means for performing a confirmation process to confirm whether or not the periodic process has been performed after starting the specific process;
and a termination means for terminating the specific process when the confirmation process execution means confirms that the periodic process has been performed,
This gaming machine is characterized in that, when it is determined that the start operation means has not been operated when the specified amount of gaming value has been bet, the gaming machine is configured to return to a specified process including a process for confirming the number of gaming value bets.

Images