Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine represented by a pinball game machine (Pachinko game machine) and an enclosed-type game machine, having a characteristic in game progress.SOLUTION: There is a first case (N+1 and N+2th games) in which a stoppable state is set (S310j) when a first condition that detection means 606 detects a reference position 612D is satisfied in multiple reels 110 to 113. The first case occurs in a game in which the first stop operation is required after a specific event occurs, and the second case occurs in at least some of the games from the game next to the game in which the first condition is satisfied until the specific event occurs. The specific event is the detection of opening of a front door 102 by opening detection means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 36

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine or a pinball gaming machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as one type of gaming machine, for example, a slot machine is known. This slot machine uses a predetermined number of gaming media, and by operating a start lever, a lottery is held to determine an internal winning combination from among a plurality of combinations, spins a plurality of reels, stops the reels based on the determined internal winning combination and the operation result of a stop button, and awards a profit according to the combination determined to be a winning combination based on the state of the stopped reels (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In such gaming machines, the stopping positions of the reels are controlled, so that the game can proceed according to the player's operations under certain conditions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-30159 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, there is still room for improvement in the progress of games on conventional gaming machines.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine having a distinctive gaming progression. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The first gaming machine of the present invention that solves the above object is: A control means for controlling the progress of a game; The front door and An opening detection means capable of detecting the opening of the front door; A plurality of rotatable reels; a stop operation means provided in one-to-one correspondence with each of the reels constituting the plurality of reels, for performing a stop operation for stopping the rotation of the corresponding reel; a detection means provided on each of the plurality of reels and capable of detecting a reference position of the reel; A gaming machine equipped with the control means is means for executing control to stop the rotation of the corresponding reel when the stop operation is performed in a stoppable state, a first case in which the stop enabling state is set when a first condition is satisfied on the reels after the rotation of the reels is started; a second case in which the stop-enabling state is set even if the first condition is not satisfied on the reels after the rotation of the reels has started; the first condition is the detection of the reference position of the reel by the detection means, The first case occurs in the first game after the specific event occurs. The second case occurs in at least a part of the games from the game following the game in which the first condition is satisfied until the specific event occurs, The specific event is detection of the opening of the front door by the opening detection means. It is characterized by:

[0008] The second gaming machine of the present invention that solves the above object is: A control means for controlling the progress of a game; The front door and An opening detection means capable of detecting the opening of the front door; A plurality of rotatable reels; a start operation means for performing a start operation for starting the rotation of the plurality of reels; a stop operation means provided in one-to-one correspondence with each of the reels constituting the plurality of reels, for performing a stop operation for stopping the rotation of the corresponding reel; a detection means provided on each of the plurality of reels and capable of detecting a reference position of the reel; A specific information setting unit for setting specific information; A determination means for executing a process of determining whether the specific information has been updated; A gaming machine equipped with A first specific event may occur on the gaming machine, A second specific event may occur on the gaming machine, the control means is means for executing control to stop the rotation of the corresponding reel when the stop operation is performed in a stoppable state, a first case in which, after the rotation of the plurality of reels has started, the rotation state of the plurality of reels becomes a constant speed state in which the plurality of reels rotate at a constant speed, and the stoppable state is set when the reference position is detected by the detection means on the plurality of reels; a second case in which, when the plurality of reels reach the constant speed state after the rotation of the plurality of reels has started, the stoppable state is set even if the reference position is not detected by the detection means in the plurality of reels; the specific information means is means for setting the specific information when the first specific event occurs; the specific information means is means for setting the specific information when the second specific event occurs; If the specific information is set, the first case is reached, If the specific information is not set, the second case is assumed. the determination process is executed at a certain timing after the start operation and before the stop operation regardless of the occurrence of any specific event, The first specific event is detection of the opening of the front door by the opening detection means. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the gaming machine of the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine with a distinctive game progression. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the display area of ​​the symbol display window and the winning lines of the slot machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a circuit block diagram of a control unit of the slot machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 1A is a diagram showing the arrangement of symbols on each reel of the slot machine of this embodiment, with the arrangement shown superficially, and the relationship between the symbol number counter and the symbol interval counter; and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the types of winning roles (including activated roles), the symbol combinations corresponding to each winning role, and the activation or payout of each winning role. [Diagram 5] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the appearance of a reel rotation device of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 2 is an exploded perspective view of a reel drive unit that constitutes a reel rotation device of the slot machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are a schematic side view and a schematic front view showing an assembled state of a reel drive unit of the slot machine according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] 2 is an exploded perspective view of a stepping motor used in a reel of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is a diagram showing the arrangement of magnetic poles of a stator of the stepping motor shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 4 is a table showing the contents of an excitation table for exciting the stepping motor according to the present embodiment. [Figure 11] 4 is a table showing the contents of a rotation control table according to the present embodiment. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing of a main control unit of the slot machine according to the present embodiment. [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart showing the process flow relating to the pseudo game in step S128 shown in FIG. [Figure 14] 14 is a flowchart showing the process of starting reel rotation in the pseudo game in step S1282 shown in FIG. [Figure 15] 14 is a flowchart showing the process of controlling reel stop in the pseudo game in step S1283 shown in FIG. [Figure 16] 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of the pseudo next game start processing in step S1284 shown in FIG. [Figure 17] 13 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the reel spin start process in step S105 shown in FIG. 12. [Figure 18] 18 is a flowchart showing the process flow of starting random delay rotation in step S1336 shown in FIG. 17. [Figure 19] 13 is a flowchart showing the process of the bonus awarding lottery in step S143 shown in FIG. [Figure 20] 13 is a flowchart showing the process of pseudo game reservation in step S145 shown in FIG. [Figure 21] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of a main control unit timer interrupt process. [Figure 22] 22 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the stop button display control process in step S207 shown in FIG. 21. [Figure 23] 22 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the reel rotation control process in step S208 shown in FIG. 21. [Figure 24] 24 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the reel control determination process in step S208g shown in FIG. 23. [Diagram 25] 25 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the acceleration control process in step S306 shown in FIG. 24. [Figure 26] 25 is a flowchart showing in detail the first constant speed control process of step S308 shown in FIG. 24. [Figure 27]25 is a flowchart showing in detail the second constant speed control process in step S310 shown in FIG. 24. [Figure 28] 24 is a flowchart showing in detail the stop button acceptance process in step S208d shown in FIG. 23. [Figure 29] 23 is a flowchart showing in detail the pull-in counter setting process of step S208d5 shown in FIG. 22. [Diagram 30] 25 is a flowchart showing in detail the retraction control process in step S313 shown in FIG. 24. [Diagram 31] 19 is a flowchart showing in detail the brake control process in step S312 shown in FIG. 18. [Diagram 32] (a) is a flowchart of main processing executed by CPU 404 of first sub-control unit 400, (b) is a flowchart of command input processing of first sub-control unit 400, (c) is a flowchart of command reception interrupt processing of first sub-control unit 400, and (d) is a flowchart of timer interrupt processing of first sub-control unit 400. [Diagram 33] This is a timing chart showing a specific example in which the Nth game is started by the first operation of the start lever 135 after the power is turned on, and the N+1th game is started by the second operation of the start lever 135. [Diagram 34] 11 is a timing chart showing an example in which power is interrupted and restored while the reel is rotating in a state in which the reel can be stopped without waiting for the detection of the light-shielding piece. [Diagram 35] 13 is a timing chart showing a specific example in which a pseudo game is performed in the Nth game, and in the subsequent N+1th game, the reels can be stopped without waiting for the detection of the light-shielding piece. [Diagram 36] 13 is a timing chart showing an example in which the opening of the front door 102 is detected during the Nth game, and the front door 102 is closed after the reels of the next game (N+1) have stopped. [Figure 37] 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of a case where a frame misalignment occurs in a reel when the front door 102 is opened. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] <Overall composition> 1 is an external perspective view of a slot machine 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the slot machine 100, a game is started by inserting a medal, and medals are paid out depending on the result of the game.

[0013] The slot machine 100 shown in Fig. 1 includes a main body 101 and a front door 102 attached to the front of the main body 101 and capable of being opened and closed relative to the main body 101. Three reels (left reel 110, center reel 111, right reel 112) with a variety of symbols arranged on their outer periphery (not shown in Fig. 1) are housed inside the center of the main body 101 and are configured to rotate inside the slot machine 100. These reels 110 to 112 are rotated by driving means such as a stepping motor.

[0014] In this embodiment, each symbol is printed on a strip-shaped member at equal intervals in an appropriate number, and the strip-shaped member is attached to a predetermined circular cylindrical frame material to form each reel 110-112. When viewed from the player, the symbols on the reels 110-112 are displayed vertically in roughly threes through a symbol display window 113, so that a total of nine symbols can be seen. Then, by rotating each reel 110-112, the combination of symbols seen by the player changes. That is, each reel 110-112 functions as a display means for variably displaying a combination of a plurality of types of symbols. Note that, as such a display means, an electronic image display device such as a liquid crystal display device can be adopted in addition to the reel. Also, in this embodiment, three reels are provided inside the center of the slot machine 100, but the number of reels and the installation position of the reels are not limited to this.

[0015] A backlight (not shown) is disposed on the back of each of the reels 110-112 to illuminate each symbol displayed in the symbol display window 113. It is preferable that the backlight is shielded for each symbol so that each symbol can be evenly illuminated. An optical sensor (not shown) consisting of a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section is provided near each of the reels 110-112 inside the slot machine 100, and a light-shielding piece of a certain length provided on the reel passes between the light-emitting section and the light-receiving section of the optical sensor. Based on the detection result of this sensor, the position of the symbol on the reel in the rotation direction is determined, and the reels 110-112 are stopped so that the target symbol is displayed on the winning line.

[0016] The winning line display lamp 120 is a lamp that indicates the winning line that is valid. The winning lines that are valid are determined in advance by the number of medals bet as game media. There are five winning lines, and for example, when one medal is bet, the middle horizontal winning line is valid, when two medals are bet, three lines including the upper horizontal winning line and the lower horizontal winning line are valid, and when three medals are bet, five lines including the right-downward winning line and the right-upward winning line are valid as winning lines. The number of winning lines is not limited to five, and for example, when one medal is bet, the five lines including the middle horizontal winning line, the upper horizontal winning line, the lower horizontal winning line, the right-downward winning line, and the right-upward winning line may be valid as winning lines. Hereinafter, the valid winning lines may be called valid lines.

[0017] 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the nine display areas 1 to 9 of the symbol display window 113 and the five winning lines described above. In this embodiment, there are five winning lines: an upper horizontal winning line (horizontal winning line L2) made up of display areas 1, 4, and 7; a middle horizontal winning line (horizontal winning line L1) made up of display areas 2, 5, and 8; a lower horizontal winning line (horizontal winning line L3) made up of display areas 3, 6, and 9; an upward-right winning line (diagonal winning line L4) made up of display areas 3, 5, and 7; and a downward-right winning line (diagonal winning line L5) made up of display areas 1, 5, and 9.

[0018] The notification lamp 123 is a lamp that notifies the player that, for example, a specific winning combination (specifically, a bonus) has been internally won in an internal lottery described below, or that a bonus game is being played. The game medal insertion possible lamp 124 is a lamp that notifies the player that a game medal can be inserted. The replay lamp 122 is a lamp that notifies the player that the current game can be replayed (no medal insertion is required) if a replay, which is one of the winning combinations, was won in the previous game. The reel panel lamp 128 is a lamp for presentation purposes.

[0019] The medal insertion buttons 130 to 132 are buttons for inserting a predetermined number of medals (called credits) electronically stored in the slot machine 100. In this embodiment, each time the medal insertion button 130 is pressed, one medal is inserted up to a maximum of three medals, and when the medal insertion button 131 is pressed, two medals are inserted, and when the medal insertion button 132 is pressed, three medals are inserted. Hereinafter, the medal insertion button 132 is also referred to as the MAX medal insertion button. The game medal insertion lamps 129 light up the number of lamps corresponding to the number of inserted medals, and when a specified number of medals have been inserted, the game start lamp 121 lights up to indicate that a game start operation is possible.

[0020] The medal insertion slot 141 is an insertion slot through which a player inserts medals when starting a game. That is, medals can be inserted electronically using the medal insertion buttons 130 to 132, or actual medals can be inserted (inserted) from the medal insertion slot 141, and the term "inserting" includes both. The number of medals stored in the slot machine 100 is an indicator for displaying the number of medals stored electronically. The game information indicator 126 is an indicator for displaying various internal information (for example, the number of medals paid out during a bonus game) in numerical values. The number of medals paid out indicator 127 is an indicator for displaying the number of medals paid out to a player as a result of winning some winning combination. In this embodiment, the number of medals stored indicator 125, the game information indicator 126, and the number of medals paid out indicator 127 are configured as 7-segment (SEG) indicators.

[0021] The start lever 135 is a lever-type switch for starting the rotation of the reels 110 to 112. That is, when a desired number of medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 141 or when the medal insertion buttons 130 to 132 are operated and the start lever 135 is operated, the reels 110 to 112 start to rotate. The operation of the start lever 135 is called a game start operation.

[0022] The stop button unit 136 is provided with stop buttons 137-139. The stop buttons 137-139 are button-type switches for individually stopping the reels 110-112 that have started to rotate by operating the start lever 135, and are associated with each of the reels 110-112. Hereinafter, the operation of the stop buttons 137-139 will be referred to as a stop operation, with the first stop operation being referred to as the first stop operation, the next stop operation being referred to as the second stop operation, and the last stop operation being referred to as the third stop operation. Also, the reel that is the object of the first stop operation will be referred to as the first stop reel, the reel that is the object of the second stop operation will be referred to as the second stop reel, and the reel that is the object of the third stop operation will be referred to as the third stop reel. Incidentally, light-emitting bodies 137a-139a are provided inside the stop buttons 137-139, and when the stop buttons 137-139 can be operated, the light-emitting bodies 137a-139a are lit to inform the player. That is, the light emitters 137a-139a notify that the stop operation can be accepted for each stop button 137-139, in other words, that the rotation of each reel can be stopped. Each light emitter 137a-139a is, for example, an LED, and can operate in a plurality of light emission modes (for example, blinking, turning off, emitting light in a first color, emitting light in a second color, emitting light with continuously changing colors, etc.).

[0023] The medal return button 133 is a button for removing medals by pressing it when the inserted medals become stuck. The settlement button 134 is a button for settling medals electronically stored in the slot machine 100 and bet medals, and discharging them from the medal payout outlet 155. The door key hole 140 is a hole for inserting a key for unlocking the front door 102 of the slot machine 100. The medal payout outlet 155 is an outlet for paying out medals.

[0024] A title panel 162 for displaying the model name and attaching various certificate stamps is provided below the stop button unit 136. Below the title panel 162, a medal payout opening 155 and a medal receiving tray 161 are provided.

[0025] The sound hole 181 is a hole for outputting sound from a speaker provided inside the slot machine 100 to the outside. The side lamps 144 provided on the left and right parts of the front door 102 are decorative lamps for livening up the game. The performance device 160 is provided on the upper part of the front door 102, and the sound hole 143 is provided on the upper part of the performance device 160. This performance device 160 is equipped with a shutter (shielding device) 163 consisting of two right shutters 163a and left shutters 163b that can be opened and closed horizontally, and a performance image display device 157 (not shown, liquid crystal display device) provided on the back side of the shutters 163. When the right shutter 163a and the left shutter 163b are opened horizontally outward in front of the performance image display device 157, the display screen of the performance image display device 157 (not shown) appears on the front (player side) of the slot machine 100.

[0026] It should be noted that the display device does not have to be a liquid crystal display device, and may be configured to display various performance images and various game information, such as a multi-segment display (7-segment display), a dot matrix display, an organic EL display, a plasma display, a reel (drum), or a display device consisting of a projector and a screen. The display screen is rectangular and configured so that the player can view the entire screen. In this embodiment, the display screen is rectangular, but it may be square. Also, a decoration (not shown) may be provided on the periphery of the display screen, so that part of the periphery of the display screen is hidden by the decoration, making the display screen look irregular. In this embodiment, the display screen is flat, but it may be curved.

[0027] <Circuit configuration of control unit> Next, the circuit configuration of the control unit of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Note that Fig. 3 is a circuit block diagram of the control unit.

[0028] The control unit of the slot machine 100 is broadly composed of a main control unit 300 that controls the progress of the game, a first sub-control unit 400 that controls the main presentation in response to command signals (hereinafter simply referred to as "commands") sent by the main control unit 300, and a second sub-control unit 500 that controls various devices based on the commands sent from the first sub-control unit 400.

[0029] <Main control unit> First, the main control unit 300 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The main control unit 300 includes a basic circuit 302 that controls the entire main control unit 300. The basic circuit 302 includes a CPU 304, a ROM 306 for storing control program data, lottery data used in the internal lottery of winning combinations, and reel stop positions, a RAM 308 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 310 for controlling input and output of various devices, and a counter timer 312 for measuring time, number of times, etc. Note that other storage devices may be used for the ROM 306 and the RAM 308, and this also applies to the first sub-control unit 400 and the second sub-control unit 500 described later. The CPU 304 of the basic circuit 302 operates by inputting a clock signal with a predetermined period output by a crystal oscillator 314b as a system clock. Furthermore, when the power is turned on, the CPU 304 transmits the frequency division data stored in a predetermined area of ​​the ROM 306 to the counter timer 312, and the counter timer 312 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 304 for each interrupt time. The CPU 304 monitors each sensor and transmits a drive pulse in response to the interrupt request. For example, if the clock signal output by the crystal oscillator 314b is set to 8 MHz, the frequency division value of the counter timer 312 is set to 1 / 256, and the frequency division data of the ROM 306 is set to 47, the reference time for interrupt is 256×47÷8 MHz=1.504 ms.

[0030] The basic circuit 302 includes a random number generating circuit 316 which is used as a hardware random number counter that varies numerical values ​​within the range of 0 to 65535, and a start-up signal output circuit 332 which outputs a start-up signal (reset signal) when power is turned on. When a start-up signal is input from this start-up signal output circuit 332, the CPU 304 starts game control (starts the main processing of the main control unit, which will be described later).

[0031] The basic circuit 302 is also provided with a sensor circuit 320, and the CPU 304 monitors the states of various sensors 318 (a medal insertion button 130 sensor, a medal insertion button 131 sensor, a medal insertion button 132 sensor, a medal reception sensor for medals inserted from a medal insertion slot 141, a start lever 135 sensor, a stop button 137 sensor, a stop button 138 sensor, a stop button 139 sensor, a settlement button 134 sensor, a medal payout sensor for medals paid out from a medal payout device 180, an index sensor for the reels 110, an index sensor for the reels 111, an index sensor for the reels 112, etc.) at each interrupt time. The various sensors 318 also include a door opening sensor that detects the opening of the front door 102, and the CPU 304 also monitors whether the front door 102 is opened or not.

[0032] When the sensor circuit 320 detects the H level of the start lever sensor, it outputs a signal indicating this detection to the random number generation circuit 316. The random number generation circuit 316 that receives this signal latches the value at that timing and stores it in a register that stores random numbers to be used in the lottery.

[0033] Two medal acceptance sensors are installed in the internal passage of the medal insertion port 141, and detect whether a medal has passed through. Two start lever 135 sensors are installed inside the start lever 135, and detect the start operation by the player. The stop button 137 sensor, stop button 138 sensor, and stop button 139 sensor are installed on each of the stop buttons 137 to 139, and detect the operation of the stop button by the player.

[0034] The medal insertion button 130 sensor, medal insertion button 131 sensor, and medal insertion button 132 sensor are provided on each of the medal insertion buttons 130-132, and detect the insertion operation when medals electronically stored in the RAM 308 are inserted as medals to be inserted into a game. The settlement button 134 sensor is provided on the settlement button 134. When the settlement button 134 is pressed once, the medals electronically stored are settled. The medal payout sensor is a sensor for detecting medals paid out by the medal payout device 180. Each of the above sensors may be a non-contact sensor or a contact sensor.

[0035] The index sensors of left reel 110, center reel 111, and right reel 112 are installed at predetermined positions on the mounting bases of each reel 110-112, and go to L level every time a light-shielding piece provided on the reel frame passes by. When CPU 304 detects this signal, it determines that the reel has made one rotation, resets the rotational position information of the reel, and becomes able to calculate the stopping position of the reel.

[0036] The main control unit 300 is provided with a drive circuit 322 that drives the stepping motors provided on the reels 110 to 112, a drive circuit 324 that drives a solenoid provided in the medal selector 170 that selects the inserted medals, a drive circuit 326 that drives a motor provided in the medal payout device 180, and a drive circuit 328 that drives various lamps 338 (winning line indicator lamp 120, notification lamp 123, medal insertion possible lamp 124, replay lamp 122, medal insertion lamp 129, game start lamp 121, number of stored medals indicator 125, game information indicator 126, payout number indicator 127).

[0037] An information output circuit 334 is also connected to the basic circuit 302, and the main control unit 300 outputs game information (e.g., game status) of the slot machine 100 to an information input circuit 652 provided in an external hall computer (not shown) or the like via this information output circuit 334. Furthermore, the main control unit 300 (information output circuit 334) outputs various test signals to an external test machine via an IF board (a relay board for testing).

[0038] The main control unit 300 also has an output interface for sending commands to the first sub-control unit 400, enabling communication with the first sub-control unit 400. Note that information communication between the main control unit 300 and the first sub-control unit 400 is one-way communication, and the main control unit 300 can send signals such as commands to the first sub-control unit 400, but the first sub-control unit 400 cannot send signals such as commands to the main control unit 300.

[0039] <Sub-controller> Next, the first sub-control unit 400 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The first sub-control unit 400 includes a basic circuit 402 that receives control commands sent by the main control unit 300 via an input interface and controls the entire first sub-control unit 400 based on the control commands. The basic circuit 402 includes a CPU 404, a RAM 408 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 410 for controlling input and output of various devices, and a counter timer 412 for measuring time, number of times, etc. The CPU 404 of the basic circuit 402 operates by inputting a clock signal with a predetermined period output by a crystal oscillator 414 as a system clock. The first sub-control unit 400 also includes a ROM 406 that stores control programs and data for controlling the entire first sub-control unit 400, and data for controlling the backlight lighting pattern and various displays.

[0040] The CPU 404 transmits the frequency division data stored in a predetermined area of ​​the ROM 406 to the counter timer 412 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The counter timer 412 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 404 for each interrupt time. The CPU 404 controls each IC and each circuit based on the timing of this interrupt request.

[0041] The first sub-control unit 400 is also provided with a sound source IC 418, which is connected to the speakers 272, 277 via an output interface. The sound source IC 418 controls the amplifier and the sound output from the speakers 272, 277 in response to commands from the CPU 404. An S-ROM (sound ROM) in which sound data is stored is connected to the sound source IC 418, and sound data acquired from this ROM is amplified by the amplifier and output from the speakers 272, 277.

[0042] The first sub-controller 400 is also provided with a drive circuit 422, to which various lamps 420 (upper lamps, lower lamps, side lamps 144, title panel 162 lamps, etc.) are connected via an input / output interface.

[0043] Furthermore, the CPU 404 transmits and receives signals to the second sub-control unit 500 via the output interface. The second sub-control unit 500 of the slot machine 100 controls the performance image display device 157, the shutter 163, and the like. Note that the second sub-control unit 500 may be configured with multiple control units, such as a control unit that controls the performance image display device 157 and a control unit that controls the shutter 163.

[0044] Next, the second sub-control unit 500 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The second sub-control unit 500 includes a basic circuit 502 that receives the control command sent by the first sub-control unit 400 via an input interface and controls the entire second sub-control unit 500 based on the control command. The basic circuit 502 includes a CPU 504, a RAM 508 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 510 for controlling input and output of various devices, and a counter timer 512 for measuring time, number of times, etc. The CPU 504 of the basic circuit 502 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output by a crystal oscillator 514 as a system clock. The second sub-control unit 500 also includes a ROM 506 in which control programs and data for controlling the entire second sub-control unit 500, data for image display, etc. are stored.

[0045] The CPU 504 transmits the frequency division data stored in a predetermined area of ​​the ROM 506 to the counter timer 512 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The counter timer 512 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 504 for each interrupt time. The CPU 504 controls each IC and each circuit based on the timing of this interrupt request.

[0046] Further, the second sub-controller 500 is provided with a drive circuit 530 that drives the shutter 163, and the shutter 163 is connected to the drive circuit 530 via an output interface. This drive circuit 530 outputs a drive signal to a stepping motor (not shown) provided in the shutter 163 in response to a command from the CPU 504.

[0047] Furthermore, the second sub-control unit 500 is provided with a sensor circuit 532, and a shutter sensor 538 is connected to the sensor circuit 532 via an input interface. The CPU 504 monitors the state of the shutter sensor 538 at each interrupt time.

[0048] The second sub-control unit 500 is also provided with a VDP 534 (video display processor), which is connected to the ROM 506 and the VRAM 536 via a bus. The VDP 534 reads out image data and the like stored in the ROM 506 based on a signal from the CPU 504, generates a display image using the work area of ​​the VRAM 536, and displays the image on the performance image display device 157.

[0049] <Pattern Arrangement> 4(a) will be used to explain the arrangement of symbols on each of the reels 110 to 112. Note that FIG. 4(a) is a planar development of the arrangement of symbols on each of the reels (left reel 110, center reel 111, right reel 112).

[0050] Each of the reels 110-112 has a predetermined number of symbols (21 symbols with symbol number counter numbers 0-20 in this embodiment. The symbol interval counter and symbol number counter will be described later in detail) arranged on each of the reels 110-112. The numbers 0-20 shown on the left side of the figure indicate the arrangement positions of the symbols on each of the reels 110-112. For example, in this embodiment, a seven symbol is arranged on the number 0 frame of the left reel 110, a replay symbol is arranged on the number 1 frame of the center reel 111, and a bell symbol is arranged on the number 2 frame of the right reel 112.

[0051] When the symbol combination displayed on the pay line becomes a symbol combination of a predetermined winning combination, it is determined that the winning combination has been won. In this embodiment, the winning combination includes not only a small combination for which a predetermined number of medals are paid out, but also an operating combination, that is, a big bonus which is a combination for which a bonus game is started, and a replay which is a combination for which a replay is possible without inserting new medals. In other words, in this embodiment, "winning" also includes a case where a symbol combination of an operating combination that does not involve a medal payout (does not involve the payment of medals) is displayed on the pay line, and includes, for example, winning a big bonus or a replay. The winning combination will be described in detail below.

[0052] <Types of winning roles> FIG. 4(b) is a diagram showing the types of winning combinations (including activated combinations), the symbol combinations corresponding to each winning combination, and the activation or payout of each winning combination.

[0053] Among the winning roles in this embodiment, the Big Bonus (BB) is a role that transitions to a bonus game, and the replay (Replay, Replay 2, Replay 3) is a role that allows replay without inserting new medals, and may be called "operating roles" to be distinguished from the winning roles, but the "winning roles" in this embodiment include the big bonus and replay, which are operating roles. In addition, "winning" in this embodiment also includes the case where a symbol combination of an operating role that does not involve a medal dividend (does not involve the payment of medals) is displayed on an active line, and includes, for example, winning the Big Bonus and winning the replay.

[0054] In this embodiment, the winning combinations include a big bonus (BB), small combinations (cherry, watermelon, bell), and replays (replay, replay 2, replay 3). The types of winning combinations are not limited to these, and can be adopted arbitrarily. For example, a regular bonus may be provided in addition to a big bonus. Alternatively, neither a big bonus nor a regular bonus may be provided, and AT (assist time) or ART (assist replay time) may be used.

[0055] "Big Bonus (BB)" (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as "BB") is a special role (operating role) that starts a special game, Big Bonus Game (BB Game), when it is won. The corresponding symbol combination for BB is "7-7-7". Also, a flag is carried over for BB. That is, when an internal win is won for BB, a flag indicating this is set (stored in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300), but even if BB is not won in that game, the state in which the flag indicating the internal win is set (BB internal win state) is maintained until it is won, and BB remains an internal win even in the next game and thereafter, and the symbol combination "7-7-7" corresponding to BB is lined up, so that BB can be won.

[0056] "Small winning combinations (bell, watermelon, cherry)" (hereinafter sometimes referred to simply as "bell", "watermelon", and "cherry") are winning combinations in which a specified number of medals are paid out upon winning, and the corresponding symbol combinations are "bell-bell-bell" for bell, "watermelon-watermelon-watermelon" for watermelon, and "cherry-ANY-ANY" for cherry. The corresponding payout numbers are as shown in FIG. 4(b). In the case of "cherry-ANY-ANY", the symbol on the left reel 110 needs to be "cherry", and the symbols on the center reel 111 and right reel 112 can be any symbol.

[0057] A "replay" is a winning combination (operating combination) that allows a player to play the next game without inserting a medal (game medium), and no medal is paid out.

[0058] The corresponding symbol combinations are "Replay-Replay-Replay (normal replay)" for replay role 1 (Replay), "Replay-Replay-Bell (high probability replay replay)" for replay role 2 (Replay 2), and "Replay-Bell-Replay (high probability replay breakthrough replay)" for replay role 3 (Replay 3). If you win Replay 2 in the normal game state, the internal winning probability of the replay (replay role) will transition to a high probability state (high replay probability state), but if you win Replay 3 in the high replay probability state, you will return to the normal game state.

[0059] <Reel rotation device> Next, the reel rotation device 10 that rotates the reels 110-112 of the slot machine 100 will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 5-7. Fig. 5 is an external perspective view showing the reel rotation device 10 of the slot machine 100, which is generally composed of reel drive units 20-40 and a case member 12 that houses them. The reel drive units 20-40 are all made of the same components structurally, except that the arrangement of the patterns (see Fig. 4(a)) printed on the reel band 610 (see Fig. 6) is different. Each of the reel drive units 20-40 (which have the same configuration, so only the reel drive unit 20 will be described below) is individually housed in the case member 12 in a detachable manner.

[0060] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the reel drive unit 20. FIG. 7(a) is a schematic side view showing the reel drive unit 20 in an assembled state, and FIG. 7(b) is a schematic front view thereof. For convenience of explanation, some components are omitted from FIG. 7(a) and (b). The reel drive unit 20 has, as a configuration for moving and displaying symbols, a reel 110, a drive device 604 that drives the reel 110 to rotate, a rotation detection device 606 that detects the rotation position of the reel 110, and a reel illumination device 608 that illuminates the symbols on each reel 110 from inside the reel 110.

[0061] The reel 110 is composed of a thin-walled cylindrical reel band 610, a first reel frame 612 attached to the left side of the reel band 610 and supporting the left side of the reel band 610, and a second reel frame 614 attached to the right side of the reel band 610 and supporting the right side of the reel band 610.

[0062] The first reel frame 612 is composed of a circular frame portion 612A, six support portions 612B which extend from the frame portion 612A toward the center of the frame portion 612A as a base end, and a cylindrical mounting portion 612C which protrudes from the tip ends of the six support portions 612B as a base end toward the drive device 604.

[0063] A plate-shaped light-shielding piece 612D is formed on one of the six support parts 612B so as to protrude toward the rotation detection device 606, and is configured so that this light-shielding piece 612D passes between a light-emitting part and a light-receiving part of an index sensor 606A, which will be described later. In addition, four engagement recesses are formed at four locations in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical mounting part 612C, at approximately equal intervals (approximately 90 degree intervals in this example). These four engagement recesses are fitted into four engagement protrusions of the movable body gear 620, respectively, whereby the first reel frame 612 is engaged and fixed to the movable body gear 620.

[0064] The second reel frame 614 is made of an annular member having substantially the same diameter as the frame portion 612A of the first reel frame 612, and is disposed on the opposite side of the first reel frame 612 with the reel band 610 in between.

[0065] The driving device 604 is composed of a driving motor 616, a driving gear 618 attached to a motor shaft 616A of the driving motor 616, a movable gear 620 meshing with the driving gear 618, and a base 622 that rotatably supports the movable gear 620 via a support member 623 and a washer 621. The driving motor 616 and the base 622 are fixed to and supported by a plate-shaped metal frame 626 with a plurality of mounting screws 624.

[0066] In this embodiment, the drive motor 616 is configured by a 1-2 phase excitation stepping motor 700 (details will be described later). The movable gear 620 is configured by a gear with a larger diameter than the drive gear 618, and the movable gear 620 and the drive gear 618 configure a gear set. As described above, the movable gear 620 is engaged with the mounting portion 612C of the first reel frame 612, and then fixed to the first reel frame 612 using the mounting screw 624 and washer 621, and is rotatably supported by the base 622, so that it is rotatable together with the first reel frame 612.

[0067] The rotation detection device 606 is composed of an optical index sensor 606A consisting of a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section, and a mounting base 606B on which the index sensor 606A is attached, and is configured so that a light-shielding piece 612D provided on the first reel frame 612 passes between the light-emitting section and the light-receiving section of the index sensor 606A (see FIG. 7(b)). The mounting base 606B is fixed to a metal frame 626 by a mounting screw 624. The slot machine 100 determines the rotational position of the symbols on the reels 110-112 based on the detection result of the rotation detection device 606, and stops the reels 110-112 so that the target symbol is displayed on the winning line 114. That is, the main control unit 300 resets the rotational position information of the reels by detecting the light-shielding piece 612D of the rotating reel 110 by the index sensor 606A, and becomes able to control the stop position of the reels.

[0068] The reel illumination device 608 is composed of an illumination board 608B having one cold cathode tube disposed in the center, an illumination case 608C including a light guide plate for guiding light emitted from the cold cathode tube in a predetermined direction with the illumination board 608B attached, and a back cover 608A covering the back surface of the illumination board 608B. The illumination case 608C is fixed to a metal frame 626 by mounting screws 624 with the illumination board 608B and back cover 608A attached.

[0069] <Stepping motor> FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the stepping motor 700. As shown in FIG. 8, the stepping motor 700 is composed of a motor shaft 710, a case member 720 supporting the motor shaft 710, a first bearing 722 and a second bearing 724 arranged in the case member 720 and supporting the motor shaft 710, a stator 730 arranged inside the case member 720 and consisting of a fixed electromagnet, and a rotor 740 rotatably attached to the motor shaft 710. The stepping motor 700 of this embodiment is a PM (Permanent Magnet) type stepping motor, and is configured to rotate once in 96 steps of a 1-2 phase excitation type. In this embodiment, the gear ratio of the reel and the motor is 1:5.25, so that the reel rotates once in 504 steps (=5.25×96).

[0070] 6 and 7 is attached to motor shaft 710, which outputs power. Hereinafter, the end of motor shaft 710 to which drive gear 618 is attached will be referred to as output end 710A, and the opposite end will be referred to as rear end 710B.

[0071] The case member 720 is a hollow cylinder with a bottom, which is made up of a substantially cylindrical base portion 720A with one end open, and a lid portion 720B disposed so as to close the opening of the base portion 720A. The case member 720 accommodates the stator 730 and the rotor 740 therein, and supports the motor shaft 710, which penetrates from the bottom of the base portion 720A to the lid portion 720B, via a first bearing 722 and a second bearing 724. The base portion 720A is also provided with a fixing member 720C having a hole through which a mounting screw 624 is inserted to fix and support the base portion 720A to the metal frame 626 shown in FIG. 6.

[0072] The first bearing 722 is disposed approximately in the center of the cover portion 720B of the case member 720, and is a substantially cylindrical sliding bearing that rotatably supports the motor shaft 710 in the vicinity of the output end 710A.

[0073] The second bearing 724 is disposed approximately in the center of the bottom of the base portion 720A of the case member 720, and is a substantially cylindrical sliding bearing that rotatably supports the motor shaft 710 in the vicinity of the rear end 710B.

[0074] The stator 730 is disposed so as to surround the rotor 740, and a driving coil is wound in two stages (A phase and B phase) on the top and bottom. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the magnetic pole teeth form a triangle (upwards are called A phase and B phase, and downwards are called A-phase and B-phase. The A phase and B phase have a phase relationship of 90 degrees electrical angle, and the A phase and the B phase and the B phase have a phase relationship of 180 degrees electrical angle), and each magnetic pole (A phase, A phase, B phase, B phase) has 12 teeth per revolution. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the magnetic poles of the stator 730. As shown in FIG. 9, the magnetic poles are arranged circumferentially in the order of A phase, B phase, A-phase, and B-phase in a clockwise direction.

[0075] In this embodiment, the rotor 740 is made up of a permanent magnet and has 24 magnetic poles.

[0076] Here, we will explain the operating principle of stepping motor 700. Stepping motor 700 is configured to pass a current through a coil wound around stator 730, magnetize each phase of stator 730 in sequence based on an excitation pattern described below, and attract rotor 740 with a magnetic force, thereby rotating rotor 740.

[0077] In the 1-2 phase excitation type, the four phases of the above-mentioned stator 730 are excited in the following order, for example, A phase (single-phase excitation) → A phase and B phase (hereinafter referred to as AB phase; two-phase excitation) → B phase (single-phase excitation) → A-phase and B phase (hereinafter referred to as AB phase; two-phase excitation) → A-phase (single-phase excitation) → A-phase and B-phase (hereinafter referred to as AB-phase; two-phase excitation) → B-phase (single-phase excitation) → A phase and B-phase (hereinafter referred to as AB-phase; two-phase excitation) → A phase (single-phase excitation) →

[0078] More specifically, the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 excites a predetermined phase by outputting an on-level pulse signal (e.g., a high-level signal) to the phase of the stator 730 of the stepping motor 700 to be excited and an off-level pulse signal (e.g., a low-level signal) to the phase not to be excited via the drive circuit 322 shown in FIG. 3. This causes the rotor 740 of the stepping motor 700 to rotate by a predetermined angle (one step). For example, the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 excites only the A phase by outputting an on-level pulse signal to the A phase of the stator 730 of the stepping motor 700 and an off-level pulse signal to the B phase, the A-phase, and the B-phase, thereby rotating the rotor by one pulse (one step), and thereafter, the excitation is switched in the above-mentioned order to rotate the rotor by a predetermined pulse. In the following, a rotation of eight pulses (eight steps) from A phase → AB phase → B phase → AB phase → A-phase → AB-phase → B-phase → AB-phase (or A phase → AB-phase → B-phase → AB-phase → A-phase → AB phase → B-phase → AB phase) will be referred to as one cycle.

[0079] In this embodiment, as described above, the number of pulses required to rotate the reel once (360 degrees) is set to 504 pulses (504 pulses / 8 pulses=63 cycles). Therefore, the rotation angle of the rotor 740 per pulse is approximately 0.71428 degrees (=360 / 504).

[0080] In addition, the number of steps (number of pulses) required to rotate the reel once (360 degrees) is 504 steps, and since there are 21 symbols on one reel as explained using Figure 4(a), the number of steps for one frame is 504 / 21 = 24 steps.

[0081] <Excitation table> The drive signal output from the CPU 304 to the drive circuit 322 is stored as an excitation table on the ROM 306. The CPU 304 outputs a specified drive signal by referring to this excitation table. FIG. 10 is a table showing the contents of the excitation table of this embodiment. The data of each excitation table (which is also called rotation control data because it is data for controlling the rotation of the reels) is configured to represent the exciting phase and excitation force by combining six bits of data (specifically, A-I0, A-I1, A-Phase, B-I0, B-I1, B-Phase). Specifically, the combination of A-I0 and A-I1 indicates the magnitude of the current (excitation force) for exciting the A-phase or A-phase coil; when A-I0 and A-I1 are 0, it is 0%; when A-I0 are 1 and A-I1 are 0, it is 20%; when A-I0 are 0 and A-I1 are 1, it is 60%; and when A-I0 are 1 and A-I1 are 1, it is 100%. When A-Phase is 1, it indicates excitation of A-phase, and when it is 0, it indicates excitation of A-phase. Similarly, the combination of B-I0 and B-I1 indicates the magnitude of the current (excitation force) for exciting the B-phase or B-phase coil; when B-I0 is 0 and B-I1 is 0, it is 0%; when B-I0 is 1 and B-I1 is 0, it is 20%; when B-I0 is 0 and B-I1 is 1, it is 60%; and when B-I0 is 1 and B-I1 is 1, it is 100%. When B-Phase is 1, it indicates excitation of B-phase, and when it is 0, it indicates excitation of B-phase.

[0082] For example, in the excitation table "55H" with table number "B0", A-I0 is 1, A-I1 is 0, A-Phase is 1, B-I0 is 1, B-I1 is 0, and B-Phase is 1, indicating that A and B phases are excited at 20%. Also, in the excitation table "26H" with table number "C2", A-I0 is 0, A-I1 is 1, A-Phase is 1, B-I0 is 0, B-I1 is 0, and B-Phase is 0, indicating that A phase is excited at 60% (B-phase is 0%, so there is no excitation). Therefore, when the table number is switched from "C0" to "C1" to "C2" to "C3" to "C4" to "C5" to "C6" to "C7", each phase is excited to 60% in the order of AB phase → A phase → AB-phase → B-phase → AB-phase → A-phase → AB phase → B phase, and the rotor 740 can be rotated by an angle of one cycle. In this manner, in this embodiment, the reel is controlled to rotate by outputting the data (rotation control data) of the excitation table composed of 6 bits as a drive signal to the drive circuit 322. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, an excitation force of 0% is also expressed as no excitation, an excitation force of 20% is also expressed as weak excitation, an excitation force of 60% is also expressed as medium excitation, and an excitation force of 100% is also expressed as strong excitation.

[0083] <Rotation control table> 11 is a table showing the contents of the spin control table of this embodiment. The spin control table is stored on the ROM 306, and stores the contents of spin control for each reel control status (specifically, it is composed of a general-purpose offset counter value, an excitation table, and a retention parameter). The reel control status is information about the control state of the reel that is stored independently for each of the reels 110-112, and any one of the following information is stored: "stop control state (stop control underway)" which is information indicating that each of the reels 110-112 is in a stopped state; "acceleration state (acceleration control underway)" which is information indicating that each of the reels 110-112 is in an accelerating state; "constant speed state (constant speed control underway)" which is information indicating that each of the reels 110-112 is in a constant speed state; "retraction state (retraction control underway)" which is information indicating that each of the reels 110-112 is in a retracted state; "brake state (brake control underway)" which is information indicating that each of the reels 110-112 is in a braked state; or "reel performance control underway" which is information indicating that each of the reels 110-112 is in a reel performance (details will be described later). In this embodiment, the constant speed state is further classified into two states with different excitation forces, namely, a "constant speed 1 state (constant speed 1 control)" which is set immediately after the acceleration state, and a "constant speed 2 state (constant speed 2 control)" which is set immediately after the constant speed 1 state (constant speed 1 control). The constant speed 1 state is provided to stably rotate the reels 110 to 112 and to save power, and the constant speed 2 state is provided to further weaken the excitation force and suppress heat generation of the reels 110 to 112. The slot machine 100 of this embodiment changes the reel control status from stop control → acceleration control → constant speed 1 control → constant speed 2 control → pull-in control → brake control → stop control, and controls the rotation of the reels 110 to 112 by selecting an excitation table (spin control data) corresponding to each reel status.

[0084] For example, when the reel control status is "acceleration control", as shown in Fig. 11, first, the rotation control data of the excitation table "77H" corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value "0" is held for a "12" time, then the rotation control data of the excitation table "07H" corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value "1" is held for a "12" time, then the rotation control data of the excitation table "37H" corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value "2" is held for a "3" time, then the rotation control data of the excitation table "30H" corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value "3" is held for a "3" time, etc. The rotation control data is set sequentially from the top row to the bottom row of the table. The holding time of the rotation control data set sequentially is gradually reduced, thereby accelerating the reels 110 to 112.

[0085] The general-purpose offset counter value is a number (originating from 0) indicating the order in which each spin control data is executed in each reel control status, and is a cyclic value that returns to 0 after 7. The retention time (retention parameter) indicates the time for which the set spin control data is retained, and one retention time indicates one interruption time (e.g., 1.49 ms). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, during "acceleration control" in this embodiment, 1-2 phase 100% excitation (strong excitation) is performed, and it is configured to take 89.4 ms (=1.49×60).

[0086] Also, when the reel control status is "constant speed 1 control", as shown in FIG. 11, first, the rotation control data of the excitation table "77H" corresponding to the universal offset counter value "0" is held for a "1" time, then the rotation control data of the excitation table "07H" corresponding to the universal offset counter value "1" is held for a "1" time, then the rotation control data of the excitation table "37H" corresponding to the universal offset counter value "2" is held for a "1" time, ... and so on. The rotation control data described in the table is set as one set and repeated 16 times. That is, the rotation control data set in sequence is switched at one holding time and 16 sets are executed, so that the reel is rotated at a stable constant speed. As a result, the "constant speed 1 control" of this embodiment is configured to require 190.72 ms (=1.49×8×16 sets) at 1-2 phase 100% excitation (strong excitation). During the constant speed 1 control described above, a control pattern, such as one set of rotation control data, is always repeated a predetermined number of times.

[0087] Also, when the reel control status is "constant speed 2 control", as shown in FIG. 11, first, the rotation control data of the excitation table "66H" corresponding to the universal offset counter value "0" is held for a "1" time, then the rotation control data of the excitation table "06H" corresponding to the universal offset counter value "1" is held for a "1" time, then the rotation control data of the excitation table "26H" corresponding to the universal offset counter value "2" is held for a "1" time, ... and so on. In other words, the reel is rotated at a constant speed by switching the rotation control data that is set sequentially every 1 hold time. As a result, in the "constant speed 2 control" of this embodiment, the state of 1-2 phase 60% excitation (medium excitation) is continued until a stop operation is performed in a stop possible state, which will be described in detail later. The constant speed 2 control described above repeats a control pattern, such as rotation control data with a general-purpose offset counter value of "0" to "7", an indefinite number of times, and when a stop operation is performed in a stoppable state, the constant speed 2 control is terminated even if it is in the middle of the control pattern.

[0088] In addition, when the reel control status is "pulling-in control", the rotation control data used in "constant speed 2 control" continues to be set in sequence. For example, when the rotation control data of the excitation table "42H" corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value "5" is set to "1" retention time in "constant speed 2 control", if the transition is made to "pulling-in control", the rotation control data of the excitation table "62H" corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value "6" is set to "1" retention time, then the rotation control data of the excitation table "64H" corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value "7" is set to "1" retention time, and then the number of steps corresponding to the number of pull-in frames (number of pull-in frames x 24), the rotation control data of each excitation table corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter values ​​0 to 7 are set in sequence and repeatedly set to "1" retention time (in order to stop at AB phase in this embodiment).

[0089] In the following explanation, the processing is divided into the second constant speed control processing (FIG. 21) and the retraction control processing (FIG. 24), but the "constant speed 2 control in progress" and the "retraction control in progress" are collectively referred to as the "second constant speed control" shown in FIG. 11.

[0090] Furthermore, when the reel control status is "brake controlled", as shown in FIG. 11, 1-2 phase 100% excitation (strong excitation) is performed for 74.5 ms to brake the rotating reel and stop the reel.

[0091] Furthermore, when the reel control status is "reel stop control in progress", the stopped state is maintained by continuing 1-2 phase 20% excitation (weak excitation) as shown in FIG.

[0092] Next, various processes in the slot machine 100 will be described.

[0093] <Main processing in main control section> First, the main processing of the main control unit 300 will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Note that Fig. 12 is a flow chart showing the flow of the main processing of the main control unit 300.

[0094] The basic control of the game is performed mainly by the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300, and unless a power outage or the like is detected, the CPU 304 repeatedly executes the main control unit main processing shown in the figure.

[0095] When the power is turned on, first, in step S101, various initial settings are performed. In these initial settings, a stack initial value is set to the stack pointer (SP) of the CPU 304 shown in Fig. 3, interrupt prohibition is set, the I / O 310 is initialized, various variables stored in the RAM 308 are initialized, and operation permission and initial value are set to the WDT 314.

[0096] An acceleration information initialization completion flag is prepared in the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300. This acceleration information initialization completion flag is a flag indicating whether or not the initial acceleration information is cleared at the start of a game. The initial acceleration information is information indicating whether or not the light-shielding piece 612D provided in the first reel frame 612 has passed between the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part of the index sensor 606A shown in FIG. 6 on the left reel 110. That is, if the value of the initial acceleration information is "1", it indicates that the light-shielding piece has been detected, and if it is "0", it indicates that the light-shielding piece has not been detected. For example, in the process of determining whether the acceleration information initialization completion flag is 0, if the acceleration information initialization completion flag is 0, the acceleration information initialization completion flag is set to 1 in the subsequent process, and the values ​​of the initial acceleration information of each of the three reels 110 to 112 are cleared to "0", and each of the reels 110 to 112 is in an undetected state. On the other hand, in the process of determining whether the acceleration information initialization completion flag is 0, if the acceleration information initialization completion flag is 1, the value of the initial acceleration information for any of the reels 110 to 112 is not cleared, and the value of the initial acceleration information is set to "1" in response to the detection of a light-shielding piece.

[0097] In step S1011, the acceleration information initialization completion flag is cleared (set to 0).

[0098] In a power outage, the reels may be touched during maintenance of the slot machine, causing the reels to shift from their stopped positions. Therefore, in the first game after the power is turned on (power is restored), the main control unit 300 may detect the positions of the symbols on the reels 110-112 in the direction of rotation that are out of alignment due to the reels being out of alignment in the power outage, and the reels are stopped starting from the reels for which the light-blocking pieces are detected.

[0099] In this embodiment, a power switch, a RAM clear switch, a setting change key, a setting change button, and a bonus ratio / setting display, all of which are not shown, are provided on the main board of the main control unit 300 installed inside the main body 101, or on a board controlled by the main control unit 300. By turning on the setting change key after turning on the power switch, a setting change process is started in which at least the jackpot probability (advantage degree such as AT first hit probability and bonus winning probability) can be set to one of multiple different setting values. In the setting change process, the current setting value is displayed on the bonus ratio / setting display, and the store clerk can change the setting value by pressing the setting change button while checking this. In addition, by turning on the power switch after turning on the setting change key, a setting confirmation process is started, and the current setting value is displayed on the bonus ratio / setting display. Note that the setting change process may be started when the setting change key is operated on the condition that the RAM clear switch is pressed when the power is turned on, or the setting may be changed when the setting change key is operated when the power is turned on, even if the RAM clear switch is not pressed when the power is turned on.

[0100] When the setting is changed, the reel rotation position information is cleared, and the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 is unable to calculate the reel stop position. In addition, the initial acceleration information values ​​of the three reels 110-112 are also cleared to "0", and the light-shielding pieces are not detected on any of the reels 110-112. In the first game after the setting is changed, the main control unit 300 does not know the rotation direction of the symbols on the reels 110-112, and waits for the detection of the light-shielding pieces on each reel, and the stop operation is enabled from the reel where the light-shielding pieces are detected. Therefore, in the first game after the setting is changed, it takes time for the reel stop operation to be enabled, and there is a risk that the player will know whether the setting has been changed or not. When the setting is changed, the difference in the number of coins up to now is also cleared, so the negative amount up to now is eliminated, which affects the profit that the player can obtain from now on. For this reason, it is preferable to make it impossible to know that the setting has been changed. Therefore, in order to prevent the player from knowing whether the setting has been changed or not, when the power is turned on, the acceleration information initialization completion flag is cleared in step S1011 regardless of whether the setting has been changed or not. In this embodiment, the acceleration information initialization completion flag is cleared in a series of processes when the power is turned on, but the acceleration information initialization completion flag may also be cleared when the setting is changed. Also, the acceleration information initialization completion flag may be included in the initialization area, and when the setting is changed, the acceleration information initialization completion flag may be cleared by the initialization process associated with the setting change. Also, not only the acceleration information initialization completion flag but also the initial acceleration information may be cleared when the power is turned on.

[0101] In step S102, a medal insertion / start operation acceptance process is executed. Here, whether or not a medal has been inserted is checked, and the winning line display lamp 120 shown in FIG. 1 is turned on in response to the insertion of a medal. Also, preparations are made to send a medal insertion command indicating that a medal has been inserted to the first sub-control unit 400 shown in FIG. 3. If a player wins in a replay in the previous game, a process is performed to insert the same number of medals as the number of medals inserted in the previous game, so that the player does not need to insert medals. Also, a check is made to see if the start lever 135 has been operated, and if it is determined that a start operation has been performed, the number of medals inserted is determined, a valid winning line is determined, and random numbers (first random number value and second random number value) generated by the random number generating circuit 316 are obtained. Also, in this step S102, preparations are made to send a start lever acceptance command indicating that the start lever 135 has been operated to the first sub-control unit 400.

[0102] In step S103, a winning combination internal lottery process is performed. In this winning combination internal lottery process, an internal lottery for a winning combination is performed using the first random number value acquired in step S102 and a winning combination lottery table stored in the ROM 306. If any winning combination is internally won as a result of this internal lottery, the flag for that winning combination is internally turned on. In addition, a lottery for whether or not a reel performance can be performed is also performed. The reel performance is a performance in which a rotating reel appears to have stopped as a performance, and in the reel performance, strictly speaking, the reel does not stop but swings. The reel performance in this embodiment includes a first reel performance that does not require the player to operate, and a second reel performance that requires the player to operate the stop buttons 137 to 139. The first reel performance is a so-called reel action, and the second reel performance is a so-called pseudo game. In this lottery, one of the lottery results of execution of the first reel effect, execution of the second reel effect, and no reel effect is derived using the second random number value obtained in step S102 and the reel effect execution possibility lottery table stored in the ROM 306. A storage area for reel effect information is prepared in the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300. If the first reel effect (reel action) is won, the storage area for the reel effect information is set to "1st reel effect yes", and if the second reel effect (simulated game) is won, the storage area for the reel effect information is set to "2nd reel effect yes". In addition, preparations are made to send an internal lottery result command indicating the results of the internal lotteries for the winning combination and the reel effect to the first sub-control unit 400.

[0103] In the next step S1031, it is determined whether the pseudo game number is not "0". The RAM 308 of the main control unit 300 has an area for setting the pseudo game number. The pseudo game number "0" corresponds to no pseudo game. The pseudo game number is set to "0" at the end of the pseudo game related process (step S1032) described later. The pseudo game number may be set to "1" in the bonus granting process (step S143) also described later. The pseudo game number "1" corresponds to a fake pseudo game. Furthermore, the pseudo game number may be set in the pseudo game reservation (step S147) described later. Another pseudo game number is "2". The pseudo game number "2" corresponds to the BB pseudo game. In addition, when a regular bonus (RB) is prepared, a pseudo game number (for example, "3") corresponding to the RB may be set in the pseudo game reservation (step S147). In the determination in step S127, if the pseudo game number is "0" (no pseudo game), the process proceeds to step S131. On the other hand, if the pseudo game number is not "0" (fake pseudo game, BB pseudo game), the process proceeds to pseudo game related processing in step S128.

[0104] <Pseudo-game related processing> FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the pseudo-game related process in step S128 shown in FIG.

[0105] In the pseudo game related process, first, reel stop data corresponding to the pseudo game number is selected (step S1281). That is, when the pseudo game number is "2", stop data of BB symbols is selected, and when the pseudo game number is "1", stop data other than BB symbols is selected. For example, stop data is selected that causes the seven symbols to be tenpai (pulling control) in the first stop operation and the second stop operation, but does not stop the seven symbols (kick-off control) in the third stop operation.

[0106] In step S1282, a reel spin start process for a pseudo game (described in detail later) is executed.

[0107] In step S1283, a reel stop control process for the pseudo game (described in detail later) is executed.

[0108] In step S1284, a pseudo next game start process (described in detail later) is executed.

[0109] In step S1285, a random delay flag prepared in the RAM 308 is set to ON. The random delay flag is a flag indicating whether or not a random delay is to be performed, and when the random delay flag is ON, a random delay reel spin start process is performed, and when the random delay flag is OFF, a normal reel spin start process is performed.

[0110] In step S1286, "0", which corresponds to no pseudo game, is set in an area for setting a pseudo game number prepared in the RAM 308. When the execution of step S1286 is completed, the pseudo game related process is terminated.

[0111] <Reel spin start process for pseudo game> FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the process of starting the reel rotation in the pseudo game in step S1282 shown in FIG.

[0112] In step S1282a, the acceleration parameters for each reel are set.

[0113] In step S1282b, preparations are made to send a pseudo-game start command to the first sub-control unit 400.

[0114] In step S1282c, the start of rotation of the pseudo game is set. Specifically, the rotation of each of the reels 110 to 112 is started using the acceleration parameters set in step S1282a.

[0115] In step S1282c1, it is determined whether the acceleration information initialization completion flag is 0. This determination leads to a determination of whether to accept the reel stop operation after waiting for the detection of a light-shielding piece, or to accept the reel stop operation without waiting for the detection of a light-shielding piece. In other words, if the acceleration information initialization completion flag is 1, the process proceeds to step S1282d, and the reel stop operation is accepted without waiting for the detection of a light-shielding piece. On the other hand, if the acceleration information initialization completion flag is 0, the reel stop operation is accepted after waiting for the detection of a light-shielding piece, and first, the acceleration information initialization completion flag is set to 1 (step S1282c2). Next, the value of the initial acceleration information of each of the three reels 110 to 112 is cleared to "0" (step S1282c3), and the light-shielding piece is put into an undetected state in each of the reels 110 to 112, and the process proceeds to step S1282d. After that, for each reel, if a light-blocking piece is detected, the value of the initial acceleration information is set to "1" (step S310i1 shown in FIG. 27, which will be described later).

[0116] In step S1282d, it is determined whether or not the spinning speed of each of the reels 110 to 112 is constant. If the spinning speed of each of the reels 110 to 112 is constant, the process proceeds to step S1282e, and if not, step S1282d is repeated.

[0117] In step S1282d1, it is determined whether the value of the initial acceleration information corresponding to the target reel is "1", and if it is "1", the operation of the stop button corresponding to the target reel is enabled (step S1282e). The enablement here means the enablement of the stop operation in the pseudo game, meaning that the player is enabled to perform the pseudo stop. On the other hand, if the value of the initial acceleration information corresponding to the target reel is "0", it is determined whether the value of the initial acceleration information corresponding to the next target reel is "1" (step S1282d1), and thereafter, the process is repeated for the reels for which the operation of the stop button is not enabled. In this way, even in the pseudo game (pseudo stop operation), if the acceleration information initialization completion flag is set to 1 in the determination of step S1282c1, the stop operation can be performed without waiting for the index detection of each reel. However, as will be described later, when a random delay is performed after the pseudo stop, the acceleration information initialization completion flag is cleared, and the stop operation in the real game that starts following the pseudo game requires the detection of the light-shielding piece for each reel.

[0118] When the stop operation in the pseudo game is enabled for all reels, the reel spin start process of the pseudo game ends.

[0119] <Reel stop control process for pseudo game> FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of the reel stop control process of the pseudo game in step S1283 shown in FIG.

[0120] In step S1283a, a pseudo-game restriction timer is set. The pseudo-game restriction timer is a timer that measures the time of one pseudo-game. In this embodiment, the pseudo-game restriction timer is used to limit the execution time of one pseudo-game to a predetermined time TA (specifically, about 50 seconds). In step S1283a, a timer value equivalent to the predetermined time TA is set as an initial value in the pseudo-game restriction timer. The timer value equivalent to the predetermined time TA is decremented each time a timer update process (see step S205 shown in FIG. 11) in the main control unit timer interrupt process described later is executed.

[0121] In step S1283b, it is determined whether or not any of the stop buttons 137 to 139 has been operated. If any of the stop buttons 137 to 139 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S1283c, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1283g.

[0122] In step S1283c, the reels 110 to 112 corresponding to the stop buttons 137 to 139 that have been operated to stop are brought to a pseudo stop.

[0123] For the first and second stop operations, the pull-in control may or may not be performed. For example, a predetermined pattern may be stopped beyond the pull-in range, or may be stopped with a reel action. Alternatively, the pull-in control may not be performed, and the reel may be stopped by pressing the reel.

[0124] In the third stop operation, if the seven symbol is in tenpai, not only when the eye-pushing operation is successful (when the seven symbol can be stopped within the pull-in range in the case of BB), but also when the eye-pushing operation is unsuccessful (when the seven symbol cannot be stopped within the pull-in range), the slot machine 100 executes special reel control to stop the seven symbol on the winning line at the third stop. For example, the slot machine 100 may execute special reel control to stop the third stop reel on the winning line with a reel action based on the third stop operation, or may execute special reel control to spin the third stop reel at high speed and stop it on the winning line based on the third stop operation. On the other hand, if the seven symbol is not in tenpai, the above-mentioned special reel control is not executed. Or, contrary to the above explanation, the slot machine 100 may request the eye-pushing operation at the third stop whether the seven symbol is in tenpai or not.

[0125] In step S1283d, preparations are made to send a sub-command to the first sub-control unit 400 indicating that an operation on the stop button has been accepted.

[0126] In step S1283e, it is determined whether or not all of the reels 110 to 112 are in a pseudo-stop state. If all of the reels 110 to 112 are in a pseudo-stop state, the process proceeds to step S1283f, and if not, the process returns to step S1283b.

[0127] On the other hand, in step S1283g, it is determined whether the pseudo-game regulation timer has timed out, that is, whether a predetermined time TA corresponding to the set timer value has elapsed. If the pseudo-game regulation timer has timed out, the process proceeds to step S1283h, and if not, the process returns to step S1283b.

[0128] The state in which the process proceeds to step S1283h is a state in which a predetermined time TA has elapsed without any operation of any of the stop buttons 137-139, and in step S1283h, all the reels 110-112 are pseudo-stopped. Thus, in the pseudo game of this embodiment, in order to promote the progress of the pseudo game, there is a function of automatically pseudo-stopping the reels 110-112 if no stop operation is performed.

[0129] In step S1283f, preparation for transmission of a sub-command for pseudo game winning judgment is performed to be transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400. When a mode corresponding to BB is pseudo-stopped in the pseudo game, a command corresponding to the pseudo-stopped mode is transmitted. This enables the first sub-control unit 400 to perform control according to the sub-command for pseudo game winning judgment, and a BB introduction performance display is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 157.

[0130] In step S1283i, a pseudo game end timer is set. The pseudo game end timer is a timer that measures the time interval between the pseudo game and the main game, and is provided to ensure time for executing a predetermined effect (for example, a BB introduction effect or an RB introduction effect). In step S1283i, a timer value equivalent to a predetermined time TC (specifically, about 1 second) is set as an initial value in the pseudo game end timer. The timer value equivalent to the predetermined time TC is decremented each time a timer update process (see step S205 shown in FIG. 11) in the main control unit timer interrupt process is executed. In addition, in step S1283i, preparations are made to send a pseudo game end command indicating that the pseudo game has ended to the first sub-control unit 400. When the execution of step S1283i is completed, the reel stop control process of the pseudo game ends.

[0131] <Pseudo next game start process> FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of the pseudo next game start process in step S1284 shown in FIG.

[0132] In this embodiment, after the reel stop control process of the pseudo game described with reference to Fig. 15, the game is not immediately started, but the coin insertion and start operation acceptance process are performed in a pseudo manner. This allows the player to experience a pseudo game that is closer to the real game. Therefore, the pseudo game of this embodiment includes the start of the pseudo next game in a broad sense.

[0133] In step S1284a, preparations are made for transmitting a pseudo-next-game start command to the first sub-control unit 400, which indicates that the pseudo-next-game start process has been started.

[0134] In step S1284b, a pseudo MAX bet operation timer is set. This operation timer is a timer that measures the time during which a pseudo bet operation can be accepted, and a timer value equivalent to 20 seconds is set as an initial value, for example. This timer value is decremented each time a timer update process (see step S205 shown in FIG. 11) is executed in the main control unit timer interrupt process. In this embodiment, the pseudo MAX bet operation timer is used to limit the operation acceptance time for one pseudo MAX bet operation, so that the game progresses smoothly.

[0135] In step S1284c, it is determined whether or not the player has operated the MAX BET button 132. If operation of the MAX BET button 132 is detected, the process proceeds to step S1284d, and if no operation is detected, the process proceeds to step S1284e.

[0136] In step S1284c, it is determined whether or not the pseudo MAX bet operation timer has timed out. If the timer has not timed out, the process returns to step S1284c. If the timer has timed out, the process proceeds to step S1284d.

[0137] In step S1284d, preparations are made to send a pseudo bet acceptance command, indicating that the pseudo bet operation has been accepted, to the first sub-control unit 400. Even if the pseudo MAX bet operation timer has timed out, the pseudo bet acceptance command can be sent, allowing the first sub-control unit 400 to proceed with its presentation processing.

[0138] Step S1284f and subsequent steps execute processing related to the pseudo start operation of the start lever 135. In step S1284f, preparations are made for sending to the first sub-control unit 400 a pseudo lever acceptance wait start command, which indicates that waiting for the pseudo start operation has begun.

[0139] In step S1284g, a pseudo start lever operation timer is set. The pseudo start lever operation timer is a timer that measures the time during which a pseudo start operation can be accepted, and is set to a timer value equivalent to 20 seconds as an initial value, for example. This timer value is also decremented each time the timer update process (see step S205 shown in FIG. 11) in the main control unit timer interrupt process is executed. In this embodiment, the pseudo start lever operation timer is used to limit the operation acceptance time for one pseudo start operation, so that the game progresses smoothly.

[0140] In step S1284h, it is determined whether or not the player has operated the start lever 135. If operation of the start lever 135 is detected, the process proceeds to step S1284i, and if no operation is detected, the process proceeds to step S1284j.

[0141] In step S1284j, it is determined whether the pseudo start lever operation timer has timed out. If it has not timed out, the process returns to step S1284h, and if it has timed out, the process proceeds to step S1284i.

[0142] In step S1284i, preparations are made to transmit a pseudo game reel rotation start command, which indicates that the pseudo start lever operation has been accepted, to the first sub-control unit 400. When execution of step S1284i is completed, the pseudo next game start process is terminated.

[0143] In this case, a pseudo game is played in which a stop operation is accepted, but an automatic pseudo stop game may also be played in which a stop operation is not accepted and the reels are automatically pseudo-stopped.

[0144] 13 to 16, in step S104 shown in Fig. 12, reel stop data is selected based on the result of the internal lottery for the winning combination in step S103, etc. This reel stop data is stored in the ROM 306 of the main control unit 300.

[0145] In the following step S105, a reel rotation start process is executed to start the rotation of all the reels 110 to 112 based on the start operation.

[0146] <Reel spin start process> FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the reel spin start process in step S105 shown in FIG.

[0147] In step S1050, a game time monitoring timer value is acquired. The game time monitoring timer is a timer stored in a specific storage area of ​​the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300, and is set for the purpose of limiting the time required for one game to be equal to or longer than a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds, which is the minimum game time), suppressing the number of game media gained or lost per unit time, and limiting the gambling nature of the game. The game time monitoring timer is set to a predetermined timer value (for example, a timer value equivalent to 4.1 seconds) in step S1052, which will be described later, and is decremented each time the timer interrupt process (described later) of the main control unit 300 is executed.

[0148] In step S1051, it is determined whether the acquired game time monitoring timer value has passed 4.1 seconds or more. That is, if the value of the game time monitoring timer is 0, 4.1 seconds or more have passed, but if the value of the game time monitoring timer is greater than 0, 4.1 seconds have not passed. If the game time monitoring timer value has passed 4.1 seconds or more, the current game may be started, so the process proceeds to step S1052. On the other hand, if the game time monitoring timer value has not passed 4.1 seconds, the process returns to step S1050 and the process is repeated. During the process, the timer value of the game time monitoring timer is decremented for each timer interrupt of the main control unit 300, and when the game time monitoring timer becomes 0, the process proceeds to step S1052.

[0149] In step S1052, the game time monitoring timer value is reset. Specifically, a timer value equivalent to 4.1 seconds is stored in a specific area of ​​the RAM 308. In this embodiment, the time when the game time monitoring timer value is set is the start timing of one game. The end timing of one game is the time when the game time monitoring timer value is set next. In other words, one game is the period from when the game time monitoring timer value is set to when the next game time monitoring timer value is set. In addition, since the game time monitoring timer value is set every time each of the reels 110 to 112 starts to rotate, one game can also be the period from when each of the reels 110 to 112 starts to rotate to when each of the reels 110 to 112 starts to rotate next. In addition, the end timing of one game may be the time when the game time monitoring timer value becomes 0 and the game state control process of S110 in FIG. 12 ends. In addition, the start timing of one game may be the time when a valid start lever is accepted, and the end timing of one game may be the time when a valid bet button operation can be accepted, and the period from when a bet button operation can be accepted to when a valid start lever is accepted may be a preparation period for the start of the next game.

[0150] In step S1053, settings are made to prepare for transmission of a reel spin start command to be transmitted to the first sub control unit 400. The reel spin start command is a command that indicates the start of rotation of the reels 110 to 112.

[0151] In the next step S10531, it is determined whether or not the random delay flag prepared in the RAM 308 is set to ON. The random delay flag is a flag that is set to ON in step S1285 of the pseudo game related processing shown in Fig. 13. If the random delay flag is OFF, the process proceeds to step S1054.

[0152] In step S1054, the status of the left reel 110 is set to "start spinning", and in the following step S1055, the status of the center reel 111 is set to "start spinning". Next, in step S1056, the status of the right reel 112 is set to "start spinning", and the process proceeds to step S10571.

[0153] On the other hand, if the random delay flag is set to ON, the acceleration information initialization completion flag is cleared (step S10532), and then the process proceeds to the random delay rotation start process (step S1336).

[0154] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the process flow of starting the random delay rotation in step S1336 shown in FIG.

[0155] First, in step S1336a, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time TC set in the pseudo game end timer in step S1283i shown in Fig. 15 has elapsed. If the predetermined time TC has elapsed according to the measurement of the pseudo game end timer, the process proceeds to step S1336b, and if not, step S1336a is repeated.

[0156] In step S1336b, the left reel 110 starts to spin, and the process proceeds to step S1336d.

[0157] In step S1336d, a rotation start timer for the center reel 111 is set. Specifically, a timer value equivalent to 0 to 756.512 ms is obtained by lottery, and this value is set. The value of the rotation start timer for the center reel 111 is decremented each time a timer update process (see step S205 shown in FIG. 11) is executed in the main control unit timer interrupt process.

[0158] In step S1336e, it is determined whether or not the rotation start timer for the center reel 111 has timed out, that is, whether or not the waiting time corresponding to the initially set timer value has elapsed. If the rotation start timer for the center reel 111 has timed out, the process proceeds to step S1336f; otherwise, step S1336e is repeated.

[0159] In step S1336f, the center reel 111 starts to spin, and the process proceeds to step S1336h. Note that, although the center reel 111 starts to spin in step S1336f, the center reel 111 is in a pseudo-stop state until it starts to spin.

[0160] In step S1336h, a rotation start timer for the right reel 112 is set. Specifically, a timer value equivalent to 0 to 756.512 ms is obtained by lottery, and this value is set. The value of the rotation start timer for the right reel 112 is also decremented each time a timer update process (see step S205 shown in FIG. 11) is executed in the main control unit timer interrupt process.

[0161] In step S1336i, it is determined whether or not the spin start timer for the right reel 112 has timed out, that is, whether or not the waiting time corresponding to the initially set timer value has elapsed. If the spin start timer for the right reel 112 has timed out, the process proceeds to step S1336j; if not, step S1336i is repeated.

[0162] In step S1336j, the right reel 112 starts to spin. Note that, although the right reel 112 starts to spin in step S1336j, the right reel 112 is in a pseudo-stop state until it starts to spin.

[0163] In step S1336k, the random delay flag is set to OFF. When the execution of step S1336k is completed, the random delay rotation start process ends. When the random delay rotation start process ends, the process proceeds to step S10571.

[0164] In step S10571, it is determined whether the acceleration information initialization completion flag is 0 (whether to accept the reel stop operation after the light-shielding piece is detected), and if it is 1, the process proceeds to step S1058, where the reel stop operation is accepted without waiting for the light-shielding piece to be detected. On the other hand, if the acceleration information initialization completion flag is 0, the reel stop operation is accepted after waiting for the light-shielding piece to be detected, and first, the acceleration information initialization completion flag is set to 1 (step S10572). Next, the value of the initial acceleration information of each of the three reels 110 to 112 is cleared to "0" (step S10573), and the light-shielding piece is put into an undetected state in each of the reels 110 to 112, and the process proceeds to step S1058. After this, if a light-shielding piece is detected for each reel, the value of the initial acceleration information is set to "1" (step S310i1 shown in FIG. 27 described later).

[0165] The above-described processing of steps S10571 to S10573 is common to the first reel spin after power is turned on (power recovery), the first reel spin after the opening of the front door 102 is detected, and the first reel spin after a reel performance is performed. The processing of steps S10571 to S10573 is also common to the processing of steps S1282c1 to S1282c3 shown in FIG. 14. Note that, although this embodiment is described in an easy-to-understand manner, in the program, steps S10571 to S10573 (steps S1282c1 to S1282c3) may be made into a subroutine to reduce the program capacity, and the subroutine may be executed at a predetermined timing with or without a random delay.

[0166] In the judgment of step S10571 following the random delay spin start process of step S1336, since the acceleration information initialization completion flag was cleared in step S10532, the judgment is Yes, and the value of the initial acceleration information of each of the three reels 110 to 112 becomes "0" (step S10573), and the light-shielding pieces are put into an undetected state in each of the reels 110 to 112. The start of reel spinning due to random delay is executed at the start of the first reel spinning after the reel performance (first reel performance (reel action) or second reel performance (simulated game)) is performed, and at this first reel spinning start, the reel stop operation is accepted after the detection of the light-shielding pieces. When the reels start to rotate due to a random delay, a step-out is likely to occur, which may cause the rotational position of the symbols on the reels 110-112 that the main control unit 300 has previously grasped to be shifted. Therefore, the system waits for the detection of the light-shielding piece in order to re-detect the rotational position of the symbols on the reels 110-112.

[0167] Furthermore, in order to prevent the first reel spinning operation after power is turned on (when power is restored) from being able to determine whether or not the settings have been changed as described above, the acceleration information initialization completion flag is cleared in step S1011 shown in FIG. 12, the judgment in step S10571 becomes Yes, the value of the initial acceleration information for each of the three reels 110-112 becomes "0" (step S10573), and the light-shielding pieces are placed in an undetected state on each of the reels 110-112.

[0168] Furthermore, in the first reel spin operation after the opening of the front door 102 described below is detected, the value of the initial acceleration information for each of the three reels 110 to 112 is similarly set to "0" (step S10573), so that the light-shielding pieces of each of the reels 110 to 112 are not detected.

[0169] In step S1058, it is determined whether or not the storage area for reel effect information prepared in RAM 308 has first reel effect or second reel effect set, and if it has, the reel control status is set to "reel effect control in progress" (step S10591), and this reel spin start process ends. If the random delay spin start process of step S1336 has been executed, the reel control status is set to "reel effect control in progress". On the other hand, if it has not been set, the reel control status is set to "accelerating state (acceleration control in progress)" (step S10592), and this reel spin start process ends. As described above, the reel control status is information about the control state of the reels 110-112 stored independently for each of the reels 110-112 in a predetermined storage area of ​​the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300, and stores any one of the following information: "stop control state (stop control in progress)", "acceleration state (acceleration control in progress)", "constant speed 1 state (constant speed 1 control in progress)", "constant speed 2 state (constant speed 2 control in progress)", "retraction state (retraction control in progress)", "brake state (brake control in progress)", and "reel performance control in progress". In addition, in step S10592, the acceleration start request flag is turned ON. The acceleration start request flag is flag information stored in a predetermined storage area of ​​the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300, and is referred to in the acceleration control process described later.

[0170] The reel rotation start process (step S105) has been described above. In the main process of the main control unit shown in FIG. 12, steps S106 and S107 are executed following the reel rotation start process. These steps S106 and S107 are executed for each reel, and are repeated three times for the three reels 110 to 112. A stop button acceptance flag is prepared for each reel in the RAM 308. Stop buttons 137 to 139 are provided in one-to-one correspondence with each reel, and the stop button acceptance flag also corresponds to the stop buttons 137 to 139 in one-to-one correspondence. This stop button acceptance flag is set to either acceptable or not acceptable. In step S106, since the reel rotation start process (step S105) has started, this stop button acceptance flag is set to acceptable. The stop button acceptance flag is set to not acceptable when the corresponding stop button is operated in the stop button acceptance process in the reel rotation control process executed in the main control unit timer interrupt process described later. In step S107, it is determined whether the stop button acceptance flag, which was set to "acceptable" in step S106, has returned to "inhibited." This step S107 is repeatedly executed until the stop button acceptance flag is returned to "inhibited." That is, in step S107, it waits for the operation of the stop buttons 137-139 to be accepted. When the determination in step S107 for all three reels 110-112 becomes "Yes," all three reels 110-112 have stopped.

[0171] In the next step S108, a winning determination is made for the symbols stopped by operating the stop buttons 137-139. Here, if a winning symbol combination corresponding to an internally won winning combination or a winning combination with a flag carried over is aligned (displayed) on an activated winning line, it is determined that the winning combination has been won. For example, if "replay-replay-replay" is aligned on an activated winning line, it is determined that a replay has been won. Also, in this step S108, preparations are made to send a display determination command indicating the result of the winning determination to the first sub-control unit 400.

[0172] In step S109, a medal payout process is performed. In this medal payout process, if any winning combination that provides a payout has been achieved, medals in the number corresponding to the winning combination are paid out.

[0173] In step S110, a game state control process is performed. In this game state control process, control is performed to transition the game state, for example, in the case of a BB (big bonus) win, preparation is made so that a BB (big bonus) game can be started from the next time, and in the case of the final game, preparation is made so that a normal game can be started from the next time. In addition, in this step S110, preparation is made to send a game state command indicating the game state to the first sub-control unit 400.

[0174] In the next step S143, a bonus lottery is held.

[0175] <Bonus lottery process> FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the process of the bonus awarding lottery in step S143 shown in FIG.

[0176] In the bonus lottery process, first, it is determined whether the internal winning combination (the lottery result in step S103) is a rare combination (for example, strong cherry) (step S1432). If it is not a rare combination, the bonus lottery process ends. If it is a rare combination, "1" corresponding to a fake pseudo game is set in an area for setting a pseudo game number prepared in RAM 308 (step S1433). The setting of the pseudo game number here corresponds to a provisional setting of the pseudo game number performed before the setting of the pseudo game number in step S1454 described later.

[0177] In step S1434 following step S1433, a bonus lottery is held using a random number obtained from the random number generating circuit 316 (see FIG. 3). The bonus lottery results include a miss and a big bonus (BB). If the bonus lottery result is BB, it becomes possible to line up BB symbols in the pseudo game. If the BB symbols can be lined up, the game transitions to the AT state. Therefore, the bonus lottery in step S1434 is holding an AT state transition lottery.

[0178] An area is also provided in RAM 308 of main control unit 300 for storing the result of the bonus lottery as a bonus type, and in step S1435, the result of the bonus lottery is stored in that area. The initial value for the bonus type is "0." For a losing bonus lottery result, the bonus type remains at the initial value ("0"). On the other hand, for a BB bonus lottery result, "1" is stored as the bonus type. When execution of step S1435 is completed, the bonus awarding lottery process ends.

[0179] Following the bonus lottery, in step S145 shown in FIG. 12, a pseudo game reservation process is executed.

[0180] <Pseudo game reservation processing> FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing the flow of the pseudo game reservation process in step S145 shown in FIG.

[0181] In step S1451, it is determined whether the value stored as the bonus type in the RAM 308 is "0". As described above, the initial value of the bonus type is "0". In addition, the bonus type is the result of the bonus grant lottery in step S1434 of the bonus grant lottery shown in FIG. 19, and if the bonus grant lottery is lost, the bonus type remains "0". If the bonus type is "1", it is BB, which leads to bonus grant (AT state transition). If the bonus type is "0" (if no bonus is granted), the pseudo game reservation process ends. Therefore, if the rare combination is not internally won in the game, the execution of the pseudo game is not reserved. Even if the bonus type is "0", if step S1433 shown in FIG. 19 is executed, the pseudo game number is "1", and a fake pseudo game is executed.

[0182] If the bonus type is not "0" (if it will lead to the award of a bonus), the push order number is set to the judgment result prepared in RAM 308 (step S1452). The push order number is a value according to the first stop operation in the game. That is, if the first stop operation in the game was the operation of the left stop button 137, "0" is set, if the first stop operation in the game was the operation of the middle stop button 138, "1" is set, and if the first stop operation was the operation of the right stop button 139, "2" is set.

[0183] In step S1453 following step S1452, it is determined whether the judgment result is 0 or not, and if the judgment result is not "0" (if irregular pressing has been performed), the pseudo game reservation process ends. As a result, even if a rare role is internally won in the game, if irregular pressing is performed in the game, the pseudo game number will remain "1" set in step S1433 shown in FIG. 19, and a fake pseudo game will be executed. If the judgment result is "0" (if the recommended pressing has been performed), proceed to step S1454. When the judgment in step S1453 ends, the value of the pressing order number set in the judgment result is cleared.

[0184] In step S1454, the pseudo game number is set. In step S1433 of the bonus lottery shown in FIG. 19, the pseudo game number is set to "1". In step S1454, the pseudo game number is reset according to the bonus type. If the bonus type is BB "1", the pseudo game number is set to "2". By executing step S1454, the pseudo game in the next game is reserved. When the setting of the pseudo game number is completed, the bonus type is returned to the initial value "0". The bonus type may be returned to the initial value when the pseudo game starts or when the pseudo game ends. When the execution of step S1454 is completed, the pseudo game reservation process ends.

[0185] When the pseudo game reservation process is completed, one game ends. In the main control unit main process shown in Fig. 12, the game progresses by returning to step S102 and repeating the above-mentioned process. The various commands prepared in each of the above steps are transmitted in the command setting transmission process (see step S209 shown in Fig. 21) in the main control unit timer interrupt process.

[0186] <Main control unit timer interrupt processing> Next, a main control unit timer interrupt process executed by the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 will be described with reference to Fig. 21. This figure is a flow chart showing the flow of the main control unit timer interrupt process.

[0187] The main control unit 300 is equipped with a counter timer 312 that generates a timer interrupt signal at a predetermined period (approximately once every 1.5 ms in this embodiment), and executes main control unit timer interrupt processing at the predetermined period in response to this timer interrupt signal.

[0188] In step S201, a timer interrupt start process is performed, which includes processes such as temporarily saving the values ​​of each register of the CPU 304 in a stack area.

[0189] In step S202, the WDT is restarted periodically (in this embodiment, once every 1.49 ms, which is the period of the main control unit timer interrupt) so that the count value of WDT314 does not exceed the initial setting value (32.8 ms in this embodiment) and a WDT interrupt does not occur (so that a processing abnormality is not detected).

[0190] In step S203, an input port state update process is performed. In this input port state update process, the presence or absence of a detection signal is monitored by inputting a detection signal from the sensor circuit 320 of each of the sensors 318 via the input port of the I / O 310 shown in Fig. 3, and the presence or absence of the detection signal is stored in a signal state storage area provided in the RAM 308 partitioned for each of the sensors 318.

[0191] In step S2301, it is determined whether the opening of the front door 102 is detected. If it is not detected, the process proceeds to step S204. If it is detected, the acceleration information initialization completion flag is cleared in step S2032, and then the process proceeds to step S204. If the opening of the front door 102 is detected, some operation is performed by a store clerk (power-on or error reset operation), and at this time, the store clerk may touch the reels, and the position of the rotation direction of the symbols on the reels 110 to 112 that the main control unit 300 has grasped may be distorted. Therefore, even if the opening of the front door 102 is detected, it is necessary to detect the position of the rotation direction of the symbols on the reels 110 to 112 again. Here, the reason why the "initial acceleration information" is not cleared immediately in order to wait for the detection of the light-shielding piece is that if the "initial acceleration information" is cleared when the opening of the front door 102 is detected while the reels are rotating, the detection of the light-shielding piece is also required to stop the reels that are rotating at that time. As long as the detection of the opening of the front door 102 continues, the "initial acceleration information" is cleared at each timer interruption process, and the detection of the light-shielding piece is required, and a state in which the stop operation is not permitted occurs intermittently (because the timer interruption period is faster than the reel rotation, i.e., one period of the light-shielding piece), making it difficult to perform the stop operation. Therefore, a flag (acceleration information initialization completion flag) for clearing the "initial acceleration information" is provided, and the process is concentrated in the process when the start lever 135 is operated, that is, the process of steps S10571 to S10573 shown in FIG. 17. As a result, not only is the stop operation permitted even when the detection of the opening of the front door 102 continues, but the process related to the initial acceleration information can be performed at the minimum timing, and an increase in program capacity and processing capacity is suppressed. In addition, by performing the determination process of the acceleration information initialization completion flag in S10571 in the reel rotation start process after the start operation and before the stop operation is accepted (validated), it is determined whether the initial acceleration information needs to be updated by the stop operation of the game, and a suitable stop operation can be performed. It is preferable that the process of determining the acceleration information initialization completion flag is performed before the process of controlling the rotation of the reels.In addition, in FIG. 17, the process of determining the acceleration information initialization completion flag is performed after the start of rotation of each reel (S1054 to S1056), but it may be performed before the start of rotation of each reel.

[0192] In step S204, various game processes are performed. Specifically, an interrupt status is acquired (various interrupt statuses are acquired based on signals from various sensors 318 shown in FIG. 3), and a process is performed according to this status. For example, if the interrupt status is during medal insertion processing, medal insertion acceptance processing is performed, and if the interrupt status is during payout processing, medal payout processing is performed.

[0193] In step S205, a timer update process is performed. Various timers are updated in their respective time units. In this embodiment, specifically, the game time monitoring timer described above is updated by subtracting the timer.

[0194] In step S206, device monitoring processing is performed. In this device monitoring processing, first, the signal states of the various sensors 318 stored in the signal state storage area in step S1003 are read out to monitor for errors related to medal insertion abnormalities, medal payout abnormalities, etc., and error processing is performed if an error is detected. Furthermore, depending on the current game state, the medal selector 170 (a medal blocker operated by a solenoid provided in the medal selector 170), various lamps 338, and various seven-segment (SEG) displays are set.

[0195] In step S207, a stop button display control process is performed, which will be described in detail later.

[0196] In step S208, if the status of each reel stored in RAM 308 is "start spinning", a reel spin control process (described in detail later) is performed. In this reel spin control process, the spin of the reels is controlled, and reel stop data to be actually used for the reel stop control is determined from the multiple reel stop data candidates selected in step S104 of the main processing of the main control unit according to the stop order and stop status of the reels 110 to 112, and then the spin of the reels 110 to 112 corresponding to the pressed stop buttons 137 to 139 is stopped based on the determined reel stop data.

[0197] In step S209, a command setting and sending process is performed, and various commands are sent to the first sub-control unit 400. In this embodiment, the output schedule information sent to the first sub-control unit 400 is composed of 16 bits, with bit 15 being strobe information (when on, indicates that data is set), bits 11 to 14 being command types (in this embodiment, basic commands, start lever acceptance commands, internal lottery commands, rotation start commands accompanying the start of rotation of the reels 110 to 112, stop button acceptance commands accompanying acceptance of the operation of the stop buttons 137 to 139, stop position information commands accompanying the stopping process of the reels 110 to 112, payout number commands and payout end commands accompanying the medal payout process, etc.), and bits 0 to 10 being command data (predetermined information corresponding to the command types).

[0198] The first sub-control unit 400 is able to determine the presentation control in response to changes in game control in the main control unit 300 based on the command type contained in the received output schedule information, and is able to determine the presentation control content based on the command data information contained in the output schedule information.

[0199] In step S210, an external signal output process is performed. In this external signal output process, the game information stored in the RAM 308 is output to the information input circuit 652, which is separate from the slot machine 100, via the information output circuit 334 shown in FIG.

[0200] In step S211, it is monitored whether the low voltage signal is on or not. If the low voltage signal is on (if a power interruption is detected), the process proceeds to step S213, and if the low voltage signal is off (if a power interruption is not detected), the process proceeds to step S212.

[0201] In step S212, various processes for ending the timer interrupt process (timer interrupt end process) are performed. In this timer interrupt end process, the values ​​of each register temporarily saved in step S201 are set back to the original registers, etc. Then, the process returns to the main process of the main control unit shown in FIG.

[0202] On the other hand, in step S213, specific variables and stack pointers for restoring the state to the state at the time of power outage when power is restored are saved as recovery data in a specified area of ​​RAM 308, power outage processing such as initialization of input / output ports is performed, and then the process returns to the main processing of the main control unit shown in Figure 12.

[0203] <Stop button display control process> Next, the stop button display control process will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 22. Note that Fig. 22 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the stop button display control process in step S207 shown in Fig. 21.

[0204] In step S2701, it is determined whether or not even one of the stop button acceptance flags corresponding to each of the three reels 110 to 112 is set to "acceptable". As described above, the stop button acceptance flag is set to "acceptable" for each reel (each stop button) in step S106 in the main processing of the main control unit shown in FIG. 12. If all the stop button acceptance flags are set to "prohibited", this stop button display control processing is terminated, and if one or more stop button acceptance flags are set to "acceptable", this time it is determined whether or not all the reels 110 to 112 have transitioned to the constant speed 2 state by referring to the reel control status of each reel (step S2702). In this step S2702, if the reel control status of each reel is any of "constant speed 2 state", "retracted state", and "brake state", the determination result is Yes, and the process proceeds to step S2703. On the other hand, if the reel control status of even one reel is "accelerated state" or "constant speed 1 state", this stop button display control processing is terminated.

[0205] In step S2703, it is determined whether or not the light-shielding pieces are detected by the index sensor for all the reels 110-112. In this determination, it is determined whether or not the value of the initial acceleration information for each reel is set to "1". When the light-shielding pieces are detected and the value of the initial acceleration information is set to "1", the value of the initial acceleration information remains at "1" unless the opening of the front door 102 is detected (step S2032 shown in FIG. 21), the power is turned on and restored (step S1011 shown in FIG. 12), the value of the initial acceleration information becomes "0" (step S10573 shown in FIG. 17) by the first reel rotation start operation after the power is turned on and power is restored, or the value of the initial acceleration information similarly becomes "0" (step S10573 shown in FIG. 17) by the start of rotation of the reels due to a random delay. In the case where the value of the initial acceleration information is "1", the light-shielding pieces are detected and the position of the symbols on the reels in the rotation direction is known, so if the state transitions to "constant speed 2 state", a stop operation is accepted. In step S2702, the condition is that the vehicle has been moved to the "constant speed 2 state", but the condition may be that the vehicle has been moved to the "constant speed 1 state". On the other hand, if the value of the initial acceleration information is "0", this stop button display control process ends.

[0206] The RAM 308 is also provided with a light emission mode storage area for storing the light emission modes of the light emitters 137a-139a provided inside the stop buttons 137-139. That is, a light emission mode storage area is provided for each reel (stop button). The initial light emission mode of the light emitters 137a-139a is, for example, a non-light emission mode (light-off mode) or a light emission mode of a first color. Hereinafter, the initial light emission mode is referred to as a first light emission mode. The light emission mode storage area initially stores the first light emission mode as the light emission mode information. In the situation proceeding to step S2704, all the reels 110-112 are not stopped (at least one reel is rotating), all the reels 110-112 have transitioned to the constant speed 2 state, and a light-shielding piece has been detected. In this state, the light emission mode of the light emitters provided inside the stop buttons of the reels continuing to rotate in the constant speed 2 state is changed from the first light emission mode to the second light emission mode. The second light-emitting mode may be, for example, a blinking mode or a second color light-emitting mode. In addition, when the first light-emitting mode is a first color light-emitting mode, it may be a non-light-emitting mode (light-off mode). Furthermore, when the second light-emitting mode is a second color light-emitting mode, the first light-emitting mode may be a blinking mode. In this way, the first light-emitting mode and the second light-emitting mode may be different from each other, including a light-off mode and a blinking mode. The second light-emitting mode is a mode that notifies that the operation of the stop button of the second light-emitting mode is in a state in which the operation of the stop button corresponding to the second light-emitting mode is in a state in which the stop button can be operated. In step S2704, the light-emitting body information in the light-emitting mode storage area of ​​the reel whose stop button acceptance flag is set to accept is updated to the second light-emitting mode, and the stop button display control process is terminated. By executing this step S2704, for example, if all of the reels 110 to 112 are not stopped, all of the reels 110 to 112 have transitioned to the constant speed 2 state, and a light-blocking piece has been detected, the light emission patterns of the light-emitting bodies 137a to 139a provided inside all of the stop buttons 137 to 139 all change to the second light emission pattern.Also, when some of the reels are stopped and the remaining reels have transitioned to the constant speed 2 state and a light-shielding piece is detected, only the light emission state of the light emitters provided inside the stop buttons of the remaining reels (the reels that are spinning) changes to the second light emission state. In this embodiment, the stop operation of each reel is effective for each reel, but the light emission states of the light emitters 137a-139a provided inside the stop buttons 137-139 change in unison.

[0207] <Reel rotation control process> Next, the reel rotation control process will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 23. Note that Fig. 23 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the reel rotation control process in step S208 shown in Fig. 21.

[0208] Steps S2080 to S2084 are performed for each reel, and since they are performed for the three reels 110 to 112, step S2080 is repeated at least three times. In this step S2080, it is determined whether the stop button reception flag is set to reception-enabled. In other words, it is determined whether the target reel is spinning. If the stop button reception flag is set to reception-disabled, step S2080 is executed for the remaining reels, or if step S2080 has been executed for all reels, it proceeds to step S208c. On the other hand, if the stop button reception flag is set to reception-enabled, it is determined whether the target reel is in the constant speed 2 state by referring to the reel control status of the target reel (step S2081). If it is not in the constant speed 2 state, it proceeds to step S2083, and if it is in the constant speed 2 state, it is determined whether the value of the initial acceleration information corresponding to the target reel is "1" (step S2082). Then, in step S2082, if the light-shielding piece has been detected by the index sensor at least once, the result is Yes, and step S2080 is executed for the remaining reels, or if step S2080 has been executed for all reels, the process proceeds to step S208c. On the other hand, if the light-shielding piece has not yet been detected by the index sensor, the result is No, and the process proceeds to step S2083. In step S2083, it is determined whether the light-shielding piece of the target reel has been detected by the index sensor. The RAM 308 of the main control unit 300 is provided with an index sensor detection storage area. If the result of step S2083 indicates that the light-shielding piece has been detected, the detection information for the target reel in the index sensor detection storage area is updated to "detected" (step S2084). If the execution of step S2084 is completed or if the result of step S2083 indicates that the light-shielding piece has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S2080 for the remaining reels, or if the result of step S2080 has been executed for all reels, the process proceeds to step S208c.

[0209] In step S208c, only when the target reel is in the constant speed 2 state and the value of the initial acceleration information is "1", the stop button valid information is set in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 308, and the process proceeds to step S208d. When the stop button valid information is set, the operation of the stop button becomes acceptable, and the target reel becomes a stoppable state. In this step S208c, the target reel becomes a stoppable state on the condition that it has become a constant speed state without waiting for the detection of the light-shielding piece. In this embodiment, each reel becomes a stoppable state after the acceleration is completed, but the stoppable state may be set after the acceleration of all three reels 110 to 112 is completed. In addition, in the type test of the slot machine 100, a stoppable signal is output to an external test machine at the timing when step S208c is executed. In addition, the stoppable signal may be output to the test machine for the type test in S2703 in the next timer interrupt. On the other hand, if the value of the initial acceleration information is "0", the setting process is not performed and the process proceeds to step S208d.

[0210] In step S208d, a stop button acceptance process is executed, which will be described later.

[0211] Steps S208f to S208k are performed for each reel, that is, for the three reels 110 to 112. In step S208f, reel control information is obtained. Here, the reel control information means all information related to the rotation control of the reels 110 to 112, and is stored in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 308. In this embodiment, the reel control information includes values ​​of the reel control status, the general-purpose offset counter, the reel control status transition counter, and the holding counter, which will be described later.

[0212] In step S208g, a reel control determination process (described in detail later) is performed based on the acquired reel control information.

[0213] In step S208h, it is determined whether or not the reel drive signal switching request flag is ON. The reel drive signal switching request flag is flag information stored in a predetermined storage area of ​​the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300, and indicates whether or not the currently set rotation control data is to be switched. When the reel drive signal switching request flag is ON, the currently set rotation control data is switched, and when the reel drive signal switching request flag is OFF, the currently set rotation control data is not switched. Note that the reel drive signal switching request flag is set in the acceleration control process. When the reel drive signal switching request flag is ON, the process proceeds to step S208i, and when the reel drive signal switching request flag is OFF, the process proceeds to step S208k.

[0214] In step S208i, the rotation control data is acquired based on the reel control status and the general-purpose offset counter value included in the acquired reel control information. Specifically, the corresponding excitation table (spin control data) is acquired based on the reel control status and the general-purpose offset counter value from the table shown in Fig. 11. For example, if the reel control status is "acceleration control in progress" and the general-purpose offset counter value is "0", the rotation control data of the excitation table "77H" is acquired.

[0215] In step S208j, the rotation control data obtained in step S208i is set.

[0216] In step S208k, since the contents of the reel control information have been changed in accordance with the above-mentioned processing, the reel control information is updated.

[0217] <Reel control judgment process> Fig. 24 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the reel control determination process in step S208g shown in Fig. 23. The reel control determination process is a process for sequentially switching the reel rotation control according to the above-mentioned reel control status. Specifically, the processes are executed in the following order: acceleration control process, reel performance control process, first constant speed control process, second constant speed control process, retraction control process, and brake control process.

[0218] In step S301, the reel control status is obtained.

[0219] In step S302, it is determined whether the acquired reel control status is "stop control in progress", and if the acquired reel control status is "stop control in progress", the reel control determination process ends. On the other hand, if the acquired reel control status is not "stop control in progress", the process proceeds to S303.

[0220] In step S303, it is determined whether the acquired reel control state is "reel performance control in progress". When the reel control state is "reel performance control in progress", the process proceeds to step S304, and reel performance control processing is performed. As described above, there are a first reel performance (so-called reel action) that does not require player operation, and a reel performance (so-called pseudo game) that requires the player to operate the left, center, and right stop buttons 137 to 139. In the control of the first reel performance, at least one of the control processes of the acceleration control, the first constant speed control, the second constant speed control, and the brake control of the main game may be used, or each control process dedicated to the first reel performance control may be prepared. In addition, in the first reel performance, the reel may be accelerated and then decelerated (brake control is executed) before maintaining the constant speed state. In controlling the second reel performance, at least one of the control processes of the acceleration control, the first constant speed control, the second constant speed control, the brake control, and the pull-in control of this game may be used, or each control process dedicated to the reel performance control may be prepared. Also, the pull-in control may be performed by the number of slip frames of 5 or more, which is not possible in this game. After the reel performance ends, the timing of the start of rotation of each reel is delayed, and a random delay process is performed to prevent multiple reels from starting to rotate at the same time, and then the reel control status is set to "in acceleration control". On the other hand, if the reel control state is not "in reel performance control", the process proceeds to step S305.

[0221] In step S305, it is determined whether the acquired reel control state is "acceleration control in progress". If the reel control state is "acceleration control in progress", the process proceeds to step S306, where acceleration control processing (control processing for accelerating the rotation of the reels; details will be described later) is performed. On the other hand, if the reel control state is not "acceleration control in progress", the process proceeds to step S307.

[0222] In step S307, it is determined whether the acquired reel control state is "constant speed 1 control in progress." If the reel control state is "constant speed 1 control in progress," the process proceeds to step S308, where a first constant speed control process (control process for maintaining the rotation of the reel at a constant speed; details will be described later) is performed. On the other hand, if the reel control state is not "constant speed 1 control in progress," the process proceeds to step S309.

[0223] In step S309, it is determined whether the acquired reel control state is "constant speed 2 control in progress." If the reel control state is "constant speed 2 control in progress," the process proceeds to step S310, where a second constant speed control process (control process for maintaining the rotation of the reel at a constant speed; details will be described later) is performed. On the other hand, if the reel control state is not "constant speed 2 control in progress," the process proceeds to step S311.

[0224] In step S311, it is determined whether the acquired reel control state is "brake control in progress." If the reel control state is "brake control in progress," the process proceeds to step S312, where brake control processing (control processing for stopping the rotation of the reel; details will be described later) is performed. On the other hand, if the reel control state is not "brake control in progress," the process proceeds to step S313.

[0225] In step S313, since the reel control state is "retraction control in progress", retraction control processing (processing for controlling the reel to retract to a stop position; details will be described later) is performed.

[0226] <Acceleration control processing> FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the acceleration control process in step S306 shown in FIG.

[0227] In step S306a, it is determined whether or not there is an acceleration start request based on the acceleration start request flag. Since the acceleration start request flag is set to ON in step S10592 of the reel spin start processing shown in FIG. 17, it is determined as YES in step S306a of the first timer interrupt processing. Since the acceleration start request flag is set to OFF in step S306d described later, it is determined as NO in step S306a of the second and subsequent timer interrupt processing. If there is an acceleration start request, it proceeds to step S306b, and if there is no acceleration start request, it proceeds to step S306f.

[0228] In step S306b, the reel control status transition counter is set to an initial value of 0. Here, the reel control status transition counter is a counter that measures the number of repeated sets (number of cycles) of the rotation control data of 8 steps in one cycle, and in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the acceleration control process is terminated when the data is repeated three times.

[0229] In step S306c, the general-purpose offset counter is set to an initial value of 0.

[0230] In step S306d, the reel drive signal switch request flag is set to ON, and the acceleration start request flag is set to OFF.

[0231] In step S306e, the value of the symbol interval counter (described in detail later) is set to a dummy value of 0. The value of the symbol interval counter set in step S306e is used in the second constant speed control process described later. After the process of step S306e is completed, the process proceeds to step S306q.

[0232] In step S306f, the value of the hold counter is decremented by 1. The value of the hold counter is set in step S306q, which will be described later, and is decremented by 1 each time a timer interrupt process is performed. Note that the initial value set in the hold counter in step S306q is the value of a hold parameter corresponding to the set generic offset counter value, and for example, as shown in Fig. 11, when the generic offset counter value is 0, 12 is set as the initial value in the hold counter.

[0233] In step S306g, the reel drive signal switching request flag is set to OFF.

[0234] In step S306h, it is determined whether the subtracted value of the hold counter is 0. If the value of the hold counter is 0, it is time to switch the rotation control data, so the process proceeds to step S306i, and if the value of the hold counter is not 0, it is not time to switch the rotation control data, so the acceleration control process ends.

[0235] In step S306i, since it is time to switch the rotation control data, the reel drive signal switching request flag is set to ON.

[0236] In step S306j, the general-purpose offset counter is incremented by 1 to set the next rotation control data.

[0237] In step S306k, it is determined whether the incremented general-purpose offset counter value is 8. If the general-purpose offset counter value is 8, the rotation control of the set (cycle) has ended, so the process proceeds to step S306l, and if the general-purpose offset counter value is not 8, the rotation control of the set (cycle) has not ended, so the process proceeds to step S306q.

[0238] In step S306l, in order to transition to the rotation control of the next set (cycle), the general-purpose offset counter value is set to an initial value of 0.

[0239] In step S306m, the value of the reel control status transition counter is incremented by one.

[0240] In step S306n, it is determined whether the incremented value of the reel control status transition counter is 3. If the value of the reel control status transition counter is 3, the process proceeds to step S306o, and if the value of the reel control status transition counter is not 3, the process proceeds to step S306q.

[0241] In step S306o, since all of the rotation controls set during the acceleration control have been performed, the reel control status is set to "constant speed 1 control in progress."

[0242] In step S306p, the value of the reel control status transition counter is set to an initial value of 0. After the process of step S306p ends, the acceleration control process ends.

[0243] In step S306q, the spin control table shown in Fig. 11 is referenced, and when the reel control status is "acceleration control in progress", retained parameter values ​​corresponding to the set reel control status transition counter value and generic offset counter value are obtained, and the obtained retained parameter value is set as the initial value of the retained counter. For example, as shown in Fig. 11, when the reel control status transition counter value is 0 and the generic offset counter value is 0, 12 is set as the initial value of the retained counter, and when the reel control status transition counter value is 1 and the generic offset counter value is 7, 1 is set as the initial value of the retained counter. After the processing of step S306q is completed, the acceleration control processing is completed.

[0244] <First constant speed control process> FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing in detail the second constant speed control process of step S308 shown in FIG.

[0245] In step S308a, 1 is added to the value of the general-purpose offset counter. That is, in the first constant speed control process, as shown in FIG. 11, the rotation control data is switched every interrupt time, so the value of the general-purpose offset counter is incremented for each timer interrupt process. Note that since the reel drive signal switching request flag is set to ON in step S1309 of the acceleration control process, no switching process is performed, so the reel drive signal switching request flag remains ON during the first constant speed control process and the second constant speed control process described later. Therefore, in the reel rotation control process of FIG. 23, the rotation control data corresponding to the incremented general-purpose offset counter value is set for each timer interrupt process (see step S208j of FIG. 23).

[0246] In step S308b, it is determined whether the incremented general-purpose offset counter value is 8. If the general-purpose offset counter value is 8, the process proceeds to step S308c to move to rotation control of the next set (cycle), and if the general-purpose offset counter value is not 8, the rotation control of the set (cycle) has not ended, so the first constant speed control process ends.

[0247] In step S308c, in order to transition to rotation control of the next set (cycle), the general-purpose offset counter is set to an initial value of 0.

[0248] In step S308d, the value of the reel control status transition counter is incremented by one.

[0249] In step S308e, it is determined whether the incremented value of the reel control status transition counter is 16. If the value of the reel control status transition counter is 16, the rotation control of 16 sets has ended (see FIG. 11), so the process proceeds to step S308f, and if the value of the reel control status transition counter is not 16, the first constant speed control process ends.

[0250] In step S308f, since all of the rotation controls set during the constant speed 1 control have been performed, the reel control status is set to "constant speed 2 control in progress."

[0251] <Second constant speed control process> Fig. 27 is a flow chart showing in detail the second constant speed control process of step S310 shown in Fig. 24. The second constant speed control process mainly performs a process of tracking the symbol positions of the reels. In order for the main control unit 300 to grasp the symbol positions of the reels, the symbol positions are monitored using two counters, a "symbol number counter" and a "symbol interval counter". Here, the "symbol number counter" and the "symbol interval counter" will be explained.

[0252] FIG. 4 is also a diagram showing the relationship between the symbol number counter and the symbol interval counter. The symbol number counter is a counter provided in the RAM 308 to store and hold the symbol located in the middle of the symbol display window 113, which is the reference position. For example, for the left reel 110, the seven symbol at the top of the symbol row of the left reel 110 is the reference position, and counting begins when the index sensor 606A passes the light shielding piece 612D. Each symbol and the count value are associated in advance, and the main control unit 300 can identify the symbol displayed in the symbol display window 113 from the symbol number counter value when the reel stops and perform a winning judgment. The symbol interval counter is also a counter provided in the RAM 308, and counts the number of drive pulses per symbol (the number of timer interrupt processes). The main control unit 300 sets the number of drive pulses per pattern (24 in this case) in the pattern interval counter, subtracts it each time a drive pulse is output, and increments the pattern number counter by 1 when the value of the pattern interval counter becomes 0.

[0253] In step S310a, 1 is added to the value of the general-purpose offset counter. That is, in the second constant speed control process, as shown in Fig. 11, the rotation control data is switched every interrupt time, so the value of the general-purpose offset counter is incremented for each timer interrupt process. Also, since the reel drive signal switching request flag remains ON, in the reel rotation control process of Fig. 23, the rotation control data corresponding to the incremented general-purpose offset counter value is set for each timer interrupt process (see step S208j of Fig. 23).

[0254] In step S310b, it is determined whether the incremented general-purpose offset counter value is 8. If the general-purpose offset counter value is 8, the process proceeds to step S310c to move on to rotation control of the next set (cycle), and if the general-purpose offset counter value is not 8, the rotation control of the set (cycle) has not ended, so the process proceeds to step S310d.

[0255] In step S310c, in order to transition to the rotation control of the next set (cycle), the general-purpose offset counter is set to an initial value of 0.

[0256] In step S310d, the value of the symbol interval counter is decremented by 1. That is, the value of the symbol interval counter is decremented every interrupt time.

[0257] In step S310e, it is determined whether the value of the symbol interval counter after subtraction is 0. If the value of the symbol interval counter is 0, the process proceeds to step S310f, and if the value of the symbol interval counter is not 0, the process proceeds to step S310h.

[0258] In step S310f, if the value of the symbol interval counter is 0, the next symbol will be displayed, so the value of the symbol interval counter is set to an initial value of 24.

[0259] In step S310g, the value of the symbol number counter is decremented by 1 to update to the next symbol.

[0260] In step S310h, index sensor detection information is obtained from the index sensor detection storage area of ​​RAM 308. As described above, this detection information is updated during the reel rotation control process shown in Fig. 23 (step S2084). Note that, in each of the three reels, the light-shielding piece is provided at a position where the symbol number counter value is 0 and the symbol interval counter value is 0, and when the light-shielding piece passes between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the index sensor, it is determined that detection has occurred.

[0261] In step S310i, it is determined whether or not the obtained detection information indicates that a detection has already been performed. If it indicates that a detection has already been performed, the process proceeds to step S310i1, and if it indicates that a detection has not yet been performed, the process proceeds to step S310n.

[0262] In step S310i1, the value of the initial acceleration information of the corresponding reel is set to "1." In this way, when a light-blocking piece is detected, "initial acceleration information = 1" is set in the second constant speed control process. The initial acceleration information is managed by 3 bits, each bit corresponding to the left reel 110, center reel 111, and right reel 112, with bit 1 turning the initial acceleration information on and bit 0 turning the initial acceleration information off. When a light-blocking piece is detected and the value of the initial acceleration information is set to "1", the value of the initial acceleration information remains at "1" unless the opening of the front door 102 is detected (step S2032 shown in FIG. 21), the power is turned on and restored (step S1011 shown in FIG. 12), the value of the initial acceleration information becomes "0" (step S10573 shown in FIG. 17) at the first reel rotation start operation after that, or the reel rotation is started due to a random delay and the value of the initial acceleration information also becomes "0" (step S10573 shown in FIG. 17), and the stop operation is valid even if the light-blocking piece is not detected by the index sensor during "constant speed 2 control". Once the light-blocking piece is detected and grasped, the position of the rotation direction of the pattern on the reel will not be disturbed unless a factor such as a step-out occurs, so there is no need to wait for the detection of the light-blocking piece each time rotation starts. Even after the value of the initial acceleration information is set to "1", the value is reset to "1" in step S310i1 every time a light blocking piece is detected after the start of rotation.

[0263] In step S310j, since the symbol positions on the reels have been searched for, stop button enable information is set in a predetermined area of ​​RAM 308. When the stop button enable information is set, operation of the stop button becomes acceptable, and the target reel becomes stoppable. If "initial acceleration information = 0" (such as step S10573 shown in Figure 17), operation of the stop button will not be accepted until the timing of step S310j. Note that if a stop button for which stop button enable information is not set is operated, even if the operation itself is accepted, the operation is invalidated, and the reel corresponding to that stop button will not stop. Alternatively, the operation itself may not be accepted.

[0264] In addition, in the type test of the slot machine 100, when the value of the initial acceleration information is set from "0" to "1" in step S310i1, a stop possible signal is output to the external testing machine at the timing when this step S310j is executed. As described above, the stop possible signal may be output to the testing device in S2703 in the next timer interrupt.

[0265] In this embodiment, the stop button validity information is set in the second constant speed control process, but steps S310h to S310j may be executed in the first constant speed control process so that the stop button validity information is set in the first constant speed control process.

[0266] In this embodiment, each reel in which a light-shielding piece is detected enters a stoppable state, and the reel in the stoppable state stops in response to a stop operation, but if light-shielding pieces are not detected for all three reels 110-112, none of the reels enters the stoppable state, and all three reels 110-112 may enter the stoppable state. In this case, the two reels in which a light-shielding piece was detected first will enter the stoppable state, along with the reel in which a light-shielding piece was detected last among the three reels.

[0267] In step S310k, the value of the symbol interval counter is set to an initial value of 24, and in the following step S310l, the value of the symbol number counter is set to an initial value of 0. The reel rotation position information is reset by the processing of steps S310k and S310l. Therefore, even if the value of the initial acceleration information is set to "1", the reel rotation position information is updated at the timing when the light-shielding piece is detected, and it is always possible to grasp the correct position.

[0268] In step S310m, the step-out detection counter provided in the RAM 308 is set to an initial value of 0. After the process in step S310m is completed, the second constant speed control process is completed.

[0269] In step S310n, step-out detection processing is performed based on the value of the step-out detection counter. In the step-out detection processing, the value of the step-out detection counter is incremented by 1 for each interrupt, and when it reaches a specific value (for example, the value of the number of pulses required to rotate the reel once (360 degrees), here 504), it is determined that a step-out (so-called step-out) has occurred, and all reels that are not being operated are restarted from the acceleration control, but it may also be possible to restart only the reel that has stepped out from the acceleration control. In this embodiment, since the step-out detection processing is performed only in the second constant speed control processing, if a step-out occurs during the first constant speed control processing or the acceleration control processing prior to the second constant speed control processing, the step-out detection processing is not performed, and the main control unit 300 cannot detect the step-out, but the step-out detection processing may also be performed during that period. In addition to the step-out, processing to detect other abnormal states (for example, resonance, misstep, motor stop) may also be performed. After the processing of step S310n is completed, the second constant speed control processing is completed.

[0270] <Stop button reception process> Fig. 28 is a flow chart showing in detail the stop button acceptance process of step S208d shown in Fig. 23. The stop button acceptance process is executed when the operation of the stop buttons 137-139 is acceptable, that is, after the value of the initial acceleration information is set to "1" in step S310i1 of the second constant speed control process shown in Fig. 27 and the stop button valid information is set in the following step S310j. The stop button acceptance process is a process for determining the stop position of the corresponding reel based on the operation of the stop buttons 137-139.

[0271] In step S208d1, stop acceptance information is obtained. Here, the stop acceptance information is stop button valid information or a part of the reel control information, and means all information necessary for determining stop acceptance.

[0272] In step S208d2, the reels that can be stopped are determined from the acquired stop acceptance information, and the stoppable reel information is set in a predetermined area of ​​RAM 308 (for example, when it is determined that the left reel 110 is a stoppable reel, the left reel 110 is set).

[0273] In step S208d3, it is determined whether or not the stop button corresponding to the reel represented by the set stoppable reel information has been operated. In other words, it is determined whether or not the operation of the stop button corresponding to the stoppable reel has been accepted. If the stop button has been operated (accepted), the process proceeds to step S208d4, and if the stop button has not been operated (accepted), the process proceeds to step S208d8.

[0274] In step S208d4, data relating to the reels to be stopped (stop target reel data) is obtained.

[0275] In step S208d5, a pull-in counter setting process (to be described in detail later) is performed.

[0276] In step S208d6, the status of the reel that has been stopped is updated to "stopped" as a result of the operation of the stop button corresponding to the stoppable reel.

[0277] In step S208d7, the stop button acceptance flag, which had been set to acceptance, is set to acceptance prohibition.

[0278] In step S208d8, the light emission mode information stored in the light emission mode storage area prepared for each reel in the RAM 308 is updated. That is, the light emission mode of the light emitter built into the stop button corresponding to the reel to be stopped is updated from the second light emission mode (e.g., blue light emission mode) to the first light emission mode (e.g., red light emission mode). When step S208d8 ends, the stop button acceptance process ends.

[0279] <Retraction counter setting process> FIG. 29 is a detailed flowchart of the pull-in counter setting process in step S208d5 shown in FIG.

[0280] In step S8d51, the value of the symbol number counter is obtained to detect the position where the symbol number counter has been stopped.

[0281] In step S8d52, the number of pull-in frames is obtained from the selected reel stop control data based on the position where the reel is stopped. That is, the reel stop control data is selected based on the result of the winning combination internal lottery process (internal lottery result) in step S103 shown in Fig. 12. The reel stop control data specifies the number of pull-in frames corresponding to the symbol position number at the symbol position (middle row reference) when the reel is stopped.

[0282] In step S8d53, the remaining number of interrupts is acquired by referring to the excitation table. Specifically, in this embodiment, since the motor is stopped at a position corresponding to the AB phase, the number of steps from the excitation phase next to the excitation phase indicated by the previously set rotation control data (the last rotation control data set during the constant speed 2 control) to the excitation phase immediately before the AB phase is acquired as the remaining number of interrupts. For example, if a stop operation is performed during control using the excitation table 22H during the constant speed 2 control, the remaining number of interrupts is 3 steps.

[0283] In step S8d54, the retraction counter value is calculated from the obtained retraction frame number and the remaining interrupt number, and the calculated retraction counter value is set in the retraction counter. Specifically, the value from the stop holding position (for example, a position corresponding to a predetermined AB phase) where the rotor 740 is scheduled to be stopped and held to a predetermined prior position (for example, a position corresponding to the AB phase one cycle before the AB phase corresponding to the stop holding position) becomes the number of steps according to the retraction frame number, and the value obtained by adding the remaining interrupt number to this value is set in the retraction counter.

[0284] In step S8d55, the reel control status is set to "retraction control in progress".

[0285] <Retraction control process> Fig. 30 is a flow chart showing the details of the pull-in control process in step S313 shown in Fig. 24. Here, the pull-in control process refers to a process of sliding the reel a predetermined number of frames (0 to 4 frames in this embodiment) from the symbol position operated by the stop buttons 137 to 139 when stopping the reel in order to realize the stop control according to the result of the internal lottery. As a result, for the winning combination internally won in the internal lottery or the winning combination with the so-called flag carried over, the corresponding symbol combination is allowed to be displayed in a line, while the symbol combination corresponding to each winning combination is not displayed in a line otherwise.

[0286] In step S3131, the value of the general-purpose offset counter is incremented by 1. That is, in the pull-in control process, the rotation control data is switched every interrupt time, so the value of the general-purpose offset counter is updated every timer interrupt process. Also, since the reel drive signal switching request flag remains ON, in the reel rotation control process shown in FIG. 17, the rotation control data corresponding to the incremented general-purpose offset counter value is set every timer interrupt process (see step S208j in FIG. 23).

[0287] In step S3132, it is determined whether the incremented general-purpose offset counter value is 8. If the general-purpose offset counter value is 8, the remaining rotation control of the set (cycle) has ended, so the process proceeds to step S3133, and if the general-purpose offset counter value is not 8, the remaining rotation control of the set (cycle) has not ended, so the process proceeds to step S3134.

[0288] In step S3133, the general-purpose offset counter is set to an initial value of 0.

[0289] In step S3134, the value of the pull-in counter is updated. Specifically, the value of the pull-in counter is decremented by one.

[0290] In step S3135, it is determined whether the updated retraction counter value is 0. If the retraction counter value is 0, the process proceeds to step S3136, and if the retraction counter value is not 0, the retraction control process ends.

[0291] In step S3136, since the reel-in counter value becomes 0 and the stop position is reached, the reel control status is set to "brake controlled".

[0292] In step S3137, the hold counter value is set to an initial value of 50. Here, this set hold counter value of 50 is the retention time of the spin control data when the reel control status is "under brake control" and the general-purpose offset counter value is 0 (see FIG. 11). After the process of step S3137 ends, the retraction control process ends.

[0293] <Brake control processing> FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing in detail the brake control process in step S312 shown in FIG.

[0294] In step S3121, the value of the holding counter is subtracted by 1. The value of the holding counter is initialized in step S3137 shown in Fig. 30 described above, and is subtracted by 1 each time a timer interrupt process occurs.

[0295] In step S3122, it is determined whether the subtracted value of the hold counter is 0. If the value of the hold counter is 0, the process proceeds to step S3123, and if the value of the hold counter is not 0, the brake control process ends.

[0296] In step S3123, since the rotation control in the brake control has ended, the reel control status is set to "reel stop control in progress." When the reel control status is "reel stop control in progress," weak excitation (20% excitation) is continued at the stop holding position (for example, a predetermined AB phase) (see FIG. 11). After the processing of step S3123 ends, the brake control processing ends.

[0297] <Processing of the first sub-control unit 400> The processing of the first sub-control unit 400 will be described using Figure 32. Note that Figure (a) is a flowchart of the main processing executed by the CPU 404 of the first sub-control unit 400. Figure (b) is a flowchart of the command input processing of the first sub-control unit 400, Figure (c) is a flowchart of the command reception interrupt processing of the first sub-control unit 400, and Figure (d) is a flowchart of the timer interrupt processing of the first sub-control unit 400.

[0298] When the power is turned on, an initialization process is first executed in step S2001. In this initialization process, the input / output ports are initially set, and the storage area in the RAM 408 is initialized.

[0299] In step S2002, it is determined whether the timer variable is 10 or greater, and this process is repeated until the timer variable becomes 10. When the timer variable becomes 10 or greater, the process proceeds to step S2003.

[0300] In step S2003, 0 is substituted into the timer variable.

[0301] In step S2004, a first sub-control unit command input process (described in detail later) is performed. In the first sub-control unit command input process, it is determined whether or not a command has been received from the main control unit 300.

[0302] In step S2005, a performance update process is performed. For example, if there is a new command in step S2004, the performance data is read from the ROM 406 based on the results of each event process (e.g., performance setting process, game state control process, etc.) corresponding to this command, and if the performance data needs to be updated, the performance data of each performance device (speaker, lamp, liquid crystal image display device, shutter, etc.) is updated.

[0303] In step S2006, sound control processing is performed. In the sound control processing, if there is a command to the sound source IC 418 in the performance data read in step S2005, this command is output to the sound source IC 418.

[0304] In step S2007, a lamp control process is performed. In the lamp control process, if there is a command for the various lamps 420 in the performance data read out in step S2005, this command is output to the drive circuit 422.

[0305] In step S2008, information output processing is performed. In the information output processing, if the performance data read in step S2005 contains a control command to be sent to the second sub-control unit 500, settings are made to output this control command, and the process returns to step S2002. As a result, the set control command is sent to the second sub-control unit 500.

[0306] Next, the command input processing of the first sub-control unit 400 will be explained using Figure 32 (b). This command input processing of the first sub-control unit 400 is a flowchart showing the flow of the command input processing of the first sub-control unit 400 in step S2004 of Figure 32 (a).

[0307] In step S2101, it is determined whether or not there is an unprocessed command in the command storage area of ​​RAM 408. If there is an unprocessed command, the process proceeds to step S2102, and if there is no unprocessed command, the first sub-control unit 400 ends the command input process.

[0308] In step S2102, a jump is made to a process corresponding to the unprocessed command. For example, if the unprocessed command is a medal insertion command, a medal insertion process is made, if the unprocessed command is a start lever acceptance command, a start lever acceptance process is made, if the unprocessed command is an internal lottery command, an internal lottery process is made, if the stop button acceptance command, a stop button acceptance process is made, if the display determination command, a display determination process is made, and if the game status command, a game status control process is made.

[0309] Next, the command reception interrupt processing of the first sub-control unit 400 will be explained using Figure 32 (c). This command reception interrupt processing is processing executed by the first sub-control unit 400 when it detects a strobe signal output by the main control unit 300. In step S2201 of the command reception interrupt processing, the command output by the main control unit 300 is stored as an unprocessed command in a command memory area provided in RAM 408.

[0310] Next, using Figure 32 (d), we will explain the first sub-control unit timer interrupt processing executed by the CPU 404 of the first sub-control unit 400. The first sub-control unit 400 is equipped with a hardware timer that generates a timer interrupt at a predetermined period (once every 2 ms in this embodiment), and executes the timer interrupt processing at a predetermined period in response to this timer interrupt.

[0311] In step S2301, 1 is added to the value of the timer variable storage area of ​​RAM 408 described in step S2002 in the first sub-control unit main processing shown in Figure 32 (a), and the result is stored in the original timer variable storage area. Therefore, in step S2002, the value of the timer variable is determined to be 10 or greater every 20 ms (2 ms x 10).

[0312] In step S2302, the random number values ​​for performance are updated.

[0313] Next, an example in which the state of each of the reels 110 to 112 changes will be specifically described.

[0314] FIG. 33 is a timing chart showing a specific example in which the Nth game is started by the first operation of the start lever 135 after the power is turned on, and the N+1th game is started by the second operation of the start lever 135.

[0315] The timing chart shown in FIG. 33 shows, from the top, the operation of the start lever, the state changes of the left reel 110, the center reel 111, and the right reel 112, the change in the detection state of the light-shielding piece in the index sensor of each reel, which is indicated as the left, center, and right reel index, the change in the operation acceptance state of the stop button corresponding to each reel, which is indicated as the left, center, and right stop button acceptance, and the change in the light emission state of the light-emitting body (hereinafter referred to as the "stop button LED") built into each stop button. In addition, at the top of the timing chart, alphabetic symbols are written in parentheses as symbols indicating timing, and below that, arrows indicating periods are written. The arrow (a) is an arrow indicating the period during which the acceleration control shown in FIG. 11 is being performed. Before the period indicated by the arrow (a), each of the reels 110 to 112 was in a stopped state. The arrow (b) is an arrow indicating the period during which the first constant speed control shown in FIG. 11 is being performed, and the arrow (c) is an arrow indicating the period during which the second constant speed control shown in FIG. 11 is being performed. The above also applies to the timing chart shown in FIG.

[0316] The power supply may be turned on by turning on the power switch, or may be turned on by returning from the power cut process (step S213) shown in Fig. 21. In addition, the setting may or may not be changed between the time the power supply is turned on and the time the game is started.

[0317] At the timing of (a'), the start lever 135 is turned on to start the Nth game (the first game after the power is turned on). The left reel 110, the center reel 111, and the right reel 112 start spinning all at once. As indicated by the arrow (a), all the reels are in a period during which the acceleration control is being executed. The acceleration control ends at the timing of (b'), and all the reels are in a period during which the first constant speed control is being executed, as indicated by the arrow (b). All the three reels 110 to 112 can transition from the acceleration state to the constant speed 1 state before completing one revolution after starting to spin. The first constant speed control ends at the timing of (c'), and all the reels are in a period during which the second constant speed control is being executed, as indicated by the arrow (c). That is, the second constant speed control starts at the timing of (c'), and all the reels 110 to 112 are in the constant speed 2 state. In this example, no light-shielding piece is detected on any of the reels 110-112 during either the acceleration control or the first constant speed control, and during the second constant speed control, the light-shielding piece on the center reel 111 is detected at time (d'), the light-shielding piece on the right reel 112 is detected at time (e'), and the light-shielding piece 612D on the left reel 110 is detected at time (f'). The timing at which the light-shielding pieces on each reel are detected varies, and the detection timing differs depending on where the reels stopped before starting to spin.

[0318] The timing chart in Fig. 33 indicates whether the left stop button operation can be accepted / not accepted, the middle stop button operation can be accepted / not accepted, and the right stop button operation can be accepted / not accepted. Note that even if the stop button operation is accepted, the operation may be treated as invalid or valid in terms of control, and in short, in terms of stopping the reels, whether the stop button operation can be accepted / not accepted represents the reel stoppable / unstoppable state.

[0319] In the Nth game, when a light-shielding piece is detected on any of the three reels 110-112, the stop buttons 137-139 corresponding to the reel on which the light-shielding piece is detected transition to an operation-accepting state. That is, after the start of rotation, each reel can transition from a reel-stop-unavailable state to a reel-stop-able state. Specifically, the light-shielding piece on the center reel 111 is detected first (detected at the timing of (d')), so that the center stop button 138 transitions to an operation-accepting state first (at the timing of (d')), and then the light-shielding piece on the right reel 112 is detected (detected at the timing of (e')), so that the right stop button 139 transitions to an operation-accepting state at the timing of (e'), and finally the light-shielding piece on the left reel 111 is detected (detected at the timing of (f')), so that the left stop button 137 transitions to an operation-accepting state at the timing of (f').

[0320] The light emission modes of each stop button LED are shown below the timing chart shown in FIG. 33. The first light emission mode of each stop button LED is, for example, a red light emission mode, and the second light emission mode is, for example, a blue light emission mode (the same applies to the timing charts shown below). All stop button LEDs change to the second light emission mode after the timing of (f'). That is, none of the stop button LEDs change from the first light emission mode to the second light emission mode until all the light-shielding pieces are detected (the timing of (f')). Each reel can transition from the reel stop unstoppable state to the reel stoppable state, but the three stop button LEDs change to the second light emission mode together at the timing when the last reel transitions to the reel stoppable state. In this way, by synchronizing the timing of the change in the light emission mode of the stop button LEDs, it is possible to improve the appearance and prevent the player from operating the reel whose light emission mode has changed first, resulting in an irregular operation (the first stop operation being the left stop button is considered a recommended operation, and the first stop operation being other than the left stop button is considered an irregular operation). Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the stop button LED is in the first light emitting mode, the corresponding stop button may be in an operation accepting state. The (E) arrow shown in Fig. 33 indicates a period in which only some of the three stop buttons are in an operation accepting state. On the other hand, the (O) arrow indicates a period in which all three stop buttons 137 to 139 are in an operation accepting state. These (E) arrows and (O) arrows are the same in the timing chart shown in Fig. 34.

[0321] In the Nth game, the stop operation is performed in order, first the left stop button 137 is operated, then the center stop button 138 is operated, and finally the right stop button 139 is operated.

[0322] After all the reels are stopped, the start lever 135 is turned on at the timing of (a), and the N+1th game (the second game after the power is turned on) is started. The left reel 110, the center reel 111, and the right reel 112 start rotating all at once, and as indicated by the arrows (a), all the reels are in a period during which the acceleration control is being executed. The acceleration control ends at the timing of (b), and as indicated by the arrows (b), all the reels are in a period during which the first constant speed control is being executed. At the timing of (c), the control is switched from the first constant speed control to the second constant speed control, and from the timing of (c), all the reels 110 to 112 are in the constant speed 2 state. In the first game after the power is turned on, each reel is in a stoppable state waiting for the detection of a light-shielding piece, but from the second game onwards, it is in a stoppable state on the condition that it has entered a constant speed state without waiting for the detection of a light-shielding piece. Therefore, all three reels 110-112 are in a stoppable state from the timing (c). In the timing chart shown in FIG. 33, the left stop button operation, the center stop button operation, and the right stop button operation are all accepted from the timing (c), and the arrow (O) for the N+1th game starts from the timing (c). In addition, each stop button LED changes from the first light-emitting mode to the second light-emitting mode on the condition that all three reels 110-112 are in a stoppable state, so each stop button LED changes from the first light-emitting mode to the second light-emitting mode all at once at the timing (c). Note that the light-shielding pieces of each reel are detected after the timing (c) (timings (d), (e), and (f)). Although the stopping operation for the N+1th game is not performed on any of the reels 110 to 112, it is possible that the stopping operation is performed after the constant speed 2 state is reached and before the light-shielding piece is detected, in which case the light-shielding piece will not be detected.

[0323] According to the slot machine 100 of this embodiment, from the second game after power-on, the reels can be stopped without waiting for the detection of the light-shielding piece, so that the operation of the stop button can be accepted at an earlier timing than in the first game. Therefore, the hitting feeling of the stop buttons 137-139 becomes good, and the game progresses at a good tempo without the player feeling stressed. In addition, the game may be more realistic because the buttons respond immediately to the player's operation. Furthermore, since the three reels 110-112 are in a stoppable state when they are all together, any order of stop operation (for example, forward push, reverse push, pinch shot, etc.) can be performed immediately, and there is no risk of pressing the buttons in the wrong order due to operation before the stoppable state is reached.

[0324] FIG. 34 is a timing chart showing an example in which power is interrupted and restored while the reel is rotating in a state in which the reel can be stopped without waiting for the detection of the light-blocking piece.

[0325] At the timing (c) when the constant speed 2 state is reached, all three reels 110-112 are in a state where they can be stopped, and while the three reels 110-112 continue to rotate, a power interruption and power restoration occurs. That is, while the three reels 110-112 are rotating, the power interruption process (step S213) shown in FIG. 21 is executed, and power is restored immediately. The three reels 110-112 temporarily stop rotating due to the power interruption, but resume rotating when power is restored (timing (a')), and as indicated by the arrow (a), a period in which acceleration control is being executed is entered. Although not shown in the flow chart, even when power is restored in this manner, a process of clearing the acceleration information initialization completion flag is executed in the initial setting at the start of power supply, and the initial acceleration information is also cleared. The acceleration control ends at the timing (b'), and as indicated by the arrow (b), all reels enter a period in which the first constant speed control is being executed. At the timing of (c'), the first constant speed control is switched to the second constant speed control, and at the timing of (c'), all the reels 110 to 112 are in the constant speed 2 state. Then, in the first game immediately after the power is restored from (a'), since the results of steps S2703 and S2082 are No, the reels are not in the stoppable state even when the constant speed 2 state is reached, and the reels are stopped after the detection of the light-shielding piece for each reel. That is, even if a power interruption and power restoration occurs during the rotation of the reels, which would enable the stop operation without waiting for the detection of the light-shielding piece, the stop operation is enabled after the detection of the light-shielding piece for each reel after the power is restored. In this example, during the period in which the second constant speed control is being executed, the light-shielding piece of the center reel 111 is detected at the timing of (d'), and the center reel 111 is first in the stoppable state. Next, the light-shielding piece of the right reel 112 is detected at the timing of (e'), and the right reel 112 is stopped. Finally, at the timing (f'), the light-shielding piece 612D of the left reel 110 is detected, and the left reel 110 enters a stoppable state. The stop button is not operated until the left reel 110 enters a stoppable state, and at the timing (f') when the left reel 110 enters a stoppable state, the three stop button LEDs simultaneously change to the second light-emitting mode. Note that in the next game, the stoppable state is set without waiting for the detection of the light-shielding piece, but in order to make it difficult to distinguish this from a setting change, the stoppable state may be set after the detection of the light-shielding piece.

[0326] In addition, the acceleration information initialization completion flag and the first acceleration information are cleared after the power is restored while the reels are rotating, and the stop operation after the power is restored is set to the stop possible state after the light-shielding piece is detected after the constant speed. However, the acceleration information initialization completion flag and the first acceleration information may not be cleared when the power is restored while the reels are rotating, and the stop possible state may be set without the light-shielding piece being detected after the constant speed. In addition, the example in which the power is restored when all the reels are rotating is shown, but the power is restored when at least one reel is stopped, as in the example shown in FIG. 34, and the stop operation possible state is set for the remaining reels after the light-shielding piece is detected after the power is restored. Note that the stop operation possible state may be set for the remaining reels after the power is restored without the light-shielding piece being detected after the power is restored.

[0327] FIG. 35 is a timing chart showing a specific example in which a pseudo game is performed in the Nth game, and in the following N+1th game, the reels can be stopped without waiting for the detection of the light-shielding piece.

[0328] The timing chart shown in Fig. 35 shows, from top to bottom, the start lever operation, the reel state change, the display of "reel index", the change in the detection state of the light-blocking piece in the index sensor, the display of "stop button", the change in the state in which the stop button can be operated, the change in the light emission mode of the stop button LED, and the stop button operation. In Fig. 35, the reels 110-112, the index sensor, the stop buttons 137-139, and the stop button LEDs 137a-139a, of which there are three each, are displayed together.

[0329] Also, below the timing chart, for each key timing point, the left reel 110, center reel 111, and right reel 112 are shown, above these reels there is an effect image display device 157, and below each reel there are shown the stop buttons 137 to 139 which correspond one-to-one to each reel.

[0330] In the (N-1)th game, the initial acceleration information is set to a value of "1", and the reels can be stopped without waiting for the detection of the light-shielding piece.

[0331] When the start lever 135 is turned on after the N-1th game, the Nth game starts. All the reels 110-113 start to rotate simultaneously, and soon all the reels 110-113 enter the constant speed state. The constant speed state here is a state in which the constant speed 1 state and the constant speed 2 state are not distinguished, but it may mean the constant speed 1 state or the constant speed 2 state (the same applies to FIG. 36).

[0332] In the Nth game, the main game is performed after the pseudo game is performed. The pseudo game is a type of reel presentation that is performed before the start of reel rotation in the main game. In the pseudo game, all reels 110-112 start rotating by operating the start lever. On the other hand, in the pseudo game, each of the corresponding reels 110-112 is made to appear to have stopped by a stop operation (also called a pseudo stop). That is, the pseudo game refers to the fact that the rotating reels can be pseudo-stopped by operating the stop buttons 137-139, or a situation in which a pseudo stop can be performed. In addition, in the pseudo game, no game value is awarded according to the pseudo-stopped stop mode. Note that the reels may be slightly vibrated during the pseudo stop so that it can be distinguished from a real stop of the symbols. Furthermore, a pseudo operation for restarting the pseudo-stopped reels is also called a pseudo start operation. In order to distinguish it from the pseudo game, a game in which the reels are stopped by operating the stop buttons 137 to 139 and a game value can be awarded according to the manner in which the reels are stopped is called a real game.

[0333] Since the initial acceleration information of all the reels 110-113 is set to a value of "1", the judgment in step S1282c1 shown in FIG. 14 is No, and the judgment in step S1282d1 is Yes, so that the operation of the stop button is enabled (step S1282e), and the reels are in a constant speed state, which allows the reels to be stopped. The stop in the stoppable state mentioned here includes a pseudo stop. In addition, the stop button LEDs 137a-139a also change to the second light-emitting mode all at once. At the left end of the lower part of FIG. 35, all the reels 1110-113 are in a constant speed state, and a display encouraging the player to line up the seven symbols is displayed on the performance image display device 157. Also, the stop buttons 137-139 are shown to be lit in the second light-emitting mode. The display encouraging the player to line up the seven symbols on the performance image display device 157 may be output at the timing when the start lever is operated.

[0334] In all the reels 110-113, the light blocking pieces are detected after the reels are in a constant speed state. After that, when the stop operation (corresponding to the pseudo stop operation) is performed on each of the three stop buttons 137-139, each of the reels 110-113 goes from the constant speed state to a pseudo stop state. The second from the left in the lower part of FIG. 35 shows a pseudo stop in which all the reels 1110-113 are stopped while slightly shaking up and down. In the three reels 110-112, the seven symbols are pseudo stopped on the horizontal winning line in the middle row, and the effect image display device 157 displays a display indicating that a bonus has been acquired. That is, in the pseudo game, a game value is not awarded but a special benefit advantageous to the player may be awarded depending on the pseudo stop mode. Note that each of the stop buttons 137-139 is lit in a first light emission mode.

[0335] When the start lever 135 is operated (the operation here is called a pseudo start operation) after the pseudo stop, the main game starts. All the reels 110 to 112 do not start rotating all at once in response to the operation of the start lever 135, but start rotating at different rotation start timings for each reel by a random delay rotation start process shown in FIG. 18. That is, the left reel 110 starts rotating first, then the center reel 111 starts rotating, and finally the right reel 112 starts rotating. Note that, by lining up seven symbols in the pseudo game, the game transitions to an AT state in response to the operation of the start lever 135 that triggered the start of the main game.

[0336] Each reel goes through an acceleration state and then goes to a constant speed state at different times, but because the random delay flag is on, the acceleration information initialization completion flag is cleared (step S10532 shown in FIG. 17), and the initial acceleration information becomes 0 (step S10573 shown in FIG. 17), and the reel does not go to a stoppable state just because it goes to a constant speed state. After each reel goes to a constant speed state, the light-shielding piece is detected by the index sensor at different times. In this game, the reel that has the light-shielding piece detected by the index sensor goes to a stoppable state. Also, at the detection timing of the reel that has the light-shielding piece detected the latest among the three reels, the three stop lamps LED 137a to 139a all change to the second light-emitting state at the same time. The third from the left at the bottom of FIG. 35 shows how all three stop lamps LED 137a to 139a change to the second light-emitting state. In addition, by transitioning to the AT state, the sequence of pressing the stop buttons (the first stop is the center reel 111, the second stop is the left reel 110, and the third stop is the right reel 112) is displayed on the performance image display device 157. The display of the sequence of pressing on the performance image display device 157 may be output at the timing when the start lever is operated.

[0337] After that, the stop buttons 137-139 are operated according to the push order displayed on the effect image display device 157. At the lower right end of FIG. 35, a state in which bell symbols are aligned and stopped on the middle horizontal winning line is shown. Also, the character "GET" is displayed on the effect image display device 157. The three stop lamps LED 137a-139a are lit in the first light emission mode.

[0338] When the start lever 135 is turned on following the Nth game, the N+1th game starts. All the reels 110-113 start rotating at the same time, and all the reels 110-113 soon enter a constant speed state. In the Nth game, the light-shielding piece of each reel is detected, and the initial acceleration information is set to a value of "1" (step S310i1 shown in FIG. 27). Therefore, in the N+1 game, the determination in step S2082 shown in FIG. 23 becomes Yes, the operation of the stop button is enabled (step S208c), and all the reels 110-113 enter a constant speed state and can be stopped. In addition, the stop button LEDs 137a-139a also change to the second light-emitting mode at the same time. In addition, the light-shielding piece is detected in each reel after it enters a constant speed state.

[0339] FIG. 36 is a timing chart showing an example in which the opening of the front door 102 is detected during the Nth game, and the front door 102 is closed after the reels of the next game (N+1) have stopped.

[0340] The timing chart shown in Fig. 36 also shows, from the top, the start lever operation, the reel state change, the reel index display, the change in the detection state of the light-shielding piece in the index sensor, the stop button display, the change in the operation-accepting state of the stop button, the change in the light emission mode of the stop button LED, and the stop button operation. In Fig. 36, the reels 110-112, the index sensor, the stop buttons 137-139, and the stop button LEDs 137a-139a, of which there are three each, are all displayed together. Furthermore, at the bottom, the detection state of the door open sensor that detects the opening of the front door 102 is also shown.

[0341] In the (N-1)th game, the initial acceleration information is set to a value of "1", and the reels can be stopped without waiting for the detection of the light-shielding piece.

[0342] In the Nth game, which is the next game after the N-1th game, the reels can be stopped without waiting for the detection of the light-shielding piece. The door opening sensor detects the opening of the front door 102 while the three reels 110-112 are rotating at a constant speed. That is, the opening of the front door 102 is detected in the stoppable state before the stop operation. When the opening of the front door 102 is detected, the acceleration information initialization completion flag is cleared in step S2032 shown in FIG. 21. Thereafter, with the front door 102 open, the stop operation is performed by the stop buttons 137-139, and all the reels 110-112 are stopped.

[0343] When the start lever 135 is turned on while the front door 102 is still open, the N+1th game is started. All the reels 110-113 start rotating at the same time, and all the reels will soon enter a constant speed state. In the first rotation start operation after the opening of the front door 102 is detected, that is, in the first game, the acceleration information initialization completion flag is cleared, so the initial acceleration information=0 (step S10573 shown in FIG. 17), and the constant speed state does not mean that the reels will enter a stoppable state. After the reels enter a constant speed state, the light-shielding piece is detected by the index sensor at different times. In the N+1th game, the reel that has the light-shielding piece detected by the index sensor enters a stoppable state. In addition, the three stop lamps LED 137a-139a simultaneously change to the second light-emitting mode at the detection timing of the reel that has the light-shielding piece detected the latest among the three reels.

[0344] After that, the stop buttons 137-139 are operated with the front door 102 open, and all the reels 110-112 are stopped. Since the light-shielding piece is detected for each of the reels 110-112 in the N+1th game, the initial acceleration information is set to a value of "1" in step S310i1 shown in FIG. 27. However, since the front door 102 continues to be open, the acceleration information initialization completion flag is cleared again in step S2032 shown in FIG. 21. In this embodiment, since the detection of the opening of the front door 102 is determined by a timer interrupt (step S2031 shown in FIG. 21), if the front door 102 continues to be open, the state in which the determination result is Yes continues. Therefore, even if multiple games are played with the front door 102 open, the reel stop possible state continues to have to wait for the detection of the light-shielding piece.

[0345] The front door 102 is closed after all the reels 110 to 112 have stopped and before the N+2th game of the next game starts.

[0346] The N+2th game is started in a state where the front door 102 is closed. The reels 110 to 113, which have started to rotate simultaneously by turning on the start lever 135, will soon enter a constant speed state. Since the acceleration information initialization completion flag is cleared again, the initial acceleration information becomes 0 (step S10573 shown in FIG. 17), and the fact that the reels have entered a constant speed state does not mean that the reels are in a stoppable state. In other words, when focusing on the Nth game in which the opening of the front door 102 is detected, the N+1th game is the first game in which the opening of the front door 102 is detected. Also, when focusing on the N+1th game in which the detection of the opening of the front door 102 continues, the N+2th game is the first game in which the opening of the front door 102 is detected. Also, as shown in FIG. 36, in the case where the opening of the front door 102 is detected over a plurality of games, the reels enter a stoppable state after the light-shielding piece is detected by the index sensor at least in the first game (first stop operation) after the opening of the front door 102 is detected. In this way, the first game (first stop operation) after the acceleration information initialization completion flag based on the opening detection of the front door 102 is cleared requires the detection of the light-shielding piece, and the same applies even if the opening detection is performed over a plurality of games. After each reel is in a constant speed state, the light-shielding piece is detected by the index sensor at different timings. In the N+2th game, the reel in which the light-shielding piece is detected by the index sensor is in a stoppable state. In addition, the three stop lamps LED 137a-139a are simultaneously changed to the second light-emitting state at the detection timing of the reel in which the light-shielding piece was detected the latest among the three reels. After that, the stop buttons 137-139 are operated, and all the reels 110-112 are stopped. In the N+2th game, the light-shielding piece is detected in each of the reels 110-112, so that the initial acceleration information is set to the value of "1" in step S310i1 shown in FIG. 27. In this N+2th game, since the front door 102 is closed, the acceleration information initialization completion flag is not cleared in step S2032 shown in FIG.

[0347] In the next N+3 game, the initial acceleration information is set to a value of "1", and the reels can be stopped without waiting for the detection of the light-shielding piece. That is, when the start lever 135 is turned on, all the reels 110 to 113 start rotating at the same time, and all the reels 110 to 113 soon enter a constant speed state. In the N+2 game, the light-shielding piece of each reel is detected, and the initial acceleration information is set to a value of "1" (step S310i1 shown in FIG. 27), so in the N+3 game, the judgment in step S2082 shown in FIG. 23 becomes Yes, the operation of the stop button is enabled (step S208c), and all the reels 110 to 113 enter a constant speed state and can be stopped. In addition, the stop button LEDs 137a to 139a also change to the second light-emitting mode at the same time. In addition, the light-shielding piece is detected in each reel after it enters a constant speed state. Thereafter, the stop buttons 137 to 139 are operated, and all the reels 110 to 112 stop.

[0348] As explained above, when the front door 102 is closed and door open detection is no longer performed, from the subsequent game (in this example, the game following the first game), each reel will be in a state where it can be stopped if it enters the constant speed 2 state, without waiting for the detection of the light-shielding piece.

[0349] In addition, if the front door 102 is closed and the door opening is not detected before the initial acceleration information is set to the value of "1" in step S310i1 shown in FIG. 27 in the N+1th game, all the reels 110 to 113 will transition to the stoppable state since they have reached the constant speed state from the N+2th game (the first game after the door opening is no longer detected). Also, in step S2031 shown in FIG. 21, once the opening of the front door 102 is detected, the determination of step S2031 may not be executed until the opening is not detected. In this way, even if the front door 102 remains open, all the reels 110 to 113 will transition to the stoppable state since they have reached the constant speed state from the N+2th game (the game following the game in which the opening of the front door 102 is detected (after the second spin start operation is performed)).

[0350] In addition, if the opening of the front door 102 is detected while the reels are stopped and before the start operation is performed, it goes without saying that the detection of the light-shielding piece is required to stop the reels that are started by the start operation immediately afterwards.

[0351] In addition, if the opening of the front door 102 is detected after the start operation but before the stop operation, depending on the timing of the detection, the stop operation may be possible without detecting the light-shielding piece, or the stop operation may be possible after the light-shielding piece is detected. Specifically, if the opening of the front door 102 is detected before step S10571 and the acceleration information initialization completion flag is 0, the stop operation may be possible after the light-shielding piece is detected, and if the opening of the front door 102 is detected after step S10571, the stop operation may be possible without detecting the light-shielding piece.

[0352] In addition, in this embodiment, the acceleration information initialization completion flag is cleared when the opening of the front door 102 is detected, but if the closing of the front door 102 is detected, the acceleration information initialization completion flag may be retained and the stop operation possible state may be set without detecting the light-shielding piece.

[0353] As shown in Figures 33 to 36, in the case of a game or stop operation immediately after the occurrence of a specific event (power-on, reel presentation including pseudo game, detection of the opening of the front door 102, etc.), the stop operation becomes effective after the light blocking piece is detected after the constant speed state, but from the next game or stop operation, the stop operation becomes effective when the constant speed state is reached without waiting for the detection of the light blocking piece, and if no specific event occurs again, the stop operation before the light blocking piece is detected can be performed with every game or stop operation.

[0354] FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a specific example in which the front door 102 is opened and frame misalignment occurs in the reels.

[0355] In Figure 37(a), all three reels 110 to 112 are stopped. Also, the stop button LEDs 137a to 139a built into the three stop buttons 137 to 139, respectively, are all lit in the first light emission mode.

[0356] With the reels stopped, the front door 102 (not shown) is opened. At this time, if the front door 102 is opened while the door open sensor is covered with a hand, the opening of the front door 102 is not detected by the door open sensor.

[0357] When the front door 102 is open, the reels may be touched by mistake. In Fig. 37(b), the right reel 112 is touched, causing the right reel 112 to shift downward by one frame. As a result, the position of the symbols on the right reel 112 in the direction of rotation that the main control unit 300 had previously grasped is now off by one frame.

[0358] In the explanation here, each of the reels 110-112 was in a stopped state before and after the front door 102 was opened, but even if the reel was spinning, if the reel was touched, the position of the rotation direction of the symbols on the reel would be distorted, so this is not a problem limited to the stopped state.

[0359] Eventually, the front door 102 is closed. After that, the start lever 135 is operated to start the game.

[0360] The effect image display device 157 shown in FIG. 37(c) displays a display indicating that the replay has been internally won. Each of the reels 110-112 in FIG. 37(c) is in the constant speed 2 state. In this specific example, the light blocking piece has already been detected in the game before the front door 102 is opened, and the initial acceleration information is set to a value of "1". Since the opening of the front door 102 has not been detected, the acceleration information initialization completion flag is not cleared in step S2032 shown in FIG. 21, and each of the reels becomes stoppable without waiting for the light blocking piece to be detected when it becomes the constant speed 2 state. Each of the stop button LEDs 137a-139a shown in FIG. 37(c) has changed to the second light emission mode because each of the reels 110-112 has become the constant speed 2 state.

[0361] In each of the reels 110-112, the light-shielding pieces are detected by the index sensor after the constant speed 2 state is reached. FIG. 37(d) on the left side shows the result of the stop operation being performed on the three reels 110-112 before the light-shielding pieces are detected by the index sensor. Normally, the replay symbols are displayed in a straight line, but in the left reel 110 and the center reel 111 shown in FIG. 37(d), the replay symbols are stopped on the middle horizontal winning line, but in the right reel 112, the replay symbols are stopped at a position shifted one frame below the middle horizontal winning line. However, in terms of internal control, the replay symbols are determined based on the symbols derived from the reel stop data, and the middle reel 111 also has the replay symbol stopped on the middle horizontal winning line, which means that the replay has been won. As a result, even if the reel stop positions cannot be accurately controlled, there is no impact on the player's profits. However, this is not desirable in appearance, and there is a problem that the player may feel uneasy for a moment. In addition, not only in the case of replays, but also when a small role that involves the awarding of game value is achieved, or a bonus role that initiates a bonus game state is achieved, the awarding of game value and control to the bonus game state are still performed even if the reels stop out of sync.

[0362] On the other hand, FIG. 37(e) on the right side shows the result of a stop operation for the three reels 110-112 aimed at the replay symbol after the light-shielding piece is detected by the index sensor. In the three reels 110-112 shown in FIG. 37(e), the replay symbols are aligned and stopped on the horizontal middle winning line. By detecting the light-shielding piece, the rotation position information of the reels is reset by the processing of steps S310k and S310l shown in FIG. 27, and the stop position can be accurately controlled. In this way, even if the reels are misaligned before the start of rotation, the main control unit 300 can grasp the correct position of the reels again by detecting the light-shielding piece, and the stop position of the reels can be accurately controlled. However, it is necessary not to perform a stop operation until the light-shielding piece is detected, which causes a problem that the game cannot be played at a good tempo. Even if the symbols stop shifting as in Figure 37(d), the position can be grasped by detecting the light-shielding piece, so the misalignment of the symbols will be eliminated in about one or two plays (the number of plays required to detect the light-shielding piece again). In other words, it is highly likely that the misalignment of the symbols will be eliminated in the next play in Figure 37(d).

[0363] As explained above, there is a problem with the reels being out of alignment. For this reason, it is preferable to clear the acceleration information initialization completion flag when it is detected that the front door 102 is open, and wait for the detection of the light-shielding piece before putting the reels into a state in which they can be stopped. Also, even if the "acceleration information initialization completion flag = 1" or the "initial acceleration information = 1" is set, the information is updated every time a light-shielding piece is detected in the processing of Figs. 23 and 24, so even if the reels are out of alignment, the accurate position can be grasped by detecting the light-shielding piece again, and the misalignment can be eliminated.

[0364] Furthermore, although this embodiment is related to playing on the slot machine 100, the present invention is not limited to slot machines and can be applied to other gaming machines equipped with reels.

[0365] In conventional gaming machines, the internal winning combination is determined and the reel starts to rotate when the player starts the game. In the reel start control, the reel is accelerated from a stopped state, and when it reaches a sufficient speed, it becomes constant speed control. In the constant speed control, when the light-shielding piece for detecting the reel position is detected, the stop operation of each stop switch becomes effective. In other words, the stop operation is not effective unless the index sensor detects the light-shielding piece after the reel rotates at a constant speed. This is because the main control unit 300 needs to update the symbol position when the symbol position grasped by the gaming machine (main control unit 300) does not match the actual symbol position due to step-out (out of step) or frame misalignment of the reel. However, in such specifications, depending on the position where the reel started to start (= the stop position of the previous game) and the symbol arrangement, the stop operation may not be effective until the reel has rotated one or more revolutions from the stop position of the previous game or the position pressed by the player in the previous game. For example, if the index sensor detects a light-shielding piece just before the reel reaches a constant speed rotation, the stop operation will not be effective until the reel has rotated one more time to detect the light-shielding piece, and the player's operation tempo (so-called "hit feeling") will decrease, or the player may perform the first stop operation early, but the first stop operation may not be a valid operation, and the player may intend to perform the second stop operation, but the gaming machine may treat it as the first stop operation, which may induce mistakes in the push order or the timing of the push. Therefore, the gaming machine of this embodiment aims to provide a gaming machine that improves the player's operation tempo so as not to induce mistakes in the push order, while allowing the main control unit 300 to accurately grasp the position of the symbols.

[0366] As one of the gaming machines that solves the above purpose, "A control means for controlling the progress of a game (e.g., a main control means 300), A rotatable reel [e.g., reels 110-112], A stop operation means (e.g., a stop button unit 136) for performing a stop operation to stop the reel that is rotating; A detection means (e.g., a rotation detection device 606) capable of detecting a reference position of the reel (e.g., a position where a light blocking piece is provided); A gaming machine equipped with the control means is means capable of executing control (e.g., brake control) to stop the reel that is spinning when the stop operation is performed in a stoppable state (e.g., a state in which stop button enable information is set), The control means detects a first condition (e.g., FIG. 33(f')) after the reels start to rotate, and sets the stop-enabling state (e.g., execution of step S310j shown in FIG. 27) in a first case (e.g., the Nth game shown in FIG. 33), The control means may be configured to set the stop-enabling state (for example, execution of step S208c shown in FIG. 23) even if the first condition is not satisfied after the rotation of the reels is started (for example, in the case of the N+1 game shown in FIG. 33), The first condition is the detection of the reference position by the detection means (for example, the detection of the left reel 110 at the timing of FIG. 33(f')). The first case occurs in the first game after the specific event occurs (for example, the Nth game in FIG. 33). The second case occurs in at least a part of the games from the game next to the game in which the first condition is satisfied [for example, the N+1 game in FIG. 33] until the specific event occurs, The specific event is the start of power supply to the gaming machine (e.g., power-on (power recovery)). A gaming machine characterized by the above. He explained:

[0367] According to this gaming machine, except for the first game after the occurrence of a specific event that power supply to the gaming machine is started, the stop operation is accepted without waiting for detection by the detection means, so that the game can proceed at a good tempo. On the other hand, since there is a possibility that the reel may be touched during maintenance during the power outage and the position of the reel may be shifted, the reel can be stopped at the correct position after the detection by the detection means after the power is restored. In addition, a power outage and power restoration are also required for changing the settings. Since the area that stores the reel position is initialized by changing the settings, the stop operation becomes effective after the detection by the detection means even after the setting is changed. In the case of a power outage and power restoration without a setting change, if the stop operation is enabled without waiting for detection by the detection means, the presence or absence of a setting change may be known due to the difference in the timing of the effectuation, which may affect the operation of the gaming machine immediately after opening. For this reason, it is possible to make it difficult to tell whether the setting has been changed or not by matching the behavior during the setting change and the behavior during the power outage and power restoration.

[0368] The reel has a plurality of different patterns arranged in the direction of rotation, and the detection means is capable of outputting a detection signal for identifying the position of the stopped display of the plurality of different patterns on the reel. That is, the detection means outputs the detection signal when it detects the reference position (the same applies hereinafter).

[0369] Further, a game in which the first condition is satisfied is a game in which the specific event does not occur (the same applies hereinafter).

[0370] Furthermore, if a specified event other than the specific event occurs during the play from the next game to the occurrence of the specific event [for example, a reel presentation or door opening detection], then the first case will occur rather than the second case, and therefore the "at least a portion of the game" refers to the game from the next game to the occurrence of the specific event until the specified event occurs, and if the specified event does not occur, it will be the entire game from the next game to the occurrence of the specific event.

[0371] Also, in a game in which the specific event occurs, the first case may occur, or the second case may occur. For example, when door opening is detected, if the constant speed is reached before the initial acceleration information becomes 0, the second case occurs, and if the initial acceleration information becomes 0 before the constant speed is reached, the first case occurs. After the reel performance, the acceleration information initialization completion flag is cleared and the initial acceleration information becomes 0, so the first case occurs without fail. Immediately after power is restored, the acceleration information initialization completion flag is cleared and the initial acceleration information becomes 0, so the first case occurs without fail (the same applies hereafter).

[0372] Furthermore, the reel may be a single reel or a plurality of reels.

[0373] As one of the gaming machines that solves the above purpose, "A control means for controlling the progress of a game (e.g., a main control means 300), A rotatable reel [e.g., reels 110-112], A stop operation means (e.g., a stop button unit 136) for performing a stop operation to stop the reel that is rotating; A detection means (e.g., a rotation detection device 606) capable of detecting a reference position of the reel (e.g., a position where a light blocking piece is provided); A gaming machine equipped with the control means is means capable of executing control (e.g., brake control) to stop the reel that is spinning when the stop operation is performed in a stoppable state (e.g., a state in which stop button enable information is set), There is a first case (for example, the Nth game shown in FIG. 35) in which the stop-enabling state is set (for example, execution of step S310j shown in FIG. 27) when a first condition is satisfied after the rotation of the reel is started, There is a second case (e.g., the N+1 game shown in FIG. 35) in which the stop-enabling state is set (e.g., execution of step S208c shown in FIG. 23) even if the first condition is not satisfied after the reels start rotating, The first condition is a condition that the detection means detects the reference position (for example, reel index ON in the Nth game in FIG. 35 ), The first case occurs in a game in which the first stop operation is required after a specific event occurs (for example, a game started by a pseudo start after a pseudo stop, or a game started by a random delay process after an automatic stop due to a reel action). The second case occurs in at least a part of the games from the game following the game in which the first condition is satisfied [for example, the N+1 game in FIG. 35] until the specific event occurs, The specific event is that a performance using the reel has been performed (e.g., a pseudo stop, an automatic stop due to a reel action), A gaming machine characterized by the above. He also explained:

[0374] According to this gaming machine, except for the first stop operation after the performance using the reel, the stop operation can be accepted without waiting for detection by the detection means, so that the game can proceed at a good tempo. On the other hand, for example, when reverse rotation is involved, it is possible that the direction in which the light-blocking piece is detected (it is unclear whether it is forward or reverse rotation with only one light-blocking piece) cannot be determined, the reel may step out during reel action, or it may stop at an unintended position, so that the reel can be stopped at the correct position by accepting the stop operation after detection by the detection means after the performance using the reel.

[0375] In addition, "effects using reels" include bounce stop, reverse spin, freeze, and pseudo play. Among these effects, for reverse spin, freeze, and pseudo play, which have start and stop operations, the detection by the detection means is required for the first stop operation after these effects (the same applies hereinafter).

[0376] Furthermore, if a specified event other than the specific event occurs during the play from the next game to the occurrence of the specific event [for example, power-on (power restoration) or door opening detection], the first case will occur rather than the second case, and therefore the at least a portion of the game refers to the game from the next game to the occurrence of the specific event up until the occurrence of the specified event, and if the specified event does not occur, it will be the entire game from the next game to the occurrence of the specific event.

[0377] Furthermore, the reel may be a single reel or a plurality of reels.

[0378] As one of the gaming machines that solves the above purpose, "A control means for controlling the progress of a game (e.g., a main control means 300), A number of reels that can be rotated [e.g., three reels 110-112]; A stop operation means (e.g., three stop buttons 137 to 139) is provided for each of the reels constituting the plurality of reels in a one-to-one correspondence, and a stop operation is performed to stop the rotation of the corresponding reel; A detection means (e.g., a rotation detection device 606) is provided on each of the reels and is capable of detecting a reference position of the reel (e.g., the light blocking piece 612D in the case of the left reel 110); A gaming machine equipped with the control means is means capable of executing control (e.g., brake control) to stop the rotation of the corresponding reel when the stop operation is performed in a stoppable state (e.g., a state in which stop button enable information is set), There is a first case in which, after the rotation of the plurality of reels is started, if a first condition is satisfied on the plurality of reels, the stop-enabling state is set (for example, execution of step S310j shown in FIG. 27 on a whole reel basis, not on an individual rule basis), There is a second case in which, after the rotation of the plurality of reels has started, the stop-enabling state is set even if the first condition is not satisfied for the plurality of reels (for example, execution of step S208c shown in FIG. 23 for all reels, not for each rule), the first condition is the detection of the reference position of the reel by the detection means, The first case occurs in a game in which the first stop operation is required after a specific event occurs, The second case occurs in at least a part of the games from the game next to the game in which the first condition is satisfied until the specific event occurs. A gaming machine characterized by the above. He also explained:

[0379] According to this gaming machine, except for the first game after the occurrence of the specific event, the stop operation is accepted without waiting for the detection of the detection means, so that the game can proceed at a good tempo. On the other hand, since the specific event may cause the position of the symbols on the reel to become unclear or the position to be shifted, the reel can be stopped at the correct position by accepting the stop operation after the detection of the detection means after the occurrence of the specific event. The specific events correspond to power-on (power recovery), detection of the opening of the front door 102, reel performance, setting change, etc., and when these events occur, the position of the symbols needs to be reacquired. Also, in the second case, the stop operations of all the stop operation means are enabled, and the stop operation of a certain stop operation means is not enabled, so that it is possible to prevent a mistake in the pressing order (operation before the enablement, resulting in the Nth operation being the N-1th operation) due to a jam in the middle of the stop operation such as "first stop → second stop → third stop" (pressing but not enabling and not stopping) (operation before the enablement, and the Nth operation being the N-1th operation).

[0380] In this gaming machine, if the reference positions of all the reels are not detected, none of the reels will be in the stoppable state, and all the reels will be in the stoppable state. In this case, the reel whose reference position was detected first will be in the stoppable state in accordance with the reel whose reference position was detected last among the reels.

[0381] As one of the gaming machines that solves the above purpose, "A control means for controlling the progress of a game (e.g., a main control means 300), A front door [e.g., front door 102]; An opening detection means (e.g., a door opening sensor) capable of detecting the opening of the front door; A rotatable reel [e.g., reels 110-112], A stop operation means (e.g., a stop button unit 136) for performing a stop operation to stop the reel that is rotating; A detection means (e.g., a rotation detection device 606) capable of detecting a reference position of the reel (e.g., a position where a light blocking piece is provided); A gaming machine equipped with the control means is means capable of executing control (e.g., brake control) to stop the reel that is spinning when the stop operation is performed in a stoppable state (e.g., a state in which stop button enable information is set), There is a first case (e.g., the N+1 game case and the N+2 game case shown in FIG. 36) in which the stop-enabling state is set (e.g., execution of step S310j shown in FIG. 27) when a first condition is satisfied after the rotation of the reels is started, There is a second case (e.g., the N+3 game shown in FIG. 36) in which the stop-enabling state is set (e.g., execution of step S208c shown in FIG. 23) even if the first condition is not satisfied after the rotation of the reels is started, The first condition is the detection of the reference position by the detection means (for example, the detection of the left reel 110 at the timing of FIG. 33(f')). The first case occurs in the first game after the occurrence of a specific event (for example, the N+1 game in FIG. 36). The second case occurs in at least a part of the games from the game (e.g., the N+3 game in FIG. 36) following the game in which the first condition is satisfied (e.g., the N+2 game in FIG. 36) until the specific event occurs, The specific event is detection of the opening of the front door by the opening detection means. A gaming machine characterized by the above. He also explained:

[0382] According to this gaming machine, except for the first game after the opening of the front door is detected, the stop operation is accepted without waiting for detection by the detection means, so that the game can proceed at a good tempo. On the other hand, since there is a possibility that the reel may be touched and shifted from its position during maintenance while the front door is open, in the first game after the opening of the front door is detected, the stop operation is accepted after detection by the detection means, so that the reel can be stopped in the correct position.

[0383] In addition, if a specified event other than the specific event [for example, power-on (power restoration) or reel performance] occurs during the game from the next game to the occurrence of the specific event, the first case will occur rather than the second case, and therefore the at least a portion of the game refers to the game from the next game to the occurrence of the specific event until the specified event occurs, and if the specified event does not occur, it will be the entire game from the next game to the occurrence of the specific event.

[0384] Furthermore, the reel may be a plurality of reels or may be one of the plurality of reels.

[0385] As one of the gaming machines that solves the above purpose, "A control means for controlling the progress of a game (e.g., a main control means 300), A front door [e.g., front door 102]; An opening detection means (e.g., a door opening sensor) capable of detecting the opening of the front door; A number of reels that can be rotated [e.g., three reels 110-112]; A stop operation means (e.g., three stop buttons 137 to 139) is provided for each of the reels constituting the plurality of reels in a one-to-one correspondence, and a stop operation is performed to stop the rotation of the corresponding reel; A detection means (e.g., a rotation detection device 606) is provided on each of the reels and is capable of detecting a reference position of the reel (e.g., the light blocking piece 612D in the case of the left reel 110); A gaming machine equipped with the control means is means capable of executing control (e.g., brake control) to stop the rotation of the corresponding reel when the stop operation is performed in a stoppable state (e.g., a state in which stop button enable information is set), There is a first case in which, after the rotation of the plurality of reels is started, a first condition is satisfied in the plurality of reels, and the stop-enabling state is set (for example, execution of step S310j shown in FIG. 27 on a whole reel basis, not on an individual rule basis), There is a second case in which, after the rotation of the plurality of reels has started, the stop-enabling state is set even if the first condition is not satisfied for the plurality of reels (for example, execution of step S208c shown in FIG. 23 for all reels, not for each rule), the first condition is the detection of the reference position of the reel by the detection means, The first case occurs in the first game after the specific event occurs. The second case occurs in at least a part of the games from the game following the game in which the first condition is satisfied until the specific event occurs, The specific event is detection of the opening of the front door by the opening detection means. A gaming machine characterized by the above. He also explained:

[0386] According to this gaming machine, except for the first game after the detection of the opening of the front door, the stop operation can be accepted without waiting for the detection of the detection means, so that the game can proceed at a good tempo. On the other hand, since there is a possibility that the reel may be touched and displaced during maintenance while the front door is open, the stop operation can be accepted after the detection of the detection means in the first game after the detection of the opening of the front door, so that the reel can be stopped at the correct position. Also, in the second case, the stop operation of all the stop operation means is enabled, and the stop operation of a certain stop operation means is not enabled, so that it is possible to prevent a mistake in the pressing order (operation before the enablement, resulting in the Nth operation being the N-1th operation) due to a jam in the middle of the stop operation such as "first stop → second stop → third stop" (pressed but not enabled and no stop).

[0387] In this gaming machine, if the reference positions of all the reels are not detected, none of the reels will be in the stoppable state, and all the reels will be in the stoppable state. In this case, the reel whose reference position was detected first will be in the stoppable state in accordance with the reel whose reference position was detected last among the reels.

[0388] In addition, if a specified event other than the specific event [for example, power-on (power restoration) or reel performance] occurs during the game from the next game to the occurrence of the specific event, the first case will occur rather than the second case, and therefore the at least a portion of the game refers to the game from the next game to the occurrence of the specific event until the specified event occurs, and if the specified event does not occur, it will be the entire game from the next game to the occurrence of the specific event.

[0389] Also, "In the first case, a second condition is further included as a condition for setting the stoppable state, In the second case, the second condition is included as a condition for setting the stoppable state, The second condition is that the rotation state of the reel is a constant speed state in which the reel rotates at a constant speed (for example, a constant speed state by a second constant speed control), The reel is capable of transitioning from an accelerating state to the constant speed state before the reel completes one revolution after starting to rotate. A gaming machine characterized by the above. He also explained:

[0390] This gaming machine allows for one-turn pushes, allowing for good tempo gaming.

[0391] Also, "A notification means (e.g., stop button LEDs 137a to 139a) capable of notifying the user that the device is in the stoppable state, the notification means is means for indicating that the vehicle is not in the stoppable state in a first manner (for example, by emitting light in red); the notification means is means for indicating that the device is in the stoppable state in a second manner (for example, by emitting light in blue); In the first case, when the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, the notification means changes from the first mode to the second mode [for example, at the timing (f') shown in FIG. 33], In the second case, when the second condition is satisfied, the notification means changes from the first mode to the second mode [for example, at the timing (c) shown in FIG. 33]. A gaming machine characterized by the above. He also explained:

[0392] According to this gaming machine, by matching the effective timing of the stop operation with the notification timing, a suitable gaming machine can be provided. Specifically, if the notification is given before the effective timing, the player may intend to perform the second stop operation but actually perform the first stop operation, which may induce a mistake in the pressing order, but this can be prevented. Also, if the notification is given after the effective timing, the player's game progress speed may be suppressed, which may lead to a decrease in the operation of the gaming machine, but this can be prevented.

[0393] Also, "The control means is a means capable of outputting a plurality of types of signals to an external test device via a relay board (e.g., an IF board), The plurality of types of signals include a first signal (e.g., a stoppable signal) indicating the stoppable state, In the first case, when the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, the first signal is output [for example, the stop enable signal is output at the timing when step S310j shown in FIG. 27 is executed], In the second case, when the second condition is satisfied, the first signal is output (for example, the stop enable signal is output at the timing when step S208c shown in FIG. 23 is executed). A gaming machine characterized by the above. He also explained:

[0394] According to this gaming machine, the gaming machine can be subjected to a type test in the same environment as that in which it is installed in the gaming facility, making it possible to provide a legal gaming machine.

[0395] Also, "A determination means (e.g., the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300) is provided, There is first information [for example, initial acceleration information=1] that is set when the reference position is detected by the detection means, There is specific information (e.g., an acceleration information initialization completion flag) used to initialize the first information, The specific information is information that is set when the specific event occurs, The determination means is a means for executing a determination process of whether or not the specific information has been set (for example, the determination process of step S10571 shown in FIG. 17, or the determination process of step S1282c1 shown in FIG. 14). A gaming machine characterized by the above. He also explained:

[0396] According to this gaming machine, by using the second information without directly clearing the first information upon the occurrence of the specific event, when the stop operation is enabled after detecting the light blocking piece even upon the occurrence of an event other than when the power is turned on (restored) (for example, door opening, reel performance, etc.), the processing can be made common, and the degree of freedom can be improved when developing the gaming machine. For example, if the first information is initialized directly upon the occurrence of the specific event, it will also be initialized upon the occurrence of the specific event during reel rotation, and the timing at which the stop operation is enabled in the game will become variable, leading to complication of the control processing (increase in exception processing and interrupt processing) and reduced usability of the stop operation (unable to perform a smooth stop operation and inducing mistakes in the operation sequence). Therefore, by providing the second information for initializing the first information and initializing the first information at a specific timing, it is possible to prevent the timing at which the stop operation is enabled in the game from becoming variable even upon the occurrence of the specific event during reel rotation, and it is possible to realize a highly versatile control by unifying the processing for enabling the stop operation.

[0397] Also, "The game further includes a start operation means (e.g., a start lever 135) for performing a start operation to start the rotation of the reel, The determination process is executed at a certain timing after the start operation and before the stop operation (for example, the timing of step S10571 in the reel spin start process, or the timing of step S1282c1 in the reel spin start process of the pseudo game). A gaming machine characterized by the above. He also explained:

[0398] According to this gaming machine, the judgment process is carried out during the period from the start operation to when the second condition is satisfied, and this can be reflected in the change of the notification means to the second mode.

[0399] In addition, as one of the gaming machines that solves the above purpose, "A control means for controlling the progress of the game [for example, a main control unit 300], A rotatable reel [e.g., reels 110-112], A start operation means (e.g., a start lever 135) for performing a start operation to start the rotation of the reel; A stop operation means (e.g., a stop button unit 136) for performing a stop operation to stop the reel that is rotating; A detection means (e.g., a rotation detection device 606) capable of detecting a reference position of the rotating reel (e.g., a position where a light blocking piece is provided); A specific information unit (e.g., the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300) that sets specific information (e.g., an acceleration information initialization completion flag) (e.g., a flag is turned on (set to 1)); A determination means (e.g., the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300) for executing a process of determining whether the specific information has been updated (e.g., the determination process of step S10571 shown in FIG. 17, or the determination process of step S1282c1 shown in FIG. 14); A gaming machine equipped with A first specific event may occur on the gaming machine, A second specific event may occur on the gaming machine, the control means is means capable of executing control (e.g., brake control) to stop the reel that is spinning when the stop operation is performed in a stoppable state (e.g., a state in which stop button enable information is set), There is a first case (for example, the Nth game shown in FIG. 33) in which the reference position is detected by the detection means after the rotation of the reel is started (for example, FIG. 33(f') for the left reel 110) and the stop-enabling state is set (for example, execution of step S310j shown in FIG. 27). There is a second case (e.g., the execution of step S208c shown in FIG. 23) in which the stop-enabling state is set even if the reference position is not detected by the detection means after the rotation of the reel is started (e.g., the N+1 game shown in FIG. 33). The specific information means is a means for setting the specific information (for example, step S10572 shown in FIG. 17) when the first specific event occurs, The specific information means is a means for setting the specific information (for example, step S10572 shown in FIG. 17) when the second specific event occurs, When the specific information is set (for example, the initial acceleration information is set to 0), the first case is reached, If the specific information is not set (for example, the initial acceleration information remains set to 1), the second case is assumed. The determination process is executed at a certain timing (for example, at the timing of step S10571 in the reel spin start process) after the start operation and before the stop operation regardless of the occurrence of any specific event, The first specific event is an event in which power supply to the gaming machine is started (for example, power-on (power restoration)). A gaming machine characterized by the above. He also explained:

[0400] With this gaming machine, except for the first game after the occurrence of the specific event that the power supply to the gaming machine is started, the stop operation can be accepted without waiting for the detection by the detection means, so that the game can proceed at a good tempo. On the other hand, even if the position of the reel shifts during the power outage, the reel can be stopped at the correct position. Also, by matching the behavior when the setting is changed and when the power is restored, it is possible to make it difficult to tell whether the setting has been changed or not.

[0401] The reel may be a single reel or a plurality of reels.

[0402] In addition, as one of the gaming machines that solves the above purpose, "A control means for controlling the progress of the game [for example, a main control unit 300], A rotatable reel [e.g., reels 110-112], A start operation means (e.g., a start lever 135) for performing a start operation to start the rotation of the reel; A stop operation means (e.g., a stop button unit 136) for performing a stop operation to stop the reel that is rotating; A detection means (e.g., a rotation detection device 606) capable of detecting a reference position of the rotating reel (e.g., a position where a light blocking piece is provided); A specific information unit (e.g., the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300) that sets specific information (e.g., an acceleration information initialization completion flag) (e.g., a flag is turned on (set to 1)); A determination means (e.g., the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300) for executing a process of determining whether the specific information has been updated (e.g., the determination process of step S10571 shown in FIG. 17, or the determination process of step S1282c1 shown in FIG. 14); A gaming machine equipped with A first specific event may occur on the gaming machine, A second specific event may occur on the gaming machine, the control means is means capable of executing control (e.g., brake control) to stop the reel that is spinning when the stop operation is performed in a stoppable state (e.g., a state in which stop button enable information is set), There is a first case (for example, the Nth game shown in FIG. 35) in which the reference position is detected by the detection means after the rotation of the reel is started (for example, FIG. 33(f') for the left reel 110) and the stop-enabling state is set (for example, execution of step S310j shown in FIG. 27). There is a second case (for example, the N+1 game shown in FIG. 35) in which the stop-enabling state is set (for example, execution of step S208c shown in FIG. 23) even if the reference position is not detected by the detection means after the rotation of the reel is started, The specific information means is a means for setting the specific information (for example, step S10572 shown in FIG. 17) when the first specific event occurs, The specific information means is a means for setting the specific information (for example, step S10572 shown in FIG. 17) when the second specific event occurs, If the specific information is set (for example, the initial acceleration information is set to 0), the first case is reached, If the specific information is not set (for example, the initial acceleration information remains set to 1), the second case is assumed. The determination process is executed at a certain timing (for example, at the timing of step S10571 in the reel spin start process) after the start operation and before the stop operation regardless of the occurrence of any specific event, The first specific event is an event in which a performance using the reel is performed (e.g., a pseudo stop, an automatic stop due to a reel action), A gaming machine characterized by the above. He also explained:

[0403] With this gaming machine, the reels can be stopped at a good tempo without waiting for detection by the detection means, except for the first stop operation after the performance using the reels. On the other hand, after the performance using the reels, the reels can be stopped at the correct position by accepting the stop operation after detection by the detection means.

[0404] The reel may be a single reel or a plurality of reels.

[0405] In addition, as one of the gaming machines that solves the above purpose, "A control means for controlling the progress of the game [for example, a main control unit 300], A number of reels that can be rotated [e.g., three reels 110-112]; A start operation means (e.g., a start lever 135) for performing a start operation to start the rotation of the plurality of reels; A stop operation means (e.g., three stop buttons 137 to 139) is provided for each of the reels constituting the plurality of reels in a one-to-one correspondence, and a stop operation is performed to stop the rotation of the corresponding reel; A detection means (e.g., a rotation detection device 606) is provided on each of the reels and is capable of detecting a reference position of the reel (e.g., the light blocking piece 612D in the case of the left reel 110); A specific information unit (e.g., the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300) that sets specific information (e.g., an acceleration information initialization completion flag) (e.g., a flag is turned on (set to 1)); A determination means (e.g., the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300) for executing a process of determining whether the specific information has been updated (e.g., the determination process of step S10571 shown in FIG. 17, or the determination process of step S1282c1 shown in FIG. 14); A gaming machine equipped with A first specific event may occur on the gaming machine, A second specific event may occur on the gaming machine, the control means is means capable of executing control (e.g., brake control) to stop the rotation of the corresponding reel when the stop operation is performed in a stoppable state (e.g., a state in which stop button enable information is set), There is a first case in which, after the rotation of the plurality of reels is started, the rotation state of the plurality of reels becomes a constant speed state in which the reels rotate at a constant speed, and the reference position is detected by the detection means on the plurality of reels, and the stoppable state is set (for example, execution of step S310j shown in FIG. 27 on a reel-by-reel basis, not on an individual rule basis), There is a second case in which, after the rotation of the reels has started, when the reels reach the constant speed state, the stop-enabling state is set even if the reference position is not detected by the detection means for the reels (for example, execution of step S208c shown in FIG. 23 for all reels, not for each rule), and The specific information means is a means for setting the specific information (for example, step S10572 shown in FIG. 17) when the first specific event occurs, The specific information means is a means for setting the specific information (for example, step S10572 shown in FIG. 17) when the second specific event occurs, When the specific information is set (for example, the initial acceleration information is set to 0), the first case is reached, If the specific information is not set (for example, the initial acceleration information remains set to 1), the second case is assumed. The determination process is executed at a certain timing (for example, at the timing of step S10571 in the reel spin start process) after the start operation and before the stop operation regardless of the occurrence of any specific event. A gaming machine characterized by the above. He also explained:

[0406] This gaming machine also allows the game to proceed at a good tempo by accepting the stop operation without waiting for detection by the detection means except for the first game after the specific event occurs. On the other hand, after the specific event occurs, the reel can be stopped at the correct position by accepting the stop operation after detection by the detection means. Also, in the second case, the stop operations of all the stop operation means are enabled, and the stop operation of a certain stop operation means is not enabled, so that it is possible to prevent a mistake in the pressing order (operating before the enablement, and the Nth operation becoming the N-1th operation) due to a jam in the middle of the stop operation such as "1st stop → 2nd stop → 3rd stop" (pressing but not enabling it and not stopping).

[0407] In this gaming machine, if the reference positions of all the reels are not detected, none of the reels will be in the stoppable state, and all the reels will be in the stoppable state. In this case, the reel whose reference position was detected first will be in the stoppable state in accordance with the reel whose reference position was detected last among the reels.

[0408] In addition, as one of the gaming machines that solves the above purpose, "A control means for controlling the progress of a game (e.g., a main control means 300), A front door [e.g., front door 102]; An opening detection means (e.g., a door opening sensor) capable of detecting the opening of the front door; A rotatable reel [e.g., reels 110-112], A start operation means (e.g., a start lever 135) for performing a start operation to start the rotation of the reel; A stop operation means (e.g., a stop button unit 136) for performing a stop operation to stop the reel that is rotating; A detection means (e.g., a rotation detection device 606) capable of detecting a reference position of the rotating reel (e.g., a position where a light blocking piece is provided); A specific information unit (e.g., the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300) that sets specific information (e.g., an acceleration information initialization completion flag) (e.g., a flag is turned on (set to 1)); A determination means (e.g., the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300) for executing a process of determining whether the specific information has been updated (e.g., the determination process of step S10571 shown in FIG. 17, or the determination process of step S1282c1 shown in FIG. 14); A gaming machine equipped with A first specific event may occur on the gaming machine, A second specific event may occur on the gaming machine, the control means is means capable of executing control (e.g., brake control) to stop the reel that is spinning when the stop operation is performed in a stoppable state (e.g., a state in which stop button enable information is set), There is a first case (for example, the N+1 game case and the N+2 game case shown in FIG. 36) in which the stop-enabling state is set (for example, execution of step S310j shown in FIG. 27) when the reference position is detected by the detection means after the rotation of the reel is started, There is a second case (e.g., the N+3 game shown in FIG. 36) in which the stop-enabling state is set (e.g., execution of step S208c shown in FIG. 23) even if the reference position is not detected by the detection means after the rotation of the reel is started, The specific information means is a means for setting the specific information (for example, step S10572 shown in FIG. 17) when the first specific event occurs, The specific information means is a means for setting the specific information (for example, step S10572 shown in FIG. 17) when the second specific event occurs, If the specific information is set (for example, the initial acceleration information is set to 0), the first case is reached, If the specific information is not set (for example, the initial acceleration information remains set to 1), the second case is assumed. The determination process is executed at a certain timing (for example, at the timing of step S10571 in the reel spin start process) after the start operation and before the stop operation regardless of the occurrence of any specific event, The first specific event is detection of the opening of the front door by the opening detection means. A gaming machine characterized by the above. He also explained:

[0409] With this gaming machine, the reels can be stopped at a good tempo by accepting the stop operation without waiting for detection by the detection means except for the first game after the opening of the front door is detected. On the other hand, in the first game after the opening of the front door is detected, the reels can be stopped at the correct position by accepting the stop operation after detection by the detection means.

[0410] The reel may be a plurality of reels or may be one of the plurality of reels. It may be a single reel or multiple reels.

[0411] In addition, as one of the gaming machines that solves the above purpose, "A control means for controlling the progress of the game [for example, a main control unit 300], A front door [e.g., front door 102]; An opening detection means (e.g., a door opening sensor) capable of detecting the opening of the front door; A number of reels that can be rotated [e.g., three reels 110-112]; a start operation means for performing a start operation for starting the rotation of the plurality of reels; A stop operation means (e.g., three stop buttons 137 to 139) is provided for each of the reels constituting the plurality of reels in a one-to-one correspondence, and a stop operation is performed to stop the rotation of the corresponding reel; A detection means (e.g., a rotation detection device 606) is provided on each of the reels and is capable of detecting a reference position of the reel (e.g., the light blocking piece 612D in the case of the left reel 110); A specific information unit (e.g., the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300) that sets specific information (e.g., an acceleration information initialization completion flag) (e.g., a flag is turned on (set to 1)); A determination means (e.g., the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300) for executing a process of determining whether the specific information has been updated (e.g., the determination process of step S10571 shown in FIG. 17, or the determination process of step S1282c1 shown in FIG. 14); A gaming machine equipped with A first specific event may occur on the gaming machine, A second specific event may occur on the gaming machine, the control means is means capable of executing control (e.g., brake control) to stop the rotation of the corresponding reel when the stop operation is performed in a stoppable state (e.g., a state in which stop button enable information is set), There is a first case in which, after the rotation of the plurality of reels is started, the rotation state of the plurality of reels becomes a constant speed state in which the reels rotate at a constant speed, and the reference position is detected by the detection means on the plurality of reels, and the stoppable state is set (for example, execution of step S310j shown in FIG. 27 on a reel-by-reel basis, not on an individual rule basis), There is a second case in which, after the rotation of the reels has started, when the reels reach the constant speed state, the stop-enabling state is set even if the reference position is not detected by the detection means for the reels (for example, execution of step S208c shown in FIG. 23 for all reels, not for each rule), and The specific information means is a means for setting the specific information (for example, step S10572 shown in FIG. 17) when the first specific event occurs, The specific information means is a means for setting the specific information (for example, step S10572 shown in FIG. 17) when the second specific event occurs, When the specific information is set (for example, the initial acceleration information is set to 0), the first case is reached, If the specific information is not set (for example, the initial acceleration information remains set to 1), the second case is assumed. The determination process is executed at a certain timing (for example, at the timing of step S10571 in the reel spin start process) after the start operation and before the stop operation regardless of the occurrence of any specific event, The first specific event is detection of the opening of the front door by the opening detection means. A gaming machine characterized by the above. He also explained:

[0412] According to this gaming machine, except for the first game after the opening of the front door is detected, the stop operation is accepted without waiting for the detection of the detection means, so that the game can proceed at a good tempo. Meanwhile, in the first game after the opening of the front door is detected, the stop operation is accepted after the detection of the detection means, so that the reel can be stopped at the correct position. Also, by executing the second pattern, the stop operation of all the stop operation means is made valid, and the stop operation of a certain stop operation means is not valid, and it is possible to prevent a mistake in the pressing order (operating before the validity, and the Nth operation becomes the N-1th operation) due to a jam in the middle of the stop operation such as "1st stop → 2nd stop → 3rd stop" (pressing but not valid and not stopping).

[0413] In this gaming machine, if the reference positions of all the reels are not detected, none of the reels will be in the stoppable state, and all the reels will be in the stoppable state. In this case, the reel whose reference position was detected first will be in the stoppable state in accordance with the reel whose reference position was detected last among the reels.

[0414] Also, In the first case, the reel is rotated at a constant speed (for example, FIG. 33(c')), and the detection means detects the reference position (for example, FIG. 33(f') for the left reel 110), and the stoppable state is set. In the second case, when the rotation state of the reel becomes the constant speed state (for example, FIG. 33(c)), the stoppable state is set even if the reference position is not detected by the detection means. A gaming machine characterized by the above. He also explained:

[0415] The above describes the embodiments of the present invention, and each embodiment provides a special effect specific to the gaming machine. The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the gist of the present invention, and such modifications and changes are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the actions and effects described in the embodiments of the invention are merely a list of the most preferable actions and effects resulting from the present invention, and the actions and effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0416] 100 Slot Machine 110 Left Reel 111 Middle reel 112 Right Reel 113 Pattern display window 130, 131, 132 Medal insertion button 135 Starting lever 137 Left Stop Button 138 Middle stop button 139 Right Stop Button 137a Left stop button LED 138a Middle stop button LED 139a Right stop button LED 157 Visual display device 300 Main control unit 400 First sub-control section 500 Second sub-control section 606A Index Sensor 612D light shielding piece 606 Rotational detection device

Claims

1. A control means for controlling the progress of a game; The front door and An opening detection means capable of detecting the opening of the front door; A plurality of rotatable reels; a stop operation means provided in one-to-one correspondence with each of the reels constituting the plurality of reels, for performing a stop operation for stopping the rotation of the corresponding reel; a detection means provided on each of the plurality of reels and capable of detecting a reference position of the reel; A gaming machine equipped with the control means is means for executing control to stop the rotation of the corresponding reel when the stop operation is performed in a stoppable state, a first case in which the stop enabling state is set when a first condition is satisfied on the reels after the rotation of the reels is started; a second case in which the stop-enabling state is set even if the first condition is not satisfied on the reels after the rotation of the reels has started; the first condition is the detection of the reference position of the reel by the detection means, The first case occurs in the first game after the specific event occurs. The second case occurs in at least a part of the games from the game following the game in which the first condition is satisfied until the specific event occurs, The specific event is detection of the opening of the front door by the opening detection means. A gaming machine characterized by:

2. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, In the first case, a second condition is further included as a condition for setting the stoppable state, In the second case, the second condition is included as a condition for setting the stoppable state, The second condition is that the reel is in a constant speed state where the reel rotates at a constant speed, The reel is capable of transitioning from an accelerating state to the constant speed state before the reel completes one revolution after starting to rotate. A gaming machine characterized by:

3. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, a notification means capable of notifying the user that the device is in the stoppable state; the notification means is means for indicating that the vehicle is not in the stoppable state in a first manner, the notification means is means for indicating that the stoppable state is present in a second manner, In the first case, when the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, the notification means changes from the first mode to the second mode, In the second case, when the second condition is satisfied, the notification means changes from the first mode to the second mode. A gaming machine characterized by:

4. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, the control means is a means capable of outputting a plurality of types of signals to an external test device via a relay board; the plurality of types of signals includes a first signal indicating the stoppable state, In the first case, when the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, the first signal is output; In the second case, when the second condition is satisfied, the first signal is output. A gaming machine characterized by:

5. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, A determination means is provided, a first piece of information that is set when the reference position is detected by the detection means; There is specific information used to initialize the first information, The specific information is information that is set when the specific event occurs, The determination means is a means for executing a process of determining whether or not the specific information has been set. A gaming machine characterized by:

6. 6. The gaming machine according to claim 5, A start operation means is further provided for performing a start operation for starting the rotation of the reel, The determination process is executed at a certain timing after the start operation and before the stop operation. A gaming machine characterized by:

7. A control means for controlling the progress of a game; The front door and An opening detection means capable of detecting the opening of the front door; A plurality of rotatable reels; a start operation means for performing a start operation for starting the rotation of the plurality of reels; a stop operation means provided in one-to-one correspondence with each of the reels constituting the plurality of reels, for performing a stop operation for stopping the rotation of the corresponding reel; a detection means provided on each of the plurality of reels and capable of detecting a reference position of the reel; A specific information setting unit for setting specific information; A determination means for executing a process of determining whether the specific information has been updated; A gaming machine equipped with A first specific event may occur on the gaming machine, A second specific event may occur on the gaming machine, the control means is means for executing control to stop the rotation of the corresponding reel when the stop operation is performed in a stoppable state, a first case in which, after the rotation of the plurality of reels has started, the rotation state of the plurality of reels becomes a constant speed state in which the plurality of reels rotate at a constant speed, and the stoppable state is set when the reference position is detected by the detection means on the plurality of reels; a second case in which, when the plurality of reels reach the constant speed state after the rotation of the plurality of reels has started, the stoppable state is set even if the reference position is not detected by the detection means in the plurality of reels; the specific information means is means for setting the specific information when the first specific event occurs; the specific information means is means for setting the specific information when the second specific event occurs; If the specific information is set, the first case is reached, If the specific information is not set, the second case is assumed. the determination process is executed at a certain timing after the start operation and before the stop operation regardless of the occurrence of any specific event, The first specific event is detection of the opening of the front door by the opening detection means. A gaming machine characterized by:

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