Gaming machine

Abstract

To improve the quality of a game machine.SOLUTION: In the game machine provided with a board having a plurality of components, a case member for covering the board is provided, the board has a plurality of two-dimension cords for the board on the front face of the board, the case member has two-dimension cords for the case on the front face of the case member, and the plurality of two-dimension cords for the board have the same size.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been gaming machines in which, when through holes are provided on both sides of a control device that controls the game to conduct patterns, the placement of the through holes has been improved to prevent unauthorized access from around the connector (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-120924 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional gaming machines, there is room for improving the quality of gaming machines by improving the work efficiency during inspection of gaming machines.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve the quality of gaming machines. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one representative embodiment of the present invention, an amusement machine having a board with multiple components is provided with a case member covering the board, the board having multiple two-dimensional codes for the board on its surface, the case member having two-dimensional codes for the case on its surface, and the multiple two-dimensional codes for the board being the same size. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, the quality of gaming machines can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a view of the gaming machine from the front side. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a game control system of a gaming machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a presentation control system of a gaming machine. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the game control device. [Figure 9] This is an enlarged front view of a part of the game control device with the case attached. [Figure 10] This is an enlarged front view of a portion of the game control device without the case. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the gaming machine of the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a game control device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a front view of a game control device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] A front view of the base member of the game control device of the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV in FIG. [Figure 16] 10 is a cross-sectional view (first half) illustrating the relationship between a through hole and a side wall portion of a substrate member. FIG. [Figure 17] 10 is a cross-sectional view (second half) illustrating the relationship between the introduction hole and the sidewall portion of the substrate member. FIG. [Figure 18] 10A and 10B are an enlarged perspective view and a front view of the periphery of the inspection connector of the base member. [Figure 19] 10A and 10B are an enlarged perspective view and a front view of the periphery of a specific internal connector of the substrate member. [Figure 20]This is an enlarged front view of the area around the connector of the base member of the performance control device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [First embodiment] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the gaming machine, the terms front (front), back (back), left, and right are used as reference directions from the perspective of a player playing a game.

[0010] [Overall view of the gaming machine] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a gaming machine 10 as a pachinko machine. The gaming machine 10 of this embodiment is an enclosed gaming machine (smart pachinko machine), and gaming balls as gaming media circulate inside the gaming machine and are not awarded as gaming value on a tray such as an upper tray. Gaming value is awarded as numerical data instead of gaming media (gaming balls). Note that the configuration of the following embodiment can also be applied to gaming machines that are not enclosed gaming machines.

[0011] The gaming machine 10 is equipped with an opening / closing frame that is attached to a frame 11 fixed to the island equipment via hinges 16 and can be rotated open and closed. The opening / closing frame is composed of a front frame 12 (main body frame) and a glass frame 15 (front frame unit). The left end of the opening / closing frame is the shaft end attached to the hinge 16, and the right end is the open end that is opened by rotation. The frame 11 and front frame 12 form an outer frame unit.

[0012] A game board 30 (see FIG. 2) is disposed on the front frame 12, and a glass frame 15 having a cover glass 14 that covers the front of the game board 30 is attached. The cover glass 14 functions as a game viewing area that makes the game area 32 (see FIG. 2) formed on the game board 30 visible. Note that the cover glass 14 is shown as an example of a transparent member, and a plastic cover may be used instead of the cover glass 14. The glass frame 15 functions as a transparent member holding frame that holds the transparent member.

[0013] The front frame 12 and the glass frame 15 can be opened individually. For example, by opening only the glass frame 15, it is possible to access the game area 32 of the game board 30. Furthermore, by opening the front frame 12 without opening the glass frame 15, it is possible to access the game control device (main board) 100 (see FIG. 3) and the like disposed on the back side of the game board 30.

[0014] Various frame components are arranged around the edge of the glass frame 15 around the cover glass 14.

[0015] Decorative devices 18a, 18b, and 18c capable of producing light effects according to the game status are disposed on the top, right, and left sides of the glass frame 15. The decorative devices 18a, 18b, and 18c house lighting components such as LEDs 46 (see FIG. 4) inside and are used to produce light effects according to the game status. These decorative devices 18a, 18b, and 18c collectively constitute the frame decorative device 18.

[0016] Upper speakers 19a are disposed in the upper right and upper left corners of the glass frame 15. In addition to these upper speakers 19a, lower speakers 19b are provided at the bottom of the gaming machine 10. The lower speaker 19b is disposed at the bottom of the front frame 12. These upper speakers 19a and lower speakers 19b emit sound effects, alarm sounds, notification sounds, etc.

[0017] The effect operation device is located on an operation panel extending left and right at the bottom of the glass frame 15, and is an operation device including the effect button 25 and the directional key switch 450.

[0018] The effect button 25 includes a built-in effect button switch 25a (see FIG. 4) that detects when it is pressed. A plurality of effect buttons 25 may be provided. The directional key switch 450 (directional key SW) may be a cross key switch, or may be a general type consisting of a plurality of switches (for example, four) arranged in the front, back, left, right, etc. For example, the directional key switch 450 adjusts the brightness of the effect LED 46 by increasing or decreasing (+-) with the two switches on the left and right, and adjusts the volume of the speakers 19 (upper speaker 19a and lower speaker 19b) by increasing or decreasing (+-) with the two switches on the front and back.

[0019] By operating the effect operation device (particularly the effect button 25), the player can perform effects that involve player operation in the special symbol variable display game, etc., displayed on the display device 41. For example, it is possible to select an effect pattern (effect mode) or to execute a preview effect that predicts the outcome of the variable display game. Note that the variable display game includes a special symbol variable display game (a special symbol variable display game), and when simply referring to a variable display game, this specification refers to the special symbol variable display game unless otherwise specified.

[0020] In addition, the content of the presentation may be changed not only while the variable display game is being played, but also when the game is not being played, by the player operating the presentation operation device.

[0021] The game state when the variable display game is executed consists of multiple game states. The normal game state (normal state) is a game state in which no special game state occurs, and is basically a low base state with a low payout rate (base value). Special game states are non-normal game states, including specific game states and special game states. For example, specific game states include a normal power support state (high base state) in which it is easier to win in the second start winning slot of the normal variable winning device 37, and a state in which the probability of a special result (e.g., a jackpot) occurring in the variable display game is high (probability variable state, probability variable state). Special game states include a jackpot state and a small jackpot game state (small jackpot state). The high base state is a state in which the payout rate (base value) is higher than the normal game state, and corresponds to the normal power support state. The game control device 100 (game state selection means, setting means) can select (set) one game state from the multiple game states to set it as the current game state.

[0022] Below the glass frame 15 and at the bottom of the front frame 12, an operating handle 24 for controlling the operation of a ball launcher (not shown) is provided.

[0023] The operating handle 24 is disposed, for example, at the lower right of the front frame 12, to the right of the lower speaker 19b. When the player rotates the operating handle 24 as a firing operation, the ball launcher launches the supplied gaming ball into the playing area 32 of the playing board 30. The launching speed of the gaming ball launched from the ball launcher is set to increase as the rotation amount of the operating handle 24 increases. That is, the ball launcher can change the launching force, which is the force (speed) with which the gaming ball is launched into the playing area 32, in response to the player's operation of the operating handle 24, and can launch the gaming ball in various launching modes with different launching forces. The launching modes (hitting methods) corresponding to the launching operation (operation amount) of the operating handle 24 include a left hit (normal hit) in which the gaming ball flows down the left side of the playing area 32, and a right hit in which the gaming ball flows down the right side of the playing area 32.

[0024] The enclosed gaming machine 10 is designed so that gaming balls discharged from the gaming area 32 are resupplied to the ball launching device, and there is no exchange of gaming balls with the outside of the gaming machine 10 (island equipment) or discharge of gaming balls into the tray.

[0025] In addition, behind the front frame 12, a game control device 100, a performance control device 300, a power supply device 400 that supplies power to various devices, etc. are arranged (see Figures 3 and 4).

[0026] The card unit 201 is a so-called "machine-to-machine sandwich" and is installed between the gaming machine 10 and the adjacent gaming machine on the gaming island. The card unit 201 is installed on the left side of the gaming machine 10 and is communicatively connected to the gaming machine 10. The card unit 201 has an insertion section 202 into which a card, which is a data storage medium such as an IC card, is inserted. The card can store the remaining amount of money deposited and the number of balls on the card (the number of game values ​​owned), which is the number of balls owned by the player. The balls on the card are valid only on the day they are generated, and balls on the card after that day may be added to the ball reserve managed by the gaming parlor (the balls are converted into saved balls). The card may also store the player's personal information or the remaining amount of payment (prepaid balance). The card unit 201 has a cash insertion section 203 into which cash can be inserted as banknotes. The amount of money inserted into the cash insertion section 203 is added to the balance stored on the card.

[0027] The card unit 201 includes an operation panel 210. The operation panel 210 includes a ball lending operation unit 211, a payout operation unit 212, a return operation unit 213, a game ball count display unit 214, and a balance display unit 215. The game ball count display unit 214 and the balance display unit 215 are provided within a monitor such as an LCD monitor. The ball lending operation unit 211 is operated when increasing the number of game balls held by the gaming machine (number of usable game balls, number of usable game values), which is the number of game balls that a player can use, based on the balance stored on the card. The number of game balls held by the gaming machine is numerical data managed by the gaming machine 10. The payout operation unit 212 is operated when increasing the number of game balls held by the gaming machine based on the number of balls held on the card. The return operation unit 213 is operated when receiving the return of a card inserted into the card unit 201. The game ball count display unit 214 displays the number of game balls held on the card. The remaining amount display section 215 displays the remaining amount.

[0028] The card unit 201 includes a unit control device 220, which includes a CPU 220a, a ROM 220b, and a RAM 220c. The CPU 220a executes a unit control program to perform predetermined control. The ROM 220b stores the unit control program. The RAM 220c stores various information that is rewritten during operation of the card unit 201. The card unit 201 includes an input / output unit 220d that is connected to the gaming machine 10 so as to be able to communicate bidirectionally. The gaming machine 10 may be connected to the input / output unit 220d of the card unit 201 so as to be able to communicate with it via the frame control device 200. The card unit 201 also includes an input / output unit that connects to a hall computer installed in an amusement parlor (game center). The hall computer can communicate with a server installed in a data center outside the amusement parlor via a network.

[0029] The CPU 220a can rewrite the memory contents of the card inserted into the insertion unit 202. The CPU 220a receives an input of an inserted amount signal that is output when cash is inserted into the cash insertion unit 203. The CPU 220a also increases the number of balls held by the gaming machine in response to an operation signal from the ball lending operation unit 211 or the payout operation unit 212, and performs control to return the card in response to an operation signal from the return operation unit 213. The CPU 220a also controls the display contents of the game ball number display unit 214 and the remaining amount display unit 215.

[0030] When the CPU 220a receives a counting signal from the gaming machine 10, it adds the number of gaming balls that can be identified from the counting signal to the number of balls held on the card. The counting signal is information that can identify the number of balls held on the gaming machine side that will be transferred as the number of balls held on the card of the card unit 201, and is transmitted from the gaming machine 10 to the card unit 201.

[0031] The gaming machine 10 is provided with a ball number display unit 217 that displays the number of game balls available to the player (number of available game values). As an example, the ball number display unit 217 is configured with a plurality of (for example, six) seven-segment LED lamps arranged side by side, and can display multiple (six-digit) numbers.

[0032] The gaming machine 10 is equipped with a counting operation unit 218, which is operated by a player when the player finishes playing on the gaming machine 10. The counting operation unit 218 outputs the above-mentioned counting signal when pressed. The gaming machine 10 is equipped with a counting notification unit 218a, which notifies whether or not counting is possible. As an example, the ball number display unit 217, the counting operation unit 218, and the counting notification unit 218a are arranged on the front side of the glass frame 15.

[0033] The number of prize balls awarded to a player (number of awarded game balls, number of awarded game values, amount of awarded game value) is added to the number of balls held by the gaming machine (number of usable game values). The number of prize balls is awarded as game balls in non-enclosed gaming machines, but is awarded as numerical data in enclosed gaming machines. Furthermore, the number of balls fired into the gaming area 32 (or the number of balls ejected from the gaming area 32) becomes the number of used game balls (number of used game values) in enclosed gaming machines, and can be stored and managed as numerical data. The new number of balls held by the gaming machine is calculated by subtracting the number of used game balls from the current number of balls held by the gaming machine and adding the number of prize balls.

[0034] [Game board] Next, the gaming board 30 of the gaming machine 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a front view of the gaming board 30 provided in the gaming machine 10.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, the gaming board 30 includes a flat gaming board body 30a that serves as a mounting base for various components. The gaming board body 30a is made of wood or synthetic resin, and a gaming area 32 surrounded by a guide rail 31 is provided on the front side of the gaming board body 30a. The gaming machine 10 is configured so that a game is played by launching gaming balls from a ball launcher into the gaming area 32 surrounded by the guide rail 31. The launch passage 29 guides the gaming balls from the ball launcher into the gaming area 32. The gaming area 32 is provided with components such as windmills and obstacle spikes that change the flow direction of the gaming balls, and the launched gaming balls flow down the gaming area 32 while changing their rolling direction due to these components.

[0036] A window 40 is provided in the approximate center of the gaming board main body 30a, which serves as a display area for the variable display game. Behind the window 40, a display device 41 is arranged as a performance display device (variable display device) that variably displays (variably displays) multiple pieces of identification information. The display device 41 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display, and is arranged so that the display content can be seen from the front side of the gaming board 30 through the window 40. Note that the display device 41 is not limited to one that includes a liquid crystal display, and may also include a display such as an organic electroluminescence (EL) display.

[0037] The display screen (display unit) of the display device 41 is provided with a plurality of variable display areas, and in each variable display area, identification information (special symbols) and images that produce a variable display game are displayed. If there is another display capable of displaying images in addition to the display device 41, the display device 41 may function as the main display (primary display), and the other display may function as a sub-display (auxiliary display). For example, the sub-display may be smaller in size than the display device 41, and may be movable from near the periphery of the display device 41 to near the center in front of it as part of the production, and may also function as a production movable body 44 (movable gadget, see Figure 4).

[0038] An upper performance unit 40a and a side performance unit 40b are provided on the upper and right sides of the game board 30. The upper performance unit 40a and the side performance unit 40b have performance LEDs 46 that perform light-emitting performances, and can also perform action performances (movement performances, rotation performances) as performance movable bodies 44 (movable role objects, see Figure 4).

[0039] A normal symbol start gate (normal symbol start gate) 34 is provided in the game area 32 on the right side of the window 40. A gate switch (SW) 34a is provided inside the normal symbol start gate 34 to detect a game ball that has passed through the normal symbol start gate 34 (see FIG. 3). When a game ball that has been shot into the game area 32 passes through the normal symbol start gate 34, a normal symbol variation display game is executed.

[0040] A general winning opening 35 (general winning area) is arranged in the game area 32 on the lower left of the window section 40, and another general winning opening 35 is arranged in the game area 32 on the lower right of the window section 40. The entry of game balls into these general winning openings 35 is detected by winning opening switches (SW) 35a (1 to n) provided in the general winning openings 35.

[0041] In the game area 32 below the window 40, there is provided a start winning port 36 (first start winning port, start winning port 1, first start winning area) that sets the conditions for starting the special symbol variable display game. In the game area 32 to the right of the window 40, there is provided a normal variable winning device 37 (normal electric device, normal electric) equipped with a second start winning port (second start winning port, start winning port 2, second start winning area) below the normal symbol start gate 34. The normal variable winning device 37 is equipped with a movable member 37b (movable piece) that rotates forward, etc., to change the state to make it easier for game balls to flow in. When the movable member 37b is in a closed state, game balls cannot win in the normal variable winning device 37. When a game ball wins in the start winning port 36 or the normal variable winning device 37, the special symbol variable display game is executed. In this embodiment, the game ball is more likely to enter the starting winning hole 36 when hit from the left, and the game ball is more likely to enter the normal variable winning device 37 when hit from the right.

[0042] When the result of the normal variable display game reaches a predetermined stop display mode, the movable member 37b operates via the normal power solenoid 37c (see FIG. 3) to open, changing to an open state (an easy-to-win state that is advantageous to the player) in which game balls can easily flow into the normal variable winning device 37. If the movable member 37b is not in the open state (easy-to-win state), it will be in a closed state (a non-easy-to-win state, a difficult-to-win state) in which game balls cannot easily flow into the normal variable winning device 37. In this embodiment, the starting winning port 36, unlike the normal variable winning device 37, does not have a movable member (opening / closing member) and is always in an open state (open state), but a configuration with a movable member (opening / closing member) is also possible.

[0043] The movable member 37b is controlled by the game control device 100, which will be described later. The game control device 100 increases the frequency of the easy-to-win state by shortening the fluctuation time of the normal map fluctuation display game or by making the winning probability of the normal map fluctuation display game higher than normal, or by lengthening the occurrence time of the easy-to-win state compared to the easy-to-win state that occurs in the normal game state in which no special game is played, thereby generating a time-saving state (normal power support state) as a specific game state. The time-saving state (normal power support state) also occurs overlappingly in the probability variable state (excluding the latent probability variable state).

[0044] In the game area 32 below the normal variable prize winning device 37, a special variable prize winning device 39 is provided. The special variable prize winning device 39 has an opening / closing door 39c that opens the large prize winning port (large prize winning area) by operating a large prize winning port solenoid 39b (see Figure 3). The special variable prize winning device 39 converts the large prize winning port from a closed state (a blocked state disadvantageous to the player) to an open state based on the results of the special variable prize display game, facilitating the flow of game balls into the large prize winning port, thereby awarding the player a predetermined game value (e.g., prize balls or the number of time-saving / probability-change events after a jackpot). A large prize winning port switch 39a (count switch) (see Figure 3) is provided within the large prize winning port as a detection means for detecting game balls that enter the large prize winning port. The special variable prize winning device 39 is designed to facilitate the entry of game balls into the large prize winning port when the player hits the right side.

[0045] A specific area 86 (so-called V entry port) is provided inside the special variable winning device 39. For example, if a gaming ball enters the specific area 86 (V entry port, V entry area) after the opening / closing door 39c is opened by a small win, a big win is confirmed. The specific area 86 may be open for a long period of time only during a small win, allowing the gaming ball to pass through easily. The game control device 100 can detect the passage of the gaming ball into the specific area 86 (V entry) via a sensor (specific area switch 72 described below) or the like. Upon detecting V entry, the game control device 100 determines that a transition to a big win state (V entry big win state) will occur after the small win ends, and transmits information indicating a V entry (specific area passage command, etc.) to the performance control device 300 described below. The performance control device 300 can then notify the V entry on the display device 41 or the like.

[0046] That is, in this embodiment, the gaming machine 10 is a so-called type 1 / 2 mixed machine (type 1+2 machine). In this embodiment, when a small win occurs, the special variable winning device 39 is opened, and the gaming ball enters a specific area 86 (V winning port) in the special variable winning device 39, resulting in a jackpot. The configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to gaming machines other than type 1 / 2 mixed machines. For example, this embodiment can be applied to a V-type variable machine (V-ST machine) in which a probability variable state (high probability state, specific gaming state) is determined after the jackpot ends when a gaming ball enters the specific area 86 (V winning port), and this embodiment can also be partially applied to gaming machines that do not have the specific area 86.

[0047] When a gaming ball enters a large winning slot of the general winning slot 35, the starting winning slot 36, the normal variable winning device 37, or the special variable winning device 39, the frame control device 200 (see FIG. 3) provides the number of winning balls according to the type of winning slot as numerical data and adds it to the number of balls held by the gaming machine (number of available gaming balls, number of available gaming values). In addition, the lower gaming area 32 is provided with an outlet 30b for collecting gaming balls that did not enter the winning slots, etc. In addition, the general winning slot 35, the starting winning slot 36, the normal variable winning device 37, and the special variable winning device 39, or their vicinity, are provided with LEDs 46 that can light up when a gaming ball enters a winning slot, etc.

[0048] In addition, outside the game area 32, in the lower right corner of the game board main body 30a, there is provided a collective display device 50 that executes a special chart variable display game (special chart 1 variable display game, special chart 2 variable display game) and a normal chart variable display game. The collective display device 50 is an information display device that is made up of LED lamps (light-emitting parts, light-emitting members) and displays information such as the current game status, and is equipped with display parts 51 to 60.

[0049] The collective display device 50 has a first special chart change display unit 51 (special chart 1 display, 8 LED lamps) and a second special chart change display unit 52 (special chart 2 display, 8 LED lamps) for the change display game, which are composed of a collection of multiple LED lamps, a change display unit 53 (normal chart display, 3 LED lamps) for the normal chart change display game, and a memory display unit (special chart 1 hold display 54, special chart 2 hold display 55, normal chart hold display 56) for notifying the start memory number (hold number) of each change display game. Note that the special chart 1 display 51 and the special chart 2 display 52 may be 7-segment type display units. The special chart 1 hold display 54 is composed of two LED lamps. The special chart 2 hold display 55 is composed of two LED lamps. The normal chart hold display 56 is composed of two LED lamps.

[0050] The collective display device 50 also has a first game status display unit 57 (first game status indicator, one LED lamp) that notifies when it is time to hit to the right (when you should hit to the right) or when it is time to hit to the left (when you are hitting normally), a second game status display unit 58 (second game status indicator, one LED lamp) that lights up when a time-saving state occurs to notify the occurrence of the time-saving state, a third game status display unit 59 (third game status indicator, probability status display unit, one LED lamp) that indicates when the gaming machine 10 is turned on that the probability state for a jackpot is in a high probability state, and a round display unit 60 (four LED lamps) that displays the number of rounds at the time of a jackpot (the number of times the special variable winning device 39 is opened and closed, the upper limit of the number of rounds).

[0051] In the special symbol 1 display 51 and the special symbol 2 display 52, the variable display game (symbol variable game) is executed by a variable display (variable display) that repeatedly turns on and off (flashes) identification information (for example, some or all of the multiple LED lamps). Multiple types of identification information (symbols) may be displayed in a variable display, alternating between them. The variable display game may also be executed by all LED lamps provided as displays for the variable display game turning on and off (all LEDs flashing simultaneously), circulating (one LED lamp turns on and off in a predetermined sequence at predetermined intervals), or by turning on and off (flashing) or circulating (flashing) a predetermined number of LEDs among the multiple LED lamps. In the normal symbol display 53, the variable display game (symbol variable game) is also executed by a variable display (variable display, flashing) that repeatedly turns on and off three LED lamps. The normal symbol display 53 can also be configured appropriately in the same manner as the special symbol 1 display 51 and the special symbol 2 display 52. In this way, the pattern (special pattern or ordinary pattern) displayed (display mode, display state) on the special pattern 1 display 51, the special pattern 2 display 52, or the ordinary pattern display 53 fluctuates (changes) over time in the variable display game, so the variable display game is also called a pattern fluctuating game.

[0052] Next, the flow of the game in the gaming machine 10, the regular chart variation display game, and the special chart variation display game will be described in detail.

[0053] In the gaming machine 10, games are played by launching gaming balls from a ball launcher (not shown) toward the gaming area 32. The launched gaming balls flow down the gaming area 32, changing their rolling direction due to obstacles and windmills placed throughout the gaming area 32. They either win or enter the normal start gate 34, the normal winning slot 35, the starting winning slot 36, the normal variable winning slot 37, or the special variable winning slot 39, or they flow into the outlet 30b at the bottom of the gaming area 32 and are discharged from the gaming area 32. When a gaming ball wins the normal winning slot 35, the starting winning slot 36, the normal variable winning slot 37, or the special variable winning slot 39, the number of prize balls corresponding to the winning slot is added to the number of balls held by the gaming machine (the number of available gaming balls). The ball count display 217 displays the number of balls held by the gaming machine after the addition.

[0054] The normal map start gate 34 is provided with a gate switch 34a that detects a game ball that has passed through the normal map start gate 34. When a game ball passes through the normal map start gate 34, it is detected by the gate switch 34a, and a normal map variation display game is executed based on the determination result of the normal map winning random number value (random number value for winning determination) extracted at this time.

[0055] In a state where the normal map variation display game cannot be started, for example, when the normal map variation display game has already been played and the game has not ended, or when the result of the normal map variation display game is a win and the normal variation winning device 37 has been converted to an open state, if the game ball passes through the normal map start gate 34, the normal map start memory number (normal map reserve number) is incremented (+1) if it is less than the upper limit. The game control device 100 (RAM 111c) serves as a start memory means that stores, up to a predetermined number, extracted predetermined random number values ​​(normal map winning random number value, normal map random number value) as start memories that serve as the right to play the normal map variation display game, based on the passage of the game ball through the normal map start gate 34. Note that if there are multiple winning results (normal map winning symbols) in the normal map variation display game, a normal map winning symbol random number value is also extracted to allocate the winning results (for drawing lots), and both the normal map winning random number value and the normal map winning symbol random number value are stored as start memories.

[0056] In this way, the normal map start memory (normal map reserve) stores a normal map winning random number value as a random number value for determining whether the normal map fluctuation display game is a winning or losing game, and when this random number value for determining whether the game is a winning or losing game matches the judgment value, the normal map fluctuation display game is a winning game and a specific result pattern is derived.

[0057] The normal symbol variation display game (pattern variation game) is executed by the normal symbol display device 53 provided in the collective display device 50. The normal symbol display device 53 is composed of an LED that indicates a win when lit as normal identification information (normal symbol, normal symbol) and indicates a loss when unlit, and displays the variation of the normal identification information by flashing this LED, and after a predetermined variation display time has elapsed, displays the result by turning the LED on or off.

[0058] If the normal symbol random number value extracted when passing through the normal symbol start gate 34 is a winning value, the normal symbol (normal symbol) displayed on the normal symbol display 53 stops as a winning result and enters a winning state (normal symbol winning state). At this time, the normal power solenoid 37c is driven, and the movable member 37b is converted to an open state for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds x 2 times), allowing the game ball to enter the normal variable winning device 37. The opening time of the movable member 37b of the normal variable winning device 37 once (for example, 3 seconds) may be called the normal power opening time.

[0059] The entry of a gaming ball into the start winning hole 36 and the entry into the normal variable winning device 37 are detected by the start winning hole 1 switch 36a (see FIG. 3) and the start winning hole 2 switch 37a (see FIG. 3). A gaming ball that enters the start winning hole 36 is detected as a start winning ball for the special chart 1 variable display game, and is stored up to a predetermined upper limit number (here, 4). A gaming ball that enters the normal variable winning device 37 is detected as a start winning ball for the special chart 2 variable display game, and is stored up to a predetermined upper limit number (here, 4). The gaming control device 100 (RAM 111c) serves as a start memory means that stores, up to a predetermined number, an extracted predetermined random number value as a start memory that becomes the right to play the special chart variable display game, based on the entry of a gaming ball into the start winning area (starting hole) of the start winning hole 36 or the normal variable winning device 37.

[0060] When detecting the starting winning ball of the special symbol variation display game, various random number values ​​are extracted, such as a jackpot random number value, a jackpot symbol random number value (special symbol symbol random number value), a variation pattern random number value, etc. These random number values ​​are stored in the special symbol reserve memory area (part of the RAM) of the game control device 100 as a special symbol start memory up to a predetermined number of times (for example, a maximum of 8 times (4 times x 2)). The number of times stored in the special symbol start memory is displayed on the special symbol 1 reserve indicator 54 and the special symbol 2 reserve indicator 55, which are used to notify the number of starting winnings of the collective display device 50, and is also displayed on the display screen of the display device 41.

[0061] The game control device 100 executes a special chart 1 variable display game on the special chart 1 display device 51 based on a win in the start winning slot 36 or the first start memory (special chart 1 start memory, special chart 1 reserve). Also, the game control device 100 executes a special chart 2 variable display game on the special chart 2 display device 52 based on a win in the normal variable winning device 37 or the second start memory (special chart 2 start memory, special chart 2 reserve).

[0062] The special symbol 1 variable display game (first special symbol variable display game, first symbol variable display game) and the special symbol 2 variable display game (second special symbol variable display game, second symbol variable display game) are played by displaying a predetermined result pattern in a stopped state after displaying a changing state of identification information (special symbol, special symbol) on the special symbol 1 display 51 and the special symbol 2 display 52. ​​The stopping symbols as the predetermined result pattern that are stopped and displayed on the special symbol 1 display 51 and the special symbol 2 display 52 include a big win symbol (a stopping symbol for a big win), a small win symbol (a stopping symbol for a small win), a time-saving symbol (a stopping symbol for a support win), a losing symbol (a losing stopping symbol), etc.

[0063] In addition, a decorative special symbol variable display game that variably displays multiple types of identification information corresponding to each special symbol variable display game is executed on the display device 41. The identification information on the display device 41 is composed of numbers, symbols, character designs, pictures, etc., and for example, the numbers may be different for each of the multiple types of identification information.

[0064] The decorative special symbol variation display game (decorative symbol variation game, presentation game) on the display device 41 is carried out by starting a display (scrolling or rotating display) of the identification information (decorative special symbol, decorative special symbol) consisting of the aforementioned numbers, etc., in the order of left (first special symbol), right (second special symbol), center (third special symbol), etc., and then sequentially stopping the varying symbols after a predetermined time to display the results of the special symbol variation display game. Multiple types of identification information are displayed in a rotating manner on the display device 41. Because the identification information (decorative special symbol) displayed on the display device 41 thus varies (including changes and movements) over time in the decorative special symbol variation display game, the decorative special symbol variation display game is also called a symbol variation game. Furthermore, the display device 41 also displays a variety of presentations, such as the appearance of character images (picture images), to enhance the game's appeal. In addition, instead of or together with the decorative special pattern change display game, a decorative normal pattern change display game may be implemented on the display device 41 in which the identification information (decorative normal pattern, decorative normal pattern) changes over time in response to the normal pattern change display game (pattern change game) on the normal pattern display 53, and this may be implemented by scrolling display, rotating display, etc. in the same way as the decorative special pattern change display game.

[0065] When a game ball enters the start winning slot 36 or the normal variable winning device 37 at a predetermined timing (when the jackpot random number value at the time of winning detection is a jackpot value), a specific result state (special result state) is derived from the displayed symbols as a result of the special symbol variable display game, and a jackpot state (special game state) is achieved. Correspondingly, the display state of the display device 41 becomes a special result state (for example, a state in which numbers such as "777" are lined up).

[0066] At this time, the special variable prize winning device 39 converts the special prize winning port from a closed state to an open state for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) by energizing the special prize winning port solenoid 39b (see FIG. 3). In other words, the special variable prize winning device 39 opens the special prize winning port wide for a predetermined time or until a predetermined number of game balls enter the special variable prize winning device 39, and during this time, the player is granted the privilege of winning many game balls as prize balls (game value).

[0067] When a game ball enters the first start winning slot 36 or the normal variable winning device 37 at a predetermined timing (when the jackpot random number value at the time of winning detection is a small win value), a special result mode (small win result mode) is derived from the displayed symbols as a result of the special symbol variable display game, and a small win state is achieved. Correspondingly, the display mode of the display device 41 becomes a small win result mode. In this embodiment, the jackpot random number value is also used to determine a small win, but the small win value (small win determination value) is different from the jackpot value (jackpot determination value). In addition, the small win random number value may be used to determine a small win.

[0068] At this time, the special variable winning device 39 converts the large prize opening from a closed state to an open state for a predetermined short time by energizing the large prize opening solenoid 39b (see Figure 3). Note that the full opening time of the large prize opening is shorter in the small win state (small win game state) than in the big win state (big win game state, special game state), so the game value (number of balls won) that the player can acquire is less in the small win state than in the big win state. Note that the large prize opening is open in both the small win state and the big win state, but the big win state may be called the first special game state, and the small win state may be called the second special game state.

[0069] Here, we will explain the difference between a big win and a small win.

[0070] A jackpot is a special result that accompanies the activation of a conditional device, while a minor jackpot is a special result that does not accompany the activation of the conditional device. The conditional device is activated when a jackpot occurs in a special variable display game (the jackpot symbol stops displaying). The activation of the conditional device means, for example, that a jackpot state occurs and a specific flag is set to continuously activate the special variable prize-winning device 39, which is a special electric device. The "conditional device" may be a software means, such as a flag that is turned on and off by software as described above, or a hardware means, such as a switch that is turned on and off electrically.

[0071] Specifically, in the case of a big win, the big win flag is set and the special variable winning device is opened, whereas in the case of a small win, the small win flag is set and the special variable winning device is opened. However, if there is a V win during the small win state, the condition device will be activated.

[0072] In addition, the special chart 2 variation display game is executed with priority over the special chart 1 variation display game, and when there is a start memory for the special chart 1 variation display game and the special chart 2 variation display game and it becomes possible to execute the special chart variation display game, the special chart 2 variation display game is executed (special chart 2 reserved priority consumption, special chart 2 priority variation). Alternatively, the special chart 1 variation display game and the special chart 2 variation display game may be executed in the order in which the winning (i.e., start memory) occurred (winning order consumption), and when a start memory for the special chart 1 variation display game and / or the special chart 2 variation display game occurs and it becomes possible to execute the special chart variation display game, the variation display game based on the oldest start memory may be executed. In addition, unless otherwise specified, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the special chart 2 priority variation (special chart 2 reserved priority consumption) and the special chart 2 variation display game is executed with priority over the special chart 1 variation display game.

[0073] In addition, when there is no distinction between the special chart 1 variable display game and the special chart 2 variable display game, they are simply referred to as the special chart variable display game.

[0074] [Game control device] 3 is a block diagram of the gaming control system of the gaming machine 10. The gaming machine 10 is equipped with a gaming control device 100 (main board) that serves as the main control means. The gaming control device 100 is a main control device that controls the overall game, and is composed of a gaming microcomputer 111 (hereinafter referred to as the gaming microcomputer), an input unit 120 having an input port, an output unit 130 having an output port, a driver, etc., and a data bus that connects the gaming microcomputer 111, the input unit 120, and the output unit 130. The gaming microcomputer 111 can receive various signals and data via the input unit 120, and can transmit various signals and data via the output unit 130.

[0075] An oscillation circuit (crystal oscillator) having an oscillator such as a quartz crystal resonator and generating a clock that serves as a reference for the CPU operating clock, timer interrupt, and random number generation circuit may be connected to the gaming microcomputer 111. The gaming control device 100 and electronic components such as solenoids and motors driven by the gaming control device 100 are supplied with a DC voltage of a predetermined level, such as DC 32V, DC 12V, or DC 5V, generated by the power supply device 400, to enable them to operate.

[0076] The power supply unit 400 includes a normal power supply unit 410 having an AC / DC converter that generates a DC voltage of 32V DC from a 24V AC power supply and a DC / DC converter that generates a lower level DC voltage such as 12V DC or 5V DC from 32V DC, a backup power supply 420 that supplies power supply voltage to the RAM 111c inside the gaming microcomputer 111 in the event of a power outage, and a control signal generation unit 430 that has a power outage monitoring circuit and generates and outputs control signals such as a power outage monitoring signal that notifies the gaming control device 100 of the occurrence of a power outage and a reset signal that notifies recovery (recovery, restoration) from a power outage.

[0077] The backup power supply 420 can be composed of a single large-capacity capacitor such as an electrolytic capacitor. The backup power supply 420 is supplied to the gaming microcomputer 111 (particularly the built-in RAM 111c) of the gaming control device 100, so that data stored in the RAM 111c is retained even during a power outage or after power is cut off. The control signal generating unit 430 monitors, for example, the 32V voltage generated by the normal power supply unit 410, and if this voltage drops to, for example, 17V or less, detects the occurrence of a power outage and outputs a power outage monitoring signal. It also outputs a reset signal after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time the power is turned on or when the power is restored.

[0078] The gaming control device 100 is also provided with a RAM clear switch 112. When the RAM clear switch 112 is pressed and turned on, an initialization switch signal is generated, and based on this, a RAM initialization process is performed to forcibly initialize the information stored in the RAM 111c in the gaming microcomputer 111 and the RAM in the frame control device 200. Here, initialization basically means clearing to zero, which erases the information and sets it to zero; however, some values, such as performance information (base values), may be maintained at their current values ​​without being cleared to zero. Although not particularly limited, the initialization switch signal is read when the power is turned on, and the power outage monitoring signal is repeatedly read during the main loop processing of the main program executed by the gaming microcomputer 111. The reset signal is a type of forced interrupt signal that resets the entire control system.

[0079] The RAM clear switch 112 is provided on the game control device 100 inside the gaming machine 10, and is therefore located in a position (inaccessible position) that cannot be operated unless the front frame 12 (main body frame) is opened. In other words, general players cannot access and operate the RAM clear switch 112. The RAM clear switch 112 may be provided in a location other than the game control device 100.

[0080] The gaming microcomputer 111 includes a CPU 111a (central processing unit: microprocessor), a read-only ROM 111b (read-only memory), and a random access memory (RAM 111c) that can be read and written at any time.

[0081] The ROM 111b stores unchanging information for game control (programs, fixed data, various random number judgment values, etc.) in a nonvolatile manner. The RAM 111c is used as a working area for the CPU 111a during game control and as a storage area for various signals and random numbers, and stores information related to games (game information), and serves as a storage means that can retain the stored information even if a power outage occurs.

[0082] The ROM 111b also stores a fluctuation pattern table for determining a fluctuation pattern (fluctuation mode and fluctuation time) that specifies, for example, the execution time of the special chart fluctuation display game, the presentation content, and whether or not a reach state occurs. The fluctuation pattern table is a table that the CPU 111a uses to determine a fluctuation pattern by referring to one or more fluctuation pattern random number values ​​stored as start memory. The fluctuation pattern table also includes a miss fluctuation pattern table that is selected when the result is a miss, a jackpot fluctuation pattern table that is selected when the result is a jackpot, and the like. The pattern table may include a table (such as a second-half fluctuation group table or a second-half fluctuation pattern selection table) for determining a second-half fluctuation pattern, which is a fluctuation pattern after a reach state has been reached, and a table (such as a first-half fluctuation group table or a first-half fluctuation pattern selection table) for determining a first-half fluctuation pattern, which is a fluctuation pattern before a reach state has been reached.

[0083] The CPU 111a executes the game control program in the ROM 111b, generates control signals (commands) for the frame control device 200 and the presentation control device 300, generates and outputs drive signals for the solenoids and display devices, and controls the entire gaming machine 10. Although not shown, the gaming microcomputer 111 is equipped with a random number generation circuit for generating a jackpot random number value for determining a jackpot in the special symbol variable display game, a special symbol pattern random number value for determining a jackpot pattern (a symbol that stops for a jackpot), a small symbol (a symbol that stops for a small symbol), and a time-saving symbol (a symbol that stops for a support hit), and a variable pattern random number value for determining a variable pattern in the special symbol variable display game (including information on variable displays of various reaches and no reaches, information on the execution time of the special symbol variable display game, etc.). The random number generation circuit can also generate a random number value for determining whether a normal symbol variable display game is a hit, and a random number value for determining the normal symbol hit result (normal symbol hit pattern).

[0084] Furthermore, in the processing related to the special chart variation display game, the CPU 111a acquires one of the plurality of variation pattern tables stored in the ROM 111b. Specifically, the CPU 111a selects and acquires one of the plurality of variation pattern tables based on the game result (jackpot or loss) of the special chart variation display game, the probability state of the special chart variation display game as the current game state (normal probability state or high probability state), the number of start memories, etc. Here, when the CPU 111a executes the special chart variation display game, it serves as a variation allocation information acquisition means for acquiring one of the plurality of variation pattern tables stored in the ROM 111b.

[0085] The frame control device 200 is equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, input interface, output interface, etc., and performs control to pay out prize balls (game value) as numerical data in accordance with payout instructions (commands or data) from the game control device 100.

[0086] The input unit 120 of the gaming microcomputer 111 is connected to the gate switch 34a of the normal start gate 34, the entry port switch 35a of the normal entry port 35, the entry port 1 switch 36a in the first entry port 36, the entry port 2 switch 37a in the second entry port (normal variable entry device 37), and the large entry port switch 39a in the special variable entry device 39. The outputs from the gate switch 34a, the entry port switch 35a, the entry port 1 switch 36a, the entry port 2 switch 37a, and the large entry port switch 39a are also supplied from the gaming control device 100 to a test firing device (not shown) via a relay board 70. The detection signals from the entry port 1 switch 36a and the entry port 2 switch 37a may be input directly to the gaming microcomputer 111 in addition to the input unit 120. The switches connected to the input unit 120 may be, for example, magnetically detect game balls.

[0087] Furthermore, the input unit 120 is connected to a specific area switch 72, a remaining ball outlet switch 73, and an out ball detection switch 74. The specific area switch 72 detects the passage (V entry) of a game ball into the specific area 86 (V entry port). The remaining ball outlet switch 73 detects game balls that have passed through the remaining ball outlet, which discharges game balls from the special variable entry device 39. The out ball detection switch 74 detects all game balls that have been launched into the game area and finished playing (i.e., all game balls that have passed through the entry port or out port 30b). Note that not only game balls that have entered the out port 30b, but also game balls that have entered the entry ports (first start entry port 36, second start entry port (normal variable entry device 37), large entry port, or general entry port 35) are guided to the out ball detection switch 74 via a passage or the like (not shown) and detected.

[0088] In addition, various fraud / abnormality sensors 67 (error sensors) that detect errors such as fraud and abnormalities in the gaming machine 10 are connected to the input unit 120. For example, the fraud / abnormality sensors 67 include a radio wave sensor that detects the emission of radio waves to the gaming machine 10, a magnetic sensor switch for fraud detection provided on the front frame 12 or the like of the gaming machine 10, a glass frame open detection switch (door opening / closing sensor) for detecting glass frame open provided on the glass frame 15 or the like of the gaming machine 10, a front frame open detection switch (main body frame open detection switch, door opening / closing sensor) for detecting front frame open provided on the front frame 12 (main body frame) or the like, and a vibration sensor that detects vibrations of the gaming machine 10.

[0089] In addition, the input unit 120 takes in a signal from the RAM clear switch 112 and supplies it to the gaming microcomputer 111 via the data bus. In addition, data may be input from the frame control device 200 to the gaming control device 100 via the input unit 120.

[0090] Data is transmitted from the game control device 100 to the presentation control device 300 via the output unit 130, for example, by serial communication. Note that communication between the game control device 100 and the presentation control device 300 is one-way communication that prevents signals from being input from the presentation control device 300 to the game control device 100. Data may be transmitted from the game control device 100 to the frame control device 200 via the output unit 130.

[0091] Furthermore, a buffer 133 can be connected to the output unit 130, and the buffer 133 outputs a test firing signal from the output unit 130 to a test firing test device of a certification agency (not shown) via a relay board 70. The buffer 133 is a component that is not mounted on the game control device (main board) of a gaming machine as an actual machine (mass-produced product) installed in an amusement parlor (game center).

[0092] The output unit 130 is also provided with an output port that outputs opening / closing data for the normal solenoid 37c that opens the normal variable prize winning device 37, the large prize opening solenoid 39b that opens the special variable prize winning device 39, and the lever solenoid 86b that operates the lever to open the specific area 86. The output unit 130 is also provided with a driver that receives the opening / closing data signal, generates a solenoid drive signal, and outputs it.

[0093] Furthermore, the output unit 130 can output on / off data for the LEDs of the collective display device 50 as data to be displayed on the collective display device 50, using the corresponding output port and driver.

[0094] Furthermore, the output unit 130 can output external information related to the gaming machine 10, such as jackpot information, to the external information terminal 71 using a corresponding output port and driver. The external information terminal 71 can be connected to an external device (such as an information collection terminal or an internal management device for the gaming facility (hall computer)) installed in the gaming facility, for example, and can supply information related to the gaming machine 10 to the external device. Note that the number of external information terminals 71 may be set in consideration of the number of types of external information and the number of output destinations for the external information.

[0095] Furthermore, the output unit 130 can output, as data to be displayed on the performance display device 152, LED on / off data of the performance display device 152 using the corresponding output port and driver.

[0096] In this embodiment, the performance display device 152 is made up of a plurality (four) of seven-segment type (eight-segment type including the dots Dp) displays (LED lamps), but is not limited to this.

[0097] The performance display device 152 is provided on the game control device 100 (main board), but may be provided elsewhere. For example, the performance display device 152 can display performance information such as the payout rate (base value). The performance information is derived based on the number of prize balls (game value number) obtained by winning, and may be, for example, the payout rate (base value), the ratio of bonus balls, the number of dispensed balls, etc.

[0098] The ball payout rate (base value) is the ratio (proportion) of the total number of prize balls to the number of dispensed balls (or the number of shot balls introduced into the game area 32), and is calculated as (number of acquired balls ÷ number of dispensed balls) × 100 (%). In other words, the ball payout rate is the number of acquired balls (total number of prize balls) per 100 dispensed balls. The number of dispensed balls can be obtained by counting the signal of the out ball detection switch 74, etc. In enclosed gaming machines, the number of acquired balls (total number of prize balls) is the number of game value (amount of game value) that is assigned as numerical data.

[0099] For example, the ratio of prize balls to prize balls is the percentage (%) (= so-called continuous prize ball ratio) of the number of prize balls (number of balls acquired by each prize ball) acquired by winning a prize ball in a big prize slot during a jackpot state out of the total number of prize balls (total number of prize balls) acquired by winning a prize ball in a prize slot during a specified period (for example, from when the gaming machine 10 is turned on to the present).

[0100] [Safety device (complete function)] Furthermore, the game control device 100 also functions as a safety device. The safety device is a game stopping means (stopping means) that can generate a game stop state (a game-prohibited state, a game-prohibited state) in which games such as the special game, the normal game, and round games (games played during big wins or small wins) cannot be played when an operating condition (predetermined condition) based on the number of safe balls and the number of discharged balls is met. In the game stop state, new games with special game and new normal game cannot be started. The safety device can take appropriate countermeasures against fraud in cases where the number of safe balls is abnormally high due to fraud, and may also be able to prevent players from becoming addicted to the game. Reducing addiction allows players to play with peace of mind.

[0101] In this embodiment, the safety device is a function realized by software (program) in the game control device 100, and is also called a complete function (or ending function, stop function). Of course, the safety device may be provided as hardware such as an electric circuit or a circuit board.

[0102] In this embodiment, the activation conditions for the safety device are (1) the difference between the number of safe balls and the number of discharged balls during a specified period of time, reaching a ball difference reference value (predetermined value), and (2) neither a jackpot nor a small jackpot has occurred. The difference is calculated by subtracting the number of discharged balls from the number of safe balls during a specified period of time (difference = number of safe balls - number of discharged balls). Thus, the activation conditions for the safety device consist of two stages: (1) and (2). The difference in balls for condition (1) may be the difference in balls during a specified period from the lowest difference in balls to the present, i.e., the difference in balls based on the minimum value (the increase in the number of balls from the minimum value), or it may correspond to the maximum increase in the difference in balls during a single day of operation (the so-called MY). Other activation conditions may also be used. For example, condition (1) may be configured such that the number of safe balls reaches a predetermined value. Condition (2) may also be configured such that the special variable prize device is not activated, or the large prize opening is not open.

[0103] In this embodiment, the number of safe balls is the total number of prize balls (number of acquired balls, number of dispensed balls) that are determined to be awarded during a predetermined period. The number of discharged balls (number of out balls) is the number of game balls discharged from the game area 32 during a predetermined period, and can be counted by counting the signal from the out ball detection switch 74.

[0104] Note that the number of fired balls, which is the number of fired balls that have been fired into the play area 32 and introduced, may be used instead of the number of ejected balls, and the difference in the number of balls may be calculated as the number of safe balls minus the number of fired balls. The number of fired game balls and the number of ejected balls may be collectively referred to as the number of used balls (difference in the number of balls = number of safe balls - number of used balls). Foul balls that were fired by the ball launcher but did not reach the play area 32 are excluded from the number of fired balls, and the difference in the number of balls is decremented by -1 for each game ball fired by the ball launcher, and is incremented by +1 for each foul ball.

[0105] For example, when the difference in balls is less than 90,000, the safety device goes into a non-activated state (activation notice state, activation warning state, or normal state where the safety device is not activated). When the difference in balls is between 90,000 and 94,999, the safety device goes into an activation notice state that warns of the activation of the safety device. When the difference in balls reaches 95,000, the safety device goes into an activation warning state that warns of the activation of the safety device, or into an activated state where the safety device is activated (activated state).

[0106] In addition, when the difference in the number of balls reaches 95,000, the activation warning state will be activated if there is a big hit or a small hit, and it will be activated if there is neither a big hit nor a small hit. Therefore, if the safety device is activated before a big hit or a small hit occurs, a game stop state (a game-disabled state, a game-prohibited state) will occur immediately afterwards, and the activation warning state will not occur. In addition, the safety device is likely to be activated before a big hit or a small hit occurs in a time-saving state or a probability variable state.

[0107] On the other hand, when the big hit or small hit ends and it is no longer a big hit or a small hit, the safety device transitions from the activation warning state to the activation state (activating state).

[0108] In the activation notice state, the performance control device 300 displays an activation notice display (for example, the text "Playing will end soon") on the display device 41. In the activation warning state of the safety device during a small win or a big win, the performance control device 300 displays an activation warning display (for example, the text "Playing will end after the win ends") on the display device 41.

[0109] When the safety device is in an activated state (not during a small win or a big win), i.e., when the game is stopped, the presentation control device 300 displays an activated display 513 (the words "play stopped") on the display device 41. When the safety device is activated, the game control device 100 sets a safety device activated flag (safety device activated flag) to on, which indicates that the safety device is activated. The safety device activated flag (safety device activated flag) is cleared to 0 (safety device activated flag = 0) by RAM initialization processing (RAM clear processing), and the operation of the safety device is deactivated.

[0110] In the game-stop state, games such as the special chart change display game, the normal chart change display game, and round play (play during a big win or small win) cannot be executed. To achieve this, for example, in the game-stop state, the detection of game balls by the prize-winning port switch is disabled, the prize port (winning) is disabled, the solenoids that close the large prize port, the specific area 86, the normal winning device 37, etc. are stopped, the launch of game balls from the ball launching device is stopped (prohibited), and launching is stopped, and the collective display device 50 and the performance display device 152 are turned off. In the game-stop state, not only are the special chart change display game and the normal chart change display game unable to continue, but new special chart change display games and new normal chart change display games cannot be started. It is also possible to configure the game so that launching of game balls is not stopped in the game-stop state. In the game-stop state, all light-emitting elements (LEDs) of the collective display device 50 and the performance display device 152 are turned off (all off). However, this is not limited to this. In the game stop state, the light-emitting elements (LEDs) of the collective display device 50 and the performance display device 152 may be partially lit (partially lit) or all lit (fully lit). Furthermore, in the game stop state, a security signal may be generated that is output as an external information signal to an external device such as a hall computer, and a test firing signal corresponding to the game stop state may be output to the test firing device (a configuration in which the test firing signal is not output is also possible). In the game stop state, the presentation control device 300 turns off all of the presentation LEDs 46 (fully lit), or turns on some or all of them. However, when an error occurs, some or all of the presentation LEDs 46 may be lit in red. In addition, in the game stop state, the presentation control device 300 may stop audio output from the speaker 19 to silence the sound (a configuration in which the sound is not silenced is also possible).

[0111] [Transition state when power is turned on] Depending on the on / off state of the RAM clear switch 112 when the power is turned on, the device transitions to various states (modes).

[0112] If the RAM clear switch 112 is turned on when the power is turned on, the system transitions to a RAM initialization state (RAM clear mode), and a RAM initialization process (RAM clear process) is executed to initialize the RAM 111c. Note that when the RAM clear switch 112 is turned on, the system initially enters a RAM clear preparation state (initialization preparation state), and if the RAM clear switch 112 is turned on again during RAM clear preparation, the RAM 111c may be initialized by the RAM initialization process (RAM clear process). Note that when the game control device 100 executes the RAM initialization process, the game control device 100 may output a security signal (for example, 4 msec, 128 msec, etc.) as external information to an external device such as a hall computer via the external information terminal 71.

[0113] If the RAM clear switch 112 is off when the power is turned on, the system transitions to a normal power recovery state (normal power recovery mode), where power is simply restored.

[0114] [Performance control device] Next, the configuration of the effect control device 300 (sub-board) will be described using Figure 4. Figure 4 is a block diagram of the effect control system of the gaming machine 10. The effect control device 300 is a sub-control device (sub-board, sub-board, sub-control means) that can control the image of the display device 41, the sound of the speakers 19a and 19b, the light emission of the effect LED 46, and / or the operation of the effect movable body 44 in response to commands from the gaming control device 100. In other words, the effect control device 300 can control effects related to the game. The effect LED 46 may be a full-color LED (light-emitting diode) that can emit light in various colors.

[0115] The performance control device 300 includes a control microcomputer 311 (CPU), a VDP (Video Display Processor) 312 as a graphics processor that performs image processing for displaying images on the display device 41 in accordance with commands and data from the control microcomputer 311, and a sound control unit 314 that controls the sound output to play various melodies, sound effects, etc. from the speaker 19.

[0116] A ROM 321 that stores programs executed by the CPU and various data, and a RAM 322 that provides a working area are connected to the control microcomputer 311. The control microcomputer 311 also has a RAM (for example, a cache memory) that provides a working area.

[0117] The control microcomputer 311 analyzes commands from the game control device 100, determines the display content, and instructs the VDP 312 on the content of the output video, as well as performs processes such as instructing the sound control unit 314 on the sound to be played, lighting up the performance LED 46, driving and controlling the motor and solenoid of the performance movable body 44, and managing the performance time.

[0118] The VDP 312 is equipped with RAM that provides a working area and a scaler for enlarging and reducing images. Also connected to the VDP 312 are an image ROM 325 that stores character images and video data, and an ultra-high-speed VRAM (video RAM) 326 that is used to expand and process image data such as characters read from the image ROM 325.

[0119] The sound control unit 314 includes a sound ROM in which sound data including voice is stored, and an amplifier circuit that amplifies the sound data.

[0120] The performance control device 300 is also provided with an interface chip (command I / F) that receives commands transmitted from the game control device 100. The performance control device 300 receives, via the command I / F, special symbol reservation number commands, decorative special symbol commands, variation commands, symbol stop commands, and the like transmitted from the game control device 100 to the performance control device 300 as performance control instruction signals (performance commands).

[0121] The performance control device 300 also has a performance LED control circuit 332 that drives and controls the performance LED (light emitting diode) 46 provided on the game board 30, and a performance movable body control circuit 334 that drives and controls the performance movable body 44 (for example, a movable role object that works in cooperation with the performance display on the display device 41 to enhance the performance effect) provided on the game board 30, glass frame 15, etc.

[0122] These control circuits 332, 334 that drive and control the performance LED 46 and the motor and solenoid of the performance movable body 44 are connected to the control microcomputer 311 via an address / data bus.

[0123] Furthermore, the effect control device 300 is provided with a switch input circuit 336. The switch input circuit 336 has a function of inputting to the control microcomputer 311 a detection signal indicating the on / off state of the effect button switch 25a built into the effect button 25 provided in the glass frame 15, and a detection signal indicating the on / off state of the direction key switch 450. The switch input circuit 336 also inputs to the control microcomputer 311 a detection signal of a volume adjustment switch 335 that enables a gaming establishment official (an attendant, a manager, an administrator) to adjust the volume (maximum volume, etc.) of the speakers 19a, 19b.

[0124] The normal power supply section 410 of the power supply device 400 supplies a DC voltage of a desired level to the performance control device 300 having the configuration described above and the electronic components controlled thereby.

[0125] [Basic Control] Next, we will explain the basic control in the gaming machine 10. The CPU 111a of the gaming microcomputer 111 of the gaming control device 100 extracts a random number value for determining whether the normal game is a hit (normal game hit random number value) based on the input of a game ball detection signal from the gate switch 34a provided in the normal game start gate 34, compares it with the determination value stored in the ROM 111b, and determines whether the normal game is a hit or a miss in the normal game variable display game.

[0126] Then, the normal map display 53 displays a normal map variation display game in which the identification pattern is displayed variably for a predetermined time, and then stops and displays it. If the result of the normal map variation display game is a win, the normal map display 53 displays a special result state, and the normal power solenoid 37c is operated, and control is performed to open the movable member 37b of the normal variation winning device 37 for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds x 2 times) as described above. Note that if the result of the normal map variation display game is a loss, control is performed to display a loss result state on the normal map display 53.

[0127] In addition, the first start memory is stored based on the input of a game ball detection signal from the start port 1 switch 36a provided in the start winning port 36 (first start port), and based on the first start memory, a random number value (jackpot random number value) for determining a jackpot in the special chart 1 variable display game is extracted and compared with the determination value stored in ROM111b to determine whether the special chart 1 variable display game is a hit or a miss.

[0128] In addition, a second start memory is stored based on the input of a game ball detection signal from the start port 2 switch 37a provided in the normal variable winning device 37 (second start port), and based on the second start memory, a random number value (jackpot random number value) for determining a jackpot in the special chart 2 variable display game is extracted and compared with the determination value stored in ROM111b to determine whether the special chart 2 variable display game is a win or a loss.

[0129] Then, the CPU 111a of the game control device 100 outputs a control signal (presentation control command) including the determination result of the special symbol 1 variable display game and the special symbol 2 variable display game to the presentation control device 300. Then, the special symbol 1 display 51 and the special symbol 2 display 52 display a special symbol variable display game in which the identification symbol is displayed variably for a predetermined time, and then displayed stationary. In other words, the game control device 100 serves as a game control means that controls the progress of the variable display game based on the winning of the game ball flowing down the game area 32 into the start winning area (first start winning port 36, normal variable winning device 37).

[0130] Furthermore, the performance control device 300 displays, on the display device 41, a decorative special symbol variable display game corresponding to the special symbol variable display game on the special symbol 1 display device 51 or the special symbol 2 display device 52, based on a command (control signal) from the game control device 100. Furthermore, the performance control device 300 performs processing such as setting the performance state, outputting sound from the speakers 19a and 19b, and controlling the light emission of the various performance LEDs 46, based on a command (control signal) from the game control device 100. In other words, the performance control device 300 constitutes a performance control means that controls the performance related to the game (variable display game, etc.).

[0131] Then, when the result of the special symbol variable display game is a small win or a big win, the CPU 111a of the game control device 100 displays a small win symbol or a big win symbol (a small win stop symbol or a big win stop symbol) as a special result mode on the special symbol 1 display 51 or the special symbol 2 display 52, and generates a special game state. In the process of generating the special game state, the CPU 111a, for example, controls the big prize opening solenoid 39b to open the opening / closing door 39c of the special variable prize winning device 39, allowing game balls to flow into the big prize opening.

[0132] One round (R) is defined as the process of opening the large prize opening until one of the following conditions is met: a predetermined number of game balls (for example, 10 balls) enter the large prize opening, or a predetermined openable time (for example, 27 seconds or 0.05 seconds) has elapsed since the opening of the large prize opening. This is continued (repeated) a predetermined number of rounds (for example, 15, 11, or 2 times) (cycle play). Also, if the result of the special symbol variable display game is a loss, control is performed to stop and display a loss symbol (loss stop symbol) on the special symbol 1 display 51 or the special symbol 2 display 52 as the loss result mode.

[0133] Furthermore, the game control device 100 can generate a high probability state (specific game state) as a game state after the special game state ends, based on the result state of the special symbol variation display game. The high probability state (probability variable state) is a state in which the probability of a winning result in the special symbol variation display game is higher than in the normal probability state. Furthermore, whether the high probability state is reached based on the result state of either the special symbol 1 variation display game or the special symbol 2 variation display game, both the special symbol 1 variation display game and the special symbol 2 variation display game will be in the high probability state. In the high probability state (probability variable state), the game control device 100 sets a special symbol high probability flag indicating the high probability state.

[0134] Furthermore, the game control device 100 can generate a time-saving state (specific game state) as a game state based on the result state of the special game variation display game and the number of times it is executed. In the time-saving state, the normal game variation display game and the normal game variation winning device 37 may be controlled to be in a time-saving operation state, and the normal game variation winning device 37 is controlled so that the opening time per unit time is substantially longer than in a normal game state in which no special game is played, resulting in a normal power support state. Note that even in a high probability state (normal probability variable state) other than the latent probability variable state, the time-saving state is overlapped and normal power support is executed.

[0135] In addition, in the time-saving state, the execution time of the special chart change display game (special chart change time) can be shortened more than usual, and time-shortened changes in the special chart change display game can also be executed.

[0136] In addition, in the time-shortened state, for one winning result of the normal map variable display game, it is possible to set the number of times the normal variable winning device 37 opens (normal power opening number) to a second opening number (for example, four times) that is greater than the first opening number (for example, two times). Also, in the time-shortened state, it is possible to set the probability of a winning result of the normal map variable display game (normal map probability, normal map winning probability) to a higher probability than the normal probability (low probability) in the normal operating state.

[0137] In the time-saving mode, the time required for the normal variable winning device 37 to switch to the open state is extended by varying one or more of the normal symbol variation time, normal symbol stop time, normal symbol release count, normal symbol release time, and normal symbol probability. This makes it easier to win the normal variable winning device 37 in the time-saving mode than in the normal game mode where no special game is played. This increases the number of times the special symbol variation display game is executed per unit time compared to the normal game mode, and also shortens the execution interval of the special symbol variation display game. It is also possible to set multiple types of time-saving modes that vary differently. It is also possible to set the movable member 37b not to open in the normal operating mode (normal symbol probability is 0). When there are multiple types of normal symbol winning results (normal symbol winning patterns), the normal symbol release time (long release, short release) and the number of normal symbol releases may be changed depending on the type of normal symbol winning result (normal symbol win A, normal symbol win B, etc.). Depending on the type of time-saving state (normal power support state), the normal power release time and the number of normal power releases associated with each normal winning result may be changed. Also, the high probability state (probability change state) and the time-saving state can occur independently, and both can occur simultaneously, or only one can occur.

[0138] The game control device 100 basically sets a time-shortening flag indicating the time-shortening state in the time-shortening state. However, even if the time-shortening flag is set, the low base state in which the ball payout rate (base value) is as low as the normal game state because the opening time of the normal variable winning device 37 is extremely short may be treated as the normal game state in which no special game is played (of course, it may also be treated as the time-shortening state).

[0139] Time-saving states include the time-saving state that occurs immediately after a jackpot (time-saving A), the time-saving state that occurs when the ceiling number of times is reached without a jackpot (ceiling time-saving, time-saving B, play-time), and the time-saving state that occurs when the time-saving symbol stops displaying (support hit) without a jackpot (sudden time-saving, time-saving C). Note that if the number of special symbol variable display games (excluding the number of times in the probability variable state) executed after power-on or the end of the jackpot state reaches the ceiling number of times, the time-saving state (play-time) will be entered even if a jackpot or time-saving symbol is not won. Regarding time-saving A (time-saving B or time-saving C are also acceptable), there may be multiple time-saving states (time-saving A1, time-saving A2, time-saving A3, etc.) that correspond to the normal hit result (normal hit symbol) with different normal power release times and normal power release counts. In addition, the time-saving end condition for the time-saving state (normal power support state) to end is, for example, that the special chart variable display game or the normal chart variable display game is executed a predetermined number of times (time-saving number of times, power support number of times) in the time-saving state. In addition, the time-saving state when the time-saving end condition can be specified by the number of times the normal chart variable display game is executed may be called the normal chart ST state.

[0140] After the time-saving state ends, a remaining reserve consumption state (remaining reserve state) can be generated in which the second start memory (special chart 2 start memory, special chart 2 reserve) remaining at the time of the time-saving state end is consumed. In the remaining reserve consumption state (remaining reserve consumption mode, remaining reserve mode), the second start memory generated by winning in the normal variable winning device 37 (normal power) during the time-saving state is consumed as a remaining reserve, and the special chart 2 variable display game is executed. The remaining reserve consumption state is a state advantageous to the player because the special chart 2 variable display game is executed. In addition, the special chart 2 variable display game is generally more advantageous to the player than the special chart 1 variable display game in terms of the number of rounds at the time of a jackpot and the probability of a small jackpot (and therefore the probability of a V-winning jackpot).

[0141] To explain in more detail below, the control processing by the gaming microcomputer 111 of the gaming control device 100 consists of a main processing (main program) that starts when the power is turned on, and a timer interrupt processing (interrupt processing program) that is performed at a predetermined time interval (e.g., 4 msec).

[0142] For example, the game control device 100 checks for abnormalities in the RAM 111c during main processing, and if the RAM 111c is abnormal, access to the RAM 111c is prohibited so that the game cannot be played unless the RAM clear switch 112 is on. For example, an abnormality in the RAM 111c can be determined by checking whether the checksum stored in the RAM 111c when the power is cut off (power outage) matches the checksum when the power is turned on. If the RAM 111c is normal, the device transitions to various states (modes) depending on the on / off state of the RAM clear switch 112 when the power is turned on.

[0143] In the main processing, a loop processing is set up and repeated interrupts are permitted. While interrupts are permitted, a timer interrupt processing is executed. During the loop processing, performance information such as the ball payout rate (base value) may be repeatedly updated as information to be displayed on the performance display device 152 (interrupts may be prohibited before updating to stabilize the ball payout rate).

[0144] The timer interrupt processing can perform input processing that receives input from various switches via the input unit 120, output processing that produces various outputs via the output unit 130, special pattern game processing that controls the special pattern change display game and sets the display of special patterns on the collective display device 50, regular pattern game processing that controls the regular pattern change display game and sets the display of regular patterns on the collective display device 50, and error monitoring processing that monitors for errors such as fraud and abnormalities based on signals input from the fraud / abnormality sensor 67.

[0145] Furthermore, in the timer interrupt process, when a game ball wins (enters) the start winning hole 36 (first start hole) or the normal variable winning device 37 (second start hole) and a start memory is generated, a pre-determination (pre-reading determination) is made that can determine in advance the game result based on the winning at a stage before the start of the special chart variable display game based on the start memory. The game control device 100 constitutes a pre-determination means (pre-reading determination means) that can determine in advance the result of the variable display game based on the start memory before the variable display game is executed.

[0146] Furthermore, the timer interrupt processing can execute a safety device-related processing that performs processing related to the safety device (complete function), a difference ball counting processing that updates a counter that counts the difference ball number, etc. In the safety device-related processing, safety device-related information such as the operating status of the safety device is sent as a command to the performance control device 300, and a safety device operating flag that indicates that the safety device is operating is set.

[0147] In the main processing that starts when the power is turned on, the game control device 100 can send power outage recovery commands indicating that the power has been restored or turned on, and RAM initialization related commands relating to RAM initialization, to the performance control device 300. The RAM initialization related commands include a RAM initialization command indicating that the RAM is being cleared (initialized) and a RAM clear preparation command indicating that the RAM is being prepared to be cleared.

[0148] Furthermore, the game control device 100 can transmit commands to the performance control device 300 in the timer interrupt process as follows.

[0149] The game control device 100 can transmit game status commands indicating game states such as normal game state, time-saving state (normal power support state), and special chart high probability state (probability change state), error commands indicating errors such as fraud or abnormality, and safety device-related commands related to safety devices. The safety device-related commands include a difference ball information command indicating the difference ball number, an operation notice command corresponding to the operation notice state of the safety device, an operation warning command corresponding to the operation warning state of the safety device, and an operating command corresponding to the operation state of the safety device.

[0150] The game control device 100 can transmit customer waiting commands related to a customer waiting state where no game is being played, variation commands indicating the variation pattern of the special symbol variation display game, decorative stop symbol commands (decorative special symbol commands) indicating decorative stop symbols displayed on the display device 41 corresponding to the results of the special symbol variation display game, such as losing symbols, big win symbols, small win symbols, and time-saving symbols, and symbol stop commands indicating the stop of the special symbol variation display game, and win-related commands corresponding to each stage of the big win or small win state. Here, customer waiting-related commands include customer waiting demo commands that instruct customer waiting demos, such as movie demos on the demo screen. Win-related commands also include opening commands (fanfare commands) corresponding to the opening (fanfare) of a small win or big win, round commands corresponding to the round of a small win or big win, interval commands corresponding to the interval between rounds, and ending commands corresponding to the ending of a big win or small win.

[0151] The game control device 100 can transmit a special figure 1 reserve number command and a special figure 2 reserve number command indicating the number of start memories when the first start memory number (special figure 1 reserve number), which is the number of first start memories (special figure 1 reserve), and the second start memory number (special figure 2 reserve number), which is the number of second start memories (special figure 2 reserve), change. The game control device 100 can also transmit a regular figure reserve number command indicating the number of regular figure start memories when the regular figure start memory number (regular figure reserve number), which is the number of regular figure start memories (regular figure reserves), changes. The game control device 100 can increase the first start memory number by 1 when a game ball wins (enters) the start winning slot 36 and the first start memory occurs, and can increase the second start memory number by 1 when a game ball wins (enters) the regular variable winning device 37 and the second start memory occurs. The game control device 100 can reduce the first start memory number by 1 at the start of a special chart 1 variable display game based on the first start memory, and can reduce the second start memory number by 1 at the start of a special chart 2 variable display game based on the second start memory.

[0152] Furthermore, the game control device 100 can transmit a look-ahead command when a gaming ball enters the start winning slot 36 (first start slot) or the normal variable winning device 37 (second start slot) and the first start memory or the second start memory occurs. The look-ahead commands include look-ahead stop pattern commands corresponding to stop pattern information (jackpot stop pattern, small win stop pattern, time-saving stop pattern, loss stop pattern) based on the jackpot random number value or special pattern random number value saved as the first start memory or the second start memory, and look-ahead fluctuation pattern commands based on the saved fluctuation pattern random number value.

[0153] In addition, the game control device 100 can send necessary commands to the presentation control device 300, such as a hitting instruction notification command (left hitting instruction notification command, right hitting instruction notification command) that instructs (suggests) the player on the recommended hitting method (launch mode) depending on the game state or changes in the game state, and a specific area passage command that indicates a V win.

[0154] The performance control device 300 performs processing according to the command received from the game control device 100, for example, as follows.

[0155] When the performance control device 300 receives a power outage recovery command, it displays text such as "Restoring" on the display device 41, and when it receives a RAM initialization command, it displays text such as "RAM clearing" on the display device 41, and also issues an alert for, for example, 30 seconds by lighting up the performance LED 46 and making a sound from the speakers 19a and 19b (especially when RAM is being cleared). When the performance control device 300 receives a RAM clear preparation command, it displays text such as "RAM clear preparation" on the display device 41.

[0156] When the performance control device 300 receives an error command, it may display text such as "Error Occurring" on the display device 41, and may also notify the error by lighting up the performance LED 46 and making a sound from the speakers 19a, 19b depending on the type of error command. Note that if the error command includes information indicating the content of the error, the content of the error may be displayed on the display device 41.

[0157] When the performance control device 300 receives the difference ball information command, it may display the difference ball number on the display device 41. When the performance control device 300 receives the operation notice command, operation warning command, or operation command, it displays text such as "Playing will end soon," "Playing will end after the win ends," or "Playing currently stopped" on the display device 41 in response to each command.

[0158] When the performance control device 300 receives a customer waiting demo command in the customer waiting state, it displays a customer waiting demo such as a movie demo (video) on the display device 41. Note that the customer waiting state is entered when both the first start memory count and the second start memory count are zero and the special chart variable display game is not being executed. The customer waiting demo may start after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the customer waiting state.

[0159] When the effect control device 300 receives a variation command indicating a variation pattern and a decorative stop pattern command indicating a decorative stop pattern on the display device 41, it executes a variation-related effect setting process to set an effect related to the decorative special symbol variation display game on the display device 41 based on the content of the variation pattern, the special symbol type (special symbol 1 or special symbol 2), the type of stop symbol (miss symbol, big win symbol, small win symbol, time-saving symbol, etc.). Note that when a game ball enters the start winning slot 36 or the normal variation winning device 37 in the customer waiting state, or when the first start memory or the second start memory remains after the special symbol variation display game ends, the game control device 100 starts the special symbol variation display game on the special symbol 1 display device 51 or the special symbol 2 display device 52 of the collective display device 50, and transmits the variation command, the decorative stop symbol command, etc. to the effect control device 300.

[0160] In the variation-related effect setting process, it is possible to set preview effects that appear during the special symbol variation display game and can predict the outcome of the special symbol variation display game, variation effects such as pseudo-sequential effects and reach effects on the display device 41, and specific decorative stop symbols. The variation command may include information on the number of pseudo-sequential effects, which is the number of pseudo-sequential effects (number of pseudo-variations), and information on the type (type) of reach effects corresponding to the reach state. A pseudo-sequential effect is an effect in which a predetermined number of pseudo-variations are performed in one special symbol variation display game, causing decorative special symbols to vary and temporarily stop on the display device 41. In addition, in the variation-related effect setting process, it is possible to set the light emission mode of the effect LED 46 and the sound mode of the speakers 19a, 19b according to the preview effects, variation effects, etc.

[0161] Here, reach (reach state) refers to a display state in which the display result already derived and displayed on the display device 41 satisfies the conditions for a special result state when some of the display results of the decorative special symbol variable display game have not yet been derived and displayed. When the display result on the active line (for example, on a line in the vertical or horizontal direction) of the display device 41 becomes a special result state, the game state becomes a special game state that is advantageous to the player. In addition, a state in which variable display is performed using multiple variable display areas while maintaining a state in which all special result states are aligned (so-called full rotation reach) is also included in the reach state.

[0162] Therefore, for example, if the decorative special chart variable display game displayed on the display device 41 in response to the special chart variable display game displays multiple identification information for a predetermined period of time in each of the left, center, and right variable display areas on the display device, and then stops the variable display in the order of left, right, center, etc. to display the result state, the state in which the variable display stops in the left and right variable display areas when the conditions for a special result state are met (for example, the same identification information) becomes a reach state.

[0163] In the reach state, multiple reach effects can be executed, and reach effects with different expectations (reliabilities) for deriving a special result mode (jackpot mode or small jackpot mode) are set as systems (types), such as normal reach (N reach), special 1 reach (SP1 reach), special 2 reach (SP2 reach), special 3 reach (SP3 reach), and premium reach. The expectation (reliability) of a jackpot increases in the following order: no reach < normal reach < special 1 reach < special 2 reach < special 3 reach < premium reach. In addition, a state in which a reach state has occurred is a state in which the possibility of a jackpot is higher than when a reach state does not occur.

[0164] The expectation (reliability) of a presentation (preview) indicates the probability of a jackpot if that presentation is selected, and can be calculated based on the selection rate of that presentation when there is a jackpot and the selection rate of that presentation when there is no jackpot (when there is a miss). The higher the selection rate of that presentation when there is a jackpot, the higher the expectation, and the higher the selection rate of that presentation when there is a miss, the lower the expectation. A jackpot includes the aforementioned V-winning jackpot, and the expectation rate for a V-winning jackpot is approximately the same as the expectation rate for a small jackpot that generates a V-winning. Note that the expectation rate can be set not only for jackpots, but also for the occurrence of advantageous states other than jackpots (e.g., small jackpots, time-saving states) and advantageous events (e.g., reach).

[0165] When the performance control device 300 receives a symbol stop command indicating the stop of the special symbol variable display game, it sets the stop of the decorative special symbol variable display game on the display device 41. Note that it is also possible to configure the game control device 100 to send a variable time command indicating the value of the variable time to the performance control device 300, and the performance control device 300 to set the stop of the decorative special symbol variable display game after the variable time has elapsed from the start of the decorative special symbol variable display game.

[0166] When the performance control device 300 receives an opening command, it executes an opening performance (fanfare performance), which is the performance at the start of a small or large win; when it receives a round command, it executes a round performance, which is the performance during a round; when it receives an interval command, it executes an interval performance in the interval between rounds; and when it receives an ending command, it executes an ending performance corresponding to the ending of a large or small win.

[0167] When the performance control device 300 receives a special chart 1 reserve number command or a special chart 2 reserve number command, it displays reserve displays corresponding to the special chart start memory (special chart reserve) on the display device 41 or the like in the same number as the special chart 1 reserve number or the special chart 2 reserve number. Also, when the performance control device 300 receives a normal chart reserve number command, it may display reserve displays corresponding to the normal chart start memory (normal chart reserve) in the same number as the normal chart reserve number on the display device 41 or the like. When the performance control device 300 receives a look-ahead change pattern command and a look-ahead stop pattern command as look-ahead commands, it draws and sets a look-ahead preview performance (look-ahead performance, look-ahead preview) with a lottery probability corresponding to the look-ahead command. Examples of look-ahead preview performances include continuous preview performances and hold change previews. Examples of continuous preview performances include a chance eye look-ahead performance related to a decorative stop pattern. The hold change notice indicates that the display mode (color, shape, pattern, effect, etc.) of the hold display changes from the normal one, and the expectation of winning the variable display game based on the hold is higher than when the hold does not change (normal).

[0168] When the performance control device 300 receives a left-hit instruction notification command and a right-hit instruction notification command as the hitting instruction notification command, it can execute a left-hit instruction display and a right-hit instruction display corresponding to each command on the display device 41. When the performance control device 300 receives a specific area passing command, it may execute a performance on the display device 41 to congratulate the V winning.

[0169] In addition, the performance control device 300 is also capable of receiving commands necessary for control from the game control device 100 in addition to those mentioned above.

[0170] [Back of the gaming machine] Next, the configuration of the gaming control device 100 (control device, main board, gaming control board) and the like disposed on the back side of the gaming machine 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a back view of the gaming machine 10.

[0171] On the back surface of the gaming machine 10, a gaming control device 100, a frame control device 200, a performance control device 300 (sub-board), and a power supply device 400 are arranged.

[0172] The game control device 100 controls the game (game) and can transmit a presentation control command (presentation command) to the presentation control device 300, which controls the display device 41 etc. based on the presentation control command. The frame control device 200 counts the game media (game balls) as game value circulating within the enclosed game machine 10 (smart pachinko machine) based on the data transmitted from the game control device 100. The power supply device 400 supplies power to various devices.

[0173] The gaming control device 100 is also provided with a setting key switch 93 and a RAM clear switch 112. The setting key switch 93 and the RAM clear switch 112 are provided on the gaming control device 100 inside the gaming machine 10, and are therefore located in a position (inaccessible position) that cannot be operated unless the front frame 12 (main body frame) is opened. In other words, an ordinary player cannot access and operate the setting key switch 93 and the RAM clear switch 112. The setting key switch 93 and the RAM clear switch 112 are provided on the back side of the gaming machine 10, and therefore will not be hidden (overlapped) by the operation of internal or external devices attached to the gaming machine 10.

[0174] When the power is turned on, the RAM clear switch 112 is pressed and turned on, which performs RAM initialization processing. In the RAM initialization processing, the information stored in the RAM 111c in the gaming microcomputer 111 and the RAM in the frame control device 200 is forcibly initialized (reset), and if an error has occurred, the error is also reset (released). In this way, the RAM clear switch can also function as an error release switch. The RAM clear switch 112 can also be used as a setting value change switch that can change the probability setting value (setting value) in response to the operator's operation.

[0175] The setting key switch 93, when turned on by the operator through a rotation operation or the like, makes the probability setting value corresponding to the setting related to the game conditions (game) changeable or confirmable. In this embodiment, the probability setting value is a setting value for setting the probability of winning, such as the probability of a big win or a small win, but other game conditions (such as effects) other than probability can also be changed according to the probability setting value. For example, the larger the probability setting value, the higher the winning probability. The setting key switch 93 and the RAM clear switch 112 constitute a setting change means (setting change device 42, setting means) that can change the setting related to the game conditions (probability setting value). Note that instead of the RAM clear switch 112, other switches may also serve as the setting value change switch and error reset switch, or dedicated setting value change switch and error reset switch may be provided.

[0176] When the gaming machine 10 is powered on (recovered from a power outage, power restored), the gaming machine 10 can transition to various states, such as a setting variable state (setting change state, setting possible state, setting change mode, setting mode) in which the probability setting value can be changed (set), and a setting confirmation state (setting confirmation mode, confirmation mode) in which the probability setting value can be confirmed, depending on the on / off state of the setting key switch 93 and the RAM clear switch 112. For example, when the gaming machine 10 is powered on, if the setting key switch 93 and the RAM clear switch 112 are both on, the gaming machine transitions to the setting variable state, and if only the setting key switch 93 is on, the gaming machine transitions to the setting confirmation state. Also, if only the RAM clear switch 112 is on, RAM initialization processing is executed, and if both the setting key switch 93 and the RAM clear switch 112 are off, the gaming machine transitions to a playable state.

[0177] [Game control device] Next, the game control device 100 (control device, main board, game control board) disposed on the back side of the gaming machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0178] Fig. 6 is a front view of the game control device 100. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the game control device 100, and Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the game control device 100 disassembled. Fig. 6 shows the front of the game control device 100 as seen from the back side of the gaming machine 10, for example.

[0179] The game control device 100 includes a board 110 (see FIG. 3) on which a gaming microcomputer 111, an input unit 120, and an output unit 130 are mounted, a case 140 for accommodating the board 110, and a base body 143 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) for attaching the board 110 accommodated in the case 140 to the game machine 1. The board 110 includes terminals (pins) for connecting the game control device 100 to an external device (equipment). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the board 110 includes connectors CN1 to CN5 each having one or more pins. Note that the board 110 may also include connectors that do not have pins but transmit optical signals or transmit radio waves contactlessly using dedicated contacts or antennas.

[0180] For example, connector CN1 is used to detect a signal when a gaming ball enters a winning slot such as the normal start gate 34. Connector CN2 is used to send game-related commands to the performance control device 300. Connector CN3 is connected to the power supply device 400 and the frame control device 200 to supply power, and is used to input signals such as power outage monitoring signals and reset signals, and to send and receive commands related to payouts. Connector CN4 is connected to an external information collection device or management device and is used to output game data. Connector CN5 is connected to an external inspection device and is used to output inspection signals.

[0181] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the case 140 includes a first case member 141 that houses the substrate member 110, and a second case member 142 that serves as a lid and defines a section between the first case member 141 and the second case member 142 that houses the substrate member 110.

[0182] 6, the second case member 142 has openings 142a to 142e that expose the connectors CN1 to CN5 to the outside. The second case member 142 may also be provided with openings that expose the setting key switch 93 and the RAM clear switch 112 to the outside.

[0183] The case 140 has an A-section crimping portion 140a, a B-section crimping portion 140b, a C-section crimping portion 140c, and an F-section crimping portion 140f. The A-section crimping portion 140a is used when sealing the board member 110 in the case 140.

[0184] The B-section crimping portion 140b is used when fixing (installing) the case 140 to the back surface of the gaming machine 10 (main body). The C-section crimping portion 140c is used during on-site inspection. The F-section crimping portion 140f is used when retrieving the base member 110. As shown in FIG. 7, the C-section crimping portion 140c and the B-section crimping portion 140b are attached to a base main body 143 that fixes the case 140 to the back surface of the gaming machine 10.

[0185] 7 and 8, base body 143 has lever portion 143a that catches on C-section crimping portion 140c. Therefore, when base body 143 is attached to B-section crimping portion 140b, base body 143 also catches on C-section crimping portion 140c via lever portion 143a, making it easy to stably fix case 140 to base body 143.

[0186] 8, case crimping hook 144a can be inserted into A-section crimping portion 140a, and main body crimping hook 144b can be inserted into B-section crimping portion 140b. Main body crimping hook 144c can be inserted into C-section crimping portion 140c and base main body 143, and case crimping hook 144f can be inserted into F-section crimping portion 140f. Although case crimping hooks 144a and 144f and main body crimping hooks 144b and 144c have different shapes, two or more components may have the same shape and be used as a common component.

[0187] For example, at the time of shipment from the factory, case crimping hook 144a is inserted into and crimped to A-section crimping portion 140a, and body crimping hook 144b is inserted into and crimped to B-section crimping portion 140b and base body 143. As shown in FIG. 8 , case crimping hook 144a is a separate member from case 140, and body crimping hook 144b is a separate member from case 140 and base body 143. Once case 140 is crimped and sealed in this manner, A-section crimping portion 140a and B-section crimping portion 140b must be separated (cut) to remove board member 110. Therefore, when A-section crimping portion 140a and B-section crimping portion 140b are separated, traces are left behind, making it easy to detect any tampering, such as replacing board member 110.

[0188] After the case 140 is opened, for example, during an on-site inspection, the main body crimping hook 144c is inserted into the C-section crimping portion 140c and crimped, thereby resealing the case 140. After the case 140 is opened, for example, during recovery of the substrate member 110, the case 140 is resealed by the case crimping hook 144f being inserted into the F-section crimping portion 140f and crimped. As shown in FIG. 8 , the main body crimping hook 144c is a separate member from the case 140 and the base main body 143, and the case crimping hook 144f is a separate member from the case 140.

[0189] [Around the connector of the gaming control device] Next, the configuration of the periphery of the connector CN1 of the board member 110 of the game control device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0190] Fig. 9 is an enlarged front view of a part of the game control device 100 (around the connector CN1) with the case 140. Fig. 10 is an enlarged front view of a part of the game control device 100 (around the connector CN1) without the case 140.

[0191] 9, connector CN1 is exposed from opening 142a of case 140 in a direction perpendicular to the surface of board member 110. On board member 110, around connector CN1, i.e., near the outside of connector CN1, character information 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, and 110e is provided by printing or the like as first character information representing information about connector CN1.

[0192] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 (see FIG. 10 in particular), the character information 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d represent information relating to the positions of the pins of the connector CN1. For example, the character information 110a is displayed as "1" near the first pin. The character information 110b is displayed as "2" near the second pin, the character information 110c is displayed as "9" near the ninth pin, and the character information 110d is displayed as "10" near the tenth pin. Therefore, when the board member 110 is not housed in the case 140 as shown in FIG. 10, the worker can easily correctly align the orientation of the connector CN1 with respect to the board member 110 by checking the character information 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d, thereby improving the workability when installing the connector on the board member 110.

[0193] The text information 110e indicates the name of the connector CN1 on the board member 110, and is displayed as "CN1", for example.

[0194] Furthermore, the text information 110d is the largest (maximum) pin number of the connector CN1 (for example, "10"), and an operator can easily recognize that the connector CN1 is a 10-pin connector by visually checking the text information 110d.

[0195] As shown in Fig. 9, when the board member 110 is housed in the case 140, the character information 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, and 110e overlap the case 140 in the vertical direction, reducing visibility. At least a portion of the character information 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, and 110e overlaps the edge of the opening 142a, as shown in Fig. 9, reducing visibility of the area that overlaps with the case 140 from the edge. Therefore, when the board member 110 is housed in the case 140, it becomes difficult to read information about the connector CN1 from the character information 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, and 110e, making it easier to prevent fraudulent acts.

[0196] 9 and 10, character information CN1a, CN1b, and CN1c are formed on the inside of the connector CN1 as second character information that represents information about the connector CN1. The character information CN1a, CN1b, and CN1c may be attached to the inside of the connector CN1 by printing, engraving, or the like.

[0197] The character information CN1a is displayed as, for example, "1" near pin 1. By including the number "1" corresponding to pin 1 in the character information CN1a, it becomes easier for the worker to confirm the position of pin 1.

[0198] The text information CN1b displays characters (for example, "GNPT") including the serial number, lot number, specification, model number, name, manufacturer, etc. of the connector CN1.

[0199] The text information CN1c displays, for example, characters (e.g., "10GN") including the pin number (e.g., "10") of the connector CN1. For example, as shown in Fig. 9, the text information CN1c may include the maximum pin number of the connector CN1 (e.g., "10" indicating the tenth pin). The text information CN1c may also include a number ("10") corresponding to the number of pins (number of pins) of the connector CN1 (e.g., 10), or may include a product number (model number) or the name of the connector CN1.

[0200] When the board member 110 is housed in the case 140, the character information CN1a, CN1b, and CN1c do not overlap with the case 140 in the vertical direction, and visibility is not impaired. Therefore, after housing, an operator who connects a connector jack (not shown) as a wiring-side connector to the connector CN1 can easily check the character information CN1a, CN1b, and CN1c, thereby improving workability. The connector jack has holes 1, 2, 9, and 10 (sockets) that can be electrically connected to an external device, and corresponding pins 1, 2, 9, and 10 of the connector CN1 are inserted into these sockets for connection.

[0201] Furthermore, when the connector jack is connected to the connector CN1, the character information CN1a, CN1b, and CN1c are covered by the connector jack and become invisible. Therefore, information about the connector CN1 cannot be read from the character information CN1a, CN1b, and CN1c after connection, making it easier to prevent fraudulent acts.

[0202] [Effects of the first embodiment] In this embodiment, the gaming machine 10 includes a control device (gaming control device 100, main board, gaming control board) that controls games (symbol change game, change game, change display game, special symbol change display game). In the gaming machine 10, the control device includes a board (board member 110) and a case member (case 140) that covers the board. The board has connectors (connectors CN1 to CN5) to which wiring-side connectors (connector jacks) of wiring that can be electrically connected to the outside of the control device are connected, first character information (character information 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e) around the connectors that represent information related to the connector (e.g., connector CN1), and second character information (character information CN1a, CN1b, CN1c) inside the connectors that represent information related to the connector (e.g., connector CN1). The case member has openings (openings 142a to 142e) that expose the connectors in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the board, and overlaps at least a part of the first character information in the perpendicular direction when the board is housed therein.

[0203] According to this gaming machine 10, when the circuit board is not housed in the case member, the worker can easily check the first character information, and by checking the first character information, the worker can easily align the connector correctly relative to the circuit board, thereby improving the workability when installing the connector on the circuit board. Furthermore, when the circuit board is housed in the case member, at least a portion of the first character information overlaps with the case member, reducing visibility. This makes it difficult to read information about the connector from the first character information, making it easier to prevent fraudulent activities. In this way, the gaming machine 10 can achieve both improved workability and prevention of fraudulent activities, thereby improving the quality of the gaming machine 10.

[0204] Furthermore, in the gaming machine 10, the case member has an edge that forms an opening, and the edge overlaps at least a part of the first character information when the board is housed therein. According to such a gaming machine 10, at least a part of the first character information overlaps with the edge of the opening, reducing visibility, making it difficult to read information about the connector from the first character information, which makes it easier to prevent fraudulent acts.

[0205] The gaming machine 10 also includes a control device (gaming control device 100, main board, gaming control board) that controls the games (symbol change game, change game, change display game, special symbol change display game). In the gaming machine 10, the control device includes a board (board member 110) and a case member (case 140) that covers the board. The board has connectors (connectors CN1 to CN5) to which wiring-side connectors (connector jacks) of wiring that can be electrically connected to the outside of the control device are connected, first character information (character information 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e) around the connectors that represent information related to the connector (e.g., connector CN1), and second character information (character information CN1a, CN1b, CN1c) inside the connectors that represent information related to the connector (e.g., connector CN1). The case member has openings (openings 142a to 142e) that expose the connectors in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the board, and when the board is housed, the openings overlap at least a portion of the first character information in the vertical direction, and the first character information includes characters that are the same as at least a portion of the second character information.

[0206] According to this gaming machine 10, when the circuit board is not housed in the case member, the first character information, which includes characters identical to at least a portion of the second character information, can be easily confirmed together with the second character information. Therefore, by checking the first character information and the second character information, it becomes easier to correctly align the connector corresponding to the circuit board and the orientation of the connector relative to the circuit board, thereby further improving the workability when installing the connector on the circuit board. Furthermore, when the circuit board is housed in the case member, at least a portion of the first character information overlaps with the case member, reducing visibility and making it difficult to read information about the connector from the first character information, which makes it easier to prevent fraudulent activities.

[0207] The gaming machine 10 also includes a control device (gaming control device 100, main board, gaming control board) that controls the games (symbol change game, change game, change display game, special symbol change display game). In the gaming machine 10, the control device includes a board (board member 110) and a case member (case 140) that covers the board. The board has connectors (connectors CN1 to CN5) to which wiring-side connectors (connector jacks) of wiring that can be electrically connected to the outside of the control device are connected, first character information (character information 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e) around the connectors that represent information related to the connector (e.g., connector CN1), and second character information (character information CN1a, CN1b, CN1c) inside the connectors that represent information related to the connector (e.g., connector CN1). The case member has openings (openings 142a to 142e) that expose the connector in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the board, and overlaps at least a portion of the first character information in the vertical direction when the board is housed therein, the connector has pins, and the second character information includes the pin numbers.

[0208] According to this gaming machine 10, when the circuit board is not housed in the case member, the worker can easily check the first character information. By checking the first character information and matching it with the pin number of the second character information, the worker can easily align the connector to the circuit board correctly. As a result, the workability when installing the connector on the circuit board can be further improved. Furthermore, when the circuit board is housed in the case member, at least a portion of the first character information overlaps with the case member, reducing visibility, and when the wiring-side connector is connected to the connector, the second character information, including the pin number, becomes invisible. Therefore, since it is difficult to read information about the connector from the first character information and second character information, fraudulent acts can be easily prevented.

[0209] The gaming machine 10 also includes a control device (gaming control device 100, main board, gaming control board) that controls the games (symbol change game, change game, change display game, special symbol change display game). In the gaming machine 10, the control device includes a board (board member 110) and a case member (case 140) that covers the board. The board has connectors (connectors CN1 to CN5) to which wiring-side connectors (connector jacks) of wiring that can be electrically connected to the outside of the control device are connected, first character information (character information 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e) around the connectors that represent information related to the connector (e.g., connector CN1), and second character information (character information CN1a, CN1b, CN1c) inside the connectors that represent information related to the connector (e.g., connector CN1). The case member has openings (openings 142a to 142e) that expose the connectors in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the board, and overlaps at least a portion of the first character information in the vertical direction when the board is housed therein, and the second character information includes the name of the connector.

[0210] According to this gaming machine 10, when a circuit board is not housed in the case member, a worker can easily check the first character information. By checking the first character information and matching it with the connector name in the second character information, the worker can easily correctly attach the connector corresponding to the circuit board, thereby further improving the workability when installing the connector on the circuit board. Furthermore, when a circuit board is housed in the case member, at least a portion of the first character information overlaps with the case member, reducing visibility. When a wiring-side connector is connected to the connector, the second character information, including the connector name, becomes invisible. Therefore, since it is difficult to read information about the connector from the first character information and the second character information, it is easy to prevent fraudulent acts. Furthermore, before the wiring-side connector is connected to the connector, the worker can easily check the second character information, including the connector name, thereby improving the workability when connecting the wiring-side connector.

[0211] The gaming machine 10 also includes a control device (gaming control device 100, main board, gaming control board) that controls the games (symbol change game, change game, change display game, special symbol change display game). In the gaming machine 10, the control device includes a board (board member 110) and a case member (case 140) that covers the board. The board has connectors (connectors CN1 to CN5) to which wiring-side connectors (connector jacks) of wiring that can be electrically connected to the outside of the control device are connected, first character information (character information 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e) around the connectors that represent information related to the connector (e.g., connector CN1), and second character information (character information CN1a, CN1b, CN1c) inside the connectors that represent information related to the connector (e.g., connector CN1). The case member has openings (openings 142a to 142e) that expose the connectors in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the board, and overlaps at least a portion of the first character information in the vertical direction when the board is housed therein, and the case member does not overlap the second character information.

[0212] According to this gaming machine 10, when the circuit board is not housed in the case member, the worker can easily check the first character information. Checking the first character information makes it easier to correctly align the connector relative to the circuit board, thereby improving the workability of installing the connector on the circuit board. Furthermore, when the circuit board is housed in the case member, at least a portion of the first character information overlaps with the case member, reducing visibility. This makes it difficult to read information about the connector from the first character information, making it easier to prevent fraudulent behavior. Furthermore, because the case member does not overlap with the second character information, the worker can easily check the second character information when connecting the wiring-side connector to the connector, improving the workability of connecting the wiring-side connector. After connecting the wiring-side connector, the second character information overlaps with the wiring-side connector and becomes invisible, making it difficult to read information about the connector from the second character information, making it easier to prevent fraudulent behavior.

[0213] [Second embodiment] A gaming machine 10 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 20. Note that configurations other than those described below may be the same as those in the first embodiment. In the following embodiments, the same reference numerals are used for configurations that perform the same functions as those in the first embodiment, and redundant descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0214] In the second embodiment, the configuration of the board member 110 and the case 140 of the game control device 100 (main board) will be mainly described.

[0215] [Back of the gaming machine] FIG. 11 is a rear view of the gaming machine of the second embodiment.

[0216] When the game control device 100 is disposed on the back surface of the gaming machine 10, the board member 110 is housed in a case 140. Various connectors of the board member 110 (e.g., connectors CN2 and CN5) are exposed from the opening of the case 140. The connector CN2 functions as a specific internal connector that can be connected to a specific internal device of the gaming machine 10 (e.g., the performance control device 300). The connector CN5 functions as an inspection connector for inspection. Note that in FIG. 11, the game control device 100 is shown in a simplified form, and some connectors are not shown, but other connectors are also exposed from the opening of the case 140 as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

[0217] The board member 310 of the performance control device 300 is also housed in a case 340, and various connectors of the board member 310 (e.g., connector CN31) are exposed from an opening in the case 340. Similarly, the unit control device 220 of the frame control device 200 is housed in a case 230. Connectors (not shown) of the board member 310 and the unit control device 220 may be exposed from the case 340 and the case 230.

[0218] [Game control device] Next, the game control device 100 (control device, main board, game control board) disposed on the back side of the gaming machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0219] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the game control device 100 of the second embodiment. Fig. 13 is a front view of the game control device 100 of the second embodiment, and Fig. 14 is a front view of the base member 110 of the game control device 100 of the second embodiment.

[0220] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a plurality of (for example, three) stickers 145a to 145c are attached to the surface of second case member 142 of case 140 of the second embodiment.

[0221] The sticker 145a has a two-dimensional code 145a1 for the case that indicates information such as the model number of the board member 110, and character information 145a2. The two-dimensional code 145a1 can be read by a two-dimensional code reader (camera) to display information about the board member 110 on the two-dimensional code reader. The character information 145a2 can be multiple lines (e.g., three lines) of characters (e.g., alphanumeric characters "00000, 000 12, 000 34").

[0222] Like the sticker 145a, the sticker 145b has a two-dimensional code 145b1 for the case and character information 145b2 that indicates information about the board member 110. The character information 145b2 can be multiple lines (e.g., three lines) of characters (e.g., alphanumeric characters "AAAAA, AA 12, AA 34"). Note that the character information 145a2 and 145b2 are not limited to alphanumeric characters and may use Japanese or the like.

[0223] The sticker 145c has a two-dimensional code 145c1 for the case that indicates information about the base member 110.

[0224] Two-dimensional codes 145a1, 145b1, and 145c1 are the same size and are located on the surface of case 140 at approximately the same height from the surface of substrate member 110. Because two-dimensional codes 145a1, 145b1, and 145c1 on the same planar layer are the same size, two-dimensional codes 145a1, 145b1, and 145c1 can be read in the same way at approximately a fixed distance from the surface of case 140 without having to move the position of the two-dimensional code reader back and forth for focus adjustment, making it easier to check the information on substrate member 110. Furthermore, two-dimensional codes 145a1, 145b1, and 145c1 are located on the surface of case 140 in the same orientation. This makes it easier to check whether two-dimensional codes 145a1, 145b1, and 145c1 are the same code.

[0225] 13, when the board member 110 is housed in the case 140, the first side wall 142f1 and the second side wall 142f2 of the second case member 142 are located between the connector CN2 as the specified internal connector and the connector CN5 as the inspection connector. The first side wall 142f1 and the second side wall 142f2 are part of the surface forming the side of the second case member 142, and are side wall portions that extend at an angle (for example, vertically) in a direction rising from the surface of the board member 110. The area between the connectors CN2 and CN5 is, for example, the area inside the dashed line (imaginary line) connecting the corners of both connectors as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

[0226] Here, when not connected to an external testing terminal, even if connector CN5 is broken, it is unlikely to have an effect on the game, so there is a possibility that cheating could be committed starting from connector CN5. However, when attempting to commit cheating on connector CN2 from the connector CN5 side, two side walls (first side wall 142f1, second side wall 142f2) of the second case member 142 must be broken in order to access connector CN2, making it easier to prevent cheating.

[0227] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 13, a sticker 145b is attached between the connector CN2 and the connector CN5 (the area inside the broken line), so that the inside is difficult to see through the sticker 145b, making it difficult to commit fraud.

[0228] Next, as shown in FIG. 14, the board member 110 has a plurality of components (electronic components) such as a ROM 111d, a RAM 111e, a resistor 111f, and a chip resistor 111g in addition to the components such as the gaming microcomputer 111 and connectors CN1 to CN5 described above in the first embodiment. The gaming microcomputer 111 includes a built-in ROM 111b and a built-in RAM 111c. However, as shown in FIG. 14, the ROM 111d and the RAM 111e can also be separately provided (added) as one of a plurality of components on the board member 110. Furthermore, the gaming microcomputer 111, the ROM 111b, and the RAM 111c are not located between the connector CN2 and the connector CN5. Therefore, when an attempt is made to commit fraud on the connector CN5 from the connector CN2 side, the distance to the gaming microcomputer 111, etc. is long, which makes it easier to prevent fraud on the gaming microcomputer 111, etc., along with fraud on the connector CN5.

[0229] The resistors 111f are arranged in a multiple array between the connector CN2 and the connector CN5. The chip resistors 111g are plate-shaped electronic components, and like the resistors 111f, are arranged in a multiple array between the connector CN2 and the connector CN5. Therefore, even if the side wall on the connector CN5 side is broken, the resistors 111f and the chip resistors 111g are positioned to interfere between the connector CN2 and the connector CN5, so that even if the side wall is broken, these components can be easily broken as well, making it easier to prevent operation in a tampered state.

[0230] A two-dimensional code 113a for a component that represents information about the gaming microcomputer 111 is attached as a sticker to the surface of the gaming microcomputer 111. Also, character information representing information about the gaming microcomputer 111, such as "CPUab12," is printed or otherwise attached to the surface of the gaming microcomputer 111. Here, the orientation of the two-dimensional code 113a is upside down, as shown in reverse in FIG. 14, and is different from the orientation of the character information ("CPUab12") (facing forward in FIG. 14). In this way, because the two-dimensional code 113a and the character information ("CPUab12") are oriented differently, when they no longer differ (when they are oriented the same), it is easy to recognize that there is a high probability that an illegal component has been installed.

[0231] Furthermore, a two-dimensional code 113b for components representing information about the ROM 111d is attached to the surface of the ROM 111d as a sticker, and character information representing the information about the ROM 111d, such as "ROMcd34," is attached by printing, etc. The two-dimensional code 113b and the character information ("ROMcd34") are oriented in the same direction (facing forward in FIG. 14).

[0232] In this way, while the orientation of the two-dimensional code 113a and the character information ("CPUab12") of the gaming microcomputer 111 described above is intentionally made different, the presence of a component such as ROM 111d that aligns the orientation of the two-dimensional code 113b and the character information ("ROMcd34") makes it appear as if the orientation of the two-dimensional code is randomly attached. As a result, it is difficult for a cheater to notice the orientation of the two-dimensional code and the character information, and when cheating occurs, the orientation is likely to be incorrect, making it easier to discover that a cheating component has been attached.

[0233] Furthermore, a two-dimensional code 113c for a component representing information about the RAM 111e is attached to the surface of the RAM 111e as a sticker, and character information representing the information about the RAM 111e, such as "RAMe5," is printed or otherwise attached. The character information ("RAMe5") is attached upside down, as shown in FIG. 14, and is oriented in a different direction from the orientation of the two-dimensional code 113c (facing forward in FIG. 14). Therefore, as with the gaming microcomputer 111, when the orientations of the two-dimensional code 113c and the character information ("RAMe5") are no longer different (they are oriented in the same direction), it is easy to recognize that a fraudulent component has been installed. Furthermore, the orientations of the two-dimensional codes 113a, 113b, 113c and character information of the gaming microcomputer 111, ROM 11d, and RAM 111e appear to be attached more randomly, making it more difficult for a fraudster to notice the orientation of the two-dimensional code and character information.

[0234] Furthermore, two-dimensional codes 113d and 113e for the board (for the board member 110) that represent information about the board member 110 are attached as stickers to the surface of the board member 110. The two-dimensional code 113d is attached, for example, near the connector CN5, and the two-dimensional code 113e is attached at a distance from the two-dimensional code 113d. The two-dimensional codes 113d and 113e may be the same two-dimensional code. Other identical two-dimensional codes may also be placed on the surface of the board member 110. In this way, by placing the same two-dimensional codes 113d and 113e at a distance, when reading with a two-dimensional code reader, it is possible to select and read one that is easily accessible or close and free of obstacles such as cables, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0235] Here, the orientation of the two-dimensional code 113a of the gaming microcomputer 111 (opposite in FIG. 14) is different from the orientation of the two-dimensional codes 113d and e for the circuit board (facing forward in FIG. 14) and the orientation of the two-dimensional codes 145a1, 145b1, and 145c1 for the case (facing forward in FIG. 13). Therefore, since the orientations of the two-dimensional codes 113d and e for the circuit board and the orientation of the two-dimensional code 113a of the gaming microcomputer 111 are different, it can be easily recognized that there is a high probability that an illegal part has been installed when they are no longer facing different orientations.

[0236] Furthermore, the two-dimensional codes 113a, 113b, and 113c for these components and the two-dimensional codes 113d and 113e for the board are the same size, and are all attached to components on or near the surface of the board member 110. By making the sizes of the two-dimensional codes on the same planar layer the same in this way, it is not necessary to change the position of the two-dimensional code reader for focus adjustment, and work efficiency when reading during inspection can be improved.

[0237] Furthermore, the two-dimensional codes 113a, 113b, and 113c for these components and the two-dimensional codes 113d and 113e for the board are smaller than the two-dimensional codes 145a1, 145b1, and 145c1 (see FIG. 13) of the case 140. Therefore, when the two-dimensional code reader is reading the two-dimensional codes 145a1, 145b1, and 145c1 of the case 140 arranged on the front flat layer, it is easy to prevent the two-dimensional codes 113a, 113b, and 113c for the components and the two-dimensional codes 113d and 113e for the board arranged on the back flat layer from being mistakenly read, thereby improving work efficiency. Furthermore, the two-dimensional codes 113a, 113b, 113c for the components and the two-dimensional codes 113d, 113e for the board, which are arranged on the rear planar layer, are smaller than the two-dimensional codes 145a1, 145b1, 145c1 on the case 140, making them difficult to read when the board component 110 is photographed illegally, and making it easier to prevent information about the board component 110 and the components from being obtained illegally.

[0238] In addition to attaching a two-dimensional code to the base member 110 or the case 140 of the game control device 100, similar two-dimensional codes may also be attached appropriately to the frame control device 200, the performance control device 300, or the power supply device 400. In addition to being attached as a sticker, the two-dimensional code may also be attached by printing or the like.

[0239] 14, the substrate member 110 has a conductive hole (through hole, via hole) 114a near the end of the substrate member 110 and a conductive hole 114b near the connector CN2. The conductive holes 114a and 114b are used to electrically connect a pattern on the front surface (not shown) of the substrate member 110 to a pattern on the back surface (not shown).

[0240] [Conduit hole] Next, the conduction holes 114a and 114b of the substrate member 110 will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV in FIG. 13. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view (first half) illustrating the relationship between the conduction hole 114b and the second side wall portion 114f2 of the substrate member 110, and FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view (second half) illustrating the relationship between the conduction hole 114b and the second side wall portion 114f2 of the substrate member 110. Note that while FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate the relationship between the conduction hole 114b and the second side wall portion 114f2, the same applies to the relationship between the conduction hole 114a and the first side wall portion 114f1. Furthermore, conduction holes other than the conduction holes 114a and 114b may be provided in the substrate member 110 as appropriate.

[0241] When the board member 110 is housed in the case 140, the conductive hole 114a overlaps with the first side wall 142f1 of the second case member 142 in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the board member 110. Similarly, the conductive hole 114b overlaps with the second side wall 142f2 of the second case member 142. Therefore, even if a hole is drilled from the top of the case 140, i.e., in the surface of the second case member 142, the conductive holes 114a and 114b overlap with the first side wall 142f1 and the second side wall 142f2 in the vertical direction, so that the conductive holes 114a and 114b will not be located directly below the hole in the surface, making it difficult to illegally access the conductive holes 114a and 114b.

[0242] The conductive hole 114a is provided between the first side wall portion 142f1 and the ROM 111d, and the conductive hole 114b is provided between the second side wall portion 142f2 and the chip resistor 111g. The first side wall portion 142f1 and the second side wall portion 142f2 extend in a direction rising from the surface of the substrate member 110 at an angle ranging from 45 degrees to 90 degrees (vertical), for example.

[0243] 15, when the inside of the case 140 is viewed perpendicularly to the first side wall 142f1, the ROM 111d is arranged at a position overlapping the first side wall 142f1. Similarly, when the inside of the case 140 is viewed perpendicularly to the second side wall 142f2, the chip resistor 111g is arranged at a position overlapping the second side wall 142f2. In this manner, the electronic components (ROM 111d and chip resistor 111g) are arranged at positions overlapping the first side wall 142f1 and the second side wall 142f2 when the inside of the case 140 is viewed perpendicularly to the first side wall 142f1 and the second side wall 142f2. Therefore, if the first side wall 142f1 or the second side wall 142f2 of the case 140 is destroyed, the electronic components arranged at the overlapping positions are likely to be destroyed as well, which makes it easier to prevent the electronic components from operating in a tampered state.

[0244] Furthermore, as described above, the first side wall portion 142f1 and the second side wall portion 142f2 and the conduction holes 114a and 114b overlap in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the board member 110, making it difficult to illegally access the conduction holes 114a and 114b by drilling a hole in the surface of the second case member 142. Therefore, a tamperer is more likely to break the case 140 from the side of the second case member 142, that is, from the first side wall portion 142f1 or the second side wall portion 142f2, but if the first side wall portion 142f1 or the second side wall portion 142f2 is broken illegally, electronic components arranged nearby may also be easily broken.

[0245] The second case member 142 has a recessed upper portion in accordance with the ROM 111d and is close to the ROM 111d. Therefore, the gap between the second case member 142 and the ROM 111d is not large, which makes it possible to prevent an unauthorized device from being inserted through the gap. Furthermore, when the second case member 142 is broken from above, the ROM 111d is easily broken as well, which makes it easy to prevent the ROM 111d from operating in a state of unauthorized access.

[0246] 15, the conductive hole 114b is closed with solder 115. The solder 115 is connected to, for example, a pattern (not shown) on the front surface of the substrate member 110 and a pattern (not shown) on the back surface of the substrate member 110. Note that, other than the solder 115, the conductive hole 114b may be closed with a conductive material (for example, copper plating) that can electrically connect the patterns on the front and back surfaces of the substrate member 110.

[0247] 16 and 17, the distances La-Ld, Lz between the location where the conduction hole 114b of the board member 110 is provided and the lower part of the second side wall 142f2 of the second case member 142 vary depending on the type of the conduction hole 114b, such as the shape of the solder 115 used for the conduction hole 114b. The distances La-Ld, Lz are the distances between the location where the conduction hole 114b of the board member 110 is provided and the lower part of the second side wall 142f2 in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the board member 110. The distances La-Ld, Lz may also be the minimum distances between the location where the conduction hole 114b of the board member 110 is provided and the second side wall 142f2.

[0248] First, as shown in FIG. 16(a), when the solder 115 is provided without any step on the substrate member 110 and the surface of the solder 115 is flat, the distance between the location where the conductive hole 114b of the substrate member 110 is provided, i.e., the surface of the solder 115, and the lower part of the second side wall portion 142f2 is distance La.

[0249] Next, as shown in FIG. 16(b), when the surface of the solder 115 is raised, the distance between the portion where the conductive hole 114b of the substrate member 110 is provided, i.e., the surface of the solder 115, and the lower portion of the second side wall portion 142f2 is a distance Lb. The distance Lb is shorter than the distance La (Lb <La)。

[0250] 16(c), when the test terminal 116 is provided on the surface of the solder 115, the distance between the location where the conductive hole 114b of the substrate member 110 is provided, i.e., the upper part of the test terminal 116 and the lower part of the second side wall portion 142f2, is a distance Lc. The distance Lc is shorter than the distance Lb (Lc <Lb)。

[0251] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 17(d), when the protrusion 142f3 protrudes from the second side wall 142f2 toward the conductive hole 114b, the lower part of the second side wall 142f2 becomes the tip of the protrusion 142f3. Therefore, the distance between the location where the conductive hole 114b of the substrate member 110 is provided, i.e., the lower part of the conductive hole 114b, and the tip of the protrusion 142f3 is the distance Ld. The distance Ld is much shorter than the distance Lc (Ld< <Lc)。

[0252] 17(e), in the case of the conventional conductive hole 114b in which the solder 115 is not provided, the distance between the location of the conductive hole 114b of the substrate member 110 and the lower portion of the second side wall portion 142f2 is a distance Lz. The distance Lz is longer than the distance La (Lz>La).

[0253] The distances La to Ld described above are shorter than the distance Lz in the conventional example (Ld << Lc < Lb < La < Lz). Since the gap (space) between the location where the through-hole 114b of the substrate member 110 is provided and the lower part of the second side wall portion 142f2 can be made narrower, it becomes difficult for unauthorized access and easier to prevent fraud. Also, since the size of the gap can be changed according to the type of the through-hole 114b, such as the shape of the solder 115 and the shape of the second case member 142, by shortening the distance between the location vulnerable to unauthorized targeting according to the type of the through-hole 114b and the lower part of the second case member 142, for example, like the distance Lc or the distance Ld, the gap can be made narrower and it becomes easier to prevent fraud.

[0254] 〔Inspection Connector〕 Subsequently, referring to FIG. 18, the relationship between the connector CN5 as the inspection connector of the substrate member 110 and the case 140 will be described.

[0255] FIG. 18 is an enlarged perspective view and a front view of an enlarged periphery of the connector CN5 of the substrate member 110.

[0256] As shown in the enlarged perspective view of FIG. 18(a), the connector CN5 is exposed to the outside from the opening 142e for the inspection connector of the second case member 142 in a state where the substrate member 110 is housed in the case 140. Also, the connector CN5 is exposed from the opening 142e in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate member 110.

[0257] As shown in the front view of FIG. 18(b), there is a gap of the first distance L1 between the connector CN5 and the edge of the opening 142e. The first distance L1 is a short distance so that it is difficult for unauthorized parts to be inserted into the gap.

[0258] 〔Specific Internal Connector〕 Subsequently, referring to FIG. 19, the relationship between the connector CN2 as the specific internal connector of the substrate member 110 and the case 140 will be described. The connector CN2 can be connected to specific internal devices of the gaming machine 10, and for example, can be connected to the effect control device 300 for gaming.

[0259] FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view and a front view of the periphery of the connector CN2 of the board member 110. FIG.

[0260] 19(a), when the board member 110 is housed in the case 140, the connector CN2 is exposed to the outside from an opening 142b for a specific internal connector of the second case member 142. In addition, the connector CN2 is exposed from the opening 142b in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the board member 110.

[0261] As shown in the front view of Figure 19(b), there is a gap of a second distance L2 between the connector CN2 and the edge of the opening 142b. The second distance L2 is set to a short distance to make it difficult for an unauthorized component to be inserted into the gap, and is, for example, the same distance as the first distance L1. Note that the first distance L1 may be shorter than the second distance L2 (L1 < L2).

[0262] [Second board specific internal connector] Next, the relationship between the connector CN31 on the board member 310 of the performance control device 300 and the case 340 will be described with reference to Fig. 20. The connector CN31 described above in Fig. 11 is a specific internal connector (second board specific internal connector) of the performance control device 300 as the second board. The connector CN31 can be connected to a specific internal device of the gaming machine 10, and can be connected to the gaming control device 100 for a game, for example. For example, the connector CN31 may be connected to the connector CN2 on the board member 110 of the gaming control device 100.

[0263] FIG. 20 is an enlarged front view of the periphery of connector CN31 of board member 310 of performance control device 300.

[0264] 20, when the board member 310 is housed in the case 340, the connector CN31 is exposed to the outside from an opening 340a for a second board-specific internal connector of the case 340. The connector CN31 is also exposed from the opening 340a in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the board member 310.

[0265] There is a gap of a third distance L3 between the connector CN31 and the edge of the opening 340a. The third distance L3 is a short distance so that it is difficult for unauthorized parts to be inserted into the gap, and for example, it is the same distance as the first distance L1. Note that the third distance L3 may be made longer than the first distance L1 (L3≧L1).

[0266] Thus, the first distance L1 is set to a length equal to or less than the second distance L2 and the third distance L3 (L1≦L2, L1≦L3). Note that the second distance L2 can be set to a length equal to or less than the third distance L3 (L2≦L3, that is, L1≦L2≦L3).

[0267] Here, when the connector CN5 as an inspection connector is not connected to an external inspection terminal, unauthorized access from the connector CN5 to the substrate member 110 is likely to occur. However, since the relationship of the first distance L1≦the second distance L2, the third distance L3 holds, it is possible to prevent unauthorized access from the gap around the connector CN5 to the substrate member 110 using an unauthorized tool with a width larger than the second and third distances.

[0268] Furthermore, the first distance L1 may be set shorter than the second distance L2 and the third distance L3 (L1<L2, L1<L3). By making the first distance L1 the shortest in this way, even if an unauthorized tool is inserted through the gap around the connector CN2 or the connector CN31, the gap around the connector CN5 is the narrowest, making it more difficult to insert than the other gaps, and increasing the possibility that the same unauthorized tool cannot be reused. As a result, in order to perform unauthorized access from the connector CN5 to the substrate member 110, it is necessary to prepare and use a separate unauthorized tool shorter than the first distance L1, thus increasing the deterrent force against unauthorized access.

[0269] [Operation and Effect of the Second Embodiment] In this embodiment, the gaming machine 10 includes a board (for example, the board member 110 of the gaming control device 100, the board member 310 of the performance control device 300) having a plurality of components (for example, the gaming microcomputer 111, the ROM 111d, the RAM 111e, the resistor 111f, the chip resistor 111g) on ​​its surface, and a case member (for example, the case 140, the case 340) that covers the board. The board has conductive holes (conductive holes 114a, 114b) for electrically connecting the front and back surfaces, and the case member (for example, For example, the second case member 142 of the case 140 has side walls (first side wall 114f1, second side wall 114f2) extending at an angle in a direction rising from the surface of the board, and the conductive hole is formed at a position that overlaps with the side wall in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the board when the board is housed in the case member, and the distance (distances La to Ld) between the point where the conductive hole is provided on the board and the side wall of the case member varies depending on the type of the conductive hole (the shape of the solder 115, the shape of the second case member 142, etc.).

[0270] According to such a gaming machine 10, the size of the gap can be changed depending on the type of conductive hole, such as the shape of the solder 115 or the shape of the second case member 142, so that cheating can be easily prevented by shortening the distance between a location that is easily targeted for cheating and the bottom of the case member (the second case member 142 of the case 140) depending on the type of conductive hole, thereby narrowing the gap. As a result, cheating can be more effectively prevented, and the quality of the gaming machine 10 can be improved.

[0271] The gaming machine 10 also includes a board (e.g., board member 110 of the gaming control device 100, board member 310 of the performance control device 300) having a plurality of components (e.g., gaming microcomputer 111, ROM 111d, RAM 111e, resistor 111f, chip resistor 111g) on ​​its surface, and a case member (e.g., case 140, case 340) covering the board, the board having conductive holes (conductive holes 114a, 114b) for electrically connecting the front and back surfaces, the case member (e.g., second case member 142 of case 140) having side wall portions (first side wall portion 114f1, second side wall portion 114f2) extending at an angle in a direction rising from the surface of the board, and components (electronic components, e.g., ROM 111d, chip resistor 111g) are located at positions overlapping the side wall portions when the inside of the case member is viewed perpendicularly to the side wall portions.

[0272] According to this gaming machine 10, when the inside of the case member is viewed perpendicularly to the side wall, the components (electronic components) are arranged in positions that overlap with the side wall. Therefore, if the side wall of the case member is destroyed, the electronic components arranged in the overlapping positions are easily caught in and destroyed together, which makes it easy to prevent the electronic components from operating in a fraudulent state.

[0273] The gaming machine 10 also includes a board (e.g., board member 110 of the gaming control device 100, board member 310 of the performance control device 300) having a plurality of components (e.g., gaming microcomputer 111, ROM 111d, RAM 111e, resistor 111f, chip resistor 111g) on ​​its surface, and a case member (e.g., case 140, case 340) covering the board, the board having conductive holes (conductive holes 114a, 114b) for electrically connecting the front and back surfaces, an inspection connector for inspection, and a specific internal connector that can be connected to specific internal equipment of the gaming machine, the case member (e.g., second case member 142 of case 140) having side wall portions (first side wall portion 114f1, second side wall portion 114f2) extending at an angle in a direction rising from the surface of the board, and the side wall portions are arranged in plurality between the inspection connector (connector CN2) and the specific internal connector (connector CN5).

[0274] With such a gaming machine 10, when it is not connected to an external inspection terminal, even if the inspection connector is broken, it is unlikely to affect the game, so there is a possibility that fraud could be committed starting from the inspection connector. However, when an attempt is made to commit fraud on a specific internal connector from the inspection connector side, the specific internal connector cannot be accessed unless two side walls (first side wall 142f1, second side wall 142f2) of the case member are broken, making it easier to prevent fraud.

[0275] The gaming machine 10 also includes a control device (game control device 100) that controls the game (variable display game), and related devices (performance control device 300, frame control device 200, power supply device 400) that are connected to the control device. The control device includes a first board (board member 110) and a first case member (case 140) that covers the first board. The related devices (for example, performance control device 300) include a second board (board member 310) that can be connected to the first board, and a second case member (case 340) that covers the second board. The first board has conductive holes (conductive holes 114a, 114b) for electrically connecting the front and back surfaces, an inspection connector (connector CN5) for inspection, and a specific internal connector (connector CN2) that can be connected to specific internal devices of the gaming machine including the second board (for example, the performance control device 300, the frame control device 200, the power supply device 400), and the first case member (second case member 142 of case 140) has a side wall portion (first side wall portion 11) that extends at an angle in a direction rising from the surface of the first board. 4f1, second side wall portion 114f2), an inspection connector opening (opening 142e) that exposes the inspection connector in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the first board, and a specific internal connector opening (opening 142b) that exposes the specific internal connector in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the first board, and a first distance (first distance L1) between the inspection connector and an edge of the inspection connector opening is the same as or shorter than a second distance (second distance L2) between the specific internal connector and the edge of the specific internal connector opening. (L1≦L2), the second board has a second board specific internal connector (connector CN31) that can be connected to specific internal equipment of the gaming machine including the first board, the second case member has an opening for the second board specific internal connector (opening 340a) that exposes the second board specific internal connector perpendicular to the surface of the second board, and a third distance (third distance L3) between the second board specific internal connector and the edge of the opening for the second board specific internal connector is the same as or longer than the first distance (L1≦L3).

[0276] According to such a gaming machine 10, when the inspection connector is not connected to an external inspection terminal, it is easy for tampering to occur from the inspection connector to the first board. However, since the first distance is less than the second distance L2 and less than the third distance L3, it is possible to prevent tampering with the first board member from occurring through the gaps around the inspection connector using a tampering tool with a width greater than the second distance and the third distance.

[0277] The gaming machine 10 also includes a board (for example, the board member 110 of the gaming control device 100, the board member 310 of the performance control device 300) having a plurality of components (for example, the gaming microcomputer 111, the ROM 111d, the RAM 111e, the resistor 111f, the chip resistor 111g) on ​​its surface, and a case member (for example, the case 140, the case 340) that covers the board. The board has conductive holes (conductive holes 114a, 114b) for electrically connecting the front and back surfaces, an inspection connector (connector CN2) for inspection, and a specific internal device (for example, , performance control device 300, frame control device 200, power supply device 400), and a specific internal connector (connector CN2) that can be connected to the inspection connector of the board (for example, the second case member 142 of the case 140) has side wall portions (first side wall portion 114f1, second side wall portion 114f2) that extend at an angle in a direction rising from the surface of the board, and a plurality of side wall portions are arranged between the inspection connector and the specific internal connector, and at least one of the components (for example, resistor 111f, chip resistor 111g) is provided between the inspection connector of the board and the specific internal connector.

[0278] According to this gaming machine 10, when the inspection connector is not connected to an external inspection terminal, even if the inspection connector is broken, it is unlikely to affect the game (variable display game), so there is a possibility of fraud starting from the inspection connector. However, when attempting to commit fraud against the specific internal connector from the inspection connector side, the specific internal connector cannot be accessed unless two side walls (first side wall 142f1, second side wall 142f2) of the case member are broken, making it easier to prevent fraud.

[0279] The gaming machine 10 also includes a board (for example, the board member 110 of the gaming control device 100, the board member 310 of the performance control device 300) having a plurality of components (for example, the gaming microcomputer 111, the ROM 111d, the RAM 111e, the resistor 111f, the chip resistor 111g), and a case member (for example, the case 140, the case 340) covering the board. The board has a two-dimensional code for the board (two-dimensional codes 113d, 113e for the board) on the surface of the board, and the components At least one of the components has a two-dimensional code for the component (two-dimensional codes 113a, 113b, 113c for the component) on the surface of the component, and the case component has a two-dimensional code for the case (two-dimensional codes 145a1, 145b1, 145c1 for the case) on the surface of the case component, and at least one of the two-dimensional codes for the component (for example, two-dimensional code 113a of the gaming microcomputer 111) has a different orientation from the two-dimensional code for the board and the two-dimensional code for the case.

[0280] According to such a gaming machine 10, the orientation of at least one of the two-dimensional codes for the parts is different from the orientation of the two-dimensional code for the board and the orientation of the two-dimensional code for the case, so that when the orientations are no longer different, it is easy to recognize that there is a high probability that an illegal part has been installed.

[0281] In addition, in the gaming machine 10, at least one of the components (for example, the gaming microcomputer 111) further has character information ("CPUab12") representing information about the component on the surface of the component, and at least one of the two-dimensional codes for the component (for example, the two-dimensional code 113a of the gaming microcomputer 111) has a different orientation from the character information.

[0282] According to such a gaming machine 10, at least one of the two-dimensional codes for the parts and the character information representing the information about the part are oriented in different directions, so when they no longer differ (are oriented in the same direction), it is easy to recognize that there is a high probability that an illegal part has been installed.

[0283] The gaming machine 10 also includes a board (e.g., board member 110 of the gaming control device 100, board member 310 of the presentation control device 300) having a plurality of components (e.g., gaming microcomputer 111, ROM 111d, RAM 111e, resistor 111f, chip resistor 111g), and a case member (e.g., case 140, case 340) covering the board, the board having a plurality of two-dimensional codes for the board (two-dimensional codes for the board 113d, 113e) on the surface of the board, the case member having a two-dimensional code for the case (two-dimensional codes for the case 145a1, 145b1, 145c1) on the surface of the case member, and the plurality of two-dimensional codes for the board are the same size.

[0284] In this gaming machine 10, the two-dimensional codes for the boards are all the same size and are all attached to the surface of the board. Since the sizes of the two-dimensional codes on the same planar layer are all the same, there is no need to change the position of the two-dimensional code reader for focus adjustment, improving work efficiency when reading during inspection. As a result, work efficiency during inspection of the gaming machine 10 can be improved, and the quality of the gaming machine 10 can be improved.

[0285] In addition, in the gaming machine 10, multiple two-dimensional codes for the case (two-dimensional codes 145a1, 145b1, 145c1 for the case) are attached to the surface of the case member (e.g., case 140, case 340), and the multiple two-dimensional codes for the case are the same size but different in size from the multiple two-dimensional codes for the board.

[0286] According to this gaming machine 10, the two-dimensional case codes are attached at the same size to the same flat layer, such as the surface of the case member, so that the two-dimensional case codes can be read in the same way at a substantially constant distance from the surface of the case member without having to move the position of the two-dimensional code reader back and forth for focus adjustment, making it easy to confirm the information on the board. Also, because the two-dimensional case codes and the two-dimensional board codes are different sizes, it is easy to prevent the two-dimensional case code located on the front flat layer from being mistakenly read by the two-dimensional code reader when reading the two-dimensional case code located on the front flat layer, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0287] The gaming machine 10 also includes a board (e.g., board member 110 of the gaming control device 100, board member 310 of the presentation control device 300) having a plurality of components (e.g., gaming microcomputer 111, ROM 111d, RAM 111e, resistor 111f, chip resistor 111g), and a case member (e.g., case 140, case 340) covering the board, the board having a two-dimensional code for the board (two-dimensional codes for the board 113d, 113e) on the surface of the board, the case member having a two-dimensional code for the case (two-dimensional codes for the case 145a1, 145b1, 145c1) on the surface of the case member, and the two-dimensional code for the board is a different size from the two-dimensional code for the case.

[0288] With such a gaming machine 10, the two-dimensional code for the board is a different size from the two-dimensional code for the case, so when the two-dimensional code reader is reading the two-dimensional code for the case located on the front flat layer, it is easier to prevent the two-dimensional code for the board located on the back flat layer from being mistakenly read, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0289] Furthermore, in the gaming machine 10, the two-dimensional codes for the board (two-dimensional codes 113d and 113e for the board) are smaller than the two-dimensional codes for the case (two-dimensional codes 145a1, 145b1, and 145c1 for the case).

[0290] According to such a gaming machine 10, the two-dimensional code for the board located on the rear flat layer is smaller than the two-dimensional code for the case, making it difficult to read when the board is photographed illegally, and making it easier to prevent information about the board and components from being obtained illegally.

[0291] Furthermore, in the gaming machine 10, a seal is attached between the inspection connector (connector CN5) and the specific internal connector (connector CN2) in the case member (for example, case 140, case 340). According to such a gaming machine 10, the seal makes it difficult to see inside, making it difficult to commit fraud.

[0292] Furthermore, in the gaming machine 10, the board (for example, the board member 110 of the gaming control device 100, the board member 310 of the presentation control device 300) has a plurality of game control execution components (for example, the gaming microcomputer 111, the ROM 111d, the RAM 111e), and none of the plurality of game control execution components is located between the inspection connector (connector CN5) and the specific internal connector (connector CN2). According to such a gaming machine 10, when an attempt is made to commit fraud against the inspection connector from the specific internal connector side, the distance to the plurality of game control execution components becomes long, making it easier to prevent fraud against the inspection connector as well as fraud against the plurality of game control execution components.

[0293] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of its technical concept, and it is clear that these also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. For example, it is possible to replace the time-saving state with a probability variable state. For example, the presentation control device can execute part of the processing executed by the game control device, or conversely, the game control device can execute part of the processing executed by the presentation control device. For example, multiple embodiments and multiple modified examples can be combined in various ways. Furthermore, while the above-described embodiment describes an example in which the gaming machine 10 is configured as a sealed-in pachinko machine (smart pachinko machine), the above-described embodiment may also be applied to a regular pachinko machine that is not a sealed-in pachinko machine. Furthermore, for example, the present invention can be applied not only to pachinko machines but also to other types of gaming machines (slot machines, etc.). The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and all modifications within the scope of meaning and content equivalent to the claims are intended to be included.

[0294] For example, when the above-described embodiment is applied to a slot machine, the gaming media used in the game are medals (coins) instead of gaming balls, and the number of prize balls is replaced by the number of medals paid out (number of awarded medals). The control of the launch of gaming balls in a pachinko machine corresponds to the control of the insertion of medals (gaming media) in a slot machine. The number of gaming media used is the number of inserted medals, which is the number of medals inserted into the slot machine. And, for example, in a slot machine, the payout rate (base) as performance information is the ratio (%) of the number of paid out medals to the number of medals inserted into the slot machine, and the bonus ratio is the ratio (%) of the number of medals paid out through various bonuses to the number of medals paid out in a specified period.

[0295] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration of the board component 110 of the game control device 100, etc., was described, but the same configuration as described above may also be applied to the board components of the frame control device 200, the performance control device 300, and the power supply device 400, in order to improve operability and prevent fraudulent activities. [Explanation of symbols]

[0296] 10 Gaming machines 30 Game Board 50 Collective display device (LED) 100 Game control device (control device, main board, game control board) 110 Substrate material 140 Case (case material) 300 Performance control device (sub-board)

Claims

1. In a gaming machine having a board with a plurality of components, a case member covering the substrate; the substrate has a plurality of two-dimensional codes for the substrate on a surface of the substrate, the case member has a two-dimensional case code on a surface of the case member, A gaming machine characterized in that the multiple two-dimensional codes for the substrate are the same size.

2. a plurality of the two-dimensional codes for the case are attached to the surface of the case member; 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of two-dimensional codes for the case have the same size, and the plurality of two-dimensional codes for the board have a different size.

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