Slot Machines

Abstract

To provide a slot machine for performing improvement regarding an exchange between game control means for controlling the progress of a game and value control means for performing control regarding a game value owned by a player.SOLUTION: A slot machine includes: game control means for storing, as a game value owned by a player, a credit that is subtracted and updated by setting of a betting number or the like, and is added and updated by occurrence of winning or the like, and for controlling the progress of a game; and value control means for performing addition / subtraction control of the game value owned by the player separately from the game control means. The game control means controls the progress of the game by suitably grasping a situation of the value control means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 37

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a slot machine that has a variable display section that can variably display multiple types of identifiable identification information, and after the variable display section is variably displayed, a display result is derived by stopping the variable display section, and a prize can be awarded depending on the display result. [Background technology]

[0002] A slot machine generally has a variable display unit having a reel with multiple types of symbols on the outer periphery as identification information; when a specified number of bets is set and a start switch is operated, the reel begins to spin; when a stop switch is operated and the reel stops spinning, a predetermined symbol combination (for example, 7-7-7; hereinafter, the symbol combination is also referred to as the display result combination or role) is derived on the winning line, resulting in a win.

[0003] One such slot machine stores credits as gaming value owned by the player, which are subtracted or updated by setting the number of bets, and added or updated by winning a prize, and is equipped with a payout control board on which a payout control unit that controls the addition and subtraction of the gaming value owned by the player is provided, in addition to a gaming control board on which a gaming control unit that controls the progress of the game is provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-102919 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the slot machine of Patent Document 1, there is room for improvement in the communication between the means for controlling the progress of a game while taking into consideration the progress of the game and the means for controlling the game value owned by the player.

[0006] The present invention has been devised in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its object is to provide a slot machine with improvements in the communication between the game control means that controls the progress of the game and the value control means that controls the game value owned by the player. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (A) a variable display unit capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information, each of which is identifiable; A slot machine in which a display result is derived by stopping the variable display of the variable display part after the variable display of the variable display part is variably displayed, and a winning prize can be generated according to the display result, A game control means for controlling the progress of a game; A value control means for controlling a gaming value owned by a player; a display means for displaying a game value to be awarded to a player according to the result of one game, The game control means includes: When the slot machine is powered on, a unique information command capable of identifying unique information possessed by the game control means is transmitted to the value control means; transmitting a start command to said value control means when starting a game; transmitting, when a game is ended, to said value control means, a value command capable of specifying a game value to be awarded to a player according to a result of the game; The value control means includes: When the start command is received, control is performed in response to the start command; when the award value command is received, a response command in response to the award value command is transmitted to the game control means, and control is performed in accordance with the award value command; The game control means includes: After transmitting the start command, the next control is performed without waiting for a response from the value control means, after transmitting the awarded value command, on condition that the response command is received, displaying the game value on the display means; the game control means, when receiving a bet amount setting operation for setting a bet amount for starting one game, transmits a bet amount setting command to the value control means; when the value control means receives the bet amount setting command, the value control means transmits a response command in response to the bet amount setting command to the game control means; the game control means, when receiving a bet amount cancel operation for canceling a bet amount for starting one game, transmits a bet amount cancel command to the value control means; when the value control means receives the bet number cancellation command, the value control means transmits a response command in response to the bet number cancellation command to the game control means; After transmitting the bet amount setting command to the value control means, the game control means does not accept a new bet amount cancellation operation until it receives the response command from the value control means. Other slot machines include A variable display unit (e.g., reels 2L, 2C, and 2R) capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information each of which is identifiable, In a slot machine (for example, S-machine 2) in which a display result is derived by stopping the display of the variable display unit after the variable display unit is changed, and a winning prize can be generated according to the display result, A game control means (for example, a main control board 16) for controlling the progress of a game; A value control means (for example, a medal count control board 17) for controlling the game value owned by the player, the game control means, when receiving a bet amount setting operation (e.g., pressing the 1BET switch 20 or the MAXBET switch 6) for setting a bet amount for starting one game, transmits a bet amount setting command (e.g., an input command) to the value control means; When the value control means receives the bet amount setting command, the value control means transmits a response command (for example, a response command shown in FIG. 46) in response to the bet amount setting command to the game control means; the game control means, when receiving a bet number cancel operation (e.g., pressing the bet number clear switch 21) for canceling the bet number for starting one game, transmits a bet number cancel command (e.g., a settlement command) to the value control means; when the value control means receives the bet number cancellation command, the value control means transmits a response command in response to the bet number cancellation command to the game control means; After transmitting the bet amount setting command to the value control means, the game control means will not accept a new bet amount cancellation operation until it receives the response command from the value control means (for example, as shown in FIG. 46, the main control board 16 will not accept a settlement operation performed after the bet amount setting operation is performed until it receives the response command). [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view of the card unit and the slot machine. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the card unit and the slot machine. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of symbols on the reels. [Figure 4] 13 is a diagram illustrating the game state controlled by the main control unit. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram explaining the target roles of the internal lottery. [Figure 6] This is a diagram explaining navigation small wins, specific small wins, and composite small wins. [Figure 7] A diagram showing the types of commands that the main control board sends to the medal count control board. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram explaining a gaming machine installation information command. [Figure 9] A diagram showing details of gaming machine characteristics. [Figure 10] A diagram showing the structure of a reel information command. [Figure 11] A diagram showing details of the reel operation information. [Figure 12]A diagram showing the structure of a favorable zone information command. [Figure 13] A diagram showing details of advantageous area information. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the structure of an input command. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the structure of a settlement command. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a start command. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the structure of a termination command. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a dispensing pulse command. [Figure 19] A diagram showing the structure of a jackpot command. [Figure 20] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of a hall computer signal. [Figure 21] A diagram showing the structure of the gaming machine fraud 1 command. [Figure 22] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing details of setting information. [Diagram 23] A diagram showing the structure of the gaming machine fraud 2 command. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing details of door information. [Diagram 25] A diagram showing the structure of the gaming machine fraud 3 command. [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a main control state command. [Figure 27] A diagram showing the configuration of a main control board error command. [Figure 28] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a list of main control board errors. [Figure 29] A diagram showing the structure of a gaming machine performance information (preliminary) command. [Diagram 30] A diagram showing a list of commands from the medal count control board to the main control board. [Diagram 31] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the structure of a response command. [Diagram 32] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a frame side information command. [Diagram 33] A diagram showing an example of communication between the main control board and the medal count control board. [Diagram 34] 13 is a diagram for explaining communication of a frame side information command. FIG. [Diagram 35] 10 is a flowchart showing the processing performed when the main control board receives a command. [Diagram 36] This is a diagram explaining the serial communication circuit between the main control board and the medal count control board. [Figure 37] This is a diagram showing the flow of communication between the main control board and the medal count control board from when the power is turned on. [Figure 38] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication when the serial number is normal. [Figure 39] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication when a serial number mismatch error occurs. [Diagram 40] A figure showing an example of communication when an error occurs regarding a game medal. [Diagram 41] A figure showing an example of communication occurring before the transmission and reception of a gaming machine installation information command. [Diagram 42] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a timeout upon power-on. [Diagram 43] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a bet amount setting operation and a settlement operation. [Diagram 44] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which a new bet amount setting operation is performed before a response command is received after a bet amount setting operation. [Diagram 45] FIG. 13 shows an example in which a new payment operation is performed before a response command is received after a payment operation. [Figure 46] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which a new settlement operation is performed after a bet amount setting operation and before a response command is received. [Figure 47] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which a new bet amount setting operation is performed after a settlement operation and before a response command is received. [Figure 48] 13 is a diagram illustrating a serial number error during a bet amount setting operation. FIG. [Figure 49] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a serial number error during a settlement operation. [Figure 50] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a process of checking frame side information. [Figure 51]13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating display control of the number of dispensed coins. [Figure 52] A diagram showing a role ratio monitor. [Diagram 53] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the display of a role ratio monitor. [Figure 54] A diagram to explain the initialization process of role ratio information. [Figure 55] 4 is a diagram for explaining the startup processing and initial setting processing performed by the main control board. FIG. [Figure 56] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the control contents of the main processing performed by the main control board. [Figure 57] A diagram explaining the control contents of the game start waiting process performed by the main control board. [Figure 58] A diagram explaining the control contents of the bet number setting operation acceptance processing performed by the main control board. [Figure 59] 13 is a diagram explaining the control contents of the settlement operation reception process performed by the main control board. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A slot machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the following examples.

[0010] [Slot machine configuration] FIG. 1 is a front view of a card unit and a slot machine.

[0011] Referring to Fig. 1, a slot machine (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as S machine) 2 is provided on each of a plurality of game islands (not shown) arranged in an amusement hall (hall), and a card unit (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as CU) 3, which is an example of a gaming device, is installed in one-to-one correspondence with the S machine 2 at a predetermined side position of the S machine 2. The card unit is also called a "game medal lending device."

[0012] The S machine 2 is a gaming machine in which the player does not pick up medals and insert them into an insertion slot, and medals are not paid out to the player. For this reason, gaming value is added directly to credits (gaming points usable in games (hereinafter also referred to as "gaming medals")) according to a lending operation, etc. The added number of credits (number of gaming medals) is displayed on the credit display 11. Also, unlike conventional slot machines, the upper limit number that can be added as the number of credits is not limited to "50," but may be set within the range of numbers that can be displayed on the credit display 11. Also, it is not necessary to set an upper limit number. Hereinafter, the number of credits may be referred to as the number of gaming medals.

[0013] Also, unlike conventional slot machines, it does not have a medal insertion port or payout port, nor does it need to have a medal selector, hopper, or other device for controlling inserted medals. Such slot machines that do not require medals at all are called "controlled gaming machines" or "medalless slot machines."

[0014] Inside S-stand 2, reels 2L, 2C, and 2R (hereinafter also referred to as the left reel, center reel, and right reel) with multiple types of patterns arranged around the outer periphery are arranged side by side horizontally, and among the patterns arranged on reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, three consecutive patterns are arranged so that they can be seen through a transparent window 3W.

[0015] Each of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is rotated by a corresponding reel motor 32L, 32C, and 32R, as shown in Fig. 2. As a result, the symbols on each of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are displayed in a continuously changing manner in the transparent window 3W. In addition, by stopping the rotation of each of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, three consecutive symbols are derived and displayed in the transparent window 3W as a display result.

[0016] Inside the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, reel LEDs 55 are provided to illuminate the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R from behind as shown in Fig. 1. The reel LEDs 55 are made up of 12 LEDs corresponding to the three consecutive symbols on the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, and can illuminate each symbol independently.

[0017] A display area of ​​a liquid crystal display 51 is disposed in front of each of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R (on the player's side). The liquid crystal display 51 is configured so that each of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R can be seen from the player's side through the transparent area corresponding to the transparent window 3W of the display area and the transparent window 3W. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the arrangement of symbols on the reels. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of identifiable types of symbols ("red 7", "white 7", "replay a", "replay b", "bell a", "bell b", "bell c", "watermelon", "cherry", and "plum") are arranged in a predetermined order on each reel.

[0018] A gently sloping surface is formed from a position below the transparent window 3W toward the front, and the operation unit is formed to protrude further toward the front from there. On the top surface of the operation unit, there are provided a MAXBET switch 6, a 1BET switch 20, a bet number clear switch 21, a 1BET LED 14, a 2BET LED 15, a 3BET LED 16, a credit indicator 11, and a game assistance indicator 12, and on the side surface of the front side of the operation unit, there are a start switch 7, stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R, and a count button 10.

[0019] The credit display 11 is configured with a seven-segment LED display, and is controlled by a medal count control unit 171 shown in FIG. 2. The gaming support display 12 displays the number of medals paid out when a win occurs, operation information (navigation notification) corresponding to the operation mode, and the like. Hereinafter, the number of medals paid out displayed by the gaming support display 12 may be referred to as the "number of medals paid out." In other words, the gaming support display 12 displays the gaming value granted to the player according to the result of one game. The gaming support display 12 is configured with a seven-segment LED display, and is controlled by the main control unit 161.

[0020] Various operating means provided in the operating section will now be described. The MAXBET switch 6 is a switch that is operated when setting the maximum bet number (in this embodiment, "3").

[0021] The 1BETLED 14 lights up to indicate that the bet number is set to 1. The 2BETLED 15 lights up to indicate that the bet number is set to 2. The 3BETLED 16 lights up to indicate that the bet number is set to 3.

[0022] The start switch 7 is a switch for starting the reels to spin after the bet amount is set. The stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are switches for stopping the reels while they are spinning, with 8L corresponding to the left reel, 8C corresponding to the center reel, and 8R corresponding to the right reel. The count button 10 is a switch that is operated when counting the number of credits (number of game medals) and converting it into the number of medals held.

[0023] A door open detection switch 25 for detecting the open state of the front door is provided on the inside of the front door of the S-machine 2. A power supply box is provided inside the housing. On the front of the power supply box, there are provided a setting key switch 37 for switching to a setting change state or a setting confirmation state, and a reset / setting switch 38 that functions as a reset switch for releasing an error state or a play stop state under normal circumstances, and functions as a setting switch for changing the set value of the winning probability (ball payout rate) of the internal lottery in the setting change state.

[0024] In this embodiment, the first reel to stop among the three reels 2L, 2C, and 2R that have started to rotate is called the first stopped reel, and its stop is called the first stop. Similarly, the second reel to stop is called the second stopped reel, and its stop is called the second stop, and the third reel to stop is called the third stopped reel, and its stop is called the third stop, final stop, or all reels stop.

[0025] Next, the flow of the game on S machine 2 will be explained. When playing a game on S machine 2, first, a lending operation is performed on CU 3 to secure credits (game medals). This lending operation corresponds to a two-step operation of "a medal lending operation" and "an operation of inserting the lent medal into the insertion slot by hand" in a conventional medal payout type slot machine.

[0026] When the MAXBET switch 6 is operated while credits are present, the bet amount is set to the maximum amount within the credit range, and the amount of credits is subtracted by the additional amount. When the bet amount is set, the pay line among the pay lines L1 to L5 determined according to the bet amount and the game status becomes valid, and the operation of the start switch 7 becomes valid, i.e., the game can be started.

[0027] Here, the winning line is a line set to determine whether the combination of symbols displayed in the transparent window 3W of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R is a winning combination. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, five types of winning lines are defined as winning lines: a winning line L1 set across the symbols arranged in the middle of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R, a winning line L2 set across the symbols arranged in the upper part of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R, a winning line L3 set across the symbols arranged in the lower part of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R, a winning line L4 set across the symbols arranged in the upper part of the reel 2L, the middle part of the reel 2C, and the lower part of the reel 2R, i.e., the symbols arranged downward to the right, and a winning line L5 set across the symbols arranged in the lower part of the reel 2L, the middle part of the reel 2C, and the upper part of the reel 2R, i.e., the symbols arranged upward to the right.

[0028] When the start switch 7 is operated in a state where the game can be started, the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R spin, and the symbols on the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R change continuously. When any of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are operated in this state, the spinning of the corresponding reel 2L, 2C, and 2R stops, and the display result is derived and displayed in the transparent window 3W.

[0029] A game ends when all reels 2L, 2C, and 2R come to a stop, and a win occurs when a predetermined combination of symbols comes to a stop on any of the activated winning lines L1 to L5 as a display result of each of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R. When a win occurs, a number of points determined according to the win is awarded to the player. The number of points is added to the credits.

[0030] The credits can be counted and converted into owned medals by operating the count button 10. By converting the credits into owned medals, the owned medals can be recorded on a card at the end of a game.

[0031] In this embodiment, when the count button 10 is pressed once, all of the game balls currently owned by the player are counted, regardless of the time the button is pressed (whether it is pressed for a long time or not). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the counting operation may be repeatedly performed according to the time the count button 10 is pressed (for example, the counting process of 50 coins is performed every time the count button is pressed for 0.3 seconds). Furthermore, regardless of the duration of the press, when the count button is pressed once, a predetermined number (for example, 50 coins) of game balls may be counted into the medals held.

[0032] A credit display segment 7S and speakers 53, 54 are provided on the top of the liquid crystal display 51. The credit display segment 7S is formed of five 7-segment segments, and displays the amount of credits owned by the player. Since the credit display segment 7S is provided on the top of the S machine 2, it is possible to display the amount of credits stored in the S machine 2 to players other than the player playing on the S machine 2 or to store staff. The speakers 53, 54 emit sound effects and the like that match the presentation.

[0033] [Card unit configuration] The configuration of the CU3 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. This CU3 accepts visitor cards (also called general cards) with a prepaid function, which are game storage media issued to general players who are not registered as members, and member cards, which are game storage media issued to member players who are registered as members at the gaming facility. The visitor cards and member cards are composed of IC cards.

[0034] CU3, which accepts these cards, has the function of converting the gaming value owned by the player, which is identified by the information stored in the card (for example, prepaid balance, number of medals held, or number of medals saved (also called "saved balls")), into the number of credits (number of gaming medals).

[0035] On the front side of CU3, there are provided a bill insertion slot 302 for inserting bills, a protrusion 305 formed to protrude forward from the front of the device, and a card insertion / ejection slot 309 for inserting a member card or visitor card. A member card or visitor card inserted into this card insertion / ejection slot 309 is received by a card reader / writer (not shown), and information recorded on the card is read.

[0036] The surface of the aforementioned protrusion 305 facing the player is provided with a display 312, a replay button 319 for executing a replay game using the membership card ID (also simply referred to as the card ID or C-ID) recorded on the membership card when a membership card is accepted and the number of medals (number of balls) specified by the membership card ID, and an IR photosensitive unit 320 which receives an infrared signal from a remote control (not shown) carried by an attendant at the amusement facility, converts it into an electronic signal and outputs it.

[0037] The display 312 can display the prepaid balance (also called the card balance or simply the balance) recorded on the inserted game recording medium (card), the number of medals held, the number of credits (number of game medals), and other various information, and its surface is made of a transparent touch panel. It is configured so that various operations can be input by touching various display items displayed on the display section of the display 312 with a finger.

[0038] When the owned medal button 324 is operated, a part of the owned medal number recorded on the inserted card is withdrawn and converted into the number of credits (number of game medals). When the replay button 319 is operated, if the inserted card stores the number of owned medals the player has acquired, a part of the owned medal number is withdrawn and converted into credits, and the player can play on the S machine 2 based on the converted credits.

[0039] On the other hand, if the inserted card is a membership card and the number of medals held is not stored, and the saved medals are stored in the hall management computer, etc., some of the saved medals are withdrawn and converted into credits, allowing play on the S machine 2. In other words, if both saved medals and saved medals are stored in correspondence with the inserted card, the saved medals are withdrawn first. Note that a dedicated medal payout button for withdrawing saved medals may be provided in addition to the replay button 319, and the replay button 319 may be a dedicated button for withdrawing saved medals.

[0040] Here, the "number of credits (number of game medals)" is data that can be used to set the bet amount and can be converted to the "number of medals owned." The "number of credits" is generated in exchange for withdrawing the balance of a prepaid card, the number of medals owned, or the number of medals saved.

[0041] The "number of medals held" is a numerical conversion of the number of credits (number of game medals) that a player owns as a result of playing a game on a gaming machine. This "number of medals held" is stored so as to be identifiable by the player's card. The number of medals held may be managed by a management device for managing the number of medals held that is set up in the gaming facility.

[0042] "Number of saved medals (number of saved balls)" refers to the number of medals that a player has deposited in an arcade. The number of saved medals that a player has won through playing is managed as the number of saved medals on the day, but from the day after they were won, it is managed as the "number of saved medals." In other words, the number of credits (number of game medals) that a player has won and counted at an arcade on the day is called "owned points," and the number of medals that a player has won and deposited in the arcade on the day before is called the "number of saved medals." This "number of saved medals" is generally managed by a hall management computer or other management computer installed in the arcade.

[0043] If we use arrows to show the direction in which each of the above data - "Balance," "Number of saved medals (number of saved balls)," "Number of medals held," and "Number of credits (number of game medals)" - can be converted, it goes as follows: "Balance, number of saved medals, number of medals held" → "Number of credits" → "Number of medals held" → "Number of saved medals."

[0044] In this embodiment, the medal count data is not recorded directly on the member card, but is stored in a host server such as a hall management computer in association with the member card number, so that the corresponding medal count can be searched based on the member card number. On the other hand, the medal count is recorded directly on the card.

[0045] However, both may be stored in the upper server in association with the card number. In the case of a visitor card, the number of medals held is also recorded directly on the visitor card. However, the number of medals held may also be stored in the upper server in association with the card number. When storing in this upper server in association with the card number, data that can identify the time when it was stored in the upper server may be written to the card (member card, visitor card) and discharged. Also, the prepaid balance is written directly to the card (member card, visitor card) and discharged.

[0046] The number of medals held is stored in the card (membership card, visitor card) or in the upper server when the counting button 10 is operated to perform counting processing. However, instead of this, the number of medals held may be stored all at once when the card is returned.

[0047] In addition, when a player finishes playing and returns the card from CU3, the medals stored in CU3 are temporarily stored in the hall server as saved balls, and when the player inserts the card again into the same or a different CU3 on the same day that the player receives the card back, only the medals for that day that were temporarily stored as saved balls are stored again in that CU3, and credits can be added within the range of the medals that are saved, allowing the player to play.

[0048] A bill inserted into the bill insertion slot 302 is taken in by a currency validator (not shown) and its authenticity and bill type are identified.

[0049] Further provided on the front side of CU3 are a loan button 321 and a card return button 322. The loan button 321 is a button operated to withdraw the balance recorded in the inserted card to obtain the number of credits. Specifically, the number of credits is added according to the balance withdrawn by operating the loan button 321. The card return button 322 is an operation button operated when the player ends the game, and is used to store in the inserted card the determined number of medals held at the end of the game (number of medals held at the time of inserting the card - number of medals converted into number of credits + number counted by counting operation) and to discharge the card.

[0050] As explained above, according to the S machine 2 of this embodiment, the number of medals held, specified by the card, is converted into the number of credits (number of game medals), and the number of credits can be used to set the number of bets. Therefore, it is possible to provide a new slot machine (controlled game machine) that does not use medals for play, without confusing players who are accustomed to conventional slot machines in which medals are loaned to them, credits are secured by inserting the medals, and the credits are used to set the number of bets.

[0051] [Internal structure of the card unit and slot machine] 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the card unit and the slot machine 1. The control circuits of the CU 3 and the S-machine 2 will be outlined with reference to FIG.

[0052] The CU3 is provided with a CU control board 32, which is provided with a CU control unit 323 composed of a microcomputer, etc. The CU control unit 323 is the main control function unit of the CU3, and is provided with a CPU as the control center, a ROM that stores programs and control data for the CPU to operate, a RAM that functions as a work area for the CPU, an input / output interface for maintaining the consistency of signals with peripheral devices, etc.

[0053] The CU control unit 323 is provided with an external output terminal (not shown) for communicating with a hall management computer and a hall server that performs security management. The CU3 transmits the status of the CU3 and gaming machine status information received from the S-machine 2 to an external device such as a hall management computer (hall computer) and a hall server that performs security management via the external output terminal. The CU control unit 323 communicates with the medal count control board 17 of the S-machine 2 via a communication control IC 325. The communication control IC 325 and the medal count control board 17 are connected, for example, by an asynchronous serial communication port. The communication between the communication control IC 325 and the medal count control board 17 is performed via a connection terminal board 1000.

[0054] The communication between the CU control unit 323 and the medal count control board 17 is two-way for loan information (information on the operation for withdrawing the balance stored in the inserted card and using it for playing on the S-machine 2) and loan response information (response information to the loan information), and other counting information (information on the counting process from credit to held medals) and gaming machine information is one-way communication from the medal count control board 17 to the CU control unit 323. Therefore, the S-machine 2 side does not recognize whether or not the CU3 has received the counting information and gaming machine information. The CU3 is provided with a connection part (not shown) to the S-machine 2 side, and the S-machine 2 is provided with a connection part (not shown) to the CU3 side. These connection parts are composed of connectors, for example.

[0055] The CU control unit 323 manages and stores the medals owned by the player while the player is playing. The display 312 displays an image corresponding to data such as the balance or number of medals owned output from the CU control unit 323. When the player operates the touch panel provided on the surface of the display 312, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323. When the player operates the lending button 321, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323. The lending button 321 is not limited to being provided on the CU 3, and may be provided on the S-stand 2 and input an operation signal to the CU control unit 323. When the player operates the card return button 322, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323.

[0056] The S-machine 2 is provided with a main control board 16 that controls the progress of the game on the S-machine 2, a medal count control board 17 that controls the credits owned by the player, a performance control board 15 that controls the performance according to the game status, and a power supply board 101. The power supply board 101 generates the driving power for the electric components that make up the S-machine 2 and supplies it to each part.

[0057] The power supply board 101 is supplied with AC 100V power from an external source, and this AC 100V power generates the DC voltage required to drive the electrical components that make up the S-stand 2, and supplies this to the main control board 16, the medal count control board 17, and the performance control board 15.

[0058] The medal count control board 17 is equipped with a microcomputer for payout control, which is a medal count control unit 171. The medal count control unit 171 is provided with a CPU as a control center, a ROM that stores programs and control data for the CPU to operate, a RAM 171c that functions as a work area for the CPU, and an input / output interface for maintaining the consistency of signals with peripheral devices.

[0059] A RAM clear switch 293 for erasing information stored in the RAM and a door open detection switch 25 are connected to the medal count control board 17, and detection signals of these connected switches are input. In addition, the medal count control board 17 is connected to the count button 10, and a detection signal of the count button 10 is input.

[0060] The medal count control board 17 is connected to the credit display device 11 and the role ratio monitor 89, and the display is controlled by a medal count control unit 171. In addition, a backup memory 294 is connected to the medal count control board 17, and the medal count control board 17 backs up the role ratio information to be displayed on the role ratio monitor 89.

[0061] The role ratio monitor 89 usually displays a value indicating the performance of the slot machine (hereinafter, also referred to as "role ratio information"). The value indicating the performance of the slot machine is, for example, the instruction-inclusive role payout ratio to the total cumulative payout number, the consecutive role payout ratio for the past 6000 games, the role payout ratio for the past 6000 games, the consecutive role payout ratio to the total cumulative payout number, the role payout ratio to the total cumulative payout number, and the role etc. state ratio to the total cumulative payout number. Details of these pieces of information will be described later with reference to FIG. 53.

[0062] The main control board 16 is equipped with a game control microcomputer that is the main control unit 161. The main control unit 161 is provided with a CPU as a control center, a ROM that stores programs and control data for the CPU to operate, a RAM 161c that functions as a work area for the CPU, and an input / output interface for maintaining the consistency of signals with peripheral devices.

[0063] The reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R are connected to the main control board 16, and are driven under the control of the main control unit 161. The setting key switch 37, the reset / setting switch 38, and the start switch 7 are also connected to the main control board 16, and detection signals of these connected switches are input. The game auxiliary display device 12 is also connected to the main control board 16, and the display is controlled by the main control unit 161.

[0064] The bet number clear switch 21, 1BET switch 20, stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R, door open detection switch 25, and MAXBET switch 6 are also connected to the main control board 16 via a relay board 1100, and detection signals of these connected switches are input. The 1-3BET LEDs 14-16 are also connected to the main control board 16 via a relay board 1100, and the display is controlled by the main control unit 161.

[0065] The performance control board 15 is equipped with a performance control microcomputer, which is a performance control unit 151. The performance control unit 151 is provided with a CPU as a control center, a ROM that stores programs and control data for the CPU to operate, a RAM 151c that functions as a work area for the CPU, and an input / output interface for maintaining the consistency of signals with peripheral devices.

[0066] A performance switch 56 is connected to the performance control board 15, and a detection signal from the performance switch 56 is input. In addition, performance devices such as a liquid crystal display 51, a performance effect LED 52, speakers 53 and 54, a reel LED 55, and a credit display segment 7S are connected to the performance control board 15, and these performance devices are driven under the control of a performance control unit 151.

[0067] In addition, a light intensity / volume adjustment board 111 is connected to the performance control board 15. Switches for adjusting the light intensity and volume are connected to the light intensity / volume adjustment board 111, and detection signals from these switches are input to the performance control board 15 via the light intensity / volume adjustment board 111.

[0068] The main control unit 161 transmits various commands to the performance control unit 151. Commands transmitted from the main control unit 161 to the performance control unit 151 are sent in only one direction, and no commands are transmitted from the performance control unit 151 to the main control unit 161. The performance control unit 151 receives commands transmitted from the main control unit 161 and performs various controls for producing a performance.

[0069] The medal count control unit 171 transmits various commands to the main control unit 161. In addition, the main control unit 161 also transmits various commands to the medal count control unit 171. In other words, communication between the medal count control unit 171 and the main control unit 161 is two-way communication. In addition, a backup power supply for the main control board 16 is supplied from the medal count control board 17.

[0070] Furthermore, the medal count control unit 171 stores the credits in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 171c. Specifically, the credits are stored in a credit counter. The medal count control unit 171 updates the credits stored in the predetermined area of ​​the RAM 171c in the credit addition process or credit subtraction process.

[0071] The set bet amount is stored in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 161c. Specifically, the set bet amount is stored in a BET counter. When the value stored in the BET counter is "3", the game can be started. Hereinafter, the value stored in the BET counter may be simply referred to as "bet amount".

[0072] As explained above, a medalless slot machine that does not require medals is provided with a medal count control board 17. Functions related to the insertion and dispensing of medals in conventional slot machines are concentrated in the medal count control board 17. Furthermore, conventional slot machines that require medals must be provided with devices related to the insertion and dispensing of medals, such as a medal selector and hopper, but a medalless slot machine does not require such devices.

[0073] Moreover, by configuring a medal-less slot machine as in this embodiment, parts can be made common to conventional slot machines. Specifically, since the function of updating credits (functions related to inserting and paying out medals) is concentrated in the medal count control board 17, a conventional slot machine can be configured by replacing the medal count control board 17 of the medal-less slot machine. When configuring a conventional slot machine, it is sufficient to provide the medal count control board 17 with functions related to inserting and paying out medals, and then connect devices related to inserting and paying out medals, such as a medal selector and a hopper, to the medal count control board 17. With such a configuration, the slot machine is compatible with conventional slot machines, and the cost of designing and manufacturing the slot machine can be reduced by commonizing parts.

[0074] When a detection signal is input from the start switch 7, the main control unit 161 drives the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R to rotate, and also performs a lottery for a winning combination.

[0075] The types of winning roles are determined according to the game status, but can be broadly divided into special roles that transition to a Big Bonus (BB) or Regular Bonus (RB), small roles that pay out medals, and replay roles that allow the next game to start without the need to set a bet amount.

[0076] The main control unit 161 draws winning combinations, drives the reels to rotate, and waits for the player to stop the reels. When any of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is operated, the main control unit 161 stops the rotation of the reels corresponding to the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R. The main control unit 161 stops the three symbols and executes a winning determination process to determine whether or not a winning has been won. If a winning has been determined, a number of credits according to the type of winning is awarded to the player. The main control unit 161 subtracts and displays the display on the credit indicator 11 according to the subtraction of the number of credits, and adds and displays the display on the credit indicator 11 according to the addition of the number of credits. A power-on switch 102 is connected to the power supply board 101, and a detection signal of the power-on switch 102 is input.

[0077] In this embodiment, the term "game" refers to the period from when the start switch 7 is operated until the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R stop. When playing a game, the bet amount is set before the start switch 7 is operated, and after the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R stop, medals are paid out and the game state is changed. Therefore, in a broad sense, these incidental processes are also included in the "game."

[0078] In addition, in this embodiment, the operation of the MAXBET switch 6 is also referred to as the MAXBET operation, the operation of the start switch 7 as the start operation, the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R as the stop operation, the operation of the counting button 10 as the counting operation, the operation of the lending button 321 as the lending operation, and the operation of the card return button 322 as the return operation.

[0079] Moreover, the S-machine 2 is configured such that the medal payout rate changes according to the set value. In detail, the medal payout rate is changed by using the winning probability according to the set value in a lottery that affects the advantage of the player, such as an internal lottery. The set value has six levels from 1 to 6, with 6 being the highest payout rate, and the payout rate decreasing as the value decreases in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. In other words, when 6 is set as the set value, the advantage is the highest for the player, and the advantage decreases step by step as the value decreases in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1.

[0080] In order to change the set value, it is necessary to turn on the power of the S-unit 2 after turning on the setting key switch 37. When the power is turned on with the setting key switch 37 in the ON state, the set value read from the RAM 161c is displayed as a display value on the setting value display, and the state transitions to a setting change state in which the set value can be changed by operating the reset / setting switch 38. When the reset / setting switch 38 is operated in the setting change state, the display value displayed on the setting value display is updated by 1 (when the switch is operated again from the set value 6, the display value returns to the set value 1). Then, when the start switch 7 is operated, the display value is confirmed as the set value. Then, when the setting key switch 37 is turned off, the confirmed display value (set value) is stored in the RAM 161c of the main control unit 161, and the state transitions to a state in which the game can proceed.

[0081] [About game status] Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining the gaming state controlled by the main control unit 161. As shown in Fig. 4, the main control unit 161 can control the gaming state to either a normal gaming state or a special gaming state. The normal gaming state includes a normal gaming state (not in the internal state) in which the BB winning is not carried over, and a normal gaming state (in the internal state) in which the BB winning is carried over.

[0082] The normal gaming state (non-internal) is a state in which BB has not won in the normal gaming state, and is a gaming state controlled in a state in which the RAM 161c of the main control unit 161 is initialized by setting a new setting value by transitioning to a setting change state or in a factory-shipped state of the S-unit 2. Also, when the special gaming state is terminated, it is controlled to the normal gaming state (non-internal). And, the normal gaming state (non-internal) continues until BB wins in the game in which BB won in the internal lottery, and ends when BB does not win and transitions to the normal gaming state (internal), or when BB wins and transitions to the special gaming state in the game in which BB won in the internal lottery.

[0083] The normal game state (inside) is a state in which the BB is carried over in the normal game state. In this embodiment, when a special role and a small role are won at the same time, control is performed to prioritize the small role, and when a special role and a replay role are won at the same time, control is performed to always match the replay role, so that the BB does not win even if the small role is won or the replay role is won in the normal game state (inside). And, in the normal game state (inside), any of the small roles or any of the replay roles is always won, so once the game is shifted to the normal game state (inside), the BB does not win, and after the shift to the normal game state (inside), the normal game state (inside) is maintained until the RAM 161c of the main control unit 161 is initialized by shifting to the setting change state and setting values ​​are newly set.

[0084] The special gaming state is a gaming state to which the player enters when BB wins in a game in which BB has won during the normal gaming state (not inside), and continues until a predetermined ending condition is met (in this embodiment, the total number of medals paid out in the special gaming state exceeds 50), at which point the game ends when the player enters the normal gaming state (not inside).

[0085] In this manner, in this embodiment, the game will be controlled in the normal game state (during internal play) for the majority of the game, and therefore the medal payout rate is designed according to the set value (1 to 6 in this embodiment) on the assumption that the game will be controlled in the normal game state (during internal play).

[0086] [About the roles eligible for the internal lottery] 5 is a diagram explaining the target role of the internal lottery. As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, in the normal game state (non-internal), the target of the internal lottery is the normal replay A, the normal replay B, the normal replay C, the weak chance replay A, the weak chance replay B, the strong chance replay A, the strong chance replay B, the navigation small role, the specific small role, 3 pieces, BB, BB+3 pieces, and watermelon. In the normal game mode (not inside), the winning probability of Normal Replay A, Normal Replay B, Normal Replay C, Weak Chance Replay A, Weak Chance Replay B, Strong Chance Replay A, Strong Chance Replay B, Navi Small Character, Special Small Character, 3 Coins, BB, BB+3 Coins, and Watermelon is set to approximately 1 / 9.9, approximately 1 / 65, approximately 1 / 16384, approximately 1 / 137, approximately 1 / 101, approximately 1 / 524, approximately 1 / 655, approximately 1 / 1.37, approximately 1 / 16.2, approximately 1 / 166, approximately 1 / 16384, approximately 1 / 14.6, approximately 1 / 145, and the probability of not winning (missing) is set to 0.

[0087] In addition, in the normal game state (inside), normal replay A, normal replay B, normal replay C, weak chance replay A, weak chance replay B, strong chance replay A, strong chance replay B, navigation small role, specific small role, 3 pieces, and watermelon are subject to internal lottery. In the normal game state (inside), the winning probability of normal replay A, normal replay B, normal replay C, weak chance replay A, weak chance replay B, strong chance replay A, strong chance replay B, navigation small role, specific small role, 3 pieces, and watermelon is set to about 1 / 9.9, about 1 / 65, about 1 / 8192, about 1 / 137, about 1 / 101, about 1 / 524, about 1 / 655, about 1 / 1.37, about 1 / 16.2, about 1 / 16, about 1 / 145, respectively, and the probability of not winning (missing) is 0.

[0088] In addition, in the special game state, the composite small role A and the composite small role B are subject to an internal lottery. In the special game state, the winning probability of the composite small role A and the composite small role B is set to approximately 1 / 33 and approximately 1 / 1.2, respectively, and the probability of not winning (missing) is approximately 1 / 7.3.

[0089] When normal replay A is won, normal replay A will always win, regardless of the stop operation order or timing. When normal replay B is won, normal replay B will always win, regardless of the stop operation order or timing. When normal replay C is won, normal replay C will always win, regardless of the stop operation order or timing.

[0090] When weak chance replay A is won, weak chance replay A will always win, regardless of the stop operation order or timing. When weak chance replay B is won, weak chance replay B will always win, regardless of the stop operation order or timing. When strong chance replay A is won, strong chance replay A will always win, regardless of the stop operation order or timing. When strong chance replay B is won, strong chance replay B will always win, regardless of the stop operation order or timing.

[0091] When Normal Replay A, Normal Replay B, Normal Replay C, Weak Chance Replay A, Weak Chance Replay B, Strong Chance Replay A, or Strong Chance Replay B is won, a replay is awarded.

[0092] The navigation minor role is a role in which multiple minor roles (in this embodiment, a main minor role and a sub minor role) are won, and when the stopping operation of each reel is performed in the stopping operation order corresponding to each navigation minor role, the main minor role with the payout of 15 medals is won, while when the stopping operation is performed in a stopping operation order other than the corresponding stopping operation order, the sub minor role with the payout of one medal is won depending on the timing of the stopping operation, or a loss in which no role is won. In other words, the expected number of medals awarded changes when the stopping operation order differs, and the expected number of medals awarded changes when the navigation number indicating the stopping operation order corresponding to the winning navigation minor role is notified by the navigation notification.

[0093] In addition, the operation mode corresponding to the navigation minor prize, i.e., the operation mode for winning the main minor prize, is not limited to the stop operation sequence, and the stop operation timing of at least some of the reels, or a combination of the stop operation timing and the stop operation sequence may be applied as the operation mode corresponding to the navigation minor prize.

[0094] A specific minor win is a win resulting in a number of minor wins (in this embodiment, any one of specific minor wins A to C and one coin). When a specific minor win is won, if the stopping operations of the reels are performed in a stopping operation sequence that awards specific minor wins A, B, C corresponding to each specific minor win, then one of specific minor wins A, B, C accompanied by the payout of 15 medals will be won, whereas if the stopping operations of the reels are performed in a stopping operation sequence that awards one coin corresponding to each specific minor win, then one coin accompanied by the payout of one medal will be won.

[0095] In addition, the operation mode for winning specific minor roles A, B, C in response to a specific minor role, and the operation mode for winning one coin in response to a specific minor role are not limited to the stop operation order, and the operation mode for winning specific minor roles A, B, C in response to a specific minor role, and the operation mode for winning one coin in response to a specific minor role may be applied to at least some of the reels' stop operation timing, and a combination of the stop operation timing and the stop operation order. When three coins are won, three coins accompanied by the payout of three medals will always be won, regardless of the stop operation order and the stop operation timing.

[0096] When BB is won, if the stop operation is performed at a timing that is within the reel-in range of the BB constituent symbols (in this embodiment, the combination of "white 7-plum-plum") on all reels, BB will be won and the game state will transition to a special game state. On the other hand, if the stop operation is performed at a timing that is outside the reel-in range of the BB constituent symbols on any of the reels, it will result in a loss in which no combination is won, and the BB win will be carried over to the next game or later, and the game state will transition to the normal game state (during internal play).

[0097] BB+3 is a winning combination of BB and 3. When BB+3 is won, regardless of the stopping operation order or timing, 3 medals will always be paid out and 3 will be won. The BB win is carried over to the next game and onwards, and the game transitions to the normal game state (internal).

[0098] Composite small win A is a win when all main small wins and specific small wins A to C that make up the navigation small win are won, and when composite small win A is won, a specific main small win accompanied by the payout of 15 medals is always won, regardless of the order of the stop operation or the timing of the stop operation.

[0099] Composite small prize B is a prize in which all of the sub-small prizes that make up the Navigation small prize, as well as 1 and 3 coins, are won. When Composite small prize B is won, regardless of the order of the stopping operation or the timing of the stopping operation, 1 coin will always be won, which will result in the payment of 1 medal.

[0100] Watermelon is a winning combination in which watermelon is the winning combination. When watermelon is won, if the reels are stopped at the timing required for the watermelon to win, the watermelon wins.

[0101] Among the items selected in the internal lottery (including non-winners), non-winner, normal replay A, normal replay B, normal replay C, weak chance replay A, weak chance replay B, strong chance replay A, strong chance replay B, navigation small role, specific small role, 3 coins, BB, BB+3 coins, composite small role A, composite small role B, and watermelon are each assigned a winning number (general role) and a winning number (special role), and the winning number (general role) and winning number (special role) corresponding to the result of the internal lottery are set in RAM161c.

[0102] In detail, the winning numbers (general roles) are assigned as 0 for all non-winning roles, which means that no general roles were won, and for the BB special role which does not include any general roles. The winning numbers are assigned as 1 to 26 in order for the general roles Normal Replay A, Normal Replay B, Normal Replay C, Weak Chance Replay A, Weak Chance Replay B, Strong Chance Replay A, Strong Chance Replay B, Navi minor role, specific minor role, 3 cards, Composite minor role A, Composite minor role B, and watermelon. The winning number 23, the same as 3 cards, is assigned to BB+3 cards, which includes 3 general roles.

[0103] In addition, the winning numbers (special roles) are all assigned a 0 for non-winning (no special roles), normal replay A, normal replay B, normal replay C, weak chance replay A, weak chance replay B, strong chance replay A, strong chance replay B, navigation small role, specific small role, 3 cards, composite small role A, composite small role B, and watermelon. The special role BB is assigned a 1, and BB+3 cards including the special role BB is assigned a 1, the same as BB.

[0104] The winning number (general combination) set in the winning number setting area of ​​the RAM 161c is held only in the game in which the winning number (general combination) is set, and is cleared when the game ends.

[0105] In addition, the winning number (special role) other than 0 set in the winning number setting area of ​​the RAM 161c is maintained until the special role corresponding to the winning number (special role) is won, and is cleared with the end of the game in which the special role is won. In other words, once BB is won and a winning number (special role) other than 0 is set in the winning number setting area, even if the winning number (special role) combination cannot be arranged, the winning number (special role) is not cleared and is carried over to the next game. In addition, the winning number (special role) is also cleared by transitioning to a setting change state.

[0106] Also, the lottery targets (including non-winners) of the internal lottery are assigned corresponding advantageous zone shift flags 0 to 4, lottery flags 1 0 to 3, lottery flags 2 0 to 3, and lottery flags 3 0 to 4, and the advantageous zone shift flags and lottery flags 1 to 3 according to the result of the internal lottery (winning number (general role)) are set in the RAM 161c. The advantageous zone shift flags are referenced when making a decision as to whether or not to shift to an advantageous zone. Also, the lottery flags 1 to 3 are referenced when making a decision as to whether or not to make a lottery related to the AT state (such as the normal game number reduction lottery, the second and third AT lottery, and the first to third additional lottery, which will be described later) and when making a lottery related to the AT state.

[0107] The advantageous zone transition flag is assigned 0 to the lottery objects other than the advantageous zone transition role, and for the advantageous zone transition role, a common value is assigned to the lottery objects having common attributes that do not need to be distinguished when performing the lottery performed at the time of the advantageous zone transition, such as multiple types of push order roles and multiple lottery objects with similar winning probabilities. Therefore, when determining whether to transition to the advantageous zone, the main control unit 161 does not need to individually identify whether it is an advantageous zone transition role from each winning number (general role), and can identify whether it is an advantageous zone transition role or not depending on whether the advantageous zone transition flag is 0. In addition, when determining the probability according to the winning number (general role) in the lottery performed at the time of the advantageous zone transition, the probability according to the winning number (general role) is determined from the value of the advantageous zone transition flag, rather than determining the probability from each winning number (general role), and it is not necessary to determine the probability for each winning number (general role), and the probability according to the attribute of the lottery object can be determined by determining the probability for each advantageous zone transition flag, which is less than the number of types of winning numbers (general roles).

[0108] The lottery flag is assigned 0 to the lottery object that is not the object of the lottery related to the AT state, and for the lottery object that is the object of the lottery related to the granting of the AT, a common value is assigned to the lottery object having a common attribute that does not need to be distinguished when performing the lottery related to the AT state, such as a plurality of types of navigation minor roles. Therefore, when performing the lottery related to the AT state, the main control unit 161 does not need to individually specify whether or not to perform the lottery from each winning number (general role), and can specify whether or not to perform the lottery related to the AT state depending on whether the lottery flag is 0. In addition, when specifying the probability according to the winning number (general role) in the lottery related to the AT state, the probability according to the winning number (general role) is specified from the value of the lottery flag, rather than specifying the probability from each winning number (general role), and it is not necessary to determine the probability for each winning number (general role), and the probability according to the attribute of the lottery object can be specified by determining the probability for each lottery flag that is less than the number of types of winning numbers (general roles). In addition, the lottery flags consist of lottery flags 1 to 3 which differ in the lottery objects that are excluded from the lottery related to the AT state and the lottery objects that have common attributes that do not need to be distinguished when conducting a lottery related to the AT state, and by using one of the lottery flags 1 to 3 depending on the type of lottery related to the AT state, the lottery objects that are excluded from the lottery related to the AT state can be made different depending on the type of lottery related to the AT state, and the probability for each lottery object that has a common attribute that does not need to be distinguished when conducting a lottery related to the AT state can be made different.

[0109] [About Navigation Small Roles, Specific Small Roles, and Compound Small Roles] 6 is a diagram explaining the navigation small role, the specific small role, and the composite small role. The navigation small role, the specific small role, and the composite small role that are the subject of the internal lottery in the normal game state (non-internal / internal) are explained.

[0110] As shown in Figure 6, the navigation minor symbols include left-center-right bell A, left-center-right bell B, left-right center bell A, left-right center bell B, center left-right bell A, center left-right bell B, center right-left bell A, center right-left bell B, right-left center bell A, right-left center bell B, right-center-left bell A, and right-center-left bell B.

[0111] The left, center, and right bells A are the winning combinations of the main small win with the payout of 15 medals and the upper bell A with the payout of 1 medal. When the left, center, and right bells A are won, if the corresponding operation mode (stop operation order of the left reel, the center reel, and the right reel) is operated, the combination of the upper bell A is led to the winning line L1, and the upper bell A wins. When the upper bell A wins, any of the bells a to c is aligned on the winning line L2. Also, when the left, center, and right bells A are won, if the operation mode other than the corresponding operation mode is operated, the symbol combination of the sub-small win is led to the winning line L1 according to the timing of the stop operation, and the sub-small win is won, or a symbol combination that does not constitute any win is led to the winning line L1, and no win is won, resulting in a loss.

[0112] The left, center, and right bells B are the main minor combination with the payout of 15 medals, and the upper bell B is the combination that wins with the sub minor combination with the payout of 1 medal. When the left, center, and right bells B are won, if the corresponding operation mode (stop operation order of the left reel, the center reel, and the right reel) is operated, the combination of the upper bell B is led to the winning line L1, and the upper bell B wins. When the upper bell B wins, any of the bells a to c is aligned on the winning line L2. Also, when the left, center, and right bells B are won, if the operation mode other than the corresponding operation mode is operated, the symbol combination of the sub minor combination is led to the winning line L1 according to the timing of the stop operation, and the sub minor combination wins, or a symbol combination that does not constitute any combination is led to the winning line L1, and neither combination wins, resulting in a loss.

[0113] The left and right center bells A are the winning combinations of the main small win with the payout of 15 medals and the right downward bell A with the payout of one medal. When the left and right center bells A are won, if the corresponding operation mode (stop operation order of the left reel, right reel, and center reel) is operated, the combination of the right downward bell A is led to the winning line L1, and the right downward bell A wins. When the right downward bell A wins, any of the bells a to c is aligned on the winning line L5. Also, when the left and right center bells A are won, if the operation mode is operated in an operation mode other than the corresponding operation mode, the symbol combination of the sub-small win is led to the winning line L1 according to the timing of the stop operation, and the sub-small win is won, or a symbol combination that does not constitute any role is led to the winning line L1, and neither role is won, resulting in a loss.

[0114] The left and right center bells B are the winning combinations of the main small win with the payout of 15 medals and the right downward bell B with the sub small win with the payout of 1 medal. When the left and right center bells B are won, if the corresponding operation mode (stop operation order of the left reel, right reel, and center reel) is operated, the combination of the right downward bell B is led to the winning line L1, and the right downward bell B wins. When the right downward bell B wins, any of the bells a to c is aligned on the winning line L5. Also, when the left and right center bells B are won, if the operation mode is operated in an operation mode other than the corresponding operation mode, the symbol combination of the sub small win is led to the winning line L1 according to the timing of the stop operation, and the sub small win is won, or a symbol combination that does not constitute any role is led to the winning line L1, and neither role is won, resulting in a loss.

[0115] The middle left and right bells A are the winning combinations of the main small win with the payout of 15 medals and the middle bell A with the payout of 1 medal. When the middle left and right bells A are won, if the corresponding operation mode (stop operation order of the middle reel, left reel, and right reel) is operated, the combination of the middle bell A is led to the winning line L1, and the middle bell A wins. When the middle bell A wins, any of the bells a to c is aligned on the winning line L1. Also, when the middle left and right bells A are won, if the operation mode is other than the corresponding operation mode, the symbol combination of the sub-small win is led to the winning line L1 according to the timing of the stop operation, and the sub-small win is won, or a symbol combination that does not constitute any win is led to the winning line L1, and neither win is won, resulting in a loss.

[0116] The middle left and right bells B are the main small win with the payout of 15 medals, and the middle bell B is the sub small win with the payout of 1 medal. When the middle left and right bells B are won, if the corresponding operation mode (stop operation order of the middle reel, left reel, and right reel) is operated, the combination of the middle bell B is led to the winning line L1, and the middle bell B wins. When the middle bell B wins, any of the bells a to c is aligned on the winning line L1. Also, when the middle left and right bells B are won, if the operation mode is other than the corresponding operation mode, the symbol combination of the sub small win is led to the winning line L1 according to the timing of the stop operation, and the sub small win is won, or a symbol combination that does not constitute any role is led to the winning line L1, and it is a loss in which no role is won.

[0117] The middle, right, and left bells A are combinations that are won as a main small combination with the payout of 15 medals, and the right-upward bell A is combined with a sub-small combination with the payout of one medal. When the middle, right, and left bells A are won, if the corresponding operation mode (stop operation order of the middle reel, right reel, and left reel) is operated, the combination of the right-upward bell A is led to the winning line L1, and the right-upward bell A wins. When the right-upward bell A wins, any of the bells a to c is aligned on the winning line L4. Also, when the middle, right, and left bells A are won, if the operation mode is other than the corresponding operation mode, the symbol combination of the sub-small combination is led to the winning line L1 according to the timing of the stop operation, and the sub-small combination wins, or a symbol combination that does not constitute any combination is led to the winning line L1, resulting in a loss in which no combination wins.

[0118] The middle, right, and left bells B are a combination that is won as a main small combination with the payout of 15 medals, and the right-up bell B is a sub-small combination with the payout of 1 medal. When the middle, right, and left bells B are won, if the corresponding operation mode (stop operation order of the middle reel, right reel, and left reel) is operated, the combination of the right-up bell B is led to the winning line L1, and the right-up bell B wins. When the right-up bell B wins, any of the bells a to c is aligned on the winning line L4. Also, when the middle, right, and left bells B are won, if the operation mode is operated in an operation mode other than the corresponding operation mode, the symbol combination of the sub-small combination is led to the winning line L1 according to the timing of the stop operation, and the sub-small combination wins, or a symbol combination that does not constitute any role is led to the winning line L1, resulting in a loss in which no role wins.

[0119] The right, left, and center bells A are the winning combinations of the main small win with the payout of 15 medals and the lower bell A with the payout of 1 medal. When the right, left, and center bells A are won, if the corresponding operation mode (stop operation order of the right reel, left reel, and center reel) is operated, the combination of the lower bell A is led to the winning line L1, and the lower bell A wins. When the lower bell A wins, any of the bells a to c is aligned on the winning line L3. Also, when the right, left, and center bells A are won, if the operation mode is other than the corresponding operation mode, the symbol combination of the sub-small win is led to the winning line L1 according to the timing of the stop operation, and the sub-small win is won, or a symbol combination that does not constitute any role is led to the winning line L1, resulting in a loss in which no role is won.

[0120] The right, left, and center bells B are the main small win with the payout of 15 medals, and the lower bell B is the sub small win with the payout of 1 medal. When the right, left, and center bells B are won, if the corresponding operation mode (stop operation order of the right reel, left reel, and center reel) is operated, the combination of the lower bell B is led to the winning line L1, and the lower bell B wins. When the lower bell B wins, any of the bells a to c is aligned on the winning line L3. Also, when the right, left, and center bells B are won, if the operation mode other than the corresponding operation mode is operated, the symbol combination of the sub small win is led to the winning line L1 according to the timing of the stop operation, and the sub small win is won, or a symbol combination that does not constitute any role is led to the winning line L1, and neither role is won, resulting in a loss.

[0121] The right-center-left bell A is a combination that wins a small mountain bell A as a main small combination with the payout of 15 medals, together with a sub-small combination with the payout of 1 medal. When the right-center-left bell A is won, if the corresponding operation mode (stop operation order of the right reel, center reel, and left reel) is operated, the combination of the small mountain bell A is led to the winning line L1, and the small mountain bell A wins. When the small mountain bell A wins, any of the bells a to c is aligned on the winning line L5. Also, when the right-center-left bell A is won, if the operation mode other than the corresponding operation mode is operated, the symbol combination of the sub-small combination is led to the winning line L1 according to the timing of the stop operation, and the sub-small combination wins, or a symbol combination that does not constitute any role is led to the winning line L1, resulting in a loss in which no role wins.

[0122] The right-center-left bell B is a combination that wins as a main minor combination with the payout of 15 medals, and the small mountain bell B with the sub minor combination with the payout of 1 medal. When the right-center-left bell B is won, if the corresponding operation mode (stop operation order of the right reel, the center reel, and the left reel) is operated, the combination of the small mountain bell B is led to the winning line L1, and the small mountain bell B wins. When the small mountain bell B wins, any of the bells a to c is aligned on the winning line L5. Also, when the right-center-left bell B is won, if the operation mode other than the corresponding operation mode is operated, the symbol combination of the sub minor combination is led to the winning line L1 according to the timing of the stop operation, and the sub minor combination wins, or a symbol combination that does not constitute any combination is led to the winning line L1, and neither combination wins, resulting in a loss.

[0123] In addition, the middle bells A and B among the main small roles that make up the navigation small roles are all aligned with any of the bells a to c on the winning line L1, but the symbol combinations that line up on the winning line L1 are different. In addition, the upper bells A and B among the main small roles that make up the navigation small roles are all aligned with any of the bells a to c on the winning line L2, but the symbol combinations that line up on the winning line L1 are different. In addition, in the main small roles that make up the navigation small roles, the lower bells A and B are all aligned with any of the bells a to c on the winning line L3, but the symbol combinations that line up on the winning line L1 are different. In addition, in the main small roles that make up the navigation small roles, the right-downward bells A and B are all aligned with any of the bells a to c on the winning line L5, but the symbol combinations that line up on the winning line L1 are different. In addition, in the main small roles that make up the navigation small roles, the right-upward bells A and B are all aligned with any of the bells a to c on the winning line L4, but the symbol combinations that line up on the winning line L1 are different. In addition, among the main small roles that make up the navigation small role, the small mountain bells A and B are all aligned with any of the bells a to c on the winning line L5, but the symbol combinations aligned on the winning line L1 are different.

[0124] The left specific minor win is a win in which a specific minor win A with a payout of 15 medals is won together with one with a payout of one medal. When the left specific minor win is won, if the first reel is operated as the left reel (stop operation order of the left reel, middle reel, and right reel, or stop operation order of the left reel, right reel, and middle reel), a symbol combination of one is led to the winning line L1, and one is won. When the left specific minor win is won, if the first reel is operated as the middle reel or the right reel (stop operation order of the middle reel, left reel, and right reel, stop operation order of the middle reel, right reel, and left reel, stop operation order of the right reel, left reel, and middle reel, or stop operation order of the right reel, middle reel, and left reel), a symbol combination of the specific minor win A is led to the winning line L1, and the specific minor win A is won.

[0125] The medium specific minor role is a role that is won together with the specific minor role B with the payout of 15 medals and the 1 with the payout of 1 medal. When the medium specific minor role is won, if the first reel is operated as the medium reel (the stop operation order of the center reel, left reel, and right reel, or the stop operation order of the center reel, right reel, and left reel), a symbol combination of one is led to the winning line L1, and one is won. When the medium specific minor role is won, if the first reel is operated as the left reel or the right reel (the stop operation order of the left reel, center reel, and right reel, the stop operation order of the left reel, right reel, and center reel, the stop operation order of the right reel, left reel, and center reel, or the stop operation order of the right reel, center reel, and left reel), a symbol combination of the specific minor role B is led to the winning line L1, and the specific minor role B is won.

[0126] The right specific minor win is a win with the specific minor win C with the payout of 15 medals and 1 with the payout of 1 medal. When the right specific minor win is won, if the first reel is operated as the right reel (stop operation order of the right reel, left reel, and center reel, stop operation order of the right reel, center reel, and left reel), a symbol combination of 1 is led to the winning line L1, and 1 is won. When the right specific minor win is won, if the first reel is operated as the left reel or center reel (stop operation order of the left reel, center reel, and right reel, stop operation order of the left reel, right reel, and center reel, stop operation order of the center reel, left reel, and right reel, stop operation order of the center reel, right reel, and left reel), a symbol combination of the specific minor win C is led to the winning line L1, and the specific minor win C is won. The specific small prizes A, B, and C are all small prizes that involve the payment of 15 medals, but the symbol combinations that line up on the winning line L1 are different.

[0127] Composite minor prize 1 is a prize in which all the main minor prizes that make up the navigation minor prize, namely, upper bell A, B, middle bell A, B, lower bell A, B, downward right bell A, B, upward right bell A, B, small mountain bell A, B, and specific minor prize A, B, C, are simultaneously won. When composite minor prize 1 is won, regardless of the stop operation order or timing, any of the symbol combinations of middle bell A and B, which are always accompanied by the payout of 15 medals, will be derived to the winning line L1, and either middle bell A or B will win.

[0128] The composite small prize 2 is a prize in which all the sub-small prizes that make up the navigation small prize, 1 coin, and 3 coins are won. When the composite small prize 2 is won, regardless of the stop operation order or stop operation timing, a single symbol combination accompanied by the payment of one medal is always derived to the winning line L1, and one coin is won.

[0129] [Regarding control related to navigation small roles, specific small roles, and composite small roles] After the internal lottery, the main control unit 161 transmits an internal winning command capable of identifying the result of the internal lottery to the performance control unit 151, and the performance control unit 151 determines the content of the performance according to the result of the internal lottery identified from the internal winning command, and executes the performance according to the determined content of the performance.

[0130] As shown in FIG. 6, when a navigation minor feature is won in an internal lottery, the main control unit 161 sends an internal winning command indicating the winning number 8 common to all navigation minor features, regardless of the type of navigation minor feature or the corresponding operation mode, to the performance control unit 151, whether a navigation notification is made or not, that is, an internal winning command that makes it possible to identify that a navigation minor feature has been won but does not allow the corresponding operation mode to be identified.

[0131] In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, when either the left-center-right bell A or the left-center-right bell B is won and a navigation notification is issued, the main control unit 161 displays the navigation number "1" on the game assistance display 12, thereby issuing a navigation notification encouraging the player to perform the stopping operation in the stopping operation order (left-center-right) of the left reel, center reel, and right reel, i.e., the stopping operation in the operation mode that will win the main minor prize.

[0132] Also, as shown in Figure 6, when either the left / right center bell A or the left / right center bell B wins and a navigation notification is issued, the navigation number "2" is displayed on the game assistance display 12, and a navigation notification is issued to encourage the player to perform the stopping operation in the stopping operation order (left / right / center) of the left reel, right reel, and center reel, i.e., the stopping operation in the operation mode that will win the main minor prize.

[0133] Also, as shown in FIG. 6, when either the center left / right bell A or the center left / right bell B wins and a navigation notification is issued, the navigation number "3" is displayed on the game assistance display 12, thereby issuing a navigation notification encouraging the player to perform the stopping operation in the stopping operation order (center left / right) of the center reel, left reel, and right reel, i.e., the stopping operation in the operation mode that will win the main minor prize.

[0134] Also, as shown in FIG. 6, when either center right left bell A or center right left bell B wins and a navigation notification is issued, the navigation number "4" is displayed on the game assistance display 12, thereby issuing a navigation notification encouraging the player to perform the stopping operation in the stopping operation order (center right left) of the center reel, right reel, and left reel, i.e., the stopping operation in the operation mode that will win the main minor prize.

[0135] Also, as shown in FIG. 6, when either the right / left / middle bell A or the right / left / middle bell B wins and a navigation notification is issued, the navigation number "5" is displayed on the game assistance display 12, thereby issuing a navigation notification encouraging the player to perform the stopping operation in the stopping operation order (right / left / middle) of the right reel, left reel, and middle reel, i.e., the stopping operation in the manner that will win the main minor prize.

[0136] Also, as shown in Figure 6, when either the right-center-left bell A or the right-center-left bell B wins and a navigation notification is issued, the navigation number "6" is displayed on the game assistance display 12, thereby issuing a navigation notification encouraging the player to perform the stopping operation in the stopping operation order (right-center-left) of the right reel, center reel, and left reel, i.e., the stopping operation in the operation mode that will win the main minor prize.

[0137] In this way, even if the type of navigation minor win is different, when a navigation minor win that has a common operation mode for winning a main minor win is won, a common navigation notification is performed.

[0138] In addition, when the main control unit 161 does not perform a navigation notification when a navigation minor role is won, after sending an internal winning command, it sends a navigation command capable of identifying the navigation number "0" which does not identify the operation mode corresponding to the navigation minor role, while, as shown in FIG. 6, when either the left, middle, right bell A or the left, middle, right bell B is won and a navigation notification is performed, it sends to the performance control unit 151 a navigation command capable of identifying the navigation number "1" indicating that the corresponding stop operation order is left, middle, right, when either the left, right, middle bell A or the left, right, middle bell B is won and a navigation notification is performed, it sends to the performance control unit 151 a navigation command capable of identifying the navigation number "2" indicating that the corresponding stop operation order is left, middle, and when either the middle left, right bell A or the middle left, right bell B is won and a navigation notification is performed, it sends to the performance control unit 151 a navigation command capable of identifying the navigation number "3" indicating that the corresponding stop operation order is left, middle, It transmits to the performance control unit 151 a navigation command capable of identifying navigation number "3", indicating that the stop operation order to be selected is center left / right, and if either center right left bell A or center right left bell B is selected to perform a navigation notification, it transmits to the performance control unit 151 a navigation command capable of identifying navigation number "4", indicating that the corresponding stop operation order is center right / left, and if either right left center bell A or right left center bell B is selected to perform a navigation notification, it transmits to the performance control unit 151 a navigation command capable of identifying "navigation number 5", indicating that the corresponding stop operation order is right left / center, and if either right center left bell A or right center left bell B is selected to perform a navigation notification, it transmits to the performance control unit 151 a navigation command capable of identifying navigation number "6", indicating that the corresponding operation mode is right center left.

[0139] In this way, when a navigation minor role corresponding to the same stop operation sequence is won even if the type of navigation minor role is different, a common navigation command is transmitted to the performance control unit 151.

[0140] As shown in FIG. 6, when any of the specific minor roles is won in the internal lottery, the main control unit 161 transmits to the performance control unit 151 an internal winning command indicating the winning number 20 common to all specific minor roles regardless of the type of specific minor role, that is, an internal winning command that can identify that a specific minor role has been won but cannot identify the type of specific minor role, the operation mode for winning one coin, and the operation mode for winning any of the specific minor roles A, B, or C, regardless of whether a navigation notification is performed or not.

[0141] In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, when the left specific minor role is won and a navigation notification is issued in the normal state and premonition state described below, the main control unit 161 displays the navigation number "7" on the game auxiliary display 12 to prompt the player to make the first stop of the left reel, i.e., to stop the reel in an operation mode that will win one coin, and when the left specific minor role is won and a navigation notification is issued in the CZ state and AT state described below, the main control unit 161 displays the navigation number "3" on the game auxiliary display 12 to prompt the player to stop the reel in the stopping operation order (center left and right) of the center reel, left reel, and right reel, i.e., to stop the reel in one of the multiple operation modes that will win the specific minor role A.

[0142] Also, as shown in FIG. 6, when a medium specific minor role is won and a navigation notification is issued in the normal state and premonition state described below, the main control unit 161 displays the navigation number "8" on the game auxiliary display 12 to prompt the player to perform a first stop of the middle reel, i.e., a stopping operation in an operation mode that will win one coin, and when a medium specific minor role is won and a navigation notification is issued in the CZ state and AT state described below, the main control unit 161 displays the navigation number "5" on the game auxiliary display 12 to prompt the player to perform a stopping operation in the stopping operation order of the right reel, left reel, and middle reel (right, left, middle), i.e., a stopping operation in one of the multiple operation modes that will win the specific minor role B.

[0143] Also, as shown in FIG. 6, when a right specific minor role is won and a navigation notification is issued in the normal state and premonition state described below, the main control unit 161 displays the navigation number "9" on the game auxiliary display 12 to prompt the player to make the first stop of the right reel, i.e., to perform a stopping operation in an operation mode that will win one coin, and when a right specific minor role is won and a navigation notification is issued in the CZ state and AT state described below, the main control unit 161 displays the navigation number "1" on the game auxiliary display 12 to prompt the player to make a stopping operation in the stopping operation order of the left reel, middle reel, and right reel (left, middle, right), i.e., to perform a stopping operation in one of the multiple operation modes that will win the specific minor role C.

[0144] In this way, the stop operation sequence for winning the specific small role A when the left specific small role is won includes the stop operation sequence for winning the main small role when the center left and right bells A and B are won, and a common navigation notification is performed even when the left specific small role is won in the CZ state and the AT state and the operation mode for winning the specific small role A is notified, and even when the center left and right bells A and B are won in the CZ state and the AT state and the operation mode for winning the main small role is notified. Also, the stop operation sequence for winning the specific small role B when the center specific small role is won includes the stop operation sequence for winning the main small role when the right left and center bells A and B are won, and even when the center specific small role is won in the CZ state and the AT state and the operation mode for winning the specific small role B is notified, a common navigation notification is performed. In addition, the stopping operation sequence for winning the specific small role C when the right specific small role is won includes the stopping operation sequence for winning the main small role when the left, center, and right bells A and B are won, and a common navigation notification is provided both when an operation mode for winning the specific small role C when the right specific small role is won in the CZ state and AT state is notified, and when an operation mode for winning the main small role when the left, center, and right bells A and B are won in the CZ state and AT state is notified.

[0145] When the main control unit 161 does not perform a navigation notification when any of the specific minor roles is won, it sends an internal winning command and then sends a navigation command capable of identifying the navigation number "0" which does not identify which one has been won. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, in the normal state and premonition state described below, when a left specific minor role is won and a navigation notification is performed, it sends to the performance control unit 151 a navigation command capable of identifying the navigation number "7" indicating that the corresponding stop operation sequence is to make the left reel the first stop. When a middle specific minor role is won and a navigation notification is performed, it sends to the performance control unit 151 a navigation command capable of identifying the navigation number "8" indicating that the corresponding stop operation sequence is to make the middle reel the first stop. When a right specific minor role is won and a navigation notification is performed, it sends to the performance control unit 151 a navigation command capable of identifying the navigation number "9" indicating that the corresponding stop operation sequence is to make the right reel the first stop.

[0146] In addition, in the CZ state and AT state described below, if a left specific minor role is won and a navigation notification is made, a navigation command capable of identifying the navigation number "3", indicating that the corresponding stop operation order is center, left, right, etc., is sent to the performance control unit 151; if a middle specific minor role is won and a navigation notification is made, a navigation command capable of identifying the navigation number "5", indicating that the corresponding stop operation order is right, left, center, is sent to the performance control unit 151; and if a right specific minor role is won and a navigation notification is made, a navigation command capable of identifying the navigation number "1", indicating that the corresponding stop operation order is left, center, right, is sent to the performance control unit 151.

[0147] In this way, even when the left specific small role is won in the CZ state and the AT state and an operation mode for winning a specific small role A is reported, and even when the center left and right bells A and B are won in the CZ state and the AT state and an operation mode for winning a main small role is reported, a common navigation command is sent to the performance control unit 151. Also, even when the center specific small role is won in the CZ state and the AT state and an operation mode for winning a specific small role B is reported, and even when the right left and center bells A and B are won in the CZ state and the AT state and an operation mode for winning a main small role is reported, a common navigation command is sent to the performance control unit 151. Also, even when the right specific small role is won in the CZ state and the AT state and an operation mode for winning a specific small role C is reported, and even when the left center right bells A and B are won in the CZ state and the AT state and an operation mode for winning a main small role is reported, a common navigation command is sent to the performance control unit 151.

[0148] [Transmission and reception between the main control board and the medal count control board] The transmission and reception mode between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17 will be described. In this embodiment, communication is performed by commands between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17. The main control board 16 transmits a predetermined command to the medal count control board 17 every time an event occurs. Events include pressing the start switch 7, pressing the 1BET switch 20 or the MAXBET switch 6, stopping of all reels, etc.

[0149] When the predetermined command transmitted from the main control board 16 is a command that requires a predetermined response, the medal count control board 17 transmits a response command to the main control board 16. For example, when the power is turned on while the S-machine 2 is installed in the gaming facility and electrically connected, the main control board 16 transmits a gaming machine installation information command including the main chip ID (main control chip ID) to the medal count control board 17. Even when the power is turned on thereafter, the main control board 16 transmits gaming machine installation information including the main chip ID (main control chip ID) to the medal count control board 17. That is, when the power of the S-machine 2 is turned on, the main control board 16 transmits a gaming machine installation information command capable of identifying the main chip ID of the unique information possessed by the main control board 16 to the medal count control board 17.

[0150] Both the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17 assign a "serial number" to the command before sending it. In addition, both the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17 store the received "serial number." By assigning a "serial number" to the command, the S-stand 2 prevents a person who is trying to obtain medals fraudulently (hereinafter referred to as an unauthorized person) from manipulating the S-stand 2 fraudulently. An unauthorized person may, for example, alter a command transmitted and received between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17, or control the main control board 16 or the medal count control board 17 by an unauthorized person. An unauthorized person may perform unauthorized operations by, for example, connecting a device that performs unauthorized operations (hereinafter referred to as an unauthorized device) to the main control board 16 or the medal count control board 17.

[0151] The initial value and the additional value of the "serial number" are determined by the medal count control board 17 and the main control board 16, respectively. The medal count control board 17 determines the initial value and the additional value of the "serial number" based on the gaming machine installation information command received from the main control board 16. The main chip ID included in the gaming machine installation information command includes a 4-byte chip-specific number register. A chip-specific hexadecimal value is stored in each byte of the main chip ID. The medal count control board 17 calculates a total value by adding up the hexadecimal values ​​stored in each byte of the main chip ID. The medal count control board 17 converts the value indicated by the lowest 2 bytes of the calculated total value into a decimal number and determines the value as the initial value for the "serial number".

[0152] For example, if the total value is "189h" (the "h" indicates that "189" is a hexadecimal number), the initial value of the serial number will be the decimal representation of "89h". In other words, the initial value of the "serial number" will be "137".

[0153] Furthermore, the medal count control board 17 divides the initial value by a predetermined number. For example, if the predetermined number is "5", the types of remainders calculated as a result of the division are four types: "0", "1", "2", "3", and "4". The medal count control board 17 predetermines and stores an additional value corresponding to the four types of remainder. For example, the medal count control board 17 stores "7" corresponding to "0", stores "11" corresponding to "1", stores "13" corresponding to "2", stores "19" corresponding to "3", and stores "23" corresponding to "4". After dividing the initial value by a predetermined number, the medal count control board 17 sets the value stored corresponding to the remainder of the result of the division as the additional value.

[0154] For example, the remainder of the division of the initial value "137" by 5 is "2". As described above, the medal count control board 17 stores "13" in correspondence with the remainder of the division result of "2". Therefore, the medal count control board 17 determines the additional value of the serial number as "13". In this way, the medal count control board 17 generates the initial value and additional value of the serial number for determining whether the command transmitted from the main control board 16 is normal or not, based on the main chip ID identified from the gaming machine installation information command. The main control board 16 also generates the initial value and additional value by performing the same calculation. As a result, the same initial value and additional value are stored in both the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17.

[0155] As described above, in this embodiment, the occurrence of an event triggers the main control board 16 to transmit a predetermined command to the medal count control board 17. The main control board 16 assigns a serial number to the predetermined command. For example, a description will be given of an example in which a gaming machine installation information command is transmitted to the medal count control board 17, and a predetermined event A occurs after both the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17 have determined the initial value and the additional value in the serial number.

[0156] Based on the occurrence of a predetermined event A, the main control board 16 transmits a command A to the medal count control board 17. At this time, the main control board 16 assigns an initial value of a serial number to the command A that is transmitted for the first time after transmitting the gaming machine installation command. In other words, the main control board 16 assigns the serial number "137" to the command A and transmits it.

[0157] The medal count control board 17 stores "137" as an initial value, and since the serial number assigned to the first command A received after receiving the gaming machine installation command is "137", it determines that communication is normal.

[0158] Next, when a new event B occurs, the main control board 16 transmits command B to the medal count control board 17. At this time, the main control board 16 transmits command B with a value obtained by adding an additional value to the value of the previously transmitted serial number. That is, the main control board 16 transmits command B with a value of "150", which is obtained by adding an additional value of "13" to the previously transmitted "137". Before receiving command B, the medal count control board 17 calculates in advance that the serial number to be assigned to the next command to be transmitted is "150". Since the serial number assigned to the received command B is "150" and matches the serial number calculated in advance, the medal count control board 17 determines that communication with the main control board 16 is normal.

[0159] That is, each time the main control board 16 sends a command, it assigns a serial number that is the sum of the serial number sent previously and the additional value. Since the medal count control board 17 also stores the initial value and the additional value, it can calculate in advance the value of the serial number to be assigned to the next command to be received, and can determine whether the serial number is normal each time a command is received. If the serial number assigned to the received command does not match the calculated serial number value, the medal count control board 17 determines that a communication abnormality has occurred between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17.

[0160] If the value obtained by adding the additional value to the previously transmitted serial number exceeds 255, the main control board 16 transmits the serial number minus 255. If the main control board 16 receives a response command from the medal count control board 17 indicating that an error has occurred, it does not add the additional value to the serial number of the command to be transmitted after the response command, but transmits the same serial number again.

[0161] [Command sent from the main control board to the medal count control board] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the types of commands that the main control board 16 transmits to the medal count control board 17. In this embodiment, the main control board 16 transmits, as shown in the command name column in FIG. 7, a gaming machine installation information command, a role information command, an advantageous zone information command, an input command, a settlement command, an end command, a start command, a payout pulse command, a big win command, a gaming machine fraud 1 command, a gaming machine fraud 2 command, a gaming machine fraud 3 command, a main control status command, a main control board error command, and a gaming machine performance information (spare) command to the medal count control board 17. In addition, the number column shows the command number that is preset for each command. Furthermore, the message length column shows the message length, that is, the byte length, of each command.

[0162] The two-way column indicates whether or not the medal count control board 17 needs to transmit a response command after the main control board 16 transmits a command. For example, when the medal count control board 17 receives a start command from the main control board 16, it does not transmit a response command in response to the start command. In other words, the main control board 16 controls the reel drums and the like without waiting for the reception of a response command from the medal count control board 17.

[0163] On the other hand, when the medal count control board 17 receives an insertion command, a settlement command, or a finish command from the main control board 16, it transmits a response command to the main control board 16 in response to receiving these commands. The insertion command, the settlement command, and the finish command are commands that directly affect the number of credits managed by the medal count control board 17. Therefore, after transmitting the insertion command, the settlement command, or the finish command, the main control board 16 performs the next control on the condition that it receives a response command from the medal count control board 17. Below, the commands transmitted from the main control board 16 to the medal count control board 17 will be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 29.

[0164] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the gaming machine installation information command. As shown in FIG. 8, the gaming machine installation information command is a command having a length of 22 bytes. The first byte stores the message length of the gaming machine installation information command. The second byte transmits the serial number. The gaming machine installation information command is a command transmitted after the power is turned on and before the medal count control board 17 determines the initial value and the additional value of the serial number, so the serial number is fixed to the value "0" and stored. The third to sixth bytes store values ​​indicating the command number, gaming machine characteristics, gaming machine type, and identification code, respectively. The seventh to tenth bytes store values ​​of the first to fourth bytes of the unique number register of the main chip ID. The medal count control board 17 determines the initial value and the additional value of the serial number using the values ​​of the main chip ID in the seventh to tenth bytes.

[0165] The 11th to 13th bytes store the manufacturer code. The 14th to 21st bytes store the product code. The 22nd byte stores a checksum to determine whether or not an error occurred in the information sent in the 1st to 21st bytes.

[0166] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing details of the gaming machine characteristics. The following describes details of the gaming machine characteristics indicated in the 4th byte of the gaming installation information command. The gaming machine characteristics are 1 byte of data from the 0th bit to the 7th bit. The 0th bit indicates whether or not the S machine 2 is equipped with an RB (regular bonus). If the S machine 2 is equipped with an RB, the 0th bit is "1", and if the S machine 2 is not equipped with an RB, the 0th bit is "0".

[0167] The first bit indicates whether S machine 2 is equipped with a BB (Big Bonus). If S machine 2 is equipped with a BB, the first bit will be "1", and if S machine 2 is not equipped with a BB, the first bit will be "0". The second bit indicates whether S machine 2 is equipped with a CT (Challenge Time). If S machine 2 is equipped with a CT, the second bit will be "1", and if S machine 2 is not equipped with a CT, the second bit will be "0". The third bit indicates whether S machine 2 is equipped with a CB (Challenge Bonus). If S machine 2 is equipped with a CB, the third bit will be "1", and if S machine 2 is not equipped with a CB, the third bit will be "0".

[0168] The fourth bit indicates whether S-stand 2 is equipped with SB (single bonus). If S-stand 2 is equipped with SB, the fourth bit will be "1", and if S-stand 2 is not equipped with SB, the fourth bit will be "0". The fifth bit indicates whether S-stand 2 is equipped with an instruction function. If S-stand 2 is equipped with an instruction function, the fifth bit will be "1", and if S-stand 2 is not equipped with an instruction function, the fifth bit will be "0". The sixth bit indicates the instruction type of S-stand 2. If the instruction type of S-stand 2 is 7P type, the sixth bit will be "1", and if the instruction type of S-stand 2 is 7U type, the sixth bit will be "0". The seventh bit is not used and "0" is stored.

[0169] 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the role information command. The role information command is a command for the medal count control board 17 to update the gaming machine performance information and the role ratio monitor information. The role information command is sent to the medal count control board 17 after the end command is sent.

[0170] The reel information command is composed of 5 bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the reel information command. The second byte stores a serial number. The third byte stores a value indicating the command number. As shown in FIG. 7, the command number of the reel information command is "1".

[0171] The fourth byte stores the bonus operation information. The bonus operation information stores information indicating whether or not any bonus is currently being won. The fifth byte stores a checksum to determine whether or not there is an error in the information sent in the first to fourth bytes.

[0172] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing details of the reel operation information. The reel operation information is data stored in the 4th byte of the reel information command. The reel operation information is composed of 1 byte of data from the 0th to 7th bits. The 0th bit stores "Type 1" information indicating whether the RB is in operation. The 1st bit stores "Type 1 consecutive" information indicating whether the BB is in operation. The 2nd bit stores "Type 2" information indicating whether the CT is in operation. The 3rd bit stores "Type 2 consecutive" information indicating whether the CB is in operation. The 5th bit stores "Normal reel" information indicating whether the SB is in operation. The 4th, 6th, and 7th bits are not used and store "0".

[0173] 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of the advantageous zone information command. The advantageous zone information command is a command for the medal count control board 17 to update the gaming machine performance information and the role ratio monitor information. The advantageous zone information command is sent after the end command is sent.

[0174] The advantageous zone information command consists of 5 bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the reel information command. The second byte stores the serial number. The third byte stores a value indicating the command number. As shown in Figure 7, the command number for the advantageous zone information command is "2".

[0175] The fourth byte stores advantageous zone information. The advantageous zone information is data related to replay and instruction information in the advantageous zone. The fifth byte stores a checksum to determine whether or not there was an error in the information sent in the first to fourth bytes.

[0176] 13 is a diagram showing details of the advantageous zone information. The advantageous zone information is data stored in the fourth byte of the advantageous zone information command, and is data showing information on the game played before the advantageous zone information command is transmitted.

[0177] The advantageous zone information is composed of one byte of data from the 0th bit to the 7th bit. The 0th bit stores information indicating whether or not the game played before the advantageous zone information command was sent was in an advantageous zone. If it was in an advantageous zone, "1" is stored in the 0th bit. The 1st bit stores information indicating whether or not instruction information was present in the game played before the advantageous zone information command was sent. If instruction information was present, "1" is stored in the 1st bit. The 4th bit stores information indicating whether or not a replay symbol combination was displayed in the game played before the advantageous zone information command was sent. If a replay symbol combination was displayed, "1" is stored in the 4th bit. The 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th bits are not used and "0" is stored in them.

[0178] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of an insertion command. The insertion command is transmitted from the main control board 16 to the medal count control board 17 when the 1BET switch 20 is pressed or when the MAXBET switch 6 is pressed. That is, the main control board 16 transmits an insertion command to the medal count control board 17 when it receives a bet number setting operation for setting the bet number for starting one game. Also, referring to FIG. 7, since the insertion command is a bidirectional command, the medal count control board 17 transmits a response command in response to the insertion command to the main control board 16 when it receives the insertion command. The insertion command is composed of 5 bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the insertion command. The second byte stores the serial number. The third byte stores a value indicating the command number. As shown in FIG. 7, the command number of the insertion command is "3".

[0179] The number of medals inserted is stored in the fourth byte. When the 1BET switch 20 is pressed with the number of bets being 0, 1, or 2, the number of medals inserted is 1. When the MAXBET switch 6 is pressed with the number of bets being 0, the number of medals inserted is 3, when the MAXBET switch 6 is pressed with the number of bets being 1, the number of medals inserted is 2, and when the MAXBET switch 6 is pressed with the number of bets being 2, the number of medals inserted is 1. When the 1BET switch 20 or the MAXBET switch 6 is pressed and an insertion command is sent in the replay operation state, no data is stored in the number of medals inserted. The fifth byte stores a checksum for determining whether or not an error has occurred in the information sent in the first to fourth bytes. The "replay operation state" refers to the state after the replay role has won.

[0180] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the configuration of a settlement command. When the bet number clear switch 21 is pressed, the settlement command is transmitted from the main control board 16 to the medal count control board 17. That is, when the main control board 16 receives a settlement operation to cancel the bet number for starting one game, the main control board 16 transmits the settlement command to the medal count control board 17. Also, referring to FIG. 7, since the settlement command is a bidirectional command, when the medal count control board 17 receives the settlement command, it transmits a response command in response to the settlement command to the main control board 16. The settlement command is composed of 5 bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the settlement command. The second byte stores the serial number. The third byte stores a value indicating the command number. As shown in FIG. 7, the command number of the settlement command is "4".

[0181] The fourth byte stores the number of settled medals. When the bet number clear switch 21 is pressed with the number of bets at one, the number of settled medals becomes one, when the bet number clear switch 21 is pressed with the number of bets at two, the number of settled medals becomes two, and when the bet number clear switch 21 is pressed with the number of bets at three, the number of settled medals becomes three. The fifth byte stores a checksum to determine whether or not there was an error in the information sent in the first to fourth bytes.

[0182] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the configuration of the start command. The start command is transmitted from the main control board 16 to the medal count control board 17 when the start switch 7 is pressed. That is, the main control board 16 transmits the start command to the medal count control board 17 when starting one game. The start command is transmitted even when the start switch 7 is pressed in the replay operation state. The start command is a command that does not directly affect the number of credits managed by the medal count control board 17. Therefore, when the medal count control board 17 receives the start command, it does not transmit a response command to the start command to the main control board 16, but performs control according to the start command. The control according to the start command corresponds to, for example, a process of controlling to a waiting state for the game to end and a preparation process for receiving the end command. After transmitting the start command, the main control board 16 performs the next control without waiting for a response from the medal count control board 17. The next control is, for example, a control to drive the reels.

[0183] The start command consists of 5 bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the start command. The second byte stores a sequence number. The third byte stores a value indicating the command number. As shown in Figure 7, the command number of the start command is "6".

[0184] The fourth byte stores the number of input pulses (1 to 3) to be sent to the hall computer. Even in the replay operation state, the specified number of input pulses is sent. The fifth byte stores a checksum to determine whether or not there was an error in the information sent in the first to fourth bytes.

[0185] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the configuration of the end command. The end command is transmitted from the main control board 16 to the medal count control board 17 when all the reels have stopped, that is, when the reels have been stopped for the third time. In other words, the main control board 16 transmits the end command to the medal count control board 17 when one game is ended. The end command includes the number of medals to be paid out, which is determined according to the combination of the derived symbols. When medals are paid out to the player, the number of credits increases. Therefore, the end command is a command that directly affects the number of credits managed by the medal count control board 17. Therefore, when the medal count control board 17 receives the end command, it transmits a response command to the main control board 16. After transmitting the end command, the main control board 16 performs the next control on the condition that the response command has been received. The next control corresponds to an update process of the data displayed on the game support display device 12, etc.

[0186] In other words, when the medal count control board 17 receives the end command, it transmits a response command in response to the end command to the main control board 16 and performs control according to the end command. The control according to the end command is, for example, control to add the number of medals paid out to the number of credits.

[0187] The termination command consists of 5 bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the termination command. The second byte stores a sequence number. The third byte stores a value indicating the command number. As shown in Figure 7, the command number of the termination command is "5".

[0188] The fourth byte stores the number of medals to be paid out. The number of medals to be paid out can be up to 15 medals. If a replay symbol combination is derived, or if there are no medals to be paid out, "0" is stored in the fourth byte. In other words, the end command is a command that can specify the game value to be given to a player according to the result of a game when the game ends. The fifth byte stores a checksum to determine whether or not an error has occurred in the information sent in the first to fourth bytes.

[0189] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the configuration of the payout pulse command. The payout pulse command is transmitted from the main control board 16 to the medal count control board 17 when all reels are stopped, that is, when the third stop is reached. The payout pulse command is a pulse signal for transmitting the number of medals to be awarded to the player in response to winning to a hall computer (not shown) connected to the medal count control board 17. After receiving the payout pulse command, the medal count control board 17 transmits a payout pulse signal to the hall computer (not shown). This allows the hall computer to store the number of medals paid out at the S machine 2. The payout pulse command is transmitted to the medal count control board 17 even when the replay operation state is in progress. After transmitting the payout pulse command, the main control board 16 performs the next control without waiting for a response from the medal count control board 17.

[0190] The discharge pulse command is composed of 5 bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the discharge pulse command. The second byte stores a serial number. The third byte stores a value indicating the command number. As shown in FIG. 7, the command number of the discharge pulse command is "7".

[0191] The fourth byte stores the number of payout pulses to be sent to the hall computer. The maximum number of payout pulses is 15. If a replay symbol combination is derived, or if there are no payout medals, "0" is stored in the fourth byte. The fifth byte stores a checksum to determine whether or not there was an error in the information sent in the first through fourth bytes.

[0192] Fig. 19 is a diagram showing the configuration of a jackpot command. The jackpot command is sent from the main control board 16 to the medal count control board 17 at the start and end of a jackpot. The jackpot command is also sent from the main control board 16 to the medal count control board 17 in the case of a hot start when the power is turned on. This allows the S machine 2 to restore the hall computer signal without backing up the hall computer signal.

[0193] The jackpot command consists of 5 bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the jackpot command. The second byte stores a serial number. The third byte stores a value indicating the command number. As shown in Figure 7, the command number of the jackpot command is "8".

[0194] The fourth byte stores the hall computer signal. The hall computer signal is a signal for notifying the hall computer of the jackpot information of S-machine 2. The jackpot type, such as RB, BB, or AT, is stored. The fifth byte stores a checksum to determine whether or not there was an error in the information sent in the first through fourth bytes.

[0195] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing details of the hall computer signal. The hall computer signal is data stored in the fourth byte of the jackpot command. The hall computer signal is composed of one byte of data from the 0th bit to the 7th bit. The 0th bit stores information indicating that the jackpot type is RB. The 1st bit stores information indicating that the jackpot type is BB. The 2nd bit stores information indicating that the jackpot type is AT. The 3rd to 7th bits are not used and store "0".

[0196] 21 is a diagram showing the configuration of the gaming machine 1 rigging command. The gaming machine 1 rigging command is transmitted from the main control board 16 to the medal count control board 17 at the start and end of setting change and setting confirmation.

[0197] The gaming machine fraud 1 command is composed of 5 bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the gaming machine fraud 1 command. The second byte stores a serial number. The third byte stores a value indicating the command number. As shown in FIG. 7, the command number of the gaming machine fraud 1 command is "9."

[0198] The fourth byte stores the setting information. The setting information is information for when the setting is changed or confirmed, and information indicating whether or not any fraud was detected at that time. The fifth byte stores a checksum to determine whether or not there was an error in the information sent in the first through fourth bytes.

[0199] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing details of the setting information. The setting information is data stored in the 4th byte of the gaming machine fraud 1 command. The setting information is made up of 1 byte of data from the 0th to 7th bits. The 0th bit stores data indicating whether or not the setting is being changed. The 1st bit stores data indicating whether or not the setting is being confirmed. The 2nd to 4th bits store data indicating whether or not a manufacturer-defined fraud has been detected. The 6th and 7th bits are not used and store "0".

[0200] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the configuration of the gaming machine fraud 2 command. The gaming machine fraud 2 command is an unused command in the S machine 2. In the S machine 2, the door open detection switch 25 is connected to the medal count control board 17. Therefore, the main control board 16 does not need to transmit door information to the medal count control board 17. Therefore, "0" is stored in the fourth byte.

[0201] 24 is a diagram showing details of the door information. Since the medal count control board 17 detects whether the door is open or closed, all bits included in the door information are not used and "0" is stored.

[0202] 25 is a diagram showing the configuration of the gaming machine 3 illegal command. The gaming machine 3 illegal command is an unused command in the S machine 2. The gaming machine 3 illegal command is an expansion command, and will be used when it becomes necessary to transmit a new command from the main control board 16 to the medal count control board 17 in the future.

[0203] 26 is a diagram showing the configuration of a main control status command. The main control status command is a command that indicates the status of the main control board 16. The main control status command is transmitted from the main control board 16 to the medal count control board 17 at a predetermined timing. The medal count control board 17 can obtain the status of the main control board 16 or the S-stand 2 by receiving the main control status command.

[0204] The main control status command is composed of 5 bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the main control status command. The second byte stores a serial number. The third byte stores a value indicating the command number. As shown in FIG. 7, the command number of the main control status command is "12". The fourth byte stores a gaming machine status signal. The fifth byte stores a checksum to determine whether or not there was an error in the information sent in the first to fourth bytes.

[0205] 27 is a diagram showing the configuration of the main control board error command. The main control board error command is a command that indicates the type of error that has occurred in the main control board 16. The main control board error command is sent from the main control board 16 to the medal count control board 17 when an error occurs in the main control board 16 and when the error that has occurred is resolved.

[0206] The main control board error command is composed of 5 bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the main control status command. The second byte stores a serial number. The third byte stores a value indicating the command number. As shown in FIG. 7, the command number of the main control board error command is "13". The fourth byte stores an error number. The error number is a number indicating the type of error that has occurred in the main control board 16. The fifth byte stores a checksum for determining whether or not there was an error in the information sent in the first to fourth bytes.

[0207] FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a list of main control board errors. The error numbers shown in FIG. 28 are error numbers stored in the fourth byte of the main control board error command. E6 is an error number indicating a reel rotation error. When the main control board 16 cannot detect an input from the origin sensor three consecutive times, it determines that a reel rotation error has occurred. When a reel rotation error occurs, the main control board 16 transmits the value of the fourth byte of the main control board error command as "E6". When an error release switch (not shown) is pressed, the main control board 16 determines that the error has been resolved. Even when the error has been resolved, the main control board 16 transmits a main control board error command.

[0208] E7 is an error number indicating a medal count overflow error. The main control board 16 determines that a medal count overflow error has occurred when the medal count exceeds 16,383. When a medal count overflow error occurs, the main control board 16 transmits the fourth byte of the main control board error command as "E7". The main control board 16 determines that the error has been resolved when an error release switch (not shown) is pressed. Even when the error has been resolved, the main control board 16 transmits the main control board error command.

[0209] E8 is an error number indicating a backup error. When the RAM is inspected after power is turned on and the value does not match the RAM value backed up before the power was cut off, the main control board 16 determines that a backup error has occurred. When a backup error occurs, the main control board 16 sends the fourth byte value of the main control board error command as "E8". The main control board 16 determines that the error has been resolved when the power to S-unit 2 is turned off and the settings are changed again. Even when the error has been resolved, the main control board 16 sends the main control board error command.

[0210] E9 is an error number indicating a communication abnormality error. If the main control board 16 does not receive a response command before 40 ms has elapsed after sending a command requiring a response command to the medal count control board 17, it determines that a communication abnormality error has occurred. When a communication abnormality error occurs, the main control board 16 sends the fourth byte value of the main control board error command as "E9". When an error release switch (not shown) is pressed, the main control board 16 determines that the error has been resolved. Even when the error has been resolved, the main control board 16 sends a main control board error command.

[0211] 29 is a diagram showing the configuration of the gaming machine performance information (preliminary) command. The gaming machine performance information is information for the purpose of aggregating performance information. The gaming machine performance information is for outputting the results calculated based on the game.

[0212] The gaming machine performance information (preliminary) command is composed of 28 bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the gaming machine performance information (preliminary) command. The second byte stores a serial number. The third byte stores a value indicating the command number. As shown in FIG. 7, the command number of the gaming machine performance information (preliminary) command is "14". The gaming machine performance information may be stored in the fourth to twenty-seventh bytes. In this embodiment, "0" is stored in the preliminary area. The 28th byte stores a checksum for determining whether or not an error has occurred in the information transmitted in the first to twenty-seventh bytes.

[0213] 30 is a diagram showing a list of commands from the medal count control board 17 to the main control board 16. The medal count control board 17 transmits two types of commands to the main control board 16.

[0214] The response command is a command for responding to a command received from the main control board 16. For example, when the medal count control board 17 receives an end command, the medal count control board 17 transmits a response command because the end command is a command that affects the number of credits. In other words, the response command is a bidirectional command that responds in response to receiving the command. A command number of 3 to 5 can be set for the response command. The message length of the response command is 4 bytes.

[0215] The frame side information command is a command to transmit system information including connection information between the medal count control board 17 and CU3. The medal count control board 17 transmits the frame side information command to the main control board 16 every 0.3 seconds. The predetermined period during which the frame side information command is transmitted may be other periods instead of 0.3 seconds. The main control board 16 does not respond even when it receives a frame side information command. Therefore, the frame side information command is a command that continues to be transmitted unidirectionally from the medal count control board 17 to the main control board 16, which does not have bidirectionality. The command number of the frame side information command is "81h", and the message length is 4 bytes.

[0216] FIG. 31 is a diagram showing the structure of a response command. A response command is composed of 4 bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the response command. The second byte stores a value indicating the command number. The command number in the response command stores the command number of the received command to which the response is directed. When sending a response command to an input command, the medal count control board 17 stores "3" as the command number. When sending a response command to a settlement command, the medal count control board 17 stores "4" as the command number. When sending a response command to a termination command, the medal count control board 17 stores "5" as the command number.

[0217] The third byte stores information indicating the result of receiving the response command. The third byte includes a data area of ​​1 to 4 bits. When the 0th bit in the data area of ​​the third byte is "1", the response command indicates "received OK". "Received OK" indicates that the received command received by the medal count control board 17 is normal. In the following, a response command in which the 0th bit in the data area of ​​the third byte is "1" may be referred to as a "response command indicating received OK". In other words, the response command is a command that notifies the main control board 16 that the received command has been received normally. The received command is a command transmitted from the main control board 16 that is the target of the response command. When the 1st bit in the data area of ​​the third byte is "1", the response command indicates "serial number mismatch". "Serial number mismatch" indicates that the received command received by the medal count control board 17 is not normal. In the following, a response command in which the 1st bit in the data area of ​​the third byte is "1" may be referred to as a "response command indicating serial number mismatch". In other words, the response command indicates that the serial number of the received command that was the subject of the response did not match the serial number calculated by the medal count control board 17.

[0218] If the second bit in the data area of ​​the third byte is "1", the response command indicates "insufficient number of game medals". When the medal number control board 17 receives an insertion command as a received command and is requested to subtract the number of credits, but the number of credits is insufficient, a response command with "1" stored in the second bit is transmitted.

[0219] When the third bit in the data area of ​​the third byte is "1", the response command indicates "game medal count overflow". When the medal count control board 17 receives a settlement command as a received command and the number of credits (game medal count) is at the upper limit, a response command with "1" stored in the third bit is transmitted. The fourth byte stores a checksum to determine whether or not there was an error in the information transmitted in the first to third bytes.

[0220] 32 is a diagram showing the configuration of a frame side information command. As described above, the frame side information command is transmitted from the medal count control board 17 to the main control board 16 every 0.3 seconds.

[0221] The frame side information command is composed of 4 bytes of data. The first byte stores the message length of the frame side information command. The second byte stores the command number. The command number of the frame side information command is "81h". The third byte stores information indicating the system status of the medal count control board 17. The system status of the medal count control board 17 includes information on whether the count button has been pressed or not, and whether the CU3 and medal count control board 17 are normally connected or not. The fourth byte stores a checksum for determining whether an error has occurred in the information sent in the first to third bytes.

[0222] [About communication between the main control board and the medal count control board] Fig. 33 is a diagram showing an example of communication between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17. Serial communication is adopted for communication between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17. As shown in Fig. 33, the main control board 16 transmits an input command in response to a bet number setting operation. The bet number setting operation includes pressing the 1BET switch 20 or the MAXBET switch 6.

[0223] When the medal count control board 17 receives a command from the main control board 16, it measures the elapsed time using a counter. If the reception of the command is not completed within 10 ms from the time of receiving the command from the main control board 16, the medal count control board 17 determines that a timeout error has occurred in the communication between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17. In the example of FIG. 33, the reception of the insertion command is completed before 10 ms has elapsed since the medal count control board 17 received the command, so a timeout error does not occur.

[0224] The medal count control board 17 transmits a response command in response to receiving the insertion command. When the main control board 16 receives a command from the medal count control board 17, it measures the elapsed time using a counter. If the reception of the command is not completed within 2.24 ms from the reception of the command from the medal count control board 17, the main control board 16 determines that a timeout error has occurred in the communication between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17. In the example of FIG. 33, the reception of the response command is completed before 2.24 ms has elapsed since the main control board 16 received the command, so a timeout error does not occur.

[0225] In addition, when the main control board 16 transmits a command that requires a response command from the medal count control board 17, such as an insertion command, it uses a counter to measure the elapsed time from the time when the bet number setting operation that triggered the transmission of the insertion command was performed.

[0226] If the reception of the response command from the medal count control board 17 is not completed within 40 ms from the occurrence of an event such as a bet number setting operation, the main control board 16 determines that a timeout error has occurred in the communication between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17. In the example of Fig. 33, the reception of the response command is completed before 40 ms has elapsed since the bet number setting operation, so a timeout error does not occur.

[0227] After receiving the response command to the input command, the main control board 16 starts control corresponding to the bet amount setting operation. That is, the main control board 16 subtracts the number of credits displayed on the credit display 11.

[0228] Next, the start switch 7 of S machine 2 is pressed by the player. Based on the start switch 7 being pressed, the main control board 16 transmits a start command to the medal count control board 17. As described above, the start command is a command that does not require a response command from the medal count control board 17. Therefore, the medal count control board 17 does not transmit a response command.

[0229] Finally, when the player performs the third stop operation, all the reels stop. Based on the fact that all the reels have stopped, the main control board 16 transmits an end command to the medal count control board 17. In this example, even though the end command requires a response command, the medal count control board 17 does not transmit the response command. Therefore, the main control board 16 does not receive a response command until 40 ms has elapsed since all the reels stopped, and determines that a timeout error has occurred.

[0230] Fig. 34 is a diagram for explaining the communication of the frame side information command. As shown in Fig. 34, the medal count control board 17 transmits the frame side information command to the main control board 16 every 300 ms. If a period of more than 2.24 ms has elapsed from the start of reception of the frame side information command until the reception is completed, the main control board 16 determines that a timeout error has occurred.

[0231] Fig. 35 is a flowchart showing the process when the main control board 16 receives a command. As shown in Fig. 31 and Fig. 32, the medal count control board 17 transmits two types of commands to the main control board 16: a response command or a frame side information command.

[0232] Referring to FIG. 35, the main control board 16 receives a command from the medal count control board 17 (step S10). The main control board 16 judges whether the received command is a frame side information command or not (step S11). If the received command is a frame side information command (YES in step S11), the main control board 16 checks whether the frame side information command contains error information or not (step S12). The error information is information indicating whether the CU3 is normally connected to the S stand 2 or not. If the frame side information command contains error information (YES in step S12), the main control board 16 transmits the error information to the performance control board 15 and ends the process. This enables the performance control board 15 to display on the liquid crystal display 51 that an error has occurred in which the CU3 is not connected to the S stand 2. If the frame side information command does not contain error information (NO in step S12), the process ends.

[0233] If the received command is not a frame-side information command (NO in step S11), that is, if the received command is a response command, the main control board 16 executes processing according to the response command and ends the processing.

[0234] Fig. 36 is a diagram for explaining the serial communication circuit between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17. As shown in Fig. 36(A), in the S-stand 2 of this embodiment, a serial communication circuit 67A and a serial communication circuit 67B are provided between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17.

[0235] 36(B) is a flowchart showing the process when the medal count control board 17 transmits a command to the main control board 16. When transmitting a command to the main control board 16, the medal count control board 17 judges whether the command to be transmitted is a frame side information command (Step S20). If the command to be transmitted is a frame side information command, the medal count control board 17 transmits the frame side information command to the main control board 16 via the serial communication circuit 67A (Step S21), and ends the process.

[0236] If the command to be transmitted is not a frame side information command, i.e., if it is a response command, the medal count control board 17 transmits the frame side information command to the main control board 16 via the serial communication circuit 67B (step S21) and ends the process. The serial communication circuit 67A is a dedicated circuit for transmitting the frame side information command, and the serial communication circuit 67B is a dedicated circuit for transmitting the response command. The medal count control board 17 transmits the frame side information command, which is an information command indicating the connection status with CU3, to the main control board 16 via the serial communication circuit 67B. In addition, the medal count control board 17 transmits the response command to the main control board 16 via the serial communication circuit 67A.

[0237] By configuring the S-machine 2 in this way, it is possible to prevent buffer overflows from occurring in the serial communication circuit. Specifically, if only one serial communication circuit is provided between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17, a response command may be sent from the medal count control board 17 to the main control board 16 while a frame side information command is being sent from the medal count control board 17 to the main control board 16 via that one serial communication circuit.

[0238] The frame side information command is a command that is transmitted at regular intervals, whereas the response command is a command that is transmitted in response to the transmission of a command from the main control board 16. Therefore, if a response command is transmitted while the serial communication circuit is processing a frame side information command, the response command cannot be stored in the buffer, and the response command cannot be transmitted to the main control board 16. Alternatively, if a response command is transmitted while the serial communication circuit is processing a frame side information command, a delay may occur in the process of transmitting the frame side information command. If the transmission of the frame side information command is delayed, the main control board 16 may not be able to receive the frame side information command at regular intervals, and this may result in the main control board 16 determining that an error has occurred.

[0239] As shown in FIG. 36, in the S-stand 2, a plurality of serial communication circuits (two in this example) such as two serial communication circuits 67A and 67B are provided, so that, as described above, even if the medal count control board 17 transmits a response command while one serial communication circuit 67A is processing a frame side information command, the response command is processed by the other serial communication circuit 67B, so that inconveniences can be prevented. Furthermore, of the two serial communication circuits, one serial communication circuit 67A is used as a dedicated circuit for frame side information commands, and the other serial communication circuit 67B is used as a dedicated circuit for response commands, so that the communication path between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17 can be distinguished according to the type of command, making the communication form easier to understand. Note that the S-stand 2 does not necessarily have to have two serial communication circuits dedicated to each type of command, and may have a communication form in which, when one serial communication circuit is used, the other serial communication circuit is used.

[0240] FIG. 37 is a diagram showing the flow of communication between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17 after the power is turned on. When the power-on switch 102 is pressed and the power is turned on to the main control board 16, the main control board 16 transmits a gaming machine installation information command. After that, when the bet number setting operation is performed, the main control board 16 transmits an insertion command. Since the insertion command is a command that requires a response command, the medal count control board 17 transmits a response command to the main control board 16 based on receiving the insertion command. For example, when there is a surplus of game medals, the medal count control board 17 sets the 0th bit in the 3rd byte of the response command to "1" (received OK), when the serial numbers do not match, the 1st bit in the 3rd byte of the response command to "1" (serial number mismatch), and when the number of game medals is insufficient, the 2nd bit in the 3rd byte of the response command to "1" (insufficient number of game medals).

[0241] Next, the main control board 16 transmits a settlement command to the medal count control board 17 based on the settlement operation being performed. The settlement operation is an operation indicating that the bet number clear switch 21 has been pressed. This executes a process of returning the bet number to the credit number. Since the settlement command is a command that requires a response command, the medal count control board 17 transmits a response command to the main control board 16 based on receiving the settlement command. For example, if there is a margin in the number of game medals, the medal count control board 17 sets the 0th bit in the 3rd byte of the response command to "1" (received OK), if the serial numbers do not match, the 1st bit in the 3rd byte of the response command to "1" (serial number mismatch), and if the number of game medals overflows, the 3rd bit in the 3rd byte of the response command to "1" (game medal number overflow).

[0242] In FIG. 37, the bet number setting operation is performed again, and communication based on the bet number setting operation is performed. Next, the main control board 16 transmits a start command to the medal count control board 17 based on the start switch 7 being pressed. After transmitting the start command, the main control board 16 performs control to progress the game, such as control to drive the reels, without waiting for a response from the medal count control board 17. When the medal count control board 17 receives the start command from the main control board 16, it controls the game to wait for the end of the game as a control according to the start command. Since the start command is a command that does not require a response command, the medal count control board 17 does not transmit a response command.

[0243] Based on the fact that all reels have stopped, the main control board 16 transmits an end command to the medal count control board 17. Based on receiving the end command, the medal count control board 17 transmits a response command to the main control board 16. For example, if the end command is normal, the medal count control board 17 sets the 0th bit in the 3rd byte of the response command to "1" (received OK), and if the serial numbers do not match, sets the 1st bit in the 3rd byte of the response command to "1" (serial numbers do not match). Next, the main control board 16 transmits the role information command, the advantageous zone command, and the payout pulse command to the medal count control board 17 in that order.

[0244] In this way, when starting a game, the main control board 16 executes the next control without waiting for a response from the medal count control board 17 after transmitting a start command since it does not affect the number of credits, and when ending a game, the main control board 16 executes the next control on the condition that it has received a response command transmitted from the medal count control board 17 after transmitting an end command since it may affect the number of credits. In this way, by improving the communication between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17, the main control board 16 can progress the game while checking the status of the medal count control board 17.

[0245] [Example of processing for serial numbers] As described above, the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17 communicate using serial numbers. That is, the medal count control board 17 executes a process to check whether the serial numbers match in order to determine whether the command sent from the main control board 16 is normal or not. An example of the process for the serial numbers will be explained below with reference to Figs. 38 to 40. Fig. 38 is a diagram showing an example of communication when the serial number is normal.

[0246] When the power is turned on, the main control board 16 transmits a gaming machine installation information command to the medal count control board 17. As explained in FIG. 8, the serial number given to the gaming machine installation information command is "0". The medal count control board 17 determines the initial value and the additional value of the serial number based on the main chip ID included in the gaming machine installation information command. In the example of FIG. 38, the medal count control board 17 determines the initial value of the serial number to be "137" and the additional value to be "13". Using the same calculation method, the main control board 16 determines the initial value of the serial number to be "137" and the additional value to be "13" based on the main chip ID.

[0247] After transmitting the gaming machine installation information command, the bet number is set, and the main control board 16 transmits a deposit command. The deposit command is the first command transmitted to the medal count control board 17 after the gaming machine installation information command is transmitted. Therefore, the main control board 16 transmits the deposit command with the initial value of "137" as a serial number. The medal count control board 17 transmits a response command to the deposit command. At this time, the medal count control board 17 transmits a response command indicating that the reception is OK to the main control board 16, since the communication was normal. In other words, when the medal count control board 17 determines that the deposit command transmitted from the main control board 16 is normal by the process of checking whether the serial numbers match, it transmits a response command indicating that the deposit command is normal to the main control board 16 in response to the deposit command.

[0248] Next, when the start switch 7 is pressed, the main control board 16 transmits a start command. At this time, the main control board 16 transmits a value obtained by adding an additional value of "13" to the previously transmitted serial number value of "137". In other words, the main control board 16 transmits the start command with a serial number of "150".

[0249] When the medal count control board 17 receives an input command with a serial number of "137", it calculates that the serial number of the next command to be received will be "150" based on the added value. When the medal count control board 17 receives a start command, it executes a process to check whether the serial number value calculated before reception matches the serial number value assigned to the start command actually received. Since the serial numbers match, the medal count control board 17 determines that communication is normal.

[0250] Figure 39 is a diagram showing an example of communication when a serial number mismatch error occurs. The process until the main control board 16 receives a response command corresponding to the bet number setting operation is the same as that in Figure 37, so the explanation will not be repeated. As described above, the medal number control board 17 calculates that the serial number assigned to the next command to be received at the time of receiving the insertion command is "150".

[0251] In the example of FIG. 39, after the bet number setting operation, an illegal operation is performed. As described above, an illegal operation refers to, for example, an operation in which the command transmitted and received between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17 is altered, or an operation in which a fraudster controls the main control board 16 or the medal count control board 17. In FIG. 39, the main control board 16 is controlled by a fraudster, so that the main control board 16 transmits a finish command even though all the reels have not stopped. That is, in FIG. 39, a fraudulent operation is performed with the aim of making the medal count control board 17 execute a payout process even though no winning has occurred. However, since the fraudster cannot obtain the initial value and the added value of the serial number determined based on the main chip ID of the main control board 16, and further the number of times the command has been transmitted and received, he cannot know the value of the serial number to be assigned to the next command. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 39, the fraudster sends the end command with the serial number "78", but the medal count control board 17 judges that a serial number mismatch error has occurred because the calculated serial number "150" does not match the actually received serial number "78", and sends a response command indicating that the serial numbers do not match to the main control board 16. That is, when the medal count control board 17 judges that the end command sent from the main control board 16 is not normal by the process of checking whether the serial numbers match, it responds to the end command and sends a response command indicating that the end command is not normal to the main control board 16. The main control board 16, which receives the response command indicating that the serial numbers do not match, does not execute the payout control that is performed after the end command. This makes it possible to prevent fraudulent operations.

[0252] Unauthorized operations include not only those that cause the main control board 16 to send an end command even though no winning has occurred, as shown in Figure 39, but also the following types of unauthorized operations. For example, a possible fraudulent operation is to have the main control board 16 send a bet cancellation command even though the bet amount set in the BET counter of the RAM 161c in the main control board 16 is 0. This allows a fraudster to increase the number of credits stored in the medal number control board 17 even though the bet amount has not been set. Another possible fraudulent operation is altering the response command sent by the medal count control board 17 in response to the insertion command sent by the main control board 16. For example, a fraudster may make the medal count control board 17 send a response command indicating receipt OK to the main control board 16, even though the number of credits is "0". This allows the fraudster to set the bet number even though the number of credits is "0". Thus, possible types of fraudulent operations include fraudulent operations of forging commands sent by the main control board 16 and fraudulent operations of forging commands sent by the medal count control board 17. In the S-machine 2 of this embodiment, by using a "serial number," all of the fraudulent operations described above can be prevented.

[0253] Next, a start command with the serial number "150" attached is sent to the medal count control board 17. The serial number "150" attached to the start command matches the serial number calculated in advance by the medal count control board 17. Due to the match, the medal count control board 17 determines that the serial number mismatch error has been resolved, and sends a response command indicating receipt OK to the main control board 16. In this way, the S machine 2 can easily determine that the medal count control board 17 has resolved the serial number mismatch error.

[0254] 38 and 39, when the medal count control board 17 receives a command transmitted from the main control board 16, it uses the initial value of the serial number and the additional value to determine whether the command transmitted from the main control board 16 is normal or not. That is, when the medal count control board 17 receives a command that requires a response, it transmits a response command, and further, the response command is provided with information indicating whether the communication is normal or not, so that the main control board 16 can proceed with the game while checking the status of the medal count control board 17.

[0255] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 39, since the serial numbers do not match, it is possible to know that tampering may be occurring, thereby increasing security regarding communication between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17.

[0256] FIG. 40 is a diagram showing an example of communication when an error related to game medals occurs. The process until the medal count control board 17 receives the start command is the same as that in FIG. 37, so the description will not be repeated. After transmitting the start command, the main control board 16 transmits an end command with the serial number "163" based on the fact that all reels have stopped. At this time, the end command is provided with the number of medals to be paid out, but since the number of credits is the upper limit, an error related to game medals occurs. Therefore, the medal count control board 17 transmits a response command indicating an overflow of the number of game medals to the main control board 16. As a result, the main control board 16 does not execute the process related to payout.

[0257] After that, the number of credits is subtracted based on the operation of the counting button 10, etc., and the medal count control board 17 becomes able to accept the payment of medals. In other words, the error related to the game medals is resolved. After that, the main control board 16 again transmits an end command with the serial number "163" to the medal count control board 17. In response, the medal count control board 17 transmits a response command indicating that the medals have been received, since no error related to the game medals has occurred.

[0258] [Communication before sending and receiving gaming machine installation information command] Fig. 41 is a diagram showing an example of communication occurring before the transmission and reception of the gaming machine installation information command. As described in Fig. 8, the main control board 16 transmits the gaming machine installation information command to the medal count control board 17 after the power is turned on.

[0259] In the example of Fig. 41, the main control board 16 transmits an end command to the medal count control board 17 after power-on and before transmitting the gaming machine installation information command. If the medal count control board 17 receives a command from the main control board 16 before receiving the gaming machine installation information command, it discards the command regardless of the type of the command and the assigned serial number. In other words, the medal count control board 17 does not execute processing according to commands other than the gaming machine installation information command from the main control board 16 until it receives at least the gaming machine installation information command.

[0260] As a result, the medal count control board 17 does not communicate with the main control board 16 when communication with the main control board 16 based on the gaming machine installation information command has not been established, thereby improving security regarding communication between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17. In other words, it is possible to prevent unauthorized operations performed before receiving the gaming machine installation information command.

[0261] In the example of Fig. 41, after the end command is discarded, in response to power-on, a gaming machine installation information command A is transmitted to the medal count control board 17. The medal count control board 17 determines the initial value and the additional value in the serial number based on receiving the gaming machine installation information command A.

[0262] 41, the medal count control board 17 receives gaming machine installation information command B from the main control board 16. At this time, since the medal count control board 17 has already received gaming machine installation information command A, it does not update the initial value and the additional value of the serial number based on gaming machine installation information command B. In other words, even if the gaming machine installation information command is transmitted again from the main control board 16 after receiving the gaming machine installation information command, the medal count control board 17 does not execute processing according to the gaming machine installation information command.

[0263] This makes it possible for the medal count control board 17 to prevent, for example, spoofing of the main control board 16 by an illegal board other than the main control board 16 connected to the medal count control board 17. In other words, it is possible to prevent the initial value and the additional value of the serial number from being illegally rewritten.

[0264] [Power-on timeout] 42 is a diagram showing an example of a timeout when the power is turned on. The main control board 16 transmits a gaming machine installation information command when the power is turned on. The main control board 16 measures the elapsed time from when the power is turned on using a counter.

[0265] If the main control board 16 does not complete transmission of the gaming machine installation information command until 5000 ms has elapsed since the main control board 16 was powered on, the main control board 16 judges that an error has occurred in the communication between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17. That is, the medal count control board 17 controls to an abnormal state when it is unable to receive the gaming machine installation information command within 5000 ms after the power of the S unit 2 is turned on. In the example of FIG. 42, since the gaming machine installation information command has not been transmitted until 5000 ms has elapsed since the power of the main control board 16 was turned on, the medal count control board 17 judges that a communication error has occurred. The medal count control board 17 displays the occurrence of a communication error on the display 312 of the CU3.

[0266] As a result, if communication cannot be established with the medal count control board 17 based on the gaming machine installation information command after the power to S-machine 2 is turned on, the medal count control board 17 can notify the outside that there is a communication abnormality.

[0267] The medal count control board 17 is connected to the CU control board 32. Even if a communication error occurs in the main control board 16, the medal count control board 17 can communicate with the CU control board 32.

[0268] The communication error that occurred in the main control board 16 is resolved by turning the power back on, the gaming machine installation information command being sent successfully within 5000 ms from the time the main control board 16 was powered on, and a response command indicating receipt OK being sent from the medal count control board 17.

[0269] [About bet setting and settlement operations] Fig. 43 is a diagram for explaining the bet number setting operation and the settlement operation. As described above, the main control board 16 transmits the insertion command shown in Fig. 14 to the medal number control board 17 based on the bet number setting operation in which the 1BET switch 20 or the MAXBET switch 6 is pressed. In addition, the main control board 16 transmits the settlement command shown in Fig. 15 to the medal number control board 17 based on the settlement operation in which the bet number clear switch 21 is pressed.

[0270] As shown in FIG. 43, the main control board 16 transmits an insertion command to the medal count control board 17 based on the bet number setting operation. The insertion command is a command including the number of inserted medals as shown in FIG. 14. The medal count control board 17 reads the number of inserted medals included in the received insertion command and performs the bet number setting process. Specifically, the medal count control board 17 subtracts the number of inserted medals from the number of credits managed by the medal count control board 17 and adds the number of inserted medals to the bet number. For example, if the number of bets before the bet number setting process is executed is 0 and the MAXBET switch 6 is pressed as the bet number setting operation, the medal count control board 17 subtracts 3 from the number of credits and adds 3 to the bet number. The medal count control board 17 transmits a response command to the main control board 16 based on the reception of the insertion command.

[0271] Next, the main control board 16 transmits a settlement command to the medal count control board 17 based on the settlement operation. The settlement command is a command including the settled medal count as shown in FIG. 14. The medal count control board 17 reads the settled medal count included in the received settlement command and performs a bet number cancellation process. Specifically, the medal count control board 17 subtracts the settled medal count from the bet number managed by the medal count control board 17 and adds the settled medal count to the credit number. For example, if the bet number before the bet number cancellation process is executed is 3 coins and the bet number clear switch 21 is pressed, the medal count control board 17 subtracts 3 coins from the bet number and adds 3 coins to the credit number. The medal count control board 17 transmits a response command to the main control board 16 based on the receipt of the settlement command.

[0272] Here, the medal count control board 17 transmits a common response command shown in FIG. 31 in response to the insertion command and the settlement command. That is, the medal count control board 17 transmits a common response command to the main control board 16 when it receives an insertion command and when it receives a settlement command. Specifically, the medal count control board 17 transmits a response command as shown in FIG. 31 to the main control board 16 when it receives an insertion command and when it receives a settlement command. Here, when the medal count control board 17 receives an insertion command, it does not execute a process of adding the credit number (game medal number), so that a game medal number overflow cannot occur. Therefore, the medal count control board 17 does not store "1" in the third bit of the third byte of the response command to the insertion command and transmit it.

[0273] In addition, when the medal count control board 17 receives a settlement command, it does not execute the process of subtracting the number of credits, so there is no shortage of medals. Therefore, the medal count control board 17 does not transmit a response command to an input command with "1" stored in the second bit of the third byte.

[0274] In this way, the medal count control board 17 notifies the main control board 16 of a shortage in the number of game medals or an overflow in the number of game medals by using different data stored in the third byte depending on whether an insertion command is received or a settlement command is received. This allows the medal count control board 17 to use a common response command when a bet number setting operation is performed and when a bet number cancellation operation is performed, thereby reducing the processing load.

[0275] Fig. 44 is a diagram showing an example in which a new bet number setting operation is performed after a bet number setting operation and before a response command is received. As shown in Fig. 44, the main control board 16 transmits a throw-in command based on the bet number setting operation A. The main control board 16 controls the throw-in command so that it is completed before 40 ms has elapsed since the start of transmission so as not to cause a timeout error. The medal number control board 17 transmits a response command in response to receiving the throw-in command.

[0276] In the example of FIG. 44, after accepting the bet number setting operation A, a new bet number setting operation B is performed before receiving a response command to the input command based on the bet number setting operation A. The main control board 16 does not accept the bet number setting operation B. In other words, after transmitting an input command to the medal number control board 17, the main control board 16 does not accept a new bet number setting operation until receiving a response command from the medal number control board 17. This makes it possible to prevent a new bet number setting operation B from being accepted in a situation where the processing according to the bet number setting operation A has not been confirmed in the medal number control board 17.

[0277] Fig. 45 is a diagram showing an example in which a new settlement operation is performed after a settlement operation and before a response command is received. As shown in Fig. 45, the main control board 16 transmits a settlement command based on settlement operation A. The main control board 16 controls the transmission of the settlement command so that it is completed before 40 ms has elapsed since the start of transmission so as not to cause a timeout error. The medal count control board 17 transmits a response command in response to receiving the settlement command.

[0278] In the example of FIG. 45, after accepting a settlement operation A, a new settlement operation B is performed before receiving a response command to the input command based on the settlement operation A. The main control board 16 does not accept the settlement operation B. In other words, after sending a settlement command to the medal count control board 17, the main control board 16 does not accept a new settlement operation until receiving a response command from the medal count control board 17. This makes it possible to prevent a new settlement operation B from being accepted in a situation where the processing according to the settlement operation A has not been confirmed in the medal count control board 17.

[0279] Fig. 46 is a diagram showing an example in which a new settlement operation is performed after the bet amount setting operation and before receiving a response command. As shown in Fig. 46, the main control board 16 transmits a throw-in command based on the bet amount setting operation. The medal count control board 17 transmits a response command in response to receiving the throw-in command.

[0280] In the example of Fig. 46, after accepting the bet number setting operation, a new settlement operation is performed before receiving a response command to the input command based on the bet number setting operation. The main control board 16 does not accept the settlement operation. In other words, after sending an input command to the medal count control board 17, the main control board 16 does not accept a new settlement operation until receiving a response command from the medal count control board 17. This makes it possible to prevent a new settlement operation from being accepted in a situation where the processing according to the bet number setting operation has not been confirmed in the medal count control board 17.

[0281] Fig. 47 is a diagram showing an example in which a new bet number setting operation is performed after a settlement operation and before a response command is received. As shown in Fig. 47, the main control board 16 transmits an insertion command based on the settlement operation. The medal count control board 17 transmits a response command in response to receiving the insertion command.

[0282] In the example of FIG. 47, after accepting a settlement operation, a new bet number setting operation is performed before receiving a response command to the settlement command based on the settlement operation. The main control board 16 does not accept the bet number setting operation. In other words, after sending a settlement command to the medal count control board 17, the main control board 16 does not accept a new bet number setting operation until receiving a response command from the medal count control board 17. This makes it possible to prevent a new bet number setting operation from being accepted in a situation where the processing according to the settlement operation has not been confirmed in the medal count control board 17.

[0283] [Bet setting operation and serial number] Fig. 48 is a diagram explaining a serial number error in a bet number setting operation. As shown in Fig. 48, the medal number control board 17 determines the initial value of the serial number to be "137" based on receiving a gaming machine installation information command.

[0284] After that, a bet number setting operation is performed on S-machine 2. The main control board 16 transmits an insertion command based on the bet number setting operation. The insertion command is assigned the serial number "78". In other words, the serial number assigned to the insertion command does not match the initial serial number value. Therefore, the medal count control board 17 transmits a response command indicating a serial number mismatch to the main control board 16. After receiving the response command indicating a serial number mismatch, the main control board 16 does not accept new bet number setting operations. In other words, when the main control board 16 receives a response command indicating an abnormality, it does not resume accepting bet number setting operations.

[0285] Fig. 49 is a diagram explaining a serial number error during a settlement operation. As shown in Fig. 49, the medal count control board 17 determines the initial value of the serial number to be "137" based on receiving a gaming machine installation information command.

[0286] After that, a bet number setting operation is performed on S machine 2. The main control board 16 transmits a deposit command based on the bet number setting operation. The deposit command is assigned the serial number "137". In other words, the serial number assigned to the deposit command matches the initial serial number value. Therefore, the medal count control board 17 transmits a response command indicating receipt OK to the main control board 16. Based on receiving the response command indicating receipt OK, the main control board 16 accepts the bet number setting operation and performs the next control.

[0287] Next, in FIG. 49, a settlement operation is performed. The main control board 16 transmits a settlement command based on the settlement operation. The settlement command is assigned the serial number "78". In other words, the serial number assigned to the settlement command does not match the serial number calculated by the medal count control board 17. Therefore, the medal count control board 17 transmits a response command indicating a serial number mismatch to the main control board 16. The main control board 16 does not accept a new settlement operation based on receiving the response command indicating a serial number mismatch. In other words, when the main control board 16 receives a response command indicating that it is not normal, it does not resume accepting settlement operations.

[0288] Referring to Figures 48 and 49, the main control board 16 can prevent a new bet number setting operation or bet number cancellation operation from being accepted when processing corresponding to the bet number setting operation or settlement operation has not been confirmed in the medal number control board 17.

[0289] [Frame side information confirmation process] Fig. 50 is a diagram explaining the confirmation process of the frame side information. As explained in Fig. 34, the medal count control board 17 transmits the frame side information command shown in Fig. 32 to the main control board 16 at regular intervals. The system information included in the frame side information command shown in Fig. 32 includes information indicating the connection status indicating whether the medal count control board 17 and the CU control board 32 are normally connected or not.

[0290] In the example of Fig. 50, the connection between the medal count control board 17 and the CU control board 32 is cut off. After the connection is cut off, the medal count control board 17 sends a frame side information command indicating a connection abnormality to the main control board 16. After the main control board 16 receives the frame side information command indicating a connection abnormality, the start switch 7 is pressed. At this time, the main control board 16 does not send a start command.

[0291] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 50, even after the main control board 16 receives a frame side information command indicating a connection abnormality, if a bet number setting operation and a settlement operation are performed, the main control board 16 transmits a deposit command and a settlement command. That is, when the main control board 16 receives a bet number setting operation for setting a bet number for starting one game, the main control board 16 transmits a deposit command to the medal number control board 17 regardless of whether the connection between the medal number control board 17 and the CU3 is normal or not. In addition, when the main control board 16 receives a settlement operation for canceling the bet number for starting one game, the main control board 16 transmits a settlement command to the medal number control board 17 regardless of whether the connection between the medal number control board 17 and the CU3 is normal or not. Furthermore, the main control board 16 transmits a start command after the connection between the medal number control board 17 and the CU control board 32 is restored and the main control board 16 receives a frame side information command indicating a normal connection. That is, the main control board 16 checks the connection status between the medal count control board 17 and CU3 based on the frame side information command at the start of one game, and starts the one game if the connection between the medal count control board 17 and CU3 is normal. After sending the start command, the main control board 16 performs the next control without waiting for a response from the medal count control board 17. The next control is, for example, drive control of the reels to start the game.

[0292] As a result, the main control board 16 starts one game on the condition that the connection between the medal count control board 17 and CU3 is normal, so the game can be progressed while checking the status of the medal count control board 17. Furthermore, since the main control board 16 does not affect the game value when starting one game, after transmitting the start command, it can execute the next control without waiting for a response from the medal count control board 17.

[0293] In addition, the main control board 16 can send an input command in response to a bet number setting operation, and can send a settlement command in response to a settlement operation, regardless of whether the connection between the medal count control board 17 and CU3 is normal or not.

[0294] [Display of payout quantity] FIG. 51 is a diagram for explaining the display control of the payout number. After all reels are stopped, the main control board 16 transmits an end command to the medal count control board 17. The end command shown in FIG. 51 is a command that accompanies at least one or more payout medals. The medal count control board 17 transmits a response command based on receiving the end command. In addition, the medal count control board 17 adds the number of credits and updates the credit display 11 according to the number of payout medals indicated by the end command. After receiving the response command, the main control board 16 displays the number of payout medals on the game auxiliary display 12. That is, after transmitting the end command, the main control board 16 causes the game auxiliary display 12 to display the number of payout medals on the condition that the response command is received. This allows the main control board 16 to display the number of payout medals on the game auxiliary display 12 while checking the status of the medal count control board 17.

[0295] After transmitting the response command, the main control board 16 transmits a role information command, an advantageous zone command, and a payout pulse command. That is, after transmitting the end command, the main control board 16 transmits a role information command and an advantageous zone command that can specify whether or not the special role is controlled to a winning state, to the medal count control board 17, on the condition that the response command is received. As a result, the main control board 16 can inform the medal count control board 17 of whether or not it is controlled to an advantageous zone while checking the status of the medal count control board 17, and can cause the medal count control board 17 to output the proportion of the payout number provided in the advantageous zone while checking the status of the medal count control board 17.

[0296] [About the Yakubi Monitor] FIG. 52 is a diagram showing the role ratio monitor 89. FIG. 52(a) is a diagram showing the role ratio monitor 89 when it is turned off. As shown in FIG. 52(a), the role ratio monitor 89 is composed of five role ratio information displays 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, and 50e that can turn on / off the first segment A, the second segment B, the third segment C, the fourth segment D, the fifth segment E, the sixth segment F, the seventh segment G, and the eighth segment DP, respectively, and the medal count control board 17 is a display that can display various information by turning on or off the first to eighth segments A to DP by setting display data for each of the role ratio information displays 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, and 50e.

[0297] 53 is a diagram showing a display example of the role ratio monitor 89. The medal number control board 17 displays on the role ratio monitor 89, in the order of (1) to (6), (1) the instructed role payout ratio to the total cumulative payout number, (2) the consecutive role payout ratio for the past 6000 games, (3) the role payout ratio for the past 6000 games, (4) the consecutive role payout ratio to the total cumulative payout number, (5) the role payout ratio to the total cumulative payout number, and (6) the role etc. status ratio to the total cumulative payout number. Hereinafter, the information shown in (1) to (6) may be referred to as the display contents.

[0298] The payout ratio of the special role (BB) indicates the ratio of the payout number of the special role (RB) to the payout number in a specified period. The continuous role ratio indicates the ratio of the payout number of the special role (RB) to the payout number in a specified period. The payout ratio of the special role including instructions indicates the ratio of the payout number of the special role to the payout number in a specified period when the payout number at the time of the instruction (navigation) is included in the payout number of the special role. In other words, it is the ratio of the cumulative number of the medals paid out when the navigation notification is performed and the cumulative number of the medals paid out in BB or RB to the total cumulative payout number of the medals. The ratio of the special role, etc. state indicates the ratio of the number of games played when the special role (BB, RB, CB, and SB) is won to the number of games played in a specified period. In other words, the role ratio monitor 89 outputs the ratio of the number of medals paid out when the special role is won to the total number of medals paid out. The display contents displayed on the role ratio monitor 89 are calculated by the medal number control board 17.

[0299] When the medal count control unit 171 switches and displays the display content in the display order of (1) to (6) shown in Figure 53 and described above at predetermined intervals, even if the game progresses and these values ​​can be updated to new values ​​within a certain period until each display has completed a cycle, the medal count control unit 171 restricts the updating to new values ​​and completes the display cycle using the original values.

[0300] In detail, if the game progresses and these values ​​can be updated to new values ​​within a period until these displays are completed, new values ​​are calculated and stored in the RAM 171c, but the original values ​​are set without setting the new values ​​in the output buffer for displaying the display contents on the role ratio monitor 89, so that the display on the role ratio monitor 89 is completed using the original values ​​set in the output buffer, and from the time when the display of one round is completed, a new value is set in the output buffer, and then the display is performed with the new values. Also, if these values ​​can be updated to new values ​​within a period until these displays are completed, the calculation for obtaining new values ​​is restricted, the display on the role ratio monitor 89 is completed, and when the display of one round is completed, a calculation for obtaining new values ​​is performed, and then the display on the role ratio monitor 89 is performed using the new values. In this way, it is possible to prevent values ​​calculated at different times from being mixed during the period until the display contents on the role ratio monitor 89 are completed.

[0301] In addition, when the consecutive payout ratio of the past 6000 games and the consecutive payout ratio of the total cumulative payout number exceed a prescribed ratio (for example, 60%), the medal count control board 17 displays the consecutive payout ratio in a different display mode from the normal mode (for example, if the normal mode is always on, the upper two digits of the role ratio monitor 89 flash). In addition, when the consecutive payout ratio of the past 6000 games and the consecutive payout ratio of the total cumulative payout number exceed a prescribed ratio (for example, 70%), the medal count control board 17 displays the consecutive payout ratio in a different display mode from the normal mode (for example, if the normal mode is always on, the upper two digits of the role ratio monitor 89 flash).

[0302] In this way, when the continuous reel payout ratio and reel payout ratio exceed a prescribed ratio, they are displayed in a different manner than usual, so that it is possible to warn that the reel may be controlled to a highly gambling state.

[0303] In addition, when the medal count control board 17 displays the consecutive payout ratio and payout ratio of the past 6000 games on the role ratio monitor 89, if the total number of games played since the power is turned on has not reached 6000 games, the medal count control board 17 controls the display mode to be different from the normal display mode, for example, by blinking all the digits on the role ratio monitor 89, so that it can be recognized that the total has not reached 6000 games. That is, in the process of calculating the display contents to be displayed on the role ratio monitor 89, the medal count control board 17 blinks all the digits on the role ratio monitor 89 when the period in which 6000 games are consumed has not elapsed since the start of accumulation of data used in the process. Note that, in the process of calculating the display contents to be displayed on the role ratio monitor 89, the medal count control board 17 may blink some of the digits on the role ratio monitor 89 when the period in which 6000 games are consumed has not elapsed since the start of accumulation of data used in the process. This makes it possible to recognize the possibility of bias in the displayed ratios and rates, and the medal count control board 17 can notify the outside that there is a risk of insufficient data when displaying the continuous role payout ratio and role payout ratio on the role ratio monitor 89.

[0304] In addition, the medal count control board 17 may display "00" in the lower two digits of the role ratio monitor 89 when 6000 games have not been reached, and may display the ratio or rate to be displayed in the lower two digits of the role ratio monitor 89 after 6000 games have been reached. In other words, it is preferable to configure the display mode of the lower two digits of the role ratio monitor 89 to be different from the display mode after 6000 games when 6000 games have not been reached. By configuring in this way, when 6000 games have not been reached, it is possible to recognize that the tally of the consecutive role payout ratio and the like specified by the display of the upper two digits of the role ratio monitor 89 (for example, "1C") has not reached 6000 games, and it is possible to recognize that there is a bias in the displayed ratio or rate. In addition, by configuring the lowest two digits of the role ratio monitor 89 to display "00" when 6000 games have not been reached, data will always be displayed in the lowest two digits of the role ratio monitor 89 when 6000 games have not been reached.For example, if no data is displayed in one of the lowest two digits of the role ratio monitor 89, an abnormality in the role ratio monitor 89 can be recognized.

[0305] In addition, when the medal count control board 17 displays the successive feature payout ratio to the total cumulative payout number on the feature ratio monitor 89, if the number of past games has not reached the specified number of games (for example, 175,000 games) at which the successive feature payout ratio converges roughly to the design value of the slot machine, the medal count control board 17 controls the display mode to be different from normal, for example by blinking the top two digits of the feature ratio monitor 89, so that it is possible to recognize that the specified number of games at which the successive feature payout ratio converges roughly to the design value of the slot machine has not been reached and that there may be a bias in the displayed rate and ratio.

[0306] In addition, when the medal count control board 17 displays the reel payout ratio to the total cumulative payout number on the reel ratio monitor 89, if the number of past games has not reached the specified number of games (for example, 175,000 games) at which the reel payout ratio generally converges to the design value of the slot machine, the medal count control board 17 controls the display mode to be different from normal, for example by blinking the top two digits of the reel ratio monitor 89, so that it is possible to recognize that the specified number of games at which the reel payout ratio generally converges to the design value of the slot machine has not been reached and that there may be a bias in the displayed rate and ratio.

[0307] In addition, when the medal count control board 17 displays the instruction-based feature payout ratio relative to the total cumulative payout number on the role ratio monitor 89, if the number of past games has not reached the specified number of games (for example, 175,000 games) at which the instruction-based feature payout ratio converges roughly to the design value of the slot machine, the medal count control board 17 controls the display mode to be different from normal, for example by flashing the top two digits of the role ratio monitor 89, so that it is possible to recognize that the specified number of games at which the instruction-based feature payout ratio converges roughly to the design value of the slot machine has not been reached and it is possible to recognize that there may be a bias in the displayed proportions and rates.

[0308] In addition, the medal count control board 17 judges whether the data used to calculate the consecutive feature payout ratio and feature payout ratio for the past 6000 games is normal or not, and if it is judged to be abnormal (for example, if the stored value is in a certain data format (such as 01 repetition)), it initializes the data judged to be abnormal and the data related to that data, and causes the feature ratio monitor 89 to display (for example, "FFFF") that an abnormality has been detected, thereby notifying the player of this fact, so that the player can recognize that the calculation of this data is not being performed normally.

[0309] When initializing data determined to be abnormal and data related to that data, for example, if any one of the consecutive feature payout ratios or feature payout ratios over the past 6,000 games is determined to be abnormal, the data relating to all of this may be initialized, or only a portion of the data may be initialized.

[0310] In addition, the data used to calculate the continuous feature payout ratio, feature payout ratio, and command-included feature payout ratio for the past 6000 games or the total cumulative payout number may be judged as normal, and if an abnormality is judged, a notification to that effect may be given, and then the data may be initialized by performing a predetermined operation (for example, operating switches such as start switch 7, stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R, and setting key switch 37 in a predetermined sequence).

[0311] In addition, when notifying that an abnormality has been detected, as described above, the role ratio monitor 89 may display an indication that an abnormality has been detected (for example, "FFFF") to notify the user of this, or, when an abnormality is determined, a command that can identify this may be sent to the performance control unit 151, and the performance control unit 151 may notify the user of the abnormality by using the LCD display 51 or the like.

[0312] In this embodiment, during the period from when the power is turned on until the power supply is stopped, the commanded payout ratio of the total cumulative payout number, the continuous payout ratio of the past 6000 games, the payout ratio of the past 6000 games, the continuous payout ratio of the total cumulative payout number, the payout ratio of the total cumulative payout number, and the ratio of the status of the game etc. to the total cumulative payout number are switched and displayed every predetermined period, but they may be displayed only when the open state of the front door 1b is detected, or only when the operation of a predetermined operation switch (for example, the reset / setting switch 38) is detected, or when not playing a game, or when the settings are changed or checked, or only for a predetermined period after the power is turned on. Also, instead of automatically switching every predetermined period, the display contents may be switched every time a predetermined operation is performed.

[0313] In addition, in this embodiment, the role ratio monitor 89 is used to notify when an abnormality has been detected in the data used to calculate the display content of the role ratio monitor 89, or when there is a period of time when the data for calculating the display content is insufficient, but a command that can identify this may be sent to the performance control unit 151 so that it can be confirmed on the LCD display 51 or performance device controlled by the performance control unit 151.

[0314] In addition, in this embodiment, the instructed feature payout ratio to the total cumulative payout number, the consecutive feature payout ratio for the past 6000 games, the feature payout ratio for the past 6000 games, the consecutive feature payout ratio to the total cumulative payout number, the feature payout ratio to the total cumulative payout number, and the feature etc. status ratio to the total cumulative payout number are configured to be displayed on the feature ratio monitor 89, but in addition to these displays, the feature ratio monitor 89 may be configured to display information that allows the user to recognize when the RAM 171c has been initialized due to a setting change, or when a break has been detected in the wiring (such as the wiring for the backup power supply) installed on the S-stand 2, for example.

[0315] In particular, when the setting is changed during a bonus, during an advantageous period, or while a bonus is being carried over, and the bonus or advantageous period is forcibly ended, or the carried-over bonus is cleared, or when a game is played more than a specified number of times while the bonus is being carried over, or when an operation to intentionally end the advantageous period is performed, that is, when a game state relatively favorable to the player is intentionally shifted to an unfavorable game state, or when a possibility that the connection is not normal due to a disconnection or the like in the role ratio monitor 89 is detected, the fact is notified in a specific manner. In this way, it is possible to recognize the possibility that an illegal operation has been performed so that correct information such as the role payout ratio, continuous role payout ratio, and instruction-included role payout ratio is not displayed.

[0316] In addition, in a configuration in which the total cumulative data is initialized to avoid overflow of the total cumulative number of games played or the total cumulative number of payouts, it is preferable to notify the fact in a manner that is identifiable and different from the case where there is a possibility of fraudulent operation being performed so that correct information is not displayed as the above-mentioned feature payout ratio, continuous feature payout ratio, instruction-included feature payout ratio, etc. In this way, it is possible to recognize that the total cumulative number of games played or the total cumulative number of payouts has been initialized by the process to avoid overflow, separately from the initialization due to fraudulent operation to prevent correct information from being displayed as the feature payout ratio, etc.

[0317] As mentioned above, if there is a possibility of fraudulent operation so that correct information such as the reel payout ratio, continuous reel payout ratio, and instructed reel payout ratio is not displayed, this may be detected and the history of the detection may be recorded on the medal count control board 17 side, and without any notification at the time of detection, a specified operation may be performed thereafter, so that these histories may be confirmed on a display provided on the medal count control board 17 side (for example, the reel ratio monitor 89), a display provided on the performance control unit 151 side (for example, the LCD display 51), or an external display of the S-stand 2 (for example, the display 312).

[0318] Also, it may be possible to confirm on a display or a performance device controlled by the performance control unit 151 that the setting has been changed, that a disconnection has been detected, that a connection failure has occurred in the role ratio monitor 89 and correct information may not be displayed as the role payout ratio, the continuous role payout ratio, the instruction-included role payout ratio, etc., and that as described above, the role payout ratio, the continuous role payout ratio, the instruction-included role payout ratio, etc. may have been illegally operated so as not to display correct information. Also, the performance control unit 151 may record a history of detection that the setting has been changed during a bonus, during an advantageous zone, or during a bonus carryover, forcing the bonus or advantageous zone to end, or clearing a carried-over bonus so that correct information may not be displayed as the role payout ratio, the continuous role payout ratio, the instruction-included role payout ratio, etc., and allow these histories to be confirmed by a predetermined operation.

[0319] In addition, each ratio display may be configured to be displayed not only on the winning ratio monitor 89 but also on the credit display 11. The credit display 11 is a display that displays information according to the progress of the game, and since the ratio display cannot be displayed all the time, it is preferable that the ratio display is displayed when a predetermined operation is performed by a gaming store employee or the like when no game is being played, and when the ratio display is displayed on the credit display 11, if any of the following is detected: closure of the front door 1b, an operation to set the number of bets on S machine 2, the occurrence of an error, operation of the setting key switch 37, operation of the number of bets clear switch 21, or a stop in the power supply to S machine 2, the display is switched back to the original display content that was displayed before the ratio display was displayed, and the ratio display is terminated.

[0320] [Initialization process of the ratio information] Fig. 54 is a diagram for explaining the initialization process of the role ratio information. As shown in Fig. 54, after the power is turned on, the main control board 16 transmits the gaming machine installation information command A to the medal count control board 17. After that, the game is repeated, and the main control board 16 transmits the advantageous zone command and the payout pulse command to the medal count control board 17.

[0321] Based on receiving the payout pulse command, the medal count control board 17 executes a backup process to store the role ratio information in the backup memory 294. The role ratio information is data used to calculate data to be displayed on the role ratio monitor 89, and is included in the role information command, the advantageous zone command, and the payout pulse command. The medal count control board 17 may store the role ratio information in the backup memory 294 every time it receives a command including the role ratio information.

[0322] In the example of FIG. 54, after the backup process is executed, an illegal operation is performed on the main control board 16. As described above, the "illegal operation" refers to an operation in which the command exchanged between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17 is altered, or an operation in which the main control board 16 or the medal count control board 17 is illegally controlled. In the example of FIG. 39, due to the illegal operation, the main control board 16 is controlled by an illegally connected device, and the main control board 16 transmits a gaming machine installation information command B to the medal count control board 17. At this time, the medal count control board 17 again executes backup initialization to initialize the role ratio information stored in the backup memory 294 based on the reception of the gaming machine installation information command. That is, the medal count control board 17 initializes the data used for displaying the role ratio monitor 89 when the main chip ID identified from the gaming machine installation information command is different from the main chip ID identified from the gaming machine installation information command received last time.

[0323] As a result, the medal count control board 17 initializes the data used to display the role ratio information if the main control board 16 is not legitimate based on the main chip ID possessed by the main control board 16, thereby ensuring that the normal role ratio corresponding to each slot machine is output.

[0324] [Startup process and initial setting process of main control board 16] 55 is a diagram for explaining the start-up process and the initial setting process performed by the main control board 16. The start-up process and the initial setting process are included in the game program.

[0325] When power supply to the S unit 2 is started, the main control board 16 starts up with timer interrupts set to prohibited due to a reset, and performs various processes according to the programs stored in the ROM of the main control board 16. After starting up, the main control board 16 first performs a startup setting process included in the game program to initialize all output ports 0 to 9, and performs an initial setting process included in the game program to initialize the internal registers of the main control board 16 based on a built-in register initialization table previously set in a predetermined area of ​​the ROM.

[0326] The initial setting process is started in a state where timer interrupts are prohibited, and as shown in FIG. 55, in the initial setting process, first, a predetermined area of ​​the input port is referenced (Sa1) to determine whether or not the power interruption detection signal output from the power interruption detection circuit is in the ON state (Sa2). If the power interruption detection signal is in the ON state, the process waits until the power interruption detection signal becomes in the OFF state. After that, the power supply voltage of the S unit 2 becomes normal and the power interruption detection signal becomes in the OFF state, the process calculates the parity of a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 161c (Sa3), and sets a predetermined initial address to the stack pointer (Sa4). Then, the process determines whether or not the parity calculated in the step of Sa3 is normal (Sa5). If the parity is normal, the process obtains fixed data for RAM destruction diagnosis set in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 161c at the time of power interruption (Sa6), and diagnoses whether or not the memory contents of the RAM 161c are destroyed based on the fixed data for RAM destruction diagnosis (Sa7).

[0327] If it is determined in step Sa5 that the parity is normal, or if the contents stored in RAM 161c are diagnosed in step Sa7, it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in RAM 161c based on the RAM parity calculated in step Sa3 and the result of the diagnosis in Sa7 (Sa8). Note that an abnormality in RAM 161c occurs when the parity is not normal, or when the parity is normal but the stored contents are diagnosed as abnormal.

[0328] If there is an abnormality in the RAM 161c, the values ​​of the flag registers in which the calculation results are stored among the registers provided in the main control board 16 are saved by storing them in a predetermined order in the game stack area of ​​the game RAM area (Sa9), and then the non-game RAM area initialization process included in the non-game program is called and performed (Sa10). Then, in the non-game RAM area initialization process, the non-game RAM area of ​​the RAM 161c is initialized, and then the process returns to the initial setting process. Then, when the process returns to the initial setting process, the values ​​of the flag registers saved in the game stack area in step Sa9 are read out from the game stack area in the reverse order to the order in which they were saved, and set in the flag registers, thereby restoring the flag registers to the state before the RAM area initialization process was performed (Sa11).

[0329] In the non-game RAM area initialization process, first, the value of the current address of the game stack area indicated by the stack pointer SP used by the calling game program is stored in a predetermined area of ​​the non-game RAM area and saved. After that, the stack pointer SP is set for the non-game program by setting a predetermined value of the non-game stack area (the value stored in a predetermined area of ​​the non-game RAM area as the address indicated by the stack pointer SP at the end of the previous non-game program) as the value of the stack pointer SP. Then, the values ​​of all registers provided in the main control board 16, including the above-mentioned flag register, are saved by storing them in a predetermined order in the non-game stack area of ​​the non-game RAM area specified by the stack pointer SP. After that, the start address (the first address of the unused area) and end address (the last address of the non-game RAM area) of the RAM to be initialized are specified, and the start address is set as the initial value of the specified address, and the data of the specified address is cleared, and the specified address is updated to the next address. This process is repeated until the specified address becomes the specified address, thereby initializing the area from the start address to the end address of the RAM to be initialized (in this embodiment, the area from the beginning of the unused area to the end of the non-game RAM area). Then, the register values ​​that were stored and saved in the non-game stack area when the non-game RAM area initialization process was started are read out from the non-game stack area in the reverse order to the order in which they were saved, and set in the registers corresponding to that order, thereby restoring all registers to the state when the non-game RAM area initialization process was started. After that, the value of the stack pointer SP that was saved in a predetermined area of ​​the non-game RAM area when the non-game RAM area initialization process was started is set in the stack pointer SP, thereby restoring the stack pointer SP to the state when the non-game RAM area initialization process was started, and the non-game RAM area initialization process is terminated.

[0330] In addition, in the non-game RAM area initialization process, the capacity of the RAM to be initialized may be calculated by specifying the starting address and ending address of the RAM to be initialized, and the RAM area of ​​that capacity may be cleared sequentially from the starting address of the RAM to be initialized, thereby initializing the area from the starting address to the ending address of the RAM to be initialized.

[0331] If it is determined in step Sa8 that there is no abnormality in the RAM 161c, and if the register is restored in step Sa11, the fixed data for RAM destruction diagnosis set in the RAM 161c is cleared (Sa12), and an initialization start address at the time of RAM destruction is set (Sa13) to specify the address of the game RAM area that is the target of initialization processing when there is an abnormality in the RAM 161c. After that, it is determined whether the setting key switch 37 is ON or not by referring to the input port 2 (Sa14).

[0332] If it is determined in step Sa14 that the setting key switch 37 is in the ON state, a gaming machine installation information command is sent to the medal count control board 17 (Sa14a) and a setting change process is performed. In the setting change process, the reset / setting switch 38 and the start switch 7 are operated in a predetermined procedure to confirm the setting value, and when it is detected that the setting key switch 37 has been turned OFF, the setting change process is terminated and the game is moved to a state in which it can proceed. In addition, in the setting change process, when the setting change process is started, a setting command (start) indicating that the setting change process is to be started is sent to the performance control unit 151, and when the setting change process is ended, a setting command (end) indicating that the setting change process is to be ended is sent. In addition, in the setting change process, when the setting change process is ended, the start address of the RAM area to be initialized at the time of the setting change is specified, and the process returns to step Sb47 of the main process described later. Then, by performing the RAM initialization process in step Sb47, the area from the start address of the RAM area to be initialized at the time of the setting change to the end address of the game RAM area, that is, all game RAM areas, are initialized. In addition, the configuration may be such that all game RAM areas except for the stack area currently in use in RAM 161c are initialized.

[0333] If it is determined in step Sa14 that the setting key switch 37 is not ON, it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in the RAM 161c based on the parity of the RAM calculated in step Sa3 and the diagnosis result in Sa7 (Sa15), and if it is determined that there is no abnormality in the RAM 161c, the output buffer for outputting the external output signal is cleared (Sa16). In addition, a reel error counter that is set in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 161c and that counts the number of times a reel rotation error is detected in the main processing described later is cleared (Sa17). Then, the stack pointer SP is set to the address at the time of power failure based on the memory contents of the RAM 161c, thereby restoring the stack pointer to the state at the time of power failure (Sa18). Then, a gaming machine installation information command is sent to the medal count control board 17 (Sa15a), and the port input processing is performed twice in succession (Sa19, Sa20).

[0334] The port input process is a process for updating input state data (input data indicating the current input state of the various switches, decision data indicating that the previous and current input data are in the same state, and edge data indicating that the decision data has changed since the previous time) relating to the input state of the detection signals of the various switches input to the parallel input port. In a predetermined area of ​​the game RAM area of ​​the RAM 161c, port input buffers 0 to 2 for storing the input state data of the various switches are provided, and the input state data of the various switches updated by the port input process is stored in a predetermined bit of the port input buffer that is predetermined for each type. In the port input process, the input ports 0 to 2 of the parallel input port are set.

[0335] The detection state (ON state or OFF state) of various switches is stored as input data in a predetermined bit of the port input buffer. Also, the detection state (ON state or OFF state) in the previous and current port input processing is compared, and if the current and previous input data are the same, the finalized data is updated to indicate the detection state of the current input data, while if the current and previous input data are different, the previous finalized data is maintained. Also, the current and previous finalized data are compared, and if the finalized data changes from an OFF state to an ON state, ON edge data indicating that the finalized data has changed from an OFF state to an ON state is stored in a predetermined bit of the port input buffers 0 to 2, and if the finalized data changes from an ON state to an OFF state, OFF edge data indicating that the finalized data has changed from an ON state to an OFF state is stored in a predetermined bit of the port input buffers 0 to 2. The input data, finalized data, and edge data of various switches stored in the port input buffer can be referenced from a game program and a non-game program.

[0336] In addition, by performing the port input process twice in succession in the initial setting process, when the port input process is performed thereafter, input state data related to the input state of the detection signals of the various switches is created based on the input state of the various switches after the initial setting process, i.e., the input state of the various switches after the power supply to the S unit 2 is resumed, so that it is possible to prevent an unintended input situation from being identified. In addition, the port input process may be configured to create finalized data based on input data acquired by three or more port input processes (for example, input data from the current, previous, and previous-to-previous times). In such a configuration, by performing the port input process in succession in the initial setting process one less time than the number of port input processes required to create finalized data, when the port input process is performed after the initial setting process, input state data can be created based on the input state of the various switches after the initial setting process.

[0337] After the port input processing is performed in steps Sa19 and Sa20, a specified input port is referenced (Sa21) to determine whether the reset / setting switch 38 is in the ON state (Sa22). If the reset / setting switch 38 is in the ON state, status data indicating that the reset / setting switch 38 is in the ON state is set in a specified area of ​​RAM 161c (Sa23).

[0338] If it is determined in step Sa22 that the reset / setting switch 38 is not in the ON state, and after the status data is set in step Sa23, a recovery command indicating that the control state before the power cut has been restored is sent to the performance control unit 151 (Sa24), and then in the command sending process of the timer interrupt process (main), a door command sending flag indicating that a door command indicating the detection state of the door open detection switch 25 is to be sent is set in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 161c (Sa25). In the command sending process, a door command is normally sent when the detection state of the door open detection switch 25 has changed, but if the door command sending flag is set in the predetermined area of ​​the RAM 161c, a door command indicating the detection state of the door open detection switch 25 is sent regardless of whether the detection state of the door open detection switch 25 has changed.

[0339] Then, after setting the door command sending flag in step Sa25, all registers are restored to the state before the power was cut off stored in RAM 161c (Sa26), the timer interrupt is set to enabled (Sa27), the initial setting process is terminated and the process transitions to the timer interrupt process (main), and then the process returns to the main process that was being executed before the power supply to S stand 2 was cut off.

[0340] On the other hand, if it is determined in step Sa15 that there is an abnormality in RAM161c, a gaming machine installation information command is sent to the medal count control board 17 (Sa15b), a gaming RAM initialization process is performed (Sa28), and the area from the RAM destruction initialization start address set in step Sa13 to the end of the gaming RAM area of ​​RAM161c is initialized. After that, similar to the process in steps Sa9 to Sa11, the value of the flag register in which the flag is set among the registers is saved to the gaming stack area of ​​the gaming RAM area (Sa29), and a non-game RAM area initialization process included in the non-game program is called (Sa30), and all non-game RAM areas of RAM161c are initialized, and then the process returns to the caller and the register saved in step Sa29 is restored (Sa31).

[0341] After the registers are restored in step Sa31, the door command transmission flag is set (Sa32), the timer interrupt is enabled (Sa33), a RAM abnormality error code indicating that there is an abnormality in RAM 161c is prepared in a specified register (Sa34), the initial setting process is terminated, and error processing is started.

[0342] In the error processing, the error state is controlled to disable the progress of the game. Also, an error command capable of identifying an error code prepared in a specified register is sent to the performance control unit 151, and the error code is set in a specified area of ​​the RAM 161c as an error flag that can be referenced in other processing (for example, sensor monitoring processing, etc., which will be described later). Also, the error code is controlled to be displayed on the game auxiliary display 12. After that, the error state is controlled until it is identified that the release condition of the error state corresponding to the error code prepared in the specified register is established. When the RAM abnormality error code is prepared in the specified register and the error state is entered, the setting change state is entered by turning on the power switch with the setting key switch 37 turned on, and all the game RAM areas are initialized, so that the abnormality of the data in the RAM 161c can be reliably eliminated and the error state can be entered. On the other hand, when the power switch is turned on without turning on the setting key switch 37, the abnormality of the RAM 161c is detected again, and the error state is entered again.

[0343] In this way, the main control board 16 is configured to first perform the initial setting process after the power supply to the S-stand 2 is started, and in the initial setting process, depending on the state of the main control board 16 when the power supply to the S-stand 2 is started, the main control board 16 transitions to one of the timer interruption process (main), the setting change process, and the error process. When transitioning to these processes, a command capable of identifying the type of process to transition to is sent to the performance control unit 151. When transitioning to the timer interruption process (main), that is, when returning to the control state before the power supply to the S-stand 2 is stopped, a return command is sent to the performance control unit 151, when starting the setting change process and transitioning to the setting change state, a setting command (start) is sent to the performance control unit 151, and when starting the error process and transitioning to the error state due to an abnormality in the RAM 161c, an error command is sent to the performance control unit 151.

[0344] After transitioning from the initial setting process to the setting change process, the main control board 16 passes through the setting change state and returns to a state in which the game can progress, and when returning to the state in which the game can progress, it transmits a setting command (end) that can specify that the setting change state has ended to the performance control unit 151, but does not transmit a return command. Also, after transitioning to error processing due to an abnormality in the RAM 161c, transition is made to the setting change process as described above, and the error state is released, thereby returning to a state in which the game can progress, and even when the error processing is terminated and the state in which the game can progress is returned to, a return command is not transmitted to the performance control unit 151.

[0345] In this way, the main control board 16 in this embodiment starts up when power supply to S unit 2 is started, performs the startup setting process included in the game program, and initializes all output ports 0 to 9 through this startup setting process.

[0346] In addition, the main control board 16 performs the startup setting process, and then performs the initial setting process included in the game program. In the initial setting process, if it is determined that there is an abnormality in the RAM 161c, a non-game RAM area initialization process included in the non-game program is called to initialize a predetermined area of ​​the non-game RAM area of ​​the RAM 161c. In addition, in the initial setting process, a RAM initialization process included in the game program is called to initialize a predetermined area of ​​the game RAM area of ​​the RAM 161c, and the game RAM area is initialized by the game program, and the non-game RAM area is initialized by the non-game program.

[0347] [Processing on the main control board] FIG. 56 is a diagram explaining the control contents of the main processing performed by the main control board 16. The main processing is repeatedly executed for each unit of play. One cycle of the main processing corresponds to one unit of play. The main processing is included in the game program and includes multiple processes. Below, processes that are not specifically indicated as being included in a non-game program are included in the game program. Some game programs called by a game program also call non-game programs.

[0348] As shown in FIG. 56, the main control board 16 first saves the values ​​of the flag registers in which the calculation results are stored by storing them in a predetermined order in the game stack area of ​​the game RAM area (Sb1), and after performing the RT information output process included in the non-game program (Sb2), it restores the register values ​​saved in step Sb1 by sequentially reading them out of the game stack area in the reverse order to when they were saved and setting them in the flag registers (Sb3).

[0349] In the RT information output process, first, the value of the current address of the game stack area indicated by the stack pointer SP used by the calling game program is stored in a predetermined area of ​​the non-game RAM area and saved. After that, the stack pointer SP is set for the non-game program by setting the value of the stack pointer SP to a predetermined value of the non-game stack area (the value stored in the predetermined area of ​​the non-game RAM area as the address indicated by the stack pointer SP at the end of the previous non-game program). Then, the values ​​of all the registers provided in the main control board 16, including the above-mentioned flag register, are saved by storing them in a predetermined order in the non-game stack area of ​​the non-game RAM area specified by the stack pointer SP. After that, the information on the game status of the S unit 2 set in the predetermined area of ​​the game RAM area is referenced, and the information on the game status (for example, the RT status) is set to be output from the output port as an external output signal. Then, the register values ​​that were stored and saved in the non-game stack area when the RT information output process was started are read out from the non-game stack area in the reverse order to the order in which they were saved, and are set in the registers corresponding to that order, thereby restoring all registers to the state when the RT information output process was started. After that, the value of the stack pointer SP that was saved in a predetermined area of ​​the non-game RAM area when the RT information output process was started is set in the stack pointer SP, thereby restoring the stack pointer SP to the state when the RT information output process was started, and the RT information output process is terminated.

[0350] After the register is restored in step Sb3, a one-time interrupt wait process is performed to wait until a timer interrupt is performed once (Sb4). In the one-time interrupt wait process, the timer interrupt is set to be permitted and waits until the timer interrupt process (main) is performed once. Then, when it is determined that the timer interrupt process (main) has been performed once, the one-time interrupt wait process is terminated. By performing the one-time interrupt wait process, the process performed after the one-time interrupt wait process can be performed in a state in which the time until the next timer interrupt process (main) is performed is maximized, and it is possible to prevent an unintended timer interrupt from being performed in the middle of a series of processes performed after the one-time interrupt wait process. By performing the one-time interrupt wait process in step Sb4, it is possible to prevent an unintended timer interrupt from being performed in the middle of the process from step Sc1 to step Sc10 of the game start wait process shown in FIG. 57 that is performed after the one-time interrupt wait process, and the process from step Sc1 to step Sc10 can be performed as a series of processes.

[0351] After the timer interrupt process (main) is performed, the game start waiting process shown in Fig. 57 is performed (Sb5), and the process from the end of the control of the previous game to the start of the next game is performed. In the game start waiting process, the bet number is set according to the bet number setting operation, and when the operation of the start switch 7 is detected with the specified number of bets set, the process of starting the next game is performed.

[0352] Then, an internal lottery process is performed to determine whether or not a winning is allowed to occur (internal lottery) (Sb6). In the internal lottery process, an internal lottery is performed to determine whether or not a winning is allowed to occur (i.e., whether or not derivation of a display result is allowed) based on a preset setting value (1 to 6) in the S machine 2 and a random number value for the internal lottery obtained simultaneously with the start of a game by detecting the start switch 7.

[0353] Then, as in step Sb1, the values ​​of the flag register are saved by storing them in a predetermined order in the game stack area of ​​the game RAM area (Sb7), the timer interrupt is set to be prohibited (Sb8), the winning information output process included in the non-game program is performed (Sb9), and the setting is made to output information about the lottery result of the internal lottery from the output port, after which a start command is sent to the medal count control board 17 (Sb9a), and a big win command is sent to the medal count control board 17 (Sb9b). Then, the timer interrupt is set to be permitted (Sb10). Then, as in step Sb3, the register values ​​saved in the game stack area in step Sb7 are read out from the game stack area in the reverse order to the saving order and set in the flag register, thereby restoring the flag register to the state before the winning information output process was performed (Sb11).

[0354] In the winning information output process, first, in the same manner as in the above-mentioned RT information output process, the address value indicated by the stack pointer SP used by the calling game program is stored in a predetermined area of ​​the non-game RAM area and saved. After that, the stack pointer SP is set for the non-game program by setting a predetermined value of the non-game stack area (the value stored at the end of the previous non-game program) as the value of the stack pointer SP. Then, the values ​​of all the registers provided in the main control board 16 are saved by storing them in the non-game stack area in a predetermined order. After that, the lottery result of the internal lottery set in a predetermined area of ​​the game RAM area is referenced, and data capable of identifying the winning status of the special role and the winning status of the general role in the internal lottery is set in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 161c so that it can be referenced from the test signal output process described later, which is a non-game program. Then, in the same manner as in the above-mentioned RT information output process, the values ​​of the registers saved when the winning information output process was started are sequentially read from the non-game stack area, and all the registers are restored to the state when the winning information output process was started. Thereafter, the value of the stack pointer SP saved in a predetermined area of ​​the non-game RAM area when the winning information output process is started is set to the stack pointer SP, thereby restoring the stack pointer SP to the state when the winning information output process was started, and the winning information output process is terminated. Note that the winning status of the special role and the winning status of the general role set in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 161c by the winning information output process are referenced in the test signal output process described later, and are output as a test signal.

[0355] After the register is restored in step Sb11, the following processes are performed in sequence: presentation control process (Sb12), freeze control setting process (Sb13), control state command group transmission process (Sb14), and game start command transmission process (Sb15). In the presentation control process, a presentation flag is set which the main control board 16 refers to when performing presentation control. In the freeze control setting process, the presence or absence of a request for freeze control, which delays the progress of the game until a predetermined end condition is met, is confirmed, and if a request is received, the type of freeze control and the timing of performing the freeze control are set in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 161c.

[0356] In the control state command group transmission process, a control state command group including a plurality of commands capable of specifying various control states at the start of one game is transmitted to the performance control unit 151. In the game start command transmission process, a game start command capable of specifying that one game has started is transmitted to the performance control unit 151.

[0357] After the game start command process is performed in step Sa15, a freeze execution process is performed (Sb16) to execute freeze control based on the type of freeze control and the execution timing of freeze control set in RAM 161c in step Sb13. In the freeze execution process, if freeze control is set to be performed at the start of a game in step Sb13, freeze control is executed to delay game control for a predetermined period. In addition, if a type of freeze control involving a performance using reels 2L, 2C, and 2R (hereinafter referred to as reel performance) is set as the type of freeze control, a performance acceleration pattern (for example, an acceleration pattern for rotating the reels in a direction different from the rotation of the reels in a game, an acceleration pattern for starting rotation at a speed slower than the rotation of the reels in a game and in the same direction as the rotation of the reels in a game, an acceleration pattern for vibrating the reels, etc.) is set in a predetermined area of ​​RAM 161c as an excitation pattern for exciting the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R, and the reel performance is controlled to be performed within the period in which the freeze control is performed.

[0358] After the freeze control execution process is performed in step Sb16, the waiting LED 19, which indicates that presentation control is being performed, is controlled to the ON state (lit state) (Sb17), and a single game time management timer set in a specified area of ​​RAM 161c is referenced to measure the elapsed time from the start of reel rotation in the previous game (Sb18), and based on the single game time management timer, it is determined whether or not the specified time for one game (4.1 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed from the start of reel rotation in the previous game (Sb19). Then, if it is determined that the prescribed time for one game has not elapsed, the process waits until the prescribed time for one game has elapsed based on the timer for managing one game time, and after the prescribed time for one game has elapsed based on the timer for managing one game time, a predetermined value (a value corresponding to 4.1 seconds in this embodiment) is set in the timer for managing one game time, and a new measurement of the elapsed time from the start of reel rotation is started (Sb20), the waiting LED 19 is controlled to the OFF state (light-out state) (Sb21), and a reel rotation start command transmission process is performed to transmit to the performance control unit 151 a reel rotation start command that can specify that rotation control of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is to be started (Sb22). On the other hand, if it is determined that the prescribed time for one game has elapsed in step Sb19, the process immediately proceeds to steps Sb20 to Sb22. After a predetermined value is set in step Sb20, the timer for managing one game time is decremented every predetermined time and becomes 0 when the specified time for one game (4.1 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed from the start of reel rotation in a game. It is possible to determine whether or not the specified time for one game has elapsed based on whether the timer for managing one game time is 0.

[0359] After the reel rotation start command sending process is performed in step Sb22, a normal acceleration pattern that controls the rotation of the reels at a predetermined speed for gaming is set in a predetermined area of ​​RAM 161c as the excitation pattern for controlling the excitation of reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R (Sb23), and a reel start process is performed to start the rotation of the reels by exciting and controlling the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R based on the excitation pattern set in RAM 161c (Sb24).

[0360] Then, the navigation notification process is performed (Sb25). In the navigation notification process, the AT is controlled, and when the notification target role is won in the internal lottery, the navigation number that can specify the stop mode that is advantageous to the player according to the notification target role is controlled to be displayed on the game auxiliary display 12, whereas when the AT is not controlled, the navigation number is controlled not to be displayed on the game auxiliary display 12.

[0361] After the navigation notification process in step Sb25, a reel stop initial setting process (Sb26) is performed to set various information required for reel stop control according to the RT state and the result of the internal lottery. Then, a freeze control process (Sb27) is performed, and if freeze control is set to be performed at the timing in step Sb13, the set type of freeze control is performed.

[0362] After the freeze control process is performed in step Sb27, a reel stop control process is performed to control the stop of the reels (Sb28). In the reel stop control process, it is determined whether the reels under rotation control are rotating at a predetermined constant speed, and if there is a reel that is not rotating at a constant speed, a reel error is detected, and an excitation pattern is set to accelerate the corresponding reel to a constant speed, so that all reels under rotation control are rotated at a constant speed. On the other hand, if all reels under rotation control are rotating at a constant speed, acceptance of a stop operation for the reels under rotation control is enabled, and the process waits until a stop operation is performed by a stop switch. Then, when a valid stop operation is detected for a reel for which a stop operation is enabled (ON edge data is detected for a stop switch for which a stop operation is enabled), a reel stop control is performed for the reel for which a valid stop operation has been performed, so that the reel stop control is performed at a predetermined stop position based on information set in the reel stop initial setting process. Such reel stop control is repeatedly performed for the reels under rotation control, and the reel stop process is terminated by stopping the rotation of all reels.

[0363] Then, after the reel stop processing is completed, freeze control processing is performed (Sb29), and if it was set in step Sb13 that freeze control should be performed at that timing, the set type of freeze control is performed.

[0364] After that, the RT state check process (Sb30) and the winning judgment process (Sb31) are performed. In the RT state check process, it is judged whether or not a combination of RT transition symbols accompanied by a transition to the RT state is stopped on the reels, and if a combination of RT transition symbols is stopped, the current RT state set in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 161c is updated to the RT state corresponding to the combination of the RT transition symbols. In the winning judgment process, it is judged whether or not an illegal winning has occurred based on the internal lottery result and the symbol combination stopped on the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R.

[0365] Then, after the winning judgment process in step Sa31 is performed, one interrupt wait process is performed (Sb33), and the process waits until the timer interrupt process (main) is performed. Then, after the timer interrupt process (main) is performed, the value of the flag register is saved by storing it in the game stack area of ​​the game RAM area in a predetermined order (Sb34), the timer interrupt is set to prohibited (Sb35), and the data process for the role ratio monitor included in the non-game program is performed (Sb36). Then, after the data process for the role ratio monitor is performed, the timer interrupt is set to permitted (Sb37).

[0366] In this way, by performing the data processing for the role ratio monitor (Sb36) after performing the interrupt one time waiting process in the step Sb33, the data processing for the role ratio monitor can be performed in a state where the time until the next timer interrupt processing (main) is performed is secured to the maximum, and it is possible to prevent the timer interrupt from being performed unintentionally in the middle of the data processing for the role ratio monitor. In addition, by setting the timer interrupt to be prohibited in the step Sb35, performing the data processing for the role ratio monitor in a state where the timer interrupt is prohibited, and then canceling the prohibition setting of the timer interrupt in the step Sb37, it is possible to reliably prevent the timer interrupt from being performed unintentionally in the middle of the data processing for the role ratio monitor. In addition, in the step Sb33, by performing the interrupt one time waiting process before setting the timer interrupt to a prohibited state in order to perform the data processing for the role ratio monitor, and performing the timer interrupt processing (main), it is possible to prevent the timing of performing the timer interrupt when the timer interrupt is prohibited (Sb35 to Sb37).

[0367] In the data processing for the role ratio monitor, first, in the same manner as the above-mentioned RT information output processing, the address value indicated by the stack pointer SP used by the calling game program is stored in a predetermined area of ​​the non-game RAM area and saved. After that, the stack pointer SP is set for the non-game program by setting a predetermined value of the non-game stack area (the value stored at the end of the previous non-game program) as the value of the stack pointer SP. Then, the values ​​of all the registers provided in the main control board 16 are saved by storing them in the non-game stack area in a predetermined order. After that, each state count processing included in the non-game program is performed to update data regarding the number of medals paid out in a predetermined period (for example, a period from the current game to 6000 games ago, a period from the current game to 175000 games ago, a period controlled to a state advantageous to the player (advantageous period), etc.). The register values ​​that were stored and saved in the non-game stack area when the data processing for the role ratio monitor was started are read out from the non-game stack area in the reverse order to the order in which they were saved, and are set in the registers corresponding to the order, thereby restoring all registers to the state when the data processing for the role ratio monitor was started. After that, the value of the stack pointer SP that was saved in a predetermined area of ​​the non-game RAM area when the data processing for the role ratio monitor was started is set in the stack pointer SP, thereby restoring the stack pointer SP to the state when the data processing for the role ratio monitor was started, and the data processing for the role ratio monitor is terminated.

[0368] After performing data processing for the role ratio monitor in step Sb36 and setting timer interruption to permitted in step Sb37, the values ​​of the registers saved in step Sb34 are sequentially read from the game stack area in the reverse order to the order of saving and set in the flag register, as in steps Sb3 and Sb11, to restore the flag register to the state before performing data processing for the role ratio monitor (Sb38). After that, the replay LED is controlled to the OFF state (light off state) (Sb39), the replay flag indicating that replay is in progress is cleared (Sb40), the display of the navigation number on the game auxiliary display 12 is cleared (Sb41), and a termination command is sent to the medal count control board 17 (Sb42a), and freeze control processing is performed (Sb43). If freeze control is set to be performed at the timing in step Sb13, the set type of freeze control is performed.

[0369] Then, a role information command is sent to the medal count control board 17 (Sb43a), and a favorable zone command is sent (Sb43b). After that, a game end setting process is performed (Sb44), and it is determined whether or not the replay symbol combination is stopped on the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R. If the replay symbol combination is stopped, a process of setting the number of bets for replaying in the next game is performed (in this embodiment, 3 is set as the medal for replay in the medal counter for replay set in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 161c), a process of setting a replay flag in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 161c, a process of controlling the replay LED to the ON state (lighting state), and the like are performed.

[0370] Then, a payout pulse command is sent to the medal count control board 17 (Sb44a), and a big win command is sent (Sb44b). After that, a payout control process is performed to control the payout at the end of the game (Sb45), and then the top address of the area of ​​the RAM 161c to be initialized at the end of the game is set (Sb46), and a RAM initialization process is performed (Sb47), to initialize the area from the top address to the end of the RAM 161c.

[0371] Then, after clearing a winning flag that is set in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 161c and indicates the result of the internal lottery for the game (Sb48), a game end command transmission process is performed to transmit a game end command that can specify that one game has ended to the performance control unit 151 (Sb49), and the process returns to step Sb1 and repeats steps Sb1 to Sb49. When the main process is completed, the process related to the control of one unit of game is completed, and the main process is repeatedly executed for each unit of game.

[0372] In this way, the main processing performed by the main control board 16 of this embodiment is included in the game program, and is configured to call processing included in the non-game program, such as RT information output processing, winning information output processing, and role ratio monitor data processing. When calling processing included in a non-game program, the calling game program stores and saves the value of the flag register among the registers provided in the main control board 16 in the game stack area, and the called non-game program stores and saves the value of the stack pointer SP used in the game program in the non-game RAM area, and stores and saves the values ​​of all the registers provided in the main control board 16 in the non-game stack area. Then, processing according to the called non-game program (for example, a process of initializing the non-game RAM area in the non-game RAM area initialization process, a process of counting each state in the role ratio monitor data process described later, a sensor monitoring process in the non-game related process described later, a test signal output process, a role ratio monitor display data selection process, etc.) is performed.

[0373] In addition, after processing a non-game program, the main control board 16 loads the values ​​of all registers that were saved to the non-game stack area at the start of the non-game program into the appropriate registers, restoring the registers to the state they were in at the start of the non-game program, and sets the value of the stack pointer SP that was stored in the non-game RAM area at the start of the non-game program to the stack pointer SP, restoring the stack pointer SP to the state it was in at the start of the non-game program.Furthermore, the main control board 16 loads the values ​​of the flag registers that were stored in the game stack area before the non-game program was called into the appropriate flag register on the calling game program side, thereby restoring the registers to the state they were in before the non-game program was called.

[0374] In addition, when the main control board 16 performs various processes according to a non-game program, it calls the non-game program from the game program using the above-mentioned CALL command or the like, performs various processes according to the non-game program, and returns to the game program that called it when each process according to the non-game program is completed.

[0375] [About waiting for the game to start] 57 is a diagram for explaining the control contents of the game start waiting process performed by the main control board 16. The game start waiting process is included in the game program, and is a subroutine called in the main process included in the game program.

[0376] As shown in FIG. 57, in the waiting process for starting a game, first, a bet number display process is performed (Sc1), and the 1-3 BET LEDs 14-16 corresponding to the number of medals set as the bet number are controlled to be in the ON state (lighting state). Then, the process proceeds to step Sc5. The value of the re-play medal counter set in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 161c is read into a predetermined register (Sc5). Note that the re-play medal counter is set to a value corresponding to the result of the previous game by the game end setting process in the previous main process. If a re-play role is won in the previous game and a re-play is awarded, a numerical value (for example, 3) corresponding to the prescribed number of bets required to play a game is set, whereas if a re-play is not awarded in the previous game, 0 is set.

[0377] Then, the re-play medal counter in the RAM 161c is cleared (Sc6), and it is determined whether the value of the re-play medal counter read in step Sc5 is greater than 0, i.e., whether a re-play has been granted (Sc7), and if a re-play has been granted, a bet number setting process is performed (Sc8). In the bet number setting process, the value of the re-play medal counter is set to the bet number, and the 1-3 BET LEDs 14-16 are set to the ON state (lighted state) to notify that a specified number of bets (3 in this embodiment) has been set. Also, an insertion number command capable of identifying the number of medals used to set the bet number is transmitted to the performance control unit 151.

[0378] If it is determined in step Sc7 that the value of the replay medal counter is 0, i.e., replay has not been granted, and after the bet number setting process is performed in step Sc8 due to replay being granted, a one-time interrupt wait process is performed (Sc10). By performing a one-time interrupt wait process, a timer interrupt process (main) is performed, and the detection states of the various switches, the illumination state of the LEDs, the various timers, etc. are updated, and subsequent processes can be performed in the state in which the detection states of these various switches are updated.

[0379] After the timer interrupt is generated once by performing the interrupt waiting process in step Sc10, various switches are enabled to accept operation, and when an enabled switch is operated, an operation input acceptance process is performed to accept operation by that switch (Sc14).

[0380] In the operation input acceptance process, when the credit set in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 171c is 1 or more, acceptance of operations by the 1BET switch 20 and the MAXBET switch 6 is enabled. Also, when the bet number set in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 171c is a specified number, acceptance of operations by the start switch 7 is enabled. Also, acceptance of operations by the bet number clear switch 21 and the setting key switch 37 is enabled.

[0381] In the operation input reception process, when the operation of the start switch 7 is detected while the operation of the start switch 7 is enabled, a start flag indicating that the start switch 7 has been operated is set in a predetermined register. When the operation of the setting key switch 37 is enabled and an operation of the setting key switch 37 is detected, a setting value display process is performed to display a setting value on the setting value display 24. When the operation of the 1BET switch 20 and the MAXBET switch 6 is enabled and an operation of the 1BET switch 20 or the MAXBET switch 6 is detected, a process is performed to set the number of medals up to a specified number possible based on the credit as the bet number, and subtract the number of medals set as the bet number from the credit. After performing a process according to the switch whose operation was detected, the operation input reception process is terminated.

[0382] After performing the operation input reception process in step Sc14, it is determined whether or not a valid operation of the start switch 7 has been detected based on the start flag (Sc15). If the start flag is not set in a predetermined register and it is determined that a valid operation of the start switch 7 has not been detected, the process proceeds to step Sc16, where an LED display process is performed to control the lighting state of the start enable LED.

[0383] In the LED display processing, when operation by the start switch 7 is set to enabled by the operation input acceptance processing in step Sc14, if operation of switches other than the reset switch is not detected, the start enable LED is controlled to the ON state (lit state), and when operation by the start switch 7 is set to enabled and operation of switches other than the reset switch is detected, or when operation by the start switch 7 is not set to enabled, the start enable LED is controlled to the OFF state (unlit state), and the lit state of the start enable LED indicates whether operation by the start switch 7 is enabled or disabled.

[0384] In the step of Sc15, if it is determined that the start flag is set in a predetermined register and a valid operation by the start switch 7 is detected, a random number value for internal lottery is obtained from the random number circuit and set in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 161c (Sc17). After that, bet number setting state data capable of identifying the set bet number is set in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 161c (Sc18), the start valid LED is set to the OFF state (light-off state) (Sc19), the medal maintenance permission flag is cleared from the predetermined area of ​​the RAM 161c (Sc20), and the display of the payout number on the game support display 12 is controlled to be cleared (Sc21), the game start waiting process is terminated, and the process returns to the main process. After that, in the main process, an internal lottery is performed using the random number value obtained in the step of Sc17, and the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is started in response to the detection of the operation of the start switch 7, thereby starting one game.

[0385] Fig. 58 is a diagram for explaining the control contents of the bet number setting operation reception process performed by the main control board 16. When an operation by the 1BET switch 20 or the MAXBET switch 6 is detected after the operation by the 1BET switch 20 and the MAXBET switch 6 becomes valid in the operation input reception process of Fig. 57, the main control board 16 executes the bet number setting operation reception process shown in Fig. 58.

[0386] The main control board 16 acquires a bet number between 0 and 3 that is set in the BET counter of the RAM 161c (Sd1). The main control board 16 calculates the number of inserted medals based on the acquired bet number and whether the switch whose operation is detected is the 1BET switch 20 or the MAXBET switch 6 (Sd2). For example, if the operation of the MAXBET switch 6 is detected when the bet number is 0, the number of inserted medals will be 3, and if the operation of the 1BET switch 20 is detected when the bet number is 0 to 2, the number of inserted medals will be 1.

[0387] The main control board 16 transmits an insertion command including the calculated number of inserted medals to the medal count control board 17 (Sd3). The medal count control board 17 transmits a response command to the insertion command. In response to receiving the response command, the main control board 16 executes a bet number setting process (Sd4). That is, the main control board 16 adds the bet number stored in the BET counter of the RAM 161c.

[0388] Fig. 59 is a diagram for explaining the control contents of the settlement operation reception process performed by the main control board 16. When the operation of the bet number clear switch 21 is detected after the operation of the bet number clear switch 21 becomes valid in the operation input reception process of Fig. 57, the main control board 16 executes the settlement operation reception process shown in Fig. 59.

[0389] The main control board 16 judges whether or not a re-game operation is in progress (Se1). If a re-game operation is in progress, the main control board 16 ends the processing. If a re-game operation is not in progress, the main control board 16 judges whether or not the bet number is set to 1 or more (Se2). If the bet number is not set to 1 or more, the main control board 16 ends the processing. If the bet number is set to 1 or more, the main control board 16 acquires the bet number of 1 to 3 set in the BET counter of the RAM 161c (Se3).

[0390] The main control board 16 transmits a settlement command including the acquired bet number as the settled medal number to the medal count control board 17 (Se4). The medal count control board 17 transmits a response command to the insertion command. In response to receiving the response command, the main control board 16 executes a settlement operation process (Se5). That is, the main control board 16 subtracts the bet number.

[0391] [Main components] The above describes the S-stand 2 according to the present embodiment. The main configuration of the S-stand 2 according to the present embodiment will now be described.

[0392] (1) A variable display unit (e.g., reels 2L, 2C, and 2R) capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identifying information, each of which is identifiable; In a slot machine (for example, S-machine 2) in which a display result is derived by stopping the display of the variable display unit after the variable display unit is changed, and a winning prize can be generated according to the display result, A game control means (for example, a main control board 16) for controlling the progress of a game; A value control means (for example, a medal count control board 17) for controlling the game value owned by the player, The game control means includes: When starting a game, a start command is transmitted to the value control means (for example, a command is transmitted after the start switch shown in FIG. 37 is turned on), When one game is ended, an end command is transmitted to the value control means (for example, a command transmitted after all reels have stopped as shown in FIG. 37), The value control means includes: When the start command is received, control is performed in response to the start command (for example, control is performed to enter a state waiting for the game to end), When the end command is received, a response command in response to the end command (for example, a response command transmitted from the medal count control board 17 after all reels have stopped as shown in FIG. 37) is transmitted to the game control means, and control is performed in accordance with the end command. After sending the start command, the game control means performs the next control (for example, control to drive the reels) without waiting for a response from the value control means, while after sending the end command, it performs the next control (for example, update processing of the data displayed on the game auxiliary display 12) on the condition that it receives the response command.

[0393] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 37, when starting a game, the main control board 16 transmits a start command that does not affect the number of credits, and then executes the next control without waiting for a response from the medal count control board 17, and when ending a game, the main control board 16 transmits an end command that may affect the number of credits, and then executes the next control on the condition that it has received a response command transmitted from the medal count control board 17. In this way, by improving the communication between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17, the main control board 16 can progress the game while checking the status of the medal count control board 17.

[0394] (2) The value control means executes a determination process to determine whether the command transmitted from the game control means is normal or not (for example, in FIG. 38, a process to confirm whether the serial number given to the received command matches the calculated serial number), When it is determined by the determination process that the command transmitted from the game control means is normal, a response command indicating that the command is normal is transmitted to the game control means in response to the command (for example, in FIG. 38, the medal count control board 17 transmits a response command indicating that the medal is accepted to the main control board 16 in response to the insertion command), When the judgment process determines that the command sent from the game control means is abnormal, a response command indicating that the command is abnormal is sent to the game control means in response to the command (for example, in Figure 39, the medal count control board 17 responds to the termination command by sending a response command indicating a serial number mismatch to the main control board 16).

[0395] Specifically, as shown in Figures 38 and 39, when the medal count control board 17 receives a command that requires a response, it sends a response command, and further, the response command is accompanied by information indicating whether or not communication is normal, allowing the main control board 16 to progress with the game while checking the status of the medal count control board 17.

[0396] (3) When the power supply of the slot machine is turned on, the gaming control means transmits to the value control means a unique information command (e.g., a gaming machine installation information command) capable of identifying unique information (e.g., a main chip ID) possessed by the gaming control means; The value control means includes: generating judgment information (for example, an initial value and an additional value of a serial number) for judging whether or not the command transmitted from the game control means is normal based on the unique information identified from the unique information command; When a command transmitted from the game control means is received, the determination information is used to determine whether or not the command transmitted from the game control means is normal (for example, in Figures 38 and 39, it is determined whether or not the serial numbers match).

[0397] 38 and 39, the medal count control board 17 judges whether the command sent from the main control board 16 is normal or not by using the initial value and the additional value of the serial number generated based on the main chip ID of the main control board 16. Therefore, the medal count control board 17 can grasp that there is a possibility of tampering because the serial numbers do not match, and security is enhanced regarding the communication between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17.

[0398] (4) When the power supply of the slot machine is turned on, the gaming control means transmits to the value control means a unique information command (e.g., a gaming machine installation information command) capable of identifying unique information (e.g., a main chip ID) possessed by the gaming control means; The value control means includes: generating judgment information (for example, an initial value and an additional value of a serial number) for judging whether or not the command transmitted from the game control means is normal based on the unique information identified from the unique information command; When receiving a command transmitted from the game control means, using the determination information, determine whether or not the command transmitted from the game control means is normal; At least until the unique information command is received, the game control means does not execute any processing in response to commands other than the unique information command (for example, in Figure 41, the medal count control board 17 discards the received termination command before receiving the game machine installation information command A).

[0399] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 41, the medal count control board 17 does not communicate with the main control board 16 when communication with the main control board 16 based on the gaming machine installation information command has not been established, so security can be improved regarding communication between the main control board 16 and the medal count control board 17. In other words, it is possible to prevent unauthorized operations performed before receiving the gaming machine installation information command.

[0400] (5) When the power supply of the slot machine is turned on, the gaming control means transmits to the value control means a unique information command (e.g., a gaming machine installation information command) capable of identifying unique information (e.g., a main chip ID) possessed by the gaming control means; The value control means includes: generating judgment information (for example, an initial value and an additional value of a serial number) for judging whether or not the command transmitted from the game control means is normal based on the unique information identified from the unique information command; When receiving a command transmitted from the game control means, using the determination information, determine whether or not the command transmitted from the game control means is normal; Even if the unique information command is transmitted again from the game control means after receiving the unique information command, the medal count control board 17 does not execute processing according to the unique information command (for example, in FIG. 41, even if the medal count control board 17 receives gaming machine installation information command A and then receives gaming machine installation information command B again, it does not reset the initial value and the additional value in the serial number).

[0401] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 41, the medal count control board 17 can prevent, for example, impersonation of the main control board 16 by an illegal board other than the main control board 16 connected to the medal count control board 17. In other words, it can prevent the initial value and the additional value of the serial number from being illegally rewritten.

[0402] (6) The value control means controls the slot machine to an abnormal state when it is unable to receive the unique information command within a predetermined period of time (e.g., within 0.5 seconds) after the slot machine is powered on (for example, as shown in FIG. 42, the medal count control board 17 determines that a communication error has occurred because the gaming machine installation information command is not transmitted from the main control board 16 after the power is turned on).

[0403] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 42, after the power of S-machine 2 is turned on, if communication cannot be established with the medal count control board 17 based on the gaming machine installation information command, the medal count control board 17 can notify the outside that a communication abnormality has occurred.

[0404] (7) when the game control means receives a bet amount setting operation (e.g., pressing the 1BET switch 20 or the MAXBET switch 6) for setting the bet amount for starting a game, the game control means transmits a bet amount setting command (e.g., a bet input command) to the value control means; When the value control means receives the bet amount setting command, the value control means transmits a response command (for example, the response command shown in FIG. 44) in response to the bet amount setting command to the game control means; After transmitting the bet number setting command to the value control means, the game control means will not accept a new bet number setting operation until it receives the response command from the value control means (for example, as shown in FIG. 44, the main control board 16 will not accept a bet number setting operation B performed after a bet number setting operation A is performed and before it receives a response command).

[0405] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 44, it is possible to prevent a new bet amount setting operation from being accepted in a situation where the processing according to the bet amount setting operation has not been determined in the value control means.

[0406] (8) when the game control means receives a bet cancel operation (e.g., pressing the bet clear switch 21) for canceling the bet for starting one game, the game control means transmits a bet cancel command (e.g., a settlement command) to the value control means; When the value control means receives the bet amount cancellation command, the value control means transmits a response command (for example, the response command shown in FIG. 45) in response to the bet amount cancellation command to the game control means; After transmitting the bet number cancellation command to the value control means, the game control means will not accept a new bet number cancellation operation until it receives the response command from the value control means (for example, as shown in FIG. 45, the main control board 16 will not accept settlement operation B performed after settlement operation A is performed and before it receives the response command).

[0407] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 45, it is possible to prevent a new settlement operation B from being accepted in a situation where the processing corresponding to the settlement operation A has not been confirmed in the medal count control board 17.

[0408] (9) when the game control means receives a bet amount setting operation (e.g., pressing the 1BET switch 20 or the MAXBET switch 6) for setting the bet amount for starting a game, the game control means transmits a bet amount setting command (e.g., a bet input command) to the value control means; When the value control means receives the bet amount setting command, the value control means transmits a response command (for example, a response command shown in FIG. 46) in response to the bet amount setting command to the game control means; the game control means, when receiving a bet number cancel operation (e.g., pressing the bet number clear switch 21) for canceling the bet number for starting one game, transmits a bet number cancel command (e.g., a settlement command) to the value control means; when the value control means receives the bet number cancellation command, the value control means transmits a response command in response to the bet number cancellation command to the game control means; After transmitting the bet amount setting command to the value control means, the game control means will not accept a new bet amount cancellation operation until it receives the response command from the value control means (for example, as shown in FIG. 46, the main control board 16 will not accept a settlement operation performed after the bet amount setting operation is performed until it receives the response command).

[0409] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 46, it is possible to prevent a new settlement operation from being accepted in a situation where the processing according to the bet number setting operation has not been confirmed in the medal number control board 17.

[0410] (10) when the game control means receives a bet amount setting operation (e.g., pressing the 1BET switch 20 or the MAXBET switch 6) for setting the bet amount for starting a game, the game control means transmits a bet amount setting command (e.g., an insert command) to the value control means; when the value control means receives the bet amount setting command, the value control means transmits a response command in response to the bet amount setting command to the game control means; the game control means, when receiving a bet number cancel operation (e.g., pressing the bet number clear switch 21) for canceling the bet number for starting one game, transmits a bet number cancel command (e.g., a settlement command) to the value control means; When the value control means receives the bet number cancellation command, the value control means transmits a response command (for example, a response command shown in FIG. 47) in response to the bet number cancellation command to the game control means; After sending the bet number cancellation command to the value control means, the game control means will not accept a new bet number setting operation until it receives the response command from the value control means (for example, as shown in FIG. 47, the main control board 16 will not accept a bet number setting operation performed after a settlement operation has been performed until it receives a response command).

[0411] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 47, it is possible to prevent a new bet number setting operation from being accepted in a situation where the processing according to the settlement operation has not been confirmed in the medal number control board 17.

[0412] (11) The value control means comprises: Executing a judgment process to judge whether the bet amount setting command or the bet amount cancellation command transmitted from the game control means is normal or not (for example, a process to check whether the serial number given to the received command matches the calculated serial number); when it is determined by the determination process that the bet number setting command or the bet number cancellation command transmitted from the game control means is normal, a response command indicating that the bet number setting command or the bet number cancellation command is normal is transmitted to the game control means in response to the bet number setting command or the bet number cancellation command; When it is determined by the determination process that the bet number setting command or the bet number cancel command transmitted from the game control means is not normal, a response command indicating that the bet number setting command or the bet number cancel command is not normal (for example, a response command indicating a serial number mismatch as shown in FIG. 48 or FIG. 49) is transmitted to the game control means in response to the bet number setting command or the bet number cancel command; Even if the game control means receives a response command indicating the abnormality, it will not resume accepting the bet number setting operation or the bet number cancellation operation (for example, as shown in Figure 48 or Figure 49, the main control board 16 does not accept the bet number setting operation after receiving a response command indicating a serial number mismatch).

[0413] Specifically, as shown in Figure 48 or Figure 49, the game control means can prevent a new bet amount setting operation or bet amount cancellation operation from being accepted in a situation where the processing corresponding to the bet amount setting operation or bet amount cancellation operation has not been confirmed in the value control means.

[0414] (12) The value control means transmits a common response command to the game control means when it receives the bet number setting command and when it receives the bet number cancellation command (for example, as shown in FIG. 43, the medal number control board 17 transmits a common response command in response to the medal insertion command and the settlement command).

[0415] Specifically, as shown in Figure 43, the medal count control board 17 sends a common response command shown in Figure 31 in response to an insertion command and a settlement command, so that the response command can be standardized when a bet number setting operation is performed and when a bet number cancellation operation is performed, thereby reducing the processing burden.

[0416] (13) The value control means transmits an information command (e.g., a frame side information command) indicating a connection status with a dedicated unit (e.g., CU3) to the game control means at regular intervals (e.g., 0.3 seconds), The game control means includes: confirming a connection state between said value control means and said dedicated unit based on said information command at the start of one game, and starting said one game when the connection between said value control means and said dedicated unit is normal; Transmitting a start command to said value control means at the start of one game; After sending the start command, the next control is performed without waiting for a response from the value control means (for example, as shown in Figure 50, after receiving a frame side information command indicating a normal connection, the main control board 16 sends a start command and performs reel drive control, etc.).

[0417] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 50, the main control board 16 starts one game on the condition that the connection between the medal count control board 17 and CU3 is normal, so that the game can be progressed while checking the status of the medal count control board 17. Furthermore, since the main control board 16 does not affect the game value when starting one game, after transmitting the start command, it can execute the next control without waiting for a response from the medal count control board 17.

[0418] (14) The value control means transmits an information command (e.g., a frame side information command) indicating a connection status with a dedicated unit (e.g., CU3) to the game control means at regular intervals (e.g., 0.3 seconds), The game control means includes: Based on the information command, a connection status between the value control means and the dedicated unit is confirmed; When a bet number setting operation for setting the bet number for starting a game is received, a bet number setting command is sent to the value control means regardless of whether the connection between the value control means and the dedicated unit is normal or not (for example, as shown in Figure 50, the main control board 16 sends an insertion command to the medal number control board 17 when a bet number setting operation is performed, even after receiving a frame side information command indicating a connection abnormality).

[0419] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 50, the main control board 16 can send a deposit command in response to the bet number setting operation, regardless of whether the connection between the medal count control board 17 and CU3 is normal or not.

[0420] (15) The value control means transmits an information command (e.g., a frame side information command) indicating a connection status with a dedicated unit (e.g., CU3) to the game control means at regular intervals (e.g., 0.3 seconds), The game control means includes: Based on the information command, a connection status between the value control means and the dedicated unit is confirmed; When a bet cancellation operation for canceling the bet for starting a game is received, a bet cancellation command is sent to the value control means regardless of whether the connection between the value control means and the dedicated unit is normal or not (for example, as shown in Figure 50, the main control board 16 sends a settlement command to the medal count control board 17 when a settlement operation is performed, even after receiving a frame side information command indicating a connection abnormality).

[0421] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 50, the main control board 16 can send a settlement command in response to a settlement operation, regardless of whether the connection between the medal count control board 17 and CU3 is normal or not.

[0422] (16) A display means (for example, a game bonus display 12) is further provided for displaying a game value to be awarded to a player according to the result of one game, the game control means, when ending one game, transmits to the value control means an award value command (e.g., an end command) capable of specifying a game value to be awarded to a player according to a result of the one game; the value control means, when receiving the granted value command, transmits a response command in response to the granted value command to the game control means, and performs control in accordance with the granted value command; After sending the awarded value command, the game control means, on condition that it receives the response command, causes the display means to display the game value (for example, as shown in FIG. 51, the main control board 16 displays the payout amount on the game auxiliary display 12 based on receiving the response command to the end command).

[0423] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 51, the main control board 16 can display the payout number on the game support display 12 while checking the status of the medal count control board 17.

[0424] (17) The value control means executes a value award ratio process (for example, a process for calculating data to be displayed on a role ratio monitor) for outputting a ratio of the game value awarded in a specific state (for example, an advantageous zone) to the total game value already awarded, the game control means, when ending one game, transmits to the value control means an award value command (e.g., an end command) capable of specifying a game value to be awarded to a player according to a result of the one game; the value control means, when receiving the granted value command, transmits a response command in response to the granted value command to the game control means, and performs control in accordance with the granted value command; After sending the awarded value command, the game control means, on condition that it receives the response command, sends to the value control means a specific state information command (e.g., a reel information command, an advantageous zone command) that can identify whether or not the game is controlled to the specific state (for example, as shown in Figure 51, the main control board 16 sends a reel information command and an advantageous zone command after sending the response command).

[0425] Specifically, as shown in Figure 51, the main control board 16 can inform the medal count control board 17 of whether or not it is being controlled to an advantageous zone, etc., while checking the status of the medal count control board 17, and can therefore cause the medal count control board 17 to output the proportion of the number of payout coins awarded in an advantageous zone, etc., while checking the status of the medal count control board 17.

[0426] (18) The value control means comprises: Executing a value imparting ratio process for outputting a ratio of the game value imparted in a specific state (for example, an advantageous zone, etc.) to the total game value that has been imparted; Backing up the data used in the value imparting ratio processing (for example, the backup processing shown in FIG. 54 ), When the power supply of the slot machine is turned on, the gaming control means transmits to the value control means a unique information command (for example, a gaming machine installation information command) capable of identifying unique information possessed by the gaming control means; When the unique information identified from the unique information command is different from the unique information identified from the previously received unique information command, the value control means initializes the data used in the value grant ratio processing (for example, the backup initialization processing shown in FIG. 54).

[0427] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 54, the medal count control board 17 initializes the data used to display the role ratio information if the main control board 16 is not legitimate based on the main chip ID possessed by the main control board 16, thereby ensuring that the normal role ratio corresponding to each slot machine is output.

[0428] (19) In the value award ratio processing, the value control means issues a predetermined notification (for example, blinking the display on the role ratio monitor 89) when a predetermined period of time (for example, the period required for 6,000 games to be played) has not elapsed since the start of accumulation of data used in the value award ratio processing.

[0429] Specifically, the medal count control board 17 can notify the outside that there is a risk of insufficient data when displaying the consecutive role payout ratio and the role payout ratio on the role ratio monitor 89.

[0430] (20) A first serial communication circuit provided between the game control board and the value control means, and a second serial communication circuit provided between the game control board and the value control means, The value control means includes: Transmitting an information command indicating a connection status with a dedicated unit (e.g., CU3) to the gaming machine installation information via the first serial communication circuit; The response command is transmitted to the gaming machine i...

Claims

[Claim 1] A variable display unit is provided that can variably display a plurality of types of identification information that are each identifiable, A slot machine in which a display result is derived by stopping the variable display of the variable display part after the variable display of the variable display part is variably displayed, and a winning prize can be generated according to the display result, A game control means for controlling the progress of a game; A value control means for controlling a gaming value owned by a player; a display means for displaying a game value to be awarded to a player according to the result of one game, The game control means includes: When the slot machine is powered on, a unique information command capable of identifying unique information possessed by the game control means is transmitted to the value control means; transmitting a start command to said value control means when starting a game; transmitting, when a game is ended, to said value control means, a value command capable of specifying a game value to be awarded to a player according to a result of the game; The value control means includes: When the start command is received, control is performed in response to the start command; when the award value command is received, a response command in response to the award value command is transmitted to the game control means, and control is performed in accordance with the award value command; the game control means performs a next control without waiting for a response from the value control means after transmitting the start command, and causes the display means to display the game value on the condition that the response command is received after transmitting the imparted value command; the game control means, when receiving a bet amount setting operation for setting a bet amount for starting one game, transmits a bet amount setting command to the value control means; when the value control means receives the bet amount setting command, the value control means transmits a response command in response to the bet amount setting command to the game control means; the game control means, when receiving a bet amount cancel operation for canceling a bet amount for starting one game, transmits a bet amount cancel command to the value control means; when the value control means receives the bet number cancellation command, the value control means transmits a response command in response to the bet number cancellation command to the game control means; The game control means, after transmitting the bet amount setting command to the value control means, does not accept a new bet amount cancellation operation until receiving the response command from the value control means.

Images