gaming machines

Abstract

To provide a gaming machine that makes it easy to check whether it is electrically connected properly. [Solution] A gaming machine equipped with a movable body that can be operated by driving a motor, the gaming machine having a specified board, and the motor electrically connected to the specified board via a harness, a state in which the specified board and the harness are electrically connected is called a connected state, a state in which the specified board and the harness are not electrically connected is called a disconnected state, a connected state and a power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off is called a first state, a connected state and a power-supply state in which the power is supplied to the gaming machine is called a second state, and a power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off is called a third state, the load on manual operation of the movable body differs between the first state and the second state, and the load on manual operation of the movable body differs between the first state and the third state.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to gaming machines such as slot machines and pinball gaming machines. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, slot machines and pachinko machines are known as gaming machines, and some of these gaming machines have movable bodies that can be operated by driving a motor (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-92786 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional gaming machines, there is room for improvement in the configuration to make it easier to check whether the circuits around the motor are electrically connected properly.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a gaming machine that makes it easy to check whether the circuits around the motor are electrically connected properly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the gaming machine of the present invention has: A gaming machine equipped with a movable body that can be operated by driving a motor, The gaming machine includes a predetermined base plate, the motor is electrically connected to the predetermined board via a harness, a state in which the predetermined board and the harness are electrically connected is defined as a connected state; a state in which the predetermined board and the harness are not electrically connected is defined as a non-connected state; A first state is a power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off and the connected state is cut off, A power supply state in which the connection state and the power supply to the gaming machine are in a second state, A power-off state in which the power supply to the game machine is cut off and the disconnected state is a third state; the first state is better the second state than The movable body of manual in operation Weight when but Heavy , the first state is better The third state than The movable body of manual in operation Weight when but heavy , It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that makes it easy to check whether the circuits around the motor are electrically connected properly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a slot machine 100 as seen from the front side (player side). [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a winning line. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of a control unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the arrangement of symbols on each reel in a planar view. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing the contents of the push order bell. [Figure 6] 2 is a transition diagram of the gaming state of the slot machine 100 shown in FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing by a main control unit. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a main control unit timer interrupt process. [Figure 9] (a) is a flowchart of the main processing executed by the CPU 404 of the first sub-control unit 400, (b) is a flowchart of the command reception interrupt processing of the first sub-control unit 400, and (c) is a flowchart of the timer interrupt processing of the first sub-control unit 400. [Figure 10] (a) is a flowchart of the main processing executed by the CPU 504 of the second sub-control unit 500, (b) is a flowchart of the command reception interrupt processing of the second sub-control unit 500, (c) is a flowchart of the timer interrupt processing of the second sub-control unit 500, and (d) is a flowchart of the image control processing of the second sub-control unit 500. [Figure 11] 4 is a table showing the contents of a rotation control table according to the present embodiment. [Figure 12] 12A and 12B are diagrams showing an example of reel rotation control different from that shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration related to driving reels 110 to 112. [Figure 14] 14 is a simplified diagram of a circuit for controlling the stepping motor 700 of the left reel board 700BL in FIG. 13. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the internal circuit of IC1 in FIG. 14. [Figure 16] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration relating to the driving of reels 110 to 112, which is different from that shown in FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a simplified diagram of a circuit for controlling the stepping motor 700 of the left reel board 700BL in FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration relating to the driving of reels 110 to 112, which is different from that shown in FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a simplified diagram of a circuit for controlling the stepping motor 700 of the left reel board 700BL in FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a modification of FIG. 14. [Figure 21]FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of IC1 in FIG. 20. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration for driving a motor of a movable body for effect purposes. [Figure 23] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 24] FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of a control unit of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25] 1A is a time chart relating to the transition of a demo screen in a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a time chart relating to the transition of a demo screen in a conventional slot machine. [Figure 26] (A) is a time chart showing the transition of the demo screen of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the liquid crystal display device of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 27] 10 is an example of a slump graph showing the transition of the difference in the number of coins in a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 28] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of maximum coin number update processing in the slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 29] (A) is a flowchart showing the flow of the maximum number display processing in the demo screen display of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, (B) is a diagram explaining the configuration of the liquid crystal command of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, and (C) is a diagram explaining the display markers and non-display markers of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 30] (A) is a functional block diagram of the first sub-control unit of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a diagram showing an example of the connection between the CPU and drive circuit shown in Figure 30(A). [Figure 31] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of an LED driver used as a lamp drive circuit in the first sub-controller of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 32](A) and (B) are diagrams showing the configuration of control data for controlling lamps of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, and (C) is a diagram explaining a method of communicating control data of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 33] 1 is an external view of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the position of a speaker. FIG. [Figure 34] (a) is a top view of the first sub-control board of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, (b) is a layout diagram of each component of the audio circuit shown in (a), (c) is a diagram showing the terminal layout of the audio amplifier IC shown in (a) and (b), and (d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY in (a). [Figure 35] 34(a) is a circuit diagram showing the signal lines of the audio circuit shown in FIG. 34(a), and FIG. 34(b) is a circuit diagram showing the power supply lines of the audio circuit shown in FIG. 34(a). [Figure 36] (a) is a top view of the first sub-control board on which each component of the first sub-control unit of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention is arranged, and (b) and (c) are diagrams explaining the ground of the first sub-control board shown in (a). [Figure 37] FIG. 10 is a top view of a first sub-control board of the slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention (modification). [Figure 38] 38(a) is a circuit diagram of the signal lines of the audio circuit shown in FIG. 37, and FIG. 38(b) is a circuit diagram of the power supply lines of the audio circuit shown in FIG. [Figure 39] 38(a) is a diagram showing the first layer of the first sub-control board shown in FIG. 37, and FIG. 38(b) is a diagram showing the third layer of the first sub-control board shown in FIG. [Figure 40] 38(a) is a diagram showing the fourth layer of the first sub-control board shown in FIG. 37, and FIG. 38(b) is a diagram showing the fifth layer of the first sub-control board shown in FIG. [Figure 41] 38(a) is a diagram showing the seventh layer of the first sub-control board shown in FIG. 37, and FIG. 38(b) is a diagram showing the eighth layer of the first sub-control board shown in FIG. [Figure 42]1(a), 1(b), and 1(c) are diagrams illustrating the layout of the sound circuits provided on the first sub-control board of the slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 43] (a), (b), and (c) are diagrams explaining the position of the output terminal of the audio amplifier IC of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, and (d), (e), and (f) are diagrams explaining the arrangement of each component of the audio circuit of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 44] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of the medal-less slot machine 100 and the lending machine 700 as seen from the front side (player side). [Figure 45] 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a slot machine 100 with a front door 102 open, as seen obliquely from the front. [Figure 46] (a) is a front view of the main body 101 with the front door 102 open, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in (a). [Figure 47] 46(a) is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross-sectional view shown in Fig. 46(b), showing a state in which the front door 102 is opened at an opening angle θX relative to the main body 101. (b) is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross-sectional view shown in Fig. 46(b), showing a state in which the front door 102 is opened at an opening angle θY relative to the main body 101. [Figure 48] 1 shows a circuit block diagram of a control unit of a slot machine 100. [Figure 49] 1 is a diagram showing an example of connections of boards provided in the slot machine 100. FIG. [Figure 50] 10(a) is a diagram showing a part of the front door 102 in an open state, and FIG. 10(b) is a partially enlarged view showing the sub-controller board case 164. FIG. [Figure 51] 50(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X in FIG. 50(b). (b) is a cross-sectional view corresponding to (a), showing a modified example of the sub-controller board case. (c) is a cross-sectional view showing the basic structure of the double-sided board. [Figure 52](a) A cross-sectional view taken along line Y-Y in Figure 50(b), showing the liquid crystal ROM substrate 500D in the correct position. (c)(1) A diagram showing the front surface 500Da of the liquid crystal ROM substrate 500D. (b) A cross-sectional view taken along line Y-Y in Figure 50(b), showing the liquid crystal ROM substrate 500D in an incorrect position. (c)(2) A diagram showing the back surface 500Db of the liquid crystal ROM substrate 500D. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, a slot machine according to an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 22. Note that, for terms that overlap with other embodiments, the terms of this embodiment take priority, and for descriptions that overlap with drawings other than Figures 1 to 22, the descriptions of Figures 1 to 22 take priority.

[0010] The slot machine of this embodiment, which will be described below, is a gaming machine in which a predetermined number of gaming media are inserted, and multiple reels, each bearing multiple types of symbols, begin to rotate upon receiving a predetermined rotation start instruction operation, and based on the reception of the rotation start instruction operation, a lottery is held to determine whether multiple types of internal winning combinations have been won, and each of the multiple reels stops spinning individually upon receiving a predetermined rotation stop instruction operation.If the conditions determined by the combination of symbols when the multiple reels stop based on the results of the lottery meet predetermined payout conditions, gaming media are paid out and the game ends, but if they do not meet, the game ends without paying out any gaming media.

[0011] First, the basic configuration of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is an external perspective view of the slot machine 100 as seen from the front side (player side). Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a pay line.

[0012] The slot machine 100 shown in Fig. 1 corresponds to an example of a gaming machine of the present invention, and includes a main body 101 and a front door 102 attached to the front side of the main body 101 and capable of opening and closing relative to the main body 101. Three reels (left reel 110, center reel 111, and right reel 112) with multiple types of symbols arranged on their outer peripheries are housed inside the center of the main body 101 (not shown), and are configured to be rotatable inside the slot machine 100. These reels 110 to 112 are driven to rotate by a drive device such as a stepping motor.

[0013] In this embodiment, each symbol is printed at equal intervals on a strip-shaped member in appropriate numbers, and this strip-shaped member is attached to a predetermined circular cylindrical frame to form each of the reels 110 to 112. When viewed from the player, the symbols on the reels 110 to 112 are displayed in approximately three rows vertically through the display window 113, for a total of nine symbols. Explaining this specifically with reference to FIG. 2, the symbol displayed on the top row of the left reel 110 (position 1 in the figure) is the left reel top row symbol, the symbol displayed on the middle row of the left reel 110 (position 2 in the figure) is the left reel middle row symbol, the symbol displayed on the bottom row of the left reel 110 (position 3 in the figure) is the left reel bottom row symbol, the symbol displayed on the top row of the center reel 111 (position 4 in the figure) is the middle reel top row symbol, the symbol displayed on the middle row of the left reel 111 (position 5 in the figure) is the middle reel middle row symbol, and the symbol displayed on the bottom row of the center reel 111 is the left reel bottom row symbol. The symbols displayed on the right reel 112 (position 6 in the figure) are called the middle reel lower symbol, the symbols displayed on the top of the right reel 112 (position 7 in the figure) are called the right reel upper symbol, the symbols displayed on the middle of the right reel 112 (position 8 in the figure) are called the right reel middle symbol, and the symbols displayed on the bottom of the right reel 112 (position 9 in the figure) are called the right reel lower symbol. Each of the symbols on each of the reels 110 to 112 is displayed vertically in three rows on each reel 110 to 112 through a display window 113, for a total of nine. By spinning each of the reels 110 to 112, the combination of symbols visible to the player changes. In other words, each of the reels 110 to 112 functions as a display device that variably displays a variety of symbol combinations. In addition to reels, electronic image display devices such as liquid crystal displays can also be used as such display devices. In addition, in this embodiment, three reels are provided inside the center of the slot machine 100, but the number of reels and the installation positions of the reels are not limited to this.

[0014] A backlight (not shown) is disposed on the back of each of the reels 110 to 112 to illuminate the individual symbols displayed in the display window 113. It is desirable that the backlight be shielded for each symbol so that each symbol can be evenly illuminated. Inside the slot machine 100, an optical sensor (not shown) consisting of a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section is provided near each of the reels 110 to 112, and a light-shielding piece of a certain length provided on the reel passes between the light-emitting section and the light-receiving section of the optical sensor. The rotational position of the symbols on the reels is determined based on the detection results of the optical sensor, and the reels 110 to 112 are stopped so that the desired symbol appears on the pay line.

[0015] The payline indicator lamp 120 indicates an active payline. A payline is a line that determines whether a symbol combination corresponding to a winning combination is displayed. In this embodiment, only one payline, the middle payline L1, is provided, which is composed of the symbols in the middle row of the left reel, the symbols in the middle row of the middle reel, and the symbols in the middle row of the right reel. FIG. 2 shows this payline L1. The active paylines (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as "active lines") are predetermined based on the number of medals bet as gaming media. The slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 1 requires three medals. If fewer than three medals are inserted, no payline is active. When three medals are bet, the payline L1 is active. Once the payline is active, the start lever 135 can be operated to start the game. Note that the number of paylines is not limited to one. For example, in addition to the middle winning line L1, three lines may be set as valid winning lines: a downward-sloping winning line consisting of the upper symbol on the left reel, the middle symbol on the middle reel, and the lower symbol on the right reel; and a right-sloping winning line consisting of the lower symbol on the left reel, the middle symbol on the middle reel, and the upper symbol on the right reel. Alternatively, a number of winning lines corresponding to the number of bets may be set as valid winning lines.

[0016] The notification lamp 123 is a lamp that notifies the player that, for example, a specific winning combination has been internally won in an internal lottery described below, or that a specific game state has been achieved. The medal insertion possible lamp 124 is a lamp that notifies the player that the player can insert a medal. The replay lamp 122 is a lamp that notifies the player that the current game can be replayed (no medal insertion is required) if the player has won a replay combination, which is one of the winning combinations, in the previous game. The reel panel lamp 128 is a lamp for presentation purposes.

[0017] The bet buttons 130 to 132 are buttons for inserting a predetermined number of medals (called credits) electronically stored in the slot machine 100. In this embodiment, one medal is inserted each time the bet button 130 is pressed, two medals are inserted when the bet button 131 is pressed, and three medals are inserted when the bet button 132 is pressed. Hereinafter, the bet button 132 will also be referred to as the MAX bet button. The game medal insertion lamps 129 light up lamps corresponding to the number of inserted medals, and when the specified number of medals have been inserted, the game start lamp 121 lights up to indicate that the game can be started.

[0018] The medal insertion slot 141 is an insertion slot through which a player inserts medals when starting a game. That is, medals can be inserted electronically using the bet buttons 130 to 132, or actual medals can be inserted (insertion operation) into the medal insertion slot 141, and the term "insertion" includes both.

[0019] The stored number display 125 is a display for displaying the number of medals electronically stored in the slot machine 100. The game information display 126 is a display for displaying various internal information numerically. The payout number display 127 is a display for displaying the number of medals paid out to a player as a result of achieving a winning combination. In the following, the expression "awarded to the player" may be used to mean the same thing as "paid out to the player." In this embodiment, the stored number display 125, the game information display 126, and the payout number display 127 are configured as 7-segment (SEG) displays.

[0020] The start lever 135 is a lever-type switch for starting the rotation of the reels 110 to 112. That is, when the desired number of medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 141 or the bet buttons 130 to 132 are operated and the start lever 135 is operated, the reels 110 to 112 start to rotate. Operation of the start lever 135 is called a game start operation.

[0021] The stop button unit 136 is provided with stop buttons 137 to 139, each consisting of a left stop button 137, a center stop button 138, and a right stop button 139. The stop buttons 137 to 139 are button-type switches for individually stopping the reels 110 to 112 that have started spinning by operating the start lever 135, and are associated with each of the reels 110 to 112. More specifically, the left reel 110 can be stopped by operating the left stop button 137, the center reel 111 can be stopped by operating the center stop button 138, and the right reel 112 can be stopped by operating the right stop button 139. Hereinafter, operations of the stop buttons 137 to 139 will be referred to as stop operations, with the first stop operation being referred to as the first stop operation, the next stop operation being referred to as the second stop operation, and the final stop operation being referred to as the third stop operation. The reels stopped in response to these stop operations will be referred to as the first stop reel, the second stop reel, and the third stop reel, respectively. Furthermore, the order in which the stop buttons 137 to 139 are operated to stop all of the spinning reels 110 to 112 is referred to as the operation sequence or push sequence. Furthermore, the operation sequence in which the first stop operation is an operation to stop the left reel 110 is referred to as the "forward push operation sequence" or simply "forward push," and the stop operation in which the first stop operation is an operation to stop the right reel 112 is referred to as the "reverse push operation sequence" or simply "reverse push." ​​Incidentally, light-emitting elements may be provided inside each of the stop buttons 137 to 139, and when the stop buttons 137 to 139 can be operated, the light-emitting elements can be lit to notify the player.

[0022] The medal return button 133 is a button that can be pressed to remove medals that have been inserted and become stuck. The settlement button 134 is a button that can be used to settle medals electronically stored in the slot machine 100 and medals that have been bet, and to dispense them from the medal payout outlet 155. The door key hole 140 is a hole into which a key can be inserted to unlock the front door 102 of the slot machine 100.

[0023] A title panel 162 for displaying the model name and attaching various certificate stamps is provided below the stop button unit 136. Below the title panel 162, a medal payout opening 155 and a medal tray 161 are provided.

[0024] The sound hole 145 is a hole for outputting to the outside the sound of a speaker 277 (see FIG. 3) provided at the bottom inside the slot machine 100. The side lamps 144 provided on the left and right sides of the front door 102 are decorative lamps for livening up the game. The performance device 160 is disposed above the front door 102, and the performance device 160 has a sound hole 143 provided above it for outputting to the outside the sound of a speaker 272 (see FIG. 3) provided at the top inside the slot machine 100. This effect device 160 includes a shutter (shielding device) 163 consisting of two shutters, a right shutter 163a and a left shutter 163b, which can be opened and closed horizontally, and an effect image display device 157 (liquid crystal display device) disposed behind the shutter 163. When the right shutter 163a and the left shutter 163b are opened horizontally outward in front of the effect image display device 157, the display screen of the effect image display device 157 appears in front of the slot machine 100 (on the player's side, front side). Note that the display device does not have to be a liquid crystal display device; any display device capable of displaying various effect images and various game information may be used. For example, a multi-segment display (7-segment display), a dot matrix display, an organic EL display, a plasma display, a reel (drum), or a display device consisting of a projector and a screen may be used. The display screen is rectangular and configured so that the entire screen can be viewed by the player. In this embodiment, the display screen is rectangular, but it may also be square. In addition, a decoration (not shown) may be provided around the periphery of the display screen, so that part of the periphery of the display screen is hidden by the decoration, making the display screen appear irregular. In this embodiment, the display screen is a flat surface, but it may also be a curved surface.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a front view of the slot machine 100 with the front door open. The main body 101 is a box-shaped body surrounded by a top panel 261, a left side panel 260, a right side panel 260, a bottom panel 264, and a back panel 242, and is open at the front. Inside the main body 101, a main control board storage case 210 storing a main control board 300 is disposed in a position that does not overlap with the ventilation opening 249 provided at the top of the back panel 242, and a reel unit 700 equipped with three reels 110 to 112 is disposed below the main control board storage case 210. To the side of the main control board storage case 210 and the reel unit 700, i.e., on the left side panel 260 as viewed from the front, a sub-control board storage case 220 storing a sub-control board 400 is disposed. Also, on the right side panel 260, an external centralized terminal board 248 is attached, which is connected to the main control board 300 and outputs information about the slot machine 100 to an external device.

[0026] A medal payout device 180 (a device that pays out medals accumulated in a bucket) is disposed on the lower panel 264, and a power supply device 252 having a power supply board is disposed above the medal payout device 180, i.e., below the reel unit 700, with a power switch 244 disposed on the front of the power supply device 252. The power supply device 252 converts AC power supplied from an external source to the slot machine 100 into DC, converts it to a predetermined voltage, and supplies it to each control unit and device, such as the main control unit 300 and first sub-control unit 400. Furthermore, it is provided with a storage circuit (e.g., a capacitor) for supplying power to predetermined components (e.g., RAM 308 of the main control unit 300) for a predetermined period (e.g., 10 days) even after the external power supply is cut off.

[0027] An auxiliary medal storage 240 is disposed on the right side of the medal payout device 180, and an overflow terminal (not shown) is disposed behind this. The power supply device 252 is provided with a power cord connector for connecting a power cord 265, and the power cord 265 connected to this connector extends to the outside through a power cord hole 262 opened in a back panel 242 of the main body 101.

[0028] The front door 102 is hinged to the left side panel 260 of the main body 101 via a hinge device 276, and above the symbol display window 113 are provided the performance device 160, a performance control board (not shown) that controls this performance device 160, and an upper speaker 272. Below the symbol display window 113 are provided a medal selector 170 for sorting inserted medals, and a passage 266 through which medals pass when this medal selector 170 drops illegal medals and the like into the medal tray 161. Furthermore, a low-frequency speaker 277 is provided at a position corresponding to the sound hole 145.

[0029] <Circuit configuration of control unit> Next, the circuit configuration of the control unit of the slot machine 100 will be described in detail with reference to Figure 4. Note that Figure 4 shows a circuit block diagram of the control unit.

[0030] The control unit of the slot machine 100 is broadly divided into a main control unit 300 that controls the progress of the game, a first sub-control unit 400 that controls the main effects in response to command signals (hereinafter simply referred to as "commands") sent by the main control unit 300, and a second sub-control unit 500 that controls various devices based on the commands sent from the first sub-control unit 400. Regarding the main control unit 300, a large data capacity makes it difficult to verify the program and can also become a breeding ground for illegal modifications, which can lead to security issues. Therefore, there is a limit on the data capacity of the ROM 306 and RAM 308 of the main control unit 300. The main control unit 300 corresponds to an example of a role-drawing means and a bonus-granting means.

[0031] <Main control unit> First, the main control unit 300 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The main control unit 300 includes a basic circuit 302 that controls the entire main control unit 300. This basic circuit 302 includes a CPU 304, a ROM 306 that stores control program data, lottery data used in the internal lottery for winning combinations, reel symbol arrangements and stop positions, etc., a RAM 308 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 310 for controlling input and output of various devices, a counter timer 312 for measuring time, number of times, etc., and a WDT (watchdog timer) 314. Note that other storage devices may be used for the ROM 306 and RAM 308, and this also applies to the first sub-control unit 400 and second sub-control unit 500 described below. The CPU 304 of this basic circuit 302 operates by receiving a clock signal with a predetermined period output by a crystal oscillator 315b as a system clock. Furthermore, when the power is turned on, the CPU 304 transmits the frequency division data stored in a predetermined area of ​​the ROM 306 to the counter timer 312. The counter timer 312 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 304 for each interrupt time. The CPU 304 monitors each sensor and transmits drive pulses in response to this interrupt request. For example, if the clock signal output by the crystal oscillator 315b is set to 8 MHz, the frequency division value of the counter timer 312 is set to 1 / 256, and the frequency division data in the ROM 306 is set to 47, the reference time for the interrupt is 256 × 47 ÷ 8 MHz = 1.504 ms.

[0032] The main control unit 300 is equipped with a random number generating circuit 316 which is used as a hardware random number counter that fluctuates the numerical value within the range of 0 to 65535 based on the clock signal input from the crystal oscillator 315a, and a start-up signal output circuit 338 which outputs a start-up signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on, and the CPU 304 starts game control when a start-up signal is input from this start-up signal output circuit 338.

[0033] The main control unit 300 also has a sensor circuit 320, and the CPU 304 monitors the status of various sensors 318 (bet button 130 sensor, bet button 131 sensor, bet button 132 sensor, medal acceptance sensor for medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 141, start lever 135 sensor, left stop button 137 sensor, middle stop button 138 sensor, right stop button 139 sensor, settlement button 134 sensor, medal payout sensor for medals paid out from the medal payout device 180, optical sensor for left reel 110, optical sensor for middle reel 111, optical sensor for right reel 112, etc.) at each interrupt time.

[0034] When the sensor circuit 320 detects the H level of the start lever sensor, it outputs a signal indicating this detection to the random number generation circuit 316. Upon receiving this signal, the random number generation circuit 316 latches the value at that timing and stores it in a register that stores random numbers to be used in the lottery.

[0035] Two medal acceptance sensors are installed in the internal passage of the medal insertion slot 141 and detect whether medals have passed through. Two start lever 135 sensors are installed inside the start lever 135 and detect the start operation by the player. A left stop button 137 sensor, a middle stop button 138 sensor, and a right stop button 139 sensor are installed on the corresponding stop buttons 137 to 139, respectively, and detect the operation of the stop buttons by the player.

[0036] The bet button 130 sensor, bet button 131 sensor, and bet button 132 sensor are provided on the corresponding bet buttons 130 to 132, respectively, and detect the insertion operation when medals electronically stored in RAM 308 are inserted as medals to be inserted into a game. The settlement button 134 sensor is provided on the settlement button 134. When the settlement button 134 is pressed once, the medals electronically stored are settled (the value stored in RAM 308 is cleared and the same number of medals is dispensed). The medal payout sensor is a sensor for detecting medals to be paid out by the medal payout device 180. Note that each of the above sensors may be a non-contact sensor or a contact sensor.

[0037] The optical sensors of the left reel 110, center reel 111, and right reel 112 are installed at predetermined positions on the mounting bases of each reel 110-112, and turn low each time a light-shielding piece attached to the reel frame passes over them. Rotational position information, which indicates how far the reel has rotated from the reference position between the time it first turns low and the time it next turns low, is calculated based on the count value of the clock signal output by the crystal oscillator 315b. When the CPU 304 detects the low signal, it determines that the reel has rotated once and resets the reel rotational position information to zero. This rotational position information is stored in the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300.

[0038] The main control unit 300 is equipped with a drive circuit 322 that drives the stepping motors provided in the reel devices 110 to 112, a drive circuit 324 that drives the solenoid provided in the medal selector 170 that selects the inserted medals, a drive circuit 326 that drives the motor provided in the medal payout device 180, and a drive circuit 328 that drives various lamps 336 (winning line indicator lamp 120, notification lamp 123, game medal insertion possible lamp 124, replay lamp 122, game medal insertion lamp 129, game start lamp 121, number of stored medals indicator 125, game information indicator 126, number of paid out medals indicator 127).

[0039] In addition, an information output circuit 334 is connected to the basic circuit 302, and the main control unit 300 outputs game information (e.g., information indicating the game status) of the slot machine 100 to an information input circuit 652 provided in an external hall computer (not shown) or the like via this information output circuit 334.

[0040] The main control unit 300 also includes a voltage monitoring circuit 330 that monitors the voltage value of the power supply supplied to the main control unit 300 from a power management unit (not shown), and the voltage monitoring circuit 330 outputs a low voltage signal to the basic circuit 302 indicating that the voltage has dropped when the voltage value of the power supply is below a predetermined value (9V in this embodiment).

[0041] In addition, the main control unit 300 is equipped with an output interface for sending commands to the first sub-control unit 400, enabling communication with the first sub-control unit 400. Note that information communication between the main control unit 300 and the first sub-control unit 400 is one-way communication, and the main control unit 300 is configured to be able to send signals such as commands to the first sub-control unit 400, but is configured so that signals such as commands cannot be sent from the first sub-control unit 400 to the main control unit 300.

[0042] <Sub-controller> Next, the first sub-control unit 400 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The first sub-control unit 400 receives control commands sent by the main control unit 300 via an input interface. The first sub-control unit 400 includes a basic circuit 402 that controls the entire first sub-control unit 400 based on these control commands. The basic circuit 402 includes a CPU 404, a RAM 408 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 410 for controlling the input and output of various devices, and a counter timer 412 for measuring time, number of times, etc. The CPU 404 of the basic circuit 402 operates by receiving a clock signal with a predetermined period output by a crystal oscillator 414 as a system clock. The ROM 406 stores control programs and data for controlling the entire first sub-control unit 400, as well as data for controlling the backlight illumination pattern and various displays.

[0043] The CPU 404 transmits the frequency division data stored in a predetermined area of ​​the ROM 406 to the counter timer 412 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The counter timer 412 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 404 for each interrupt time. The CPU 404 controls each IC and each circuit based on the timing of this interrupt request.

[0044] The first sub-control unit 400 is also provided with a sound source IC 418, which is connected to speakers 272, 277 via an output interface. The sound source IC 418 controls the amplifier and the sound output from speakers 272, 277 in response to commands from the CPU 404. An S-ROM (sound ROM) in which sound data is stored is connected to the sound source IC 418, and sound data acquired from this ROM is amplified by the amplifier and output from speakers 272, 277.

[0045] In addition, the first sub-control unit 400 is provided with a drive circuit 422, and various lamps 420 (upper lamps, lower lamps, side lamps 144, title panel lamps, bet button lamps, reel backlights, etc.) are connected to the drive circuit 422 via an input / output interface.

[0046] The first sub-control unit 400 also has a drive circuit 424 that drives the motor of the shutter 163, and the drive circuit 424 is connected to the shutter 163 via an output interface. This drive circuit 424 outputs a drive signal to a stepping motor (not shown) provided in the shutter 163 in response to a command from the CPU 404.

[0047] The first sub-control unit 400 is also provided with a sensor circuit 426, and a shutter sensor 428 is connected to the sensor circuit 426 via an input interface. The CPU 404 monitors the state of the shutter sensor 428 at each interrupt time.

[0048] The CPU 404 also transmits and receives signals to the second sub-control unit 500 via the output interface. The second sub-control unit 500 performs various controls of the performance device 160, including display control of the performance image display device 157. The second sub-control unit 500 may be configured with multiple control units, such as a control unit that controls the display of the performance image display device 157 and a control unit that controls various performance drive devices (for example, a control unit that controls the motor drive of the shutter 163).

[0049] The second sub-control unit 500 is equipped with a basic circuit 502 that receives control commands sent by the first sub-control unit 400 via an input interface and controls the entire second sub-control unit 500 based on these control commands. This basic circuit 502 is equipped with a CPU 504, a RAM 508 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 510 for controlling the input and output of various devices, and a counter timer 512 for measuring time, number of times, etc. The CPU 504 of the basic circuit 502 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output by a crystal oscillator 514 as a system clock. The ROM 506 stores control programs and data for controlling the entire second sub-control unit 500, data for image display, etc.

[0050] The CPU 504 transmits the frequency division data stored in a predetermined area of ​​the ROM 506 to the counter timer 512 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The counter timer 512 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 404 for each interrupt time. The CPU 504 controls each IC and each circuit based on the timing of this interrupt request.

[0051] The second sub-control unit 500 is also provided with a VDP 516 (video display processor), which is connected to the ROM 506 and VRAM 518 via a bus. The VDP 516 reads out image data and the like stored in the ROM 506 based on a signal from the CPU 504, generates a display image using the work area of ​​the VRAM 518, and displays the image on the performance image display device 157.

[0052] <Reel rotation device> Next, the reel rotation device 10 that rotates the reels 110-112 of the slot machine 100 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 5 to 7. Figure 5 is an external perspective view showing the reel rotation device 10 of the slot machine 100, and the reel rotation device 10 is generally composed of reel drive units 20-40 and a case member 12 that houses them. The reel drive units 20-40 are all made up of the same structural components, with the only difference being the arrangement of the symbols printed on the reel band 610 (see Figure 6). Each of the reel drive units 20-40 (which have the same configuration, so only the reel drive unit 20 will be described below) is individually and detachably housed in the case member 12.

[0053] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the reel drive unit 20. FIG. 7(a) is a schematic side view showing the reel drive unit 20 in an assembled state, and FIG. 7(b) is a schematic front view thereof. Note that for convenience of explanation, some components are omitted from FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b). The reel drive unit 20 has, as a configuration for displaying moving symbols, reels 110, a drive device 604 that drives and rotates the reels 110, a rotation detection device 606 that detects the rotational position of the reels 110, and a reel illumination device 608 that illuminates the symbols on each reel 110 from inside the reels 110.

[0054] The reel 110 is composed of a thin-walled cylindrical reel band 610, a first reel frame 612 attached to the left side of the reel band 610 and supporting the left side of the reel band 610, and a second reel frame 614 attached to the right side of the reel band 610 and supporting the right side of the reel band 610.

[0055] The first reel frame 612 is composed of a circular frame portion 612A, six support portions 612B formed to extend from the frame portion 612A toward the center of the frame portion 612A as a base end, and a cylindrical mounting portion 612C formed to protrude from the tip ends of the six support portions 612B toward the drive unit 604 as a base end.

[0056] A plate-shaped light-blocking piece 612D is formed on one of the six support portions 612B to protrude toward the rotation detection device 606, and is configured so that this light-blocking piece 612D passes between a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion of an index sensor 606A (described later). Furthermore, four engaging recesses are formed at four locations in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical mounting portion 612C, at approximately equal intervals (in this example, at approximately 90-degree intervals). These four engaging recesses fit into four engaging protrusions of the movable body gear 620, respectively, thereby engaging and fixing the first reel frame 612 to the movable body gear 620.

[0057] The second reel frame 614 is made of an annular member having approximately the same diameter as the frame portion 612A of the first reel frame 612, and is disposed on the opposite side of the first reel frame 612 with the reel band 610 in between.

[0058] The driving device 604 is composed of a driving motor 616, a driving gear 618 attached to a motor shaft 616A of the driving motor 616, a movable body gear 620 meshing with the driving gear 618, and a base 622 that rotatably supports the movable body gear 620 via a support member 623 and a washer 621. The driving motor 616 and base 622 are fixed to and supported by a plate-shaped metal frame 626 with a plurality of mounting screws 624.

[0059] In this embodiment, the drive motor 616 is configured by a 1-2 phase excitation stepping motor 700 (details will be described later). The movable gear 620 is configured by a gear with a larger diameter than the drive gear 618, and the movable gear 620 and the drive gear 618 form a gear set. As described above, the movable gear 620 is engaged with the mounting portion 612C of the first reel frame 612, and then fixed to the first reel frame 612 using the mounting screw 624 and washer 621. The movable gear 620 is rotatably supported by the base 622 and is rotatable together with the first reel frame 612.

[0060] The rotation detection device 606 is composed of an optical index sensor 606A consisting of a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section, and a mounting base 606B to which the index sensor 606A is attached. A light-shielding piece 612D provided on the first reel frame 612 passes between the light-emitting section and the light-receiving section of the index sensor 606A (see FIG. 7(b)). The mounting base 606B is fixed to a metal frame 626 with mounting screws 624. The slot machine 100 determines the rotational positions of the symbols on the reels 110-112 based on the detection results of the rotation detection device 606, and stops the reels 110-112 so that the desired symbols are displayed on the pay line 114. In other words, when the light-shielding piece 612D of the rotating reel 110 is detected by the index sensor 606A, the main control unit 300 resets the rotational position information of the reels and becomes able to control the stopping positions of the reels.

[0061] Reel illumination device 608 is composed of an illumination board 608B with one cold cathode tube arranged in the center, an illumination case 608C configured with an optical waveguide for guiding light emitted from the cold cathode tube in a predetermined direction with illumination board 608B attached, and a rear cover 608A that covers the rear surface of illumination board 608B. With illumination board 608B and rear cover 608A attached, illumination case 608C is fixed to metal frame 626 with mounting screws 624.

[0062] <Stepping motor> FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a stepping motor 700. As shown in FIG. 8, the stepping motor 700 is composed of a motor shaft 710, a case member 720 that supports the motor shaft 710, a first bearing 722 and a second bearing 724 that are disposed in the case member 720 and support the motor shaft 710, a stator 730 that is disposed inside the case member 720 and is composed of a fixed electromagnet, and a rotor 740 that is rotatably attached to the motor shaft 710. The stepping motor 700 of this embodiment is a PM (Permanent Magnet) type stepping motor that is configured to rotate once in 96 steps using a 1-2 phase excitation method. In this embodiment, the gear ratio between the reel and the motor is 1:5.25, so the reel rotates once in 504 steps (=5.25×96).

[0063] 6 and 7 is attached to motor shaft 710, which outputs power. Hereinafter, the end of motor shaft 710 to which drive gear 618 is attached will be referred to as output end 710A, and the opposite end will be referred to as rear end 710B.

[0064] Case member 720 is a hollow cylindrical body with a bottom, and is made up of a substantially cylindrical base portion 720A with one end open, and a lid portion 720B disposed so as to close the opening of base portion 720A. Case member 720 accommodates stator 730 and rotor 740 therein, and supports motor shaft 710, which passes from the bottom of base portion 720A to lid portion 720B, via first bearing 722 and second bearing 724. Base portion 720A is also provided with fixing member 720C having holes through which mounting screws 624 are inserted to fix and support base portion 720A to metal frame 626 shown in FIG. 6 .

[0065] First bearing 722 is a substantially cylindrical sliding bearing that is disposed approximately in the center of cover portion 720B of case member 720 and rotatably supports motor shaft 710 in the vicinity of output end 710A.

[0066] Second bearing 724 is a substantially cylindrical sliding bearing that is disposed approximately in the center of the bottom of base portion 720A of case member 720 and rotatably supports motor shaft 710 in the vicinity of rear end 710B.

[0067] The stator 730 is disposed so as to surround the rotor 740, and has a drive coil wound in two stages (A-phase and B-phase) on top and bottom. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the magnetic pole teeth form a triangle (the upward-facing ones are referred to as A-phase and B-phase, and the downward-facing ones are referred to as A-phase and B-phase. The A-phase and B-phase have a phase relationship of 90 degrees electrical angle, and the A-phase and A-phase and B-phase have a phase relationship of 180 degrees electrical angle), and each magnetic pole (A-phase, A-phase, B-phase, B-phase) has 12 teeth per circumference. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the magnetic poles of the stator 730. As shown in FIG. 9, the magnetic poles are arranged circumferentially in the order of A-phase, B-phase, A-phase, and B-phase in a clockwise direction.

[0068] In this embodiment, the rotor 740 is made up of a permanent magnet and has 24 magnetic poles.

[0069] Here, we will explain the operating principle of stepping motor 700. Stepping motor 700 is configured to pass a current through a coil wound around stator 730, magnetize each phase of stator 730 in order based on an excitation pattern described below, and attract rotor 740 with a magnetic force, thereby rotating rotor 740.

[0070] In the 1-2 phase excitation type, the four phases of the stator 730 described above are excited in the following order, for example: A phase (1-phase excitation) → A phase and B phase (hereinafter referred to as AB phase; 2-phase excitation) → B phase (1-phase excitation) → A-phase and B phase (hereinafter referred to as AB phase; 2-phase excitation) → A-phase (1-phase excitation) → A-phase and B-phase (hereinafter referred to as AB-phase; 2-phase excitation) → B-phase (1-phase excitation) → A phase and B-phase (hereinafter referred to as AB-phase; 2-phase excitation) → A phase (1-phase excitation) → A phase and B-phase (hereinafter referred to as AB-phase; 2-phase excitation) → A phase (1-phase excitation) → ..., thereby causing the rotor 740 to rotate in a fixed direction.

[0071] More specifically, the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 excites a predetermined phase by outputting an on-level pulse signal (e.g., a high-level signal) to a phase of the stator 730 of the stepping motor 700 to be excited and simultaneously outputting an off-level pulse signal (e.g., a low-level signal) to a phase not to be excited, via the drive circuit 322 shown in FIG. 4. This causes the rotor 740 of the stepping motor 700 to rotate by a predetermined angle (one step). For example, the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 excites only the A phase of the stator 730 of the stepping motor 700 by outputting an on-level pulse signal to the A phase and simultaneously outputting off-level pulse signals to the B phase, the A-phase, and the B-phase, thereby rotating the rotor by one pulse (one step), and thereafter, by switching the excitation in the above-mentioned order, the rotor rotates by the predetermined number of pulses. Hereinafter, a rotation of eight pulses (eight steps) from A phase → AB phase → B phase → AB phase → A-phase → AB-phase → B-phase → AB-phase (or A phase → AB-phase → B-phase → AB-phase → A-phase → AB phase → B-phase → AB phase) will be referred to as one cycle.

[0072] In this embodiment, as described above, the number of pulses required to rotate the reel once (360 degrees) is set to 504 pulses (504 pulses / 8 pulses=63 cycles). Therefore, the rotation angle of the rotor 740 per pulse is approximately 0.71428 degrees (=360 / 504).

[0073] Also, the number of steps (number of pulses) required to rotate the reel once (360 degrees) is 504 steps, and if, for example, 21 symbols are arranged on one reel, the number of steps for one symbol is 504 / 21 = 24 steps.

[0074] <Excitation table> The drive signals output from the CPU 304 to the drive circuit 322 are stored as an excitation table in the ROM 306. The CPU 304 references this excitation table to output the indicated drive signals. FIG. 10 is a table showing the contents of the excitation table of this embodiment. The data of each excitation table (which is also called rotation control data because it is data for controlling the rotation of the reels) is configured to represent the excitation phase and excitation force by combining six bits of data (specifically, A-I0, A-I1, A-Phase, B-I0, B-I1, B-Phase). Specifically, the combination of A-I0 and A-I1 indicates the magnitude of the current (excitation force) for exciting the A-phase or A-phase coil; when A-I0 is 0 and A-I1 is 0, it is 0%, when A-I0 is 1 and A-I1 is 0, it is 20%, when A-I0 is 0 and A-I1 is 1, it is 60%, and when A-I0 is 1 and A-I1 is 1, it is 100%. When A-Phase is 1, it indicates excitation of A-phase, and when it is 0, it indicates excitation of A-phase. Similarly, the combination of B-I0 and B-I1 indicates the magnitude of the current (excitation force) for exciting the B-phase or B-phase coil; when B-I0 is 0 and B-I1 is 0, it is 0%; when B-I0 is 1 and B-I1 is 0, it is 20%; when B-I0 is 0 and B-I1 is 1, it is 60%; and when B-I0 is 1 and B-I1 is 1, it is 100%. When B-Phase is 1, it indicates excitation of B-phase, and when it is 0, it indicates excitation of B-phase.

[0075] For example, excitation table "55H" with table number "B0" indicates that A-I0 is 1, A-I1 is 0, A-Phase is 1, B-I0 is 1, B-I1 is 0, and B-Phase is 1, so it indicates that A and B phases are excited at 20%. Also, excitation table "26H" with table number "C2" indicates that A-I0 is 0, A-I1 is 1, A-Phase is 1, B-I0 is 0, B-I1 is 0, and B-Phase is 0, so it indicates that A phase is excited at 60% (B phase is 0%, so it is not excited). Therefore, when the table number is changed from "C0" to "C1" to "C2" to "C3" to "C4" to "C5" to "C6" to "C7," each phase is excited to 60% in the order of AB phase → A phase → AB-phase → B-phase → AB-phase → A-phase → AB-phase → B phase, and the rotor 740 can be rotated by an angle equivalent to one cycle. In this manner, in this embodiment, the rotation of the reel is controlled by outputting 6-bit excitation table data (rotation control data) to the drive circuit 322 as a drive signal. Note that in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, an excitation force of 0% is also represented as no excitation, an excitation force of 20% as weak excitation, an excitation force of 60% as medium excitation, and an excitation force of 100% as strong excitation.

[0076] <Rotation control table> 11 is a table showing the contents of the rotation control table of this embodiment. The rotation control table is stored in ROM 306 and stores the contents of rotation control for each reel control status (specifically, it is composed of a general-purpose offset counter value, an excitation table, and retention parameters). The reel control status is information relating to the control state of the reel that is stored independently for each of the reels 110 to 112, and stores one of the following information: "stop control state (stop control in progress)," which is information indicating that each of the reels 110 to 112 is in a stopped state; "acceleration state (acceleration control in progress)," which is information indicating that each of the reels 110 to 112 is in an accelerating state; "constant speed state (constant speed control in progress)," which is information indicating that each of the reels 110 to 112 is in a constant speed state; "retraction state (retraction control in progress)," which is information indicating that each of the reels 110 to 112 is in a retracted state; "brake state (brake control in progress)," which is information indicating that each of the reels 110 to 112 is in a braked state; or "reel effect control in progress," which is information indicating that each of the reels 110 to 112 is in a reel effect. In this embodiment, the constant speed state is further classified into two states with different excitation forces: a "constant speed 1 state (constant speed 1 control)" that is set immediately after the acceleration state, and a "constant speed 2 state (constant speed 2 control)" that is set immediately after the constant speed 1 state (constant speed 1 control). The constant speed 1 state is provided to stably rotate the reels 110-112 and to save power, while the constant speed 2 state is provided to further weaken the excitation force and suppress heat generation of the reels 110-112. The slot machine 100 of this embodiment controls the rotation of the reels 110-112 by changing the reel control status from stop control → acceleration control → constant speed 1 control → constant speed 2 control → pull-in control → brake control → stop control, and selecting an excitation table (spin control data) corresponding to each reel status.

[0077] For example, when the reel control status is "acceleration control in progress," as shown in Figure 11, first, the rotation control data of excitation table "77H" corresponding to general-purpose offset counter value "0" is held for a "12" time, then the rotation control data of excitation table "07H" corresponding to general-purpose offset counter value "1" is held for a "12" time, then the rotation control data of excitation table "37H" corresponding to general-purpose offset counter value "2" is held for a "3" time, then the rotation control data of excitation table "30H" corresponding to general-purpose offset counter value "3" is held for a "3" time, etc. The rotation control data is set sequentially from the top row to the bottom row of the table. The holding times of the sequentially set rotation control data are gradually reduced, thereby accelerating the reels 110-112.

[0078] The general-purpose offset counter value is a number (originating at 0) that indicates the order in which each rotation control data is executed in each reel control status, and is a cyclic value that returns to 0 after 7. The retention time (retention parameter) indicates the time for which the set rotation control data is retained, with one retention time representing one interruption time (e.g., 1.49 ms). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, during "acceleration control" in this embodiment, 1-2 phase 100% excitation (strong excitation) is performed, and it is configured to take 89.4 ms (= 1.49 x 60).

[0079] Furthermore, when the reel control status is "Constant Speed ​​1 Control," as shown in FIG. 11, first, the rotation control data of "77H" in the excitation table corresponding to a general-purpose offset counter value of "0" is held at "1" for a "1" time, then the rotation control data of "07H" in the excitation table corresponding to a general-purpose offset counter value of "1" is held at "1" for a "1" time, then the rotation control data of "37H" in the excitation table corresponding to a general-purpose offset counter value of "2" is held at "1" for a "1" time, ... and so on. The rotation control data listed in the table is set sequentially from the top row to the bottom row, and the rotation control data listed in the table is repeated 16 times as one set. In other words, by switching the sequentially set rotation control data at one hold time and executing 16 sets, the reels are rotated stably at a constant speed. As a result, "Constant Speed ​​1 Control" in this embodiment is configured to require 190.72 ms (= 1.49 × 8 × 16 sets) at 1-2 phase 100% excitation (strong excitation). During the constant speed 1 control described above, a control pattern such as one set of rotation control data is always repeated a predetermined number of times.

[0080] Furthermore, when the reel control status is "Constant Speed ​​2 Control," as shown in FIG. 11, first, the rotation control data of the excitation table "66H" corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value "0" is held at "1" for a "1" time, then the rotation control data of the excitation table "06H" corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value "1" is held at "1," then the rotation control data of the excitation table "26H" corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value "2" is held at "1" for a "1" time, and so on. The rotation control data is sequentially set from the top row to the bottom row of the table. In other words, the reels are rotated at a constant speed by switching the sequentially set rotation control data every 1 hold time. As a result, in the "Constant Speed ​​2 Control" of this embodiment, the 1-2 phase 60% excitation (medium excitation) state is maintained until a stop operation is performed in the stop-enabled state, which will be described in detail later. The constant speed 2 control described above repeats a control pattern, such as rotation control data with a general-purpose offset counter value of "0" to "7", an indefinite number of times, and when a stop operation is performed in a stoppable state, the constant speed 2 control ends even if it is in the middle of a control pattern.

[0081] Furthermore, when the reel control status is "in pull-in control," the rotation control data used in "in constant speed 2 control" continues to be set sequentially. For example, when "in constant speed 2 control" is performed, if the rotation control data of the excitation table "42H" corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value "5" is set to "1" for a hold time, and then the process shifts to "in pull-in control," the rotation control data of the excitation table "62H" corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value "6" is set to "1" for a hold time, and then the rotation control data of the excitation table "64H" corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value "7" is set to "1" for a hold time, and then the number of steps corresponding to the number of pull-in frames (number of pull-in frames x 24) and the rotation control data of each excitation table corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter values ​​0 to 7 are sequentially and repeatedly set to "1" for a hold time (in order to stop the reel at AB phase in this embodiment).

[0082] Furthermore, when the reel control status is "brake controlled," as shown in FIG. 11, two-phase 100% excitation (strong excitation) is performed for 74.5 ms, thereby applying a brake to the rotating reel and stopping the reel.

[0083] Furthermore, when the reel control status is "reel stop control in progress", the stopped state is maintained by continuing two-phase 20% excitation (weak excitation) as shown in FIG.

[0084] <Modification of reel rotation control> An example of reel rotation control different from that shown in FIG. 11 will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0085] As shown in the example of Figure 11, when controlling the rotation of the reels, reels 110-112 can be controlled using different excitation forces such as no excitation, weak excitation, medium excitation, and strong excitation. In the example of Figure 11, 1-2 phase excitation or 2-phase excitation is used, but as shown in Figure 12, for example, a configuration in which the excitation type, such as 1-2 phase excitation or 4-phase excitation, and the excitation time (number of interrupts) can be changed may also be used. Figure 12 shows the change in excitation type and excitation time when this configuration is adopted.

[0086] For example, when the reel control status is "Acceleration Control", as shown in Figure 12, first, two-phase excitation is held for 190 ms (130 interrupts), then one-phase excitation is held for 11.92 ms (8 interrupts), then two-phase excitation is held for 10.47 ms (7 interrupts), and so on, with the rotation control data being set sequentially from the top row to the bottom row of the table. Then, by gradually reducing the hold time of the sequentially set rotation control data, the reels 110 to 112 are accelerated.

[0087] Furthermore, when the reel control status is "constant speed control in progress," the rotation control data is set sequentially from the top row to the bottom row of the table, as shown in Figure 12, by first holding 1-phase excitation for 1.49 ms (1 interrupt), then holding 2-phase excitation for 1.49 ms (1 interrupt), then holding 1-phase excitation for 1.49 ms (1 interrupt), ... With this control data, 1-phase excitation and 2-phase excitation are switched every 1.49 ms (1 interrupt), allowing the reel to rotate at a stable constant speed.

[0088] Furthermore, when the reel control status is "Brake control in progress", the rotating reel is braked and stopped by performing four-phase excitation for 208.6 ms, as shown in Figure 12. After that, the reel control status becomes "Reel stop control in progress".

[0089] When the reel control status is "reel stop control in progress", the state is 0-phase excitation (excitation open, no excitation) as shown in Figure 12. Note that the reel is not limited to 0-phase excitation, and may be held in a 1-phase excitation or 2-phase excitation state for stabilization.

[0090] <Reel-related circuit configuration> Here, an example of the circuit configuration relating to the drive of the reels 110 to 112 in the configuration of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0091] 13 shows main control board 300B in the center, and on the left side of the drawing, power supply board 252B connected to main control board 300B by harness H1, and medal payout device 180 connected by harness H2. Also on the right side of the drawing, left reel motor board 700BL, center reel motor board 700BC, and right reel motor board 700BR are shown, which are connected to main control board 300B by harnesses H3 to H5.

[0092] The power supply board 252B is a board provided in the power supply device 252, and in Fig. 13 supplies 5V and 24V power supply voltages and ground to the main control board 300B, etc. Furthermore, the power supply voltage and ground are supplied to the medal payout device 180, left reel board 700BL, center reel board 700BC, and right reel board 700BR via the main control unit 300B.

[0093] The main control board 300B is a board corresponding to the main control unit 300 in FIG. 4. Note that some components and wiring are omitted in the illustration. The main control board 300 includes the CPU 304 in FIG. 4, which outputs various control signals. FIG. 13 shows that wiring is provided for outputting sub-control signals from the CPU 304 to the sub-control board 400B, which corresponds to the first sub-control unit 400 and the second sub-control unit 500. It also shows that wiring is provided for outputting drive signals for the reels 110-112 from the CPU 304 to IC1, IC2, and IC3. These ICs 1-3 correspond to the drive circuit 322 in FIG. 4 and control the stepping motors 700 of the reels 110-112 in accordance with the drive signals from the CPU 304. FIG. 13 shows that wiring from ICs 1-3 is connected to the terminals of the stepping motors 700 of the reels 110-112. In addition, terminal L_REEL_Φ0 in FIG. 13 is for excitation control of A phase, terminal L_REEL_Φ1 is for excitation control of B phase, terminal L_REEL_Φ2 is for excitation control of A-phase, and terminal L_REEL_Φ3 is for excitation control of B-phase.

[0094] It also shows that there is provided a path for inputting a rotational position signal from each index sensor 606A for detecting the rotational position of reels 110-112 to CPU 304 via IC0. In addition, it shows that there is provided a wiring for outputting a hopper drive signal from CPU 304 to medal payout device 180 via IC4, and a wiring for inputting a payout sensor signal from medal payout device 180 to CPU 304 via IC4.

[0095] FIG. 14 is a simplified diagram of the circuit that controls the stepping motor 700 of the left reel board 700BL in FIG.

[0096] Fig. 14 shows a resistor R1 and an LED D1 connected in series between the 24V power supply and ground of the main control board 300B, similar to Fig. 13. Of these, LED D1 serves to notify by emitting light that the power is on.

[0097] Also, Fig. 14 shows a capacitor CA connected between the 24V power supply of main control board 300B and ground. Fig. 13 shows that multiple capacitors (e.g., capacitors C1 to C3) are provided to stabilize operation and remove noise, but the capacitor CA shown in Fig. 14 is a comprehensive representation of these multiple capacitors.

[0098] Also shown in Figure 14 is a load ZA connected between the 24V power supply of the main control board 300B and ground. Figure 13 shows that various wiring and elements are provided, but the load ZA shown in Figure 14 comprehensively represents the loads caused by these wiring and elements.

[0099] 14 also shows that the coils that control each phase of the stepping motor 700 of the left reel board 700BL and IC1 that controls these coils are connected between the 24V power supply and ground of the main control board 300B. The coils that control each phase include coil LA that controls phase A, coil LB that controls phase B, coil LA- that controls phase A, and coil LB- that controls phase B, but in FIG. 14 these coils are collectively shown as a single coil.

[0100] <About the behavior when the reel is manually spun with the power off (1)> In this embodiment, an abnormality may be discovered by manually spinning the reels. This operation will be explained below with reference to Figures 14 and 15. Note that the following explanation will be focused on the left reel 110, but the same applies to the other reels.

[0101] First, the control of the left reel 110 will be described. As described above, the CPU 304 rotates the left reel 110 by sequentially switching the corresponding excitation table (see FIG. 10) according to the rotation status of the left reel 110 shown in FIG. 11. Specifically, IC1 receives a drive signal from the CPU 304 and controls the magnitude of the current flowing through the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB- corresponding to each phase so that the left reel 110 is in the excitation state (no excitation, weak excitation, medium excitation, strong excitation) corresponding to the excitation table, thereby causing the left reel 110 to spin and stop. The excitation states of each phase of the stepping motor 700 for the center reel 111 and the right reel 112 are also controlled by the corresponding IC2 and IC3, respectively. While IC1 is provided between the ground and the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB- in FIG. 14, IC1 may also be provided between a 24V power supply and the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB- to control the magnitude of the current flowing through the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB- corresponding to each phase.

[0102] Next, we will explain what happens when the power is off and there are no abnormalities in the circuit (when the connectors and harnesses are properly connected). In this case, when the left reel 110 is manually rotated, electromagnetic induction generates electromotive forces in the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB- of each phase (the coils function as power supplies of several volts), causing current to flow in the opposite direction to when the reel is driven (counterclockwise from the stepping motor 700 in Figure 14). Specifically, as shown by dotted arrows (1) to (5) in Figures 14 and 15, a circuit configuration PT1 is established, running from the stepping motor 700 of the left reel 110 (more specifically, each of the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB-) through resistor R1, LED D1, capacitor CA, and load ZA, and then through IC1 to the stepping motor 700. Current flows through this circuit configuration PT1. The current path inside IC1 will be explained below using Figure 15.

[0103] Figure 15 shows transistors TR11, TR12, TR13, and TR14 provided inside IC1. These transistors TR11, TR12, TR13, and TR14 have so-called parasitic diodes and parasitic capacitances (physical structures equivalent to diodes and capacitors in terms of structure) that are not provided inside IC1. In Figure 15, these parasitic diodes PD11, PD12, PD13, and PD14 are shown with dotted lines. When the left reel 110 is manually spun, the internal current path of IC1 (in Figure 15, the path entering from the bottom side (ground side) of IC1 and exiting to the right side (coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB-)) is formed by these parasitic diodes PD11, PD12, PD13, and PD14. Note that some types of ICs may have voltage-resistant protection diodes to protect the transistors from back electromotive force. In such cases, the current path is formed by these voltage-resistant protection diodes.

[0104] In addition, in response to the electromotive force due to the electromagnetic induction, a back electromotive force (power that counteracts changes in the coil's magnetic flux and current) is generated in the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB- of each phase in sequence. This back electromotive force creates a load (difficulty in rotating the left reel 110, resistance to manual rotation) when the left reel 110 is manually rotated. More specifically, if the coil of the stepping motor 700 is set to 0V as the reference voltage when the power is turned off, an electromotive force (reverse voltage) of several volts is generated by electromagnetic induction when the left reel 110 is manually rotated. This generates a back electromotive force that counteracts this change from 0V to several volts, which becomes the load (feel, weight when the reel is moved) when the reel is manually rotated. This back electromotive force increases in proportion to the change in current (speed) due to electromagnetic induction. For example, the load is greater when the left reel 110 is rotated quickly at high speed than when it is rotated slowly from a stopped state. In other words, if the amount of change in current (speed) within a certain period is large, the load when rotated manually will also be large, and if the amount of change in current (speed) within a certain period is small, the load when rotated manually will also be small.

[0105] Furthermore, part of the current generated in the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB- of each phase flows into capacitor CA, where an electric charge is charged (charged and stored). The electric charge charged (charged and stored) in capacitor CA is released (flows to ground) via load ZA, etc., but part of it also flows to coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB-, causing a change in the load when the left reel 110 is manually rotated.

[0106] On the other hand, when the power is turned off and there is an abnormality in the circuit configuration PT1 corresponding to coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB- (the circuit is not connected, or the resistance value is higher than normal, or the connectors or harnesses are not connected properly), this abnormality will cause a point in the circuit configuration PT1 to not be established, and so even if the left reel 110 is rotated manually, there will be an abnormality or no current will flow (or only a small current) in the circuit configuration PT1 that is not established as a circuit, and no back electromotive force or load will be generated when the left reel 110 is rotated manually (or the back electromotive force and load will be small).

[0107] Considering the above, it is possible to infer whether or not there is an abnormality in the circuitry surrounding the motor of the left reel 110 based on the difference in load when manually spinning the left reel 110. For example, if harness H3 is unplugged, even if the left reel 110 is manually spun, no back electromotive force is generated in any of the circuits connected to the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB- of each phase, and no load is generated when manually spinning the left reel 110. In this case, it is easy to determine whether or not there is a load when manually spinning the left reel 110, so this is the situation that makes it easiest to infer that there is an abnormality in the circuitry surrounding the motor of the left reel 110.

[0108] Note that "when the harness H3 is unplugged" refers to a case where the connector CN2, which serves as the board-side connector on the main control board 300B, and the connector CN2-1, which serves as the harness-side connector at one end of the harness H3, are not properly connected. Although not shown, the same applies when the motor connector (motor-side connector) and the harness-side connector CN2-2 at the other end of the harness H3, which is connectable to the motor-side connector, are not properly connected. In other words, this refers to a case where the connectors CN2-1 and / or CN2-2 on the harness H3 are not properly connected. On the other hand, if the harness H3 is not unplugged, manually rotating the left reel 110 generates back electromotive force in all circuits connected to the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB- of each phase, generating a greater load when manually rotating the left reel 110 than when the harness H3 is unplugged. This allows you to confirm that there are no abnormalities in the circuits surrounding the motor of the left reel 110.

[0109] Note that "when the harness H3 is not disconnected" refers to a case where the connector CN2, which serves as the board-side connector on the main control board 300B, and the connector CN2-1, which serves as the harness-side connector at one end of the harness H3, are properly connected. Although not shown, the same applies to a case where the motor connector (motor-side connector) and the harness-side connector CN2-2 at the other end of the harness H3, which is connectable to the motor-side connector, are properly connected. In other words, this refers to a case where the connectors CN2-1 and / or CN2-2 are properly connected at the connection points of the harness H3.

[0110] Examples of abnormalities in the circuit configuration corresponding to coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB- include when the harness H3 connecting the main control board 300B and the reel board 700BL is disconnected (when the connector CN2 and the connector CN2-1 are not connected, or when the motor-side connector and the connector CN2-2 are not connected), or when some of the wiring in the harness H3 or the wiring on the boards (main control board 300B, reel board 700BL) is broken. Other examples include when the terminals of the harness H3 are not in the correct connection position, resulting in a disconnected wiring, or when the wiring is connected enough to allow operation but the terminals of the harness H3 are not in the correct connection position, resulting in a higher wiring resistance value compared to the normal state. Examples of disconnected wiring or high wiring resistance include when one or both of the paired terminals are missing (e.g., when a pin is broken) or when one or both of the paired terminals are deformed (e.g., when a pin is bent). Furthermore, either of these terminals may be male or female, and the configuration is not limited to male terminals on the board side and female terminals on the harness side.

[0111] <Torque during brake control> When the power is on and there is no abnormality in the circuit, the CPU 304 controls the excitation state of each phase according to one of the excitation tables shown in FIG. 10, depending on the rotation status of the reels 110-112 shown in FIG. 11. Of these, the torque of the stepping motor 700 during the brake control of FIG. 11 (strong excitation by two phases, A and B) is referred to as the brake torque. This brake torque is higher than the torque during acceleration of the reels 110-112 (hereinafter referred to as acceleration torque) or the torque during constant speed rotation (hereinafter referred to as constant speed torque), and the holding force of the reels 110-112 is highest during the brake control compared to other states. Even when the modified example of FIG. 12 is used, the brake torque (four-phase excitation) is higher than the torque during acceleration of the reels 110-112 (acceleration torque) or the torque during constant speed rotation (constant speed torque), and the holding force of the reels 110-112 is highest during the brake control compared to other states.

[0112] On the other hand, as described above, when the reels 110-112 are manually rotated with the power turned off and no abnormality is present in the circuit configuration PT1 corresponding to the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB-, a load required to rotate the reels 110-112 is generated due to the back electromotive force. At this time, the load generated by the back electromotive force is the torque required to manually rotate the reels 110-112 (the torque required to rotate the stepping motor 700), and this torque will be referred to as the back electromotive force torque hereinafter. This back electromotive force torque increases in proportion to the change in the current (speed) of the reels 110-112. Furthermore, when the reels 110-112 are manually rotated to perform the same operation as during game play, the magnitude of this back electromotive force torque is approximately the same as the torque corresponding to that operation (for example, acceleration torque or constant speed torque). The reason why it is said to be about the same is because the state of the circuit differs depending on whether or not power is supplied, such as when a capacitor that stores charge when power is supplied does not store charge when the power is turned off, and the magnitude of the back electromotive force torque is affected. For example, when the reels 110 to 112 are manually rotated and accelerated to the same degree as in a game, the back electromotive force torque is about the same magnitude as the acceleration torque, but smaller than the brake torque (this is true for both the configurations in Figures 11 and 12).

[0113] Furthermore, when the reels 110-112 are manually rotated with the power turned off and there is an abnormality in the circuit configuration PT1 corresponding to the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB-, no load is generated (or the load is small) due to the back electromotive force in the abnormal circuit even when the reels 110-112 are manually rotated. Note that when there is an abnormality in the circuit, the load due to the back electromotive force is lower (or no load is generated) compared to when there is no abnormality in the circuit. Therefore, for example, when the reels 110-112 are manually rotated and accelerated to the same degree as in a game, the torque required for this rotation is smaller than the brake torque (this is true for both the configurations in Figures 11 and 12).

[0114] In the above configuration, the brake torque is greater than the back electromotive force torque when acceleration is performed at the same level as during gameplay, and even if the reel is accidentally rotated manually during brake control, it is unlikely that any problems will occur.

[0115] <About the load when rotating the reel manually with the power on> When the power is on and there is no abnormality in the circuit configuration PT1 corresponding to the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB-, the CPU 304 controls the excitation state of each phase according to one of the excitation tables shown in FIG. 10 in response to the rotation status of the reels 110-112 shown in FIG. 11, as described above. Of these, the reel stop control shown in FIG. 11 is a state set during non-game play (before the start of a game or after the end of a game), specifically, phases A and B are controlled to weak excitation and phases A- and B- are controlled to no excitation. In this state, the torque due to the weak excitation of phases A and B acts as a holding torque that resists external rotational forces, and this holding torque stops the reels 110-112 (stepping motor 700). This holding torque is lower than the torque during acceleration (acceleration torque) of the reels 110-112 and the torque during constant-speed rotation (constant-speed torque).

[0116] In the reel stop control state, the reels 110-112 can be manually rotated by applying a torque equal to or greater than the holding torque acting on the reels 110-112. While a load due to back electromotive force occurs when the reels 110-112 are manually rotated while the power is off, no back electromotive force load occurs when the reels 110-112 are manually rotated in the reel stop control state because the reel drive voltage (24 V) is constantly applied to the coils of the stepping motor 700. In this state, the induced electromotive force caused by the manual rotation of the reels is lower than the power supply voltage (DC) for driving the reels (the power supply voltage is 24 V, while the voltage due to the induced electromotive force is only a few volts), and is AC. In this case, the voltage due to the induced electromotive force is insufficient to counteract the power supply voltage and cause a current to flow, so no current due to the induced electromotive force flows, and no back electromotive force or load due to this current is generated. In other words, when the reels 110-112 are manually rotated with the power turned off, an electromotive force of several volts is generated in the coil, which was 0 V before rotation. This potential difference generates a counter electromotive force against the current. However, when the reels 110-112 are manually rotated with the power turned on, no current is generated due to induced electromotive force in the coil, which was previously supplied with 24 V, and therefore no counter electromotive force or load is generated. Furthermore, depending on the configuration of IC1, the current required to drive the stepping motor 700 (current flowing through the transistor: weak excitation) is maintained within IC1, while the current due to induced electromotive force (current from the ground side) is cut (circuit configuration PT1 does not hold for induced electromotive force). In other words, in the reel stop control state, the holding torque due to weak excitation of phases A and B acts as a load when the reels 110-112 are manually rotated. Note that in the modified example of FIG. 12, the reel stop control state is a non-excitation state, so no load is generated when the reels 110-112 are manually rotated. In this way, the control and configuration of the transistors does not generate current due to induced electromotive force, and counter electromotive force and load are not generated when the reels 110 to 112 are rotated manually.

[0117] On the other hand, as described above, when the reels 110-112 are manually rotated with the power turned off and no abnormality is present in the circuit configuration PT1 corresponding to the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB-, a load required to rotate the reels 110-112 is generated due to the back electromotive force. At this time, the load generated by the back electromotive force is the torque required to manually rotate the reels 110-112 (the torque required to rotate the stepping motor 700), and this torque will be referred to as the back electromotive force torque hereinafter. This back electromotive force torque increases in proportion to the change in the current (speed) of the reels 110-112. Furthermore, when the reels 110-112 are manually rotated to perform the same operation as during game play, the magnitude of this back electromotive force torque is approximately the same as the torque corresponding to that operation (for example, acceleration torque or constant speed torque). The reason for the term "same level" is that the magnitude of the back electromotive force torque is affected by differences in the circuit state depending on whether or not power is supplied, such as a capacitor that stores charge when power is supplied but does not store charge when power is turned off. For example, in the power-off state, when the reels 110 to 112 are manually rotated and accelerated to the same degree as in a game, the back electromotive force torque is about the same magnitude as the acceleration torque, and is greater than the holding torque (the load when the reels 110 to 112 are manually rotated in the reel stop control state).

[0118] <About the behavior when the reel is manually spun with the power off (2)> In the above explanation, it has been explained that there are cases where an abnormality can be detected by the load when the reels 110 to 112 are manually spun. Below, we will explain cases where an abnormality can be detected by an operation other than the load, using Figure 14. Note that although the following explanation will be focused on the left reel 110, the same applies to the other reels.

[0119] When the left reel 110 is spun manually, the power generated in the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB- causes a current to flow through LEDD1, causing LEDD1 to light up. On the other hand, if there is an abnormality in the circuit configuration PT1 corresponding to the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB- (the circuit is not connected, or the resistance value is higher than normal), no current will flow to LEDD1 in the abnormal circuit even if the left reel 110 is spun manually.

[0120] From the above, it can be inferred whether or not there is an abnormality in the circuitry around the stepping motor 700 of the left reel 110 based on the difference in the lighting state of LEDD1 when the left reel 110 is spun manually.

[0121] As shown in FIG. 13, the power supply voltages (5V, 24V) and ground of the main control board 300B and the power supply board 252B are connected, and an LED is provided between the 24V power supply and ground of the power supply board 252B. Therefore, when the left reel 110 is manually spun, the same behavior as that of LEDD1 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 can be observed in the LED on the power supply board 252B. Therefore, differences in the light emission patterns of these LEDs can be used to infer whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the circuitry surrounding the stepping motor 700 of the left reel 110. Furthermore, differences in the light emission patterns of the LEDs can be used to infer whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the harness or wiring between the boards on which they are located.

[0122] <About the board configuration> In the example of Figure 13, a configuration has been described in which boards (left reel motor board 700BL, center reel motor board 700BC, right reel motor board 700BR) on which stepping motor 700 is mounted and a board (main control board 300B) on which ICs 1 to 3 that control stepping motor 700 are mounted are connected by harnesses H3 to H5. However, there are various configurations of boards used in gaming machines, and they are not limited to the example of Figure 13. Below, an example using a board different from that of Figure 13 will be described.

[0123] 16 shows a configuration in which boards (left reel motor board 700BL, center reel motor board 700BC, right reel motor board 700BR) on which stepping motor 700 is mounted and a board (main control board 300B) on which ICs 1 to 3 that control stepping motor 700 are mounted are connected via a reel relay board 700BM1. FIG. 17 is a simplified diagram of the circuit that controls stepping motor 700 of left reel board 700BL in FIG. 16.

[0124] Comparing Figures 14 and 17, the combined configuration of harnesses H7 and H8 in Figure 17 and reel relay board 700BM1 corresponds to harness H3 in Figure 14. In other words, if the board configuration is not taken into consideration, the circuits in Figures 13 and 14 are equivalent to the circuits in Figures 16 and 17. For example, in the circuits in Figures 13 and 14, it was explained that abnormalities in harness H3 (such as harness disconnection, broken wiring, or terminals not properly connected) can be detected by manually rotating the reel. In the circuits in Figures 16 and 17, abnormalities in harnesses H7 and H8 (such as harness disconnection, broken wiring, or terminals not properly connected) can be detected by manually rotating the reel. Note that harnesses H8 to H10, like harnesses H3 to H5 in Figure 13, are provided in a one-to-one relationship with each reel, and therefore multiple reels (reels 110 to 112) can be manually rotated and inspected individually. On the other hand, harness H7 is a harness that aggregates the wiring of each reel (reels 110-112) in a one-to-one relationship, and if harness H7 is disconnected, a load will be generated when all reels (reels 110-112) are manually rotated, allowing for simultaneous inspection. Note that if some wiring is broken or some terminals are not connected correctly, a load will be generated when any of the corresponding reels are manually rotated, and by also inspecting harnesses H8-H10 at this time, it is possible to narrow down which part is causing the problem.

[0125] Figure 18 shows a configuration in which boards (left reel motor board 700BL, center reel motor board 700BC, right reel motor board 700BR) on which stepping motor 700 is mounted and a board (main control board 300B) on which ICs 1-3 that control stepping motor 700 are mounted are connected via main connection board 300BM and reel relay board 700BM2. Figure 19 is a simplified diagram of the circuit that controls stepping motor 700 of left reel board 700BL in Figure 18.

[0126] Comparing Figures 14 and 19, the difference is that capacitors C2 and C3, which were provided on the main control board 300B in Figure 14, are provided on the reel relay board 700BM2 in Figure 19. Also different is that Figure 19 includes capacitor C4 on the main connection board 300BM and IC4 on the reel relay board 700BM2, which are not included in the circuit in Figure 14. Note that IC4 provided on the reel relay board 700BM2 is a buffer that holds a signal from IC1, and when no power supply voltage is supplied, it is in a conductive state due to parasitic capacitance and parasitic diodes, just like IC1.

[0127] 14 and 19 have the above-mentioned differences, they share the commonality of establishing a circuit configuration PT1 that runs from the stepping motor 700 of the left reel 110 (more specifically, each of the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB-) through resistor R1, LED D1, capacitors C1-C3, and load ZA, and then through IC1 to the stepping motor 700. That is, the circuit to the left of harness H15 in FIG. 19 corresponds to the circuit to the left of harness H3 in FIG. 14. For example, while it has been explained that in the circuits of FIGS. 13 and 14, an abnormality in harness H3 (such as disconnection of the harness, a broken wire, or an incorrectly connected terminal) can be detected by manually rotating the reel, in the circuits of FIGS. 18 and 19, an abnormality in harnesses H15 and H14 (such as disconnection of the harness, a broken wire, or an incorrectly connected terminal) can be detected by manually rotating the reel.

[0128] Furthermore, to be able to check whether circuit configuration PT1 is established by manually rotating the reels, as in this embodiment, circuit configuration PT1 must not be established within the reel motor boards (left reel motor board 700BL, center reel motor board 700BC, right reel motor board 700BR) on which stepping motor 700 is mounted. In other words, circuit configuration PT1 is established across the reel motor boards, the boards closer to the power supply than the reel motors, and the harnesses connecting these boards, making it possible to check for abnormalities in the circuit boards and the connecting harnesses. Even if circuit configuration PT1 is completed within the reel motor boards, if the circuit configuration is not established due to poor mounting or damaged components, for example, manually turning the reel will feel heavy. In this case, however, the abnormality in only the reel motor board will be detected, and abnormalities in other parts, such as the harness, will not be detected. On the other hand, as in this embodiment, the circuit configuration PT1 is configured across the reel motor board, the board on the power supply side of the reel motor, and the harness connecting these boards, so that not only can the harness be checked for insertion or removal status, but if the harness is inserted and there is a light feel, it can be detected that an abnormality has occurred somewhere between the reel motor board, the board on the power supply side of the reel motor, and the harness connecting these boards, which can provide an opportunity to start an inspection focusing on multiple components and prevent the power from being turned on when a potential abnormality is occurring.

[0129] The power supply board 252B provided in each of the examples shown in FIGS. 13, 16, and 18 supplies a power supply voltage (5V, 24V) and ground, and is connected to the power supply voltages (5V, 24V) and ground of the other boards via harnesses. A capacitor is provided between the 24V power supply and ground on this power supply board 252B. Therefore, when the reels 110-112 are manually rotated with the power turned off, part of the current generated in the coil of the stepping motor 700 also flows into this capacitor, causing it to be charged (accumulated). If an abnormality occurs in the harness of the power supply board 252B (harness H1 in FIG. 13, harness H6 in FIG. 16, or harness H11 in FIG. 18) (e.g., the harness (connector) is disconnected or partially broken) but the other harnesses are normal, no current flows through the capacitor provided on the power supply board 252B, resulting in a smaller back electromotive force and a smaller load than when the harnesses are normal. 18, a similar phenomenon occurs when there is an abnormality in the harness H14. Furthermore, in the example of Fig. 18, if the reel relay board 700BM2 is configured such that a power supply path from the main connection board 300BM is not provided, and instead a harness that supplies power from the power supply board 252B is directly connected, a similar phenomenon to the above will occur if there is an abnormality in this directly connected harness. Therefore, depending on the capacitance of the capacitor provided on the power supply board 252B, it may be possible to infer an abnormality in the harness around the power supply board 252B (such as a disconnected harness, a broken wire in some of the wiring, or a terminal not in the correct connection position) by manually rotating the reel.

[0130] Furthermore, depending on the configuration of elements and circuits, a power supply voltage (for example, 5V in FIG. 13; in other words, the drive voltage for digital circuits and digital signals such as ICs) different from the power supply voltage used to drive the reels (for example, 24V in FIG. 13; in other words, the drive voltage for analog circuits and analog signals such as motors) may be provided. In such a configuration, if an element such as a resistor is provided between circuits with different power supply voltages, a current (current due to induced electromotive force) resulting from manual rotation of the reels when the power is turned off may flow through an element such as a resistor provided between these power supply voltages. In other words, circuit configuration PT1 may be configured not only to include circuits intended to operate with the power supply voltage used to drive the reels, but also to include other circuits.

[0131] As described above, regardless of the configuration of the board, an abnormality may be discovered by manually rotating the reel.

[0132] <Motor type> The stepping motor 700 in the above embodiment employs a so-called unipolar motor, but a bipolar motor may also be employed. This will be explained below with reference to Figures 20 and 21. Figure 20 is a diagram showing a modification of Figure 14. Figure 21 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of IC1 in Figure 20.

[0133] In the modified example shown in FIG. 20, the unipolar motor used in FIG. 14 is replaced with a bipolar motor. In this modified example, IC1 is replaced with one for controlling a bipolar motor. In a bipolar motor, the pair of A-phase and A-phase is controlled by a common coil LA (LA-), and the pair of B-phase and B-phase is controlled by another common coil. The coils controlling B-phase and B-phase are controlled in the same way as the coils LA for A-phase and A-phase. For this reason, the coils controlling B-phase and B-phase are not shown in the figure, and the excitation of A-phase and A-phase will be described below using FIG. 21.

[0134] Figure 21 shows transistors TR21, TR22, TR23, and TR24 provided inside IC1. When exciting phase A, transistors TR21 and TR24 are controlled to be on, and transistors TR22 and TR23 are controlled to be off. In contrast, when exciting phase A-, transistors TR21 and TR24 are controlled to be off, and transistors TR22 and TR23 are controlled to be on. This control reverses the direction of the current when exciting phase A and the current when exciting phase A- (see the arrows in Figure 21). In other words, phase A and phase A- are controlled by reversing the magnetic field of coil LA.

[0135] Next, we will explain what happens when the power is off and there are no abnormalities in the circuit (when the connectors and harnesses are properly connected). In this case, when the left reel 110 is manually rotated, electromagnetic induction generates electromotive forces in the A-phase (A-phase) coil LA and the B-phase (B-phase) coil, sequentially, causing current to flow in the opposite direction to that when the reel is driven (counterclockwise from the stepping motor 700 in Figure 20). Specifically, as indicated by dotted arrows (1) to (7) in Figure 21, a circuit configuration PT1 is established, in which current flows from the stepping motor 700 of the left reel 110 through IC1, through the wiring on the 24V power supply side, via resistor R1, LED D1, capacitor CA, and load ZA, and then back through the wiring on the ground side to the stepping motor 700 via IC1 again. The current path within IC1 will be explained below using Figure 21.

[0136] Transistors TR21, TR22, TR23, and TR24 provided inside IC1 have so-called parasitic diodes and parasitic capacitances (physical structures equivalent to diodes and capacitors in terms of structure) that are not provided inside IC1. In Figure 21, these parasitic diodes PD21, PD22, PD23, and PD24 and parasitic capacitances PC21, PC22, PC23, and PC24 are indicated by dotted lines. When the left reel 110 is manually spun, the internal current path of IC1 flowing from coil LA to the 24V power supply is formed by parasitic diode PD21 (or parasitic diode PD22). Furthermore, the internal current path of IC1 returning from the ground side to coil LA is formed by parasitic diode PD24 (or parasitic diode PD23). Note that some types of ICs may have voltage-resistant protection diodes to protect the transistors from back electromotive force. In such cases, the current path is formed by these voltage-resistant protection diodes.

[0137] As described above, when a bipolar motor is used, just as when a unipolar motor is used, if the reel is manually spun with the power turned off, a current due to electromagnetic induction flows through circuit configuration PT1. Furthermore, as with the example in Figure 14, a load is also generated when the reel is manually spun. As such, the behavior when the reel is manually spun, as explained above, is unrelated to differences in motor type, so it may be possible to discover an abnormality by observing the behavior when the reel is manually spun, regardless of the motor type.

[0138] <About manually operating moving parts other than the reel> In the above explanation, it has been explained that an abnormality may be discovered by the behavior of the reels 110 to 112 when they are manually spun. In addition to the reels 110 to 112, gaming machines may also be provided with movable bodies that are operated by motors, and if such movable bodies are configured with a circuit such as the circuit configuration PT1 in Fig. 14, an induced electromotive force or a counter electromotive force is generated in the motor when the movable body is manually operated, and therefore an abnormality may be discovered by the operation of the movable body.

[0139] For example, Figure 13 shows that a motor is provided in the medal payout device 180. The medal payout device 180 has a hopper that is operated by the motor, and an abnormality may be discovered from differences in the load when this hopper is operated manually or differences in the illumination state of the LED.

[0140] Furthermore, for example, when a configuration is adopted in which a movable body for effect is driven by a motor, an abnormality may be discovered in the same manner as described above by manually operating the movable body. The following will be explained with reference to Figure 22.

[0141] 22 shows the performance control board 400B on the left, the harness H21 connecting this performance control board 400B to the power supply board 252B, and the performance movable body relay board 400BM connected by the harness H22. Furthermore, on the right side of the drawing, the motor board 400BL connected to the performance movable body relay board 400BM by the harness H23 is shown.

[0142] The performance control board 400B is a board equivalent to the first sub-controller 400 in FIG. 4. Note that some of the configuration and wiring are omitted in the illustration. The first sub-controller 400 includes the CPU 404 in FIG. 4, and various control signals are output from this CPU 404. FIG. 22 shows that wiring is provided to output a drive signal for the movable body from the CPU 404 to IC 424a. This IC 424a corresponds to the drive circuit 424 in FIG. 4, and controls the stepping motor 700 for the movable body in accordance with the signal from CPU 404. FIG. 22 shows that wiring from IC 424a is connected to the terminal of the stepping motor 700 for the movable body.

[0143] The stepping motor 700 in Fig. 22 is a so-called bipolar type, and is provided with a coil LsA corresponding to the A-phase and the A-phase, and a coil LsB corresponding to the B-phase and the B-phase. Drive signals Φ0 and Φ1 in Fig. 22 are input / output terminals for signals that control the excitation of coil LsA, and drive signals Φ2 and Φ3 are input / output terminals for signals that control the excitation of coil LsB. When a current flows from drive signal Φ0 to drive signal Φ1, A-phase excitation occurs, and when a current flows from drive signal Φ1 to drive signal Φ0, A-phase excitation occurs. When a current flows from drive signal Φ2 to drive signal Φ3, B-phase excitation occurs, and when a current flows from drive signal Φ3 to drive signal Φ2, B-phase excitation occurs.

[0144] When IC424a receives an A-phase excitation signal from CPU 404, it controls the current so that it flows from drive signal Φ0 to drive signal Φ1, and when it receives an A-phase excitation signal, it controls the current so that it flows from drive signal Φ1 to drive signal Φ0. When IC424a receives a B-phase excitation signal from CPU 404, it controls the current so that it flows from drive signal Φ2 to drive signal Φ3, and when it receives a B-phase excitation signal, it controls the current so that it flows from drive signal Φ3 to drive signal Φ2.

[0145] Figure 22 also shows resistor Rs1 and LED Ds1 connected in series between the 5V power supply and ground of performance control board 400B. LED Ds1 serves to indicate that power is on by emitting light. Figure 22 also shows that multiple capacitors (e.g., capacitors Cs1 and Cs2) are provided to stabilize operation and remove noise.

[0146] The circuit in Figure 22 will be described below in the case where the power is turned off and there are no abnormalities in the circuit (i.e., the connectors and harnesses are properly connected). In this case, when the movable body is manually rotated, an electromotive force is generated in coils LsA and LsB due to electromagnetic induction, causing a current to flow in the opposite direction to that when the movable body is driven. Specifically, a circuit configuration PS1 is established, in which a current flows from the coils (more specifically, coils LsA and LsB) of stepping motor 700 of the movable body along the wiring of drive signal Φ0, via resistor Rs2 and bead Ls1, to IC424a, then through the inside of IC424a, via the wiring on the 5V power supply side, through resistor Rs1 and LED Ds1, and finally from the ground side, back through the inside of IC424a, via bead Ls1 and resistor Rs2, along the wiring of drive signal Φ1, to stepping motor 700. This completes the circuit configuration PS1, and a current flows through this circuit configuration PS1.

[0147] As described above, when a movable body is used, as in the case of a reel, if the movable body is rotated manually with the power turned off, a current due to electromagnetic induction flows through the circuit configuration PS1. Furthermore, as in the example of Figure 14, a load is also generated when the movable body is rotated manually.

[0148] If there is an abnormality in circuit configuration PS1 in Figure 22 above (the circuit is not connected, the resistance is higher than normal, or the connector or harness is not connected properly), the same phenomenon as when there is an abnormality in circuit configuration PT1 in Figures 13 and 14 occurs. For example, if harnesses H22 and H23 are disconnected, even if the movable body is manually operated, no back EMF is generated in any of the circuits connected to coils LsA and LsB, and no load is generated when the movable body is manually operated. If harnesses H22 and H23 are not disconnected, when the movable body is manually operated, back EMF is generated in the circuits connected to coils LsA and LsB, and a larger load is generated than when harnesses H22 and H23 are disconnected. This difference in load may indicate an abnormality in the circuit around the movable body's motor.

[0149] <Other> In this embodiment, a slot machine 100 using medals (coins) as a gaming medium is shown as an example of a gaming machine, but this is not limited to this and the present invention can be applied to slot machines using gaming balls (e.g., pachinko balls) as a gaming medium, pachinko machines, arrange ball gaming machines, janball gaming machines, smart ball gaming machines, etc.

[0150] In addition, the slot machine may be a slot machine that does not use medals but only exchanges electronic data, such as one that operates on a mobile terminal (smartphone, game console) or a personal computer using a program that simulates operation based on the above configuration, in which case the gaming medium includes electronic data corresponding to medals, and inserting the gaming medium includes inputting the electronic data from a specified external device (electronic storage device), and paying out the gaming medium includes outputting the electronic data to the specified external device (electronic storage device).

[0151] Although the present embodiment has been described above, it is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made to the embodiment of the present invention without departing from the gist of the present invention, and such modifications and changes are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the functions and effects described in the embodiment of the invention are merely a list of the most preferable functions and effects resulting from the present invention, and the functions and effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0152] <Technical Concepts Corresponding to the Embodiments> The technical ideas described above will be described below with reference to the corresponding configurations.

[0153] In the above explanation, A gaming machine equipped with a movable body (for example, reels 110 to 112) that can be operated by driving a motor, The gaming machine is equipped with a predetermined board (for example, a main control board 300B in FIG. 13, see <About the board configuration> for other details), The motor is electrically connected to the predetermined circuit board via a harness (for example, harnesses H3 to H5 in FIG. 13; see <Configuration of Circuit Board> for other details), a state in which the predetermined board and the harness are electrically connected is defined as a connected state; a state in which the predetermined board and the harness are not electrically connected is defined as a non-connected state; A first state is a power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off and the connected state is cut off, A power-off state in which the power supply to the game machine is cut off and the disconnected state is a second state, a load in manual operation of the movable body is different between the first state and the second state; The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0154] In addition, the gaming machine described above, a load imposed on the movable body in the first state is greater than that imposed on the movable body in the second state; The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0155] In addition, the gaming machine described above, the predetermined board is a board on which a first component (for example, a resistor R1, an LED D1, a capacitor CA, a load ZA, and IC1 in FIG. 14) is disposed, In the first state, a circuit configuration (for example, circuit configuration PT1 in FIG. 14 ) extending from the motor via the first component to the motor is established, In the second state, the circuit configuration is not established. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0156] Also, in the above explanation, A gaming machine equipped with a movable body (for example, reels 110 to 112) that can be operated by driving a motor, The gaming machine is provided with a predetermined board (for example, a main control board 300B in FIG. 13, see <Configuration of the board>) on which a first connector (for example, connectors CN2 to CN4 in FIG. 13) is arranged, The motor is electrically connected to the predetermined circuit board via a harness having a plurality of wires (for example, harnesses H3 to H5 in FIG. 13; see <Configuration of Circuit Board> for other details), the harness has a second connector (for example, connector CN2-1 in FIG. 14) at one end thereof, which is connected to the first connector; a state in which the first connector and the second connector are connected and the plurality of wirings are not disconnected and function normally is defined as a first connection state; a second connection state is a state in which the first connector and the second connector are connected and a disconnection occurs in at least one of the plurality of wirings; a state in which the first connector and the second connector are not connected to each other is defined as a non-connected state; The first connection state and the power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off are defined as a first state, The second state is a power-off state in which the second connection state and the power supply to the gaming machine are cut off, A power-off state in which the power supply to the game machine is cut off and the disconnected state is a third state; a load in manual operation of the movable body may be different between the first state and the second state; a load in manual operation of the movable body is different between the first state and the third state; The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0157] In addition, the gaming machine described above, a load imposed by manual operation of the movable body may be greater in the first state than in the second state; a load imposed on the movable body in the first state is greater than that imposed on the movable body in the third state; The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0158] In addition, the gaming machine described above, the predetermined board is a board on which a first component (for example, a resistor R1, an LED D1, a capacitor CA, a load ZA, and IC1 in FIG. 14) is disposed, The motor has a plurality of coils (e.g., coil LA, coil LA-, coil LB, coil LB-), In the first state, a circuit configuration (for example, circuit configuration PT1 in FIG. 14 ) is established from each of the plurality of coils via the first component to each of the plurality of coils, In the second state, the circuit configuration corresponding to any of the plurality of coils is not established, In the third state, none of the circuit configurations are established. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0159] Also, in the above explanation, A gaming machine equipped with a movable body (for example, reels 110 to 112) that can be operated by driving a motor, The gaming machine is provided with a predetermined board (for example, a main control board 300B in FIG. 13, see <Configuration of the board>) on which a first connector (for example, connectors CN2 to CN4 in FIG. 13) is arranged, The motor is electrically connected to the predetermined circuit board via a harness (for example, harnesses H3 to H5 in FIG. 13; see <Configuration of Circuit Board> for other details), the harness has a second connector (for example, connector CN2-1 in FIG. 14) at one end thereof, the second connector having a plurality of terminals for connection to the first connector; a first connection state is a state in which the first connector and the second connector are connected and the plurality of terminals are in a normal connection position; a second connection state is a state in which the first connector and the second connector are connected but at least some of the plurality of terminals are in a position different from the normal connection position; a state in which the first connector and the second connector are not connected to each other is defined as a non-connected state; The first connection state and the power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off are defined as a first state, The second state is a power-off state in which the second connection state and the power supply to the gaming machine are cut off, A power-off state in which the power supply to the game machine is cut off and the disconnected state is a third state; a load in manual operation of the movable body may be different between the first state and the second state; a load in manual operation of the movable body is different between the first state and the third state; The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0160] In addition, the gaming machine described above, a load imposed by manual operation of the movable body may be greater in the first state than in the second state; a load imposed on the movable body in the first state is greater than that imposed on the movable body in the third state; The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0161] In addition, the gaming machine described above, the predetermined board is a board on which a first component (for example, a resistor R1, an LED D1, a capacitor CA, a load ZA, and IC1 in FIG. 14) is disposed, The motor has a plurality of coils (e.g., coil LA, coil LA-, coil LB, coil LB-), In the first state, a circuit configuration (for example, circuit configuration PT1 in FIG. 14 ) is established from each of the plurality of coils via the first component to each of the plurality of coils, In the second state, the circuit configuration corresponding to any of the plurality of coils is not established, In the third state, none of the circuit configurations are established. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0162] Also, in the above explanation, A gaming machine equipped with reels (e.g., reels 110-112) that can be operated by driving a motor, The gaming machine is equipped with a predetermined board (for example, a main control board 300B in FIG. 13, see <About the board configuration> for other details), The motor is electrically connected to the predetermined circuit board via a harness (for example, harnesses H3 to H5 in FIG. 13; see <Configuration of Circuit Board> for other details), a state in which the predetermined board and the harness are electrically connected is defined as a connected state; a state in which the predetermined board and the harness are not electrically connected is defined as a non-connected state; A first state is a power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off and the connected state is cut off, A power-off state in which the power supply to the game machine is cut off and the disconnected state is a second state, a load in manual operation of the reel differs between the first state and the second state; The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0163] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The torque required to rotate the motor by manual operation of the reel differs between the first state and the second state. We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power off (1)> and <Torque during brake control>).

[0164] In addition, the gaming machine described above, a torque required to rotate the motor by manual operation of the reel in the first state is defined as a first torque; a torque required to rotate the motor by manual operation of the reel in the second state is defined as a second torque; The first torque is greater than the second torque. We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power off (1)> and <Torque during brake control>).

[0165] In addition, the gaming machine described above, A torque when stopping the reel that is rotating during a game on the gaming machine is a third torque, the third torque is greater than the first torque, The third torque is greater than the second torque. We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Regarding torque during brake control>).

[0166] In addition, the gaming machine described above, the predetermined board is a board on which a first component (for example, a resistor R1, an LED D1, a capacitor CA, a load ZA, and IC1 in FIG. 14) is disposed, In the first state, a circuit configuration (for example, circuit configuration PT1 in FIG. 14 ) extending from the motor via the first component to the motor is established, In the second state, the circuit configuration is not established. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0167] Also, in the above explanation, A gaming machine equipped with a movable body (for example, reels 110 to 112) that can be operated by driving a motor, The gaming machine is equipped with a predetermined board (for example, a main control board 300B in FIG. 13, see <About the board configuration> for other details), The motor is electrically connected to the predetermined circuit board via a harness (for example, harnesses H3 to H5 in FIG. 13; see <Configuration of Circuit Board> for other details), a state in which the predetermined board and the harness are electrically connected is defined as a connected state; a state in which the predetermined board and the harness are not electrically connected is defined as a non-connected state; A first state is a power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off and the connected state is cut off, A power supply state in which the connection state and the power supply to the gaming machine are in a second state, A power-off state in which the power supply to the game machine is cut off and the disconnected state is a third state; a load in manual operation of the movable body is different between the first state and the second state, a load in manual operation of the movable body is different between the first state and the third state; We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0168] In addition, the gaming machine described above, a load imposed by manual operation of the movable body is greater in the first state than in the second state, a load imposed on the movable body in the first state is greater than that imposed on the movable body in the third state; We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0169] In addition, the gaming machine described above, the predetermined board is a board on which a first component (for example, a resistor R1, an LED D1, a capacitor CA, a load ZA, and IC1 in FIG. 14) is disposed, In the connected state, a circuit configuration (for example, circuit configuration PT1 in FIG. 14 ) is established from the motor via the first component to the motor itself, In the non-connected state, the circuit configuration is not established. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0170] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a gaming machine (slot machine) will be described with reference to Figures 23 to 43. Note that, for terms that overlap with other embodiments, the terms of this embodiment take priority, and for descriptions that overlap with drawings other than Figures 23 to 43, the descriptions of Figures 23 to 43 take priority.

[0171] The slot machine described below employs a so-called medal-less configuration, which uses information equivalent to the number of actual medals (virtual medal count), and in the following description, this information will be referred to as "medal count."

[0172] [First embodiment] The slot machine of this embodiment is a gaming machine in which a predetermined number of gaming medals are inserted, and multiple reels each bearing multiple types of patterns begin to rotate upon receiving a predetermined rotation start instruction operation, and based on the reception of the rotation start instruction operation, a lottery is held to determine whether multiple types of internal winning combinations have been won, and each of the multiple reels stops spinning individually upon receiving a predetermined rotation stop instruction operation.If the conditions determined by the combination of patterns when the multiple reels stop based on the result of the lottery meet the predetermined payout conditions, a process to pay out the number of gaming medals is executed and the game ends, but if they do not meet the predetermined payout conditions, the process to pay out the number of gaming medals is not executed and the game ends;

[0173] Conventionally, there are gaming machines that display the number of coins won during advantageous gaming states such as during an automatic timer (AT) or a bonus, thereby giving the player a sense of satisfaction. However, such satisfaction is not felt until a certain number of coins is won (for example, 500 coins, 1000 coins, etc.). Conversely, when a small number of coins is won (for example, 50 coins or 100 coins), the player may feel dissatisfied rather than satisfied, so there is a risk that displaying the number of coins won may upset the player.

[0174] In addition, in the past, if a bet amount that could not be played (a bet amount that did not meet the specified amount) was set, the demo screen was not displayed. Therefore, if a game was finished with a bet amount that could not be played, the game machine was not recognized as an empty machine and was left as an empty machine for a long time.

[0175] In this embodiment, a gaming machine that can solve the above problem is provided.

[0176] <Overall structure> First, the basic configuration of the slot machine 100 and the basic configuration of the lending machine 700 will be described with reference to Figure 23. Figure 23 is an external perspective view of the slot machine 100 and the lending machine 700 as viewed from the front side (player side).

[0177] The slot machine 100 shown in Figure 23 corresponds to an example of the gaming machine of the present invention, and includes a main body 101 and a front door 102 attached to the front side of the main body 101 and capable of opening and closing relative to the main body 101. Three reels (left reel 110, center reel 111, right reel 112) with multiple types of symbols arranged on their outer peripheries are housed inside the center of the main body 101 (not shown), and are configured to be rotatable inside the slot machine 100. These reels 110 to 112 are driven to rotate by a drive device such as a stepping motor.

[0178] In this embodiment, an appropriate number of each symbol is printed at equal intervals on a strip-shaped member, and this strip-shaped member is attached to a predetermined circular cylindrical frame to form each of the reels 110 to 112. When viewed by a player, the symbols on the reels 110 to 112 are displayed in approximately three rows vertically through a display window 113, making a total of nine symbols visible. The symbol displayed on the top row of the left reel 110 is called the left reel top symbol, the symbol displayed on the middle row of the left reel 110 is called the left reel middle symbol, the symbol displayed on the bottom row of the left reel 110 is called the left reel bottom symbol, the symbol displayed on the top row of the middle reel 111 is called the middle reel top symbol, the symbol displayed on the middle row of the left reel 111 is called the middle reel middle symbol, the symbol displayed on the bottom row of the middle reel 111 is called the middle reel bottom symbol, the symbol displayed on the top row of the right reel 112 is called the right reel top symbol, the symbol displayed on the middle row of the right reel 112 is called the right reel middle symbol, and the symbol displayed on the bottom row of the right reel 112 is called the right reel bottom symbol. Each symbol on each reel 110 to 112 is displayed three vertically on each of the reels 110 to 112 through the display window 113, for a total of nine symbols. By spinning each of the reels 110-112, the combination of symbols seen by the player changes. In other words, each of the reels 110-112 functions as a display device that variably displays a combination of multiple types of symbols. Note that, in addition to reels, electronic image display devices such as liquid crystal display devices can also be used as such display devices. Also, although the slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 23 has three reels located inside the center of the slot machine 100, the number of reels and the installation position of the reels are not limited to this.

[0179] A backlight (not shown) is disposed on the back of each of the reels 110-112 to illuminate the individual symbols displayed in the display window 113. It is desirable that the backlight be shielded for each symbol so that each symbol can be evenly illuminated. An optical sensor (not shown) consisting of a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section is disposed near each of the reels 110-112 within the slot machine 100, and a light-shielding piece of a certain length attached to the reel passes between the light-emitting section and the light-receiving section of the optical sensor. The rotational position of the symbols on the reels is determined based on the detection results of the optical sensor, and the reels 110-112 are stopped so that the desired symbols are displayed on the pay line.

[0180] The payline indicator lamp 120 indicates the active paylines. A payline is a line that determines whether a symbol combination corresponding to a winning combination is displayed. The active paylines are predetermined based on the number of medals bet as gaming media. There are five paylines. For example, if one medal is bet, the middle horizontal payline is active. If two medals are bet, the upper horizontal payline and the lower horizontal payline are active, resulting in three active paylines. If three medals are bet, the lower right-hand side payline and the upper right-hand side payline are active, resulting in five active paylines. The number of paylines is not limited to five. For example, if one medal is bet, the five active paylines may be the middle horizontal payline, the upper horizontal payline, the lower horizontal payline, the lower right-hand side payline, and the upper right-hand side payline. Hereinafter, the active paylines may be referred to as active lines.

[0181] The notification lamp 123 is a lamp that notifies the player that, for example, a specific winning combination (for example, a bonus combination or a special combination) has been internally won in an internal lottery described below, or that this internal winning state has been carried over. The medal insertion possible lamp 124 is a lamp that notifies the player that a game medal can be inserted. The replay lamp 122 is a lamp that notifies the player that the current game can be replayed (no medal insertion is necessary) if a replay combination, which is one of the winning combinations, was won in the previous game. The reel panel lamp 128 is a lamp for presentation purposes.

[0182] The bet button 130 or 132 is a button for inserting a predetermined number of medals (called credits) electronically stored in the slot machine 100. In the slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 23, each press of the bet button 130 inserts one medal. Pressing the button once inserts one medal, pressing it once again inserts an additional medal (total of two medals), and pressing it once again inserts an additional medal (total of three medals). Pressing the bet button 132 inserts three medals. Hereinafter, the bet button 130 may be referred to as the "1-coin bet button," and the bet button 132 may be referred to as the "MAX bet button." The game medal insertion lamp 129 lights up lamps corresponding to the number of inserted medals, and when the specified number of medals has been inserted, the game start lamp 121 lights up to indicate that a game can be started. Note that the slot machine 100 of this embodiment is a gaming machine exclusively for betting three medals, so the specified number is three.

[0183] The game information display 126 is a display for displaying various internal information (for example, the number of medals paid out during a bonus game) as numerical values. The payout number display 127 is a display for displaying the number of medals paid out to a player as a result of winning some kind of winning combination. Note that hereinafter, the expression "given to the player" may also be used to mean the same thing as "paid out to the player." The game information display 126 and the payout number display 127 are configured as 7-segment (SEG) displays.

[0184] The start lever 135 is a lever-type switch for starting the rotation of the reels 110 to 112. In other words, when the bet button 130 or 132 is operated and the start lever 135 is operated, the reels 110 to 112 start to rotate. The operation of the start lever 135 is called the game start operation.

[0185] The stop button unit 136 is provided with stop buttons 137-139, each consisting of a left stop button 137, a center stop button 138, and a right stop button 139. The stop buttons 137-139 are button-type switches for individually stopping the reels 110-112 that have started spinning by operating the start lever 135, and are associated with each of the reels 110-112. More specifically, the left reel 110 can be stopped by operating the left stop button 137, the center reel 111 can be stopped by operating the center stop button 138, and the right reel 112 can be stopped by operating the right stop button 139. Hereinafter, operations of the stop buttons 137-139 are referred to as stop operations, with the first stop operation being referred to as the first stop operation, the next stop operation being referred to as the second stop operation, and the final stop operation being referred to as the third stop operation. The reels stopped in response to these stop operations are referred to as the first stop reel, the second stop reel, and the third stop reel, respectively. Furthermore, the order in which the stop buttons 137-139 are operated to stop all of the spinning reels 110-112 is referred to as the operation sequence or push sequence. Furthermore, the operation sequence in which the first stop operation is the stop operation for the left reel 110, the second stop operation is the stop operation for the center reel 111, and the third stop operation is the stop operation for the right reel 112 is referred to as the "forward push operation sequence" or simply "forward push," and the stop operation in which the first stop operation is the stop operation for the right reel 112, the second stop operation is the stop operation for the center reel 111, and the third stop operation is the stop operation for the left reel 110 is referred to as the "reverse push operation sequence" or simply "reverse push." ​​Note that light-emitting elements may be provided inside each of the stop buttons 137-139, and when the stop buttons 137-139 can be operated, the light-emitting elements can be lit to notify the player.

[0186] The instruction monitor 125 is a display for displaying information about the operation sequence (press order) of the stop buttons 137 to 139. This instruction monitor 125 is also configured with a 7-segment (SEG) display. For example, when instructing to operate the left stop button 137, the middle stop button 138, and the right stop button 139 in that order, the instruction monitor 125 displays "1," and when instructing to operate the left stop button 137, the right stop button 139, and the middle stop button 138 in that order, the instruction monitor 125 displays "2."

[0187] The settlement button 134 is a button for returning inserted game medals (number of bets) to the medal number control unit 350. The door key hole 140 is a hole into which a key for unlocking the front door 102 of the slot machine 100 is inserted.

[0188] The game medal count display device 170 is a five-digit seven-segment (SEG) display device, and is a device that displays the game medal count recorded in the medal count control unit 350 shown in FIG.

[0189] The count button 171 is an operation means for transmitting information on the number of game medals recorded in the medal count control unit 350 shown in FIG.

[0190] Below the stop button unit 136, there is provided a title panel 162 on which the model name is displayed and various certificate stamps are attached.

[0191] The sound hole 145 is a hole for outputting the sound of a speaker 277 (see FIG. 24) provided inside the slot machine 100 to the outside. The side lamps 144 provided on the left and right sides of the front door 102 are decorative lamps for livening up the game. A performance device 160 is provided above the front door 102, and a sound hole 143 is provided above the performance device 160 for outputting the sound of a speaker 272 (see FIG. 24) to the outside. This effect device 160 includes a shutter (shielding device) 163 consisting of two shutters, a right shutter 163a and a left shutter 163b, which can be opened and closed horizontally, and an effect image display device 157 (liquid crystal display device) disposed behind the shutter 163. When the right shutter 163a and the left shutter 163b are opened horizontally outward in front of the effect image display device 157, the display screen of the effect image display device 157 appears in front of the slot machine 100 (on the player's side, front side). Note that the display device does not have to be a liquid crystal display device; any display device capable of displaying various effect images and various game information may be used. For example, a multi-segment display (7-segment display), a dot matrix display, an organic EL display, a plasma display, a reel (drum), or a display device consisting of a projector and a screen may be used. The display screen is rectangular and configured so that the entire screen can be viewed by the player. In this embodiment, the display screen is rectangular, but it may also be square. In addition, decorations (not shown) may be provided around the periphery of the display screen, so that part of the periphery of the display screen is hidden by the decorations, making the display screen appear irregularly shaped. In this embodiment, the display screen is a flat surface, but it may also be a curved surface. This effect image display device 157 corresponds to an example of an effect means.

[0192] 23 is sometimes called a card unit and corresponds to an example of the gaming media management device of the present invention. This lending machine 700 is installed in a one-to-one relationship with the slot machine 100.

[0193] The lending machine 700 accepts cards. There are two types of "cards" referred to here. One is a visitor card (also called a general card) with a prepaid function, which is a gaming storage medium issued to general players who are not registered as members. The other is a membership card, which is a gaming storage medium issued to member players who have registered as members at the gaming facility. An IC card is used as the card.

[0194] The card stores a value, which includes the "number of medals held" and the "money balance," which is the balance of prepaid money.

[0195] The lending machine 700 that accepts a card has the function of converting the "number of possessed medals" stored on the card into the "number of gaming medals (number of credits)." The "number of gaming medals (number of credits)" is data that can be used to set the number of bets and can also be converted into the "number of possessed medals." The "number of gaming medals" can be obtained by debiting the "money balance" or "number of possessed medals" on the card. The "number of gaming medals" also includes the number of medals won by winning. This "number of gaming medals" is managed by the medal count control unit 350 shown in FIG. 24, and is the number of electronic medals (amount of electronic gaming value) electromagnetically stored. By inserting medals using the bet buttons 130, 132, the "number of gaming medals" is subtracted.

[0196] The "number of possessed medals" is a value obtained by converting the "number of game medals (number of credits)" into a count. This "number of possessed medals" is stored in a manner that allows it to be specified by the player's card. In other words, by operating the count button 171, the "number of game medals" is converted into the "number of possessed medals" and can be stored on the card. The "number of possessed medals" may also be managed by a management device for managing the number of possessed medals that is installed in the gaming facility.

[0197] The front side of the lending machine 700 is provided with a bill insertion slot 701 at the top for inserting bills and a card insertion slot 702 at the bottom for inserting cards. A membership card or visitor card inserted into this card insertion slot 702 is accepted by a card reader / writer, and the information stored on the card is read. The authenticity and type of bill inserted into the bill insertion slot 701 are identified, and the face value of the bill is stored as the "money balance" on the card inserted into the card insertion slot 702.

[0198] An information display 703 is provided below the bill insertion slot 701. This information display 703 is a display that provides operation guidance for the lending machine 700 and the status of the slot machine 100 by means of text and images. The surface may be configured as a touch panel, and various operations may be input by touching various displayed display items with a finger.

[0199] Below the information display 703, a money balance display 705 and a medal count balance display 706 are arranged in two rows, one above the other. The money balance display 705 displays the "money balance" stored in the card inserted in the card insertion slot 702 as a monetary amount. On the other hand, the medal count balance display 706 displays the "number of medals held" stored in the card inserted in the card insertion slot 702 as the number of medals.

[0200] A lending button 707 and a card return button 708 are provided in the vertical center of the lending machine 700. The lending button 707 is an operating means for withdrawing the "money balance" stored in the card inserted into the card insertion slot 702 to obtain the "number of game medals." Specifically, if the card inserted into the card insertion slot 702 has a "money balance," an LED lamp built into the lending button 707 lights up in a manner indicating that withdrawal is possible. By operating the lending button 707 in this state, the "number of game medals" is increased according to the amount of money withdrawn. For example, a "number of game medals" equivalent to a predetermined amount of 1,000 yen is added. Furthermore, if the "money balance" of the card is less than a predetermined amount (e.g., less than 1,000 yen), only the "number of game medals" converted from the current balance at a predetermined rate is added. Note that even if the "cash balance" of the card is less than a predetermined amount, the "number of possessed medals" stored on the card may be replenished, and the "number of game medals" may be increased by a predetermined amount. The card return button 708 is operated when the player ends the game, and is an operating means for storing the "number of possessed medals" determined at the end of the game in the card inserted into the card insertion slot 702 and ejecting it. The "number of possessed medals" determined at the end of the game is the number of medals obtained by subtracting the number of medals converted to the "number of game medals" from the "number of possessed medals" stored on the card inserted into the card insertion slot 702, and then adding the number of game medals counted by the counting operation. The data of the "cash balance," "number of possessed medals," and "number of game medals" explained above are converted in the following order: "cash balance" and "number of possessed medals" → "number of game medals" → "number of possessed medals." In this way, the "number of medals held" specified by the card is converted into the "number of game medals," and in the slot machine 100 of this embodiment, the "number of game medals" can be used to set the number of bets, so it is possible to provide a new slot machine (controlled game machine) that does not use real medals for gaming, without causing confusion to players who are accustomed to conventional slot machines in which real medals are loaned to them, credits are secured by inserting those real medals, and the number of bets is set using those credits.

[0201] Although this specification does not refer to the "number of medals saved," this "number of medals saved" refers to the number of medals deposited in the gaming facility, rather than being stored on the card. In the gaming facility, the number of medals a player has acquired through play may be managed as "points" by the hall management terminal or other management computer for the day, and as the "number of medals saved" from the day after the acquisition. When both the "number of medals saved" and the "number of medals saved" are stored, priority is given to deducting the "number of medals saved." Furthermore, both the "number of medals saved" and the "number of medals saved" may be stored in a host server (not shown) in association with the card number. In the case of a visitor card, the "number of medals saved" is stored directly on the visitor card, but the "number of medals saved" may also be stored in the host server in association with the card number. When storing the number of medals saved in the host server in association with the card number, data identifying the time the data was stored in the host server may be written to the card (membership card, visitor card) and then discharged. Furthermore, the "cash balance" is written directly onto the card (membership card, visitor card) and then discharged. The "number of possessed medals" is stored on the card (membership card, visitor card) or in the host server, for example, when the counting button 171 is operated and a counting process is performed. However, instead of this, it may be stored all at once when the card is returned. Furthermore, when a player finishes playing and returns the card from the lending machine 700, the "number of possessed medals" stored in the lending machine 700 may be temporarily stored as saved medals in the hall management terminal 800. When the player inserts the card into the same or a different lending machine 700 on the same day as the card is returned, only the "number of possessed medals" for that day that was temporarily stored as saved medals may be stored again in the lending machine 700, and the "number of game medals" may be added within the range of the "number of possessed medals" so that the player can play.

[0202] The rental machine 700 may also be provided with an IR photosensitive unit that receives infrared signals from a remote control carried by an attendant at the game center, converts them into electronic signals, and outputs them.

[0203] Furthermore, in the lending machine 700 shown in FIG. 23, the lending of "game medal count" was possible by operating the lending button 707 and debiting the "money balance" stored on the card. However, it may also be possible to debit the "owned medal count" recorded on the card and convert it into "game medal count." Specifically, a medal button is provided on the lending machine 700, and if the card inserted in the card insertion slot 702 contains "owned medal count," an LED lamp built into the owned medal button lights up in a manner indicating that withdrawal is possible. By operating the owned medal button in this state, if the owned medal count is equal to or exceeds a predetermined number (e.g., 50), the "game medal count" is increased by a predetermined number (e.g., 50). Furthermore, the number of owned medals acquired by the player during play as described above is stored on the card as "owned points" for the day, or is managed by the hall management terminal 800 or other management computer, and a replay button is provided on the lending machine 700. If there are "points," the LED lamp built into the replay button will light up in a manner indicating that withdrawal is possible. By operating the replay button in this state, a predetermined number (for example, 50) of "game medals" may be added.

[0204] <Circuit configuration of control unit> Next, the circuit configuration of the control unit of the slot machine 100 will be described in detail with reference to Figure 24. Note that this figure shows a circuit block diagram of the control unit.

[0205] The control unit of the slot machine 100 is broadly composed of a main control unit 300 that controls the progress of the game, a first sub-control unit 400 that controls the main presentation in response to command signals (hereinafter simply referred to as "commands") sent by the main control unit 300, and a second sub-control unit 500 that controls various devices based on the commands sent from the first sub-control unit 400. With regard to the main control unit 300, if the data capacity becomes too large it becomes difficult to verify the program and it can also become a breeding ground for illegal modifications, which can lead to security issues, so there are limits on the data capacity of the ROM 306 and RAM 308 of the main control unit 300.

[0206] <Main control unit> First, we will explain the main control unit 300 of the slot machine 100. The main control unit 300 has a game control unit 302 that controls the progress of the game and a medal count control unit 350 that controls the number of game medals owned by the player. The game control unit 302 corresponds to an example of game control means, and the medal count control unit 350 corresponds to an example of game value number control means. The game control unit 302 is equipped with a CPU 304, a ROM 306 that stores control program data, lottery data used in the internal lottery for winning combinations, reel symbol arrangements and stop positions, etc., a RAM 308 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 310 for controlling input and output of various devices, a counter timer 312 for measuring time, number of times, etc., and a WDT (watchdog timer) (not shown). Note that other storage devices may be used for the ROM 306 and RAM 308, and the same applies to the medal count control unit 350, first sub-control unit 400, and second sub-control unit 500, which will be described later. The CPU 304 of the game control unit 302 operates by receiving a clock signal with a predetermined period output by a crystal oscillator (not shown) as a system clock. Furthermore, when the CPU 304 is powered on, it transmits frequency division data stored in a predetermined area of ​​the ROM 306 to the counter timer 312. The counter timer 312 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 304 at each interrupt time. The CPU 304 monitors each sensor and transmits drive pulses in response to the interrupt request. For example, if the clock signal output by the crystal oscillator 315b is set to 8 MHz, the frequency division value of the counter timer 312 is set to 1 / 256, and the frequency division data in the ROM 306 is set to 47, the reference time for the interrupt is 256 × 47 ÷ 8 MHz = 1.504 ms.

[0207] The main control unit 300 is equipped with a random number generating circuit (not shown) which is used as a hardware random number counter that fluctuates values ​​within the range of 0 to 65535 based on a clock signal input from a crystal oscillator (not shown), and a start-up signal output circuit (not shown) which outputs a start-up signal (reset signal) when power is turned on, and the CPU 304 of the game control unit 302 starts game control when a start-up signal is input from this start-up signal output circuit.

[0208] The CPU 304 of the game control unit 302 also monitors the states of the bet buttons 130, 132, the start lever 135, the stop buttons 137-139, and the settlement button 134 at each interrupt time. For example, when it detects that the bet buttons 130, 132 have been turned on, it executes a process of electronically inserting medals stored electronically in the medal count control unit 350 as medals to be inserted into the game. When it detects that the start lever 135 has been turned on, it outputs a signal indicating this detection to the random number generation circuit. Upon receiving this signal, the random number generation circuit latches the value at that timing and stores it in a register that stores random numbers to be used in the lottery. When it detects that the left stop button 137, the center stop button 138, or the right stop button 139 has been turned on, it executes control to stop the reels 110-112 corresponding to each stop button if they are in a stoppable state. When it is detected that the settlement button 134 has been turned on, a process of electronically returning the inserted gaming medals to the medal count control unit 350 is executed.

[0209] The CPU 304 of the game control unit 302 also monitors the status of various sensors 318 (such as the optical sensor of the left reel 110, the optical sensor of the center reel 111, and the optical sensor of the right reel 112) at each interrupt time. The optical sensors of the left reel 110, the center reel 111, and the right reel 112 are installed at predetermined positions on the mounting bases of the reels 110-112, and turn L level each time a light-shielding piece provided on the reel frame passes by. Rotational position information indicating how far the reel has rotated from the reference position between the time it turns L level and the time it next turns L level is calculated based on the count value of the clock signal output by the crystal oscillator 315b. When the CPU 304 detects the L level signal, it determines that the reel has made one rotation and resets the reel rotational position information to zero. This rotational position information is stored in the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300.

[0210] The main control unit 300 includes a drive circuit 322 that drives the motors provided on the reels 110 to 112, a drive circuit 324 that drives display devices such as the instruction monitor 125, game information display 126, and payout number display 127, and a drive circuit 326 that drives various lamps 336 (winning line display lamp 120, notification lamp 123, game medal insertion possible lamp 124, replay lamp 122, game medal insertion lamp 129, game start lamp 121, etc.).

[0211] Furthermore, the slot machine 100 has setting values ​​that vary in the degree of advantage to the player. Setting 1 to Setting 6 are available as setting values. The higher the setting value, the greater the advantage to the player tends to be. Specifically, an internal winning probability is determined for each setting value. Even if the internal winning probability is the same for each setting value, setting differences may be provided for lotteries related to AT, such as AT transition lotteries and AT addition lotteries, and lotteries related to CZ, such as CZ transition lotteries and high-probability transition lotteries that give an advantage to CZ transitions. A setting change button 175, which is operated when changing the setting value, is connected to the game control unit 302.

[0212] In addition, an information output circuit 328 is connected to the game control unit 302, and the main control unit 300 outputs game information (e.g., information indicating the game status) of the slot machine 100 to an information input circuit 650 provided in an external hall computer (not shown) or the like via this information output circuit 328.

[0213] In addition, the main control unit 300 is equipped with a voltage monitoring circuit (not shown) that monitors the voltage value of the power supply supplied to the main control unit 300 from the power management unit (not shown), and this voltage monitoring circuit outputs a low voltage signal indicating a drop in voltage to each of the game control unit 302 and the medal count control unit 350 when the voltage value of the power supply is below a predetermined value (e.g., 9V).

[0214] In addition, the main control unit 300 is equipped with an output interface for sending commands to the first sub-control unit 400, enabling communication with the first sub-control unit 400. Note that information communication between the main control unit 300 and the first sub-control unit 400 is one-way communication, and the main control unit 300 is configured to be able to send signals such as commands to the first sub-control unit 400, but is configured so that signals such as commands cannot be sent from the first sub-control unit 400 to the main control unit 300.

[0215] Like the game control unit 302, the medal count control unit 350 is equipped with a CPU 354, a ROM 356, a RAM 358, an I / O 360 for controlling input and output of various devices, and a counter timer 362 for measuring time, number of times, etc. The CPUs 304 and 354 are mounted on the same circuit board and connected via a buffer IC. This allows the CPU 304 to use the ROM 306 and RAM 308 without using the ROM 356 and RAM 358, and the CPU 354 to use the ROM 356 and RAM 358 without using the ROM 306 and RAM 308. A WDT (watchdog timer), not shown, is also mounted. The CPU 354 of the medal count control unit 350 also operates by inputting a clock signal with a predetermined cycle output by a crystal oscillator, not shown, as a system clock. Furthermore, when the power is turned on, the CPU 354 transmits the frequency division data stored in a predetermined area of ​​the ROM 356 to the counter timer 362. The counter timer 362 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 354 at each interrupt time. The CPU 354 operates in response to this interrupt request. The medal count control unit 350 executes interrupt processing every 0.745 ms. The CPU 354 also repeatedly communicates with the lending machine 700 at 300 ms intervals.

[0216] The CPU 354 of the medal count control unit 350 also has a start-up signal output circuit (not shown) that outputs a start-up signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on, and the CPU 354 of the medal count control unit 350 also starts medal count control when a start-up signal is input from this start-up signal output circuit.

[0217] A game medal count display device 170 configured with a 5-digit 7-segment (SEG) display, a count button 171, and a game medal count clear button 172 are connected to the basic circuit of the medal count control unit 350.

[0218] The basic circuit of the medal count control unit 350 is also connected to the lending machine 700 via a lending machine connection terminal board 790. The medal count control unit 350 communicates with the lending machine 700 in both directions.

[0219] The medal count control unit 350 transmits various commands to the game control unit 302. The game control unit 302 also transmits various commands to the medal count control unit 350. In other words, communication between the medal count control unit 350 and the game control unit 302 is also two-way communication.

[0220] Furthermore, the medal count control unit 350 stores the "number of game medals" in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 358. Specifically, the "number of game medals" is stored in a credit counter. The medal count control unit 350 updates the "number of game medals" stored in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 358 by addition processing or subtraction processing. Examples of addition processing include processing based on a payout command sent from the game control unit 302, processing based on a settlement command sent from the game control unit 302, and processing based on a lending notification sent from the lending machine 700. On the other hand, examples of subtraction processing include counting processing based on operation of the count button 171 and processing based on an insertion command sent from the game control unit 302.

[0221] The medal count clear button 172 shown in FIG. 24 is located in a position where it cannot be operated by a player (for example, in a position where it cannot be operated without opening the front door 102), and is an operating means for clearing the "medal count" stored in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 358. For example, if a player leaves the game with "2" remaining in the medal count, it becomes difficult to determine whether the player who left "2" intends to continue playing, and another player is unable to start playing. However, if the medal count can be cleared by a store clerk's operation, another player can be welcomed sooner. Note that the "medal count" does not necessarily have to be cleared when the medal count clear button 172 is operated. For example, it may be cleared when the medal count is two or less, and counted in the same way as when the count button 171 is operated when three or more medals remain. If the counting button 171 malfunctions and cannot recognize that it has been operated, the "number of game medals" cannot be converted to the "number of held medals," potentially causing a disadvantage to the player. However, if counting can be performed by a store clerk, this does not cause any disadvantage to the player. Furthermore, there is no need to provide a new counting button for store clerks, which does not increase costs. Instead of distinguishing between clearing and counting based on the number of game medals, clearing and counting may be determined by the method of operation of the game medal count clear button 172. For example, clearing occurs when the game medal count clear button 172 is pressed briefly, and counting occurs when the game medal count clear button 172 is pressed for a long time. Either clearing or counting can be easily selected regardless of the number of game medals. Furthermore, clearing occurs when only the game medal count clear button 172 is pressed, and counting occurs when the game medal count clear button 172 and another button are pressed simultaneously. The possibility of operating the game medal count clear button 172 incorrectly is reduced, making it easy to select either clearing or counting.

[0222] <Sub-controller> Next, the first sub-control unit 400 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The first sub-control unit 400 receives control commands sent by the main control unit 300 (game control unit 302) via an input interface. The first sub-control unit 400 is equipped with a basic circuit 402 that controls the entire first sub-control unit 400 based on these control commands. This basic circuit 402 is equipped with a CPU 404, a RAM 408 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 410 for controlling the input and output of various devices, and a counter timer 412 for measuring time, number of times, etc. The CPU 404 of the basic circuit 402 operates by inputting a clock signal with a predetermined period output by a crystal oscillator 414 as a system clock. The ROM 406 stores control programs and data for controlling the entire first sub-control unit 400, data for controlling the backlight lighting pattern and various displays, etc.

[0223] The CPU 404 transmits the frequency division data stored in a predetermined area of ​​the ROM 406 to the counter timer 412 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The counter timer 412 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 404 for each interrupt time. The CPU 404 controls each IC and each circuit based on the timing of this interrupt request.

[0224] The first sub-control unit 400 is also provided with an audio amplifier IC 418, which is connected to speakers 272, 277 via an output interface. The audio amplifier IC 418 controls the sound output from the amplifier and speakers 272, 277 in response to commands from the CPU 404. An S-ROM (sound ROM) in which sound data is stored is connected to the audio amplifier IC 418, and sound data acquired from this ROM is amplified by the amplifier and output from the speakers 272, 277. These speakers 272, 277 correspond to an example of a performance means.

[0225] The first sub-controller 400 is also provided with a drive circuit 422, and various lamps 420 (upper lamps, lower lamps, side lamps 144, title panel lamps, bet button lamps, reel backlights, etc.) are connected to the drive circuit 422 via an input / output interface. The various lamps 420 correspond to an example of a performance means.

[0226] The first sub-control unit 400 also has a drive circuit 424 that drives the motor of the shutter 163, and the drive circuit 424 is connected to the shutter 163 via an output interface. This drive circuit 424 outputs a drive signal to a stepping motor (not shown) provided in the shutter 163 in response to a command from the CPU 404.

[0227] The first sub-control unit 400 is also provided with a sensor circuit 426, and a shutter sensor 428 is connected to the sensor circuit 426 via an input interface. The CPU 404 monitors the state of the shutter sensor 428 at each interrupt time.

[0228] The CPU 404 also transmits and receives signals to the second sub-control unit 500 via the output interface. The second sub-control unit 500 performs various controls of the performance device 160, including display control of the performance image display device 157. The second sub-control unit 500 may be configured with multiple control units, such as a control unit that controls the display of the performance image display device 157 and a control unit that controls various performance drive devices (for example, a control unit that controls the motor drive of the shutter 163).

[0229] The second sub-control unit 500 is equipped with a basic circuit 502 that receives control commands sent by the first sub-control unit 400 via an input interface and controls the entire second sub-control unit 500 based on these control commands. This basic circuit 502 is equipped with a CPU 504, a RAM 508 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 510 for controlling the input and output of various devices, and a counter timer 512 for measuring time, number of times, etc. The CPU 504 of the basic circuit 502 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output by a crystal oscillator 514 as a system clock. The ROM 506 stores control programs and data for controlling the entire second sub-control unit 500, data for image display, etc.

[0230] The CPU 504 transmits the frequency division data stored in a predetermined area of ​​the ROM 506 to the counter timer 512 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The counter timer 512 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 404 for each interrupt time. The CPU 504 controls each IC and each circuit based on the timing of this interrupt request.

[0231] The second sub-control unit 500 is also provided with a VDP 516 (video display processor), which is connected to the ROM 506 and VRAM 518 via a bus. The VDP 516 reads out image data and the like stored in the ROM 506 based on a signal from the CPU 504, generates a display image using the work area of ​​the VRAM 518, and displays the image on the performance image display device 157.

[0232] <Demo screen transition> Next, a demo screen transition according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 25 and 26. As mentioned above, the slot machine 100 is a three-coin bet-only machine.

[0233] In this embodiment, the demo screen is started (A) after the number of medals won on the day (MY) has reached a predetermined number L, and (1) when the waiting time M has elapsed since all reels stopped, (2) when the number of bets (number of wagers) is not the specified number, that is, when the number of bets is 1 or 2 and the waiting time M has elapsed since the medal was inserted, or (3) when the waiting time M has elapsed since any operation was performed on the gaming machine.

[0234] Here, "some operation on the gaming machine" refers to an operation on the counting button 171 or the settlement button 143, or an operation on an effect button for calling up a player menu screen or adjusting the volume and light intensity. These operations are accepted during the period before the game starts (non-play period), and the demo screen starts when the waiting time M has elapsed since the last of these operations was performed. In this embodiment, the predetermined number L is 1000 coins and the waiting time M is 1 minute, but this is not limited to this.

[0235] Here, MY refers to the number of medals acquired from the point where the difference in number of medals on that day (the cumulative value of the difference between the number of medals inserted and the number of medals paid out in one game (number of medals paid out - number of medals inserted)) is the smallest (the point where the game was most successful). Also, the stopping of all reels refers to a state where the game is waiting to start, and more precisely, it means that the medal insertion enable lamp 124 is lit.

[0236] FIG. 25(A) shows a time chart relating to demo screen transitions in the case where the number of bets is 0 (case (A) and (1) above) in this embodiment. In this case, as shown in FIG. 25(A), the liquid crystal display device 157 continues to display the game screen d1 (FIG. 26(B-1) described later) from the previous game, but since no medals are bet, the display of the demo screen d2 (FIGS. 26(B-2) to (B-4) described later; the configuration of the demo screen d2 will be described in detail later) begins at time t2 when the waiting time M has elapsed from time t1 when all the reels have stopped. The demo screen d2 is displayed from time t1 until time t3 when the specified number of medals, 3, is bet.

[0237] Figure 25(B) shows a time chart related to demo screen transitions in the case of a conventional bet of 2. Conventionally, when medals less than the specified number are bet, as shown in Figure 25(B), demo screen d2 is not displayed and game screen d1 continues to be displayed even at time t5, when waiting time M has elapsed since time t4 when the bet was made. In other words, conventionally, when medals less than the specified number are bet, demo screen d2 is not displayed.

[0238] Therefore, in the past, even if a game was finished with fewer than the required number of medals bet, the demo screen would not be displayed, making it difficult to recognize the machine as vacant, and there was a problem that the machine would be left vacant for a long time.

[0239] In contrast, Fig. 26(A) shows a time chart relating to demo screen transitions in the case of a bet number of 2 in this embodiment (case (A) and (2) above). In this case, as shown in Fig. 26(A), the liquid crystal display device 157 continues to display the game screen d1 from the previous game, but at time t5, when a waiting time M has elapsed since time t4, when medals less than the specified number are bet, the demo screen d2 is displayed until time t3, when the specified number of medals, 3, is bet, as in Fig. 25(A).

[0240] As a result, in this embodiment, even if a game ends with less than the specified number of medals bet, the demo screen d2 is displayed, making it easier to recognize that the machine is vacant. In other words, it is possible to prevent vacant machines from being left unattended for a long time.

[0241] In the slot machine 100 of this embodiment, even if the number of credits is one or two, the bet button 132 can be operated, and one or two medals equal to the number of credits can be inserted.

[0242] Here, the configuration and display example of the demo screen d2 will be described with reference to the above-mentioned FIGS. 25(A), 26(A), and 26(B).

[0243] Fig. 26 (B-1) shows a display example of the game screen d1, and Figs. 26 (B-2) to (B-4) show display examples of the demo screen d2. As shown in Figs. 25 (A) and 26 (A), the demo screen d2 of this embodiment is specifically composed of a performance introduction display screen d2A, a machine name display screen d2B, a warning display screen d2C, and a company name display screen d2D. Each demo screen is controlled to be displayed cyclically in the following order over a predetermined display time: performance introduction display screen d2A → machine name display screen d2B → warning display screen d2C → company name display screen d2D → performance introduction display screen d2A → ...

[0244] The effect introduction display screen d2A is a demo display screen that introduces effects executed in the slot machine 100, as shown in FIG. 26(B-2). The model name display screen d2B is a demo display screen that displays the model name of the slot machine 100 (not shown). The caution display screen d2C is a demo display screen that displays a message that warns against addiction to games (for example, "Be careful not to get addicted!"), as shown in FIG. 26(B-3). The company name display screen d2D is a demo display screen that displays the name of the company that manufactures and sells the slot machine 100 (not shown).

[0245] Furthermore, the demo screen d2 of this embodiment displays a maximum number display d10, as shown in Fig. 25(A) and Fig. 26(A). The maximum number display d10 is an image that displays the maximum MY value for the day. The maximum number display d10 of this embodiment is displayed when the maximum MY value is 1000 or more, and is not displayed when the maximum MY value is less than 1000, so the value displayed in the maximum number display d10 is a value of 1000 or more. As shown in Figs. 26(B-2) to (B-4), the maximum number display d10 is displayed together with the demo screen d2.

[0246] As a result, according to the present embodiment, the maximum coin count display d10 is displayed on the demo screen d2 only when the winning number of coins is such that the player feels satisfied, so that a player who views the maximum coin count display d10 will not have a negative impression. Also, when the demo screen d2 is displayed during non-play, the maximum coin count display d10 is displayed only when the maximum MY value of the day is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (1000 coins), so that an available machine can be promoted as a "machine that will pay out" and an incentive to play can be achieved. Conversely, when the maximum MY value of the day is less than the predetermined number (1000 coins), the maximum coin count display d10 is not displayed, so that a player will not have a negative impression that it is a "machine that will not pay out."

[0247] In addition, since the maximum number display d10 is displayed using the liquid crystal display device 157 of the slot machine 100, an empty machine can be easily found without being distracted by the data display of each machine. As a result, trouble between customers, such as starting to play on a machine reserved by another player, can be prevented.

[0248] Furthermore, the maximum number of coins display d10 on the demo screen d2 eliminates the need for player operation compared to transitioning from a menu screen to display a ranking of the number of coins won, the number of coins won, the number of times the game has been controlled to an advantageous state, etc.

[0249] Furthermore, even if the game is ended with less than the specified number of medals bet, the screen will transition to the demo screen d2 and show the maximum number of medals d10, which prevents the machine from being left vacant for a long time and also encourages players to play.

[0250] In this embodiment, the maximum number display d10 is displayed on the performance introduction display screen d2A, the machine name display screen d2B, and the warning display screen d2C, but is not displayed on the company name display screen d2D, but is not limited to this. For example, the demo screen d2 may not be displayed on the warning display screen d2C, or the demo screen d2 may be displayed on the company name display screen d2D.

[0251] <Slump graph> Next, the display of the maximum number display d10 and the display of the advance notification d20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 27. Fig. 27 is an example of a slump graph showing the transition of the difference in number of coins in the slot machine 100.

[0252] The slot machine 100 of this embodiment has a complete function. The complete function is a function that disables play on that day when the number of coins won (MY) for that day reaches a specified number MA (for example, 19,000 coins in this embodiment). The advance notification d20 is a display effect that notifies that the MY for that day is approaching the specified number MA. In this embodiment, when MY reaches 18,500 coins or more, the advance notification d20 begins to be executed, and the number of coins remaining up to the specified number MA is displayed.

[0253] Fig. 26(B-4) shows an example of the display of advance notification d20 on demo screen d2. As shown in Fig. 26(B-4), advance notification d20 is displayed together with maximum number display d10 on demo screen d2. Note that maximum number display d10 is displayed larger than advance notification d20, making it more noticeable than advance notification d20.

[0254] According to Figure 27, the minimum difference in coins is -2000 at time T1, so MY is calculated based on the number of coins won from this minimum value of -2000. From time T0 to time T4, MY is 1000 or less, so the maximum coin count display d10 is not displayed on demo screen d2. Hereinafter, the section in which the maximum coin count display d10 is not displayed on demo screen d2 will be referred to as the "maximum coin count non-display section," and the section in which the maximum coin count display d10 is displayed on demo screen d2 will be referred to as the "maximum coin count display section." The section from time T0 to time T4 is the maximum coin count non-display section. On the other hand, the section from time T4 onwards is the section in which MY reaches 1000 or more, so it becomes the maximum coin count display section.

[0255] In the section from time T4 to time T5, the MY value increases, so the value of the maximum number display d10 is updated ("Maximum number updated" shown in Figure 27). Then, at time T5, the maximum number display d10 is displayed as 1500. Next, in the section from time T5 to time T9, the MY value decreases or increases, but MY does not exceed 1500, so the value of the maximum number display d10 remains 1500 ("Maximum 1500" shown in Figure 27). In this way, even in sections where medals decrease, the maximum MY value up to that point is displayed, so the maximum number display d10 can be promoted as a machine with the potential to pay out.

[0256] In the section from time T9 to time T11, the MY value increases, so the value of the maximum coin count display d10 is updated. Here, the section from time T10 to time T11 is not in the AT state but in the normal state, but the number of medals won is slightly increasing, so the value of the maximum coin count display d10 is updated. In this embodiment, whether in the AT state or the normal state, the updated maximum coin count display d10 is displayed on the demo screen d2. Then, at time T11, the maximum coin count display d10 of 3020 is displayed. Next, in the section from time T11 to time T13, the MY value decreases or increases, but MY does not exceed 3020, so the value of the maximum coin count display d10 remains 3020 ("Maximum 3020 coins" shown in Figure 27).

[0257] In the section from time T13 to time T15, the MY value is increasing, so the value of the maximum number display d10 is updated. Here, the MY value reaches 18,500 at time T14, so the advance notification d20 begins to be displayed from time T14 onwards. The advance notification d20 is displayed until MY reaches 19,500. Furthermore, at time T15, the maximum number display d10 of 18,700 is displayed. Next, in the section from time T15 to time T17, the MY value is decreasing or increasing, but MY does not exceed 18,700, so the value of the maximum number display d10 remains 18,700 ("Maximum 18,700" shown in Figure 27).

[0258] In this embodiment, the maximum number of coins display d10 starts to be displayed after the MY value for the day reaches 1,000 or more, thereby preventing the player from having a negative impression that the machine "doesn't pay out," thereby encouraging the player to play. Even if the MY value decreases, the maximum MY value up to that point continues to be displayed, so the machine can be promoted as having potential. Furthermore, when the MY value is 18,500 or more, the advance notice d20 is displayed along with the maximum number of coins display d10, allowing the player to grasp the number of coins remaining up to the specified number of coins of 19,000.

[0259] Note that the slump graph shown in Figure 27 shows a case where the number of balls dispensed increases from time T8 onward. However, we will now consider a case where the number of balls dispensed does not increase after time T8. Even if the number of balls dispensed continues to decrease from time T8 onward and the difference in number of balls falls below -1500, the maximum number display d10 will display "1500." This is because the maximum MY (the maximum increase from the minimum value) of 1500 has not been updated. For example, if the number of medals increases after the difference in number of balls reaches -3000, and the number of balls dispensed does not increase until the difference in number of balls reaches -1500, the maximum MY of 1500 is not updated, and the maximum number display d10 will display "1500." However, if the difference in number of balls dispensed increases beyond -1500, the maximum MY is updated to be greater than 1500, and the maximum number display d10 will display the updated maximum MY value.

[0260] <Slot machine operation> Maximum number update process Next, the maximum number update process will be described with reference to Fig. 28. Fig. 28 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the maximum number update process executed by the main control unit 300 and the first sub-control unit 400.

[0261] When the main control unit 300 enters a state of waiting for a game to start, it transmits the current MY value (the MY value up to the previous game) to the first sub-control unit 400 (step S101). Here, the state of waiting for a game to start is a state in which it is possible to insert a medal, or more precisely, a state in which the medal insertion possible lamp 124 is lit. As a result, the first sub-control unit 400 receives the current MY value NV.

[0262] Next, the main control unit 300 accepts a game start operation by operating the start lever 135 (step S102), and waits until the reels 110 to 112 start to spin (step S103). Meanwhile, at this wait timing, the first sub-control unit 400 refers to the MY value transmitted in step S101 (step S201). As a result, the first sub-control unit 400 grasps the current MY value NV.

[0263] Next, when the wait ends, the main control unit 300 spins the reels 110-112 (step S104), and when a stop operation is received from a stop button 137-139 (step S105), the main control unit 300 stops the corresponding reel 110-112. The main control unit 300 performs a winning determination process based on the stopping state of all reels 110-112 and performs a medal payout process (step S106). In the winning determination process, if a symbol combination corresponding to a winning combination is displayed on an activated winning line, it is determined that the winning combination has been won. In the medal payout process, if a winning combination that offers a payout has been won, the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination is paid out. Also, in step S106, the main control unit 300 transmits the number of medals inserted BV and the number of medals paid out OV for the game to the first sub-control unit 400.

[0264] As a result, the first sub-control unit 400 receives the number of medals inserted BV and the number of medals paid out OV for the game (step S202), and calculates the number of medals remaining until the complete function is activated ZV (step S203). Specifically, the remaining number ZV = specified number MA - received MY value NV - (number of medals paid out OV - number of medals inserted BV). For example, if the specified number MA is 19,000, the MY value NV is 5,000, the number of medals inserted is 3, and the number of medals paid out is 10, the remaining number ZV is 13,993.

[0265] Next, the first sub-control unit 400 calculates a new MY value (hereinafter referred to as "current MY value") NV that reflects the current game. Specifically, current MY value NV = specified number of coins MA - remaining number of coins ZV. For example, if the specified number of coins MA is 19,000 and the remaining number of coins ZV calculated in step S203 is 13,993, the current MY value NV is 5,007 coins.

[0266] Next, the first sub-control unit 400 determines whether the current MY value NV is greater than the display value DV of the current maximum number display d10 (hereinafter also referred to as the "demo MY display value") (step S205). If the current MY value NV is greater than the demo MY display value DV (step S205: YES), the first sub-control unit 400 sets the current MY value NV to the demo MY display value DV (step S206); if not (step S205: NO), the first sub-control unit 400 terminates the maximum number update process.

[0267] On the other hand, after completing the process of step S106, the main control unit 300 executes a counter update process for calculating MY (step S107), and returns to step S101.

[0268] In this way, according to the maximum coin number update process of this embodiment, the demo MY display value is updated only when the current MY value is greater than the demo MY display value, so the demo MY display value will not decrease, but will only maintain its current state or increase. In other words, the maximum coin number display d10 displayed on the demo screen d2 will not decrease, which can encourage players to play.

[0269] -Maximum number display processing Next, the maximum number display process on the demo screen d2 (hereinafter simply referred to as "maximum number display process") will be explained using Figures 29(A) and (B). Figure 29(A) is a flowchart showing the flow of the maximum number display process executed by the second sub-control unit 500. The maximum number display process is a process that is executed every predetermined time (timer interrupt time).

[0270] The second sub-control unit 500 determines whether it has detected either a display marker or a non-display marker (steps S301 and S305). Here, the display marker is a marker indicating that the demo MY display value DV will start to be displayed on the screen while the demo screen d2 is being displayed, and the non-display marker is a marker indicating that the demo MY display value DV will start to be hidden on the screen. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 29(C-1), a display marker is attached to the beginning of the performance introduction screen d2A that constitutes the demo screen d2, and a non-display marker is attached to the beginning of the company name screen d2D. Therefore, when a display marker is detected on the currently displayed demo screen d2, control is performed so that the demo MY display value DV will be displayed on the screen thereafter, and when a non-display marker is detected, control is performed so that the demo MY display value DV will not be displayed on the screen thereafter.

[0271] When the second sub-control unit 500 detects a display marker (step S301: YES), specifically, it sets the current demo MY display value DV to the "demo MY value" extension command on the performance introduction screen d2A, model name screen d2B, and warning screen d2C (step S302), and then sets the display mode corresponding to the current demo MY display value DV to the "demo MY color" extension command (step S303). After processing step S303, the process proceeds to step S307.

[0272] Here, the extension command is a parameter associated with the LCD command as shown in FIG. 29B. A "Demo My Numeric Value" indicating the value of the Demo My Display Value DV and a "Demo My Color" indicating the color of the Demo My Display Value DV are stored in predetermined bit positions of the 1-byte LCD command. Specifically, the Demo My Color in this embodiment is set to display or hide depending on the Demo My Display Value DV, and to a value related to the color when displayed. Specifically, the Demo My Color is set as follows: (1) Hide when the Demo My Display Value DV is 999 or less; (2) Silver when 1000 or less than the Demo My Display Value DV is 2999; (3) Gold when 3000 or less than the Demo My Display Value DV is 4999; and (4) Rainbow when the Demo My Display Value DV is 5000 or more. In this way, display or hide and the display color are set in step S303.

[0273] Furthermore, if the second sub-control unit 500 detects a hidden marker (step S305: YES), it sets the "Demo MY Color" extension command to "Hide" (step S306). After processing step S306, the process proceeds to step S307.

[0274] On the other hand, if the second sub-control unit 500 does not detect either the displayed marker or the non-displayed marker (step S301: NO, step S305: NO), the second sub-control unit 500 proceeds to step S307.

[0275] Next, the second sub-control unit 500 executes a display update process (step S307). In the display update process, an image is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 157 based on the values ​​set in the liquid crystal display command.

[0276] As described above, according to the maximum number display process of this embodiment, the demo MY display value is displayed on the demo screen d2 only when the value is MY1000 or more, so that the number of balls dispensed can be appealed to the user on an empty machine, thereby encouraging the user to play. Also, since the display color is changed according to the value of the demo MY display value, the dispensed ball status can be appealed to the user visually by the display color. Furthermore, since the display and non-display of the demo MY display value are controlled by the display marker and non-display marker, it is possible to flexibly respond to changes in the configuration of the demo screen d2.

[0277] In this embodiment, even if the demo MY display value DV is less than 1000 sheets, the "demo MY value" is set, but the "demo MY color" is hidden, so that the maximum number display d10 is not displayed on the demo screen d2 (first method). However, other control methods may be used to prevent the maximum number display d10 from being displayed on the demo screen d2 when the demo MY display value DV is less than 1000 sheets. For example, when the demo MY display value DV is less than 1000 sheets, the "demo MY value" may not be set (second method). The first method has the advantage of reducing the amount of program code, but the disadvantage of displaying the maximum number display d10 at an unintended timing if there is a data error. On the other hand, the second method has the advantage of more reliably controlling display / hide, but the disadvantage of increasing the amount of program code due to the addition of a branching algorithm.

[0278] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 29(C-1), a display marker is placed at the beginning of the performance introduction screen d2A and a non-display marker is placed at the beginning of the company name screen d2D, but as shown in Fig. 7(C-2), a non-display marker may be placed at the beginning of the company name screen d2D and a display marker may be placed at the end of the company name screen d2D. The same control as that shown in Fig. 29(C-1) can be executed.

[0279] <Modification> In this embodiment, the maximum number display d10 displays the maximum MY value for the day, but it may also display the maximum payout number. Since the number of bets is not taken into account when it comes to the payout number, a larger number can be displayed, further emphasizing the appeal of the payout. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the maximum number display d10 reflects the difference in the number of medals acquired by irregular button presses, but the difference may not be reflected in the case of irregular button presses. It is possible to display a larger number of medals than the number of medals acquired displayed on the result screen at the end of a favorable game.

[0280] In this embodiment, if the number of coins bet is not the specified number, i.e., if the number of coins bet is 1 or 2, the demo screen is displayed when the waiting time M has elapsed since the coin was inserted. However, the demo screen may also be displayed when the number of coins bet is the specified number, i.e., if the number of coins bet is 3. Furthermore, the demo screen may also be displayed when the waiting time M has elapsed after a replay win. While the waiting time M is set to 1 minute in this embodiment, the waiting time M may be variable depending on the conditions. For example, the waiting time M may be 40 seconds for a 0-coin bet, 60 seconds for a 1- or 2-coin bet, or 120 seconds for a 3-coin bet (including replays). A shorter waiting time may be used for a 0-coin bet because the player is likely to stop playing, whereas a longer waiting time may be used for a 1-coin bet or greater because the player is likely to be temporarily away from their seat (especially if the number of coins bet is 3). This reduces the annoyance of frequently switching to the demo screen d2 even when the game is not stopped.

[0281] Furthermore, even if medals are stored in the medal count display device 170 (number of medals > 0), the demo screen may be started when the standby time M has elapsed. This configuration can prevent mischief such as a malicious player intentionally leaving only one medal behind and leaving the store, thereby reducing the operation of the gaming machine, more than a configuration in which the demo screen is not started when the medal count display device 170 shows "number of medals > 0."

[0282] On the other hand, the demo screen may be started when the waiting time M has elapsed in a case where no medals are stored in the medal count display device 170 (number of medals=0). This configuration can prevent problems such as another player playing even though medals are stored in the medal count storage device 170.

[0283] Alternatively, if the medal count display device 170 indicates "number of medals > 0", the demo screen may be started when the waiting time M has elapsed on the condition that the number of bets is 0 (in other words, if the number of bets ≠ 0, the demo screen will not be started even if the waiting time M has elapsed), and this configuration can eliminate both the mischief and the trouble described above. Note that if the medal count display device 170 indicates "number of medals > 0", the demo screen may be started even if the number of bets ≠ 0.

[0284] Furthermore, the previous embodiments may be combined, and when the medal count display device 170 indicates "number of medals = 0" and a non-playable bet number is set, a demo screen may be started after the waiting time M has elapsed, and when the medal count display device 170 indicates "number of medals > 0", a demo screen may be started after the waiting time M has elapsed, provided that the bet number is 0.

[0285] Also, the demo screen may not be started depending on the game state at that time. For example, if the game state is a state in which the payout balls are increasing (during a bonus or AT), the demo screen may not be started even if the waiting time M has elapsed, while if the payout balls are not increasing, the demo screen may be started when the waiting time M has elapsed. Also, if a continuous effect spanning multiple games is being executed, the demo screen may not be started even if the waiting time M has elapsed, while if the continuous effect is not being executed, the demo screen may be started when the waiting time M has elapsed.

[0286] Furthermore, the result screen and the maximum number of coins display d10 displayed at the end of a favorable game may be displayed overlapping, or may not be displayed overlapping. In the former case, the number of coins won in the favorable game and the maximum number of coins won that day can be confirmed at the same time, so that the payout information can be confirmed all at once, and the trouble of operating a data lamp, for example, can be eliminated. In the latter case, the number of coins won is displayed multiple times, so that confusion for the player can be prevented. Furthermore, when the result screen is displayed, the waiting time M can be shortened. This allows the player to be informed early that the machine is vacant.

[0287] The configuration of displaying or not displaying the number of coins depending on the number of coins won may also be applied to the result screen. For example, if the result screen is configured as a "background screen + display of the number of coins won," if the number of coins won in a favorable game such as a bonus or automatic time slot is small (e.g., less than 100 coins), the result screen at the end of the favorable game may display the background screen without displaying the number of coins won. On the other hand, if the number of coins won in a favorable game such as a bonus or automatic time slot is large (e.g., 100 coins or more), the result screen at the end of the favorable game may display the number of coins won and the background screen. Also, a certain suggestion may be made on the background screen. This avoids the need to display a situation where the number of coins won is low, thereby reducing player stress. Furthermore, if a player quits playing and leaves the facility due to the result screen, the number of coins won will not be displayed when the number of coins won is low, thereby reducing machine operation. The "certain suggestion" may, for example, suggest the setting value of the gaming machine. Furthermore, if there are multiple modes until a favorable game such as a bonus, AT, or CZ is awarded, the content may suggest the mode. Furthermore, if the mode for multiple times is predetermined, the suggestion may be something like "Mode A for M times out of N." In this way, when a certain suggestion is made on the background screen, the result screen may display a background screen containing the suggestion even when the number of coins won is not displayed. This can reduce the player's stress and increase their motivation to continue playing. Furthermore, when the number of coins won is small, a suggestion with a higher degree of favorability may be made more frequently than when the number of coins won is large. This can reduce the player's stress and further increase their motivation to continue playing.

[0288] In addition, in this embodiment, the maximum number of coins display d10 is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 157, but the device that displays the maximum number of coins display d10 is not limited to this. For example, the maximum number of coins display d10 may be displayed on a data display device installed on the slot machine 100. In this case, too, it is possible to appeal to the player about the number of coins that can be won, and it is possible to avoid giving the impression that the machine does not pay out.

[0289] For example, the data display device may be capable of displaying the maximum number of coins display d10 when the gaming machine is in a non-play state and / or is displaying a demonstration. Furthermore, the data display device may determine that the gaming machine is not in play when an operation signal (a signal indicating 1G progress) is not input from the gaming machine within a predetermined time M, and may use this as an opportunity to display the maximum number of coins display d10. Furthermore, the data display device may also use a signal input from a hall staff member indicating that the machine is vacant as an opportunity to display the maximum number of coins display d10.

[0290] <Summary of the embodiment> As described above, the gaming machine (e.g., slot machine 100) according to the above embodiment is a gaming machine equipped with a display means (e.g., liquid crystal display device 157, first sub-control unit 400, second sub-control unit 500), wherein the display means is a means capable of displaying the number of gaming values ​​won based on the number of bets and the number of payouts at a first timing (e.g., the timing at which demo screen d2 is displayed), and the display means is a means capable of displaying the number won at the first timing when a first condition is met (e.g., when the minimum MY value reaches 1000 coins), and the first condition is a condition that is met when the number won is a predetermined number (e.g., 1000 coins) or more, which is the first basic configuration.

[0291] According to this first basic configuration, it is possible to appeal to the player about the number of balls that can be paid out while avoiding the impression that the machine does not pay out, thereby increasing the player's interest in the game.

[0292] In the above-mentioned first basic configuration, the display means may execute a demonstration display (for example, display demo screen d2) when a second condition is met (for example, a predetermined time has elapsed after all reels have stopped, or a predetermined time has elapsed since a bet operation) in a non-game state (for example, a demo state) in which no game is being played, and the first timing is the timing when the demonstration display is being executed, which is a first preferred configuration.

[0293] According to the first preferred configuration, it is possible to appeal to players about the number of balls that can be won at vacant gaming machines, thereby encouraging players to play.

[0294] In the first preferred configuration, a second preferred configuration is provided in which the first bet number (e.g., 3 coins) which is the number of bets that can be played and a second bet number (e.g., 2 coins) which is the number of bets that cannot be played, and the display means is means that may execute a demonstration display when the second condition is met in a state in which neither the first bet number nor the second bet number is set, and the display means is means that may execute a demonstration display when the second condition is met in a state in which the second bet number is set, and the second condition is a condition that is met when a predetermined time (e.g., 1 minute) has elapsed in the non-play state.

[0295] According to the second preferred configuration, even if a machine is left with an unplayable bet number set, it can be recognized as an empty machine.

[0296] In a second preferred configuration, a third preferred configuration comprises a storage means (e.g., RAM 308, medal count control unit 350, etc.) for storing game value, and an operation means (e.g., bet button 132) capable of setting the first bet number from the game value stored in the storage means based on a single operation, wherein the operation means is a means for setting the first bet number based on the single operation when the game value stored in the storage means satisfies the first bet number, and the operation means is a means for setting the second bet number based on the single operation when the game value stored in the storage means is the second bet number.

[0297] According to the third preferred configuration, since the processing when the operating means is operated can be standardized, the processing capacity in the development process can be reduced. Furthermore, in the case of a gaming machine equipped with a medal count display device, when the remaining number of game value coins stored in the medal count display device is, for example, 1 or 2 coins, the bet number can be set by operating the operating means, and the remaining number of game value coins stored in the medal count display device can be reset to 0, making it easier to recognize that the machine is vacant. Furthermore, if a player leaves the parlor with the remaining number of game value coins stored in the medal count display device at 1 or 2 coins, the parlor staff must return the remaining coins to the lending device, or reset the medal count display device during maintenance or closing operations (or opening operations) to prepare for the next business day. Eliminating these tasks can contribute to improving the parlor's operations.

[0298] Furthermore, according to the display device (for example, a display connected to the slot machine 100) of the above embodiment, the display device is provided in correspondence with a gaming machine (for example, the slot machine 100) and is capable of displaying information about the gaming machine, and the display device is capable of displaying the number of gaming values ​​won based on the number of bets and payouts placed on the gaming machine, and the display device is capable of displaying the number of gaming values ​​won when a first condition is met (for example, when the minimum MY value of the slot machine 100 reaches 1000), and the first condition is a condition that is met when the number of gaming values ​​won is a predetermined number (for example, 1000) or more. This is the second basic configuration.

[0299] According to this second basic configuration, it is possible to appeal to the player about the number of balls that can be paid out while avoiding the impression that the machine does not pay out, thereby increasing the player's interest in the game.

[0300] In the above second basic configuration, the gaming machine may execute a demonstration display when in a non-play state (e.g., a demo state) in which no play is being performed, and the display device is capable of displaying the number of wins when the gaming machine is in the non-play state, which is a fourth preferred configuration.

[0301] According to the fourth preferred configuration, it is possible to appeal to players about the number of balls that can be won on vacant gaming machines, thereby encouraging players to play.

[0302] [Second embodiment] The effect devices (lamps, speakers, movable bodies, etc.) of gaming machines are important devices that help enhance the enjoyment of games. Therefore, when controlling the effect devices, stability is required for data communication between the control unit (CPU) and the drive unit (driver IC). For example, data communication that is resistant to noise and can flexibly accommodate different types and versions of drive units (components) is desired.

[0303] In the second embodiment, a gaming machine that solves the above problems is provided. Note that, in the following, only the configurations, functions, and processes that are different from those in the first embodiment will be explained, and the same components as those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals and explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0304] <Connection configuration> In this embodiment (second embodiment), a communication method when the CPU 404 of the first sub-controller 400 shown in FIG. 24 transmits a control signal to the drive circuit 422 that drives the various lamps 420 will be described.

[0305] 30(A) is a functional block diagram of the first sub-control unit 400 of this embodiment. In detail, a communication method will be described in which the CPU 404 sends a control signal to the drive circuit 422X to drive the frame lamp 420X and sends a control signal to the drive circuit 422Y to drive the side lamp 420Y.

[0306] Here, the drive circuit 422X is composed of an LED driver ICxxx, and the drive circuit 422Y is composed of an LED driver ICyyy (xxx and yyy indicate the model number and type of IC). The frame lamp 420X is a lamp driven by ICxxx, and the side lamp 422Y is a lamp driven by ICyyy. ICxxx and the frame lamp 420X are arranged on a frame lamp substrate, and ICyyy and the side lamp 422Y are arranged on a side lamp substrate.

[0307] Figure 31(A) shows an example of an ICxxx LED driver, and Figure 31(B) shows an example of an ICyyy LED driver. As shown in Figure 31, the ICxxx LED driver and the ICyyy LED driver are different types of drivers. Different types of drivers are, for example, drivers with different pin arrangements and different performance. The terminals shown in the pin arrangement are assigned to the RGB terminals, data input terminals, data output terminals, power terminals, GND terminals, CS signals (chip select), etc. Note that even with the same driver, if the pin arrangement is different, the performance will differ (for example, the function of reducing noise, the function of reducing brightness to cool down when the temperature rises, etc.).

[0308] In this embodiment, the drive circuit 422X that drives the frame lamp 420X and the drive circuit 422Y that drives the side lamp 420Y are different types of drive circuits, but this is not limited to this. As shown in Figures 30(B-1) and (B-2), the same types of drive circuits may be connected, or as shown in this embodiment and Figure 30(B-3), different types of drive circuits may be mixed. As will be described in detail later, this is because the packet structure of the control signal transmitted from the CPU 404 is the same regardless of the type of IC of the drive circuit 422.

[0309] <Communication method> Next, a communication method when the CPU 404 of this embodiment transmits a control signal (hereinafter referred to as "control data") to the drive circuit 422 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0310] FIG. 32(A) shows a schematic diagram of the packet structure of control data CD1 for ICxxx, and FIG. 32(B) shows a schematic diagram of the packet structure of control data CD2 for ICxxx.

[0311] As shown in Figures 32(A) and (B), the structure of the control data CD for LED drivers is the same even if the type of LED driver is different (control data is collectively referred to as CD). As shown in Figures 32(A) and (B), the control data CD is 8 bytes of data and is composed of a start command, slave address, sub-address, data byte, stop command, and noise reduction command. Each item of the control data CD consists of 1 byte (8 bits).

[0312] The start command is a data item indicating the start of a packet, and in this embodiment, is set to a value of FFh (111111111). The slave address and subaddress are destination addresses of the control data CD, and are set to the address of the LED driver. The data byte is set to a value indicating the control content for the controlled object. The stop command is a data item indicating the end of a packet, and in this embodiment, is set to a value of 81h (10000001). The noise countermeasure command is a characteristic component of the control data CD in this embodiment, and is an item that plays a role in ensuring stable data communication even when noise bits are mixed into the control data CD due to noise generation or when part of the control data CD is missing (the increase and / or loss of bits due to noise is sometimes collectively referred to as "bit misalignment"). In this embodiment, the value of 00h (00000000) is set.

[0313] The premise of the communication method of this embodiment is that the first sub-control unit 400 is configured to simultaneously transmit control signals to multiple lamps 420 during periodically executed timer interrupt processing. Therefore, for example, when transmitting control signals to both the drive circuit 422X of the frame lamp 420X and the drive circuit 422Y of the side lamp 420Y during one timer interrupt processing, a command group combining the control data CD1 shown in FIG. 32(A) and the control data CD2 shown in FIG. 32(B) is transmitted to each of the drive circuits 422X and 422Y. The receiving drive circuits 422X and 422Y extract the control data CD addressed to them from the received command group and discard the remaining control data CD. Specifically, the drive circuits 422X and 422Y recognize the delimiters of one piece of control data CD based on the start command and stop command, and then acquire the control data CD addressed to them based on the values ​​of the slave address and subaddress.

[0314] In such a data communication method, problems such as those shown in Fig. 32 (C1) and (C2) have conventionally occurred. Note that the packet structure of conventional control data is composed of control data OCD, which is the control data CD of this embodiment minus the noise reduction command. That is, the control data OCD is control data composed of a start command, a slave address, a subaddress, a data byte, and a stop command.

[0315] Fig. 32(C1) schematically shows data communication when noise is not mixed in either the control data OCD1 or the control data OCD2, and Fig. 32(C2) schematically shows data communication when noise is mixed in the control data OCD1. Note that in Figs. 32(C1) to (C3), the control data for the first IC (specifically, ICxxx) is explained as control data OCD1, and the control data for the second IC (specifically, ICyyy) is explained as control data OCD2.

[0316] Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 32(C1), each of the drive circuit 422X of the frame lamp 420X and the drive circuit 422Y of the side lamp 420Y received and acquired control data OCD for itself based on the start command, stop command, and slave address information, as described above.

[0317] 32(C2), if noise is introduced into the control data OCD1 and the control data OCD1 increases by one bit, the drive circuit 422Y will receive the control data CD2 addressed to itself as data that is shifted by one bit. Specifically, the drive circuit 422Y will erroneously recognize and receive the last bit of the stop command in the control data OCD1 as the first bit of the start command in the control data OCD2.

[0318] In contrast to this, FIG. 32(C3) schematically shows data communication when noise is mixed into the control data CD1 of this embodiment.

[0319] In this embodiment, if noise is introduced into the control data CD1 and the control data CD1 increases by one bit, the noise countermeasure command is sandwiched between the stop command of the control data CD1 and the start command of the control data CD2, so the drive circuit 422Y can correctly receive the control data CD2 without mistakenly recognizing the last bit of the stop command of the control data CD1 as the first bit of the start command of the control data CD2.

[0320] In this embodiment, when the first bit value FB (specifically, 1) of the start command of the control data CD and the last bit value LB (specifically, 1) of the stop command of the control data CD are the same, a noise prevention command consisting of a bit value (specifically, 0) different from the bit values ​​FB and LB is inserted between the stop command of the first control data CD1 and the start command of the second control data CD2. Therefore, even if noise is mixed into the first control data CD1, the presence of the noise prevention command can eliminate the bit misalignment and the end position of the control data CD1 becomes clear, so that the drive circuit 422Y can reliably receive the control data CD2 addressed to it.

[0321] In addition, Figure 32 (C3) describes data communication when noise is mixed into the control data CD1 of this embodiment, but even if a bit of the control data CD1 is missing, the presence of the noise prevention command can similarly eliminate the bit misalignment and make the end position of the control data CD1 clear, so the drive circuit 422Y can reliably receive the control data CD2 addressed to it.

[0322] In this way, the control data CD of this embodiment has a noise countermeasure command added to the configuration of conventional control data OCD, so even if a data abnormality such as an increase in or loss of bits occurs in the earlier control data CD1, the presence of the noise countermeasure command can resolve the data abnormality in the earlier control data CD1. This prevents the data abnormality from affecting the later control data CD2, enabling stable communication of the later control data CD2.

[0323] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the start command of the control data CD is FFh (11111111), but this is not limited to this and may be F0h (11110000), for example. Similarly, in this embodiment, the noise reduction command of the control data CD is 00h (00000000), but this is not limited to this. For example, if the start command of the control data CD is FFh (11111111) and the stop command is 81h (10000001), the noise reduction command may be F0h (11110000). In this case, too, the presence of the noise reduction command can eliminate bit misalignment and clearly separate each piece of control data CD.

[0324] In other words, if the last bit value of the stop command and the first bit value of the start command of the control data CD are the same, the noise countermeasure command is composed of bit values ​​different from the last bit value of the stop command and the first bit value of the start command of the control data CD, so even if an abnormality occurs in one control data CD, the subsequent control data CD can be treated as normal control data CD. In other words, the noise countermeasure command is a command that prevents noise from affecting the subsequent control data CD, and is configured so that even if there is a data abnormality due to noise in the initial control data CD, the subsequent control data CD can maintain the state before the noise occurred.

[0325] Furthermore, even when transmitting control data CD to multiple drive circuits 422 using different types of ICs, the control data CD has the same packet structure, and the same noise suppression command is inserted between the control data CDs, thereby stabilizing communication and preventing delays in the development process. In other words, stabilizing communication contributes to improving the enjoyment of games. Furthermore, even if a problem occurs with the supply of parts for one drive circuit 422, it can be addressed with parts for other drive circuits 422, preventing delays in the development process.

[0326] In this embodiment, the method of communicating the control data CD to the IC of the drive circuit 422 that controls the lamp 420 has been described, but the present invention is also applicable to a method of communicating the control data CD to an amplifier IC, a motor IC, or the like.

[0327] <Summary of the embodiment> As described above, the gaming machine (for example, the slot machine 100) according to the above embodiment is a gaming machine including a plurality of operating means (for example, the lamps 420, etc.) that can operate in a certain operating mode, a plurality of driving means (for example, the driving circuit 422, etc.) that drives the plurality of operating means, and a control means (for example, the CPU 404, etc.) that transmits control information (for example, the control data CD, etc.) to the plurality of driving means to control the plurality of driving means, wherein one of the plurality of operating means is a first operating means (for example, the frame lamp 420X, etc.), one of the plurality of operating means is a second operating means (for example, the frame lamp 420Y, etc.), one of the plurality of driving means is a first driving means (for example, the driving circuit 422X, etc.) that drives the first operating means, and one of the plurality of driving means is a second driving means (for example, the frame lamp 420Y, etc.) that drives the second operating means. According to the first basic configuration having the above-mentioned first control information as a first basic configuration, the control means transmits the control information to at least the first driving means and the second driving means, the control information comprising at least first control information for controlling the first driving means (for example, control data CD1 not including a noise countermeasure command), second control information for controlling the second driving means (for example, control data CD2 not including a noise countermeasure command), and noise countermeasure information (for example, a noise countermeasure command), and the noise countermeasure information is information sandwiched between the first control information and the second control information. Therefore, even if the first control information is affected by noise, the presence of the noise countermeasure information allows the subsequent second control information to be transmitted correctly, thereby minimizing the effects of noise and ensuring stability of data communication.

[0328] In this first basic configuration, the second driving means receives the second control information without bit shifting based on the presence of the noise countermeasure information, even if at least one of a loss and an addition occurs in the configuration of the first control information due to noise, which is a first preferred configuration.

[0329] According to the first preferred configuration, even if noise causes loss or addition to the configuration of the first control information, the second driving means can correctly receive the second control information due to the presence of noise countermeasure information, thereby ensuring the stability of data communication to the second driving means.

[0330] In this first preferred configuration, a second preferred configuration is that the first control information is information composed of a plurality of items (e.g., a start command, a slave address, a subaddress, a data byte, a stop command, etc.), the second control information is information composed of the plurality of items, a bit string including the end of the last item of the first control information (e.g., the last bit) is composed of first information (e.g., 1), a bit string including the beginning of the first item of the second control information (e.g., the first bit) is composed of the first information, and a bit string of the noise countermeasure information is composed of second information (e.g., 0) different from the first information.

[0331] According to a second preferred configuration, by making the bit string of the noise countermeasure information different from the bit string including the end of the last item of the first control information and the bit string including the beginning of the first item of the second control information, the two pieces of control information can be clearly distinguished. Therefore, even if noise is mixed in the first control information or part of the first control information is missing, the second driving means can correctly receive the second control information.

[0332] In the second preferred configuration, the first driving means is a driving means of a different type from the second driving means (e.g., ICxxx and ICYYY, etc.), and a bit string including the beginning of the first item of the first control information (e.g., the first bit) is composed of first information (e.g., 1), and a bit string including the end of the last item of the second control information (e.g., the last bit) is composed of the first information, which is a third preferred configuration.

[0333] According to a third preferred configuration, even if the first driving means and the second driving means are of different types, the bit strings including the beginning of the first item and the bit strings including the end of the last item of the first control information and the second control information are identical and different from the bit strings of the noise countermeasure information. Therefore, even if noise is mixed in the first control information or part of the first control information is missing, the second driving means can correctly receive the second control information.

[0334] [Third Embodiment] Gaming machine speakers are required to output sound stably. The third embodiment provides a gaming machine that solves this problem. Note that, in the following, only the configurations, functions, and processes that differ from the above embodiment will be explained, and the same components as in the other configurations, functions, and processes will be designated with the same reference numerals and explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0335] <Speaker> 33 is an external view of the slot machine of this embodiment (third embodiment), showing the positions of the speakers to which the audio amplifier IC 418 of this embodiment is connected. The slot machine 100 of this embodiment includes upper speakers 272 (upper left speaker 272a, upper right speaker 272b) provided behind the sound hole 143, middle speakers 275 (middle left speaker 275a, middle right speaker 275b) provided behind the win line indicator lamps 120 and the reel panel lamps 128, and lower speakers 277 (lower left speaker 277a, lower right speaker 277b) provided behind the sound hole 145. The layout of the components of the audio circuit around the audio amplifier IC 418 connected to these three speakers is unique. That is, in this embodiment, the layout of the components of the audio circuit is designed to ensure stable sound output.

[0336] Here, the upper left speaker 272a and the upper right speaker 272b of the upper speaker 272 are the same type of speaker. Furthermore, the middle left speaker 275a and the middle right speaker 275b of the middle speaker 275 are the same type of speaker. Furthermore, the lower left speaker 277a and the lower right speaker 277b of the lower speaker 277 are the same type of speaker. On the other hand, the upper speaker 272 (upper left speaker 272a, upper right speaker 272b) and the middle speaker 275 (middle left speaker 275a, middle right speaker 275b) are different types of speakers. Furthermore, the middle speaker 275 (middle left speaker 275a, middle right speaker 275b) and the lower speaker 277 (lower left speaker 277a, lower right speaker 277b) are different types of speakers. The upper speakers 272 (upper left speaker 272a, upper right speaker 272b) and the lower speakers 277 (lower left speaker 277a, lower right speaker 277b) are different types of speakers. There are audio circuits corresponding to the upper speakers 272 (upper left speaker 272a, upper right speaker 272b), audio circuits corresponding to the middle speakers 275 (middle left speaker 275a, middle right speaker 275b), and audio circuits corresponding to the lower speakers 277 (lower left speaker 277a, lower right speaker 277b). This embodiment aims to improve the functionality of these audio circuits to increase the enjoyment of the game.

[0337] <Audio circuit layout> Figure 34(a) is a top view of the first sub-control board 401 on which each component of the first sub-control unit 400 is arranged, and shows the component layout of the audio circuit 450 around the audio amplifier IC 418. In the following explanation, the +X direction shown in Figure 34 is referred to as the right, the -X direction as the left, the +Y direction as the top, and the -Y direction as the bottom. Note that the board surface of the first sub-control board 401 shown in Figure 34(a) is sometimes referred to as the component side or front side, and the board surface opposite this is sometimes referred to as the solder side or back side.

[0338] As shown in FIG. 34(a), the first sub-control board 401 is equipped with an audio circuit 450A for the upper speaker 272, an audio circuit 450B for the middle speaker 275, an audio circuit 450C for the lower speaker 275, and an audio circuit 450D for the woofer. The audio circuits 450A and 450B are provided on the left edge of the first sub-control board 401, and the audio circuit 450C is provided on the right edge of the first sub-control board 401. That is, the audio circuits 450A, 450B, and 450C (hereinafter, when these three are referred to collectively, or when the audio circuit 450D is also referred to collectively, they will be referred to as the audio circuit 450) are all provided close to the edge of the first sub-control board 401. The audio output by the audio circuit 450 requires a large amount of power and therefore a large amount of power supply, which significantly affects the magnetic field on other components. For this reason, the audio circuit 450 is placed at the edge of the first sub-control board 401 (the CPU 404 is located in the center of the first sub-control board 401) to minimize any influence on other logic communication signals or power supply systems.

[0339] Furthermore, audio circuits 450A and 450B are connected to connector CN1 near audio circuit 450A, and audio circuit 450C is connected to connector CN3 near audio circuit 450C. This is a measure to shorten the length of the wiring to avoid power loss, since the audio circuit 450 requires a large amount of power and longer wiring results in greater power loss due to voltage drop. In other words, the first sub-control board 401 of this embodiment has a first connector (e.g., connector CN1) connected to the audio circuit 450 (e.g., audio circuit 450A) and a second connector (e.g., connector CN2) connected to a circuit other than the audio circuit 450, and the first connector is closer to the audio circuit 450 than the second connector. The second connector (for example, connector CN2) may be a connector electrically connected to an LCD display device, a connector electrically connected to a performance operation button used to trigger a performance (such as a push button performance, rapid press performance, or long press performance) or to customize the performance, a connector electrically connected to various LEDs, or a connector electrically connected to the main control board.

[0340] Although audio circuit 450A and audio circuit 450B are connected to a common connector CN1, and multiple audio circuits are connected to one connector, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, multiple connectors may be connected to one audio circuit, such as a connector CN-A corresponding to audio circuit 450A, a connector CN-B corresponding to audio circuit 450B, and a connector CN-C corresponding to audio circuit 450C. As will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS. 37 to 41, multiple connectors may be connected to one audio circuit. Specifically, the left speaker output of the audio circuit for the center speaker may be connected to connector CN-L and the right speaker output may be connected to connector CN-R, while the left speaker output of the audio circuit for the bottom speaker may be connected to connector CN-L and the right speaker output may be connected to connector CN-R. In the examples of Figures 37 to 41 (multiple connectors for one audio circuit), the audio circuits and corresponding connectors are arranged at a distance from each other, but the configuration may also be such that multiple connectors are connected to one audio circuit, or that the corresponding connector is arranged near the audio circuit, as shown in Figure 34(a).

[0341] As shown in FIG. 34(a), the audio circuit 450 has components (e.g., audio amplifier IC 418, coil L, resistor R, capacitor C, electrolytic capacitor EC, etc.) arranged in a substantially identical layout. This allows for uniform audio output performance from the three speakers (upper speaker 272, middle speaker 275, and lower speaker 277), resulting in stable audio output. For example, the vertical spacing t1 between the two coils L arranged in the audio circuit 450 is substantially identical. By uniformly spacing the coils L by approximately the same amount, the heat generation effects of the three speakers can be equalized, stabilizing audio output and achieving uniform noise reduction. Furthermore, even if different types of speakers are included, the positional relationships between the components constituting the audio circuit are substantially identical, making it easy to identify speaker-related components, and allowing for rapid response if a problem with the audio output occurs. In other words, it is easy to determine which part of the board to focus on.

[0342] Furthermore, in the area of ​​the interval t1 of the coil L, no electronic components are placed, at least on the component side. This prevents the effects of heat generated by the coil L from affecting other components. It also improves the heat dissipation effect compared to when components are placed in the interval t1. Note that the same effect can be achieved by not placing components in the solder side area corresponding to the interval t1, but components may be placed there because the effects of heat are reduced compared to the component side.

[0343] In addition, two coils L are arranged in the audio circuit 450 (audio circuit 450A, audio circuit 450B, audio circuit 450C) because the upper speaker 272, the middle speaker 275, and the lower speaker 277 are stereo output speakers, and one coil L is arranged in the audio circuit 450D because the woofer is a mono output speaker.

[0344] 34(b) is a layout diagram of the components in the audio circuit 450. The amplifier circuit 450 generally includes an audio amplifier IC418, two coils L, a plurality of resistors R, a plurality of capacitors C, and an electrolytic capacitor EC. The audio amplifier IC418 is disposed in the middle between the two coils L. More specifically, the two coils L are disposed in positions that are symmetrical with respect to an imaginary extension line L4 that divides the audio amplifier IC418 into upper and lower halves. That is, the audio amplifier IC418 and the two coils L are laid out (corresponding to a first positional relationship) so that at least a portion of the audio amplifier IC418 is included in the middle portion of the two coils L (the region between the imaginary extensions of both the end edge of one coil on the side of the other coil and the end edge of the other coil on the side of one coil, the region consisting of the imaginary extensions with an interval t1). For example, the audio amplifier IC418 may be laid out so as to be linearly symmetrical with respect to the two coils L, or the audio amplifier IC418 may be laid out so as to be eccentric to one of the two coils L. As a result, in the case of stereo output, by equalizing the lengths of the wiring patterns from the audio amplifier IC to both coils L, the likelihood (or difficulty) of noise generation is also equalized, making it possible to stabilize the audio output and achieve well-balanced audio output.

[0345] The audio circuit 450 of this embodiment is provided with two LC filters LCF that selectively remove high-frequency noise. That is, the LC filter LCF of this embodiment functions as a low-pass filter that cuts high-frequency signals. The LC filter LCF is composed of one coil L and two capacitors C to the right of the coil L. In this embodiment, both the coil L and the capacitor C are provided on the front (top) surface of the first sub-control board 401. However, the coil L may be provided on the front (top) surface while the capacitor C is provided on the back (bottom) surface (both the coil L and the capacitor C may be provided on the back surface, or the coil L may be provided on the back surface and the capacitor C on the front surface). The Zobel filter ZOF, which prevents oscillation and noise due to the speaker load (back electromotive force from the speaker), is composed of one capacitor and two resistors R to the left of the coil L. The Zobel filter ZOF of this embodiment is provided on the left side of the coil L, that is, on the side opposite to the connector CN to which the audio circuit 450 is connected, but it may also be provided on the right side of the coil L, that is, on the connector CN side to which the audio circuit 450 is connected. Note that in this embodiment, the capacitor C and the resistor R are both provided on the front surface (top surface) of the first sub-control board 401, but the capacitor C may be provided on the front surface (top surface) and the resistor R may be provided on the back surface (bottom surface) (both the capacitor C and the resistor R may be provided on the back surface, or the capacitor C may be provided on the back surface and the resistor R on the front surface).

[0346] FIG. 35 shows a circuit diagram of the audio circuit 450. FIG. 35(a) shows a circuit diagram of the signal system, and FIG. 35(b) shows a circuit diagram of the power supply system. As shown in FIG. 35(a), the audio signal is output from the output terminal of the audio amplifier IC418, first through an LC filter LCF and then through a Zobel filter ZOF to a connector CN. In addition, the power supply bypass capacitor PBC shown in the power supply system circuit diagram is a capacitor installed between the power supply and ground, and by bypassing (diverting) noise to ground, it enables a stable power supply to the circuit.

[0347] Although the coil L of the LC filter LCF in this embodiment does not have a core, a coil with a core may also be used. The constant of each element of the LC filter LCF is determined based on the switching frequency (20 kHz to 350 kHz) of the digital amplifier. Specifically, a coil L of 10 to 15 μH is desirable, and a capacitor C of 0.33 μF is used for a coil L of 10 μH, and a capacitor C of 0.22 μF is used for a coil L of 15 μH.

[0348] Note that the capacitor C1 (a capacitor for suppressing high-frequency noise) provided between the LC filter LCF and the Zobel filter is optional. Specifically, if the capacitor C used in the LC filter LCF is a ceramic capacitor, it is preferable to use the capacitor C1, but if a film capacitor is used, the capacitor C1 is optional. In the case of a ceramic capacitor, the ceramic capacitor expands and contracts due to the piezoelectric effect (electrostrictive effect) when voltage is applied, and this expansion and contraction can be suppressed. In this case, the capacitance of the capacitor C1 is preferably smaller than that of the capacitor C constituting the LC filter. For example, if the capacitor C of the LC filter is 0.33 μF, the capacitance should be 0.01 μF to 0.1 μF. If the capacitance of the capacitor C1 is large, the LC filter LCF will be formed by the capacitor C1 (the LC filter LCF will function twice), resulting in a muffled sound and an inability to output the intended sound quality.

[0349] Additionally, capacitor C2 before connector CN is a high-pass filter for the tweeter. When the left and right speakers are connected in parallel, with one speaker used as a low-midrange speaker and the other as a high-range speaker (tweeter), it is used to cut the low-midrange from the other speaker. If the left and right speakers are connected one-to-one, it is possible to simply output low-midrange sounds from one speaker and high-range sounds from the other, so this capacitor does not need to be used.

[0350] Fig. 34(c) is a diagram showing the terminal arrangement of the audio amplifier IC 418. As shown in Fig. 34(c), the terminals (output terminal and power supply terminal) LT for the left speaker are provided in a straight line (left-right direction) at the upper edge of the rectangular audio amplifier IC 418, and the terminals (output terminal and power supply terminal) RT for the right speaker are provided in a straight line (left-right direction) at the lower edge of the rectangular audio amplifier IC 418.

[0351] FIG. 34(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY in FIG. 34(a). Because the audio amplifier IC 418 and the coil L of this embodiment generate a large amount of heat, the board case 403 covering the first sub-control board 401 is provided with ventilation holes 405 in the vicinity of the audio amplifier IC 418 or the coil L. The ventilation holes 405 may be ventilation holes 405a formed on the top or bottom surface (hereinafter referred to as the top and bottom surfaces) of the board case 403, ventilation holes 405b formed across the top and bottom surfaces and the side surfaces, or both ventilation holes 405a and 405b may be provided. A fan may be provided instead of the ventilation holes 405, or a fan may be provided together with the ventilation holes 405. This improves the heat dissipation effect of the audio amplifier IC 418 and the coil L, which generate a large amount of heat, and enables concentrated heat dissipation from components that are prone to heat generation.

[0352] FIG. 36(b) is a diagram showing the ground area GND and the ground-disconnected area N-GND of the first sub-control board 401 shown in FIG. 36(a) (a control board arranged in the same manner as the audio circuit 450 shown in FIG. 34(a)). As shown in FIG. 36(b), the area where the coils L of the audio circuits 450A, 450B, 450C, and 450D are arranged is the ground-disconnected area N-GND (first example of ground GND). This makes it possible to prevent potential instability due to the magnetic field generated by the coil L of the audio circuit 450.

[0353] FIG. 36(c) shows a potential adjustment method different from that shown in FIG. 36(b). As shown in FIG. 36(c), the ground VC1 in the area where the audio circuits 450A and 450B are arranged and the ground VC2 in the area where the audio circuits 450C and 450D are arranged may be separated from the ground GND in the area where other circuits are arranged and wired separately. In this case, a slit-shaped area N-GND that removes the ground may be provided between each area to physically separate each area. For example, the areas may be completely separated, such as between the ground VC1 and the ground GND (a second example of ground GND), or they may be separated so that some areas are connected, such as between the ground VC2 and the ground GND (a third example of ground GND). This method also prevents potential instability due to the magnetic field generated by the coil L of the audio circuit 450. In addition, in Figure 36(c), the second and third examples are shown as examples of dividing the ground GND, but it is not necessary for the second and third examples to coexist on one substrate, and it is sufficient if either the second or third example is configured on one substrate.

[0354] <Variations of audio circuit layout> Next, the first sub-control board 401A of Modification 1 will be described using Figures 37 to 41. In the following description, the +X direction in Figure 37 is referred to as right, the -X direction as left, the +Y direction as up, and the -Y direction as down. Figure 37 is a top view of the component side of the first sub-control board 401A, and shows the component layout of the audio circuit 451 around the audio amplifier IC 418. Figure 38 is a circuit diagram of the audio circuit 451. The first sub-control board 401A is configured in multiple layers, with Figure 39(a) showing a top view of the first layer of the first sub-control board 401A, Figure 39(b) showing the third layer, Figure 40(a) showing the fourth layer, Figure 40(b) showing the fifth layer, Figure 41(a) showing the seventh layer, and Figure 41(b) showing the eighth layer. In Figures 39 to 41, the light gray area indicates the ground area GND, the white area indicates the ground-free area N-GND, and the dark gray shaded area indicates the wiring pattern for audio signals from the audio amplifier IC418 to the connector CN.

[0355] 37, the first sub-control board 401A is provided with an audio circuit 451A for the upper speaker 272, an audio circuit 451B for the middle speaker 275, and an audio circuit 451C for the lower speaker 277 near the center of the first sub-control board 401A. In detail, three audio circuits 451 (when the three audio circuits are collectively referred to as audio circuit 451) are arranged from top to bottom near the center of the first sub-control board 401A in the order of audio circuit 451A, audio circuit 451B, and audio circuit 451C.

[0356] As shown in Fig. 37, audio circuit 451 has components (e.g., audio amplifier IC418, coil L, resistor R, capacitor C, electrolytic capacitor EC, etc.) arranged in approximately the same layout. This makes it possible to equalize the performance of the audio output and stabilize the audio output. Audio circuit 451 generally includes audio amplifier IC418, multiple coils L, multiple resistors R, multiple capacitors C, and electrolytic capacitor EC.

[0357] Figure 38 shows a circuit diagram of the audio circuit 451. Figure 38(a) shows the signal system circuit diagram, and Figure 38(b) shows the power system circuit diagram. As shown in Figure 38(a), the audio signal is output from the output terminal of the audio amplifier IC418 through an LC filter LCF and then a Zobel filter ZOF to the connector CN. Similarly to Figure 35(b), the power system circuit diagram in Figure 38(b) includes a power supply bypass capacitor PBC to eliminate noise. Capacitor C1 (C207, C208, C209, and C222 in Figure 38) connected to the BST terminal is a bootstrap capacitor for boosting the voltage and supporting the output of the positive and negative terminals. For audio amplifier IC418 without a BST terminal, capacitor C1 is unnecessary. Capacitor C2 (C238, C299, C303, and C304 in Figure 38) is provided to suppress noise from the speaker.

[0358] Although the coil L of the LC filter LCF in this embodiment does not have a core, a coil with a core may also be used. The constant of each element of the LC filter LCF is determined based on the switching frequency (20 kHz to 350 kHz) of the digital amplifier. Specifically, a coil L of 10 to 15 μH is used, and a capacitor C of 0.33 μF is used for a coil L of 10 μH, and a capacitor C of 0.22 μF is used for a coil L of 10 μH.

[0359] 37, wiring C1 for audio output signals from the audio circuit 451A to the upper speakers 272 (specifically, the upper left speaker 272a and the upper right speaker 272a) is connected to a connector CN1 provided in the center of the left edge of the first sub-control board 401A. Wiring C2 for audio output signals from the audio circuit 451B to the right of the middle speaker 275 (specifically, the middle speaker 275b) and from the audio circuit 451C to the right of the lower speaker 277 (specifically, the lower speaker 277b) is connected to a connector CN2 provided below the left edge of the first sub-control board 401a. Wiring C3 for audio output signals from the audio circuit 451B to the left of the middle speaker 275 (more specifically, the middle speaker 275a) and from the audio circuit 451C to the left of the lower speaker 277 (more specifically, the lower speaker 277a) is connected to a connector CN3 provided below the right edge of the first sub-control board 401A.

[0360] Here, the flow of the audio signal from the audio circuit 451 to the connector CN will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0361] The wiring C1 is connected from the audio circuit 451A to the connector C1 via the path C1-1a in Figure 39(a), the path C1-1b in Figure 41(b), the path C1-2 in Figure 40(b), the path C1-3 in Figure 39(a), the path C1-4 in Figure 40(a), and the path C1-5 in Figure 39(a).

[0362] Wiring C2 is connected from audio circuit 451B and audio circuit 451C to connector C2 via path C2-1a in Figure 39(a), path C2-1b in Figure 41(b), path C2-2 in Figure 40(b), path C2-3 in Figure 39(a), and path C2-4 in Figure 40(a).

[0363] The wiring C3 is connected to the connector C3 from the audio circuit 451B and the audio circuit 451C via the path C3-1a in Fig. 39(a), the path C3-1b in Fig. 41(b), the path C3-2 in Fig. 40(b), the path C3-3 in Fig. 39(a), and the path C3-4 in Fig. 41(a). In this way, the wiring pattern from the audio amplifier IC to the connector may be configured via multiple layers.

[0364] As shown in FIG. 39(a), the area where the coil L of the audio circuit 451 (audio circuit 451A, audio circuit 451B, audio circuit 451C) is arranged is an area N-GND without a GND. This makes it possible to prevent potential instability due to the magnetic field generated by the coil L of the audio circuit 451. Also, as shown in FIG. 36(c), the ground GND of the area of ​​the audio circuit 451 (audio circuit 451A, audio circuit 451B, audio circuit 451C) may be separated from the ground GND of the area of ​​the other circuits and wired separately.

[0365] [Other variations] Layout of audio circuit components The arrangement of components of multiple (specifically, two) audio circuits 450 will be described using Figure 42(a). In Figure 42(a), one audio circuit is denoted as 450A, and the other audio circuit is denoted as 450B. Also, in Figure 42(a), imaginary extension lines are shown along with each component (audio amplifier IC418, coil L, resistor R, electrolytic capacitor EC) that constitutes audio circuit 450. The imaginary extension lines generally indicate straight lines that form the outline of audio circuit 450, which is made up of multiple components, or straight lines that pass through the centers of specific components.

[0366] 42(a), both the audio circuit 450A and the audio circuit 450B are arranged within the range surrounded by imaginary extension lines L1, L2, L3, and L4, and the coil L, capacitor C, and resistor R are arranged in positions symmetrical with respect to the audio amplifier IC418 (the coil L, capacitor C, and resistor R are arranged in positions symmetrical with respect to the imaginary extension line VL that divides the audio amplifier IC418 into left and right halves). In addition, the electrolytic capacitor EC is arranged to the right of the power supply IC418 in parallel with the audio amplifier IC418.

[0367] In this way, the component layouts in the two audio circuits may be made substantially the same, and the coil L, capacitor C, and resistor R may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the audio amplifier IC418.

[0368] In Example 2 of FIG. 42(a), similarly to Example 1, both the audio circuit 450A and the audio circuit 450B are disposed within the ranges enclosed by imaginary extension lines L1, L2, L3, and L4, and the coil L, capacitor C, and resistor R are disposed in positions symmetrical with respect to the audio amplifier IC418 (the coil L, capacitor C, and resistor R are disposed in positions symmetrical with respect to the imaginary extension line VL that bisects the audio amplifier IC418). However, the positional relationship between the electrolytic capacitor EC and the audio amplifier IC418 differs from that in Example 1. In Example 2, the electrolytic capacitor EC is disposed below the audio amplifier IC418. In this way, the lower end of the electrolytic capacitor EC may be disposed offset from the lower end of the audio amplifier IC418.

[0369] Here, the audio circuits 450A and 450B in Examples 1 and 2 of FIG. 42(a) have substantially the same layout of components within the audio circuits, but it is not necessary that all components have substantially the same layout. For example, as shown in Example 3 of FIG. 42(a), the electrolytic capacitor EC may be arranged in an inverted position. The layout of the other components is substantially the same as in Examples 1 and 2. Specifically, in the audio circuit 450A, the electrolytic capacitor EC is arranged to the right of the audio amplifier IC418, while in the audio circuit 450B, the electrolytic capacitor EC is arranged to the left of the audio amplifier IC418. In this way, the audio circuits 450A and 450B may be arranged in a line-symmetrical positional relationship.

[0370] In Example 4 of FIG. 42(a), both the audio circuit 450A and the audio circuit 450B are arranged within the range surrounded by imaginary extension lines L1, L2, L3, and L4, but unlike Examples 1 to 3, the components near the coil L (coil L, capacitor C, resistor R) are not arranged in symmetrical positions with respect to the audio amplifier IC 418. On the other hand, the components near the audio amplifier IC 418 (capacitor C, resistor R) are arranged in symmetrical positions with respect to the power supply IC 418. Note that the audio circuit 450A and the audio circuit 450B in Example 4 of FIG. 42(a) have approximately the same layout of the components within the audio circuits.

[0371] In Examples 1 to 4 of FIG. 42(a), the electrolytic capacitor EC is not disposed so as to be sandwiched between the two coils L, but the electrolytic capacitor EC may be disposed so as to be sandwiched between the two coils L. In addition, in the diagrams shown in Examples 1 to 4 of FIG. 42(a), capacitors related to other electronic processing are not shown, but capacitors related to other electronic processing may be disposed.

[0372] From the above, the audio amplifier IC418 and the two coils L are laid out (corresponding to the first positional relationship) so that at least a portion of the audio amplifier IC418 is included in the intermediate portion of the two coils L (the region between the imaginary extension lines of the end edge of one coil on the side of the other coil and the end edge of the other coil on the side of one coil, which is the region consisting of imaginary extension lines with an interval t1; the diagonal line region between the imaginary extension line L1' and the imaginary extension line L5' shown in Figure 42). For example, the audio amplifier IC418 is laid out so as to be linearly symmetrical with respect to the two coils L, or the audio amplifier IC418 is laid out so as to be eccentric to one of the two coils L.

[0373] Furthermore, the audio amplifier IC 418 and the capacitor C may be laid out such that the capacitor C is located between the audio amplifier 418 and the coil L (corresponding to the second positional relationship), or such that the coil L is located between the audio amplifier 418 and the capacitor C (corresponding to the second positional relationship). That is, in the output direction of the audio signal as seen from the audio amplifier 418, the positional relationships are "audio amplifier IC → capacitor C → coil L" and "audio amplifier IC → coil L → capacitor C." The capacitor C may also be laid out in line symmetry with the audio amplifier IC 418, the capacitor C may be laid out in line symmetry with two coils L, or the capacitor C may be laid out in line symmetry with one coil L. The audio amplifier IC 418 and the electrolytic capacitor EC may be laid out such that at least a portion of the electrolytic capacitor EC is located inward of an imaginary extension line L4 along an end of the audio amplifier IC 418 on one side that has a power supply terminal and is opposite the side on which the coil L is located (corresponding to another example of the second positional relationship or a fourth positional relationship).

[0374] Furthermore, the coil L and the capacitor C may be arranged in a layout in which the capacitor C is located between the coil L and the audio amplifier IC 418 (corresponding to the third positional relationship), or in which the capacitor C is located between the coil L and the connector CN (corresponding to the third positional relationship). That is, the capacitor C may be arranged closer to the audio amplifier IC 418 as viewed from the coil L, or closer to the connector CN on the opposite side of the audio amplifier IC 418 as viewed from the coil L. Furthermore, the capacitor C is laid out so as to be axisymmetric with respect to one coil L and / or two coils L. The layout (corresponding to another example of the third positional relationship or the fifth positional relationship) is such that the electrolytic capacitor EC is eccentrically positioned on one side of the two coils L, with at least a portion of the electrolytic capacitor EC located inward from an imaginary extension line L5 of the edge of the one coil L opposite the other coil L, at least a portion of the electrolytic capacitor EC located inward from an imaginary extension line L4 along the end of the audio amplifier IC 418 opposite the side where the coil L is located, and at least a portion of the electrolytic capacitor EC located inward from an extension line L3 of the connector-side edges of the two coils L. Furthermore, electronic components such as a capacitor C and / or a resistor R are positioned between the coil L and the electrolytic capacitor EC, and the electrolytic capacitor EC is positioned on the side of the audio amplifier IC 418 where the power terminal is located (the side closer to the power terminal). This prevents the coil L from coming into close contact with the electrolytic capacitor EC, minimizing the effect of heat generated by the coil L on the electrolytic capacitor EC. As shown in Example 4, even if there are no components between the coil L and the electrolytic capacitor EC, the same effect can be achieved by positioning them apart.

[0375] Furthermore, the audio amplifier IC418, coil L, and capacitor C are at least partially included in an area formed by an imaginary extension of the distance t1 between the audio amplifier IC418 and the two coils L, and the capacitor C is laid out in line symmetry with the audio amplifier IC418 and / or coil L. The electrolytic capacitor EC is disposed on one side of the audio amplifier IC418 and one side of the two coils L, and is laid out so that an imaginary extension of one end of the electrolytic capacitor EC overlaps with the audio amplifier IC418 and / or coil L.

[0376] Audio circuit layout on the first sub-control board Figure 42(b) shows an example of the arrangement of the audio circuits 450 on the first sub-control board 401. In Figure 42(b), audio circuit 1 is represented as 450X, audio circuit 2 as 450Y, and audio circuit 3 as 450Z.

[0377] Example 1 in Figure 42(b) shows a first sub-control board 401X in which audio circuits 450X, 450Y, and 450Z are each arranged at or near the edge of the board. In the first sub-control board 401X, audio circuits 450X and 450Y are arranged at one edge (specifically, the left edge), and audio circuit 450Z is arranged at the other edge (specifically, the right edge). In addition, a first connector CN1 is arranged near the audio circuits 450X and 450Y, and a second connector CN2 is arranged near the audio circuit 450Z.

[0378] According to the first sub-control board 401X shown in Example 1 of Figure 42(b), by locating the audio circuit at the end, it is possible to reduce the impact of noise due to switching frequencies on other components. Also, the correspondence between the connector CN (audio circuit) and the speaker is easy to understand, which has the effect of making it easier to identify the defective part. Furthermore, if the output sound from the gaming machine is felt to be too loud during inspection work, the connector of the harness connecting the connector CN and the speaker may be unplugged. In this way, since the audio circuit and the connector CN connected to the corresponding speaker are located close to each other, it is easy to know which connector to unplug, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0379] 42(b) shows a first sub-control board 401Y in which both the audio circuit 450X and the audio circuit 450Y are concentrated in one edge area of ​​the board (specifically, the upper right 1 / 4 area of ​​the board). In addition, the connector CN is arranged near the audio circuit 450X and the audio circuit 450Y.

[0380] According to the first sub-control board 401Y shown in Example 2 of Figure 42(b), by concentrating the audio circuits at the edge, it is possible to further reduce the impact of noise on other components. Also, it is easy to identify the connector CN connected to the speaker, and it is possible to instantly identify the connector CN to be unplugged when a loud noise occurs. Furthermore, by concentrating heat-generating components such as the audio amplifier IC 418 and the coil L, it is possible to dissipate heat in a concentrated manner.

[0381] 42(b) shows a first sub-control board 401Z in which both the audio circuit 450X and the audio circuit 450Y are arranged in the central region of the board. Also, the first connector CN1 is arranged near the audio circuit 450X, and the second connector CN2 is arranged near the audio circuit 450Y.

[0382] According to the first sub-control board 401Z shown in Example 3 of Figure 42(b), by arranging heat-generating components such as the audio amplifier IC 418 and the coil L in the center of the board, the heat can be dispersed throughout the board, making it easier to achieve heat dissipation. In addition, since the connector CN and the audio circuit are located close to each other, the correspondence between the connector CN and the audio circuit is easy to understand, which makes inspection work more efficient.

[0383] - When the audio circuit components are arranged differently In the above embodiment and modified examples, the layout of components within the audio circuits 450 is the same or approximately the same (including inverted components), but the layout of components may be different for each audio circuit 450. Figure 42(c) shows a first sub-control board 401J in which the layout of components in the audio circuits 450X and 450Y is different. The audio circuits 450X and 450Y differ in the positional relationship between the audio amplifier IC 418 and the coil C, and the positional relationship between the audio amplifier IC 418 and the electrolytic capacitor EC. A capacitor C is also arranged on the side of the audio amplifier IC418 where the coil L is not arranged, and in the audio circuit 450X, the coil L is arranged parallel to the audio amplifier IC418 (left-right direction), and the capacitor C is arranged perpendicular to the audio amplifier IC418 (up-down direction), with the coil L corresponding to the (+) output terminal and (-) output terminal of one coil L on one side in the perpendicular direction, and the coil L corresponding to the (+) output terminal and (-) output terminal of the other coil L on the other side in the perpendicular direction. Also, in the audio circuit 450Y, the coil L is arranged perpendicular to the audio amplifier IC418 (upward in the drawing, but it may also be downward or up-down), and the capacitor C is arranged parallel to the audio amplifier IC418 (left-right direction), with the coil L corresponding to the (+) output terminal and (-) output terminal of one coil L on one side in the parallel direction, and the coil L corresponding to the (+) output terminal and (-) output terminal of the other coil L on the other side in the parallel direction. However, in both the audio circuit 450X and the audio circuit 450Y, the components are arranged in areas surrounded by imaginary extension lines shown in Fig. 42(c) as dashed dotted lines. Here, the rectangular area S1 surrounded by the imaginary extension lines of the audio circuit 450X and the rectangular area S2 surrounded by the imaginary extension lines of the audio circuit 450Y are substantially the same in shape and area (specifically, the vertical and horizontal lengths of the rectangles are substantially the same). Note that this is not limited to the imaginary extension lines shown as dashed dotted lines that follow the ends of each component, and the same is true for the imaginary extension lines shown as dotted lines, and each component is arranged in an area surrounded by the imaginary extension lines shown as dotted lines.In the audio circuit 450X, an area S1 is formed by an imaginary extension line along the end of the electrolytic capacitor EC, an imaginary extension line along the end of the coil L, and an imaginary extension line along the end of the capacitor C, and in the audio circuit 450Y, an area S2 is formed by an imaginary extension line along the end of the electrolytic capacitor EC, an imaginary extension line along the end of the coil L, and an imaginary extension line along the end of the audio amplifier IC418.

[0384] Furthermore, the audio amplifier IC418 and the coil L are laid out within a region (a region formed by imaginary extensions of the spacing between the coils L) (a first range) between an end edge of one coil on the side of the other coil and an end edge of the other coil on the side of the one coil, and are laid out within a range (another example of the first range) in which the distances from the audio amplifier IC418 to each coil L are approximately the same (w1 ≒ w2, w3 ≒ w4). This allows the wiring lengths to be approximately equal, thereby achieving uniform sound output between the left output and the right output. Note that "w1·w2" and "w3·w4" may be different or approximately the same.

[0385] Furthermore, the audio amplifier IC418 and capacitor C are laid out so that capacitor C is approximately symmetrical in the parallel and perpendicular directions to the audio amplifier IC418, and are also laid out within the range of areas S1 and S2 (second range) surrounded by imaginary extension lines from the ends of each component. This makes it possible to equalize the left output, right output, and (+) output and (-) output, and to save space in the audio circuit.

[0386] Furthermore, the coil L and the capacitor C are laid out within a range (third range) such that the distance from the capacitor C to each coil L is approximately the same (w5 ≒ w6). Note that, although the distances w7 and w8 from the capacitor C to each coil L in the audio circuit 450Y are not shown, these distances are also approximately the same (w7 ≒ w8). This allows the wiring lengths to be approximately equal, thereby achieving uniform sound output between the left output and the right output.

[0387] In this way, even if the component layout differs for each audio circuit 450, it is sufficient that each component is arranged in the same predetermined area in each audio circuit 450. Even in this case, the performance of multiple speakers can be made uniform, thereby stabilizing the audio output.

[0388] -Layout of audio amplifier IC output terminals Figures 43(a) to (c) are diagrams showing the arrangement of output terminals of the audio amplifier IC 418. In Figures 43(a) to (c), the left speaker coil is denoted as LL, the right speaker coil is denoted as RL, the output terminal for the left speaker of the audio amplifier IC 418 is denoted as LT, and the output terminal for the right speaker is denoted as RT. Furthermore, with respect to the center line VL that divides the audio amplifier IC 418 into left and right halves, the left region is denoted as LS, and the right region is denoted as RS.

[0389] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 34, the two coils LL and RL are arranged in positions that are line-symmetrical with respect to the center line VL of the audio amplifier IC418. In this case, in order to avoid crossings and shorten the distance between the wiring of the audio amplifier IC418 and the coil L, it is preferable that the output terminal LT and the left speaker coil LL are connected in the same region LS, and the output terminal RT and the right speaker coil RL are connected in the same region RS. Figs. 43(a) to 43(c) show an example of the arrangement of the output terminals of the audio amplifier IC418 in such a case, with the output terminal LT arranged in the left region LS and the output terminal RT arranged in the right region RS.

[0390] 43(a), the output terminal LT may be arranged linearly on the left side of the rectangular audio amplifier IC418, and the output terminal RT may be arranged linearly on the right side. In other words, the arrangement direction of the output terminals of the audio amplifier IC is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the coil L. Note that a layout in which at least a portion of the audio amplifier IC418 is included in a region formed by an imaginary extension of the gap between two coils L, and the arrangement direction of the output terminals of the audio amplifier IC418 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the coil L, may be an example of a first positional relationship.

[0391] 43(b), for example, the output terminal LT may be arranged in an L-shape on the left and top sides of the rectangular audio amplifier IC 418, straddling the corners, and the output terminal RT may be arranged in an L-shape on the right and top sides, straddling the corners. In other words, the output terminals of the audio amplifier IC are arranged in a direction that is both perpendicular and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the coil L. Note that a layout in which at least a portion of the audio amplifier IC 418 is included in a region formed by an imaginary extension of the gap between two coils L, and the output terminals of the audio amplifier IC 418 are arranged in a direction that is perpendicular and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the coil L, may be an example of a first positional relationship.

[0392] 43(c), for example, the output terminals LT may be arranged linearly in a position facing a left region LS in the left half of the top edge of a rectangular audio amplifier IC418, and the output terminals RT may be arranged linearly in a position facing a right region RS in the right half of the top edge. In other words, the arrangement direction of the output terminals of the audio amplifier IC is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the coil L. Note that a layout in which at least a portion of the audio amplifier IC418 is included in a region formed by an imaginary extension of the gap between two coils L and the arrangement direction of the output terminals of the audio amplifier IC418 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the coil L may be an example of a first positional relationship.

[0393] In any of the cases shown in FIGS. 43(a) to 43(c), it is possible to avoid crossing of the wiring between the audio amplifier IC418 and the coil L, and it is possible to shorten the wiring distance.

[0394] Layout of audio circuit components 43(d) to 43(f) are schematic diagrams illustrating the layout of components that make up the audio circuit 450 when they are linearly arranged in the vertical direction. Note that Fig. 43(d) to 43(f) illustrate an example in which the LC filter LCF is composed of two coils L and four capacitors C (to be precise, one coil L and two capacitors C for the left speaker, and one coil L and two capacitors C for the right speaker), and the Zobel filter ZOF is composed of two capacitors C and two resistors R (to be precise, one capacitor C and one resistor for the left speaker, and one capacitor C and one resistor R for the right speaker).

[0395] For example, the audio circuit 450D shown in FIG. 43(d) is arranged in the following order from top to bottom: connector CN, Zobel filter ZOF, capacitor C of LC filter LCF, coil L of LC filter LCF, audio amplifier IC418, and electrolytic capacitor EC. In the audio circuit 450 of this embodiment, as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 36, the audio signal flows in the following order: audio amplifier IC418 → coil L of LC filter LCF → capacitor C of LC filter LCF → Zobel filter ZOF → connector CN. Therefore, the component layout shown in FIG. 43(d) allows for the shortest possible wiring distance between the audio amplifier IC418 and connector CN. In other words, the wiring pattern is optimally positioned for each filter, resulting in improved wiring efficiency and enhanced filter effectiveness. However, the proximity of the audio amplifier IC418 and coil L, which tend to generate heat, also presents a disadvantage: heat buildup.

[0396] Note that in FIG. 43(d), the audio amplifier IC and the coil L are also arranged in a layout (first positional relationship) in which at least a portion of the audio amplifier IC 418 is included in the area formed by the imaginary extension of the distance between the two coils L. This improves the wiring efficiency between the audio amplifier IC and the coil L, and further equalizes the imbalance in the wiring pattern distance between the left output and the right output to stabilize the output. Also, the audio amplifier IC and the capacitor C are arranged in a layout (second positional relationship) in which the coil L is located between the audio amplifier IC and the capacitor C. This allows for sequential wiring in the filter circuit, resulting in the shortest possible wiring pattern. Also, the coil L and the capacitor C are arranged in a layout (third positional relationship) in which the capacitor C is located between the coil L and the connector CN. This allows for sequential wiring in the filter circuit, resulting in the shortest possible wiring pattern.

[0397] Although not shown in the audio circuit 450D shown in FIG. 43(d), a bootstrap capacitor may be provided between the coil L of the LC filter LCF and the audio amplifier IC418.

[0398] For example, an audio circuit 450E shown in Fig. 43(e) is arranged in the following order from top to bottom: connector CN, Zobel filter ZOF, coil L of LC filter LCF, capacitor C of LC filter LCF, audio amplifier IC418, and electrolytic capacitor EC. When the components are arranged as shown in Fig. 43(e), the distance is longer than when the components are arranged as shown in Fig. 43(d) because the arrangement is not in the order of the circuit from coil L to capacitor C in the LC filter LCF, but this is preferable wiring because the current flows in the order audio amplifier IC418 → LC filter LCF → Zobel filter ZOF → connector CN.

[0399] According to the audio circuit 450E shown in Figure 43(e), the audio amplifier IC418, which tends to generate heat, and the coil L are separated by a capacitor C, which has the advantage of preventing heat from concentrating. However, since the LC filters LCF are not arranged in the correct order, the wiring pattern becomes long, which also has the disadvantage of making it easier for noise to be mixed in.

[0400] Note that in Figure 43(e), the audio amplifier IC and the coil L are arranged in a layout (first positional relationship) in which at least a portion of the audio amplifier IC 418 is included in the area formed by the imaginary extension of the spacing between the two coils L. This improves the wiring efficiency between the audio amplifier IC and the coil L and further equalizes the imbalance in the wiring pattern distance between the left output and the right output to stabilize the output. Also, the audio amplifier IC and the capacitor C are arranged in a layout (second positional relationship) in which the capacitor C is located between the audio amplifier IC and the coil L. This allows for a sufficient distance between the audio amplifier IC and the coil L, thereby preventing heat buildup. Also, the coil L and the capacitor C are arranged in a layout (third positional relationship) in which the capacitor C is located between the coil L and the audio amplifier IC. This allows for a sufficient distance between the audio amplifier IC and the coil L, thereby preventing heat buildup. Incidentally, by placing the capacitor C of the Zobel filter between the coil L and the connector CN, the wiring in the filter circuit can be arranged in a sequential order, resulting in the shortest possible wiring pattern.

[0401] 43(f), the audio circuit 450F is arranged in the following order from top to bottom: connector CN, capacitor C of LC filter LCF, coil L of LC filter LCF, Zobel filter ZOF, audio amplifier IC418, and electrolytic capacitor EC. In this manner, the top-bottom positions of the LC filter LCF and Zobel filter ZOF may be interchanged.

[0402] According to the audio circuit 450F shown in Figure 43(f), the audio amplifier IC418, which tends to generate heat, and the coil L are separated by a capacitor C, which has the advantage that heat does not accumulate. However, there is also the disadvantage that the Zobel filter ZOF is not located near the connector CN, which reduces the effectiveness of countermeasures against back electromotive force from the speaker.

[0403] 43(f) also shows a layout (first positional relationship) in which the audio amplifier IC and the coil L include at least a portion of the audio amplifier IC 418 in the area formed by the imaginary extension of the gap between the two coils L. This improves the wiring efficiency between the audio amplifier IC and the coil L, and further equalizes the bias in the wiring pattern distance between the left output and the right output to the greatest extent possible, thereby stabilizing the output. Also, a layout (second positional relationship) in which the audio amplifier IC and the capacitor C are located between the audio amplifier IC and the coil L is also shown. This allows for a certain distance between the audio amplifier IC and the coil L, thereby preventing heat from building up. Also, a layout (third positional relationship) in which the coil L and the capacitor C are located between the coil L and the audio amplifier IC is also shown. This allows for a certain distance between the audio amplifier IC and the coil L, thereby preventing heat from building up.

[0404] In this embodiment, an audio amplifier IC is used as the IC in the audio circuit, but this is not limiting and a sound source IC may also be used. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the term "substantially the same" may refer to the "same" configuration, and the term "same" may refer to the "substantially the same" configuration. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the positional relationship refers to the layout of components between components or components in the target circuit configuration. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the audio circuit includes a wiring path for audio signals: "audio amplifier IC → LC filter consisting of coil L and capacitor C → Zobel filter (→ connector) consisting of resistor R and capacitor C."

[0405] <Summary of the embodiment> (1) As described above, according to the gaming machine of the above embodiment (e.g., slot machine 100), the gaming machine is equipped with a plurality of speakers of different types (e.g., speakers 272, 275, 277, etc.), a plurality of audio circuits (e.g., audio circuits 450A, 450B, 450C, etc.) electrically connected to each of the plurality of speakers and capable of outputting audio signals, and a first board (e.g., first sub-control board 401, etc.) on which the plurality of audio circuits are arranged, and each of the plurality of audio circuits is equipped with a first component (e.g., audio amplifier IC 418, etc.), a second component (e.g., coil L, etc.), and a third component (e.g., capacitor C, etc.), and in each of the plurality of audio circuits on the first board, the positional relationship between the first component, the second component, and the third component is approximately the same (e.g., Figure 34(a), etc.), which is the first basic configuration.

[0406] According to the first basic configuration, the performance of the audio output of the plurality of audio circuits is made substantially uniform, thereby making it possible to output audio stably.

[0407] In this first basic configuration, a first preferred configuration is that in each of the plurality of audio circuits on the first substrate, the first component and the second component are arranged in a first positional relationship, the first component and the third component are arranged in a second positional relationship, and the second component and the third component are arranged in a third positional relationship (for example, Figure 34(a)).

[0408] According to the first preferred configuration, by making the layout relationship of the three components the same, it is possible to substantially equalize the performance regarding the audio output of the plurality of audio circuits, and to output audio stably.

[0409] In this first preferred configuration, a second preferred configuration is that the first component is an audio amplifier element (e.g., audio amplifier IC418), the second component is a coil (e.g., coil L), the third component is a capacitor (e.g., capacitor C), and each of the plurality of audio circuits includes a filter circuit (e.g., LC filter LCF, etc.) using the coil and the capacitor.

[0410] According to the second preferred configuration, noise reduction is made substantially uniform, so that sound can be output stably.

[0411] In this first basic configuration, first preferred configuration, or second preferred configuration, the first substrate further includes a control means (e.g., CPU 404, etc.), and the multiple audio circuits are arranged on the first substrate closer to the end of the first substrate than the position where the control means is arranged (e.g., Figure 34(a)). This is a third preferred configuration.

[0412] According to this third preferable configuration, it is possible to prevent the influence of the magnetic field from the audio circuit from affecting other components.

[0413] Furthermore, according to the gaming machine (e.g., slot machine 100) of the above embodiment, the gaming machine is equipped with a plurality of speakers of different types (e.g., speakers 272, 275, 277, etc.), a plurality of audio circuits (e.g., audio circuits 450A, 450B, 450C, etc.) electrically connected to each of the plurality of speakers and capable of outputting audio signals, and a first board (e.g., first sub-control board 401, etc.) on which the plurality of audio circuits are arranged, and each of the plurality of audio circuits includes a first component (e.g., audio amplifier IC 418, etc.), a second component (e.g., coil L, etc.), and a third component (e.g., capacitor C, etc.), and in each of the plurality of audio circuits on the first board, the first component, the second component, and the third component are arranged within approximately the same predetermined range (e.g., Figure 34(a), Figure 42(c), etc.). This is the second basic configuration.

[0414] According to the second basic configuration, the performance of the audio output of the plurality of audio circuits is substantially uniform, thereby making it possible to output audio stably.

[0415] In this second basic configuration, a fourth preferred configuration is that in each of the multiple audio circuits on the first board, the first component and the second component are arranged within a first range, the first component and the third component are arranged within a second range, and the second component and the third component are arranged within a third range (e.g., Figure 34(a), Figure 42(c), etc.).

[0416] According to the fourth preferred configuration, by arranging the three components in the same range, the performance of the audio output of the plurality of audio circuits can be made substantially uniform, and audio can be output stably.

[0417] In the fourth preferred configuration, the first component is an audio amplifier element (e.g., audio amplifier IC418), the second component is a coil (e.g., coil L), the third component is a capacitor (e.g., capacitor C), and each of the plurality of audio circuits includes a filter circuit (e.g., LC filter LCF, etc.) using the coil and the capacitor. This is a fifth preferred configuration.

[0418] According to the fifth preferable configuration, noise reduction is made substantially uniform, so that sound can be output stably.

[0419] A sixth preferred configuration is that in the second basic configuration, the fourth preferred configuration, or the fifth preferred configuration, the first substrate further includes a control means (e.g., CPU 404, etc.), and the multiple audio circuits are arranged on the first substrate closer to the end of the first substrate than the position where the control means is arranged (e.g., Figure 34(a)).

[0420] According to this sixth preferable configuration, it is possible to prevent the influence of the magnetic field from the audio circuit from affecting other components.

[0421] (2) Furthermore, according to the gaming machine (e.g., slot machine 100) of the above embodiment, the gaming machine is provided with a plurality of speakers of different types (e.g., speakers 272, 275, 277, etc.), a plurality of audio circuits (e.g., audio circuits 450A, 450B, 450C, etc.) electrically connected to each of the plurality of speakers and capable of outputting audio signals, and a first board (e.g., first sub-control board 401, etc.) on which the plurality of audio circuits are arranged, and each of the plurality of audio circuits includes a first component (e.g., audio amplifier IC 418, etc.), a plurality of second components (e.g., two coils L, etc.), and a third component (e.g., capacitor C, etc.). The third basic configuration is that, in each of the plurality of audio circuits on the first substrate, the positional relationship between the first component, the plurality of second components, and the third component is approximately the same (for example, Figure 34(a) etc.), and when, in each of the plurality of audio circuits on the first substrate, one second component of the plurality of second components is the A second component and the other second component is the B second component, at least a part of the first component is included in the area between an imaginary extension line of the end edge of the A second component facing the B second component and an imaginary extension line of the end edge of the B second component facing the A second component (for example, Figure 34(a) etc.).

[0422] According to the third basic configuration, the performance of the audio output of the multiple audio circuits is substantially uniform, thereby enabling stable audio output. Also, the wiring pattern lengths between the first component and the multiple second components can be balanced for the multiple second components, thereby achieving uniform output balance between the left and right speakers, for example.

[0423] In the third basic configuration, a seventh preferred configuration is that in each of the plurality of audio circuits on the first substrate, the first component and the plurality of second components are arranged in a first positional relationship, the first component and the third component are arranged in a second positional relationship, and the plurality of second components and the third component are arranged in a third positional relationship (for example, Figure 34(a)).

[0424] According to the seventh preferred configuration, by making the layout relationship of the three components the same, it is possible to substantially equalize the performance regarding the audio output of the plurality of audio circuits, and to output audio stably.

[0425] In the seventh preferred configuration, the first component is an audio amplifier element (e.g., audio amplifier IC418), the second component is a coil (e.g., coil L), the third component is a capacitor (e.g., capacitor C), and each of the plurality of audio circuits includes a filter circuit (e.g., LC filter LCF, etc.) using the coil and the capacitor, which is an eighth preferred configuration.

[0426] According to the eighth preferable configuration, noise reduction is made substantially uniform, so that sound can be output stably.

[0427] A ninth preferred configuration is that in the third basic configuration, the seventh preferred configuration, or the eighth preferred configuration, the first substrate further includes a control means (e.g., CPU 404, etc.), and the multiple audio circuits are arranged on the first substrate closer to the end of the first substrate than the position where the control means is arranged (e.g., Figure 34(a)).

[0428] According to the ninth preferred configuration, it is possible to prevent the influence of the magnetic field from the audio circuit from affecting other components.

[0429] (3) Furthermore, according to the gaming machine (e.g., slot machine 100) according to the above embodiment, the gaming machine is provided with a plurality of speakers of different types (e.g., speakers 272, 275, 277, etc.), a plurality of audio circuits (e.g., audio circuits 450A, 450B, 450C, etc.) electrically connected to each of the plurality of speakers and capable of outputting audio signals, and a first board (e.g., first sub-control board 401, etc.) on which the plurality of audio circuits are arranged, and each of the plurality of audio circuits is provided with a first component (e.g., audio amplifier IC41). 8, etc.), a plurality of second components (for example, two coils L, etc.), and a third component (for example, a capacitor C, etc.), and in each of the plurality of audio circuits on the first substrate, the positional relationship between the first component, the plurality of second components, and the third component is approximately the same (for example, Figure 34(a), etc.), and in each of the plurality of audio circuits on the first substrate, the spacing between the plurality of second components is approximately the same, and no components are mounted in the area formed by the spacing (for example, Figure 34(a), etc.).

[0430] According to the fourth basic configuration, the performance of the audio output of the multiple audio circuits is substantially uniform, thereby enabling stable audio output. Furthermore, by not placing any components between the multiple second components, the influence of heat generated by the second components can be prevented in advance.

[0431] In the fourth basic configuration, a tenth preferred configuration is that in each of the plurality of audio circuits on the first board, the first component and the plurality of second components are arranged in a first positional relationship, the first component and the third component are arranged in a second positional relationship, and the plurality of second components and the third component are arranged in a third positional relationship (for example, Figure 34(a)).

[0432] According to this preferred configuration, by making the layout relationship of the three components the same, it is possible to substantially equalize the performance regarding the audio output of the multiple audio circuits, and to output audio stably.

[0433] In the tenth preferred configuration, the first component is an audio amplifier element (e.g., audio amplifier IC418), the second component is a coil (e.g., coil L), the third component is a capacitor (e.g., capacitor C), and each of...

Claims

1. A gaming machine equipped with a movable body that can be operated by driving a motor, The gaming machine includes a predetermined base plate, the motor is electrically connected to the predetermined board via a harness, a state in which the predetermined board and the harness are electrically connected is defined as a connected state; a state in which the predetermined board and the harness are not electrically connected is defined as a non-connected state; A first state is a power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off and the connected state is cut off, A power supply state in which the connection state and the power supply to the gaming machine are in a second state, A power-off state in which the power supply to the game machine is cut off and the disconnected state is a third state; the weight of the movable body when manually operated is heavier in the first state than in the second state, The weight of the movable body when manually operated is heavier in the first state than in the third state. A gaming machine characterized by the above.

2. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, the predetermined substrate is a substrate on which a first component is disposed, In the first state, a circuit configuration is established that runs from the motor through the first component to the motor itself, In the third state, the circuit configuration is not established. A gaming machine characterized by the above.

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