gaming machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine having a distinctive reel structure. [Solution] A reel band is fixed to a reel frame with double-sided tape, the double-sided tape having a first adhesive surface and a second adhesive surface, the first adhesive surface being attached to the reel band and the second adhesive surface being attached to the reel frame over most of its surface, the second adhesive surface having a weaker adhesive strength than the first adhesive surface. Also, an identification portion is provided on the surface of the reel frame that contacts the second adhesive surface, and the identification portion is provided so as to be located near the end of the reel band when wound around the reel frame.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine represented by a pinball gaming machine (pachinko machine), a slot machine, an enclosed gaming machine, or a medalless slot machine. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, gaming machines equipped with reels have been widely known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-237513 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there is room for improvement in the reel structure of conventional gaming machines.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine having a distinctive reel structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The gaming machine according to the present invention is a gaming machine equipped with a plurality of rotatable reels and a plurality of stop operation means operable to stop the reels, wherein the reels include at least a strip-shaped reel band having a plurality of symbols and an annular reel frame capable of supporting the reel band, the reel band being attached by being wound around the reel frame, and the reel band being fixed to the reel frame with double-sided tape, the double-sided tape having a first adhesive surface and a second adhesive surface, the first adhesive surface being attached to the reel band and most of the second adhesive surface being attached to the reel frame, the second adhesive surface having a weaker adhesive strength than the first adhesive surface, and an identification portion being provided on the surface of the reel frame that comes into contact with the second adhesive surface, and the identification portion being provided so as to be located near the end of the reel band when wound around the reel frame. the law of nature , The stop operation means comprises at least a first stop operation means and a second stop operation means, the first stop operation means and the second stop operation means are disposed on a door body, the door body has an area (hereinafter referred to as a "rough surface area") that is rougher than the operation surface of the first stop operation means, the rough surface area (hereinafter referred to as a "first rough surface area") is located between the first stop operation means and the second stop operation means on the door body, when a direction in which a second imaginary line that is perpendicular to a first imaginary line connecting the center of the operation surface of the first stop operation means and the center of the operation surface of the second stop operation means extends is defined as a first direction, the distance of the first rough surface area in the first direction is longer than the distance of the operation surface of the first stop operation means in the first direction, and when one side of the second imaginary line is defined as a first side, the roughened surface area (hereinafter referred to as "second roughened surface area") is also present on the first side of the operation surface of the first stop operation means in the door body and on the first side of the operation surface of the second stop operation means in the door body, and the second roughened surface area continues at least from the first side of the operation surface of the first stop operation means to the first side of the operation surface of the second stop operation means in the door body, and when the other side of the second imaginary line is defined as the second side, the roughened surface area (hereinafter referred to as "third roughened surface area") is also present on the second side of the operation surface of the first stop operation means in the door body and on the second side of the operation surface of the second stop operation means in the door body, and the third roughened surface area continues at least from the second side of the operation surface of the first stop operation means to the second side of the operation surface of the second stop operation means in the door body; This is a gaming machine characterized by the above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a gaming machine with a distinctive reel structure can be realized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of an enclosed gaming machine 100 as seen from the front side (player side). [Figure 2] 1 shows a circuit block diagram of a control unit of an enclosed gaming machine 100. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the flow of game balls in the enclosed game machine 100. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of counting processing by the frame control unit 600. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of reference signal processing by the frame control unit 600. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the game ball subtraction process of the frame control unit 600. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing command types between a main control unit and a frame control unit. [Figure 8] 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of communication between the main control unit 300 and the frame control unit 600 in chronological order after the enclosed gaming machine 100 is powered on. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a sequence diagram showing, in time series, an example of communication between the main control unit 300 and the frame control unit 600 when a communication line disconnection error occurs in the main control unit 300. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a sequence diagram showing, in time series, an example of communication when a communication line disconnection error occurs in the frame control unit 600 during communication between the main control unit 300 and the frame control unit 600. FIG. [Figure 11] 10A is a diagram showing the types of commands between the slot control unit and the lending device, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing the types of gaming machine information notification commands. [Figure 12] 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of basic communication (without game information) between the frame control unit 600 and the lending device 614 in chronological order. [Figure 13] 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of priority transmission of a gaming machine information notification command (with gaming information) in communication between the frame control unit 600 and the rental device 614 in chronological order. FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of count notification in communication between the frame control unit 600 and the rental device 614 in chronological order. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a lending notification in communication between the frame control unit 600 and the lending device 614 in chronological order. FIG. [Figure 16] 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a case where a communication interruption occurs in communication between the frame control unit 600 and the rental device 614 in time series. FIG. [Figure 17] 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a case where a communication interruption occurs in communication between the frame control unit 600 and the rental device 614 in time series. FIG. [Figure 18] 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a communication abnormality in a count notification between the frame control unit 600 and the rental device 614 in time series. FIG. [Figure 19] 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a communication abnormality in a rental notification between the slot control unit 600 and the rental device 614 in time series. FIG. [Figure 20] 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of communication between the frame control unit 600 and the lending device 614 during a game in chronological order. FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of communication between the frame control unit 600 and the lending device 614 in chronological order when an increase in the number of game balls occurs at the same time as a short press of the counting button. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of communication between the frame control unit 600 and the lending device 614 in chronological order when an increase in the number of game balls occurs at the same time as the counting button is pressed and held down. [Figure 23] 10 is a time chart showing the changes in various signals when the number of game balls is one and the launch operation of one game ball is performed. [Figure 24] This is a time chart showing the changes in various signals when one gaming ball is released and one ball is counted when one gaming ball is present. [Figure 25] This is a time chart showing the changes in various signals when one game ball is fired and 250 balls are counted when there are 250 game balls. [Figure 26] This is a time chart showing the changes in various signals when one game ball is fired and 250 balls are counted when there are 251 game balls. [Figure 27] 10 is a time chart showing changes in various signals when the subtraction sensor signal of the subtraction sensor 618 does not change to an ON level after the reference signal flag is set to ON. [Figure 28] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the enclosed gaming machine 100. [Figure 29] This is a rear view of the front frame door 106 seen from the rear side. [Figure 30] 1A is a partially enlarged view showing the slide lock 170 in a state where it has moved to the locked position, FIG. 1B is a partially enlarged view showing the slide lock 170 in a state where it has moved to the unlocked position, and FIG. 1C is a rear view of the upper unit 154. [Figure 31](a) A top view of the front frame door 106, (b) A front view showing the upper unit 154 moving to the locked position, and (c) A front view showing the upper unit 154 moving to the unlocked position. [Figure 32] FIG. 2 is a simplified front view of the game board 200. [Figure 33] 10 is a simplified rear view of the game board 200 as seen from the rear. [Figure 34] (a) is a partially enlarged view showing the first ball passage 250 with the first ball passage cover 254 removed, and the second ball passage 260 with the second ball passage cover 264 removed. (b) is a partially enlarged view of the general winning port flow path 256. [Figure 35] This is a partially enlarged view showing the second ball passage 260 with the first ball passage 250 removed. [Figure 36] 1(a) is a side cross-sectional view showing a ball passage 270 having a screw insertion opening 274 formed therein, and FIG. 1(b) is a partially enlarged view showing the vicinity of the screw insertion opening 274. [Figure 37] 10(a) is a front view of the ball passage 270 with the upper surface 270d omitted, and FIG. 10(b) is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing the ball passage 280 according to the first modified example. [Figure 38] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a slot machine 100 as seen from the front side (player side). [Figure 39] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the slot machine 100 with the front door 102 open. [Figure 40] 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the main board storage case 640 and the main control board 600. FIG. [Figure 41] 10 is a plan view showing the main control board 600 housed in the main board housing case 640. FIG. [Figure 42] 42(a) is a side view seen from the direction indicated by the line AA in Fig. 41. (b) is a side view seen from the direction indicated by the line BB in Fig. 41. [Figure 43]10(a) is a plan view showing a substrate storage case 650 and a mirror 657 according to a modified example, and FIG. 10(b) is a side view seen from the direction indicated by the line CC in FIG. [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] FIG. 10 is a circuit block diagram of a control unit of a medal-less slot machine 100 according to a modified example. [Figure 46] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the main board storage case 740. [Figure 47] 47(a) is a side view of the main control board 750 shown in FIG. 46 as seen from the left side. (b) is a partial cross-sectional side view showing the periphery of a recess 756 according to a modified example. (c) is a partial plan view showing the periphery of the recess 756 as seen from the direction indicated by the symbol Z in (b). [Figure 48] 1 is an external perspective view of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from the front side (player side). [Figure 49] This is a rear view of the pachinko machine. [Figure 50] FIG. 2 is a simplified front view of the game board as seen from the front side (player side). [Figure 51] This is an enlarged view of a portion of the attacker unit 23 shown in Figure 50, where (a) shows the internal state of the unit main body 23a, and (b) shows the state of the back side of the unit cover body 23b that covers the unit main body 23a. [Figure 52] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a pachinko machine. [Figure 53] These are examples of display patterns for pachinko machines, where (a) shows an example of a stop display pattern for special pattern 1, (b) shows an example of a stop display pattern for special pattern 2, (c) shows an example of a decorative pattern, and (d) shows an example of a stop display pattern for a regular pattern. [Figure 54] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing by a main control unit. [Figure 55] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a main control unit timer interrupt process. [Figure 56](a) is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the table for determining whether a special symbol has been won, (b) is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the special symbol determination table for when a jackpot or sudden time-saving win occurs in a non-time-saving play state, (c) is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the special symbol determination table for when a jackpot or sudden time-saving win occurs in a time-saving play state, and (d) is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the special symbol determination table for when a jackpot or sudden time-saving win occurs in a time-saving state. [Figure 57] (a) is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the special chart determination table for when a small jackpot is won in a non-time-shortened state, (b) is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the special chart determination table for when a small jackpot is won in a time-shortened play state, and (c) is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the special chart determination table for when a small jackpot is won in a time-shortened play state. [Figure 58] (a) is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the table for determining whether a normal ticket is a hit, (b) is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the normal ticket determination table used when a normal ticket is hit in a non-time-shortened play state, (c) is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the normal ticket determination table used when a normal ticket is hit in an a1 time-shortened play state, (d) is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the normal ticket determination table used when a normal ticket is hit in an a2 time-shortened play state, (e) is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the waiting time from passing through the normal electric operation gate until the normal electric device is activated, and (f) is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the operation time of the normal electric device when passing through the normal electric operation gate. [Figure 59] (a) is a diagram explaining an example of the relationship between the state of the normal map change display and the operation when passing through a normal power operation gate, (b) is a diagram explaining an example of the relationship between the state of the change display of special map 1 and the state of the change display of special map 2, and (c) is a diagram explaining the state of the normal map change display when passing through a normal power operation gate while the normal map change display is on. [Figure 60] These are flowcharts showing the processing flow in the first sub-control unit of a pachinko machine, where (a) is a flowchart of the first sub-control unit main processing, (b) is a flowchart of the first sub-control unit command reception interrupt processing, and (c) is a flowchart of the first sub-control unit timer interrupt processing. [Figure 61]A flowchart showing the processing flow in the second sub-control unit of a pachinko machine, where (a) is a flowchart of the second sub-control unit main processing, (b) is a flowchart of the second sub-control unit command reception interrupt processing, (c) is a flowchart of the second sub-control unit timer interrupt processing, and (d) is a flowchart of the second sub-control unit image control processing. [Figure 62] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the transition of game states. [Figure 63] This is a diagram showing an example of a presentation related to the decorative pattern change display centered on the decorative pattern display device of the pachinko machine of this embodiment in stages. [Figure 64] FIG. 64 is a diagram showing the continuation of the example of the rendering shown in FIG. 63 in stages. [Figure 65] This is a diagram showing another example of the performance following Figure 63(q) in stages. [Figure 66] This is a diagram showing an example of the presentation in stages during a jackpot game centered around a decorative pattern display device. [Figure 67] A diagram showing another example of the presentation in a jackpot game centered on a decorative pattern display device in stages. [Figure 68] This figure shows a step-by-step example of prioritizing the presentation of the pattern that is displayed first in a stopped state when different patterns are displayed in a variable manner at the same time. [Figure 69] In the normal game state, when both the normal symbol variable display, which indicates a win, and the special symbol 2 variable display, which indicates a jackpot, are being executed, this is an example in which the effect of the symbol that stops and displays first takes priority. [Figure 70] This figure shows a different example from the example shown in Figure 68 in stages when both the normal chart change display and the special chart 2 change display, which is the jackpot, are being executed in the normal game state. [Figure 71] c) A diagram showing an example of a step-by-step transition from the final change in the time-shortened gaming state (RUSH state) to the normal gaming state (non-time-shortened gaming state). [Figure 72] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of a standby display. [Figure 73] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a presentation mode. [Figure 74]c) A diagram showing an example of a game in a time-saving game state (RUSH state) in which the presentation mode is changed step by step. [Figure 75] This is a diagram showing an example of what happens in stages when a winning command is missed while presentation mode A is selected. [Figure 76] This is a diagram showing an example of what happens in stages when a winning command is missed while presentation mode C is selected. [Figure 77] This is a diagram showing an example in stages of when power is interrupted for a moment in each performance mode and then immediately restored. [Figure 78] This is a diagram showing an example of what happens in stages when a winning command is missed while the modified presentation mode C is selected. [Figure 79] 1 is a front view of an enclosed type pachinko machine to which the present invention can be applied. [Figure 80] 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a slot machine applicable to the present invention, seen from the front side (player side). [Figure 81] 1 shows a gaming machine according to a modified example of the present invention, where (a) shows a casino machine 2000, (b) shows a mobile phone 3000 having a memory unit for storing electronic data that realizes the present invention, (d) shows a portable gaming machine 4000 having a memory unit for storing electronic data that realizes the present invention, (d) shows a home video game machine 5000 having a memory unit for storing electronic data that realizes the present invention, and (e) shows a data server 6000 that stores electronic data that realizes the present invention. [Figure 82] 1 is an external perspective view of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from the front side (player side). [Figure 83] This is a rear view of the pachinko machine. [Figure 84] FIG. 2 is a simplified front view of the game board as seen from the front side (player side). [Figure 85] This is an enlarged view of a portion of the attacker unit 23 shown in Figure 84, where (a) shows the internal state of the unit main body 23a, and (b) shows the state of the back side of the unit cover body 23b that covers the unit main body 23a. [Figure 86] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a pachinko machine. [Figure 87] These are examples of display patterns for pachinko machines, where (a) shows an example of a stop display pattern for special pattern 1, (b) shows an example of a stop display pattern for special pattern 2, (c) shows an example of a decorative pattern, and (d) shows an example of a stop display pattern for a regular pattern. [Figure 88] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing by a main control unit. [Figure 89] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a main control unit timer interrupt process. [Figure 90] (a) is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the table for determining whether a special symbol has been won, (b) is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the special symbol determination table for when a jackpot or sudden time-saving win occurs in a non-time-saving play state, (c) is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the special symbol determination table for when a jackpot or sudden time-saving win occurs in a time-saving play state, and (d) is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the special symbol determination table for when a jackpot or sudden time-saving win occurs in a time-saving state. [Figure 91] (a) is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the special chart determination table for when a small jackpot is won in a non-time-shortened state, (b) is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the special chart determination table for when a small jackpot is won in a time-shortened play state, and (c) is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the special chart determination table for when a small jackpot is won in a time-shortened play state. [Figure 92-1] This is a timing chart showing the flow of operation of a normal electric device. [Figure 92-2] (a) is a diagram showing a table for determining whether a regular map is a winning or losing draw in a regular map lottery, (b) is a diagram showing a table for determining the fluctuation pattern of a regular map used in a non-time-saving game state, (c) is a diagram showing a table for determining the fluctuation pattern of a regular map used in a time-saving game state, and (d) is a diagram showing a table for determining the confirmed stop time of a regular map. [Figure 92-3](a-1) is a diagram showing a judgment table for the start time of a win (OP time) of a normal pattern trigger in a non-time-shortened play state, (a-2) is a diagram showing a judgment table for the start time of a win (OP time) of a normal pattern trigger in a time-shortened play state, (b-1) is a diagram showing an opening time judgment table for a normal pattern trigger in a non-time-shortened play state, (b-2) is a diagram showing an opening time judgment table for a normal pattern trigger in an a1 time-shortened play state and a c time-shortened play state, (b-3) is a diagram showing an opening time judgment table for a normal pattern trigger in an a2 time-shortened play state, (c) is a diagram showing a closing time judgment table for a normal pattern trigger, (d-1) is a diagram showing a winning end time judgment table for a normal pattern trigger in a non-time-shortened play state, and (d-2) is a diagram showing a winning end time judgment table for a normal pattern trigger in a time-shortened play state. [Figure 93-1] (a) is a diagram showing a judgment table for the start time (OP time) of the normal power gate activation trigger, (b) is a diagram showing a judgment table for the activation time of the normal power gate activation trigger in various game states, (c) is a diagram showing how to handle when a game ball passes through the normal power gate activation gate 228g, (d) is a diagram showing how to handle special charts 1 and 2 when they are fluctuating simultaneously, and (e) is a diagram showing how to handle when a game ball passes through the normal power gate activation gate 228g while the normal chart is displaying a change. [Figure 93-2] This is a timing chart that explains the timing for determining the opening time of the normal electric device (electric chute) triggered by the normal electric operation gate. [Figure 93-3] This is a timing chart explaining the measures taken to ensure the fixed stop time for the normal pattern shown in Figure 92-2(d). [Figure 94] These are flowcharts showing the processing flow in the first sub-control unit of a pachinko machine, where (a) is a flowchart of the first sub-control unit main processing, (b) is a flowchart of the first sub-control unit command reception interrupt processing, and (c) is a flowchart of the first sub-control unit timer interrupt processing. [Figure 95]A flowchart showing the processing flow in the second sub-control unit of a pachinko machine, where (a) is a flowchart of the second sub-control unit main processing, (b) is a flowchart of the second sub-control unit command reception interrupt processing, (c) is a flowchart of the second sub-control unit timer interrupt processing, and (d) is a flowchart of the second sub-control unit image control processing. [Figure 96] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the transition of game states. [Figure 97] This is a diagram showing an example of a presentation related to the decorative pattern change display centered on the decorative pattern display device of the pachinko machine of this embodiment in stages. [Figure 98] This is a diagram showing the continuation of the example of the presentation shown in Figure 97 in stages. [Figure 99] This is a diagram showing another example of the presentation following Figure 97(q) in stages. [Figure 100] This is a diagram showing an example of the presentation in stages during a jackpot game centered around a decorative pattern display device. [Figure 101] A diagram showing another example of the presentation in a jackpot game centered on a decorative pattern display device in stages. [Figure 102] This figure shows a step-by-step example of prioritizing the presentation of the pattern that is displayed first in a stopped state when different patterns are displayed in a variable manner at the same time. [Figure 103] In the normal game state, when both the normal symbol variable display, which indicates a win, and the special symbol 2 variable display, which indicates a jackpot, are being executed, this is an example in which the effect of the symbol that stops and displays first takes priority. [Figure 104] This figure shows in stages an example different from the example shown in Figure 102 when both the normal chart change display and the special chart 2 change display, which indicates a jackpot, are being executed in normal game mode. [Figure 105] c) A diagram showing an example of a step-by-step transition from the final change in the time-shortened gaming state (RUSH state) to the normal gaming state (non-time-shortened gaming state). [Figure 106] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of a standby display. [Figure 107] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a presentation mode. [Figure 108]c) A diagram showing an example of a game in a time-saving game state (RUSH state) in which the presentation mode is changed step by step. [Figure 109] This is a diagram showing an example of what happens in stages when a winning command is missed while presentation mode A is selected. [Figure 110] This is a diagram showing an example of what happens in stages when a winning command is missed while presentation mode C is selected. [Figure 111] This is a diagram showing an example in stages of when power is interrupted for a moment in each performance mode and then immediately restored. [Figure 112] This is a diagram showing an example of what happens in stages when a winning command is missed while the modified presentation mode C is selected. [Figure 113] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the presentation mode. [Figure 114] This is a diagram showing two examples in which a hold change effect and an advance notification effect are executed in stages. [Figure 115] (a) is a diagram showing a hit / miss determination table for normal symbols in the second embodiment, (b) is a diagram showing a hit / miss determination table for special symbols in the second embodiment, (c) is a diagram showing a special symbol determination table for when a small hit is won that is used in the non-time-saving play state of the second embodiment, and (d) is a diagram showing a special symbol determination table for when a small hit is won that is used in the time-saving play state of the second embodiment. [Figure 116] (a) is a diagram showing an operation time determination table for the normal power operation gate trigger in various game states in the second embodiment, and (b) is a diagram showing the handling of special charts 1 and 2 in a state in which special charts 1 and 2 are fluctuating simultaneously in the second embodiment. [Figure 117] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of a game on a gaming machine according to a second embodiment. [Figure 118] A flowchart showing the flow of the additional performance determination process in the second embodiment. [Figure 119] A diagram showing an example of an added effect being executed in stages. [Figure 120]This is a diagram showing another example of a predictive presentation for a jackpot game in stages. [Figure 121] This is a diagram showing a normal symbol reach pattern determination table that determines the type of reach pattern in the variable display of the normal symbol decorative pattern in the normal game state. [Figure 122] This is a diagram showing a special chart 2 reach pattern determination table that determines the type of reach pattern in the variable display of the decorative pattern of special chart 2 in the a1 time-saving game state (RUSH state). [Figure 123] This is a flowchart showing the process of determining decorative patterns for regular maps in the second embodiment. [Figure 124] This is a table showing the display mode of the pending icon or variable icon and the expected probability of winning in each presentation mode of the second embodiment. [Figure 125] 124, and (b) is a table showing a modification of the table shown in FIG. 124 that is different from the modification shown in (a). [Figure 126] A figure showing two examples in stages of execution of a hold change effect and an advance notification effect on the gaming machine of the second embodiment. [Figure 127] (a) is a timing chart showing the flow of the demo presentation on the gaming machine of the second embodiment, and (b) is a timing chart showing the flow when termination condition 1 or termination condition 2 is met while the demo presentation is being executed. [Figure 128] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of demo performance control processing in the gaming machine of the second embodiment. [Figure 129] (a) is a timing chart showing the flow when, during execution of a demo presentation in normal game mode (non-time-saving game mode), a touch to the ball launching handle 134 is not detected and the display of the decorative pattern changes begins, and then a touch to the ball launching handle 134 is detected; (b) is a timing chart showing the flow when, during execution of a demo presentation in normal game mode (non-time-saving game mode), a touch to the ball launching handle 134 is not detected and the display of the special chart 2 changes begins twice, and a small win is won on the second display of the special chart 2 changes. [Figure 130]10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the demo performance control process in Smapachi. [Figure 131] 1 is a front view of an enclosed type pachinko machine to which the present invention can be applied. [Figure 132] 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a slot machine 1000 to which the present invention can be applied, as seen from the front side (player side). [Figure 133] 1 shows a gaming machine according to a modified example of the present invention, where (a) shows a casino machine 2000, (b) shows a mobile phone 3000 having a memory unit for storing electronic data that realizes the present invention, (d) shows a portable gaming machine 4000 having a memory unit for storing electronic data that realizes the present invention, (d) shows a home video game machine 5000 having a memory unit for storing electronic data that realizes the present invention, and (e) shows a data server 6000 that stores electronic data that realizes the present invention. [Figure 134] 1 is a perspective view of a slot machine 100 according to an embodiment. [Figure 135] 1 is a diagram showing the arrangement of symbols on each of the reels 110 to 112 in a planar form and an explanatory diagram of the symbol names. [Figure 136] 10(a) is a partially enlarged view showing the state before the reel band 150 is attached to the reel frames 212 and 214. FIG. 10(b) is a partially enlarged view showing the state after the lower end of the reel band 150 has been attached to the reel frames 212 and 214. [Figure 137] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the reel drive unit 200. [Figure 138] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of reels 110 to 112 and peripheral components. [Figure 139] 1(a) is an exploded perspective view of a backlight module 240. FIG. 1(b) is a front view of the backlight module 240. [Figure 140] (a) is a front view showing peripheral parts of the right reel 112 in the reel drive unit 200. (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in (a). (c) is a partially enlarged view showing the dotted line portion indicated by the symbol B in (b). [Figure 141](a) is an external perspective view showing an example of the structure of double-sided tape 252. (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the reel band fixing surface of the reel frame. (c) is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of a portion where reel band 152 overlaps twice. [Figure 142] 10(a) is a front view of the stop button unit 136. FIG. 10(b) is a view showing a state in which a slide stop operation is started using the stop buttons 137 to 139. [Figure 143] (a) is a front view of a stop button unit 270 according to Modification 1. (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in (a). (c) is a front view of a stop button unit 275 according to Modification 2. (d) is a front view of a stop button unit 280 according to Modification 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0010] <Overall structure> First, the overall configuration of an enclosed gaming machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of the enclosed gaming machine 100 as seen from the front side (player side).

[0011] The enclosed gaming machine 100 has, as its external structure, an outer frame 102, a main body 104, a front frame door 106, a lower door 108, and a gaming board 200 on its front.

[0012] The outer frame 102 is a vertically rectangular wooden frame member for fixing to an installation location (such as an island facility) in a gaming machine installation store. The main body 104, also called an inner frame or frame, is a vertically rectangular member that is provided inside the outer frame 102 and is pivotally attached to the outer frame 102 via a hinge portion 112, forming the base body of the gaming machine. The main body 104 also includes an inner frame open sensor (not shown) that detects the opening of the main body 104 when it is opened.

[0013] The front frame door 106, also called a front door or glass frame, is a door element that has a locking function and is attached to the front of the main body 104, which is the front side of the pachinko machine 100, via a hinge portion 112 so that it can be opened and closed freely, and is configured in a frame shape with an opening on the inside. The front frame door 106 is provided with a transparent plate member 118 made of glass or resin at the opening, and a speaker 120 and a frame lamp 122 are attached to the front side. The rear surface of the front frame door 106 and the front surface of the game board 200 define a playing area. The front frame door 106 also has a front frame door opening sensor (not shown) that detects the opening of the front frame door 106 when it is opened.

[0014] The lower door 108 is a door member with a locking function attached to the lower side of the main body 104 on the front of the pachinko machine 100 so as to be freely opened and closed. The lower door 108 is equipped with a ball launching handle 134 (launching operation means) that is operated by the player to launch game balls guided to the launching device into the game area of ​​the game board 200, an effect button 136 that is operated by the player to change the effect modes of various effect devices, and an operation panel unit 138 having multiple buttons such as a plus button, a minus button, a cross button, and a decision button.

[0015] <Control unit> Next, the circuit configuration of the control unit of the enclosed gaming machine 100 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 shows a circuit block diagram of the control unit of the enclosed gaming machine 100.

[0016] The control unit of the enclosed gaming machine 100 can be broadly divided into a main control unit 300 that controls the core parts of the game, a first sub-control unit 400 that mainly controls the presentation in response to command signals (hereinafter simply referred to as "commands") sent by the main control unit 300, a second sub-control unit 500 that controls various devices based on commands sent from the first sub-control unit 400, a frame control unit 600 that mainly controls the supply of gaming balls etc. in response to commands sent by the main control unit 300, a launch control unit 630 that controls the launch of gaming balls, and a power control unit 660 that controls the power supplied to the enclosed gaming machine 100.

[0017] <Main control unit> First, we will explain the main control unit 300 of the enclosed gaming machine 100. The main control unit 300 has a basic circuit 302 that controls the entire machine. This basic circuit 302 is equipped with a CPU 304, a ROM 306 for storing control programs and various data, a RAM 308 for temporarily storing data, etc.

[0018] The basic circuit 302 is equipped with a sensor circuit that receives signals output by various sensors 320 (sensors (detection means) that detect game balls passing through each starting port, winning port, and variable winning port, front frame door opening sensor, inner frame opening sensor, etc.), a drive circuit for controlling the display of the special pattern display devices (first special pattern display device 212, second special pattern display device 214), a drive circuit for controlling the display of the normal pattern display device 210, a drive circuit for controlling the display of various status display units 328 (normal pattern hold lamp, first special pattern hold lamp, second special pattern hold lamp, high probability lamp, etc.), and a drive circuit for controlling various solenoids 332 that drive various movable members (wing members of the second special pattern starting port, door members of the variable winning port, etc.).

[0019] The main control unit 300 is also provided with a voltage monitoring circuit that monitors the voltage value of the power supply supplied to the main control unit 300 from the power supply control unit 660, and this voltage monitoring circuit 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).

[0020] In addition, the main control unit 300 is equipped with an output interface for sending commands to the first sub-control unit 400 and an input / output interface for sending commands to the frame control unit 600, and this configuration enables communication with the first sub-control unit 400 and the frame control unit 600.

[0021] 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. On the other hand, information communication between the main control unit 300 and the frame control unit 600 is two-way communication, and the main control unit 300 and the frame control unit 600 are configured so that they can send and receive signals such as commands to each other (details will be described later).

[0022] <First sub-control unit> Next, we will explain the first sub-control unit 400 of the enclosed gaming machine 100. The first sub-control unit 400 is equipped with a basic circuit 402 that controls the entire first sub-control unit 400 mainly based on commands etc. sent by the main control unit 300. This basic circuit 402 is equipped with a CPU 404, a ROM 406 in which various performance data etc. are stored, a RAM 408 for temporarily storing data etc.

[0023] In addition, the basic circuit 402 is equipped with a detection sensor that detects the pressing of the effect button 136, a sound source IC for controlling the speaker 120 (and amplifier), a drive circuit for controlling the various lamps 418, and a drive circuit for controlling the drive of the effect device 246.

[0024] <Second sub-control unit> Next, we will explain the second sub-control unit 500 of the enclosed gaming machine 100. The second sub-control unit 500 has a basic circuit 502 that controls the entire second sub-control unit 500 based on commands and the like sent by the first sub-control unit 400. This basic circuit 502 is equipped with a CPU 504, a ROM 506 in which data for image display and the like is stored, and a VDP (video display processor) 434 that reads the data for image display and the like stored in ROM 506 based on signals from the CPU 504, generates a display image using the work area of ​​VRAM 436, and displays the image on the decorative pattern display device (liquid crystal display device) 157.

[0025] <Dispensing control unit, firing control unit, power supply control unit> Next, the frame control unit 600, the launch control unit 630, and the power supply control unit 660 of the enclosed gaming machine 100 will be described.

[0026] The frame control unit 600 (control means) is equipped with an input / output interface for sending commands to the main control unit 300 and an input / output interface for sending commands to the launch control unit 630, enabling communication with both the main control unit 300 and the launch control unit 630.

[0027] Information communication between the frame control unit 600 and the main control unit 300, and information communication between the frame control unit 600 and the launch control unit 630 are both bidirectional communications, and the main control unit 300 and the frame control unit 600, and the frame control unit 600 and the launch control unit 630 are configured to be able to send and receive signals such as commands to and from each other.

[0028] The frame control unit 600 includes a basic circuit 602 that controls the supply of game balls and the like based mainly on signals such as commands sent by the main control unit 300. The basic circuit 602 includes a CPU 604, a ROM 606 that stores various data and the like, a RAM 608 for temporarily storing data, a sensor circuit that receives signals output from a foul ball detection sensor 616, a counting button 617 (predetermined operating means), or a subtraction sensor 618 (detection means), a drive circuit for controlling the display of a game ball number display device 619, and a drive circuit for controlling the drive of a ball lifting motor 601 of a lifting device 714 (see FIG. 3). The foul ball detection sensor 616 and the subtraction sensor 618 will be described later with reference to FIG. 3.

[0029] Furthermore, the basic circuit 602 communicates with a lending device 614 provided separately from the enclosed gaming machine 100 via the interface unit. Information communication between the frame control unit 600 and the lending device 614 is two-way communication, and the frame control unit 600 and the lending device 614 are configured to be able to send and receive signals such as commands to each other (details will be described later). Note that the enclosed gaming machine 100 can send information to a hall computer (so-called hall computer) installed in a gaming parlor or the like via the lending device 614.

[0030] The lending button 614a of the lending device 614 is an operating means for performing an operation to obtain the number of game balls by debiting the "money balance" stored in the card inserted into the lending device 614. By operating the lending button 614a at the start of a game or during a game, the number of game balls managed by the frame control unit 600 is added according to the money debited.

[0031] The number of game balls, the number of prize balls, etc. are managed as numerical data by the frame control unit 600 and displayed using the game ball number display device 619. When the game is over, by pressing the count button 617, the number of game balls managed by the frame control unit 600 can be transferred to the lending device 614 and stored on the card.

[0032] The launch control unit 630 controls the launch solenoid 632 that drives the launch rod 146 and the launch hammer 148 (see Figure 3) and the ball feed solenoid 634 that supplies balls toward the ball launch handle 134 based on predetermined signals output by the frame control unit 600, such as a control signal that instructs whether to allow or stop the launch, and a control signal that instructs the launch intensity according to the amount of operation of the ball launch handle 134 by the player, output by a launch intensity output circuit provided in the ball launch handle 134.

[0033] The power supply control unit 660 converts AC power supplied from outside to the enclosed gaming machine 100 into DC, converts it into a predetermined voltage, and supplies it to each control unit such as the main control unit 300 and the first sub-control unit 400, as well as various devices. The power supply control unit 660 is equipped with a storage circuit (e.g., a capacitor) for supplying power to predetermined components (e.g., the 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.

[0034] <Sealed-type gaming machine / game ball flow> Next, the flow of game balls in the enclosed gaming machine 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of game balls in the enclosed gaming machine 100.

[0035] In the enclosed gaming machine 100, the gaming balls stored in the ball storage cover 712 arranged inside the lower door 108 are transported (lifted) to the upper passage 736 of the ball lifting upper passage unit 718 via a lifting device (conveying device) 714 and a ball polishing device 716, and then supplied to the launch position of the launch rail 149 of the launching device 140 (launching means) via a ball feeding device 127 (ball feeding means).

[0036] Next, the launch solenoid 632 of the launching device 140 is driven with a strength corresponding to the amount of operation of the ball launching handle 134 by the player, and the launch rod 146 and launching hammer 148 of the launching device 140 launch the game balls toward the game board 200. Game balls that do not reach the game board 200 (foul balls (return balls) FB) fall into the foul ball passage 764, pass through the foul ball detection sensor (proximity sensor) 616 that can detect game balls passing through this foul ball passage 764, and are then discharged into the ball storage cover 712.

[0037] The game ball that reaches the top of the game board 200 falls downward while changing its direction of travel due to a ball direction changing member or game nails, etc., and either enters (goes into) a winning hole (variable winning hole 234, etc.) or a starting hole (first special starting hole 232, etc.), or reaches the outlet 240 without entering (going into) any winning hole or starting hole, or by simply passing through the normal starting hole.

[0038] A game ball that enters (goes into) the winning hole or starting hole of the game board 200 passes through the winning ball passage 760 arranged on the back side of the game board 200, and a game ball that does not enter (goes into) the winning hole or starting hole passes through the out ball passage 762 arranged on the back side of the game board 200 via the out hole 240 at the bottom of the game board 200, and each enters the first rail 752 of the lower passage 750, rolls inside the first rail 752 along the slope of the first rail 752, and reaches the downstream side of the first rail 752.

[0039] The game balls that enter the second rail 756 from the first rail 752 of the lower passage 750 roll inside the second rail 756 along the slope of the second rail 756, and are then stored in the ball storage cover 712. After that, the game balls are transported (lifted) by the lifting device 714, and dust and dirt adhering to the surface are removed by the ball polishing device 716.

[0040] The gaming balls transported by the lifting device 714 enter the upper passage 736 of the ball lifting upper passage unit 718, roll, and pass through a subtraction sensor (proximity sensor) 618 that can detect gaming balls passing through the upper passage 736. The gaming balls that have passed through this subtraction sensor 618 are discharged to a launcher ball passage 748 by the ball feed solenoid 634 of the ball feed device 127, and then guided through the launcher ball passage 748 to the launch rail 149 of the launcher 140.

[0041] As explained above, the enclosed gaming machine 100 is similar to a conventional pinball gaming machine (pachinko machine) in that a player plays by shooting gaming balls onto the surface of the gaming board 200. However, the minimum number of gaming balls required for launching are circulated within the gaming machine, and along the way, a launching device 140, a ball feeding device 127, a ball polishing device 716, a lifting device 714, etc. are provided, and unlike conventional pinball gaming machines (pachinko machines), there are no upper or lower trays, so the structure is such that the player cannot basically directly touch the gaming balls.

[0042] In addition, in the enclosed gaming machine 100, the speed at which the gaming balls are transported (lifted) by the lifting device 714 (in this example, 200 balls per minute) is set to be faster than the speed at which the gaming balls are launched by the launching device 140 (in this example, 100 balls per minute), so it is possible to prevent a situation in which the launching device 140 does not have enough gaming balls to launch and play is interrupted.

[0043] In addition, in the enclosed gaming machine 100, although this varies depending on the number and arrangement of ball-direction changing members and gaming nails on the gaming board 200, the cycle in which the gaming balls circulate (the time from when a gaming ball is launched from the launching device 140 toward the gaming board 200 until the same gaming ball returns to the launching device 140) is approximately 28 seconds.

[0044] <Frame control unit / counting processing> Next, the counting process executed by the frame control unit 600 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the counting process executed by the frame control unit 600.

[0045] In step S101 of the counting process, it is determined whether or not operation of the counting button 617 (in this example, a "short press" or "long press" operation) has been accepted, and if operation of the counting button 617 has been accepted, the process proceeds to step S102, and if no operation has been accepted, the counting process is terminated.

[0046] Here, the determination of the operation of the counting button 617 in step S101 will be explained. The frame control unit 600 monitors the button detection signal output from the counting button 617 at predetermined intervals, and after detecting an ON level (e.g., high level) button detection signal for 1 ms or more but less than 500 ms, if it detects a falling edge (down edge) of the button detection signal, it determines that a "short press" operation of the counting button 617 has been accepted. If it determines that a "short press" operation has been accepted, it sets the count ball count information (count ball count data) stored in RAM 608 to "1," a value corresponding to one ball.

[0047] On the other hand, if a button detection signal of ON level (e.g., high level) for 500 ms or more is detected, it is determined that a "long press" operation of the counting button 617 has been accepted, and thereafter, every time a button detection signal of ON level for 300 ms is detected, it is determined that a "long press" operation has been accepted. If it is determined that a "long press" operation has been accepted, and the number of game balls is 250 or more, the count ball number information (count ball number data) stored in RAM 608 is set to "250", which corresponds to 250 balls, and if the number of game balls is less than 250, a number corresponding to the total number of game balls (for example, if the number of game balls is 150, the number "150" which corresponds to 150 balls) is set.

[0048] In step S102, it is determined whether the planned counting number is greater than the number of game balls sent by the game machine information notification command described below, and if so, proceed to step S103 to set the planned correction data, or if not, proceed to step S104.

[0049] Here, an example of the planned correction data set in step S103 will be described. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 21 described later, a "short press" operation of the counting button 617 is accepted at the timing shown by reference symbol T7c immediately after the winning ball shown by reference symbol T7b, but since the numerical value 1 (planned count number) indicating one ball counted in response to the "short press" operation of the counting button 617 is greater than the number of game balls sent by the gaming machine information notification command at the timing shown by reference symbol T7a, the number of counted balls is not set to the numerical value 1 indicating one ball counted in response to the "short press" operation of the counting button 617 as the number of counted balls (counting data), and 0 is set as planned correction data for the counting data (number of counted balls) in step S103.

[0050] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 22 described below, a "long press" operation of the counting button 617 is accepted at the timing shown by symbol T8a, but the number 250 (planned count number) indicating 250 balls, which is the count in response to the "long press" operation of the counting button 617, is greater than the number of game balls 245 sent by the gaming machine information notification command at the timing shown by symbol T8b.Therefore, in step S103, 245 is set as the planned correction data for the counting data (number of counted balls) without setting the number 250, which indicates 250 balls, which is the count in response to the "long press" operation of the counting button 617, as the number of counted balls (counting data).

[0051] According to this example, in a situation where the number of game balls data has increased during a predetermined period after sending information on the number of game balls data (gaming machine information notification command) to an external device (rental device 614) and before sending information on counting data (counting notification command), it is possible to prevent sending more counting data information than the number of game balls data information.This prevents sending information that could lead the external device to mistakenly believe it is fraudulent activity or a malfunction, thereby enabling smooth operation of the gaming machine.

[0052] In step S104, it is determined whether or not there is data to be corrected. If there is data to be corrected, the process proceeds to step S108, and if there is no data to be corrected, the process proceeds to step S105.

[0053] In step S105, it is determined whether the reference signal flag has been set, and if it has been set, the process proceeds to step S106; if not, the process proceeds to step S107, where the uncorrected counting data (number of balls counted) is set and the counting process is then terminated.

[0054] In step S106, it is determined whether the result of subtracting the number of game balls from the number of planned counts (number of game balls - planned counts) is 0, and if the result is 0, the process proceeds to step S108; if not, the process proceeds to step S107, where the planned correction data is set and the counting process is terminated.

[0055] In step S108, the corrected count data (number of counted balls) is set, and then the counting process ends.

[0056] Here, an example of the counting data (number of counted balls) to be set when the determination is Yes in step S106 will be described. In the example shown in Fig. 24 described later, at the timing shown by symbol T11b, the result of subtracting the planned counting number (1 in this example) from the number of game balls (1 in this example) is 0 (= number of game balls 1 - planned counting number 1), so the result of subtracting 1 from the planned counting number (1 in this example) (0 in this example) is set as the counting data (number of counted balls) in step S108.

[0057] According to this example, even if the launch of a game ball and the counting process for counting the game ball number data overlap, the value (1 ball) corresponding to the first operation mode (short press) of the specified operation means (counting button 617) is not counted from the game ball number data (1 ball), so appropriate processing is possible.

[0058] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 25 described below, at the timing shown by symbol T12b, the result of subtracting the planned counting number (250 in this example) from the number of game balls (250 in this example) is 0 (= number of game balls 250 - planned counting number 250), so the result of subtracting 1 from the planned counting number (250 in this example) (249 in this example) is set as the counting data (number of balls counted) in step S108.

[0059] For example, if processing is performed without any restrictions on the launch of game balls and the counting process that counts the game ball count data, when the game ball count data is 250 balls, if the launch of game balls and the counting (250 balls) by a long press overlap, 250 balls will be counted, and a problem will arise in which game balls will be launched even though the game ball count data shows that there are no game balls.However, according to this example, even if the launch of game balls and the counting process that counts the game ball count data overlap, the value (250 balls) corresponding to the first operation mode (long press) of the specified operation means (counting button 617) is not counted from the game ball count data (250 balls), allowing appropriate processing.

[0060] <Frame control unit / reference signal processing> Next, the reference signal processing executed by the frame control unit 600 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the reference signal processing executed by the frame control unit 600.

[0061] In step S201 of the reference signal processing, it is determined whether or not a reference signal from the emission control unit 630 has been received. If it has been received, the process proceeds to step S202, and if it has not been received, the reference signal processing ends.

[0062] Here, the "reference signal" refers to a signal sent by the launch control unit 630 to the frame control unit 600, and the launch control unit 630 sends a reference signal to the frame control unit 600 when it drives the ball feeding solenoid 634 of the ball feeding device 127 described using Figure 3 (when it discharges a game ball that has passed through the subtraction sensor 618 in the upper passage 736 into the launch device ball passage 748).

[0063] In step S202, the reference signal flag is set to ON, and then the reference signal processing is terminated.

[0064] <Frame control unit / game ball subtraction processing> Next, the gaming ball subtraction process executed by the frame control unit 600 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the gaming ball subtraction process executed by the frame control unit 600.

[0065] In step S301, it is determined whether the subtraction sensor signal output from the subtraction sensor 618 has changed from an ON level (e.g., a high level) to an OFF level (e.g., a low level) (whether the subtraction sensor 618 has detected a gaming ball), and if this is the case (if the subtraction sensor 618 has detected a gaming ball), the process proceeds to step S302, and if this is not the case (if the subtraction sensor 618 has not detected a gaming ball), the process proceeds to step S303.

[0066] In step S302, a process is executed to subtract 1 from the data on the number of game balls (game ball count data) stored in RAM 608, and then the process proceeds to step S304. In step S303, it is determined whether a predetermined period (e.g., 640 ms) has elapsed, and if the predetermined period has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S304; if not, the game ball subtraction process is terminated.

[0067] In step S304, the reference signal flag is set (reset) to OFF, and then the game ball subtraction process is terminated.

[0068] <Communication between the main control unit and the frame control unit> Next, communication between the main control unit 300 and the frame control unit 600 will be described.

[0069] As described above, information communication between the main control unit 300 and the frame control unit 600 is two-way communication, and the main control unit 300 and the frame control unit 600 are configured to be able to send and receive signals such as commands to and from each other.

[0070] 7 is a diagram showing the types of commands exchanged between the main control unit 300 and the frame control unit 600. There are four types of commands that can be exchanged between the main control unit 300 and the frame control unit 600: a gaming machine installation information notification command, a gaming machine installation information response command, a gaming machine information notification command, and a gaming machine information response command.

[0071] <Communication between the main control unit and the frame control unit / Game machine installation information notification command> The gaming machine installation information notification command is a command sent from the main control unit 300 to the frame control unit 600, and is a command by which the main control unit 300 notifies the frame control unit 600 of "gaming machine installation information."

[0072] This "gaming machine installation information" includes information such as "gaming machine type," main control chip ID number, main control chip manufacturer code, and main control chip product code, and "gaming machine type" includes information that identifies the type of gaming machine (pachinko, slot, arrange ball, jan ball).

[0073] The gaming machine installation information notification command is transmitted from the main control unit 300 to the frame control unit 600 when the enclosed gaming machine 100 is powered on. After transmitting this command, the main control unit 300 transmits this command to the frame control unit 600 a total of 10 times at 108 ms intervals until it receives a gaming machine installation information response command from the frame control unit 600.

[0074] If the main control unit 300 does not receive a gaming machine installation information response command from the frame control unit 600 within 1080 ms after starting to send this command, a disconnection error will occur and gaming will be suspended until power is restored.

[0075] On the other hand, if the frame control unit 600 does not receive this command within 180 seconds (3 minutes) from startup, it will report a disconnection error, indicating that the communication line has been disconnected. Furthermore, if the frame control unit 600 receives this command normally from the main control unit 300 after the communication line has been disconnected, it will cancel the disconnection error.

[0076] <Communication between the main control unit and the frame control unit / gaming machine installation information response command> The gaming machine installation information response command is a command sent from the frame control unit 600 to the main control unit 300, and is a command that notifies the main control unit 300 that the frame control unit 600 has received the gaming machine installation information notification command.

[0077] After the enclosed gaming machine 100 is powered on, the gaming machine installation information response command is sent from the frame control unit 600 to the main control unit 300 within 10 ms of receiving the gaming machine installation information notification command from the main control unit 300.

[0078] <Communication between the main control unit and the frame control unit / game machine information notification command> The gaming machine information notification command is a command sent from the main control unit 300 to the frame control unit 600, and is a command in which the main control unit 300 notifies the frame control unit 600 of gaming machine information such as the number of game balls, the number of counted balls, and the number of prize balls.

[0079] After receiving the gaming machine installation information response command from the frame control unit 600, the main control unit 300 transmits this command to the frame control unit 600 at intervals of 108 ms.

[0080] Note that this command is not sent at 108 ms intervals after receiving the gaming machine installation information response command from the frame control unit 600, but rather the type of gaming machine installation information notification command sent at 108 ms intervals is switched to the gaming machine information notification command and sent.

[0081] <Communication between the main control unit and the frame control unit / game machine information response command> The gaming machine information response command is a command sent from the frame control unit 600 to the main control unit 300, and is a command that notifies the main control unit 300 of information such as the number of counted balls, the number of loaned balls, and the total number of prize balls included in the gaming machine information notification command.

[0082] The gaming machine information response command is transmitted from the frame control unit 600 to the main control unit 300 within 10 ms after receiving the gaming machine information notification command from the main control unit 300.

[0083] <Communication between the main control unit and the frame control unit / Example> Next, a specific example of communication between the main control unit 300 and the frame control unit 600 will be described.

[0084] <Communication between the main control unit and the frame control unit / Communication after power-on> 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of communication between the main control unit 300 and the frame control unit 600 in chronological order after the power is turned on in the enclosed gaming machine 100. In the following drawings, the word "command" may be omitted from each command name to make the drawings easier to read.

[0085] When the enclosed gaming machine 100 is powered on (T11) and the main control unit 300 is started up, it transmits (notifies) a gaming machine installation information notification command (communication serial number = 0) to the frame control unit 600 (T12). The frame control unit 600 receives this gaming machine installation information notification command and transmits a gaming machine installation information response command (communication serial number = 0) to the main control unit 300 within 10 ms of receiving the command (T13). The main control unit 300, having received the gaming machine installation information response command, authorizes the launch of gaming balls. The communication serial number is reset to 0 when the power is turned on and is incremented by 1 each time a command is sent.

[0086] Thereafter, after receiving the gaming machine installation information response command from the frame control unit 600, the main control unit 300 transmits a gaming machine information notification command to the frame control unit 600 at 108 ms intervals instead of the gaming machine installation information notification command (T14, T16, T18). Meanwhile, the frame control unit 600 transmits a gaming machine information response command to the main control unit 300 within 10 ms after receiving the gaming machine information notification command (T15, T17, T19).

[0087] As described above, if the frame control unit 600 fails to receive the gaming machine installation information notification command within 180 seconds (3 minutes) from startup, it will report a disconnection error indicating that the communication line has been disconnected. Furthermore, if the frame control unit 600 successfully receives the gaming machine installation information notification command from the main control unit 300 after the communication line has been disconnected, it will cancel the disconnection error.

[0088] Here, to summarize the control of the frame control unit 600, when the frame control unit 600 receives a gaming machine information notification command from the main control unit 300, it adds the number of prize balls included in the command to the number of gaming balls, and displays it on the display device for displaying the number of gaming balls, etc. Furthermore, in the gaming ball subtraction process described with reference to Fig. 6, when the subtraction sensor 618 detects the launch of a gaming ball, the frame control unit 600 subtracts one from the number of gaming balls, and displays it on the display device for displaying the number of gaming balls, etc. Furthermore, when the foul ball detection sensor 616 detects the passage of a gaming ball, the frame control unit 600 adds one to the number of gaming balls, and displays it on the display device for displaying the number of gaming balls, etc.

[0089] Although not shown in the figure, when the main control unit 300 sends a gaming machine information notification command to the frame control unit 600, the frame control unit 600 may send the received prize ball information again to the main control unit 300, and the main control unit 300 may execute a process to confirm whether the prize ball information sent to the frame control unit 600 matches the prize ball information received from the frame control unit 600.

[0090] With this configuration, the reliability of the information transmitted and received by the main control unit 300 and the frame control unit 600 can be improved, and problems such as fraudulent acts and communication failures can be prevented before they occur.

[0091] <Communication between the main control unit and the frame control unit / Communication line disconnection error by the main control unit> 9 is a sequence diagram showing, in chronological order, an example of communication when a communication line disconnection error occurs in the main control unit 300 during communication between the main control unit 300 and the frame control unit 600. In the following drawings, the gaming machine installation information notification command and the gaming machine information notification command may be collectively referred to as a "notification message," and the gaming machine installation information response command and the gaming machine information response command may be collectively referred to as a "response message."

[0092] If the main control unit 300 fails to receive a response message from the frame control unit 600 ten times in a row, it will detect a disconnection error as the communication line has been cut off, issue an error notification to notify the user of the disconnection error, and suspend gameplay until power is restored.

[0093] At the timing indicated by symbol T21 in Figure 9, the main control unit 300 sent the nth notification message (communication serial number = n) to the frame control unit 600, but was unable to receive a response message (communication serial number = n) to the notification message; at the subsequent timing indicated by symbol T22, the main control unit 300 sent the n+1th notification message (communication serial number = n+1) to the frame control unit 600, but was unable to receive a response message (communication serial number = n+1) to the notification message; and at the subsequent timing indicated by symbol T23, the main control unit 300 sent the n+2th notification message (communication serial number = n+2) to the frame control unit 600, but was unable to receive a response message (communication serial number = n+2) to the notification message.

[0094] After starting to send the nth notification message (communication serial number = n), the main control unit 300 sent the notification message to the frame control unit 600 a total of 10 times at 108 ms intervals. However, since it was unable to receive a response message from the frame control unit 600 10 times in a row over a period of 1080 ms (108 ms x 10 times), a disconnection error occurred at the timing indicated by symbol T24, indicating that the communication line was disconnected. An error message was issued to notify the user of the disconnection error, and game play was suspended until power was restored from the power outage.

[0095] In addition, if the main control unit 300 experiences a disconnection error, it is possible to recover from the disconnection error by turning off the power to the enclosed gaming machine 100 and then turning it on again (re-powering the machine), and when the power is turned on again, the main control unit 300 will start the communication after power-on from the beginning, as described using Figure 8.

[0096] <Communication between the main control unit and the frame control unit / Communication line disconnection error by the frame control unit> FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing, in time series, an example of communication when a communication line disconnection error occurs in the frame control unit 600 during communication between the main control unit 300 and the frame control unit 600. In FIG.

[0097] If the frame control unit 600 is unable to receive the next notification message within 1000 ms after receiving a notification message (gaming machine installation information notification command or gaming machine information notification command), it will detect a disconnection error as the communication line has been disconnected and will issue an error notification to notify the user of the disconnection error.

[0098] At the timing indicated by symbol T31, the main control unit 300 sends the nth notification message (communication serial number = n) to the frame control unit 600, and at the subsequent timing indicated by symbol T32, the frame control unit 600 sends a response message (communication serial number = n) to the notification message to the main control unit 300.However, at the subsequent timings indicated by symbols T33 and T34, the main control unit 300 is unable to send the n+1th notification message (communication serial number = n+1) and the n+2nd notification message (communication serial number = n+2) to the frame control unit 600.

[0099] Since the frame control unit 600 was unable to receive the next notification message (communication number = n) for 1000 ms after receiving the notification message (communication number = n+1, n+2, ...) at the timing indicated by reference symbol T31, a disconnection error occurred at the timing indicated by reference symbol T35, indicating that the communication line had been disconnected, and an error notification was issued to notify the user of the disconnection error.

[0100] It should be noted that the frame control unit 600 can recover from the disconnection error when it receives a notification message from the main control unit 300 normally.

[0101] <Communication between the frame control unit and the rental device> Next, communication between the frame control unit 600 and the rental device 614 will be described.

[0102] As described above, information communication between the frame control unit 600 and the rental device 614 is two-way communication, and the frame control unit 600 and the rental device 614 are configured to be able to send and receive signals such as commands to and from each other.

[0103] 11(a) is a diagram showing the types of commands between the slot control unit 600 and the rental device 614. The commands that can be sent and received between the slot control unit 600 and the rental device 614 are the gaming machine information notification command, the counting notification command, the rental notification command, and the rental receipt result response command.

[0104] <Communication between slot control unit and rental device / game machine information notification command> The gaming machine information notification command is a command transmitted from the frame control unit 600 to the lending device 614, and periodically transmits commands related to three types of gaming machines.

[0105] FIG. 11(b) is a diagram showing types of gaming machine information notification commands.

[0106] Gaming machine information notification commands can be broadly divided into three types: hall control / fraud monitoring information commands, gaming machine installation information commands, and gaming machine performance information commands. Hall control / fraud monitoring information commands can be further divided into two types: hall control / fraud monitoring information commands (with main control status update or with game information) and hall control / fraud monitoring information commands (without main control status update and without game information).

[0107] The "priority" shown in Figure 11(b) indicates the priority when sending commands, and if the sending timing of multiple types of commands overlaps, the command with the highest "priority" is sent first. In this example, the transmission priority is highest in the following order: 1: hall control / fraud monitoring information command (main control status updated or game information available), 2: gaming machine installation information command, 3: gaming machine performance information command, 4: hall control / fraud monitoring information command (main control status not updated and game information not available).

[0108] 11(b) indicates the conditions (timing) for sending each command. In this example, the frame control unit 600 sends the hall control / fraud monitoring information command (there is an update of the main control status or there is game information) to the rental device 614 at 300 ms intervals after the start-up of the enclosed gaming machine 100 is completed, and sends the gaming machine installation information command to the rental device 614 at 60 s intervals after the start-up of the enclosed gaming machine 100 is completed.

[0109] In addition, a gaming machine performance information command is sent to the rental device 614 at 180 s intervals after the start-up of the enclosed gaming machine 100 is completed, and a hall control / fraud monitoring information command (no update of the main control status and no game information) is sent to the rental device 614 at 300 ms intervals after the start-up of the enclosed gaming machine 100 is completed.

[0110] The "contents" shown in Figure 11(b) indicate the information sent by each command. For example, the Hall Control / Fraud Monitoring Information command (with main control status update or game information) sends the number of game balls, number of shot balls, total number of winning balls, main control status, gaming machine error status, fraud detection status, performance information status notification, game information, etc.

[0111] Here, the "number of gaming balls" is the number of balls held (the number of balls held in the gaming machine), and the "number of fired balls" is a value calculated by adding +1 when the gaming ball passes the subtraction sensor 618 and subtracting -1 when the gaming ball passes the foul ball detection sensor 616, and is cleared to 0 after the gaming machine information notification command is sent. The "total number of winning balls" is the total number of "winning balls" since the enclosed gaming machine 100 was powered on.

[0112] "Main control status" is information including jackpot signal 1 (during a specific jackpot), jackpot signal 2 (during all jackpots), jackpot signal 3 (during time-saving mode, during special mode), during high probability, during time-saving mode, during special mode or advantageous state, during jackpot + time-saving mode, during special mode or advantageous state, and firing stop request. "Machine error status" is information including the type of error that has occurred, and "fraud detection status" is information including information such as setting change / setting confirmation, RAM clear, error occurrence, and complete function operation. "Performance information status notification" is information including information such as non-time-saving mode, time-saving mode, during jackpot, low probability, high probability, and so on, and "game information" is information including winning at each winning slot, number of symbol confirmations, number of jackpots, etc.

[0113] The Hall Control / Fraud Monitoring Information Command (no update of main control status and no game information) transmits information other than the main control status and game information that is transmitted by the Hall Control / Fraud Monitoring Information Command (with update of main control status or with game information).

[0114] The gaming machine installation information command transmits the total number of game balls fired, the total number of game balls acquired, the payout rate, the number of game balls acquired per minute (low base), the ratio of game balls, the ratio of consecutive game balls, the number of jackpots, etc.

[0115] Here, the "total number of game balls fired" is the total number of "number of balls fired" since the enclosed gaming machine 100 was turned on. The "total number of game balls acquired" is the total number of game balls acquired since the enclosed gaming machine 100 was turned on, the "ball payout rate" is a value calculated by (total number of game balls acquired / total number of game balls fired) x 100, and the "number of game balls acquired per minute (low base)" is a value calculated by (total number of game balls acquired during low base / total number of game balls fired during low base) x 100. The "role ratio" is a value calculated by (role balls acquired by role operation / total number of game balls acquired) x 100, and the "successive role ratio" is a value calculated by (role balls acquired by consecutive role operation / total number of game balls acquired) x 100.

[0116] The gaming machine performance information command transmits the chip ID, chip manufacturer code, chip product code, etc. of the main control unit / frame control unit CPU.

[0117] <Communication between the frame control unit and the rental device / count notification command> The count notification command is a command sent from the frame control unit 600 to the lending device 614, and is a command that includes information such as the number of balls counted and the cumulative number of balls counted.

[0118] Here, the "counted ball count" is the number of game balls to be counted (0 to 250 balls), and information indicating 0 balls is sent even if the count button 617 is not operated. The "cumulative counted ball count" is the cumulative number of "counted balls" since the enclosed gaming machine 100 was turned on, and is cleared to 0 after the enclosed gaming machine 100 is turned on.

[0119] The frame control unit 600 transmits this command to the rental device 614 at intervals of 300 ms during a period of 90 ms to 100 ms after transmitting the gaming machine information notification command.

[0120] <Communication between the frame control unit and the rental device / rental notification command> The loan notification command is a command sent from the loan device 614 to the frame control unit 600, and includes information on the number of loaned balls.

[0121] Here, the "number of loaned balls" is the number of gaming balls loaned from the loaning device 614 to the enclosed gaming machine 100.

[0122] The rental device 614 transmits this command to the quota control unit 600 within 170 ms after receiving the count notification command from the quota control unit 600.

[0123] <Communication between the frame control unit and the rental device / rental receipt result response command> The loan receipt result response command is a command sent from the frame control unit 600 to the loan device 614, and is a command that includes information such as the loan ball number receipt result (the result of whether or not information such as the loan ball number was received successfully).

[0124] The frame control unit 600 transmits this command to the rental device 614 within 10 ms after receiving the rental notification command from the rental device 614.

[0125] <Communication between the frame control unit and the rental device / Example> Next, a specific example of communication between the frame control unit 600 and the rental device 614 will be described.

[0126] <Communication between the slot control unit and the rental device / Basic communication (no game information)> 12 is a sequence diagram showing, in time series, an example of basic communication (without game information) between the frame control unit 600 and the lending device 614. In the following drawings, the word "command" may be omitted from each command name to make the drawings easier to read.

[0127] The frame control unit 600 transmits the hall control / fraud monitoring information command, which is one of the gaming machine information notification commands, to the lending device 614 at intervals of 300 ms after the start-up of the enclosed gaming machine 100 is completed, and then transmits the counting report notification command to the lending device 614 at intervals of 300 ms during a period of 90 ms to 100 ms after transmitting the gaming machine information notification command.

[0128] At the timing indicated by symbol T41, the start-up of the enclosed gaming machine 100 is completed, so the frame control unit 600 sends the hall control / fraud monitoring information command from the gaming machine information notification command. However, since the main control status from the gaming machine information is not updated and there is no gaming information, the frame control unit 600 sends the hall control / fraud monitoring information command from the gaming machine information notification command (main control status is not updated and there is no gaming information) to the lending device 614.

[0129] At the timing indicated by the symbol T42, the frame control unit 600 transmits a counting notification command to the lending device 614 within a period of 90 ms to 100 ms after transmitting the gaming machine information notification command.

[0130] At the timing indicated by symbol T43, the rental device 614 receives a counting notification command from the frame control unit 600, and therefore transmits a rental notification command to the frame control unit 600 within 170 ms of receiving the command.At the timing indicated by symbol T44, the frame control unit 600 receives a rental notification command from the rental device 614, and therefore transmits a rental receipt result response command to the rental device 614 within 10 ms of receiving the command.

[0131] Thereafter, if the main control status of the gaming machine information has not been updated and there is no gaming information, the frame control unit 600 will send the hall control / fraud monitoring information command (main control status has not been updated and there is no gaming information) of the gaming machine information notification command to the lending device 614 at 300 ms intervals, and then send a counting notification command to the lending device 614. Upon receiving the counting notification command, the lending device 614 will send a lending notification command to the frame control unit 600, and upon receiving the lending notification command, the frame control unit 600 will send a lending receipt result response command to the lending device 614.

[0132] At the timing indicated by the symbol T45, 60 seconds have passed since the start-up of the enclosed gaming machine 100 was completed, and the gaming machine installation information command of the gaming machine information notification command is transmitted to the rental device 614. At the timing indicated by symbol T46, 180 seconds have passed since the enclosed gaming machine 100 completed its startup, and so an attempt is made to send the gaming machine performance information command from the gaming machine information notification commands to the rental device 614. However, in this example, the timing of sending the gaming machine installation information command (priority 2), which has a higher priority than the gaming machine performance information command (priority 3), overlaps, so the gaming machine installation information command from the gaming machine information notification commands is given priority and sent to the rental device 614 first.

[0133] After sending the gaming machine installation information command, the frame control unit 600 sends a counting notification command to the rental device 614, and the rental device 614, having received the counting notification command, sends a rental notification command to the frame control unit 600, and the frame control unit 600, having received the rental notification command, sends a rental receipt result response command to the rental device 614.

[0134] At the timing indicated by reference symbol T47, the gaming machine performance information command whose transmission timing overlaps with the gaming machine installation information command is transmitted to the rental device 614 300 ms after the timing indicated by reference symbol T46.

[0135] Although not shown in the figure, after sending the gaming machine performance information command, the frame control unit 600 sends a counting notification command to the lending device 614, and the lending device 614, having received the counting notification command, sends a lending notification command to the frame control unit 600, and the frame control unit 600, having received the lending notification command, sends a lending receipt result response command to the lending device 614.

[0136] Here, to summarize the control of the frame control unit 600, when the counting button 617 is pressed, the frame control unit 600 transmits the counted number of balls to the lending device 614, subtracts the counted number of balls from the number of game balls, and displays the number of game balls after subtraction on the game ball number display device.

[0137] If the counting button 617 is pressed briefly, data indicating 1 ball is sent to the lending device 614, and 1 is subtracted from the number of game balls, which is then displayed on the display device for the number of game balls, etc. If the counting button 617 is pressed and held down, data indicating a maximum of 250 balls is sent to the lending device 614 (if the number of game balls is less than 250, data indicating the total number is sent to the lending device 614), and a maximum of 250 is subtracted from the number of game balls (if the number of game balls is less than 250, the total number is subtracted from the number of game balls), which is then displayed on the display device for the number of game balls, etc.

[0138] In addition, when the frame control unit 600 receives the number of loaned balls from the loaning device 614, it displays the sum of the number of loaned balls and the current number of game balls as the new number of game balls on the game ball number display device.

[0139] <Communication between slot control unit and rental device / Priority transmission of gaming machine information notification (with gaming information)> FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of priority transmission of a gaming machine information notification command (with gaming information) in communication between the frame control unit 600 and the rental device 614 in chronological order.

[0140] The frame control unit 600 transmits the hall control / fraud monitoring information command, which is one of the gaming machine information notification commands, to the lending device 614 at intervals of 300 ms after the start-up of the enclosed gaming machine 100 is completed, and transmits the gaming machine installation information command, which is one of the gaming machine information notification commands, to the lending device 614 at intervals of 60 s after the start-up of the enclosed gaming machine 100 is completed.

[0141] At the timing indicated by the symbol T52, 60 seconds have passed since the enclosed gaming machine 100 completed its startup, and so an attempt is made to send the gaming machine installation information command, which is one of the gaming machine information notification commands, to the lending device 614. However, in this example, gaming information is held at that time, and the timing of sending the hall control / fraud monitoring information command (with gaming information) (priority 1), which has a higher priority than the gaming machine installation information command (priority 2), overlaps, so the hall control / fraud monitoring information command (with gaming information), which is one of the gaming machine information notification commands, is given priority and sent to the lending device 614 first.

[0142] At the timing indicated by code T53, the game information held by the frame control unit 600 is exhausted, so the game machine installation information command, whose transmission timing overlaps with the hall control / fraud monitoring information command (with game information), is transmitted to the lending device 614 300 ms after the timing indicated by code T52.

[0143] In addition, the frame control unit 600 transmits the gaming machine performance information command of the gaming machine information notification command to the lending device 614 at intervals of 180 seconds after the start-up of the enclosed gaming machine 100 is completed.

[0144] At the timing indicated by symbol T54, 180 seconds have passed since the enclosed gaming machine 100 completed its startup, and so an attempt is made to send the gaming machine performance information command from the gaming machine information notification commands to the lending device 614. However, in this example, the frame control unit 600 is holding gaming information at that time, and the timing of sending the hall control / fraud monitoring information command (with gaming information) (priority 1), which has a higher priority than the gaming machine performance information command (priority 3), overlaps, so the hall control / fraud monitoring information command (with gaming information) from the gaming machine information notification commands is given priority and sent to the lending device 614 first.

[0145] At the timing indicated by code T55, the game information held by the frame control unit 600 is exhausted, so the game machine performance information command, whose transmission timing overlaps with the hall control / fraud monitoring information command (with game information), is transmitted to the lending device 614 300 ms after the timing indicated by code T54.

[0146] <Communication between the slot control unit and the rental device / count notification> FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing an example of count notification in communication between the frame control unit 600 and the rental device 614 in chronological order.

[0147] This example is an example of count notification when the count button 617 of the enclosed gaming machine 100 is pressed and held down and 250 balls are counted twice (500 balls in total).

[0148] Specifically, at the timing indicated by symbol T1a, when the number of game balls is 1000 and the cumulative counted balls is 0, the first "long press" of the counting button 617 is received, so the number of counted balls is set to "250", which represents 250 balls, and the cumulative counted balls is updated to 250 by adding 250 counted balls to the cumulative counted balls of 0.

[0149] At the timing indicated by symbol T1b, the frame control unit 600 sends a gaming machine information notification command to the lending device 614 including information such as serial number = n (n is a positive integer) and number of gaming balls = 1000, and then at the timing indicated by symbol T1c, within a period of 90 ms to 100 ms after sending the gaming machine information notification command, it sends a counting notification command to the lending device 614 including information such as counting serial number = m (m is a positive integer), number of counted balls = 250, and cumulative number of counted balls = 250, and then subtracts 250 counted balls from 1000 gaming balls to update the number of gaming balls to 750.

[0150] At the timing indicated by symbol T1d, the rental device 614, which has received the counting notification command, adds the number of counted balls (250) contained in the received counting notification command to the number of balls held (100) before receiving the counting notification command, updating the number of balls held to 350, and since the number of loaned balls is 0, it sends a rental notification command to the frame control unit 600 containing the information rental serial number = k (k is a positive integer) and number of loaned balls = 0.

[0151] At the timing indicated by symbol T1e, the slot control unit 600, having received the loan notification command, sends a loan receipt result response command to the loan device 614, including the information that the loan serial number = k and the loan ball number receipt result = normal.

[0152] After that, in this example, the counting button 617 continues to be pressed and held when the number of game balls is 750 and the cumulative counted balls is 250, and when a second press and hold of the counting button 617 is received, the number of counted balls is set to "250", which represents 250 balls, and the cumulative counted balls are updated to 500 by adding 250 counted balls to the cumulative counted balls of 250.

[0153] At the timing indicated by symbol T1f, the frame control unit 600 sends a gaming machine information notification command to the lending device 614 including information such as serial number = n+1 and number of gaming balls = 750, and then at the timing indicated by symbol T1g, within a period of 90 ms to 100 ms after sending the gaming machine information notification command, it sends a counting notification command to the lending device 614 including information such as counting serial number = m+1, number of counted balls = 250, and cumulative number of counted balls = 500, and then subtracts 250 counted balls from 750 gaming balls to update the number of gaming balls to 500.

[0154] At the timing indicated by the symbol T1h, the rental device 614 receives the counting notification command, adds the number of counted balls (250) contained in the received counting notification command to the number of balls held (350) before receiving the counting notification command, updating the number of balls held to 600, and since the number of loaned balls is 0, sends a rental notification command to the frame control unit 600 containing the information rental serial number = k+1 and number of loaned balls = 0.

[0155] At the timing indicated by symbol T1i, the slot control unit 600 receives the loan notification command and sends a loan receipt result response command to the loan device 614, which includes the information that the loan serial number = k+1 and the loan ball number receipt result = normal.

[0156] At the timing indicated by symbol T1j, the long press of the counting button 617 is released, and at the subsequent timing indicated by symbol T1k, the frame control unit 600 sends a gaming machine information notification to the lending device 614 including information such as serial number = n + 2 and number of gaming balls = 500, and then at the subsequent timing indicated by symbol T1l, within a period of 90 ms to 100 ms after sending the gaming machine information notification command, it sends a counting notification command to the lending device 614 including information such as counting serial number = m + 2, number of counted balls = 0, and cumulative number of counted balls = 500, but since the number of counted balls is 0, the number of gaming balls is maintained at 500.

[0157] At the timing indicated by the symbol T1m, the rental device 614 receives the counting notification command, and since the number of counted balls is 0, it maintains the number of balls in its possession at 600, and since the number of loaned balls is 0, it sends a rental notification command to the frame control unit 600 containing the information rental serial number = k + 2 and number of loaned balls = 0.

[0158] At the timing indicated by symbol T1n, the slot control unit 600 receives the loan notification command and sends a loan receipt result response command to the loan device 614, which includes the information that the loan serial number = k+2 and the loan ball number receipt result = normal.

[0159] <Communication between the frame control unit and the rental device / rental notification> FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a rental notification in communication between the slot control unit 600 and the rental device 614 in chronological order.

[0160] This example is an example of a rental notification when the rental button 614a of the rental device 614 is operated and 125 balls are rented once.

[0161] At the timing indicated by the symbol T2a, the lending device 614 accepts operation of the lending button 614a and updates the number of balls to 125.

[0162] At the timing indicated by symbol T2b, since the number of gaming balls is 50, the frame control unit 600 sends a gaming machine information notification command to the lending device 614 including information such as serial number = n (n is a positive integer) and number of gaming balls = 50, and then at the timing indicated by symbol T2c, within a period of 90 ms to 100 ms after sending the gaming machine information notification command, it sends a counting notification command to the lending device 614 including information such as counting serial number = m (m is a positive integer), number of counted balls = 0, and cumulative number of counted balls = 0.

[0163] At the timing indicated by symbol T2d, the rental device 614 receives the counting notification command and transmits a rental notification command containing information such as rental serial number = k (k is a positive integer) and number of rental balls = 125 to the frame control unit 600 within 170 ms of receiving the counting notification command.

[0164] At the timing indicated by the symbol T2e, the frame control unit 600, which received the loan notification command, adds the number of loaned balls (125) included in the received loan notification command to the number of game balls (50) to update the number of game balls to 175, and sends a loan receipt result response command containing information such as loan serial number = k and loaned ball number receipt result = normal to the loan device 614 within 10 ms of receiving the loan notification command. As a result, the loan device 614 confirms that the frame control unit 600 has successfully received information such as the number of loaned balls.

[0165] At the timing indicated by symbol T2f, the number of gaming balls is 175, so the frame control unit 600 sends a gaming machine information notification to the rental device 614, including information such as serial number = n+1 and number of gaming balls = 175.

[0166] <Communication / disconnection between the frame control unit and the rental device> 16 and 17 are sequence diagrams showing, in time series, an example of a case where communication between the frame control unit 600 and the rental device 614 is interrupted.

[0167] This example is an example of communication when a communication interruption (cable disconnection) occurs in communication between the frame control unit 600 and the rental device 614.

[0168] At the timing indicated by symbol T3a, the number of gaming balls is 1000, so the frame control unit 600 sends a gaming machine information notification command to the lending device 614 including the information serial number = n (n is a positive integer) and number of gaming balls = 1000, and then at the timing indicated by symbol T3b, within a period of 90 ms to 100 ms after sending the gaming machine information notification command, it sends a counting notification command to the lending device 614 including the information counting serial number = m (m is a positive integer), number of counted balls = 0, and cumulative number of counted balls = 0.

[0169] Also, at the timing indicated by symbol T3c, the lending device 614 receives the counting notification command, and since the number of loaned balls is 0, it sends a loan notification command to the frame control unit 600 including information such as loan serial number = k (k is a positive integer) and number of loaned balls = 0; at the timing indicated by symbol T3d, the frame control unit 600 receives the loan notification command, and sends a loan receipt result response command to the lending device 614 including information such as loan serial number = k (k is a positive integer) and loaned ball number receipt result = normal; and at the timing indicated by symbol T3e, it sends a gaming machine information notification command to the lending device 614 including information such as serial number = n+1 and number of gaming balls = 1000.

[0170] At the timing indicated by symbol T3f, a communication interruption (cable disconnection) occurred in the communication between the frame control unit 600 and the rental device 614, and thereafter the frame control unit 600 set VL=OFF (unable to launch, counting button disabled), and the rental device 614 set VL=OFF (unable to launch), PSI=OFF (counting button disabled).

[0171] At the timing shown by symbol T3g, the counting button is disabled, so a counting notification command containing the information counting serial number = m+1, number of counted balls = 0, and cumulative number of counted balls = 0 is sent to the rental device 614, but because a communication interruption (cable disconnection) has occurred, the rental device 614 is unable to receive the command properly.

[0172] Furthermore, at the timing indicated by symbol T3h, the frame control unit 600 sends a gaming machine information notification command to the rental device 614 including information such as serial number = n+2 and number of gaming balls = 1000, and then at the subsequent timing indicated by symbol T3i, within a period of 90 ms to 100 ms after sending the gaming machine information notification command, it sends a counting notification command to the rental device 614 including information such as counting serial number = m+2, number of counted balls = 0, and cumulative number of counted balls = 0; however, due to a communication interruption (cable disconnection), the rental device 614 is unable to receive these commands normally.

[0173] 17, at the timing indicated by the symbol T3j, a staff member at the game arcade checks the number of game balls, resolves the communication interruption (cable disconnection), and restores the cable, so that the frame control unit 600 and the lending device 614 are in VL=ON (game ball launch permitted state) and PSI=ON (counting button enabled state). Note that after VL=ON (game ball launch permitted state) is set in the lending device 614, a staff member at the game arcade checks the cable connection status.

[0174] At the timing indicated by symbol T3k, since the number of gaming balls is 1000, the frame control unit 600 sends a gaming machine information notification command including the information serial number = n + 3 and number of gaming balls = 1000 to the lending device 614, and then at the timing indicated by symbol T3l, within a period of 90 ms to 100 ms after sending the gaming machine information notification command, it sends a counting notification command including the information counting serial number = m + 3, number of counted balls = 0, and cumulative number of counted balls = 0 to the lending device 614.

[0175] Also, at the timing indicated by symbol T3m, the lending device 614 receives the counting notification command and resets the lending serial number to 0 since a communication interruption (cable disconnection) has occurred, and since the number of loaned balls is 0, it sends a lending notification command to the frame control unit 600 containing the information loan serial number = 0 and number of loaned balls = 0.At the timing indicated by symbol T3n, the frame control unit 600 receives the lending notification command and sets the lending serial number to the last loan serial number k sent (loan serial number k of the loan receipt result response command sent at the timing indicated by symbol T3d), and then sends a loan receipt result response command to the lending device 614 containing the information loan serial number = k and loaned ball number receipt result = normal.

[0176] At the timing indicated by symbol T3o, a gaming machine information notification command including information such as serial number = n+4 and number of gaming balls = 1000 is sent to the lending device 614, and at the timing indicated by symbol T3p, within a period of 90 ms to 100 ms after sending the gaming machine information notification command, a counting notification command including information such as counting serial number = m+4, number of counted balls = 0, and cumulative number of counted balls = 0 is sent to the lending device 614.

[0177] Also, at the timing indicated by symbol T3q, the rental device 614 receives the counting notification command, and since the cable has been restored, it adds 1 to the rental serial number k to update it to k+1, and since the number of rental balls is 0, it sends a rental notification command to the frame control unit 600 including the information rental serial number = k+1 and number of rental balls = 0.At the timing indicated by symbol T3r, the frame control unit 600 receives the rental notification command and sends a rental receipt result response command to the rental device 614 including the information rental serial number = k+1 and rental ball number receipt result = normal.

[0178] <Communication error between the frame control unit and the rental device / count notification> FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a communication abnormality in the count notification between the frame control unit 600 and the rental device 614 in chronological order.

[0179] This example is an example of a counting notification when a "long press" operation is performed on the counting button 617 of the enclosed gaming machine 100, 250 balls are counted once (a total of 250 balls), and a communication abnormality occurs while the "long press" operation is continuing.

[0180] Specifically, at the timing indicated by symbol T4a, when the number of game balls is 1000 and the cumulative counted balls is 0, the first "long press" of the counting button 617 is received, so the number of counted balls is set to "250", which represents 250 balls, and the cumulative counted balls is updated to 250 by adding 250 counted balls to the cumulative counted balls of 0.

[0181] At the timing indicated by symbol T4b, the frame control unit 600 sends a gaming machine information notification command to the lending device 614 including information such as serial number = n (n is a positive integer) and number of gaming balls = 1000, and then at the timing indicated by symbol T4c, within a period of 90 ms to 100 ms after sending the gaming machine information notification command, it sends a counting notification command to the lending device 614 including information such as counting serial number = m (m is a positive integer), number of counted balls = 250, and cumulative number of counted balls = 250, and then subtracts 250 counted balls from 1000 gaming balls to update the number of gaming balls to 750.

[0182] At the timing indicated by symbol T4d, the rental device 614, which has received the counting notification command, adds the number of counted balls (250) contained in the received counting notification command to the number of balls held (100) before receiving the counting notification command, updating the number of balls held to 350, and since the number of loaned balls is 0, it sends a rental notification command to the frame control unit 600 containing the information rental serial number = k (k is a positive integer) and number of loaned balls = 0.

[0183] At the timing indicated by symbol T4e, the slot control unit 600, having received the loan notification command, sends a loan receipt result response command to the loan device 614, including the information that the loan serial number = k and the loan ball number receipt result = normal.

[0184] In this example, the counting button 617 continues to be pressed and held when the number of game balls is 750 and the cumulative counted balls is 250. When the counting button 617 is pressed and held a second time, the number of counted balls is set to "250," which represents 250 balls, and the cumulative counted balls are updated to 500 by adding 250 counted balls to the cumulative counted balls of 250.

[0185] At the timing indicated by symbol T4f, the frame control unit 600 sends a gaming machine information notification command to the lending device 614 including information such as serial number = n+1 and number of gaming balls = 750, and then at the subsequent timing indicated by symbol T4g, within a period of 90 ms to 100 ms after sending the gaming machine information notification command, it sends a counting notification command to the lending device 614 including information such as counting serial number = m+1, number of counted balls = 250, and cumulative number of counted balls = 500, and then subtracts 250 counted balls from 750 gaming balls to update the number of gaming balls to 500. However, due to a communication abnormality, the lending device 614 is unable to receive the command normally.

[0186] Also, at the timing indicated by symbol T4h, the frame control unit 600 sends a gaming machine information notification command including information such as serial number = n+2 and number of gaming balls = 500 to the rental device 614, but due to a communication abnormality, the rental device 614 is unable to receive the command normally.

[0187] On the other hand, the lending device 614 detects a communication abnormality because it has not been able to properly receive the gaming machine information notification command from the frame control unit 600, and sets VL=OFF (unable to fire) and PSI=OFF (counting button disabled) up to 300 ms after detecting the communication abnormality. Also, the frame control unit 600 sets VL=OFF (unable to fire, counting button disabled) because it has not been able to properly receive the lending notification command in response to the counting notification command from the lending device 614.

[0188] In the frame control unit 600, since the counting button 617 has been disabled, the number of counted balls is reset from 250 to 0, and then at the timing indicated by symbol T4i, a counting notification command containing the information counting serial number = m + 2, number of counted balls = 0, and cumulative number of counted balls = 500 is sent to the rental device 614.However, since a communication abnormality has occurred, the rental device 614 is unable to receive these commands normally.

[0189] At the timing indicated by the symbol T4j, the game parlor staff checks the number of game balls and the number of balls in hand, and the game waits for the error recovery from the communication error until the communication error is resolved. When the communication error is resolved, the dispensing device 614 sets VL=ON (game ball release permitted state) and PSI=ON (counting button enabled state).

[0190] <Communication error between the frame control unit and the rental device / rental notification> FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a communication abnormality in a rental notification between the slot control unit 600 and the rental device 614 in time series.

[0191] This example is an example of a rental notification when a communication error occurs when the rental button 614a of the rental device 614 is operated and 125 balls are lent once.

[0192] At the timing indicated by the symbol T5a, the lending device 614 accepts operation of the lending button 614a and updates the number of balls to 125.

[0193] At the timing indicated by symbol T5b, since the number of gaming balls is 50, the frame control unit 600 sends a gaming machine information notification command including information such as serial number = n (n is a positive integer) and number of gaming balls = 50 to the lending device 614, and then at the timing indicated by symbol T5c, the frame control unit 600 sends a counting notification command including information such as counting serial number = m (m is a positive integer), number of counted balls = 0, and cumulative number of counted balls = 0 to the lending device 614 within a period of 90 ms to 100 ms after sending the gaming machine information notification command.

[0194] At the timing indicated by symbol T5d, the rental device 614 receives the counting notification command and transmits a rental notification command containing information such as rental serial number = k (k is a positive integer) and number of rental balls = 125 to the frame control unit 600 within 170 ms of receiving the counting notification command.

[0195] At the timing indicated by symbol T5e, the frame control unit 600 receives the loan notification command, adds the number of loaned balls (125) contained in the command to the number of game balls (50) to update the number of game balls to 175, and sends a loan receipt result response command containing the information loan serial number = k and loaned ball number receipt result = normal to the loan device 614 within 10 ms of receiving the loan notification command.However, in this example, due to a communication abnormality, the loan device 614 is unable to receive the command normally.

[0196] The quota control unit 600 sends a loan receipt result response command to the loan device 614 within 10 ms of receiving the loan notification command from the loan device 614. However, in this example, at the timing indicated by the symbol T5f, the loan device 614 has not received a loan receipt result response command from the quota control unit 600 even though more than 10 ms has passed since sending the loan notification command to the quota control unit 600, so it determines that the loan processing has not been completed and continues the loan processing.

[0197] At the timing indicated by symbol T5g, since the number of gaming balls is 175, the frame control unit 600 sends a gaming machine information notification to the lending device 614 including information such as serial number = n+1 and number of gaming balls = 175, and then at the timing indicated by symbol T5h, within a period of 90 ms to 100 ms after sending the gaming machine information notification command, it sends a counting notification command to the lending device 614 including information such as counting serial number = m+1, number of counted balls = 0, and cumulative number of counted balls = 0.

[0198] The lending device 614 was unable to successfully receive the lending receipt result response command in response to the lending notification command sent at the timing indicated by symbol T5d, and it was unclear whether the frame control unit 600 had successfully received the lending notification command.Therefore, at the timing indicated by symbol T5i, it again sets the same k as the lending serial number and sends a lending notification command containing the information lending serial number = k and number of balls loaned = 125 to the frame control unit 600 within 170 ms of receiving the counting notification command.

[0199] The slot control unit 600 checks the continuity of the loan serial numbers included in the loan notification command, and if the loan serial numbers are not consecutive, it sends a loan receipt result response command including information that the loan ball count receipt result is abnormal.

[0200] In this example, the frame control unit 600 receives a loan notification command from the loan device 614 at the timing indicated by symbol T5i, which includes information such as loan serial number = k and number of loaned balls = 125.Since there is no continuity with the loan serial number k included in the previous loan notification command received at the timing indicated by symbol T5d (the loan serial number is not k+1), at the timing indicated by symbol T5j, it sends a loan receipt result response command to the loan device 614 within 10 ms of receiving the loan notification command, which includes information such as loan serial number = k and loaned ball number receipt result = abnormal.

[0201] On the other hand, if the lending serial number contained in the lending receipt result response command received from the quota control unit 600 matches the lending serial number contained in the lending notification command sent last time, the lending device 614 determines that the quota control unit 600 has received the lending notification command normally and completes the lending process.

[0202] In this example, when the rental device 614 receives a rental receipt result response command from the quota control unit 600 at the timing indicated by symbol T5j, it determines that the quota control unit 600 has received the rental notification command normally, since the rental serial number k contained in the rental receipt result response command matches the rental serial number k contained in the previous rental notification command sent to the quota control unit 600 at the timing indicated by symbol T5i, and completes the rental processing.

[0203] At the timing indicated by symbol T5k, the number of gaming balls is 175, so the frame control unit 600 sends a gaming machine information notification to the lending device 614, including information such as serial number = n+1 and number of gaming balls = 175.

[0204] <Communication between the frame control unit and the rental device / during play> FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram showing an example of communication between the frame control unit 600 and the lending device 614 during a game in chronological order.

[0205] This example is an example of communication that occurs when a game ball is launched toward the game board 200 or a game ball (foul ball) that does not reach the game board 200 is detected as a result of playing on the enclosed game machine 100.

[0206] Here, the "total number of game balls fired" in Figure 20 is the total number of "number of game balls fired" since the enclosed game machine 100 was turned on, and the "number of game balls fired" is a number calculated by adding +1 when a game ball passes the subtraction sensor 618 and subtracting -1 when a game ball passes the foul ball detection sensor 616.

[0207] At the timing indicated by symbol T6a, the number of gaming balls is 1000, so the frame control unit 600 sends a gaming machine information notification command to the lending device 614, including information such as serial number = n (n is a positive integer) and number of gaming balls = 1000.

[0208] At the timing indicated by symbol T6b, the frame control unit 600 sends a counting notification command to the lending device 614 within a period of 90 ms to 100 ms after sending the gaming machine information notification command, including the information that the counting serial number = m (m is a positive integer), the number of counted balls = 0, and the cumulative number of counted balls = 0.After that, since one gaming ball has been fired toward the gaming board 200 (the gaming ball has passed the subtraction sensor 618), the number of fired balls is set to 1 and the number of gaming balls is subtracted by 1 to update the number of gaming balls from 1000 to 999.

[0209] At the timing indicated by symbol T6c, the lending device 614 receives the counting notification command and, since the number of loaned balls is 0, sends a loan notification command to the frame control unit 600 including the information loan serial number = k (k is a positive integer) and number of loaned balls = 0, and at the timing indicated by symbol T6d, the frame control unit 600 receives the loan notification command and sends a loan receipt result response command to the lending device 614 including the information loan serial number = k and loaned ball number receipt result = normal.

[0210] At the timing indicated by symbol T6e, the number of game balls is 999 and the number of balls fired is 1, so the frame control unit 600 sends a game machine information notification command to the rental device 614, including the information serial number = n+1, number of game balls = 999, and number of balls fired = 1. Upon receiving this command, the rental device 614 adds 1, the number of balls fired included in the command, to the total number of balls fired, which is 100, and updates the total number of balls fired to 101.

[0211] At the timing indicated by the symbol T6f, the frame control unit 600 sends a counting notification command to the lending device 614 within a period of 90 ms to 100 ms after sending the gaming machine information notification command, including the information that the counting serial number = m+1, the number of counted balls = 0, and the cumulative number of counted balls = 0.After that, since it detected one foul ball (the gaming ball passed through the foul ball detection sensor 616), it sets the number of fired balls to -1 and adds 1 to the number of gaming balls of 999, updating the number of gaming balls to 1000.

[0212] At the timing indicated by symbol T6g, the lending device 614 receives the counting notification command, and since the number of loaned balls is 0, it sends a loan notification command to the frame control unit 600 including the information that the loan serial number = k+1 and the number of loaned balls = 0.At the timing indicated by symbol T6h, the frame control unit 600 receives the loan notification command and sends a loan receipt result response command to the lending device 614 including the information that the loan serial number = k+1 and the loaned ball number receipt result = normal.

[0213] At the timing indicated by the symbol T6i, the number of game balls is 1000 and the number of balls fired is -1, so the frame control unit 600 sends a game machine information notification command to the rental device 614, including the information: serial number = n+2, number of game balls = 1000, and number of balls fired = -1. Upon receiving this command, the rental device 614 adds -1, the number of balls fired included in the command, to the total number of balls fired, 101, and updates the total number of balls fired to 100.

[0214] After that, one game ball was fired toward the game board 200 (the game ball passed through the subtraction sensor 618), so the frame control unit 600 sets the number of fired balls to 1 and subtracts 1 from the number of game balls to update the number of game balls from 1000 to 999.

[0215] At the timing indicated by the symbol T6j, the frame control unit 600, within a period of 90 ms to 100 ms after sending the gaming machine information notification command, sends a counting notification command to the lending device 614 including the information that the counting serial number = m + 2, the number of counted balls = 0, and the cumulative number of counted balls = 0.After that, since it detected one foul ball (the gaming ball passed through the foul ball detection sensor 616), it updates the number of fired balls from 1 to 0 and adds 1 to the number of gaming balls to update the number of gaming balls from 999 to 1000.

[0216] At the timing indicated by symbol T6k, the lending device 614 receives the counting notification command, and since the number of loaned balls is 0, it sends a loan notification command to the frame control unit 600 including the information that the loan serial number = k+2 and the number of loaned balls = 0.At the timing indicated by symbol T6l, the frame control unit 600 receives the loan notification command and sends a loan receipt result response command to the lending device 614 including the information that the loan serial number = k+2 and the loaned ball number receipt result = normal.

[0217] At the timing indicated by the symbol T6m, the number of game balls is 1000 and the number of balls fired is 0 (= 1 (fired) - 1 (foul ball)), so the frame control unit 600 sends a game machine information notification command to the rental device 614, including the information: serial number = n + 3, number of game balls = 1000, and number of balls fired = 0.

[0218] <Communication between the frame control unit and the lending device / When an increase in the number of game balls and a short press of the counting button occur at the same time> FIG. 21 is a sequence diagram showing an example of communication between the frame control unit 600 and the lending device 614 in time series when an increase in the number of game balls and a short press of the counting button coincide with each other.

[0219] This example is an example of communication when the timing of an increase in the number of game balls due to a prize ball coincides with the timing of counting due to a short press of the counting button 617 in the enclosed gaming machine 100. Note that, although this example describes an example in which the number of game balls increases due to a prize ball, the same applies when the number of game balls increases due to a foul ball.

[0220] At the timing indicated by symbol T7a, the number of game balls is 0, so the frame control unit 600 sends a game machine information notification command including information such as serial number = n (n is a positive integer) and number of game balls = 0 to the lending device 614.After that, at the timing indicated by symbol T7b, the number of game balls has increased by 1 due to a prize ball, so the frame control unit 600 adds 1 to the number of game balls to update the number of game balls from 0 to 1.

[0221] Also, in this example, when the number of game balls is 1 and the cumulative number of counted balls is 0, the first "short press" of the counting button 617 is accepted at the timing shown by symbol T7c immediately after the winning ball.

[0222] However, since the numerical value 1 (planned count number) indicating 1 ball, which is the count in response to the "short press" operation of the counting button 617, is greater than the number of game balls 0 sent in the game machine information notification command sent at the timing shown by symbol T7a, in this example, the numerical value 1 indicating 1 ball, which is the count in response to the "short press" operation of the counting button 617, is not set as the number of game balls counted, but 0 is set as the planned correction data for the counting data (number of balls counted) (step S103 of the counting process shown in Figure 4), and at the timing shown by symbol T7d, a counting notification command including the information counting serial number = m (m is a positive integer), number of counted balls = 0, and cumulative number of counted balls = 0 is sent to the lending device 614.

[0223] In other words, in this example, in a situation where the detection means (ball detection sensor) detects a gaming ball during a predetermined period and the gaming ball count data (data on the number of gaming balls) increases (a situation where the number of gaming balls increases by one due to a winning ball, as shown by symbol T7b in Figure 21), if a counting process is executed during the predetermined period due to the operation of a predetermined operating means (counting button 617), the value corresponding to the operation of the predetermined operating means (counting button 617) (the number 1 indicating one ball) may not be counted.

[0224] According to this example, in a situation where the number of game balls data has increased during a predetermined period after sending information on the number of game balls data (gaming machine information notification command) to an external device (rental device 614) and before sending information on counting data (counting notification command), it is possible to prevent sending more counting data information than the number of game balls data information.This prevents sending information that could lead the external device to mistakenly believe it is fraudulent activity or a malfunction, thereby enabling smooth operation of the gaming machine.

[0225] At the timing indicated by symbol T7e, the lending device 614 receives the counting notification command, and since the number of loaned balls is 0, it sends a loan notification command to the frame control unit 600 including the information loan serial number = k (k is a positive integer) and number of loaned balls = 0.At the timing indicated by symbol T7f, the frame control unit 600 receives the loan notification command and sends a loan receipt result response command to the lending device 614 including the information loan serial number = k and loaned ball number receipt result = normal.

[0226] At the timing indicated by symbol T7g, since the number of gaming balls is 1, the frame control unit 600 sends a gaming machine information notification command including the information serial number = n+1 and number of gaming balls = 1 to the lending device 614, and then at the subsequent timing indicated by symbol T7h, since 0 is set as the planned correction data for the counting data (number of counted balls), within a period of 90 ms to 100 ms after sending the gaming machine information notification command, the frame control unit 600 sends a counting notification command including the information counting serial number = m+1, number of counted balls = 0, and cumulative number of counted balls = 0 to the lending device 614.

[0227] Furthermore, the frame control unit 600 accepts a second "short press" of the count button 617 at the timing indicated by the reference symbol T7i.

[0228] Here, since the number 1 (planned count number) indicating 1 ball, which is the count in response to the "short press" operation of the counting button 617, is not greater than the number of game balls, 1, sent in the game machine information notification command sent at the timing shown by code T7g, in this example, the number of counted balls is set to "1", which indicates 1 ball, and the cumulative counted ball number is updated to 1 by adding 1 counted ball to 0.

[0229] At the timing indicated by symbol T7j, the lending device 614 receives the counting notification command and, since the number of loaned balls is 0, sends a loan notification command to the frame control unit 600 including the information that the loan serial number = k+1 and the number of loaned balls = 0.At the timing indicated by symbol T7k, the frame control unit 600 receives the loan notification command and sends a loan receipt result response command to the lending device 614 including the information that the loan serial number = k+1 and the loaned ball number receipt result = normal.

[0230] At the timing indicated by symbol T7l, the number of gaming balls is 1, so the frame control unit 600 sends a gaming machine information notification command including the information serial number = n + 2 and number of gaming balls = 1 to the lending device 614, and then at the timing indicated by symbol T7m, the number of counted balls and the cumulative counted number of balls are 1, so within a period of 90 ms to 100 ms after sending the gaming machine information notification command, the frame control unit 600 sends a counting notification command including the information counting serial number = m + 2, number of counted balls = 1, and cumulative counted number of balls = 1 to the lending device 614.

[0231] When the rental device 614 receives this counting notification command, it adds the counting number of balls (1) contained in the received counting notification command to the number of balls held (0) before receiving the counting notification command, updating the number of balls held to 1.

[0232] <Communication between the frame control unit and the rental device / When an increase in the number of game balls occurs and the counting button is pressed and held at the same time> FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram showing an example of communication between the frame control unit 600 and the lending device 614 in time series when an increase in the number of game balls occurs at the same time as the counting button is pressed and held down.

[0233] This example is an example of communication when the timing of an increase in the number of game balls due to a prize ball coincides with the timing of counting due to a long press of the counting button 617 in the enclosed gaming machine 100. Note that, although this example describes an example in which the number of game balls increases due to a prize ball, the same applies when the number of game balls increases due to a foul ball.

[0234] At the timing indicated by symbol T8b, the number of game balls is 245, so the frame control unit 600 sends a game machine information notification command including information such as serial number = n (n is a positive integer) and number of game balls = 245 to the lending device 614.After that, at the timing indicated by symbol T8c, the number of game balls has increased by 15 due to prize balls, so the frame control unit 600 adds 15 to the number of game balls and updates the number of game balls from 245 to 260.

[0235] In this example, when the number of game balls is 245 and the cumulative number of counted balls is 0, a "long press" operation of the count button 617 is accepted at the timing indicated by the symbol T8a.

[0236] However, since the number 250 (planned count number), which indicates 250 balls counted in response to the "long press" of the counting button 617, is greater than the number of game balls, 245, sent in the game machine information notification command sent at the timing shown by symbol T8b, the number of counted balls (counting data) is not set to 250, which indicates 250 balls counted in response to the "long press" of the counting button 617, but 245 is set as the planned correction data for the counting data (number of counted balls) (step S103 of the counting process shown in Figure 4), and at the timing shown by symbol T8d, a counting notification command including the information counting serial number = m (m is a positive integer), number of counted balls = 245, and cumulative number of counted balls = 245 is sent to the lending device 614, and then the number of counted balls, 245, is subtracted from the number of game balls, 260, to update the number of game balls to 15.

[0237] In other words, in this example, in a situation where the detection means (ball detection sensor) detects game balls during a predetermined period and the game ball count data (game ball count data) increases (a situation where the number of game balls increases by 15 due to winning balls, as shown by symbol T8c in Figure 21), if a counting process is executed during the predetermined period by operating a predetermined operating means (counting button 617), the value corresponding to the operation of the predetermined operating means (counting button 617) (the number 250 indicating 250 balls) may not be counted.

[0238] According to this example, in a situation where the number of game balls data has increased during a predetermined period after sending information on the number of game balls data (gaming machine information notification command) to an external device (rental device 614) and before sending information on counting data (counting notification command), it is possible to prevent sending more counting data information than the number of game balls data information.This prevents sending information that could lead the external device to mistakenly believe it is fraudulent activity or a malfunction, thereby enabling smooth operation of the gaming machine.

[0239] At the timing indicated by symbol T8e, the lending device 614, which has received the counting notification command, adds the number of counted balls (245) contained in the received counting notification command to the number of balls held (0) before receiving the counting notification command, updating the number of balls held to 245, and since the number of loaned balls is 0, it sends a loan notification command to the frame control unit 600 including the information loan serial number = k (k is a positive integer) and number of loaned balls = 0.At the timing indicated by symbol T8f, the frame control unit 600, which has received the loan notification command, sends a loan receipt result response command to the lending device 614 including the information loan serial number = k and loaned number of balls receipt result = normal.

[0240] At the timing indicated by symbol T8g, the number of gaming balls is 15, so the frame control unit 600 sends a gaming machine information notification command including the information serial number = n+1 and number of gaming balls = 15 to the lending device 614, and then at the subsequent timing indicated by symbol T8h, the counting button 617 continues to be "long pressed" and a second "long press" operation is accepted.

[0241] However, since the number of game balls is 15, which is less than the 250 balls counted in response to the "long press" of the counting button 617, the number of counted balls is set to 15, which indicates the total number of game balls, 15, and the cumulative counted number of balls is updated to 260 by adding 15 to the cumulative counted number of balls, 245, and a counting notification command including the information counting serial number = m + 1, number of counted balls = 15, and cumulative counted number of balls = 260 is sent to the lending device 614 within a period of 90 ms to 100 ms after sending the game machine information notification command.

[0242] At the timing indicated by symbol T8i, the lending device 614, which has received the counting notification command, adds the number of counted balls (15) contained in the received counting notification command to the number of balls held before receiving the counting notification command (245), updating the number of balls held to 260, and since the number of loaned balls is 0, it sends a loan notification command to the frame control unit 600 including the information loan serial number = k+1 and number of loaned balls = 0.At the timing indicated by symbol T8j, the frame control unit 600, which has received the loan notification command, sends a loan receipt result response command to the lending device 614 including the information loan serial number = k+1 and loaned ball number receipt result = normal.

[0243] At the timing indicated by symbol T8k, the long press on the counting button 617 is released, and at the timing indicated by symbol T8l, the number of gaming balls is 0, so the frame control unit 600 sends a gaming machine information notification command to the lending device 614 including the information serial number = n + 2 and number of gaming balls = 0, and then at the timing indicated by symbol T8m, within a period of 90 ms to 100 ms after sending the gaming machine information notification command, it sends a counting notification command to the lending device 614 including the information counting serial number = m + 2, number of counted balls = 0, and cumulative number of counted balls = 260.

[0244] <Communication between the frame control unit and the rental device / Summary> As explained above, the gaming machine according to this embodiment (for example, the enclosed gaming machine 100 shown in FIG. 1) is a gaming machine that can store the number of gaming balls as gaming ball number data in a predetermined storage area (for example, the RAM 608 of the frame control unit 600 shown in FIG. 2), and includes a control means (for example, the frame control unit 600 shown in FIG. 2), a detection means that can detect gaming balls (for example, various sensors 320 shown in FIG. 2 (sensors that detect gaming balls passing through each starting port, winning port, and variable winning port)), and a predetermined operation means (for example, the counting button shown in FIG. 2). and a control means for adding ball data corresponding to the detection of a gaming ball by the detection means to the gaming ball count data, and the control means for executing a counting process (for example, the counting process shown in FIG. 4) for counting the gaming ball count data when the predetermined operation means is operated in a situation where the gaming ball count data is not 0, and the control means for transmitting first information (for example, the gaming machine information notification frame shown in FIG. 20 or 21) to an external device (for example, the lending device 614 shown in FIG. 2). a means capable of transmitting a command (a count notification command shown in FIG. 20 or 21) and transmitting second information (for example, a count notification command shown in FIG. 20 or 21) after a predetermined period (for example, 100 ms) has elapsed since the first information was transmitted, the first information including the game ball number data (for example, the game ball number shown in FIG. 21 or 22), the second information including count data (for example, the counted ball number shown in FIG. 21 or 22) indicating the value counted from the previous transmission of the second information to the transmission of the current second information, and the control means is a gaming machine characterized in that, in a situation where the detection means detects gaming balls during the specified period and the gaming ball count data increases (for example, (1) a situation where the number of gaming balls increases by one due to a prize ball, as shown by symbol T7b in Figure 21, or (2) a situation where the number of gaming balls increases by 15 due to a prize ball, as shown by symbol T8c in Figure 22), if the counting process is executed during the specified period due to the operation of the specified operating means, the means may not count a value corresponding to the operation of the specified operating means.

[0245] If it were possible to transmit more counting data information than the number of game balls data (i.e., the total number of balls held) to an external device, the external device would receive more counting data information than the total number of balls held, which could result in an error.However, according to the gaming machine of this embodiment, in a situation where the number of game balls data increases during a specified period after transmitting the number of game balls data information to the external device and before transmitting the counting data information, it is possible to prevent the transmission of more counting data information than the number of game balls data information.Therefore, by preventing the transmission of information that could be mistaken for fraud or a malfunction to the external device, the gaming machine can be operated smoothly.

[0246] Furthermore, the control means is means for counting a second value (e.g., 250 balls) smaller than the first value from the game ball number data when the predetermined operation means is operated in a first operation manner (e.g., long press) in a situation where the game ball number data is equal to or greater than a first value (e.g., 251 balls), and the control means is means for counting the second value (e.g., 250 balls) from the game ball number data when the predetermined operation means is operated in the first operation manner (e.g., long press) in a situation where the game ball number data is equal to or greater than the second value (e.g., 250 balls), and the control means is means for counting the third value (e.g., 250 balls) from the game ball number data when the predetermined operation means is operated in the first operation manner (e.g., long press) in a situation where the game ball number data is equal to or greater than the second value. The control means may be a means for counting the third value (e.g., 249 balls) from the game ball number data when the specified operation means is operated in the first operation mode (e.g., long press) in a situation where the game ball number data is already at a third value (e.g., 249 balls), and the control means may be a means for counting the third value when the counting process is executed during the specified period due to the specified operation means being operated in the first operation mode in a situation where the detection means detects game balls and the game ball number data has increased to a fourth value (e.g., 250 balls or more) that is greater than the third value during the specified period after transmitting the game ball number data that is the third value as the first information.

[0247] With this configuration, appropriate counting processing can be performed according to the game ball count data, and in a situation where the game ball count data has increased during a predetermined period after the game ball count data information has been sent to the external device and before the count data information is sent, it is possible to prevent sending more count data information than the game ball count data information.This prevents the sending of information that could lead the external device to mistakenly believe it is fraudulent activity or a malfunction, thereby enabling smooth operation of the game machine.

[0248] <Control by frame control unit and launch control unit> Next, the control by frame control unit 600 and launch control unit 630 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0249] As described above, the launch control unit 630 controls the launch solenoid 632 that drives the launch rod and launch hammer, and the ball feed solenoid 634 that supplies balls toward the ball launch handle 134, based on predetermined signals output by the frame control unit 600, such as a control signal that instructs whether to allow or stop launch, and a control signal that instructs the launch intensity according to the amount of operation of the ball launch handle 134 by the player, output by a launch intensity output circuit provided in the ball launch handle 134.

[0250] "Ball feeding solenoid" in Figures 23 to 27 refers to the ball feeding solenoid 634 of the ball feeding device 127 described using Figures 2 and 3, and "driving" and "stopping" respectively indicate the state in which the driving signal of the ball feeding solenoid 634 is being driven and the state in which the driving signal is being stopped.

[0251] The "reference signal" indicates a signal that the launch control unit 630 sends to the frame control unit 600, and when the launch control unit 630 drives the ball feed solenoid 634, it sends an ON-level reference signal to the frame control unit 600.

[0252] The "reference signal flag" indicates a flag that the frame control unit 600 sets to ON or OFF in the reference signal processing described using Fig. 5 or the game ball subtraction processing described using Fig. 6. When the frame control unit 600 receives a reference signal from the launch control unit 630, it sets the reference signal flag to ON, and when the subtraction sensor signal output from the subtraction sensor changes from an ON level to an OFF level, or when a predetermined period (for example, 640 ms) has elapsed since the reference signal flag was set to ON, it sets (resets) the reference signal flag to OFF.

[0253] "Subtraction sensor signal" refers to the subtraction sensor signal output from the subtraction sensor 618; when a gaming ball enters the subtraction sensor 618 and the subtraction sensor 618 detects the gaming ball, the subtraction sensor signal changes from an ON level to an OFF level; when a gaming ball exits the subtraction sensor 618 and the subtraction sensor 618 does not detect the gaming ball, the subtraction sensor signal changes from an OFF level to an ON level.

[0254] The "counting operation" refers to the operation of the counting button 617. The frame control unit 600 monitors the button detection signal output from the counting button 617 at predetermined intervals, and after detecting a button detection signal at an ON level (e.g., a high level) for 1 ms or more but less than 500 ms, if it detects a falling edge (down edge) of the button detection signal, it determines that the operation of the counting button 617 has been accepted as a "short press." Furthermore, if it detects a button detection signal at an ON level (e.g., a high level) for 500 ms or more, it determines that the operation of the counting button 617 has been accepted as a "long press," and thereafter determines that a "long press" has been accepted each time it detects a button detection signal at an ON level for 300 ms.

[0255] "Firing solenoid" refers to the firing solenoid 632 of the firing device 140 described using Figures 2 and 3, and "driving" and "stopping" refer to the state in which the drive signal of the firing solenoid 632 is driving and the state in which the drive signal is stopped, respectively.

[0256] <Control by the frame control unit and launch control unit / launch operation with one game ball> FIG. 23 is a time chart showing the changes in various signals when the number of game balls is one and an operation to shoot one game ball is performed.

[0257] At the timing indicated by symbol T10a, the launch control unit 630 drives the ball feed solenoid 634 of the ball feed device 127 to supply the game ball to the launch position on the launch rail 149, and based on the driving of the ball feed solenoid 634, sends an ON level reference signal to the frame control unit 600, and the frame control unit 600, having received the reference signal, sets the reference signal flag to ON (step S202 of the reference signal processing shown in Figure 5).

[0258] At the timing indicated by symbol T10b, the subtraction sensor signal output from the subtraction sensor 618 changes from an ON level (high level in this example) to an OFF level (low level in this example), and the subtraction sensor 618 detects a game ball, so the frame control unit 600 subtracts 1 from the current number of game balls, which is 1 (step S302 of the game ball subtraction processing shown in Figure 6), updates the number of game balls from 1 to 0, and sets (resets) the reference signal flag to OFF (step S304 of the game ball subtraction processing shown in Figure 6).

[0259] At the timing indicated by the symbol T10c, the launch control unit 630 drives the launch solenoid 632 of the launch device 140 to launch the gaming ball toward the gaming board 200.

[0260] <Control by the frame control unit and launch control unit / launch operation and counting operation when the number of game balls is 1> FIG. 24 is a time chart showing the changes in various signals when one gaming ball is released and one ball is counted.

[0261] At the timing indicated by symbol T11a, the launch control unit 630 drives the ball feed solenoid 634 of the ball feed device 127 to supply the game ball to the launch position on the launch rail 149, and based on the driving of the ball feed solenoid 634, sends an ON level reference signal to the frame control unit 600, and the frame control unit 600, having received the reference signal, sets the reference signal flag to ON (step S202 of the reference signal processing shown in Figure 5).

[0262] At the timing indicated by reference symbol 11b, the frame control unit 600 detects a button detection signal at an ON level (high level in this example) for 100 ms, and upon detecting the falling edge of the button detection signal, determines that a "short press" of the counting button 617 has been accepted, and sets the number of counted balls to "1," a value representing one ball (step S101 of the counting process shown in Figure 4).

[0263] In addition, since the reference signal flag is set ON, the frame control unit 600 determines whether the subtraction result 0 (= number of game balls 1 - planned counting number 1) obtained by subtracting the planned counting number (1 in this example) from the number of game balls (1 in this example) is 0 or not (step S106 of the counting process shown in Figure 4), and since the subtraction result is 0 in this example, it sets the subtraction result (0 in this example) obtained by subtracting 1 from the planned counting number (1 in this example) as the number of counted balls, and maintains the number of game balls at 1 (= 1 - 0).

[0264] At the timing indicated by symbol T11c, the subtraction sensor signal output from the subtraction sensor 618 changes from ON level (high level in this example) to OFF level (low level in this example), and the subtraction sensor 618 detects a game ball, so the frame control unit 600 subtracts 1 from the current number of game balls, which is 1 (step S302 of the game ball subtraction processing), updates the number of game balls to 0, and sets (resets) the reference signal flag to OFF (step S304 of the game ball subtraction processing).

[0265] At the timing indicated by the symbol T11d, the launch control unit 630 drives the launch solenoid 632 of the launch device 140 to launch the gaming ball toward the gaming board 200.

[0266] Furthermore, if there were no restrictions on the counting process as in the example described above, when there is only one game ball and a counting operation (short press) is performed between the time when the ball feed solenoid 634 is activated and the time when the subtraction sensor signal turns OFF, two balls would be used, one for launch and one for counting, even though there is only one game ball.

[0267] However, in this example, even if the launch of a game ball and the counting process for counting the game ball number data overlap, the value (1 ball) corresponding to the first operation mode (short press) of the specified operation means (counting button 617) is not counted from the game ball number data (1 ball), so appropriate processing is possible.

[0268] <Control by the frame control unit and launch control unit / launch operation and counting operation for 250 game balls> FIG. 25 is a time chart showing the changes in various signals when the number of game balls is 250 and the operation of shooting one game ball and the operation of counting 250 game balls are performed.

[0269] At the timing indicated by symbol T12a, the launch control unit 630 drives the ball feed solenoid 634 of the ball feed device 127 to supply the game ball to the launch position on the launch rail 149, and based on the driving of the ball feed solenoid 634, sends an ON level reference signal to the frame control unit 600, and the frame control unit 600, having received the reference signal, sets the reference signal flag to ON (step S202 of the reference signal processing shown in Figure 5).

[0270] At the timing indicated by reference symbol 12b, the frame control unit 600 detects a button detection signal at an ON level (high level in this example) for 500 ms, and therefore determines that a "long press" of the counting button 617 has been accepted, and sets the number of balls to "250," which represents 250 balls (step S101 of the counting process shown in Figure 4).

[0271] In addition, since the reference signal flag is set ON, the frame control unit 600 determines whether the result of subtracting the planned counting number (250 in this example) from the number of game balls (250 in this example) is 0 (= number of game balls 250 - planned counting number 250) is 0 or not (step S106 of the counting process shown in Figure 4), and since the result of subtracting 1 from the planned counting number (250 in this example) (249 in this example) is set as the number of counted balls, and updates the number of game balls from 250 to 1 (= 250 - 249).

[0272] At the timing indicated by symbol T12c, the subtraction sensor signal output from the subtraction sensor 618 changes from an ON level (high level in this example) to an OFF level (low level in this example), and the subtraction sensor 618 detects a game ball, so the frame control unit 600 subtracts 1 from the current number of game balls, which is 1 (step S302 of the game ball subtraction processing), updates the number of game balls to 0, and sets (resets) the reference signal flag to OFF (step S304 of the game ball subtraction processing).

[0273] At the timing indicated by the symbol T12d, the launch control unit 630 drives the launch solenoid 632 of the launch device 140 to launch the gaming ball toward the gaming board 200.

[0274] For example, if processing is performed without any restrictions on the launch of game balls and the counting process that counts the game ball count data, when the game ball count data is 250 balls, if the launch of game balls and the counting (250 balls) by a long press overlap, 250 balls will be counted, and a problem will arise in which game balls will be launched even though the game ball count data shows that there are no game balls.However, according to this example, even if the launch of game balls and the counting process that counts the game ball count data overlap, the value (250 balls) corresponding to the first operation mode (long press) of the specified operation means (counting button 617) is not counted from the game ball count data (250 balls), allowing appropriate processing.

[0275] <Control by the frame control unit and launch control unit / launch operation and counting operation for 251 game balls> FIG. 26 is a time chart showing the changes in various signals when the number of game balls is 251 and the operation of firing one game ball and the operation of counting 250 game balls are performed.

[0276] At the timing indicated by symbol T13a, the launch control unit 630 drives the ball feed solenoid 634 of the ball feed device 127 to supply the game ball to the launch position on the launch rail 149, and based on the driving of the ball feed solenoid 634, sends an ON level reference signal to the frame control unit 600, and the frame control unit 600, having received the reference signal, sets the reference signal flag to ON (step S202 of the reference signal processing shown in Figure 5).

[0277] At the timing indicated by reference symbol 13b, the frame control unit 600 detects a button detection signal at an ON level (high level in this example) for 500 ms, and therefore determines that a "long press" of the counting button 617 has been accepted, and sets the number of balls to "250," which represents 250 balls (step S101 of the counting process shown in Figure 4).

[0278] In addition, since the reference signal flag is set to ON, the frame control unit 600 determines whether the subtraction result 1 (= number of game balls 251 - planned counting number 250) obtained by subtracting the planned counting number (250 in this example) from the number of game balls (251 in this example) is 0 or not (step S106 of the counting process shown in Figure 4), and since the subtraction result is not 0 in this example, it updates the number of game balls from 251 to 1 (= 251 - 250) without subtracting 1 from the planned counting number (250 in this example).

[0279] At the timing indicated by symbol T13c, the subtraction sensor signal output from the subtraction sensor 618 changes from an ON level (high level in this example) to an OFF level (low level in this example), and the subtraction sensor 618 detects a game ball, so the frame control unit 600 subtracts 1 from the current number of game balls, which is 1 (step S302 of the game ball subtraction processing), updates the number of game balls to 0, and sets (resets) the reference signal flag to OFF (step S304 of the game ball subtraction processing).

[0280] At the timing indicated by the symbol T13d, the launch control unit 630 drives the launch solenoid 632 of the launch device 140 to launch the gaming ball toward the gaming board 200.

[0281] According to this example, appropriate counting processing can be performed according to the game ball number data.

[0282] <Control by the frame control unit and launch control unit / reference signal flag timeout> FIG. 27 is a time chart showing the changes in various signals when the subtraction sensor signal of the subtraction sensor 618 does not change to the ON level after the reference signal flag is set to ON.

[0283] At the timing indicated by symbol T14a, the launch control unit 630 drives the ball feed solenoid 634 of the ball feed device 127 to supply the game ball to the launch position on the launch rail 149, and based on the driving of the ball feed solenoid 634, sends an ON level reference signal to the frame control unit 600, and the frame control unit 600, having received the reference signal, sets the reference signal flag to ON (step S202 of the reference signal processing shown in Figure 5).

[0284] At the timing indicated by symbol 14b, the frame control unit 600 sets (resets) the reference signal flag to OFF because a predetermined period (e.g., 640 ms) has elapsed without the subtraction sensor signal output from the subtraction sensor 618 changing from an ON level (high level in this example) to an OFF level (low level in this example) (step S303 → step S304 of the game ball subtraction processing shown in Figure 6).

[0285] According to this example, even if balls become clogged in the ball passage or a malfunction occurs in the subtraction sensor, it is possible to prevent a situation in which counting data that does not need to be corrected continues to be corrected during the counting process.

[0286] <Control by the frame control unit and launch control unit / Summary> As explained above, the gaming machine according to this embodiment (for example, the enclosed gaming machine 100 shown in FIG. 1) is a gaming machine that can store the number of gaming balls as gaming ball number data in a predetermined memory area (for example, the RAM 608 of the frame control unit 600 shown in FIG. 2), and includes a first control means (for example, the frame control unit 600 shown in FIG. 2), a launching operation means that is operated when launching the gaming balls (for example, the ball launching handle 134 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), a launching means that launches the gaming balls (for example, the launching device 140 shown in FIG. 3), and a ball feeding means that feeds the gaming balls to the launch position of the launching means (for example, the ball feeding means shown in FIG. 3). The first control means is a means capable of executing a subtraction process (for example, the game ball subtraction process shown in FIG. 6) that subtracts the game ball number data based on the detection by the detection means that game balls are being sent to the launching means by the ball sending means, and the first control means is a means capable of executing the predetermined operation (for example, the game ball subtraction process shown in FIG. 6) that subtracts the game ball number data based on the detection by the detection means that game balls are being sent to the launching means by the ball sending means, and the first control means is a means capable of executing the predetermined operation (for example, the game ball subtraction process shown in FIG. 6) that subtracts the game ball number data based on the detection by the detection means that game balls are being sent to the launching means based on the detection by the detection means that game balls are being sent to the launching means based on the detection When the operation means is operated, the first control means is capable of executing a counting process (for example, the counting process shown in FIG. 4) that counts the game ball number data, and when the predetermined operation means is operated in a first operation manner (for example, (1) long press, (2) short press) during a predetermined period when game balls are released in a situation where the game ball number data is a first value (for example, (1) 251 balls, (2) 2 balls) or more, the first control means counts a value corresponding to the first operation manner from the game ball number data (for example, (1) counts 250 balls, which is the number of balls counted according to the long press, and (2) counts 1 ball, which is the number of balls counted according to the short press). the first control means counts the number of game balls), and when the predetermined operation means is operated in the first operation mode during the predetermined period when game balls are shot in a situation where the game ball count data is less than the first value (for example, (1) 250 balls, (2) 1 ball), the first control means does not count a value corresponding to the first operation mode from the game ball count data (for example, (1) subtracts 1 ball from the number of balls counted in response to a long press, which is 250 balls, to correct the number of counted balls to 249 balls, and counts them; (2) subtracts 1 ball from the number of balls counted in response to a short press, which is 1 ball, to correct the number of counted balls to 0, and does not count them);This is a gaming machine characterized by the above.

[0287] For example, if processing is performed without any restrictions on the firing of game balls and the counting process that counts the game ball count data, when the game ball count data is 250 balls, if the firing of game balls and the counting (250 balls) by long pressing overlap, 250 balls will be counted, and a problem will arise in which game balls will be fired even though the game ball count data shows that there are no game balls.However, with the gaming machine of this embodiment, even if the firing of game balls and the counting process that counts the game ball count data overlap, the value corresponding to the first operation mode of the specified operation means is not counted from the game ball count data, making appropriate processing possible.

[0288] Furthermore, the first control means is means for counting a second value (e.g., 250 balls) smaller than the first value from the game ball number data when the predetermined operation means is operated in the first operation manner (e.g., long press) in a situation where the game ball number data is equal to or greater than the first value (e.g., 251 balls), and the first control means is means for counting the second value (e.g., 250 balls) from the game ball number data when the predetermined operation means is operated in the first operation manner (e.g., long press) in a situation where the game ball number data is equal to or greater than the second value (e.g., 250 balls). The first control means may be a means for counting a third value (e.g., 249 balls) from the game ball number data when the specified operation means is operated in the first operation manner (e.g., long press) in a situation where the game ball number data is a third value (e.g., 249 balls) smaller than the second value, and the first control means may be a means for counting a fourth value (e.g., 249 balls) smaller than the second value from the game ball number data when the specified operation means is operated in the first operation manner (e.g., long press) during the specified period when the game balls are launched in a situation where the game ball number data is the second value (e.g., 250 balls).

[0289] With this configuration, it is possible to execute appropriate counting processing according to the game ball number data, and even if the launch of game balls and the counting processing for counting the game ball number data overlap, appropriate processing is possible.

[0290] <Front frame door> Next, the front door frame (glass frame) 106 of the enclosed type gaming machine 100 will be described in detail.

[0291] <Front door frame / overall configuration> First, the overall configuration of the front frame door 106 will be described with reference to Figure 28. Figure 28 is an exploded perspective view of the enclosed gaming machine 100.

[0292] The front frame door 106 (door body) is composed of a glass frame base 152 that is attached to the front of the main body 104, which is the front side of the enclosed gaming machine 100, via a hinge part 112 so as to be able to be opened and closed, an upper unit 154 (first component) that is removably attached above the glass frame base 152, a glass transparent plate member 118 arranged in the opening of the glass frame base 152, a lower unit 156 (second component) and an operation panel unit 158 ​​that are removably attached below the glass frame base 152, and a UI unit 162 that is removably attached to the center of the lower part of the glass frame base 152 when viewed from the front.

[0293] In addition, a decorative film 164 (decorative member) made of a decorative sheet with decorative properties and a decorative film cover 166 (cover member) that fixes this decorative film 164 (decorative member) to the upper unit 154 (first component) are removably attached to the upper unit 154 (first component).

[0294] According to this example, the decorative member (decorative film 164) can be removed from the front side of the door body (front frame door 106), making it easy to replace the decorative member (decorative film 164), and providing a highly convenient gaming machine.

[0295] Conventionally, when introducing a different type of gaming machine, it was possible to replace only the gaming board and reuse the frame, but in that case there were issues such as the overall atmosphere of the gaming machine not being what the manufacturer intended, or if it was made with the assumption that the frame would be reused, it could end up being less decorative.However, in this example, by making the decorative sheet (design film 164) replaceable, when introducing a different type of gaming machine, it is possible to reuse the frame (front frame door 106) while adopting a decorative sheet (design film 164) that matches the gaming machine being introduced, thereby increasing the decorativeness.

[0296] <Front frame door / glass frame base and upper unit> Next, we will explain the glass frame base 152 and upper unit 154 of the front frame door 106. Figure 29 is a rear view of the front frame door 106 as seen from the rear side.

[0297] The glass frame base 152 is provided with a hand screw 168 (first restricting member) and a slide lock 170 (first restricting member) for fixing the upper unit 154 to the glass frame base 152 .

[0298] These hand screws 168 and slide locks 170 are arranged on the back of the front frame door 106, and are components that can be operated when the front frame door 106 (door body) is opened. However, they cannot be operated by players and are operating means that can only be operated by game parlor staff, etc.

[0299] The hand screw 168 is composed of a drive part 168a that can be rotated by hand, a circular flat head part 168b, and a screw part (not shown) that extends from the head part 168b as its base end.

[0300] The screw portion of this hand screw 168 can be tightened by rotating the drive part 168a in one direction (for example, clockwise).When the screw portion is tightened, the tip of the screw portion gradually fits into the screw hole formed in the upper unit 154, and finally the upper unit 154 and the glass frame base 152 are fixed (fastened) together by the hand screw 168.

[0301] On the other hand, the screw portion can be loosened by rotating the drive unit 168a in the other direction (for example, counterclockwise). When the screw portion is loosened, the tip of the screw portion withdraws from the screw hole formed in the upper unit 154, and the fixation (fastening) between the upper unit 154 and the glass frame base 152 is released. If the fixation (locking) of the slide lock 170 described below is released, the upper unit 154 can be removed from the glass frame base 152.

[0302] Figure 30(a) is a partially enlarged view showing the slide lock 170 in the locked position, Figure 30(b) is a partially enlarged view showing the slide lock 170 in the unlocked position, and Figure 30(c) is a rear view of the upper unit 154 from the back.

[0303] The slide lock 170 (first restricting member) is a member that is movable in the horizontal direction relative to the glass frame base 152.

[0304] 30(b) to the locked position shown in FIG. 30(a), the locking piece 170a of the slide lock 170 can be moved above the locking portion 154a of the upper unit 154. By sliding the slide lock 170 to the locked position, the glass frame base 152 and the upper unit 154 are fixed (locked), and upward movement of the upper unit 154 relative to the glass frame base 152 is restricted.

[0305] 30(b) in the other direction (for example, horizontally to the left in rear view) to the unlocked position shown in the same figure (b), it is possible to move the locking piece 170a of the slide lock 170 out from above the locking portion 154a of the upper unit 154. Then, by sliding the slide lock 170 to the unlocked position, the fixation (locking) between the glass frame base 152 and the upper unit 154 is released, and by releasing the fixation (fastening) of the upper unit 154 by the hand screw 168, it becomes possible to move the upper unit 154 upward relative to the glass frame base 152.

[0306] Therefore, after releasing the fixation (fastening) of the upper unit 154 by the hand screw 168, the fixation (locking) of the upper unit 154 by the locking piece 170a of the slide lock 170 is released, the upper unit 154 is lifted upward relative to the glass frame base 152, and then the slide lock 170 is slid to the locked position shown in Figure 30(a), whereby the locking piece 170a of the slide lock 170 can support the locking portion 154a of the upper unit 154, and the upper unit 154 is held in a state where it is lifted upward relative to the glass frame base 152, i.e., in the unlocked position shown in Figure 31(c) (details will be described later).

[0307] According to this example, the slide lock 170 can hold the upper unit 154 in the unlocked position, which improves convenience when replacing the design film 164.

[0308] Figure 31(a) is a top view of the front frame door 106 seen from above, Figure 31(b) is a front view showing the upper unit 154 moved to the locked position, and Figure 31(c) is a front view showing the upper unit 154 moved to the unlocked position.

[0309] A flat upper locking portion 154a is formed above the upper unit 154, protruding toward the front of the front frame door 106 and capable of engaging with the decorative film cover 166.

[0310] When the upper unit 154 is moved to the locked position shown in Figure 31(b), the upper locking portion 154a (second regulating member) cannot be lifted upward, and since the upper locking portion 154a regulates the attachment and detachment of the decorative film cover 166, the decorative film cover 166 (cover member) cannot be removed from the upper unit 154 (first component), resulting in a state (first state).

[0311] Furthermore, when the upper unit 154 is moved to the locked position shown in Figure 31(b), the two left and right locking portions 154c (design film cover locking mechanism) (second regulating members) that can lock the lower part of the design film cover 166 to the upper unit 154 are covered by the upper unit 154 and cannot be operated, and the locking of the design film cover 166 by the design film cover locking mechanism cannot be released.

[0312] On the other hand, when the upper unit 154 is moved to the unlocked position shown in Figure 31(c), the upper locking portion 154a can be lifted upward, and the restriction on attachment and detachment of the decorative film cover 166 by the upper locking portion 154a is released.

[0313] Furthermore, when the upper unit 154 is moved to the unlocked position shown in Figure 31(c), the locking portion 154c (design film cover locking mechanism), which can lock the lower part of the design film cover 166 to the upper unit 154, appears from below the upper unit 154 to the front and becomes operable, and the locking of the design film cover 166 by the design film cover locking mechanism can be released.

[0314] Therefore, after moving the upper unit 154 to the unlocked position shown in Figure 31 (c), the upper locking portion 154a is lifted upward to release the lock provided by the decorative film cover locking mechanism, thereby making it possible to remove the decorative film cover 166 (cover member) from the upper unit 154 (first component) (second state).

[0315] In this example, the first restricting member (hand screw 168 or slide lock 170) is a member that can be operated when the door body (front frame door 106) is opened, thereby preventing players and others from removing the decorative member, thereby preventing mischief and fraud.

[0316] In this example, when the threaded portion of the hand screw 168 is tightened or the slide lock 170 is slid to the locked position, the upper unit 154 and the glass frame base 152 are fixed (fastened) or the upper unit 154 and the glass frame base 152 are fixed (engaged), so the upper unit 154 cannot be moved from the locked position shown in Figure 31(b) to the unlocked position shown in Figure 31(c).

[0317] Therefore, when the threaded portion of the hand screw 168 is tightened or the slide lock 170 is slid to the locked position, it is not possible to change from the state (first state) shown in Figure 31(b) in which the decorative film cover 166 (cover member) can be removed from the upper unit 154 (first component) to the state (second state) shown in Figure 31(c) in which the decorative film cover 166 (cover member) cannot be removed from the upper unit 154 (first component).

[0318] In other words, the hand screw 168 and the slide lock 170 are regulating members that regulate the upper unit 154 (first component) from the second state (a state in which the decorative film cover 166 cannot be removed from the upper unit 154) to the first state (a state in which the decorative film cover 166 can be removed from the upper unit 154).

[0319] On the other hand, when the threaded portion of the hand screw 168 is loosened and the slide lock 170 is slid to the unlocked position, the upper unit 154 and the glass frame base 152 are released from the fixation (fastening) and the fixation (locking) between the upper unit 154 and the glass frame base 152 are released, so that the upper unit 154 can be moved from the locked position shown in Figure 31(b) to the unlocked position shown in Figure 31(c).

[0320] Therefore, when the threaded portion of the hand screw 168 is loosened and the slide lock 170 is slid to the unlocked position, the state can be changed from the state (first state) shown in Figure 31(b) in which the decorative film cover 166 (cover member) can be removed from the upper unit 154 (first component) to the state (second state) shown in Figure 31(c) in which the decorative film cover 166 (cover member) cannot be removed from the upper unit 154 (first component).

[0321] According to this example, the first component (upper unit 154) is provided with a second restricting member (upper locking portion 154a shown in Figure 31(a) and engaging portion 154c shown in Figure 31(c)) that restricts the cover member (decorative film cover 166) from being removed from the first component (upper unit 154). The second restricting member (upper locking portion 154a shown in Figure 31(a) and engaging portion 154c shown in Figure 31(c)) is a member that can be operated when the first component (upper unit 154) changes from the second state (state shown in Figure 31(b)) to the first state (state shown in Figure 31(c)). This prevents players and others from removing the decorative member, thereby preventing pranks and fraud.

[0322] <Front frame door / Summary> As described above, the gaming machine of this embodiment (for example, the enclosed gaming machine 100 shown in Figure 1) is a gaming machine equipped with an openable and closable door body (for example, the front frame door 106 shown in Figure 28), wherein the door body is composed of a first component part (for example, the upper unit 154 shown in Figure 28) and a second component part (for example, the lower unit 156 shown in Figure 28), and the first component part comprises a decorative member (for example, the decorative film 164 shown in Figure 28) and a cover member (for example, the decorative film cover 166 shown in Figure 28) that fixes the decorative member to the first component part, and the cover member is configured to be attachable and detachable to the first component part on the front of the gaming machine.

[0323] According to the gaming machine of this embodiment, the decorative members can be removed from the front side of the door body, making it easy to replace the decorative members, and providing a highly convenient gaming machine.

[0324] Furthermore, the first component has a state in which the cover member can be removed from the first component (hereinafter referred to as the "first state", for example, the state shown in Figure 31(c)), and a state in which the cover member cannot be removed from the first component (hereinafter referred to as the "second state", for example, the state shown in Figure 31(b)), and the door body is provided with a first regulating member (for example, hand screw 168 or slide lock 170 shown in Figure 29) that regulates the first component from the second state to the first state, and the first regulating member may be a member that can be operated when the door body is opened.

[0325] With this configuration, players and others cannot remove the decorative members, thereby preventing mischief and fraud.

[0326] In addition, the first component may be provided with a second regulating member (for example, an upper locking portion 154a shown in FIG. 31(a) or a latching portion 154c shown in FIG. 31(c)) that regulates the removal of the cover member from the first component, and the second regulating member may be a member that can be operated when the first component changes from the second state to the first state.

[0327] With this configuration, players and others cannot remove the decorative members, thereby preventing mischief and fraud.

[0328] The decorative member may be a decorative sheet having decorative properties.

[0329] Conventionally, when introducing a different type of gaming machine, it was possible to replace only the gaming board and reuse the frame, but in that case there were issues such as the overall atmosphere of the gaming machine not being what the manufacturer intended, or if it was made with the assumption that the frame would be reused, it could end up being less decorative.However, according to the present invention, by making the decorative sheet replaceable, when introducing a different type of gaming machine, it is possible to reuse the frame but use a decorative sheet that matches the gaming machine being introduced, thereby increasing the decorativeness.

[0330] <Game board> Next, the gaming board 200 of the enclosed gaming machine 100 will be described in detail.

[0331] <Game board / overall configuration> 32 is a schematic front view of the game board 200. The game board 200 is provided with predetermined ball entrance openings, such as a general winning opening 226, a general starting opening 228, a second special starting opening 230, a first special starting opening 232, and a variable winning opening 234.

[0332] In this example, two general winning openings 226 are provided at the bottom left of the game board 200 and one is provided on the right side of the game board 200, and when a predetermined ball detection sensor (not shown) detects a ball entering one of these general winning openings 226 (when a ball enters the general winning opening 226), a predetermined number of game balls (for example, 10) are discharged as prize balls.

[0333] The normal map start port 228 is composed of a device called a gate or through chucker, which is used to determine whether the game ball has passed through a predetermined area, and in this example, one is provided in the center of the game board 200. When a predetermined ball detection sensor detects that the game ball has passed through the normal map start port 228, the pachinko machine 100 starts a normal map variable game using a normal map display device (not shown).

[0334] In this example, the second special symbol start port 230 is disposed on the right side of the normal symbol start port 228. When a predetermined ball detection sensor detects a ball entering the second special symbol start port 230, a predetermined number of game balls (for example, three) are discharged as prize balls, and a special symbol variable game is started by the first special symbol display device (not shown).

[0335] The first special symbol start opening 232 is called an electric tulip (electric chute), and in this example, one is disposed on the right side of the game board 200. This first special symbol start opening 232 is equipped with blade members that can be opened and closed left and right, and game balls cannot enter while the blade members are closed. When a player wins the normal symbol variable game and the normal symbol display device (not shown) displays a stopped winning symbol, the blade members open and close at predetermined time intervals and a predetermined number of times. When a predetermined ball detection sensor detects a ball entering the first special symbol start opening 232, a predetermined number of game balls (for example, four) are discharged as prize balls, and the special symbol variable game is started by the second special symbol display device (not shown).

[0336] The variable winning opening 234 is called a big winning opening or attacker, and in this example, only one is provided at the bottom right of the game board 200. This variable winning opening 234 has a door member that can be opened and closed freely, and game balls cannot enter the opening while the door member is closed. When a player wins the special symbol variable game and the special symbol display device displays a stopped big winning symbol, the door member opens and closes at predetermined time intervals (for example, an opening time of 29 seconds and a closing time of 1.5 seconds) a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times). When a predetermined ball detection sensor detects a ball entering the variable winning opening 234, a predetermined number of game balls (for example, 15) are discharged as prize balls.

[0337] Furthermore, a disk-shaped ball direction changing member 236 called a windmill and a plurality of game nails 238 are arranged near these winning holes and starting holes, and an outlet 240 is provided below the normal starting hole 228 to guide game balls that do not enter any of the winning holes or starting holes to the back side of the enclosed game machine 100.

[0338] <Game board / ball passage> 33 is a simplified rear view of the game board 200. A first ball passage 250 is disposed at the bottom of the rear of the game board 200, through which game balls that have entered the normal winning opening 226 or the normal winning opening 228 can pass, and a second ball passage 260 is disposed at the left side of the rear of the game board 200, through which game balls that have entered the second special winning opening 230, the first special winning opening 232, and the variable winning opening 234 can pass.

[0339] The first ball passage 250 is composed of a first ball passage base 252 arranged horizontally below the back surface of the base member 201 of the game board 200, and a first ball passage cover 254 arranged to cover the ball passage formed in this first ball passage base 252.

[0340] The second ball passage 260 is composed of a second ball passage base 262 arranged vertically on the left side of the back surface of the base member 201 of the game board 200, and a second ball passage cover 264 arranged to cover the ball passage formed in this second ball passage base 262.

[0341] <Game board / first ball passage> Figure 34(a) is a partially enlarged view showing the first ball passage 250 with the first ball passage cover 254 removed and the second ball passage 260 with the second ball passage cover 264 removed, and Figure 34(b) is a partially enlarged view of the general winning port flow path 256.

[0342] The first ball passage base 252 of the first ball passage 250 is formed with a general winning port flow path 256 (first flow path) through which game balls that have entered the general winning port 226 flow, and a general starting port flow path 258 (first flow path) through which game balls that have entered the general starting port 228 flow.

[0343] <Game board / First ball passage / General winning passage> One end of the general winning port flow path 256 is connected to the general winning port 226 formed in the base member 201, and the other end is connected to a lower passage 750 (see FIG. 3) disposed below the base member 201, and the general winning port flow path 256 is capable of discharging gaming balls that have entered the general winning port 226 to the lower passage 750. Since the general winning port 226 is a ball entrance through which gaming balls can enter (enter easily) during normal play, the general winning port flow path 256 (first flow path) can be said to be a flow path through which gaming balls can flow during normal play.

[0344] In addition, a screw insertion port 256a into which a screw 257 can be inserted is formed on the flow path of the general winning port flow path 256, and the first ball passage base 252 of the first ball passage 250 is also fixed (fastened) to the base member 201 of the game board 200 by the screw 257 inserted into this screw insertion port 256a.

[0345] According to this example, if a screw is not attached correctly and becomes loose when assembling the flow path, game balls will remain on the flow path of the first flow path (general winning port flow path 256), making it easy to notice assembly errors during trial testing before shipping, thereby increasing convenience.

[0346] More specifically, as shown in Figure 34(b), the general prize winning port flow path 256 is configured to have a straight section 256b that extends linearly downward from a base end near the general prize winning port 226, a serpentine section 256c that is bent to the left when viewed from behind from this straight section 256b as a base end and then bent further downward, and a straight section 256d that extends linearly downward from this serpentine section 256c as a base end, and in this example, the screw insertion port 256a is formed in the straight section 256b of the general prize winning port flow path 256.

[0347] Since the serpentine portion 256c has a bent portion, it is originally prone to getting caught (lodged) by circulating game balls, and there is a risk that game balls may become lodged not due to an assembly error but simply due to a slight protrusion of the screw due to individual differences in the parts that form the screw or flow path. However, according to this example, by providing the screw insertion port 256a in the straight portion 256b rather than in the serpentine portion 256c, it is possible to prevent game balls from becoming lodged in the flow path due to factors other than an assembly error.

[0348] In addition, the general winning port flow path 256 has a flow path inlet 256in that communicates with the general winning port 226 and a flow path outlet 256out that communicates with the lower passage 750, but in this example, the screw insertion port 256a is formed in a position closer to the circulation inlet 256in than the flow path outlet 256out.

[0349] If the position of the screw insertion port 256a is close to the outlet of the flow path, it will take time for game balls to become trapped in the flow path due to loose screws or the like and overflow from the flow path, and the malfunction cannot be immediately noticed during a test run inspection before shipping, etc. However, according to this example, the first flow path (general winning port flow path 256) has a first opening (flow path inlet 256in) and a second opening (flow path outlet 256out), the first opening (flow path inlet 256in) is an opening located upstream of the second opening (flow path outlet 256out), and the screw insertion port 256a is located closer to the first opening (flow path inlet 256in) than the second opening (flow path outlet 256out). Therefore, if game balls become trapped in the flow path due to loose screws or the like and overflow from the flow path during a test run inspection before shipping, the assembly error can be immediately noticed, thereby improving convenience.

[0350] 34(b) is applied to the normal prize opening flow path 256, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to other ball paths (for example, the normal prize opening flow path 258, the first special prize opening flow path 266, the variable prize opening flow path 267, the second special prize opening flow path 268). Also, it is not limited to the normal prize opening flow path 256 arranged on the right side of the game board 200, but can also be applied to the normal prize opening flow path 256 arranged on the left side of the game board 200. Also, the ball path configuration described below can be applied to any of the normal prize opening flow path 258, the first special prize opening flow path 266, the variable prize opening flow path 267, and the second special prize opening flow path 268.

[0351] <Game board / First ball passage / Normal starting port passage> One end of the normal starting port flow path 258 is connected to the normal starting port 228 formed in the base member 201, and the other end is connected to a lower passage 750 (see FIG. 3) disposed below the base member 201, and the normal starting port flow path 258 is capable of discharging game balls that have entered the normal starting port 228 into the lower passage 750. Since the normal starting port 228 is a ball entrance through which game balls can enter (enter easily) during normal play, the normal starting port flow path 258 (first flow path) can be said to be a flow path through which game balls can flow during normal play.

[0352] In addition, a screw insertion port 258a into which a screw 257 can be inserted is formed on the flow path of the normal starting port flow path 258, and the first ball passage base 252 of the first ball passage 250 is also fixed (fastened) to the base member 201 of the game board 200 by the screw 257 inserted into this screw insertion port 258a.

[0353] According to this example, if a screw is not attached correctly and becomes loose when assembling the flow path, game balls will remain on the flow path of the first flow path (normal starting port flow path 258), making it easy to notice assembly errors during test hit inspections before shipping, thereby increasing convenience.

[0354] In addition, in the first ball passage base 252 of the first ball passage 250, a plurality of screw insertion ports 252a into which screws 257 can be inserted are formed in locations other than on the flow paths of the general winning port flow path 256 and the general starting port flow path 258, and the first ball passage base 252 of the first ball passage 250 is also fixed (fastened) to the base member 201 of the game board 200 by the screws 257 inserted into these screw insertion ports 252a.

[0355] According to this example, the first flow path (general winning port flow path 256 and general winning port flow path 258) can be stably fixed to the game board 200, and loose screws, etc. can be detected by the accumulation of game balls, etc.

[0356] <Game board / second ball passage> Figure 35 is a partially enlarged view showing the second ball passage 260 with the first ball passage 250 removed.

[0357] The second ball passage base 262 of the second ball passage 260 is formed with a first special symbol starting port flow path 266 (second flow path) through which game balls that have entered the first special symbol starting port 232 flow, a variable winning port flow path 267 (second flow path) through which game balls that have entered the first special symbol starting port 232 or the variable winning port 234 flow, and a second special symbol starting port flow path 268 through which game balls that have entered the second special symbol starting port 230 flow.

[0358] <Game board / Second ball passage / First special chart starting port flow path> The first special symbol start port flow path 266 is a flow path that can discharge game balls that have entered the first special symbol start port 232 into the lower passage 750. The first special symbol start port 232 is a ball entrance that is difficult for game balls to enter during normal play but makes it easy for game balls to enter during time-saving play, so it can be said that the first special symbol start port flow path 266 (second flow path) is a flow path that is difficult for game balls to circulate through during normal play but makes it easy for game balls to circulate through during winning play.

[0359] <Game board / second ball passage / variable winning opening flow path> The variable winning port flow path 267 is a flow path that can discharge game balls that have entered the first special symbol starting port 232 or the variable winning port 234 to the lower passage 750. The first special symbol starting port 232 and the variable winning port 234 are ball entrance ports that are difficult for game balls to enter during normal play but are easy for game balls to enter during a winning (small win or big win) game, so it can be said that the variable winning port flow path 267 (second flow path) is a flow path that is difficult for game balls to circulate through during normal play but is easy for game balls to circulate through during a winning game.

[0360] <Game board / Second ball passage / Second special chart starting port flow path> The second special design start port flow path 268 is a flow path that can discharge game balls that have entered the second special design start port 230 into the lower passage 750. Since the second special design start port 230 is a ball entrance that allows game balls to enter (easily enter) during normal play, the second special design start port flow path 268 can be said to be a flow path through which game balls can flow during normal play.

[0361] In the second ball passage base 262 of the second ball passage 260, a plurality of screw insertion holes 262a into which screws 257 can be inserted are formed in locations other than the first special pattern start port flow path 266, the variable winning port flow path 267, and the second special pattern start port flow path 268, and the second ball passage base 262 is fixed (fastened) to the base member 201 of the game board 200 by a plurality of screws 257 inserted into these screw insertion holes 262a.

[0362] That is, in this example, the first special symbol starting port flow path 266, the variable winning port flow path 267, and the second special symbol starting port flow path 268 do not have any screw insertion holes formed on their flow paths into which screws can be inserted.

[0363] Furthermore, if a screw insertion port is formed on the second flow path and the screw is not properly attached and becomes loose, it is difficult for game balls to pass through the second flow path during normal play, so there is a risk that an inspector will not notice this during a test hit inspection before shipping. Therefore, by not forming a screw insertion port through which a screw can be inserted on the second flow path, it is possible to prevent the product from being shipped in a loose screw state by mistake.

[0364] According to this example, there is no screw insertion port formed on the second flow path (first special symbol starting port flow path 266 or variable winning port flow path 267), so even if the screw is not properly attached during assembly of the flow path and becomes loose, the second flow path (first special symbol starting port flow path 266 or variable winning port flow path 267) will not be affected, and test shot inspections etc. can be carried out quickly before shipping.

[0365] Furthermore, the second flow path (first special chart starting port flow path 266 and variable winning port flow path 267) can be prevented from being adversely affected by loose screws and can be stably fixed to the game board.

[0366] In this example, all of the game balls that enter the second special symbol starting port 230, the first special symbol starting port 232, and the variable winning port 234 are configured to pass through the common second ball passage 260, but the present invention is not limited to this, and game balls that enter each ball entrance port may be configured to pass through separate ball passages. In this case, a screw insertion port into which a screw can be inserted may be formed on the flow path through which game balls can flow during normal play (for example, the second special symbol starting port flow path 268).

[0367] Furthermore, even if two types of flow paths are configured to merge, one through which game balls can flow during normal play and the other through which game balls have difficulty flowing during normal play but can flow easily during winning play, a screw insertion port through which a screw can be inserted may be formed on the flow path downstream of the ball entrance port through which game balls can enter (easily enter) during normal play.

[0368] <Game board / ball path and screw> Next, the relationship between the ball passage and the screw will be described.

[0369] Figure 36(a) is a side cross-sectional view showing a ball passage 270 having a screw insertion opening 274 formed therein, and Figure 36(b) is a partially enlarged view showing the vicinity of the screw insertion opening 274. Figure 37(a) is a front view showing the ball passage 270 with the top surface portion 270d omitted.

[0370] The ball passage 270 is a schematic representation of a ball passage having a screw insertion port 274 through which a screw 272 can be inserted, and corresponds to, for example, the general winning port flow path 256 and the general starting port flow path 258 described using Figure 34.

[0371] The spherical passage 270 is a cylindrical member composed of a lower surface portion 270a, a left side surface portion 270b and a right side surface portion 270c which are erected along the longitudinal direction on both sides of the short side of the lower surface portion 270a, and an upper surface portion 270d which is arranged opposite the lower surface portion 270a.

[0372] A screw insertion hole 274 into which a screw 272 can be inserted is formed in the lower surface portion 270a of the ball passage 270, and the ball passage 270 is fixed to the back surface of the game board 200 by the screw 272 inserted into the screw insertion hole 274. In addition, a rib 270e for smooth rolling of the game ball BL is formed on the lower surface portion 270a of the ball passage 270, protruding along the longitudinal direction of the lower surface portion 270a toward the opposing upper surface portion 270d.

[0373] In this example, the height h1 from the lower surface 270a of the rib 270e is approximately 1 mm, and the height h2 from the lower surface 270a to the upper surface 270d is approximately 13 mm, which is higher than the height of approximately 12 mm obtained by adding the height h1 of the rib 270e (approximately 1 mm) to the diameter of the game ball BL (approximately 11 mm).

[0374] When assembling the ball passage 270, if the screw 272 is properly attached to the screw insertion port 274 without loosening, the head of the screw 272 will protrude by approximately 0.5 mm from the lower surface 270a, as shown enlarged in Figure 36(b), but will not protrude more than the height h1 of the rib 270e, which is approximately 1 mm.Therefore, as shown in "Normal" in Figure 36(a), the game ball BL can pass between the head of the screw 272 and the upper surface 270d, and will not remain in the ball passage 270.

[0375] On the other hand, when assembling the ball passage 270, if the screw 272 is loose or not properly attached when being attached to the screw insertion port 274, the head of the screw 272 will protrude beyond the height h1 of the rib 270e (approximately 1 mm), as shown in "Abnormal (loose)" in Figure 36(a), and the game ball BL that flows into the ball passage 270 will not be able to pass between the head of the screw 272 and the upper surface portion 270d, and will remain in the ball passage 270.

[0376] Furthermore, if the head of the screw 272 protrudes beyond the height h1 of the rib 270e (approximately 1 mm) due to loosening of the screw 272, the gap distance L1 (see Figure 37(a)) between the outer edge of the head of the screw 272 and the left side surface portion 270b (or right side surface portion 270c) will be less than the diameter of the game ball BL (approximately 11 mm), and therefore, as shown in Figure 37(a), the game ball BL will not be able to pass between the head of the screw 272 and the left side surface portion 270b or between the head of the screw 272 and the right side surface portion 270c, and will remain in the ball passage 270.

[0377] According to this example, if a screw is not properly attached and loosened during assembly of the flow paths, game balls will remain on the first flow paths (general winning port flow path 256 and normal winning port flow path 258), making it easy to notice assembly errors during test shot inspections before shipping, improving convenience. Also, since no screw insertion port is formed on the second flow paths (first special winning port flow path 266 and variable winning port flow path 267), even if a screw is not properly attached and loosened during assembly of the flow paths, the second flow paths (first special winning port flow path 266 and variable winning port flow path 267) will not be affected, and test shot inspections before shipping can be carried out quickly.

[0378] 37(a), a sensor 270f (ball detection sensor) capable of detecting that the game ball BL has passed through the ball passage 270 is provided below the screw insertion port 274 in the ball passage 270. That is, the screw insertion port 274 is disposed upstream of the sensor 270f in the ball passage 270.

[0379] According to this example, if the screw 272 becomes loose and a game ball BL becomes stuck in the ball passage 270, even if the game ball BL flows down, no operation according to the sensor 270f (such as changes in each pattern, a warning display for a left (right) hit, payout of the game ball, or an error display) is performed, so that the looseness of the screw 272 can be noticed immediately.

[0380] <Game board / ball passage and screw / ball passage (variation 1)> Next, the ball passage 280 according to Modification 1 will be described with reference to Figure 37(b). Figure 37(b) is a side cross-sectional view that schematically shows the ball passage 280 according to Modification 1.

[0381] The ball passage 280 is a cylindrical member composed of a lower surface portion 280a, left and right side surface portions (not shown) erected along the longitudinal direction on both sides of the short side of the lower surface portion 280, and an upper surface portion 280d arranged opposite the lower surface portion 280a.

[0382] A screw insertion hole 284 into which a screw 282 can be inserted is formed in the lower surface portion 280a of the ball passage 280, and the ball passage 280 is fixed to the back surface of the game board 200 by the screw 282 inserted into the screw insertion hole 284. In addition, a first rib 281 for smoothing the rolling of the game ball BL is formed on the lower surface portion 280a of the ball passage 280 so as to protrude toward the opposing upper surface portion 280d, and a second rib 282 for smoothing the rolling of the game ball BL is formed on the upper surface portion 280d of the ball passage 280 so as to protrude toward the opposing lower surface portion 280a.

[0383] In this example, the height of the first rib 281 from the lower surface 280a is approximately 0.5 mm, the height of the second rib 282 from the upper surface 280d is approximately 1.5 mm, and the protruding height from the lower surface 280a when the screw 282 is properly attached to the screw insertion port 284 without loosening is approximately 1 mm.

[0384] That is, in this example, the protruding height of the screw 282 (approximately 1 mm in this example) is higher than the height from the lower surface 280a of the first rib 281 (approximately 0.5 mm in this example) and lower than the height from the upper surface 280d of the second rib 282 (approximately 1.5 mm in this example).

[0385] In addition, the area surrounded by the dotted line indicated by the symbol ER1 in Figure 37(b) indicates a specific space above the ball passage 280 that includes at least the head 282a of the screw 282 when the screw 282 is normally installed in the screw insertion port 284.

[0386] In this example, the first rib 281 and the second rib 282 are formed in the space other than the specific space ER1 of the ball passage 280, and no ribs are formed in at least the specific space ER1. That is, the first rib 281 and the second rib 282 are formed on the ball passage 280, but these first ribs 281 and second ribs 282 are not provided near the screw insertion port 284 of the ball passage 280.

[0387] The ribs are already prone to catch (lost) the game ball BL, and there is a risk that the game ball BL will become stuck not due to an assembly error, but simply if the screw 282 protrudes slightly due to individual differences in the members that form the screw 282 or the ball passage 280. Therefore, by not providing the screw insertion opening 284 near the first rib 281 or the second rib 282 (not providing the first rib 281 or the second rib 282 near the screw insertion opening), it is possible to prevent the game ball BL from becoming stuck even when there is no assembly error.

[0388] <Game board / ball passage and screw / ball passage (variation 2)> Next, a ball passage 290 according to Modification 2 will be described with reference to Figure 37(c). Figure 37(c) is a side cross-sectional view that schematically shows the ball passage 290 according to Modification 2.

[0389] The ball passage 290 is a schematic representation of a ball passage having a screw insertion port 294 through which a screw 292 can be inserted, and corresponds to, for example, the general winning port flow path 256 and the general winning port flow path 258 described using Figure 34.

[0390] The spherical passage 290 is a cylindrical member composed of a lower surface portion 290a, a left side surface portion 290b and a right side surface portion 290c which are erected along the longitudinal direction on both sides of the short side of the lower surface portion 290a, and an upper surface portion (not shown) which is arranged opposite the lower surface portion 290a.

[0391] A screw insertion hole 294 is formed on the underside 290a of the ball passage 290, into which the threaded portion of the screw 292 can be inserted, and the ball passage 290 is fixed to the back of the game board 200 by the screw 292 inserted into the screw insertion hole 294.

[0392] In addition, a first rib 291 for smooth rolling of the game ball BL is formed on the left side surface portion 290b of the ball passage 290, protruding toward the opposing right side surface portion 290c, and a second rib 292 for smooth rolling of the game ball BL is formed on the right side surface portion 290c of the ball passage 280, protruding toward the opposing left side surface portion 290b.

[0393] In addition, a sensor 290f (ball detection sensor) capable of detecting that the game ball BL has passed through the ball passage 290 is provided below the screw insertion port 294 in the ball passage 290. In other words, the screw insertion port 294 is disposed upstream of the sensor 290f in the ball passage 290.

[0394] According to this example, if the screw 292 becomes loose and the game ball BL gets stuck in the ball passage 290, even if the game ball BL flows down, the operation according to the sensor 290f (variation of each pattern and left (right) Since no warning message, payout of game balls, error message, etc. is displayed, the loosening of the screw 292 can be noticed immediately.

[0395] 37(c), the area indicated by the symbol ER2 indicates a specific space above the ball passage 290 that includes at least the head 292a of the screw 292 when the screw 292 is properly attached to the screw insertion hole 294.

[0396] In this example, the first rib 291 and the second rib 292 are formed in the space other than the specific space ER2 of the ball passage 290, and no ribs are formed at least in the specific space ER2. That is, the first rib 291 and the second rib 292 are formed on the ball passage 290, but these first ribs 291 and second ribs 292 are not provided near the screw insertion port 294 of the ball passage 290.

[0397] The ribs are already prone to catch (lost) the game ball BL, and there is a risk that the game ball BL will become stuck not due to an assembly error, but simply if the screw 292 protrudes slightly due to individual differences in the members that form the screw 292 or the ball passage 290. Therefore, by not providing the screw insertion opening 294 near the first rib 291 or the second rib 292 (not providing the first rib 291 or the second rib 292 near the screw insertion opening 294), it is possible to prevent the game ball BL from becoming stuck even when there is no assembly error.

[0398] <Game board / winning slot, starting slot> Next, the differences between the general winning slot 226, the first special winning slot 232, the second special winning slot 230, the general winning slot 228, and the variable winning slot 234 explained using Figure 32 will be explained.

[0399] <Game board / general prize slot> The general winning opening 226 allows game balls to flow down in any game mode, including the normal game mode, the time-saving game mode, and the big win (small win) game mode. Furthermore, since it does not include any electrically driven components, game balls can flow through it even when the power to the gaming machine is turned off. The general winning opening 226 may be provided only in the left side area of ​​the gaming board 200, only in the right side area of ​​the gaming board 200, or in both areas.

[0400] As shown in Figure 34(b), a screw insertion port 256a into which a screw 257 can be inserted is formed on the flow path of the general winning port flow path 256, but as with the ball passage 270 described using Figure 37(a), the screw insertion port 256a is not in the serpentine part of the general winning port flow path 256, but is arranged upstream of the sensor that detects the entry of a ball (winning) into the general winning port 226.

[0401] If a screw becomes loose and a game ball gets stuck in the flow path, the sensor will not operate (such as changing the symbols, displaying a warning for left-handed (right-handed) shots, paying out game balls, or displaying an error) even if the game ball flows down, so the loose screw can be noticed immediately. Also, the meandering part of the flow path is already prone to game balls getting caught (being stuck), and there is a risk that game balls will become stuck not due to an assembly error, but simply because the screw protrudes slightly due to individual differences in the screws or components that form the flow path. Therefore, by not providing a screw insertion port in the meandering part, it is possible to prevent game balls from becoming stuck even when there is no assembly error.

[0402] In addition, ribs are formed on the general winning opening flow path 256, but similar to the ball passage 290 described using Figure 37 (c), the ribs are configured so as not to be located near the screw insertion opening 256a of the general winning opening flow path 256.

[0403] Ribs are already prone to trapping game balls (causing them to become stuck), and there is a risk that game balls will become stuck if the screw protrudes slightly due to individual differences in the parts that form the screw or flow path, rather than due to an assembly error. Therefore, by not providing screw insertion openings near the ribs (not providing ribs near screw insertion openings), it is possible to prevent game balls from becoming stuck even when there is no assembly error.

[0404] As shown in Figure 34(b), the general winning port flow path 256 has a first opening (flow path inlet 256in) and a second opening (flow path outlet 256out), the first opening (flow path inlet 256in) is located upstream of the second opening (flow path outlet 256out), and the screw insertion port 256a is located closer to the first opening (flow path inlet 256in) than the second opening (flow path outlet 256out).

[0405] Therefore, if game balls become trapped in the flow path and overflow from the flow path due to a loose screw or the like during a test hit inspection before shipping, the assembly error can be immediately noticed, thereby improving convenience.

[0406] <Game board / 1st special chart start gate> The first special symbol starting opening 232 facilitates the flow of game balls in a certain time-saving game mode. Furthermore, because it is equipped with an electrically driven component (an openable / closable blade member), it is often difficult for game balls to flow down when the game machine is turned off in normal game mode. Specifically, the blade member can be driven to an open state when a game ball passes through the normal power gate 228g. However, the normal power gate 228g is positioned so that it can pass through when a right-handed hit is made, and even if it passes through in normal game mode (non-time-saving game mode), it only opens for a short time. Therefore, when the game machine is turned off in normal game mode, it is often difficult for game balls to flow down. The first special symbol starting opening 232 may be provided only in the left region of the game board 200, or only in the right region of the game board 200.

[0407] As shown in Figure 35, the flow path above the first special pattern starting port flow path 266 does not have a screw insertion port through which a screw can be inserted, and a screw insertion port 262a through which a screw 257 can be inserted is formed in an area not above the flow path of the first special pattern starting port flow path 266.

[0408] Therefore, the first special chart starting port flow path 266 can be prevented from being adversely affected by loose screws, etc., and can be stably fixed to the game board.

[0409] <Game board / 2nd special chart start gate> The second special symbol starting port 230 allows game balls to flow down in any game state, including normal game state, time-saving game state, and big win (small win) game state. Furthermore, since it does not have any electrically driven parts, game balls can flow even when the power to the gaming machine is turned off. The second special symbol starting port 230 may be provided in the left side area of ​​the gaming board 200.

[0410] In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which a screw insertion port through which a screw can be inserted is not formed in the flow path above the second special pattern starting port flow path 268, but a screw insertion port through which a screw can be inserted may be formed in the flow path of the second special pattern starting port flow path 268, and in this case, as with the ball passage 270 described using Figure 37(a), it is preferable that the screw insertion port is not in the serpentine part of the second special pattern starting port 230, but is arranged upstream of the sensor that detects the ball entering (winning) the second special pattern starting port 230.

[0411] If a screw becomes loose and a game ball gets stuck in the flow path, the sensor will not operate (such as changing the symbols, displaying a warning for left-handed (right-handed) shots, paying out game balls, or displaying an error) even if the game ball flows down, so the loose screw can be noticed immediately. Also, the meandering part of the flow path is already prone to game balls getting caught (being stuck), and there is a risk that game balls will become stuck not due to an assembly error, but simply because the screw protrudes slightly due to individual differences in the screws or components that form the flow path. Therefore, by not providing a screw insertion port in the meandering part (not providing a rib near the screw insertion port), it is possible to prevent game balls from becoming stuck even when there is no assembly error.

[0412] In addition, a rib is formed on the second special pattern starting port flow path 268, but when a screw insertion port is formed on the flow path of the second special pattern starting port flow path 268, it is preferable to configure the rib so that it is not provided near the screw insertion port of the second special pattern starting port 230, as with the ball passage 290 described using Figure 37 (c).

[0413] Ribs are already prone to trapping game balls (making them easily stuck), and there is a risk that game balls will become stuck if the screw protrudes even slightly due to individual differences in the parts that form the screw or flow path, rather than due to an assembly error. Therefore, by not providing a screw insertion port near the rib, it is possible to prevent game balls from becoming stuck even if there is no assembly error.

[0414] The second special starting port flow path 268 has a first opening (flow path inlet) and a second opening (flow path outlet), and the first opening (flow path inlet) is provided upstream of the second opening (flow path outlet). When a screw insertion port is formed on the flow path of the second special starting port flow path 268, it is preferable that the screw insertion port be provided at a position closer to the first opening (flow path inlet) than to the second opening (flow path outlet).

[0415] With this configuration, if game balls become trapped in the flow path and overflow due to loose screws or the like during a test shot inspection before shipping, the assembly error can be immediately noticed, thereby increasing convenience.

[0416] <Game board / normal map starting gate> The normal game start port 228 allows game balls to flow down in any game mode, including normal game mode, time-saving game mode, and jackpot (small jackpot) game mode. Furthermore, since it does not have any electrically driven parts, game balls can flow even when the power to the game machine is turned off. The normal game start port 228 may also be located in the right area of ​​the game board 200.

[0417] As shown in Figure 34, a screw insertion port 258a into which a screw 257 can be inserted is formed on the flow path of the normal starting port flow path 258, but similar to the ball passage 270 described using Figure 37(a), the screw insertion port 258a is not in the serpentine part of the normal starting port flow path 258, but is arranged upstream of the sensor that detects the entry of a ball (winning) into the normal starting port 228.

[0418] If a screw becomes loose and a game ball gets stuck in the flow path, the sensor will not operate (such as changing the symbols, displaying a warning for left-handed (right-handed) shots, paying out game balls, or displaying an error) even if the game ball flows down, so the loose screw can be noticed immediately. Also, the meandering part of the flow path is already prone to game balls getting caught (being stuck), and there is a risk that game balls will become stuck not due to an assembly error, but simply because the screw protrudes slightly due to individual differences in the screws or components that form the flow path. Therefore, by not providing a screw insertion port in the meandering part, it is possible to prevent game balls from becoming stuck even when there is no assembly error.

[0419] In addition, a rib is formed on the normal starting port flow path 258, but similar to the ball passage 290 described using Figure 37 (c), the rib is configured so as not to be provided near the screw insertion port 258a of the normal starting port flow path 258.

[0420] Ribs are already prone to trapping game balls (causing them to become stuck), and there is a risk that game balls will become stuck if the screw protrudes slightly due to individual differences in the parts that form the screw or flow path, rather than due to an assembly error. Therefore, by not providing screw insertion openings near the ribs (not providing ribs near screw insertion openings), it is possible to prevent game balls from becoming stuck even when there is no assembly error.

[0421] The starting port flow path 258 has a first opening (flow path inlet) and a second opening (flow path outlet), the first opening (flow path inlet) is provided upstream of the second opening (flow path outlet), and the screw insertion port 258a is provided at a position closer to the first opening (flow path inlet) than the second opening (flow path outlet).

[0422] Therefore, if game balls become trapped in the flow path and overflow from the flow path due to a loose screw or the like during a test hit inspection before shipping, the assembly error can be immediately noticed, thereby improving convenience.

[0423] <Game board / variable winning slot> The variable winning opening 234 allows game balls to flow easily in a big win (small win) game state. Also, since it is equipped with an electrically driven part (openable and closable door member), it is difficult for game balls to flow down when the power to the game machine is turned off in a normal game state. The variable winning opening 234 may be provided in the left area of ​​the game board 200.

[0424] As shown in Figure 35, the flow path above the variable winning port flow path 267 does not have a screw insertion port through which a screw can be inserted, and a screw insertion port 262a through which a screw 257 can be inserted is formed in an area not on the flow path of the variable winning port flow path 267.

[0425] Therefore, the variable winning port flow path 267 can be prevented from being adversely affected by loose screws, etc., and can be stably fixed to the game board.

[0426] <Game board / Summary> As explained above, the gaming machine according to this embodiment (for example, the enclosed gaming machine 100 shown in FIG. 1) is a gaming machine equipped with a flow path through which gaming balls flow, and the flow path is configured to have a first flow path (for example, the general winning port flow path 256 and the normal winning port flow path 258 shown in FIG. 34(a)) and a second flow path (for example, the first special winning port flow path 266 and the variable winning port flow path 267 shown in FIG. 35), and the first flow path is a flow path through which gaming balls can flow during normal play, and the second flow path is a flow path through which gaming balls have difficulty circulating during normal play but which facilitates the circulation of gaming balls during winning play, and a screw insertion port (for example, the screw insertion port 256a and the screw insertion port 258a shown in FIG. 34(a)) through which a screw can be inserted is formed on the flow path of the first flow path, but the screw insertion port is not formed on the flow path of the second flow path, which is a gaming machine characterized by the above.

[0427] According to the gaming machine of this embodiment, if a screw is not properly attached and becomes loose during assembly of the flow path, gaming balls will remain on the flow path of the first flow path, making it easy to notice assembly errors during test hit inspections before shipping, thereby improving convenience. Furthermore, since no screw insertion port is formed on the flow path of the second flow path, even if a screw is not properly attached and becomes loose during assembly of the flow path, the second flow path will not be affected, and test hit inspections before shipping can be carried out quickly.

[0428] In addition, the gaming machine according to this embodiment (for example, the enclosed gaming machine 100 shown in FIG. 1) is a gaming machine having a flow path through which gaming balls flow, and the flow path is configured to have a first flow path (for example, the normal game start port flow path 258 shown in FIG. 34(a)), a second flow path (for example, the first special game start port flow path 266 and the variable winning port flow path 267 shown in FIG. 35), and a third flow path (for example, the normal winning port flow path 256 shown in FIG. 34(a)), and the first flow path is a flow path through which gaming balls flow during normal play. The second flow path is a flow path through which game balls can pass during the normal game, the second flow path is a flow path through which game balls have difficulty passing during the normal game and through which game balls can easily pass during the winning game, the third flow path is a flow path through which game balls can pass during the normal game, a first screw insertion port (for example, the screw insertion port 258a shown in FIG. 34(a)) through which a screw can be inserted is formed on the flow path of the first flow path, and a screw insertion port through which a screw can be inserted is not formed on the flow path of the second flow path. a third screw insertion port (for example, screw insertion port 256a shown in FIG. 34(b)) into which a screw can be inserted is formed on the flow path of the third flow path, and the first screw insertion port is formed at a position where, if a screw is not correctly inserted into the first screw insertion port, a gaming ball that has circulated through the first flow path will come into contact with the screw and a component that forms the first flow path; the third flow path has a first opening (for example, flow path inlet 256in shown in FIG. 34(b)) and a second opening (for example, flow path outlet 256out shown in FIG. 34(b)), the first opening is located upstream of the second opening, and the third screw insertion port is formed at a position where, if a screw is not correctly inserted into the third screw insertion port, a gaming ball that has circulated through the third flow path will come into contact with the screw and a component that forms the third flow path, and is closer to the first opening than the second opening.

[0429] According to the gaming machine of this embodiment, if a screw is not attached correctly and becomes loose when assembling the flow path, gaming balls will remain on the flow path of the first flow path and the third flow path, making it easy to notice assembly errors during trial hit inspections before shipping, thereby increasing convenience.

[0430] Furthermore, since there is no screw insertion port formed on the second flow path (a flow path through which game balls flow only during a winning game), even if the screw is not attached correctly during assembly of the flow path and becomes loose, the second flow path is not affected, and test shot inspections before shipping can be carried out quickly.

[0431] Furthermore, since the third screw insertion port is formed in a position closer to the first opening than the second opening, if game balls become trapped in the flow path and overflow from the flow path due to a loose third screw or the like during a test shot inspection before shipping, the assembly error can be immediately noticed, improving convenience. If the third screw insertion port were formed in a position closer to the second opening than the first opening, it would take a predetermined time for game balls to become trapped in the flow path and overflow from the flow path, and therefore the assembly error would not be immediately noticed.

[0432] Furthermore, the screw insertion port (e.g., screw insertion port 274 shown in Figure 36(a)) formed on the flow path of the first flow path (e.g., ball passage 270 shown in Figure 36(a)) may be positioned so that when the screw (e.g., screw 272 shown in Figure 36(a)) is not properly inserted into the screw insertion port (e.g., when the screw is loose, as shown by ``Abnormal'' in Figure 36(a)), the game ball that has circulated through the first flow path will come into contact with the screw and the structural body that forms the first flow path (e.g., top surface portion 270d shown in Figure 36(a), left side surface portion 270b or right side surface portion 270c shown in Figure 37(a)).

[0433] With this configuration, if game balls become trapped in the flow path and overflow due to loose screws or the like during a test shot inspection before shipping, the assembly error can be immediately noticed, thereby increasing convenience.

[0434] The game board may also be provided with a game board (for example, the game board 200 shown in FIG. 32), in which the second flow path has the screw insertion opening (for example, the screw insertion opening 262a shown in FIG. 35) formed in an area that is not on the flow path of the second flow path, the first flow path being fixed to the game board by inserting the screw into the screw insertion opening formed in the first flow path, and the second flow path being fixed to the game board by inserting the screw into the screw insertion opening formed in an area that is not on the flow path of the second flow path.

[0435] With this configuration, for the first flow path, loose screws, etc. can be detected by the accumulation of game balls, etc., and the first flow path can be stably fixed to the game board, and for the second flow path, the adverse effects of loose screws, etc. can be eliminated and the second flow path can be stably fixed to the game board.

[0436] Furthermore, the first flow path (for example, the general winning port flow path 256 shown in Figure 34(b)) has a first opening (for example, the flow path inlet 256in shown in Figure 34(b)) and a second opening (for example, the flow path outlet 256out shown in Figure 34(b)), and the first opening is an opening located upstream of the second opening, and the screw insertion opening (for example, the screw insertion opening 256a shown in Figure 34(b)) may be located closer to the first opening than the second opening.

[0437] With this configuration, if game balls become trapped in the flow path and overflow due to loose screws or the like during a test shot inspection before shipping, the assembly error can be immediately noticed, thereby increasing convenience.

[0438] Furthermore, the gaming machine according to this embodiment (for example, the enclosed gaming machine 100 shown in FIG. 1) is a gaming machine having a gaming board and a flow path through which gaming balls flow, and the flow path has a portion that is bent in the in-plane direction of the gaming board surface and a portion that is not bent in the in-plane direction of the board surface (hereinafter referred to as the "non-bent portion"). The flow path is divided into a first flow path (for example, the normal starting port flow path 258 shown in FIG. 34(a)), a second flow path (for example, the first special starting port flow path 266 and the variable winning port flow path 267 shown in FIG. 35), and a third flow path (for example, the variable winning port flow path 267 shown in FIG. 34(b)). The first flow path is a flow path through which game balls can flow during normal play, the second flow path is a flow path through which game balls have difficulty circulating during normal play and through which game balls can easily circulate during a winning game, and the third flow path is a flow path through which game balls can flow during normal play, and a first screw insertion port (for example, a screw insertion port 258a shown in FIG. 34(a)) through which a screw can be inserted is formed on the flow path of the first flow path, and a screw insertion port (for example, a screw insertion port 258b shown in FIG. 34(a)) through which a screw can be inserted is formed on the flow path of the second flow path. 34(b))。 The third flow path has a screw insertion opening (for example, a screw insertion opening 256a shown in FIG. 34(b)) on the flow path of the third flow path, into which a screw can be inserted, and the first screw insertion opening is formed at a position where, when a screw is not inserted correctly into the first screw insertion opening, a game ball that has circulated through the first flow path will come into contact with the screw and a component that forms the first flow path, and the third flow path has a first opening (for example, a flow path inlet 256in shown in FIG. 34(b)) and a second opening (for example, a 4(b)), the first opening is located upstream of the second opening, the third screw insertion port is located at a position where, if a screw is not correctly inserted into the third screw insertion port, a gaming ball circulating through the third flow path will come into contact with the screw and a component forming the third flow path, and is formed at a position closer to the first opening than the second opening, and the third screw insertion port is formed in the non-bent portion of the flow path of the third flow path.

[0439] In addition, a second screw insertion port may be formed in the second flow path in an area that is not on the flow path of the second flow path, the first flow path may be fixed to the game board by inserting a screw into the first screw insertion port, the second flow path may be fixed to the game board by inserting a screw into the second screw insertion port, and the third flow path may be fixed to the game board by inserting a screw into the third screw insertion port.

[0440] According to the gaming machine of this embodiment, the third screw insertion port is located closer to the first opening than the second opening. Therefore, if gaming balls become trapped in the flow path and overflow the flow path due to a loose third screw or other reason during a test run before shipping, the assembly error can be immediately detected, improving convenience. If the third screw insertion port were located closer to the second opening than the first opening, it would take a certain amount of time for gaming balls to become trapped in the flow path and overflow, making the assembly error difficult to detect. Furthermore, the meandering portion (bend portion) is already prone to trapping (retention) gaming balls, and there is a risk of gaming balls becoming trapped not due to an assembly error but simply due to a slight protrusion of the screw or individual differences in the components forming the flow path. Therefore, by providing the screw insertion port in a non-bend portion other than the meandering portion, it is possible to prevent gaming balls from becoming trapped even when there is no assembly error.

[0441] In addition, the gaming machine according to this embodiment (for example, the enclosed gaming machine 100 shown in FIG. 1) is a gaming machine having a first operating means (for example, the ball launching handle 134 shown in FIG. 1) capable of launching gaming balls and a flow path through which the gaming balls flow, and the flow path is configured to have a first flow path (for example, the normal winning opening flow path 258 shown in FIG. 34(a)), a second flow path (for example, the first special winning opening flow path 266 and the variable winning opening flow path 267 shown in FIG. 35), and a third flow path (for example, the normal winning opening flow path 256 shown in FIG. 34(a)), and The first flow path is a flow path through which game balls can flow when a player hits left using the first operating means, the second flow path is a flow path through which game balls are difficult to flow during normal play and through which game balls can flow when a player hits right using the first operating means during a winning game, and the third flow path is a flow path through which game balls can flow when a player hits right using the first operating means, and a first screw insertion port (for example, screw insertion port 258a shown in Figure 34(a)) through which a screw can be inserted is provided on the flow path of the first flow path. a screw insertion port through which a screw can be inserted (for example, screw insertion port 256a shown in FIG. 34(b)) is formed on the flow path of the second flow path, and a third screw insertion port through which a screw can be inserted (for example, screw insertion port 256a shown in FIG. 34(b)) is formed on the flow path of the third flow path, and the first screw insertion port is formed at a position where, if a screw is not correctly inserted into the first screw insertion port, a gaming ball that has circulated through the first flow path will come into contact with the screw and a component that forms the first flow path, and the third flow path has a first opening (for example, flow path inlet 256in shown in FIG. 34(b)) and a second opening (for example, flow path outlet 256out shown in FIG. 34(b)), and the first opening is upstream of the second opening, and the third screw insertion port is formed at a position where, if a screw is not correctly inserted into the third screw insertion port, a gaming ball that has circulated through the third flow path will come into contact with the screw and a component that forms the third flow path, and is closer to the first opening than the second opening.

[0442] According to the gaming machine of this embodiment, if a screw is not attached correctly and becomes loose when assembling the flow path, gaming balls will remain on the flow path of the first flow path and the third flow path, making it easy to notice assembly errors during trial hit inspections before shipping, thereby increasing convenience.

[0443] Furthermore, since there is no screw insertion port formed on the second flow path (a flow path through which game balls flow only during a winning game), even if the screw is not attached correctly during assembly of the flow path and becomes loose, the second flow path is not affected, and test shot inspections before shipping can be carried out quickly.

[0444] Furthermore, since the third screw insertion port is formed in a position closer to the first opening than the second opening, if game balls become trapped in the flow path and overflow from the flow path due to a loose third screw or the like during a test shot inspection before shipping, the assembly error can be immediately noticed, improving convenience. If the third screw insertion port were formed in a position closer to the second opening than the first opening, it would take a predetermined time for game balls to become trapped in the flow path and overflow from the flow path, and therefore the assembly error would not be immediately noticed.

[0445] Furthermore, the first flow path is a flow path that allows flow when the screw is struck to the left, and the second and third flow paths are flow paths that allow flow when the screw is struck to the right, so that screws placed at distant locations can be inspected, improving the accuracy of the inspection.

[0446] The game board may also include a game board (for example, game board 200 shown in FIG. 32), in which a second screw insertion port (for example, screw insertion port 262a shown in FIG. 35) is formed in the second flow path in an area that is not on the flow path of the second flow path, the first flow path is fixed to the game board by inserting a screw (for example, screw 257 shown in FIG. 35) into the first screw insertion port, the second flow path is fixed to the game board by inserting a screw into the second screw insertion port, and the third flow path is fixed to the game board by inserting a screw into the third screw insertion port.

[0447] With this configuration, for the first and third flow paths, loose screws, etc. can be detected by the accumulation of game balls, etc., and the first and third flow paths can be stably fixed to the game board, and for the second flow path, the adverse effects of loose screws, etc. can be eliminated and the second flow path can be stably fixed to the game board.

[0448] Furthermore, the gaming machine according to this embodiment (for example, the enclosed gaming machine 100 shown in FIG. 1) is a gaming machine equipped with a flow path through which gaming balls flow, and the flow path is configured to have a first flow path (for example, the normal winning opening flow path 258 shown in FIG. 34(a)), a second flow path (for example, the variable winning opening flow path 267 shown in FIG. 35), a third flow path (for example, the normal winning opening flow path 256 shown in FIG. 34(a)), and a fourth flow path (for example, the first special winning opening flow path 266 shown in FIG. 35), and the first flow path is a flow path through which gaming balls can flow during normal play, The second flow path is a flow path through which game balls have difficulty circulating during the normal game and which allows game balls to circulate easily during a winning game, the third flow path is a flow path through which game balls can circulate during the normal game, the fourth flow path is a flow path through which game balls have difficulty circulating during the normal game and which allows game balls to circulate easily during a certain time-saving game, and a first screw insertion port (for example, screw insertion port 258a shown in FIG. 34(a)) through which a screw can be inserted is formed on the flow path of the first flow path, and a screw insertion port (for example, screw insertion port 258b shown in FIG. 34(a)) through which a screw can be inserted is formed on the flow path of the second flow path. a third screw insertion port (for example, screw insertion port 256a shown in FIG. 34(b)) into which a screw can be inserted is formed on the flow path of the third flow path, a screw insertion port into which a screw can be inserted is not formed on the flow path of the fourth flow path, the first screw insertion port is formed at a position where, if a screw is not properly inserted into the first screw insertion port, a gaming ball that has circulated through the first flow path will come into contact with the screw and a component that forms the first flow path, and the third flow path has a This gaming machine is characterized by having one opening (for example, the flow path inlet 256in shown in Figure 34(b)) and a second opening (for example, the flow path outlet 256out shown in Figure 34(b)), the first opening being located upstream of the second opening, and the third screw insertion port being located at a position where, if a screw is not correctly inserted into the third screw insertion port, a gaming ball that has circulated through the third flow path will come into contact with the screw and the component that forms the third flow path, and is formed at a position closer to the first opening than the second opening.

[0449] According to the gaming machine of this embodiment, if a screw is not attached correctly and becomes loose when assembling the flow path, gaming balls will remain on the flow path of the first flow path and the third flow path, making it easy to notice assembly errors during trial hit inspections before shipping, thereby increasing convenience.

[0450] Furthermore, since there is no screw insertion port formed on the second flow path (a flow path through which game balls flow only during a winning game), even if the screw is not attached correctly during assembly of the flow path and becomes loose, the second flow path is not affected, and test shot inspections before shipping can be carried out quickly.

[0451] Furthermore, since the third screw insertion port is formed in a position closer to the first opening than the second opening, if game balls become trapped in the flow path and overflow from the flow path due to a loose third screw or the like during a test shot inspection before shipping, the assembly error can be immediately noticed, improving convenience. If the third screw insertion port were formed in a position closer to the second opening than the first opening, it would take a predetermined time for game balls to become trapped in the flow path and overflow from the flow path, and therefore the assembly error would not be immediately noticed.

[0452] Furthermore, by not forming screw insertion openings into which screws can be inserted in the second flow path, through which game balls circulate only in winning games, and the fourth flow path, through which game balls circulate only in time-saving games, even if a screw is not attached correctly and becomes loose when assembling the flow paths, the second flow path and the fourth flow path will not be affected, and it is possible to avoid a situation in which a game machine is shipped without noticing an assembly error.

[0453] The game board may also include a game board (for example, the game board 200 shown in FIG. 32), in which the second flow path has a second screw insertion port (for example, the screw insertion port 262a shown in FIG. 35) formed in an area that is not on the flow path of the second flow path, and the fourth flow path has a fourth screw insertion port (for example, the screw insertion port 262a shown in FIG. 35) formed in an area that is not on the flow path of the fourth flow path, and the first flow path is fixed to the game board by inserting a screw (for example, the screw 257 shown in FIG. 35) into the first screw insertion port, the second flow path is fixed to the game board by inserting a screw into the second screw insertion port, the third flow path is fixed to the game board by inserting a screw into the third screw insertion port, and the fourth flow path is fixed to the game board by inserting a screw into the fourth screw insertion port.

[0454] With this configuration, for the first and third flow paths, loose screws, etc. can be detected by the accumulation of game balls, etc., and the first and third flow paths can be stably fixed to the game board, and for the second and fourth flow paths, the adverse effects of loose screws, etc. can be eliminated and the second and fourth flow paths can be stably fixed to the game board.

[0455] Furthermore, the gaming machine according to this embodiment (for example, the enclosed gaming machine 100 shown in FIG. 1) is a gaming machine having a flow path through which gaming balls flow, and the flow path is configured to have a first flow path (for example, the normal starting port flow path 258 shown in FIG. 34(a)), a second flow path (for example, the first special starting port flow path 266 and the variable winning port flow path 267 shown in FIG. 35), and a third flow path (for example, the normal winning port flow path 256 shown in FIG. 34(a)), and the first flow path is The second flow path is a flow path through which game balls can flow even when the power supply to the gaming machine is turned off during normal play, the second flow path is a flow path through which game balls cannot flow even when the power supply to the gaming machine is turned off, and the third flow path is a flow path through which game balls can flow even when the power supply to the gaming machine is turned off, and a first screw insertion port (for example, screw insertion port 258a shown in FIG. 34(a)) through which a screw can be inserted is formed on the flow path of the first flow path, and a screw insertion port through which a screw can be inserted is formed on the flow path of the second flow path. a third screw insertion port (for example, screw insertion port 256a shown in FIG. 34(b)) into which a screw can be inserted is formed on the flow path of the third flow path, and the first screw insertion port is formed at a position where, if a screw is not correctly inserted into the first screw insertion port, a gaming ball that has circulated through the first flow path will come into contact with the screw and a component that forms the first flow path; the third flow path has a first opening (for example, flow path inlet 256in shown in FIG. 34(b)) and a second opening (for example, flow path outlet 256out shown in FIG. 34(b)), the first opening is upstream of the second opening, and the third screw insertion port is formed at a position where, if a screw is not correctly inserted into the third screw insertion port, a gaming ball that has circulated through the third flow path will come into contact with the screw and a component that forms the third flow path, and is closer to the first opening than the second opening.

[0456] According to the gaming machine of this embodiment, if a screw is not attached correctly and becomes loose when assembling the flow path, gaming balls will remain on the flow path of the first flow path and the third flow path, making it easy to notice assembly errors during trial hit inspections before shipping, thereby increasing convenience.

[0457] Furthermore, since there is no screw insertion port formed on the second flow path (a flow path through which game balls flow only during a winning game), even if the screw is not attached correctly during assembly of the flow path and becomes loose, the second flow path is not affected, and test shot inspections before shipping can be carried out quickly.

[0458] Furthermore, since the third screw insertion port is formed in a position closer to the first opening than the second opening, if game balls become trapped in the flow path and overflow from the flow path due to a loose third screw or the like during a test shot inspection before shipping, the assembly error can be immediately noticed, improving convenience. If the third screw insertion port were formed in a position closer to the second opening than the first opening, it would take a predetermined time for game balls to become trapped in the flow path and overflow from the flow path, and therefore the assembly error would not be immediately noticed.

[0459] Furthermore, since the first flow path and the third flow path are flow paths through which game balls can flow even when the power to the gaming machine is turned off, inspections regarding the flow of game balls can be performed even after the power to the gaming machine is turned off, thereby increasing convenience for workers.

[0460] The game board may also include a game board (for example, game board 200 shown in FIG. 32), in which a second screw insertion port (for example, screw insertion port 262a shown in FIG. 35) is formed in the second flow path in an area that is not on the flow path of the second flow path, the first flow path is fixed to the game board by inserting a screw (for example, screw 257 shown in FIG. 35) into the first screw insertion port, the second flow path is fixed to the game board by inserting a screw into the second screw insertion port, and the third flow path is fixed to the game board by inserting a screw into the third screw insertion port.

[0461] With this configuration, for the first and third flow paths, loose screws, etc. can be detected by the accumulation of game balls, etc., and the first and third flow paths can be stably fixed to the game board, and for the second flow path, the adverse effects of loose screws, etc. can be eliminated and the second flow path can be stably fixed to the game board.

[0462] <Embodiment 2> Hereinafter, a gaming machine (slot machine) according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0463] <Overall structure> First, the overall configuration of the slot machine 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 38. Figure 38 is an external perspective view of the slot machine 100 as seen from the front side (player side).

[0464] The slot machine 100 comprises a main body 101 and a front door 102 that is attached to the front of the main body 101 and can be opened and closed 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 (not shown) are housed inside the center of the main body 101 and are configured to rotate inside the slot machine 100. These reels 110 to 112 are rotated by a drive device such as a stepping motor.

[0465] In this embodiment, each symbol is printed at equal intervals on a strip-shaped member in an appropriate number, and the strip-shaped member is attached to a predetermined cylindrical frame to form each of the reels 110-112. The symbols on the reels 110-112 are displayed vertically in approximately three columns through the symbol display window 113, for a total of nine symbols, as viewed by the player. By rotating each of the reels 110-112, the symbol combinations visible to the player change. In other words, each of the reels 110-112 functions as a display device that variably displays multiple symbol combinations. Note that, in addition to reels, electronic image display devices such as liquid crystal displays can also be used as such display devices. Although three reels are provided in the center of the slot machine 100 in this embodiment, the number and location of the reels are not limited thereto.

[0466] 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 symbol 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 attached to the reel passes between the light-emitting section and the light-receiving section of the optical sensor. Based on the detection results of this sensor, the rotational position of the symbols on the reels is determined, and the reels 110 to 112 are stopped so that the desired symbol is displayed on the pay line.

[0467] The payline indicator lamp 120 indicates which paylines 114 are active. The active paylines are determined in advance by the number of medals bet as gaming media. There are five paylines 114. For example, if one medal is bet, the middle horizontal payline is active. If two medals are bet, three lines are active, including the upper horizontal payline and the lower horizontal payline. If three medals are bet, five lines are active, including the lower right-hand payline and the upper right-hand payline. Note that the number of paylines 114 is not limited to five. For example, if one medal is bet, the five lines active may be the middle horizontal payline, the upper horizontal payline, the lower horizontal payline, the lower right-hand payline, and the upper right-hand payline. Alternatively, the same number of paylines may be uniformly set as active paylines regardless of the number of bets.

[0468] The notification lamp 123 is a lamp that notifies the player that, for example, a specific winning combination (specifically, a bonus) has been internally won in an internal lottery, or that a bonus game is in progress. 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 required) if a replay, which is one of the winning combinations, was won in the previous game. The reel panel lamp 128 is a lamp for effect purposes.

[0469] 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, each time the bet button 130 is pressed, one medal is inserted up to a maximum of three medals, when the bet button 131 is pressed, two medals are inserted, and when the bet button 132 is pressed, three medals are inserted. Hereinafter, the bet button 132 is also referred to as the MAX bet button. The game medal insertion lamps 129 light up the number of 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.

[0470] The medal insertion slot 141 is an insertion slot through which a player inserts medals to start a game. That is, medals can be inserted electronically using the bet buttons 130 to 132, or physical medals can be inserted (insertion operation) through the medal insertion slot 141; the term "insertion" includes both. The stored medal 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 (e.g., the number of medals paid out during a bonus game) in numerical form. 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. The stored medal number display 125, the game information display 126, and the payout number display 127 are seven-segment (SEG) displays.

[0471] 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.

[0472] The stop button unit 136 is provided with stop buttons 137 to 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. Hereinafter, operations on 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. Note that 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.

[0473] 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.

[0474] 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.

[0475] The sound hole 181 is a hole for outputting sound from a speaker provided inside the slot machine 100 to the outside. Side lamps 144 provided on the left and right sides of the front door 102 are decorative lamps for livening up the game. An effect device 160 is provided above the front door 102, and a sound hole 143 is provided above the effect device 160. This effect device 160 is equipped with 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 a liquid crystal display device 157 (effect image display device) provided on the back side of the shutter 163. When the right shutter 163a and the left shutter 163b are opened horizontally outward in front of the liquid crystal display device 157, the display screen of the liquid crystal display device 157 appears on the front (player side) of the slot machine 100.

[0476] Note that any display device capable of displaying various effect images and various game information may be used, not limited to a liquid crystal display device. 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 is visible to the player. In this embodiment, the display screen is rectangular, but it may also be square. Furthermore, decorations (not shown) may be provided around the periphery of the display screen, so that a portion of the periphery of the display screen is hidden by the decoration, making the display screen appear irregularly shaped. In this embodiment, the display screen is flat, but it may also be curved.

[0477] <Internal structure> FIG. 39 is a front view showing the slot machine 100 with the front door 102 open.

[0478] Main body 101 is a box-like body that is surrounded by top panel 261, left side panel 260, right side panel 260, bottom panel 264, and back panel 242, and is open at the front. Inside main body 101, main control board storage case 640 that stores main control board 600 is disposed in a position that does not overlap with ventilation opening 249 provided at the top of back panel 242. Details of main control board 600 and main control board storage case 640 will be described later.

[0479] Three reels 110 to 112 are arranged below this main control board storage case 640. In addition, an external centralized terminal board 248 is attached to the side panel 260 on the right side, which is connected to the main control board 600 and outputs information about the slot machine 100 to an external device.

[0480] 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 reels 110 to 112, 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. Furthermore, the power supply device 252 is provided with a storage circuit (e.g., a capacitor) for supplying power to predetermined components for a predetermined period (e.g., 10 days) even after the external power supply is cut off.

[0481] 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 264, and the power cord 264 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.

[0482] 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 the performance device 160, a sub-control board storage case (not shown) that stores the sub-control board inside, an upper speaker 272, etc. Below the symbol display window 113 are provided the medal selector 170 for sorting inserted medals, and a passage 266 through which medals pass when the medal selector 170 drops illegal medals, etc. into the medal tray 161. Furthermore, a low-frequency speaker 277 is provided at a position corresponding to the sound hole 181.

[0483] <Main board storage case, mirror> Next, the main substrate storage case 640 and the mirror 647 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0484] FIG. 40 is an exploded perspective view showing main board storage case 640 and main control board 600, and FIG. 41 is a plan view showing main control board 600 stored in main board storage case 640.

[0485] The main board storage case 640 (board case) is a box-shaped body formed by combining a board storage body 642 (storage body) with a roughly rectangular, square-plate-shaped bottom and a lid body 644 arranged to cover the internal space of this board storage body 642.

[0486] Main control board 600 (board) is housed in the internal space of main board storage case 640, fixed to board storage body 642 with screws 646. Board storage body 642 and lid body 644 are each made of translucent resin, and main control board 600 housed inside main board storage case 640 can be seen from the outside through main board storage case 640.

[0487] Gate-shaped hinge portions 642b are provided in two locations on the lower edge of the substrate housing body 642. Hook-shaped hook portions 644a that engage with these hinge portions 642b are provided in two locations on the lower edge of the lid body 644, and locking tongue pieces 644b that lock with the upper edge of the substrate housing body 642 are provided on both left and right ends of the upper edge.

[0488] Therefore, when assembling the main board storage case 640, first, the hook portion 644a of the lid body 644 is engaged with the hinge portion 642b of the board container 642, and then the lid body 644 is rotated around the hinge portion 642b to combine the board container 642 and the lid body 644, and the locking tongue 644b of the lid body 644 is engaged with the locking hole on the upper edge of the board container 642, thereby fixing the lid body 644 to the board container 642.

[0489] As shown in Figure 40, a mirror 647 (mirror member) made of a glass plate with a silver film attached is provided in the upper left side of the inner space of the substrate housing 642 when viewed from the front, and as shown in Figure 41, this mirror 647 is configured to be located near one longitudinal end side (in this example, the left end when viewed from above) of the main IC (main chip) 606a mounted on the main control substrate 600 when the main control substrate 600 is housed in the substrate housing 642.

[0490] According to this example, the mirror surface member (mirror 647) makes it possible to see the back side and terminals of the IC (main IC 606a) mounted on the board (main control board 600), making it easier to notice fraudulent activity. In addition, the IC (main IC 606a) can be checked while the board (main control board 600) is housed in the board case (main board storage case 640), making it easier for game parlor staff to check and improving convenience. Furthermore, by providing the mirror surface member (mirror 647) near the IC (main IC 606a), it is possible to increase the deterrent effect against fraudulent activity and prevent fraudulent activity from occurring.

[0491] Furthermore, since the mirror 647 (mirror member) is provided inside the substrate case (main substrate storage case 640) that is tightly sealed and fixed by the substrate container 642 and the lid 644, it is possible to prevent the mirror member (mirror 647) from becoming dirty or damaged, and to prevent fraudulent acts such as unauthorized removal of the mirror member (mirror 647), thereby improving maintainability and crime prevention.

[0492] It should be noted that the "mirror member" according to the present invention is not limited to a mirror having a silver film attached to a glass plate, but may also be, for example, a member obtained by polishing (mirror polishing) a material such as metal, aluminum, or plastic to give the surface of the material a mirror-like finish, or a member obtained by processing (mirror processing) the surface of a material such as metal, aluminum, or plastic to give the surface of a processed object a mirror-like finish.

[0493] Furthermore, in this example, mirror 647 (mirror member) is provided inside substrate housing body 642 of main substrate housing case 640 (substrate case), but the "mirror member" of the present invention may be provided near one longitudinal end of the IC, and may be provided, for example, inside lid 644 of main substrate housing case 640 (substrate case), or on main control substrate 600 (substrate), or on a member other than main substrate housing case 640 (substrate case) or main control substrate 600 (substrate). Furthermore, although mirror 647 is provided near the longitudinal left side of main IC 606a (the end where pin 1 is located), it may also be provided near the longitudinal right side of main IC 606a (the end opposite the end where pin 1 is located).

[0494] <Main control board, mirror> Next, the main control board 600 and the mirror 647 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0495] The main control board 600 is an example of the "board" according to the present invention. Therefore, the "board" according to the present invention is not limited to the board constituting the main control unit, but may be, for example, the sub-control board or performance control board described with reference to FIG. 39, or any other board mounted on the gaming machine. Furthermore, the gaming machine may be equipped with multiple boards corresponding to the "board" according to the present invention.

[0496] The main control board 600 is composed of a substrate 602 consisting of a rectangular plate-like body, a wiring pattern (not shown) and a resist layer 604 formed on one surface (mounting surface 600a) of the substrate 602, and multiple types of components 606 (606a to 606f) mounted on one surface (mounting surface 600a) of the substrate 602.

[0497] The components 606 mounted on the main control board 600 include a main IC 606a, various ICs 606b, passive components 606c such as resistors, capacitors, and coils, a connector 606d, an LED 606e, and a verification terminal 606f.

[0498] The main IC 606a is an IC that includes a CPU, a ROM for storing control programs and various data, a RAM for temporarily storing data, etc., and is a control IC that controls the central part of the game. Note that the "IC" according to the present invention is not limited to the main IC mounted on the main control board 600, and may be an IC other than the main IC, such as the various ICs 606b shown in Figure 41.

[0499] In this example, the main IC 606a is mounted on the mounting surface 600a of the main control board 600 via a socket 606g, and is mounted on this mounting surface 600a in an eccentric state (closer to the outer edge on the left side than the center) on one longitudinal side of the main control board 600 (in this example, the left longitudinal side). This reduces the distance between the mirror member (mirror 647) arranged in the main board storage case 640 and the IC (main IC 606a) mounted on the main control board 600, and the mirror member (mirror 647) makes it easier to see the back side and terminal parts of the IC (main IC 606a), making it easier for game parlor staff and the like to notice fraud.

[0500] Furthermore, one longitudinal side (in this example, the left longitudinal side) of the main control board 600 on which the main IC 606a is mounted is the side closer to the left side panel 260 (see Figure 39) when viewed from the front inside the main body 101, that is, the side closer to the rotation axis DL of the front door 102 (the axis shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 41).Therefore, when a store clerk or the like at an amusement parlor opens the front door 102 and looks at the mirror member (mirror 647), the front door 102 does not get in the way of the inspection work, making it easier to check the mirror member (mirror 647), which not only increases the efficiency of the inspection work but also makes it easier to notice any fraud.

[0501] Furthermore, since no other electronic components are provided in the area BE (the rectangular area indicated by the thick dotted line in FIG. 41) between the mirror 647 (mirror member) and the main IC 606a on the main control board 600 (board), other electronic components mounted on the board (main control board 600) are less likely to be reflected in the mirror member (mirror 647), and the mirror member (mirror 647) makes it easier to see the back side and terminals of the IC (main IC 606a), making it easier for game parlor staff to notice fraud. Note that it is sufficient that no other electronic components are provided in the area BE, and silkscreen printing, wiring patterns, lands, through-holes, etc. indicating component numbers and mounting locations may be formed as long as they do not impede the visibility of the mirror member (mirror 647).

[0502] Furthermore, since no light output means capable of outputting light (e.g., LED 606e) or display means capable of displaying (e.g., LED segment display) is arranged in the area LE on the longitudinal extension line of the main IC 606a (the area sandwiched between two thin dotted lines in Figure 41), the light output from the light output means or display means is less likely to be reflected by the mirror member (mirror 647), and the mirror member (mirror 647) makes the back side and terminal parts of the IC (main IC 606a) easier to see, making it easier for gaming parlor staff and others to notice fraud.

[0503] FIG. 42(a) is a side view seen from the direction indicated by the line AA in FIG.

[0504] Socket pins (terminals) (not shown) are provided inside socket 606g mounted on main control board 600 at positions corresponding to terminals 606a1 of the attached main IC 606a. When main IC 606a is attached to socket 606g, terminals 606a1 of main IC 606a and socket pins of socket 606g are electrically connected to each other, thereby electrically connecting main IC 606a and main control board 600.

[0505] In addition, a notch 606g1 recessed toward the bottom surface of the socket 606g is formed on the top surface of the socket 606g in the short direction (between the socket 606g and the main IC 606a), and a notch 606g2 recessed toward the top surface of the socket 606g is formed on the bottom surface of the socket 606g in the short direction (between the socket 606g and the main control board 600).

[0506] The body of socket 606g is formed from a transparent or translucent resin material, so it is possible to visually confirm through the body of socket 606g that there are no unauthorized parts. In this example, however, a mirror 647 is further provided near one longitudinal end of main IC 606a, so that the state of notch 606g1 and notch 606g2 can be visually confirmed by mirror 647, and it is possible to visually confirm that there are no unauthorized parts between socket 606g and main IC 606a, or between socket 606g and main control board 600.

[0507] The LED 606e is an electronic component that includes a plurality of light-emitting portions (LED elements) that can output light, and has a maximum height h3.

[0508] Verification terminal 606f is a terminal to which a test terminal (not shown) can be connected, and has a maximum height of h4. When a test terminal is connected to this verification terminal 606f, the test terminal verifies the checksum and determines whether or not the main control board 600 connected to the test terminal is a genuine main control board.

[0509] In this example, a verification terminal 606f having a maximum height h4 higher than the maximum height h3 of the LED 606e is mounted in an area closer to the main IC 606a and the mirror 647 than the LED 606e.

[0510] According to this example, the verification terminal 606f makes it difficult for the light output from the LED 606e to be reflected on the mirror member (mirror 647), so that the mirror member (mirror 647) makes it easier to see the back side and terminal parts of the main IC 606a, making it easier for staff at the gaming establishment to notice any fraud.

[0511] In this example, a reference terminal is mounted on the main control board 600, but when mounting a light output means (e.g., a lamp or LED) capable of outputting light or a display means (e.g., an LED segment display) on the main control board 600, it is sufficient to mount a component whose maximum height is higher than the maximum height of the light output means or display means in an area closer to the main IC 606a or mirror 647 than these light output means or display means, and the component is not limited to a reference terminal.

[0512] FIG. 42(b) is a side view seen from the direction indicated by the symbol BB in FIG.

[0513] A base 643 to which a mirror 647 (mirror member) can be attached is provided on bottom surface 642a of board housing body 642 of main board housing case 640 (board case). This base 643 has an inclined surface 643a inclined at a predetermined angle α (for example, 60 degrees) with respect to mounting surface 600a of main control board 600, and mirror 647 (mirror member) is placed and fixed on the upper surface of this inclined surface 643a.

[0514] That is, the mirror 647 (mirror member) is provided in a state inclined at a predetermined angle (for example, 60 degrees) with respect to the mounting surface 600a of the main control board 600 (board).

[0515] According to this example, the back side and terminals of the IC (main IC 606a) are easily visible, making it easier for staff at the gaming establishment to notice any fraud.

[0516] Although an example has been shown in which the mirror 647 is raised and tilted toward the main IC 606a, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the mirror 647 is raised and tilted toward the main IC 606a (first direction) and further tilted toward the upper side of the front door 102 (second direction), when the error 647 is viewed from above the front door 102, the back side and terminal parts of the main IC 606a become easier to see, which may make it easier for staff at the gaming parlor to notice fraud.

[0517] <Main board storage case, mirror / variation> Next, a modified example of the main substrate case and mirror will be described with reference to Fig. 43. Fig. 43(a) is a plan view showing a substrate storage case 650 and a mirror 657 according to a modified example, and Fig. 43(b) is a side view seen from the direction indicated by line CC in Fig. 43(a).

[0518] The slot machine according to this example includes a board housing case 650 that can house a main control board 600 and a peripheral board 652 that is connected to the main control board 600 via a harness (not shown).

[0519] The board storage case 650 is configured to have a first storage section 650a capable of storing the main control board 600 therein, and a second storage section 650b capable of storing the peripheral board 652 therein, and the second storage section 650b has a rectangular opening 650b1 that opens upward.

[0520] In this example, a mirror 657 is arranged below the opening 650b1 in the second storage section 650b (on the bottom surface of the second storage section 650b), and staff at the gaming facility can directly view the mirror 657 through the opening 650b1 (without going through the board storage case 650).

[0521] According to this example, the mirror member (mirror 657) can be directly viewed without passing through other components, which increases the visibility of the mirror member (mirror 657), making it easier to see the back side and terminal parts of the IC (main IC 606a), making it easier for game parlor staff to notice fraud.

[0522] In addition, the main control board 600 has a connector CN1 arranged in an area vertically below the front door below the mirror 657, and the peripheral board 652 has a connector CN2 arranged in an area vertically below the front door below the mirror 657, and the connector CN1 of the main control board 600 and the connector CN2 of the peripheral board 652 are electrically connected by a harness (not shown).

[0523] In this example, neither the main control board 600 nor the peripheral board 652 has a connector for connecting the two arranged in an area vertically above the mirror 657 on the front door, so the harness (wiring) connecting the two connectors does not hang down above the mirror member (mirror 657) and obstruct the visibility of the mirror member (mirror 657). This makes it easier to see the back side and terminal parts of the IC (main IC 606a), making it easier for arcade staff to notice fraud.

[0524] <Main board storage case, main control board, mirror / setup> As described above, the gaming machine of this embodiment (for example, the slot machine 100 shown in Figure 38 or the enclosed gaming machine 100 shown in Figure 1) is a gaming machine that includes a board (for example, the main control board 600 shown in Figures 40 and 41) and a board case that houses the board (for example, the main board storage case 640 shown in Figures 40 and 41), and is characterized in that at least an IC (for example, the main IC 606a shown in Figures 40 and 41) is mounted on the board, and a mirror member (for example, the mirror 647 shown in Figures 40 and 41) is provided near one longitudinal end of the IC.

[0525] According to the gaming machine of this embodiment, the mirrored member makes it possible to see the backside and terminals of the IC mounted on the board, making it easier to notice fraudulent activity, and since the IC can be checked while the board is housed in the board case, it becomes easier for gaming parlor staff to check, thereby increasing convenience. Furthermore, by providing a mirrored member near the IC, it is possible to increase the deterrent effect against fraudulent activity and prevent fraudulent activity from occurring.

[0526] Furthermore, a gaming machine according to this embodiment (for example, the slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 38 or the enclosed gaming machine 100 shown in FIG. 1) is a gaming machine including a board (for example, the main control board 600 shown in FIG. 40 or 41) and a board case (for example, the main board storage case 640 shown in FIG. 40 or 41) for accommodating the board, and at least a certain IC (for example, the main IC 606a shown in FIG. 40 or 41) is mounted on the board, and a certain mirror member (for example, the mirror 647 shown in FIG. 40 or 41) is provided near one end of the certain IC in the longitudinal direction so that at least a part of the certain IC is reflected. the area between the certain mirrored member and the certain IC on the board is not equipped with any other electronic components, the first electronic component is not equipped in an area on the longitudinal extension of the certain IC, the board case is attached to the rear wall of the housing facing the opening of the housing, the board case is surrounded on all sides by walls and has a recess that opens toward the opening of the housing, and the certain mirrored member is provided in the recess of the board case at an angle inclined to the mounting surface of the board on which the certain IC is mounted.

[0527] According to the gaming machine of this embodiment, a certain mirrored member makes it possible to see the backside and terminals of the IC mounted on the board, making it easier to notice fraudulent activity, and since the IC can be checked while the board is housed in the board case, it becomes easier for gaming parlor staff to check, thereby increasing convenience. Furthermore, by providing a certain mirrored m...

Claims

[Claim 1] A gaming machine equipped with a plurality of rotatable reels and a plurality of stop operation means operable to stop the reels, The reel includes at least a band-shaped reel band having a plurality of symbols and an annular reel frame capable of supporting the reel band, the reel band is attached so as to be wound around the reel frame, the reel band is fixed to the reel frame with double-sided tape, The double-sided tape has a first adhesive surface and a second adhesive surface, the first adhesive surface is attached to the reel band, the second adhesive surface is attached to the reel frame over a large area of ​​the second adhesive surface; The second adhesive surface has a weaker adhesive strength than the first adhesive surface, an identification portion is provided on a surface of the reel frame that contacts the second adhesive surface, the identification portion is provided so as to be located near an end of the reel band when the reel band is wound around the reel frame, The stop operation means includes at least a first stop operation means and a second stop operation means, The first stop operation means and the second stop operation means are disposed on the door body, The door body has a region (hereinafter referred to as a "rough surface region") whose surface is rougher than the operation surface of the first stop operation means, The door has a rough surface area (hereinafter referred to as the "first rough surface area") between the first stop operation means and the second stop operation means, When a direction in which a second virtual line perpendicular to a first virtual line connecting the center of the operation surface of the first stop operation means and the center of the operation surface of the second stop operation means is defined as a first direction, the distance of the first rough surface region in the first direction is longer than the distance of the operation surface of the first stop operation means in the first direction, When one side of the second virtual line is defined as a first side, the roughened surface area (hereinafter referred to as the "second roughened surface area") is also present on the first side of the operation surface of the first stop operation means on the door body and on the first side of the operation surface of the second stop operation means on the door body, the second rough surface area extends from the first side of the operation surface of the first stop operating means to the first side of the operation surface of the second stop operating means on the door body; When the other side of the second virtual line is defined as a second side, the roughened surface area (hereinafter referred to as a "third roughened surface area") is also present on the second side of the operation surface of the first stop operation means on the door body and on the second side of the operation surface of the second stop operation means on the door body, The third rough surface area extends from the second side of the operation surface of the first stop operating means to the second side of the operation surface of the second stop operating means on the door body. A gaming machine characterized by the above.

Images